We had to sweep this wet stuff from our patio mats before we could begin to unpack. So much for 90 degrees.
The snow was gone within a couple of days and we soon were settled in for the summer.
Spring Dogwoods were stunning this year as you can see below.
Above is a dogwood right behind us taken in late April as you can see from the date stamp. It is still in full blossom and is just getting leaves today.
These mixed pink and white dogwoods are at the entry guard station as we see them as we are leaving.
This land was once farmland and I believe these were in the front yard of the main residence. They are pretty every year.
Some changes in our rig were completed before we arrived by our regular service techs. The fifth wheel tends to be a little shaky when someone is walking inside so we asked them to set it on blocks which has made a big difference. We also had a new dining table and chairs delivered to the Tech and he removed the old table and chairs. The table was fastened to the floor to keep it from flying around during travel but, since we will not be traveling with it the new table is free to move around to accommodate seating. It is in the photo below and is working out well for us.
Last summer we decided that the tiny gas oven in the "range" was really impractical because of its size and that the pilot light needed to be ignited each time it would be used. So one of the next purchases was a toaster oven which has more practical usage space and is also serving our needs well. While we are talking about gas we have had a bulk propane 100-gallon tank installed which will be serviced by the propane company and eliminate the need for me to lift full 7-gallon bottles (about 60-pounds) when they need to be refilled.It is a relief given my back and shoulders slowly giving out!
As we did in Florida, we will be having wooden steps and a small deck built to eliminate the narrow, steep metal folding steps on the trailer. The deck will enable us to walk in and out at floor level and go up and down normally spaced stairs to the ground.
Our doctor appointments have been good so far with no big surprises except I did not pass my colon cancer screening test and must have a colonoscopy in a couple weeks. Cathy has been declared Cancer Free, YAAAYYY! And she no longer has to take the daily dose of oral chemotherapy. Her oncologist said the drug often has side effects of achy joints and Cathy has them for sure.
Now to the fun stuff. Birds! We have been feeding the locals from two feeders and they have been hungry emptying both 1-1/2-pound feeders daily. We have seen two new (for us) species and many familiar friends as well.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is ill-equipped for hanging on feeders, but it makes do on the mesh ball.
The Chickadee is always hungry, but has to leave the feeder to open seeds by clamping them between its legs on a branch.
Brown-headed Cowbirds are always here as we are near lots of farm fields where they normally hang out.
Mr. Blue Jay looking good.
And Ms. Cardinal (Cathy calls the females Carly and the male are Carl).
Female Downy Woodpecker has been a regular.
As has her mate below.
The boys are always prettier!! Snark.
Tufted Titmouse is acrobatic, but also must find a branch to open his seeds.
Here is one of our new ones, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. He sure earns the Grosbeak name! Below perched in my special twig for photography.
This member of the Sparrow family stands out for his namesake white forehead. This is the White-crested Sparrow.
I was surprised to see this Osprey by chance as I looked out our back window. There it was perched in a tree about 150 feet from us. and it stayed long enough to be photographed.
Not a bird, but it posed perfectly on some rocks waiting for the birds to scatter some seeds down. Squirrels are unable to steal from our "Squirrel Buster" feeders.
We have been watching a pair of Canada Geese tend a nest at the water's edge just behind our site for several weeks. Frequently there would be no goose on the nest nor could we detect any eggs! But day after day they persisted.
Wednesday May 12, we were having lunch and Cathy noticed some activity. That was three little ones moving around. I grabbed the camera and went out to get some photos and literally watched number four join its siblings!
They immediately began eating grass and walking behind the adults. Within 5 or 6 minutes three were at the edge of the water with the fourth holding back. because of a drop off to the water I could not see them get in. The fourth stayed high and dry!
The first three.
And the whole family.
Mom and her brood minutes after hatching.
And while I was busy taking their pictures, a wading bird I did not recognize right away appeared so I took its picture too! I later identified it as a Spotted Sandpiper in breeding plumage.
Spotted Sandpiper
And finally, no blog post is complete without pictures of Dixie!
On her favorite spot on the back of the sofa keeping watch.
And head on the sofa arm watching whatever is going on at the lake. This was last fall.
That is all this time.
