Um, can I come outside too?!
Friday, June 15, 2018
Accident Waiting To Happen
I've posted a similar concern before and see it on the highway all the time during my commute to and from the office. This one was by far the most dangerous looking that I've seen in quite a while. It looked like it was tied and secured properly, however, I just can't imagine the roof racks are really rated or capable of handling that load and weight!
Although, this dude was driving in the slow lane, he was none the less traveling at 65+ miles an hour. Too dangerous, in my simple mind, especially on a major highway at rush hour.
I think even Charlie Frye, who loved his roof racks, would agree with me.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
I Spy With My Little Eye
A male Bluebird staying close to his mate and keeping a watchful eye on the area.
Love me some Bluebirds!
Count The Rabbits
How many rabbits do you see in the below picture?? How many are ornamental and how many are real?!
There is a wild rabbit nest hidden perfectly in the ground among the sedum -
Here's a closer look. I know it's hard to tell or see but trust me there's a good size hole there. It's not too large or deep, rather it long. I suspect so the kits can scoot up to be completely covered and protected from say the rain.
Here's the momma rabbit, just before dark, returning to the nest to nurse the kits. A watchful eye, as she's always on guard -
Posted NO Trespassing!
I pulled, dusted off and baited the old hav-a-heart traps with tasty, juicy hard to refuse apples and my-o-my was it a busy weekend!
A first time catch, much to my surprise, a male wild rabbit -
BIG opossum #1 -
BIG opossum #2 -
and the coup de gra, a dreaded adult woodchuck!
mora coup de gra, a youngster woodchuck!
Not shown, a couple grey squirrels and a couple chipmunks.
In the evenings the neighbors on both side of us have woodchucks and rabbits grazing on their lawns. So, there are plenty more critters out there. If they stay away and in the neighbors yards we're good. However, if they pull the old Peter rabbit deal...
Aye Poppy!
Our Poppies are loaded with flowers and starting to burst!
Two of my moms plants were transplanted here ~8-10 years ago and they've taken off ever since. They've grown tall and think each year, with new plants popping up nearby.
They're beautiful but sadly the flowers don't last very long at all. Never the less, this time of year I'm comforted in knowing a piece of my mom's garden is alive and thriving in my backyard.
A VERY productive gardening weekend!
Our veggie gardens are finally full with excellent looking young and promising plants!
Sixteen tomato plants in - (8) Better Boy and (8) JetStar! All staked and ready to some sun.
Also, planted Zucchini and Summer squash, cucumber, two different type of green Peppers, Broccoli and a couple rows of carrots.
Now, hoping the destructive varmints, i.e. woodchucks, rabbits and deer, keep their distance.
Whatcha Doing?!
Can you spot the item in the below picture that doesn't belong?! Please people, be kind I realize it's a tad messy but organized...
Ta-da! A baby American Robin wandered it's way in the garage. I'm thinking it was a good thing I noticed it or perhaps the outcome could have been different; a stinky one at that.
Boy-O-Boy did this little one carry one and fuss when I picked it up. That of course alerted the parents who were none to happy with me and they too began to carry on. If you didn't know any better you'd a thought someone was being beaten.
After a stern talking too the youngster quieted down. The parents in turn stopped dive bombing me, so I was able to take and drop the fledgling off at a safe spot down back and out of harms way.
Mystery Solved!
After 17 years here at the ole homestead, I finally figured out what the below flowering shrub is called. Truth be told I really didn't put too much effort into it. A Google hunt and peck here and there.
This graceful beauty, that blooms in the shade around mid-May, is called Deutzia.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn the Deutzia is a member of the Hydrangea family.
Come On In The Water's Fine!
Pool condition following the Memorial Day cover removal, YUK -
Pool condition today, about a month later, AHH -
What a difference a month makes. That and hard work and chemicals, a lot of chemicals!
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Dad Memories
Dads vintage Lace Up Mukluks Gum Sole Mauricienne Canada boots.
He was crazy about these boots.
Dust Bath Turkey
We've had a wild turkey hen visiting recently. She makes her way from the wooded area of the neighbors to our garden where she contently takes herself a dirt bath. I'm guessing she's setting on a clutch of eggs and these are her short breaks to relief herself, stretch and freshen up. Hoping to see her soon with a line of chicks in tow.
