tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40387132024-03-14T01:12:52.075-05:00The Journey ContinuesThoughts on the Journey together into God's future.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-62435819156566023322023-11-17T15:16:00.006-06:002023-11-17T15:24:17.360-06:00<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiam6c989bm5mVqsljo3Jlk2-_5f77oEadZjgVwFRdQPxJwquVNHCGL2NvmMwfieCVwp45taJEQPhNOZ1V7oPzymANzVvf5RfQTrk7IvOcVXdWalb9YPFASIF3WtNhA2nzA2yZ4uCobaBbxhgMu_CSlMhscg845fIIirgf2nniI8twSD0Lr9XvG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="964" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiam6c989bm5mVqsljo3Jlk2-_5f77oEadZjgVwFRdQPxJwquVNHCGL2NvmMwfieCVwp45taJEQPhNOZ1V7oPzymANzVvf5RfQTrk7IvOcVXdWalb9YPFASIF3WtNhA2nzA2yZ4uCobaBbxhgMu_CSlMhscg845fIIirgf2nniI8twSD0Lr9XvG=w467-h263" width="467" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let's Stop Being Nice</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luke 10:25-48</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow, I will be teaching the story of the Good Samaritan. This is one of the most challenging stories for me to read, teach, or preach. The difficulty is that when I sit down to read it, I think I already know what it means, but I don't. And when I stand up to talk about it, the people I'm talking to think they already know what it means, but they don't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I sit down to read it, or when I stand up to talk about it, my assumption, and I'm afraid that the general assumption of those I'm talking to is this: Jesus wants us to be nice to people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's how I remember hearing the story taught in Sunday School, and I've never recovered. I still hear it as Jesus saying, "Be nice."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the most part, in this culture we have seen Christianity as something that makes us nice. We want our children to be Christians, not so they'll be passionate disciples in the kingdom of God, living by kingdom standards, choosing careers of service and sacrifice, but so they'll be nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jesus did not say, "Follow me, and I'll make you nice." He did not say, "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him be nice and follow me." He did not call us to make us nice. The Holy Spirit of God did not fall from Heaven on the Day of Pentecost to make the church nice. The God of all the Universe came to dwell within us to transform us into distinctive people who reflect his glory in how we live, love, serve, and sacrifice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes I think we have anesthetized the tyrannosaurus rex of the Christian life, trimmed his claws, pulled his teeth, and turned him into a mindless purple dinosaur that sings: I love you, you love me, we're a happy family…" There is no more power, danger, risk, strength, or energy to Christian love in this culture. This stuff we deal with is so anemic that it would never have sent Jesus to the cross. It's just nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the parable of the Good Samaritan does not simply call us to be nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, my task this week, as I approached this text, was to listen, to hear the Parable of the Good Samaritan again, and to let it call me to something more than being nice to people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jesus is talking about big things – eternal life, God's kind of life, the kind of like we know in the coming age. He's talking about one of the two most important principles by which any person will ever guide his or her life – the 2nd greatest commandment––loving a neighbor as we love ourselves. He's talking about the kind of life God wishes to build into us by painfully extracting it from us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jesus is talking about a life of extravagant compassion, wild, risk-taking love, and selfless abandonment. He's talking about living with a definition of humanity in the image of God that obliterates all the false and fearful boundaries we erect to keep others out of our lives. He's talking about seeing the world in a totally different way. He's teaching us that the way of life we are now pursuing only approximates what we were created for. He is not teaching us to be nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jesus is using this story to penetrate the false self I erect around me to protect me and to tell myself that I am doing well. I love those who love me. I love the loveable and the lovely. I love those who are easy to love. I love those I know. I love those who are like me. I love those who are convenient to love. I love those who can repay my love. I love those who cost me little. I try to be a nice person.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jesus' story insists that I look inside for something else – the self-protective, demanding part of me that has not yet been changed into the image of Christ and does not yet reflect his character. The story asks me to see that he intentionally shapes me into a kingdom citizen. This work of the heart creates compassionate, selfless, boundless, risk-taking servants of God. Not nice people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story of the Good Samaritan, rightly read, leaves me hurting. I know how much my behavior and attitude reflect more closely the responses of the priest and the Levite. I know how little it costs me to love the people I allow in my life. I know how little risk-taking is involved in such love. I know how much I get back from it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story of the Good Samaritan, rightly read, leaves me yearning for more of Jesus in my life. I hear that story and want to clear out space in my life for wounded people. But my life is so crowded with nice people and with being nice to people. I fill up my schedule with being nice. Nothing radical, risky, costly, or challenging in the way of love. I have no doubt that Jesus' life perfectly reflected the behavior demonstrated by the Samaritan. When I was wounded and sinful, he did what the Samaritan did. I yearn to have such a heart and such a life in me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story of the Good Samaritan, rightly read, leaves me changed. I don't become nicer. I see people differently. I regard people differently. They are all travelers. All bear the image of God. All are people for whom Christ died. Their wounds beckon me to help. Their needs place demands on my resources, time, and effort. I can't use my religion as an excuse for remaining distant and preoccupied. The second commandment is more demanding than that. The story changes me when I read it rightly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story of the Good Samaritan, rightly read, simply turns my world upside down. It says that the world is not the way I think it is. Gang members and child-molesters, homosexuals dying of AIDS, alcoholics and drug addicts, pushers, pimps, prostitutes, liars, cheats, adulterers – all those that I and my culture label, objectify, marginalize, and ignore – are people the second commandment calls on me as a follower of Jesus to love extravagantly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It also includes those I, in my pride, look down on as not so bright or too dull to hang around, those whose agendas differ from mine, and those who oppose, ignore, judge, or even hate me. The second commandment does not have boundaries outside of which are people I am not expected to love as neighbors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here I am, trying to read this parable rightly, knowing that I'm also going to be required to teach it to nice people who think that's about the extent of what it calls for. I could prepare a lesson that encourages us, in light of the nice behavior of the Samaritan, to be nicer to the people around us. That wouldn't be a bad thing. We could do with more nice people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or I could make an effort to set the parable on fire and invite others to stand with me and watch it burn, to feel its intense heat and to shield our eyes against its light, and to allow it to consume our bland obedience to the second commandment and to enflame our hearts with attitudes and behaviors that look more like Jesus than those we brought to our class on Sunday morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But such an effort would require us to acknowledge that God is serious about transforming our lives. He does really intend us to be something other than nice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I think that instead of making that kind of effort, I will just tell my class what I struggle with as I read this story. It's not a nice story. It puts a twist in my comfortable way of living. It calls me to be a different kind of person––not nice, but sacrificially compassionate, boundlessly generous, passionately merciful–– something with power, life, and joy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /></div><br /><p></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-33678668512079929912023-07-07T08:25:00.005-05:002023-07-07T09:16:46.879-05:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQeBZqQ24kjmK-K_AbELljCXazafJOisyz-dLy2GNAfkD8jDsfj_nq2VAe0FbnroY87OHML4Z8Q9OHbDbVcmXMpOv5jg0TYS422HBp5gdIeXljJPpXAuEfjv1nn3FiDsYlOWkkW4HmtOS4bOasi_jH2At-QY8pGoDwlfu-sP3yE5AEK1-Rp1_K" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQeBZqQ24kjmK-K_AbELljCXazafJOisyz-dLy2GNAfkD8jDsfj_nq2VAe0FbnroY87OHML4Z8Q9OHbDbVcmXMpOv5jg0TYS422HBp5gdIeXljJPpXAuEfjv1nn3FiDsYlOWkkW4HmtOS4bOasi_jH2At-QY8pGoDwlfu-sP3yE5AEK1-Rp1_K=w379-h284" width="379" /></a></div><br /><h1 style="text-align: center;"> On Earth As It Is in Heaven</h1><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jesus preached, “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15; Matt. 4:17). The kingdom has, in fact, “come to you” (Matt 12:28; Lu. 11:20). At the same time, he taught his disciples to pray “your kingdom come” (Matt 6:10; Luke 11:2). Matthew’s version of that prayer contains a parallel statement following: “your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since COVID-19 kept us home and introduced us to Zoom meetings, Melinda and I have been gathering most mornings with a group of friends to pray together. We end our prayer time by praying the Lord’s Prayer together in the beautiful cacophony of everyone unmuted on Zoom. As do millions of Christians worldwide each day, we pray those simple words of Jesus. And we ask God to cause the kingdom of God to come and to cause the will of God to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kingdom of God is the realm in which God’s effective reign extends, and his will is done <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Dallas Willard, <i>The Divine Conspiracy</i>, p. 25).</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> Jesus said that the kingdom is already here. Yet, he said that we should pray for it to come and for God’s will to be done on Earth, here and now, as it is in heaven. He does not mean that we should pray for it to come into existence, but for it to “take over at all points in the personal, social, and political order where it is now excluded: ‘On earth as it is in heaven’”<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Willard, p. 26)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I long understood the petition “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” as purely eschatological, expressing a longing for that day when the kingdom is present in its fullness, and Christ reigns over all the Earth (Rev. 11:15) ––the time when the knowledge of the glory God will fill the Earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14). It is a <i>maranatha</i> prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus!” It is hopeful, eschatological praying. Prayed like this, it is the long prayed, faithful entreaty of the church that has been offered to God worldwide thousands of times each day as devout disciples have used Jesus’ words to pray. But it remains an unanswered prayer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I have only partially understood that petition when I have thought of it like this. I’ve come to believe that this is a prayer God is constantly answering.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What does it mean to pray that God’s kingdom would come and that God’s will would be done on Earth as it is in heaven when that kingdom is already present? What if God, who has promised to answer the faithful prayers of the people of God, responds to this petition daily as it is prayed by Christ’s followers around the world with a resounding, “Yes, I will! Amen! So be it!” What if God’s kingdom comes daily, powerfully, in response to that prayer? What if God’s will is being done on Earth as it is in Heaven had we eyes to see it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am sometimes a news junkie, which can be depressing. Given the limited time to report their stories, news agencies on both ends of the political spectrum consistently report the worst of human behavior, with an occasional positive “human interest story” thrown in. But is that the way the world really is? My daughter, who studied journalism, remarked that it’s only news because it is not normal. If all the violence, corruption, inhumanity, and injustices reported ever became the norm, they would cease to be news. That helps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With a bit of holy imagination, we can see God answering that prayer daily, on Earth as it is in Heaven. More than eight billion people walk this Earth today. Many suffer from disease, poverty, war, hunger, and oppression. Yet even those are not excluded from the presence of the kingdom (Matt. 5:1–11). What is not reported, and so must be imagined, is the evidence for the kingdom’s presence, the many billions of places where God’s will is done daily. How many acts of sacrificial obedience are offered by people of faith? How many say “yes” to God with their time, money, homes, experience, sweat, blood, and tears? How many acts of kindness are done in homes among family members, workplaces between friends, and public places for strangers? How many words of encouragement are spoken each day? How many sick ones are cared for? How many homeless are sheltered? How many prisoners find respite from their loneliness through the care of a chaplain or volunteer? How many hungry ones are fed? The list could go on and on. The will of God is being done on Earth as it is in Heaven. The kingdom of God comes. God answers this prayer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is still good to pray for the kingdom's coming to its fullness in God’s good time. But we do well to recall that the Lord’s Prayer focuses on the here and now. We need our daily bread here and now, this day. We need to forgive and be forgiven today. The trials and temptations from which we require deliverance will be in our path today. Why would this first petition not focus on the here and now? We pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done “on earth,” here and now, today. We want the effective range of God’s will to be extended to all those places where it is not currently operating: the wars and violence, the oppression and injustice, the pain and grief and disease. But we also want to express the kingdom in our lives as we live out of Christlike love, walk humbly with God, depending on the Holy Spirit, and express God’s will with our everyday, ordinary words and actions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our kind words to family members or strangers today will never make the evening news. But they are answers to the prayer. Generosity with our time and knowledge, and goods will make no headlines, but the will of God will be done on Earth. Billions of times in billions of ways, God’s will is done by people each day. The world about us, despite the reports, is filled with people who do love each other. Some love strangers. Some even love their enemies. These acts of love and ten thousand others bear witness to the reality of a different kingdom, another culture––one produced by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is how it is in Heaven, and so it is being done on Earth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-28839871348494196952021-02-28T14:17:00.005-06:002021-03-01T10:58:30.204-06:00The Revolution Has Begun<p> I have sometimes thought of spring like a conversion––Paul on the Damascus Road. A field I have driven past all winter is suddenly and without warning painted in colors of green, yellow, pink, and blue. Overnight, it seems. The new life of spring, green and fresh, supplants last year's old life, depleted and dried.