THE BLACK CROW

Not too long ago, I was happily off my diet, munching on a container

of French fries and a dollar menu cheeseburger from McDonalds.

My husband and I were sitting in a parking lot where we work. After

a while, the fries just didn’t seem as appealing to me as I thought

they would be. Don’t you  hate that? You go off the diet because

you think you are missing out on something so good, to find out

it’s not so good. What a bummer that is. While I was sitting there

contemplating all of this, I noticed a Black Crow lurking on

the edge of the roof of the building next to me. He was cawing

away. It reminded me of the seagulls that we have here in Maine that

are such scavengers.

They are not the least bit shy and will fly right

next to you to get a bite of food. So….I figured the crow would too.

I threw out lots of fries as far past the car as I could. The Crow stayed on

the roofs edge. Suddenly, another large Crow swooped in and started

gathering. That gave our friend on the roof the courage to do the same.

Actually, it was more like “you’re not going to get my fries!”…I think! The Crow

that flew in,  just scooped and flew off. The roof Crow did that once,

then he came back  and scooped as many as he could get into his mouth.

That was an amazing site to see…all those fries being crammed into

his beak….over and over….dropping a couple and picking them back up!

Then I saw something I couldn’t believe. He took 5 or 6 fries (while the

other Crow was away), and put them into the bushes next to our car. He

then picked up a large, dry, oak leaf, and covered up the

fries!! I could hardly believe my eyes!! What an intelligent thing to do!! Meanwhile,

the other Crow came back looking for more. Our roof crow, was out of the

bushes, almost acting a little lame. He kind of cowered a bit, while picking up

a piece of gravel and chewing

on it, as if to say….this is all we have left to eat! How sly was that?

I began telling folks I know, what I saw. Many people already knew how

extremely intelligent these birds are.  I went online and found out

many things about the Black Crow. The Intelligent Black Crow 

Did you know they are known for using tools? And, did you know that

many Crows gathered together  are called  A Murder Of Crows?

That’s kind of spooky.  Check this out….All About Crows  ….

this is probably more information than anyone would ever want to know

about these birds! They have been coming to my back yard and field

since this past winter, for the first time, on a regular basis. They like

wide open spaces and composts….I have both in my back yard. I will take

some pictures and share with you sometime. What do you all think

about these birds?? A nuisance or do you like them? 

You have GOT to see this video!!! I couldn’t believe it!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?????????????????????????????????

  

SPROUTING HAS BEGUN…..

Almost all of my seeds in my garden have sprouted! I am so happy about that because I started late this year.

Not only late, but the first few days were raw and cold. I really wondered if the seeds would take.

My two rows of sweet corn are coming along but are slower than the couple of rows of colored corn. I love that

colored corn! Here is what it looked like last year….. after I made swags. My cosmic purple and rainbow carrots

are showing their fine blades through the soil. I have never tried Cosmic Purple carrots before but I hear they are very sweet. Here is

a photo of what they are supposed to look like………….pretty cool huh? And of course you can’t beat the rainbow carrots! Here they are….

 You never know what you are going to get with these. I tried gold rush Zucchini this year and regular Zucchini. The gold rush is a yellow variety that looks like this…. They are both up and growing nicely.

I planted 3 different kinds of cucumbers. A pickling cuke, a long cuke, and a short vined one. On some, all of the seeds came up and others  are a bit slow.  My Watham butternut squash is coming up nicely and two new squashes I planted

this year, are Vermicelli Spaghetti  and Red Eye.They are up and growing well. The red eye is supposed to be a good eating squash, and is fun for fall decorating.

I planted two different types of pumpkin. One is called Spookie…. It produces heavy yields of 7” across bright orange pumpkins. They have strong stems, very flavorful flesh, great for pies and for carving.  Another variety I have tried in the past and the seeds never sprouted, is Lumina. The seed company gave me a free packet to try this year and they came up!!   They are a white variety of pumpkin! Here’s a photo of one carved……  Cool huh? The orange flesh usually shows through from what I am told.

I have yet to get tomatoes but still plan on doing that. The only thing I forgot were sunflowers….I planted a variety that surprises me with many different colors.

Aren’t they pretty?    So that’s it…..next time I will try to get some photos.

I saw a picture of Obie the other day on my computer and it just about tore my heart out. It sure does take time to get over our furry loved ones. I have started volunteering at a food bank in my town twice a month. It’s been really rewarding. I have had to cut back because of physical ailments but hope to do more in a different capacity. I worked with a woman from our local cooperative extension, to create a little cookbook of monthly food samplings that she brings in for the clients to taste. That was a lot of work but it was fun seeing their faces when they received it!~~

Our construction continues. I think I mentioned Lowe’s was replacing our kitchen floor. What a job that was! The two brothers that work for Lowe’s came here and did a fantastic job!! The first day it looked like someone blew up my kitchen. By the third day it was beautiful and looked almost identical to the original floor….without the grout crumbling! Now when I vacuum the floor, I don’t hear the PING PING PING of the grout flying up into the vacuum!! That’s a plus! Our newest bit of construction is ripping out carpet on a set of stairs and replacing them with Maple wood stairs. I will get pictures to show you as always!~~

This weekend I am going to try and get by to visit you all. For all of you that come by here….Thanks!!! You’re the best!! You know who you are…..you wonderful women you!!! See you soon……..And stay cooooooooooooooool……….

 

Happy Birthday Carissa…..

 Today is my dear daughter’s 29th birthday!! This is her (above) at a wedding.

 And here she was dressed for the prom.

 With Boyfriend Adam….(they broke up some time ago!)

 This was her latest tattoo that I posted about a while back. She also has a dragonfly on her shoulder.

Here she is with her uncle Steve at Port Hole celebration in Portland.

And with her other uncle Art who entertained us all at Port Hole.

And with her best friend and roommate at the time, Brooke.

Playing a tinfoil guitar…..

Breakfast with her brother….

Hugging the real love of her life….her beloved dog Piper!!

Happy Birthday Honey!!!!

Well folks……I planted my garden yesterday….I know…I am late…but I got it done!! I am so proud of myself because it was not easy.

I have had a lot of health issues and pain….that’s ok…I have my garden in!! Yay!

I have multi-colored mini corn or popcorn, regular sweet corn, 3 different kinds of cukes, regular pumpkin and white pumpkin called Lumina,

tomatoes, regular green zucchini and yellow zucchini, butternut squash, vermicelli spaghetti squash, 2 rows of rainbow carrots and one row of

cosmic purple carrots, sunflowers, and red eye squash. I think that’s it but I may have forgotten something…not sure. Did you all plant gardens

this year????

Sad News…..

It has not been easy to write in my blog. On May 23, of this year, we had to put Obie down.

It was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do. He was such a good boy and we

miss him terribly. After two years of being on insulin for his diabetes, he just got real sick.

I looked out the door one morning, to see him throwing up lots of phlegm, while he was

trying to go pee. That was heartbreaking and between Bobbie and I and the vet, we made

the that horrible decision. He is free now. We loved him dearly and we were with him at the

end with lots of kisses and hugs. I will be back soon……I miss you all too.

   As I write this, our kitchen floor is being torn up and replaced. I am hold up

in my living room and he is pounding right outside the door! It’s very irritating but it has to be done.

I hope all of you are doing well. I will visit soon….just a lot going on right now….Debbie