Another Hummer

I couldn't resist trying to catch a picture of a hummingbird in flight. Must stay I'm thrilled. Either he was posing, or his little wings came out not as a blur, but perfect little wings. Isn't that amazing?

Note to self: They REALLY hate the flash!

Hummers!

The little guys are back! Yippee!! Saw one male hummingbird last week sitting on my phone wire, and he seemed to be wondering where the feeder was. So I filled it and hung it back up. And, as promised, they descended!

Yeah - Right!

Imagine my dismay when I scanned the odd news of the day, and discovered St. Louis featured prominently!! The headline reads: "Exhibit Eyes Record for Display of 2-Headed Animals." (View the article on this page.) Now, I've know for a long time about the 2-headed albino rat snake "We." The World Aquarium at the City Museum here in St. Louis tried to sell it earlier this year, so pictures have appeared locally and been on the news, etc.

Well this, now, is bazaar! I suppose all the displayed animals would be live, and quite a collection. So far, there are 10 animals being displayed, and they're hoping to have a "head count" (ugh!) of 22 total if the local owner of another snake joins.

But, since I have been born, raised, and currently live here, is this what I want to have people think of when they think "St. Louis?" Not really.

Sad Day on the Patio . . .

Today was eviction day . . . I finally evicted the wren's nest from my barbeque pit! They must have been toting twigs, grass, moss and junk forever! The thing was woven from the top half-grill all the way to the bottom of the grill. Seems like it was everywhere!! But when you opened up the top, there was this wonderous thing with a tiny little hole for her to stick her head out while the eggs incubated! And . . . she had a nice batch of fresh air from the back vent and a roof to keep everything nice and dry. It was wonderful fun to watch this summer! Hopefully, by next year I'll have a birdhouse and she can build there instead of the grill!

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!

Been A Boring Couple Weeks

Am doing this post in large type for my friends who are (like myself) vision impaired! Nothing much happening on the job scene. I feel stronger than ever that President G.W. Bush has no idea what unemployment is really like. He's promoting raising the age of retirement. Does he realize that it's tough to find a job after 50? I'm 55 now, and been unemployed and under-employed for the last year and a half! I can't imagine having to do this beyond 65. Welfare is beginning to look good! Now, get off the soapbox!

Anyway, have completed all my knitting projects and fooled around with some Ukrainian Easter Eggs, but my heart's just not in it right now. Have been trying to blog some stuff on the Ukrainian Egg blog, but can't seem to get the pictures to come through. I've become VERY good at some ownline games . . . and offline games like Roller Coaster Tycoon and Zuma. Still a bit chilly most of the time for yard work, and anything I plant generally gets eaten by those clever, cute bunnies.

The only joy in my life is seeing just how well the slinky and Pam works to thwart the squirrels. It is amazing how long my bird food lasts! Of course, there's a Mockingbird who guards it like it is totally his own. This morning, I watched a squirrel try five times in a row to climb the pole. He must think the slinky will help him - he jumps from the ground up and grabs it, then goes for a ride! What fun!

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's day, and am looking forward to Dad's traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner - I volunteered to bring a dessert. Just not sure what at this point. Guess I'd better figure something out!

So, now you see where the blog gets its name - Yes, I'm totally bored with life at this point. But did have a phone call this morning from a recruiter for a three-month position. Will see what becomes of it. Typically, nothing. Sigh.