</p><p>It isn't really like that, although it appears that way through my driver's side window. Up close, it looks very different. Spring, it turns out, does not magically appear overnight, but sneaks up slowly before the surprise attack.</p><p>I walked for an hour in the prairie this morning and noticed the evidence of the coming insurrection. Scanning the fields, I could see only the brown, dried stalks of little bluestem, switchgrass, side oats, camphor weed, and scores of other grasses and forbs that once bloomed and flourished but now stood brittle and lifeless.</p><p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQ9w_sMSzdA/YDvw-c2tOjI/AAAAAAAAeKk/TaxxsPOXh_ATQ_Ot6s_A-RPlKRuXpcS-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQ9w_sMSzdA/YDvw-c2tOjI/AAAAAAAAeKk/TaxxsPOXh_ATQ_Ot6s_A-RPlKRuXpcS-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/DSC06111.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>However, beneath the cover of those old stalks, something else is taking place. A green carpet is beginning to spread, preparing to burst into colors and reclaim the fields in a glorious revolution that happens every spring. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsJog4ORooA/YDv1EXRVkVI/AAAAAAAAeK8/oBD-fCsvIP0yJdz4Mr0Jv8alix8K_T81QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsJog4ORooA/YDv1EXRVkVI/AAAAAAAAeK8/oBD-fCsvIP0yJdz4Mr0Jv8alix8K_T81QCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/DSC06112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAPdyciA8Ts/YDv2I6zyLJI/AAAAAAAAeLU/PgxNFw3V5PwOrYF7SH8fJyG7IW8Rqy7-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAPdyciA8Ts/YDv2I6zyLJI/AAAAAAAAeLU/PgxNFw3V5PwOrYF7SH8fJyG7IW8Rqy7-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/DSC06116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Texas Ragwort is springing up, forming its blossoms, preparing to cover the prairie in bright yellow, and hosting bees and wasps and butterflies. </p><p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vj8AOIMxUM/YDv0GMiMQ1I/AAAAAAAAeKs/hnjtVhkUOXUTnnTXVD2Eqagqx8S22M1IACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vj8AOIMxUM/YDv0GMiMQ1I/AAAAAAAAeKs/hnjtVhkUOXUTnnTXVD2Eqagqx8S22M1IACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/DSC06114.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Dakota Mock Vervain, one of the first blooms to show up each year, is already opening its tiny, pink and purple flowers and staking spring's claim. </p><p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrEewApW3So/YDvp486KyrI/AAAAAAAAeKE/p0KyKAPt1sMA4XkYJAO_fuCAMf9KNZkIACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrEewApW3So/YDvp486KyrI/AAAAAAAAeKE/p0KyKAPt1sMA4XkYJAO_fuCAMf9KNZkIACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/DSC06110.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JU905kvi67s/YDvus6dx8YI/AAAAAAAAeKc/kCQxoyBsU_cVPhbgMbCM5K84hzAGs8sEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JU905kvi67s/YDvus6dx8YI/AAAAAAAAeKc/kCQxoyBsU_cVPhbgMbCM5K84hzAGs8sEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/DSC06109.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>Bluebonnets, which showed up with their little Mickey Mouse ear sprouts in December, are now spreading and expanding, eager to make Texans proud in a few weeks. </p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxmthPOIO2A/YDvtaaVxVcI/AAAAAAAAeKM/g9CA9MnaSII-zc99nom46S9Xl5-8GJH4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxmthPOIO2A/YDvtaaVxVcI/AAAAAAAAeKM/g9CA9MnaSII-zc99nom46S9Xl5-8GJH4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC06108.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Yellow <i>Corydalis aurea</i>, also known as Scrambled Eggs, has already appeared.</p><p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lYxoiYeuwk/YDv1JAhbRuI/AAAAAAAAeLE/FGL5dlccNvUVak04hAejtFSQFU4rbIDkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Scrambled%2BEggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lYxoiYeuwk/YDv1JAhbRuI/AAAAAAAAeLE/FGL5dlccNvUVak04hAejtFSQFU4rbIDkwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/Scrambled%2BEggs.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>As has the Western Tansy Mustard.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_qvZiDdvj8/YDv1JCG-nJI/AAAAAAAAeLA/e0c6_gsvo5oTSMAXIZjusQQQd4oMwwHowCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_qvZiDdvj8/YDv1JCG-nJI/AAAAAAAAeLA/e0c6_gsvo5oTSMAXIZjusQQQd4oMwwHowCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/DSC06115.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>I think renewal is often like this. I wait for the sudden conversion in my life or my world, which seldom comes. Instead, evidence of the new life shows up here and there, beautiful and small but indicative of the powerful force that is driving it to the surface, a sign of so much more to come. </p><p>I don't mean to sound maudlin, but it strikes me that as I watch my sixty-ninth spring dawn around me, I will get to witness a finite, small, and diminishing number of those in my life. Once, they seemed ordinary and plentiful. They are not. I hope to observe this revolution in detail, gratefully and affectionately. </p><p></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-89468024042401785342021-02-22T12:49:00.002-06:002021-02-22T12:49:35.291-06:00Snow-on-the-Prairie<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wl992g0QeKo/YDPvVjM-OTI/AAAAAAAAeHc/IJcg-P_xhsQ22EBNsVApYuBpNkkIBBgJwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wl992g0QeKo/YDPvVjM-OTI/AAAAAAAAeHc/IJcg-P_xhsQ22EBNsVApYuBpNkkIBBgJwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow-on-the-Prairie<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ioAEEN8iRok/YDPvq786lzI/AAAAAAAAeHk/yDpUrxdZ0-Un8n8_AOM3v_J-latn5YeHwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="760" height="131" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ioAEEN8iRok/YDPvq786lzI/AAAAAAAAeHk/yDpUrxdZ0-Un8n8_AOM3v_J-latn5YeHwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Snow-on-the-Prairie is a species of Euphorbia that blooms in Texas in September. We've seen it in fields around the Hill Country. But last week we had snow on the prairie in a way we had not seen. Winter storm Uri scattered the white stuff all over our fields.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4AaMKdEQZM/YDPx-3PozSI/AAAAAAAAeH8/p30TvAuFIwgBcfXjcaU3NG8WJymbBeH2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4AaMKdEQZM/YDPx-3PozSI/AAAAAAAAeH8/p30TvAuFIwgBcfXjcaU3NG8WJymbBeH2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC06053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh14WWneXv0/YDPxdYNiLkI/AAAAAAAAeHw/DwcRzBq5MpooU3pzj2c05eGn36rlRJ69QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh14WWneXv0/YDPxdYNiLkI/AAAAAAAAeHw/DwcRzBq5MpooU3pzj2c05eGn36rlRJ69QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC06058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMQO1OErVNI/YDP3B8BVkUI/AAAAAAAAeJw/Dutbkwi54bcTSGvYcZjL7ZtCHD7yCLwyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC06078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMQO1OErVNI/YDP3B8BVkUI/AAAAAAAAeJw/Dutbkwi54bcTSGvYcZjL7ZtCHD7yCLwyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC06078.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /><br /></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-79508300756485175902021-01-21T20:22:00.001-06:002021-02-03T08:51:24.582-06:00The Square Meter Project: Week 3<p> Things have not changed much in the square meter I'm monitoring in the prairie. But today, things were dewy and damp, leaving jewel-like droplets on the grasses. The sparkling bluebonnet leaves in the square meter were replicated throughout the prairie as I walked through this January morning.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMEI2VN37Ic/YAo07MwMJ-I/AAAAAAAAeF0/vhBk4xg5vxseCdEnbxKKt_7scgKK7RwuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0171.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMEI2VN37Ic/YAo07MwMJ-I/AAAAAAAAeF0/vhBk4xg5vxseCdEnbxKKt_7scgKK7RwuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0171.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqXGiRc-RKY/YAo07-QuX2I/AAAAAAAAeF4/5CWjuNsvdcIjfjEZdGzNsWorcPx65jCUACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0170.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqXGiRc-RKY/YAo07-QuX2I/AAAAAAAAeF4/5CWjuNsvdcIjfjEZdGzNsWorcPx65jCUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0170.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CrAKR6u2vY/YAo0yCnhNWI/AAAAAAAAeFo/8Gqlr0Znx9YicYx4M7uJpjRDCeV2q9mSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0169.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1757" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CrAKR6u2vY/YAo0yCnhNWI/AAAAAAAAeFo/8Gqlr0Znx9YicYx4M7uJpjRDCeV2q9mSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0169.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Caracara</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YFte1nnuNr4/YAo0vuwknSI/AAAAAAAAeFg/lpEpRCMV9n0Ac0MjbNdepjQmpH-GeIR8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1519/IMG_0166.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="1519" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YFte1nnuNr4/YAo0vuwknSI/AAAAAAAAeFg/lpEpRCMV9n0Ac0MjbNdepjQmpH-GeIR8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0166.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WeOfyCJp4c/YAo0v5QSg7I/AAAAAAAAeFk/OOF5vUGKOvUj2zP2_dOFSKt0JyQ3slMYACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0163.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1412" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WeOfyCJp4c/YAo0v5QSg7I/AAAAAAAAeFk/OOF5vUGKOvUj2zP2_dOFSKt0JyQ3slMYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0163.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zR7RSg0FBM/YAo0vZrPN_I/AAAAAAAAeFc/fVEC_B0zgQwNIbtBhvvKpZ25DORS9b24QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0159.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zR7RSg0FBM/YAo0vZrPN_I/AAAAAAAAeFc/fVEC_B0zgQwNIbtBhvvKpZ25DORS9b24QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0159.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uuLk_ixAWqs/YAo0qTjkO_I/AAAAAAAAeFU/aBAHqO0K2EQB3zbeZYmCF9HzaSP_jRp0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0158.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uuLk_ixAWqs/YAo0qTjkO_I/AAAAAAAAeFU/aBAHqO0K2EQB3zbeZYmCF9HzaSP_jRp0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0158.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JedtEaPaGwk/YAo0dCf1mdI/AAAAAAAAeFA/OkrkGiFiORU0Qgn37nLHMhS9e_KqmQTIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0156.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JedtEaPaGwk/YAo0dCf1mdI/AAAAAAAAeFA/OkrkGiFiORU0Qgn37nLHMhS9e_KqmQTIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0156.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWfBaJ9pxw0/YAo0Zz7Ut0I/AAAAAAAAeE4/ZUqV6NWbfvkTi1u6OuPRKVH74A0yIlXAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0155.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWfBaJ9pxw0/YAo0Zz7Ut0I/AAAAAAAAeE4/ZUqV6NWbfvkTi1u6OuPRKVH74A0yIlXAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0155.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mock Vervain</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IiptVRR0YSQ/YAo0pxkomnI/AAAAAAAAeFQ/UWWVtyiu1jElIzDd4sMHMdimINk15O-6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0154.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IiptVRR0YSQ/YAo0pxkomnI/AAAAAAAAeFQ/UWWVtyiu1jElIzDd4sMHMdimINk15O-6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0154.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnUScT_Gr3c/YAo0XxdlFKI/AAAAAAAAeE0/ns1RP-e2xrkbctkyCm8cOGO5z4zcAVzFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0153.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1518" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnUScT_Gr3c/YAo0XxdlFKI/AAAAAAAAeE0/ns1RP-e2xrkbctkyCm8cOGO5z4zcAVzFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0153.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZzHnAUdFOI/YAo0LAvXdgI/AAAAAAAAeEg/pvljftFNns4xjE5FiUSEAteQF5c1msWGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0152.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZzHnAUdFOI/YAo0LAvXdgI/AAAAAAAAeEg/pvljftFNns4xjE5FiUSEAteQF5c1msWGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0152.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peeling Puffball</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XpVaxj2wvk/YAo0TG8RHTI/AAAAAAAAeEo/d4lvdS2ImHU5HwAbuNpCQbpKt75DmnabgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0151.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XpVaxj2wvk/YAo0TG8RHTI/AAAAAAAAeEo/d4lvdS2ImHU5HwAbuNpCQbpKt75DmnabgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0151.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqgGd8Ri_fo/YAo0FcMwlWI/AAAAAAAAeEY/DpuU5tMhtcoJFupVveO5E8S7dJU14CNkACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0150.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqgGd8Ri_fo/YAo0FcMwlWI/AAAAAAAAeEY/DpuU5tMhtcoJFupVveO5E8S7dJU14CNkACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0150.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gg3TbADySBY/YAo0PaMUcMI/AAAAAAAAeEk/KLHgbi4F844eQ-lFqfdULJwqJzqSZRe4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0149.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gg3TbADySBY/YAo0PaMUcMI/AAAAAAAAeEk/KLHgbi4F844eQ-lFqfdULJwqJzqSZRe4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0149.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of these are Sandy Land Bluebonnets</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMgxcVQvtJA/YAo0FniJmiI/AAAAAAAAeEc/wl49qcsn-T8BkN8SyU5wjVyr8b5ZOQpsACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0148.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMgxcVQvtJA/YAo0FniJmiI/AAAAAAAAeEc/wl49qcsn-T8BkN8SyU5wjVyr8b5ZOQpsACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0148.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPdZzm3m5ec/YAozyg402II/AAAAAAAAeD8/OdzkncXxBfsoB8qayOLKH1sEx-8_Ps8NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0147.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPdZzm3m5ec/YAozyg402II/AAAAAAAAeD8/OdzkncXxBfsoB8qayOLKH1sEx-8_Ps8NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0147.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovegrass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9PCgh9JF6Y/YAozwnNXPFI/AAAAAAAAeD4/yWoSIPFsvcshFeEVkBQ_0t2t5LlbK9-JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0146.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9PCgh9JF6Y/YAozwnNXPFI/AAAAAAAAeD4/yWoSIPFsvcshFeEVkBQ_0t2t5LlbK9-JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0146.