I haven't gone that far with this one, because it is bedraggled from its fight with humans, time, and the elements. I didn't want to correct anyone, but this one is actually a black locust, or robinia species. They would be indistinguishable in a picture like this from a honey locust, or gleditisia. I contacted an dendrologist from a reputable arboretum and he said it may be one of the oldest in the state. It would, however, lose points for crown spread because of the branches not only felled in storms, but sawn off for the utility company to run power lines. I nearly had a conniption fit when the dh OK'd that one. Of course it's hollow, and I can easily stand inside it, and maybe even have a tea party. LOL. The man who owned this farm before he sold this part of the property said a child who once lived in this house tried to burn it down. You can still see the char. I guess this is one reason I am in such awe of it, it has persisted through all these insults. I brought a Greenman plaque back from England with me once, and it sits inside the tree now, guarding it from mischief.

Here's my understanding of siamese color points: basically, the lighter the color, the more recessive the gene for that color. Seal is the darkest, and the lighter variation of that is chocolate. Blue is the other variation, and the lighter shade is lilac. It is possible to have 2 seal parents, and end up with a mixed litter of lighter kittens, but I am guessing that the reverse is not true. These are actually the only colors that are recognized by the US cat organizations, but there are tons of others such as lynx, torti, red point, etc. I'll keep you updated with pictures--Karyn is trying to tutor me on posting them. (GOOD LUCK!!!) lol --Rr

I've never seen an armadillo in person and it sounds like I don't want to! Deer --- we're at peace with each other. They are even letting my KO roses bloom THROUGH the fence into the outer garden. I got bold today and tranplanted some garden phlox to the outer garden. Rabbits -- one little bunny was sitting on the bridge inside the fence yesterday and I ran outside and ran him off since he was looking things over. Bullfrogs -- there seem to be fewer this year. Could be since I planted creeping thyme in their favorite hangout spots on the rocks. I don't like it when they eat butterflies and goldfinch. Black snake -- "Cecil" is alive and well and hopefully keeping the bunnies away. I haven't seen a single squirrel on the ground in the garden since it warmed up enough for Cecil to hang out. Cecil might have also taken care of the bullfrog population. I have an agreement with Cecil, too. As long as I see him in plenty of time not to be startled, we're okay with each other. I grew up with black snakes considered a necessity in a horse barn to keep the field mice under control. Therefore, I welcome a black snake in the garden. No voles here either. Dragonflies -- they are back and once again, we seem to be mosquito free. We don't have houseflies either, but I don't know if I can attribute that to the dragonflies or the birds. Barn Swallows -- more mosquito removers. We love watching them over the meadow in the evenings. Honey bees -- they are swarming the blooms in our garden so whoever owns the hives should have plenty of honey. I'm amazed at how I work all around them and they just ignore me. They do get a little bit miffed when I trim the lavender or nepeta out from under them! It's evening here and time for me to go mix up some Neem Oil with bio-detergent and water to spray the roses and cherry to ward off the upcoming Japanese Beetle attacks. I've barely found any of the grubs in the garden this year, so I hope they won't be as big a problem as last year. On a sad note...one of our little hummingbirds (the male) got caught up in a spider's sticky web. My husband buried his tiny little body this morning when he found him. We wandered why he wasn't out in the garden with us this morning dining on all the blooms. Hopefully, the female will stay around. Perhaps another male will show up. Cameron

Sue, As long as they don't add, "Crazy" in front of "cat lady"....I am known as the cat lady in our neighborhood and I honestly think there might be a sign at the end of the street, "Home for Wayward Cat/kittens" and it's pointed right at my house.... My Dh, like your's, has put his foot down, softly...(He's almost as bad as me.) At one time, we had 2 feral mommas on the patio and each had had a litter of 6...When the kits started getting older the mothers tried taking them into the bushes, to teach them to live on their own...That's when we bundled up all the kittens, put them in our basement and would bring them out for feedings...We had to sit with them and as soon as they were done eating, back in the basement...There were times when momma would start through the yard, make a noise and all the babies would run after her...My DH would run with a big box and be scooping up kittens along the way...As soon as the kittens were weaned, we were able to get them adopted...It was like giving up my own kids and boy did I screen the new parents...We were able to get those 2 females spayed and they are still living on our patio....I loved having all those little ones and often would foster for one of our local no kill shelters. From fostering, I did keep 2 little girls and now when I mention fostering, DH gives me that look....But what a thrill, watching them grow.....I keep saying, if I ever win that lottery, I'll have the best shelter around.....See, how I can go on and on when it comes to talking about fur babies.......You should be around when I pull out the pictures....