Are You My Mother?

Miss Kitty the first time I saw her

This past summer, specifically July 27th,as my daughter visiting from North Dakota and I were returning from a visit with her Grandma & and truck driving Uncle in Des Moines...We came across an unusual sight in the drive in front of us,across the field from Timber Life.

The little kitty seemed lost and at the time... keeping company with the big doe standing tall for her own candid moment. As we sat and watched for a while the kitty tried to get the attention of the doe. Did she want to play or was she plying the Dr. Suess story question "Are You My Mother"? I believe this little one was a member of another household and dropped off in the country for one reason or another.

A few days later, on one of the hottest days of the week, the kitty showed up on our deck...Meowing loudly as if to share how hungry she was and needing some help to weather the elements.
 
She didn't even wander into the shade when the heat of the sun came around the house, bearing down oppressively on any creature touched by it's light.

I didn't have any cat food  so I scrambled up some eggs with a little cheese for a couple of days.

Learning a little later that dog food could be a substitute for a short time. That I could do!

Our dog Sadie has been an only pet for 3 and a half years...Now, sharing an owner is still a challenge,but at times they can share the same deck.

Miss Kitty is an outside cat, because we aren't prepared to have an indoor cat, not that she hasn't made an attempt to change that status.

Sadie is a guardian against  feral cats, raccoons, and opossums, wanting to dine on the morsels in kitty's bowl. Sadie sits by the steps ready for a chase if something comes to push Miss Kitty aside.

Slaps without a sting, and clawing at a wood post leaving no shredding,  revealed that she had been declawed.

In spite of lacking her front claws Miss Kitty is a stealthy huntress in her own right. She brought me gifts of her kills shortly after she came. I have become a trusted friend.

Not long after her arrival on one of the many walks in the yard with Sadie, Miss Kitty, joined the outing. Now, when I go to pickup the trail camera card and she gets a late start for the excursion, you can hear a mini-stampede come rustling through the dry leaves of fall until she gets to my location. I wasn't expecting her one day and Sadie was off at a distance, but still within my forward view...Turning to see what was in swift pursuit , I had to laugh, Miss Kitty was in  high speed to become a part of the group.

I haven't had a cat since I was a child, way back when.My choice to put food out was more, or less, "You aren't going to die on my watch", reaction.

Now we have been adopted and Miss Kitty has put on weight, so we will see how long nature will keep us together...

Ticks Alive!

We often think of ticks as being a scourge in the spring and summer, not so likely come the fall, especially after having some hard freezes in the neighborhood.

What we have come to realize in the last two weeks here is that ticks are a hardy sort of creature.

Sadie had found two that were in contact with her long enough to embed a couple inches from one of her ears.

I ran out of her flea and tick protection and now realize it was deflecting those little denizens through the worst of the infestation season. Thank goodness!


Not having experienced ticks this far into December I wasn't as vigilante in looking for them after our forays into the timber and pastures. It was only after petting her and feeling an unusual growth were my suspicions aroused.

Both ticks were in the larval stage of development in their life cycle when they hitched a ride. Larval and nymphs each must take a blood meal to develop to the next stage. Larval ticks, known as “seed ticks”, can be distinguished from nymphs and adults because of their small size and six legs. My reading at an Iowa State Extension publication seems to indicate this variety is the Black Legged aka Deer Tick.

It is my belief that our relatively warm temperatures have extended their reproductive capabilities - which could create bumper crops of the little blood suckers next year.

So, even if your weather has reached some extreme cold temps beware the little hitchhikers if the days return to the balmy upper thirties as it will here in central Iowa again come the weekend...In time for Iowa Shotgun Deer Season II Saturday, December 10th - Sunday, December 18th.

Five Year Blogoversary Celebration

Eye of the Timber caught many years ago at this time of year

 Five years ago today I wrote my first blogpost.

I started out with the blog title Walking in the Woods, but soon did a Google search and found a whole bunch of other people at that time feeling the same way I did about the great outside. In an effort to gain some individual distinction ...A bit of reflecting on a moniker to be associated with, brought me back to Timber Life repeatedly since that is the life I am blessed to live daily.

I have met some very interesting and positive people in the blogging world over the years. Check out my Blog Roll please for the first bloggers for whom I  found an interest in reading when I discovered My Blog Log. A website now gone from the internet under reorganization by its provider. I do have a few others that have come and gone within those years that I continue to wonder how things are going for them...

