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So, we put the plant hangar high on the flag pole and hung the hummingbird feeder. Very happy with ourselves. And the birds seemed happier, too. Being that the feeder was no longer close to the ground where any 4-legged predator could attack.
All was good for 3 days. Friday morning, yep, the feeder was totally empty. What the hell?? I walked over and checked the flagpole. Oohhh yeah......muddy paw prints all over it....and the rope for the flag was pulled out, as well as the chicken wire/clematis trellis that is wrapped around the pole, about 4 ft. high.
A raccoon. Definitely a raccoon. My apologies to the deer. What to do...what to do.....?
Back to square one.....we will now bring the feeder in at night. The advantage to having it up so high from the ground means no ants (yet), and the bees are generally gone by evening.
Oh, I don't mind (too much) when the wildlife finds their meal at our expense, in our yard, but......the price of sugar???? (I make my own nectar for the hummers). Not here, buddy....move on!
Just for the heck of it, I checked the pole (sans feeder) yesterday morning. Hahahhaha......paw prints even further up the pole!! He must have been looking and looking for that feeder (it was dark, ya know).
The strange thing about this whole situation is.....we've never, ever seen a raccoon in our yard! I mean....never!! Never had any signs of one. No garbage can opened and trash scattering the lawn.....no remnants from the compost pile laying all over the place. No cooler left on the deck overnight (son's) opened and ravaged. Strange. Very strange.
So, there you have it. This is the last chapter in the hummingbird feeder saga. Now for something totally different...........
Well, the hummingbird feeder in the bucket, left sitting on the deck.....didn't work. Woke up the next morning to find the deck in shambles. Feeder empty, rolled across the deck, with dried, colored puddles in it's trail. Table knocked over, broom laying across the door.
What the hell has been after this stuff?!? BH and I agree it has to be a racoon. Yeah. That's it....a racoon. Sonofabitch. Now what do we do for the hummingbirds?
A couple hours later, I'm coming back from somewhere, walking across the walkway....when, what do my wondering eyes spot?
Yep. 2 small hoof prints in dirt, on one of the walkway blocks, facing the stairs to the deck. A deer. A small deer. If only there wasn't so much noise in the house (8 fans, 2 a/c's running 24/7), I might have heard all the banging around on the deck during the night.
The creature was back again Sunday night. But there was nothing in the feeder. It did, however, knock it out of the bucket and down the stairs.
So yesterday, on our trip to town for many errands, it hit me......I have a wrought iron plant hangar....you know, the kind you screw the back into a wall and then the arm with a hook on the end sticks out....to hang a plant.
Yeah, well, I tell BH "hey, let's attach it up on the flagpole. That way, the deer can't get at it, and we can still watch the hummingbirds!!!" Great idea! I amaze myself sometimes. He readily agreed. Like minds...gotta love it.
So that job is on the agenda for today. We'll see how that turns out.
Why, yes, it is a good morning.....so far. The outside temp has dropped 7 degrees in the past 3 hours. Ehhh, yes, I've been up since 4 am. Today it's supposed to be 88 degrees....let's hope not. But to be on the safe side, both a/c's and the 8 fans will remain at warp speed. I will not be lulled into a false sense of security. We've been tricked before. And when you try to cool down the house at 1:00 pm, well, believe me, it just doesn't work.
Yesterday it was in the 90's...again. And the humidity.....don't get me started.
No rain. BH was just saying last night he can't remember when we've had a good soaking rain these past couple of weeks. Never mind that we still have not totally dried out from the deluge a few weeks ago.
I finished the grey SWMerino.....5 bobbins full. Yayyy for me! Now to ply it with the dyed dark green Shetland and the natural charcoal Shetland.
Picked up the knitting needles the other day....using white cable-plyed and knitting a lacy watch cap. It's looks nice, but it sure is taking a lot of yarn. I did want to make matching fingerless gloves; might not have enough yarn. This may be frogged.
