Koyote Hill: November Thanksgiving Mums and Oaks

The mums, purchased in late September, in the pot were done-in by a late October frost. The mums were once a brilliant white and are going to be moved to a nearby ground location when the small Oak Tree was discovered. And another acorn in the pot.

When the mums were purchased there wasn't an Oak Tree is sight for miles. But in the yard here, there's plenty of white and red Oaks. This seedling appears to be a white oak and was likely planted by a chipmunk? Perhaps, the warmer than normal temperatures and fleeting cold snaps help to germinate this seedling? It was just odd to see a seedling sprout, the National Tree, just before Thanksgiving. Any thoughts?

Garlic and potatoes are now planted in a raised bed, so the mums are next. If there is time, many other vegetables can be planted in November for an early spring harvest.

Happy Thanksgiving Thursday.

Uninvited Guests

Speaking of chipmunks and other unwanted household guests, it's that time of year to be on guard. Raccoons and possums can also be a major nuisance. But by far the most common winter time pest is the common mouse. There are several methods to get rid of these creatures, some very creative and others ghoulish. For more info on how to best handle the mice, learn more about the origins of the original mousetrap, A Better Mousetrap?

For some thoughts on other wildlife, winter problem animals, here.

The Flip Side of Powerful Winds

Earlier this past week, a series of violent thunderstorms, and even a tornado, were in the region. It's amazing while walking in the woods how many dead trees and branches were scattered about.

It's a good time to build a brush pile on some obscure corner of the property. The brushpiles provide shelter, safety and sometimes food for a wide range of smaller animals.

It is fun to watch the footprints coming and going in the snow. The tracks tell many stories.

A November Woods

Maybe there's a big bear over there?

After the severe weather on Monday, Nov. 14, the weather improved and by Saturday it was a great day to be in the Pennsylvania woods. My friend Tyler, his dog, Niki, me and my dog Yaw, decided to take a woods walk.

Deer rifle season in Pennsylvania opens Nov. 28 (New York opened Nov19) and the the signs of deer were numerous. Several buck rubs were discovered as well as, some well used trails. While hunting is basically an adult sport, children can become involved in the deer season.

The only green in the woods are the Christmas Ferns which can make a yard plant for one of those shady, wet spots. They remain green all year.

The scenes of the pepper spraying of non-violent students at UC- Davis were rather disgusting. Here is the link in case you want to view the police brutality. And here is a different angle of the police attack. The over-reaction of officials will only add more fuel to the movement as can be seen in dozens of countries in the world. There is a better way.

The OW movement stems from the Oligarchy here in the USA and the subsequent economic and social injustices. Despite what some say, the protesters are many more than students, who in Newt Gingrich's viewpoint (and other conservatives) need to take a shower and get a job (wonder what jobs?). There are many adults, senior citizens and veterans are joining in the movement.

Amazingly, a PR firm wants to charge a fee to certain clients to run a smear campaign against OW for a hefty fee. Of course twisting the truth is nothing new in America, it has been getting worse over the last decade or so.

Rural areas also suffer from the Oligarchy and need to pay attention and help to support the movement, after all most in the rural areas are the 99 %. More importantly, there are many Christian issues involved as this movement gathers steam.