Toadstools Everywhere!




Goldie, the box turtle made another appearance late yesterday. Melvin and I were taking our usual evening walk, and there she was, in the same general area where I’ve seen her twice before. This time she was obviously digging a hole for laying eggs. We left her alone, and I watched her from a distance through the binoculars. She continued to dig the hole, but then crawled away slowly without laying any eggs. I’m not sure if she will lay eggs there or not. I sure hope she does! It would be so fun to observe over the coming months. From what I read, they typically lay their eggs early morning or late evening, and the incubation period is 3 months or more.

All the rain we’ve had lately has yielded a plentiful and diverse crop of mushrooms. Toadstools everywhere! According to weather.com, normal June rainfall for my area is four and a half inches, and we’ve already had over seven! 

It’s mid-June, and that means daylilies are blooming. I don’t have any here at the cabin yet, but I planted quite a few over the years at my mom’s while I was working for McCorkle Nurseries. Today I noticed several varieties of All American Daylilies in bloom: Red Volunteer, Frankly Scarlett, Judith, and a few others that I can’t remember. Seeing these stunning blossoms gave me the itch to get started on a flower garden here at the cabin. But for now I need to stay focused on taming the vines, poison ivy, and honeysuckle. I also need to get chopping on some more firewood for next winter. For now, taming nature will have to take priority over gardening.

I can’t believe it is 79 degrees at 3pm on June 19. I’m sitting on the porch while I write this, and it is actually pleasant. Let’s enjoy these moderate temps while they last.
~Pat

All American Daylily "Red Volunteer"

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