Spring Has Sprung (Sort of)

What happened to Spring?

The flowers have pushed from the earth, blossoms bedeck the trees, and we've got snow on the ground. Yes, snowflakes big as silver dollars are back to say hello. Winston is confused, but then again he's only five months old and still learning about the strange world he lives in.

Welcome to Missouri, Winston. You've been born into one of the few states where it's routine to wear a tank top and a down-filled parka within the same week.

Since today is Sunday, I'd suggest sipping a cup of hot chocolate while you read a book, work on a project, or watch that movie you've been thinking about. Our snowy day won't last long.

On Tuesday, the temperature is predicted to be over 70 degrees.

Happy first day of Spring!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I don't feel Spring is truly here until I make my first visit to the ballpark. The aroma of hot dogs, popcorn, and peanuts (not to mention the gourmet items that now show up on every major league ballpark's menu), serve to drive home the notion that mild temperatures and outside fun have finally arrived.

Today I'm heading to my first game of the season and looking forward to soaking up the experience. St. Louis area peeps tend to be a tiny bit obsessed with the Cardinals. We dress up in Cardinals gear and head to the ballpark or to a sports bar or simply listen to the game on the radio.

I remember hearing Harry Carey and Jack Buck on KMOX announce the play-by-play. It's a treasured part of my early days.

"It might be, it could be...it IS...a home run! Hoooly Cow!" 

St. Louis Cardinals baseball makes me think of my dad listening to a tiny transistor radio while barbecuing pork steaks as Mom prepared potato salad and baked beans. We'd groan at every out and cheer every time the home team scored a run.

In Mom's final few years, when she couldn't do much else, she could watch the Cardinals on television. It gave her so much pleasure...especially when "her" team won.

I believe heaven has a special place for Redbird fans, so I'm sure Dad and Mom will be cheering along with me today. Maybe between the three of us we can bring home a winner.

It's On My Mind

Even though we officially have an extra hour of daylight, doesn't it still seem as though there's not enough time to get everything done? Lately I've been chasing my tail (not unlike one of my previous pups), spinning around and around and feeling like I'm no where near finishing anything. That's why this past weekend was a pleasant surprise. Here are a few of the tasks now crossed off my list:

Flowers in my foyer.

 

Plants migrating from a gloomy basement to glorious sun. 

And best of all, I did a BIG project.  I painted my front door in a color I'm sure has astounded the neighborhood. I tend to play it safe with calm neutral tones. But this time I decided to go wonky wild with a bright, vibrant color. 

I pored over paint samples and finally selected The One. I sanded my fingers to the bone to get off the boring cinnamon color. Then I locked Bogey and Indy in the bedroom (no need for paint on hair or hair on paint). My trusty brush and I had a date with destiny, and here's the finished product:

It's fun and glorious and maybe just a tiny bit Easter eggy, but that's okay. Overlooked is something that will never befall my front door. 

Can you tell I'm in a Springtime frame of mind? 

Sun, Cleanliness, and Inspiration

Happy Sunday fellow blog peeps! It's going to be 70 degrees today (yes, really). The sun is brightly spectacular and you can almost hear buds ready to burst into bloom at any moment.

For Midwesterners, spring is the pot of gold at the end of a long cold winter. And oh, are the people out in droves. Especially at the car wash. There's something about a beautiful day that makes me wish I owned a car wash. Everyone is eager to get rid of the winter grime and reveal the true color of their trusty car.

Someone else got cleaned up yesterday. Indy has a new haircut, so today he is properly exhausted. He also looks like he lost 5 pounds due to the length and poufiness of his previous curly hairdo. I wonder if a short cut could do the same for me?

But back to the business of today. I have a wonderful blogger buddy, Tammy, who is a very talented writer. Her prose is about as beautiful as anyone's I've ever read, yet she can throw in a wicked twist of tea-snorting humor when you least expect it. I consider Tammy the Queen of any story, but especially of the mini-story. She can take a picture and turn it into a 100 words or less masterpiece like no one else. Oh, and did I mention she was a finalist in a Reader's Digest mini-story contest? Do yourself a favor and check out her Message in a Bloggle. Scroll down and allow her mini-stories to brighten your day.

Tammy most kindly nominated me for the Inspiring Blogger Award. Aww, thanks, Tammy!

