THE BERRIES ARE READY. DO YOU WANT TO COME OVER FOR COBBLER AND HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM PHOTO BLOG?)

Hi Everybody:
I have a berrylicious post for You tonight! June1 signals the arrival of the ripe dewberry days!  My dewberry days began about 50 years ago with family treks out to dewberry patches anywhere in South Texas. There was a dress code by Dad: boots, jeans, long sleeved shirts, and a hat (to go out in 100 degree heat). The long sleeves were to help protect from the scratchy thorns on the vines. The boots were to protect from the snakes hiding in the briars. The procedure was to whack the ground in front of every step to scare away the snakes. When arriving at the berry patch, you poke the stick in first and turn it to expose the berries inside. Then you fill up all your buckets with as many of the endless berries as you want! Of course, I ate all I could also, so I went away with purple stains on my mouth, face, fingers and long sleeved shirt! I was always more purple than the other kids (still am!)

As a kid, I wondered why the snakes liked the berries so much that they lived in the berry patches. We never actually saw any back then, but that was because of all the whacking we did. I did not find out until a few years ago that snakes do not eat the berries as I assumed. They eat the mice and other rodents that come for the berries!

In these modern days, I bought the hybrid berries to plant in my garden. They come back every year. They are larger and less seedy than the original Texas berries. They also grow on upward vines so you can see the ground (and/or snakes). No need to carry the stick anymore, wear the boots, jeans or long sleeved shirts to trek miles across the countryside. I just walk outside Kates Cabin, barefoot and in my pjs and fill up the bucket. (I do sometimes still whack the stick just because it was fun). While the cobbler is baking, I make the homemade ice cream (with electricity, not crank). I remember all those old family outings (and whacking my brother with the stick). I remember Moms smiling face looking at all her purple mouthed kids bringing her their buckets of berries (and Dad reassuringly relating to her no snakes this time). The kids played in the wading pool while the cobbler baked. Dad hand cranked the ice cream. The days were good. The crowning moment came after dinner when the cobbler came out. With a large family, it always disappeared. Yes, summer is here.

The rewards are different today. I have the great memories, the great berries, better cobbler than anyone makes and being alone now, I get to eat the whole thing! Enjoy your dewberry photostudy and Welcome to Summer!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewberry

Dewberry

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The dewberries are a group of species in the genus Rubus, section Rubus, closely related to the blackberries. They are small trailing (rather than upright or high-arching) brambles with berries reminiscent of the raspberry, but are usually purple to black instead of red. Unlike many other Rubus species, dewberries have separate male and female plants (they are dioecious) (Burbank, methods and applications 3, AD 1914).^{[citation needed]}

Dewberries are common throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere, sometimes thought of as a nuisance weed, but the leaves can be used for a tea, and the berries are sweet and edible. They can be eaten raw, or used to make cobbler, jam, or pie.

Around March and April, the plants start to grow white flowers that develop into small green berries. The tiny green berries grow red and then a deep purple-blue as they ripen. When the berries are ripe, they are tender and difficult to pick in any quantity without squashing them. The plants do not have upright canes like some other Rubusspecies, but have stems that trail along the ground, putting forth new roots along the length of the stem. The stems are covered with fine spines or stickers. The berries are sweet and, for many, less seedy than blackberries and worth the scratches and stains that come from picking them.

In the winter the leaves often remain on the stems, but may turn dark red. The leaves are sometimes eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including peach blossom moths.

I found the following article in the Google Index by:  Doyle Driver.
He captures the spirit of the old dewberry days around Houston Area.   Doyle Driver is a native Texan reared in Hardeman County and a 40-year resident of Conroe. He can be reached at doyledriver@yahoo.com.

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/opinion/copperheads-dewberries-and-nature/article_dca2dc06-335a-5c81-a688-e46d95cf09f5.html
This is an excerpt. Please see above link for complete article:

Copperheads, dewberries and nature

For awhile, I refused to give in and pick berries for a dewberry cobbler. Eventually, I succumbed to the 

thoughts of a bowl of juicy dewberry cobbler topped with Bluebell Homemade Vanilla. But, it was the 

thought of berry juice bubbling through the sugary coated, thin, crisp, brown crust that did me in! 

Anyway, after work one warm late-spring afternoon, Pat, the boys and I went berry picking in John and 

Marilyn Mayes’ vacant lot in back of River Plantation.

The heat would have been unbearable had it not been for ripe clusters of oversized dewberries awaiting 

the harvest. By the end of an hour, we’d picked a couple of gallons, filling our milk cartons to the brim,

 so we headed home singing all the way.

After arriving at home, I decided to soak the berries in cold water before storing them in the hydrator 

drawer of our refrigerator. Much to my chagrin, tiny worms were floating on the water’s surface. I didn’t 

bother to tell Pat and the boys; I just supposed what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. Anyway, no 

one was the wiser, and nobody came down with anything — although thoughts of having them “de-

wormed” did enter my mind!