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovegrass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8pvxJjuE6Y/YAozy3c7S1I/AAAAAAAAeEA/sLILR6DO5-YzeA_AkPSZQjuXdEw6czE4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0145.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8pvxJjuE6Y/YAozy3c7S1I/AAAAAAAAeEA/sLILR6DO5-YzeA_AkPSZQjuXdEw6czE4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0145.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovegrass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej3e32F8XYE/YAozkAD-LVI/AAAAAAAAeDs/o_uFbR9pmzkRwWNdWhsnTkeGhUHDQLUwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0144.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej3e32F8XYE/YAozkAD-LVI/AAAAAAAAeDs/o_uFbR9pmzkRwWNdWhsnTkeGhUHDQLUwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0144.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pussyfoot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oAVk0FpDao/YAozVgN_dAI/AAAAAAAAeDk/pzImIC3jn7k3M5XcigyVK6dq3FuERoV1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0143.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oAVk0FpDao/YAozVgN_dAI/AAAAAAAAeDk/pzImIC3jn7k3M5XcigyVK6dq3FuERoV1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0143.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pussyfoot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRYAPTELzDY/YAozhnuufhI/AAAAAAAAeDo/UaYacAlA8xQnCQz62pNxHRWSvFHyP0sAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRYAPTELzDY/YAozhnuufhI/AAAAAAAAeDo/UaYacAlA8xQnCQz62pNxHRWSvFHyP0sAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0142.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bluestem in the Square Meter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krt1owuJPqM/YAozmSg-lWI/AAAAAAAAeD0/v3R5p64Xe5cKUexuFDWrzvVrlJZ3nZ47gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0141.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krt1owuJPqM/YAozmSg-lWI/AAAAAAAAeD0/v3R5p64Xe5cKUexuFDWrzvVrlJZ3nZ47gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0141.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy Land Bluebonnets in the Square Meter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-34135080910766788162021-01-13T09:56:00.001-06:002021-01-13T09:56:45.816-06:00The Square Meter Project: Week 2<p> One of the many expressions of beauty on the winter prairie is the occasional frosty morning in South Texas. Today offered one of those mornings. The remnants of last year's growth reflected the rising sun like diamonds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqX9CdPfutA/X_8XrJaavtI/AAAAAAAAeDE/VfNLfNbO05gZJO95ju4f2K8B3sTGWGvwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqX9CdPfutA/X_8XrJaavtI/AAAAAAAAeDE/VfNLfNbO05gZJO95ju4f2K8B3sTGWGvwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05962.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CicYtpMTVA/X_8YBlJNsHI/AAAAAAAAeDM/3kEdqM2eN-4-x_5pryLXLWhhKMcfoFLFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CicYtpMTVA/X_8YBlJNsHI/AAAAAAAAeDM/3kEdqM2eN-4-x_5pryLXLWhhKMcfoFLFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05960.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMjnTMcK6rQ/X_8UprlcWgI/AAAAAAAAeCw/x2auTzJ15JgChrbpexgVamOL49t-83QpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMjnTMcK6rQ/X_8UprlcWgI/AAAAAAAAeCw/x2auTzJ15JgChrbpexgVamOL49t-83QpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05959.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UM8MGmpNF1s/X_8UaNtkioI/AAAAAAAAeCo/EksuvXU3OqoB3f6kHsMX_L4oSi7l3RjKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UM8MGmpNF1s/X_8UaNtkioI/AAAAAAAAeCo/EksuvXU3OqoB3f6kHsMX_L4oSi7l3RjKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05953.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUX7sa0JEZ8/X_8S1CF178I/AAAAAAAAeCU/ohG2HH7XJMwjVHwzKrnQAjUIG-epgjs5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/DSC05951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6NH2gGb1OA/X_8STyCjkuI/AAAAAAAAeCM/ATJWdKftfT0wZ2zlvViEB910l6XA7qSkACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6NH2gGb1OA/X_8STyCjkuI/AAAAAAAAeCM/ATJWdKftfT0wZ2zlvViEB910l6XA7qSkACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05937.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--iugryPnfyw/X_8Q4oNrycI/AAAAAAAAeCA/pdwdPb9qK0gQesMgCZW8Qty0eZNfGe25wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--iugryPnfyw/X_8Q4oNrycI/AAAAAAAAeCA/pdwdPb9qK0gQesMgCZW8Qty0eZNfGe25wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05935.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5XvGulCf7U/X_8QDTI367I/AAAAAAAAeB0/VxMxx0uc10U-k0LFLzgm1AM04jE7OPNiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5XvGulCf7U/X_8QDTI367I/AAAAAAAAeB0/VxMxx0uc10U-k0LFLzgm1AM04jE7OPNiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05934.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeXRHpHT43g/X_8PYNoPwjI/AAAAAAAAeBk/81vLJ51w9DYHyiJRmhH6G0xb6G_oh3fLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeXRHpHT43g/X_8PYNoPwjI/AAAAAAAAeBk/81vLJ51w9DYHyiJRmhH6G0xb6G_oh3fLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSV-qYtfMg4/X_8PiAQNr5I/AAAAAAAAeBo/7iEu3f8S3VwmhVyYMk712Qx1w_1scDsIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pSV-qYtfMg4/X_8PiAQNr5I/AAAAAAAAeBo/7iEu3f8S3VwmhVyYMk712Qx1w_1scDsIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-18448173319485731292021-01-09T19:16:00.009-06:002021-01-09T19:21:05.928-06:00The Square Meter Project: Week 1<p> Chris Helzer, The Prairie Ecologist, is a naturalist and photographer whose fascinating work has inspired me. He conducted a project a couple of years ago in which <a href="https://prairieecologist.com/square-meter-photography-project/" target="_blank">he photographed a single square met</a>er of a mature prairie every week for a year. In the process, he photographed 113 different species of plants and animals, including 15 plant species, 22 different flies, 18 beetles, and 14 bees. You can watch a brief video of his project. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xsk5TdnVg0U" width="320" youtube-src-id="xsk5TdnVg0U"></iframe></div><br />I'm going to try my own square meter project on our nascent prairie, just to see what I can observe here. So here are some of the first shots from the dead of winter.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qVGUpIO7eGU/X_o_8W66K3I/AAAAAAAAeAM/ni1A5kQ2rQw826pMaj16-RuwWXhmoVqJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qVGUpIO7eGU/X_o_8W66K3I/AAAAAAAAeAM/ni1A5kQ2rQw826pMaj16-RuwWXhmoVqJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-1-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my square meter.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The obvious occupant of the space is the tall Alamo Switchgrass plant, one of the "big four" tall-grass prairies.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spO_aJiSQwU/X_o_AP6SkII/AAAAAAAAeAA/OfSgPNYfLG47Lb9LWHEGQ5AZvRs3yUuxgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/DSC05899-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spO_aJiSQwU/X_o_AP6SkII/AAAAAAAAeAA/OfSgPNYfLG47Lb9LWHEGQ5AZvRs3yUuxgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/DSC05899-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switchgrass seed pods or glumes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OoIzTeEIfQ/X_pBfSpzh7I/AAAAAAAAeA8/gw-lmTdS3S8NosxqRdGbStQPwiiLTMp_wCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-7-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OoIzTeEIfQ/X_pBfSpzh7I/AAAAAAAAeA8/gw-lmTdS3S8NosxqRdGbStQPwiiLTMp_wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-7-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inflorescence of the Switchgrass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufSdWbuaaU8/X_o_MaHjc0I/AAAAAAAAeAE/xhubgvBpungIs-TfZiD3-9retsRGouG3ACPcBGAYYCw/s1470/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-17-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1470" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufSdWbuaaU8/X_o_MaHjc0I/AAAAAAAAeAE/xhubgvBpungIs-TfZiD3-9retsRGouG3ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-17-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switchgrass glume, or seed pod</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sj9KC78XmKg/X_pAAaM6kbI/AAAAAAAAeAU/5WRQmMaKulcaQF0AgQp1h_1oiuNFquKvQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-15-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sj9KC78XmKg/X_pAAaM6kbI/AAAAAAAAeAU/5WRQmMaKulcaQF0AgQp1h_1oiuNFquKvQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-15-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switchgrass Inflorescence<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>The other obvious occupant of the ground is the Little Bluestem, another "big four." In the fall, Little Bluestem takes on a deep red-brown color. The tiny fuzzy white seeds are a treat for the sparrows and meadowlarks in the prairie.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zot11eb3gmY/X_pAR-RRHKI/AAAAAAAAeAc/1O9cUEBcSacwTFLyZ_Gw2KmfRAjH4s5ygCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zot11eb3gmY/X_pAR-RRHKI/AAAAAAAAeAc/1O9cUEBcSacwTFLyZ_Gw2KmfRAjH4s5ygCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-2-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXU3XX8sR_M/X_pBkos5LrI/AAAAAAAAeBA/MAFUYC4HbWE6yQuIwA7UPIzszRUclTTsACPcBGAYYCw/s1450/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-9-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="1450" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xXU3XX8sR_M/X_pBkos5LrI/AAAAAAAAeBA/MAFUYC4HbWE6yQuIwA7UPIzszRUclTTsACPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-9-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGScZTDx1cQ/X_o-ZwMhEfI/AAAAAAAAd_0/Kc4gSfaRp6wQH9meJVpfP0qt0U2tZ_xhgCPcBGAYYCw/s1840/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-11-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1227" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGScZTDx1cQ/X_o-ZwMhEfI/AAAAAAAAd_0/Kc4gSfaRp6wQH9meJVpfP0qt0U2tZ_xhgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-11-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STOZp36bFMU/X_o-Lp7M3JI/AAAAAAAAd_w/39HtAuIx_ysZ8ZaiZdatZvsCYu0nZpp4wCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-10-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STOZp36bFMU/X_o-Lp7M3JI/AAAAAAAAd_w/39HtAuIx_ysZ8ZaiZdatZvsCYu0nZpp4wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-10-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The dried-up rustweed once carpeted the floor of the field in green with tiny white flowers. In the fall, it turned a deep rusty red. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKzTaJsB5Kg/X_pBobYRNXI/AAAAAAAAeBE/KqlljsVzkQcmQht3Sb1VDz7TzGjvkCPWgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKzTaJsB5Kg/X_pBobYRNXI/AAAAAAAAeBE/KqlljsVzkQcmQht3Sb1VDz7TzGjvkCPWgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-4-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rustweed with small bluebonnet plants sprouting around it</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbo66JUA1Zg/X_pBf8QVs9I/AAAAAAAAeBE/a0h6YTI7s6gNut9cyjWiBX1ZSMa76KvwQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-8-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbo66JUA1Zg/X_pBf8QVs9I/AAAAAAAAeBE/a0h6YTI7s6gNut9cyjWiBX1ZSMa76KvwQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-8-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure about this one. Possibly a sedge.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In December each year, you can begin to see the Sandyland Bluebonnets appear. These are not the Texas Bluebonnets with flowers bearing the distinctive white tops. These produce entirely blue flowers.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxtUWXiYdNY/X_pUYL8toVI/AAAAAAAAeBQ/cSoIAKp2SkIQZ0HVmljecx5Jwy-mHLneACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxtUWXiYdNY/X_pUYL8toVI/AAAAAAAAeBQ/cSoIAKp2SkIQZ0HVmljecx5Jwy-mHLneACPcBGAYYCw/s320/SQM%2BWeek%2B1-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandyland Bluebonnets</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So once a week, I plan to visit the site and see what shows up besides me.<br /><p><br /></p></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-37619222399650398162021-01-09T17:27:00.002-06:002021-01-09T17:27:38.809-06:00Slowly, Slowly<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hBiebzgw4A/X_o7sfkjWvI/AAAAAAAAd_U/uraLYZ4qEJs8yBbqd9fEg_Bl4oaurOtKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hBiebzgw4A/X_o7sfkjWvI/AAAAAAAAd_U/uraLYZ4qEJs8yBbqd9fEg_Bl4oaurOtKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05762.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8TGsY8xDo0/X_o7nSZdKyI/AAAAAAAAd_Q/6vFM6nEHMB4W0n40VXytNP-l_Otnv9b7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8TGsY8xDo0/X_o7nSZdKyI/AAAAAAAAd_Q/6vFM6nEHMB4W0n40VXytNP-l_Otnv9b7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05763.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsYMhyP393c/X_o7s1pdNCI/AAAAAAAAd_Y/KTHE9OP4pyEmIm4D6-QnAalUrUnGmDJ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC05764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsYMhyP393c/X_o7s1pdNCI/AAAAAAAAd_Y/KTHE9OP4pyEmIm4D6-QnAalUrUnGmDJ0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC05764.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Progress on the "Bee & the Clover" has slowed, partially due to Covid-19. Our contractor was ill with the virus and so has been recovering. Since I last posted about two months ago, the outside of the building is nearly complete. We await the installation of the roll-up garage door and the upstairs porch's construction, and the decking downstairs. The details of the interior, sheet-rock, cabinets, plumbing, electricity are all in the future.<p></p><p><br /></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-58780237757208229682020-11-05T20:52:00.006-06:002020-11-06T08:32:59.103-06:00Another Week's Progress<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoRZNAkcXVE/X6SxJ5paycI/AAAAAAAAd54/RfSLaQ4YFQIhk8aMHchOX_-qcN6RPpoqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5365.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoRZNAkcXVE/X6SxJ5paycI/AAAAAAAAd54/RfSLaQ4YFQIhk8aMHchOX_-qcN6RPpoqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We had crews out here three days this week. The windows and front doors were installed, some of the metal frame detail was finished, and today the metal building crew began to attach the Hawaiian Blue siding. We weren't sure how a blue barn would look on the prairie, but we are very pleased. They'll be back on Monday to add some more.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcaNgp3izmw/X6SwiUrZtUI/AAAAAAAAd5s/ja1SdMmgJaAbiFtMLXGNiIoFAmfjW7JOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5364.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcaNgp3izmw/X6SwiUrZtUI/AAAAAAAAd5s/ja1SdMmgJaAbiFtMLXGNiIoFAmfjW7JOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5364.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the weekend, the framers installed windows on the bedrooms.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6AjNpIGMAg/X6SwUv7vSBI/AAAAAAAAd5o/X-CJp98m5Nk2RDwziGEZQl0Sb4PTnjtAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5366.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6AjNpIGMAg/X6SwUv7vSBI/AAAAAAAAd5o/X-CJp98m5Nk2RDwziGEZQl0Sb4PTnjtAACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5366.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday the framers installed the doors.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7Wak0Pd3hQ/X6Sztzx2WkI/AAAAAAAAd6c/TET9sXIkgwQWewzwPG8rO8N7CcLjpmu9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5369.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7Wak0Pd3hQ/X6Sztzx2WkI/AAAAAAAAd6c/TET9sXIkgwQWewzwPG8rO8N7CcLjpmu9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-e_Uv5y89s/X6SzUS1O8PI/AAAAAAAAd6U/YykO2-yd6R0tfWgDMb0rgO-dXKpdecPCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5372.