An ex-co-worker called last Friday, wanting to know if I could shorten a dress for her. I did one for her last summer. So I called her back Wednesday, told her to bring it over, I'll take a look at it. She brought it yesterday. Egads. For one thing, it's a jersey material. I hate stretchy fabrics! But......yeah......ok......I can do this (hmmmm?). Then she hits me with....."could you take out the elastic around the waist, it's really too tight; I feel like I can't breathe."
I take a look. Actually, it's an "empire" waist. You know......under the boobs. Yeah, the skirt is gathered to the bodice. But there's this strange clear plastic(?) binding covering the seam. Crap. I explain to her that if I can ease it, it won't be much because there would be more fabric in the skirt top than the bodice is wide. I got a "deer in the headlights" look, but she nodded her head anyway. "Well, if you can, that would be great; but if it can't be done, that's ok" was her response. We'll see.
I would rather make a garment from scratch than do alterations or mending. But that's a secret between you and me. Lest she get wind of that little tidbit. She did ask me last summe if I've ever made a wedding gown!!! I broke into a cold sweat. "No. No. I've never done that".
The deer finally discovered the marigolds in the wheelbarrow. Yep. They ate half of them. I'm so glad they left the other half for me. So. Out I went with 1/2 a bar of soap and the old cheese grater. Shavings all over the flowers and in the soil. We'll see how they like that taste!! Yeah....eat my flowers and that's what you get......soap in your mouth.
They have also been emptying out the hummingbird feeder. I was bringing it in the house at night, but the other evening as I was carrying it in, I noticed teensy, tiny little brown ants all over. Wow, that was a close one!! Back on the hook it went; deer be damned. They actually left it alone for about 4 days. Ahh, but this morning.....yep.....empty.
Then it hit me....."you jerk.....just put the feeder in the bucket and leave it on the deck....close to the stairs....not the house". So if I get around to making more syrup today and filling the feeder, that will be the plan for tonight.
As far as I can tell, the deer have not made it up the stairs to the deck......yet.
So......how's by you?
Well, weatherwise. For a couple of days. Then back into the oven for the weekend. It makes me crazy (or....crazier...as BH says).
Yesterday it was mid 70's, so I took advantage and baked 4 loaves of bread, being that we're down to the last 2 loaves in the freezer. Might bake 4 more today.
Besides that, I've been trying to keep up with the housework and laundry. So far, so good. Meals have been light, not much cooking going on.
So sorry to hear of the bloggers on the East coast now in a drought with the heat and humidity. I hope some of this coolness comes your way very soon, even if just for a few days. Any relief is a great help.
The brown socks are finally finished! Yay!!! I'll try to post a picture soon. Haven't been in the mood for taking pictures lately. And bobbin #5 is being filled with the last of the grey SWMerino. Whew.
We did take a ride to the casino Monday. Spent a few hours there, came home with the same money we left with. Thanks to BH. He saved the day. Won it all back at the Blackjack table. Lost mine on the slots. C'est le vie. But we had a relaxing, enjoyable time. In an air conditioned facility. That alone was worth the trip.
Ok. Enough is enough. I can't stand this heat any longer. This is ridiculous. How do people in the South live like this?! Stick a fork in me....I'm done.
90's the past couple of days, more to come til Tuesday. Ditto for the humidity. My brain is fried.
Oh I can't wait to see next month's electric bill. I'm guessing....$300.00. Why oh why didn't we put the pool up!
Anything that needs or we want to get done better be done by noon. Even so, we'll still sweating our butts off for a least a couple of hours. Then it's in the recliners in the coolest room in the house for the rest of the day.
Putzing is the order of the day (week?). Little jobs here and there. Although, BH did cut the grass yesterday and I weedwhacked.
