This past week I attended an event sponsored by REAL School Gardens  at an elementary school in Grand Prairie. Members of the school’s “Green Team” gave us tours of their garden. They were so proud of it, and rightfully so. Afterwards, we were inspired by author Jane Kirkland’s program “I saw a Bald Eagle Soaring over My Grocery Store.” In ten years, Jane has switched from being a computer book author to being a naturalist. It all began when she looked up one day and saw a bald eagle!

This morning I spent some time weeding and thinking about Jane’s program. In one short hour, I watched a ladybug looking for something to eat, and some very fat swallowtail larvae devouring the rest of what was just a week ago a very lush stand of fennel. Anoles were sunning themselves on a paddle plant; a large lizard was doing the same on a rock wall, as were the dozens of turtles on the banks of the lake. Cardinals, wrens and mockingbirds were singing and I heard briefly the sound of a purple martin overhead – they continue to ignore the house that has been ready and waiting for them for many years. A baby blue heron was “fishing”. I inadvertently found a mother duck and a nest of six eggs; no weeding in that part of the garden for a while. I found many worms in the soil, the result of years of organic gardening.

It was a great hour. Had I not been outside, I would not have noticed all that was just outside my back door.

Links:   www.realschoolgardens.org    www.takeawalk.com

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