A FINE MORNING FOR A WALK IN THE HULLETT MARSH

A stiff southerly breeze blowing across Whistler Pool ruffled the pond's waters.  The shrill cry of Red Wing Blackbirds in the air and I saw my first Leopard frog of the season.  Pheebs and I were in the Hullett Marsh of course for another morning's outing.  

A FINE MORNING FOR A WALK IN THE HULLETT MARSH

SOUTHERLY WINDS PLAY ACROSS WHISTLER POOL

A BLUE HERON IN THE DISTANCE

Caught a glimpse of half a dozen baby ducks scurrying across the trail heading for the protection of tall grass along the water's edge.  Pheebs, ahead of me didn't see them and I kept a close eye on her in case she did.  Suddenly right in front of Pheebs Mother Duck popped up and with a flurry of wings attracting Pheebs attention headed off low to the ground in a direction away from her chicks.  The rouse worked and Pheebs took off at full speed right behind her.  I wasn't worried about Pheebs catching Mama Duck because she knew exactly what she was doing and how to do it.  I did manage a few photos of Pheebs in hot pursuit.  When I reached the spot where the chicks had ducked into the long grass there was not a trace of them.  Not wanting to upset the little ducks applecart I kept on moving.

MAMA DUCK POPS UP OUT OF THE GRASS 

AND THE CHASE WAS ONE

NOTICE HOW MAMA DUCK STAYS AHEAD OF PHEEBS AND REMAINS LOW TO THE GROUND

THIS IS AN OLD KILLDEER TRICK AS MAMA DUCK LEADS PHEEBS AWAY FROM THE CHICKS

It was a mighty fine looking and feeling good morning.  Not too hot and not too cold.  No humidity in the air meant very few annoying bugs so our walk was enjoyable.

AFTER THE BIG CHASE PHEEBS RESTS IN THE SHADOW OF TREE

WINDS STILL RUFFLE THE WATER

One thinks of many things when one walks alone and that is why I have always preferred walking in nature by myself.  Pretty hard to get oneself in tune with nature or themselves when walking with a gaggle of people.  Nature is a healing process if we take the time and have the patience to let it teach us.  I have the time but I am still working on the patience.  This morning was one of those special times when Mother Nature took me by the hand and gently eased me along the trail without hurrying.

STRAIGHT AHEAD A COUNTRY ROAD ONCE TRAVELED WEST THROUGH HERE

TURNING AROUND AND FACING EAST ONE CAN STILL SEE A GREEN OUTLINE OF THE ROAD BED

THE HULLET MARSH IS MAN MADE FROM A MARSHY AREA THANKS TO DUCKS UNLIMITED

Pheebs and I were home shortly before noon and with our front yard foliage all grown in thick now I am able to feel more at ease wandering around in the privacy it offers.  I would still love to have a place in the country with no visible or noisy neighbors anywhere near but this is second best and at least we're not stuck in a crowded apartment complex in a stuffy town or city somewhere.  Well not yet anyway.

A few days ago I talked about some of our medical concerns.  It's something we Seniors do have a habit of talking about.  And for good reason.  To keep it all in perspective I am reminded of a saying I first heard many years ago and a saying that has stuck with me through the years.  It applies to each and every one of us.  It's a simple one line saying that goes like this....'I complained I had no shoes.....until I met the man who had no feet'.  Think about that one folks........

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag.  "Our flag symbolizes our taxes," he said. "We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them."  "That's the same with us," the American said, "only we see stars, too."

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Why did the Engineering grad become a pilot? He wanted to "land" himself a job!
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I was out last Sunday -- I didn't see any signs, nobody to ask, so I lit a cigarette. This woman nearby lost her temper and yelled at me. "Put it out, put it out". I turned around -- she was only three pews away! 
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WE ARE EATING QUITE WELL HERE THANK YOU VERY MUCH:))

NO THIS ISN'T 'LITTLE RED' IT'S 'CHIPPY' THE CHIPMUNK

Nice waking up to sunny skies and cooler temperatures.  Because of humidity Kelly had to fire up the A/C unit for a few days late last week.  I'm hoping this cooler air will hang around for awhile.  Pheebs and I did make it out for a bit this morning.

FARMER'S HAVE BEEN BUSY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FEW GOOD WEATHER DAYS

MAITLAND RIVER FLOWING TOWARDS LAKE HURON

So here's my latest bird feeder woes.  Crows are devouring our birdseed as fast as I put it out there and I see no defence against the them.  They just fly in any time they want and in about 6.7 seconds they have gorged everything in site and are gone again.  And they come in pairs bringing a Buddy with them sometimes.  

IT'S QUITE A CAST OF CHARACTERS WE GET ON OUR BIRD FEEDER

I have things outside that I could be doing and the Jeep is in dire need of a good clean-up but my energy levels seem to be out of energy again.  Maybe I need a new battery or something.  I'll have a look on E-Bay.  

OUR FRONT YARD POND

I LIKE WALKING AROUND OUR NEW CLOVER IN MY SOCKS

IF YOU WERE TO LOOK INTO ONE OF OUR SUNROOM WINDOWS THIS IS WHAT YOU WOULD SEE

KELLY SENT THIS PHOTO TODAY FROM SPENCERPORT NY AND IT LOOKS LIKE MY MOJAVE BREEZER HAT HAS MADE IT UNSCATHED THROUGH HER MOTHER'S DISHWASHER AGAIN

My furry little four legged shadow follows me everywhere and as I type this tonight my little shadow is lying right beside my computer chair.  She sure is missing Mom.

PHEEBS ON A RAINY MONDAY AND BELOW A FLYING BUMBLE BEE ON A SUNNY TUESDAY

Pheebs and I are eating quite well here.  I have lots of peanut butter stocked up as well creamed honey.  New box of cereal and lots of veggies for my main morning shake and smaller shake after supper sometimes.  My after supper shake consists of half a banana, half an apple, cinnamon, vanilla flavored whey powder, a dash of orange juice, and a couple dopples of coconut yogurt.  Add a splash of skim milk to that, toss it into the blender, hit the switch, and 
'Wala'.  Nirvana:))  For supper tonight (Okay this afternoon) I took some time and rustled me up a mighty fine turkey supper with all the fixins.  Mashed potatoes, dressing, and corn. It was even complete with an apple cranberry dessert.  Luckily I had a lot of apples and corn on hand.

EAT YOUR HEART OUT GEORGE

YES INDEED I SURE ENJOY COOKING WITH OUR MICROWAVE

ME AND MY PEANUT BUTTER AND HONEY SUPPLY ARE NEVER TOO FAR APART

BUMBLE BEE IN OUR RHODODENDRUN TODAY

In Monday's post I had the word prostate spelled wrong when I stuck and extra r in it.  I have since made the correction.  Thanks to Rose way down there in that State of Texas place for pointing that out to me in an email:))

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Ben went on safari with his wife and mother-in-law.  One evening, while still deep in the jungle, the Mrs. awoke to find her mother gone.  Rushing to her husband, she insisted on them both trying to find her mother.  Ben picked up his rifle, took a swig of whiskey, and started to look for her.  In a clearing not far from the camp, they came upon a chilling sight: the mother-in-law was backed up against a thick, impenetrable bush, and a large male lion stood facing her.  The wife said, "What are we going to do?"  "Nothing," said Ben, "The lion got himself into this mess, let him get himself out of it."

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A schoolteacher's son brought his report card home. The father said, "Let's see what you have accomplished..."He opens the report and to his dismay sees all bad grades. "What do you have to say about this Johnny?""Well dad, at least you know I'm not cheating!"
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