Learning about the 'flora'...Trillium

our group before the change

"As we arise each morning let us each determine to respond with more love and kindness to whatever might come our way"

... President Monson. This has been my "mantra" for this past week.  Many of you probably recognize that it is on our family calendar this month.

I will remind you that we had two new couples join us this week. I didn't realize we were already such a tight-knit group after four months that it would be difficult to "weave" the new folks in. There is good news and bad news along these lines. The good news is that two of the four people are in worse physical condition than us. The bad news is ... Oh, the drama ... Well I don't want to focus on that because I am determined to "respond with kindness!"

OK, enough of that. This weeks message is that of expounding on the "flora" rather than the "fauna" at Ensign Ranch. Apparently a big deal has happened. The trillium are blooming way earlier than usual because of the unusually warm winter. I thought I better read up on that particular species of flora since such a big deal has been made about it. I learned that it is a small flower that has 3 leaves and 3 petals and 3 seed pods or something. Thus, the name Trillium". Anyway, when it blossoms, the color is white. Over each blossoms life of 4-8 weeks it changes in color from white to pink then to purple. Each little plant has to grow/live for seventeen years before it matures enough to blossom. It grows in very rare spots in the country, but is abundant here in a specific area. That whole area is one of the three girls camps and is named "Trillium" for that reason, My picture does not do it justice. Will try to get a better one in the light as it changes color.

Trillium

trillium girl's camp

skunk cabbage

The next example of flora is a beautiful marshy area with these gorgeous yellow lily type plants. When I asked about them I was told not to go near them or I would be sorry! Their name is "skunk cabbage" and they are named that for a reason- not just the smell, but if you touch it, it's very hard to get rid of the oil and, hence "the smell"!

There are others, such as the pink that I included a picture of.

pink somethings

Last night I got a phone call asking me to substitute leading the singing in Primary. It was interesting to pull something together given the lack of resources available. Tomorrow we are in charge of Family Home Evening, then I have Spiritual Thought on Tuesday. Also, we are speaking in church on Sunday. Our assigned topic is simply "Trials". I guess this is the life of a missionary. The Branch really depends on the Ensign Ranch missionaries.

This week we are venturing out to Vashon Island so will have lots to tell you next week. Dad had informed me that he is down to eating his cereal with a fork again. I think I'll buy a bunch of plastic spoons so this won't be a problem in the future. Gotta Go - love, Mom