Day 38

It is just a perfect day out, sun, a very slight breeze, the birds are singing, the temp is right and I worked in one flower bed and got all the winter stuff out and cleaned it out.  It could stay like this every day for me.

The catnip sure is growing and every time I go out I bring in a few fresh leaves for the kits.  My oldest does not like it but the other 2 fight over who gets it.

I walk out the front door and that sweet Iris scent hits you in the face.  I could smell that all day long.  These are from the left side of the yard by the front door, not as many irises over there.

How did they get so big so soon?

I have a suet feeder on the redbud tree, I can always tell when the red bellied woodpecker comes for food by their call.  Look at the right on the feeder and you can see him hanging on eating.

You can really see the feathers on them today.

Day 37

The wind came up during the night and brought with it a cold blustery cloudy day.  Had a bit of misty rain when I got up.  Sure is one of those days that look like it could snow.  I hope not.

It is a headache day so not much getting done but holding kitties and listening to the wind blow.

Earlier on the nest DM2 brought in a mallard duck. Mom started de-furring it and the feathers were flying, however I bet they were nice and soft to lay on in the nest.  I see there is more grass brought in, wonder if it is to get cold there tonight.  They got a good lesson in defurring and since it was windy those feathers were really flying.

Day 36

The state opens up this weekend but not my city.  Even though my mom technically could get out she can't because she lives in assisted living and they don't know when that will open.  It will be interesting to see how many new cases come out of this opening.  

The baby finches are up and peeking over the nest but I caught them napping.  I see 4 heads so all the eggs hatched.  Can't wait to see them older with their coloring on their feathers. These are House Finches so they are that purplish/red color. 

The irises continue to open up and yes I have a purple addiction.  The plants in front of the pot are 2 different sages that really have grown this Spring and are loaded with blooms.  Last year a zebra swallowtail butterfly loved them, so maybe I will have more of them this year.

The Hosta bed in the back also has a yellow rosebush and an orange day lily.  I see an empty spot that needs another hosta in there.  I need to finish mulching this bed as well.

The Falcon cam in the city has been turned back on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwXz3N_J618&fbclid=IwAR1kuBpBYl_KniViIVGlLKyGFPBmovTnQ2i4AXT9bKWDUKgSEn_rrLwtGQQ

Day 35

OH goody more rain and no outside work. 

I remember after 9/11 the airlines raised their ticket prices and cut out all kinds of things that we got for free and started charging for baggage. Now I wonder how much higher the tickets will be and will we even be able to afford to bring a tiny suitcase.  I dont like flying but it is the only way to see family on either coast as it is too much of a drive for me.  I have thought about the train though as I love to ride the train but you add 36 hours to each side of the trip, so.....  The planes are a petri dish of germs and they need to take time to clean between each flight.  Also when did it become acceptable to treat the airplane like your own home.  You don't wear your pajamas or take your shoes off and clip your nails or the other nasty things people do on a plane.  And it really is time to stop serving alcohol.  It is bad enough the pressure and being that high messes with your body you don't need to add alcohol to it.

Today's muffins are pineapple almond with a dash of Amaretto instead of the almond extract. I use the basic strawberry muffin recipe and put different fruits and nuts in.  This one is very moist and coconut would be a good addition, next time I will try it.  I got 30 out of the batch.

I saw one of the baby finch heads pop up over the nest this morning, soon they will be sitting up and chirping at me.
 
I saw one of those little yellow butterflies and the swallows are flying over the block.  Things are looking up. 

Had knit group today on Zoom and we had 10.  We got quite silly today more than normal.  One never knows what the conversation will be like.  IT will be nice to meet in person one day soon, I hope.

Day 34

I know yesterday was the perfect day (a reference to Miss Congeniality) but today really is. The sun is out, it is quiet this morning in the neighborhood, the grass is so green, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. The finches continue to grow and one day their little head will peep out over the nest cup and chirp at me when I come out the front door.

Somehow it is all going to be ok.  We are a strong country and weathered a lot in our life.  So buckle up little campers, put your big girl panties on and get those projects done cos before you know it we will be back to running like a madman and no time to do what we want.

