Sunday, April 3, 2016

04.03.16 April snows! and a new visitor!

A beautiful site this morning after some howling winds last night. We awoke to just about one inch of snow that covered the ground - but it has been too warm and the roads are warm enough to melt it. Perfect snow! The wispier shrubs were bent - the dog woods and the willow, but a light tap with a broom that shakes off the snow allowed the branches to upright without breaking.

Fionnegan and Gunnarr loved the snow and accumulated more snow balls in their hair. They never seem to mind too much and run and play under the bending willow branches. Then they get to warm up and dry off in the kitchen with a treat. Both Fionn and Gunnarr will "give me your paw" on command - it took Fionn about one week and Gunnarr about one year to learn that.

My friend Daniel told me he gave Shorty some fried chicken on his birthday, so Shorty is well treated. And there has been no change for the refugees. Some that have been given refugee status are still on the dock. That is the latest update I have from this morning.

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

There is a new little friend at my house. For the last several days this female tufted titmouse has been looking at herself in the reflection of the window and keeps trying to get inside. She flies up on the branch of the shrub then flies on the window (which is slanted) then goes back to the branch. She sings on the branch, then tries this again and again. She is there early in the morning and stays until dusk. So I put a makeshift feeder close by for her so she doesn't get worn out. I have seen her with some seeds but it looks like a little chipmunk, light enough to climb a shrub, also helps himself to most of the seeds.

Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same things again and again and expecting a different outcome. This poor little bird qualifies.

She is lovely and does look right at me through the window. She has a beautiful call and I like to lsiten to her. She does not appear to be in distress, just rather curious and determined. Here are a few pictures through the glass window.





And the snow! Beautiful especially when  you don't have to shovel! All of the branches are bent low and touching the ground. The tunnels are great fun for Fionn and Gunnarr who love to run and jump and play.





They are both still wearing their Easter ribbons. Fionn has a purple bow and Gunnarr (in the front) has the turquoise ribbon.



Gunnarr.


Fionnegan.



This is scarier looking than it is. They both snarl and jump and woof when playing. They have also learned how to "run your motor" "grrrrrrrrrrrrr", something I have encouraged rather than barking. They like to bark at the beautiful golden lab (?) from across the road because they want to play with her. But she was  trained to stay in her yard and I try my hardest to train them not to bark at her. She is so good she just sits there as her owner does yard work. Fionn and Gunnarr on the other hand dig deep holes to China while I am working. O, those pups.


A variegated willow shrub, now about 20 feet tall.



Shake off the snow and time to come inside and get those snow balls warmed up and melted.


A beautiful day. One more storm on its way - hope the trees and plants do alright with these dramatic changes in weather.

On another Shorty note - at work the scientists like to learn about all of us - so we had a match the dog/pet with the owner contest. Yes, Fionn, Gunnarr, Shorty and Buddy were included!

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