Nighttime Prowlers at Lathrop

By Barbara Walvoord

Originally printed in the Lathrop Lamp Post for Dec. 7-13, 2019

Our neighbor, Bobbie Reitt, got a wildlife camera as a gift from her son.  We mounted it in the wooded glade behind our houses on Huckleberry.  The camera takes a picture, even at night, in response to a motion sensor. Bobbie’s son-in-law helped download the photos onto a stick.  A few days ago, we gathered with a glass of wine to

Rabbit on the Menu

by Barbara Walvoord

First published in the Lathrop Lamp Post for July 20-26, 2019

“A rabbit ate my…” is one of the most common phrases I hear these days when chatting with neighbors about our gardens.  At the community garden the other day, I swear I saw a dozen of them.

In summer, rabbits eat nearly any tender green plant—up to 145 species.  That would be our gardens.  Supposedly, rabbits also eat crabgrass, but I haven’t seen any munching on the crabgrass along my street.

One rabbit may defend a territory of more than an acre.  So my garden should have only one, or maybe a pair.  Why do I see so many?  Well, there are the babies—up to 35 per year per female, and

New Homes at Lathrop

by Barbara Walvoord

Originally published in the Lathrop Lamp Post Jan. 20-26, 2018

Lathrop residents are probably not supposed to just go out and build new homes on our land without master planning, Quakerly consensus, building permits, and all that, but I have to admit that’s what Sharon and I have done.

The new homes are located on Huckleberry Lane, behind the current homes.  The new townhouse unit is nestled into the woods, right on the edge of a lovely wet meadow.  It contains multiple homes all in one structure–very efficient.

New residents have already moved in, so Marketing– you are off the hook.