It is ant season.  I know they don't hurt anything however I just don't want them in the house looking for food, let them stay outside where they belong.  I found a recipe for ant spray all natural online so i made a bottle. When it says to be careful of the overflow they were not kidding.  You need a LARGE mixing bowl for this recipe.  I used a tall spray bottle that I had in the laundry room. Why I had 2 bottles of water for squirting is beyond me, but...
Take 2 cups apple cider vinegar and mix with 2 tablespoons baking soda and pour the soda in slowly and carefully as all of a sudden you will have some serious foam.  Then put 2 tablespoons dish soap in and stir and get ready for some more foam but not as much.  Pour this mixture into the spray bottle carefully and hold over something. I used a measuring cup to pour in and held over the mixing bowl.  Then add water to fill the spray bottle. You need to fill slowly cos the foam will start up again.  Then spray where they come in. I have the kitchen and front door and went out and sprayed from the outside around the frame.  This is kid and pet safe.  So give it a try and i will see how it does.

Had another knit group on Zoom today.  While it is not like getting together in person cos the host always has food, we still get to talk to each other and make sure everyone is doing ok.

 I went and got the week's worth of mail.  Not much in the mailbox these days, which is fine with me.  There was a nice little surprise from my car insurance company, would buy about a tank and a half of gas.. It is better than nothing. 

Look how big they are already.  Yes I know one was getting for a poop shot but hey it is pretty funny cos you know we all duck when we see that coming at us.

Day 33

I think it is Saturday, I have no idea anymore.  Being retired I often have to check the calendar to see what day it is but then I am hardly home for a full day or 33 in a row.  This is getting old.  Allergies (mostly mold) are kicking my butt today but the sun is out after raining most of the night.  There is an inch in my rain gauge.

Still waiting to see the bobbleheads from the finches and my first hummingbird for the season.  The irises are really popping open and the catnip is so fresh for the kitties they are happy little campers.  The late leafing trees are leafing out and it does seem like it is almost May.  I have 4 milkweed plants coming up so I hope to raise Monarchs again this year. Last year I did not have any caterpillars at all.

Finches are growing and getting feathers.

Day 32

Who wants to go to Menards. It is 11% week and I have a long list and some things to pick up for mom as well.  We had a bit more of rain overnight as everything is very wet and more on the way to hit hard around noon so they say.  So when the coffee is done I am heading out.  I really want to get some plants but many have said that stuff is not essential and even though I can shop at Menards I can't buy some things.  Really?  If the store is open I should be able to buy anything I want in there.  And when does the government get to tell me what I can and can't buy?  I am home and have time to work in the yard but yet I can't find any supplies, what kind of sense does that make?  It is about control.  Wake up sheeple.  Read the book of Revelations.

Menards was not bad, not a lot of people out, but then it is misting out.  I got most of my list, no gloves or alcohol.  I am not paying $20 for a mop when I can get one for $1 at Dollar Tree.  I did get my new spreader, bigger than the one I had and I got 2 geraniums and 2 6 paks of petunias.  They had the garden area open but not a lot of plants. I want a tomato and pepper and some herbs to start with.  They had TP and paper towels but limit of 2 which I am fine with. 

I will plant my plants I got today tomorrow after it rains and I need to find pots to fit them in.

It is MUGGY out, I always forget how muggy it gets here in the Spring and Summer when it rains or not. We don't have that ocean breeze to carry it out at night and cool things down.  It is often 85 when I go to bed with 50% humidity which makes things un-breatheable.  Not looking forward to that. 

Life is tough when you are a cat in my house.  My tom so stressed.

Day 31

Kind of a ho hum day today, just tired of being in the house.  It was cloudy and the yard is so sopping wet that there was no yard work done today.  I did however start working on revising a fox mitten for kids for charity. I finally got one done and hope I can remember everything i did to revise it.  I think you could turn this into a dog with a different color.  Without the ears it looked like a red panda.  Oh the possibilities.  The book has a hedgehog and fish pattern, will definitely make them as well.  Homeless kids should have cool mittens.

