Winter is on the wane. How do I know? I'll tell you at the end.
This is how I amuse myself on those cold winter days when I don't venture out much.
The same nuts I bought for $4.98 per bag before Christmas are now 75 cents per bag and I buy lots of them. The squirrels are waiting on the porch each morning when I raise the shades. I'm afraid I've let them get too friendly, but they make me smile.
Of course, the weenies come running to chase them away, but the squirrels have little fear of them. Sister is momentarily guarding the lot.
In an instant, the squirrels are back. I'm surprised they even run away from the weenies as they don't go more than a few steps away.
The weather will be warm today and I'll be out cleaning up some flower beds, in between watching the wildlife. Everyone has been sick with a form of the flu; I think we've all had variations of the same virus. I am at the end of mine, but this one saps your energy so I may be doing more watching than working.
Besides cleaning the flowerbeds, I'll be making a loaf of bread from friend Monique's blog. I haven't made bread in years, so I am going to have to be patient and let it rise for a long time.
And lastly, winter is on the wane. At the farm, I always looked for the changes of the seasons. Signs of spring, like the wild onions and mayapples are the first to appear. In the city, the birds are busy popping in and out of the birdhouses, feathering their nests. Both the males and females are bringing in dried grasses and feathers, prepping for their spring hatch. Seems early, but there you are.
"Do you know why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories."
Peter Pan
38 comments:
Donna, today here the birds have been singing all day. You are quite right, Spring is only just round the corner, I hope I am not tempting fate by saying so.
I think as time has speeded up considerably these later years, the changing of the season is a constant. Spring is my favorite time of year.
That little shopping cart:)Something tells me
You could write and illustrate a charming little wildlife story.
Our squirrels are all over the place,the snow is coated in ice..I see them sitting on it and I shiver☺️Hope the bread turns out!Walnut and cranberry?Should be fine..I am spotting it here and there ❤️It is not mine though☺️Glad your virus is on the adieu!
That is a heart catching quote.
My sparrows, for I have none other, are shagging like spring birds.
Adore your photos that is a fun way to see and feed the "wildlife".
I have to be very careful feeding the wildlife here. To many predators.
I think we had at the most a week of Fall tha ran into 3 days of winter. Very little rain and snow. Bad bad bad bad summer coming .
Thank You again for the Scotty plate and everyone loves it.
cheers, parsnip and mandibles
Monique, I've seen squirrels eating the swelling buds of trees in early spring so I hope they stored some of the nuts under bark. We'll see how it turns out. I may start baking bread all the time after this. Can't wait until tomorrow.
I guess I never noticed, Joanne, how early they begin their preparations.
So glad you love it Gayle. It found its way to a good home. We've had very little rain this winter and I am worried about wildfires this spring. The ranchers will start burning off fields soon and with the drought, it ought to be dangerous. Only predators in the city are the red tailed hawks and the sparrows hide in the bushes when they come around.
I have birds at the feeders, but no one is singing, just yet. More snow predicted here in KY. February is supposed to be brutal for us.
We are currently in a weird January thaw (this too shall pass) and I have been seeing more squirrels in the past few days then I have all winter! Our squirrels, however, do no have their own shopping cart with which to transport their nuts. -Jenn
Good to know as I am more than ready for spring to roll around. Hope you continue to feel better, this year has been a bad one for the flu. Very worrisome. I have felt under the weather for two months now. Seasonal allergies have nailed me. Nice to see you blogging again!😊
I am ready for spring! I like the shopping cart, I put lots out for them and they do tame down.I make all my bread during the cold months, it is therapeutic.Plus I eat better with it.
the cardinals are engaging in mating behavior but I haven't seen any activity around any of the bird houses. the 10 petal anemones started blooming. I'll prune my roses on the 1st. I used to wait til the 14th but by then these days they have already budded out.
I hope not Michelle. But, it'll will make spring all the better.
Another Canadian talked of her squirrels and I just hope the squirrels up there store their supplies above ground.
Always so nice to hear from you Ry. With spring comes all things good. At least that's what I tell myself.
