tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80909883992142779522024-03-04T21:18:41.031-08:00Nature, My Garden and MeMelanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-56100108462201870532019-01-27T09:39:00.001-08:002019-01-27T09:39:30.805-08:00Bird Alert!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfBOmmEWWcQ/XE3shiMN_EI/AAAAAAAA5SQ/_KA3Meoq_jkJIq539658wYgc1GJ0XsKlgCLcBGAs/s1600/PFWblog2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="550" height="420" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfBOmmEWWcQ/XE3shiMN_EI/AAAAAAAA5SQ/_KA3Meoq_jkJIq539658wYgc1GJ0XsKlgCLcBGAs/s640/PFWblog2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>How fun will this be!</b><br />
<b><br />Project Feeder Watch!</b><br />
<a href="https://feederwatch.org/?fbclid=IwAR0_VTvfnblibUKZkcG3pcIbGFXlS0sXRc7OOCEi4kjkzd9SFBummFojP2w"><b>https://feederwatch.org/?fbclid=IwAR0_VTvfnblibUKZkcG3pcIbGFXlS0sXRc7OOCEi4kjkzd9SFBummFojP2w</b></a>Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-35218200391819833832017-03-22T13:02:00.000-07:002017-03-22T13:02:44.723-07:00OMG! OMG! Its Early Spring--Daffodils, Tulips, Iris and Friends<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiOWyUwoaJ8/WNKt6SNGCpI/AAAAAAAAy44/2wBPgKWheeo3iscZengdus8wyMpOmg5IQCLcB/s1600/IMG_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiOWyUwoaJ8/WNKt6SNGCpI/AAAAAAAAy44/2wBPgKWheeo3iscZengdus8wyMpOmg5IQCLcB/s200/IMG_7020.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild mustard, daffies, and tulips.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Mendax and the varied daffies.</td></tr>
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The blooms of early spring--I get so jazzed, like a little kid-- more fun than opening Christmas gifts. This is the best side of 'reaping what you sow' which is usually a solemn warning about wild oats--but in the garden it is wonderful advice for future floral joy.<br />
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The bees overwinter here, so I allowed the wild mustard and dandelions to grow. Bees don't considered them weeds--wildflowers , maybe. I will admit to thinning out the mustard, and dandelions in the more 'dignified' parts of the Butterfly Garden to have less competition for water when I plant sunflowers, lantana, and other annuals. The back garden, much more of a Wildlife Refuge, will have lots of whatever 'weeds' (wildflowers?) choose to survive the high desert here SoCal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DascpKJ6aUU/WNKwuAXZyhI/AAAAAAAAy5A/TcC06WjkjtIIuVhx_p5tEFn37j1He_37gCLcB/s1600/IMG_7029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DascpKJ6aUU/WNKwuAXZyhI/AAAAAAAAy5A/TcC06WjkjtIIuVhx_p5tEFn37j1He_37gCLcB/s320/IMG_7029.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning, closed tulips waiting to open.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27Ywb78O4-8/WNKw-kyMwJI/AAAAAAAAy5E/SCkLJSix8AEPWvM9G9u9OgxeH6ZRUo4LQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27Ywb78O4-8/WNKw-kyMwJI/AAAAAAAAy5E/SCkLJSix8AEPWvM9G9u9OgxeH6ZRUo4LQCLcB/s200/IMG_6988.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris making a grand entrance.</td></tr>
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New tulip bulbs in what will soon be in the vibrant Rose Garden. White House, eat your heart out. Old iris tubers were transplanted 2 years ago and chose this year to be spectacular--Van Gogh would love these!<br />
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I purchased collections of bulbs online, called 'English Garden' and 'Cottage Garden.' That's funny, my garden climate is so far from an English garden, and I do not have a cottage, but a little mission style home--but the variety of bulbs are welcome, and doing well after a satisfactory El Nino winter. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XoPzfWjXnLI/WNK0BgD99EI/AAAAAAAAy5M/A0q0upXiAaUj9va9KxQYfMAuBq4psWDJwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XoPzfWjXnLI/WNK0BgD99EI/AAAAAAAAy5M/A0q0upXiAaUj9va9KxQYfMAuBq4psWDJwCLcB/s200/IMG_6818.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyacinth--perfumes to whole neighborhood.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqfxFbxQfzc/WNK1TXyzVJI/AAAAAAAAy5Q/jiaD6cUbqoQSbn-Rw9BIlgXvWvOSGhBdACLcB/s1600/IMG_6885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqfxFbxQfzc/WNK1TXyzVJI/AAAAAAAAy5Q/jiaD6cUbqoQSbn-Rw9BIlgXvWvOSGhBdACLcB/s200/IMG_6885.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocus outside Mendax' door.</td></tr>
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All the effort in the summer and autumn, the choosing and purchasing online bulbs from around the world; the gathering of bulbs from my garden shelves in the laundry room; the dig-dig-digging during the hot desert days--all is nothing compared to the scent and site of the hyacinth!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mG448JXA9lk/WNK_jeH0tuI/AAAAAAAAy5Y/YikXKNY_15cddxVCOjbclxT_PsALWo_tACLcB/s1600/Garden%2Btulips%2Bmaster%2Bliberamens%2Btulip%2Bmemorial%2Bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mG448JXA9lk/WNK_jeH0tuI/AAAAAAAAy5Y/YikXKNY_15cddxVCOjbclxT_PsALWo_tACLcB/s200/Garden%2Btulips%2Bmaster%2Bliberamens%2Btulip%2Bmemorial%2Bday.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Liberamens on Tulip Memorial Day.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VFudW_pnro/WNLIdX72EyI/AAAAAAAAy5k/3UP1vxPf9cYR4iKqMwBPDbuWIu2tG41MQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></td></tr>
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The splash of color on a late winter's day--crocus and daffodils in February, tulips and hyacinth in March, iris making a royal appearance--very cheerful,<br />
reminding there is warmth and anticipation for spring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-XxgDz4YO4/WNLDwOMKU8I/AAAAAAAAy5c/MiHnGr1Xr0w8GfVHqlkh7JRyuToGGxmkwCLcB/s1600/garden%2Banemone%2Bearly%2Bspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-XxgDz4YO4/WNLDwOMKU8I/AAAAAAAAy5c/MiHnGr1Xr0w8GfVHqlkh7JRyuToGGxmkwCLcB/s200/garden%2Banemone%2Bearly%2Bspring.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anemone--also red and white.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VFudW_pnro/WNLIdX72EyI/AAAAAAAAy5k/kd2DwRnulfsWK-0vmuDOaoBIxFFVDb6HwCEw/s1600/IMG_6877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VFudW_pnro/WNLIdX72EyI/AAAAAAAAy5k/kd2DwRnulfsWK-0vmuDOaoBIxFFVDb6HwCEw/s320/IMG_6877.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocus, intense, tiny beauty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7wfD_PU0yHk/WNLL4CUkgDI/AAAAAAAAy5o/9mW6AmXN9TkM1WSgIX8WmIrY5eq_KWJDwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7wfD_PU0yHk/WNLL4CUkgDI/AAAAAAAAy5o/9mW6AmXN9TkM1WSgIX8WmIrY5eq_KWJDwCLcB/s200/IMG_6941.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grape hyacinth.</td></tr>
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I sort of have a 'Chef's Garden,' I say sort of, because I am truly not a chef or even a particularly good cook. But I love to grow herbs, garlic, onions, working on greens. Just the smell of the mint and rosemary is worth it. But I digress. I plunked some flower bulbs in my backyard herb/veg area--so while I wait for Tre Verde--spinach, chard, and kale--I have hilarious flowers and very pleased bees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4WUuSjuh64/WNLGob8ljFI/AAAAAAAAy5g/1bUu22nU24E2Il8pMgPbdATI14s2xiNzQCLcB/s1600/garden%2Bearly%2Bspring%2Bherb%2Bgarden%2Bbulb%2Bblooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4WUuSjuh64/WNLGob8ljFI/AAAAAAAAy5g/1bUu22nU24E2Il8pMgPbdATI14s2xiNzQCLcB/s640/garden%2Bearly%2Bspring%2Bherb%2Bgarden%2Bbulb%2Bblooms.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early spring in the herb--oops--bulb flower garden. My funky little solar water fountain looking to catch some sunlight is in the center.</td></tr>
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<br />Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-64731426127957600612017-02-20T12:03:00.000-08:002017-02-20T12:09:06.429-08:00Happy Presidents' Day--Thanks to the Primrose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aC5LTXpHZG0/WKtH8l3T1sI/AAAAAAAAypU/gWRGwDqGbUIMJh9OtJxKh519Ep4IljAOACLcB/s1600/16836512_10212449332567513_469102189007031430_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aC5LTXpHZG0/WKtH8l3T1sI/AAAAAAAAypU/gWRGwDqGbUIMJh9OtJxKh519Ep4IljAOACLcB/s640/16836512_10212449332567513_469102189007031430_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #073763;">It isn't that easy to have a red, white and blue color bowl for President's Day here in Zone 7b. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: #073763;"><span style="color: white;">But thanks to the lovely, hearty primrose, here we have a lovely display. Happy President's Day1 Who is your favorite president? </span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #990000;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Most folks say Abraham Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson or Teddy Roosevelt. But my #1 is John Adams.</b></span></span></span>Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-71773357158264818362017-01-28T09:13:00.000-08:002017-01-28T09:26:44.761-08:00Plant 'Rescue'--Buying A Christmas Tree Eleven Months Early<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh7KJM3m5p6igeGxXyLD8F_LXNK_NhhJrFATpdz1iJYCtaBFLQIR0aYrSu_1fdhaE-1TUZjV6AqlanSnTLkW4sy_eMK9mlTlaDo89cQEDQQK7ml3Dpa7TiUfnwci-Eo1-oGKlsF5YENA/s1600/garden+xmas+tree+2017+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh7KJM3m5p6igeGxXyLD8F_LXNK_NhhJrFATpdz1iJYCtaBFLQIR0aYrSu_1fdhaE-1TUZjV6AqlanSnTLkW4sy_eMK9mlTlaDo89cQEDQQK7ml3Dpa7TiUfnwci-Eo1-oGKlsF5YENA/s640/garden+xmas+tree+2017+.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: small;">Meet Gael of the Whimsical Wind</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Christmas Tree 2017! I 'rescue' trees and plants--this one was 50% off this week. I will baby it all year long and around Thanksgiving put it in a jolly planter, take it with me to Las Vegas to celebrate the holidays with my grown kids--then one year from now--Jan. 2018--will plant it in my yard to stretch and grow. Christmas Tree 2009 is now about 25 ft tall in the backyard! My friend suggested I name this one--so it is Gael of the Whimsical Wind. (can you tell I'm a teacher and a writer?)</b></span></span>Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-8827296793539796712016-12-21T16:01:00.000-08:002016-12-21T16:01:55.865-08:00Days Like Today Is Why I Plant It Forward<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clG-uSaLxqg/WFsHaYKXBEI/AAAAAAAAyKI/XRDUtVhu3uQoahhgmIbpahAfBoVO50bcgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clG-uSaLxqg/WFsHaYKXBEI/AAAAAAAAyKI/XRDUtVhu3uQoahhgmIbpahAfBoVO50bcgCLcB/s640/IMG_4650.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreary, rainy few days before Christmas. Waiting for spring.</td></tr>