I can't see the little finches but I heard them chirping this morning, wonder what mom feeds them.

The irises are beginning to pop open and those dandelions have the fuzzy white head now, oh goody more dandelions.  However the second yard application is due soon and it is supposed to help kill them. I don't have as many as last year so I know it is working slowly but surely, now to get rid of that clover, I do have stuff for that but it needs to get a little warmer.

Day 30

Whew made it to Day 30 and I am still ok.  Only how many more to go, supposedly May 15th but we shall see.

When did they get so big?  They are growing like dandelions at the first sign of Spring.  The feathers are starting to pop out. 

My first Iris of the year, they smell so sweet. I just wish bulb flowers lasted more than one bloom.

Mom needed some things so I went to the grocery store for her. I have to say the shelves were stocked better than they have been for weeks.  Took her items and then on to Sprouts for me.  I needed some of the bulk items but was not willing to scoop them up. They bagged all of them at a pound each and you just picked up a bag of what you wanted.  I love that they did that, made me feel better about getting bulk items.  I found some cheap chicken so bought extra to freeze just in case.  I also got blueberries and strawberries and bought double, and put half in the freezer. It is nice to have strawberries for muffins in the Winter.  

It rained most of the afternoon and evening.  Not a hard rain but enough to wet everything down. 

Day 29

Have you got your stimulus check yet?  I haven't.  I had to pay last year, first time ever and so I went in and gave them my bank information, so where is my check.  I don't need a check but I figure I had an emergency vet bill so what I am getting will pay for that, so it works for me.

I was going to work outside today because we are to have a rain storm tomorrow. However my head says no cos the storm headache is brewing. So I made these cookies today.  I used sliced almonds for the  pepitas and dried cranberries for the dried cherries. I used my small ice cream scoop and got 28 3" cookies, they don't spread much. They are not real sweet but they are really good.  I will keep these in the freezer a lot.

I managed to get some yard work in as the headache subsided enough to go out for a while. Got the hosta bed cleaned out and mulched.  I need a couple more to fill in the space and that bed pretty much takes care of itself. They have a yellow rosebush in the midst and it is really growing.  My Bleeding Heart got bit the other night but it has a few blooms and is growing, now to get it cleaned out around it and mulched.  My Honeysuckle got bit as well and I am not sure it is gonna bloom.  There is also a bright orange day lily in the midst of them as well. 

The House Finches have hatched, can't wait to see them peak over the nest. 

Day 28

The sunrise was beautiful this morning, a bit of mist in the air. 

Bucky turns Sweet 16 today.

Must we listen to Cuomo every day. Someone tell him he is not the POTUS. So if your state is in the hole perhaps you should quit spending on stuff that is pork.  Make him go away. 

DM2 is bringing in fish after fish.  It is to storm there off and on this week and earlier Mom brought in clumps of grass for the nest cup which is now pretty flat and spread out.  Have to keep the babies dry as much as they can because they do not have feathers yet.

Daffodils are mid way through blooming.

 Since it is Monday it is laundry day and I am about to drive to the living room to get on Zoom for Fiber Follies.  What crazy conversations will we have today?

I had 4 cowbirds on my deck this evening, they are very pretty. The neon blue of the body shines in the sun like a Grackle.  

Day 27

Around 10:30pm last night there was the loudest noise. Sounded like fireworks but they were so loud. Got up to see which neighbors were being idiots, but nothing just saw several neighbors out looking to see what it was.  This morning on FB I see the noise came from 14 blocks south and no one seems to know what it was but the cops were there guns drawn.  So it may be one of those mysteries that are never solved.

It is cloudy this morning, supposed to get some rain but then warm up this afternoon. I hope so I want to get outside for awhile.

