Such A Rude Snake

Glenn yelled from the vegetable garden.  I was inside the house, so I went to the open window closest to his location to find out what the fuss was about.  Evidently, a big black snake was leaving the garden, heading toward the house.

heading toward the house

getting closer to the house

Was this the snake that had attached itself to the exterior of our home just weeks ago?  I hope so…better one snake than two or more.  But, slinking towards MY HOUSE…this is not my first choice, or any choice for that matter, for the snake’s destination.  How inconsiderate!!!

Glenn made several attempts to change the snake’s course to no avail. This snake was on a mission.  Finally, Glenn just decided to grab the snake (bare-handed) and relocate him/her/it to a nearby shed; better than my house, but…

The negatives are:  this shed is located next to my garden shed which I frequent on a daily basis, and I do not care to see the snake on a daily basis; and, the chicken house is located within feet of the shed.  I have seen (not for a very long time) big snakes curled up in the nesting box eating whole chicken eggs; no cracking necessary - not a plus; for me, that is.  Besides, I visit the chicken house several times during the day to collect eggs (not those already bulging in a snake’s stomach), check feed, fill the waterer.  I repeat…I do not want to see this snake daily.  In fact, twice in as many months is too frequent a time interval for me.  I use to see a snake once every three to four years, if that - ah, the good ol’ days.

up close and TOO personal

I just hope this snake feels all warm, cozy and at home in the shed.  If not, he may be headed back to the house - yikes!

And, how will I know???

Birdwatching Spectacle

Yesterday, I was rewarded with two new bird sightings; and, I was thrilled!

First, as I was out in my garden during the early morning, I saw an unnamed brown bird fly past me.  I had regularly seen this bird along my driveway, as I would leave and return to the farm; but, never in my yard.  Research verified the species to be a Brown Thrasher.  Nevertheless, that was not the real excitement.  No…in my vigilance, the elation was in observing a baby Brown Thrasher.  That’s right…another cute baby bird to add to my list of firsts.  (Remember the baby Blue Jay I witnessed just a few days ago?)

Then, later in the evening, Glenn asked me to go out on an ATV ride.  How could I refuse such a romantic proposal?

We rode down to the pond where I had wanted to chill out, be still, and hopefully witness a  Great Blue Heron fishing; rather eating Glenn’s stocked fish.   I fancy my herons; and, I detest the fish.  The fish nibble/bite at my bare flesh when I attempt to enjoy a swim, and they muddy the once clear, spring-fed water.  Glenn articulated that without the fish, we would have no herons visiting.  OK…fish it is.

We stopped and parked the ATV near the fence that encircles the pond; walking the last few feet to the edge of the water.  Glenn got there first and roused a bird.  The bird flew to the unfinished deck.  I strained to make out that the bird was one I have never seen before.  The lone bird was a heron alright, but not the Great Blue I was anticipating…it was the much shorter, almost neckless, Green Heron; and, not really green at all.  This bird’s coloring was more blue and rust, than green.  Within seconds, this odd heron flew away.

I decided to hang out on the same unfinished deck waiting for this heron to return.  The deck is located at the deep end of the pond, and I assumed the heron would return to the opposite, shallow side of the pond.  After all, that is where I view most heron tracks adorning the mud.

I did not have to wait long.  The funny, little Green Heron returned within minutes; I got my second wonderful glimpse of a bird I never considered I would ever see, ever; let alone at my pond.

The Green Heron is not the tall, stately Great Blue; but, watching this heron is just as captivating.

Morning Diversion

The morning following an evening rain is always rejuvenated; air is refreshed and grime has been washed from plants, temporarily replaced by pure rain drops - nature’s cleansing and renewal.

This morning was one such morning.  I actually went out to watch the rams as they were in contest for head-bumping.  But, on the way to their paddock, I was distracted by a silky spider web glistening in the early morning sun.  I then noticed another, and another. 

The many spider webs that have materialized overnight, remarkable embellishments, are so different and so interesting. The thin strands of silk look to be beaded with tiny crystals.

 Some of these lacy webs seem to have been hastily spun, while others display the intricate engineering of what I would call a typical web.  And, other webs are quite substanstial...these spiders are serious about collecting food.

contractor in action

All…stunning. 

Color In Another Way...

 BRIGHTENS MY DAY!

Fritillary - Great Spangled or Aphrodite?

And the Color Continues...

TO AMAZE!

 

wild flower discovered in the pasture



zebra swallowtail visiting my flowers

Check One Off from My ' New To Do' To Do List

Yesterday, I treated myself to a ‘fun’ class - jewelry-making.  This has been on my new ‘to do’ list for years.

The class was small, only five attendees, which I prefer since I get better one-on-one instruction (a main reason for taking a class) in a more informal setting. 

Concentration...

The hands-on class was very basic and very novice; perfect for my initial journey; and, so much better than teaching myself from a book. The instructor, a post-grad student, introduced us to the exact amount of material for such a first-time class and was willing to share her knowledge in a manner that revealed her love of jewelry-making.

Even more concentration...

The class was held in a defunct teen center, smack dab in the middle of a city neighborhood, in Staunton; city of Becky’s short -term residence.  As we listened to the instructor, as we lined up beads, as we strung beads; we could hear the neighbor’s yelling profanities, a dog barking sporadically, and a few miscellaneous emergency vehicles whizzing by in full siren mode.  I had forgotten, since the days of my youth, what community life was really like and how noisy it can be.  I hear racket on the farm; currently it is crickets chirping and Glenn grinding and pounding metal as he repairs his old livestock trailer.  I guess my noise would be irritating to city dwellers.

After the pounding and grinding; then, came the welding.

The five of us women worked diligently and chatted minimally.  We had a mission; to produce at least one piece of unique jewelry during our class time.

I needed to finish the bracelet at home with a spot of glue on the knot...now, I am afraid to cut the loose ends of the elastic string off for fear the knot will not hold.

After three hours, I was able to walk away with enough knowledge to continue this craft on my own along with a finished necklace, finished bracelet, and the materials to make a simple pair of pierced earrings.

What do you think?  Not bad for my first try....huh?

Jewelry-making was a success.

P.S.  This morning I checked the Internet for supplies.  There are thousands and thousands of beads (size, shape, color) from which to choose besides the unending choices of string/wire, clasps, and findings (a jewelry term signifying miscellaneous supply needs).  This undertaking will be more difficult than I initially thought.

Cherry Pie Time

The first batch of sour cherries is picked.  The cherries are immediately cleaned, pitted (oh, so easy), and coated with sugar and flour. The pie crust is made; the cherry filling poured into the bottom crust (no tapioca filler here); and, my first endeavor at a lattice top crust is attempted. My trepidation is that the juices will flow out of the pie, as it bakes, much more easily through the lattice than through a solid top crust.  Oh, what the heck…I am going for it.  Lattice it is. The scant leftovers of both fruit filling and crust are made into a small sample tart; not pretty, but tasty.

The recipe used - pure and simple cherry pie; no artificial flavors, coloring or additives.  After all, it is the natural, right-off-the-tree cherries that make the pie!

The pie is baking in the oven.  The cherry filling is bubbling.  The crust is browning.  The kitchen fills with a sweet aroma.

Glenn’s mouth is starting to drool.  Soon it will be open like that of a baby bird; waiting for that much anticipated and delectable morsel.

Out of the oven, cool, and eat; slowly and deliberately, savoring all the flavor of fresh, homegrown cherries.

And, the verdict (drumroll, please)….DELICIOUS!