I am to report 7 things about myself, link back to the nominating blog, and nominate at least 3 other bloggers (including a link to the blog). With no further ado, here we go:

1. I am a planner and love to make "to-do" lists. One would think this makes me a very organized person, but my closet, basement, and garage all beg to differ.

2. My son and daughter inherited their mother's love of critters. This means my house becomes the family kennel whenever they travel. They travel a lot.

3. I love watching Jeopardy. I don't know most of the answers, mind you, but I love watching. Hopefully this activity will ultimately keep my brain sharper rather than simply bewilder it.

4. I'm lucky to have among my current dearest friends, some people who were friends in high school. I won't count how many decades ago we met, but we certainly were groovy back then.

5. I've worn an activity tracker for about a year. My best day so far has been 15,000 steps (vacation in Key West without a taxi). My worst, 300 steps (20 times from bed to bathroom in a 24 hour period).

6. I drive an older model silver Ford Escape. So do about 2.5 million other people in my area. I've tried at least 5 times to get into someone else's car. Thankfully, no one has called the police yet.

7. Saved the best for last. I have a target date set for retirement. I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel...soon!

Now, my blogger buddies, it's your turn. If you haven't done this exercise before, I challenge you to do it now. Tell us 7 things about you. No excuses and the weirder the better. Come on, let's hear the story of YOU.

It's a Little Spring Thing

Ahhhh! What feels better than napping in your very own patch of sun after months of snow, sleet, ice and sub-zero temperatures?

Today I've seen people on bicycles, jogging, or just taking a walk. We've all been housebound far too long and itching to get out and enjoy a dance with a glorious day. This one certainly fits the bill. Tomorrow we may even hit 70 degrees. H'mmm. Maybe I need to take a psychological sick day from work. After all, I am totally sick of winter.

Yet I must admit I love the seasons we have in Missouri. Christmas wouldn't be the same without (a little) snow and chilly temperatures. But just as gray begins to completely permeate my world, I start to long for the green grass and yellow tulips of spring. Then when spring gives way to the warm temperatures of summer, what fun it is to wear flip flops and shorts while sitting by the water. As the last days of summer brown both people and plants until we're brittle and dry, I dream about the crisp air and brilliant red-gold colors of fall. And of course, once those leaves have drifted to the ground, reading a good book by the fire while snowflakes swirl outside sounds like heaven. And so we begin all over again.

I'm lucky. I know I wouldn't appreciate the warmth of spring nearly as much if I hadn't spent time shivering in the frosty cold first. Guess that makes me a true "four-season" person. Or someone with multiple personality disorder. You pick.

We hope you've found your patch of sun today. Enjoy it!

Hello Spring...Finally!

Now that's what spring is supposed to look like! Oh, what a difference two weeks can make.
(Note to non-Missourians-see our post of March 23)

Bogey is sitting on the sill of an open window, while Indy watches people fishing at the lake. You just gotta love the first truly beautiful weekend of spring.

Hope you are outside and enjoying the same!

Hello Spring (I Think)

We had a blast in Nashville, but that's not the story of the day. On the way home we drove over 5.5 hours. The temperature started out at 50 and slowly dropped. We went from clouds to rain to sleet to snow. By the time we got home, it would have been easier to get around on a sled.

Check it out:

Yes, I know. They're sideways. This is apparently what happens when I email photos to the computer from my iPhone. Hopefully I'll figure out a fix later.

Anyway, though you may have to tilt your head like a parrot to see them, here's how things look now and it's still coming down strong. Yikes! Looks like this will be our biggest snowfall of the year (possibly up to 12 inches).

Did someone say Spring has arrived????

EDITED 3/25/13

Okay, all you iPhone users...just found out what I thought was very good information. Apparently, the iPhone camera is meant to be held in LANDSCAPE (camera button on the right) orientation rather than PORTRAIT (camera button on the bottom) orientation. When held in the "correct" position, your photos will email properly.

Ta-da!!!

Hope you other iPhone users find this tip helpful!

Things We Love

You just have to love Spring. The sun shines, the grass grows and the flowers are bursting into bloom.

Mother Nature's annual fertility dance promotes highly enjoyable window watching for Bogey. The birds, butterflies, and bugs flutter around in a most tantalizing way. Completely amped up on the addictive drug of "I wanna get me one of those", he lurks by the door hoping to zip outside when we're not looking.