Another picture of Mom and Dad Decorah the day dad disappeared.  So much love the babies that needed to be protected from the storm and so much love between mom and dad.  So sad that we never found him.  Many of us believe he knew it was time so he stocked the pantry and loved on mom and the babies and then left to go by himself.  Did mom know that it was time for him to go.  So many unanswered questions.  I hate that animals need to be by theirselves when it is time.  If only they would let us hold them as they pass on to the Rainbow Bridge.  Near as anyone can figure Dad was in his 20's and eagles in the wild normally don't live past 25 years, so perhaps he was just tired and had no more to give.  RIP Dad.

I think it is going to be more difficult going back after we can go out and about as if nothing happened that it was for me to be safe at home.  I have to say being retired it is not that difficult for me. I am usually out and about doing meetings, knit groups, etc but Zoom has taken care of the knit groups.  Church is on hold til who knows when. 

 Someone has escaped the nest cup.  Later this afternoon they were all out of the nest cup, so much for it lasing very much longer.

Their talons at this stage in life remind me of a bunch of carrots with nails.  We call them clown feet, cos they waddle on them and they are so awkward.  Fun times.

Day 26

It is one of those perfect mornings where you want to bundle up and sit on the deck with a cup of coffee and just smell the air and listen to the birds singing and the quiet in the neighborhood.  There was a light frost on the grass this morning. Now the sun is out and the frost has turned to water drops on that perfect spring green color the grass has this time of year.  The bulb flowers are blooming and the dandelions are popping up every day. 

It has been 2 years today we lost Dad Decorah.  There was a big snowstorm and he and mom stayed on the nest protecting the babies. He had brought in enough food to feed an army.  When he finally left we never imagined we would never see him again.  Many looked for him but never found him.  Did he know he was dying, he was in his 20's.  Mom cried for him for days, we all cried for him for days and still do.  It is the unknown that makes us even more sad.  He took care of mom and the babies year after year.  I know he is in heaven with Bob Anderson looking down on mom, the new babies every year and DM2 protecting them from what ever harm may be nearby.  We miss you dad and will remember you always.

Today and part of tomorrow you can go to youtube and watch the Phantom of the Opera. If you have never watched or seen this you should cut out 2.5 hours to watch it. I got to see it on Broadway with front row seats, it was the best. It is a very powerful piece so get the kleenex and start learning the words to the songs so you can sign along.  It is only available til 2pm ET on the 19th.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=nINQjT7Zr9w&feature=emb_logo&fbclid=IwAR1_wU2DH11BIhZvtieoYjrO9VtFCRd2f5tqccm6Ga6YKFXlSHxK5j6LXVs

Day 25

We dodged a huge bullet over night.  Not too far North of me they got over 10" of snow, I got a bit of sleet and that was it besides the rain.  Thank goodness cos that much snow keeping me in the house for a few days would push a lot of people over the edge, maybe even including me.  We are to have a slight freeze tonight and then next week back in the 70's so I can work outside. 

It is just so weird to be out in the early morning, well rush hour time, and no cars on the road.  I had to pick up my allergy meds, get some gas cos my points expire tomorrow (only needed 1/4 tank cos I dont go anywhere) and take some laundry detergent to mom.  It is cold and wet out this morning, people need to say home and hunker down today cos tomorrow it is to be 63, yep if you don't like the weather today wait til tomorrow.

Since I was out I popped down to DD and got my free donut and a large latte cos it is cold.  Yes the donut warmed me up, my fav glazed raised and it was so fresh it almost melted in my mouth.  YUM.

The deer were out already this evening. They usually don't come up til early in the morning, maybe they know it is the weekend and they want the grass before it gets mowed.  They will push my bird feeder in the front with their nose and spill the safflower and sunflower seed.  I guess if you are hungry you will eat anything.

Day 24

One of the local weathermen has "aches and pains" information depending on what the weather is doing. I for one appreciate it a lot because of my sinus and allergy issues.  Yesterday some woman complained that she thought he shouldn't do that.  It is not like he is practicing voodoo cos if he was I am pretty sure he would not let the bad weather arrive.  She said she is a Christian and I have no idea what that has to do with anything.  If you see a post on Facebook that you don't like just move on.  There are other channels in the city you can watch as well.  Some people.

