Porch and Garage Door Makeover

 In the theme of being here 10 years and time to get things done, the porch has needed attention for a while.  We knew we had to paint to at least protect it but it was also an opportunity to decide what color to change to (from the brown we have long hated).  This is Cindy's area as a decorator and we looked at different colors and shades within color groups.  We landed on gray being a good neutral and then landed on a shade of gray that we liked.

Cindy has many professional contacts and we hired one of her painters to do the job.

Before Pictures

During the Process

After Pictures

House Cleaning 2021

Cindy thought it was time we clean the house...literally.  We've been here 10 years so it was time.  I noticed someone up the street getting their house power-washed and mentioned it to her.  We called and got it set up.  Two young guys with a business and did a great job.

Our deck is on the north side of the house and gets very little sun so the deck and that side of the house have mildew or something that builds up so that is where we saw big improvement but also the garage doors looked much better.

Here is the deck before and after:

BEFORE

AFTER

New chairs

Here is the house before and after:

BEFORE

AFTER

Peonies - Catch them while you can

 The peony is a common but impressive flowering plant.  It has a short blooming season though...only 7 to 10 days.  I saw these while out walking Kyanne.  I caught them on a good day.

Barbara - Year 3

 Bloomed just ahead of Mother's Day...

Polyphemus moth

Credit to our standard poodle Kyanne for sniffing out this polyphemus moth (giant silk moth). These pictures were taken over two days and then it was gone. I've never seen one before - they are quite a sight!

Saw (and heard!) my first Pileated Woodpecker

 We’ve been in the house almost 10 years.  And it’s been my ritual any time I’m out with one of our dogs to walk around the yard looking for anything dead or alive and then end up at the top of my hill looking into the woods to see what I can see (or hear).  Most days there is really nothing special to observe but the point of looking is you never know.  Like the day a Cooper’s Hawk flew right toward me before perching on a dead tree…and then pursuing prey in the brush (see below).

 

So yesterday I was standing at the back fence just looking to see what I could see or hear.  It was late afternoon and overcast.  One of those quiet afternoons.  The first thing that got my attention was the sound.  My first thought was a duck or something panicked.  It was that strange.  Then I saw something flying toward the far edge of the woods in what seemed to be an erratic flight pattern…almost like a Goldfinch.  The sound I heard was like laughter.  With no growth on the trees, I could see the size and the silhouette with a crest.

I ran toward the house thinking I need to get my camera.  I knew what I was seeing. Looking back, I should have stayed and just watched but I thought this was my chance in case it came closer.  I ran into the house without Kyanne which was unusual.  Cindy asked what was wrong and I said “It’s a Pileated Woodpecker…I’ll explain later!”

I ran back outside to the top of the hill.  I could see it moving to my left still at a great distance still making a ruckus.  Too far and too overcast to try for a picture.  I texted my brother Dean that I just heard and saw a Pileated Woodpecker.  He replied “I was actually going to send you a message today asking if you had ever seen one.  It’s on my bucket list.”  What amazing timing of my seeing one with him wondering if I ever had!

It hit me after I couldn’t see it anymore…the laugh, the crest…Woody Woodpecker!

Cartoonist Walter Lantz used the Pileated Woodpecker's jaunty crest and loud call as models for his most-famous creation, Woody Woodpecker. Its call is less of a "ha-hah, ha-ha-hah" and more of a high-pitched, maniacal laugh.

(male from internet)

Milkweed 2020

 We've been in this house now for over nine years and for eight of those years I've tried different ways to grow milkweed behind my back fence.  I've planted and and lately I've just scattered them.  Working from home and with COVID, I just don't find myself out where I see pods to grab.  My neighbors who have milkweed have stripped the pods and so that source is not there.  I was resigned to having a fall without trying.

Then this week out of the blue, Cindy's brother-in-law Brad mails me what you see below.  It sure mean a lot that he thought of me.  He and I walked in the woods last time he was here and I must have made it sound pretty important that I get some growing...

Thank you Brad...these are all the way from Wyoming.  Who knows, could be a different type of milkweed.  I'll be putting these out some time next month...usually around Thanksgiving.