Yard, Gardens, Birds and Critters

My First and Only Deer Harvest By Mary J Williams © I don’t even remember the year. Back in the recesses of my mind, I think I only had Chris. Probably Jim’s mom was taking care of him. I want to say it was probably between 1968 and 1970. Jim and I had purchased a piece of property on Hwy 89N, about five mile from Chamois, Missouri. It was the old blacksmith place. I called it the barn. Jim called it the ranch. I do remember that Jim was at the fire station working. I decided to go down to Chamois, on my own, and go deer hunting! I took off in the old green station wagon. I don’t even remember the kind of vehicle it was. I had my 30-30 Marlin, lever action rifle with no scope. I started down the path that led to the deer stand. I had my binoculars, my knife, a rope, a book to read, my Stanly thermos with coffee. Yes, I brought a book. Always had one with me, even when I went fishing. I stopped on a portion of the path that met with another path. I figured it might be a good spot. I sat...

Critters Around my House By Mary J Williams © Out of the corner of my eye I see movement there What could it be It’s something with hair I looked over There is the ground hog He is dark and not moving Looks like a log I’m putting water In my birdbath you see Now the ground hog’s standing up Just looking at me He or she has seen me before There was a small one too Now it’s just the one They look alike so I have no clue What else do I see Chipmunks are around One I see daily By a bag of soil on the ground I got up one morning Day Lilies I planted Were chewed to the ground "It’s the deer!", I chanted Now there are rabbits too And squirrels out there You kind of learn what they eat And not plant them, if you care Sometimes the message is “Deer won’t eat this” They will eat what they want Some plants they dismiss So, yes, I have critters And sometimes I fuss How they aggravate me And sometimes I cuss But those that know me I am a softy at heart Probably won’t do anything Which, I ...

It’s Been Awhile By Mary J Williams © No poems lately What can I say Not even a story Has come your way It’s that time of year Gardening takes up time Plus, there are good movies I watch on Prime I have had critters galore I put out oranges and jelly For the Orioles that stop by Squirrels ate it all filling up their bellies Put safflower seed out too Squirrels aren’t supposed to like it Guess they didn’t read that info As they ate it all, not just a little bit Moles were tunneling everywhere Cicadas were making their noise Chipmunks running all over And Deer eating my rose Made a new spot In the front yard, you see So, I could plant daylilies For everyone and me I even have crocheted Baby blankets given away I love doing that I don’t make them pay I have cooked different things To try and tempt Jim However, he doesn’t eat it Sometimes no pleasing him My flowers are looking great Have pollinators about Butterflies and bees I’m doing good, I have no doubt       6-...

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!

Starling - Deer - Wasps and Me By Mary J Williams © Standing at the sink Looking in the tree Are those a ton of Grackles Nope, Starlings they be I was about to go out And scare them away But my little Rosebud Beat me with a bay She thought I saw a critter Barking did commence All those many Starlings Took flight, and it was dense I looked out again As I let the dogs out I walked on the deck To give a big shout Starlings were there In that tree again I glanced down And then I had a grin Wishing I had my camera There in my hand As a pretty doe Was there on my land Of course, Rosebud Just had to see her I saw the flag go up And she left in a blur Then I saw another tail Another made three Deer in my yard I couldn’t be more pleased! No pictures did I get Of the pretty deer But did get pictures of wasps That have been so near!

 While I was watering the other day, around the 10th of August, everywhere I looked it seemed something was going on. A hole in the ground, where I think a chipmunk resides. Then mounds of dirt in my front yard again. The mole was pretty busy. I glanced around and saw all the places Wild Ginger was growing. I don't plant them there, the ants do that. I just wish they wouldn't plant them in sunny areas. Oh, and the hostas now chewed down to nubbins. The deer come up the driveway, or go down it and stop for a treat! Every time I saw a new spot, a poem would form in my mind. When I got in the house and at my computer, the computer wasn't working. I grabbed a pen and paper and started writing. Kind of a condensed poem. One that included most everything. I never did finish it until this morning. Poems In My Head By Mary J Williams © The other day While working outside Started many poems Thoughts I didn’t try One about the piles Of dirt upon the ground Meant the mighty mole Reall...

 I have a morning routine!  I get up and turn on the warmer burner on the stove and pour water in my Bunn Coffee Maker for Hubby's coffee. Then it's out on the deck to check the bird feeders and the water. This morning I looked out and noticed the grape jelly was gone, so I grabbed it from the refrigerator and a spoon, then out on the deck.  I filled the little dishes with some jelly. I noticed the sunflower seed level was pretty low and thought I had better bring some up to the feeder.  I don't fill it to the top anymore as it's the heaviest bird feeder ever. It is cool looking but the weight, with it completely full, bends the hook it's on and the squirrel already has added extra weight to it!  The Water Wiggler has been on the deck in my heated birdbath for many years.  The raccoon, evidently, doesn't like it at all. Not only has the wiggler been pushed out of the birdbath and broken, but this morning, I found the wiggler pushed to the side of the birdba...