 Today it was raining and cloudy and cold and so not much got done but make some muffins, some laundry and knitting and cleaning of the DVR. Sometimes you just need a veg day.  Plus the headache from the storm doesn't not help.  Look how big they are getting. 

The mayor moved our stay at home date from April 24- May 15. Oh boy another month of being cooped up in the house.  It isn't as bad as I thought cos I am getting stuff done inside and outside when I can. 

Day 23

The sun is out another rain day tomorrow and possibly measurable snow Friday.  At least I have plenty to do in the house.

More shredding this morning, almost done.  The shredding is done until I go to the mailbox but all that was left here that I found in the basement is shredded.

More work in the basement and piling up boxes to take to ScrapsKC when this quarantine is over and they are once again accepting donations.

I found 3 boxes of yarn under the bed today and they are enough for sweaters.  So I have spent time looking for patterns.  Now that I have patterns which one do I start on first.  I think I will make the worsted one it is a top down cardigan.  Afterall I need new sweaters for Fall and it is to rain and snow this week and I can't go out, so why not?

D34 and D35 are turning from the white dandelion to a light gray color which means the feathers are starting to come in.  D36 is a feisty little thing, he takes nothing off the other 2.  So fun to watch.

Day 22

So now Apple and Google want to track us so we know if we have come in contact with anyone who has the virus.  But don't worry they are not gonna use the information for anything else.  Yea right and I am 25.  Just like Bill Gates wanting to put a chip in the vaccine what could possibly go wrong with this too?  You all on the left need to stop this is not Communist Russia or some movie where a few elite on the left control the world. We already have Soros and his ilk like Pelosi, CLintons, Bill Gates, etc.  You can chip me when I am dead and even then I will fight you.  Evil people out there wake up and watch them closely. They tried to push some of their agenda with this current bill to give us money and throw in a lot of other control but it did not work yet. 

This morning there is talk of pushing us out to May 15. Since Friday we have increased 600 positive cases and are up to 4500 right now.  That means another month stuck at home.  However it is a good time of year to get things done.  We have trash amnesty this week and next week we have yard waste pickup.  With some of the wind over the winter and ice breaking trees I have a pile of brush under the deck that needs to be given away.  Maybe the neighbor wants some of the bigger pieces for his fire pit and that means I can tie up the rest and set out.

We may have snow this week, oh goody, Winter still wants to be here.  It is cold out today but the sun is out and everything is so Spring clean and pretty. 

I finished my socks for my Masters at Loopy Academy.

 Mozaic

Bobble Top

Teal Honeycomb

Day 21

Has it only been 21 days?  IT seems much longer than that. I think when this is all over we need to have a block party, when I first moved in we had them in the summer and I think it is time to do this again. 

The sun is out but it below freezing so once again Winter and Spring are duking it out for who wins for a few months.  It is really pretty out with the rain that washed away all the dirt and the moisture sparkles in the sun. 

A new week, what will it bring. We have trash amnesty 12 bags instead of 2 so I will be cleaning as it will be in the 40's and too cold to work outside.  I best get busy as I have online knit group this afternoon.

We had knit group on Zoom this afternoon.  IT was as if we were physically all together, not much talk bout the virus but about our lives and what we are doing, we got to meet pets, and spouses today.  There are times we can't meet at the Irish Center so we have found this is a way to stay in touch.  We have about a dozen on the list that have been there almost weekly and have become very close.  We come from all walks of life but we don't care we were brought together by the love of yarn.

 

Day 20 Easter

Sunrise was beautiful this morning as the clouds parted for a bit of sun and it did not last long. I was hoping maybe for a rainbow since we had rain over night and the lightning was pretty wicked.  Everything is so green and clean this morning.

The Lord has risen and all will be ok with the world.  If just feels weird not spending the day at Sunrise service followed by breakfast at church and then the church service itself and then dinner with family.  So many are saying Easter is not Easter this year. It is still Easter, we don't need to be at church or have ham dinner with family we just need to know that Jesus rose and he saved us and that is all that matters.  The rest is just a ritual we are so used to that we can not imagine a world without it. 

