Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Not Much Going On

I'm going to post early today because there's another round of severe thunderstorms rolling in late this afternoon. I can see the dark sky and hear thunder rumbling outside my window. The storms we've been having lately have so much lightning in them that I've started unplugging my surge protector.....just in case!

I wanted to show you a picture of this swell new tool I picked up on sale (for only $19.99!) at Menards last Sunday.

Fiskars makes this neat grass clippers that you can use standing up. No more crawling around the flowerbeds for this old gal anymore! I tried it out Sunday afternoon and it works really great. I like these manual clippers better than the weed whacker because it's quiet and the grass clippings don't fly all over the place (plus it's environmentally friendly--no stinky two-cycle engine).

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When we get home from work, my first duty is to let the dogs out of their kennels and walk them around the yard so they can "do their business." As we were walking past the wildflower garden, I spotted one of my "monarch children" still hanging around. I was so excited and hoped he would still be there after I ran in the house to get my camera.

All the butterflies and other insects are loving this Canada Goldenrod blooming profusely right now. Can you see the 3 Monarch butterflies in this picture?

12 comments:

KGMom said...

Oo oo--a new tool!

And, yes, I can see 3 monarchs--lovely photo, by the way.

Anonymous said...

how awesome to have found one of your monarch's hanging around! That's a very cool sign and also love your shot with three in one! Keep up the great work you are doing! u

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

That's an amazing photo with the three monarchs on the goldenrod! Beautiful!!

Maud said...

I'm having the grass clipper too, and it really works! The fact you can move the clipper both horizontal and vertical adds to the usability. Fiskars is also having a dandelion uprooter that looks like one of those things that never would work, but is incredible efficient, not only on dandelions but on other weeds too. I'm very pleased with it!
Your monarchs are beautiful! And the goldenrodmagnifivient too. Have you ever tried to dye yarns with goldenrod? Should give a beautiful yellow colour with alumn as mordant.

Larry said...

That's really nice Ruthiej! -Good work you did!

Jayne said...

What a very cool tool Ruthie! Love the pretty monarchs on the goldenrod.

RuthieJ said...

Hi Donna,
When I spotted it in the store, I thought it was a rechargable clippers, then when I picked it up and it was so lightweight, I knew I had to get it.
Sometimes when I take a picture, I'm not always sure others will see it as I did...glad you could see all the butterflies.

Hi Tom,
There was one point in time when I had 5 monarchs flying around together, but I had a hard enough time just capturing these 3. It's very rewarding knowing they're spending this time in my garden.

Thank you Lynne, I'm glad you enjoyed it. You know, I don't remember planting this goldenrod, but there's plenty of it in the road ditch nearby, so I wonder if Mother Nature planted it for me??

Hi Maud,
Thanks for the tip on the dandelion remover. I went to Fiskars.com and found all sorts of handy tools. I'm definitely going back to the store to purchase one of those dandelion diggers. The website says it works on thistles too (which I have quite a few of since the summer's drought).

Thank you Larry. Now that the garden's established, I can just sit back and enjoy watching the butterflies, insects, and birds enjoying it all.

Hi Jayne,
I was extra happy that my new tool was on sale too! There were lots of honey and bumblebees on the goldenrod too, so everyone is enjoying it!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Ruthie,
Congrats on the positive global change award. I admire everything you're doing in your yard--and, even more, showing it to others so they understand. You're doing great things!

Mary said...

I'm lucky to photograph ONE Monarch and you get three! LOL!

I looked at that tool for a while and gave up and read your post. Anything I can do to prevent bending is worthwhile. Glad it works for you.

Hope the storms weren't too severe. All I need to hear is the first rumble of thunder and I shut down! (the pc)

RuthieJ said...

Thank you, Nina. Sometimes I get discouraged because it seems like there's just so much construction and destruction of habitat going on around our subdivision. I'm going to try and keep things going here the right way as long as I can.

Hi Mary,
I don't have back problems, but my knees give me a bad time, so this little tool helps eliminate bending & kneeling.

Our storm turned out to be only a rain event and then only 1/2" so that was good. Now our forecast is for at least 5 pleasant days in a row. Hopefully some rain will be coming your way soon.

entoto said...

Oooooohhhh...Your monarch is GORGEOUS! Good Job, Butterfly Momma. And the I love most things made by Fiskars.

RuthieJ said...

Thanks, Trixie. Do you get monarchs all the way to Alaska?

I haven't bought any new yard/garden tools for a long time. I had no idea there was stuff like this! Thanks for another Fiskars endorsement....I definitely see some more new tools in my future! :-D