Springtime

This is an unusual spring. By now we usually have our garden planted. So far we have only put in potatoes and they are just beginning to peek out of the ground.  It's been too cold to garden. It's not just a continuation of winter but extremes of temperatures are inhibiting not only the growth of plants but of our usual joy at the arrival of spring.  Each spring we get a break on our utility bills as it gradually warms and the need for heating the house wanes and the summer heat has yet to require the use of air conditioning, but we find ourselves heating the house in the morning and turning on the air conditioning in the afternoon.  Thunderstorms pop up in the warm, humid afternoons only to leave a layer of frost in the mornings. The people who doubt the existence of global climate change probably don't live in the country.

Here are some photos I've collected in recent weeks:

This squirrel has invaded our attic. Those pesky critters will

do much damage to your home if you allow them to remain. They will

chew the insulation off wires potentially causing  fires and will even

chew into PVC pipe. In the lower left of the picture is a humane

trap which I'm using in an attempt to capture the squirrel and relocate

to a new home miles away.  He doesn't seem too interested in being

 caught so I have my .22 rifle at the ready. I would prefer not to kill

him but one way or the other he is going to leave the premises.

 

Mocking Bird

 

Blue Jay

 

Tulips

 

Daffodils

 

White Breasted Nuthatch

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

 

Show Gracen a box and she will crawl into it.

 

Grand kids enjoying Nana's fried chicken, mashed potatoes,

and gravy.  LtoR Jenna, Gracen, Hunter, Marley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G and the boys

Our great grand daughter loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

She takes these pillows with her everywhere she goes.

 

Quote of the Day

As soon as man does not take his existence for granted, but beholds it as something unfathomably mysterious, thought begins.

-- Albert Schweitzer

Bird of the Day

Brown Headed Cowbird. This is the infamous bird

that lays its eggs in another bird's nest. The imposter cowbird

offspring is bigger than most bird chicks and will hog

most of the food and push the rightful heirs from the nest.

Quote of the Day

Stories happen to those who tell them.

-- Thucydides

Bird of the Day

The female Cardinal is not a bright as her male partner. Just

below the platform is a Downey Woodpecker

Quote of the Day

The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook.

--Julia Child

Bird of the Day

We keep bird feeders just outside our patio door so that we can watch the different species come to feed.

Cardinals are one of my favorites. They stay here year round

and during winter are beautiful when seen against the snow.