Getting started with Project Feeder Watch? I’m uncertain; still more instructions to read before I start documentation. However, while enjoying my morning cup of green tea, I watched my “feeding station.” In less than ten minutes, four Doves, one Blue Jay, two Cardinals, one Chickadee, and five unknown little brown birds. (And three squirrels!!) Hoping to identify the little brown birds, I searched for my binoculars. Now, that’s a challenge!! I can’t get them focused to “see” the bird. Maybe I’ll have to continue taking a picture and then crop it (to enlarge it) so I can compare with the chart or an identification book?! ~~ I’m so happy the birds have accepted the “feeding station.” Isn’t it curious how they avoided it for a couple of weeks??

Oh the joy of an extra pair of hands!! A CARE volunteer named David secured the “tie downs” over the tarp and shelter. That gives me so much peace of mind (maybe the tarp won’t blow away in a major wind storm). The “tie downs” I purchased to tighten the awning did not have a hook on the end (Lorraine purchased the wrong item). David swapped my two for two of his… and anchored them to two trees. I doubt I have another sleepless night with flapping awning!! ~~ David came and went (between responsibilities) so I moved things out of the storage building–and rearranged. David helped with one extremely heavy, awkward, box. I feel so good about our accomplishments today!!

A sleepless night!! The trailer was “rockin’ and rollin” and the awning was buffeted by the strong wind. Hour after hour, I was wide awake. Finally, after 4:00 AM, I fell asleep but the NOAA weather radio awakened me at 4:40 with news of tornadoes (but not local). ~~ Fortunately, the tarp is still on the shelter. I have long “tie down” straps to go over the top and secure to the cement blocks (prepared last month). A CARE volunteer has promised to do that relatively simple task–but he never gets “a round tuit.” (I hate to ask my friend, David Wolfe, because he has so-o-o-o many other jobs.)

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Even as I was preparing this message, the awning was thrashing around in the wind. It has begun to rain–and several inches is predicted.

Encouraged to see birds on and near the Feeding Station. Moments earlier, there were several others on the feeders plus several Doves on the ground. Robins never get on feeders but I’m delighted to see them in the field. ~~ So-o-o-o, I’m thinking “positive” that birds will eventually flock to this smorgasbord of tasty food. ~~ Obsession for feathered friends; does that make me a “bird brain” ??

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Postscript, 7:00 PM: Today, a large envelope of information arrived in the mail–regarding Project Feeder Watch. I’ve been studying the details.

The birds are slow about returning to the feeders on the “feeding station.” However, the squirrels (three at one time) love it!! That cage is supposed to stop the greedy little critters. “Nope!!” Two feeders are now in my living room because black oil sunflower seeds are too expensive for those little gluttons. (Some… but not all.)

No pictures of the holes in my yard–and the field–where armadillos have rooted around for earthworms and grubs.

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I’m not complaining. I love birds and animals in my front yard.

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Postscript, 4:00 PM: Now **this** is amusing. I sprayed WD-40 on the “trunk” and “limbs” of the feeding station in hopes I could discourage the squirrels. “Yup!!” It was hilariously funny to watch a squirrel slide down. It has been a long time since I laughed so hard.

“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.