Although my posts may have extended periods in between or don't have a rational thought to convey - sometimes I still have days where I want to sit and share some thoughts that seem particularly pressing.

Thank you  to all who have stopped by for a visit!

Iowa Deer Season I

Deer Shotgun Season I opens here in Iowa today, Saturday, December 3rd, and there has been an item that keeps trying to work its way into the tangible part of my hunting paraphernalia. Sometimes we dream and scheme for a long time before we settle...again to start the process to move up in the future.

Last Saturday I decided I didn't want to go through another opener sitting in freezing rain/rain. I guess you can call me a fair weather huntress. Although, in the last 5 years I have been out in some pretty extreme cold temps with wind whipping snow -  it is becoming less desirable to do so.

Our forecast for Today: Rain. High near 38. South wind 6 to 8 mph becoming northeast. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after midnight. Low around 25. North northwest wind between 6 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Shopping for an economical alternative to get out of the weather, that could hold two people comfortably, took me to The Sportsman's Guide. I decided on a Guide Gear Winds and Water 5-Hub Pop-Up Blind after considering an Ameristep G3 Blind. This G.G. blind appears that it will work fine for gun season, but I won't be able to use my Martin Jaguar Takedown Recurve bow from it during the Archery  seasons.

I have some concerns about this blind since I set it up Wednesday afternoon. The top can be removed for water fowl hunting which I find to be a plus - it has velcro strips and corner straps to hold it on.

However, I am only able to get three of the four sides attached on my own. My thoughts are that if I had a second person to tug it down while the I held down the opposite side it would get secured, at this point it is unsecured leaving a space for the wind to blow the elements inside. There is another thought going through my mind...if all else fails use Duct Tape.

Another concern that became apparent when I climbed inside Thursday morning was all the visible pinholes in the interior blackout finish as well as the holes created by the window stitching.

Before I purchased anything I read of others who had experienced the same difficulties with other products and their solution. They used water repellant sprays to seal the surfaces. I decided to purchase Ambush Triple-X Ground Blind Spray , not only to create a scent eliminating covering, but to add a  moisture repellant barrier.

In the future I can see maybe a different brand of  ground blind  tall enough to allow for my recurve bow in the future. Ultimately, I want to work for some stationary blinds because the deer trails don't change much over time here...they are passed on from generation to generation. 

Today will most assuredly give me a product trial on the blind and protective spray.

Yesterday morning I sat watching the deer feeding and running by my ground blind. I only hope they will  be so plentiful in about an hour and a half with the weather changes as Deer Shotgun Season I opens.

Time to be off to the blind!

Vardaman, MS Sweet Potatoes

The Thanksgiving Holiday starts the seasons for bringing out the best of our recipes to put festive touches to the abundant fare we share with family and friends.

My brother on a short stop over this past summer

I put in a request to my brother to get on the Vardaman Sweet Potato loop for his truck driving business in hopes he would bring me some of those delectable goodies from the South back to this Northern Lady.

A weekand a half ago he came running past making a connection with Hubby before he blew on by to his next drop off an hour away.

He was able to get his route headed back this way to join us for a family Thanksgiving this year.

Being a gardener I have grown sweet potatoes, but this year I didn't get my plants put in the ground so my next best option, go directly to the source...

For a time I had 80 pounds of the orange sweets taking up space just off the kitchen waiting to find their way into one of those special recipes I spoke of earlier.


One of the 40 lbs. boxes remains for me to try out homemade  sweet potato fries, sweet potato pies,casseroles etc...etc...etc...

Sweet Potato Bake

Wednesday, we weighed out 3 1/2 pounds for my daughter Tamara to boil up and mash for one of her
"Paula Deen" recipes to put on the Thanksgiving Day menu.

This one is called Sweet Potato Bake;a different spin compared to how we usually serve them. Traditionally, it is brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon with mini-marshmellows browned on top about ten minutes before serving.


There is a Southern Lady from Vicksburg,MS, whose recipe for her famous Sweet Potato Pie I would like to share with you.

Marian  from Marian's Hunting Stories etc..etc..etc... sent her recipe my way. Now is really a good time to pull it out to add to the Holiday table.With all kinds of get togethers yet to take place by the  New Year I know I will be able to offer a tasty treat for dessert.