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We have literally hundreds of flower bulbs inground concentrating on blooming this spring, starting in about six weeks. If you have experienced the glory of screaming yellow daffodils in February or jolly red tulips in March in the midst of the grey, grey, grey of winter---you will joyfully plant it forward.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1A58aT4KqU/WFsKbYT-x0I/AAAAAAAAyKU/9TqBfiB_JbY8GKCIBTUKv5cdUF42prFhwCLcB/s1600/14712765_10211150292332319_429483173964788365_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1A58aT4KqU/WFsKbYT-x0I/AAAAAAAAyKU/9TqBfiB_JbY8GKCIBTUKv5cdUF42prFhwCLcB/s200/14712765_10211150292332319_429483173964788365_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added many more bulbs this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuVAU3rTD0CEg2re8e0u2iLUvjxN9oOfv95i77703pM2QG2rgLCLhyphenhyphenPLiKZW3xCL0rkEQfd0fdokAfSOI1tKmQpwT7U9PsuMZE9MDIkVK3iTCXK_dSxvtfX5eZi1qjwv25vFTE7jiVPk/s1600/12694515_10208887095353809_312166624850030914_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuVAU3rTD0CEg2re8e0u2iLUvjxN9oOfv95i77703pM2QG2rgLCLhyphenhyphenPLiKZW3xCL0rkEQfd0fdokAfSOI1tKmQpwT7U9PsuMZE9MDIkVK3iTCXK_dSxvtfX5eZi1qjwv25vFTE7jiVPk/s200/12694515_10208887095353809_312166624850030914_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocus</td></tr>
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Last year provided such magnificent incentive. So lovely, and even sweet smelling.<br />
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Here are some shots from last year--wish I had smell-a-blog for the hyacinth.<br />
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In our growing zone (7b) crocus blooms first in the very early spring, then daffodils, then tulips, iris and hyacinths. Or when they feel like it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3k_yig4Bik/WFsQ4Jr11-I/AAAAAAAAyLM/9KQJB-sAjCMYrLJBcLB_8h5_cc1eQQoPQCLcB/s1600/12672084_10209193827941932_827455311877436432_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3k_yig4Bik/WFsQ4Jr11-I/AAAAAAAAyLM/9KQJB-sAjCMYrLJBcLB_8h5_cc1eQQoPQCLcB/s200/12672084_10209193827941932_827455311877436432_o.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little jonquils.</td></tr>
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Nature is sometimes unpredictable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--D4m94DUE4I/WFsOYbfdVCI/AAAAAAAAyK0/kFJ9XAFw74U2EIUElb8Yp0OgWNaxXGpmQCLcB/s1600/12748012_10209020098278799_239591726805773543_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--D4m94DUE4I/WFsOYbfdVCI/AAAAAAAAyK0/kFJ9XAFw74U2EIUElb8Yp0OgWNaxXGpmQCLcB/s200/12748012_10209020098278799_239591726805773543_o.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodils</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-meG5zNfJR8E/WFsPS0sNajI/AAAAAAAAyLA/-QTY9iYmXaELfdfH2gYi-N1BSftKefIBQCLcB/s1600/12916780_10209313984065760_5240746830945474585_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-meG5zNfJR8E/WFsPS0sNajI/AAAAAAAAyLA/-QTY9iYmXaELfdfH2gYi-N1BSftKefIBQCLcB/s200/12916780_10209313984065760_5240746830945474585_o.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips, simple and fancy.</td></tr>
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This autumn, I have invested in many new bulbs for groups called 'Cottage Garden,' 'English Garden,' and, what you would expect for a gardener in the Mojave Desert, bulbs for rock gardens. Many of these will be new to me--loving the anticipation and challenge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnjdX2n-3qQ/WFsWa1soteI/AAAAAAAAyLg/AMGl-puTBHYSPk0F_vKejfUYBfdGRG9HQCLcB/s1600/iris-de-van-gogh-luca-s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wnjdX2n-3qQ/WFsWa1soteI/AAAAAAAAyLg/AMGl-puTBHYSPk0F_vKejfUYBfdGRG9HQCLcB/s200/iris-de-van-gogh-luca-s.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irises, Van Gogh</td></tr>
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Along with bringing bright beauty during winter days, bulbs<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juw5h-HIkX4/WFsRyUraBKI/AAAAAAAAyLU/1lElHzReIucfZS9kGd78IaGb8KcvhHmuACLcB/s1600/12888493_10209400375145483_8488603143978995256_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juw5h-HIkX4/WFsRyUraBKI/AAAAAAAAyLU/1lElHzReIucfZS9kGd78IaGb8KcvhHmuACLcB/s200/12888493_10209400375145483_8488603143978995256_o.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Iris.</td></tr>
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help with <span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">preventing erosion, and the early blooms are great for the bees who overwinter with us. The bulbs of the early spring flowers will multiply every year. Gardening is, obviously, an excellent STEM project for classrooms. Having a resilient garden of bulbs that comes back every year is a great project for students. How marvelous to expect the recurring success of blooming daffodils or tulips every year as you go through your school experience. And a bulb garden is so easy to plant and nurture. Teachers--how can you resist doing this? And of course, the STEAM asset of a bulb garden--not only are some of the most famous paintings by artists like Monet and Van Gogh been of bulb flowers, but what a lovely chance for students to create art of their own, dear flowers. How cool is that?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DqfDyhcHW4/WFsMLd825VI/AAAAAAAAyKc/zPF5vU2ky98SOPRE6WUJEYt05n0uSVWrQCLcB/s1600/1798915_10209065899983813_5803650912236387699_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DqfDyhcHW4/WFsMLd825VI/AAAAAAAAyKc/zPF5vU2ky98SOPRE6WUJEYt05n0uSVWrQCLcB/s640/1798915_10209065899983813_5803650912236387699_o.jpg" width="601" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful to look at, beautiful to smell! Hyacinth.</td></tr>
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Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-34683774430881895122016-08-12T13:58:00.002-07:002016-08-12T13:58:34.060-07:00Squash...watcha gonna do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrFDqqrulSU/V644JCZsSqI/AAAAAAAAxKg/o3ELcQAnDJMTlQtlIWRKNZ5L6AAV0SCaACLcB/s1600/garden%2Bturn%2Byour%2Bback%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2Bmeme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrFDqqrulSU/V644JCZsSqI/AAAAAAAAxKg/o3ELcQAnDJMTlQtlIWRKNZ5L6AAV0SCaACLcB/s640/garden%2Bturn%2Byour%2Bback%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2Bmeme.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-47123157070937775992016-05-01T16:41:00.001-07:002016-05-01T17:27:11.276-07:00Tra La, Its May!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujBT28Y4VSE/VyaB5LxQA7I/AAAAAAAAvww/VoVnwO4IHzc3o4d8uQLLnkoBOg2dWJSbwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8357%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujBT28Y4VSE/VyaB5LxQA7I/AAAAAAAAvww/VoVnwO4IHzc3o4d8uQLLnkoBOg2dWJSbwCLcB/s640/IMG_8357%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses blooming and our Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Family comes out to visit our Certified Butterfly Garden</td></tr>
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The magnificent, extreme activity of spring in the garden makes me hysterical with beauty overload!<br />
All the hard-work investments of autumn and winter explode in growth, life and action. All the days of hole-digging, bulb planting, raking, and mulching fade in memory with the elaborate sensory extravaganza of color, scent, and burgeoning growth that includes plants and garden critters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZMJKfyno9c/VyaBO2yuH6I/AAAAAAAAvwY/2Uhos8EaA_0bO5AIqLIREEqCpALY0GOwgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZMJKfyno9c/VyaBO2yuH6I/AAAAAAAAvwY/2Uhos8EaA_0bO5AIqLIREEqCpALY0GOwgCLcB/s200/IMG_8980.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know where the ladybugs live!</td></tr>
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A residential wildlife habitat encourages plants and critters to thrive. I've spotted my ladybugs--on rosemary, in the pine tree, and looking expectant on a sunflower leaf.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kM5dZO5SW_k/VyaTM0lBlyI/AAAAAAAAvyc/pyb9vp5gJKklvlpZWH6SfQxqwenDNzmwQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8090%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kM5dZO5SW_k/VyaTM0lBlyI/AAAAAAAAvyc/pyb9vp5gJKklvlpZWH6SfQxqwenDNzmwQCLcB/s200/IMG_8090%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a> Our familiar butterflies have greeted us, the Cabbage Whites that love
the bright blue of the lobelia. I have lots of blue in my garden just
for that reason. Here is one on our apple tree-that's where it sleeps at night, or in the grasses. We have the habitat for the several types of
butterflies to go through their life cycles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcEPbJcw9mY/VyaPyliZF_I/AAAAAAAAvyE/GkHjfxHDS8k2iCGI6dBmoEAu2zal4J__QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcEPbJcw9mY/VyaPyliZF_I/AAAAAAAAvyE/GkHjfxHDS8k2iCGI6dBmoEAu2zal4J__QCLcB/s200/IMG_8994.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to help, earthworm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ue5iSIz_cY/VyaQhyVHQ6I/AAAAAAAAvyM/18iDFvQs4HAFYjAJ7lW2MAxcgPIpSTEQgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ue5iSIz_cY/VyaQhyVHQ6I/AAAAAAAAvyM/18iDFvQs4HAFYjAJ7lW2MAxcgPIpSTEQgCLcB/s200/IMG_8993.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sowbugs doing their thing.</td></tr>