And tomorrow all the Peeps and chocolate bunnies will be on sale, I may have to go to the store and stock up and put some in the freezer.

We got up to 66 today and then the rain and wind came and it is down to 39 before 4pm. I covered my plants and will for the next 3 nights as it is to be below freezing. I will also have to bring in the hummingbird feeder so it does not freeze.

Yesterday I took pics of some of the early flowers.

 These are wild violets and these are purple.

 These are the white with a  spot of purple wild violets.  they are all over the yard and provide a splash of color.

 I dont know what these are but there are a lot of them this year.

 These are my naked ladies they are thick this year, hope I get lots of blooms.

 I have a few tulips by the a/c.

The irises are getting ready to bloom.  Hope they don't freeze.

Day 19

The calm before the storm.  Looks like Winter has smacked Spring back a bit this next week.  Tomorrow starts below freezing temps, highs in the 40's and a not so nice week.  OH well I have plenty to do in the house too.

It does not get any cuter than 3 little dandelions waiting for lunch.

The trees get prettier every day with the buds.  My dad had a huge redbud tree in his backyard.  I wanted a start and this is what I have, it is almost as tall as the mock apple tree which has never grown since I moved here in 1996. 

I have not seen the mom today and I am not sure I saw her yesterday, I am sure she has not abandoned her eggs but they are still intact.  So I noticed the other picture I took of the eggs was the 5th and it takes up to 14 days to hatch, so we are still good. 

It is raining this evening with thunder and very bright lightning, tomorrow night it might be snow, say it isn't so.

Day 18 Good Friday

Local news just reported trash guys can't keep up with all the trash being set out now that people are home and doing their spring cleaning.  Well what did you think was gonna happen.  They are home and need something to do so why not spring clean and do some things they need time to accomplish.  Next week we have a trash amnesty to put out 12 bags instead of the 2 without having to buy a $2 tag to put out more than 2 bags.  I know this next week I will be working on those 12 bags.  You are damned if you do and damned if you don't.  I realize no one was expecting all of us at home for several weeks but many are making the best of it by getting things done, because afterall what else should we be doing?  Eating, drinking, sleeping, being bored, breaking social distancing? 

I thought early shopping meant the shelves were to be stocked. Not so. Besides the nasty ole women need to stay home if they can't be polite. There is a line don't try to push your way in front of me and tell me I can't be there cos I'm not over 60. Well thank you for the compliment but I have every right to be there and you need to get back to the end of the line. AND do not ram your cart into me cos I stopped to get some meat. Stay back your 6 feet. There were 2 old biddies that about got slapped from me today. Rules and manners people. 

Not only were people rude today but the store is under construction so everything is in a different place and there is stuff everywhere.  You can't find anything and there were boxes of stuff all over.  What a mess it all is.  

Since I was out it is free donut day at Dunkin Donut if you buy a drink and pay with the app. OK I am out already and it was 7:30am did not have my breakfast yet.  BTW those protein muffins are really good and very filling.  I got a jelly donut for breakfast tomorrow.  I also got 10 donut holes for Easter morning, I am going to go see dad cos we always did sunrise service, we would get coffee and donuts and go together.  So I have the code to get into the mausoleum early and I will go have sunrise service with him and we can read the Bible together.  I miss you dad and all the traditions we had.  

They are so cute at this stage in their lives.  Lunch is served, trout or sucker fish?  

 

 
 

Day 17 Maundy Thursday

Last night I sort of participated in a Seder.  One of my friends just converted and invited me to join them on Zoom as I was missing all of my Easter celebrations.  I have to say I wish I could have understood more of it but then I don't speak the language.  I did find myself singing along to one of the songs that they sang repeatedly.  It is a very small congregation and I learned that the Rabbi also serves a church in Mexico via Facebook.  Every time I attend one of their ceremonies I learn more about her religion.  I am glad she invited me.  Made me not miss my Easter events a small bit.

