IT'S A "SPRING TIME" ... BAMBOO POSTING

I often wonder how the "visitors" to my blog -- with so many foreign countries involved -- actually "find" this site & if those searching under the word BAMBOO, are often disappointed to find the blog with the name Bill's Big Bamboo, actually has very few postings regarding bamboo.  Got plenty of turtles & cats, however.

One of my blog "fans" -- well, maybe the ONLY one -- commented the other day on Facebook as to the   infrequent postings on my blog; me not writing as often as I had done in the past. He was spot on & I do blame that on Facebook.  It's easier for me to do more frequent & much smaller "comments" on Facebook -- which go out to an initial audience which has been "selected & approved" --  as opposed to more lengthy blog postings, which may or may not, reach an intended audience.

Never fear, I will continue to post on my blog, both views & feelings I need to express & distribute, as well as pure nonsense, with no redeeming value.  Here today will be an example of those extremes.

With the weird weather we have had in Central Arkansas this Winter season -- NO snow/ice (other than a "dusting" of snow in early December) along with mild temperatures -- I have been paying attention to my bamboo groves for signs of sprouting of this years bamboo growth.  The first bamboo to send up shoots ["clums"] is the "Moso" bamboo, which in most years will come through the ground in March.  Other species of bamboo I grow will continue their cycle of growth/sprouting well into early Summer. With the temperatures we have been having, I have been inspecting the groves for any early bamboo growth.  One never knows what Mother Nature will do.

February is normally the time of year -- whatever the weather conditions -- when I start to "clean" many of the locations where bamboo is growing.  This involves cutting out any dead wood, thinning out areas & removing smaller bamboo shoots.  It's the "pre-growth" time to beautify the area & bamboo groves.

 Yesterday was a cool, cloudy & damp day.  Not my favorite conditions to work outside, but then not much of the weather for the past few months has met my "requirements". Still, I was able to cut, trim & haul quite a bit of bamboo out of one of my main growing areas.

 The cut bamboo is taken to the back lot & burned in the fire pit.  Surprisingly, even fresh cut, green bamboo, burns quickly, not having to be "dried" before it will catch fire.  Another added "benefit" is the exploding sound -- think "organic firecrackers" -- from the moisture in the bamboo segments, heating & expanding.  It's my revenge against the neighbors barking dogs.

 Bamboo also burns "hot" ... which is helpful on cool days to warm the hands.  The smoke -- again for neighbors -- adds a nice smell, especially to my clothes, which go right into the washer when I am finished.

 When my body warms with the manual labor, it's time to strip down the layered clothing.  Naturally, a PLAID SHIRT is a vital part of my yard-working wardrobe.

I'll have to check with my friend Bubba, on how to properly wear suspenders. [He wears his all the time, mostly with a "back-up belt".  At least that's what I think he does.]  Obviously from the way my sweater "bunched up" at the waist line, I should have worn my suspenders UNDER my sweater.  [Help me out here, Bubba.  I'm a rookie !!]

As long as the rains stays away -- but, it's in the forecast ... again !! -- I'll continue to work on my bamboo groves & get them ready for Spring ... whenever that season officially arrives.