For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Good morning everyone! Happy Friday to all of you as well! It’s a beautiful spring morning though rather quiet today. There are a lot of birds singing from the trees which sounds so beautiful and calming, what a great way to start the day. And anyone can do that, why not get up a few minutes earlier so you can listen to the birds singing for a while before heading off to work? That’s something that can be done anywhere in the world. It’s a great way to begin your day. And it’s also a great way to end your day, or at least end your work day. Sit outside with a cup of coffee or tea and listen to those birds for a few minutes, doesn’t take long and the stress of the day will disappear quite nicely.
Yes, I realize that sometimes we don’t have the time, but sometimes we need to make the time, get that time in nature each day. I’m not talking hours of time, maybe 10 minutes of time would work. Speaking of squirrels. There are a lot of them around now, I’m still trying to figure out how many. There is at least 9, but I think there might be more. That will change once the babies are ready to come out, then the females take them away to find their own territories and the females seldom return. In the first squirrel pic is Sam, one of the new squirrels. Doesn’t he have a cute smile?
But Sam is a tough squirrel. Freddie had taken top spot around here and decided that Sam needed a lesson in whose the boss around here. Sam didn’t like the arrangement so they had some lively…discussions. Freddie ended up running away and Sam took top spot…briefly. Now Jasper returns and finds out Sam is now in charge and Sam made sure that Jasper new it. Jasper didn’t like the arrangement, so they had some lively…discussions.
They both ended up in the peanut box. Talk about lively. They were all over inside that box, chasing in circles, lots of “hugging”, scratching, biting, screaming, chattering. Finally Sam was on the run. Jasper is now back in top spot and Sam claimed second place. Next pic we see a new female squirrel whose color is exactly like Jasper’s, I mean those two are twins, except one is male and one is female. Anyway, meet Jasmine (much thanks to Ami for suggesting this name).
Sam decided to show her whose boss around here. Jasmine didn’t like that arrangement, so they had some lively…discussions. Jasmine is one tough squirrel, even though I think she is the smallest of the group. Anyway, she sent Sam running for his life. Jasmine has now claimed number 2 position. Her and Jasper get along just fine. That’s Jasper in the third picture. Then I just had to show that leaves have started to come out now, in the very top pic, with the return of nice warm weather. And it’s supposed to get even nicer next week. I hope you all have a fantastical Friday and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
Β©2021 Steve McLeod.
Beautiful pics Steve!! π·
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Thanks so much Dusty, have a great day!ππΊπββ
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I will! You Alsoππ
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Thanks, I definitely will!
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Let me know if/when you have time to chatter.
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Just heading out for my walk, talk after if you’re around.π
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I should be round by then!π€π€π€π€π€
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Have you rounded yourself up yet?π€π Yeah, I’m slow getting here.π³π
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No worries no hurries!π Did you enjoy yourself?
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There you are, thought maybe you fell asleep. It’s been a great day!ππππ· Almost.π³π
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Almost?π¬ I hope nothing too serious happened. I am just happy it’s finally Friday!
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Went for my walk to the river, so beautiful down there today. I don’t know what happened, but as I started back home I got hit with terrible pain in my back, had to stop about every 50 to 100 ft to rest or sit down. It was slow going. Got home and lay down for nearly 2 hours, didn’t move.
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That’s not good.. Im happy you made it back home. Are you able to chat with that kind of discomfort?
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I’m back, was on the phone. Yeah, I can chat for now, might leave early though.
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Okay! Im glad to hear that. We had some sprinkles of rain today. But mostly cloudy. I left the office early and worked from home this afternoon. Tomorrow is the fishi g opener here for sport fish lime pike.
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Yep, fishing season opens here tomorrow too, going to be a nice day for it. And no tourists to get in the way, just us locals! Okay, the tourists don’t really get in the way and some will sneak in anyway. hehehe. We’re getting a few raindrops right now!πππ
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LOL π It will be interesting how busy the lake will be here tomorrow.
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Probably no room to put a boat in if you haven’t made a reservation yet. As they say in the old country, “you can tell the opening day of fishing season by all the boats at the bottom of the lake. Because all the wives were out the night before drilling holes in the bottoms of the boats.”π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅β΅
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Heheheπ€π€π€π€ at least it wasn’t on the Mothers day weekend this year!! So probably less sinkersππ
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That depends on the kind of Mother’s Day gifts last weekend.ππ
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Ahahahπππ that’s a very good point!! There are im sure those that would have gotten some very nice gifts if times were less restricted than they are!ππ But there’s always next year!ππππ
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You planning on the big fishing spree tomorrow?
