Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Doves on Mother's Day!






Last Sunday, I found a pair of Mourning Doves gathering twigs to build their nest. It was perched up on top of the trellis by the side of our house among the Lady bank roses and Wisterias. The father bird was perched on top of our neighbor's roof guarding his mate. Doves take turns to sitting on their eggs and their nest is never abandoned. So it seems, that the female will take the afternoon and night shift, while the male in the morning. If you are lucky enough, you might just catch them changing shifts. They also have a tendency to keep really still when you are looking at them. I was touched and was thrilled that they find my garden a welcoming place to stay. The following day, I told my friend about the birds, and she told me it was a sign from a loved one is telling you that they are okay. I was choked and was in tears as the night before Mother's Day, I dreamt about my mother who had passed away last August in Malaysia.

Chickens Behaving Badly

I have three chickens and their names are Henny, Ruby and Maude. They get to have the free run of the backyard and some of my flower boxes. Here is a movie on Maude and Ruby digging into my bulbs box. Maude died last summer-sigh! P/S: Ruby is Henny to John.

Poem: Trees


I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair
Upon whose bosom snow has lain
Who intimately lives with rain
Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree.

-Sergeant Joyce Kilmer, 1914

Fungi Cultivating

Earlier this year, I was introduced to Wine Caps cultivating by Kwan who had some classes in mycology at college. The scientific name is Stopharia rugosa-annulata. Quite a mouthful, imagine if asked what's for dinner--it's grilled tomato-infused Stopharia rugosa-annulata! The mushroom features a robust white stalk with a port wine colored cap. They are crisp, slightly nut flavored mushrooms that are great for cooking and grilling. I was hesitant at first as I've heard horrifying stories about eating the wrong mushrooms. He told me that Wine Caps is one of the easiest to grow and it requires a small area,
I thought I'll give it a try! I bought some spawn pegs, bale of straw and some wood chips. I prepared the ground with dirt and mulched with wood chips, and soaked the straws with water in large buckets.
I also planted two blueberries bushes beside the patch. I kept the area moist and hope they will grow. I was disheartened when Kwan showed me his Wine Caps--while mine was covered with stray mushrooms--sigh! Last evening, I was caught by surprise when I visited the patch. There in middle was---two beautiful wine caps sprouted from the ground. I was ecstatic! I jumped for joy...:)