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Project Discussions:  Did you know  |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
3680 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
3680 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 22 2025 : 06:40:11 AM
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| I have missed all these awesome bird, flower, and butterfly sharing! We have a lot of bird feeders and flowering plants that the hummingbird and butterflies love. Just watching them from my porch is fascinating all year around. WE have had several Wrens, in the past , set up a nest on our porch area but lately, the nests were abandoned before the eggs hatched. So disappointed!! |
Winnie Nielsen #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Girl of the Year 2014-2015 |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2025 : 1:52:08 PM
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The Dogwood Tree
Historically significant:
Dogwood bark was used in the past to treat illnesses like malaria and pain, and the wood has been used for various tools and even golf clubs.
Wildlife haven:
Dogwoods are a food source for over 36 species of birds, and various mammals also rely on their seeds, fruit, flowers, twigs, bark, and leaves.
Symbolism:
The dogwood is a symbol of Spring in many cultures, and it also holds significance in Native American folklore, with some tribes associating it with the Tree of Life.
State symbols:
The dogwood is the state tree of Missouri and the state flower of both North Carolina and Virginia.
Ecological role:
Dogwoods are an important part of the calcium cycle in eastern forests and help maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Legends:
There are legends about dogwoods, including one where the tree is associated with Jesus's crucifixion, according to some religious and historical websites.
Flowering:
The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is known for its showy white or pink bracts (modified leaves) that appear in early spring, often signaling the time to plant vegetable gardens.
Not for human consumption:
While dogwood berries are a food source for wildlife, they are poisonous to humans. |
Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2025 : 03:45:19 AM
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Some people love them and some don't but here are some facts about these furry creatures.
Squirrels are omnivores. While they love nuts, they also eat fruits, seeds, fungi, insects, and even small birds or their eggs.
They have excellent memory and can remember the location of thousands of nuts they bury. Sometimes they will pretend to bury a nut to throw off thieves. The lose around 25 percent of their nut stores to thieves.
Squirrels are expert nut crackers: Their strong jaws and teeth allow them to crack open even the toughest nuts.
They can jump up to 20 feet: This impressive jumping ability helps them navigate trees and escape predators.
Squirrels can swim: They are surprisingly good swimmers and can cross small bodies of water.
They are quite acrobatic. Most people find this out when trying to protect their bird seed from being eaten by them.
Their front teeth never stop growing: This ensures they can always gnaw on hard foods without wearing down their teeth.
Squirrels communicate with each other: They use a variety of vocalizations and tail movements to communicate.
Squirrels play a role in our environment by dispersing seeds and nuts, which aids in forest regeneration.
They can run up to 20 miles per hour. This makes them quite speedy when they need to escape danger.
Squirrels can hibernate. Some species, like ground squirrels, hibernate during the winter to conserve energy.
Squirrels put on weight before winter to help them stay warm.
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Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
Edited by - levisgrammy on Jul 28 2025 03:47:04 AM |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
4978 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
4978 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2025 : 06:30:13 AM
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Thanks, Denise.
My Dad had a squirrel who would come into the garage, jump on top of his workbench and take peanuts out of a coffee can on the counter. Outside we could even stoop down, hold a peanut and the squirrel would come and take it away from us. They are crafty critters. |
Linda B
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919
FGOTM for August, 2015 and April, 2017
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
190 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2025 : 09:59:12 AM
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| Thanks, Denise, for all the very interesting fact. |
Hugs,
Laurie
Country girl at heart
"Smile and be yourself everyday."
Sister #8572 6/9/2023
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2025 : 1:48:08 PM
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I hope you all are enjoying the information as much as I am. We should never stop learning!
Oh and I think I must be part of the squirrel family as I put on weight in the winter. Not to stay warm of course, but..... |
Edited by - levisgrammy on Jul 28 2025 1:53:19 PM |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
4978 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
4978 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2025 : 4:35:30 PM
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LOL! Yep - agree about winter weight. Just let's forget about it. LOL!
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Linda B
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919
FGOTM for August, 2015 and April, 2017
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Jokamartell
True Blue Farmgirl
1473 Posts
Karen
Kennewick
WA
USA
1473 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2025 : 8:12:30 PM
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| I love squirrels!! :) They make me smile! |
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
1440 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
1440 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2025 : 10:42:05 PM
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| We have a large pecan tree in our backyard. I wished for squirrels for years as I spent many backbreaking hours picking up pecans. Finally they arrived and built a nest in an oak tree. The nest location changes every year. In spring I love watching the new crop of kids chasing each other around the trees and jumping from one tree to another. They don't always remember where they plant their nuts; I find them growing in my flower pots. My cat and I enjoy watching them from the bedroom window under the ash tree. I am sometimes awaked by squirrel chattering. |
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade
FGOTM 6/21, 6/24 |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2025 : 04:19:03 AM
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Ducks have a preening gland that secretes an oily substance they spread on their feathers, making them waterproof.
Ducks can close one eye and put half of their brain to sleep while the other half stays awake, allowing them to remain vigilant for predators.
Some duck species can dive to incredible depths, up to 240 feet.
Ducks are highly social and prefer to live in groups.
Ducks can have different "accents" depending on their location, with some city ducks having louder quacks than their country counterparts.
Duck bills are packed with touch receptors, making them as sensitive as human fingertips.
Ducks eat a variety of foods, including plants, insects, seeds, and even small fish.
While most duck species are monogamous for a breeding season, they don't typically mate for life.
Ducks can live up to 20 years, especially if well cared for.
The number of eggs a duck lays is influenced by the amount of daylight.
