COLD DARK ROOM

[Cathie G]

It's interesting, I love spotting unusual insects.
They are so often overlooked and not considered to be important, but many are vital pollinators and part of food chains for bigger animals.
I have a lot of overgrown brambles to clear but I'm worried I'll be killing a lot of caterpillars, so I've just contacted the butterfly/moth conservation organisation to see when the best time to do it will be. Hopefully won't be too long.

I find them fascinating because even the pest type lays eggs in a precise order. It's kinda miraculous at times. I don't clear that kind of stuff until I see the little tiny praying mantis in late spring. They form little cocoons on the branches and vines. I also just want to know what kind of stuff is in my yard and if I should beware of it. As awful as bag worms are I've seen birds clean them up including the bag itself during a really bad winter. It's like God had given food for their survival.

 

[Cathie G]

Well, i do see the very large Praying Mantis at the top of your screen & we might be circling back to the Dobson Fly in it’s grasp. It looks like the pincer. I could be wrong. ?‍♂️

You can't see the pincer because more than half the bug had been eaten. That was all that was left. It kinda looked like a half eaten piece of shrimp with wings. That's why I didn't know what the bug looked like until I saw the one in the front yard. The wings are the same though. I'm leaning towards the dog days cicada but this one is bigger than 1.23 inches. I didn't see any green on it but maybe it didn't show. Possibly I couldn't see it from looking into the sun at the same time. The praying mantis looked pretty happy but Joe wasn't ?he was totally grossed out. I'm sure it's not a Dobson Fly. It doesn't even look close. ?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Great weather finally. After all of our heat & humidity & rain, today was a good weather day. ?????

Took a break from outside gardening & worked on another Christmas tree ornament.

 

[Cathie G]

Great weather finally. After all of our heat & humidity & rain, today was a good weather day. ?????

Took a break from outside gardening & worked on another Christmas tree ornament.

View attachment 332208

You and wifey must have a contest going on. I wouldn't be able to vote for the best because I'd have to vote for both of you.?

 

[TriciaStringer]

I’m at my parent’s house for a little bit and can get on here. We made it through Hurricane Ida. We have a lot of water marks on our ceiling so we need to get that checked out. We have no power on day 7. We got water back on Tuesday but are still having to boil it. Our torts were fine. We suffered a devastating loss to our farm. Our sheep enclosure flew up and landed upside down on all three of our sheep. Early Monday morning, we ran out and pulled it off of them with our four wheeler. Our two ewes didn’t survive. They were such a loved part of our farm. Our whole family grieved heavily. My husband had to cull one of them, Rose. Her back was broken. Sadie was found already dead. Our ram limped for a little while but now looks unharmed. Our oldest daughter helped us dig a grave for them. The farm we had bought them from heard about our loss and offered to give us a couple more ewes. He had lived through Katrina and wants to help us. Such kindness. Please say a prayer for all those that lost so much and are struggling.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

You and wifey must have a contest going on. I wouldn't be able to vote for the best because I'd have to vote for both of you.?

His looks more like a weapon to end the contest haha

 

[Cathie G]

I’m at my parent’s house for a little bit and can get on here. We made it through Hurricane Ida. We have a lot of water marks on our ceiling so we need to get that checked out. We have no power on day 7. We got water back on Tuesday but are still having to boil it. Our torts were fine. We suffered a devastating loss to our farm. Our sheep enclosure flew up and landed upside down on all three of our sheep. Early Monday morning, we ran out and pulled it off of them with our four wheeler. Our two ewes didn’t survive. They were such a loved part of our farm. Our whole family grieved heavily. My husband had to cull one of them, Rose. Her back was broken. Sadie was found already dead. Our ram limped for a little while but now looks unharmed. Our oldest daughter helped us dig a grave for them. The farm we had bought them from heard about our loss and offered to give us a couple more ewes. He had lived through Katrina and wants to help us. Such kindness. Please say a prayer for all those that lost so much and are struggling.

Yes I am praying for all of you. Especially for you ? and the other's I somewhat know through TFO. I've been through a few hurricanes and know how hard it is coming out of it mentally, physically, and especially emotionally. Even if you don't go through the worst of it the people that did are all around you. Prayers for all ????? It's amazing the love that comes from many people after something like this. It shows that most people are caring even if a few aren't.

 

[Lyn W]

I’m at my parent’s house for a little bit and can get on here. We made it through Hurricane Ida. We have a lot of water marks on our ceiling so we need to get that checked out. We have no power on day 7. We got water back on Tuesday but are still having to boil it. Our torts were fine. We suffered a devastating loss to our farm. Our sheep enclosure flew up and landed upside down on all three of our sheep. Early Monday morning, we ran out and pulled it off of them with our four wheeler. Our two ewes didn’t survive. They were such a loved part of our farm. Our whole family grieved heavily. My husband had to cull one of them, Rose. Her back was broken. Sadie was found already dead. Our ram limped for a little while but now looks unharmed. Our oldest daughter helped us dig a grave for them. The farm we had bought them from heard about our loss and offered to give us a couple more ewes. He had lived through Katrina and wants to help us. Such kindness. Please say a prayer for all those that lost so much and are struggling.