Yesterday it was 88 today it is 48 and we are not going to get much warmer, expecting a freeze tonight so I will be dragging pots and covering plants.  The wind is howling today.  Watching the eagle nest will make you dizzy as those cottonwoods really sway with the wind.  Hope the wind does not scoop up the babies when one of the parents gets up.  We should not have any more Winter, someone scoop it up and take it away.

You know how it is you go to your craft room, I just needed some paper to use as a cover and back for my niece's book I wrote her.  Then an hour later you have cleaned out 3 parts containers and have a gallon bag full of little scrapbook stuff you will never use.  It is all good cos I am cleaning out the basement but it was not on my list of things to do today.    I keep hearing my friends say I have all this time to do those projects I never had time for and now I don't want to do them.  Yep when you are forced to do those things you don't want to and when you want to everything is back to normal and you don't have the time.  Get them done now we will be able to leave sometime soon I hope.

Normally my library has a reading contest Jan 15-March 15.  You read 5 books of a certain genre. This one was fantasy, not my style of writing but I managed to find 5 free books to download on my Kindle.  We get a mug when done.  A couple years ago they allowed adults into the summer program.  You have to read so many minutes, I think 1,000.  Well easy peasy for me cos I read at least half an hour daily.  You get a certificate and a tote from a local Tee shop.  This year I guess because we are quarantined they have snuck in a Spring reading from March 30-May 22, you have to read at least 6 hours, ok once again easy peasy for me. It is a way to get kids to read.  While you can't go to the library you can download books and there are a lot of free books out there on Amazon and other places you can download or pay hardly anything for.  My goal is to read 3 books per month and I almost always meet that goal and more.  When I was a kid my dad got me interested in reading.  He and I would often trade books when I became an adult.  When I was 7, I read 100 of these 1" hardbound blue books that were autobiographies.  We would go to the library monthly and I would get all my books.  My brother read Dr Suess (blech do not like those books).  I doubt I will ever get through all the books in my house but I am giving it a good try, just like using all the yarn in my house.  

Day 16

It is foggy this morning.  It was pretty muggy yesterday, hmmmm.

The red bud and apple tree are blooming more this morning almost full bloom.

Everything looks so spring green and pretty.

My wonderful stylist dropped off a package for me to color my own hair.  We got on zoom and she walked me through it, there is a reason I pay her to do this.  I just washed it and conditioned it and we will see how it went when it dries.  I was more than willing to just let my hair go cos really who is gonna see it but she came up with a way to make it work. She is the best.

We have a pip in D36 egg, won't be long before the 3 amigos are weeble wobbling together and head bonking each other.  Mom and DM2 will have their hands full.

When my niece who turns 30 next month, where did the time go, was little she had an invisible friend Penny the little blue penguin.  One time I went on a work trip and she sent Penny with me to watch over me.  I have always wanted to write childrens' books but I get a couple pages done and the story dries up never to come back.  A couple years ago i sat down and the story just wrote itself. I printed it out on card stock today and need to find something for a cover for it.  I am NOT an artist so no pics but I am sewing characters for her to have along with her book. She is a good artist so she can use the back of the story pages and create her own illustrations.  Now to find the time to get this done.  HAHAHA

Just got to watch D36 hatch.  IT never gets old.  Now the real fun begins with 3.  Sorry this picture is not very good.

It got up to 88 today and now the wind is blowing the cold weather in that will sit here for about a week, they are talking 25 next week with rain and snow.  Make it go away.

I have some pictures to post for today but my phone does not always share them quickly, sometimes it takes an entire day, I have no idea why, so as soon as they get to my email I will share them.

Day 15

Has it only been 15 days?  It just seems so surreal.

