Here Comes the Sun!

Looks like we are making progress with the vultures. No landings this week. However, a hawk has decided to make the upper deck corner his new perch. Although his dinners consist of “fresh” meat, his droppings are still laced with animal hair. Nice.

In Fact, we’ve had all sorts of animal activity around the house this week. Seems like everyone is happy to FINALLY see the sun. The ground is still very wet, but the skies have been beautiful after yet another rain Monday and Tuesday. I spotted a praying mantis on the back deck and the master deck. I think it was the same one, because he hung out for several days. We’ve had huge grasshoppers on the windows- they are a few inches long and quite amazing at close range.

One sunny afternoon this week I heard a strange honking sound in the sky and looked up to see three great blue herons flying together. I’ve never seen more than one at a time. The same afternoon Tracy saw about 100 geese very high in the sky, headed south in a V formation. There has been a very active, large group of crows in and around the valley. We’ve had several deer hanging out in the area, including a young buck, about a six-pointer. And the usual array of birds, bees, dragonflies, rabbits…

We are gearing up for the housewarming party on November 7. So far there are 50-plus people coming. I really look forward to it, and I am praying for a sunny, cool autumn day.

There is a lot to do in preparation. We’ve been clearing in front of the house and have a nice fire pit going. I met with Blaine, my landscaper from Grace Street, to talk about doing phase 1 of the front of the house. I am shooting for a xeroscape area that seamlessly blends into the natural grasses and trees around the front of the house- and cover that blasted red dirt they call top soil around here.

Tracy is looking into finding someone to put up gutters. I sure hope it doesn’t “ugly up” the overall look. Regardless, it has to be done in order to keep the rivers and ravines out of the ground in front of the house. As ugly as the red dirt is, I don’t want to buy more of it.
No matter how much we get done before the 7th of November, the party will go on. My friends will certainly understand, and I only invited friends. So there!