As I became aware of the copper-colored vipers, I began watching for them in our yard. It seemed each 

time I mowed, at least one or more copperheads were hacked to pieces by the mower. Our Dachshund 

was bitten twice at our back door and suffered in misery for days. Had the snakes realized the enemy they

 were making, they would have steered clear of him. From that day forward, he was a snake hunter 

deluxe; he hated them with a passion. Each spring when the rains come, my thoughts turn to dewberries, 

and I long for a fresh dewberry cobbler. Then, my thoughts quickly turn to copperhead snakes, dwelling 

within the confines of the berry patch, and I’m thankful for grocers who carry all sorts of berries for 

making cobblers.

THE GUARD DOG OF THE BERRIES:  LITTLE KING



THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER HAVE ARRIVED AS WE HIT 96 DEGREES TODAY AND REALLY NO RAIN FOR MONTHS.  THERE ARE MORE CLOUDS THAN I HAVE SEEN IN YEARS, BUT THEY DO NOT RAIN ON ME HERE. THE DROUGHT CONTINUES AT RAINBOW CREEK.


THE BLACK QUEEN IN WAITING:  FAT SISSY

THE RED QUEEN IS FADING:  KAY LONNIE WRAY (AKA MISS AMERICA). SHE CLIMBS THE STAIRWAY TO HER STAGE ONCE MORE FOR AN ENCORE TO HER FANS

SHE IS HEADING BACK DOWN TO GET CLOSER TO HER FANS

SHE LOOKS OUT OVER HER MILLIONS OF WAVING FANS

AND GIVES THEM A BIG BBBBBAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUU

THE FANS GO WILD WAVING IN THE WIND AS SHE GETS OUT ONE MORE
BBBBBBAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

SHE WAGS HER TAIL AS THE FANS GO CRAZY FOR HER
(FAT SISSY SAYS:  OH BROTHER, GIVE ME A BREAK)

THE FANS ARE CHEERING HER ON, BUT HER STRENGTH IS FADING. SHE MAKES IT BACK TO HER BED WHERE SHE IS RESTING PEACEFULLY.  IT IS DIFFICULT TO FACE THE FACT THAT DOGS DO NOT LIVE AS LONG AS HUMANS. KAY HAS HAD A GOOD LIFE WITH MOM AND ME. WE LOVE OUR DOGS.
PLEASE DON'T EVER TELL HER THAT THE FANS ARE ONLY LOWLY LEAVES ON TREES!
EVEN LOWLY LEAVES ON TREES COUNT AS THEY WAVE WILDLY AT KAY, SHE IS ONE HAPPY DOG!


MIMOSA TREES IN FULL BLOOM ON THE CREEK

UPDATE ON ROCKY RACCOON:  ROCKY MAY HAVE COME FROM MEXICO AS THAT DUDE LOVES TACOS! HE IS THE ONLY RESIDENT WHO CONSUMES FAST FOOD.  HE GETS 2 TACOS ONCE A WEEK. HERE HE IS STEALING AWAY WITH THE PRIZE. I WILL TRY TO GET A SHOT OF HOW HE HOLDS THEM AND EATS THEM NEXT TIME!

UPDATE ON PRINCE ANOLE~:  LOOK WHERE HE SHOWED UP TODAY! ON ONE OF MOMS OLD BIRD ORNAMENTS. DOES THIS GUY HAVE A PERSONALITY OR WHAT? (THE ONLY WAY I KNOW IT IS THE PRINCE IS BY THE MISSING TAIL)!

UPDATE ON THE BABY CARDINALS:
THE BROWN ONE IS THE NEWEST ARRIVAL. THE RED ONE IS ALSO A BABY, ABOUT 3 WEEKS OLDER WITH ALL HIS NEW RED FEATHERS!

...this is brendasue signing off from Rainbow Creek. See You next time. Thanks for stopping by Kates Cabin to visit! I hope one day I can 3D copy you a bowl of hot dewberry cobbler and homemade vanilla ice cream You can enjoy while you view the pics! Can You taste it yet?   Love to All

THE TAIL END:

o+o

OH! LONESOME RINGNECK DOVE, OLEANDER POISON, AND A SNEAK PEAK AT UNIQUE RABBIT (A WHAT'S IN YOUR YARD PHOTO BLOG)

Hi Everybody!!
What's In Your Yard?  
A Summer Project: Get to know what is in your yard. If You have no yard, go to a Park or Botanical Garden. And, if You have no plants at all, forget the plants and learn the stars!
It helps to remember there are a limited number of plants, birds, insects, etc. Once You know them, it will not be necessary to learn any more (until they are discovered). Start small in your own location, photograph your stuff and upload it to Picasa Web or Google+ to share with all of us!  It is that easy-so go shoot that tree you see everyday and look it up in Google Index.  You will then always know like,  a pine tree is a pine tree. You better hurry if You are going to catch up with me! That is how I got to know Birds and tonight I have a beauty for You:
Enjoy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring-necked_Dove