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We have such a huge community of lovely earthworms, I call my yard the Mexico City of Vermiculture. </div>
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And they have been prospering in the composting over the winter--leaves, paper, tidbits from the kitchen--paradise for them and their fellow biodegraders: sowbugs (pillbugs.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lBp6cOFeT3w/VyaBuXLBE_I/AAAAAAAAvwo/751KdusViFUJtTD5_HMJTGixEWt_PIhggCLcB/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lBp6cOFeT3w/VyaBuXLBE_I/AAAAAAAAvwo/751KdusViFUJtTD5_HMJTGixEWt_PIhggCLcB/s200/IMG_1125.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Iris.</td></tr>
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We planted lots of bulbs in the autumn, and were rewarded with lovely colors and delicate blooms in the months February through March. Here are early iris. We had narcissus, daffodils, tulips and crocus, too. I plan on a special post about all these when the late iris shows up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuKQ-l_wc-I/VyaBjII2xGI/AAAAAAAAvwg/Wbavuw1stFs0DmuNEnLtbyb9KX7gZ-4_wCLcB/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuKQ-l_wc-I/VyaBjII2xGI/AAAAAAAAvwg/Wbavuw1stFs0DmuNEnLtbyb9KX7gZ-4_wCLcB/s320/IMG_1520.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavenly color.</td></tr>
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I have been spoiling the butterflies with a variety of blue flowers. These are delphiniums. But truth be told, they aren't fussy. They also love dandelions and wild mustard. Of which I have much!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Z3ZaMd-8Y/VyaI71jeFZI/AAAAAAAAvxc/Pu26ciQFzNsE7rmNz_ZCGDSmxCj59tivACLcB/s1600/IMG_8136%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0Z3ZaMd-8Y/VyaI71jeFZI/AAAAAAAAvxc/Pu26ciQFzNsE7rmNz_ZCGDSmxCj59tivACLcB/s200/IMG_8136%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy morning in spring.</td></tr>
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In our area, the hummingbirds remain all year. But they are overjoyed in spring! The fruit trees, this one a 35 year old apricot, are enthusiastically blooming!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee-ing busy.</td></tr>
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The bees are also always with us, but very much appreciate all the new blossoms! We have a couple thousand different varieties her in our area. I must confess I have let the mint grow crazy just to please the bees!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psIkqI8ecuk/VyaCsoYjEmI/AAAAAAAAvxE/JLv266clsFcgnf4pD18HIop5KApb5IBDwCLcB/s1600/IMG_7649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psIkqI8ecuk/VyaCsoYjEmI/AAAAAAAAvxE/JLv266clsFcgnf4pD18HIop5KApb5IBDwCLcB/s200/IMG_7649.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach jam?</td></tr>
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We are optimistic about fruit on our little dwarf tree-please, peach, really try!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6fkY2osRao/VyaCcvcEMCI/AAAAAAAAvw4/BO77cB5oZ9oxtjv-THwmFRHkzkiKCCfIwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6fkY2osRao/VyaCcvcEMCI/AAAAAAAAvw4/BO77cB5oZ9oxtjv-THwmFRHkzkiKCCfIwCLcB/s200/IMG_8768.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass the Tajin!</td></tr>
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I started squash and other veggies very early indoors, so we actually have zuchinni in April! Amazing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace out!</td></tr>
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I realized growing roses is far from rare--but what a boost of sensory beauty every year! Eyes and noses blessed. Too bad they don't sing. Don't tell the other rosebushes, but I kind of favor the Peace Rose.<br />
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I am not too stuck up to hang a store-bought basket of butterfly-bee-hummingbird-pleasing flowers. The sweet smell is marvelous! The color and delicate shapes are too, too pleasing! Tis spring! Tra la!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mef2Mu5-aSI/VyaBUCW5eNI/AAAAAAAAvwc/7eF2Zln6pog9NHxZVWAbL8Jfn7S_9nwCQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mef2Mu5-aSI/VyaBUCW5eNI/AAAAAAAAvwc/7eF2Zln6pog9NHxZVWAbL8Jfn7S_9nwCQCLcB/s400/IMG_8972.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hanging basket with the sweetest smell.</td></tr>
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<br />Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-27926479432249944852016-02-16T18:35:00.001-08:002016-02-16T18:35:53.771-08:00Negotiating With El Nino<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/-VKvxes_wfJw/VsOppkIlQVI/AAAAAAAAuwI/Aax3P49j5m4/s1600/IMG_7778%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKvxes_wfJw/VsOppkIlQVI/AAAAAAAAuwI/Aax3P49j5m4/s640/IMG_7778%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>El Nino playing it coy with a rainbow <i>before</i> a winter storm.</b></td></tr>
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El Nino has come through these parts big time thrice since I've lived here in the High Mojave Desert of SoCal. In the 80s, I recall heavy rains and a bumper crop of tumbleweed. Living on a hill, the yard began to slide down the cul-de-sac. In the late 90s, it was a real doozy: long and violent seasons with thunderstorms, monsoons and floods. Being a military family, we actually had lived in hurricane locations, and I recognized the storms of the 90s were definitely tropical storms at the very least. I recall coming home one night from grad school--and as we live in a valley, we have a big sky--and the lightning looked like someone was playing ping pong with it. There was so much standing water, we jokingly called them Lake Central and Lake Kiowa, after the streets they engulfed. Then came the wildflowers (the good part of El Nino) and the mold, weeds and rodents (the bad parts of El Nino.) More of the yard slid down the hill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zwKtYPOqCo/VsPViS7bmII/AAAAAAAAuwg/zPL6tEqW2fI/s1600/IMG_8093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zwKtYPOqCo/VsPViS7bmII/AAAAAAAAuwg/zPL6tEqW2fI/s200/IMG_8093.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slowly down the run-off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixXXdHF-J2A/VsPWNzSoKMI/AAAAAAAAuws/9E9lBCvK2_4/s1600/IMG_8096%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ixXXdHF-J2A/VsPWNzSoKMI/AAAAAAAAuws/9E9lBCvK2_4/s200/IMG_8096%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a giant gopher--just me.</td></tr>
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But this year El Nino has been helpful. The rains, rather big in November and smaller in December and January, softened up the sand and clay soil that becomes like concrete in the frequent 100-plus degree weather of the summer and autumn. So, I've been digging, and the yard looks like a giant gopher moved in. First, a trench filled with large river rock because the yards to the east of us, up the hill, provide a river bed of rushing water in a big rain. This tactic is working, no torrent going through our yard.<br />
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Then, as our yard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat and Butterfly Garden, <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gposAvBOfEA/VsPYyGVg5qI/AAAAAAAAuw4/cL-PaaE6dos/s1600/IMG_8101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gposAvBOfEA/VsPYyGVg5qI/AAAAAAAAuw4/cL-PaaE6dos/s200/IMG_8101.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rich, mulchy 3 year-old berm--notice the mint taking over!</td></tr>
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I've built up natural berms and shelters for birds and bugs and butterflies, using the limbs and branches of our trimmed trees, and mulching the leaves from the fall. I do not live in a gated community with rules about dignified landscaping, so it looks a little wild. But, I must say, our garden community of birds, bugs and worms loves it, and it is both a natural way to provide more soil as it mulches, and prevent further erosion. I have rescued plants (buying them on sale) to provide a line of privacy so we and privacy in our home, and the neighbors don't have to view our wild yard. Unless they want to, then they can visit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOKNqLNhizg/VsOmkuVuDZI/AAAAAAAAuvs/qQjhM3WPJ-k/s1600/IMG_7830%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zOKNqLNhizg/VsOmkuVuDZI/AAAAAAAAuvs/qQjhM3WPJ-k/s200/IMG_7830%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling in the gaps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIHOZ3u41sc/VsPUtlV-0HI/AAAAAAAAuwY/N3qNIhXsO64/s1600/IMG_8099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIHOZ3u41sc/VsPUtlV-0HI/AAAAAAAAuwY/N3qNIhXsO64/s200/IMG_8099.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris-functional and lovely.</td></tr>
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I am slowly filling in the parts of the western part of the yard that have eroded with sandy soil which slid down from the neighbor's yard into the eastern part of our yard. It is going to take a long time, but there is progress. I am also planting drought resistant trees and bulb flowers, like iris. Why iris? Aside from my devotion to Van Gogh? Anyone who has attempted to dig up iris (or daffodils, for that matter) knows they really get entrenched. and are a task to dig up. So, they are also great at stopping erosion--and are so magnificently beautiful. They are already coming up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMSNrSuXqOc/VsOn0vNVZBI/AAAAAAAAuv0/CAMHbLz0JJY/s1600/IMG_7756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMSNrSuXqOc/VsOn0vNVZBI/AAAAAAAAuv0/CAMHbLz0JJY/s200/IMG_7756.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prelim veg patch.</td></tr>