                                                     "Marian's Sweet Potato Pie" 
 

3 large sweet potatoes cooked, drained, and mashed up. Will make approximately 2-1/2 to 3 cups. Add the following ingredients to potatoes while they are still hot.

1 stick margarine or butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
3 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract

Place in uncooked pie shells. Will make 3 thin pies or 2 large ones. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes.

For a crisp pie shell, bake for the first 10 minutes at 425 degrees and then turn back to 350 degrees for remaining 40 minutes

 I hope all my American family and friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving ! Time to prepare for Christ - mas...

Field and Stream -The Rut Reporters

I am always interested in hearing what is happening in other parts of the country when it comes to the draw down of summer and fall finally arrives  - deer hunting in particular.

My trail camera is working for me right now in an effort to watch what I have found to be a very active spot in the pre-rut.

Once again Field and Stream is rolling out  news of the upcoming Whitetail Deer Rut nationwide. Currently, they have a contest going on to win some great gear with the prizes being provided by Cabela's.

The first monthly drawing is going to be held this Friday, September 30th,so you still have a chance to be eligible.

If you would like to find out the specifics on how you can win some fantastic hunting gear in their  20-weekly, 4- monthly, and one overall contest  click here...

I am definitely looking forward to hearing about what is happening on your hunting grounds throughout the seasons. Good hunting!

It Goes Bump in the Night

For those of us who have trail cameras out, you can probably site different occasions when you see things that you can't identify right off hand.

I keep having a few of those experiences.

You might assign this image with the title of "Bat" or "Bird"...Maybe it's a HUGE bug? In any event this was the only picture of the "unknown" captured in the series  when the camera was triggered.

There seems to a nebulous aura where I would assume a wing would be a flutter. 

This image is like none other I have seen since having the camera, getting close to a year now.

Could it be an out of focus deer face? Once again it was the only picture in a series. A fast mover!

Usually I can tell if it is a deer getting up close. You would see the glare of an eye or an ear hair or two, and most definitely a nose or tongue,but this is  a mystery.

 I like keeping the camera low to get interactions such as the one you are witnessing in these pictures.

Some days you have to wonder if they line up to take turns on getting a lick in?

Then there are the days when they look like they are posing for group pictures to keep for posterity's sake.Silly Deer! or is that Deerses?

Not only the good has been noted - some health issues have become evident within the herd as well.

Creature in a hurry! See those streaks in the flash?

I am beginning to wonder if the coyotes, or raccoons, are taking a minute in their nightly trips around the timber in search of food to check out that  blinking red eyed box.

Mysteries are fun, but not knowing makes me yearn to see more.

Until the next post, CDGardens here at Timber Life signing out. Have a Great day!!!

Pond Fishing on the 4th of July

The 4th of July holiday last week brought a family Barbeque here at Timber Life.

I wanted to get our new house(still under construction) used to having people and laughter filling the interior.

Sweeping and vacuuming the bare plywood floors gave me visions of the future when it will be covered by laminated wood flooring.

The day was hot, but the afternoon activity included a visit to the neighbor's pond to do a little fishing.

Hubby packed the interested individuals into the pickup to head into the pasture to get a little closer. They didn't really want to carry fishing tackle for a quarter mile with a 6 year old fisher person in tow.

I stayed back at the homestead to pick things up after the Barbecue. Then spend some time visiting with our eldest daughter , her sister-in-law and baby girl.

The entourage was gone for a couple hours.Our granddaughter Alexa who happened to be the 6 year old was quite patient for her age. She is not one to keep at one task for very long. Finally, when she tired of the event she let it be known that "everyone had 5 minutes", then it was time to go back to Grandma and Papa's.

Those who decided to fish were treated to some largemouth bass and bluegill , catch and release was the method used for the day. In all they had 10 hits. The summertime vegetation has become an issue with reeling in the fish. One lure that seemed to  float above the plants was a frog lure, which seemed to get the bluegill going.

Grandson Nick with his largemouth bass

Grandson Nick found some success with snagging fish on the pond.

His Uncle is teaching him what he needs to know to catch a fish in whatever circumstance. Uncle Joe is to be commended for being a mentor - doing his part to get  young ones started in enjoying what the outdoors has to offer.

The camera on Nick's phone helped to record  the event so Grandma could see it before the fish went back to swim again...

High Winds Awakens Central Iowa

3:52 A.M. RUSHING Winds of 60 MPH +,pelting rains,thunder and lightening awoke me from a twilight slumber.

