Odds and Ends

Laetiporus sulphureus

Big hand to the garden spider at the east end of the south porch. She has three egg sacks up. The third went up last night. I have no idea where the mates are coming from, but they obviously know she’s there. And she picked a pretty good spot for the sacks. They’re sheltered from the north wind, up out of the weather, and I’m not such a clean freak, that they’ll have to come down. They’ll empty in the spring. So, all in good time.

Meanwhile, out in the garden of the big trees, we’ve got some mushrooms growing. Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken of the Woods) has popped up on one of the big oaks. I’m not sure it’s a positive sign. I’ll check with my arborist son later today. Apparently, it’s good to eat, but I’ll have to take the internet’s word for it. You’ll never find me gobbling wild mushrooms no matter how good someone says they taste, unless they’re a mycologist, and even then, I’d probably demur.

The wet weather has been a blessing. The trees are getting in a long, big drink in preparation for winter, and a few things are blooming. The scarlet sage for one. Soft dirt allowed me to rake out some ruts in the driveway and clean out channels under the gate where water leaves the yard. The automatic opener works once more. The trouble was in the big box. Don’t know why I didn’t look there to start. This afternoon I’ll probably join a friend to listen to music and take advantage of what passes for cool weather in Texas.