THIS SUMMER WAS FOR THE BIRDS !!

Yes this summer was for the birds !! As I am self employed I spend most of my time at home. Fortunately I have a small chunk of land and birds. LOTS of birds. Having  a small herd of terribly inbred chickens I also have local birds that appreciate the free food and ample water .
  
  The most amazing thing happened this summer. Yes that's a hummingbird nest and Yes it is on an extension cord and Yes this happened right outside my kitchen window.

  It was fascinating watching the process. It seemed like she built nest , layed eggs, and hatched them in about a week.  Three weeks later this was the result . It made doing the dishes bearable.

 One day there was only one little bird left. He sat on the cord for at least 3 days. I was sure the other one was a kitty snack. It broke my heart. I can honestly say I felt a bit of loss . For a couple weeks I would stare at the poor broken little nest wondering what happened to the babies.

  Early one morning I went out to water and out of the corner of my eye I saw something dart by. Then another something. It was 2 hummingbirds playing a game of chase. They would fly way above the house and dive to about 5 feet above the ground. There was no doubt in my mind who these birds were.

    

 I had less chicks this year. We culled alot of the flock  last year so that didn't surprise me. What was surprising is that out of a clutch of 5 chicks to hatch all 5 survived. My evil nemesis the Red Tailed Hawk has moved out of his tree because  the old Farm House across the street burned down.

 One day I looked out my magic kitchen window and saw this. The most amazing part of this picture is that is not the mama chicken. It is a rooster. Yes a rooster. At about this size Mama chicken dumps the teenage babies and starts laying all over again. Well I have never seen this before but Papa took over. Believe it or not he has a least 4 chicks under him. He took care of those chicks for weeks afterward. And for this loving kind act he has spared himself from the Rooster culling soon to occur.



Some birds need to be discouraged. This would be Pierre's job.

One Saturday morning I looked out to see

20 crows in the neighbors backyard. One by one they would fly over the yard and circle the garden. It then occurred  to me that Pierre was hard at work. Those crows were just waiting for him to leave the yard. When I told my husband he said in a surprised voice, "Oh!!! Thats why they call them scarecrows! What a city boy he is!



Im Baaaaack!

 Yes I have decided to come back to the blog. At least try to. These things are so easy to put aside.

 I have come to the conclusion that someday I will write that book. In the meantime I need to practice writing. Plus with my daughter at college it is a good way to keep up with her and of course family and friends far away.  it is a wonderful way to journal.

  The picture above is of my garden. It has been an excellent  summer hobby. For some reason this year it has taken on a new life. I have experimented with a variety of garden techniques . Every time I try a new one I have been motivated to blog but alas I have not. Today I promised myself I would Kick off with a short blog .

   I went out today to prepare for my winter garden. Something that has never worked for me in the past but quitters never win and winners never quit or something like that. Maybe this will be my year. Anyways my garden has slowed but still popping out food. Looks like Pierre the Scarecrow is still working hard.

  Just a note to my newly emptynester friends , gardening is a wonderful way to funnel all of that maternal instinct. As my daughter has been away for 3 years now  I find myself fighting the over parenting from afar. Now is the time for her to learn to be an adult and yes my pepper plants appreciate the extra love. Actually my green bean and cucumber tee pee was my crowning joy. Yes Erin , you are in competition with my plants. You are still in first place but who knows ?

  This is what happens when your sister makes you buy a 6 pack of Jalapeno plants in March. What the hell do you do with a Jalapeno  pepper? My experience with Jalapenos consists of those squishy little round things that go on Nachos and maybe a hot dog if you are feeling adventurous. Fortunately my Jalapenos did very well . This is my attempt at Jalapeno Jelly. I burned 2 fingers , cut three and  my stove screamed  in pain when it over boiled all over the burners . Note to self and other adventurous souls who attempt jelly, use a pot way bigger than the ingredients.    

  Well everyone is welcome to join me on my life journey. I definitely need to address my Smashed Pennies, just acquired quite a few on our recent Canada cruise, travels and of course my Ebay adventures. Shout out to Gloria Dee.  You are on the adventure  of a lifetime . I want to see some blogging. You are a personal hero and ! hope to do what you are doing some day.