…And that is just the point… how the world, moist and beautiful, calls to each of us to make a new and serious response. That’s the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. “Here you are, alive. Would you like to make a comment?”    (Mary Oliver, 1935 – )

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From Jim Varnum’s file “Jokes for and about gardeners…”

* Man:    Doctor, I can’t stop singing “The Green, Green Grass Of Home.” Can you help me?                          Doctor: Ah yes, you appear to be suffering from Tom Jones Syndrome.
Man:    Is it rare?
Doctor: Well, its not unusual…

                * What do you call a bunch of rabbits in a row all hopping backwards?
A receding hare line.

                * What do you get if you cross a four leaf clover with poison ivy ?
A rash of good luck

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SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, November 13, 2016, 2-4 p.m. (come and go), the launch of the Interpretive Walking Trail at Spring Creek Park Preserve in Garland (1787 Holford Road between Arapaho and George Bush Tollway). The Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest and the North Texas Master Naturalists will roll out a new Interpretive Nature Trail at Spring Creek Park Preserve. We hope you and your family will join us for a wonderful guided walk through the preserve. The new trail was developed by a team from the 2016 NTMN Class under the mentorship of advisors from the Society. To see the Interpretive Trail brochure, please visit:
https://springcreekforest.wordpress.com/interpretive-1787-holford-rd/

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Botany: I wish I spoke that language! Who knew there was so much vocabulary involved in describing a simple leaf or flower? Thanks to Carol Clark for sharing the “Botany word-of-the-day” website – a fun, easy way to learn plant terminology…a little at a time.      http://plant-phytography.blogspot.com/

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This from the state Native Plant Society’s newsletter…”We will be talking about experiences with native milkweeds during our “TXplants Twitter Tuesday” event to be held online 7 to 8 pm, Tuesday,
November 1. The Houston Chapter (Twitter handle @NPSOT_HOU) will be moderating this exciting first-of-its-kind online event. All members  and people from other nature and environmental organizations are encouraged to join us online using the Twitter social networking platform during this event.” Learn more – including how to join the conversation – at  http://npsot.org/wp/story/2016/9263/

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Fabulous fall color. Cut it down! Fall is a great time to identify one of our most serious invasive tree species, the Chinese tallow tree. With the unique leaf shape and the gorgeous fall color, it’s easy to see why this tree was brought in for the landscape trade…but when you know its nickname – The Tree That Ate Houston – you’ll see why it’s important to stop this invaders. Check out the profile for Chinese tallow on the LBJ Wildflower Center’s “Invaders of Texas” database…and while you’re there, surf through this terrific website – lots of valuable information here. Check it out at:  Texas Invasives

Texas Invasives