(1980 memoirs)
Now on this plant table or perhaps another by the woodbox near the back door were various cages for the butterflies and moths. These held the branches they were found on and also more of the same vegetation to munch away the hours on (providing it was fall and it was about to spin its chrysalis, of course).
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nature. Show all posts
February 11, 2013
January 23, 2013
Starfish and crab
(1980 memoirs)
What does it matter about the train trip [to Florida] or the town decided on? The big thing was that they were right on the ocean; and so Frankie could study the marine life and gather shells. And how she loved getting out the spiny starfish and bottled fiddler crab and telling Lorin all about them! She rarely had an audience, and he never had such an ardent lecture! None of his relatives with the exception of Auntie Mabel ever could care enough to bring such treasures home. And Mabel wasn't an animal lover.
What does it matter about the train trip [to Florida] or the town decided on? The big thing was that they were right on the ocean; and so Frankie could study the marine life and gather shells. And how she loved getting out the spiny starfish and bottled fiddler crab and telling Lorin all about them! She rarely had an audience, and he never had such an ardent lecture! None of his relatives with the exception of Auntie Mabel ever could care enough to bring such treasures home. And Mabel wasn't an animal lover.
December 28, 2012
Squirrels
(1980 memoirs)
Frankie could coax squirrels to eat peanuts out of her hand, and Lorin took a picture one time of a squirrel taking a peanut from my hand, tho no credit to me.
Frankie could coax squirrels to eat peanuts out of her hand, and Lorin took a picture one time of a squirrel taking a peanut from my hand, tho no credit to me.
December 27, 2012
Owl's nest
Near the street on the side of her house was a tree with a hollow trunk, and one year Frankie had an owl's nest in it. Oh the happiness! She spent much time there going as close as she dared. She kept counting them and trying to photograph them.
December 26, 2012
Monarch butterfly
(1980 memoirs)
Frankie may have made a failure of that dusty, fusty course but not of her life, for every creature was her friend, and she spent hours ferreting out its secrets. She found a chrysalis of a Monarch Butterfly that had fallen and put the twig of milkweed it was on carefully under a large wire strainer to await results. When it showed signs of life, she had her camera ready and took many pictures of the various stages. I have seen the same series since in many nature magazines but none better than hers, in my view.
Frankie may have made a failure of that dusty, fusty course but not of her life, for every creature was her friend, and she spent hours ferreting out its secrets. She found a chrysalis of a Monarch Butterfly that had fallen and put the twig of milkweed it was on carefully under a large wire strainer to await results. When it showed signs of life, she had her camera ready and took many pictures of the various stages. I have seen the same series since in many nature magazines but none better than hers, in my view.
December 25, 2012
A failure
(1980 memoirs)
[Frankie took the Classical course at Ripon.] "I made a failure of it," she would tell me, feeling remorse and pain. "If only I could have been put in the other course! I always wanted to learn about animals and living things and about the world!" -- "But, Cousin Frankie, why didn't you change? You didn't have to take the Classical." -- "I didn't think I could change the way they do now. I took what they said and made a failure of it."
[Frankie took the Classical course at Ripon.] "I made a failure of it," she would tell me, feeling remorse and pain. "If only I could have been put in the other course! I always wanted to learn about animals and living things and about the world!" -- "But, Cousin Frankie, why didn't you change? You didn't have to take the Classical." -- "I didn't think I could change the way they do now. I took what they said and made a failure of it."
March 30, 2012
Entertainment
(1993 August)
A tall girl evidently in charge of entertainment came in to ask me if I'd like to go for a walk. I said, "Are you serious? In 90 degree weather?" "Oh," said she, "I was thinking we'd sit under the shade trees." I said that was where all the mosquitoes were, and she smiled and left, having tried. I was abed, too.
A tall girl evidently in charge of entertainment came in to ask me if I'd like to go for a walk. I said, "Are you serious? In 90 degree weather?" "Oh," said she, "I was thinking we'd sit under the shade trees." I said that was where all the mosquitoes were, and she smiled and left, having tried. I was abed, too.
December 23, 2011
Empty chairs
(1992 July)
Three white chairs set out in front and so far empty. Mosquitoes bite the feet. But they look nice.
