Royal Roaches

A little more than a month ago Helen and I acknowledged the 1 year anniversary of the passing of our beloved Windemere. Not a day goes by that I’m not reminded of her joy of life.

Last year we purchased flowering Dogwood trees in remembrance of her and her brother Brody who passed on just a year earlier. The plague of Locusts really took a toll on both trees and I really thought we lost them both.

Windy’s red and white flowers really bloomed vibrantly this past week even though she doesn’t have a single leaf on her. We are hoping Brody’s white flowers will bloom soon but he got beat up pretty bad from the plague….fingers crossed.

We sure do miss them both!

Happy New Year everyone….hope 2025 exceeds your expectations!

Here’s a tip to help keep your sidewalks , driveway, and decks free of ice…..or help remove it once it gets a foothold at your home.

1 part Beet juice combined with 4 parts of salt brine….fill up a sprayer and let the fun begin!

No need to use harmful chemicals as this all natural solution won’t harm your tail waggers or purr babies. You can find ready made beet juice at your local grocery store, or for a cheaper option buy the canned beats and emulsify the contents in a blender. Add 1 tbsp of table or kosher salt to a quart of water to create a working brine solution.

Spray surfaces as a pretreatment before the ice hits, or spray it on the ice itself afterwards and help make all your walking surfaces safe for everyone!

Bonus Tip: Use 2 cups of isopropyl alcohol (or a bit weaker rubbing alcohol) combined with 1 cup of warm water with a few drops of dish soap into a spray bottle. It will quickly melt ice on your windshield and prevents refreezing. Be sure and add the water diluting the alcohol, rather than using it straight up, to avoid any potential issues with the clear coat on your vehicle.

Mother Nature is amazing!

⚡️📸 ¡Incredible Photo of the Stunning Dragon Mantis! 🦗💚

Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, this captivating creature gets its name from its dragon-like appearance. These mantises are masters of disguise, blending seamlessly with leaves to ambush prey.

Fun fact: their intricate patterns make them one of the most sought-after subjects for insect photography!

📷: ennisanna_fei