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There is one section of my yard that adjoins the neighbors, they have a lovely tiered vegetable garden. I've always wanted to duplicate it on my property--now that the soil is softer and I have designated time digging this--that's just what I'm doing! But not as fancy. And there will be less run-off when it rains. Thank you El Nino, for softening up my yard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaCMHJXnPJg/VsOoprT-yQI/AAAAAAAAuv8/_Exm5GvbOko/s1600/birds%2Broadrunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaCMHJXnPJg/VsOoprT-yQI/AAAAAAAAuv8/_Exm5GvbOko/s200/birds%2Broadrunner.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning a berm with roadrunner approval.</td></tr>
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Climate change in general means drought here in Cali. The natural berms, et al, are vibrant, growing parts of the yard that discourage fire. That's the big threat here. I'm considering creating a hugelkultur, meaning hill culture or hill mound <a href="http://www.inspirationgreen.com/hugelkultur.html">http://www.inspirationgreen.com/hugelkultur.html</a> . That keeps in the moisture. All the garden creatures would love it.<br />
It may seem that Californians are so obnoxious bragging about the warm weather, but too many sunny skies brought the drought that created epic fires over the last several years. Hoping El Nino will change that.Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-22833329332324557872016-01-13T22:40:00.001-08:002016-01-14T21:24:32.372-08:00Winter Birding in Family Wildlife Habitat<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/smfnQZnGQw8" width="480"></iframe>Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-57693273614557404282016-01-13T22:19:00.003-08:002016-01-13T22:26:03.097-08:00Winter Bird-A-Palooza!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEKqWRpE2jNAUgY92Z91T0SN22DGJbbFzxJz43WIgdtJz6N9i4nfrsZh5qA46zNlaXDvTSmgB_H88wzhemCKdCuYHDgrP5JrKF-BDZ9MxRbZsUWqhyradvIzM2IgOvODyOn8SBrD0fVQ/s1600/IMG_7192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEKqWRpE2jNAUgY92Z91T0SN22DGJbbFzxJz43WIgdtJz6N9i4nfrsZh5qA46zNlaXDvTSmgB_H88wzhemCKdCuYHDgrP5JrKF-BDZ9MxRbZsUWqhyradvIzM2IgOvODyOn8SBrD0fVQ/s640/IMG_7192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
So many robins enjoying the wildlife habitat in my yard. They joined the finches, chickadees, sparrows and ravens.Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-13403971103487474202015-12-31T17:35:00.000-08:002015-12-31T17:35:11.942-08:00Happy New Year 2016!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRoWl2_6fh0/VoXXGsSmhFI/AAAAAAAAt9g/lfOT8ydEMBQ/s1600/10380961_10208573094183976_374835962373072047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRoWl2_6fh0/VoXXGsSmhFI/AAAAAAAAt9g/lfOT8ydEMBQ/s640/10380961_10208573094183976_374835962373072047_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Enjoy the holiday like the sassy chickadees in my garden!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Be blessed, be brave and don't forget to live your dream.</b></span></span></div>
Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-47631677426687668902015-12-23T12:04:00.000-08:002015-12-23T15:47:56.946-08:00Merry Christmas--Let People and Nature Sing!<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFKAVoN0NJA/Vnr0_I6kd4I/AAAAAAAAtx8/QNmFeYHvYfI/s1600/IMG_6920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFKAVoN0NJA/Vnr0_I6kd4I/AAAAAAAAtx8/QNmFeYHvYfI/s640/IMG_6920.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our rescued Cypress tree festively participating in Christmas along with the Van Goghish Rosemary tree in the window. By 'rescued' I mean I purchased them in the mark down aisle at the home improvement store.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKkmuIAKzg/Vnr6pYHyNFI/AAAAAAAAtyM/pDGfXpjKBQE/s1600/IMG_6765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKkmuIAKzg/Vnr6pYHyNFI/AAAAAAAAtyM/pDGfXpjKBQE/s200/IMG_6765.JPG" width="150" /></a>The little rosemary tree and the cypress will join their siblings in the back yard after we're home from the holidays.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5614XbP1oJ8/Vnr8KItbH3I/AAAAAAAAtyY/j6IkpscMvFo/s1600/IMG_6807%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5614XbP1oJ8/Vnr8KItbH3I/AAAAAAAAtyY/j6IkpscMvFo/s200/IMG_6807%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>Have a lovely time with your family and friends, inhouse and outside. Create a winter festival for your garden friends--we put up pine cones slathered with peanut butter and imbedded with birdseed. It is quite a chirpy party out there!<br />
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We also save paper tubes and made a wreath with seeds pasted with flour glue, hanging on one of our little living Italian Stone pine Christmas trees from four years ago--its been prospering in the garden, now 10 feet tall! Like this year's Cypress, it traveled by Jolly Tacoma to visit the family in Vegas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Be safe and sound--God bless you.</td></tr>
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Be sure to bundle up! <br />
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And don't forget to check out the full moon on Christmas!<br />
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O Holy Night, the Moon Is Brightly Shining--The Sky Is Cheap Entertainment<br />
<a href="http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2015/12/o-holy-night-moon-is-brightly-shining.html">http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2015/12/o-holy-night-moon-is-brightly-shining.html</a><br />
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And here is a lovely little poem by e e cummings just right for this occasion.<br />
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[ little tree]<br />
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<a href="http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/little-tree.html">http://melanielinktaylor.mzteachuh.org/2013/12/little-tree.html</a>Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-64405509235505771752015-10-29T18:41:00.001-07:002015-10-29T18:41:37.213-07:00Nature, My Garden and Me: A-Mulching We Will Go<a href="http://mztnature.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-mulching-we-will-go.html">Nature, My Garden and Me: A-Mulching We Will Go</a>Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-55473804493147430422015-10-29T18:37:00.001-07:002015-10-29T18:37:03.732-07:00A-Mulching We Will Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-896QYIDDWnk/VjK_wIUod3I/AAAAAAAAtCM/CxyO7mLDBAE/s1600/keep-calm-and-mulch-on-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-896QYIDDWnk/VjK_wIUod3I/AAAAAAAAtCM/CxyO7mLDBAE/s320/keep-calm-and-mulch-on-3.png" width="274" /></a></span></span></div>
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<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am a self-confessed sloppy gardener. But that seems to benefit my vibrant garden community, because their natural cycles of life are undisturbed by chemicals or conformity to strict neighborhood standards of conformity (I live in the country, you could say.) </span></span></h1>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zR9WgRJy_oA/VjLFzTMsWXI/AAAAAAAAtCc/5Qyg8sRFWSQ/s1600/IMG_4969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zR9WgRJy_oA/VjLFzTMsWXI/AAAAAAAAtCc/5Qyg8sRFWSQ/s200/IMG_4969.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">My beloved well-developed heap.</span></span></td></tr>
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<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have big trees and enjoy making huge piles of leaves that biodegrade into some really good mulch. Of course, my 3/4 acre yard truly does <i>not </i>look
Martha Stewartish. But I am happy to be with my butterflies, bees,
birds, critters in the soil, and Van Gogh-looking trees and plants. Some butterflies use the mulch heap to go through metamorphosis. I
love it. </span></span></h1>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_6I_LqcJjQ/VjK-AH-4vbI/AAAAAAAAtCE/TbKXSq4LARQ/s1600/IMG_4986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t_6I_LqcJjQ/VjK-AH-4vbI/AAAAAAAAtCE/TbKXSq4LARQ/s200/IMG_4986.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maple and mulberry leaves, waiting to be mulch.</span></span></td></tr>
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<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I'm
spending time this autumn to tuck the garden in for the winter with a
snug blanket of mulch; some those piles have been processing for
several years. Its fun to get out there with a spade and my old wheelbarrow and be like all my farmer ancestors. I'm digging it! (Sorry about the pun.)</span></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 Ways to Mulch Your Vegetable Garden</span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardeningchannel.com/4-ways-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden/">http://www.gardeningchannel.com/4-ways-to-mulch-your-vegetable-garden/</a> </span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">All About Garden Mulches</span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/mulch/all-about-garden-mulches/">http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/mulch/all-about-garden-mulches</a></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="arial30 TXT_darkgrey marginbottom5">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Choosing the Right Mulch<br />for Vegetable Gardens</span></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/mulch-for-vegetable-gardens/5013.html">http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/mulch-for-vegetable-gardens/5013.html</a></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Using Mulch Wisely</strong><strong> </strong></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://www.gardensalive.com/product/using-mulch-wisely/you_bet_your_garden">http://www.gardensalive.com/product/using-mulch-wisely/you_bet_your_garden</a> </strong></span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">How to Make Compost</span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/compost/gardeners-gumbo/">http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/compost/gardeners-gumbo/</a></span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love this title. And joining nature in a cycle of growth! </span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Compost Gardening: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome to our dirty, rotten neighborhood!</span></span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.compostgardening.com/">http://www.compostgardening.com/</a> </span></span></span></h1>
