Author: jrmilson

Pigs and Other Barnyard Folks

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Pigs.  I like ’em.  There, I said it.  I like pigs.  And goats and sheep and chickens and ducks and cows and mules and other barnyard folks. And so does Little Red Bear, when he can understand them.  And there are a good number of each that are going to be wandering in and out of the upcoming “Adventures of Little Red Bear” stories.  There’s a certain little mini pig that is especially problematic for Little Red Bear in the first collection of stories, and we’re working with a whole fleet of ducks already for the second collection.

The stories are indeed backwoods adventures, but with a number of farms nearby Little Red Bear has a great many friends on the farm, too.  So, kind of just giving you a heads-up if you’re not of the same mind about the pigs and such. Careful where you step while turning the pages.

And if you do like pigs, I hope you enjoy this little video → A Pig’s Guide to Being a Dog. 

The first collection of short stories in “The Adventures of Little Red Bear” will be released very soon– “The First Holler!”  Watch for the first official book trailer in the next few days.  Thanks as always for stopping by! — Jim (and Red!)

Animals- Pig Smart

 

Native Plants for Birds & Wildlife

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Getting ready to start work on the garden and yard work soon?  Please consider using and decorating with plants, trees and wildflowers native to your geographical region.  Here’s why it is so important– the birds and animals in your area have adapted to native plants over thousands of years and are dependent on them.  Overrunning the landscape with non-native plants, trees and ornamentals can seriously impact the native wildlife’s food chain and resources.

“Because native insects did not evolve with nonnative plants, most of them lack the ability to overcome the plants’ chemical defenses so cannot eat them. Caterpillars, a particularly important food source for birds, are especially picky about what they feed on. Like the famous monarch butterfly larva, which must have milkweed to survive, more than 90 percent of moth and butterfly caterpillars eat only particular native plants or groups of plants.”

— Laura Tangley, National Wildlife Federation article.

And of course, the birds feed on the insects feeding on the plants.  Not only are the insects directly affected, but the pollinators and those that feed on the insects as well, right up the food chain. As more and more imported varieties and ornamentals crowd out native plants, the birds, pollinators and wildlife have an increasingly difficult time. That plant at the nursery might be pretty, but is there another native to the area that might work just as well or better? Check it out.  The birds and wildlife will thank you for it!

For more information and to read the article in entirety → “Chickadees Show Why Birds Need Native Trees”

Thanks as always for reading.    — Jim (and Red!)

Birds- Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee via National Wildlife Federation FB, photo by Doug Tallamy

Carolina Chickadee via the National Wildlife Federation. Photo by Doug Tallamy.

“The Adventures of Little Red Bear” Short Stories on Amazon.
Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages and Fitness Levels!
Join us for an Adventure in the beautiful Ozarks Mountain Country!

Guest Blog- “Trees” by Neil Giles with Artwork by Emma Childs

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Sharing a delightful nature post combining original poetry and artwork from friends.  This enchanting post originally appeared on my friend Sylva Fae’s blog Sylvanian Ramblings.  If you love nature and children, I strongly encourage you to visit and follow her captivating blog.

The amazing “Trees” poem is courtesy of Neil Giles, and the accompanying beautiful artwork “Cyclamens at Killerton” created by Emma Childs.

I invite you to meet, connect and follow their creative works.  Sylva’s delightful blog is linked above, clicking on the poem tree image will take you to Neil’s Twitter page, and clicking on the artwork will take you to Emma’s site.

Big thank you’s to Sylva, Neil and Emma for allowing me to share their magical creative works with you!  I hope you enjoy as much as I did when first seeing their creations.

 

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Cyclamens at Killerton by Emma Childs

“On The Life Road”

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“Once you realize that the road is the goal and that you are always on the road, not to reach a goal, but to enjoy its beauty and its wisdom, life ceases to be a task and becomes natural and simple, in itself an ecstasy.”

~ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj ~

Forest path in the woods

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