Dundar smelling the lilacs

I gave Brother Phil a list of things to do while he was here w/ the proviso that if he wanted to sit on the deck and veg out instead that was OK by me.  He's been marking off at least one thing from the list daily.  Yesterday he restrung the clothesline so this morning I washed my winter quilt (yes, I still had it on the bed) and hung it out on the line to dry.  He'd also hooked up the outside water hose so I asked him if he would help me move the concrete cover for the sewer so I could do my biannual cleaning of the filter.  So much easier when there are two of us to move that heavy thing.  That done we planted Yggdrasil III out by the road and in line w/ Yggdrasil Jr. and Yggdrasil Sr.    Senior hasn't been doing very well but I was happy to see a bunch of needle buds on him today.  Not on any list, but on my mind, was to cut lilac blooms for the house.  Sister-in-law Sheila and I bopped out to the original lilacs by the road and cut enough for two bouquets.  What was on my agenda for today was to clean up Sleipnir but I only got as far as cleaning off and putting away the plant benches (and setting the gnome out to tend to the plants).  The rest of the clean up will need to wait for tomorrow. 

White-crowned Sparrow

My goal for today was to finish repotting the plants I'd overwintered.  Ended up w/ 19 containers (pots/trays) of geraniums which are on the deck.  Some plants are in rather fantastical shapes but then many are over 10 years old.  I relegated to the compost heap some plants that were not doing too well.  I don't seem to have the heart to do that in the autumn.  Guess I become more ruthless in the spring.  Also planted three containers of herbs and other edibles plus the five brand new pots for Memorial Day.    Left over were two strawberry plants and some alyssum.  I'd meant to plant an old pair of wellies w/ them but decided instead to put them together in a white chamber pot.   Think they will look cute in it (and smell better).   Friends Kathy & Nancy advised me at our last Zoom meeting to not let the oh-so-cute deer mice get comfy under the deck.  They had done their research and made good points.   Kathy suggested peppermint oil as a mouse deterrant so I used up a can of that on the shepherd's hooks holding bird seed feeders and around the deck where I'd seen their little heads pop out before.  Peppermint oil spray can said it should be good for a month and is safe around pets and children.  Smells pretty good too.

Smoke Haze and Lilacs

The Northwoods in winter isn't aromatic.   A blanket of snow covers the land.  The cold inhibits fragrance production.   The drier air slows down odor molecule movement.  Maybe that's why in spring I love that my sense of smell has something to do.  I momentarily stopped by the wild plum copse tonight to breath in their awesome scent.  (Brother Phil said he'd done the same thing the day before.)   A weather front brought in hazy smoke last night.  The world smelled like a wood burning fireplace.  It was wonderful (though not the idea of the Canadian wildfires that created it.)    The lilacs in the lawn are just starting to bloom - soon I'll be waxing eloquent about their beautiful bouquet.  Of course, can the perfume of liquid manure being spread on the fields be far behind? (ha)

Mjolnir

I named my out buildings for things from Norse mythology.  Primarily because I was having issues remembering some names and secondarily because it's more exacting to say 'the shovel is in Sleipnir' rather than 'the shovel is in the garage' when there are three buildings w/ garage doors.  The workshop is named Mjolnir after Thor's hammer.  (Get it? Workshop, Hammer?)  The shed where the lawnmower and the UTV are parked is named Sleipnir after Odin's eight-legged horse. (Again, Riding mower, Horsepower, Horse?)  Turns out most people can't remember or don't care to learn these names.  My sister and brother-in-law thought it might help if the names were on each building.  Last Christmas they gave me this engraved stone.  The ground was frozen then so I waited until now to install it.  Brother Phil put it at the corner of the building where no one will trip over it, the light won't shine into the apartment's windows, but it does show the way from my house to the apartment when people are walking over after dark.  Looks pretty neat.  

Northern 'Shine'

 

Didn't exactly see the Northern Lights tonight.  They were doing their thing further to the north.  Fortunately they occur so high in the atmosphere that I could see their glow to the north.  Pretty cool.

Planted some pots.  I overwintered my 'smelly pot' because it still looked so good in the fall.  This spring, however, it didn't.  Composted the contents and replanted it w/ Mojito mint, golden oregano, verigated basil, sparkling bright thyme, and dill in the center.  Now not just smelly but pretty too.  Need to figure out where to put it so the breeze will waft it's scent around.  Maybe over by my favorite chair on the deck.  Did another salad pot w/ regular bib lettuce and greens and a small tomato plant in the center.  Finished off some more pots and set them out while Brother Phil mowed my lawn and Sister-in-Law Sheila took my dog for a long walk.   Come be my guest (but you may be put to work).

Northern Lights

PBS showed Shakespeare In The Park's version of Hamlet.  I love Shakespeare in the Park - some presentations are better than others - this one I'd give a 'B'.  (Though, in full disclosure, Hamlet has never been a fav of mine.)  During intermission I went out to see if there were any Northern Lights.  Had to let my eyes adjust to the dark.  Nothing due north but overhead out of Bootes I could see odd wisps of white.  I've seen these "white lights" before and knew they could be a harbinger.  Waited as darkness settled in.   The wisps began to form, reform, and become long rays.  The light was on in the workshop so I walked over and tapped on the window.  Phil looked up and guessed immediately what was up (so to speak).  Phil, Sheila and I stood out in the driveway and watched as the rays took on color and delicate movement.   Quite a beautiful show.  I've read that people can hear aurora.   Over the "aahs" and "oohs"?  I doubt it. 