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-e_Uv5y89s/X6SzUS1O8PI/AAAAAAAAd6U/YykO2-yd6R0tfWgDMb0rgO-dXKpdecPCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5372.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Great Blue Heron did a fly-by while I was checking out the structure.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhIMXL1_2pc/X6SzwRRQWgI/AAAAAAAAd6g/t1a-YHzne_YVFx-xhMbO3jnCr37hak2EACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhIMXL1_2pc/X6SzwRRQWgI/AAAAAAAAd6g/t1a-YHzne_YVFx-xhMbO3jnCr37hak2EACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5373.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKtfNRlFvao/X6S0HNY1B5I/AAAAAAAAd6s/iY905g4u93cqviQC3zc01Oj8MSebo3CJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5374.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKtfNRlFvao/X6S0HNY1B5I/AAAAAAAAd6s/iY905g4u93cqviQC3zc01Oj8MSebo3CJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5374.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Tuesday night the metal siding and roofing was delivered.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbOCJUvCY48/X6S1KMr58WI/AAAAAAAAd7A/0iyONoV-WhMvSarQ2qV0rIzcnw5i-9bbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5376.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbOCJUvCY48/X6S1KMr58WI/AAAAAAAAd7A/0iyONoV-WhMvSarQ2qV0rIzcnw5i-9bbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5376.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtC5GnJXSC4/X6S1hQ-1jjI/AAAAAAAAd7Q/xnKgmhmD-oAYxzcmbaXdeGObQZL5W_V9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5377.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtC5GnJXSC4/X6S1hQ-1jjI/AAAAAAAAd7Q/xnKgmhmD-oAYxzcmbaXdeGObQZL5W_V9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5377.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Thursday windows were installed on the garage and the first wall was covered with siding.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8H9-r_jZWk/X6S1Q8oAVJI/AAAAAAAAd7E/GhEdKsJVlGsa-bKNoCSd23dJ2vj9k3BOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8H9-r_jZWk/X6S1Q8oAVJI/AAAAAAAAd7E/GhEdKsJVlGsa-bKNoCSd23dJ2vj9k3BOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VgNG5wyISfs/X6S0Ow3d-7I/AAAAAAAAd6w/eHAyCO5I648krHgCxUnuN2kb8yJvze1pACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aruj0PMuIlg/X6S5JR-gsPI/AAAAAAAAd8A/qDR3tC2ZRtQexDoz-TlRT_xZ9SVPiAfswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aruj0PMuIlg/X6S5JR-gsPI/AAAAAAAAd8A/qDR3tC2ZRtQexDoz-TlRT_xZ9SVPiAfswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQTK_FqS4F4/X6S5JyytMKI/AAAAAAAAd8E/jzPSxWi-kZ0lifJFIZG5nQcXrOZ33_ygQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5386.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQTK_FqS4F4/X6S5JyytMKI/AAAAAAAAd8E/jzPSxWi-kZ0lifJFIZG5nQcXrOZ33_ygQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk2dGEGaSbQ/X6S5aLQk8YI/AAAAAAAAd8Q/AYVxgjB0ZRIPSLuDsTaF9QdlQDkZAFvKACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5387.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bk2dGEGaSbQ/X6S5aLQk8YI/AAAAAAAAd8Q/AYVxgjB0ZRIPSLuDsTaF9QdlQDkZAFvKACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5387.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaE2uaScsGs/X6S4GfA_DzI/AAAAAAAAd7s/CxRpyqd1VDYR5BqYjd2PJ1xb7dJkNODsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaE2uaScsGs/X6S4GfA_DzI/AAAAAAAAd7s/CxRpyqd1VDYR5BqYjd2PJ1xb7dJkNODsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnzNJrQQDr0/X6S4LipF0hI/AAAAAAAAd7w/oJFp3CVohcoR9c3MqkZYI3JLQDAu6SdeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnzNJrQQDr0/X6S4LipF0hI/AAAAAAAAd7w/oJFp3CVohcoR9c3MqkZYI3JLQDAu6SdeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KTHbQOwVRE/X6SyGuD6gDI/AAAAAAAAd6E/I9YNz5uMH6U8Yj4dHa1wEZtdmT65pd4NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5368.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-13002908995104039502020-11-01T09:57:00.004-06:002020-11-01T09:57:59.634-06:00Skin and Bones on the Bee & the Clover<p> This week the framers returned to begin to put some skin on the bones of the Bee & the Clover. Doors and windows arrived on Friday and windows were installed on Saturday. We climbed up to the second floor to look around. When the walls are up, these views will not be available any longer. Outside the front door, however, overlooking the garden, will be a porch extending out ten feet and will provide a nice view to the SW.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYWa6hN3614/X57X1Ih4gOI/AAAAAAAAd5I/DEZmqvsQbUUSYmrqsizU3a67ypcQUv8bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYWa6hN3614/X57X1Ih4gOI/AAAAAAAAd5I/DEZmqvsQbUUSYmrqsizU3a67ypcQUv8bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking E from 2nd floor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiYKH1E-FN8/X57XxxLLOII/AAAAAAAAd5A/ui_IATLpLxQd3FR-0V3_su1mGgEA1xHCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiYKH1E-FN8/X57XxxLLOII/AAAAAAAAd5A/ui_IATLpLxQd3FR-0V3_su1mGgEA1xHCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5290.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking SE from 2nd floor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz1Tib4HwGY/X57XjDw8YcI/AAAAAAAAd48/Eu1fiZkXRj8Tp9uSbXwKQuv0z8fMnW57gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz1Tib4HwGY/X57XjDw8YcI/AAAAAAAAd48/Eu1fiZkXRj8Tp9uSbXwKQuv0z8fMnW57gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5289.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking NE from 2nd floor through the garage below</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz1Tib4HwGY/X57XjDw8YcI/AAAAAAAAd48/Eu1fiZkXRj8Tp9uSbXwKQuv0z8fMnW57gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPWXEQGiHq4/X57XPk0TzbI/AAAAAAAAd40/_D5koVGasC0PIQfY4MNXWiGTDesSf-grQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPWXEQGiHq4/X57XPk0TzbI/AAAAAAAAd40/_D5koVGasC0PIQfY4MNXWiGTDesSf-grQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5288.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking N from 2nd floor</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5BHXDG4cF8/X57W-gaSn-I/AAAAAAAAd4s/fnkk8iG0rzYu7MC7Hi8pcntWhvLfH4qpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5BHXDG4cF8/X57W-gaSn-I/AAAAAAAAd4s/fnkk8iG0rzYu7MC7Hi8pcntWhvLfH4qpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5287.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd floor walls</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5BHXDG4cF8/X57W-gaSn-I/AAAAAAAAd4s/fnkk8iG0rzYu7MC7Hi8pcntWhvLfH4qpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWe3TuoCUBQ/X57WO10TwwI/AAAAAAAAd4Q/IzURU0FBIP8rda9ek25dempMRFCvVXgxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWe3TuoCUBQ/X57WO10TwwI/AAAAAAAAd4Q/IzURU0FBIP8rda9ek25dempMRFCvVXgxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5286.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd floor walls</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWfqLo8SNw4/X57WuVWXIYI/AAAAAAAAd4g/fmqZ4ilt4hgbwvRkQ2idVYcRnev9gl5AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWfqLo8SNw4/X57WuVWXIYI/AAAAAAAAd4g/fmqZ4ilt4hgbwvRkQ2idVYcRnev9gl5AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5284.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking SW from the 2nd floor front door</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWfqLo8SNw4/X57WuVWXIYI/AAAAAAAAd4g/fmqZ4ilt4hgbwvRkQ2idVYcRnev9gl5AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meanwhile downstairs, windows will face the NW and the SE. Doors will face the garden on the SW.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZnAq2aVBoE/X57WSBtQTII/AAAAAAAAd4U/oQY7QLocNiUN6Mjm9SySdKEYpvwgs_BtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZnAq2aVBoE/X57WSBtQTII/AAAAAAAAd4U/oQY7QLocNiUN6Mjm9SySdKEYpvwgs_BtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5282.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st floor windows installed</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICow5710Veg/X57Viqa8wDI/AAAAAAAAd4A/mS_3nRggQHMBwmabUPJsgg8GRP8VtCTgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICow5710Veg/X57Viqa8wDI/AAAAAAAAd4A/mS_3nRggQHMBwmabUPJsgg8GRP8VtCTgACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5281.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st floor thresholds installed. Doors have arrived.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICow5710Veg/X57Viqa8wDI/AAAAAAAAd4A/mS_3nRggQHMBwmabUPJsgg8GRP8VtCTgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZiKG3IIdbg/X57VdnJXCDI/AAAAAAAAd38/FEo3x_wNQUQw84DXMzoaZzNj-rht2sPsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5279.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NW side of building</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZiKG3IIdbg/X57VdnJXCDI/AAAAAAAAd38/FEo3x_wNQUQw84DXMzoaZzNj-rht2sPsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><p></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-2797242462553882732020-10-25T18:46:00.003-05:002020-10-25T18:46:38.003-05:00More Bones<p> On Monday of last week, a big flat-bed truck from the lumber yard arrived with the materials for the interior framing of the three bedrooms in the barndo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSPqYZNqzlo/X5YB_sensfI/AAAAAAAAd0s/ep-6CCNFSao64GNm30u2glIIjo-oHSBjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSPqYZNqzlo/X5YB_sensfI/AAAAAAAAd0s/ep-6CCNFSao64GNm30u2glIIjo-oHSBjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOx9RE-qMdI/X5YDBzx_i2I/AAAAAAAAd00/BBlIMiP19U8PqTH3UmFO6ig81LQiAiWFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOx9RE-qMdI/X5YDBzx_i2I/AAAAAAAAd00/BBlIMiP19U8PqTH3UmFO6ig81LQiAiWFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLEPLRHndIg/X5YDjMDT4QI/AAAAAAAAd1E/dUn-sfywxTsUQwMgZPWDDiR2go5dv5PXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLEPLRHndIg/X5YDjMDT4QI/AAAAAAAAd1E/dUn-sfywxTsUQwMgZPWDDiR2go5dv5PXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_7pl4xpvio/X5YD1b6xlGI/AAAAAAAAd1Q/IqbQm6n_FF8yCF93H2ZImt2x1pA4iEDbACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_7pl4xpvio/X5YD1b6xlGI/AAAAAAAAd1Q/IqbQm6n_FF8yCF93H2ZImt2x1pA4iEDbACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF1eDe433N0/X5YD-qpOcQI/AAAAAAAAd1Y/vxkGdTXui1QFb2DN1FAXwSIiamW-gxbKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF1eDe433N0/X5YD-qpOcQI/AAAAAAAAd1Y/vxkGdTXui1QFb2DN1FAXwSIiamW-gxbKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hiU7jX3Dn4/X5YDckIhPdI/AAAAAAAAd1A/Mqz62lpDXz8nJMFE2drT3CW3eWhm_vq_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hiU7jX3Dn4/X5YDckIhPdI/AAAAAAAAd1A/Mqz62lpDXz8nJMFE2drT3CW3eWhm_vq_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The framing crew showed up early on Tuesday and then again Wednesday through Friday. By the end of the week, the two downstairs rooms were framed out, and the joists and decking for the second floor were in place. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GF9ySZeXG0Q/X5YI2xceGsI/AAAAAAAAd10/k1GVmm_b66sC_6RZis7soNEaPlFq3VRdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GF9ySZeXG0Q/X5YI2xceGsI/AAAAAAAAd10/k1GVmm_b66sC_6RZis7soNEaPlFq3VRdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGoQ7VOo7rA/X5YI10xv2vI/AAAAAAAAd1w/iF3WKCv_p8cSqYUvG5A1o_3G9FAzkoxiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGoQ7VOo7rA/X5YI10xv2vI/AAAAAAAAd1w/iF3WKCv_p8cSqYUvG5A1o_3G9FAzkoxiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BC8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkxSsOULgJk/X5YMCJJnozI/AAAAAAAAd3g/iGbZw_w6-qsGL5tqYKaGE6msza1qEDmqgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/BC23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zahb4pj_p0c/X5YMGIisCLI/AAAAAAAAd3o/NkdDHpk8AGkik1Co0-hrWy6MV-oaonR8wCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/BC24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zahb4pj_p0c/X5YMGIisCLI/AAAAAAAAd3o/NkdDHpk8AGkik1Co0-hrWy6MV-oaonR8wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/BC24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUYsK2YMAU/X5YMTXQ1KkI/AAAAAAAAd3s/j3wa2A-otaISPFmSfY_oCif6vw8jYM2KACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/BC25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIUYsK2YMAU/X5YMTXQ1KkI/AAAAAAAAd3s/j3wa2A-otaISPFmSfY_oCif6vw8jYM2KACPcBGAYYCw/s320/BC25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKVCq3pPF4k/X5YMHPpvLiI/AAAAAAAAd3o/Uqg06xLCGeQVpfLNkH0Yzj7pyaJ3y52yACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/BC22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKVCq3pPF4k/X5YMHPpvLiI/AAAAAAAAd3o/Uqg06xLCGeQVpfLNkH0Yzj7pyaJ3y52yACPcBGAYYCw/s320/BC22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We hope to see the second floor completed this week. It is good to be able to see the progress.</div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-14840399764017901162020-10-10T10:52:00.003-05:002020-10-10T11:25:20.622-05:00The Rising of the Bones<p>On Monday afternoon the structural steel arrived and early Tuesday morning the crew was busy on the site. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent unloading the steel and welding pieces in place in preparation for construction.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nc2N5yuhYaw/X4HTGU8ktyI/AAAAAAAAdyI/GhQNpUH8JfggPKoOliOwyYatA-6uJLm-wCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_0113.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nc2N5yuhYaw/X4HTGU8ktyI/AAAAAAAAdyI/GhQNpUH8JfggPKoOliOwyYatA-6uJLm-wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0113.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKvRAPGUa78/X4HTFnJ0V4I/AAAAAAAAdyE/SZ7o2K-ochgmQH4LPAdDChWAKyJTAo2EgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_0117.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SKvRAPGUa78/X4HTFnJ0V4I/AAAAAAAAdyE/SZ7o2K-ochgmQH4LPAdDChWAKyJTAo2EgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0117.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJy9sX9gB4Y/X4HWGzgcAII/AAAAAAAAdzo/8zgKGw7qkBo1zzrEahsnPPcB-BGAKzaLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5129.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJy9sX9gB4Y/X4HWGzgcAII/AAAAAAAAdzo/8zgKGw7qkBo1zzrEahsnPPcB-BGAKzaLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prYnsCBISzg/X4HTHEyq-bI/AAAAAAAAdyM/W8B9_5DHZbU89hXFwqY3kHBMnULrCFcYgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_0118.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prYnsCBISzg/X4HTHEyq-bI/AAAAAAAAdyM/W8B9_5DHZbU89hXFwqY3kHBMnULrCFcYgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0118.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>On Thursday the big Genie Telescopic Telehandler was unloaded and construction began.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FfTbyMcPGo/X4HUorZWQ2I/AAAAAAAAdyY/Dc0zXZzz-Foaysw74GI7jLA6erWB88ZCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0120.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FfTbyMcPGo/X4HUorZWQ2I/AAAAAAAAdyY/Dc0zXZzz-Foaysw74GI7jLA6erWB88ZCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0120.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd248ryP9yU/X4HUtPUAT5I/AAAAAAAAdyg/GLlLBewohsgszJpKAEZG18gKdVzN2j_CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0121.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd248ryP9yU/X4HUtPUAT5I/AAAAAAAAdyg/GLlLBewohsgszJpKAEZG18gKdVzN2j_CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0121.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIgez_gLJyI/X4HUjPR9HvI/AAAAAAAAdyU/5W56CTfdxW4VE9PHi1h4KdCpj0Zb3ti1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0123.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIgez_gLJyI/X4HUjPR9HvI/AAAAAAAAdyU/5W56CTfdxW4VE9PHi1h4KdCpj0Zb3ti1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0123.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>The first steel column was standing by about 10 AM on Thursday<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1T4EbFpfS8/X4HUqa2ij0I/AAAAAAAAdyc/ydTIqIKF4mkIy4HdNLuRozH-CK3DlevGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0125.