Part of the sustainable lifestyle is paying attention to the messages Nature is trying to send us. Nature does communicate with us (I won't want to get all woo-woo here) and we do not listen to Nature at our peril.
Here it is, January 19 in upstate NY. It is in the 40's (again, after it cooled down and we got snow a couple of times this week) and the snow is melting.
So, spouse and I came home from our food shopping, and what did I see as I walked to our front door but a flying insect. (!) It looked like a large mosquito.
We do have something we call snow bugs that used to come out in the February snow, but I haven't seen them in a few years. This hopefully, was not a termite.
When I went to the back yard to see if we did have snow bugs, I first looked around, at the beauty of the view of the creek behind our house, near its merge point with the Susquehanna River:
Then I looked a little closer. In the melting snow, the garlic foliage was still green, and I saw something sprouting. Not a winter bulb - could have been an onion missed from last year, or more garlic.
I am trying to figure out this message from Nature. I do know those early insects may have a short life. By Tuesday we are going to have highs in the teens F. (the minus teens, for those using Celsius).
What are your messages from Nature where you live? Are things "out of whack"?
Here in SC, we have a ladybug invasion. We notice them mostly in rooms facing west and south. Last week our temps were in the 60s and 70s ... we're now in a "cold snap" (50s). I know this is no laughing matter. But I'd rather save those ladybugs for June when I need them to eat my aphids. I'm sure you agree!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do agree. Ladybugs are so beneficial, and beautiful, too. I've loved them since I was a child. I've heard of ladybug invasions here in upstate NY but have been fortunate enough not to have experienced one.
DeleteOh! We've definitely had an up and down winter as far as temps! I love seeing the first green shoots coming up, but not crazy about the bugs returning! Will you mulch the garlic shoot to protect it from freezing or let it be?
ReplyDeleteAnne
I am going to let it be. Meanwhile, as I write this is it is 8 above zero, with almost no snow cover, so those insects may be sorry they hatched out early.
DeleteThings have been getting out of whack for a while, and I'd say increasingly so. To me it seems the message from Nature is pretty clear. I have to wonder how many catastrophes it's going to take before there is a consensus for getting a grip on climate change.
ReplyDeleteEven after Superstorm Sandy, I fear too many people still "haven't gotten it".
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