My daughter Allison drew this picture of a chicken for me. She’s six years old and knows I like chickens.
Allison, I love your pictures!
Author: John Holden
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A Father’s Pride – Allison’s Chicken
Alli drew these tulips on the back of her placemat at a local diner. -
Pumpkins in the Landscape
Yesterday I visited a landscape planted last week. While photographing the landscape I noticed the oddest site.
Nestled between a Siberian Carpet (Microbiota decussata) and PJM Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘PJM’) was a thriving pumpkin seedling.
How could this happen?
The compost used to prepare the soil was the composting spot of several years of Holden family pumpkins. The moist soil and ample sun in the new landscape set the seed in motion.
Happy Halloween!
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Fortune Cookie Fortunes – My Favorites
My favorite fortune cookie fortunes:
- Confidence begets confidence.
- If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.
- Enjoy yourself while you can.
- The secret to good friends is no secret to you.
- No one can force you to change direction or abandon your principles.
I’m ordering Chinese food for dinner to research fortune cookie fortunes.
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Itsy Bitsy Spider
Spiders are incredible builders. I bet this guy/girl built this web in one night with no architect, no permits and no contractor headaches. The reward will be a well-earned dinner.
Those of you who watch my wood splitting videos may recognize the tire. It’s the tire I use for splitting wood.
While I admit spiders give me the chills I am in awe of their work ethic.
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Frog in Puddle
Last week after a downpour I spotted a frog enjoying a cool puddle. While I’m no expert on the difference between a frog and a toad I would say that’s a frog. The nearest stream is 150 yards from where I found my frog friend. Go figure!
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5,000,000 YouTube Views
Yesterday my YouTube Channel, CTSCAPER, passed 5,000,000 views and 10,000 subscribers. It’s taken four years to get here.
When I filmed my first video on May 10th, 2011 I had no idea where I’d end up.
I remember the nervous energy I felt in front of the camera. It’s the same energy most people experience when public speaking. I did my best and tried not to over critique.
Five million YouTube views is the first goal I’ve reached since the birth of my son Matthew nine years ago. I had no idea the changes being a parent would bring.
It reminds me of other goals I’ve attained.
I’m a quiet person. I take pride in doing things well. I avoid crowds of people and get a thrill out of quiet conversations in small groups.
Yes, I’m an introvert.
To earn my college degree and pursue my dream career I lived away from home for two years. Most teenagers are anxious to move away and enjoy the college experience. I wasn’t. I did what I had to do to earn my degree.
After working at a nursery the year after college I was ready to start my business. Working for “The Man” wasn’t for me. I don’t like rushing through jobs. After much soul-searching I started my business.
I’ve learned all kinds of things running a business. Bookkeeping, taxes, managing staff, purchasing equipment, equipment maintenance, sales, etc. I’ve worked many late nights and read many incredibly boring books about taxes and bookkeeping to reach my goal.
I never thought I’d own a house growing up. I didn’t understand how to save enough money to buy one. When I got married, another thing I never thought I’d do, we found my wife’s, and my, dream house.
The Holden household. Under the vinyl siding is a post and beam house built circa 1820. The barn fell down before we bought it. I’ve planned where and how to build a barn since we moved in. It’s a beautiful old home with plenty of gardens. If my neighbors are out we chat. I’ve got a big woodpile and I split wood anytime I want.
The woodpile in the back yard. A quiet place to let the mind wander and split wood. Why am I telling you, and reminding myself, of the goals I’ve achieved?
We must remember what we’re capable of.
If I took the easy way out I wouldn’t have earned a college degree. I wouldn’t have started my business. I wouldn’t live in this beautiful home with my wife and children.
This week I created SawsandSplitters.com for chainsaw and log splitter fans to enjoy and share knowledge.
Let the journey begin.
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Beefsteak Tomato Roadside Stand
This week I took the kids and dog for a walk and stumbled across a tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum) growing in the crack between the curb and the asphalt. A plant’s will to live is amazing. I can’t wait to return this summer for some Beefsteaks!
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Wetland Plants of CT
Every year Cub Scout Pack 170 cleans up Edmund Road in Newtown, CT. It’s our Earth Day conservation project. My son and I spent an hour one Saturday morning picking up garbage and admiring flora. Truth be told I was the only one admiring the flora.
We cleaned up litter on a Saturday. I was so impressed by the beauty of nature I returned Monday, April 27th 2015 to take pictures.
Edmund Road runs along interstate 84 and cuts straight through a swamp. There’s a large stream on one side of the road and standing water on the other.
At the back of the photo you can see the stream. In the foreground bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is just coming into bloom. The plants were growing just up from the edge of the water in partial shade and humusy soil.
It was worth the return trip.
Connecticut Wetland Plants
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) coming into bloom. Once the weeds around these plants fill in you won’t even know they’re there. 
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) for scale. 
Trout lily (Erythronium americanum ) in full bloom. For a week or two in the early spring it lights up the landscape. 
If you don’t look for Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum ) you might miss it. 
Red trillium (Trillium erectum) coming into bloom. Look how red those flowers are! 
Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) up close and personal. 
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) in full bloom. My childhood home has a small stream and the far side is covered with spicebush. I can still smell the spice when you crushed the leaves or broke the brittle twigs.
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) a little farther away. 
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) growing above the stream. You can see skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) growing on the other side. Across the street from my childhood home is a large swamp. A friend and I would go to the swamp and beat the skunk cabbage with sticks because it’s a “Bad” plant. The more we hit the stinkier it got. I’d like to apologize to all those poor skunk cabbage plants. I didn’t know any better.
Thanks for joining me.