The electricity gave indications that it wouldn't be a reliable power source for much longer after I climbed out of bed.

I did have a chance to catch some weather news before modern technology grew silent. The news only reinforced what I saw in the light of the lightening and the noise of the thunder I heard echoing all around.

7:05 A.M., well after sunrise - technology remains silent. Mother-Nature has calmed down, but once in a while a few more drops of rain can be seen dropping into the puddles filled by the earlier deluge.

Quiet has returned,except for the birds which found their voices...Certainly, a more pleasant way to welcome the day than the rude awakening of a few hours ago.

Another hour and a half passed until electrical service returned to stir into action the machines that make daily living here at Timber Life move smoothly.

Trees on houses, new construction in progress collapsed, just tasseled corn unevenly fallen at the whim of the down bursts skipping over the area .

Assessing the damage has swung into gear.

The deer keep vigil  over the field corn . Tassels were beginning to come out, silk and ears would have been developing soon.It looks like the harvest for man and deer will be limited this season.

Our forecast for the early morning hours tomorrow brings a repeat of what was experienced this morning. It is going to be very interesting to see if it reaches the same intensity as it did today .

Wind speeds were estimated to be 105 MPH at the little town 6 miles to the west of us. People throughout central Iowa felt the devastating power of the air masses mixing it up. What a fight they had! I don't want to forget to mention anyone who has been affected by the weather, but I am better informed about our little section of the State. Please stay safe during these drastically hot days.

The ongoing strong weather for the summer of 2011...Where will it hit next?

Decorah IA Eagle Cam Update

Live Video streaming by Ustream

Months have passed since the public started their vigil in wait for three little eaglets to hatch.

At my present viewing I hear the parents from a distance calling to their two fledglings perched on the tree limbs around the nest.

One has now taken flight to a different position out of camera view.Now,the second fledgling has left. How swiftly they grow from chicks to semi-independent individuals.

The camera area is now empty of raptors...but the sounds of morning are filling the air.

Here's wishing you all a pleasant summer day in July!

Crayfish or Crawdad?

Parked on a city street in a suburb of Des Moines, IA , yesterday. I discovered a little crustacean with a  purpose making its way along the warm concrete.

I can't say I have ever seen one of these creatures in the great outdoors up until this point. 

So, I got camera lens to antenna for a close-up. Of course it took that to be an aggressive action so it raised its pinchers and  proceeded , determined to get wherever the natural instinct was drawing him/her.

Time wasn't being wasted in going from side to side...A straight line was the fastest way to achieve the objective. Get off the pavement before he/she got cooked.The day was heating up with the sun high in the sky -  it was close to noon.

    

I am left to wonder if this multi-legged ,two clawed, speedster had made a trip around the block, because it thought there was something better on the other side?

I have a feeling this is where the crawdad was going to make his/her walk-a-bout come to an end. Back in the safety of the urban pond bank...

Berry Picking Season Approaches

The Wild Raspberries are coloring up and should be ready for picking this week.  They are about a week behind in their maturing this year according to my recent past experiences.

I really like being out in the timber gathering both Wild Raspberries and Gooseberries in the company of all the other timber residents.The birds singing, deer and squirrels scampering, a refreshing solitude while I am out and about on my own.

Ever wonder what the the difference between Wild Raspberries vs Wild Blackberries happen to be?

I found a video done by Wild Edibles at Youtube, video quality is a little jumpy at times, but the information puts the fruits and plants side by side to give a greater insight how to identify our seasonal sweets. It isn't uncommon for them to exist in close proximity.

The Mulberries have been falling for about a week now here at Timber Life...

Changing the trail camera location I have found three species of ground bound animals enjoying the delectable treats , not to mention our feathered friends that are counted among the feast attendees.

Some people see the mulberries only as animal food,but if you have ever tasted them at the mature stage, you would find them full of sweet juice. Picking them with uncovered hands leaves a stain that takes a couple days  to wash away. Messy!

Another method for collection to avoid handling the berries is to put a catch cloth under the tree and shake or tap the fruit off like our  friend Casey is doing over at Fungal Threads.


                                                        Trail Camera Pictures

A Doe often seen around the homestead

Double the vision..

Some young Raccoons getting a feel for life in the timber.

Here's wishing you good luck on harvesting some of Nature's sweet treats while they are in season ...