<h1 itemprop="name">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Proud to be a Certified Wildlife Habitat as well as a Certified Butterfly Garden.</span></span></h1>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPntrhujo-Y/VjK03dNYmLI/AAAAAAAAtBg/w8PSjefwpWM/s1600/NWF-Logo-green.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPntrhujo-Y/VjK03dNYmLI/AAAAAAAAtBg/w8PSjefwpWM/s200/NWF-Logo-green.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx">http://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat.aspx</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0K23iXbnYA/VjK12QOEr2I/AAAAAAAAtBo/hlak3cijlD8/s1600/NABA_Logo_1561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0K23iXbnYA/VjK12QOEr2I/AAAAAAAAtBo/hlak3cijlD8/s200/NABA_Logo_1561.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nababutterfly.com/butterfly-garden-certification-program/">http://nababutterfly.com/butterfly-garden-certification-program/</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span><h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span></h1>
Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-13899005918072244842015-09-19T09:38:00.000-07:002015-09-19T09:38:33.666-07:00Plant Bulbs Now For Joyful Color in Winter!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbhc5NxCjNKNWkYR7Id_h4r8FGLEpD5YniBQurikexc548yCMUJmFOPYT9-hCaczp07Qebe3P4g_qxN8AnnKk2wICaI8ViNve01O1Dm9xJyAH2ehIjcH0BtYl0KHTD3Y8DcuM71H0rhM/s1600/daffodils+february.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbhc5NxCjNKNWkYR7Id_h4r8FGLEpD5YniBQurikexc548yCMUJmFOPYT9-hCaczp07Qebe3P4g_qxN8AnnKk2wICaI8ViNve01O1Dm9xJyAH2ehIjcH0BtYl0KHTD3Y8DcuM71H0rhM/s640/daffodils+february.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Daffodils (February) We can all use some Screaming Yellow
Daffodils during the dreary winter. </b></span>
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<span class="r0dzz1z23ue" id="r0dzz1z23ue_7" style="height: 15px;">Flowers</span> outside in the winter? Isn't it too cold? Not for the bulb
variety. And it's time for the family to give a gift y'all will begin to receive
in about February by <span class="r0dzz1z23ue" id="r0dzz1z23ue_1" style="height: 15px;">planting bulbs</span> now.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_v_tKtYG8JMzJfZujEobiF43sB0UFpuVf53L-rIXo4n5A8KBem3MmTekPCKjdqZ4fYSNWqV_1oLILh42MOitpURt-zyJfsD4Up_RYh9YVzY_lu6ZcSlKoy7rg1Y1aswYCUKPuA2RS9A/s1600/packages+of+bulbs.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_v_tKtYG8JMzJfZujEobiF43sB0UFpuVf53L-rIXo4n5A8KBem3MmTekPCKjdqZ4fYSNWqV_1oLILh42MOitpURt-zyJfsD4Up_RYh9YVzY_lu6ZcSlKoy7rg1Y1aswYCUKPuA2RS9A/s200/packages+of+bulbs.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H3MXs7SDZ0UV_5aTIdVrGKKN0m_RFfwXLAUFBRfi4_BbBHM-2h07m3lOzD7ehc0bRd_D4yo9r40hITZAfXOSlk-X8_GOd49Fi2vr1KK-n_VCu7ZYSnz_oM2bSsqDN6swf9fFHYiFIw/s1600/flowers+bulbs+008.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H3MXs7SDZ0UV_5aTIdVrGKKN0m_RFfwXLAUFBRfi4_BbBHM-2h07m3lOzD7ehc0bRd_D4yo9r40hITZAfXOSlk-X8_GOd49Fi2vr1KK-n_VCu7ZYSnz_oM2bSsqDN6swf9fFHYiFIw/s200/flowers+bulbs+008.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A daffodil bulb; see you in February!</span></td></tr>
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In my zone, I start planting daffodil
bulbs in fall so I can wander lonely as a cloud and come upon daffodils
dancing spritely (reference to Wordsworth's poem.) There are other early
spring bulbs, too. Children of all ages can participate and be astounded when such <span class="r0dzz1z23ue" id="r0dzz1z23ue_8" style="height: 15px;">beauty</span>
comes up from something that looks like an onion. And they make an
appearance every year. Bulbs are inexpensive, directions are not
complicated; it is well worth the effort. Something to anticipate during
the let down of grey, blustery
days after the major holidays.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKf9DPBLADL6wkvG5jXwQQSI2ULgWLbobO2cq2S_qyJ3Rb5JKgtN_ymT34xg1fgNIWxDOh1ocs9ZNiPCLCsVrJdrR8W6xsG_ZoTptKiUlKT6EQAd4KyyyMUSr70efkQ5_AtIP0UMA1hg/s1600/tulips+in+a+row+march.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKf9DPBLADL6wkvG5jXwQQSI2ULgWLbobO2cq2S_qyJ3Rb5JKgtN_ymT34xg1fgNIWxDOh1ocs9ZNiPCLCsVrJdrR8W6xsG_ZoTptKiUlKT6EQAd4KyyyMUSr70efkQ5_AtIP0UMA1hg/s200/tulips+in+a+row+march.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr align="justify"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Tulips (March)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRyCNgVsPyLx8WBm2ju5dOx-fhxMZMTboq3eKooqm8IbWtVyqOLY7Py4mQhzmDYhVhIgnbqOQpACBBrsC7-Wdo0L2OUhLLyR2P-YUgsDrcZOLIoTsEkSF1ATjXxUbvbPFNvni2Lvq7Ms/s1600/hyacinth+march.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRyCNgVsPyLx8WBm2ju5dOx-fhxMZMTboq3eKooqm8IbWtVyqOLY7Py4mQhzmDYhVhIgnbqOQpACBBrsC7-Wdo0L2OUhLLyR2P-YUgsDrcZOLIoTsEkSF1ATjXxUbvbPFNvni2Lvq7Ms/s200/hyacinth+march.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hyacinth (March) Great scent.</span></td></tr>
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I am <i>always</i> so thrilled to see the little plants coming up. </span></div>
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As Spring approaches, it is as if the flowers are playing Vivaldi, it is
so joyous and lovely, straight through to summer. It is amazing <i>every</i> year. </span></div>
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Of course, I'm not alone in this celebration, even if I'm posting these
pictures of my flowers as if they are my beloved children.</span></div>
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This is a sentiment I share with Vincent. (<span class="r0dzz1z23ue" id="r0dzz1z23ue_6" style="height: 15px;">Van Gogh</span>, that is.)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ6mtaHbFtUZzMc1zo4aDrB18e2h5AhKENTfq0haPPfJqTcHfZqoIt5CyV-y1NzrTDb7sEFaB-cyvzSAcHshfhtJOs7piH5Y5CypgaEt8sLZQcpHEjoQfh-t7mRSYSQBW-j9lXrX7mXs/s1600/van+gogh+flowers+ib+spring.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ6mtaHbFtUZzMc1zo4aDrB18e2h5AhKENTfq0haPPfJqTcHfZqoIt5CyV-y1NzrTDb7sEFaB-cyvzSAcHshfhtJOs7piH5Y5CypgaEt8sLZQcpHEjoQfh-t7mRSYSQBW-j9lXrX7mXs/s640/van+gogh+flowers+ib+spring.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Van Gogh, Flower beds in Holland</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVpAm877Y8hGa62Zwuyfzou6rBzs3n-ljjLURb5gZDvJ6hoB_z_4XcQO-2KSd5m_XcYVaYgtbDeqm2qJQzv3Rqyn0c7KLYvsIJE-UsI9ucA4qjOTHUpyCwq91mOZtEgXWOJbZzbtf-dk/s1600/Irises+by+Vincent+Van+Gogh+OSA409.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVpAm877Y8hGa62Zwuyfzou6rBzs3n-ljjLURb5gZDvJ6hoB_z_4XcQO-2KSd5m_XcYVaYgtbDeqm2qJQzv3Rqyn0c7KLYvsIJE-UsI9ucA4qjOTHUpyCwq91mOZtEgXWOJbZzbtf-dk/s320/Irises+by+Vincent+Van+Gogh+OSA409.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Van Gogh Irises</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAHuBdizQ-NTy-gkurEyUUu-1NxY6Nty12I5yE5TjKVsUBvFlYg5hahMVyvNzwPSeccDWpMEExYsRA3loYZKUSds7UeS2M0bzF7yd0Ta9yvPc27FJmGVSNzfutizPtcU2xQBL_Xv-a2Y/s1600/iris+april.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAHuBdizQ-NTy-gkurEyUUu-1NxY6Nty12I5yE5TjKVsUBvFlYg5hahMVyvNzwPSeccDWpMEExYsRA3loYZKUSds7UeS2M0bzF7yd0Ta9yvPc27FJmGVSNzfutizPtcU2xQBL_Xv-a2Y/s200/iris+april.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Iris (March/April)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Children can <span class="r0dzz1z23ue" id="r0dzz1z23ue_4" style="height: 15px;">help</span> grandparents or auntie and uncle plant some bulbs in their garden--what a lovely memory that is.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnBX-IQIS5Pv1NVk-A8J3aBwDN-JgvCn-OwNN_w-RhkkdKpQwK1bQ5tgQlY9v3PVC-rlrXRhBw80FHQ9Wbq4tpN_NBAsHJb8X2Eakm9vv3GCdolhVAFexZKbWxpQLojK-EvXeCH-T9-s/s1600/lilies+june.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnBX-IQIS5Pv1NVk-A8J3aBwDN-JgvCn-OwNN_w-RhkkdKpQwK1bQ5tgQlY9v3PVC-rlrXRhBw80FHQ9Wbq4tpN_NBAsHJb8X2Eakm9vv3GCdolhVAFexZKbWxpQLojK-EvXeCH-T9-s/s320/lilies+june.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lilies, Easter and Tiger (June)</span></td></tr>
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Some flowers are associated with holidays, like Easter Lilies--but
spring flowers are always good for Mother's Day or even Father's Day
(lots of dads, grandpas, uncles and cousins are gardeners. It is
America's favorite hobby.)</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3vtqIur6qsCMYVOlHBC98t_ErQ-J5nCewGbhjTN-bfxyoCI-8lDTSsug_wn8hDsgOpVsOVIw25rNxATHyZg1ZtpBxOZ9haQdzTqDXTP0OmSG2dHazscexM2AkdN2YXqRA78HBqZYPtk/s1600/Matt's+garden.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3vtqIur6qsCMYVOlHBC98t_ErQ-J5nCewGbhjTN-bfxyoCI-8lDTSsug_wn8hDsgOpVsOVIw25rNxATHyZg1ZtpBxOZ9haQdzTqDXTP0OmSG2dHazscexM2AkdN2YXqRA78HBqZYPtk/s320/Matt's+garden.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Matt's Ongoing Garden Gift to his mom.</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOfxEfDVUfdcIEORXgf5TUDMj5cMEvCNugIXNUbcbRuG5m2cAsxFpHNzOQK6Eu9FjTKwFIxpBAzQqNx4i18jMYHAxxZjFC-wy79N2F3w98AqUzGhCWbsIC9kHaq8U5dS2uJTsXgcQ6zo/s1600/red+tulip+matt%2527s+garden.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOfxEfDVUfdcIEORXgf5TUDMj5cMEvCNugIXNUbcbRuG5m2cAsxFpHNzOQK6Eu9FjTKwFIxpBAzQqNx4i18jMYHAxxZjFC-wy79N2F3w98AqUzGhCWbsIC9kHaq8U5dS2uJTsXgcQ6zo/s200/red+tulip+matt%2527s+garden.jpg" width="61" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red tulip.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td><td style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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My
nephew was a wonderful gardener, and put several winter bulbs in his
mom's (my sister's) garden. </span></div>
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Sadly, Matt is no longer with us, but his gift
of flowers comes up every year. What a lovely way to be remembered.</span></div>
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I added a <span class="r0dzz1z23ue" id="r0dzz1z23ue_5" style="height: 15px;">red tulip</span> to my sister's garden in Matt's area last year to honor him.<br />
