Category Archives: Life

Fool me once, fool me twice, fool me every spring!

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The farm across the road from us.

The farm across the road from us.

We live in the country, in the middle of nowhere – Podunk. Moreover, they don’t call it Podunk for nothing. Even though we are only four miles outside of town, when we first moved here in 2010, there was no cable TV or internet service. Most people have satellite TV in our neighborhood. Until 2014, the only way we could get online was from our handy MiFi device that provided internet service off cellular towers. At least we had a 3G tower less than a mile away. We have never been a big fan of cable TV and we’re so behind on the up-to-date shows, it is no big deal to borrow videos from the library. Therefore, we rarely ever miss “regular” cable TV.

Our block is one mile long with less than 10 houses on it. We live on the “populated” side of Podunk; the other side has only three houses. As a result, we are surrounded by farms. This time of year, it becomes very evident with the spreading of fertilizer – a.k.a. manure.

Even though this will be our 6th season here, I seem to forget where I am and get fooled every time. There is a moment every spring when I start smelling the manure and know the farmers are taking care of the land. But then out of nowhere I forget and think I have stepped in it. I check my shoes, Mathew’s, and then ask Mike to check his shoes. Every time he needs to remind me that it’s just the farm across the street that has recently spread manure. Of course it is!shit flying

 

Spring flower walk in the woods

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Come along with me for another hike in the woods.

skunk cabbage in bloomskunk cabbageI grew up in Hudson Valley and would come across Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) all the time but rarely had the pleasure of seeing them in bloom. The maroon pointy hood, called a spathe, holds and protects the flower when it emerges out of the ground. Although they are known for their odor, I really couldn’t smell them even though there were quite a few along the path.

cut-leaved toothwortI have never noticed Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenate) before and was amazed how they seemed to be everywhere. How did I ever miss them? They get their name from their ivory colored roots as well as being used for toothaches.

MertensiaAnother new flower to me is Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica). Their blossoms are absolutely breathtaking.

Smooth Yellow VioletThe Smooth Yellow Violet (Viola pensylvanica) is always a treat to see in the woods. They differ from the Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) as their stems are smoothed unlike the Downy Yellow Violet.

Blue Cohoshblue cohosh in bloomIt is amazing that Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is an “at-risk” plant as it is so abundant in the Finger Lakes Region. I love the delicate dark wine colored blossom. It looks almost black. Blue Cohosh is a powerful medicinal herb for women.