BIGGER BAMBOO

I have about 12-13 species of bamboo growing on my land. All sizes ... from a species which grows about a foot tall, up to the "big boys" -- currently topping out at 50-65 feet.

The bamboo also comes in various colors -- yellow, green, gray, black & combinations of the color shades. The colors are a bonus, especially in the Winter months, when the hardwoods lose their leaves & the open grass areas are all brown. Being an artist, I like COLOR.

Starting in March, when the local weather starts to cooperate & warm up, the bamboo will -- depending on the species -- begin sending up the new growth for the season. This growing period usually lasts well into the month of May at my place. Then, no more growth till next Spring.

Some of the bigger species of bamboo is coming up right now through the ground, sending up new vegetation ... known as "clums". More commonly, people often call them "cains".

Bamboo is a grass. The growth the new clums get initially is the size the plant will always remain. Unlike a tree, where the trunk expands each growing season, the bamboo clum reaches & retains it's size in it's growing season. Bamboo can only get "bigger" by sending up new, bigger clums the next Spring.

Growth is also rapid. Large bamboo, such as in these pictures, can grow a foot -- or more -- per day. I walk the property each day, to inspect the new growth & "control it", by eliminating any new growth in areas were I do not want the bamboo to grow.

My cats -- in this case, Precious, the mother kitty, in the photo -- find the inspection time to their liking & will join me walking the property. Of course, their interest is not the bamboo, but just about everything else they can find to explore, nose around -- & chase -- while in the bamboo groves with me.

WHEN I'M 64 ...

I was never much into Elvis Presley's music as a kid. I did see him on TV -- The Ed Sullivan Show. I guess then, to me, Elvis was more of a ... "girls thing".

The first serious musical interest for me was the Beatles. They too were on Ed Sullivan's Sunday night program.

The Beatles DID make an impression on me. I guess they still do to this day. I sure have enough of their music on my iPod, all of which I transferred over from the Beatles CD's I have.

Up in the loft of my house, still in several boxes with the insignia of United Van Lines, is my collection of vinyl albums, including a duplicate collection of Beatles albums. I never unpacked them when I moved to Arkansas.

[And "yes", if I ever wanted to listen to music via a needle in a groove, I DO have a working turntable in my stereo system.]

One of the Beatles tunes is "When I'm 64". I'm close.

I had another birthday this past Friday. I was born in Rochester, New York on April 23rd, 1947. I'll be singing that Beatles tune ... next year.


One of the items I have from my ... "early years" -- I was five, or six years old -- is a hand print made in 1953. In school, our teacher had us press our hands in wet plaster of paris, & when it dried, paint the hand print.

I guess the teacher imprinted my name -- it says "Billy" in the upper left hand corner -- along with the year ... "1953". I know that was not my writing. But, that IS my paint job.

I hope I'll be able to compare hand sizes again, a year from now ... "When I'm 64".

SHE DID HER PART

The large female Red Eared Slider turtle which was in the field at the far end of my property last night, was -- as expected -- no longer there this A.M. I walked my land searching for her ... just in case she might be ... "stranded". I have encountered other turtles this way in past years. She was not to be found.

I returned my attention this morning to the general location were the turtle had been in the field last night. From experience, I felt positive she had selected that site for her nest when I first encountered her. She had not been moving & appeared not to be bothered by my [distant] presence as I observed her.

There was also the possibility she had already completed laying her eggs & burying them when I first spotted her. She may just have been "recovering" from the process. This happens to females of ALL types.

I gather my tools -- a small shovel & a spade -- to start excavating the point where I expected the nest to be. Again, from experience, I had selected the correct location & quickly found the well hidden nest, with the group of eggs about four inches under ground.


There were a total of 11 eggs in the nest. None were damaged -- which sometimes occurs in the egg laying process -- so I was able to remove all of them from the nest & transfer them to a small plastic box, previously filled with moist vermiculite. This will be the "incubator" for the eggs for the next 45-60 days, when they should be expected to hatch.

Turtle eggs, once laid in the nest, should not be turned or move excessively. Unlike, for example birds eggs, where the mother bird moves & rotates the eggs in the nest, turtle eggs can "die" if they are moved too much, since such movement is "un-natural' in the nest chamber. I was careful as I removed the eggs from the hole & placed them in the container.

The eggs in their plastic container, were placed in the cabinet above my kitchen sink. The light fixture above the sink radiates the correct amount of warmth into the cabinet to allow the eggs to develop. I have used this process previously with turtle & gecko eggs with excellent results.