Ring-necked Dove

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola), also known as the Cape Turtle Dove or Half-collared Dove, is a widespread and often abundant dove species in East and southern Africa. It is a mostly sedentary bird,^[2][3] found in a catholic variety of open habitats. Within range, its penetrating and rhythmic, three-syllabled crooning is a familiar sound at any time of the year.^[3] Its name is derived from the semi-collar of black feathers on the lower nape,^[4] a feature shared with a number of Streptopelia species. Like all doves they depend on surface water. They congregate in large flocks at waterholes in dry regions^[2] to drink and bathe.^[5]

Ring-necked Dove
S. c. damarensis at a Kgalagadi waterhole
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Streptopelia
Species:	S. capicola
Binomial name
Streptopelia capicola (Sundevall, 1857)

Appearance [edit]

Their body feathers are darkest on the upper side, where they are coloured in dull tones of grey and brown, with shades of lavender on the nape.^[6] It is paler below, where a tint of pinkish lavender is usually present. The lower belly and crissum is white.^[4] As with related species, they have white fringes and conspicuous white tips to the otherwise slate grey tail feathers. The tail pattern is particularly noticeable during the display flight.

Individual plumage variation is high, with some light and others almost sooty.^[5] Males and females look alike, although the males are slightly bigger. They measure 25–26.5 cm (9.8–10.4 in) in length^[4] and weigh 92–188 g (3.2–6.6 oz).^[7][8][9] The eyes are almost black, the bill is black and the feet are dark purple.^[4][5]

An immature is duller^[10] and lacks the semi-collar of an adult. It also has buff edges to all the upper part and wing covert feathers, while the plumage below is broadly edged greyish-white.^[2]

Habitat [edit]

It occupies a diverse range of habitat types, including semi-desert scrub, Boscia and Acacia savannah, a variety of woodland types, farmlands, open plantations and alien acacia thickets. Only closed forest or plantations,^[3] or the extensive waterless dune fields and gravel plains of the Namib^[6] are unsuited to their requirements. In southern Africa they are most commonly observed in fynbos regions, miombo and mopanewoodlands, besides any grassland types from moist to dry regions.^[3] Their presence in the latter areas has been facilitated by the planting of trees in groves, for instance around farm homesteads.

They are vulnerable at exposed waterholes or in plantations where they are preyed on by Lanner Falcons and Black Sparrowhawks respectively.^[2] In addition they are preyed on by reptiles, wild cats, jackals, genets, herons, storks, eagles and Barn Owls.^[6] Nests are vulnerable to birds, snakes and locally, grey squirrel.

Seasonal movements are most noticeable in tropical areas, while nomadic movements occur in arid environments with limited resources.^[6] They seldom occur above 2,000 metres.^[4]

Habits [edit]

These doves are usually found alone or in pairs, although they do form larger flocks around roosts or sources of food and water,^[4][3] sometimes comprising hundreds of birds. They are quite noisy in these groups, not only for the various calls they make throughout the day, or often into (mainly moonlit)^[6] nights, but also due to the loud clatter^[4] of their wings when they take flight.

Their song is a loud and harsh^[2] “kuk-COORRRR-uk, ...”^[10] (sometimes interpreted as 'how's father?'^[10] or 'work harder') which they may repeat ten to forty times. Less often a repeated “wuh-ka-RROOO, ...” may be given.^[4] A raspy, snarling “kooorr”, or “knarrrrrr”, call is often given when it alights on a perch,^[2]arrives at an incubating mate or chases another dove away.^[6] Ring-necked Doves roost in treetops during the night and forage for food on the ground by day. Peak foraging times are early morning and late afternoon,^[6] and they drink mainly in the morning. When they walk on the ground, their heads bob back and forth with each small step.^[5]

The Ringneck Dove was in the Lumber Yard

1. Edit photos - Picasa and Picasa Web Albums Help

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 The Oleanders are in My Yard!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleander

Nerium

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nerium oleander (pron.: /ˈnɪəriəm ˈoʊliː.ændər/)^[2] is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane familyApocynaceae, toxic in all its parts. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium. It is most commonly known as oleander, from its superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive Olea.^{[Note 1]} It is so widely cultivated that no precise region of origin has been identified, though southwest Asia has been suggested. The ancient city of Volubilis in Morocco may have taken its name from the Berber name oualilt for the flower.^[3]Oleander is one of the most poisonous of commonly grown garden plants.

