“Good” to awaken to a comfortable temperature in my trailer home. And I can warm it quickly.

“Bad” to hear all the news about the terrorist’ attacks in Paris, France. ~~ I lived in Paris for three years and can, vicariously, put myself in the city.

Break time!! All day working in the yard; the garden is nearly ready for a visit from “Foster Freeze.” (Ha, ha, I couldn’t resist using that name. Whatever happened to those shops?? A check of the Internet: They are a California business [and I spent half my life in California].)

I raked…, I swept…, I washed windows. I removed the old nests from the Bluebird house and hosed it clean. I want my Bluebird couple to know that it is waiting for them–next March or April. They visit the meal worm feeder every day. ~~ I arranged, and re-arranged, “the shelter.” Now I have twenty-five planters–and eleven small Christmas Cactus–under cover.

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Some large planters will eventually be covered with sheets or light-weight blankets. I positioned supports (for sheets) and feel I’m prepared for the day TV meteorologist’ advise us that freezing temperatures are expected. ~~ I love my tarp-shelter!! Look at all the garden clutter I have “out of sight.”

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The dictionary says numskull but I say numb skull. Why? Because I’m so cold, I’m numb. (And my skull is concocting  a silly blog message.)

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Yesterday (by necessity), I drove into Livingston for groceries–and a few things from Lowe’s. I’m always eager to look at the “mark down” plants–and I need groceries a couple of times a month.

My “bonanza”: Three free containers from a local farm store. I learned, recently, they might have containers similar to the ones I used in my “side yard.” Occasionally, farmers return empty containers and “Robert” was glad to share them with me.  Hooray!!

FYI: The containers, and many plants, are for a Spring project. (Forgive me if I am repeating myself.) I’ll help other CARE residents add some color to their yard. (I’m delighted when folks admire my yard so I’m eager to share….)

David helped me carry the tomato planter to “the other side” of my trailer home (too heavy for me to move alone). Unfinished projects drive me “bonkers.” (Unfinished garden projects.) Furthermore, I’m anxious to accomplish all the garden projects before disagreeable weather. ~~ (It took David less than five minutes to fix my furnace.)

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The burlap bag planter was unique–for home-grown organic tomato plant–but an unsuccessful endeavor. I wanted to recycle the soil to the large planter for Mexican Petunia. Picture (below left) depicts Petunia’s earlier location. Sadly, the deep purple blooms are difficult to see.

So much bad weather across the United States!! I can’t complain: No snow, no tornadoes, etc. But my trailer home is cold in the early morning. My indoor outdoor thermometer reads fifty-six degrees outdoors and sixty-nine degrees indoors (at 8:00 AM) .  I’m wearing a sweater–and I am cold!!

I’ve toggled my breakers off and on; I’ve checked… to the maximum of my knowledge. I hate to ask my friend, David Wolfe, to check my problem. I’ve repeatedly said “Put me at the bottom of the list” (because so many residents and neighbors have more serious needs). This morning, I regret that comment. Burr, I’m cold!!

Conservatively, David has over a dozen names on his list: Leaky roofs, problem slide-outs, construct shelters for electric scooters, a ramp for new Thrift and Gift Shop, etc. 

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Working (self-employed) at Escapee’s Rainbow’s End, and CARE, has been a “golden egg” for David. However, some customers (IMHO) have been worse than rotten eggs. People want him to respond immediately after their phone call. If a delay, they complain. One lady has broadcast her opinion that he has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). That’s no way to treat a man who is a hard worker and charges an extremely low fee. David is so patient with us “old folks”!!

(This marathon started when I called him to repair my air-conditioner. I’m the “goose.”)

David is building steps for a ninety year old veteran (and his eighty-four year old wife). I “hung out” all day and was “a second pair of hands” during construction. “We” would have completed the job but the nice old gentleman kept changing the plan. The steps had to be altered….

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Sadly, still no birds at the “feeding station.”

This is so curious!! The birds do not visit the feeders on the “feeding station.” Yesterday–and this morning–I watched the feeders (from outdoors and indoors). I observed this detail previously. Then (for a week), the wrought-metal ten-branch “tree” was stashed until opportunity to anchor securely. ~~ Observing nature is so fascinating!!

Dark, gloomy, rainy morning. 

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Confession: Sitting–watching for birds–I realize how weary I am. I push myself when sunny weather and wilt when confined (weather-wise) to my trailer home and comfortable chair. Still raining at 10:00.

Question: Maybe the birds are keeping dry in the shelter of the nearby woods?

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Twelve noon–after a really disagreeable morning (weather-wise). I’ve been reading… with an eye on the feeders. Still no birds!! However, birds at the mealworm feeder and on the suet feeder (in another location).

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When I returned from lunch, I removed the wind chimes and spinners–for an unobstructed view of the “feeding station.” ~~ A continuous gentle rain has deposited less than half-an-inch in the rain gauge.