Hail, Hail, the Gang’s all here

I really enjoy my backyard. I am into growing banana plants in pots and then putting them in the ground when they’re big enough. Right now I have about 10 rather large plants that should have gone in the ground a while back but I was unable to do so because of my knee.

Mostly dead tree is still hanging in there. She was supposed to come down in the Spring but we all conveniently forgot about it. Today the Boy cut down saplings growing into “only-a-lumberjack- could-cut-them-down” sort of trees. He also trimmed branches of trees, including trimming up a palm tree that was enveloping the house.

Our neighbor’s immensely huge live oak tree has grown a ginormous limb that has now taken over our front yard but it is too big for my hand saws. I had the idea that since the Boy is very tall he could grab the limb, then I’ll hold onto it while he cuts. Didn’t work out too well. He’s pretty slim and when he pulled it down it began to launch him out of the neighborhood and would probably have catapulted him into the Gulf if he hadn’t let go.

It’s been cold at night and I have brought in my crown of thorns and aloe vera. Everything else seems to be doing fine. Tonight they forecast 40 F (4.4 C).  We don’t have such cold temperatures for very long here in Florida but I’m still not fond of them. As I type I am bundled in pj’s, a hoodie and a very, very, heavy terry cloth robe. Yet, I’m wearing flip-flops.

Now for the fauna. Near the end of summer lizards began disappearing. Since they don’t go to Miami for the Winter, I can only assume they have fallen prey to our various critters in the backyard.  There were so many baby, oh so tiny lizards running around and now there are two. The bigger male lizards look well-fed.  The Cuban tree frogs seem to be gone as well. And my baby frog friend who always chirped and sang for me has been gone since before I left for the hospital.  His baby frog friends are gone as well.

There are a lot of critters around such as a snake, bats, stray cats, birds–particularly raptors; raccoons, squirrels, an armadillo; rabbits; cannibal lizards, and that woodpecker that pecks away at mostly dead tree or the roof of the house just to drive me crazy. All the frogs are gone–typically they bury themselves in my potted plants.I  noticed the hawks the other day and the eagles are back in the neighborhood. When I first moved here I was with RM at a supermarket and a pair of eagles had a nest with hatchlings at the top of a light pole in the parking lot.  While I was watching, a seagull came along, landed on the nest and took one of the babies and flew off. The parents did not pursue the seagull which I found curious.

Another time a crow had what appeared to be a hatchling and was flying at mach 1  as two eagles flew at mach 2 after it. It was quite a sight to see. The crows can be just awful.  I watched from a distance as a crow raided some poor birds nest and stole an egg. The parent bird was going crazy diving at the crow.

And so, Nature plays out in the theater that is my backyard. Nature is harsh. One can understand why prey animals often have so many offspring. Maybe one or two will make it. Humankind is not so different. In developing countries, children are a resource. When you are poor and you have no recourse you have as many births as you can. Not all will make it. In tropical regions in particular, disease and parasites are rampant. Children are needed to help support the family, do the domestic work–care for the smaller children.  And when the parents grow old, which is a big “if”, children support their parents. There are no pensions for the dirt poor. No disability insurance. Just family.

So next time you have a chance and good weather, and some flora around that will attract animals and birds, watch Nature rear its ugly head–if you dare.