Of course once the tomatoes have been planted she's no longer welcome in the garden.
And We're Off!!
Well, I couldn't wait any longer. Mother Nature has been playing with my emotions and I had enough, so off to the local nursery I went. I spent Sunday mapping out, readying and planting my new seedlings in their new home.
Sweet Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Cucumber, Zucchini and Summer Squash for starters. Also, picked up some Parsley, Rosemary and Sage along with Marigolds.
Cucs -
Zucchini and Summer Squash -
Sunflower (started indoors by our neighbor) -
Strawberries that made it through the winter -
Satisfaction guaranteed!
Columbine Colors of Franklin
Our Columbine plants are starting to pop and flower! As always they never disappoint; they're looking good.
Yellow -
Purple -
Pink -
White -
Unique Planter
Our Bleeding Hearts are in full bloom and magnificent!
It's amazing where some plants chose to take root.
This one, for years now, grows out of the eye-sore retaining wall of our driveway. Well, the wall itself is an eye-sore, NOT the Bleeding Heart.
Edge Hill Drive
Eerie weirdness kinda sorta...
Has or does this ever happened to you?!
It began, or at least when I first started noticing it, was around the beginning of February and continues to this day. I will look at a clock; morning or evening, at home or the office, in my car or on my phone, at precisely when it displays 6:20!
The significance of this number is, as family will know, the house number of my West Virginia grandparent. The house where my dad was raised. Now, of course I'm reading into this, but this coincidence began shortly before my dad passed and now continues after his passing. Is he, or my grandparents, trying to communicate?!
It's freaky, and truthfully kinda blows my mind, yet at the same time I want to believe it's a sign and that my dad is still near and this comforts me.
The Sweetly Scented Lily of the Valley
Our Lily of the Valley have taken over and doing great this spring!
Looking back it's amazing how from just a few plants planted that they've grown and spread into so so many.
This is always an anticipated time of year when they bloom. Ours bloom in both white (typical) and pink (unusual) colors. The contrast against the deep green is outstanding! JoAnne will pick bunches and place them in vases throughout the house. They smell wonderful.
Here are a few examples of the fragrant bouquets gracing the house -
New Trellis = Happy Clematis!
New clematis trellis has been installed!
The old one, which I installed shortly after we moved in some 15+ years ago was really an eyesore. It was simply a sheet of pressure treated lattice on a 2x4 frame. Functionally, it worked perfectly and the clematis was happy and content. However, when we had the house painted the area behind the lattice was never done. It has remained the old, original color.
Well, that all changed last weekend!
I removed the old, scrapped and sanded the clapboard, then applied a couple fresh coats of paint. Looks SO much better. Unfortunately, it's been so long since we had the house painted that over the years it's faded. It wasn't as noticeable until I applied the fresh paint and now it's noticeable!
Monday, May 21, 2018
Beat IT Beetle!
First beetle kill of the young 2018 season!
A lily leaf beetle, aka scarlet lily beetle or red lily beetle.
Spotted and caught this dude on one of our soon to bloom lilies. They're bad news, well their larva are bad news, and will do a number feeding on the leaves.
These dudes have zero to offer when it comes to camouflage. They rely on their bright red color and horrible taste to forewarn any would be predators to not bother with them. However, that doesn't work with me, nope! I prefer to catch this dudes by hand and pinch their little tiny heads clean off with my fingernails. Best way to be sure the dudes are dead.
No need for harmful and dangerous chemicals, when the nails of a thumb and forefinger with wonders!
Would You Ever?!
Is this rude or is it just me?!
What's rude you ask?
Um, well, that's a table that women is resting her dirty sneakers on and NOT a hassock!!
That is a seating area just a few feet away from a coffee shop, that just so happens to also sell breakfast items, i.e. muffins, croissants, scones, etc.
The table she has her smelly feet on is the same table some poor, unsuspecting person is going to set their food on, or someone will rest their papers or laptop on.
Either she's clueless and misidentified the piece of furniture or she's a typical, rude and inconsiderate person that you see more and more of these days, and she's gonna do whatever she wants without a care for anyone else but herself.
It's a shame...
Bow WOW WOW!
A moment in the life of Trixie-dog, and the corny faces she often makes, while relaxing and enjoying a lovely spring afternoon lounging in the fresh cut grass -
A Frye-dog life is good!
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