Now ... I wait until June. I'll monitor the eggs, making sure there is the correct amount of moisture & that all the eggs remain viable & free from fungus or other problems. Even with all the care taken, sometimes reptile eggs ... "go bad".

The mother turtle did her part of the process. Now it is up to me to do my part.

"TWO-FER"

The number of turtles appearing on the roads locally is increasing dramatically, mostly due to the weather. Being reptiles -- & cold blooded -- the warmer temperatures are making the turtles more active. Recent rain -- unfortunately, accompanied by tornadoes -- also makes for easier over-land travels, as the turtles have less of a tendency to "dry out".

I continue to pick up small, baby green turtles [Red Eared Sliders] on my morning exercise trips. I also retrieved one off the road while driving the other day. I currently have half-a-dozen baby turtles I am "head-starting".

Not only am I finding more live baby turtles, but the number of dead/squashed/"road-kills" is increasing. If I can spot the little guys -- either as I am exercising or driving -- I will make the effort to get them off the roads. They stand no chance against automobiles.

More adult turtles are now crossing local roads. It the correct time on the calendar -- Spring time; when males hunt for females & females are beginning to find locations to lay their eggs. They have to leave the water & "travel".

I've picked up five adult turtles so far this year. I only do this if the turtle is in the road, &/or, is in a precarious situation, where their chances are increased of getting hit/killed. I will take them & move them to a more "turtle friendly" area. If they are somewhat "safe" when I come upon them, I let them continue on their own. It's kind of like playing god ... with a small "g".

The other day I came across TWO turtles -- adult Red Ears -- straddling the middle line of a fairly well traveled local road. Not a good situation for them to be in. I stopped my truck & grabbed both of them.


It happened that the two turtles were a female (left) & a male (right), although it was not likely they were ... "traveling together". That's not how turtles behave. It was just a coincidence they were in the same location, at the same time.

Getting a "Two-Fer" -- to acquire more than one turtle at a time -- has only happened to me on several occasions. I took both turtles to a safe location & released them.

Tonight, walking my property, picking up sticks & leaf clusters off the ground, which are the result of the storms & wind we had earlier today, I spotted a female turtle in the South part of my land. By her lack of forward movement, I assumed she must be looking to lay eggs.

This is an instance where I will leave the turtle alone & let her do what comes natural. Through the years I have had many turtles navigate my property, usually to nest. Add another to that list.

Tomorrow I will return to the spot; to determine if there is a nest & if so, to dig up the eggs & incubate them. If the eggs are left in the field, there is a very good chance the nest will be "raided" ... by raccoons, skunks, or other critters. But, not cats !!

I. B. BLOGGING

I am fine & enjoy my life. Not everyone can say that. I've been dealt a good hand.

I certainly didn't mean you be "Billy Downer" with yesterday's post. I am enjoying the writing & "sharing" with all my ... "fans".

Keep tuning in. That goes especially for the CHICKS ... which I'm been informed -- below -- is one of the advantages of blogging.

UN-BREAK MY HEART

I've never been to very successful -- long term -- in my relationships with woman. I'm sure it has been mostly my fault they didn't last. I guess I'm not been a good "soul mate" for anyone.

As I have gotten older, I have also grown more assured that being alone in life is the way it is meant for me. I'm too selfish & set in my ways to include others within my personal boundaries.

Oh, I've ... "been in love". A bunch of times. Sometimes the woman even loved me back. Not often, but sometimes.

Most often, I have been attracted to women who didn't have the same feelings to return. Bummer.

On several occasions, the attraction started out gangbusters & I felt like I was really -- FINALLY -- in an a mature, meaningful relationship. Didn't last. Didn't make it.

I was married ... many years ago. "Married" for a little over four years, but I knew I'd made a mistake in the first 48 hours. That one was my fault all the way.

I've had therapy several times. I tried figuring what I was doing wrong. Mostly, I just wanted to be sure there were ways to end the pain of breaking up, without there being the need to go out a window from a tall building. I had those thoughts.

It was three years ago yesterday -- April 17th, 2007 -- that I REALLY had my heart broken.

Actually, I had it CUT OPEN. It was by-pass surgery that has left me with scars on my chest & left leg [where veins were removed to be sewed into my heart to replace the none functioning arteries] along with wires tied internally in my chest, where my breast plate was sawed open & then pulled back together with the wires. [The wires -- which are permanently there -- give a strange, surreal picture to any chest x-ray.]

