You Never Really Know Someone

Make Way For...

Gridlock on the roads the other morning!

Traffic came to a standstill to let momma Turkey and her chicks cross the road.

Thankfully, drivers were paying attention and all did the right thing.

Nibble Nibble, Chew Chew

These are just two examples of the damage the deer have been doing to my hosta plants, and other plants too, throughout my back yard, UGH!

I've only seen the deer, a lone doe, a couple time since early spring, however, other signs of their presence are clear, e.g. their hoof prints in my plant beds and their droppings all over the lawn,  If they'd only eat the unwanted clover then be on their way it would be a win win for both of us, alas.

Lov'n The Pool

I can't be 100% certain, as I've not looked that closely but I suspect I've rescued this dude from my pool 5 different  mornings now. Just this morning was the last time. I've put a couple flat floats in the water, which this dude can easily get up on, just in case and he used it once that I saw.

Always welcome and always a nice way to start my day, saying "Good Morning Mr. Toad"...

So long as it's not a good bye.

One Letter

Old Glory

I bought a flag pole this weekend and mounted it outside the family room, overlooking the driveway.  I chose a fourth of July themed flag to kick off the summer.

I'm pleased and think it looks darn nice; adds some POP to that end of the house.

The Wet Spot

Riddle me this...

With all the available grass in the picture below, can anyone explain why Trixie (my dog) feels the need to pee on the walkway?!

Is this akin to peeing on the toilet seat, perhaps?!?!

Note:  Trixie has proven she's capable of peeing on the lawn, as is evident with the brown, dead grass and bare spots from years of urine exposure.

Bag It!

Some may not like or approve of this method, however, it works and I will continue to implement when needed.

This specific bird house had been home to Blue Birds the last couple of years!  Often appearing to raise multiple clutches of babies.  Blue Birds are absolutely beautiful, peaceful birds that do a tremendous job at insect control.  They are always and MORE than welcome in my yard.

However, competing birds are taking over and forcing the Blue Birds out.  Although, they've been around and have been trying to stake a claim this this house, they keep getting scared off by House Sparrows.

House Sparrows are scum birds!  They offer NO value at all with their presence. They are super noisy, which is more bothersome simply because they're sparrows.  They're known more of a scavenger type bird, similar to the pigeon or the starling and crap everywhere.  You often see these birds in the city looking for scraps or handouts or even around fast food restaurants - dirty, useless birds.

Anyway, I stuff a plastic bag in the birdhouse holes to prevent the sparrows from getting in.  Now, I know what your thinking, in doing this I am also preventing the Blue Birds from getting in too, however, at the point I implement this method, the sparrows have already driven off the Blue Birds.  I often wait until the sparrows are established, perhaps even have laid some eggs before "bagging it". Oh, they're not happy at all with this turn of events and try as they may they eventually give up and leave.

Frustratingly, it's a temporary solution, as they eventually make their way back and we have to play the game all over again.  Meanwhile, the Blue Birds have moved onto someone else's bird house, alas.

"I Do"

Emilie and I attended a beautiful wedding last weekend in Mattapoisett - first cousin once removed wedding.

We booked a hotel and stayed the night in New Bedford.  We arrived early, too early to check-in, so we went for a walkabout.  There were oodles of commercial fishing vessels all docked along the piers.  Pretty elaborate pieces of equipment to say the least and clearly these fisherman mean business...

Some of the side streets and sidewalks were old school cobblestones, with the all too familiar thump thump thump thump thump thump thump, as cars drove by.  New Bedford is an old costal town that I suspect would be fun to visit and explorer.  Perhaps, one of these days.

The wedding itself was beautiful.  It was held at an older country club, on the lawn with the ocean as a backdrop to the ceremony.  The weather cooperated and it was a wonderful evening ceremony, followed by cocktails and hor devours on the grass.  Dinner was fantastic, as were the festivities and dancing.  We had a great time and thankful for getting to spend time with family.

#blessed

Be Considerate of Others, That's All

"Mutants that device around in their loud cars..."

