02.22.2021 Bluebirds of Spring

 February is one of my favorite months. The mornings are light earlier and the days are light longer and we often have beautiful bright blue cloudless skies. We also have some bitter cold weather, too, in February. And even though we have over two feet of snow on the ground, you can feel Spring is close. Spring is in the air.

And nothing was more convincing of that then yesterday afternoon. It was a gorgeous day. It was warmer (OK, the sun was out and it was above the freezing mark) and crisp and clear. And there was a flock of 8 bluebirds at my feeders! These beautiful birds - six males and two females - were feasting at the suet feeder right in front of the kitchen window. What a treat to watch them. They were joined at the feeders by titmouse, chickadees, juncos and hairy woodpeckers.  What a treat to watch them and take an occasional photograph. While they were leery of me and  especially the camera, they totally ignored the dogs sitting on the porch right next to the feeder. It was a nice way tot spend an afternoon. Taxes can always be done later!

These bluebirds fluffed up their feathers as insulation against the cold weather. 

My fellow birders!

Please stay well. And enjoy each and every day as a special gift.

Until next time......

02.21.2021 Shorty's adventure

So as not to repeat the activity of this week, please go to Shorty's blog: mydogShorty.blogspot.com

He tells the story of his moment of freedom as he slipped past me through the outside gate while I was shoveling snow. He ran along the road for the first time since he arrived from Yap. He likes the neighbor boy and his dogs and went for a short lived visit!

We have been mostly working and shoveling snow. Before the last storm we had a day of sunshine and the boys have been enjoying the time outside! 

Time for me to prepare to do my taxes and make lunch for the boys. Will write more very soon.

Until next time........

02.14.2021 Happy Valentine's Day - St Valentine's Day

 It has been a while since I last posted. So much for new year resolutions. But Shorty has been active on his blog - mydogShorty.blogspot.com, so I guess that I have done some blogging. Look for cute pictures of him and his brothers.

We have been very busy, especially these last two weeks when I have had the opportunity to hone my shoveling skills. There was even too much snow for Shorty to make his path for Fionnegan and Gunnarr so I had to make paths for them. They followed me like little ducklings and looked so cute. Regretfully, there are no pictures of them walking behind me, step by step as I shoveled.

Shorty also hurt his leg running but is now back to normal chasing squirrels and playing with Fionn and Gunnarr. They do seem to love rolling around in the snow - as long as it is not too deep.

Valentine's Day has a complicated  history. It was first established as a holiday in the 5th century (496 AD) to commemorate the live of the saint who was a clergyman in Rome. Rumor has it that he wrote a letter and signed it as "from Your Valentine" and this day has subsequently been associated with love. Be careful how you sign your letters!  So it is not a Hallmark holiday afterall!  

So for those of you with a special love in your life, so something special for them. And may  you all be safe and healthy in this era of the coronavirus pandemic.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.