Beautiful Blessings - 9/2/15

~ Hearing T-bug play with the magnets on the fridge!

~ Hearing the girls pretend to play "Ratatouille"!

"Linguini can't even cook a hot dog!"

~ Being able to hear people on the phone! Tis a marvelous invention!

~ Hearing the rythmatic pattern of crocheting! <3

~ Hearing the nighttime bugs singing away outside and thinking of "The Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera! 

Beautiful Blessings - 8/7/15

~ Listening to Lil' G research horses in the encyclopedia so she can figure out what kind of horse her toy horse is.

~ Listening to all the night-time bugs and birds and tree frogs.

~ Listening to Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance music.

~ Listening to the kids I babysat for the first time in months play with my sisters in the play kitchen...all sorts of yummy goodies made in that lil' kitchen!
~ Listening to kitties' soft steps and perfect purrs. <3

(He curled up on the end of my bed while I was napping <3 I love my Ansel!!)

Science Saturday: Galls, Herring Gulls, and Hairy Cap Moss

(A Gall from our yard...the top of the stem broke...)

A few interesting things:

•             Galls are an abnormal growth of plant tissue caused by something other than the plant itself. Most commonly caused by insects but they are also caused by mites, nematodes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• The Goldenrod Gall is caused by a small fly that lays an egg on the stem of the Common Goldenrod. As it grows it forms a solid spherical gall around itself to protect it and feed it.\
• Galls are wonderful for protection, but some birds and rodents can see that they are holding something "yummy" inside, and will eat the contents.
• Herring Gulls are one of the most common gull along the Atlantic Coast. They have migrated inland, and have been found by the Great Lakes, the Mississippi and other large bodies of water.
• They were protected at the beginning of the 20th century because of low numbers, but since then, they've increased in number and have no need for such protection.
• Herring Gulls are ground nesters, so they prefer to be on islands where predators are few. It takes 25-27 days for an egg to hatch. Then the parents feed them regurgitated food until they are old enough to take care of themselves.
• Hairy Cap Moss grows in thick spongy beds on the forest floor. It should be called "Mattress moss" because of how soft it is! ;~)
• Moss is unique in it's ability to remain dormant for extended periods of time, yet still be alive when it receives water again.
• Moss is good for reviving areas that have been devastated by natural causes. Because of their unique ability to adapt, they can revitalize areas stricken by forest fires, floods, volcanoes, and other natural catastrophes! 

Science Saturday: Ants, June Bugs, and Cassiopeia

Ants, June Bugs, and Cassiopeia: not much in common. Though they are all unique in their own way.

(My Dad took this last night :~)

A few interesting things:

• Ants are a close relative of bees and wasps.
• Some of the common Ants in the New England have herds of aphids. They "milk" the aphids for a substance called "Honeydew".
• Ants of the same colony never fight. But if there is another colony or species they will fight over slaves, food or territory.
• Adult June Bugs feed mostly on leaves. They've been found on oaks, elms, ashes, walnuts, and more. Different subspecies prefer different types of trees.
• There are 4 stages of the June Bug: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. Eggs, larva, and pupa stay underground for almost a year.
• They are also known as June Beetles, May Bugs, and May Beetles. 
• Cassiopeia is near the Big Dipper in the night sky.
• She is named after a Greek Myth. The myth itself is rather depressing, in case you want to know.
• She is shaped in a "W"!

Science Saturday: Hummingbirds, Spittlebugs, and Buttercups Galore!

(Pardon the fact they are daisies...though there might be buttercups in the far back left corner....)

"A tiny little spittle bug climbed up a stalk.

He almost reached the top, when he heard someone talk.

A bright little humming bird sang in the sky.

He smiled at her before away she flied.

The tiny little spittle bug enjoyed the flower's scent.

Back down the buttercup he went."

A few interesting things I learned:

• Humming Birds' wings are different than most birds. Their wings don't flap, but move in a figure-eight motion. 
• If a human were to sustain the energy output of a humming bird, they would have to eat 285lbs of hamburger a day. Humming birds eat half their weight in sugar daily. 
• Their tongue is unique in the fact it can reach past the end of their bill. 
• Spittlebugs is the name for the young bugs. The adult bugs are called Froghoppers.
• The spittle is wet and slippery with a consistency of saliva rather than foam. It is made up plant juices from what they eat and glands in their abdomen. They use it to protect themselves.
• The Spittlebugs only have one known predator, a species of wasp that knows tasty things are hidden under the spittle.
• On any given plant, you can easily find Buttercups in every stage of their life. Buds, young flowers, old flowers and flowers turned to seed.
• They can, but rarely self pollinate. They are usually cross-pollinated by tiny insects crawling from one Buttercup to another. Cross pollination is better for the species anyways.
• Buttercups are very common, so many people consider them to be weeds. 

How we (unfortunately) treat GOD

We live between a playground with lots of mulch and a box-elder tree. Because of this we constantly get box-elder bugs.

They are harmless bugs that stay in houses in the winter to hibernate. Usually they just sleep, but occasionally   they wake up and wander around the house.

My little sisters are TERRIFIED of the box-elder bugs. (In our house they came up with the name Hermit. Don't know where that name came from, but we call box-elder bugs "Hermit".)

This morning I was sitting in the dining room when I overheard my sisters' commotion over a Hermit sighting.

They screeched with horror. And got away from the bug and the object it was on immediately.

They were inspired to hunt for any lurking Hermits.

(These pictures are NOT staged)

They got out a flashlight and searched high and low all over the living room. Jumping at the sight of anything that could be a Hermit.

When ever a Hermit is around they have a few things they try.

• Blowing on Hermit till he blows away.
• "Trapping" Hermit in jewelry boxes or under play dishes. 
• Running
• Yelling for Help.

How often do we "blow away" and push away God?

How often do we "trap" God in the form of Church or Church related activities? 

How often do we "run" from God?

How often do we "yell for help" but not asking God for help?

As they were searching the living room with a flashlight I pondered these things. 

How often do we become a "Hermit" and hide from God? Terrified or just out of imbecility? 

I hate to admit, but we all, including myself do this more that we know. 

Unfortunately, this is how we treat our Heavenly Father.