In Jo's Yard - 55 Online Events

This past Friday, March 27, 2020, our Villages Chapter of The Florida Native Plant Society held its first online event  [The Villages Chapter-FNPS website]- Great Pollinators: Florida Native Bees and Honey Bees with Nini Connor and Jean the Beekeeper. 

My neighborhood, my county, my state – we are all doing our best to “flatten the curve” and slow or halt the spread of the corona virus.  The Villages, Florida is known for its active social life and abundance of activities from golf, pickle ball, swimming and over 3,000 clubs that cover crafts, physical and mental exercise and so on.  Everything has been shut down. 

I have a part-time job as an online classroom facilitator.  If you’ve ever attended a webinar, maybe for work, then you may understand – I keep the online platform running smoothly, and help the attendees set up their audio, tell them how to ask questions or get the handouts.  So the thought of having a group meet in a virtual classroom and hear a speaker by clicking a link on their individual computers is not new to me.  I set out to see if I could help TV-FNPS keep in touch this way.  Virtual platform software / subscriptions can be expensive, depending on how you want to use them though. 

Another of my clubs – The Villages Genealogy – holds monthly webinars for members.  So I got in touch with them to see if they could help us.  They graciously stepped up in a big way to share their paid subscription and expertise!  TV-FNPS had a wonderful attendance and participation.  Even members who were not in Florida joined and let us know they were happy to do so.  The presentation was recorded, and we hope to make the recording available on our website soon. 

So if we are still in this “self-quarantine” situation on April 24, 2020, or something similar another time in the future, we have alternative – a way to create a “new normal” and come together while staying apart!

In Jo's Yard - 54 Anoles

March 12, 2020 – I am in the Florida room on the phone with a friend.  The sunshade at the patio sliding door is up and I am looking out over the little patio.  My eye is caught by a bright green little anole on the white railing – it is a Florida Native Anole!  The first one I’ve ever seen, but I have no doubt.  I’ve seen hundreds of the brown Cuban anoles, all over the place and once even in my office wastebasket!  The green Florida native anoles are apparently a rare sight.  I SO -O-O hope that I see more of them in the future!  


The following article contains photos of both species.
UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions / Anoles

In Jo's Garden - 53 Gardening as Therapy

Today is March 15, 2020, and almost everywhere one turns, there is news of the Corona Virus as a world pandemic.  We are advised to help flatten the curve of the spread of the virus by self-isolating.  Mass gathering types of events are cancelled – movie theaters closed, show and concerts cancelled, club meetings cancelled. 

Everyone is encouraged to:  (1) Wash hands frequently  (2) Cough into your elbow  (3) Stop touching your face  (4) Practice Social Distancing (stay more than 3 feet from other people)  (5) If you feel sick, stay home. 

So my garden is even more therapy now than before.  It is fresh air and sunshine and beautiful colors and things coming to life.  And weeds …. But still, being out there in the mornings and listening to the birds singing is quite therapeutic.  It is mentally restful and spiritually renewing.  No matter what is happening in my life, time in the garden is well spent!  


Articles on the benefits of gardening:

Psychology Today, May 15 2015 Petal Power
Garden Tech, Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening
Mother Earth Living, May/June 2016, Figh Depression and Anxiety with a Therapy Garden

In Jo's Yard - 52 Mockingbirds

There are about a half dozen mockingbirds in the trees in the front yard.  I can always recognize Mockingbirds by the flash of white feathers on their wings. 

A group of Mockingbirds has many collective nouns, including an echo, exactness, plagiary, and a ridicule.  They are taking turns eating berries on the Simpson Stopper, waiting in the Flatwood Plum trees or the Wildflower garden for their turn.  Apparently only one bird in the Simpson Stopper tree at a time.  They are very territorial and will “defend” a food source from other birds.  On this day, they are vying or taking turns (depending on your point of view) eating ripe berries in the Simpson Stopper tree.  I’m very happy to provide brunch for them. 

The Northern Mockingbird was named the state bird of Florida in 1927.  I never really know if I’m hearing a Mockingbird since they are known for being able to mimic the songs of other birds, as well as insect and amphibian sounds, and sometimes even mechanical sounds.  Their own songs are quite beautiful, repeating a wide variety of notes. 

They are intelligent birds, able to recognize individual humans, particularly intruders or threats.  They will return to breeding spots or feeding areas where they’ve been successful in the past.  They are very territorial and do not like other birds or small animals invading their territory or creating disturbances in their territory.  


Sources:
Wikipedia
AllAboutBirds
YouTube video of Mockingbird Singing

                                                 Northern Mockingbird

Magenta Berries on my BeautyBerry

                                                        Berries on my Simpson Stopper

In Jo's Yard - 51 Get Ready for Lovebugs!

Get ready for Lovebugs Part 1 – April-May, followed by Part 2 in August-September.  Lovebugs are not native to Florida.  Researchers suspect they emigrated from Central America in the 1920s, and have since been helped by prevailing winds, vehicle traffic, sod transport and increased habitat along highways.  

Adult lovebugs die after their late summer breeding season, but their young live on. New small larvae will emerge as adults after the spring equinox on March 20, 2020.  Lovebugs are pollinators that do not bite or sting animals or humans.  Flung against moving cars, or squashed on fabrics, their bodies can corrode the finish on vehicles and stain fabrics.  It's recommended to clean them off regularly with dish soap on a soft scrubber, rinsed with water.  Vacuum bodes from interior spaces to avoid stains.  

Spraying with insecticides is not recommended, because lovebugs are widespread and insecticides would kill beneficial insects and work its way up the food chain. 

Sources:
Florida Today - May 2019
Citrus County Chronicle - Sept 2019
Wikipedia

                                                          Photo from Wikipedia