Single parenthood

We've been enjoying watching the sparrows at our bird houses this year.  One particular male worked very hard at building a proper nest inside of one house. 
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Then he spent what we think were weeks singing trying to attract a mate with no luck.  Next thing we knew he was remodeling: pulling out old grass putting in new.  
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Finally he enticed a female.  Hooray. 

 She laid eggs, they hatched and then comes the work of feeding the nestlings.  
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12 hours a day Momma and Daddy fed the chicks.  
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Mr Sparrow brought seed and housecleaned (took out the birdsh*t).  
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Mrs Sparrow headed across the road looking for protein (bugs).  
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Unfortunately, one morning only Daddy Sparrow was working 

and Momma wasn't seen again. 
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Dad is still working 12 hours a day feeding the babes nonstop – he's able to squeeze thru the birdhouse entry easier now.  Hope he has the endurance. 

We had hoped that maybe momma found a fellow with a better nest that wouldn't work her as hard but as dedicated as she was to the chicks, probably not.  We see loose cats in the neighborhood and some are hunters. 

Hooray!  4 days later the nestlings have flown the nest.  Rest for dad!   Can see a few fluffy squeaky birds still begging for seeds but the really ARE on their own now.  

Wonderful 40 Years

We think we are very lucky people.  

We believed we were meant for each other 40 years ago.  

Turns out we were right and not only that but we are still best friends.  

Can't really get better than that!

The Masked Kid

Raccoons reside in our neighborhood over the hill among the brambles.  

Many are very well fed.  

Whether they get their nourishment from garbage cans, vegetable gardens, clams, or birdseed they find the area accommodating.  

The bird feeders are kind of the last resort.  

We spied this young'un who had discovered bird seed on the ground under our feeders.  He's a little disheveled and a bit tiny.  

Maybe mom threw him out of the den.   

He's a real cutie.

What HAVE we been doing?

Guess I'm still griping about how much work it is to get the new house and grounds in condition.  After building up our energy level after an easy winter, we are worn out again.  Luckily, the big jobs for this year are almost done. 

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A pick and a shovel and pipe and connectors and many hours in the sun

Dean's getting close to automating the sprinklers though he keeps getting interrupted by the TO DO list I keep for him:

"Get the laundry sink in"

And now the clothes get washed and the utility sink is in place

"Get me plants"
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And 30 plants later we have the major plantings in place along the north and west sides

"Get me gravel"

And 4800 lbs later we have most of Wheelbarrow Lane

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"Get me stepping stones"

And 1300 lbs later we have stones in place. 

But wait!  He finds time for items not on my list:

Such as the continuing maintenance: tarring the blacktop, 

Drive re-tarred

Tar is spread with a little help from his squirrel friends

repairing a garage door opener, 

hanging pictures, replacing the windshield wiper motor on the old truck, cleaning gutters, rebuilding the lawn mower, cleaning the garage roof, mowing the lawn.  Helping contractors find their way around.  Getting the garage painted.  I am sure there is more.

Busy guy.   What would I do without him!

A little R&R is well-deserved.  Our first fire on the patio.

What have I been doing?  planting plants, placing flagstones, raking gravel, weeding weeds, doing taxes, furniture shopping, unpacking boxes.  And normal other stuff like cooking and cleaning and laundry....AND ADDING TO THE "TO DO" LIST!