The butterflies and bees love the flowering trees as much as I do--and need them more. This skipper is feeding on the nectar of the Mexican plum that grows at the western edge of our woodlot and is blooming this week.
In the afternoon, in full sun, this tree is a hive of winged energy, every blossom cluster hosting an insect or two or three. The tree was so thick with buzzing insects that the blossoms seemed to be alive. Lovely sight, delightful sound. This tree (Prunus mexicanus) is native to the Hill Country, and one of the small trees designated NICE (Natives Instead of Common Exotics). We count ourselves lucky to have two. When the purple fruits are ripe, they're covered with a gray wild yeast that can be used to make sourdough, so I've read. I'd have to hurry to gather them, though: they're loved by raccoons, possums, and birds.
Garden report. We've had three stretches of two and three nights of hard freezes (unusual for late Feb/Mar). But our average last frost isn't until the end of the month, so anything can happen. I covered the potatoes & peas and uncovered again this morning: the potato tops look frosted, the peas, spinach, and kale are fine. It's warming up this weekend, so I'll put the cabbages (started under lights) in the ground today or tomorrow. Time to clean out the chicken coop and mix the manure with the compost for an energy boost for the late-spring plants.
Book report. It's also time to stop foolin' around and get serious about finishing Blood Orange (China #24, April 2016). I know who did it, how, and why, but China doesn't know that yet. She has 10,000 words in which to find out. The deadline is the end of the month. I think I'll make it.
Bittersweet will be out next month. If you haven't entered the Goodreads giveaway (3 autographed ARCs), please do. Publishers Weekly included the book in its top mystery picks for spring 2015, it's a featured alternate in the Mystery Guild, and Booklist gave it a starred review: "Albert pulls in disturbing and timely topics—drones and deer breeding—for an engrossing and twisted tale." Be prepared for something different.
Books I'm reading. I've found a new author--new to me, maybe an old friend for you. Her name is Jane Smiley, and I'm currently reading A Thousand Acres. Next on my list is the first book in her trilogy, Some Luck. I admire her skill in characterization and the depth of her knowledge of farm country and farm people. Surprising, for a city girl. I'm also waiting for the release, next week, of Dead Wake, by Erik Larson, one of my all-time favorite authors and the very best storyteller I know.
But mostly, I'm waiting for spring. Bet you are, too.
Reading note: In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.--Margaret Atwood