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1T4EbFpfS8/X4HUqa2ij0I/AAAAAAAAdyc/ydTIqIKF4mkIy4HdNLuRozH-CK3DlevGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0125.jpeg" /></a></div><p>Soon there were four.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIv1IiWRdMI/X4HUvU-sleI/AAAAAAAAdyk/qaFJaHhg-0w1U519VBHzbbaIpQ6nVnxLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0126.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIv1IiWRdMI/X4HUvU-sleI/AAAAAAAAdyk/qaFJaHhg-0w1U519VBHzbbaIpQ6nVnxLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0126.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Then by late afternoon on Thursday, the main rafters were welded to the columns on the bedroom end of the building.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hU5VtXiN5I/X4HVMeothXI/AAAAAAAAdy4/us7pVtHRJU0U5kr6q7tAPjnHK5G8VG9NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0130.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hU5VtXiN5I/X4HVMeothXI/AAAAAAAAdy4/us7pVtHRJU0U5kr6q7tAPjnHK5G8VG9NgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0130.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCQ8AyO4-oY/X4HVN_GyOWI/AAAAAAAAdzA/9PyC7HRS7n0eD7AEqSMr1aWLJzB3-ucYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0129.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCQ8AyO4-oY/X4HVN_GyOWI/AAAAAAAAdzA/9PyC7HRS7n0eD7AEqSMr1aWLJzB3-ucYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0129.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYpBygJ1HZc/X4HVNeLqnxI/AAAAAAAAdy8/UxTp4tCKP6orG2ixvAejnDH6J-auZUhegCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0128.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYpBygJ1HZc/X4HVNeLqnxI/AAAAAAAAdy8/UxTp4tCKP6orG2ixvAejnDH6J-auZUhegCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0128.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>By quitting time on Thursday the outline of the structure on the bedroom end was done. It was fun to get an exact idea of the size and shape of the building for the first time.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcSsZrIJ1F0/X4HVhqgcH_I/AAAAAAAAdzg/fDW_SOIPAqkt2vyq8v7EVhq68SxQIzO_ACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_0133.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcSsZrIJ1F0/X4HVhqgcH_I/AAAAAAAAdzg/fDW_SOIPAqkt2vyq8v7EVhq68SxQIzO_ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0133.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0F-jXI9Ab4/X4HVd5FqzEI/AAAAAAAAdzg/Ei_TAvXfZd85dbVF-HoQ9p-NMKQbUU5IgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_0132.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0F-jXI9Ab4/X4HVd5FqzEI/AAAAAAAAdzg/Ei_TAvXfZd85dbVF-HoQ9p-NMKQbUU5IgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0132.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iILQ_0RIj3Q/X4HVgknKzVI/AAAAAAAAdzc/H5uhpSheWws3UcOiNPYPFSHwDLYh0-hBwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_0134.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iILQ_0RIj3Q/X4HVgknKzVI/AAAAAAAAdzc/H5uhpSheWws3UcOiNPYPFSHwDLYh0-hBwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0134.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday went much faster. Four more columns and their main rafters were up by noon. Then more purlins were welded in place. Next week, perhaps we'll see some skin on the bones.</div><br /><p><br /></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-11288401920042486302020-09-23T10:48:00.004-05:002020-09-23T10:54:24.942-05:00Some Are Leaping!<p>When we were first planning the prairied restoration, we were cautioned to have patience. Grasses don't grow like vegetables in a garden. It takes time. One wildlife biologist explained that the first year after they germinate, they use their energy to put down deep roots. "They go deep," she said. The second year the plant grows larger and puts on leaves. "They creep," she explained. About the third year the "tall grasses" earn their name. "They leap," she told us.</p><p>We planted our grasses from seed twenty-one months ago. Thousands germinated and we could see those little tufts of grass on top of the ground that were working hard to extend their roots deep into the sandy loam of our field. Many will grow twice as far underground as they appear above the ground. We witnessed a lot of creeping going on this year. The plants were more extensive and more noticeable.</p><p>Most of the grasses still have a way to go, but a good number of them have started leaping. We have Alamo Switchgrass that is taller than I am growing near the house, and the seed heads are more massive than my head. Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, and Yellow Indiangrass are flourishing, blooming, and forming beautiful seed heads as well. Eastern gamagrass, Sideoats grama, Purple Lovegrass, and Green Spangletop are leaping as well in many places. This is the time of year when these warm-weather grasses do best. A walk in the prairie this morning produced some evidence of all the leaping taking place.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4PKEicu0u0/X2tqnuy1rII/AAAAAAAAdvU/JWMQNBgjzKQiXnh5DZBCiygSChUWtkP1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5073.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4PKEicu0u0/X2tqnuy1rII/AAAAAAAAdvU/JWMQNBgjzKQiXnh5DZBCiygSChUWtkP1gCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/_DSC5073.jpg" title="Maximillian Sunflowers and Green Spangletop" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maximillian Sunflowers and Green Spangletop</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iaYtGfChYk/X2tq60A0c2I/AAAAAAAAdvk/yyC4j_xRW_0MvSKTz0R0R3sLKLDFPeS0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5027.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iaYtGfChYk/X2tq60A0c2I/AAAAAAAAdvk/yyC4j_xRW_0MvSKTz0R0R3sLKLDFPeS0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F-gmdEo73A/X2tqyZ_zJPI/AAAAAAAAdvY/tHwO56t6hTIXSF47aR0ARJQNO5CJvU_YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F-gmdEo73A/X2tqyZ_zJPI/AAAAAAAAdvY/tHwO56t6hTIXSF47aR0ARJQNO5CJvU_YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F-gmdEo73A/X2tqyZ_zJPI/AAAAAAAAdvY/tHwO56t6hTIXSF47aR0ARJQNO5CJvU_YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Od3wiKRMn-Y/X2tq50kJenI/AAAAAAAAdvg/m2Fdrh880PMJq8uamJcCn51aPdtgx4_lACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Od3wiKRMn-Y/X2tq50kJenI/AAAAAAAAdvg/m2Fdrh880PMJq8uamJcCn51aPdtgx4_lACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Turkey Foot" bloom of Big Bluestem<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTgZpOLfnKs/X2trOKHldAI/AAAAAAAAdv0/WkapW6cQ5qsCewUy_fuqicRznpvTR8hPACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5031.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wTgZpOLfnKs/X2trOKHldAI/AAAAAAAAdv0/WkapW6cQ5qsCewUy_fuqicRznpvTR8hPACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmVQ5ALnoQg/X2trIyQLpMI/AAAAAAAAdvo/W2CXHCdMzGM65RY_em8K7S1BVqndkhIfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmVQ5ALnoQg/X2trIyQLpMI/AAAAAAAAdvo/W2CXHCdMzGM65RY_em8K7S1BVqndkhIfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5039.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knEvuudXtvg/X2trxNURTwI/AAAAAAAAdwQ/lKThRz2d6aQlt4v3OU98-eCBynAcKECtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knEvuudXtvg/X2trxNURTwI/AAAAAAAAdwQ/lKThRz2d6aQlt4v3OU98-eCBynAcKECtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Indiangrass</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knEvuudXtvg/X2trxNURTwI/AAAAAAAAdwQ/lKThRz2d6aQlt4v3OU98-eCBynAcKECtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SCYNx5W56HQ/X2trXgRnF0I/AAAAAAAAdv4/siGePG9W6vk7tiH_vgWzQDR7EEq2MCRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SCYNx5W56HQ/X2trXgRnF0I/AAAAAAAAdv4/siGePG9W6vk7tiH_vgWzQDR7EEq2MCRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5021.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Indiangrass</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0s_nwaZjbA/X2trmKa2IYI/AAAAAAAAdwI/lAG6kfD5KeEfs8B3_mNcTBYvL9Re_KytgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0s_nwaZjbA/X2trmKa2IYI/AAAAAAAAdwI/lAG6kfD5KeEfs8B3_mNcTBYvL9Re_KytgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Indiangrass</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0s_nwaZjbA/X2trmKa2IYI/AAAAAAAAdwI/lAG6kfD5KeEfs8B3_mNcTBYvL9Re_KytgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GglW9pJAN_w/X2trl4Fx_SI/AAAAAAAAdwE/-xjCL2RBlC428jbvNmN6ENKm1VtG-DXEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5053.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GglW9pJAN_w/X2trl4Fx_SI/AAAAAAAAdwE/-xjCL2RBlC428jbvNmN6ENKm1VtG-DXEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5053.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Indiangrass</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xvo_uZyxjVo/X2trzCDs8aI/AAAAAAAAdwU/8eq_tZ-Lq5MwBXE5eYHdj9xsfB8HgitlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xvo_uZyxjVo/X2trzCDs8aI/AAAAAAAAdwU/8eq_tZ-Lq5MwBXE5eYHdj9xsfB8HgitlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5061.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sideoats Grama</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xvo_uZyxjVo/X2trzCDs8aI/AAAAAAAAdwU/8eq_tZ-Lq5MwBXE5eYHdj9xsfB8HgitlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQur4TqGByo/X2tsBstz5LI/AAAAAAAAdwk/kY9nbSGwhF4D7W1Mykc1jXtiiMHOE8wrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5064.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQur4TqGByo/X2tsBstz5LI/AAAAAAAAdwk/kY9nbSGwhF4D7W1Mykc1jXtiiMHOE8wrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5064.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sideoats Grama</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqg-5nCAmPk/X2tsA4GVlvI/AAAAAAAAdwg/E-DmWLm3k_kM-1X0FIZ7l3pYOGDs32wmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqg-5nCAmPk/X2tsA4GVlvI/AAAAAAAAdwg/E-DmWLm3k_kM-1X0FIZ7l3pYOGDs32wmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alamo Switchgrass</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqg-5nCAmPk/X2tsA4GVlvI/AAAAAAAAdwg/E-DmWLm3k_kM-1X0FIZ7l3pYOGDs32wmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHOH9qMU3Zo/X2tsGx9MoxI/AAAAAAAAdws/BAKAnhDkIUUBV80MgxQiur8Cd1IXYfrlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHOH9qMU3Zo/X2tsGx9MoxI/AAAAAAAAdws/BAKAnhDkIUUBV80MgxQiur8Cd1IXYfrlACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5034.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alamo Switchgrass</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZBdLnK9w0E/X2tsPjfkniI/AAAAAAAAdww/33hMTtfoqzAyRHngAt687dFsfJADEcNnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZBdLnK9w0E/X2tsPjfkniI/AAAAAAAAdww/33hMTtfoqzAyRHngAt687dFsfJADEcNnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5036.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alamo Switchgrass</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZBdLnK9w0E/X2tsPjfkniI/AAAAAAAAdww/33hMTtfoqzAyRHngAt687dFsfJADEcNnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbcLYwQB230/X2tsTGA-WCI/AAAAAAAAdw8/aOcV4n4n2KsUFaIrgg9Y-gOlCpDACnwMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC5037.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbcLYwQB230/X2tsTGA-WCI/AAAAAAAAdw8/aOcV4n4n2KsUFaIrgg9Y-gOlCpDACnwMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC5037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bluestem</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><br /></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-57583900570214922912020-09-17T19:53:00.001-05:002020-09-17T19:56:56.990-05:00Moving Forward with the Barn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swpZmBUCenE/X2QCPqT33cI/AAAAAAAAduw/mbjsxcBrUfUXZrmEpQZtVNNPK9eQ41abwCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h426/_DSC4985.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-18185117154604592592020-09-02T17:24:00.004-05:002020-09-03T11:08:53.316-05:00Hot Time, Summer on the Prairie<p>Today, 2 September will be the first day in many on the Creech Prairie, where the temperature does NOT reach 100 degrees. Yesterday we saw 102 with a feel-like temperature of 119.7! It's been like this since late July. But the forecasts indicate that yesterday may have been our last blast of heat. We'll be moving into a more seasonable mid-90s as we make our way to the 80s of late September. Today, for the first time, since August 22 (and before that, August 3), we had a bit of rain. We are hoping for more over the next few days. So, hot and dry. That's Texas in August. And the prairie has shown it. Wherever you walk, you hear the crunch of dry grass, and only a few lonely sunflowers serve as reminders of the wildflowers that sometimes blanket the field.</p><p>August and September are the growing seasons for the grasses of the tallgrass prairie. The big four––switchgrass, big bluestem, little bluestem, and yellow indiangrass––and the others––eastern gamagrass, sideoats grama, green spangle top, and lovegrass––are doing their best with the little moisture they've had to work with. Perhaps a wet September will meet their needs.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2sx6KYq7AE/X1AS6ZMuCJI/AAAAAAAAdp0/bi2HO2FZDewCHUOzJyKec_QTeuKH5lq5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4693.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2sx6KYq7AE/X1AS6ZMuCJI/AAAAAAAAdp0/bi2HO2FZDewCHUOzJyKec_QTeuKH5lq5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/_DSC4693.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Indiangrass</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nr_We8STZ6g/X1ATPIYWznI/AAAAAAAAdp8/6JU798Pg-gQlYdxwnCRSHzmK6ZR0cDfugCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4694.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nr_We8STZ6g/X1ATPIYWznI/AAAAAAAAdp8/6JU798Pg-gQlYdxwnCRSHzmK6ZR0cDfugCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/_DSC4694.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Caraway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cowpAi40cTU/X1AThaRN-yI/AAAAAAAAdqE/2eU2ET698HUEVpIKrUCy_w3ABm7cw_f3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4695.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cowpAi40cTU/X1AThaRN-yI/AAAAAAAAdqE/2eU2ET698HUEVpIKrUCy_w3ABm7cw_f3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/_DSC4695.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Caraway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0CYvPMx2rg/X1AW_etwnQI/AAAAAAAAdqg/X4VKkbJIxu4T0rHE8mt_dlpjAC89TYs5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0CYvPMx2rg/X1AW_etwnQI/AAAAAAAAdqg/X4VKkbJIxu4T0rHE8mt_dlpjAC89TYs5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w513-h341/_DSC4696.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="513" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>Switchgrass<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0CYvPMx2rg/X1AW_etwnQI/AAAAAAAAdqg/X4VKkbJIxu4T0rHE8mt_dlpjAC89TYs5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q03ajekUaXw/X1AWIY5m3VI/AAAAAAAAdqQ/TfBFGUymI7o8gTgQ-P7UiJlWVIkCQTmoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4697.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q03ajekUaXw/X1AWIY5m3VI/AAAAAAAAdqQ/TfBFGUymI7o8gTgQ-P7UiJlWVIkCQTmoACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/_DSC4697.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Bird Grasshopper</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93wQKBPzbYY/X1AWrV5pRsI/AAAAAAAAdqY/_w_aNSUPtWMojDCPoWPDGrtDJOBMSWNpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93wQKBPzbYY/X1AWrV5pRsI/AAAAAAAAdqY/_w_aNSUPtWMojDCPoWPDGrtDJOBMSWNpQCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/_DSC4698.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="410" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bluestem</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93wQKBPzbYY/X1AWrV5pRsI/AAAAAAAAdqY/_w_aNSUPtWMojDCPoWPDGrtDJOBMSWNpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4698.