No chance, Buddy.

Did I forget to mention the squirrels? We have a bumper crop. I don't mind as long as they stay away from the house. Those four-footed menaces can chew through vinyl...and wood...and pretty much anything else they choose. Indy keeps track of our bushy-tailed tree rodents. He'd love to personally remove each one of them from the yard. (Note to readers: Indy could never actually catch a squirrel. We keep him inside to preserve his self-esteem. Squirrels are extremely rude and tend to laugh and point when he reaches the end of his tether)

However, Indy does take a far more gentlemanly approach than Bogey does when it comes to getting out the door.

" Hey, Mom. I gotta go potty!"

Ahh, Spring.

My critters aren't the only ones having an awesome Spring. Yesterday brought word that a story I submitted to Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive, made the first cut. I faxed the signed contract back to the CS folks so fast my fax machine went haywire, pulling multiple pieces of paper through, and marking each one with lovely strips of black ink. Nice going, Mr. Fax Machine. Are you going to replace all the paper you ruined?

I didn't think so. Guess I'm off to the store for more paper. Not such a bad thing on a beautiful Spring day!

Hellooo, Mother Nature

My eyes widened with shock when I prepared to write a blog today. Has it really been a week since I last posted? 

Time, you've done it to me again. Slipped through my fingers like so many fine grains of sand. I can't seem to keep up.

My mom once told me that the older you get, the faster each day flies. Isn't that the truth? So I'll blame my neglectfulness on age. And memory (or lack thereof). But most of all there's the other stuff I wanted to do last week.

After all, the sun glowed. I left my jacket at home. A few buds appeared on trees. People put on shorts and jogged down the street.

But today everything has changed.

You can ignore my smug proclamation that we'll get an early spring. With a wink and a nod, Mother Nature let me know who's really in charge.

Holy catfish, Mom, I could have told you that!

Father and Mother Goose

We have a small lake behind our house which from time to time harbors various types of water fowl. These include Canadian geese, mallards, and herons. Although they aren't waterfowl, a few months ago a couple of eagles even stopped by for a brief fishing trip.

None are so cute, though, as the spring time brood of babies. This year we haven't seen any ducklings, but several families of geese have been strolling the area.

As you can see, my camera doesn't provide the best shots in photojournalism. If I only had a super duper fancy telephoto lens, these pictures would be ever so much clearer and closer. But what can I say? You work with what you've got.


Anyway, it's typical for either Father or Mother Goose to stand watch while the rest of the family feeds. Both parents are ferocious in their guard duties. They've been known to chase people who come near their babies without hesitation, hissing and biting all the way. I've been told that a bite from a goose feels a lot like being clamped by a pair of pliers. Ouch!

So would either Indy or Bogey consider trespassing on Goose territory?

"Only if you go first, Mom!"

My heroes.

Help Needed for Seasonal Allergies

Most everyone loves spring. The grass greens, the flowers burst into bloom, and brilliant color dots the landscape. Such a sight can't help but brighten both the scenery and the soul. After a cold, damp and gray winter, what's not to like about spring?

How about seasonal allergies?

Perhaps due to the excessive rain, you've probably noticed that pollen is everywhere. Even after only 24 hours, if you wipe an outside table you'll see just how quickly and heavily the pollen has collected. As a result, there's an epidemic of sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.

Critters have problems with allergies, too. While some dogs have symptoms similar to humans, my son's dog is the prime example of allergies that manifest as skin problems. Brady has always tended to be itchy, but in the spring, his troubles go far beyond the ordinary.

Here's how the poor guy looked on Mother's Day.

He's licked and chewed each side of himself literally bald.  And when not licking his sides, he rubs his eyes raw against the carpet. Fortunately, Brady's doing better now with the help of antihistamines and steroids prescribed by his vet. A few years ago, Brady went to a doggie dermatologist for a while, but the array of injections, medications, and weekly appointments soon became cost prohibitive.

Many Critter Alley readers are experienced dog people. Does anyone know of a natural, effective treatment for spring skin allergies for dogs that won't break the bank?

 We're itching to find an answer!

Bunnies, Chicks, and Ducklings, Oh My!