I luv me some Vic DiBitetto and his perspective on things.  His short videos, which he posts daily, are usually funny.  Here is one of is recent ones below where he goes off on the dipsticks and their loud vehicles.

Just so happens he and I are on the same page with this annoyance, as I've been bothered by the same for quite some time now.  There are a couple a-holes that live nearby and they're forever zooming and racing by with all kinds of ungodly noises.  Honestly, I'm not sure how most of these vehicles are able to pass the yearly registry inspections with how loud these things are.

The only loud noise that I'd be okay with following one of these knuckleheads roaring by is the sound of their vehicle crashing into an immovable object...

Anyway, here is Vics take on it - 

 Ticked Off Vic:  I hope your engine and your eardrums throw a rod

Find The Critter

Can you find the critter in the below photo?!

This is as close as my iPhone would get -

Moth Decoys

I got my cabbage moth decoys in order and placed out with my broccoli.

Supposedly the butterflies are territorial and will not deposit their eggs if they think another female has staked her claim to that area.

I'm not sure how effective these are but if it deters even one moth from visiting my plants and laying eggs then it's worth it.  They doesn't cost anything other than time really.  Also, not sure how hanging them with clothespins will do but that's all I have for now.

The broccoli plants are doing fantastic. I even built wire cages to keep them protected from the rabbits and deer, which seem to be visiting on a regular basis these days.

BEWARE, Turtle Crossing

I came across this new born baby snapping turtle the other morning on my walk.  One of it's litter mates was squashed in the roadway nearby, sniff.  I moved this little fella safely away from the road and in the water, where hopefully it'll be fine and surive.

I stopped this rather large lady was just before she walked into the road.  I moved her safely to the edge of the tree line, in the direction she was traveling, and towards the water.  It was for her own good, however, she did NOT see it that way, nope!  She was a bigg'n and she definitely wanted a piece of me with her attempts at getting ahold of me with her snapping. 

Honestly, shocks me that turtles this size get hit by vehicles.  I would think she would do some damage.  Supposed people are distracted and too concerned to care about what they hit or run over.

Here is a side by side comparison showing a new born versus a much older snapping turtle.  Found in the same area, so perhaps they're related.

All's well that ends well.

Irony

Yummy, BURP!

Seems appropriate to me especially with the overall size of SO many people these days but I'm also offended (well NOT be but someone for sure)!

You know with today's culture and all, and with how the littlest of things get's taken out of context and ultimately ends up offending someone for some reason, I'm kinda surprised a company would choose such a name.  

Yeah, I'm talking to you "Karen"!

A Yellow Pollen Blanket

I took this picture last week when I went for a lunchtime walk.  It's a small pond at the office.  It shows you just how bad the pollen has been this season!  A thick blanket covering everything, and with the lack of rain we've had this spring, it's lingering.  Looking for a good drenching to wash this all off and away.

These Are The "Breaks"...

By looking at this folding lawn chair wouldn't know I've lost about 25 pounds.

Was sitting in this chair, the last of a set of four chairs I've had for many years, and taking a break from yard work and BOOM!

The previous three chairs went in the exact same manner.  It's too bad as they were pretty comfortable and folded up nice to be stored out of the way.  Looks like I'll be sitting on a 5-gallon bucket for my breaks until I can find suitable replacements.

Free Passes, Score!

I scored some free passes to the New England Aquarium and the Zoo (either Franklin Park or Stone Zoo).  Courtesy of the company I work for!  There were other options too for local museums but since I'm not too refined for the fine arts I opted for the places I connect with.

Looking forward for Emilie and I to use these at some point this summer.

Out With The Old...

Tossed!

I replaced my Zipcar mouse pad.

There was nothing wrong with it, it was just time.  I've been using this one for several years and needed a change.  I had a similar one but a bit larger and red, brand new with the name and logo of the company I work for, stored in my office desk, so I'm now using it.

I'm Seeing Purple

My Clematis is loaded with blooms and looking terrific this year!

I've been cutting it back the last couple of years, something I was always fearful of doing, and it seems to respond well and shoots right up come early spring.