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Lately we’ve just had the junior woodchuck visiting the backyard. He was the runt of last year’s litter and though momma chuck is famous for booting all the kids out of the den as soon as they’re grown, this little guy is still living at home.
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But momma is not pleased.
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Every time he gets near her she barks and bites and drives him off.
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Watermelon is not to be shared with deadbeat kids who live in the basement.
🤣
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The weather is getting warmer, the grass is getting greener, and Lord Dudley Mountcatten wants to go out for a walk every afternoon.
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Not to say that he actually wants to walk on the grass. No. His Lordship will do almost anything to avoid that. Nearly three acres of groomed lawn… and the wee beast sits on the concrete cover for the septic tank. WTH?
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He’s a very delicate walker.
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Hiding in the iris, hoping a bird will land nearby.
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Get lost mom. You’re blowing my cover.
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Face planting in the grass.
I have no idea, don’t ask.
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Giving the pear tree a good once over, but no attempt at climbing today.
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Lord Dudley Mountcatten was eyeing our Bradford pear tree the other day during his walkabout.
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If you recall this did not end well the last time.
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Because while His Lordship likes the idea of climbing trees, his experience with execution is decidedly lacking.
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But the blooms must have been calling his name because up he went.
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It started with a pre climb scratch.
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And then a jump.
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And that was basically it… because the daft bugger has no idea what to do once he’s actually on the tree.
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So, yeah.
He literally just hangs there until he falls off.
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And then walks off the embarrassment on the rock wall.
🤣
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Yesterday was a sad day for our immediate neighbors.
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The row of willow trees that have graced the front of their property for more than 80 years…
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Were deemed a nuisance to the power lines and cut down by the state.
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As a rule willow trees don’t live that long but these were glorious and well cared for.
We will miss them.
😰
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Squirrels.
Nature’s seed stealing acrobats.
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My husband was thrilled when he received this red seal five dollar bill as change the other day. I made the mistake of asking why it was special but zoned out after the first 17 minutes of rambling explanation. Here’s a more succinct recap.
On June 4th, 1963 President Kennedy signed executive order 11110 which allowed the US government to make it’s own money and bypass the Federal Reserve. The 4+ billion dollars of United States Notes (backed by US gold and silver) were put in to circulation in denominations of $2 and $5. The $10’s and $20’s were printed but never released as he was assassinated and the program was shut down.
How thrilled was he?
The man actually ironed it.
😳
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Every night when the sun starts to set?
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We have a visitor. Sometimes two…
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Apples, berries and some taurine rich grain free dry dog food are the reason.
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They come to nibble seed that falls from our bird feeders but I can’t resist putting out a better snack.
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❤️
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I love to read.
I love Lord Dudley Mountcatten.
Sometimes… these two loves collide.
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Why my little guy finds it necessary to mark certain books is beyond my ken, but he certainly seems to enjoy it.
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Twenty one years ago… when we moved back to Maine and bought our house in the country, I gazed across the road at the giant empty field and dreamt of cows.
Yes, I’m that person. The one you take on road trips who points out the window and yells cow! every time she spots one.
I’m not sure why. I certainly didn’t grow up with bovines in New Jersey, but I’ve always found something immensely soothing about watching cows graze quietly in a meadow.
As you know, the property across the road was sold to an organic vegetable farmer… and while over the years he’s had goats and chickens and ducks, nary a cow has been spotted.
I’d given up my dream of wandering across the street and making hooved friends.
But last weekend?
I spotted something wonderful next door.
Something I never thought I’d see….
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Woot!
Cow!!
Well, a two week old calf to be precise… happily munching our neighbors front lawn. One ecstatic phone call later I learned he’s actually a class project for a grand daughter. Feed and raise a cow? That was never part of my school curriculum, but yay!
Our neighbor told me she has a feeling the adorable (cow!) project will more than likely be a permanent resident when all is said and done.
And I am beyond thrilled.
Cow!!!!
💕
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Sharing some things that made me smile.
I saw the first Baltimore Oriole of the season yesterday and rushed to fill the feeder before they move on.
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They’re such glorious bursts of winged color I try to keep them around as long as I can.
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Perfect for that new Stephen King book.
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Because Lord Dudley Mountcatten always makes me smile.
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This would definitely make me smile.
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Bluebirds.
Always pretty, always look mean.
What have they got to be mad about?
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There is a platypus on our spare bed.
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If you’re wondering why, I have one word. Hysterectomy.
And the two word reasons for these?
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Renal arteriogram and uterine artery embolization.
Okay… that’s actually five, but you get the idea. Every time I go into the hospital my husband buys me a stuffed animal for company.
They’ve been on our beds for years but it’s only recently that Lord Dudley Mountcatten has decided the platypus makes a good snuggle buddy.
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Most afternoons you’ll find him here, napping with his new friend.
At times it’s hard to tell where he ends and the platypus begins.
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But whatever you do, don’t disturb his slumber.
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There will be Hell to pay.
😉
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I dare you not to smile at this story.
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We’re often in Brunswick and I have to say, I’m sorry I missed Chuck.
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I’d go bar hopping with that handsome fella any day.
P.S…. don’t Google ‘beaver meme’ first thing in the morning looking for a featured image.
No good can come from that.
😳
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River's world..... 