Easter is hopping our way with the speed of light...or should I say, the speed of a rabbit? It's a holiday that makes us think about all things Spring, and also never fails to entice legions of people into buying a live bunny (or duckling, or chick) as an Easter gift. This unfortunate practice has resulted in two things: the abandonment of thousands of animals over the years, and the death of many others due to neglect or abuse.

Yes, these little critters are cute, warm, and cuddly. But they are also creatures with plenty of needs that must be satisfied in order for them to thrive. Once the fun and excitement of Easter is over, who's going to take on the responsiblity of that adorable little animal?

Shelters everywhere will be forever grateful if you take this pledge: Never bring a live animal into your family until you've educated yourself on it's needs, and are willing to make it a lifetime commitment.

So this Easter, buy the kiddos colorful eggs, jelly beans, cute outfits, a soft stuffed critter, or a yummy chocolate one. They'll be happy, and so will you. 

Oh, and while we're on the topic, remember this little known fact. I highly recommend the purchase of chocolate bunnies, because chocolate bunny ears belong to adults. At least that's what I told my kids--and who are they to doubt me?

Many thanks to Mr. Pip for the reminder badge posted above, and feel free to post it on your blog. It speaks volumes!

Winter--Back Again?

Old Man Winter arrived during the night for what (I hope) is his last hurrah. We got 2-3 inches of wet heavy snow...the kind that comes down in flakes the size of quarters that plop to cover all surfaces below. The whole event also took the weatherman by surprise, given that only flurries were predicted. The resulting morning traffic tie-ups gave me plenty of time to contemplate things.

It's hard to believe we're only a few days from the official start of spring. Even harder to believe we could go to over 70 degrees on Thursday. For those who love variety in atmospheric conditions, consider a move to Missouri. It's the place you can safely bet that if you don't like the weather, all you need to do is just wait a minute.

Meanwhile, Bogey is up to his usual feline activities. Scratching whatever he can get his paws on, jumping on the keyboard, knocking over moveable objects and crawling into any empty box, no matter the size. For some reason, this shot kind of reminds me of the last time I tried on a swim suit.

But there's been no thoughts of swimsuits lately. I seem to have developed a terrible case of sluggishness. I can't move easily from one point to another. Even wearing my most comfortable robe, I'm so slow that nothing at all is getting accomplished. It's as though some sort of an anchor is holding me down, preventing me from making any progress. What in the world could be holding me back?

Oh, yeah. Now I remember.

A Brief Message About Spring

Despite the annoying fuzziness provided by my cheap telephoto lens, this is most definitely a robin seen in the trees of our backyard today.

I always thought these fellows went south during winter, and returned to be our first sign of spring. Either this bird is confused, my calendar is wrong, or the legend is incorrect.

A little research educated me. It appears that some robins do migrate. Others hang around. The difference is attributed to food sources rather than the need to keep warm. 

I learned that a robin's favorite winter food just happens to be berries (note where he's perched), and despite the heavy ice encrustation, he gobbled down several.

Bottom line: I'm sorry to report that spring is not arriving anytime soon. Seeing a robin is no more an indicator than what we get from Punxutawney Phil the groundhog. Or the local weatherman. Or any other oracle, for that matter.

Despite who (or what) we consult, spring is going to arrive when she decides to come.

And not one single minute before.

A Day at the Saint

On Saturday, Hubby and I made a run to the St. Francis. For those of you new to Critter Alley, we own a very small piece of property on that gorgeous granite bouldered river, and enjoy spending time there whenever  possible. What with the busy holiday season, and bad weather galore, it's been months since we've been able to check on things. So when the weatherman predicted Saturday as an in-between-all-the-snowstorms day, we took the opportunity to get things done at the river.

We were lucky. The temperature rose to over 32 degrees. What little snow lay on the ground (snowfall has been much lighter there) soon began to disappear.

The landscape is still dotted with many trees down from the terrible wind shears of nearly two years ago. We're slowly getting them cut and split. Santa brought Hubby a new chainsaw, and it got quite a workout. We won't run short of firewood anytime soon!

Winter dampness permeated everything. It took a little doing, but soon the first campfire of 2011 blazed warm as an old friend.

We burned leaves, brush, and scrap wood. The heavy smoky scent rolled through crisp air, reminding me of how good it feels to spend time outdoors again. Spring is one day closer.

