Almost

It’s officially fall but there sure is a lot green to be seen. Some years the leaves put on a colorful show and others it’s hit or miss. We’re supposed to have a low right at freezing on Friday night and some are getting ready for the leaves to drop. It almost looks like fall if one looks hard enough.

Leaves have been falling from the trees, but in such small numbers it isn’t even a nuisance yet. Just enough fallen leaves to find the cracks in the concrete and low spots in yards. It hasn’t even bothered the cats yet as they just walk around what’s on the ground.

And although we haven’t checked, we’d bet that Christmas merchandise is probably already on the shelves. From what we’ve heard, people are starting to shop early due to inflation and retailers are predicting a slow Christmas buying season. Time will tell.

Finally, we have an election coming up shortly and the candidates are seeking screen time like children grabbing candy on Halloween. It seems to be the only time they care what we think and make promises they can’t keep. We should be used to it by now but we still like it.

Enjoy our Tuesday since it showed up.

Early post

With the recent rash of late or missing posts we’ve decided to do an early post today and see how that works out. Since our problem solving in other areas has been lacking, this might work. In a recent post we mentioned the problems concerning the bird feed atop what’s left of the old pine tree.

At first we thought ground hogs may be a problem, but as the pictures show they just stare at the stump in defeat knowing they can’t climb it. Or perhaps this ones looking while coming up with plans for a ladder.

This is the critter that has been the most troublesome. This guy just didn’t get the memo that he can’t jump up on the bird feeder and is a slow learner. It’s entertaining to watch this alley cat try to figure out how to snare the birds. We’re hoping he doesn’t ever figure it out.

The birds have adapted in various ways and a good example is the cardinal hiding from the cat. We laughed when we first spotted him, but the cat was too busy looking up to notice him. At any rate, we liked this shot.

This mourning dove decided to go high and sit on top of the feeder. This also worked as the cat couldn’t see the bird from underneath. Of course, the bird can’t eat while on top of the feeder either, so we’d call this one a draw.

The last option the birds used was a bold approach. These two were on the feeder and keeping watch, using the feeder as a lookout post. This approach works as good as the others and the cat finally did give up and wander off. So it looks like the birds may have solved the problem without our help.

Enjoy our Monday.

Time flies

Seems like only a week ago we awaited the first robin of the year and the final snow melt. Now we’re into October and before long the snow may fall again. Not sure where the time has gone, but sure flew by. Haven’t seen the pelicans migrating south yet so perhaps they got the news about the hurricane.

Life has been strange this year also. The neighbor put a bird feeder up atop the stump of the old pine and we thought we had it worked out so all the pest couldn’t bother the feeder, but as happens we didn’t think of everything.

Squirrels don’t like the seed I’m using, ground hogs can’t climb the stump, and raccoons are interested either. Well turns out that while all the other critters aren’t interested in the feeder, the feral cats are. They can’t jump up to the feeder yet have are making it a habit to homestead the stump, and that scares the birds away.

We’ll figure something out and once we do, you’ll be the second one to know. Enjoy our Saturday and the first day of October.

New things

Now that warmer weather is here new things pop up all over. Saw a dancing blue jay, different cardinals, a new batch of kittens, and I even made it to the Heartland Nova Show yesterday for a short bit. If you’re looking for something to do head on over to Bally’s (formerly Jumer’s in Rock Island, Ill) and have a look today.

Couldn’t stay long at the show but had a chat with Dale and few other people and saw some great looking Novas. Didn’t get any pictures as I didn’t take my good camera because of the weight and the little pocket camera I did take refused to work. If you decide to go to the event take a camera as the workmanship on the cars is amazing.

We’re going to hold an emergency meeting of the Feral Feline Population Control Council later today to discuss the new kittens I found while feeding and watering the rest the herd this morning. Saw at least 3 new kittens that looked too small to be from the litter we took pictures of a short time ago. Not sure what went wrong, but a cat that should have gotten fixed obviously didn’t.

