Perfect timing

The poppies in the garden inspired me to get my seeds planted yesterday.  That and the threat of a wet weekend ahead gave me the motivation to weed and seed the garden.   I have always planted a large variety of zinnias, cosmos, four o'clocks and bachelor buttons which are big draws for butterflies and hummingbirds. Now to wait for July when the beds will explode in glorious colors
.

Is bigger really better?

I had the most unpleasant shopping experience today.  I made the choice to accompany my husband to the new MEGA MENARDS SUPERSTORE which makes the regular Menards look like a small Mom and Pop shop in comparison.  You would think that the bigger the store, more aisle space, less crowding?  WRONG!   This store even has a second floor and to get up there you secure yourself and your shopping cart onto this electric ramp ( similar to that in the airports ) that takes you up to an endless inventory of toilets, sinks and cabinets.  Sorry but I was not impressed and with everything scattered through miles and miles of store, I tired easily and spent way less money than I would have in a smaller, shopper friendly environment.   Even their garden section was a disappointment, but maybe by time I made it there, I was a bit tired and cranky and ready to sit down to a quiet lunch.   Sorry corporate America, bigger does not always make it better.  Oh, did I mention that YOU the shopper have to bag your own items at this Super Duper Mega Store?   Sorry, but I won't be back.

Neighbors who imitate - is it really flattering?

 A couple of years ago I went crazy with the spray paint just as I had a few years earlier when everything was magically turned to purple.   This time, everything became lime green or bright sunny yellow.   Even the wicker didn't escape but Monty seems happy with it as you can see below.   Anyway, I have bright yellow furniture, pillows, bird cages, lime green watering cans, flower pots - you get the picture.   Well, the woman across the street decided this spring to transform her deck and garden all in, you guessed it - LIME GREEN!   Pots, painted furniture - she even has a big lime green bird cage on a table.   Mmmm, wonder where she got her ideas from?  Should I be flattered?   Should I be annoyed that someone can't think for themselves and come up with their own ideas?   I still haven't decided if I'm annoyed or flattered, but this is America and she can decorate her garden any damn way she pleases, I suppose.

A dedicated Mother

We have two Robins nesting.  The one in the picture is in our crabapple tree which looks like it will be bursting into bloom around Mothers Day.   Mom has been on her nest for about a week now and her mate stays nearby on the ground, offering protection when necessary.   The other nest is over our back door on the  porch light.  Since we tend to use this door frequently, she's become quite a Nervous Nellie, but I can't blame her.   We are being quite generous in letting her stay there without rent, the least she can do is not squawk at us every time we need to come or go.   Just fly to the neighbors tree and be patient, we'll be gone in a minute or two!

Reflecting on pets no longer with us

In our 27 years of marriage, we have been owned and loved by 7 wonderful cats - not all at the same time of course.   Three was the most we had at one time, five we adopted from shelters, one was given to us by someone who was moving where no pets were allowed and one named Lucky, who adopted us by showing up on our deck during one of the most dreadful heat waves, dying of thirst and hunger.   He instinctively knew that we would be the ones who would rescue him and give him the pampered life he so deserved.  Yes, he was Lucky, but so were we.   The picture I'm sharing today is of our Angel, the most precious white fluffy fur  ball who adored chattering to the blue jays and squirrels who came by for peanuts on the deck.   She did live up to her name, but she did have a mischievous side as well.   For some strange reason she loved "twist ties" and would know just when there was one on the counter.   She knew she was not allowed to walk the counters, but somehow she'd sneak up, snatch the tie and playfully toss it around on the floor.   I never had the heart to reprimand her - it was her one naughty habit and I was an enabler who let her get away with it.   Oh, to have her back for just one more day........

The Ending of an Era

Good Morning Dear Gentle Readers.  I made a sad discovery this week when I went to pick out flower seeds and bird suet at my local True Value Store which I had been going to for years.    It had a huge " Going Out of Business " banner blowing in the wind.   Upon entering the store I saw most of the merchandise was gone, prices were slashed on what was left - it was eerily empty.   There was no bird food to be found but I was able to find the flower seeds I was looking for and as I checked out I told the 2 women at the register that I was really going to miss the store.   The older woman who was the owner said if more people had come more often and felt as I did, she wouldn't have to shut the doors but it was hard for her now as the widow of the owner, to keep up with the huge box stores i.e. Home Depot, Menards, etc.   I wished her well but left with a sad feeling that here was one more small business that was closing due to "progress".   I have always made a conscience choice to purchase at small shops if at all possible.   I would rather pay a little extra to support them.   They are a vital part of our communities.   There is nothing sadder than to see all these empty buildings that were once thriving businesses in our towns.   So, if you have a chance, please frequent the small business shops when possible and keep them going.   They need our support.

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday was May 1st otherwise known as May Day  - a celebration of Spring and of the Labor Force.  The weather could not have been more perfect yesterday.   Robert and I chose to have our breakfast on the porch since it was already nearing 80 degrees.   Now mind you, I had him fill all the bird feeders up the night before in anticipation that I would be rewarded with the annual visit from the Rose-breasted Grosbeak but I had no idea he would come the very next morning.  He continued to feed all morning jumping from feeder to feeder, then down to the birdbaths ( he found both but preferred the one nearest to his food source )   We watched in amazement for more than 2 hours until finally he had his fill and landed in the plum tree to sing and clean his beak.  Today it was super windy and cold and everytime I peaked out the window, he was nowhere in sight.   Hopefully he was just laying low until the winds died down.  He was one beautiful bird.