Late Spring Update

A very fruitful two weeks! 

I have been to a Tax Assessors class and learned a lot of very useful information.  We had a veteran instructor who enlightened us on the many property tax laws and the effects of exemptions on the property taxes we pay.  I was pleased with my week as I learned a lot and also met a lot of interesting and wonderful people.

My venture into hatching duck eggs was successful in one way and not so in another.  The first duck to hatch was wonderful.  No, not at first as he was covered in slimy goop and floppy, but in a few hours time he was waddling slowly and his down dried to a wonderful cream color.  His entire life lasted only 36 hours as I found him stiff as a board with no clue as to what had ended his little life.  He ate and drank within the first 12 hours and seemed fine when I last checked on him/her.  I still have a couple of eggs in the incubator, but am not very hopeful on their hatching after so many days.  I am not one that is easily discouraged and intend on trying again.

I have raised the roof over the death of two of my squash plants.  It appeared that some varmit had played around in the hill and destroyed my plants.  I checked again yesterday and found some foul looking bug chomping away at the stem right at ground level.  As much as I dislike Sevin, the garden got a good dusting with the offenders getting an extra good dose.  Probably not going to be able to save the hill, but maybe they won't spread to the neighboring plants.  I will replant to replace the lost plants in a week or so to keep a good supply coming all summer.  Potatoes, beans, squash and beets have been delicious and we will soon have some broccoli and eggplant.  Hurray for summer food!

My hummingbirds are emptying their feeder every two days now and with the onset of higher temperatures and longer days I will soon be filling the feeder every day.  They are so beautiful to watch as they zip and zoom around the porch and through the trees. 

We have Catalpa worms for the first time in 6 years.  Water helps everything!  Almost all the leaves on one tree have been devoured and half of another tree.  We will be catching lots of fish this year! I know the Catalpa is the best fish bait in the world and from experience I know catfish love them!  

My grandson is moving forward by leaps and bounds in Boy Scouts.  I am so proud of the work he has done. The Boy Scout organization gives boys an extra boost in preparing them on their journey toward adulthood.  He has set his goals and is following through towards attaining those goals.  Congrats to Joseph!

I am looking forward to the next two weeks.  A family cookout this weekend and a visit with neices I don't get to see near often enough and then my class reunion.  I can hardly wait to see friends I have not seen or heard from in 41 years. 

I am reading a most enjoyable book by Dan Brown -The Lost Symbol.  Intriguing!

A little apart here - I have heard through the grapevine that much fun has been made of my simple writings.  I am a simple person - which does not mean I am simple minded.  My blog is written so my friends and far away family can keep in touch with my daily doings and is not written in order to expound with hate filled comments the situations of others and their lives.  If I can bring a smile to your face even if produced as a result of derision, I have accomplished a goal.  My hope is to make everyone smile!  I can't change your heart, but I can put a smile on your face.

Thanks for visiting and until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Around the Corner

Time is speeding by, whether this is due to my age and me moving somewhat slower or whether everyone else has sped up, but regardless the days are not marching but racing toward . . . something! Goodness, it seems only yesterday we were celebrating the beginning of a new year and now we are in the middle of the month.

We are just a couple of weeks away from starting our indoor seed beds for those plants yearning to be given a chance to flourish and produce. As I have stated before February is my month of depression. Not yet the end of the cold, wet and windy weather that keeps me inside and not yet the beginning of the warm spring temperatures that so heal my mind.

I have tried in the last few years to save some of my more interesting projects for the month of February to keep me busy and my mind stimulated. Planning my garden is probably foremost on my mind. I actually have two gardens - one for vegetables and one for herbs.

As I have aged, I have searched and researched methods to reduce the physical labor needed for a productive garden. As much as I enjoy neat and clean rows, mulching reduces much of the labor and results in happier and healthier plants and saves my back from much bending and pulling.

March is my month of renewal. The later part of the month always brings the first warm days as we start our turn toward the sun. I watch the temperatures change as we slowly make our turn back to the sun and the warmth motivates me once again. I probably should just hibernate from December through March! Spring cleaning come early here as the outside starts calling to me around the end of March when everything must be prepared for the spring days. My anticipation grows as I wait for my hummingbirds to return so I can watch their antics. I scour the garden for the first peek of green shoots hoping that I haven't lost too many plants over the harsh winter that has been so rough on humans and animals alike.

April arrives awakening all living things and I smile from inside. The month of showers doesn't bother me as I know God is watering his plants and bringing joy to my heart. The ground has warmed and the air is refreshing.


And then right around the corner . . .


Happy reading!

Belle

The Hummingbirds

I never knew how demanding these little creatures ccould be. Fascinating and really fast, hummingbirds can empty a feeder in less than 8 hours. I now know I have more than 2 or 3 of the little ones. I have been watching the little devils for a couple of months and I have seen at least 12 birds and probably more. If I allow the feeder to empty, they (usually 2 or 3) will hover about 4 inches from the feeder until I remove and refill.

I sit on the porch in the early morning, and watch them dive bomb each other to get to the feeder, but never have I seen more than 2 at a time feeding. They fight in the air, around my head and literally knock each other off the feeder. Whether playing, performing a mating ritual or just plain mean, it is a special treat to watch them.

We have identified some of them as Rufous, Ruby Throated and Broad-tailed. All of the birds are beautiful and each have their own personality. I think the Ruby Throated is the most aggressive, however all seem to hold their own.

I haven't located a nest as yet, but I noticed a small nest in the joint of the smoke bush yesterday. Don't know if it belongs to the hummingbirds or some other visitor to our yard. We have several bird feeders for our feathered friends, but only one hummingbird feeder that hangs from the eave of the porch. My husband really has to stay alert to keep from literally getting in the middle of their fights while sitting in his rocker.

Yesterday, I decided to move the feeder. We have had the ceiling fan on the porch running on high. I noticed we haven't see the hummingbirds as much this week and I haven't had to refill the feeder everyday. Thinking the ceiling fan was messing with their air balance, I thought the feeder may do better on the arbor. Big mistake!
I hung a plant in place of the feeder. It didn't take long before the hummingbirds were attacking the holder and the plant. They were really showing their aggressive and possessive personalities. After thirty minutes of their chirping, hovering, and pecking, I moved the feeder back in its original spot. What can I say, I guess I am just easy.

I know chickens will not feed or drink while hatching eggs, I wondered if maybe the hummingbirds had the same tendancies. Well, they are still with me anyway and I will definitely leave their feeder where it is for now.