Sigh. It turns out that Bella likes gardening just as much as she likes knitting. Becky, be warned, you might not want to read any further.

My heirloom iris from Becky that I planted back in October have been happily and cozily snoozing away under their blanket of autumn leaves and winter snow. Several weeks ago when the snow finally left I noticed that several of them seemed to be heaving out of the ground with their roots showing. I tucked more dirt around them and reseated a few of them and didn’t think too much of it. I asked Becky’s advice and she said it was pretty normal.

I was outside this afternoon raking leftover leaves and debris out of the flower bed and when I turned around I saw this. My gardening help had decided to pull up and relocate my precious iris!

While I was putting the camera back down before picking them up to plant them again, she grabbed iris #1 and started off with it. See the roots sticking out of her mouth?

[me] BELLA,  nooooooo, drop it!

[bella] uh oh. mom sounds mad. did I do something wrong?
[me] PUT THAT DOWN .... NOW!!!

[bella] geez, okay. like this?

[me] Good girl!

[bella] gee mom, i was just trying to help ...

Just in case you are wondering, no, I did not stage this. I didn’t have to. Bella was just being Bella and my camera goes everywhere with me. She has done this a couple of times and I haven’t caught her in the act. Each time she did it I was convinced after strict scoldings that it would be her last. I was wrong. She doesn’t chew them, just carries them around. I think because their flags are sticking up and they are not rooted yet they are easy targets. Problem is, my nice little map (see above heirloom iris link) of which iris was planted where is of no use anymore. I think I need a fence.

Did I mention she starts obedience class tonight? She’s a naughty girl.

Since getting my new camera (Canon Rebel XSi) I really haven’t been utilizing its features fully. I usually grab the camera, set it on one of its automatic modes and shoot. Easy peasy. And so totally cheating. I can set my camera to manual mode and get very creative. I just don’t. Problem is that I seem to have a mind block matching up f/stops and shutter speeds. Years ago I started out with what is now referred to as a “classic” camera, a film Minolta SRT 101. I took the best photos with that camera. It had the old fashioned kind of TTL (through the lens) match needle metering system, meaning you lined up the circle and the needle for correct exposure. No guesswork involved.

In an effort to better my photography skills and get out of auto mode, I decided to dig out and dust off my old Minolta and use it as a teaching tool. The camera is still in great shape for its vintage years. Imagine turning your camera on and off by turning it upside down:

Only one small problem. No battery. And when I say no battery, I mean no battery as in they don’t make them anymore. This camera took a mercury battery which in today’s world no longer exists. The only thing run by the battery in this camera is the light meter, which of course is the only thing I am going to use! I don’t plan on taking film photos with it—only to record the shutter and f/stop setting and apply that to my other camera.

Rick found a place online that was selling batteries that sort of replaces the old mercury battery and ordered one. The battery came over the weekend and I couldn’t wait to try it out. Bummer. The battery didn’t work! But was it the camera or the battery that failed? I had the idea to put the new battery in Rick’s old camera and see if it worked in his. (He has a similar camera to mine, just a later version: an SRT 102.) When I removed the battery housing from his camera, lo and behold, there was still a battery (mercury) in it! Even more exciting—it worked! When I switched out batteries and put the mercury battery in my camera it still didn’t work, but the new battery did work in his camera. Not sure why my camera is not working, but I was very disappointed to discover the problem was with my camera and not the battery. I think maybe it’s something do with the metal strip in the battery chamber not making contact. I think it needs to be gently bent down a bit but I’m afraid to try it in case I end up snapping it.

So, at least I have the use of Rick’s camera for my experiments in photography. I also have several manuals (which I hate reading!) that I am making my way through.

Now I just need some good subjects. The garden is certainly not one at this time of year. Oh my, what a mess!

But on closer inspection maybe there are a few things worth taking a photograph of.

And the daffodils certainly aren’t ready for their debut through the lens yet either.

How about some tulips that I purchased?

I hope to have more things soon to practice on. Should be fun!

My cacti are going berserk! They were all just in bloom around the Thanksgiving time frame, and have all decided that now is a good time to bloom, again! I’ve never had this happen before. First one started showing buds, then the one next to it, until they all joined in. Do you think it’s contagious?

Now don’t get me wrong—I am not complaining. No siree. They are a welcome burst of color in an otherwise dull-colored winter scene. But why? I have salmon, fuchsia, white, and a paler shade of pink (not quite out yet).

My amaryllis decided to send up another spray of flowers as well. The first spray held only three frilly flowers, while this last one had four.

Just thought I’d share some of my color with you in case your skies are as grey as mine are today! (Note: photos were taken a few days ago when we had a nice blue sky.)

If anyone has any thoughts as to why my cacti are confused please let me know!

Even though we’d had a few nice days over the past week, it’s obvious it’s still winter. Over the past few days we’ve been below the freezing mark again and nights have dipped down to the teens. A cold, blustery wind has been blowing, dropping the “real feel” temperatures by ten or more degrees. Yep, still winter.

My spring bulbs are still waiting to break ground. Tree buds are still tightly closed and hard.

The bear who has picked him or herself a prime hibernation spot is still fast asleep in my neighbor’s tool storage trailer. They fondly refer to it as their security guard.

All signs that say winter still has its icy grip on New Jersey.

I am longing to throw open the windows and hear birdsong. Have the spring breeze bring the smell of wakening earth into the house. Go outside without a coat. Wear sandals and sling-back shoes again. Roll back the pool cover and gaze into its blue depths. Alas, those things are not possible. Not quite yet.

But, wait. Something is happening. Look what I found this morning in the boggy part of the woods in our yard.

The skunk cabbage seems to think spring is not far away after all!

Even though the ground is still covered in an icy pack of snow and our little hibernating groundhog couldn’t get out of his hole if he wanted to, let alone see his shadow, change is on the way. I can’t feel it in the air yet because it’s 9 degrees F outside this morning, but it’s coming sure enough. The seasons are starting to turn. Why do I think so? Because it was so light this morning. Much lighter. At night too, the daylight seems extensive and I have to look at the clock to see what time it is and I am amazed it’s as late as it is. 

In short, more light = spring. At least that’s my take on it.

Until then I have my other amaryllis to brighten my day. C’mon sun!