Finches

I love all the birds that visit our backyard.  Here are two finches:

Kitty TV!

Dead Possum in the Middle of the Tree

I was in the backyard weeding and pulling up plants that had died during the recent freeze.  It was in the midst of pulling dead vines from the fence, when something caught my attention.  I got closer to the trunk of the oak tree and saw something furry.  I couldn't figure out what it was.  And then I saw the tail and screamed - it was a dead possum!

It was stuck in the tree, and I have no idea how it died.  Briefly, I considered using a plastic bag to throw it away, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.  It looks like it's been there a while.

When I asked my husband what we should do, he said, "Just leave it."  So every time I go out in the backyard, I see this sight.

Where's Zoe?

I was organizing my sock drawer and had left the drawer open.  When I came back to finish the task, I was surprised to find Zoe:

This reminded me of the movie, E.T., when the alien was hiding among all the stuffed animals.

Ta-da!

I finished it.

I saw some yarn I liked, more the feel of it rather than the colors, and I just decided I would make something out of it.

I cast on about 20 stitches and knitted for a few days.  Here's the final product:

 It could be a doll blanket.  I could give it to one of my great nieces.

Or I could use it for a cat blanket:

I don't think the cat appreciated this particular fashion statement.

But I thought he might like it because it would be so much warmer for him.  He's always sitting in front of the fireplace.

I Finally Saw It!

I have been trying to catch the raccoons in the act of raiding the bird feeder, and I finally saw it tonight, with the help of Walter's sharp ears.  His cries alerted me to the raccoons right outside the kitchen window.

I saw one of the raccoons jump up onto the window ledge, and from there, he made a flying leap onto the bird feeder above him.  The tray of the bird feeder went straight up in the air because of the raccoon hanging on one side of it.  I saw the bird seed spill onto the ground.  The raccoon held onto the bird feeder tray with the grasping paws of his legs, and then he jumped onto the ground.

I saw him do this twice.  Now I just need to get the proper equipment to take a video of it so you'll believe me!

I Am Getting Braver

Usually when I see a critter inside the house, one that does not belong, i.e., gecko, lizard, frog, toad, snake, etc., I scream and call for Wayne to grab whatever it is and throw it outside.

Well, I saw a gecko, screamed, yelled for Wayne, but I was worried he wouldn't get there in time and that it would hide, and that would mean worrying all night that it might jump on me, so.... I got a Kleenex and carefully wrapped it around the little gecko.  It took a couple of tries, with accompanying screams, but I finally caught it and threw it outside.  Who knew I'd be getting braver as I aged?

Raccoon Treats

I made some praline bars, a recipe I got from the newspaper.  I made two trays of them, but the one closest to the heating coil at the bottom of the oven - all of those got a little "crispy," i.e., burned...  I hate when that happens because I hate wasting food.  So I figured the raccoons wouldn't mind crispy praline bars, after all, why wouldn't they like graham crackers with melted butter and brown sugar with pecans?

Well, I put all of the praline bars into two paper plates and left them out on the patio.  Sure enough, the next morning, every single one of them had been eaten.  Christmas came a little early for my raccoons.  Wonder what they're leaving me tonight....