I was never "sick". I did not have a heart attack. All the doctors said I had a good, strong heart.

The doctors never asked me how I did with "the chicks". Maybe all those heartaches didn't affect me physically.

I guess this kind of surgery is kind of "cookie cutter" now days. I had my surgery on a Tuesday & came home on Friday. Heck, when I was young, I was in the hospital for 10 days with foot surgery. Ingrown toenails !!

In the past three years I have tried to follow the basic rules, which for me are: eat properly & exercise.

I never smoked, although for a number of years I worked in an office where second hand smoke was common place. I used to have a glass or two of wine -- sometimes more -- at night. That ended. So did the pizza, ice cream, M&M's & fattening foods. Got to watch what I eat.

I walk, or run, daily. Usually I alternate the days I do. I've written previously about the senior center I go to work out at when the weather is bad, as well as describing my annual participation at the 5K "Meowathon" in Memphis. I've already signed up for this years run on November 20th.

One thing I do not have in my life -- & was probably a MAJOR cause of my heart problems -- is STRESS. I'm lucky that my need to have a job has ended ... for now. [I still dream of that WalMart "greeter" job.] My last few years with Maybelline were killers & the several years of traveling weekly to Memphis were no fun either. Stress can kill you.

Stress can also be in relationships. I guess that's not an area of concern for me right now. I'm happy with how my life is & the three "girls" in my life give me all the love I need, returning the affection I give to them.

YES ... I MEAN MY CATS !!! All you cat haters ... DEAL WITH IT !!!

My Precious -- in the photo -- started it all for me, along with her daughters, Nibblets & THE WOBBLER. My heart -- repaired, revitalized & pumping just fine -- is filled now with love for these fine animals.

No therapy needed for these relationships.

TURTLE TIME ... IN ARKANSAS

Spring time hit central Arkansas quickly in 2010. No dragging out cold temperatures & dull, gray days into late April. It's warm & green here, with B-E-A-utiful blue sky days, with not a hint of clouds. The trees & grass have gone color-crazy quickly this year. Thanks, Mom Nature !!

I have spent quite a bit of time working in the yard this Spring. Lots of tree trimming & grass cutting already. The combustion engine on the John Deere is burning up that gasoline at $2.74 a gallon. Ouch !! [And the price of gas is predicted to go higher !! Double ouch.]

Along with working in the yard, I have enjoyed my morning exercises, which includes jogging & running the roads around here. Many times in the afternoons, I have been putting in a few miles on my bike as well. It's just so nice to be outside after the Winter we had.

This time of year in Arkansas is "Turtle Time". While running or biking -- heck, even while driving in my truck -- I keep my eyes open for turtles on the local roads.

It being Spring time, there are two "types" of turtles to be looking for:

** Adult turtles ... crossing the road. For the females, it is her looking for a location to dig a nest & bury her eggs. For the males, the travels are to be looking for new bodies of water, usually with a suitable number of females.

** Baby turtles ... just out of the nest, trying to find ANY body of water.

EDUCATION TIME: Many turtle nests have the eggs laid late in the warmer months. The baby turtles hatch down in the ground, but it is too cool/cold for them to dig to the surface. Instead, they remain buried, hibernating in the nest for the Winter & digging out of the nest in the Spring, when the warmer weather conditions make their "escape" from the soil possible.

I find a lot of baby turtles this time of year. It's not just on the road. I've found baby turtles -- & adults -- right in my yard. The first baby this year, was on the road in front of my house. I have no idea where the nest was, although a few females did come through my property last year.

With all the driving I have done -- locally & in other places -- I never have had a turtle jump out in front of my car/truck ... causing me to hit it. Along with the live turtles I see, there are always a lot of dead turtles, crushed on the roads. Doesn't seem fair.

I found these two turtles on my same morning jog. They are Red Eared Sliders. [The one on the left has some shell damage where a bird or other predator has bitten it. The turtle to the right has mud on it's shell still from the dirt of the nest.]

The same turtles, showing the unique colors & patterns of the "plastron" (bottom shell). The top of the shell is called the carapace.

Now the other day, jogging down the road, I noticed some movement going West in the East bound lane of the road. And cars coming from BOTH directions. It was the above ... a baby Snapping Turtle, newly relieved of it's nest.

