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Through the Roof

| Flower Roberts

I have had to be away from home more than usual.

I spent months constructing a “Coyote Cage” inside the bunny pen so they would be safe.

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I close it up at night when the bunnies go inside so that no wildlife can get in and poop.

I never leave out water or food.

When I escorted them out this morning, I noticed the fencing in the gate had been pushed out.

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Something had been trapped in during the night and forced its way out.

It was either the stray cat that has been lurking about, or one of our raccoon neighbors.

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I found where it had fallen through the roof.

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Now I must shore up the roof and the gate before I leave today.

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Barley’s bottom sticking out of a box.

Too much to do, too little time.

I’m about to go through the roof!

FLOW

Fern Fiddles

| Flower Roberts

The first fern fiddles are emerging from the ground.

The Japanese Holly fern, Cyrtomium falcatum, is always first.

Fronds are specialized leaves growing from underground stems.

They roll out from the base to protect the tiny new leaflets.

Other protection involves scales which drop off after the young fronds emerge.

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They are also covered by hairs for defense.

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Once these fronds mature, they will be tough enough not to need scales and hairs.

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Mature fronds produce spores on their undersides for reproduction.

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Here are spots where sporangia were last season. The spores have been released.

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I find fern fronds fascinating.

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Our Book is Not About Flowers

| Flower Roberts

If you know of a child who has epilepsy, their family may benefit from our book.

This has been decades in the making. It follows my daughter’s journey with epilepsy from diaper to dorm room.

I wrote it for parents. Ours was a lonely journey with many twists. I want to help other parents who are trying to raise a child with this disorder.

It is full of personal stories and insights…but not flowers.

Maybe my next book will be about gardening.

Flower/Seizure Mama

2 Much 4 Me

| Flower Roberts

I don’t have to go anywhere. The action comes to me.

Yesterday, there was a pine on our power line.

It was smoking and sparking.

Then a big truck came to cut it down.

In the meantime the river rose.

Then all this mess settled down and around.

While all that was going on, two birds (red and blue)

with too little brains and too much testosterone attacked the windows all day long.

(Hmmmm. What does this remind me of?)

There was so much action here, that I had to go to the city to find a little peace.

This country living is NOT for the faint of heart.

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My Life in the Lee

| Flower Roberts

When I saw this still spot in the water, it reminded me of my upbringing.

I was raised in the lee of life, protected and supported.

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Away from danger and turbulence.

Protected by ever-vigilant parents.

You would think all that life in the lee would make me weak, but that is not so.

It saved my strength for the real battles.

Saving my child has taken endurance.

These battles have been long.

We survived because of my life in the lee, saving my strength for saving my family.

That’s how families work. They protect you, you protect them.

Now I am forming the lee for my children and my aging parents.

I am ready Daddy.  It’s my turn now.

FLOW

 

 

The Magic Kiss

| Flower Roberts

Just as I arrived for my shift at the rehab facility

a lovely vision appeared before me in the hallway.

Her hair was adorned with sparkling hearts.

Red tulle surrounded her lovely face.

Her whole being shimmered in the light.

Was I finally having that long-awaited breakdown?

No. It was Brandy the Marvelous Mini Horse.

She was there visiting the center to cheer up the patients.

I got down on one of my expensive knees for an up-close visit.

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Brandy was dressed to the nines for Valentine’s.

She wore a heart-covered headband, glitter body spray and a tulle tutu collar

but practical red lace-up shoes.

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She has horse sense. No high heels for this gal on the go.

As our visit ended, her handler asked if she could give me a kiss.

She nuzzled my hand with her muzzle, which made me coo.

Then it happened.

Her little head reached over and actually kissed me hand.

She actually kissed me!    I was so pleased by this.

Her owner said “Brandy doesn’t go around kissing everybody. She must like you.”

Brandy was there for the patients, but Flow needed to feel love

straight from the horse’s mouth.

Angels come in many forms. Sometimes “mini” forms.

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If you know anyone who needs some equine affection, contact Kay Daughtry at jdaughtry@bellsouth.net or horsetalesliteracy.org. Appearance costs are donated.

I Know How It Feels

| Flower Roberts

‘Pink Surprise’ has sent up a second stalk.

When I checked on it this morning, it was leaning so far over it was against the glass.

I know how it feels.

These dark days do not have enough light for me.

I need more warmth. I need more sunshine.

I need to be out in the natural world, not watching bad and sad on a screen.

I will be out today, no matter the temperature.

Either that, or I will be leaning against a window somewhere

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desperately seeking sunshine.

FLOW

Name this Angel

| Flower Roberts

It’s been a tough winter so far.  I have not gotten to spend much time outside.

I walked around my yard today.  I took my camera, just in case.

I could not believe my eyes when I spotted this beauty.

What is it?  When did I plant it?

My records have turned up nothing. Could it be a Ziva in January?

Maybe it is an angel.

My angel would be a plant.

If you know its name, please let me know.

I will treasure it forever.

It brightened this day in a special way.

Flower

Moon Scene

| Flower Roberts

My other Amaryllis has put up two stalks at once.

It’s small blooms have lovely details.

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‘Moon Scene’ is only 13 inches tall.

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I must remember this when placing it in the garden.

It needs to be close to a walkway so folks can bend down to admire its stripes.

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Another wonderful Amaryllis just when it is needed.

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