So sorry about your sheep, what a terrible thing to have happened to them.
I hope it won't belong before you get your water and electrics back to normal .

 

[Lyn W]

Good afternoon/morning all.
It's been a very sunny and warm weekend here.
I've been busy with some small DIY jobs.
I hope you're all having a pleasant Sunday.
No news from Chef yet?

 

[Cathie G]

Good afternoon/morning all.
It's been a very sunny and warm weekend here.
I've been busy with some small DIY jobs.
I hope you're all having a pleasant Sunday.
No news from Chef yet?

Chef's been on a little and survived basically intact. But not sure what all she went through and is going thru with the flooding. Cleaning up is just as bad if not worse.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I’m at my parent’s house for a little bit and can get on here. We made it through Hurricane Ida. We have a lot of water marks on our ceiling so we need to get that checked out. We have no power on day 7. We got water back on Tuesday but are still having to boil it. Our torts were fine. We suffered a devastating loss to our farm. Our sheep enclosure flew up and landed upside down on all three of our sheep. Early Monday morning, we ran out and pulled it off of them with our four wheeler. Our two ewes didn’t survive. They were such a loved part of our farm. Our whole family grieved heavily. My husband had to cull one of them, Rose. Her back was broken. Sadie was found already dead. Our ram limped for a little while but now looks unharmed. Our oldest daughter helped us dig a grave for them. The farm we had bought them from heard about our loss and offered to give us a couple more ewes. He had lived through Katrina and wants to help us. Such kindness. Please say a prayer for all those that lost so much and are struggling.

So hard to read about your loss. Hang in there.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Great start to Labor Day here in Maryland. Blue & sunny skies, cool temps.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hey…..have we heard from @Ray--Opo recently? Hope all is well down in Florida?

 

[Lyn W]

Good morning/afternoon all and happy Monday.
We're having some late scorchers with temps reaching the 80s again.
It won't last though and we'll soon be back to normalish weather by the end of the week.
Lola is out soaking up the sun and looking like a very happy chappy!
I have to visit the shops so I'll say TTFN.
Have a good day

 

[Lyn W]

......

Good morning/afternoon all and happy Monday.
We're having some late scorchers with temps reaching the 80s again.
It won't last though and we'll soon be back to normalish weather by the end of the week.
Lola is out soaking up the sun and looking like a very happy chappy!
I have to visit the shops so I'll say TTFN.
Have a good day

.............that should read 'happy Tuesday!'

 

[Maro2Bear]

Yes - Happy Tuesday. A perfect weather day here in Maryland.

My morning hours spent paddling.

 

[Jan A]

Yes - Happy Tuesday. A perfect weather day here in Maryland.

My morning hours spent paddling.

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Fall weather has always been the best boating weather in my experience. That shot proves it!!

 

[Ray--Opo]

Hey…..have we heard from @Ray--Opo recently? Hope all is well down in Florida?

Everything is good Mark.?
I have been popping in now and then.
Also been welcoming new members on the other side of the forum.
Thanks for asking!

 

[Ray--Opo]

I’m at my parent’s house for a little bit and can get on here. We made it through Hurricane Ida. We have a lot of water marks on our ceiling so we need to get that checked out. We have no power on day 7. We got water back on Tuesday but are still having to boil it. Our torts were fine. We suffered a devastating loss to our farm. Our sheep enclosure flew up and landed upside down on all three of our sheep. Early Monday morning, we ran out and pulled it off of them with our four wheeler. Our two ewes didn’t survive. They were such a loved part of our farm. Our whole family grieved heavily. My husband had to cull one of them, Rose. Her back was broken. Sadie was found already dead. Our ram limped for a little while but now looks unharmed. Our oldest daughter helped us dig a grave for them. The farm we had bought them from heard about our loss and offered to give us a couple more ewes. He had lived through Katrina and wants to help us. Such kindness. Please say a prayer for all those that lost so much and are struggling.

Sorry for all of your losses.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Off to do some ship spotting….hope we see it.

BALTIMORE, Md. (7News) — Traffic will be halted on two bridges temporarily on Thursday morning due to a delivery of large cranes that are headed up the Chesapeake Bay to the Port of Baltimore.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced that traffic on the Bay Bridge will be held at approximately 10 a.m. and traffic on the Key Bridge will be held at approximately 12 p.m. Both closures are expected to last for about 15 to 30 minutes.