Birds Are My Friends

 I hope this pretty Woodpecker stays with me.  I so enjoy watching his antics.  Now, he has discovered my seed feeders maybe he will keeping coming to enjoy his breakfast with me.

New Bird At My Feeder

 I had a beautiful Red Headed Woodpecker at my feeders today.
The red-headed woodpecker is a small woodpecker about 7-9 inches in length with a wingspan of 14-17 inches. It has a red head, neck and upper breast. It has a white lower chest and stomach, black wings with a white patch on the back and a black tail. It has a long, strong, sharp bill and black eyes. Males and females look alike.

And Helen found this "just a swinging" in her swing.  

Digging In the Dirt

 Larry has been removing old trees from our yard.  this one was directly behind the house and a vine killed it.  We paid to have it cut as it was huge.  He digs around the tree with the back hoe and then pushes the stump out with the Kubota Tractor.

 You can see this stump was big. It was a small tree when we first lived here in 1982.  Larry's Mom planted a vine that grew into the tree and finally killed it.

 Larry hauled the stump to our burn pile.

 Here he is moving the stump of a Maple tree that was half dead.  Limbs would fall out when the wind blew and it was ugly as half was completely gone.

 My Grosbeak is coming everyday.  While Larry works, I sit and watch him!  Isn't he lovely.

 Larry told me this is a House Finch.  He says the Purple Finch is a little darker.  I have both.

We cooked the last of the fish that Kenny Gatlin caught and gave us.  Delicious!

These are the new volleyball shoes that Pop got Siggie.  Oh course, she picked them.  These are asics.  This was always my favorite brand of shoes.  Now, my foot is wider because I broke a toe and it heeled crocked and I have a bunion on each foot.  Not pretty feet like Sigrid's.

A. C. Took the Lead

 I don't think Astrid usually runs the first leg in the 4 by 800 but in the State Meet, Coach Goodman had Astrid run first.  She took a good lead and it really gave her team confidence.   This was in the paper today.  The colored photo is nice but nicer is what Coach Goodman said about Astrid.

Helen called and said she is better.  She is taking Levaquin.  It is a strong antibiotic.  It has a few side effects, but pneumonia does too--one is death!  I surely hope she is going to be back to her old self soon.

Greta Is Upside Down

I drove to Harrison today to see Greta tumble.   She was great.  She had great body control, balance, and strength.  I sure enjoyed watching her twirl and turn  and flip today.  

Ingrid Goes Modeling

Ingrid's friend got a photo shoot for her birthday and invited Ingrid to share in the image making.      

Greta's Blue Ribbon Art

I am not "lion" Greta deserved this blue ribbon.  Isn't this a neat work of art for a little kindergarten student.

 These are really great too.

Sigrid Plays The Oboe

 I was pleased to attend the Band Concert tonight and hear Sigrid play the oboe.  She is first chair and all the music was fabulous.  She is wearing a dress she picked from Astrid's closet.  It looked great on her.  She called Astrid and got permission to wear the dress!!

 Clayton's latest art work.  Both are really good.  I think Erin should hang them in her new house.

 At the State Track meet today Astrid got 4th in the 1600 meter run and the 4 by 800 relay she ran in took first place.  She is All-State again!!

 Greta was told to dream of something and illustrate it.  She wishes she could fly but also wants her brother to receive the gift.  Look at them soaring above the new Rogers' house.

 Lucky number 7 playing volleyball.  It is over, but I wanted a photo of Ingie today too!

Hope Helen is feeling better.  Found this of Brother Dear looking over where his ashes lay!

Sister Days

 Astrid made the paper today.

 When I walked yesterday, I took a photo of Laura's door and Sig's flower garden.  Sigrid will check Lowe's every weekend for mark downs and soon have her garden full.  She finds lots of stuff for just a dollar.  I am glad she loves a bargain.

 Pond and Lake are brimming full.

I think this is my Grosbeak.  I could not get a good photo of him.

Debbie and Patsy have back to back birthdays.  Miss them both.  Debbie passed in 1983 and Patsy in 2014.  Happy Birthday, Sisters.

Fox Tail Fern

One of Laura's teacher friends gave her this Fox Tail Fern today.  She potted it and I love the way she created a foot print from the rocks.  I hope it does well and next year Laura will get me a start.  I discovered a wild fern by my back step.  I am hoping it will thrive but when it stops raining nearly every day it will probably disappear.

Oh, Snap!!

Astrid captured a turtle.   The red finger nails seem out of place for the picture.  Also, I like that watch I can spot on her wrist.  So happy when I can get her something she truly enjoys.