Full Arbor Day Moon

4-22-24: I know, I know, I have been slacking. My excuse is that life got in my way and I'm sticking to that one until a better comes along. Happy Earth Day y'all!

4-6-24 When is Arbor Day? Nationally it is this Friday, April 26. FM happens Tuesday at sunset, about 740, according to my app. Here we go, in Louisiana we do it different which is not a surprise for a state that is more like a third world country in most folks eyes. Our Arbor Day is third Friday of January, usually a cold rainy day. This is perfect for Louisiana since our soil never freezes and root growth is always happening while the top is dormant because of the cool weather. Perfect storm for establishment. Read: Less watering all summer!

This year our Arbor Day was April 6 for all sorts of reasons. Our public library is built in a Historic stand of fine old live oak trees. In the last two years one was struck and killed by lightning. The wheels of government move slow as you know. Eventually the dead tree was removed and the stump ground down. Then sidewalk reconstruction had to be planned and executed. Our window for timely planting (third Friday in January) was missed so we did the deed ASAP. April 6. On April 6, in our downtown historic district we also had the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, in full swing y'all.

So why not Arbor Day too? I found a small gang of male and female Boy Scouts who were helping out at the Festival (I knew this bunch, having worked a service project with them, I just knew they would be great). The girls would dig the hole and plant the tree, the boys would wear their class A uniforms and raise the flag, then the boys would help get the large live oak into the hole.

This was the finest of Arbor Day Ceremonies. Scouts raised the flag, a Wounded Warrior led the pledge, Paula led singing of 'God Bless America'. Cathy blessed the tree and the group. I told her I needed a good Methodist for this bc conservative Methodists pray well and she did and she wore her good pearls too! Margaret performed a Haiku Sonnet accompanied by Francisco Gonzalez a young Argentinian violinist who then sang Handel's Largo an aria in Latin about a tree. The Parish President was busy down the street so he sent his CAO Beau to read the Arbor Day proclamation. 

YEOWSER Y'ALL this was the grandest of Arbor Days! Then we planted the tree. Everyone went home smiling afterward.

2-24-24 Got a squawk today from David Lee the world traveler that he is. He was overwhelmed by his first synchronous full moon set/sun rise. Yay Dave! He was spouting words (he is a word smith) like wowsered, incredulity, beautiful and gorgeous. I am so proud to know him.

3-14-24 First returning RTHM hummer of season, a male.

3-19-24 Spring Equinox y'all

Historic return date for MIKIs in Iberia Parish, City Park Boat Dock is Earth Day, 4-22-24  y'all.

4-18-24 MIKI over my home in Lower Upper St Martin, Teche Ridge, LUSMTR. Some folks would say "But that ain't City Park!"

OK we are waiting, no more MIKIs sighted

EARTH DAY POETRY:

windy writing time

hear purple martins call

distant dawn song

                Margaret Simon

Quote:

Doubt everything. Find your own life.

                Buddia

This has been the spring of the Red Buckeye. My best buckeye has been showing bud color since mid February and is still in full red bloom today. A grand Shrubby tree, 12' h X 16'w, spectacular. Harvey has one 20' tall but not so wide with a more robust bloom spike, but not so many as mine.

Full moon rises tonight as the sun sets, Here on the gulf rim we are gifted with cloudless skies and cool weather. Bring it on!

Don't forget to drag your fam out from under the trees into the open so that you get a good look. A bit of the tart red might be in order and be sure to unplug your youth and old people so that they can cheer on our moonrise together.

peace love and possum hugs

BT