Busy Spring!

Yes, it's the busiest time of the year here in Susan Land - been planting grass, flowers, vegetables, and a new tree! So far, the malicious, evil bunnies have not been able to breach the veggie garden fence. They eyeball it, run circles around it, sniff it, but so far have not reached the tender new bean and lettuce shoots they crave. Sad, sad bunnies!

I plan to take "before" and "after" pictures of the garden stuff. So far, it has been a beautiful spring. My new cherry tree has exactly 3 cherries on it, and I am searching high and low for a recipe requiring only that many for something wonderful. The azaleas put on a spectacular show, as did the lilacs. The showy irises are coming out now - those bronze things that are on stalks about 4 feet tall. Amazing! And the peonies are popping out all over the yard smelling heavenly. All the new additions seem to be doing well, and even a few things I planted in past years that I thought long-dead have reappeared - like some shasta daiseys that came out of nowhere. Think I planted those a couple years ago.

Also, am experimenting this year. Bought a couple Japanese eggplant plants, and seed potatoes. The potatoes went into a half-barrel I have and as they grow I'll add more soil and perhaps a chicken wire topper to make it even deeper. Should be interesting!

Also, as a Mother's Day gift, Michael and Angela came over last Saturday and hung the "new" kitchen cabinets - you remember? The ones I painted, stenciled with hydrangeas, then antiqued - for about 8 months??? Yes, they're finally on the wall!! I will post a picture as soon as we get on the new countertop. So far, it looks pretty amazing! Next - a new floor! Perhaps something ornate . . . .

Anyway, things are going pretty good. Still employed, everything outside is screaming green, and I've been able to hang onto the house. So far, so good! Hopefully, this job may become permanent. Would be awfully nice! Will keep you posted. At least some things are looking up!

Only Good Squirrel - Is a FAKE Squirrel!!

Squirrel's Hat

Ok, I admit to being totally bored . . . this little guy sits on the fence post by my front door and he looked cold! Next maybe a scarf!

NOT WANTED: Dead or Alive - Follow-up

Blu 1, Squirrels - ZIP!!!

It finally happened! I have successfully thwarted the backyard and neighborhood squirrel population!!!

Finally, a success at last!

Here's the scoop - Stick your bird feeder pole far enough away from overhead lines, fences, trees, and bushes - don't give the little buggers a place from which to launch. Then, restock your food - fill it with tempting suet, nice crunchy seeds, and throw in some nice dried berries - things not only the birds but the squirrels can't resist!! Attach a Slinky (yes, that step walking toy we all know and love) at the bottom and top of your pole. Now - the BEST PART - liberally spray your pole with PAM - that beloved kitchen helper!

From my office window, I watched little Stinkey (my "pet" name for any squirrel in the yard) eyeing my bird food. He sat on top of the fence flicking his tail, which of course, didn't move the food any closer. He then "casually" moved back to the ground and scrounged under the feeder looking for crumbs - like any decent squirrel should - eyeing the food from time to time. He then went to the large azalea bush and moved out on one limb as far as he could, and sat flicking his tail (I've decided they do this to signal their annoyance.) Deciding that was not a good launch site, either, he finally went back to the base of the pole and eyed the food. Suddenly, as though he just couldn't help himself - he launched to the center of the pole (I had a great view - he was facing the window!). He wrapped both his little front paws around the pole and proceeded to slide back to the ground where he landed unceremoniously on his tail.

The look on his face was absolutely priceless!!! I would have paid money for a video of that! I may have to borrow a camera from somebody! What a hoot! Ya know - this batch of suet cake has lasted nearly three weeks! Yippee!

NOT WANTED - Dead or Alive!!!

Ok, folks - here's what happened . . . . .

These "frisky, cute, little guys" live in my trees (yes, the very same two that produced 40 30-gallon bags of leaves in the back yard). They figured out how to spring the plugs on the finch feeder and spill the expensive thistle seeds all over the patio, how to tilt the regular bird feeder to pour the seed onto the patio, and even how to tilt the hummingbird feeder and lap up the sweet syrup! They are still trying to bite through the suet cage and eat that, as well. So, the birds have done without any help from me all summer. I decided it was time for new feeders - and got what appears to be a decent finch feeder with no plugs to pry loose, and what I thought was pretty much a squirrel-retardant regular feeder for all the other birds. Just didn't count on these squirrels not being retarded.

I dutifully filled them both and hung them outside last Sunday night. Monday morning, I noticed the maniacs messing with the new feeder and shooed them away a couple times. When I got home from work Tuesday evening, the entire feeder was gone! I'm not sure what happened, but I cannot see it from any window. I'm wondering if they've taken it away to some neighborhood's squirrel underground speak-easy . . . . or hung it from the highest branch in a tree.

Needless to say, I'll update this once I discover their hideout!!

UPDATE (18 Nov 04): The whereabouts of the feeder was out in the middle of the back yard . . . and it is now three-fourths empty. The little monsters managed to find the weakest part - the plastic handle - and broke it. But, never fear!! I have some and know how to use it to fashion a stronger handle! It will then find a new location near the kitchen window where the mangy beasts won't have things to stand on while they try to vandalize. I believe this may be an ongoing war!!

UPDATE (22 Nov 04): When I brought in the regular feeder (the broken one), the maniacs went to work on the thistle seed feeder - gnawing a couple huge holes in the bottom and "enlarging" the feeding slots. I caught one chubby fellow hanging onto the pole with one paw while bringing the feeder over to himself with the other. He sat there just licking the opening and devouring the seed!

Yesterday, I moved the finch feeder to a spot just outside the kitchen window where they'd have more trouble getting to it. So far, this seems to be working. This morning, the poor little things were waddling around on the ground under where the feeders used to be, "foraging" for leftovers!! Maybe they'll lose some of the excess baggage! We can only hope! The next time, I won't be so nice - I've heard squirrels don't like cayenne pepper, and the birds don't mind it!!

UPDATE (24 Nov 04): Ok - they managed to gnaw through the finch feeder - first enlarging the feeding holes then chewing off the entire bottom. Ugh! I am admitting defeat - sort of. Have decided to fashion a squirrel-proof feeder or two - made from stained glass and copper sheeting. Maybe that will thwart the little monsters. Updates may follow, but will be much later - as it will be awhile until I can fashion what I'm thinking of. May all YOUR feeders be squirrel free!!!

UPDATE (1 Dec 04): After whining about this for a while to anybody who'd listen, I have decided to try one more thing. Ok, was going to try cayenne pepper in the seed, but have heard the squirrels don't seem to mind that so much . . . which leaves one option that might be kinda fun. A gentleman suggested trying a Slinky - you know - the toy?? Tack one end to the top and one end to the bottom of the pole, and then watch the little devils try and climb up that!!! I will get the Slinky, give that a try and if there are any great pictures, will make a new post featuring frustrated squirrels! Keep your fingers crossed for me (and the birds)!!!

UPDATE (10 Dec 04): Ok, Campers - There are now three "armored" bird feeders in the back yard. Walmart sells a cage for the food, which is in blocks. The cages seemed a bit flimsy, so a few twist ties took care of that little glitch. We will have to wait and see what my furry nuisances can figure out, but maybe the birds will get a couple meals before the feeders disappear!!! Will keep you posted!