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Nope! I don’t fish much anymore. I like to people watch the ones that do though..ππ
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Usually our emergency department gets a lot of business on opening day with people getting “hooked”.
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Yeah that will happen… it takes a few times out to get back in fishing shape after being off all winter!πππ
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You should see the fantastic collection of lures at the ER, that they have disengaged from people, both men and women and from literally every part of their bodies!π³π³
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Unfortunately I have been on the wrong end of a few of those!! I just push the barb through the skin grab a wire cutter which I keep in the tackle bax clip the barbed end off the hook and pull it out! It certainly stings for awhile!!ππππ³π³π³
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Yep, my dad had that same problem for some reason. But he always was accident prone. Fortunately I have never had that particular problem. But that’s why dad always kept wire cutters in the tackle box.π³π³ππ
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He was a WISE man! ππππ
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He always seemed to know he would have problems whenever we went out together. I always found that so amazing.π€π³
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Like I said… he was a wise man!!ππππ How many of the hooks he removed were yours??π€π€π€
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Hey, it wasn’t my fault he stood up just as I was casting!ππ
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Your timing is impeccable!!πππππ
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Or the time he was standing and bent over, he jumped around so much, scared all the fish away.
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Oh… so you did it when he wasn’t looking??π€¨π€¨ You’re terrible!ππππ
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Hey, it wasn’t my fault, I wasn’t looking at him, I was looking at the lake. I kept telling him he shouldn’t stand in the boat. Then there was the time I took my hat off to swat at a bee that flew out to the boat, we weren’t far from shore, and dad cast, hooked my hat, but fortunately I had a good grip on it. Poor dad, he lost his balance and sat down with such a thud! I told him he was scaring the fish again. He also flattened his metal coffee cup.
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I hope you replaced the cup for him!!π¬π¬
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Why? I didn’t break it. He sat on it, not me. He did have some trouble sitting after that, too bad he forgot his cushion.
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Bone head..
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Just what my dad said, except louder. I told him he was scaring the fish again. I need to do another fishing post. My last one went overboard like a lead sinker.
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That sounds really fun! I can’t wait!!ππ
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You really want to get hooked?π²
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On reading about them!! Yes!!
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Ohhhhh. Guess I better go, need to move around a bit, be back tomorrow, Good night!πππ΄π€―
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Alrighty!! Good Night!! Rest well!π΄π΄
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Are you there?
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I’m not there, I’m here.
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No.. I’m here.. you’re there! It so simple even I know that!ππππ
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Did you just call yourself simple? Or did you call me simple? No, no, no. I’m here, you’re there. As they say in the old country. “if you’re here, you can’t be there, but if you’re there, your always here.”
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I hadn’t really given it much thought but I guess you’re on both parts!! And I am and always will be here!ππππ
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Exactly! Now if I could just remember what I said originally. Sigh. Hmm, looks like another thunderstorm moving in. Muffin is acting strange again.ππππππΉπΉ
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Uh oh!! Hopefully it won’t storm to badlyπ¬π¬
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These storms coming through today will likely start some fires.π³π³π₯π²π₯π³π₯
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Ohhhhhhh….. becareful and be vigilant.. π¬
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It is amazing how dry it is right now, the ground is cracking, something you don’t see around here very often. And there is a type of moss that is always soft, today it was crunchy, I have never seen this kind of moss crunchy before.π³π¬
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The cooler temps will keeo things dry and make it worse. Perhaps you’ll just get rain and limited storms..
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Raining now, deck is almost wet, very windy suddenly, the trees are flying, the birds are swaying.
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Huh??π€π€πππ³π³ eating fermented berries maybe??πππ
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I haven’t eaten any fermented anything.π€¨
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No silly the birds! Not the bird brains!!π€π€π€π€
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No berries around right now silly. Why would you think that? As they say in the old country, “flying is for the birds, fishing is for the fish, berries are for the bears, and pimples are for people.”
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Ooooo…. anyone person having that problem??π€π€π€ππππ
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Back in my younger days, wow.ππΉ
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Younger huh??ππππππππππππ
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Well, I used to be younger than I am now.ππ
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Okay…ππππππππ
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Thanks. Hmm, the rain stopped before getting the deck completely wet, the wind also suddenly stopped, completely calm right now.
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Sounds like the front passed through..
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I hope so. Muffin still seems scared though.ππ
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It should settle down soon… animals sure seem to have sense of the weather though..
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Yep, they can tell. As they say in the old country,”a wet rock is shiny and a dry tree burns well.”