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NjCYgoHxDs/X1AXH_M_lWI/AAAAAAAAdqk/53ZgkV5isSoTBGbhevo-pJZt8_m5HbpHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4699.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NjCYgoHxDs/X1AXH_M_lWI/AAAAAAAAdqk/53ZgkV5isSoTBGbhevo-pJZt8_m5HbpHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/_DSC4699.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maximillian Sunflower</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm9Z5ZlxKZY/X1AXNw2UxNI/AAAAAAAAdqo/9kPby2VvMJMqIQ4iYz-dcrJavZdgUJK0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm9Z5ZlxKZY/X1AXNw2UxNI/AAAAAAAAdqo/9kPby2VvMJMqIQ4iYz-dcrJavZdgUJK0wCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/_DSC4700.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="410" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maximillian Sunflower</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm9Z5ZlxKZY/X1AXNw2UxNI/AAAAAAAAdqo/9kPby2VvMJMqIQ4iYz-dcrJavZdgUJK0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-134_L_nfxIQ/X1AX5PgiY6I/AAAAAAAAdq8/050roSHQHVowLVIfeq4k6LpP4PyhrqTfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-134_L_nfxIQ/X1AX5PgiY6I/AAAAAAAAdq8/050roSHQHVowLVIfeq4k6LpP4PyhrqTfgCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/_DSC4701.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Pokeweed<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2048" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1BAOcAjHjc/X1AYJdqZfLI/AAAAAAAAdrE/U2UnmWU7P087qn6M273O3ufYyc8dj11mwCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h302/_DSC4702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="410" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Miniature Barrel Cactus</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1BAOcAjHjc/X1AYJdqZfLI/AAAAAAAAdrE/U2UnmWU7P087qn6M273O3ufYyc8dj11mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-53375974182164911802020-08-21T14:16:00.004-05:002020-08-21T14:39:33.338-05:00The Barn-dorminium<div class="separator"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZWMZVSBA_U/X0Acg7RZ8sI/AAAAAAAAdnk/zgXcOJz9gbEq-TTyyDizYj2DX9r_jmogQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/_DSC4692.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZWMZVSBA_U/X0Acg7RZ8sI/AAAAAAAAdnk/zgXcOJz9gbEq-TTyyDizYj2DX9r_jmogQCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h342/_DSC4692.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How do we prepare for the future in the midst of a pandemic? Such preparation for a day in which we will be able to gather again, living with some sense of normality, can feel foolish. With Jerusalem surrounded by Babylonian armies and its destruction imminent, the LORD instructed the prophet Jeremiah to make a real estate purchase. That seemed a waste of money. He bought a field in Anathoh, about three miles NE of Jerusalem. His cousin Hanamel sold it to him for seventeen shekels (probably glad to get something for it!) and he and Jeremiah signed and sealed the deed. The Lord instructed Jeremiah to preserve the deed in hope of a day when people would return to Jerusalem and pick up life again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last for a long time. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land. (Jer. 32:14–15, NRSV)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Our pastor in San Antonio, John Garland, closes each service with a benediction that includes the phrase, “Risk something big for something good.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">We have felt a bit like Jeremiah lately. With social life being disrupted by the Covid-19 crisis, one of our dreams has been called into question. Since 2014, we have been working with a vision for using our land to help educate seminary students around issues of ecology and agriculture. That vision was stirred when I attended a Seminary Stewardship Alliance annual meeting in Winston-Salem, NC in 2014 and heard of the farm operated by the Methodist Theologcial Seminary of Ohio. Melinda wondered why we couldn’t do something similar. The vision has been refined over these six years. We’ve engaged the prairie restoration project, found partners in both Waco and the Floresville area, and hosted two classes from Truett Seminary on Creation Care and Spiritual Practice. Meanwhile, Truett Seminary is partnering with the World Hunger Relief Farm in Waco to establish a program in Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Neighbors have been kind enough to keep students in their homes, since we couldn’t have everyone here. But we wanted to build a “barn-dorminium” that would have rooms for guests to stay in. We set money aside each month toward the project. Our architect son has patiently drawn and redrawn plans as we have refined the project. We have been disappointed by talking to contractors whose bids far exceeded our means. But this past spring, we had a plan and a contractor who matched our budget. He sent us a contract to sign. And before we could sign it, Covid-19 struck. We didn’t think it wise to tie up our savings in the project when we didn’t know what was coming next. So, we hit the pause button.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">Last month, after prayer and some discernment, we felt it was right to go ahead. We signed the contract and wrote a check for the down payment. We risked something big for something good. Like Jeremiah, we did this in hope that the days would come in which we’d be able to carry out the vision.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">In preparation for the construction, Melinda and I removed as many as possible of the hundreds of prairie grasses growing where the building will stand. These will be transplanted to other parts of the field. We're going to share some of them with our family in Houston (our architect and consultant) for the pocket prairie they are develop<span style="font-size: 12pt;">ing in their back yard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxwVqc77UxY/X0AgIovaw1I/AAAAAAAAdoE/sg_PXWgI4u0CLQH7MgulYVqBMMeuO2obACLcBGAsYHQ/w329-h248/IMG_0270.jpeg" style="text-align: left;" width="329" />. <img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H53Nbu27Ahg/X0AgODx68RI/AAAAAAAAdoM/7DG0FeZEG8APU9dHgwiS4bBGJwEefbI1QCLcBGAsYHQ/w329-h248/IMG_0271.jpeg" style="text-align: left;" width="329" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ex9PenudQ1g/X0AhxqYnmoI/AAAAAAAAdoc/CPvQJ87E25ouYZLP4emcndwRcfxvZm-MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ex9PenudQ1g/X0AhxqYnmoI/AAAAAAAAdoc/CPvQJ87E25ouYZLP4emcndwRcfxvZm-MwCLcBGAsYHQ/w246-h328/IMG_0019.JPG" width="246" /></a> <img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="329" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1WzDcKXPp0/X0AgDKuBxUI/AAAAAAAAdoA/A4yhQB-mbSYBkfsRs-tc0xCXAaYR2sT5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w248-h329/IMG_0020.jpeg" style="text-align: left;" width="248" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And now ground is being broken. By the end of the year, the blue barn will be in place. It will have a garage/barn on one end, a breezeway and deck in the middle, and three dorm rooms on the other end (two on the first floor and one above them). We hope to use the building to house students, interns, and guests. It will stand across the driveway from our garden, between two large pecan trees my grandmother planted thirty years ago and will extend into the prairie itself.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl7YTe803BE/X0AdJq7KSnI/AAAAAAAAdn0/8cVYrfM91dM7Wbk_PiJOGpNlb9yqLpmbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1061/Messages%2BImage%25282009966819%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1061" height="181" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl7YTe803BE/X0AdJq7KSnI/AAAAAAAAdn0/8cVYrfM91dM7Wbk_PiJOGpNlb9yqLpmbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w313-h181/Messages%2BImage%25282009966819%2529.jpeg" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The barn will look something like this, but blue with a metallic roof.</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /> </o:p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are holding this with open hands, ready to discern the ways in which it can be put to use when the exiles return.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-71556671845483112222020-08-18T10:32:00.010-05:002020-08-20T13:02:28.042-05:00Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night . . .<div class="separator"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="962" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUbkTp0OVGI/XzvxmNreCvI/AAAAAAAAdmE/OPZJX_er_a46SqD-Bn-ussPzhet_0U5rACLcBGAsYHQ/w227-h320/Irvin%2BAge%2B55.jpg" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Irvin David Creech on 7 Nov 1949, his 55th birthday" width="227" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irvin David Creech Age 55<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator"><p class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></p><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I visited the Wilson County Hardware store on the town square in Floresville a couple of years ago to pick up an item for a small plumbing repair. I like to patronize these local businesses when I can. A tall, lean man in his 90s ran the store. It’s one of those places where you can’t find anything on your own, but the proprietor can take you straight to it. I’m sure much of his stock had sat in those bins for decades.</span></div><p><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">When I hande</span><span face="" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">d him my debit card he squinted at it, holding it at arm’s length. “Creech,” he said. “Any relation to Lillie Creech?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She was my grandmother,” I told him.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">“Well, I knew your grandfather. He was our mail carrier out in the country near Falls City when I was a boy. You could set your watch by him. We used to go out every day and wait by the mailbox on the road for him to show up. When we had hard rains, the roads would get torn up by the oil trucks and he couldn’t get his Model A down those roads for several days. I remember once that my mother had ordered some baby chicks by mail. Your grandfather could not deliver them, so he got a starter kit at the feed store and took care of them himself until the roads dried up.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">You don’t get stories like that checking out at Wal-Mart.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Irvin David Creech, my grandfather was a rural mail carrier in the Falls City, Texas area for forty years and one month. He carried his first load of mail on 3 June 1924 and his last on 30 June 1964. That postal job took him and his extended family through the Great Depression. The photo was taken November 7, 1949, on his fifty-fifth birthday. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He died 49 years ago next week. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HbP_QuIsQQ/Xz66oiBqYJI/AAAAAAAAdnM/8oL9JyueW5cdRLXQV-YiPb1rI0Cbz8A4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s740/RRC%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="740" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HbP_QuIsQQ/Xz66oiBqYJI/AAAAAAAAdnM/8oL9JyueW5cdRLXQV-YiPb1rI0Cbz8A4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/RRC%2B13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">I recall as a kid that when we visited, he’d usually be gone from the house before I woke up and I’d wait for him to return from his route around noon, in his blue Chevy pickup.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">When Irvin retired, his postmaster sent a request for a commendation letter to the Postmaster General that included this comment:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">Carrier had worked a number of times when others would have stayed home in bed, because of high fever and being sick. Having many miles of dirt road, required driving in deep mud and making deliveries on foot, but he always delivered the mail to his patrons regardless of the weather condition. One time this carrier went on foot a mile to deliver a package, which he thought was medicine and later found out different, but did not mind –– making this trip in mud and ice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWeBZmnOXrQ/Xzvy3R4BfyI/AAAAAAAAdmk/pX_7_Zls2r4RDi4L2xE0ZFswiuup0c7ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1743/Post%2Boffice%2BFalls%2BCity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="1317" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWeBZmnOXrQ/Xzvy3R4BfyI/AAAAAAAAdmk/pX_7_Zls2r4RDi4L2xE0ZFswiuup0c7ewCLcBGAsYHQ/w248-h328/Post%2Boffice%2BFalls%2BCity.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On 30 November 1974, three years after Irvin’s death, Falls City opened and dedicated a new post office. The local high school band performed, and the Falls City postmaster presided at the ceremonies. A parish priest led in prayer. A member of the county historical society recited the story of the mail service in the area that had begun in 1860. Included in his remark was this word about Irvin:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">In the year 1924, because of a growing need for service between Falls City and Poth and west of Poth to Three Oaks, Deweesville and the Butler school community, Rural Route No. 2 was established. The first appointment for the carrier for rural route 2 was Irvin Creech. He served continuously until his retirement in 1964, with a total of 40 years. (From the Karnes City Citation, December 12, 1974, p. 1-A)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">The street in front of the new post office was renamed “Irvin Street.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;">With all the talk about the U. S. Postal Service these days, I was reminded of my grandfather’s service. I’m also reminded that <span style="font-size: 12pt;">thousands of others work as faithfully on our behalf for service we regularly take </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">for granted.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72UkgDHJYik/XzvzOnfUbxI/AAAAAAAAdmw/qFYHT5yFgD0MtjUs4EbVpFVwo6WDIygdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1982/Irvin%2BLetter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="1534" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72UkgDHJYik/XzvzOnfUbxI/AAAAAAAAdmw/qFYHT5yFgD0MtjUs4EbVpFVwo6WDIygdACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Irvin%2BLetter.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wduGv4wX9Q/XzvzOOlb-4I/AAAAAAAAdms/KfndZBH-1rw2Bc0IAPIKE-0G-0Wo2wukACLcBGAsYHQ/s1969/Irvin%2BRecognition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="1561" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wduGv4wX9Q/XzvzOOlb-4I/AAAAAAAAdms/KfndZBH-1rw2Bc0IAPIKE-0G-0Wo2wukACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Irvin%2BRecognition.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SfoamTmOUY/Xzwe6Wx4dcI/AAAAAAAAdnA/tdd3qQ-oiB0UWYJ1BmT0pcrF-Hqbrcz7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/61946608696__18FB3981-5E73-4D49-B021-ED20D69B7C26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="2048" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SfoamTmOUY/Xzwe6Wx4dcI/AAAAAAAAdnA/tdd3qQ-oiB0UWYJ1BmT0pcrF-Hqbrcz7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h256/61946608696__18FB3981-5E73-4D49-B021-ED20D69B7C26.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irvin's Mail Satchel<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-33214434940359173012020-06-25T08:59:00.002-05:002020-06-25T08:59:41.561-05:00It's Official<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <a href="https://texasprairie.org/what-we-do/" target="_blank">Native Prairie Association of Texas</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> (NPAT) is a </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;">nonprofit</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;">membership organization</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> and an </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;">accredited land trust</span><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;">, </strong><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;">whose</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4858; font-family: Lato; font-size: 16px;"> mission is dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of native prairies, savannas, and other grasslands in Texas. When landowners have a remnant prairie (a portion of land that has never been cultivated, but retains the native plants of its history), or a restored prairie (like ours), they can register their project with NPAT as a way of affirming their commitment to preserving Texas prairie land. We are about 18 months into our project. We registered with NPAT this summer and yesterday received and installed our sign.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra945xo5z64/XvSmR4YnX1I/AAAAAAAAdjE/lRbsHXm5sb4VygTDQfL1lhmDycrO1cX3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra945xo5z64/XvSmR4YnX1I/AAAAAAAAdjE/lRbsHXm5sb4VygTDQfL1lhmDycrO1cX3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today we're expecting a visit from Jamie Killian, the TPW wildlife biologist who has been working with us. She's not seen the progress in a while, so we're hoping she'll be as pleased as we are about what we are seeing emerge across the 80 acres we're working on.<br />
