February 12, 2018 ~ A New Week

Still not much sunshine, but I got up and got moving early today. I had a mission of grocery shopping to complete, and just didn't want to be out among the crowds and risk the chance of more exposure to germs! I arrived at the store just after breakfast and was so happy to be one of very few others who were shopping as well. I always like when I can move through the aisles efficiently and quickly without much hassle!

Interestingly, while out filling my bird feeders and suet log this afternoon, I heard, then saw, a pair of geese flying over, heading northeastward. That sure is odd for our area, and especially at this time of year, though I know we do have some geese that winter over in our parts a bit more than in years past. 

Joanna, our black lab, and I decided to get a bit of exercise and took a walk way to the back property line that overlooks a ravine. Imagine our surprise when we came upon 2 does foraging for anything they could find to make at least a bit of a meal for themselves. Despite our crunching footsteps through the hardened, dense snow, the deer did not even scurry away! The bigger of the two raised her head, pointed her ears straight upward and looked at us all while she was gently stomping her front hoof into the snow. Deciding not to disturb them any further, I led Joanna away, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw them still standing where we left them, content to eventually resume their foraging. A short time later, Dean spied one of them up in our yard digging for apples underneath the apple trees. 

With such severe cold and snow, I feel sorry for the critters outdoors. For several evenings we had a mystery on our hands of just WHO was getting into our bird feeders that are normally left untouched over night. Well, we finally found out over the weekend. Mama deer and her now grown twins, both of which are does! I must say, they sure do look much bigger when you're up close and nearly nose to nose through the glass with a deer! Not wanting to scare them into the road, we let them be, but from now on I have been bringing in the feeders at night time. I'd much rather put apples and carrots out for them to nibble somewhere in the safety of our backyard. And away from where, if left to keep coming, in warmer weather they will make a nuisance of themselves not only at the feeders, but in my flowerbeds as well! Not to mention deer ticks.... Of which I have already had 3, and thankfully tested negative for Lyme Disease. Now THAT'S some scary business....

As evening falls, I'm thinking of all the good "grub" (as Dean calls it) I brought home, and pondering on what to prepare for dinner. I think a bit of golden baked fish, gently steamed asparagus, and some deliciously sweet, canned peaches sounds good for dinner tonight. I guess I should scoot and get busy in the kitchen, my friends! 

Have a wonderfully relaxing and cozy evening!

~ ♥ ~