B is for ....

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 This little lady here....

Monarch Butterfly Picture from Wikpedia

....picked our next flower. The "Butterflyweed" Asclepias tuberosa , also know as "orange milkweed" or "butterfly milkweed". This plant attracts many species of butterflies. The Monarch larvae feed on the leaves as well. This plant grows in the sandy open soils of the eastern half of Texas. While the butterflies love this plant, it is poisonous to cattle.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

   And of course I can't leave out this famous Texas flower, I think the state would revoke my birth certificate.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

   Of course this is the "Texas Bluebonnet" Lupinus texensis. The "State Flower of Texas" is the most widely planted flower by the Texas Highway Department. It blooms in March, April, and May. On sunny weekends during those months you will find people stopping along the roads to take pictures in the bluebonnets. Just remember to watch for ants before you plop the baby in the middle of a beautiful bunch for that picture.

Want to know the legend of the bluebonnet check out my blog post from last year here.

A is for...

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    It has arrived the April 1st. The beginning of the A to Z challenge, also known as April Fool's Day. Hmm, I wonder if that is intentional.

  If you are new to my blog, Welcome. If not, well you know are welcome, just don't expect me to put out the good china. You guys have already seen the everyday stuff with the chipped edge.

   This year I decided to go with a Theme for the challenge. That theme is Texas Wildflowers in honor of spring. So come on along for the ride through Texas as she shows off her colors. And just think you don't have to by gas.

Ladies and Gentlemen (and all the rest of you too) let's get this show on the road.

   We start the month with... "Arrowwood Viburnum" Viburnum dentatum also known as "Southern Arrowwood". This shrub grown in the sandy soils of east Texas. The Native Americans would use the straight branches to make their arrows, thus the name. This plant blooms from April through July.

Picture from University of Texas Plant Resource Center

It's almost here...

Can you beleive it tomorrow is April 1st and the beganing of the A to Z challange.

So are you ready?

(Humm, coffee....check, computer...check, wine...check, number to the funny farm...check, okay I think I'm as ready as I will ever be. Dang it, I forgot to take that speed-reading course.) 


Have you already got some of your post done?

(Crap is it the end of March already...I had better get by butt in gear.)


Are you doing a Theme? I know Laura Eno is all about Immortals, myths and legends I can't wait.

(It's spring right... I think I will do wildflowers of Texas. And what ever else pops into my head. Hey, it's really crowded up there. Sometimes I just can't keep it all in.)


Have you warmed up? You know you need to stretch your fingers, brain and eyes you don't want to get injured do you.

(Okay, eyes ....left...right...left...right...)


Here is the schedule of post....



Why not join the fun. Click on the badge on the left side bar to sign up. There are already 1500 bloggers signed up.

(1500... I need more coffee ... and more wine....)

Ready.... Set..... GO...

Neat Places to own...

   I have been crusing around the internet and guess what I found. The US government auction site. I thought I would check out what they had and look what I found for sale ....

Gull Island Lighthouse

Orient Point Lighthouse

Penfield Reef Lighthouse

Miah Maull Shoal Lighthouse

Moose Peak Lighthouse

Cheesepeak Lighthouse
(Okay, I think this one would be scary to live-in)

   You can buy the lighthouse but the Coast Guard still comes by to run the light and fog signals. Wait, all those young men in uniform dropping by hmmm.... oh and women too for you guys.

US Coast Guard Personel

This thing just keeps getting better and better.


   But if a lighthouse isn't up your alley, how about this....

Plum Island, NY

  You can buy your own island. Plum Island is 840 acres with a 9.5 acre facility and comes with marine ferries (the type you ride on the water, not Tinker Bells friends)

   Just think of all solitude you would have to work on those novels you want to write.

   You can check them out for yourself at the Government site here.

Happy St. Patty's Day...

   Okay everyone, get out your green and get ready to PARTY!!! This is the one time of the year everyone is Irish or at least acts like they are.

   So this post is dedicated to Ireland....

Eire and Ireland are the same
(I love this Map)

  So to celebrate you can go to the green island to visit the castles...

Malahide Castle home of The Talbot for over 800 years (1185 to 1973)

Cahir Castle

Walk in the green fields with the sheep....



Dance in the moonlight at the Druid's Altar (clothing optional)...




But of course a trip to Ireland just isn't complete without a trip here...

Blarney Castle

To climb to the top of the battlements for a quick kiss here...

   Did you know the Blarney Stone is also known as "The Stone of Eloquence" . Legend has it that if you kiss it you will have eternal eloquence and never be at a loss for words. 

   

   Does it really work? Ask these people...

Winston Churchill

Mick Jagger
singer, songwriter

  

Milton S. Hershey
Yeah the Chocolate Kisses guy
Wonder were he got his idea...
 

Sir Walter Scott
Author

Nelly Bly
Pioneering Female
Journalist 

One of the few who made it from Silent to Talking movies

(Hmmm, I think I need to make a trip to Ireland.)

But if you are like me and unable to make the trip to Ireland, no problem.

Just wear your green and lift a pint of your favorite Irish stout...

Guinness

Add caption

(What you thought there was only Guinness...)

And make your favorite Irish toast....

Add caption

(Don't know any.... click here)

And don't stop until you see Green People.

May you have all the happiness,

And luck that life can hold-

And at the end of your rainbows

May you find a pot of gold.

For more fun, games, songs and stories check out this Ireland site.