And the bird flu is going around we’re told yet we’re holding our own here. We have several cardinals, robins, starlings, wrens, and sparrows we see daily. The pelicans, vultures, hawks, and others make occasional appearances as always so we’re good here on the east coast of Iowa. Even saw a family of geese out for a stroll on Arsenal Island yesterday as I cruised through

Get better soon Dale, us old farts have to stick together. Enjoy our Saturday.

Day two

Made it to day two of being 70 and the sky hasn’t fallen on me yet. Yesterday after chores were done went out with the camera and decided to share a few of the pictures here. First is the flower above, right after the rain stopped. The rain drops hadn’t had time to disappear and the lighting helped make a contrast.

In this one a male cardinal was up in the pine tree preparing to sing me the song of his people. Don’t actually know it that is true or not but it sounded good. This guy stayed where he was for quite a while so we managed to get a few pics. All we can say is he had a great singing voice.

Here he’s getting a lung full of air to begin his serenade. Always wondered what they’re thinking when they look right you. Tried to stare him down but think we were too far apart for normal tactics to work. Do know that his singing could be heard from the front of the house also.

This guy caused me to do a double take as he was perched on the lip of the cats water bowl! He was looking at the cats and they were watching him. The cats left him alone and when he’d had enough water he flew to a nearby fence and looked around. Almost as if he was surveying his kingdom. Ended up being the first robin we got a picture of this year.

Sorry for not posting yesterday but it felt like I either had a camera, or junk food, in my hands all day. At least it was grocery day so we could buy extra of my favorite junk foods. Enjoy our Saturday. Now for more coffee. Comments are always welcome.

After Easter

The cardinals didn’t take Easter off and were abundant in the neighborhood. Their singing brought me outside while the longer you listened and looked, the more there were. Even the day itself was a good one with clear blue skies and a few clouds dancing around the edges and highs is the 70s. One could say it was a great day.

The birds kept me busy listening to their songs and watching them dart from tree to tree. Even saw a group of four birds of an invasive species sitting in an old tree nearby. They quickly scanned all the cardinals and decided to try being bullies somewhere else. Can’t say that hurt my feelings.

This is our first Easter without Dad so I had a chat with him while outside and he seemed to enjoy the talk as much as I did. Still miss our talks when it was just the two of us. Hope the bus full of dancing girls finally found you Dad.

Now that Easter is in the rearview mirror we can move on to other things. Going to get outside and get some work done instead of taking pictures. Don’t worry, there will still be pictures, it just won’t be a priority for a few days. Got some volunteer trees starting to bug me so getting rid of them is in order. Free yard waste pick up starting is a good incentive also.

We don’t know what this week will bring but wishing for the best and expecting the worst. Don’t know about anyone else but we’re tired of the bull being shipped out of Washington. Somebody needs to tell the politicians they aren’t royalty they work for us. At least Iowa now has Constitutional Carry.

Enjoy our Monday as we won’t get any younger if we ignore it. Now for some coffee. Comments are always welcome.

Late post

Didn’t get to see the sky light up again as I overslept. This shot isn’t as wild as some sunrises but we thought it interesting and worth keeping. Yesterday we had more cats running around than usual and while some were good looking critters, we hope this doesn’t become a trend. So here are a handful of those who were hanging out.

Seen this one a few times and are amazed at his ability to always look like he just climbed out of bed. Not a bad looking cat but could do with some grooming. He just sits at a distance and watches until I return to the porch before getting any closer. Once the storm door closes he comes up to get some food and water.

This one has been around quite a while now and we can remember when she was born. It was a litter of two and her sibling is also white but has dark markings and looks like a Siamese. She still doesn’t get close like Lil Bit and does come around when the food bowls are filled as long as we stay on the porch.

And here’s Lil Bit. Born around the same time as the cat above, Lil Bit will come up to get her ears scratched before heading to the food bowls. She has turned into a chubby little thing with a short tail. We don’t know what happened to her tail as it was short and bent when we first saw her. That doesn’t seem to bother her though.

It’s rare we see this cat around. Brother to the white and orange one above and really likes to stay back. This is the closest I’ve ever seen him get and that’s probably 15 feet away. Not sure of this disposition but often wonder how he sees with those crossed eyes. Doesn’t look too bad in the picture yet some days it makes you dizzy just looking at his face.