This morning I read a story about a woman who went to the grocery store and in the middle of an aisle was an elderly woman crying, she only had $37 to spend on food and had to take a cab or uber back home.  She could not find any groceries, so this woman helped her. Upon talking to her she said she was scared she lived through the depression.  My parents did too and I have to wonder how many their age are scared too thinking they may have to live through this again.  I stocked my mom up when this first started cos I did not want her to go without and even though I have my 3 months stash I will dig into it to help people their age because I don't want them being afraid and thinking this could happen to them again.  My dad talked about often only having a baked potato for lunch cos they were plentiful grown in the garden.  Mom was the baby of 9 kids and talks about how often there was not much to eat.  I see people baking bread again, no flour or yeast to be found and thinking about growing a garden, my dad always had one.  It is time to return back to being self sufficient we have become to lazy and dependent on things that we don't have to grow ourselves. So are you baking bread and growing a garden this year?

You can hear the lawn mowers going, first mowing of the season.  I did manage to work in the flower beds and made some progress.  I have lots of wild violets blooming, some a purple and some white with purple.  I love them.  The birds are sure singing today.  Looking at the weather after tomorrow afternoon it won't be yard work weather so best get to it while I can for now.

Last year working on the Kid's Camp at the Irish Center my Crafts helper and I would meet at each other's homes.  We would always fix a snack. I made strawberry muffins the first meeting.  It has become a fav of ours. Well the other day she texted me a pic that she had made some.  Made me want to make some but no strawberries so I had these yuge blackberries in the freezer, they are in the oven now, can you smell them?  Can't wait to taste them.  Instead of almond extract I put Amaretto in.  They are pretty good, I got 30 out of the recipe. In the freezer they go for future breakfasts.

For some reason this seems like Saturday night, I have no idea why.  It was a perfect weather day. 

Day 14

It is cloudy and misty this morning.  I needed to go to the bank cos I needed money to pay the guy who mows my yard.  Mom needed a few things so I stopped by the grocery store, wow it is empty, bread, meat, milk, cheese, eggs are almost all gone and it was only 8:30am.  Prices of eggs were 2.89 a dozen for medium.  It was just weird, they count noses at the one open door and if you can't go in you wait in line.  Not many cars on the road and it is rush hour for the morning.  Many eating places and others are dark inside, parking lots are empty and it is just weird.

DM2 has brought 8 fish in this morning to stock up the pantry, now they were just born yesterday but...  they will eat a lot and so will mom and DM2.  He is quite the hunter.  2 years ago mom came in with 2 good sized fish, one in each talon.  Make that 9 fish.

I noticed after I filled the finch feeder there were 2 bright yellow finches eating.

Day 13 Palm Sunday

We should welcome D34 to the world today and we have a pip on the 2nd egg which means D35 is about to appear.  What fun times.

So what are they putting in milk these days?  I hardly use any but always have half a gallon hand for baking mostly.  I just dumped about an inch in the jug that said use by March 18th, cos it was starting to smell bad.  I remember it used to be you could barely keep it til the use by date now you can almost keep it forever.  So what are they putting in milk today?


I got this in an email this morning.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

—Joseph Campbell

It is almost time for the hummingbirds, I have not seen the Juncos for a couple of days which means the little hummers are close by.  I am making nectar today and will put the feeder up for the next 6 months. Don't forget no red food coloring in the nectar it can kill them. Change it every other day or every day when it is really hot and muggy.  Because it is sugar water it can mold easily and mold can kill the little hummers.  Now to wait for the first one to appear.  Boil 4 cups water and 1 c sugar.  Let it cool and keep in fridge.

 D34 is already to get out from under the parent, this one will be trouble. Meanwhile D35 is still trying to get out of the shell. This is a first to have 2 hatch on the same day. Now when will D36 make an appearance?

D34 is on the right and D35 is on the left. They are weeble wobbles right now.  D34 has been talking to mom. Looks how he imprints on her.  They are so cute at this age. 


We have sun and the grass is that pretty spring green and after the rain everything looks so clean. I can tell the first yard application is working cos some of the weeds are looking a bit bad this morning and after last year I have a lot less dandelions, so I need to keep at it. It is the first mowing of the yard this season.  Can you smell it?  The smell of Spring. 

Mom House Finch has been sitting in the nest I need to sneak up and see if there are eggs, last year she had 4 and they are so cute when they are fuzzballs.  House Finch nest on the front porch has 4 eggs again this year.