Japanese Honeysuckle - Sweet Potato Vine - Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

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Wow.. May 1rst already. Doesn't it seem like the older you get the faster time flies by?

Yesterday I took a little walk up the street. I got a bit dizzy by time I got to the corner... not because of exercise. The aroma of the Japanese Honeysuckles was overwhelming. I love their aroma, but sometimes a good thing can be a bit much :-)

The Japanese Honeysuckle was introduced to the U.S. in the early to mid-1800's as an ornamental plant, for erosion control, and for wildlife forage and cover. Unfortunately the plant has become invasive in many of our states.

Frank put this bit of a sweet potato that was past being edible into a glass of water. Today he planted it in the garden. With a bit of luck we might just have a few sweet potatoes to eat.

When I was a child Mama grew a sweet potato vine in the dining room window. The leaves began to wilt. Mama threw it in the flower bed just outside the door. I don't remember the month this happened, but sometime later when the flower bed was being weeded seven sweet potatoes were discovered. It always amazed me that there were seven sweet potatoes... one for each family member. When these were found I think it was one of 'those times' when the cupboard was almost bare.

I have always asked God that my family would have food to eat. That prayer has always been answered to my satisfaction.

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Today we were looking at a tv show that Frank recorded and we both looked out the window and saw this bird fighting with a Northern Cardinal. I didn't get my camera in time to catch the action.. the Cardinal flew away.

This is a female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. The pictures are through the window with the bird in the shade, so not great pictures. We don't get to see this bird variety much. Right click and open in a new window for a larger view.