Snap, Crackle, Pop: Watching the Creek from My Window- Part 1

When I was contemplating a title for this post, the words snap, crackle, and pop came to my mind. These were the mascots for Rice Crispies when I was growing up. They probably still are. The three words seemed like a fitting title.

A few days ago, at dusk, I heard a loud crack outside my window. I don’t remember if I looked outside then or not.

I rarely wear my glasses now, since I often am wearing a mask. And besides, it was getting dark. So even if I had looked outside, I probably would not have seen what had happened.

Two days later, when I looked out the window during the day, it was obvious what had caused the loud cracking sound. A large tree had fallen. It had broken into numerous pieces and landed in what will become a creek once there is more rain.

108 Degrees!

The Seattle area has very moderate weather historically, neither cold nor hot. Weather patterns are changing here though. A good example occurred in June of this year. I was staying in Woodinville, a small city near Seattle, at the time. I took screenshots of my weather app on the day leading to it and on that day.

At least it never reached 109!

I hope this is a once in a lifetime experience for Seattle area which does not for the most part have air-conditioning but I suspect it isn’t. Hopefully it’s at least over for this year. But that may not be the case either.

Surprise Visitors Update

On September 27, 2020 I wrote a post about two hens and two roosters who visited our neighborhood daily. I can’t believe it was that long ago.

For most of this year, the two roosters have made quite a ruckus; crowing endlessly at many times of the day. Then all of a sudden the crowing stopped. I didn’t think about it at the time but I wonder now if the roosters are still living. Had they been killed by a raccoon, or a dog or had somebody or several somebodies complained about the noise.

Since then only one hen has been visiting. But she’s been coming by almost every day for a while. I have tried to take her picture. But by the time I find my phone and get the camera ready she is walking away.

Three days ago, a young woman was outside my house when the hen came. She said there were still two hens but didn’t say what happened to the roosters, and for some reason I didn’t ask. I told her of my futile attempts to get a picture of her. She asked if I wanted her to hold the hen so I could take a photo.

It still took me too long to take the photo. And the hen wiggled free.

I asked if the hen would let her pick her up again and she said “Sure.” This time I was ready.

The next time the hen came I was outside walking. This time the other hen wasn’t far behind. I didn’t even attempt to get a photo!

PNW GreenFriends Newsletter: April 2021

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PNW GreenFriends Newsletter: March 2021

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PNW GreenFriends Newsletter: February 2021

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PNW GreenFriends Newsletter: January 2021

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A Fascinating Plant: Update 3

To read the original story about this indoor sweet potato plant and to see the updates (Update #1 and Update #2) click on the links.

In Update 2, I shared how the plant was sending out so many shoots that I had put up a trellis to support them in going up rather than taking over the dining room floor. Since then they have continued to grow. A few of the lower leaves have begun to wilt. These photos were taken on December 6th.

And the ones below were taken December 13. Notice in the last photo that some of the leaves near the pot have dried and fallen off.

One of the shoots has grown about 15 inches since November 28 when I put the trellis up. Between December 6th and December 13 it grew 4.5 inches. Since then it has grown another 3.5 inches. In fact, you can see a difference between how it looked this morning and how it looks this afternoon. It has almost reached the top of the trellis!

I wonder if the plant is likely to produce sweet potatoes. Does anyone know?

A Fascinating Plant- Update #2

You can read the original story about this plant and see the first update at Part 1 and Part 2.

The sweet potato plant has continued to send out shoots. I decided to buy a trellis and attempt to train the shoots to go up the trellis rather than cross the dining room carpet! These photos were taken on November 28 and 29.