Life, In Springtime

I am hoping that by now, all of you are enjoying the beauty of Spring! 

 We certainly are, here!

The trees, who stood as skeletal sentinel just weeks ago, are now cloaked in their dress-greens... tall and proud.  

Everything is back to life - birds singing, bees buzzing, and the hummingbirds have returned!  By the end of May, another extremely noisy brood of cicadas will emerge.  I read recently that brood 14 will emerge by the billions this year on the east coast, but especially the Northeast.  Certainly the chickens and ducks will be happy about this abundant supply of protein.  We found that there were fewer predatory attacks on our chickens during past cicada emergences.  Apparently the predatory mammals also enjoy these crunchy snacks... decreasing their desire for avian protein.

I've suddenly become very busy with gardening tasks... weeding, watering, planting, etc.  We had an inch of rain last weekend which has made mowing a frequent task as well.

You'll hear no complaints from me, however, because I am happiest when my fingers are in the soil!

Here is a glimpse of the greenhouse at present - which will illustrate just how much planting I have yet to do.

 I've checked the two week extended forecast and there are no predicted lows that might produce frost, so, I am taking a big leap of faith and going ahead with the planting (a little early this year).  Our latest final frost was May 20th.  There are no indications that this will happen this year, however.  (Oh how I would hate to have to eat my words!)

Jack and I have dubbed this spring a bluejay spring.  About a week ago, a group of about 20 bluejays moved into the area surrounding our bird feeders. 

 Now, all day long there are bluejays flying back and forth from the trees to the feeders.  There are often three jays on this suet feeder at one time.

They seem to be undaunted by our presence on the porch, just feet away from the feeders.  As I sit here typing, there are 14 in the tree in front of our deck, and many more, feeding on the ground.

 They are hogging much of the food and intimidating the smaller birds.  Luckily, we have another feeding station on the back side of the house that the bluejays have not claimed.

The squirrels, on the other hand are not bothered in the least by the presence of the jays.

Our days are quite warm right now.  It's the height of Forrest's swimming season - with daily trips to either the creek or the pond.

These two prefer to be spectators.

We've spent some of our weekend time lately with the Littles... between farm visits and soccer games.

This one has become quite the soccer player!

photo courtesy of another one of their grandmothers - Thanks, Nancy!

And now that the littlest is able to ride a two wheel bike without training wheels, 

(The dog is Ellie Shelley... one of Forrest's neighborhood friends!)

we have had some bike adventures as well.

We are lucky to live in an area with roads barely traveled by cars!

Well, April is a wrap.  Our next chat will be in May!  I'll pop in later this week to talk a little about what sustainable products we have switched to over the past few years.  Even though this administration has backed away from all climate change initiatives, it is still up to all of us to do whatever things (no matter how small) we can to reduce our carbon footprint.   It all makes a difference!  In my opinion it is mankind's existential crisis - and not one to be ignored.  Our grandchildren's lives will depend on it!