Genevieve
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	The gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam...

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suburban wildlife
2003-07-08 - 12:24 p.m.

Yesterday morning on the drive to work I spotted a herd of a dozen or so deer on the golf course. They were obviously stalwart heroic deer as the lawn mower was going right by them and they didn't budge. Imagine my surprise at seeing them on my way home as well. They looked like they were still in the same general area. But they weren't elaborate lawn ornaments or animatronics, cause they were walking around and grazing. It is always nice to see them when they show up. I'm just glad there is a big fence to keep them from playing in the road.

The past month has been great for the wildlife in our backyard. While no more deer have come to visit, thanks to the two bird feeders and pond we have our own little wildlife preserve going on. It is only periodically interrupted by Max chasing the squirrels when she comes to visit with her momma. The running tally of small creatures keeps increasing. Of the winged variety, we've got our pair of mourning doves, a few blue jays, 4 and 20 blackbirds, or so it seems, chickadees, random sparrows and other little brown birds and I just recently spotted a male goldfinch on the thistle seed feeder and a red winged black bird on Thursday.

In addition to our little feathered friends, we have some of the four legged variety as well. I'm not just talking about squirrels, which both the gray and black ones are excessively cute, but we've also spotted the random wild rabbit on the hill. There also seems to be a whole family of little chipmunks living behind/in the retaining wall. I've seen at least three out at once running amuck in the yard and on the hill. I think the cutest thing is that while one of the feeders is squirrel-proof, it is not chipmunk proof. The chipmunks, brave little things, have found a way to climb up the shepherd's crook that supports the feeder and down onto the feeder and then since they weigh less than the squirrels they hang onto the cage and chow down on the peanuts etc. It's really entertaining to watch. Especially in that "There's not much on TV" kinda way.

And best of all, the fish are thriving as well. They are getting huge. Alan had to repot some of the plants so that the wind wouldn't blow them down and that the fish wouldn't move them around. They've taken to scratching their backs on the cattails, and nibbling at the base of the irises some. We know they are happy since a little while ago we found baby fish in the pond. Now we knew there was no way they'd survive (little to hide in and perfect bite size for the biggere fish) but the fact that they came to be shows that the fish like their new outdoor home. Frankly we don't need anymore fish as the 20 are enough for the little pond, but the babies were really cute.

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This year we spent the 4th down at the Arvonia Farm again. While it was hot and humid, it was a lovely time. There was A/C in the house (specifically in the great room where we slept), there was great (like amazing) food for us, a little wading pool off the deck that wasn't too cold with the well water, fireworks and danger slightly drunken boys and best of all great company. I got to sit and knit with Heather, and dangle feet in the pond with the other white legged women, watch the men with chainsaws and wood, play with Maxie, and read a bit as well as nap to my heart's content. It was a great relaxing re-charging weekend. Thanks AoD for the opportunity and being such a wonderful tolerant hostess.

The weekend before was full of finishing Nikulai's coat on the drive down to the Windmasters' event. I een managed to work on it while walking next to Nikulai on the way to morning court by the lake. I think it turned out quite well, even if I was a 'tard for forgetting the camera. I don't know how that could have happened with the lack of sleep and all. ;) I want pictures... puhleeze? I had a great time at the event despite the heat and humidity (ah, fine Atlantian summers) and got to chat with folks as well as just flit about. The Tea was excellent, yummy middle eastern foods. Isabel was so nice as to give me a better drop spindle (that I have yet to use, I'm such a bum). Afterwards we had a great dinner at Ruby Tuesday's with Kate, Percy, Roland and Theo and sat and talked and knit and looked over books and knitted goods, etc. the next morning and then went to fighter practice to hang out with some folks, including the sleeping Padraiga, and stopped by Mike and Kirsten's on the way home for a delicious impromptu dinner with them and Rob and Valerie and more Max time and finally home by midnight. Okay, so that was the worst sentance in Diaryland history, but it was a fun weekend. Only two little things bothered me, but I don't think there is any constructive way to bring them up here, so I won't.

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PS: I'll gladly take 5 more questions from anyone who wants to ask. :)

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