With all the baby turtles I find each year, I bring them home & set them up in conditions which will allow them to grow in size, strength & shell hardness. [Very important, when their protection is the "house" on their backs.]

When the turtles reach a size where they can be safely released back into the wild ... I do so. While I have a good size collection of turtles, I keep only "exotics", preferring not to keep any domestic turtles. It doesn't seem right to keep in captivity "local turtles".

"Turtle time ... in Arkansas" will continue through mid-May locally. I will be looking for the turtles -- big & small -- & hoping to get them off the roads before they meet up with anything on wheels.

"MUDD-GOOD"

Spring time is in full session in Arkansas. The grass is getting green & most of the blooming trees -- i.e., Redbuds, Dogwoods -- are even starting to slip past their most brilliant colors as their new leaves come forth. It's also the time of the year when the bamboo starts sending new stalks skyward. After a wet, cold, flooding Winter, I am glad for the change in seasons.

Possibly because of the weather conditions we experienced the past few months -- specifically the rain/flooding -- I think it affected the flowering of my Dogwood trees. The picture above is of the largest of the six trees on my property. And ... it's the only one that flowered this year. The other Dogwood trees are throwing leaves, but did not produce any color this year. I don't know why.

Note: I wrote "flowering", but in reality, the color of the Dogwoods -- in this case white; I have reds & pinks ... if they ever do show any color again -- is from the "bract" which holds the small, non-spectacular flower inside. The bract is what gives the tree color, but it is not the flower.

As I wrote in an earlier post, I have added six new Japanese Maple trees to my homestead this year. Prior to adding those new trees, I had five Japanese Maples in the ground -- one with green leaves & four with red leaves. The six new trees are mostly of the green variety, but with different leaf shapes & bark color. As they grow it will add to the mixture of colors & shapes in the North yard landscape.

The Japanese Maple above is a variety known as "Bloodgood", for the intense red color it displays in both the Spring & Fall. All four of my "Bloodgoods" have a pleasing shape to the trunk & branches. This particular tree is the one I see when watching TV --usually with an 85 pound cat on my lap -- as I look out the living room window to the back yard.

Through the years I have owned this property, I have added varieties of plants/trees which I have seen & admired elsewhere. An example would be the bamboo. I first became engaged to it on a trip to Colombia, South America. That really was some BIG bamboo. I loved it & had to have some of my own.

I was attracted to the red Japanese Maples by a tree in the front yard of the home of Mrs. Lavona "Mudd" Key in Paris, Tennessee. It was a tree of good color & shape, about 20 foot tall. It would easily be described as a "specimen plant". It really was that nice.

Through the years, I saw the tree many times. My desire for one of my own never faltered, but the desire was on "hold" due to the fact I owned a condominium in Memphis at the time. No private plantings.

"Mudd" -- everyone called her that ... I'm not sure how she acquired the nick name -- is the Grandmother of my friend Kathy -- AKA, "Wemus". Any visit to her & her husband's home on the Tennessee River would include a visit with "Mudd" in Paris. And, if I was lucky, a dinner cooked by Mudd. [Just EXCELLENT Southern cooking !!!]

Any time I was at Mudd's, I would admire the large red Maple tree in her front year, either looking through the front room window of the house, or going out into the yard & walking around the tree. I always wanted one of my own.

When I moved to Arkansas & had my own land -- & no restrictions on what to do with the land based on "Homeowner Association Rules" -- I acquired & planted my own Japanese Maple "Bloodgood".

But ... I don't call it that.

I have a Japanese Maple "Mudd-Good". It's a more fitting name, in memory of a fine lady, who was a teacher & a nurse, & touched many lives through her century of living, especially my friend/her granddaughter, "Wemus". [That apple dropped straight down off the tree.]

Mudd died a few years ago. I think it was just her time. She did so much in her 100+ years, I guess she just got worn down & worn out. We should all be so lucky to go that way.

He memory lives on; with her family, friends & the numerous people who knew her & were touched by her. I think of her with fondness when ever I look at my red Japanese Maple "Mudd-Good" trees. They will always be a living memory to her.

PANTS ON THE GROUND

All my life, I never liked attending weddings or funerals. To me, both are ceremonies in which the main participants are indicating ... "I give up. I can't go on living".

Also, with funerals, I know how they will end. There is no exception.

Most of the weddings I have attended, the couples are no longer together. I think I bring them bad luck. They shouldn't have invited me.

