Were you a "Farmer's Almanac" fan? Some people would plan their outings and even planting of their crops around the wisdom contained there. I've never seen a copy but I was reminded of it recently when Adelle Graves asked me if I knew that, "When the leaves of certain trees (i.e. Maples) turn upside down it often will rain within 24 hours." And, she followed with, "The wider the band of color on a fuzzy caterpillar the colder the coming winter will be." Do you know any sayings like this that seem to have been proven right more often than not in your years of experience? Let us know and we'll share some more of them next month.
I just read a wonderful book that Ruth Anderson loaned me, I'm in Charge of Celebrations by Byrd Baylor. I had shared with her a rather unique experience I had at my own home which is west (just over the hill) from St. Simeon's. We have a grill out on our deck, which we bought because my husband just knew that we needed one and we never use it, I repeat, never use it. Several weeks ago I passed by the grill while repotting some plants nearby and heard something moving around inside - and not just some insect slithering around - this was something big which wasn't shy about making a racket.
Clearly a job for the "Man of the House", so I got Bill out there with a broom to stand as far back as possible (I was, of course, twice as far away.) and use the end of it to throw open the grill's lid. What should we see but three very excited, very adorable, young Brown Thrushes. Apparently the mother Thrush had entered an opening in the back of the grill to build the nest, hatch her eggs, and feed the youngster until they were ready to leave the nest. The problem was that when they "left" they fell though the grate and were not able to get back up through it to get out. She must have continued to feed them because they were in good condition.
Like a plane taxiing on the runway, they had been exercising their wings as they scurried back and forth on the coals. When we then lifted the crate, two flew up and away and the third just needed a little more practice before he (I figured him for a male...) also took to the air. Their proud mother beamed nearby.
So, as the author of Ruth's book suggests, I have officially declared that day as, "The Freeing of the Baby Brown Thrushes Day" and will make a note to celebrate it each year. Have you also had special moments in your life that should be worthy of being celebrated again and again? I'm working on my list now.
We haven't reported on the gardening going on in the Memory Center for a while. Working with Dana Forrest, our Horticulturist and Tina Hicks in Life Enrichment the residents have their Courtyard bursting with color. The Zinnias tower above everything else. The strawberries and herbs have been successful and the residents are especially proud of the gourds they have grown this year. Those vines have been climbing all over everything - does Jack and the Beanstalk ring a bell? - but they certainly have yielded some beautiful gourds. Now I know how the Acorn Gourd got its name. Vallee Kidd is responsible for planting many of the beautiful pots we see along with Ruth Baber, Dorothy Bryan and Violet Cox. The Ladies of Home 4 love sitting on their couches in the air conditioning and surveying their handiwork simmering out in the summer heat.
Residents in the Memory Center can enjoy taking their plants to their "homes". The homes were specifically built to have lots of windows with sunshine year around both in the common areas and in their bedrooms. And it helps that we have a good "plant recycling" program in place. If a potted plant begins to look poorly where it is then it is whisked off to the plant hospital (Activity Room) which has a lighted plant stand set up to provide a little special care until it is ready to go visiting again.
Not everything was a success. The four stalks of corn never really amounted to anything. Any suggestions out there? Maybe we needed more than four to get that pollination thing going to grow ears like you buy at the produce stand?
Check out the three large "new old" clay pots as you come in the main entrance of our building (at Administration). Father Norris donated these from his garden and they are wonderfully, naturally antique in appearance. Recently we had a group of volunteers come by from the Presbyterian Church SYNOD Youth Workshop and they assisted residents in planting them with lots of lovely annuals so we now have some color to welcome our many visitors.
Try to stay cool, drink plenty of fluids, and make sure you don't forget to give your plants (and animals) a drink too!
Quote of the Month
"I can't wait until tomorrow..'cause I get better looking every day!" Randy Dittman
"Prep School" by Ben Henneke"
"Gifts To Employees..." Family Support Group Turnpike Travelers
Rezzy Dent Says
Roots n'Shoots n' Critters Quote Of The Month
Auxiliary News "Basic Truths??" "The Grass Is Greener" This Month's Birthdays New Residents Departed Residents
Getting To Know Father John Norris
Father Norris, Cont. Country Fair at St. Simeon's
ADS News St. Simeon's "Believe It or Not"
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