Three white chairs set out in front and so far empty. Mosquitoes bite the feet. But they look nice.
December 12, 2011
Woody drive
(1992 April 5)
Yesterday was a beautiful day, and I let MM help me dress and went for a ride in her car. We went out to Chicken Ridge and stopped at Judith Coufal's house - she came out and directed us on a lovely drive, very woodsy.... You know these lovely drives where the trees are close together, trunks rather thin, leafy, [where] you hope you won't meet another car. Well, it was like that.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, and I let MM help me dress and went for a ride in her car. We went out to Chicken Ridge and stopped at Judith Coufal's house - she came out and directed us on a lovely drive, very woodsy.... You know these lovely drives where the trees are close together, trunks rather thin, leafy, [where] you hope you won't meet another car. Well, it was like that.
October 14, 2011
Pass it on
(1991 April 9)
Last Tuesday there were some fellows walking for the Environment, and Jan was asked by David K[opitske] to pick them up and take them to supper, and I was asked to tell him, coming out of French as I was coming in, to go at once to the Gym to meet them. If you can't make much of this, let it go. I can't either.
Last Tuesday there were some fellows walking for the Environment, and Jan was asked by David K[opitske] to pick them up and take them to supper, and I was asked to tell him, coming out of French as I was coming in, to go at once to the Gym to meet them. If you can't make much of this, let it go. I can't either.
June 21, 2011
Atomic oneness
(1989 November 5)
As I was washing dishes, I heard part of a lecture on astrology. The man said in a Germanic voice: Not only are you a part of your ancestors, your grandparents and great grandpartent, but you are also part of the stars. Have you ever thought of that? The atoms of the universe are part of you.
As I was washing dishes, I heard part of a lecture on astrology. The man said in a Germanic voice: Not only are you a part of your ancestors, your grandparents and great grandpartent, but you are also part of the stars. Have you ever thought of that? The atoms of the universe are part of you.
May 25, 2011
Autumn colors
(1989 October 7)
It is a glorious autumn day here with the sun just warming the earth and the dazzling trees rattling their leaves in all shades of green and red. I once read when the Englishmen first went back to England having been in US and told of the fall trees they were not believed as the Englishmen up to that time had seen nothing like it. I know you have the same beauty in Kansas as we do in Wisconsin. Perhaps life in the South would be boring?
It is a glorious autumn day here with the sun just warming the earth and the dazzling trees rattling their leaves in all shades of green and red. I once read when the Englishmen first went back to England having been in US and told of the fall trees they were not believed as the Englishmen up to that time had seen nothing like it. I know you have the same beauty in Kansas as we do in Wisconsin. Perhaps life in the South would be boring?
May 22, 2011
Early green
(1988 August 26)
A friend gave Jan a dishwasher but Bob wouldn't let her accept it - takes more water than hand washing. She also was prepared to go to Madison to start a scientific reducing course but he said no - "he doesn't want me driving to Madison" - a thing she does as easily as breathing. Is it the Welsh who speak of a man as "careful"?
A friend gave Jan a dishwasher but Bob wouldn't let her accept it - takes more water than hand washing. She also was prepared to go to Madison to start a scientific reducing course but he said no - "he doesn't want me driving to Madison" - a thing she does as easily as breathing. Is it the Welsh who speak of a man as "careful"?
November 26, 2010
The Mill Pond
(1976 July 22)
When I go there [to the Thrift Shop] I walk over the Dam, and when I look to my right, I see debris making the waters ugly. But when I look to the left, I see the ducks, of course, but most of all those lush green green islands which always remind me of what I dream Ireland is like.
When I go there [to the Thrift Shop] I walk over the Dam, and when I look to my right, I see debris making the waters ugly. But when I look to the left, I see the ducks, of course, but most of all those lush green green islands which always remind me of what I dream Ireland is like.
November 1, 2010
Chinese lantern
(1975 November 3)
A son of a friend of MaryM's ate the seeds of a Chinese Lantern, a form of Deadly Nightshade. Later after much ado they found it is safe to eat when orange colored and ripe, deadly when green. And this mother has her yard full and sells them to the florist for dried winter bouquets! All unknowingly.
