The Bread Store

January 14, 2008

Its always so peaceful and beautiful along the small road. Not many people drive through here, perhaps because the speed limit is so slow. You have to want to see everything to choose to drive 25 MPH. There are these little strips of land and small islands within the water all along both sides of the road. The water goes very deep away from the road, reachable only by boat.

Just like a trip to the bread store is just an excuse to drive through my "bird alley", the name is just an excuse to talk about the park. SaddleCreek Park is simply a 25 mph road which goes through many acres surrounded by and filled with water, divided by small strips of land and small little islands. It was created by strip mining for phosphates. I'm told most of these are very deep and lots of fishermen go there hoping to catch the big one.

There are aligators, but apparently well fed on fish and/or birds since there has never been an incident involving people. I can't imagine many fish surviving here with all the birds. Each time I drive through (with camera in purse) there are birds everywhere.



At one entrance to the area there are usually hundreds of big black vultures. I suspect they are hoping that the fishermen will have cleanings for them. I think my favorite birds are the big great blue herons. It was surprising to find how deep blue the markings on their head and wings were.. amazingly beautiful. I love when the wind blows and you can see all those fine little feathers. The little mud hens, or gallinules... or coots are all around the water's edge - rather skittish and swimming away as soon as you approach. I've noticed the herons will slowly edge up to a quiet, sitting fisherman. Perhaps also in hopes of a handout. The sand hill cranes have become rather people friendly over the past few years. You can come within 30-40 feet, quietly and slowly, before they begin to edge away.


There is one kingfisher who is usually on a wire in one section. He's difficult to catch for a photo as he 's always on the move looking for insects. The cormorants look so funny to me. They find a spot and stand for so long spread winged to dry their feathers. I read they are also called the snake bird.. when in the water the only thing showing is their neck and head.. just as a snake. I was surprised to find how beautifully their feathers are marked.

Veggie Gardening!

I know most people have wonderful veggie gardens going. We've been in Florida for over 25 years and I've yet to have a "successful" real, garden. This little cluster of tomatoes is one of the first successes. In the past I've had plants that gave us 2-3 little tomatoes a day for several weeks, but this one has hundreds of tiny little promises waiting to swell and turn rud. I am EXCITED.

In my envelope are seeds for rainbow chards, chives, mesclun - and numerous other tomatoes. Getting together the correct timing for seeding, passable 'dirt' and the required energy usually leaves the seed in the envelopes. This year our grand daughter has come to stay with us for a time. She's 25 and hopefully has some of her grandparents genes that inspire gardening from way back.

During the freeze last week, most of the movable plants made it either onto the dining room table or the kitchen floor. My husband thought 4-5 days on the table was quite enough and gently suggested that they travel back out the way they came. lol.

I love the suggestions on the Garden Web, Florida Forum. So many helpful, experienced voices with timing and tips for any section of the country or state you might choose. Its time to begin reading again and hopefully plant things in the right time table this year.

Seasons

To everything there is a season. If we cooperate with the seasons instead of going against them, how much more pleasant our journey is. Last night I was considering picking an orange from a neighbor's tree. He offered 'all we would like' since they didn't use many of them. It was such a kind, generous offer and yet they are just out of reach. I thought about years gone past when it would have been nothing to jump up and grab a branch to bring them within reach. I can go without, or take a small stool over there and reach them - carefully.

In Florida our gardening times seem to be opposite most of the rest of the county. In summer heat, we slack off a bit because no one wants to be out there gardening any more than required. Fall and spring are wonderful. Excellent weather, happy plants. Winter - now till the end of March is a big difficult. Days are nice enough to want to be outside and yet if you prune or plant tender little things now, you'll feel guilty and go right back to filling in those spaces with something else, namely food.

The other morning I went out with the idea of enjoying each day holding whatever was meant to be at this time of year.

The first thing was such a beautiful sunrise Christmas morning. I thought what comes to my mind each time I wake up very early "Early in the Morning will I rise up and greet thee" I love that thought when I can't sleep early in the morning. When I get up and go out, this is one of the rewards. We drove a few miles to the park nearby and on the way was a spectacular sight. The wild orange trumpet vines has escaped and grows wild here and there. I believe this tree is about 70 feet high and festooned (such a descriptive word) with masses of this beautiful vine. The sun catches it perfectly in early morning and draws your attention.There were 3 sand hill cranes feeding and resting near one of the small areas of water. Many of them nest at the end of our road. When we're outside early we hear their 'conversations' as they prepare and go off to their feeding grounds. We joke that Mom is making sure her kids are prepared for the day and aware of the dangers. They are extremely loud and 'talk' constantly. These 3 allowed me to come within 20 feet without becoming nervous. I think this must have been Dad as he continued to stand even when the others sat down to rest.


We went to see our daughter Susan who always has beautiful roses. No matter what our weather there are some roses that seem to flourish 12 months of the year. This one starts with a perfect yellow bud and opens brilliant orange, gradually turning into a perfect deep pink. I never noticed this tiny inhabitant of the rose until when I took the photo out of the camera.
These red roses are always perfect - dark dark red with such a velvety texture and amazing fragrance. When we worked together doing medical billing from her house we would occasionally bring one inside and it would stay fresh looking well over a week. Sadly the name of the rose is long missing.
As we came home, the sky was beautiful - filled with all sorts of glorious colors. It was bring yellows, oranges, turning to beautiful lavenders and pinks and blues.. The days have been very cold, many people lost lots of their tender plants. We were blessed and only lost a few leaves and branch tips here and there. Looking at a day like this makes me thing of my own life. I can lament the loss of things that no longer are in my life, or I can open my eyes and see the amazing opportunities each day holds.. with beauty just as fulfilling as anything gone by.