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Bulbs will multiply every few years, so they will need to be separated
and replanted, which expands your garden. Or, you can share the bulbs
with friends or family. They can also be planted in small containers as
gifts.</span></div>
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<tr align="justify"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Gladiola (June)</span></td></tr>
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Some of my earliest memories are of my grandmother's garden,
particularly the gladiolas. And my grandpa took time to tell me the
names of all the flowers and plants when we would take walks around the
neighborhood. So--it's now your turn to plant some precious memories!</span></div>
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<br />Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-89329264905843499622015-09-07T20:39:00.001-07:002015-09-07T23:17:08.808-07:00How I Spent My Summer Vacation-Chasing Butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qdAHOb0jltg/Ve5C2KaAlQI/AAAAAAAArvg/h88x762xgoI/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bcabbage%2Bwhite%2Beyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qdAHOb0jltg/Ve5C2KaAlQI/AAAAAAAArvg/h88x762xgoI/s640/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bcabbage%2Bwhite%2Beyes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>"What you looking at?' asked the Cabbage White butterfly on a lobelia blossom. Blue is their favorite flower color.</b></td></tr>
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It's so much fun, plopping flowers into the garden to please the butterflies. Then here they come. My humble efforts at a butterfly garden have rewarded me with lovely, flitting friends all summer long. How did I spent my summer vacation? Socializing with butterflies!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eiq6J5krvWo/Ve5CKogrZ1I/AAAAAAAAru8/lLHOMobkVDs/s1600/butterfly_blue_reakerts_7_2_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eiq6J5krvWo/Ve5CKogrZ1I/AAAAAAAAru8/lLHOMobkVDs/s320/butterfly_blue_reakerts_7_2_15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reakert's Blue</td></tr>
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My yard is older, and I'm a sloppy gardener, so the butterflies love it. We have the bushes and trees, and piles of mulch they need to live out their life cycle and bring forth their young. I don't use pesticides. The ecosystem of the garden helps their community to thrive.<br />
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Some of the butterflies a little small, like this lovely blue one. So a butterflier has to enjoy standing still and just calmly looking around, checking for tiny details in color and movement that might be one of your lepitoptera (moth or butterfly.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJGtRPTqDBk/Ve5CwJruIPI/AAAAAAAArvc/fhsbUfa2AsU/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bblue%2Bmarine%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJGtRPTqDBk/Ve5CwJruIPI/AAAAAAAArvc/fhsbUfa2AsU/s200/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bblue%2Bmarine%2B13.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Marine</td></tr>
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I'm very pleased to participate with two websites about butterflies that accept photos and reports of your own sightings. The folks that run the sites also help identify the butterflies. It makes me feel like such a scientist!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFHSdgueWg8/Ve5CouZEY0I/AAAAAAAArvU/VXJg0F34ppo/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bgray%2Bhairstreak%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFHSdgueWg8/Ve5CouZEY0I/AAAAAAAArvU/VXJg0F34ppo/s200/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bgray%2Bhairstreak%2B13.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Hairstreak</td></tr>
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Here are the sites so you can also participate:<br />
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North American Butterfly Association<br />
<a href="http://www.naba.org/">http://www.naba.org/</a><br />
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Butterflies and Moths of North America<br />
<a href="http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/">http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/</a><br />
This site (BAMONA) actually uses a Goggle map app to place the sighting location!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IQRcpJZZIjg/Ve5MmgdKanI/AAAAAAAArwc/s7cawh-ingE/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bcheckered%2Bwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IQRcpJZZIjg/Ve5MmgdKanI/AAAAAAAArwc/s7cawh-ingE/s200/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bcheckered%2Bwhite.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Checkered White asleep on the rosemary.</b></td></tr>
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I have been working to create a Butterfly Garden for all seasons, since enjoying the magnificent creatures flitting from flower to flower in the summer is only the most obvious part of the responsibility. Appropriate brush, bushes, trees and mulch provide spaces for them to go through their life cycle. I'm doing my best to expand and deepen the welcoming spaces for my fluttering friends. I got to know them so well, I even knew where they slept at night! (In the sage, part of the herb garden. How cute is that?) They like to rest in the rosemary, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn_j6iSWOGo/Ve5LQGucYcI/AAAAAAAArwM/N1-oToac8UA/s1600/11215518_821250884637407_6762373684250350677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kn_j6iSWOGo/Ve5LQGucYcI/AAAAAAAArwM/N1-oToac8UA/s320/11215518_821250884637407_6762373684250350677_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>People always said I was certifiable!</b></span></td></tr>
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There are many bushes, plants, and trees that volunteer to grow even in my region, which, according to the USDA Planting Guide, is 8b. We are in the Mohave Desert (the high desert part, we're about 3,000 ft) and the temps can be extreme. from well over 100 F in the summer, to well below freezing in the winter. Frankly, if something wants to grow in my yard, I'm going to let it try. Except tumbleweed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJLaHfljZPQ/Ve5PAk6WgkI/AAAAAAAArwk/YBOue6H0dHo/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bpainted%2Blady%2Brabbit%2Bbrush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJLaHfljZPQ/Ve5PAk6WgkI/AAAAAAAArwk/YBOue6H0dHo/s200/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bpainted%2Blady%2Brabbit%2Bbrush.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Painted Lady on its way to Mexico.</b></td></tr>
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Here is an indigenous plant that butterflies and bees REALLY love. We call it Rabbit Brush. Here you see the Painted Lady butterfly migrating from the San Bernardino Mountains through my backyard to Mexico for the winter. How many humans envy that!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDa3hBU_HX4/Ve5R-I8LOCI/AAAAAAAArww/nCFlQBaSvMI/s1600/garden%2Bbutterly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDa3hBU_HX4/Ve5R-I8LOCI/AAAAAAAArww/nCFlQBaSvMI/s200/garden%2Bbutterly.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mournful Duskywing</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKkMAB1ok84/Ve5SAgZCp2I/AAAAAAAArw4/gN5RuATaURI/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bgulf%2Bfritillary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKkMAB1ok84/Ve5SAgZCp2I/AAAAAAAArw4/gN5RuATaURI/s200/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bgulf%2Bfritillary.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Gulf Fritillary</b></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEY8eMqlx0k/Ve5UthfNDeI/AAAAAAAArxE/pHPTrMM2dzw/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bskipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEY8eMqlx0k/Ve5UthfNDeI/AAAAAAAArxE/pHPTrMM2dzw/s200/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bskipper.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Julia's Skipper</b></td></tr>
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Here are a couple of unfamiliar butterflies the folks at the websites helped me identify. With tech equipment everywhere, we are all photo-journalists! Well, we've always been inspired by Nat Geo--so here we go!<br />
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This little Skipper butterfly reminds me of being a little girl in my Grandma's garden. I will admit to catching them in my hands and then letting them go.<br />
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This is my gallery of butterflies--hope to see more in the mountains and oceanside in the coming year. And my home is their home, too. It is a privilege.<br />
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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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdGRLdypd8I/Ve5Jr_YagTI/AAAAAAAArwA/jc-2JMy8KD0/s1600/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bswallowtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bdGRLdypd8I/Ve5Jr_YagTI/AAAAAAAArwA/jc-2JMy8KD0/s640/garden%2Bbutterfly%2Bswallowtail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the link to my page at BAMONA for this Swallowtail <a href="http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/1052061">http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/1052061</a></span></b></td></tr>
