On Mother's Day eve

At least we haven't yet planted any wildflower seed mixes. We've had reason to cover the annual plantings the past few nights, although no signs of what we used to call a "hard frost," and we hope it stays that way. Life can be hazardous for tender plants and tender critters, but eaglets, and other chicks have mothers to sit on them and keep from freezing. Plants are pretty much on their own and water doesn't lose enough heat to create problems for fish. It's not clear if a "hard freeze" has a negative effect on the occupants of vernal pools, either eggs or adults.

a dandelion for mom

Photo by J. Harrington

Meanwhile, it looks like we have a couple of female ruby-throated hummingbirds planning on nesting somewhere around the house. One has been arriving at the rear deck feeder and another at the front window-mounted feeder. Still no signs of Baltimore orioles. Maybe next week?

A Dandelion for My Mother

By Jean Nordhaus

How I loved those spiky suns,  

rooted stubborn as childhood  

in the grass, tough as the farmer’s  

big-headed children—the mats  

of yellow hair, the bowl-cut fringe.  

How sturdy they were and how  

slowly they turned themselves  

into galaxies, domes of ghost stars  

barely visible by day, pale  

cerebrums clinging to life  

on tough green stems.   Like you.  

Like you, in the end.   If you were here,  

I’d pluck this trembling globe to show  

how beautiful a thing can be  

a breath will tear away. 

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