Well, Lookie Here

The question is: Is it the wife, back after a few day's absence, or, is it a new girlfriend?

Whichever, they look pretty companionable.

More Wildlife

I seem to be on a critter kick this week. And, the critters are making themselves readily available for pictures.

Last night the four deer were out at the bird feeder nice and early. I can't resist taking pictures of them, when they come that early. Deer are just so delicate and beautiful, even if these guys do look a little scruffy because they're right in the middle of their Spring shed.

A Widower?

For the past few years, I have had a pair of Canada geese coming regularly to my bird feeder. Two is manageable, and I never minded their visits, unlike another bunch that shows up that I'm sure consists of grandparents, parents and kids.

This year, they showed up again, a couple of weeks ago. All was fine until three days ago. Only one goose showed up, and that has been the case since then. It's early for nesting, so I am very much afraid that the female has died. It's kind of sad to see Mr. Goose hanging out, all by himself.

He's not friendly, but has gotten used to seeing me around over the years. So, he lets me quite close to him. Though, I can always tell when I am pushing the limits, by the stuck out tongue and the hissing.

I always thought that they mated for life, and that, if one died, the other stayed alone. But, I just was doing some research, and this is, apparently, not true. They can take another mate. I hope Mr. Goose finds a pretty new lady friend.

Oh Dreary Day

e e cummings may say that in Spring "The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful", but, some days are just plain dreary. Today is one of them. The fog is lifting, but the heavy rain of last night has left puddles and all the branches of the trees with water droplets hanging from them.



The only creatures out and about are the squirrels, under the birdfeeder.



Even the cats are just sitting around staring at me wondering "What are we going to do today, Ma?" And, I'm stuck inside, waiting for a phone call from the cable people who are supposed to be here between 8 AM and Noon. Sigh, that's right, my brand new cable box, installed just about a week and a half ago, is capoot already.

Oh well, Monday is the traditional laundry day, and I guess that's what I'll be doing. And, on the good news front, by Friday, it's supposed to be 75 degrees and sunny out.

Erm, edited to add that the reason that the cable box wasn't working was that, apparently, one of the cats had knocked a plug thingie off of the back of the box. It took him all of 30 seconds to fix (Louise rolls eyes at own stupidity for not checking.)

Out of My Rear Window 3/28/10

Notice the same large stack of junk that was in the picture last week? How come contractors never get the last few things done unless you nag at them? Obviously, that's one of my jobs during this coming week. Luckily, after a career spent nagging trucking companies, I'm pretty good at it.

It's going to be a fairly warm day, 43 right now, but it is cloudy, and expected to get rainy later in the day. Good day to clean the kitchen. Maybe, the grass is a wee bit greener than last week, or, is that wistful thinking?

42nd Street

You know, I just got blown away. I went to our local high school's production of 42nd Street, just for something to do on a Saturday afternoon. I certainly wasn't expecting the depth of talent I saw, from singing to dancing (oh that tapping) to the skill of the orchestra. When did high schoolers become so talented? This was certainly far beyond the rather pedestrian Finian's Rainbow that I remember from my high school days, back in the dark ages.

I think I just added a new musical to my list of favorites.

What We do on a Cold Friday Morning.

While Mom goes grocery shopping:

Gina practices her posing



Rachael looks out of the window, and dreams of being a mighty hunter



Becky tries to decide whether or not she wants to practice shooting the rapids



And Leon does what he does best, catches up on his beauty rest



Anyone notice that Mom is the only one who got any work done this morning?

I got an Award!

The first award that I have ever gotten! Thank you so much AJ-OAKS, whose blog "A Little Farm With A Big Heart," http://wwwaj-oaks.blogspot.com/2010/03/given-award.html I read faithfully.

The rules of this award are:

1. You must accept the award.
2. Thank the person who gave you the award.
3. Add a link to the person who gave you the award.
4. Paste the award on your blog.
5. Write 10 things about yourself that others might not know.
6. Pass the award on to 10 others.

Hmmm, 10 things that you may not know about me.

1. I turn painfully shy when in large groups of people.
2. A chocoholic.
3. Addicted to hidden object games.
4. Not much of a traveler. I like to get away once in a while, but I'm always very glad to get home.
5. A confirmed slob. Just ask my friends. I make sure I have company on a fairly regular basis, because that's about the only thing that forces me into cleaning.
6. A napper
7. Favorite TV shows are NCIS, Bones and Castle.
8. Not an athlete, but, love to swim.
9. Not a cryer. The emotions are there, but it takes a lot for the tears to flow.
10. A lover of Keurig coffee, the darker and bolder the better.

I pass this award to:

1. Isobelle GoLightly the Beautiful Goat. http://isobellegolightlythebeautifulgoat.blogspot.com/
2. Blue Ridge Boomer. http://brboomer.blogspot.com/
3. Laughing Orca Ranch. http://laughingorcaranch.blogspot.com/
4. One a Day for 365? Really? http://oneadayfor365really.blogspot.com/
5. A Little Farm With A Big Heart.http://wwwaj-oaks.blogspot.com/
6. Whispering Acres. http://chooksiniowa.blogspot.com/
7. Meandering Washington. http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4420673425798745616
8. Crap on my shoes, egg in my pocket (and yarn on the needle.) http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/
9. Desert Canyon Living. http://desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com/
10. BooneDocksWilcox. http://boonedockswilcox.blogspot.com/

The Finished Products Plus a Random Visitor

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about some decorative plates of Man O' War and Secretariat, that I picked up in an antique shop. I took them to be framed, along with a print of Man O' War that I have had since I was a kid. Today, we hung the finished products. I think that they came out very, very well.





