Prairie Update

After less than a month the prairie is back to its lush and verdant self;








you'd barely know we'd done any burning at all. There definitely seem to be fewer weeds, clover, etc. in the portions we burned.















The main flower we're seeing blooming right now is zizia aurea or Golden Alexanders














Here and there we're finding some aquilegia canadensis, Wild Columbine







there are lots of tiny polygonatum canalicalatum (Great Solomon's Seal) and polemonium reptans (Jacob's Ladder) but none of these have seen fit to bloom yet.










The other new bloomer, although not a prairie plant, but rather one that I threw in the ground at the edge of the prairie a couple of years ago is this pretty lupine

Mac Mediacast

Great new blog/podcast (actually a vidcast) from Joseph Nilo: The Mac mediacast. Lots, I mean lots of great info, not only for pros, but for us 'prosumers'. Looks like a great resource!

April Is Up

Click on John to see what there is of April. What there is is OK.

Muffin's Birthday Dinner

Last night we went to dinner with Michael and Martha at La Grolla on Selby Ave in St. Paul. We gathered to celebrate Martha's birthday (which was actually the previous Thursday). We had fun watching all of the prom kids disembarking from rented buses, in their incredible prom finery. (Boy, the level of 'fashion' has really changed since I was that age, but then again I was never a prom-goer.)

We had a great meal, Carrie and I split an appetizer and an entree, Capellini al Pomodoro and we couldn't quite finish it. (A lunch for later this week.) Great food, wine and a sinful dessert as well. And Michael graciously and generously treated us to this wonderful meal. Thank you Michael!

After our dinner we went to Michael's place and played games for a bit before heading home.

Here's Martha, opening her birthday card at the restaurant. She looks pretty happy, no?

Prairie Burn, 2007

Last Sunday we had the first ever controlled burn of a couple of sections of the native prairie that pretty much surrounds our house. The prairie was 'installed' by an outfit called Prairie Nursery in September of 2004. Apparently they're fairly well-known and respected in the area of native prairie restoration and installation.

This being the third year of growth, it's the first spring we're able to manage part of the prairie through burning. Of course we jumped at the chance!

We had the help of Christine and Richard...


As well as Bob Gunn.


We were glad of their help.
The actual burning went a little slower than we'd expected, and it wasn't until about halfway through that Richard suggested knocking down some of the taller vegetation to encourage a quicker burn. That worked well. The only 'incident' was the bottom of one leg of my jeans catching fire. Working a little too close, I guess.



Other parts of the prairie we mowed, and still other parts were left as they were, with last years growth remaining in place. All set for new spring growth, and then last night, as if on cue, we had a good soaking rain. Excellent timing.