Fall revisited, and a bit more on Winged Sumac

November 7, 2012November 8, 201233 Comments

First let me demystify the Winged part of Winged Sumac.

Winged Sumac gets its name from the “wings” that grow along the shaft of its composite leaf.

Here in the closeup is one composite leaf. For those who may not know, a composite leaf is made up of several leaflets attached to a central stem. In this young specimen the stem is attached to the main stalk of the plant.

Notice the growth along the shaft? Those are its wings! 😉

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Now for a few more photos of Autumn before it is all gone for 2012

This was taken at the end of the day with an overcast sky.

So beautiful!

Squirrel!

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Note: Want to know more about Sumac? Then check out these informative sites!

How we can utilize the plant…

Eat the Weeds at http://www.eattheweeds.com/sumac-more-than-just-native-lemonade/
First Ways at http://firstways.com/2011/08/23/how-and-why-to-eat-sumac/

And how nature and wildlife utilize use the plant…

USDA fact sheet at http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_rhco.pdf

What makes leaves change color in the fall? (cntnews.wordpress.com)
Fattoush (acedarspoon.com)

Today is the big day! Election 2012

November 6, 2012December 12, 201220 Comments

Here in the US it is time to get out and make your voice heard. So please…

get out there and

Vote!

Now is not a time for apathy. If you don’t vote, then you can’t complain.

It is that simple.

**~*~**

PS: If you have already cast your ballot, or do not live in the US, then please disregard this message. 😉

*Fall is Not Easy: a colorful view of the farmlet

October 28, 2012November 8, 201228 Comments

Here on the Farmlet it seems that every fall, just when we start getting some great color, the wind comes and takes it all away. This fall was no exception and to make matters worse I find myself lame and on a walking stick. And for those who are wondering, “YES, I am going to the Dr. tomorrow because it has been a week and I am not improving.”

However, wind and lame knee aside, I decided I would give it my best shot and get out to see if I could capture what remains!

Lil’ Bit tiptoeing through the wet leaves.

A festive chicken yard

The newly revamped front flower bed.

NOTE: It used to be harder to find native plants, shrubs, and perennials, but all of a sudden the deep South is “getting it.” I am back in my element! Not all is native, but the bulk of it will be when I am done!

*Winged Sumac

This is something I have wanted in my garden for some time, but had not found a local source for it. I don’t know how it got here perhaps a bird, or the tornado storm, but it is definitely a welcome native. Do you know why she is called “winged?”

Notes from the USDA Native Plants Database: “Sumac serves primarily as a winter emergency food for wildlife. Ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, and about 300 species of songbirds include sumac fruit in their diet. It is also known to be important only in the winter diets of ruffed grouse and the sharp-tailed grouse. Fox squirrels and cottontail rabbits eat the sumac bark. White-tail deer like the fruit and stems.
Sumac also makes good ornamental plantings and hedges because of the brilliant red fall foliage.“

One burnished tree.

This one can be viewed closer by clicking on it. 😉

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Happy Autumn!

~*~

(I had fun, even if the results are less than spectacular!)

NOTES:

Today’s title “Fall is Not Easy” comes from a favorite children’s book I used to share with my little students during the season. If you have little ones Pre-K to 3rd grades (+ or -) then perhaps you would like to preview this entertaining book. Look HERE
Why is Winged Sumac ‘winged?’ Have a look at the USDA Plant database PDF – HERE and the site information HERE

Native plants support native animal populations (triblive.com)

Thoughts on housekeeping and hAiRy DoGs…

October 25, 2012October 25, 201230 Comments

If you own dogs you know they shed. If you own big hairy dogs you know they shed A LOT!

I grew up hearing my mother and my friends mother’s euphemisms about dust bunnies and kittens under the bed… Oh the horror! Yeah, well they didn’t live with Buddy.

I don’t get dust bunnies, nor dust kittens, I get dust buffaloes!

They congregate in the corners, hide under the sofa, the chest of drawers, and lurk under the bed, but the worst is when they creep into the kitchen and …

Well, you know what I mean. Now there are jokes about your food not tasting right without the cat or dog hair in it, but really? I don’t find them humorous. So, I have banished the dogs from the kitchen, at least during mealtimes, and the looks I get are pathetic.