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<br />Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-24621531663296745992015-07-25T11:38:00.001-07:002015-07-25T11:38:13.909-07:00Nature, My Garden and Me: Grow Potatoes for Thanksgiving Now!<a href="http://mztnature.blogspot.com/2015/07/grow-potatoes-for-thanksgiving-now.html?spref=bl">Nature, My Garden and Me: Grow Potatoes for Thanksgiving Now!</a>: Growing Potatoes in Containers My container of choice! http://containergardening.about.com/od/vegetablesandherbs/ss/ContainerPotato...Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-1624314411751359352015-07-25T11:30:00.000-07:002015-07-25T11:47:08.100-07:00Grow Potatoes for Thanksgiving Now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6VFfpVOoEM/VbPTvpc1SAI/AAAAAAAAq50/S69aowSEjcE/s1600/Greenvale_potatoes_and_Bucklesham_School_Gardening_Club_3251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6VFfpVOoEM/VbPTvpc1SAI/AAAAAAAAq50/S69aowSEjcE/s640/Greenvale_potatoes_and_Bucklesham_School_Gardening_Club_3251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Growing Potatoes in Containers</span></h1>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My container of choice!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://containergardening.about.com/od/vegetablesandherbs/ss/ContainerPotatoes.htm">http://containergardening.about.com/od/vegetablesandherbs/ss/ContainerPotatoes.htm</a> </span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Container Potatoes – How To Grow Potatoes In A Container</span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/potato/container-potatoes.htm">http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/potato/container-potatoes.htm</a></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title" itemprop="name">
<a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03204/potatopot_3204918b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Woman harvests delicious early potatoes crop grown in a container " border="0" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03204/potatopot_3204918b.jpg" height="124" itemprop="image" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> How to grow potatoes in pots</span>
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Not only fantastic if you're short on space, growing potatoes in containers
make for a delicious crop </span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/fruitandvegetables/11422293/How-to-grow-potatoes-in-pots.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/fruitandvegetables/11422293/How-to-grow-potatoes-in-pots.html</a> </span></h2>
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Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-45558459365918200552015-05-25T10:24:00.001-07:002015-05-25T10:24:41.280-07:00Nature, My Garden and Me: Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for the Garden (...<a href="http://mztnature.blogspot.com/2015/04/cheesy-jokes-and-serious-thoughts-for.html?spref=bl">Nature, My Garden and Me: Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for the Garden (...</a>: Go outside--nature calls! Recent research reveals what we know in our souls already, that people, especially children, need to frequently...Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-77890369030497811712015-05-25T10:21:00.001-07:002015-05-25T10:21:16.182-07:00Nature, My Garden and Me: Kids and the Garden-Projects for Summer<a href="http://mztnature.blogspot.com/2015/05/kids-and-garden-projects-for-summer.html?spref=bl">Nature, My Garden and Me: Kids and the Garden-Projects for Summer</a>: Red, white and Blue Color Bowl for the Summer Children And Vegetable Gardens: How To Make A Vegetable Garden For Kids http://www.gard...Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-33520661214554089762015-05-25T10:19:00.000-07:002015-05-25T10:19:34.293-07:00Kids and the Garden-Projects for Summer<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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6qah3Gp6l4/VWNXFqR7o0I/AAAAAAAApoo/qpuw3lppT7E/s1600/mmmmmmm%2B016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6qah3Gp6l4/VWNXFqR7o0I/AAAAAAAApoo/qpuw3lppT7E/s640/mmmmmmm%2B016.JPG" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red, white and Blue Color Bowl for the Summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;">Children And Vegetable Gardens: How To Make A Vegetable Garden For Kids</span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/children-and-vegetable-gardens.htm">http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/children-and-vegetable-gardens.htm</a> </span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Easy Children's Vegetable Garden Plan</span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/vegetable/easy-childrens-vegetable-garden-plan/">http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/vegetable/easy-childrens-vegetable-garden-plan/</a> </span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ideas For Story Garden: How To Make Storybook Gardens For Kids</span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/storybook-gardens-for-kids.htm">http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/storybook-gardens-for-kids.htm</a> </span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Kids Gardening</span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.kidsgardening.org/">http://www.kidsgardening.org/</a></span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">How to Make a Keyhole Garden</span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.gardeningchannel.com/how-to-make-a-keyhole-garden/">http://www.gardeningchannel.com/how-to-make-a-keyhole-garden/</a> </span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">A Memorial Day Planting Project</span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.kidsgardening.org/2015/05/22/a-memorial-day-planting-project/">http://blog.kidsgardening.org/2015/05/22/a-memorial-day-planting-project/</a> </span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8Yk6cHwpQo9otAL8x3GlwWt1evUmxtIiU4PMAFYv2w0G7N8yEqU94uyrmJoxgzRijQGSTXOEm733_yzlXDqqytl6sAGHUGQ_ywTGCScL4LeU9iZOWPkXvBjj23sQGxAlcuB7K60qKWU/s1600/gardening-e1334033195645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8Yk6cHwpQo9otAL8x3GlwWt1evUmxtIiU4PMAFYv2w0G7N8yEqU94uyrmJoxgzRijQGSTXOEm733_yzlXDqqytl6sAGHUGQ_ywTGCScL4LeU9iZOWPkXvBjj23sQGxAlcuB7K60qKWU/s400/gardening-e1334033195645.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <h1>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Gardening Fun With Kids <a href="http://www.rustyandrosy.com/parent-resources/blog/2012/04/gardening-fun-with-kids/">http://www.rustyandrosy.com/parent-resources/blog/2012/04/gardening-fun-with-kids/</a> </span></h1>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title post-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>
<h1 class="entry-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>
Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-79294128160815434522015-04-22T20:27:00.001-07:002015-04-22T20:27:58.348-07:00Nature, My Garden and Me: Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for the Garden (...<a href="http://mztnature.blogspot.com/2015/04/cheesy-jokes-and-serious-thoughts-for.html?spref=bl">Nature, My Garden and Me: Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for the Garden (...</a>: Go outside--nature calls! Recent research reveals what we know in our souls already, that people, especially children, need to frequently...Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-26709667453830715632015-04-22T20:16:00.000-07:002015-04-22T20:16:06.153-07:00Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for the Garden (These May Bug You) <h2 class="date-header">
<span style="font-size: small;">Go outside--nature calls! Recent research reveals what we
know in our souls already, that people, especially children, need to
frequently be outside relating to the natural world. There's even a
classification when kids don't go outside enough:</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nature Deficit Syndrome <a href="http://www.education.com/topic/nature-deficit-disorder/">http://www.education.com/topic/nature-deficit-disorder/</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Trees, sky, grass, critters, breezes on our face, birdsong--more than therapeutic--these are essential for us to function.</span></b><br />
<h2>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Growing Up Free: Inspiring a Love of Nature </span></span></b></h2>
<h2>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/growing_up_free_inspiring_a_love_of_nature/">http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/growing_up_free_inspiring_a_love_of_nature/</a></span></span></b></h2>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">So, get outside nature's calling yelling, "Let's play!"</span></b><br />
<h2 class="date-header">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now for some silly.</span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>How do snails fight each other? They slug it out.<br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4510261220467592238" itemprop="description articleBody">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOZb5IVjLGj2p9GQazGKtTSGkrfHf1-Yk4VS_qSiDPyyUvgpmCw1gDmPU1TShoDsOvRuXwRvvYC_ifZxdXLyQia9DomiXO0BCk_xSOrSCZTAA3vLcJte-rJwE_llW7DFv2kKd05p23w/s1600/bee+on+daisy.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOZb5IVjLGj2p9GQazGKtTSGkrfHf1-Yk4VS_qSiDPyyUvgpmCw1gDmPU1TShoDsOvRuXwRvvYC_ifZxdXLyQia9DomiXO0BCk_xSOrSCZTAA3vLcJte-rJwE_llW7DFv2kKd05p23w/s200/bee+on+daisy.jpg" height="200" width="172" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hello, honey.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzzZzTOahQS2rZsJTfVkq3BT2PAF3D6REg55oLESkAXjamuSSGrnLKybge7C2h4iW5CNexmbWFLCMYn_01m-e_iQfPlcrQdLPXtVc_6WTLE3m2jhh4J4le-NzYQd6PmWMKMnjF9ToRQ/s1600/snails.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzzZzTOahQS2rZsJTfVkq3BT2PAF3D6REg55oLESkAXjamuSSGrnLKybge7C2h4iW5CNexmbWFLCMYn_01m-e_iQfPlcrQdLPXtVc_6WTLE3m2jhh4J4le-NzYQd6PmWMKMnjF9ToRQ/s200/snails.jpg" height="110" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>You wouldn't say that to my face!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<br />
<br />
What did the bee say to the flower?<br />
<br />
Hello honey.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's a cool site for lots of activities: <br />