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Can’t argue that one!π€π€ Good One! I might use that one!ππ
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These old country people know what they’re talking about. I should start some old country posts. Probably go overboard like a rock.π€£π€£π€£
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Perhaps.. I’d bet they’d be popular!ππ
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Perhaps. Maybe I should try. Too bad I can’t remember them.πππ€π€
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Uh huh!ππ
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I could make up some new ones.ππΉ
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Good idea!!ππ
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Oh.. I heard from the company that want to do a phone interview, they moved it to next week. Still waiting on the details..
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Well, at least they didn’t cancel, that’s a good sign.π
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I hope so.
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You can count on it.
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That would be great! They had an all hands on line meeting today.. they are very insistant people must be in the office. They also want everyone to report if they’ve been vaccinated or not! That is none of the companies business!!
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Better get used to the vaccination rules bit. Here you soon won’t be able to go many places without showing a vaccination card. At least they are talking about it and apparently polls suggest that people are overwhelmingly if favor of it. And yep, employees will have to show proof or look elsewhere for work.
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That’s not something they can dictate though. Wouldn’t that be discrimination?
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No, because it’s a health issue, therefore it’s not covered under discrimination.
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What if you immune system is suspect and you don’t want to trigger it by taking a vacine? You’re not going to be able to go out or work or meet people?? Don’t seem right to me..
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There would be provisions in place, but would need a doctor to prove it would not be a healthy option. But it would limit certain things still.
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So pleased youβre getting better weather. Have a great weekend.
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Yes, it actually feels like spring now. Thank you Sheree! I hope you have a great weekend also!
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π
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We knew Jasper, then came Sam, Freddie, Jasmine wow, the family is getting bigger π so how much did you gain weight π It’s been a lot of lockdown π I got lean.. π. now I am not liking it,, chewing foods again .. I want that little fat around my belly ππ
Have a wonderful Beautiful Friday β¨ππ
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This lockdown is going to make me fat!π³ Eat,π sleep,π΄ eat,π sleep.π΄ And now our lockdown has been extended to June 2nd.π¬ More eat,π sleep,π΄ eat,π sleep.π΄π€―π€―π€―ππππππΉπΉ
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Oh no you don’t, you should walk more… walk around the house again ….and again.. count the leavesππ€ birds π and get busy..
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I am getting busy, just finished eating,ππ now time to sleep again. Good night Simon!πππ΄
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Until you are busy… no matter… have fun..π₯³ Good Night Steve β¨π€
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Good night Simon!πππ΄
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Sam, Freddie and Jasper π and now Jasmine! This was too cute! The birds have been singing so awesomely here lately! I hated to go back inside! βοΈ
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Glad you liked that Renee! It really was fun watching all the discussions and finding out who comes out on top! Yes, with nice weather and singing birds why go in? Have a great weekend!ππΊπββ
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So good to know you got your leaves popping open. Ours started coming out last Friday. It makes it so beautiful with green leaves Take care of your back! Blessings!
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Yes, those leaves didn’t move for such a long time, but are really coming out fast now. It really does make a difference with those leaves out!
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I like the discussions the squirrels have ! Makes me smile ! Looks like a storm is coming as my joints are complaining ! Hot weather is coming too…try to sleep Steve ! πππ€βπ§
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I slept good, lying down is fine. Yes, nice warm weather is coming, sounds so good! Yep, those squirrels have a great time! At least the winners do anyway. Have a great day!ππΊπββ
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Awesome nature photo and the clever Squirrel πΏ
Your articles very interesting πππ·
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Thank you so much! Glad that you enjoyed it!ππΊπββ
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π·ππ·
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coffee and singing birds does sound like a wonderful way to spend some time. and three cheers for Jasper – he’s got staying power!
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Yes indeed, a great way to start the day! Jasper is #1 again, with a little help from Sam getting rid of Freddie! But Jasper doesn’t give up easily. Have a great day Jim!
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Jasper’s built up his strength and stamina from all those battles with the chipmunks – and your peanuts…
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Yes, those chipmunks were a real help to him, I think he knows it now which is why he no longer chases them. That and he needs all his strength to fight the other squirrels. Yep, the peanuts definitely help.
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an older and wiser Jasper…
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Yes indeed!