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Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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Jokamartell
True Blue Farmgirl
1473 Posts
Karen
Kennewick
WA
USA
1473 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2025 : 7:12:59 PM
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| Awwwwww…I loved having our ducks! :) They were amazing layers and were so fun to watch. I wish they weren’t so much work…we would still have them. |
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
4978 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
4978 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2025 : 8:34:24 PM
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Loved taking the grandkids to feed the ducks when they were little.
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Linda B
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919
FGOTM for August, 2015 and April, 2017
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2025 : 03:31:00 AM
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I love ducks. We've never had any but my brother has raised some and now they reside near his pond.
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Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
3680 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
3680 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2025 : 12:49:14 PM
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| Lots of this information is new to me and very interesting. I am always eager to learn more about sea like critters and the many birds we share the planet with! |
Winnie Nielsen #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Girl of the Year 2014-2015 |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2025 : 1:10:54 PM
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Tool Users:
Sea otters are one of the few mammal species that use tools. They use rocks to crack open shellfish and other prey.
Hold Your Breath:
Otters have impressive lung capacity, allowing them to hold their breath for several minutes while swimming underwater.
Dense Fur:
Sea otters have the densest fur of any animal, which helps them stay warm in the cold ocean waters.
Nocturnal:
Many otter species are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night.
Playful Behavior:
Otters are known for their playful nature and enjoy activities like sliding, chasing their tails, and wrestling.
Vocal Animals:
Otters are quite vocal, using a variety of calls to communicate with each other.
Social Animals:
While some otter species are solitary, others live in groups called rafts and enjoy social interaction.
Diet:
Otters have diverse diets, with some species eating fish, crustaceans, and mollusks
Baby Otters:
Baby otters are called pups.
Fast Swimmers:
Otters are excellent swimmers, reaching speeds of up to seven miles per hour.
Webbed Feet:
Otters have webbed feet, which help them propel themselves through the water.
Sensitive Whiskers:
Otters have sensitive whiskers around their snout that help them detect prey.
Eye Placement:
Sea otters' eyes are placed on top of their head, allowing them to stay alert while submerged. |
Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
1440 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
1440 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2025 : 1:56:45 PM
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Otters were believed to be hunted to extinction off California in the 1800s. I recall driving down the coast in 1970 and seeing whales spouting and pulled over to watch them. With binoculars I saw otters and had more fun watching them than the whales.
The river otters at the San Francisco zoo were fun -- they were very responsive and interactive vocally. |
Judith
7932
Happiness is Homemade
FGOTM 6/21, 6/24 |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
4978 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
4978 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2025 : 7:05:59 PM
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| We have seen many otters from the cruise ships when we went to Alaska. They are very interesting critters to watch. |
Linda B
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919
FGOTM for August, 2015 and April, 2017
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2025 : 04:42:06 AM
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| We've only ever seen them at the zoos. They are fun to watch. |
Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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Jokamartell
True Blue Farmgirl
1473 Posts
Karen
Kennewick
WA
USA
1473 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2025 : 7:29:55 PM
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| I think otters might be my spirit animal! ;) I love their playful nature! :) I was able to see them a few years ago in the wild. And I love watching them at the zoo! :) |
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2025 : 04:20:26 AM
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Composition:
Diamonds are made of pure carbon, making them the only gemstone composed of a single element.
Hardness:
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale.
Colors:
While colorless diamonds are common, they also occur in a variety of colors, including yellow, brown, blue, green, orange, pink, red, and purple. Blue, green, orange, and red being the rarest.
Rarity:
Only about 30% of mined diamonds are gem quality.
Industrial Use:
The majority of mined diamonds (70-80%) are used for industrial purposes, like cutting and polishing other materials.
Origin:
Diamonds are brought to the surface by volcanic activity, often from deep within the Earth (100-200 miles below the surface).
Diamond in Arkansas:
The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the only diamond mine in the world open to the public.
Burning Diamonds:
If a diamond burns at over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, it will vanish without leaving any ash.
"Lucy" Star:
A star about 50 light-years away is believed to be a giant diamond, and scientists named it Lucy after the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".
Engagement Rings:
Diamond engagement rings have a long history, with the earliest record dating back to 1477. |
Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
4978 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
4978 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2025 : 1:15:07 PM
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Love the diamond tidbits. And I love diamonds. LOL!
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Linda B
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919
FGOTM for August, 2015 and April, 2017
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2025 : 08:14:20 AM
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My sister used to collect all different types of turtle figurines. I thought it would be fun to learn a little about them.
Shell is Part of the Skeleton:
A turtle's shell is not just a protective covering; it's fused with their rib cage and spine, making it part of their skeleton.
Temperature-Dependent Sex:
The temperature of the nest during incubation determines the sex of turtle hatchlings.
Long Lifespans:
Turtles can live for a very long time, with some tortoises living over 100 years.
No Teeth, Just a Beak:
Turtles don't have teeth; instead, they have a beak-like mouth to break up food.
Can Hold Their Breath:
Turtles, especially sea turtles, can hold their breath for extended periods, with some species able to stay underwater for up to 30 minutes.
Diverse Diets:
Turtles are carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores, depending on the species and their environment.
Navigating with Magnetic Fields:
Sea turtles can navigate long distances using their sensitivity to the Earth's magnetic fields.
Unique Breathing:
Some turtle species, like the Eastern Painted Turtle, can breathe through their back end.
Endangered Species:
Many turtle species are endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and other |
Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
4978 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
4978 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2025 : 08:26:40 AM
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| Very interesting! There are so many obscure facts about so many different animals, plants, customs, etc. Thank you for keeping us informed. |
Linda B
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919
FGOTM for August, 2015 and April, 2017
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10418 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10418 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2025 : 08:30:48 AM
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| Just thought it would be a fun way to learn new things. It's important to always keep on learning! |
Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
Edited by - levisgrammy on Aug 08 2025 03:02:43 AM |
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Project Discussions: Did you know |
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Did you know