I got this picture this morning, and I thought it came out very well, so I just thought I'd add it, for the heck of it.

The View from on High

Last Saturday, Isobelle GoLightly's Lady (http://isobellegolightlythebeautifulgoat.blogspot.com/) and I went for a hike. We went to Gannet Hill Park, down in the Finger Lakes. It's a beautiful park, with lots of trails and open spaces.

Isobelle's nemisis, Thistle went with us. He was a very good boy, and enjoyed his walk with us. He was good in the car, and didn't fuss when I, not being used to having dogs ride in the back seat, braked too hard, and he went flying. He sure is a handsome fellow and, he was sufficiently tired when we got home to actually have a civil conversation with Isobelle.




We wanted to see the view from the top, so we walked an easy trail up. It was clear and well taken care of. On the way to the top we passed lots of temporary run off pools. When Spring is a little farther along, they will be full of peeper frogs. Right now, there is still a lot of snow left.



The view from the top is striking now, and I can't wait to see it in the various seasons. This is looking to the West.





We walked over the top of the hill, to see the view to the East. It's entirely different that that to the West, but, just as beautiful.




We (I) were too pooped to walk any more, so we went to a look out spot where we could see the South end of Canandaigua Lake. In the first picture, you can very faintly see some fisherman's boats on the lake.




It was a beautiful day, and I'm anxious to see all of these sights again. Oh, and I found a lovely moss and lichen covered rock for my Washington State friend.

Rug War

My big yellow cat, Leon, and little chubby Rachael are best of buddies. They sleep together, and, sometimes, they play rough together.

Leon lounges, Rachael eyes the target.



The battle





And the winner is ------------- Rachael, by a roll over.

Out of My Rear Window 3/21/10

Um, erm, well, it's kind of a messy view this week, because of all the "stuff" I had to take out of the shed, in order for the contractor to do his work. The garage and shed should be finished on Monday, so, next week, you won't have to look at a pile of "treasures."

And, as a side note, I owe everybody who has commented an apology. I changed internet providers late last week and forgot that I would need to change the email address to be notified about new comments. So, I've been sitting here wondering why no one has been commenting, while those who have commented have wondered why in heck they comments haven't been made visible. I think it has been fixed now.

Another beautiful day

We're having an unusual run of nice weather. Right now, it's sunny, and 64. I have been out doing yard work all day. Of course, next week, it's supposed to go right back into the 30's. It's got the plants fooled, though.

Day Lilies - These are near the house, and sheltered from our prevailing west wind, so they always are up first. Still, they aren't an early bloomer.



Daffodils - Also against the house. They are the first ones to bloom and I can't wait. Sigh, that bed still has to be deleaved. Maybe tomorrow.



But, even back in the woods, the old fashioned daffys are coming up. They are a pretty double flower, and I have to get back there and dig them up. I have a feeling that they started from extra's my Grandmother threw away, and I want some back in the garden.



Pachysandra - the buds are starting to form already.



Even the moss is greening up. A lot of my "lawn" is really moss. That's fine with me. It stays green all summer, and it doesn't have to be mowed.



Back in the woods, I can see a little bit of green.



But, mostly, things are still brown and still.



I couldn't have picked a nicer few days to get my garage sided. I'm getting too old and fat to paint it every few years, so I decided to just side it, and be done with it. The back of the garage has a shed built on to it, separated by a wall. That shed is where I want to put my chicken coop.

Work in progress, showing the side that hasn't been done yet.



Other side. Almost finished and looking good.



Back side, facing the woods. Right behind that new door will be where I will put in my chicken coop. But, sigh, I have to talk to them about that door. They hung it crooked, and there is a big crack in the top, where the snow and the cold can come in. There's a concrete floor in there, though, so I don't think any critters will be getting in to steal the hens.



I had to clean out the shed, so that the guys could get in there and work. You wouldn't believe the crap I pulled out of there. It filled most of a dump truck. But, because I had to do that, I'm way ahead of schedule. I may, and it's only may, be able to get the chickens this year, instead of waiting until next.

Now tell me. My town, as I mentioned before, specifies that you have to have five acres and be a working farm. I have one acre, and six chickens do not a working farm make, so, I should get a variance. However, when I talked to the guy last year, he said that they have never given out one.

So, do I do the honest thing and attempt to get the variance, or do I become a scofflaw, and just get the chickens, hoping that no one ever sees them hidden in back and down a hill as they are?

Not in My Yard!

I love the critters that come into my yard. They give me hours of endless enjoyment. But, I think that I would feel just a little intimidated if I looked out the window and saw this fellow, like the parents of a friend of mine did. Luckily, the picture was taken in Venice, Florida, so he'd have a long way to go to show up here. I don't know if this is a bobcat, or a lynx.

Out of My Rear Window 3/14/10

A damp, dreary day, with much less snow on the ground than last week. It will be a good day for staying inside and getting some chores done.