Springtime in and around the wetlands

EXCELLENT post and photos, Jim! Just what was needed on this dreary start to our Friday!

Two things remind me of the celebration of spring above all else they being pollywogs and pussy willows.

I attended John Kennedy School in the early sixties before all the development of homes and apartments behind it in that area of the city.

It was swampy back there and flooded every spring; the water full of leopard frog pollywogs and acres of pussy willows and naturally as a small boy both were treasures to be coveted. My mother always forgave my wet muddy clothes when I brought home jars full of pollywogs for me and bunches of pussy willows for her.

Thanks for the pictures Jim and here is a poem by Dot McGinnis to go along with them called “The Legend of Pussy Willows”.

A Polish legend tells the tale
Of tiny kittens, oh, so frail.

Along the river's edge they chased.
With butterflies, they played and raced.

They came too close to the river's side
And, thus, fell in. Their mother cried.

What could she do but weep and moan?
Her babies' fate were yet unknown.

The willows, by the river, knew
Just what it was that they must do.

They swept their graceful branches down
Into the waters, all around.

To reach the kittens was their goal;
A rescue mission, heart and soul.

The kittens grasped the branches tight.
The willows saved them from their plight.

Each springtime since, the story goes,
Willow branches now wear clothes.

Tiny fur like buds are sprung
Where little kittens once had clung.

And that’s the legend, so they claim,
How Pussy Willows Got Their Name!

Loved the poem, Richard. Thanks!

You are welcome Ed.

Yes I remember; they are good memories Jim and there were a more than one pond in the general vicinity if you went in on the Bank Street side at the end of Ross Street.

We called one of them the brick pond because somebody at one time dumped yellow bricks back there. The deepest was called the turtle pond full of Eastern Painted Turtles.

Do you remember before Chandler Avenue was expanded and became a through Street to Bank and the Medical Buildings and such were built that was all open fields all the way to Ross Street.

There was an open drainage ditch that emptied into the storm sewer on the Ross Street and went right underneath the road. Back in the day when the weather was dry we had a secret club house of sorts underneath the storm sewer and could wander underneath the City with our flashlights.

Nice pics!

I remember my brother and cousins telling me that the pussywillow pods excreted a liquid that would scar you - and they'd show their rubella shot scars as proof. I believed them.

Hi Jim,
Aaah, great memories from my youth once again. My brothers and cousins trekked to "Pollywog Pond" back in the late 60's, early 70's here in Pavilion. A walk through woods and terrain, carrying mason jars and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches that my Aunt Pat prepared for us. It was a full day in the hot sun, scratches from branches and weeds, and bug bites. We returned home with jars full of pollywogs. What great memories!

And who doesn't LOVE pussywillows?!

Thanks, Jim.
Have a great weekend, you & Claudia. Supposed to beautiful out. Enjoy.

Looking forward to seeing more pictures; esp. with the new camera, Jim. Are leeks and "ramps" the same? Either way, what a wonderful dinner you have planned for Sun. What's for dessert?!