Stranger in Town

Today I saw this butterfly or maybe it's a moth? for the first time. The orange dots lining the wings have me stumped and even after googling to help identify it, I am no closer to finding out what kind it is. Probably something common, but who knows?

The Dream

You know, dreaming doesn't cost a thing. It is one of those things most of us do quite frequently. Dreaming we could do this or maybe do that. Heck, some people are already living their dream.

My dream of course is to live quite simply and I am amazed at how many people think they could never downsize or do without. Although alot people have been forced to rethink their goals and face their debt, there's whole another group of people who wouldn't even consider changing the way they live.

I, for one, am not the least bit interested in working until I die. You know the ole saying of "Wake up and smell the roses?", well I'm there. I do not want to work for the "man" any longer. I'm ready to downsize, cut back at work and build my "little house".

My dream is to have a little house, a garden spot with a tree lined small yard. Let's not forget the bird houses, bird feeders, flowering shrubs and of course a big front porch with rocking chairs . A fun and comfortable place.

That's my dream, what's yours?

Who am I?

One nice thing about simplfying your life is you learn to appreciate everything.

Today I was greeted by a butterfly convention on my lantana. There were probably 10 or more going from bloom to bloom. However, by the time I ran for the camera most had already fluttered away. I was able to catch a few, but with the wind blowing it was quite a challenge to get one to hold still. And let's not forget the dragonflies. I have been seen several varieties this summer flitting in and out.

So if you know the names of these lovely little specimums feel free to enlighten me!

Fresh Fruit $1.79

Seed cost = $1.79 for 1 package.

Planted 6 seeds.

Yield = 6 fruits. Of those 6, 2 were rotten.

End result= a lot of work for 4 cantaloupe. The first one tasted slightly bland, not so sweet and it had a funny texture to it. I had found it unattached from the vine so I'm not sure how long it had been that way. After picking the second one I decided to leave it on the counter for a couple of days to further ripen. It was great, texture was like the store bought ones. Currently one on the counter and one on the vine.

Savings = approx. $6-7 dollars

Such is the lot of the backyard gardener.

Free Nature Show

Nothing like kickin back and checking out what's in your very own yard. We have of a late been treated to a variety of insect creatures in our neck of the woods.

Last weekend I saw my first praying mantis this year. He was actually quite "alien" like. As I was admiring the size of it, the darn thing very creepily pivoted his head and looked at me. Mind you only the head turned. I tell you it was right out of a Sci-fi movie.


We also have a very large spider web in which our resident garden spider lives and protects. She has been very successful in catching other unsuspecting insects and her ?abdomen has grown larger and more yellow. A smaller spider hangs out close by and we wonder if it is her mate. If so, he has made it a least a week and she hasn't killed him yet.



I should have taken a picture of the cow killer which had the audacity to sting me while barefoot last week. He packed quite a punch and my foot ached for hours. It has now made me afraid to strike out without shoes. Or should I say strike out without watching where I step.

Food Composting

I've been food composting now for several months.

It's going great and I am continually amazed at how much food scrap we produce.

Until you actually put all your waste in a container and start collecting it, you just don't realize the amount you produce in a day's time.

I'm currently adding my scraps to the flower bed which held the zinnia's. I am slowing pulling them up as they grow leggy and unattractive.

I also added some left over saw dust to the top. Most days I go out and dig several holes and empty my container. But sometimes I just sprinkle it the on top, mainly to discourage the cats from using it as a litter box. So far so good.