<a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/bees.shtml">http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/bees.shtml</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Why do bees hum? Because they can't remember the words.<br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdwCfcTOueJxYh-E6eFvQV11pF4IAA21tGdIrlhlV1iANvcBglxgYFCBUQhl2awnTvVilxDmU3Jb_eOISmwHTcyvBVZnpioH_5o15N3m5oPhDWkZUsplNHMa0frWjBtuVgEweBYgjCA/s1600/bird+in+flight.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdwCfcTOueJxYh-E6eFvQV11pF4IAA21tGdIrlhlV1iANvcBglxgYFCBUQhl2awnTvVilxDmU3Jb_eOISmwHTcyvBVZnpioH_5o15N3m5oPhDWkZUsplNHMa0frWjBtuVgEweBYgjCA/s200/bird+in+flight.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>What silly jokes....</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
What is the difference between a fly and a bird?<br />
A bird can fly but a fly can't bird!<br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV89VPJ3zagQvWyc4BPCfmoi0A286e7zmRfGMSHnvNnCaZ2B4tIrWASDHKv99Cu53QvftC-9kIzdqCwVimkiOUscWOy3QIxpzNytoinh0ge40xWQbzGsuWYkcL3cnweOrs0tktMnR3DA/s1600/fly-screen.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV89VPJ3zagQvWyc4BPCfmoi0A286e7zmRfGMSHnvNnCaZ2B4tIrWASDHKv99Cu53QvftC-9kIzdqCwVimkiOUscWOy3QIxpzNytoinh0ge40xWQbzGsuWYkcL3cnweOrs0tktMnR3DA/s200/fly-screen.jpg" height="146" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>To bee, or not to bee...</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Two flies are on the porch. Which one is an actor?<br />(The one on the screen!) </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGU4-Ezfba0nccLQlmsGzTyoc1o8uzS7CHYMSSag-rDlIEHgzOKNx1crIQEj1L2ZU27m90G1wAru3-BmpScUFO4vUS9o1tz-FVpZFf59gtsMZomlZ6JpYodC7O1SgXRtEEp4x6KbfCw/s1600/moth+teachin+mothmatics+catroon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGU4-Ezfba0nccLQlmsGzTyoc1o8uzS7CHYMSSag-rDlIEHgzOKNx1crIQEj1L2ZU27m90G1wAru3-BmpScUFO4vUS9o1tz-FVpZFf59gtsMZomlZ6JpYodC7O1SgXRtEEp4x6KbfCw/s400/moth+teachin+mothmatics+catroon.jpg" height="212" width="400" /> </a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<i> </i>What do insects learn at school?<br />
<i>Mothmatics!</i><br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJFs-e09GTtpH8iibf6gk0toQlSDA98tzJluhDfvGXopRFmT423vbX476I2zvVGEYdpxTO3l5oocmnl2MDJRoERB6i-AJ1vsVFilA20f9dPrn_b5iOl3E1MlrloPPKIAckZ7HrMfKhQ/s1600/moth+teaching+cartoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJFs-e09GTtpH8iibf6gk0toQlSDA98tzJluhDfvGXopRFmT423vbX476I2zvVGEYdpxTO3l5oocmnl2MDJRoERB6i-AJ1vsVFilA20f9dPrn_b5iOl3E1MlrloPPKIAckZ7HrMfKhQ/s320/moth+teaching+cartoon.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99JkEB12UuAWsX57xIKCPtZPO4ETgpffuYabvzB_C4pzrjCAKbAw8b7XboFO8E-ksHX_mfjzmhJiVaPxi6MwH5TdU6mgkmoUp0e5QuwquCPVP6CclhSBIIQDD50v0Z6_oQNFuop0Onw/s1600/coca+cola.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99JkEB12UuAWsX57xIKCPtZPO4ETgpffuYabvzB_C4pzrjCAKbAw8b7XboFO8E-ksHX_mfjzmhJiVaPxi6MwH5TdU6mgkmoUp0e5QuwquCPVP6CclhSBIIQDD50v0Z6_oQNFuop0Onw/s200/coca+cola.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Woops, they misspelled it on the bottle and glass.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzUUTqmHk2HsESGmLGbkoUrJkXA_m6kLgk5y7x3ZzB5YwIao-hcFSa77dS6A-HQgpeqAZPKpxV7Ypv4zEYZOwEY48tdl0oRzgX2IyPHGL6wRM_lmpyZ2Uo-6H_M3eH2X3xHkmVlHbBQ/s1600/frog.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzUUTqmHk2HsESGmLGbkoUrJkXA_m6kLgk5y7x3ZzB5YwIao-hcFSa77dS6A-HQgpeqAZPKpxV7Ypv4zEYZOwEY48tdl0oRzgX2IyPHGL6wRM_lmpyZ2Uo-6H_M3eH2X3xHkmVlHbBQ/s200/frog.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Frosted glass, please.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
What do frogs drink?<br />
Croak a Cola<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4pA88iAKVDGcwDoZcyF_fzp24IoLfgfI8NoiTvqUQFLJYx7nRUvRoM6ZC2R6lLuSCVUIo_scmad1Dhi5L8ncRRQQ_HDSGTtbjhB-tFhJ5bZWSW4GQlxqkEuPcC7vBOMMQyR5XsDb3Q/s1600/04+23+2012+049.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4pA88iAKVDGcwDoZcyF_fzp24IoLfgfI8NoiTvqUQFLJYx7nRUvRoM6ZC2R6lLuSCVUIo_scmad1Dhi5L8ncRRQQ_HDSGTtbjhB-tFhJ5bZWSW4GQlxqkEuPcC7vBOMMQyR5XsDb3Q/s200/04+23+2012+049.JPG" height="128" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A rose is a rose, etc.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEN5Ie1KU32qTSiDuET6xqdzlG2F9uAGWSqgprNkPezWcIUrEcrOAmbmIGR5NK-d2qjN2wQCCmrFzuJk6x6UPXztVTftFYZxjHU8htE6beww5Ev8Ev9lFryY2aePOmAMGtgPpLkg05tA/s1600/tarantula.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEN5Ie1KU32qTSiDuET6xqdzlG2F9uAGWSqgprNkPezWcIUrEcrOAmbmIGR5NK-d2qjN2wQCCmrFzuJk6x6UPXztVTftFYZxjHU8htE6beww5Ev8Ev9lFryY2aePOmAMGtgPpLkg05tA/s200/tarantula.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But I'm really such a nice guy.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">What do you get if you cross a tarantula and a rose?</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> (I'm not sure, but I wouldn't try smelling it!)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<br />
<br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgOfyZ927hT6mZNftWv8UBoPLJf36IOBcLYBRJHb0iU0X3UX2fAislEFEbqh8sl3dHy2PMI5oRJl70-0rRM9l7BowiPeuYb7udY33RwYTxuEkoAMIgbvpqLKEAJyiI0QG0QN9CuPs-g/s1600/centipede.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgOfyZ927hT6mZNftWv8UBoPLJf36IOBcLYBRJHb0iU0X3UX2fAislEFEbqh8sl3dHy2PMI5oRJl70-0rRM9l7BowiPeuYb7udY33RwYTxuEkoAMIgbvpqLKEAJyiI0QG0QN9CuPs-g/s200/centipede.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Always jokes about the legs.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAxNJiBiMlbq8qBY97J9fH8tLCZ1AIn1SVWav3QigPSrvfwhXQncUgFZWknNvSf4BnyfyMxyVo_VAyz7ujFafXuDpcaE2glxFG8TSFQKwUU4SZyddc-29DV1chtZyp3rLLCtM2ZGcCQ/s1600/parrot.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAxNJiBiMlbq8qBY97J9fH8tLCZ1AIn1SVWav3QigPSrvfwhXQncUgFZWknNvSf4BnyfyMxyVo_VAyz7ujFafXuDpcaE2glxFG8TSFQKwUU4SZyddc-29DV1chtZyp3rLLCtM2ZGcCQ/s200/parrot.jpeg" height="133" width="200" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I'm already a walkie-talkie-er-walkie flyie</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">What do you get if you cross a centipede and a parrot?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">(A walkie-talkie!) </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</b></span>Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-63587678722116375382015-04-22T17:24:00.001-07:002015-04-22T17:24:33.257-07:00Nature, My Garden and Me: Happy Earth Day (Every Day)<a href="http://mztnature.blogspot.com/2015/04/happy-earth-day-every-day.html?spref=bl">Nature, My Garden and Me: Happy Earth Day (Every Day)</a>: Painting: Vincent Van Gogh--Caption: mine Earth Day http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/earth-day Happy Earth Day! 5 Ways to Get Kid...Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090988399214277952.post-33626593052874715482015-04-22T17:20:00.002-07:002015-04-22T17:20:38.884-07:00Happy Earth Day (Every Day)<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1yEAseLKCe5AJFABj_bXwwIltaVM-3jhLi68LgaIeV9iw0P1YkGkYFvtd0psIM2i4qziKTrOD7HfkTHiuSaUjewaTvNPvu12BSk_pIklxUugaNBV3tFkxBzhbjrWWTs6IpYv4w9GNfM/s1600/11161352_10206774057649187_7528160114520244564_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1yEAseLKCe5AJFABj_bXwwIltaVM-3jhLi68LgaIeV9iw0P1YkGkYFvtd0psIM2i4qziKTrOD7HfkTHiuSaUjewaTvNPvu12BSk_pIklxUugaNBV3tFkxBzhbjrWWTs6IpYv4w9GNfM/s1600/11161352_10206774057649187_7528160114520244564_n.jpg" height="532" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Painting: Vincent Van Gogh--Caption: mine</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h1 class="title" id="page-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Earth Day</span></h1>
<h1 class="title" id="page-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/earth-day">http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/earth-day</a> </span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Happy Earth Day! 5 Ways to Get Kids to Help the Planet</span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.livescience.com/50565-earth-day-get-kids-involved.html">http://www.livescience.com/50565-earth-day-get-kids-involved.html</a></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Earth Day for Children</span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Earth_Day_for_Children">http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Earth_Day_for_Children</a></span></h1>
<h2 class="article-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-size: small;">How Earth Day Began: With Somber Reflection, and a Few Dump-Ins</span></h2>
<h2 class="article-title" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://time.com/3822575/earth-day-history/">http://time.com/3822575/earth-day-history/</a> </span></h2>
<h1 class="asset-headline" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-size: small;">Graphic: How Earth Day looks at 45</span></h1>
<h1 class="asset-headline" itemprop="headline">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/04/20/earth-day-turns-45/26062273/">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/04/20/earth-day-turns-45/26062273/</a> </span></h1>
<h3 id="content_title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Earth Day Meteor Shower </span></h3>
<h3 id="content_title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/21apr_lyrids2015/">http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2015/21apr_lyrids2015/</a> </span></h3>
<h1 class="title entry-title cleanprint-title">
<span style="font-size: small;">Chesterbrook Academy releases ladybugs for Earth Day</span></h1>
<h1 class="title entry-title cleanprint-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20150422/chesterbrook-academy-releases-ladybugs-for-earth-day">http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20150422/chesterbrook-academy-releases-ladybugs-for-earth-day</a> </span></h1>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2cqFzYRNqWUB8oI-JOoI0EQsxKvxS9ZoFkFzFY_9B391OB0AdPhxfRM5IXGQzHgd6DaNFODepVCRh3Lgb-eZzdF8pJsViNQ36T2u68aMjz-7k9I9uOd1lZHq4kPBl7cxv5XFGh8cOPw/s1600/AR-150429948.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2cqFzYRNqWUB8oI-JOoI0EQsxKvxS9ZoFkFzFY_9B391OB0AdPhxfRM5IXGQzHgd6DaNFODepVCRh3Lgb-eZzdF8pJsViNQ36T2u68aMjz-7k9I9uOd1lZHq4kPBl7cxv5XFGh8cOPw/s1600/AR-150429948.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<h1 class="title entry-title cleanprint-title">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1>
Melanie Link Taylor, M.A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10023815648439302019noreply@blogger.com0