William Stafford
   P.S. Chickadees vs. Bumblebee Queen
So, this week I've been watching two chickadees and a Bombus vosnesenskii queen (the yellow-faced bumblebee) going in-and-out of the chickadee's birdhouse. I'll keep you posted!  This oxalis/pink wood sorrel came from my maternal great-great-grandmother. Apparently, it is extremely hardy--still, I am proud to have kept it healthy and blooming for the last 30 years, including a dozen Arctic winters.
Curious about why the shamrock became a symbol of Ireland? ********************************************************************************** SHAMROCKS VS. OXALIS: WILL THE REAL SHAMROCK PLEASE STAND UP by Andrea Forsberg, Flowerworks History of the Shamrock This iconic Irish symbol began its journey to fame with the Celtic druids who considered the number 3 to be a perfect number, associating it with the three realms of sea, sky, and land, as well as the division of soul in the spirit, mind, and body, and the ideal of love, wisdom, and truth, among others. It was first recognized as a symbol related to the Celtic goddess Ana, representing her place as maiden, mother, and crone. During the 5th century, St. Patrick often used the shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity as he spread the Catholic faith throughout Ireland. The shamrock made an appearance on St. Patrick’s coppers, otherwise known as halfpennies, in 1675. By the 19th century, the shamrock became a symbol of Irish rebellion when the English forbade the “wearin’ o’ the green.” Those who wore it anyway faced death. The original shamrock is believed to be the white clover (Trifolium repens), native to Ireland but found growing in yards across America. Oxalis, the False Shamrock The plant typically sold as a potted shamrock plant is Oxalis regnellii. This small plant is loved for its clover-shaped leaves in various colors and the delicate flowers that bloom from fall until spring. Its delicate leaves fold up at night and reopen with the return of sunlight. Oxalis is a member of the wood sorrel family. Although both shamrocks and Oxalis have three leaves, they are from different plant genus, and the leaves and the flowers are shaped differently. True shamrocks are members of the clover family Trifolium repens. Oxalis plant species are extremely prolific and can be found throughout the world, with the most diverse plant being in South America and Southern Africa. While there are many different cultivars of Oxalis, exotic varieties make the best house plants. Oxalis may not be the original shamrock, but this beauty has captured the hearts of all of us looking to bring the luck of the Irish into our homes. 
 I'm celebrating the New Year with a sweet calendar created by Tessa who lives and paints in Wales. ********************************************* Resolutions? Pretty much a continuation of every year:   Yoga Plant Lady by Christa @ Wild Optimist
 This morning it was 28 F, bright and sunny! Our backyard was atwitter with so many birds. let me begin with a rare treat: a pileated woodpecker=woo hoo! the largest woodpecker in North America. We had our usual chickadees, finches, sparrows, and bushtits; also the Stellar jay, starlings, robins, and flickers; then, we noticed that our spotted towhees were traveling with a pair of Varied Thrushes! Oh joy, and they were having fun scattering the leaves along the edges of the path and in the garden boxes. The male is much brighter than the demurely colored female.   Backyard birding is one of the benefits of being homebound on our hill on an icy day. Cheers!
 Um, OK--I get that the weather is weird, but snow already?
It is definitely winter here in Seattle!  A Year Unfolding-Angela Harding Overnight, literally; no slow transition for the Pacific NW this year; we went straight from smokey, stagnant, 80 F weather, on top of a drought--to an inch of rain overnight, blustery winds, blue skies, and a backyard full of hungry birds.
So happy for sweater weather, saunas, and sitting by the hearth with hot drinks.   We have only had two days (since my last post) where the air quality levels were below 50. Even in the house, with air purifiers running, my throat is raw and my nose feels gummy. To add insult to injury, TPTB made the decision early on that there would not be an effort to put the fire out, just contain it, as it was mostly burning in wilderness areas; if businesses, homes, and people were going to be displaced then the effort to put it out would commence. I miss playing outside and having my windows open. Thank goodness that rain is finally coming to Seattle this weekend!  |
AuthorTracey Byrne~ 
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