THE DUST WILL WAIT

In the summertime the air is filled with Bank Swallows that have burrowed nests into the walls of an old gravel pit near the river.  I've always thought that winter would be so lonely there. I thought wrong.  This year the cavities are the winter homes of Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. At dusk they all gather to fight over the holes ... and find refuge and shelter in the condominium that the swallows left behind for the warmer climes.

What kind of birds are landing in our neighbors tree? Could it really be.... Turkey Vultures Their arrival time in the valley is March 16 through 31.   Although they generally just fly over on their way to somewhere else. They are an uncommon valley resident, that is for sure! I think they are resting from a trying migrant journey. A neighbor's dog, watching me wistfully through a double window pane. No barking.  Just that sweet yearning face. A little more black would make him yin and yang. It's been forever since I visited my blog.  Hi there.

This is the furbaby that rolled in the dust until she was brown instead of black and white. ************Then cleaned it all off on my bed.

It is spring!  Although the morning is overcast and somewhat cool, the growing grass, blossoming flowers, and emerging leaves confirm the season.  They declare their purpose no matter how the rest of us feel. The bird feeders are right next to the lamp.  The water feature that is in the little entry way is a major bird attraction.  We heat it during the frozen winter days - for our thirsty winged friends. Fun Monday can now be found on FACEBOOK!

A few weeks ago 6+ year old Dinkum came home from school and handed me this photo. "I drew space for you grandma!" Grandma:  Can you tell me what everything is? Dinkum:  It's the planets. The one that is frowning is Pluto.  He's mad because he's the smallest! ***** Some recent 4+ year old Mizelle conversations: One day  I walked out to the garage by myself and picked up a sack which fell apart.  Two Butternut squash fell to  the floor which startled me.  I think I yelled "OH NO."  When I got back into the house  Mizelle was looking at the door. Mizelle: Gwamma... who did you say 'hi' to? Gwamma: No one. I was talking to myself. Mizelle: Can I say hello? ***** Mizelle: Gwamma.... Gwamma... sumptins wong with my foot."  Gwamma: Does it hurt? Mizelle: NO... it won't let me put my sock on! ***** I had to run some errands and I had my "list" in the front seat. When Mizelle and I hopped out of ...

We've been cat-sitting elGee since December 22, 2007.    I remember well that very first week when she hid under our bed. She still loves to take naps under the bed.  She also find solitude there when the grandchildren are around or if anybody dares ring our doorbell.  As a matter of fact, she runs and hides there if she even hears a car on our front drive. In the evenings she plays some kind of feline game I call "wishy-washy naps."  She chooses my lap to be her kneading source, and then cuddles in for a snooze.  For no apparent reason she will wake up and jump across furniture to repeat the process with my husband. Back and forth.  About every 15 minutes. ElGee is wishy-washy with her solitary naps, too.  Except she chooses one for 8 to 10 days.  One week I will find her in the rocking chair.  Then another week she is napping on a dresser in the guest bedroom... the window in the computer office ... the captains chair at the...