This past week I changed my personal feelings regarding funerals & "viewings", and attended both for my friend & former co-worker -- Carlton King. Being me, I had a lot of apprehension in my preparation to go.

For one thing ... none of my old "dress pants" fit anymore. I'm a size 34 waist in 38 pants. Yes ... I've lost a bit of weight. About 40 pounds. I really had to pull the belt tight to keep the pants up ... once I found a decent size belt !!

I didn't want to end up looking like some "Rapper" ... with my pants hanging down & my underwear showing. That's not a look I want to go with.

When I went to the church Sunday night -- for the "viewing" -- I wore a shirt outside my pants. It was easier to hide the scrunched up look to my pants, dressing that way. Monday -- at the funeral service ... a Catholic Mass, which required a lot of up & down action from even the non-Catholics like me -- I had to be careful of "pant slippage" as the belt was not quite as tight as the night before, since the shirt I wore was "tucked".

A whole lot of people knew & liked Carlton. He had a lot of friends who came to honor his life & pay their respects. Many like me, were folks from his days working at Maybelline.

I saw & spoke with many people I have not seen or talked to in years. [I left the company in December, 2003.] Lots of changes to people; be it hair color or pounds applied. I actually received several hugs from people I couldn't remember. I guess they knew me.

One person who I did recognize right off, was my friend, Bubba. He drove from Springville, Tennessee on Sunday & I was surprised to see him arrive that night at the church. I didn't know he was coming. Just another example of how Carlton was held in regard by many people.

After the funeral service, Bubba & me were joined for lunch with another friend, Kelly. We had a fun time retelling Carlton "stories" & remembering the many good times we had working with Carlton. We also threw in stories & tales of other co-workers & former bosses ... just to keep the laughs coming.

I was sad to see my friend Bubba go. I miss having him in my daily life ... in person. He's so good natured & easy to mock. Oh, occasionally he'll get in a zinger or two at me, which is part of the fun & enjoyment of being around Bubba.

I was glad to get home & change into my usual clothing -- shorts & a T-shirt. I was also thankful the pants I wore stayed up & never hit the ground.

CARLTON

I find the Easter "season" kind of strange. Too many bunnies, candies & colored eggs, along with ads for clothes to be worn just one day; a day which may be the only one each year many will attend church. Is it to show off a new dress, or suit ?? Or ... find spiritual comfort ??

I understand the significance of Christians "celebrating" the death & resurrection of Jesus. It makes sense ... our salivation can be assured through faith.

The same holds true with Christmas, when the birth of Christ, given to the world is honored & revered. Still long before the Halloween candy is off store shelves, the Christmast decorations are up, bidding everyone to spend their money, as if expensive gifts might somehow cement relationships. Faith seems to take second place.

I am often at odds with formal religion. I have my faith & belief in my soul. I know there is "more" to come. I'm just not buying what a lot of folks are selling.

I don't attend church. I've never been comfortable there. I don't know why. People at church seem to feel the need to be there. I don't.

On this Good Friday, another man lost his life. Carlton King died early today.

Carlton had cancer & we were recently told Carlton had three to six months to live. That prognosis was on told to us less than 10 days ago. So much for medical predictions.

Some of us had planned to go visit him this coming Monday. Now we are cheated of that. Instead, there is a funeral Monday.

I worked with Carlton at Maybelline for more years than I can remember. I was with the company 33+ years, so it must have been at least 25+ years for Carlton to be there. Maybe longer.

Carlton worked in Little Rock, at the shipping & manufacturing facility. Until 1996, when I transfered to Arkansas, I was at the offices in Memphis, working in Customer Service. We would see each other on occasion before I moved & then it was a daily interaction.

I doubt I could find anyone who would have a bad word to say about Carlton. He was smart, knew his job & would take any time needed to help anyone. Many times he provided me his experience & recommendations for customer "issues" I would be faced with.

Carlton was a good Christian family man, dedicated to his wife, Terri, his kids & to his Mother. [Praise the man who takes care of the woman who gave him life.]

Carlton was a master carpenter & had a shop full of tools & machines. I remember him making furniture for his church, as well as everything from beautiful, fine pen & pencil sets, to profession grade Adirondack chairs. Heck, all his woodwork was professional.

I enjoyed knowing & working with Carlton for many years. I, like his many friends, will miss him.

How ironic & symbolic, that Carlton King died on the same day that another carpenter died, many years ago today.