Yard, Gardens, Birds and Critters

 When I am standing, at the kitchen window, I look out and usually see a bird of some kind. Today was no exception. I was just going to finish up getting some supper for my husband, when I looked out and saw a Northern Mockingbird. This has been an experience this year. I usually don't see them on my deck. I hear them a lot, I see them in flight, when I am driving down the street, but to look out, and see them on my deck eating some seed and even dipping into the grape jelly, that is what I call a Blessing.  Not only that, there isn't just one, but two of them! It's a pair!  I am so thrilled! I have seen both of them twice on the deck now. I dropped what I was doing, dinner can wait. Raced to the back room and grabbed my camera. Nope, they weren't there when I got back. I have noticed something I hadn't noticed before. When one flew in, that tail of his was up in the air. Reminded me of the Carolina Wren. After a short time, the tail went down, but later I saw it up

Today Was Another Day By Mary J Williams © Today was another day Digging all by hand Pulling up all that sod For a plan, oh, so, grand But..I am a little old 79 to be exact Sitting down and digging Is hard and that’s a fact Derrick has been helping If he couldn’t, I would cry It would be a year for me I say with a great big sigh Even with Derrick’s help It’s still taking some time It’s hard work digging up sod Not to mention all the grime Chris helped out today Brought the truck over to me Picked me up to go to Menard’s Compost and mulch, at a little fee Seven bags of one Twenty bags of the other Unloaded at the house Hopefully won’t need another Going to till that compost in Then the mulch will go down Still want a new path from the drive How? I say with a frown I found out there are five trees I have that need planted They are in pots by the drive There for a long time, granted Last year at Arbor Day I swear I had their names Looked today and

My Front Yard Makeover By Mary J Williams © When I get one of those Thoughts in my head It’s usually when I’m asleep Laying in my bed No harm in thinking That’s what people say But when you implement it They then say, “No Way!” I had the dream Of doing the front yard Digging up the sod It didn’t seem so hard I got my Grandson Derrick To help me dig and lift Two days of doing this I really feel like Sh – t! My shoulders hurt My hands hurt too My legs are throbbing We’re only half through It’s just the side of the yard Under the Pin Oak trees Where lots of shade plants live And little violets I see As we are digging And moving out the sod I moved a worm or two And replanted a violet pod Derrick worked the wheelbarrow Moving sod, to the space in the back Where the shed used sit Filling the area so not even a crack More to do tomorrow Hopefully another three feet Rain is coming in And I don’t accept defeat We will keep trucking along Until the sod is gone Then compost and mulch And then th

I was out on the deck and something flew by. I looked down and could see a ton of Maple helicoptors. That's what I always called them. A poem immediately came to mind, but I really wanted some more information. What exactly are the maple seeds called? So, Google here I come. Not only did I find out the name but found out you can eat them.  This is from a website I found:  The samaras are the outer covering that must be removed when eating seeds from maple trees.  A samara is a type of dry fruit, not a fleshy fruit like an apple or pear. Samara fruits can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways. After peeling the outer covering of the samara, you’ll find a pod that contains seeds. How to Eat Seeds from Maple Trees: 1. Remove the cover from the seed pod and place it in a bowl of water. Cover the pod with plastic wrap and allow it to soak for at least 30 minutes. Rinse the soaked pod under cold running water to remove any dirt and debris that may have accumulated. Slice the pods i

The Skink and Me By Mary J Williams © I started the day early Gathered my cloths to wash And downstairs I went Only four days’ worth by gosh I changed how I did laundry Didn’t like doing seven days at a time Now it’s Monday and Friday I still will fight the grime After picking up my stuff And taking it downstairs I started the machine Threw all in, who cares Don’t separate the whites Only have just one Not gonna’ hand wash either. In with the rest and it’s done I was going to the store And stopped to transfer wash to dry Pulled out the clothes I had a little surprise There in the bottom of the machine I saw what appeared to be a tail Then I saw the body of a skink Looking might pale Yep, he is deceased I don’t think he planned very well Climbing into the clothes bin Was not the place to dwell How I didn’t see him As I put the clothing in He didn’t try to leave And now he is a has been No more little Skink The five striped variety I took a picture But he did give me some anxiety I have

Birds and the Bees and Me By Mary J Williams (c) What do I love Looking outside Watching the birds Eat food I provide So many birds What do I see There is the Tufted Titmouse And the Black-capped Chickadee The Cardinal flew in To take a drink Many do the same Bluebirds too, I think Yes, there he is The Bluebird just flew in Not for the food, but water Busy they have been It’s nesting time now No insecticides for me The birds need the protein From the bugs you see The Robin digs down Eating caterpillars or slugs Please don’t kill them Don’t kill the bugs If you spray your flowers What will the bees do Visit the flowers for pollen And die because of the brew We have to protect As much as we can The birds eat lots of bugs Insecticides I ban Robin and Cardinal Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Bathing Bluebird waiting his turn for food The Bee

It Is Spring By Mary J Williams © Sitting at my computer Window open, the breeze blowing in The smell of Golden Currant I just have to grin Spring has arrived My Redbud is almost in bloom Supposed to get cold tonight Hope it’s not too soon The flowering crab in the back A few blooms I see Hope the cold the next few nights Doesn’t bother the tree Some of my daffodils Are already done But I have more blooming And that’s so much fun There are tulips now too Not very many I think the Chipmunk Had eaten plenty Used to have a row full Now it’s just one or two Beneath my bay window The bulbs they do chew Just like the seeds I planted in the pots The squirrels jumped in And they dug up lots I may have some survive Hopefully some lettuce for me If the squirrel quits digging We will just have to see! I still love the Spring It’s renewal, it’s birth That is the time We get to play in the dirt Golden Currant Redbud Tree flowers  Daffodils  Flowering Crab blooms

My Critters By Mary J Williams © Watching out my window In the early morning hours My eye catches movement The trees my eyes scour There they are, up in the tree Squirrels are playing Running from branch to branch Sometimes they are swaying The sun isn’t even up It’s just barely light They always are playing But not during the night I planted some seed In flower pots on the deck I have seen the squirrels in them Digging holes by heck Planters in the front They did the same thing Don’t know if I will get produce They destroy a lot in spring They aren’t the only ones The deer have also stopped by Day lilies were on the menu All I do is wonder why They ate my neighbors too Maybe they just ate the leaves And the buds will still come up And flowers bloom to please The critters are up to no good As far as I am concerned They live on this Earth too Patience, I have learned!