Nature – The Petrini Page

Two Toads

Bob and I took a walk through the neighborhood last evening, and we were surprised to see a toad on a walkway in front of a house. I remember frequently seeing toads (and frogs, turtles, skunks, and salamanders) in residential areas when I was a kid, but I seldom see them anymore. It was theContinue reading “Two Toads”

Wordless Wednesday: National Nature Photography Day

Hummingbirds!

The hummingbirds have returned! Or different hummingbirds have. I haven’t decided yet. Last summer, a female hummingbird set up housekeeping in our yard. She laid two eggs, enjoyed the sugar water in our hummingbird feeders, and raised twin sons. I named the three Molly, Fred, and George, and we enjoyed watching them all summer. ThisContinue reading “Hummingbirds!”

Houseguests and Turtles

I’ve barely posted on this blog in the past week or so, except for quick, general stuff like lists of writers’ birthdays and photos in honor of the occasional weird holiday. That’s because we’ve been busy here with houseguests. I’ve managed to find some time to edit chapters of the science-fiction book I’m working on,Continue reading “Houseguests and Turtles”

Shellebration!

Happy World Turtle Day! Yes, today really is World Turtle Day, sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle.

Photo Friday: Shire Night

The nights were dark in the rural Virginia area where I stayed in a Hobbit House this week. But that made the lit windows of the dugout look all the more homey.

The Door to Spring

We’ve had lovely weather, with temperatures in the 60s. The forsythia, daffodils, and apple blossoms are blooming in my yard. Spring seemed to be here, so I replaced the winter wreath with the spring wreath — and within hours, winter was back. It’s 40 degrees out now, and going below freezing tonight. I wanted toContinue reading “The Door to Spring”

Neither Rain nor Snow….

I mentioned a few days ago that we were expecting a snowstorm on Saturday. We got it. I woke up in Harrisonburg, Virginia, yesterday morning to thickly falling snow. But neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night will keep me from getting my kid home for spring break. So after breakfast, I quickly packedContinue reading “Neither Rain nor Snow….”

Winter Weather Advisory

This afternoon it was 63 degrees out, here in Harrisonburg, with a gentle breeze. A few little white clouds embellished a clear blue sky. And a Winter Storm Advisory begins in about 10 hours, with ice and snow. The following night, the temperature dips to 7 degrees. So much for spring weather. Officials are advisingContinue reading “Winter Weather Advisory”

Mouse Eggs

This morning, a post on an online home-improvement page startled me. A woman worried about how much it would cost to replace a lot of insulation in her home. Mice had gotten into the old insulation. She said they were pooping there and laying their eggs. Laying their eggs???