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!

April Thirty Fooled Again

April 1st snowed on us. We woke up today, April 30th, to another winter delight. I couldn't resist showing it. 24 out of 30 days had rain, with no 80' days. 13 days made it to 50' and the rest is history.

I would much rather have the delicate touch of snow than even one of the hundred plus tornadoes that have destroyed lives, homes and power to millions in the South East part of the country.

Blessings:
We haven't had to turn on our sprinklers.
No one can complain about it being too hot.
Flowers have lasted longer and anything green is welcome

Simmer in Silence or Settling the Score

I blew my top last night after sweeping up a mess left in the garage and hauling in a heavy roll of plastic from the back yard that had been left out in the rain. "I'm Not Your Mother!" sounded like music to my ears as I shouted to my hubby, Al. I was irritated and let him know it rather than stew and simmer in silence, my customary reaction to his abandoned messes.

What caused it? Maybe I have the 'Eight Year Itch' or just tired of picking up after this 'Big Boy'. Indeed it felt good to just get the load off my mind, instead of harboring thoughts of anger and frustration while he is clueless. I am only hurting myself and losing sleep for naught. Nagging is not in my nature.

An article a few years ago said, leave those jobs undone, if you must. They (meaning the person the job belongs to) will see the mess piling up and eventually take responsibility. NOT!!! The person that owns the job, more often than not, is blind to it. A job chart, lost priveleges, reminders, nagging or saying it like it are other ways to success. Bottomline, someone has to do the work of keeping a place clean.

Time will tell if he remembers 'Mom' is not gonna clean up his messes. I will keep track and see if silence or speaking my mind serves best. A smiley face will say it all.

Everyday is Easter

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Jesus died for us, to bring eternal life to every human being that has or ever will live. 'Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not dead, but lives'. We will all be resurrected one day. Our probationary time on earth is to prove ourselves worthy to return to Him. His gift endures the ages of past, present and future.

Better yet, Jesus, also atoned for our sins. By recognizing our mistakes and asking His forgiveness, we will be washed clean of the burdens that beset us. No gift is greater than this, 'that a person lay down his life for his friends', as Jesus did for us. Seek Him, always remember Him and he will comfort you.

Easter has been taken over by commercialism so much so, that we have to work to remember the origial purpose of it. The trinkets we receive this week pale in comparison to the resurrection. Along with treats, family time and egg hunts, think of Jesus' precious gift that we'll enjoy every day through and into eternity.

An Etching for Earth Day

Etch in your memory the beauties of Mother Earth. Do your best, if only for today, 'Give back'. Whether that is conserving her resources, picking up trash, acknowledging her gifts, recycling or anything to show you appreciate our planet.

Thousands of years have come and gone, sustaining every living creature however long or short, that life may have been. Never wavering from its course, ever obedient to the solar system the Earth lies in. We, mankind alone, have the agency of 'choice'. We can make a difference for our posterity, whether we leave this earth better or worse for them.

Take a moment to enjoy the sunrise, cool breezes, glorious landscapes, emerging plant life, drinks of water, fading sunset and more this Earth 4-22-11 Day.

What, That's Wood?

Our family attended the Salt Lake Wood Carvers Show after enjoying breakfast together a few weeks ago. Some of my favorite pieces are the ones shown. I couldn't believe the hours spent designing and creating such artwork. What great talent was displayed. Some of the pieces didn't even look like they could be carved from wood. Others perfectly suited items just seemed to grow right out of the wood chosen for them, such as the hawk.

My personal choice vote went to the leaves and delicate dish displayed on the lacey doily. It appeared to be a collector's piece from an earlier era. Thank you skilled artisans for your labor of love, and sharing your wonderful talents with us.

The See-Saw of Spring

Yesterdays blue skies, chirping birds and warm breezes open the floodgates for spring fever. Today's six inches of snow, blustery winds and steel skies cause fluctuations in my temperature. We are on the spring see-saw cycle.

Is it hampering your lifestyle like it is mine? Like we can do anything about it. We can look at the the benefits, such as: 1. A slow warming trend means less flooding.
2. Snow ski until July 4th, water ski after.
3. Still time to buy summer clothes while wearing the winter ones.
4. Don't have to water or mow until May. Yeah!

If these reasons don't make you happy perhaps this lovely fushcia carnation will brighten your day, like it did mine, last month after finding it waiting on my porch with a note.