Air conditioning is a blessing, but I find myself stepping outside around 6:00pm to see if there is any hint of a breeze and coolness in the air. I prefer real air. Most times, no, there is no coolness or breeze. I'm getting sick of the loud drone of the fans and a/c units. We can't hear ourselves think, much less hear each other speak. "What?" "What??" "I can't hear you!!"
I put potatoes on to cook at 6:00am for potato salad. And hot dogs for supper tonight.
We have to go to son's today to pick up some money he owes us. 45 minute drive each way. He was supposed to come here, but being that he doesn't have a car, has to borrow his buddy's, which I guess the buddy has other plans today, and I really need to get that money back into the bank, so, we will go there. Aaarrggghhhh!!
At least we'll be in an air conditioned, cranked to the max, vehicle for an hour and a half.
We just might be able to hear each other speak.
While in the middle of a job last week, the weedwhacker made a terrible grinding noise. The hub went flying off. Upon examination of the tool, it was discovered that a large chunk of plastic that feeds the plastic line had broken off. It was beyond repair.
Purchased at an auction for $15.00 some 10 years ago, the electric Toro weedwhacker was a joy to behold. It did it's job thoroughly and was always up to the task. A very powerful tool, it could cut through cable lines, screen house guy wires, and rip up a polyurethane tarp in the blink of an eye. An occasional flower stem sometimes caught it's wrath and was left laying on the ground.
To take down overgrown grass on the edges of garden beds, trees, the house, the pool was never too daunting. It could rip right down to the dirt, leaving nary a blade of green left standing.
For the past couple of years, Toro was experiencing some problems. Although it never lost it's amazing electric power, a small chip of plastic had broken away from the feed hole. But with care while re-stringing, the hub could be reassembled and ready for use again.
It is not known what the Toro hit that got caught up in the feed line, causing the hub to lose a large piece of necessary plastic. No culprit, be it flora, fauna, wood or wire could be found near the accident.
Toro is now sitting in a corner of the old house, to whack no more; waiting for the town cleanup next year, where it will be sent to it's final resting place.
No flowers, please.
Today is BH's birthday - 76 years old. Doesn't look it; doesn't act it. Oh, he's slowing down a bit; a couple of minor physical disabilities. But other than that, he is a bull. Can't (or won't) sit still for 10 minutes!
He decided Saturday that he's going fishing today. To the State Park, renting a boat for a few hours. Asked if I wanted to come along. "Ehh, no. It's your day; you haven't been fishing yet this summer; go. Enjoy yourself".
Translation: "Geezzz, we've been with each other 24/7 since forever. Please ----- go do something, get away from the house. Give me some space ------please!!
Actually, I have plans. Baking a white cake, defrost and sugar the strawberries (yep - strawberry shortcake for dessert). Get to the grocery store, pick up a couple of steaks. Got the shrimp defrosting in the fridge; make the cocktail sauce and put together the salad.
We'll have his favorite dinner. He'll be thrilled. I'm pretty sure he suspects what the meal will be.
We've had gorgeous weather this weekend. Lots of sunshine, temps in the mid 80's. Today will be the same. Things are drying out, if ever so slowly. I hope it stays like this at least for another week -- knock on wood (taps self on the head).
Windows to be washed today. Been putting it off for a few days now. There's been knitting and spinning here and there. Finally working on the second sock; got past the heel, knitting the instep. And spinning SW Merino (grey) to ply with the charcoal Shetland. Of course, this seems to be taking forever! Filling the 3rd bobbin and there will be a 4th.
Our 2 granddaughters are supposed to be coming this Friday from Indiana for a visit. Just for the weekend. We haven't heard any confirmation yet. The older one was supposed to be here 2 weeks ago, but had a slight glitch in the financial department. We'll have to get to Minneapolis airport to pick them up........3hrs down, 3 hrs back home. And do it again Sunday. Yikes!! "Support your local gas station!"
And it looks like we're on track to start cleaning out the old house next week. (Hahahahahahaha!) How many times have I said that?! No. Seriously. Next week. (Hahahahaha....stop it!)