I'm afraid I'll eat the whole loaf. I could live by bread alone.
I am itching to plant, but know it's too early up here. I've even thought of starting seeds, but what a mess I make when I do that.
Hahahaha!!!! I love the squirrel pushing the tiny shopping cart!
You are such a creative Donna :)))
Hi!
The squirrel with the nuts is adorable!!! I love it! You’re so funny.
Things have been crazy for me and I’ve been gone and/or occupied. I have a new man in my life (I actually knew him in high school!) and it’s long distance so he stayed with me for over a month in the fall and then I went over the holidays for over two weeks to his place - on the north shore of O’ahu. Plus I had a pre planned trip with cousins to Boulder and my big trip. It’s been crazy.
Anyway... trying to get caught up and go through your posts. How’s your back doing? And I’m so sorry to read that about your sis. By now I’m hoping she’s got a great doc and really good plan in place for healing. I’m thinking of you and sending hugs and good juju!
Big blessings to you for this 2018.
Xo
Ps my computer is now in the shop - it froze up after all so hopefully it can be fixed and I can share more Edinburgh soon. I’m writing this from my iPhone.
At the farm, the little shopping cart was for fruit, then junk so I brought it to the city for little granddaughter to play in her kitchen, but her parents said no, so the squirrels inherited it. They keep pushing it over. How are you Amanda. So glad to hear from you.
So good to hear from you Lucinda. I guess computers are passe nowadays. I got my daughters new Macs for Xmas and one hasn't even opened it. Seems the younguns are now using their phone for everything. They are necessary for photos though and I can't wait to see more from your big trip. Great news about the new beau and a surfer at that. You are a catch so I hope he know that. Keep me posted from time to time. Remember, I live vicariously through you. PS - Sis is carrying on. It is all one can do.
Oh Donna - I just adore your entertainment. What a truly wonderful way to spend winter. Unfortunately spring is still several weeks away for us. In fact snow is on its way again tonight. We did have a lovely Jan. thaw. Well take care and don't overdo in those flowerbeds. Hugs!
Girl, you are hilarious !
I hear the squirrels every morning on the roof, I'm scared they will get inside the eaves, as they did in my potting shed, and ate everything in sight, even the vents :)
The bread baking sounds wonderful, I love the smell of freshly baked bread, simply one of life's pleasures.
Keeping fingers crossed we'll be facing spring weather and warming up in the next few weeks.
Stay well dear friend.
Hugs
~Jo
Yay! So glad you're back. And thank you for stopping by. Hoping all is well in your world and I'm with you... spring is the best time. Enjoy all the little signs popping up all over. Hugs to you!
Sadly Deb, I didn't overdo it. I have tomorrow to finish before the next arctic blast.
You too dearest Jo. Another blast is coming this weekend and I plan on vegging out. Oh wait I can't. A dear friend's mother is turning 90! and I wouldn't miss her party for anything.
You too Kirsten! Glad to hear from you.
The squirrels made me smile too! Sarah x
Two of a kind, Sarah.
As soon as I saw those rabbit ears I began laughing! Remember adjusting those things?!! Only if your OUR age. Even though the squirrel buddy is irresistible, everyone must be wondering where that little shopping cart came from?!
I thought the rabbit ears were cute. The basket was a fruit holder then a junk holder so I brought it to little granddaughter to play kitchen with. Her parents didn't want it at their house, so it holds nuts for the squirrels. Will go to Goodwill before too long. It does look funny when the squirrels push it. Three are regular beggars.
Providing a shopping trolley for the squirrels? Too much encouragement, Donna! They breed like rabbits. Soon you'll be wanting to give them a suitcase so that they can pack and go somewhere else.
Interesting stories and pictures and I love the wry humor....:)
Like in my house Rosemary. One ventured in the other day.
Thank you.
The weenies are so cute and so is that fat squirrel getting into the cart to get a nut.
I don't know where you live however no sign of spring here, it was 4 degrees this morning.Snow for tomorrow.
I love spring and will be glad to clean out my flower bed.
Me too. I am not a winter fan. Can't wait for warmth. My weenies are my children.
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