But whether it's spring, summer, fall, or winter, the Saint always looks beautiful. Here's a few shots of her cold weather face...

As you can see, a critter or two used the snow covered frozen edge of the Saint as a pathway. It wasn't Indy. We left him behind. He's still not speaking to us.

Once daylight turned to dusk, we packed up our equipment and headed for home. Despite the stiff aches and pains of muscles that haven't been used in a while, we felt good. Spring is coming, and our day's ritual of preparation is the first step.

Lady Spring...I know she's lurking at the edges of all this cold, snow, and ice, watching and waiting to work her magic. I've missed her. How I'm looking forward to seeing that woman again!

My Garden Loves a Good Storm

I know we need rain, but does it have to come all at once? We've had a wild weekend of intense storms, high winds, and torrential rain. Fortunately, we haven't sustained damage, although areas around us certainly have.

Neither Indy nor Bogey are particularly bothered by thunder or storms. Of course, Indy prefers not to go outside for a potty break when the rain is pelting down. He'd rather hold it, thank you, until the weather becomes more cooperative.

Here are a few shots that prove how happy our plants are to finally receive a good long cleansing soak.

A family of cardinals built a nest in the climbing vine you see pictured above, outside our screened porch. They produced a solitary egg. This is an area with a lot of traffic. Sadly, it seems the nest has been abandoned.

Nature doesn't always give us a happy ending, does she?

Anyway, I hope you, your critters, and your garden are enjoying spring in all its bursting glory!

Hummingbirds Come Home

One of our visitors from last year-a bit blurry, but you get the picture!

If you live in the Midwest like I do, it's almost time for the return of one of my favorite critters...the hummingbird. Our feeders have been cleaned and filled, waiting to lure in the exhausted and hungry travelers. Amazingly these tiny birds generally migrate clear to Mexico where they spend the cold winter months. Then they travel back to our area in early spring. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the species that populate our back yard, zooming around like tiny jet fighters.

And fighters is the perfect description for them. They're quite territorial and will chase away other hummingbirds to claim an area. More than one feeder is always a good idea.

If you'd like to see these amazing critters in action, get your feeders out now! You don't need to buy the fancy red stuff to fill them, either. A simple recipe to use is one part white sugar, four parts water. No need to add red food coloring, as most feeders already carry the attractive red color. Clean feeders and put in new solution every few days to discourage growth of bacteria.

Consider creating a hummer-friendly yard. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation hummers love mimosa, cardinal flower, salvia, hollyhock, trumpet creeper, and a host of other colorful nectar-producing flowers. As an added bonus, this can attract butterflies, too.

I'm looking forward to seeing my little buddies again.

So is my little window-watcher, Bogey!

Seasonal Observations

Indy made a trip to the groomer's on Saturday. Not only has he been overdue for a haircut for quite a while, but our temperatures have soared to over 80 degrees for several days. Wearing a winter coat in summer weather is never a good idea.

The warm temperatures have the landscape bursting with color. We've waited so long for spring that it's hard to stay inside.

Unfortunately that reminds me it's past time to do my own seasonal switch. All the winter clothes must go to the basement closet. A few other items will go into a donation bag. If I haven't worn it all season...it's time to say good-bye!

Then out come the short sleeves, capris, and light jackets. I'll be holding my breath for the moment of truth.

After a winter of slothfulness, will all those lovely spring/summer clothes still fit?

It's Coming!

A daylily's bright burst of color from last year's garden


I don't know how long it will stay with us, but the last few days have been beautiful. The birds are chirping and sun shining with all nature looking just a bit more green than a week ago. Soon buds will tickle the tree limbs as they ready themselves to burst open, plants will push from the ground to reach for the sun's warmth, and one of my favorite seasons will arrive again.

I've been dreaming about spring.

How about you?

Happy Weekend

To take my mind off rainy, dreary fall weather, I've posted a picture of a daylily from our garden. The photo was taken last spring and captures the season's beautiful blooms. The cheerful yellow color makes me smile.

Look closely and you'll see a beetle and some sort of long legged insect (no clue on identification, didn't even know it was there until I downloaded the picture) enjoying the daylily, too.

Here's hoping your weekend is sunny as this flower, and twice as nice.