Yard, Gardens, Birds and Critters

Trip to the Gardens By Mary J Williams ©   Went to the gardens What did I see? Many, many weeds Looking at me   The weeds were in the corn Around tomatoes too In the row of beans I have no clue what to do   I pull out the weed eater And started it going Whipping down the weeds To keep them from growing   What is the saying you hear every year knee high By the fourth of July   Even with the weeds It will be higher this year Just keep out the critters And all of the deer.   I didn’t get the job done My arm is really shaking Time to go home A shower I am taking.   On the way out Birds are out there splashing In a puddle by the road They want to look dashing.   I sat for awhile The birds flew away I did see a Grackle So, I didn’t stay. At least corn is tall enough to see One and half row of beans

I was on Facebook, just a few minutes ago and apologized to my neighbors.  I have been hitting a stick on the frame of my swing on my deck, in an effort to run off the Grackles. I was in the hospital yesterday and was talking birds with one of the nurses. She said "do you want to get rid of your Grackles?  I can tell you how I did it."  I, of course, said yes. The story was she had lots of Grackles. One day she picked up a pan and lid and banged them together. The Grackles flew off. She continued this practice until the Grackles quit coming.  It didn't bother the song birds. She said, "evidently the Grackles can not tolerate loud noises."  I will give it a try and that was why I was on Facebook apologizing to my neighbors.  I have been standing on the deck when just one Grackle flies in. I start pounding my stick on the tubing of the swing! They fly off quickly.  I will keep it up and see how long it takes for them to come back, get used to the sound a...

Do you know that person, who goes outside and can't resist pulling up a weed or two or three.  That would be me! I am all ready for my Dr. appointment and decide standing outside with the hose isn't going to hurt anything. So, out the door I went. I unreeled the hose and started in. Didn't get very far when I heard the Eastern Bluebird singing and very close by. I looked and there it was on the wires just in front of me. Drats! Forgot to bring my camera outside. Turned off the hose, went in the house, grabbed my camera and went outside. Turned it on and couldn't get a focus, so actually moved to a closer position. Focused in on the bluebird and got a few shots.  Okay, camera in my pocket and back to watering. My geraniums were blooming again.  I planted them in a mostly shaded area. I found out they did well there a few years ago.   Over to the other side and watered the grapefruit trees in their pots. My pumpkins are growing well. The alien one is taking over a...

Hubby took it for a ride, hopefully no more!  This one was bigger he said.  Hubby gets a work out in the mornings, at least the last three anyway. Our deck is off the back door of our home. The back door is a full story up.  What, 12 feet or so?  I have no clue. Then to the gate. Now remember he is carrying a cage with a heavy raccoon in it! Out the gate, put the raccoon in the bed of the truck. Climb in!  Drive to the dump off location. Back home. For someone that has fallen with the cage before and not real steady on his feet this is quite an accomplishment for the first thing in the morning.  This almost always takes place before 6 a. m.  I wasn't even up yet! My job is to clean off the deck. Those raccoons, do lots of messes while in the cage. I don't want the dogs in those "messes". Eww!   Grab the hose and start washing down the deck. Not only do I clean up the raccoon mess but I have tons of birds that leave their marks all over the de...

I am sitting in my computer room watching a movie on Netflix. I decided I would go turn off the coffee pot and the lights and go to bed! I went into the kitchen and noticed the feeder with the nuts weren't brought in. Rats!  Went to the door, turned on the outside light and stared face to face with a raccoon. I stepped forward and he ran down the steps.  Whew!  I went and got the big outside flashlight, slowly opened the door, peeked out, then slowly walked towards the feeder, thinking that any minute I would be attacked by the raccoon!  I carefully reached out, checked everything around, then grabbed the feeder off the hook and took it down.  I looked over and noticed the water wiggler all askew too! I decided I didn't want to pay for another one so, grabbed it up too and went back in the house. I made sure I wasn't being followed!  The feeder was set on the floor and the wiggler I put in the sink.  I went and watched the movie a bit, but decided I co...

Have been outside trying to get some of the maintenance done on my yard. HAH! I started with the transplant of Yarrow that a friend gave me. Had to clean up the area where I was going to put it. Got it in the ground! Took the clippers and lopped off the blooms. Is that the right thing to do? I have no clue but will let you know. Was going to water that in and water the peppers. The driveway was littered with oak tree sticks and leaves and of course the weeds growing in the cracks. Pulled those up, picked up a bunch of the sticks, deadheaded some of the Columbine. You know, just jumped from one thing to another. Finally went in to check the laundry and put some in the dryer and did the extra spin on the other. Went upstairs and as I was letting out the dog, looked at the potatoes.  Most of the plant portion had wilted down. Hmm, wonder if there are any potatoes in there. This was an experiment. I dug down under one plant and pulled up a couple of small potatoes. Dug under another an...

Did you really think I only had problems with raccoons? I don't think so! There are also the chipmunks, which dig holes, tunnel, and eat bird seed too. Then there are the moles, the unseen terror of the yard! You know you have moles when you step outside and look at your yard and see piles and piles of dirt mounds. Then upon closer inspection you see the tunnels that push up the dirt that connect to the mounds.  I always knew the moles didn't eat the plants or the roots but they were on the search for the earthworms, grubs, insects and slugs. Some homeowners, I don't know of any, like having them because they aerate the soil and take care of those bad insects. My yard, looks awful, so wish they would move on to someone who would appreciate them more.  Have you ever Googled the mole? I just did here are some facts from  https://www.havahart.com/mole-facts Fun Facts Moles can dig tunnels at a rate of up to 15 feet per hour. Although moles may resemble mice and rats, they ar...