Anemone enemy
I noticed a few days ago that something has been chewing on my Japanese Anemones, also known as windflowers. They were shipped from White Flower Farm in 3″ pots way back in May, but didn’t get planted until June. They’ve been thriving despite the heat and lack of rain, and the one pictured above had one primary stalk that had a leaf on it as big as the palm of my hand. Until last week. I couldn’t imagine what could be causing the damage; it seemed unlikely that the neighborhood wild rabbits would be eating them, as they pretty much stick to the backyard. I haven’t seen any slugs or caterpillars since late June, and really haven’t noticed any beetles. What could be causing the problem?
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Perhaps it could be her??
I’ve never been more shocked at anything in my life than I was to see this little fawn standing with her front feet on my front porch this morning. It was late morning – about 10:45 – and she was just as calm and unhurried as could be. I was backing my car out of the garage and just happened to glance over that way, and there she was. She was nibbling on the sweet green grass that grows on that side of the house where it’s shady, and taking dainty bites of the sunflower and safflower seeds that the birds have tossed out of the feeder in their frenzy.
I actually called the local DNR to see if there was anything that could be done – I live fairly close to a major state highway, and I would feel incredibly guilty if something happened to her. Apparently, however, it’s completely normal for fawns to be left alone during the day – just like with wild rabbits, the does don’t want to attract attention to their young, so they stay away during the heat of the day. Most fawns don’t wander the neighborhood, though… this little one was pretty brave, but I guess it’s just very quiet at that time of day.
I love nature.
RibFest ’08
I’m not a big meat-eater, but I do like outdoor concerts, so when my brother and sister-in-law invited me to go to RibFest yesterday, I figured I had nothing else going on… and besides, Jonny Lang was playing.
We got there around 6:45 or so, and unfortunately missed most of Jonny Lang’s show… but we were in plenty of time for Ted Nugent. I didn’t even know he was still alive! I couldn’t believe how expensive it all was — $5 to get in, and then 7 tickets for $10. I spent $40 on food and drink alone… and I have to say I don’t think it was really worth it. The food wasn’t bad, but I could have had it at any barbecue place here in town. But…
I would NOT have been able to see the Nugent fans en masse. What a crowd! First, there was a woman who *might* have been pregnant, wearing what I think was the top half of a nightie, carrying her toddler with one arm while holding a cigarette in the other hand. It was really great to see her blow smoke in the baby’s face. Then there was the guy standing around with his ginormous beer belly, but instead of fastening his shirt, he only fastened the bottom button. As if that made all the difference? Oh, and it’s always fun to watch the drunks try to navigate the cable protectors on the sidewalk. H I L A R I O U S.
The thing that struck me most, though, was how the crowd went wild when Nugent yelled “Obama can bite me!” I can’t believe that this — THIS — is the Republican constituency in central Indiana?! This is the right wing? These people are conservatives? These people are ignorant. These are the people that vote Republican because it’s what they’ve always done, not because they think McCain is the right man for the job. It’s a scary proposition, and I’m so glad to have the freedom to vote for Obama. Ted Nugent can bite ME.
