White Clover Summer

This summer I have been making necklaces and bracelets for the girls with white clover. This is something I remember doing as a girl. Our yard has a plentiful supply of clover, red and white. If you have never made one, you can find directions here. It is fun and easy too!

When we are not doing that, we are picking wild blackberries. One gallon freezer bag is already full. Blackberry tarts are planned for our future. Then again we might be picking honeysuckle flowers and tasting the sweet honey found therein or picnicking in our yard on a blanket while watching the butterflies fly by or playing hopscotch or catching fireflies. Before summer is through, I want to get some jars for the children to fill with lightning bugs and take to their room at night.

Summertime!

New names, new post

In my 'Flag Day' post, I referred to 'Cheez Wiz' and forgot to explain that some of our blog residents have new names.  Sarah, Leora, and the LP will now be known as 'Cheez Wiz', 'Chickadee', and 'the Ace' respectively.

Sorry about that!

Flag Day

As I was looking at the calendar, I read aloud that today is Flag Day. Cheez Wiz heard and asked, "What is Flag Day?". Good question. It turns out that Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States. That event took place on June 14 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

A funny story concerning one of our earlier presidents reads as follows:

1908, Theodore Roosevelt

On June 14, Theodore Roosevelt was dining outside Philadelphia, when he noticed a man wiping his nose with what he thought was the American Flag. In outrage, Roosevelt picked up a small wooden rod and began to whip the man for "defacing the symbol of America." After about five or six strong whacks, he noticed that the man was not wiping his nose with a flag, but with a blue handkerchief with white stars. Upon realization of this, he apologized to the man, but hit him once more for making him "riled up with national pride."

What do you know about the history of the United States flag?

Things we said

Leora:  What are those called?

Lepidoptera:  Mannequins.

Leora:  Are there womanequins too?

Lepidoptera:  No, they are all called mannequins.

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Lepidoptera:  Why are you picking all of those flowers?

LP:  I am trying to make things handsomer.

Lepidoptera:  Well, I have never heard that before!

What's your name?

When I was growing up, I remember seeing a beetle in our backyard but did not know its name.  I still see this beetle on occasion where we live now.  Last week when I was looking at the latest issue of "Birds and Blooms", what do I see?  This beetle identified for me!

Meet the Pennsylvania leatherwing beetle!