Thoughts Collecting Like Weeds in my Bean Patch

I've been collecting things in my head to share with y'all. Nothing important. Just random noticings and wonderings. I really do think about things that are non-plant related occasionally, just don't generally share them here. Guess you'll have to take me to Starbucks to hear those other thoughts! Or Cuppies and Joe.

1. I learned, in the Oklahoman newspaper, a few weeks ago, that you can now use WIC vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables at select farmer's markets. WIC is the Women, Infants and Children Supple metal Nutrition Program administered by the state that was originally developed to meet the needs of participants in the 1970's. It has recently been expanded to include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy. Vendors at farmer's markets can register with the state to accept WIC vouchers. I think this is totally awesome.

Apparently Oklahoma ranks 50th in the consumption of fruits and vegetables according to the 2008 State of the State Health Report. Wonder how they gathered THAT data!

Caller:How many servings of fruits and veggies did YOU eat today?

Citizen of Oklahoma: "Three. One cherry crumb cake from Big Sky Bread Company. One carrot cake cupcake from Cuppies and Joe. Half cup of Oklahoma ChowChow with my Kilbasa sausage for dinner. Oh, and, does the red sauce on the tamale I bought from those nice folks on the corner count?>(Possible actual data from the Zimm household.)

2. Also from the Oklahoman: I'm making a note here, on my trusty blog, about this garden I'd like to visit, because I can usually always find my blog. I've already misplaced the newspaper the article was in and it took 15 minutes to find the article on the Oklahoman web site! (I would add "finding stuff" to those estimates of of how many hours we do different things in a lifetime like sleeping, watching TV, playing video games, "looking for stuff I can't find but just had a few minutes ago", etc.) Here's the big deal about the park:

"It is awesome,” said Hillock, an assistant extension specialist. "It is a wonderful educational site.”

The low-water-use garden with 75 varieties of plants is at Bickham-Rudkin Park at 33rd and Rankin streets. Educational signs will be placed throughout the 7,000 square-foot garden to inform visitors about the plants.

Xeriscaping is landscaping that uses low-water methods and plants. While it is commonly associated with rocks, cacti and yucca plants, the display garden shows that it can include much more.

"This is a very exciting, spectacular facility,” said Michael Holmes, an OSU landscape architect professor.

I think we should go there for a picnic.



3. If the neighbors draw you aside to ask about my mental health and well-being, they may be referring to my recent habit of sitting down in the middle of the grass field to the south of the barn. Or of kneeling for long periods in the weed patch in front of the barn. Or of stooping over close to the ground with the camera to my face, stopping every few feet to repeat.

Said "weed patch" is full of wildflowers we have let grow there instead of mowing. If you sit down for a few minutes in or near the patch you will observe many varieties of butterfly, bee and beetle goin' crazy with the pollen. The buds open fully from their tight nighttime pose about noon,when the sun is nice and hot, and pollen service begins soon after. This goes on until the sun passes far enough to the west for the patch to be in evening shadow. At that time, the blossoms fold neatly like reverse umbrellas, and the butterflies, bees and beetles go home.



And, I've discovered that, if you look closely at the grasses growing in our field and the property just behind, you will find at least seven varieties of grass. That's how many I've noticed and photographed so far. Soon I'll try to label the pictures and share them with you.

This little bobble hangs out on top of the grass blade. Pretty cool, huh?



4. I've been waiting ALL SUMMER for my sunflowers to bloom. The sunflower stems in my butterfly garden are full of buds. But every time a bud opens slightly it is attacked by black beetles! Then the head breaks off. Yuck. Any ideas?



5. Finally, greetings to the best mower man in Piedmont America. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on Saturday. We are survivors of the good, the bad, and the profoundly ugly. But somehow love prevailed, and so, by God's wonderful grace, we are at a pretty darn good place these days! Thanks for stickin' around long enough to get to the good stuff. Love you EZ!