New Friends and Frenzy Pics

Wow! Have you looked out there lately? Nature has really let loose! Don't you wonder how she reinvents herself every year? Plants, animals, and trees adapt to the environment, the weather, human interference, pollution, and a score of other hurdles thrown at them. Yet, there they are, without complaint, happy to be alive. This delicate, 3-inch beauty's name is Goldthread.

Many thanks to the Karboski's for joining in our woodland "Fiddlehead Tour". We all learned a lot and made new friends in the process. Our first-ever Jack-in-the Pulpit was spotted by Judy!

Many other new friends have been sighted in these past two summer-like weeks of May. Bellwort, Starflower, and Indian Cucumber Root to name a few.

Wild Sarsaparilla is everywhere, the Pink Lady made a quick appearance, and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail has returned to flit among the flowers.

For all who missed the amazing "Frenzy of the Fiddelheads" uncurling into their magnificence as full-grown ferns, albeit not very large in some cases, here are some photos of the phenomenon.

The grounds and trails are open at Holistic Horizons Fiddlehead Grove Retreat and Healing Center from Dawn to Dusk. No appointment needed. Come explore!

Alive!

Where does the time go in the Spring??? It is SO amazing out there right now! Have you stepped out onto Terra Mater and felt her earth between your toes, or allowed your feet to sink into a lush bed of moss?

I have been consumed in cleaning winter's debris, dried leaves, last year's untrimmed growth, and broken branches, then replenishing mulch in the gardens. The front yard stream "The River Shakti" is running, the back yard pond is half-emptied, dredged, and awaiting rainfall to re-fill it (much to the chagrin of the resident frogs).

Partridgeberry is alive and well, Thyme-leaved Speedwell harkens to a simpler time, and forget-me-nots...well, you know the drill.

The "johnnies" have resumed their undeterred, colorful presence among the formal garden rock mulch, and this week the delicate dwarf ginseng rose above masses of decaying leaves.

And oh, the ferns! So many sizes, shapes, and colors all unfolding just as they are meant to, in their own unique way, and at their own pace. It is truly a sight to behold! We are conducting "fern trail tours" this weekend, May 15-16 at Fiddlehead Grove Retreat and Healing Center. Click here for more info. Here's a sneak peak:

The burdock, mullein, purple trillium, painted trillium, and Canada Mayflower return for another round (complete with a damselfly bluet), and some new woodland bellflower friends have joined us this year.

Heal-all, ground ivy, and wild bleeding heart are some of my favorites!

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and soak in Mother Nature's bounty and beauty. You may be surprised how much it mimics so much of our own "human nature" and helps to heal what may be "ailing" us!