A son of a friend of MaryM's ate the seeds of a Chinese Lantern, a form of Deadly Nightshade. Later after much ado they found it is safe to eat when orange colored and ripe, deadly when green. And this mother has her yard full and sells them to the florist for dried winter bouquets! All unknowingly.
October 29, 2010
Astronomy
(1973 September 9)
I decided to take a course at Campus in Astronomy. So far have attended once, 7-9 p.m. It's Monday and Wednesday. ... Mrs. Dottie d'Arruda (Portuguese), wife of Prof. of Astronomy, gives me rides. ... But at the end of the day, 2 hours sitting on a hard bench is a little much. The time I went was during a heat wave with 3 big fans going. Maybe now better. I want to go at least until I have looked thru the big telescope.
I decided to take a course at Campus in Astronomy. So far have attended once, 7-9 p.m. It's Monday and Wednesday. ... Mrs. Dottie d'Arruda (Portuguese), wife of Prof. of Astronomy, gives me rides. ... But at the end of the day, 2 hours sitting on a hard bench is a little much. The time I went was during a heat wave with 3 big fans going. Maybe now better. I want to go at least until I have looked thru the big telescope.
October 22, 2010
First fish
(1975 July 17)
I do not recall catching many fish. The only time I did, I think might have been at Green Lake. I dimly remember being in a row boat fishing with my parents. My mother just went along for the ride. I remember her yelling, "Frank! Frank! She'e got a fish!" And I think your grandfather pulled it in and it was a sun fish, sort of flat with a yellow belly. I was small & scared.
I do not recall catching many fish. The only time I did, I think might have been at Green Lake. I dimly remember being in a row boat fishing with my parents. My mother just went along for the ride. I remember her yelling, "Frank! Frank! She'e got a fish!" And I think your grandfather pulled it in and it was a sun fish, sort of flat with a yellow belly. I was small & scared.
October 11, 2010
Eagles
(1974 february)
I am interested in saving the Eagles at Cassville. I answered a news story and got publications from the Eagle Valley Environmentalists, Inc. Would you like a patch ($1.50) or a button (50 cents)? I only hope they behave themselves once they get protection and don't get to stealing stock from farmers. They are so noble, though - so powerful.
I am interested in saving the Eagles at Cassville. I answered a news story and got publications from the Eagle Valley Environmentalists, Inc. Would you like a patch ($1.50) or a button (50 cents)? I only hope they behave themselves once they get protection and don't get to stealing stock from farmers. They are so noble, though - so powerful.
September 12, 2010
Better flag
(1973 November 30)
Probably I broke the law by painting a large white circle over the red paint on my mail box flag. But I could not see the flag at all against the background of leaves - so if Mr. Nixon says anything, I will just explain that I have a touch of flu and can't be running in and out all winter. Now I can see just fine!
Probably I broke the law by painting a large white circle over the red paint on my mail box flag. But I could not see the flag at all against the background of leaves - so if Mr. Nixon says anything, I will just explain that I have a touch of flu and can't be running in and out all winter. Now I can see just fine!
September 10, 2010
Scope crisis
(1973 November 30)
I think it would be best if I say something about my gift for Lawrence [8]. MM shopped for him (for me) and got him a pretty good telescope so he could see Kohoutek, birds, etc. I told her to open it to see if it were OK, and Bruce found the lens broken in three places (yesterday - Sunday). So, greatly alarmed, MM flew to the phone, but no one had any left! They bundled up the baby and set forth to look, but the best they could do was come home with a microscope which may be exchanged for a telescope if some come in, an expected shipment. Now if he already has either of these, you could quickly tell me. Or say which he would rather have. We thot you and Lawrence could enjoy the telescope together seeing birds and stars, etc. Better than microscope?
I think it would be best if I say something about my gift for Lawrence [8]. MM shopped for him (for me) and got him a pretty good telescope so he could see Kohoutek, birds, etc. I told her to open it to see if it were OK, and Bruce found the lens broken in three places (yesterday - Sunday). So, greatly alarmed, MM flew to the phone, but no one had any left! They bundled up the baby and set forth to look, but the best they could do was come home with a microscope which may be exchanged for a telescope if some come in, an expected shipment. Now if he already has either of these, you could quickly tell me. Or say which he would rather have. We thot you and Lawrence could enjoy the telescope together seeing birds and stars, etc. Better than microscope?
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