Nerium
Nerium oleander in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Subfamily:	Apocynoideae
Tribe:	Wrightieae
Genus:	Nerium L.
Species:	N. oleander
Binomial name
Nerium oleander L.
Synonyms
Nerium indicum Mill. Nerium odorum Aiton[1]

Toxicity [edit]

Nerium oleander has historically been considered a poisonous plant because some of its compounds may exhibit toxicity, especially to animals, when consumed in high amounts. Among these compounds are oleandrin and oleandrigenin, known as cardiac glycosides, which are known to have a narrowtherapeutic index and can be toxic when ingested.

Toxicity studies of animals administered oleander extract concluded that rodents and birds were observed to be relatively insensitive to oleander cardiac glycosides.^[11] Other mammals, however, such as dogs and humans, are relatively sensitive to the effects of cardiac glycosides and the clinical manifestations of "glycoside intoxication".^[11][12][13]

However, despite the common "poisonous" designation of this plant, very few toxic events in humans have been reported. According to the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS) in 2002 there were 847 human exposures to oleander reported to poison centers in the United States.^[14] Despite this exposure level, from 1985 through 2005, only three deaths were reported. One cited death was apparently due to the ingestion of oleander leaves by a diabetic man.^[15]His blood indicated a total blood concentration of cardiac glycosides of approximately 20 μg/L which is well above the reported fatal level. Another study reported on the death of a woman who self-administered "an undefined oleander extract" both orally and rectally and her oleandrin tissue levels were 10 to 39 μg/g which were in the high range of reported levels at autopsy.^[16] And, finally, one study reported the death of a woman who ingested oleander 'tea'.^[17] Few other details were provided.

In contrast to consumption of these undefined oleander derived materials, there is no toxicity or deaths reported from topical administration or contact withNerium oleander or specific products derived from them. In reviewing oleander toxicity Lanford and Boor^[18] concluded that, except for children who might be at greater risk, "the human mortality associated with oleander ingestion is generally very low, even in cases of moderate intentional consumption (suicide attempts)."^[18]

Toxicity studies that have been conducted in dogs and rodents administered oleander extracts by intramuscular (IM) injection indicated that on an equivalent weight basis, doses of an oleander extract with glycosides 10-times in excess of those likely to be administered therapeutically to humans are still safe and without any "severe toxicity observed".^[19]

Effects of poisoning [edit]

Oleandrin, one of the toxins present in Oleander

Reactions to ingestion of this plant can include both gastrointestinal and cardiac effects. The gastrointestinal effects can consist of nausea and vomiting, excess salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea that may or may not contain blood, and especially in horses, colic.^[6] Cardiac reactions consist of irregular heart rate, sometimes characterized by a racing heart at first that then slows to below normal further along in the reaction. The heart may also beat erratically with no sign of a specific rhythm. Extremities may become pale and cold due to poor or irregular circulation. Reactions to poisonings from this plant can also affect the central nervous system. These symptoms can include drowsiness, tremors or shaking of the muscles, seizures, collapse, and even coma that can lead to death.

Oleander sap can cause skin irritations, severe eye inflammation and irritation, and allergic reactions characterized by dermatitis.^[20]

Treatment [edit]

Poisoning and reactions to oleander plants are evident quickly, requiring immediate medical care in suspected or known poisonings of both humans and animals.^[20] Induced vomiting and gastric lavage are protective measures to reduce absorption of the toxic compounds. Charcoal may also be administered to help absorb any remaining toxins.^[6] Further medical attention may be required and will depend on the severity of the poisoning and symptoms. Temporary cardiac pacing will be required in many cases (usually for a few days) till the toxin is excreted.

Digoxin Immune Fab is the best way to cure an oleander poisoning if inducing vomiting has no or minimal success, although it is usually used only for life-threatening conditions due to side-effects.^{[citation needed]}

Drying of plant materials does not eliminate the toxins. It is also hazardous for animals such as sheep, horses, cattle and other grazing animals, with as little as 100 g being enough to kill an adult horse.^[21] Plant clippings are especially dangerous to horses, as they are sweet. In July 2009, several horses were poisoned in this manner from the leaves of the plant.^[22] Symptoms of a poisoned horse include severe diarrhea and abnormal heartbeat. There is a wide range of toxins and secondary compounds within oleander, and care should be taken around this plant due to its toxic nature. Different names for oleander are used around the world in different locations, so, when encountering a plant with this appearance, regardless of the name used for it, one should exercise great care and caution to avoid ingestion of any part of the plant, including its sap and dried leaves or twigs. The dried or fresh branches should not be used for spearing food, for preparing a cooking fire, or as a food skewer. Many of the oleander relatives, such as the Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) found in East Africa, have similar leaves and flowers and are equally toxic.

Mr Whiskers is in Billy's Yard

How do you catch a unique rabbit?? You 'neak up on him!!!!!!!!

...this is brendasue signing off from Rainbow Creek. See You next time! Dare I ask:  
What's In Your Yard?????????????

O+O