The Wonder of Seeds

I've been starting seeds for a long time.  I know I started a bean plant in Gr. 5, but it's very possible that wasn't my first sprouting endeavour.  I have started little seeds and big seeds, easy seeds and hard seeds, I have started lots and lots of seeds.  But I never get over the wow  of those seemingly inert seeds turn into some green growing plant.  It is just so amazing!  The other fascinating thing about seeds is that you can't tell what a plant will look like just by the appearance of the seed.  For instance, in the photo there are four different small roundish dark seeds.  What do they produce? primula, hyssop, cabbage and basil. Hardly similar plants.  The white fuzzy seeds are the seeds of everlasting flower that has dry papery flowers.  In the upper left are two dark seeds that are similar in shape to two lighter seeds.  The dark seeds are for statice, another kind of flower with papery blooms, and the lighter seeds are for lettuce.  The funny shaped seed in the bottom right will make scabiosa (pincushion flower).
Tired of all the bad news in the news?  Start some seeds and let the wow refresh you. 

First Day of Spring

The sun is shining and the temperature has crept up past the freezing point, but it still feels like winter.  I am itching to get into the garden, but have to be satisfied with my seedlings on the windowsill. Outside, the squirrels are having fun running on the firm snow, and the chickadees are starting to sing their spring song.
Spring will arrive ; I keep repeating that to myself because deep inside there is a worry that this year might be the unthinkable year when spring never comes.
Of course it will come, right?
 At the end of April, I will be convinced that winter is behind us and I will be able to shout Yippee!

Bird nest

 It was windy this morning, and this little nest blew down from a tree.  I think it may be a vireo nest.
Vireos are pretty common, and are a good bird to have around as they eat lots of insects. So hopefully, they will be back this summer and have lots of babies.

 The nest is a bit worse for wear, but it is still a wonderful piece of architecture.

The bird tore narrow strips of birch bark of nearby trees (how did they manage such straight edges?), and used spider webs to help stick it on.  The inside of the nest is lined with pine needles to make a soft, airy bed for the young birds.

Quite amazing what birds can build.

Poor Monkey

This is Poor Monkey out in the snow.
Our little dog, Jaws, has recently been having issues with Monkey, although he's had him for quite a while. A couple of weeks ago, Jaws insisted on bringing Monkey outside, and left him outside.  Oh well, I thought.  He just forgot to bring him in.  I brought Monkey in, but that was not the end of it.  The next day, Monkey was again banished to the great outdoors.  Once again, a person returned him inside.  Next day, Jaws took Monkey out and hid him under the deck.  For the next few days, he brought Monkey out into the sun during the day, and put him back under the deck at night.   Monkey was ignored for a few days, and then, suddenly, Jaws decided to bring him into the house where he has been ever since.  Very strange.  I guess even dogs get cabin fever and go a little nutty. 

Feathers

 I found some feathers on the snow this morning.

 Almost like frost .

 Upside-down canoe

In flight

 Grass waving in the breeze

Tenuous hold

 Growing out

Feathery squid

Connections

Click on photo for full width.

Connections

To connect with you
I have to be really me
Otherwise you are in
A fictional story.

You may not like me.
That's OK.
God loves me.

I may make a fool of myself.
That's OK.
I can laugh with others.

You may misunderstand me.
That's OK.
God understands me.

I may be grieving.
That's OK.
God loves me and he's been there.

To connect with you
I have to be really me
Otherwise you are in
A fictional story.

These two photos were taken near Tower Bridge, London.

Mini Orchid

A pretty new addition to the houseplants - a mini orchid.