Squirrel update

As you may know, we have been waging a war trying to keep the squirrels off of our bird feeder. Here is a reminder and update of our trials.

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First, there was the "squirrel proof" bird feeder with its weight sensitive lever.

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Next, there were more squirrels using the bird feeder than there were actual birds as the squirrels figured out how to balance on the pole to eat and not trip the lever.

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Then there was the bowl that was supposed to stop the squirrels from reaching the feeder. It made a nice seat for them.

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After a few days, they just pushed it out of the way and it became an umbrella to protect them from the rain and sun.

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Next, there was the Slinky that was supposed to stop them from climbing the pole. They unlatched one end of it and used it as a dining chair after they climbed up the pole with no problem.

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Then there was the new metal baffle that actually baffled them. They fixed the problem of not being able to climb around it by chewing the cable tie that was holding the feeder pole and stabilizing pole together.

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This produced desired results. They didn't have to worry about climbing or going around the baffle at all.

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Presently, the pole has been fixed and the squirrel has not made it past the new baffle cone. However, it's just a matter of time, I'm afraid, until they figure this one out. That's what happens when you put brains, agility, and cravings into one animal.

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I'll never understand why they just can't be satisfied with the peanuts we put out?

Second Look--November 30, 2011

The ground is still wet from all of the rain we had last week, but that rain coupled with some warm weather has tricked a few things into thinking that it's Spring. Otherwise, the landscape is getting browner and grayer with weeds providing most of the color. Here is what I found on my Second Look around the yard this week.

The leaves are off of the sweet gum tree but the balls (seed pods) remain.

One lone bloom on the forsythia bush. These usually bloom in early spring.

A deer track that shows the deer skidded on the still wet ground from last week's rain.

Red berries on an unknown bush.

Even though they turn brown, oak leaves are often the last to fall. Some don't fall until the following spring when the new growth pushes them off.

Seed pods on Asiatic bittersweet vine

A daffodil bulb that somehow made it to the surface and sprouted during the warm weather.

Food Waste Friday--November 25, 2011

It's time for Food Waste Friday, when the Frugalgirl encourages us to post pictures from the previous week of wasted food from our household. This accountability hopefully will help us to be more careful with our food and maybe save some money.

Here it goes for this week.

 

 

What a shame that these strawberries we got for smoothies didn't make it. However, I did manage to rescue the rest of the container by cutting them up to have with cereal yesterday morning. 

Also, yesterday was Thanksgiving and we had a great time at my sister-in-law's house. There were more than 20 people and plenty of delicious food. Here is a sampling of some of it. The leftovers were easy to divide up, so none of us should have to worry about them going to waste this week.

A Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is the time of year we are reminded to give thanks for all that we have. It goes without saying (but I'm going to say it) that I am thankful for my family, friends, health, and the dawning of a new day. But I'm also thankful for a few other things.

I'm thankful for:

1. Trixie Belden books. I've loved these books when I was growing up because Trixie, the main character, had to do chores like I did before she went out to solve mysteries. After my chores, I didn't go out and solve many mysteries, but I did spend time looking for secret passageways in my attic.

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2. This pencil. Clever Ward attached a magnet to this pencil so it would always stay by the list pad on the refrigerator. No more frustrating searches for something to write with when I need to add to the list.

 

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3. This computer game. Miss Landers introduced Flip Words to our family that is a cross between hangman and boggle. The whole family has gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it. And when I say the whole family I mean mostly me.

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4. This mended remote. Luckily, this remote could be fixed easily with a rubber band after the back fell off. I don't want to say that I don't know how to work the TV without it, but I don't.

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5. This rice cooker. We have had this for several years and I have not burnt any rice since we got it. Thanks to Miss Landers who recommended it after her stay in Japan.

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4. This clean lawn chair. We borrowed a power washer and look what it did for this lawn chair. Not only do we have a chair that we can use now, Wally and I had a lot of fun blasting the dirt away.

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5. A rechargeable battery for my camera.

(Picture to follow when the battery finishes charging.)


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A Second Look--November 23, 2011

It has been cold and rainy the last few days, so I haven't had much of a chance to get out and do a Second Look. When I did, most of what I saw was wet and surrounded by oak leaves. They are from the large oak tree in the front yard that seems to send its copious amount of leaves everywhere. I did manage to get a picture of the sun setting at dusk the day before all of the rain started.

The last little bit of sunset before dark

Raindrops on a Lady's Mantle leaf

The rain this week brought down all of the leaves from this maple tree.

Fungus among oak leaves.

A rhododendron bud that will bloom next spring.

Yes, it was a cold and rainy day when I did my second look.