It is hard not to notice the Fire Pink, also called Scarlet Catchfly. So, why is pink in the name of a flower so red? Well, in this case, think of the definition of "pink" as a verb: to cut a scalloped or zigzag edge. (Remember pinking shears?) This flower definitely has zigzagged ends and is the color of fire, hence the name. photo courtesy of Quinn Miller

A few years ago, I found this beautful glass owl in an antique store. Later found out that it was one of a set of glass bookends made by the Blenko Glass Company, located here in WV. Blenko Glass Company has been a family owned and operated company since 1893 and are famous in the time-honored craft of hand-blown glass. If you are traveling on WV Route 64 between Huntington and Charleston, WV, they are certainly worth a visit! #blenko #glass #owl #wv #art #miller #cabins

At first glance, this might be identified as a weed, but it's all from perspective of the observer. Look a little closer, and you'll spy small purple flowers. There's a not so pretty name to go along with this not so pretty plant, but because it is a harbinger of spring, you gotta love it anyway! Purple deadnettle is a member of the mint family. If you twirl the stem between your thumb and finger, you'll notice that like all mints, the stem is actually square, not round. A

As you travel our trails this time of year, you will be sure to spot some of our native wildflowers. If it's purple, it just may be one of these. The larger purple flowered violet comes in about 15 different varieties and not all violets are violet. You can also find them in yellow and white. The smaller purple flowered ground ivy spreads like.....ivy! #flower #wv #wildflower

As you travel the trails, whether on foot or on machine, you are sure to be passing by our native springtime flora. Some are easy to spot...some, a little less obvious. Next time you slow down on the trails, take a moment so see how many different species you can count! BTW, that's a white flowering crabapple tree in beautiful bloom beside our home/office. #home #log #tree