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Good morning Steve! I know I am a day late, but I promise I did read this yesterday morning. π Thanks so much for the wonderful reminders to us to take time enjoy what God has given us to help start off our day and to wind down after a busy and hectic day. The birds are still singing here at nearly 8:00 a.m. (I have been listening to them for a while) and there are about 10-12 squirrels playing with each other in pairs in our yards and trees and in the street. It is a beautiful sight to see and music to my ears. Thank you again, hope you and Muffin have a wonderful day and God bless! ππβοΈππ·πΌπΏπ¦πΈπ
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Good morning Beverly! That’s okay, around here a person is never late, the coffee is always on! One of the reasons God gave us this beautiful and wonderful nature is to help us stay calm and relaxed, removing stress from our lives. Just a few extra minutes a day can make such a difference. God looks after us in so many ways! Do you have red squirrels or gray squirrels out there, or perhaps something else even, like ground squirrels? Thanks for reading Beverly, have a most wonderful day and God bless!ππΊπββπ²π³π¦π¦π±πΌ
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Hi Steve, thanks for understanding. I completely agree….Amen! He does! Those squirrels are so carefree and they do not worry about anything, neither do the birds….Matthew 6:25-33. What an example to us, right? I believe they are called tree squirrels here in Colorado Springs and the ground squirrels are in Denver. The huge trees in my front and back yard and in our neighborhood are their food source and playground. Our yards are their food storage lockers. π It is truly my pleasure, Steve, have a most wonderful day as well and God bless! πβοΈβοΈππ²πΏπππ
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Yep, birds, and all animals just sort of live in the moment, do what they do without complaining whether the day is sunny or raining, they just keep at it, just part of life, no worries. Yep, we should be more like that but we seem to enjoy worrying all the time, kind of like a hobby! Thanks Beverly!ππΊπ
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Yep, enjoy and treasure the moment, that is the way to live. π. Youβre welcome Steve! ππ
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Thanks again Steve! After a long day at work today, I was watching a Robin Red Breast enjoy the meal provided by God in my back lawn. There were so many worms from heavy rain earlier this week and from me running the sprinkler system this morning. Such a beautiful and elegant bird. Then there were tiny lark sparrows that kept hopping on the metal rafters of my patio awning. They seemed to be looking for spiders or other insects. They were singing and so beautiful. Thanks to your blog, I am starting to identify birds that I see in my yard. What a wonderful way to relax and unwind after work, thank you! π
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Yes, watching all of God’s handiwork is a great way to unwind and relax, especially after a busy or hectic kind of day. I find it’s a wonderful stress reliever as well, better than any other idea for sure. We have lark sparrows here too though I haven’t seen any this year yet, guess I missed them, usually they stop in at my feeder when they come back before they head north of town where there are some old farms and fields where they seem to like to spend their summers. Glad to hear you are enjoying something a bit new. Hmm, blue jays are calling for lunch. Have a great Friday!ππΊπββ
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Yes indeed, it was that kind of day and the stress melted as I watched Godβs handiwork. That Is wonderful you have lark sparrows as well. Sorry they did not stop by this year. Yes, enjoying the birds and
playful squirrels immensely. There is another beautiful bird that comes in my patio area. Not sure what it is, I will let you know if I find out. Say hello to Baxter and the other blue jays for me. Thanks, have a great Friday as well! πβοΈπ
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It certainly turned out to be a lovely day, the sun was shining all afternoon. The clouds have now returned and it’s raining lightly again, thunderstorms tonight which Muffin won’t like. Going to be a cool one tomorrow with possible flurries before warming up a bit on Sunday. The blue jays must have their babies out flying around now since they are here so much. One of these days they will bring them around to say hi, that’s always fun when they show up. Enjoy your weekend!ππΊπββ
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That is wonderful that it turned out to be a lovely day. It was nice here as well, although I could not get outside due to work. I will be out tomorrow working in the yard, so excited! Poor Muffin, hope you donβt get many thunderstorms during the summer. Wow snow flurries tomorrow? π¬. At least your weather will be somewhat nice on Sunday. That is great on the blue jays. That will be neat when you see their babies. Thanks, enjoy your weekend as well! πβοΈ
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Some summers we hardly get any thunderstorms, other summers we get them constantly. This year is shaping up to be a wet one which means lots of storms are likely. At least we are not going to get any accumulations of snow like other places have been getting west and north of us. Still, a temp of only 34 is cold for May! I hope we don’t get frost or I will lose some flowers.π¬π¬ππ
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Wow, I know you all need the moisture like us, but staying indoors is no fun. Hope you donβt lose your flowers. Four of my tulips survived and they are gorgeous. Planting more flowers this weekend.
Heading off to Youth church service now. Have a great night! Hug Muffin for me. π
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We have late night prayer after Youth service. We will include you and your situation in our prayers. π
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Thank you so much, I really appreciate that!ππΊ
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You are much welcome, God is able! π
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So very true!ππΊ
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Well, we have already had enough moisture to last a while, but still, in spring it gets used up fast with everything growing so much. Have a good time Beverly! Shall do!ππΊ
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I can imagine. Thanks Steve, I did! π
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Aww I’m glad you managed to get a photo of Jasmine π
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Yes, I just had to do it since she has a name now! Thanks again!ππΊπ·
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