Rainbows Redefined

It had been a stormy afternoon until about 3pm, when a full rainbow presented itself out of my picture window at work. One of those big ones you seldom see, that takes your breath away and you stop to contemplate its beauty. Two hours later I was rushing to my mother's bedside at the hospital. She died a few days later, and the rainbow has become a significant memory of that event.

This weekend another full rainbow was visible as we drove east to the freeway from visiting Antelope Island. Even though I am dealing with her death fairly well, rainbows, singing some hymns and such can really set me off.

Putting flowers on her grave as well as some plastic memorial bunches we found in her home, made for a colorful decoration. The death date has been carved in her headstone. We are moving forward with estate matters. Blogging has been more difficult. The desire will return, but it all takes time.

He’s a Handyman Hero.

Part of my duel exhaust car muffler rotted off about a year ago. My ears became deaf to the rumbling sound, shortly thereafter. I promised the mechanic when it was inspected to replace it, but didn’t. Last month Allan & Kent (his brother) tackled the job. Welding wasn’t an option, when the rust holes were larger than the muffler itself. A new one was installed.

That was about the time whenever I applied pressure to the brakes, a noise like an ‘airplane landing above my head’ belched forth from the car. Could it be the pads, I asked Al. “What sound, I can’t hear anything,” he replied. Eventually, other drivers looked for the airport as we approached intersections and Allan decided, to take a look at the brakes. Sure enough, with much patience and pressure both rear wheel pads were replaced.

The final straw was our fence collapsing from a powerful wind. He dutifully took apart the fence, neatly stacking the slats in a pile. Next up: preparing to dig out the sheered-off posts, replace and stain them back into duty.

Bane of the Bur Buttercup

Bur Buttercup is a noxious weed. Less than five years ago Allan pointed out some scraggly, bitty plants growing along the roadside, identified it as Bur Buttercup and said to watch out for it! This year it is everywhere along previously barren parkstrips, fields, and roadways. Every spot of ground has become it's new home, as this prickly burred plant agressively muscles its way onto our lands.

Each morning while out jogging, I fill a grocery bag or two with the pesky vermin and toss in the trash. An Army corp of volunteers is needed to turn the tide as this 'Missouri River' epidemic weed is on the verge of taking over.

"Fabian Menalled -Bur buttercup (Ranunculus testiculatus) is an exotic annual weed, native of southestern Europe that has become widespread in gardens, small grains, pastures, wastes areas, and along roadsides in the western USA. It is a winter annual that emerges, flowers, and sets fruits in the spring, when temperatures climb into the 45 to 50-degree range. It is a toxic species because it contains ranunculin, a chemical that changes into to protoanemonin, a highly toxic compound. The transformation of ranunculin into protoanemonin occurs when the plant is crushed. There are reports of sheep poisoning after ingesting bur buttercup.

It is important to control bur buttercup before they produce flowers and seeds. Hoeing, pulling and digging can control bur buttercup. They can be sprayed with 2,4-D, Ally, Banvel, Banvel + 2,4D, Finale, Liberty, or Roundup.

Categories: Weed, Bur Buttercup Date: 04/14/2005 go to MSU.montana.edu for more."
Saddest of all, who has even noticed the blight right under their feet? Ask most homeowners about Bur Buttercup and they won't know what you are talking about.

Please grab a bag, sprayer with 2, 4D or a hoe and get out there now before it is too late. It may already be!