Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 12:09:36 -0400
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: Small happenings . . .
Was working and glanced down at an empty black plastic flower pot and thought there was a fluffy bright yellow feather on the edge. Bent over and on close inspection found it was a very hairy wooly worm. The hairs down the middle of back were Mohawk in appearance. Puzzled, I asked local expert Al Cooke. “Don’t touch it” he said, “the ones with hair
are usually stingers”.
I walked out of a storage building, returned 30 mins later and as I opened the door, there on a white plastic bag appeared to be a black belt or a huge piece of liquorish candy! Its’ slight movement told me it was neither. Realizing it was a two foot black snake, the cool weather had dampened its spirit. Quick thinking was in order. I did not want it to escape deeper into the building. I slowly withdrew, found my camera, a pair of gloves. The object was to take a picture of the snake and catch it to boot. I took the picture- Then with the sneaking boldness of grabbing a cobra by the back of the neck, I seized the opportunity.
Got it. Managed to snap a pic with snake in one hand and camera in the other. He was carefully carried outside and released. Much to his liking and mine.
Last fall, I noticed some spectacular sunflower type plants blooming beside Habitat offices. They were tall and beautiful. I asked the manager Brian if I could get some cuttings and some seeds. He agreed. I did, and planted last fall. This year, I have some of those beauties blooming in my Chatham Garden. This week I looked at Habitat to see what those were doing- They had been completely removed and replaced with mulch. And true to Habitat habitual doings, Brian has been replaced too. Joining the long line of Managers who have bit the dust as the firm is “helping ” those in need.
Visited the Pittsboro Antiques Fair yesterday. Was pleasantly surprised at what I found. There was a good selection of primitive and country goods- I have been in the trade since 1965 and there is little that I have not seen- but I did see three things there that I have never seen before. I’m just saying . . .
N.A. Booko