Rain Dance

I hope this type of rain dance will work. I measured an 1/4" of rain this last week. My yard is brown and crunchy, but the toe jerks are growing rapidly.

This picture was taken on a country road down by Montauk.

Visit to Alley Springs

Yesterday my Cousin Shelby and my friends Tyler and Carter visited Alley Springs near Eminence, Mo. We had a wonderful time visiting the spring and at Twin Pine CEC near Winona, Mo.

The area was named after a prominent local family named Alley that lived in the area. The first mill was built in 1868. The mill that is still standing today was built 1893-1894,by George Washington McCaskill, as a merchant mill.

Also at Alley Springs is the old Story Schoolhouse. The school was built in 1903 and had an enrollment of 42 students.

The spring spills 81 million gallons a water a day into the Current/Jacks Fork River.

Here the kids are discussing and looking at the water.

Tyler and Carter are getting ready to go thru an hole.

Here is Carter posing for me.

Visit to Twin Pine Conservation Education Center

Today, my cousin Shelby and my friends Tyler and Carter went with me to Wionna, Mo where Twin Pine CEC is located. It was built in 2008 and the Conservation Department runs the center. The center is very nice. There are 3 levels in the building. On display were animal skins(elk,bison,fox,mountain lion) to mention a few. Stuffed animals were (mountain lion,beaver,otter,deer,black bear) to mention a few. Also on view were snakes and they were alive (copperhead,Pygmy rattlesnake,diamondback rattlesnake). Stuffed owls and a hornets nest were also in the building. The 3rd level of the center can be used for meetings. There was free handout literature as well as books to buy. Outside the center they have planted native wildflowers,trees and shrubs. The Vann schoolhouse (1 room) was moved to the grounds beside the center. The school was used from 1911-1956. The school was located 4 miles from Wionna.

Here are Shelby, Tyler and Carter inside the school

There was and 1840 furnished log cabin on the grounds.

Beside the log cabin was a 1925 Ford Model TT truck. It was used to haul logs and wood. The Model TT is from the Wionna area.

While we were there the boys got to fish in a 2 acre lake. The poles and bait were supplied by the Conservation Department.

Unfortunately nothing was caught.

An 1946 Chevy panel van used by the Conservation Department was on display.

Lastley a few pics of the stuffed animals inside.

We all had a great time.

Missouri's Wild Clematis

Went out wildflower hunting with my Mom and Aunt yesterday. We had a great time. We visited old places we hadn't been to in years. One spot was by the Roubidoux River. There I noticed 2 wild clematis' that I had never seen. I will show pictures of 3 different varieties. I believe there are 6 different varieties.

This is Pale Leatherwood.

This is Pitcher's LeatherwoodThis is Virginia Bower Clematis

Lot's and Lots of Rain.

I believe it has rained 5 out of 7 days this week. Wished I was able to save some of this water for July and August.

This is a picture of Multiflora Rose.

It has a beautiful bloom, but is an aggressive thug.

4th Grade Field Trip

Today I went on a school field trip with my friend's son Carter. The trip was to Beaver Creek Paylake near Manes, Mo. It is 3 acre man made lake stocked with channel catfish. The lake is about an hour from the school. The school too all 3 4th grade classes (about 70 kids). All of the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. Some kids had fished before and some hadn't, some there didn't like to touch the worm on the hook, but yelled and screamed when they caught a fish. The kids had a limit of 3 catfish and most caught that amount. The school paid for the kids meal and the owners of the lake gave the kids a free snow cone (that was a big hit).

Carter caught 3 nice catfish and I caught 2. Carter and I had a great time. This is Carter with one of his catches of the today.

Went fishing last night

My friend and I went fishing after we got off work yesterday. Her 2 boys Tyler and Carter came along with us, plus their dog Red (a min pin). We caught about 7 largemouth bass. Here is a pic of Tyler and his nice largemouth bass.

End of April

Seems like the month of April came and went way to quick. I went on vacation for one week and had a great time. I spyed 2 new wildflowers this month. 1 was Spreading Chervil and the other I still can't identify. I have a pair of bluebirds nesting in my back yard. It has been 3 years since they nested in the back yard.

Here is a picture of Wild Long Bracketed Indigo. My Grandma Huff called this Rattlesnake plant. Due to the fact when the seeds dried inside the bud and you shook them it sounded like a rattlesnake.

This next plant is a Wild Columbine. The picture was taken at my Mom's house.

2 Weeks Early

I have heard people say that the growing season is 2 weeks early this year. I think they are correct. My Mom and I have daylillies blooming way ahead of last year's blooming time. The wildflowers are blooming ahead of last year also, one noticeable flower is the Ox-Eye Daisy. They usually don't bloom until May.

Another is the Ozark Spiderwort.

It can be found around river/creek banks. This is one of 3 spiderworts that grow here.

It will be interesting to see how long this trend of early blooming will last. Maybe the hot weather and lack of moisture will put the plants back in their normal blooming cycle.

Monday Evening Fishing

Some friends and I went fishing today after work. A total of 5 large mouth bass were caught.

Here is picture of one lucky angler.

Full of Pollen

My head is full of pollen today and has create a headache, so it has been a slow day. I return to work tomorrow after a 10 day vacation. I had a great time. I'm going to post a pic that is not a wildflower. I believe this to be true.
Have a good week.

Saturday flower shopping

My mom and I went to a new greenhouse just east of town today. The quality of annuals was good but not very many perennials. I'm starting to get a snoot full of pollen, which is causing a headache. This happens every year when the Post Oaks start to bud out at my home.

I'm putting on some pictures of early spring wildflowers. I love this plant, but, the bloom is just for one day. Bloodroot is found around river/creek bottoms. It blooms from March-early April.

The next little plant is Dutchman's Britches (Bear Breeches). Found along river/creek bottoms. Blooms from March-early April.This the wildflower version of a Bleeding Heart.

Next is Toothwort. It can be found in the rich wood soil and along river/creek banks. I have seen them in both locations. They make large colonies. This plant and Harbinger of Spring, Dutchman's Britches and Bloodroot all live amongust each othe around the river banks.

The Harbinger of Spring is very hard to see due to its coloring. It seems to be one of first to bloom besides Liverleaf (not a good pic to put on).

Next is the Trout Lily. It is found around rich woody soil and long river/creek banks. This picture is taken it my back yard.

That is my hand hand you are seeing.

I will show some more early Spring wildflowers that bloom before and near early April. The Trout Lily also blooms in yellow, but have yet to see it.

Moving week

All this week I have been moving flowers to and from my home. Some have gone to my Mom, Aunt and my neighbor. My Escape (the dirt mobile) has hauled the following: Coral

Bells,Ajuga,Lanium,Iris (Bearded & Siberian),Sedum,Columbines,Ferns,Hosta,Catmint,Grape Hycinth,Buckeye Tree, Bridal Wreath. I have also cut back my ornamental grasses this week. It has been a fun filled week with a little bit of work involved. Best way to spend 1 week of my vacation. This is picture of the Bridal Wreath. It is in the Spirea family. You see it along old home places.

Spring Wildflower

I enjoy looking for wildflowers every year. Every new year will see a flower haven't seen. when it gets to hot come July and August I like to in my airconditioned home.

This is first flower of spring. It is Harbenger of Spring. It blooms from Feb-March. You will see it along river/creek bottoms. It is very hard to see due to its clolring and small size. The stem is brown/purple color with tiny white flowers. The leaves will come out after it is thru blooming. It grows up to a foot tall. Some times this plant is called Salt & Pepper plant.