North American Gray Squirrel

 Squirrels are so entertaining to watch.  I'm always amazed at their agility.  They are always welcome in our yard, well mostly.  We have had several run ins over the years we have lived here.  One year they ate a hole in the vent of our roof.  Grayden had to put up rat wire to keep them out of our attic.  They can really chew through just about anything!  My neighbors chain link fence was chewed by them!  Not the fence itself, but the wires that attach the fence to the top pole.  

 Even when they dig up my flowers I still am amazed at their abilities.  I was reading more about them the other day and learned that they can jump 4-5 feet vertically and leap horizontally up to 9 feet.  Keep those numbers in mind.  

Since we enjoy feeding the birds we bought a pole system that would keep the squirrels away.  It has worked for us for at least 15 years.  Since the Olympics are this year our squirrels are outdoing themselves.  This pole system is supposed to have 10 feet all around it to keep the jumping squirrels at bay.  Since our trees have grown in diameter we found it was no longer 10 feet away.

Knowing we needed to move the pole system, Grayden, Samuel, and I moved this pole system so we had 12 feet away from any trees or jumping off points.

Everything looked great for a while.....

Then we couldn't believe it, but I saw this little rascal back in the feeder!!

I actually saw him jump from the tree to this feeder!  Well, Sammy,  you are welcome to all the seed you want because you earned it.  Congratulations on the gold medal, my furry friend!

Thanks for taking a look at our attempt to outsmart the squirrel!  Have a great day friends!

A Little of This and That

 It's no surprise that I love viewing nature as most of you my friends do as well.  I have been watching a sweet little bird come and go at my feeder for a couple of months now and I'm concerned.  It's been difficult catching him with my camera as he is quite cautious and flits about nervously.

 I had to do some research to try to figure out what is going on with this male cardinal.  As you can see he has no feathers on his head like his other brothers.

It appears that he is molting, but the timing should have solved that issue by now.  Usually when a bird molts he has his feathers grow back fairly quickly.  Upon further investigation I read that bird experts don't agree as to why this happens.

 These experts believe it is possibly from parasites.  There really is nothing I can do to help!  Some experts also believe it could be from trauma.  I really feel bad for him as the ladies don't take kindly to him because of his looks!  Some ornithologists also think it could be genetic.  Whatever the reason this little guy still visits us at the feeder occasionally.  I wish him well and hope his feathers will grow back.  If you have ever seen a cardinal like him I'd like to know.  I've seen cardinals molting before, but never like this one.

On another topic Grayden was able to power wash our patio rug.  With his health issues the last couple of years a lot of jobs that he normally takes care of have been delayed.  

As you can see this rug was filthy!  I told Grayden we needed to buy another one as this would never get clean.  Boy, was I wrong!

Grayden has a small power washer that worked great on this really dirty rug!  

He was able to wash this rug on the front and the back so we were able to put it on our patio again.  Our concrete patio floor gets hot and this rug helps with that and anchors our patio table and chairs.

We are supposed to get cooler temperatures tomorrow.  Hopefully we will be able to enjoy our cleaned up patio rug as we watch the birds.  Maybe the sweet little bald cardinal with pay us a visit.

Thank you for stopping by, my friends.  I hope your day gives you joy!

  

Sometimes Someone's Perfect

My friend Denise introduced me to Becky Hemsley's poetry on one of her posts!  I had not read any of Becky Hemsley's work before reading about her on Denise's blog.  www.anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com  You should go visit Denise if you haven't!  I don't know how she does it, but she posts daily. Thank you Denise!

Becky Hemsley's writing is quite extraordinary.  It speaks to me, and maybe it will to you! 

 

"Sometimes someone's perfect

Is another person's flawed

Sometimes someone's peaceful

Is another person's bored

Sometimes someone's freedom

Is another person's trapped

And sometimes someone's make-believe

Is someone else's fact

One man's trash, they often say

Is someone else's treasure

And someone's stormy forecast

Is another's perfect weather

Sometimes someone's scars

Can tell a very painful story

And sometimes they're reminders

Of a celebrated glory

Because it all depends you see

On where you're actually stood

On what you care to notice

And how far you dare to look

And there is sometimes someone

Standing just across from you

Who from the other side

Can see a very different view

Yes, all the time perspective

Will determine what we find

It's how the number 6

Is sometimes someone's number 9

And it is also how

You sit and count your flaws and scars

Whilst to someone just across from you

You're perfect as you are"

Becky Hemsley

Thank you for stopping by and remember "You're perfect as you are"

Hello Friends

It's been way too long since I've posted in this little blog.  I do appreciate all that come here.  Inspiration has been lacking but still I enjoy posting the joyous things that happen in our lives.  

 The America rose really bloomed beautifully into June.  

These same America roses change from a coral shade to a lovely pink.

The red knockout roses performed beautifully as well.  They provided many bouquets around our home the whole month.

Our hydrangeas don't typically bloom that well, but this year they have!  The pink ones mean they are growing in alkaline soil.

 The more purple are growing in acidic soil.  Sometimes you see both on one plant.  They are a favorite of mine and I enjoy bringing them indoors as well.  I learned a new trick this year that makes them last quite a while indoors.  Take your cuttings early in the morning and place in water immediately.  When indoors make a fresh cut and put alum on the cut edge.  Then place them in your container.  I've had some of them to last over 3 weeks on our tables.

This method works well for Lace Cap hydrangeas as well.

My gardens are now suffering from lack of attention and severe heat.  I am very thankful for the rain we received over the last couple of days.  We always have hot and humid summers, but this one has been quite oppressive to this old lady gardener!  (Grayden wanted me to edit that, but he lives in a dream world with me)!

We have had so many bunnies in our yard this year.  They have enjoyed eating rudbeckia, purple coneflowers, larkspur and even hostas!  I'm so happy they like what I plant.  I was recently reading an article about eating more plants, so maybe we'll try those in our next salad.  Only kidding friends!  Stay cool and hydrated.