Ralou Greek Plates

It's only been months but I finally hung my aunt Ralou's Greek collectible plates.

They're much more enjoyable and can seen this way versus stacked in the corner.

Buteo lineatus

There's SO much that takes place first thing in the morning.  Unfortunately, most sleep through it, or even too busy rushing, to notice.

I was fortunate to be looking out the window first thing, like I do every morning, and was treated to an arriving Red-shouldered hawk.

This hawk generally hunts from a perch, waiting for its prey to reveal itself and then swooping down to snatch it from the ground or water surface and this dude did just that!  He sat up in the Boxelder tree for over 15 minutes, patiently survey the area.  Then all of a sudden he dropped out of the tree and swooped to the ground.  He missed his initial capture but stood there stomping the ground trying to scare out whatever vermin that was hiding, to no avail.

He then flew atop a metal fence post, and once again, contently waited.  Not sure how long he would have sat there but something spooked him and off he went.

A handsome bird for sure, and a very vocal one too!!

Peek-a-Boo I See You!

The deer have been around a lot lately.  I'm seeing their tracks all over the yard; front, back and sides.  With all the rain we've had the ground is softer and more telling.  Same with the recent snow, a dead giveaway that they've been around.  They're more visible too now that all the leaves have fallen and stick out more.

Here is a doe atop the pile of grass clippings and leaves foraging for a morsel or two -  

Night time shots are dead giveaways with their glowing eyes -

Their tracks giveaway there movements -

Something You Don't See Everyday...

This isn't the best picture but this is a multi colored squirrel.  It's grey like a typical nuisance squirrel is, however, it also has large white patches.  It's hard to tell if the white spots are area of missing hair or in fact white hair.

I've seen grey (common), black and even white squirrels but this is my first grey and white. 

Unique for sure...

A Snapshot In Time

Cleaning out "Charlie's Place" we came across several family relics - our grandfather's Union Carbide hard hat and his lunch pail.  Unfortunately, the lunch pail was it terrible condition and unable to be salvaged, however, the Thermos was in very good condition.

The items have been cleaned and look good.  I'll find a spot here at the ole homestead where they can be displayed and bring me back to a time long ago; one that I miss dearly.

A Whodunit Mystery...

The mystery neckless...

Could our house be haunted?

or

Can the mystery be explained?

How's It Hanging?!

Like the age old question, what came first the chicken or the egg, so is the question or rather debate about the proper way to install a roll of toilet paper.

The 1891 patent for the toilet paper roll literally states that "the end of the roll should be hanging off the exterior."

This is how I install the roll; the correct way -  

And this is how my brother installs the roll: the incorrect way - 

From the US Patent and Trademark Office.  Any questions?!

Emilie Anne "Barbara" Frye

Emilie received her Confirmation from St. Mary Parish!

Her older sister, Stephanie, was her sponsor who flew in from Chicago.

A lovely service, followed by a fantastic diner at Luciano's in Wrentham.

Except for the torrential rains we got caught in leaving the church and arriving at the restaurant, it was a great night.  I had all three of my girls to myself.

My congratulations to Emilie Anne "Barbara" Frye.  I'm proud of you! 

DEFIANT

I replaced our driveway spot light with the above DEFIANT motion security light.  The motion sensor wasn't working properly - sometimes it would work but most time it would never come on.  Not reliable any longer, so it needed to be replaced.

This new unit comes with different technology - LED vs old school spot light bulbs.  The motion sensor has a wider range, and will come on now when walking through the pool gate in the back and when walking down the new front stairs in the front.  A much wider range and much brighter too.

First Snowfall...

First snowfall of coming Winter.

About 9" before the rain compacted it down.  Most gone, for now, with the above freezing temps we've had since. 

Hoping we don't get hit too bad this year...

Rise and Shine!!

I was greeted by an awesome sunset the other morning while walking to catch the 6AM train into Boston.  What a way to start a morning!  Sure made the morning commute more pallet-able 

Shoo, Go Away, Scram!

We've been having a heck of a time with some critter rooting around the yard.  Making a terrible mess and ripping up grass; holes everywhere.  I suspect they're after grubs, which is another problem in and of itself.  One that I intend to address first thing come Spring time.

In the meantime, I set the hav-a-heart traps and come morning, two pesky critters caught.  One adult, mostly white (on top) skunk and a juvenile opossum. 

Both were given a stern talking to and warning to take their foraging elsewhere...

New Wider Driveway - Complete!

Our new driveway has finally been completed!

The old railroad tie retaining wall has been replaced with a nice looking interlock-type paver system.

The rain water is running off in the right direction - 

Loaming and hydro seeding has also been completed -

PLEASED!

Open House in Westwood!

Our second Open House, held this past Sunday from 12:00 - 2:00PM, was a bust.  We had one party of three stop in around 12:30ish and they were in and out, alas.

Signs were up -

A fragrant potpourri was simmering on the stove - 

And I was enjoying a pre-open house Dunkin Donuts breakfast -