Author: rakeeter

A few weeks ago Joyce asked me when the mallard couple shows up in the spring.  I told her I thought it was as early as late March, but, at least this year, I saw them for the first time March 11.   They made themselves at home and soon had the water muddied up all the around the island.  They don’t pay me any mind.  On Tuesday I donned waders and started the process of cleaning up the winter’s accumulation of dead cattails.  Instead of just the two, a drake and a hen, there were two drakes.  Neither drake was skittish as wild ducks usually are, which made me wonder if one of the drakes was an offspring of the pair.  Anyway it was nice to have their company. Continue reading “March 11” →

We made it through February chilled but mostly intact.  There were some very windy days and some calm days.  Those nice February days are hard to beat.  Joyce’s apricot trees bloomed and were promptly frozen for their trouble.  Maybe next year. Continue reading “March” →

It has been quiet here on SA the last couple of weeks.  The Zbindens minus Chris (so far) have each taken a turn with the stomach virus going around.  It knocks them down for a day or two but they bounce back.  There apparently is a lot of flu going around as well but so far we’ve eluded it.  It has been reported that Sophia missed school Valentine’s Day because she was sick.  Valentine’s Day is important to you when you are in the second grade.  Sophia did get her bag of treats, though, I’m told. Continue reading “Mid-Feb” →