Anywho........Happy Birthday, My Love!! You are the light of my life! You keep me sane. (Hahahahahaha.......stop it!!)
Yes. This has been the extent of exercising for me yesterday and today. Open the windows. Close the windows. Open the windows. Close the window. Again and again.
We are still in a torrential rain pattern. With a some positive moments of clearing skies and abundant sunshine. But only for a few moments. Then the blackness rolls in, the wind kicks up and.......bam! Torrential rains.
Noticed just a minute ago that the deck I so diligently scubbed on my hands and knees a few weeks ago is once again showing signs of "verdigres" (sic?). Translation: Algae green. As is now the top railing of the deck and the stair railings. Also my statue of the fishing boy.
There is a peculiar smell to the air. Like sewer or septic. We have no sewer and the septic is not showing signs of pooling on the back lawn. I attribute the smell to the small lake that has overtaken half of the front yard, and has been sitting there for over a week now. A veritable breeding ground for hundreds of thousands of mesquitos. And, yes, also shows signs of "algae green".
Ah, but today the temperature is much cooler. Much. Like 25 degrees cooler. Love it! In the 70's. Can Fall be far behind??
Excuse me. I have to shut the windows.
My mother's favorite saying. She said it often.....regularly. It applies.
We have been going through a hot spell for the past 3 days....today will be #4. High 90's. No wind. So hot and humid that it takes your breath away when you step outside. Weatherman says today is going to be the hottest of this week. Son-of-a-bitch!!
We have 2 portable A/C's in the house, one is 8,0000btu's, the other is 9,000btu's. There is also a fan in every room ---- 7 in number. All have been cranked up to max speed for these past 3..now 4...days. The house stays relatively comfortable til about 2:00pm. Then......forgetaboutit!! Tuesday, it got to 94 in the house. Yes. You read that right. 94 degrees.....in the house. I'm ready to kill somebody. Thermometer showed 105 outside. Son-of-a-bitch!!
This is Minnesota, for crysakes. You know, snow..snow and more snow. We're known for our coldest weather in the lower 48. You'd think some of that would carry over for the rest of the year. Son-of-a-bitch!!
And we've had more flooding. Just when the water had receeded a foot in the front yard and basement, we had more torrential rains Tuesday and Wednesday night. The water is up again, and areas that weren't flooded, are now. It looks like more rain on the way today. Last night about 7:00, it got very cool ouside......temp dropped to high 60's. The wind was blowing; we sat outside for an hour, drinking it all in. We were absolutely giddy with excitement...the heat wave has ended. Then the clouds rolled in....dark clouds......and the storms started. The winds became tornado-ish. I ran around for the second time closing all the windows. Son-of-a-bitch!!
This morning, I stepped outside and.....yep......it's very muggy and still. Then I looked over into the flower bed along side the driveway. My statue of a little girl and little boy holding hands under an umbrella had fallen over and their heads broke off. This is not a light-weight statue. And, just last evening, I had dug out some dirt underneath them to make the statue more secure, flat and stable. Son-of-a-bitch!!
It's been soooo hot, that my laminate, faux wood flooring has been lifting up in random places. Out comes the tube of "PowerGrab" and painter's tape. Running around like a mad woman, gluing down whatever's popping up. Son-of-a-bitch!!
I think I finally convinced BH that if the water in the basement doesn't recede by next week, we have to rent a pump and pump out the water. The chopped wood for this coming winter has got to dry out....before it rots! He's such a Pollyanna. "Oh, it'll go down. It'll dry out. It'll be ok." I want to slap him into next week! Son-of-a-bitch!!
I am totally done with Summer. Bring on the Fall.....and the Winter. Please. The sooner, the better. I really do not care for Summer; haven't for many years now. The only good thing that's come of it is our decision last week not to set up the pool! Son-of-a-bitch!!
