Happy, Happy, Happy!

 
I think my red squirrel is a morning person. As soon as the sun was up he was racing from the roof to the deck railing, round and round in a circle, kicking up clots of fresh snow as he went.

I've given up spraying him with vinegar water. He only cares if I really get him in the eyes, and then he just sits there and rubs his eyes and looks at me so sadly.



What am I going to do about this little guy? I think red squirrels are one of the most adorable animals on the planet, but if he manages to get into the house it could be a terrible problem. And I can hear him chewing on something that sounds structural, up there in his haven under the deck roof.

At least the blue jay will chase him away from the feeder, so he isn't hogging it all the time.

You'd never believe how much noise he makes going across the edge of the house roof that is under the deck roof. It sound's like all of Santa's reindeer coming in for a landing.

	See Robbery!
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First Snow Winter 2014-2015

 

OK, we've had a couple of dustings before this, but this is the first snow that stayed. About four inches, much less than predictions. I think just north and east of us got hit harder.

I still like the hush and the soothing effect of the colors toned down by the snow. There are green, brown, white, blue, but somehow the effect is monotone.



Suddenly, the little pine tree that was hardly noticeable out in the field pops out,



while the tree line and horizon are muted



Yellow leaves still hug the path, but the path is now so obvious, until more snows flatten the grass. And wild animals aren't stupid. They will use a pathway that is easily traveled if it's going where they want to get to.



The clouded sky let through just a bit of light, for a wonderful Tyndall effect.

	See Just a Few Hours
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Betsy's Eggs are Celebrities!

 
One of the awesome poetry writers at our West Side Gang group is Betsy, owner of the Icelandic Sheep.

She also supplies us with fresh farm eggs, which we buy from her as needed.

A couple of weeks ago, one of our artsy members decided to paint a bowl full of Betsy's eggs. Linda's painting is awesome. She's a good painter too. Here's her picture, used with permission

This week, I bought a dozen of Betsy's Eggs myself and decided I'd get artsy too, before we ate the still life.

First I had to find my wooden bowl, then arrange the eggs in some sort of balanced array. That was harder than I expected.



Then I started drawing them. Paint is not my medium- haven't done it in years, and wasn't that good at it even when I was practicing. I'm better with pencil and pen. Here's the thing about me and art. I have no patience left for it. I'm slow and I don't want to be, and I don't take the time to get things as good as they should be.

Nevertheless, I wanted to draw those eggs, doggone it, so I did.



With Betsy's poems of farm life and art work of her eggs, someone should make a book. Maybe someone will.

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Hairy and Scary

 
I've been off my usual raw veggies this week, and today felt like having some. Opened the tray and... hello.

Really nice hairy peppers though.







Isn't the natural world amazing? Even when it's a simple mold.

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Blue Skies Smilin' at Me

 
It was a beautiful morning. Cold, not snowy here, quite yet. There was open sky in the east letting the sun stream in to the bird feeder.

Cardinals, sparrows, a hairy woodpecker, juncos and yes, that blasted red squirrel, were all enjoying breakfast in the light.

The view out the kitchen door hardly looks like November in Michigan. I figured I'd better preserve some of that for us to open up and savor in the months ahead.

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