Okay, it’s confession time. I’m directionally challenged, but I’m getting out my maps of the world. Will you be my witness and travel companion? From Georgia to Gallup, Greece to Gibraltar, I’m determined to go to my grave without taking another wrong turn.
Deborah McKissic says: The bees are back! I was out in one of my rain gardens yesterday and a big bumble bee flew by..and then came back and landed on a grape hyacinth…a sure sign of spring and things to come! This photo reminds me, also, that I signed up to grow “van gogh” sunflowers and save the seeds for the seed library… http://www.seedlibrary.org I have found that russian sage attracts every bee out there..it just buzzes mid summer with all kinds of bees….bee amazing..plant some bee friendly plants in your garden this year! Herbs attract them all! I plant the herb thyme in the cracks of the rocks around my little greenhouse and the bees are always there to greet me! Rose petal thyme is beautiful and attracts them, also. There are over 300 varieties of thyme! My favorite is “lime thyme” a bright green…so pretty..bee a good gardener and plant some herbs for those little hard workers!
Nancy Coughlin says: Here in North Central PA I have not seen a single bee, yet. It is so encouraging to hear that others are seeing them already. Our winter was so harsh, a green house consultant has warned that we may find we have lost a lot of our plantings. My holly bush is filled with brown, crumbling leaves. Have lost 2 evergreens. No signs of new growth from any of my hosta plants yet. Trying to maintain a positive outlook and keep telling myself, “They are only delayed!” I hope, I hope, I hope!
Winnie Nielsen says: This photo is a work of art! Here in France, Spring is just happening and I have been looking for bees but haven’t seen many of them.
Meet Africa’s first all-female patrol unit, the Black Mambas.
photo, Facebook, Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit
The Balule Private Nature Reserve in South Africa has hired 26 local jobless female high-school graduates and trained them in tracking and combat skills. They are an unarmed, but visible, police presence whose main job is to be seen patrolling the fence to deter poachers. Their approach has been hugely successful. The Balule Reserve hasn’t lost a single rhinoceros in 10 months (compared to 23 losses in a neighboring reserve) and snare poaching has declined by 90%. The Black Mambas are challenging not only poachers, but also the patriarchal notion that it is unladylike to work in the bush on a patrol unit. They are now looked up to as heroes in their own communities—the same communities where the poachers themselves reside—and it’s a hope that this new respect will help to open everyone’s eyes and hearts to the welfare of their country’s endangered animals.
photo, Facebook, Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit
Find out more at the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit page on Facebook.
Winnie Nielsen says: Hooray for the brave young women saving Rhinos!! The Rhinos need more people committed to their well being!!
Winnie Nielsen says: Another interesting wheel from a vintage piece of farm equipment? Very interesting!
Nancy Coughlin says: Really like this photograph, particularly the black and white venue. Strong, sturdy wheel. Wonder what it powered?
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
That moth looks so pretty with the lace.