Chipmunk

Almost Fall

Seems to be a good year for asters. They are flourishing along our wood line.

This 2-ft diameter basswood snapped about 20 feet up a couple of weeks ago. In the foreground is the half of the double-tree we had cut down a few years ago. The part sticking up in the background is what just fell. The tree put out a full canopy this year, complete with fruit (nuts), but the interior of the tree was completely punky (seemingly right up to the bark). Hard to believe the vascular system was still that active. That's a tough organism. If it isn't too shady, there could be lots of seedlings down the hill (where the top of the tree landed) resulting from its final impressive reproductive effort. To the left, there are multiple root sprouts coming out of the base of the tree as well. I cut them back substantially last fall, when they were 4-6 feet high. Plants are pretty darn amazing. 

Happy Birthday, Dad

Noah and Minnie

These two love to wrestle and chase each other around the house. 

Les Nouveaux Chats

Seems like we're going to go with the shelter-given names, although one rarely calls a cat by their "formal" name. And so, without further ado . . . introducing . . .

Liesl

AKA: Lili ("Lee-Lee"), Lady, Lady Liesl, Lady Lili, Lady Kitty, Pretty Kitty

Minette

AKA: Minnie, Minnie Mouse, Minnie Muus, Mini Minnie, Baby Kitty, Crazy Kitty

Noah

AKA: Noah Bean, Bud, Buddy, Noah Jonathan Quail Higgins, Battle Cat, Big Guy

Aloha State

 

The Teacher will take your questions now...

Saturday Morning Twofie

I took this with my flip phone.  It came out so well I had to share it. 

April 1st, Winter Wonderland

New snow (in front of old snow), maple creemee with maple candy sprinkles

Driveway turkeys

These males have been hanging around outside the window this morning (under the bird feeder). They finally went down to the driveway and across the street. There's a separate, larger group of females that comes through occasionally, too.