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Texas Wildlife Magazine recently reported studies indicating how the increased plant diversity on a piece of property produces a diversity of habitat, which leads inevitably to a diversity of insects, birds, and mammals. A square meter of a healthy prairie contains more biodiversity than you can imagine. (See <a href="https://prairieecologist.com/square-meter-photography-project/" target="_blank">Chris Helzer's Square Meter Project</a>). We are seeing already a wide diversity of plants, insects, and birds on our place.<br />
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Two-hundred and ninety-nine species of birds have been identified in Wilson County, TX. We have a list of those and have made it a goal to observe as many of them as possible, not only on our place, but around the county. This is for us a part of knowing the place where we live.<br />
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You can find such bird lists online at <a href="https://ebird.org/home" target="_blank">EBird</a>, a project of Cornell University.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-29533716136105333662020-05-16T11:00:00.001-05:002020-05-18T20:10:40.385-05:00Prairie UpdateLast week I took a morning stroll through the far end of the property to see how things were coming along in the area we don't visit often. I was pleased to see how prolific the native grass germination was through most of the field. Patience is a challenge. I am eager to see how this will all look in its maturity, but that is a couple of years away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCf2-67VmtM/XsAHpworatI/AAAAAAAAdeg/EtN0LhY9cdcdgHu1m7WGBTBSi4TZI9EJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_DSC4306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCf2-67VmtM/XsAHpworatI/AAAAAAAAdeg/EtN0LhY9cdcdgHu1m7WGBTBSi4TZI9EJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/_DSC4306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the diversity of the prairie can be seen here if you have an eye for it.</td></tr>
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White prairie clover is growing in several places around the field, but it is prolific in the sandy soil at the far end of property. It is a beautiful shade of green.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRQha-6_Hes/XsAGo4z233I/AAAAAAAAddc/6GVzO16subMctqWbRqJb2XAK5nZBfbbLgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/_DSC4290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRQha-6_Hes/XsAGo4z233I/AAAAAAAAddc/6GVzO16subMctqWbRqJb2XAK5nZBfbbLgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/_DSC4290.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Prairie Clover</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Prairie Clover</td></tr>
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The Emily Dickenson poem comes to mind:<br />
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To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,<br />
One clover and a bee.<br />
And revery.<br />
The revery alone will do,<br />
If bees are few.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-eyed Susan</td></tr>
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Yellow is the dominant color in the field these days. Sunflowers of various sorts are raising their heads.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A patch of plantain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plantain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Oats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cih03XaQFpA/XsAGhFxIXNI/AAAAAAAAddA/JL_brroEo9UqEZxJKK-ZmYsjgA-o21k3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_DSC4285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cih03XaQFpA/XsAGhFxIXNI/AAAAAAAAddA/JL_brroEo9UqEZxJKK-ZmYsjgA-o21k3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC4285.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Bee Balm</td></tr>
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-59617689572121399632020-04-19T10:51:00.000-05:002020-04-19T10:56:26.047-05:00Prairie Walks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Melinda and I walk in the prairie about every other day. The prairie wants us to. It changes that quickly and someone needs to see it. And we need to. In these times of separation and quarantine, being outdoors and witnessing the life of spring in South Texas helps to center us, to remind us of God's providence with His Creation. The world of humanity is suffering in unimaginable ways, but the natural world about us goes on its way with life and beauty, bearing witness to God's goodness.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKWi1HdrhHI/XpxnsRiHJMI/AAAAAAAAdMY/lTWG92aLwc4_GP1Tdx4zjob7C86OhtVEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_DSC4150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKWi1HdrhHI/XpxnsRiHJMI/AAAAAAAAdMY/lTWG92aLwc4_GP1Tdx4zjob7C86OhtVEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC4150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The American Basket Flowers are standing tall across the field. Theses beauties were part of the seed mix we planted sixteen months ago. A few of them are just now opening their blooms to the sky. Soon there will be scores of them.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDqYVhjz1yg/Xpxnh-Zo8TI/AAAAAAAAdMQ/Te9PnCDB3Wov_5DQUcfI6S63k7PAlKiGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_DSC4153-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1517" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDqYVhjz1yg/Xpxnh-Zo8TI/AAAAAAAAdMQ/Te9PnCDB3Wov_5DQUcfI6S63k7PAlKiGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC4153-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Insect life is abundant. Butterflies, moths, bees, flies of various sorts, wasps, caterpillars, and beetles are everywhere. It is a challenge to try to capture the beauty of a blossom without being photo-bombed by some other creature. Some kind of fly and a beetle are taking advantage of this Black-eyed Susan.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLMXNUH0qnk/XpxstMo39VI/AAAAAAAAdOY/3gWUtD4RZq0mgxm8y4ElWt0g3GcEWAasQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLMXNUH0qnk/XpxstMo39VI/AAAAAAAAdOY/3gWUtD4RZq0mgxm8y4ElWt0g3GcEWAasQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0411.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYwkk0YE2pk/XpxnvBYimRI/AAAAAAAAdMc/qNIos8_sXX4j2efjbx5DAeQnwzQORXPIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_DSC4160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYwkk0YE2pk/XpxnvBYimRI/AAAAAAAAdMc/qNIos8_sXX4j2efjbx5DAeQnwzQORXPIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC4160.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last year Maximillian Sunflowers, also a part of our seed mix, stood some six feet tall with flowers around their stalks from the ground to the top. They died off with winter, but at the base of nearly each dead stalk still standing in the field is the evidence of new life and a promise of more flowers this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RiQd0vtWGqc/Xpxnz2ichrI/AAAAAAAAdMg/Ec9EZ8EAIpk3Da_GuSQRLGccG1TDjsWGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_DSC4162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RiQd0vtWGqc/Xpxnz2ichrI/AAAAAAAAdMg/Ec9EZ8EAIpk3Da_GuSQRLGccG1TDjsWGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC4162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We came across one patch of Berlandier's Yellow Flax. We can't recall seeing that one before. The blooms are small, but striking.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PG6IylGn79o/Xpxn2KeNOcI/AAAAAAAAdMk/L-oLsg5qVXIaYp_On9eeHvXkeSohT_cagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_DSC4171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PG6IylGn79o/Xpxn2KeNOcI/AAAAAAAAdMk/L-oLsg5qVXIaYp_On9eeHvXkeSohT_cagCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/_DSC4171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The dominant yellow in the fields these days are the neon blossoms of the Plains Coreopsis. Whole fields of them can be seen along the county road. In the back of the property we also find Nueces Coreopsis (below).<br />
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And Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (below)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRBHU71Z2J4/XpxuabjixdI/AAAAAAAAdOs/ix-Jr4KkKMAfKajfoc0QGfeRRLlgy1rewCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/DSC02416.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRBHU71Z2J4/XpxuabjixdI/AAAAAAAAdOs/ix-Jr4KkKMAfKajfoc0QGfeRRLlgy1rewCK4BGAYYCw/s320/DSC02416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The prairie is now demanding some work of us. Some invasive plants are best deal with by using our solar powered plant removers (shovels and pruning shears). We are hunting down and removing the small patches of prickly pears that are showing up and we are taking on the Baccharis (also known as Roosevelt Weed, Poverty Weed, or Depression Weed) that is coming up in numbers. When we first got the property in 2007, these covered the fields.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baccharis</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An uprooted Baccharis</td></tr>
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The Spotted Horse Mint or Spotted Bee Balm is back. It is just now commencing its blooming. They'll be plentiful soon.<br />
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Near the house there is a patch of red-colored dock that the Salt Marsh Moth caterpillars are finding attractive.<br />
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More than anything, however, we are delighting in seeing the grasses make their appearance. We've found evidence of the Big Four (Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, and Eastern Indian Grass), but others in the seed mix are there as well –– Lovegrass, Green Spangletop, Windmill Grass, Eastern Gamagrass, and Side Oats Grama.) These are summer grasses and so will be showing up more and more as the weather warms. The Eastern Gamagrass is already forming its distinctive seed heads and the Switchgrass is stretching taller than last year (it can get almost 9 feet tall!).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed heads forming on Eastern Gamagrass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Seed heads forming on Eastern Gamagrass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stand of Switchgrass</td></tr>
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Occasionally, the orchid-like Prairie Nymph appears at our feet as well.<br />
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All of this is to be taken both as a present moment to be attended to and as a promise of what is to come in the prairie.<br />
<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-79971661543500506342020-04-15T21:01:00.003-05:002020-04-16T06:49:02.624-05:00An Open Letter to those Pastoring During a Pandemic<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
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In a matter of a few weeks pastoral ministry has become something none of us imagined. The impact of Covid-19 requires pastors to think innovatively and creatively about the calling we have given our lives to follow. In one day, it seems, so much changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A mere six months ago no one would have believed that churches around the world would refrain from gathering on Easter morning and that they would be doing so out of love for one another. No one I know ever talked about what it would be like for the church to be dispersed in such a way. It is not that we have moved from church buildings to house churches. That would be more tolerable, since at least we would still be gathering. But we have been scattered to our screens. We are preaching to our people, but we cannot see them or touch them. We cannot look in their eyes and tell if what we are proclaiming is resonating with them or not. We cannot hear them laugh or watch them fight to keep their drowsy eyes open. We cannot gather them to celebrate the life of a brother or sister who has died, to celebrate new life with parents coming to dedicate their child, or the new life in Christ declared in baptism. We cannot break off a piece of bread and look in their eyes and say, “the Body of Christ broken for you.” We cannot be in hospitals with the dying or sit around the table with the living.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have spoken to dozens of pastors over the past few weeks on the phone or in a video call. I have been online with groups of you and have exchanged texts and email with others. I have worshiped online with a half-dozen different congregations and have followed many others on social media. I watched tears well up in a pastor’s eyes and heard his voice crack as he pronounced the benediction to an empty sanctuary on Easter. I have witnessed both an admirable desire to continue to shepherd your flock and a discernible weariness and discouragement beginning to set in after a month or more of this “new normal.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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I want to attempt to offer some encouragement to you as you continue to serve in these strange days.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>First, keep up the work of preaching</i>. I have been sitting in the pew (well, actually a LazyBoy) during these Sundays. I was not prepared for the online experience to be as meaningful as it has been. It has been valuable to me because I have not been listening to strangers preach, but friends and colleagues. It must be terribly frustrating for you to preach in such circumstances. But know that people on the other end of the line are listening who need a word from the Lord and who love to hear your voice and see your face because they know of the affection in which you hold them. “My sheep hear my voice,” Jesus said. What you are doing and saying is important. Yes, it is awkward. Certainly it is not the way you’d prefer to deliver the message. But do it anyway. Do it with the same effort and passion that you would do if things were back to “normal.” Study. Pray. Preach. As Paul said, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching” (2 Tim. 4:1–2).