A little update. Tippy is still pregnant, Mama Cat stops by occasionally to visit, we are still looking for the kittens from a tabby cat who just had a litter, and the older black cat that got hit by a car is no longer with us. Probably for the best as he was pretty beat up. This ends our tour on some of the cats in our backyard.

Enjoy our Saturday as it’s here anyway. Now for some more coffee and a little sunshine. Comments are always welcome.

Strange days

You may have noticed there was no post yesterday. That was because I avoided all forms of media from TV to the internet. Was on the computer long enough to check emails and got off to go out and take some pictures. Heard there are some memes online that state since Biden is now president they would respect him. I say respect is earned. Sharing some of the pictures taken yesterday which are mostly of icicles.

We had an iceberg slowly moving down the roof over the tool room and it was interesting to watch. Haven’t checked this morning to see if it made its way to eaves or not. To each their own.

First thought when seeing this icicle hanging from the metal awning is we must have gotten some wind overnight. This one was taken early morning when it was still a little chilly. Later the temperature would rise to almost 40 degrees.

Later in the day, the melting icicles appeared to have a blue tint to them. I chalked that up to reflection of a clear blue sky. Don’t know what actually caused it but liked the results. One day soon we’ll be pulling the lawnmower out.

Then towards sunset the drips turned a dark blue against a snowy backdrop. Thought for sure that shooting it with the snow behind would weaken the colors, but that was not the case. When I came back inside for a cup of coffee, I thought Chicago Med would be starting about the time the coffee was ready. Ended up more inauguration bull so I shut the TV off again.

We did watch the weather on our local Fox channel before the wife went to work and turned the TV off until 10:30 for a rerun of Perry Mason before, you guessed it, turning off the TV again. If you watched all 27 hours of the inauguration coverage, God bless you. I’m hanging on to whatever sanity I have left.

Enjoy our Thursday as the weekend is only a dream away. Now for some coffee and breakfast. Comments are always welcome.

Bits and pieces

We’re getting ready to hit the road soon and hope we don’t forget anything. Actually, I’m just hoping we don’t get turned around in the truck stop above and come out the wrong end again. That was a strange feeling.

The lows here got down in the 20s and reminded me once again that there is no heat in the office. It’s a bit nippy but can’t see my breath so it’s bearable. At some point I’ll remember that fact when it’s hot outside and get it fixed. That’s the plan anyway.

And last night I noticed there’s a light on in the garage that I’m going to remedy at some point today. Don’t remember leaving one on but will check it out since there are no energy efficient bulbs out there. Don’t know how long it’s been on as the security light usually makes it hard to see.

Lately I think I’ve been turning into my Dad. When I’d visit him he’d always mention his bad knee while I still had a right knee and a left knee. Now I’ve got a good knee and a bad knee too. At least most days one is good.

One of feral cats that’s been missing for some time showed up a few nights ago and has been hanging around. I missed Patches and we’re glad to have her back. Not sure why she took off or where she was but she looks good so she wasn’t mistreated.

Enjoy our Saturday before the weekend turns into a Monday. Now for some coffee. Comments are always welcome.

Oops!

Seems I misspoke yesterday when I wrote that Little Bit was the last feral cat left. I saw this white one in a trap and later said trap was gone. Silly me, I thought that meant we’d never see this white cat again.

Imagine my surprise when going out later yesterday to find the cat had gotten away somehow and was now in the wind again. Even Little Bit seemed happy with that. She went from several playmates to none in a short time.

Not sure how long the white ghost will remain free but look forward to find out on my own. With feral cats you never know. We’ll just enjoy her while she’s around and miss her when she’s gone. As mentioned yesterday we can’t bring them all in or we’d have to add a room to the house.

It’s turning cooler today and we may get some liquid love from above to make it seem cooler. Don’t know about where you’re at, but it’s been windy here and though we’ve gotten used to it we could use a calm day. We’re just looking forward to a little vacation next month, unless everyone is on lockdown.

Enjoy our Saturday as it’s one of the shortest days of the week. Now I need coffee. Comments are always welcome.