Art by Hart

Even after a bath, Primrose’s kitty smelled funny

Once the shy Ms. Slugg, Bernice retired--and became quite the party animal

It was Charlie’s bet that some kind of flying insect had bitten Woofy on the head

Aunt Missy practically invented overthinking

Eustis couldn’t sleep without a firm pillow

Art and photos by Jane Hart

In and Around Kendal

A Red-Carpet Day at Kendal

Photo by Edward Kasinec

A Perfect Kendal Summer Day

Photo by Philip Monteleoni

They’re All Around Us: Kendal’s Avid Nature Photographers

Photo by Philip Monteleoni

A Hero Among Us

Sharry Luckach to the rescue, by Jane Hart

And Inside Our Walls?

The Kendal Fiber Arts members learn about upcycling from Kirsten Harries

Photos by Marilyn Bottjer

Meanwhile, in Rockwood Park . . .

Early Morning Sky, by Carolyn Reiss

Young Man Out in the World, by Harry Bloomfeld

Birds of a feather: the Martins of Rockwood Park, by Carolyn Reiss

And to All, a Good Night . . .

A Magnificent Kendal Sunset, by Cathie Campbell

The Great Escape: Caprine Style

If you remember from last week’s Res Web, the Rockwood Park goats had been herded right next to Kendal Way. Then came the big rain storm. And down went the fence. The female goats seemed happy to stay. Plenty to eat. No hassle. Yeah, there’s a big, wide world out there, but—yawn—what the hey.

Then came the Billy—had handsome black fellow in the forefront of the ladies. Male with a mission—and that mission was wide open spaces. And that’s the point that Carolyn Reiss and her pup Allie came along.

The big white goats looked at little Allie. Little Allie looked at the big white goats. Carolyn took pictures—then decided it was time for her and Allie to take their leave. No doubt the horns had an influence in the decision. Once safely out of the escape route, Carolyn tried calling Stone Barns. Lots of recorded messages; no human beings. She then called the Rockefeller Preserve folks and they came a-running—and a-herding. A happy ending for everyone—except the Billy.

Photos by Carolyn Reiss

Bastille Day

They were at it again, those French-loving Kendalites. As always ahead of the times, all Kendal was invited to celebrate Bastille Day on Sunday, July 13—and Francophiles responded dramatically.

There was wild dancing in the aisles:

Very wild—Mon Dieu!

Photos from Simone (with help from Caroline Reiss)

I Never Knew That

The Popsicle: An Accidental Invention

In 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson absentmindedly left his cup of soda with a stirring stick in it on the porch overnight. Temperatures dipped below freezing that evening, which was a rarity where Epperson lived in Oakland, California. This unusual frigidity proved to be a blessing in disguise.

The next morning, Epperson discovered his drink had frozen over and transformed into a delicious icy concoction, which he dubbed the “Epsicle.” Epperson showed the creation to his classmates, who loved it, as well.

After becoming a parent, he introduced it to his own children. His kids referred to the refreshing treat as “Pop’s ’sicle,” and the name stuck. In 1923, he began selling the dessert at Neptune Beach near San Francisco, and the Popsicle went on to achieve popularity worldwide.

Source: historyfacts.com

Art by Hart

As usual, Dr. Moore-Grey’s underwater dentistry practice was booked solid

Junior was glad Uncle Stew had forgotten the details of the William Tell legend

Born a flying fish, Hackerman evolved into an amphibian, and spent much of each day counting his steps

The bad news: it was raining plastic The good news: it was only a drizzle

Carleton couldn’t resist pulling out one of Bossie’s whiskers

Art and photos by Jane Hart

In and Around

Kendal A-bloom

Photo by Philip Monteleoni

Rockwood A-Bloom

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Photo by Mimi Abramovitz

Even the fungi flourish under the trees! Photo by Edward Kasinec

Kendal A-Bunny

A shy Alida neighbor, by Jane Hart

Rockwood Up Close

A-peeling bark, by Carolyn Reiss

Fungi Feast, by Edward Kasinec

A Very Old Fellow, by Carolyn Reiss

Kendal A-birding?

Photo by Hubert Herring

Recently, a Carolina wren set up housekeeping in a flower pot on the Herrings’ deck. Six babies resulted. They have now flown off to seek their fortunes. (No thank-you notes were left.)

More News from the Land o’ Goats

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

For those of you longing for goat-contact without the burden of trail-walking, there’s good news: the goats have been moved to the nearest point to Kendal. Seek and ye shall find!

However, someone else might just be interested, as well. Coyote noticed (and photographed) by Rich Shields.

A Peaceful Kendal July 4th Night—Sans Fireworks

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

And By Day

Photo by Stan Amburg

To State the Obvious . . .

There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. Only a fraction of people will find this funny.

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.

I have many hidden talents. I just wish I could remember where I hid them.

My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself.

Exercise helps you with decision-making. It’s true.  I went for a run this morning and decided I’m never going again!

Four out of three adults have trouble with math.

Contributed by Barbara Wallach

I Never Knew That

Stressed Plants Cry Out for Help

For those of us not blessed with a green thumb, it’d certainly be helpful if our plant friends could tell us when they need attention. Well, it turns out they do—we just can’t hear them.

In early 2023, scientists from Tel Aviv University revealed the results of an investigation into whether plants make sounds in ultrasonic frequencies. Previous studies had established that plants can hear sounds, despite not having ears, so it seemed possible that they could create sounds without mouths. After isolating plants in a soundproofed acoustic chamber and a greenhouse and then recording them, the researchers were able to train a machine learning algorithm to differentiate sounds among three disparate plant states: unstressed, cut, or dehydrated.

Unstressed plants made little noise and continued along in their usual happy routine of photosynthesizing, but cut and dehydrated plants let out frequent small pops and clicks in a range too high for humans to hear. Stressed plants produced up to 40 of these clicks per hour, while dehydrated plants increased clicks as they got more and more parched. Although tomato and tobacco plants were originally tested, other crops were found to produce similar noises.

It’s possible some animals that can hear in frequencies beyond human capabilities could respond to these noises. If a moth were trying to find a suitable plant to lay its eggs, for example, it might skip one that’s popping in distress.

Big mysteries remain: For one thing, scientists don’t know how plants are making these sounds in the first place. All we know for sure is that the quiet lives of plants are not nearly as quiet as they seem.

 Source: Interestingfacts.com

Contributed by Jane Hart

For Your Funny Bone

Contributed by Norman Sissman

Contributed by Norman Sissman

Contributed by Barbara Bruno

Contributed by Barbara Wallach

Art by Hart

Effie’s dentist offered a cuddly support heron

Ruffin was still obsessing over the bad call that ended his little league career

Unsure if it was Friday or Saturday, Franklin took a vote

Gleason turned white as a sheet when AI told him what his puppy was really saying

Wentworth loved finding inchworms on Aunt Sadie

Afternoon of a Fawn

Boy, is Bambi’s mom gonna be ticked. Edward Kasinec noticed him (her?) and siblings, all adorable in their spots and spindly legs, in Rockwood Hall, under the watchful eye of mom (she demurred from being photographed).

Photo by Edward Kasinec

Later that day, Jane Hart just happened to be at Phelps, when who should appear but . . .

Photos by Jane Hart

No indication of whether there’s a ring leader or this was a group decision. Just don’t tell their mom.