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Snakes in the Grass.

Was working outside a bit clearing an old landscape feature out.  When I noticed this little guy.. little?

He was about 2 ft. long or more.  Must have plenty to eat. Anyway this little guy didn't seem to alarmed at seeing me out today, usually he hides. So far he has not went to any of the neighbors yards, which would probably get him hit with a shovel. Hopefully he makes it through the summer. I could use some good slug and insect control.

This little one is a Eastern garter snake and can be identified by its dark body with three stripes, a thin one on its back and thicker ones on either side.  They are a nonvenomous species and release a foul smell if attacked, they will bite if provoked.  Its diet consists of  lizards, rodents, amphibians, turtles, slugs, small fish, insects and birds.
The average adult garter snake is 18 - 26 inches long, yet can reach a maximum length of 36 inches.
A garter snake's life expectancy is no longer than ten years.


I myself like to watch them and as a kid watched one catch lightening bugs in the yard. Never knew they ate those...  anyway most people kill these on sight.  I would advise unless they are a real problem inside the house, (and you can catch those and relocate) Just leave em in the grass. They will help with pest control.

They do tend to freeze when people pass making them prime targets for lawn mowers.. so If your inclined. sweep through the yard once to scare them out of the grass before mowing.  I do advise no wild animal should be caught and kept as a pet. 
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Birds and the Bees.

This morning I got the kids off to school, checked for any new seedlings and then decided to sit back enjoy myself.   Sitting on the porch no one else up or moving that I could see, I watched the Bees  buzzing around the Lilac.  Occasionally one one fly up and "stare" at me before going back to the blossoms.   The birds were wide awake and i had several robins poaching worms in the yard.   As I sat I noticed a  slight movement, keeping an eye on that spot in the yard I saw a pretty decently good sized garden snake.  Of course when it saw me it raised it head and watched me as long as I watched it. After several moments of mutual staring we both went back to what ever it was we were doing.  I watched the bees, it looked for breakfast.  Sometime during all this a small black cat appeared and lounged on the porch.    All in all a good start to any day.

Spring Cleaning!

If you are actually reading this, then you know I have not made alot of posting recently.  I promise I will get people caught up... eventually.  Cleaning the brush and such out of the yard, and the cobwebs out of the house.   Dodging the rain drops, but liking the green coming up.  I will get more out soon (ishI

Morning Sunshine!

Well, I am not usually a morning person. short of getting my kids on the school bus, I am not an active morning person.  I prefer late evenings.  But this morning I got up, and went outside. The sun was coming up. It was cold but still unbearably nice.  Kids were already on the buses, My other half was still asleep, My dog wanted to play, and brings me a soccer ball. So I kick it about for her a bit, highly amused at watching her bring it back. 

Deciding I REALLY should get my son's strawberries into the ground, i locate the spot next to the back porch that gets the most sun.   And start moving rocks,  as i scrape back the accumulated fall leaves, I find to my surprise a patch of catnip, still green even after the winter snow.  After plucking several sprigs I decide that the strawberries will have to be planted elsewhere.. Now I actually have to dig.. But at least my cats are happy.


 Continuing my morning adventures, I start hauling junk out to the trash to be picked up today, As I do this my thoughts linger on the dishwasher, I have been waiting for people to haul to the curb for me.  Making my way to the wear it sits, i look it over and decide that the  heavy plastic wash bin is just to nice a item to waste. (not only am I lazy, I am cheap!)  it's square(ish), deep, and has built in spill over holes . Collecting a drill, a mallet, and a pair of pliers, I have decided to take apart the outer metal frame and convert it into a planter.  I will let you know how this works out.

Rainy days

 Always seems rain as soon as the ground starts to get turned.   Spent some time digging in the ground, Clouds form up.  Anyway the plants will love it and of course every robin in the area love the tilled ground.  I have seen as many as 6 at a time. If they are finding that many worms to poach. just maybe the yard is savable. 
   For now I will sit, watch it rain and dream of the good things that I should grow in it.

I Declare!

Well, I planted some tomato seeds last friday.  On monday a few had already declared (sprouted).  Today all are up and ready to grow.  Tomorrow morning I will move them to sit on top of my dryer.  Sorry no fancy light setup here.   The dryer is sitting under a window that gets great morning and afternoon sun.  In a week I will crack the window slightly to let them get some outside air during the day. until then a small personal fan aimed indirectly at them should keep off fungus and help strengthen the stems.

As I was looking at the tiny fragile plants, it came to my that my heavy clay soil just may be to much for them. And since (hey I have southern roots, starting a sentence with And is acceptable....) I have had back problems that are just starting to clear up, I am not so sure I can till it myself.   So I am going to try my hand at making some cheap and easy self watering planters for them.  Same for my son's strawberries.  Of course I will still be working to make the soil better this year, just not wanting to make it much harder on myself. And ( see what I said?)  containers would save me a ton of time on weeding, yep people still to lazy to do the yard work.

Springtime or Groundhog stew.

Its Spring! or so the groundhog said.  After a long winter I can't wait to see some green stuff in my yard. Unfortunately for me that means weeds, and If I am lucky some grass. Now I am not the type of person that truly wants or needs a perfectly manicured yard,. In fact i can be down right lazy when it comes to yard work, really who wants to spend hours edging, trimming, or weeding?  I actually like those bright yellow flowers that pop up, even if my neighbors don't. Face it dandelions make me happy.  Now I am not saying i want crabgrass or thistles, but the dandelions are here to stay. As to thistles, I wouldn't have those if it wasn't in every bird feeder all winter for miles around, but I like birds and  they have to eat  (I'll keep telling myself this as I dig them up.)

Ok, I digress.  Spring!  That's what I am looking forward too. I have invested a bare minimum in buying some seeds. Not only am I to lazy to manicure the yard, I am a stay at home mom. Funds are tight everywhere.  So even though I want an edible garden, I have to do it on a very threadbare budget.  So this year, Tomatoes and a few other plants I can scrape together.  Mainly it will be survival of the fittest in my clay soil.

I know your thinking, compost. Yeah me too. Only I have no place to keep a compost pile without upsetting the neighbors and have yet to find anyone willing to deliver me a large truckload for free. So this year its me, probably collecting bags of grass clippings and leaves and mulching the yard with it (at least all those Dandelion seeds will find a home I guess).  If I can find the materials along the way, maybe I will put in a few raised beds and fill them with the same clippings, after all my kids would get a blast out of "growing" worms.

Ok back on subject. Spring!  I can't wait, it's almost 40 degrees out today, so my hopes are up.  If not, well I have a recipe for Groundhog stew around here somewhere.