We're Proud Of You!

Congratulations to our 2020 senior, Emilie Frye!

I Spy With My Little Eye

I spied this red squirrel busily pulling up and grabbing mouth fulls of dry grass, then darting off.  She did these numerous time, so I'm guessing she's building herself a nest.  Like the Chickadee, I love me some red squirrel.  

The bad news, oh so bad, is that she was dart in and out of the neighbors shed.  Seems there's a hole that has rotted through at the base of the double doors, so in she went.  Might be a warm, dry, safe place to nest, however, I suspect that once the neighbors begins his lawn care this nesting things might come to a sudden and sad end.

For Rent!

With the Bluebird occupying the other bird house, this Chickadee is inspecting this one.  Hopeful they decide to move in.  I like me some Chickadees, plus with these guys occupying this house the darn sparrow won't have a place to crash.

Snack Time

This grey squirrel looked comfy, peacefully eating his acorn.

Seems there were a lot of grey squirrels about heading into the winter but not too many coming out.  Somewhat surprising as this past winter really wasn't too bad.  However, I don't live outside, so easy for me to say.

And I'm Off...

Certainly not the best picture I've taken, yikes!  However, it is pretty cool how the camera caught the red from the wings of this Red-winged Black bird.  Looks like he's sporting a red hat.

Find The Critter

Can you find the critter in the below photo?

Welcome Back!

There's a good looking bird right there, and a darn good photo too!

Looks like they've decided to nest here again this spring, same as last year, and have taken up residence in the below bird house.  I suspect they approve of the newly renovated roof.

Welcome!

She's A Bloom'n!

The spring pruning I gave this weeping cherry tree didn't seem to bother it too much as it's still blooming on the few pathetic weeping branches it has left.

Encouraging none the less for what's to come next year!

It's gonna be tremendous.  Tremendous!

NOT Springfield!

I woke up to The Simpson Springfield sky here in Franklin!

Here's one of the benefits of getting out of bed early...

Tulipa urumiensis - Tarda tulip

Always a nice surprise!

Our Late Tulips, as they're called, are blooming!

They survived their transplant and doing very well.

Lazy Dog

Shhh, Trixie-dog is trying to take a nap.  Seems like the light is bothering her.

Lawn Thatching - Done!

It's really hard to tell in these pics but I spent hours de-thatching my lawn.  Although, in some pics it doesn't look like much was done, however, the amount of thatch I pulled and picked up is quote amazing.  Hoping the proof is in the end-results, when the warm weather finally arrives and stays and the lawn starts to grow.

Front lawn - 

Side Lawn -

Side Lawn - 

Pile of thatch! Important to note that this is NOT all of it.  Several tracker bags full went directly into the compost pile, as well as several bags were spread in and around the garlic that is starting to poke through the soil.  This will help keep the moisture in and the weeds out -

Fertilizer, Scott's Step-1 is the next task...

Sad News

What a terrible loss for our seniors.

*** Breaking News: All public and private schools in Massachusetts will remain closed through the end of the year amid coronavirus pandemic.

April 18 Snow, UGH!

Yup, it snowed last night.  Heavy, wet snow that stuck to everything.  Branches bending and testing their flexibility.  Just plan messy.  The temps rose to above freezing, somewhere near 38 degrees, so there was melting but not fast enough. However, today, Sunday, it's predicted to hit the low 60's so what's left isn't going to last too much longer.

A Cats Life

Here are just a few of the sleeping positions of Oliver in just over 15 minutes -

Timberland OUT! Cabela IN!

Great boots.  Loved these boots.  Tremendous boot. Very comfortable boots.  Interesting, the soles on both boots split and both in the same spot, the balls of my feet.  I wore them as long as I could but my feet started getting wet.  Like my dad would do, I thought of using the plastic market bags on each foot but quickly passed on the idea.  I get enough ribbing from family and friends as it is, why give them more ammo...

I called Timberland to see what, if anything they could or would be willing to do, and I was told that if they're older than one year I am SOL. So, frustratingly I had to move on and buy another pair.  This time, in an effort to show my displeasure with Timberland, I bought a pair of Cabelas boots from The Bass Pro Shop.  So far, so good.

Sadly, this pair went in the trash...

Spring Bloom Hello's

Our Hyacinth are blooming and they smell so goo!

I planted eight bulbs, four on each side of the front stairs, years ago and they continue to pop every spring.  They do not disappoint.

Same with the daffodils, ever faithful -