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Second, use every means to overcome the distance. </i>What Paul would not have given for Zoom! He did what he could when isolated from his churches, whether by prison bars or mere geographical distance. He prayed for them. He wrote to them. He rejoiced when he heard from them. He did all this with confidence that God was at work in their lives, whether he himself could be with them or not (Phil. 1:1–30). So, email and text and phone and Zoom and do whatever else you can to stay connected with those you serve. You are still called to make disciples. You are still called to be their pastor. Do what you can and let that be enough for now. The time will come again when your physical presence can express your care.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Third, lower your standards. </i>A weekly production is not necessary in worship. If nothing else, we are being weaned from some of that. The dramatic light and sound show that worship easily becomes is not what is needed in these days. Your congregation longs for a word from the Lord and they want to hear it from you. Period. Some of the best preaching I have heard in the last few weeks has come from a pastor sitting with his MacBook in an empty sanctuary, speaking transparently and powerfully to his flock. Let go of the need to impress your people and just be there with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Fourth, take care of yourself. </i>Stay current with your spiritual practices. Adapt them to the new situation but continue to practice prayer and study and silence and solitude and other habits that strengthen your soul. Care for your body. Sleep and eat and exercise. Care for your relationships. Increase contact with family and friends virtually where you cannot be physically. Care for your mind. Read. Study. When we do emerge from the pandemic cocoon, be ready to emerge stronger rather than weaker.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Fifth, share the burden. </i>Don’t try to do it all yourself. Allow others in the congregation to do the work of ministry as well. Encourage them to do it. Bless them in their efforts to care for one another, to teach their small groups, to carry out their own ministries. And don’t try to do it by yourself. Talk with fellow pastors about what the burden of these days is like. Listen to one another and pray for one another.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Sixth, accept the reality of the present</i>. We have loved our meetings and our programs and our impressive presentations. For a time at least, those things are but dust. We are being pushed into a new way of doing the work of the gospel. Lean into it and learn new things. Parker Palmer tells of being in an Outward Bound course and finding himself paralyzed on the side of a cliff during a rappelling exercise. His instructor shouted down to him the Outward Bound School motto: “If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” Then his feet began to move. That must be the posture of pastoral leaders during these days. We serve the God whose creativity knows no bounds. We are part of the church that has endured more difficult days than this over two millennia. It does not become us to think that if we can no longer do what we have done, then we are stuck. We must get into it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Seventh, (and as a good biblical number, that will do), abandon both optimism and despair and serve with hope. </i>Jurgen Moltmann says the two sins against hope are optimism and despair. Optimism is groundless. Despair is faithless. Jim Collins (<i>Good to Great</i>) gave us the “Stockdale Paradox.” When asked about what POWs did not make it out of their Viet Nam imprisonment, James Stockdale said, “the optimists.” Those who were constantly saying, “We’ll be out of this by Easter, or Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or New Year” were constantly disappointed by reality. They had no grounds for such false hopes. It was the realists, Stockdale said, who survived. This is an important perspective to hold during these days. Depending on who is prognosticating, we may be in this social distancing mode for some time. We should prepare ourselves to do our ministry in this situation for the long-haul. Hope is not optimism. It is, for the Christian, a part of a realistic outlook. The Easter reality is that in whatever future we find ourselves, God is present, God is with us. He is our hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastors, what you men and women are doing has never been more important. Your people need your love, your leadership, and your faithful ministry. The church will need to think carefully about how we do our work in such days as this. How do we preach Christ? How do we demonstrate love for neighbor? How do we serve with compassion? How do we bear witness to a frightened, lonely, world? You, pastors, are called to this. You have been prepared for this. You, with the Spirit’s power, can do this. Be encouraged.<br />
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Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-84345456321006961402019-12-12T19:06:00.003-06:002019-12-12T19:06:36.987-06:00Anticipation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The colors of fall around the Creech place include a few that have been planted for their showiness. The Turk's Cap below is a native Texas plant that we placed in the bed by the front porch.</div>
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The fire spike was propagated from cuttings shared by a fellow Master Gardener last fall. These also are lined up in a flowerbed in front of the house.</div>
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The zinnas, a favorite of the Pipevine Swallowtail, are growing in the vegetable beds out front in lieu of a fall garden.<br />
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This Zizotes Milkweed chose the front garden on its own. The Lady Bug is doing her best to deal with the aphids that are covering the plant.<br />
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But some of the things around are going in the field, and they portend a field of prairie grasses over the next few years. Here the Side Oats Grama retain some of their seeds as winter approaches.<br />
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The False Golden Asters, along with Camphor Weed and Cowpen Daisies have added their bright yellows to the fall fields.</div>
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Easter Gamma Grass shows up across the field with its distinctive seed pods.</div>
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Everywhere there is a bare spot, the Bluebonnets are making their appearance, waiting for March to astound us.</div>
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I'm not sure what this forb is. But the light plays with it well.</div>
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Remnants of Maximillian Sunflowers stand watch over much of the field.<br />
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Yellow Indian Grass is among the most beautiful of the grasses when it is blooming. Lots of this has appeared in the first year. It will be taller and more evident in the next year or two.<br />
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I think this is a head of Green Spangletop. A stand of this showed up across the front of the field nearest the house, and is one of the seeds in the mix we planted last year.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The Little Bluestem is the most plentiful of the grasses that have emerged. In the winter it takes on a rich rusty brown color that is easy to spot along roadsides in Texas.</span></div>
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<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-26962840480097914552019-09-21T11:05:00.001-05:002019-09-21T13:20:50.954-05:00Long Live the Weeds!A friend of ours came to visit, having seen our farm in years past when we'd leased it out for the growing of corn, wheat, sorghum sudan grass, sesame, and milo. He knew of our prairie project, but hadn't seen it yet. When he saw our fields he remarked to his wife, "Is that what Melinda and Robert <i>wanted</i> their fields to look like?"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Wheat Crop in March 2008</td></tr>
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To the untrained eye the prairie, nascent or mature, looks a lot like an unmown, neglected field. Part of that impression comes from our being accustomed to the manicured lawns of the city, or the orderly products of agriculture.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prairie in spring 2019</td></tr>
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Our concept of what is beautiful requires some adjustment. Willa Cather wrote, "Anybody can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie." The prairie's beauty is not found in the imposed order of human effort, but in the living, breathing, order of an ecosystem that abounds in diversity, insect and animal life, color, texture, and structure.<br />
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To quote Melinda's favorite poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins ("Inversnaid"),<br />
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What would the world be, once bereft<br />
Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,<br />
O let them be left, wildness and wet;<br />
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.</blockquote>
Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-22734375596235163642019-09-07T12:13:00.001-05:002019-09-07T17:38:10.253-05:00Waiting for FallLate summer and fall is the time for the tall grasses to make their inflorescence/seedhead, which makes them much easier for us non-experts to identify. We have been looking for the Big Four of the tall-grass prairies to show themselves. Now all four have done so. Many of the hundreds of bunches of grass will not mature enough to make seed this year, but enough have done so to encourage us that what we'd hoped for is actually happening. We've also seen Sideoats Grama, Lovegrass, and Eastern Gamagrass.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fw2RZOHEN0/XXPf_gtyAsI/AAAAAAAAcpg/lczJ3SYBuAUFi1RHygm-Lg_AdQKk64gugCLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fw2RZOHEN0/XXPf_gtyAsI/AAAAAAAAcpg/lczJ3SYBuAUFi1RHygm-Lg_AdQKk64gugCLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3394.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oL3Zu0aPehs/XXPgGnsS70I/AAAAAAAAcpk/I_iLiaJFLSkclyTyP5i93B4w3dqmBGjswCLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oL3Zu0aPehs/XXPgGnsS70I/AAAAAAAAcpk/I_iLiaJFLSkclyTyP5i93B4w3dqmBGjswCLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3396.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bluestem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XngN3TXsnjk/XXPgOifiZBI/AAAAAAAAcps/HqFS9V610rgAOlBOD8k_FCXLwav1KVkXACLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XngN3TXsnjk/XXPgOifiZBI/AAAAAAAAcps/HqFS9V610rgAOlBOD8k_FCXLwav1KVkXACLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3397.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Indiangrass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BF1bM4lpNf8/XXPgaFFlVMI/AAAAAAAAcp4/8WUXSotmPx8Pg-dVzr2nhW8zoKIf7cEGACLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BF1bM4lpNf8/XXPgaFFlVMI/AAAAAAAAcp4/8WUXSotmPx8Pg-dVzr2nhW8zoKIf7cEGACLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3398.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bluestem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJRBAi_DMaE/XXPhL5DCchI/AAAAAAAAcqM/vM2MpOfpp2wDOhnNYBlxWrp-057mlGylACLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJRBAi_DMaE/XXPhL5DCchI/AAAAAAAAcqM/vM2MpOfpp2wDOhnNYBlxWrp-057mlGylACLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3399.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bluestem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a78jhWnepnY/XXPil-TrFSI/AAAAAAAAcq4/PLaU2EL3Zro-oLN9CCtrwxcagPRhQk54wCLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a78jhWnepnY/XXPil-TrFSI/AAAAAAAAcq4/PLaU2EL3Zro-oLN9CCtrwxcagPRhQk54wCLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3404.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bluestem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhd8-99rdfg/XXPhN7XjkyI/AAAAAAAAcqQ/yRYTa478IjwIpCAvsmEmmziTLqIZSRwFACLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhd8-99rdfg/XXPhN7XjkyI/AAAAAAAAcqQ/yRYTa478IjwIpCAvsmEmmziTLqIZSRwFACLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Indiangrass and Maximillian Sunflowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlOhoHDSWnw/XXPiZ0hanII/AAAAAAAAcqw/NfW-_kpps-Em9wO2dbFiOauc8yhlufphwCLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3404-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlOhoHDSWnw/XXPiZ0hanII/AAAAAAAAcqw/NfW-_kpps-Em9wO2dbFiOauc8yhlufphwCLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3404-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bluestem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rki7YfR7sFI/XXPhm_Nr0nI/AAAAAAAAcqk/7ZD6xgHPDrgXNb3wz0aYX47eXNFGpTyTQCLcBGAs/s1600/_DSC3403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rki7YfR7sFI/XXPhm_Nr0nI/AAAAAAAAcqk/7ZD6xgHPDrgXNb3wz0aYX47eXNFGpTyTQCLcBGAs/s320/_DSC3403.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switchgrass and Maximillian Sunflowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4038713.post-9360481825323599422019-08-24T21:47:00.000-05:002019-08-24T21:53:57.365-05:00A Long, Dry, Texas AugustThis is my 67th August in Texas. You'd think I would have learned by now. August is hot. Global warming notwithstanding, it is always hot in August. And in South Texas it is also dry, unless something tropical develops off the coast.<br />
<br />
So my walk in the field today was noisy. The sounds of thousands of grasshoppers fleeing from my presence were accompanied by the crunch of my steps on the dried rust weed. Despite the heat and drought, however, the native grasses continue to progress. In parts of the field they are sparse and small, hidden under the canopy of the Mare's Tail that took an opportunity to flourish this summer. In other places they are plentiful, but small and dry. But in the twenty or so acres nearest the house, they are growing in good numbers and size. Many are forming their seed heads––Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, Lovegrass, Sideoats Grama, and Switchgrass are discernible. Most of the clumps are mysteries to me until they identify themselves with their distinctive seed heads. The yellow Partridge Pea bushes are plentiful. I found one Texas Coneflower blooming in the middle of one of the bunch grasses.<br />
<br />
We've now been a month without a drop of rain and temperatures have been over 100 most days. In a few more weeks that will break and become more seasonal. I suspect the grasses will respond to the fall rains with joy.<br />
<br />
Psalm 147:8 (NRSV)<br />
He covers the heavens with clouds,<br />
prepares rain for the earth,<br />
makes grass grow on the hills.<br />
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<br />Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14176593963217791489noreply@blogger.com1