Non-breeding Indigo Bunting

The pots for the gravesites over Memorial Day are planted.

Grandparents: cherry colored ivy geraniums w/ blue arrow juncas and lavender alyssum.

Mom & Dad: Bi-color burgandy geraniums w/ blue salvia and white alyssum

Doug: Dark red geraniums w/ blue arrow juncas and white alyssum

Heidi: Pink and salmon geraniums w/ diamond frost euphorbia

Ruth & Rodney: Lavender and orchid ivy geraniums w/ lavender alyssum

(Can you tell I prefer geraniums and alyssum.)  I plant them early in the month so they have some time to settle into their new surroundings.  Picked plants that already had buds but not in bloom.  That usually means by the time Memorial Day comes they will be flowering.  I don't have any backup plantings.   If a pot doesn't bloom in time I'll see if I can substitute w/ plants I overwintered.   I have ripped most of those pots apart, put in new soil & fertilizer, and repotted them.  They have pretty blooms but aren't as lush as new plants.  First and foremost, however, I still need to watch the temps.  Freeze warnings for tonight.  Everything goes back inside Sleipnir at least one more time.

Not a Bird

Friend Nancy came over and left her car here.  We went shopping in my car for most of the morning and then before she left she came into the house.  She was admiring the view and all of the birds when she suddenly went "ooh" and screwed up her nose.  I looked out and saw a little triangular face looking up over the edge of the deck.  It was joined by another and eventually there were a total of four (that I saw anyway).  They deftly shinnied up a shepherds hook to the bird feeder and began indulging.  I should be repulsed but they are pretty cute and, more importantly, they are outside.  I don't like to kill things that are outside if it's not necessary.   I can figure out something to keep them away from the bird food.  The cats will use them as play toys should they make their way into the house.  The weasel and harrier would love to have them for lunch.    If it does become necessary I've got poison pellets which don't harm cats and dogs but will make short work of the mice.  In the meantime, I think these are deer mice.  Nancy said these looked bigger than house mice (the other species of mouse indiginous to the area).  Deer mice excel at climbing, have lighter colored fur on their bellies, and tails shorter than their body length.  

Pussytoes

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

12:43 a.m. - Man reported a female at his home is being disorderly, heavily intoxicated and isn't wanted there.  They were talking about relationship issues.  He said he is hard of hearing so she may not have been actually yelling.  All parties were warned if law enforcement were to return further action would be taken.

4:55 a.m. - Caller reports he can't sleep because a man living there is snoring.  Officer advised this is a civil matter and snoring is not a reason to call 911.  Caller will call the clerk in the morning to get information on eviction.

6:38 a.m. - Caller reports black Ford Expedition parked at boat landing for last three days.  Caller walked up to vehicle and looked in windows.  There is a gallon of milk and toilet paper.  Windows are fogged up.

10:20 a.m. - Caller reporting he is trapped in his tree stand with a bear sow and four cubs below him.  Caller was able to stay calm and make it safely down the tree.  Dispatch stayed on the phone with the caller until he was able to get back to his truck.

10:51 a.m. - Caller reported a pick-up driving slowly past and taking a video.  The caller took it upon himself to chase down the pick-up truck, trying to pull up next to the driver yelling and cursing.  The driver of the pick-up called 911 to report he was shopping for old vehicles, thus the reason for him driving by slowly as reported.  He admitted taking video as he throught he might see something on the site that might be of interest.  The pick-up truck driver and caller both pulled into a nearby business and the caller moved to grab something.  The pick-up truck driver took off fearing for his safety not sure what the caller was reaching for.

4:08 p.m. - Landlord reported a camper living at his rental property.  The camper tenant is the niece of a tenant at his rental.  The tenant told the officer she advised the landlord, who was OK with this, the village is aware and OK with this.  The officer called the landlord to inform him he can attempt an eviction but no law enforcement action will be taken.

5:41 p.m. - Note left on a door asking woman to drink alcohol with a man and his friend.  The officer determined who the man and his friend are because the woman has never heard of them.  The officer contacted one of the men telling him the woman does not want to drink alcohol with him and she wants him to stay away from her.

5:49 p.m. - Caller unhappy about a small plane flying over their property.  There is a grass fire across the road so it might be observing the fire.  Caller advised law enforcement cannot control planes flying in the area.  Caller asked if they can shoot at the plane.  Dispatch scolded caller advising to never shoot at a plane.  Caller advised to get the plane's tail number and report the complaint to the FAA.

6:28 p.m. - Walk-in complaint to law enforcement center of dynamite blasting caps fround on property.  Bomb squad will blow them up tomorrow.  Until then, the blasting caps will be kept under a 5-gallon bucket on the person's front yard.

7:47 p.m. - Caller wants law enforcement to tell a person to listen, clean the house, and leash the dog.  Eviction process explained to caller and informed this is a civil matter.

9:59 p.m. - Report of someone burning furniture.  Officer found a man burning one couch with a second couch ready to go.  He was advised burning furniture is illegal.  Matter referred to DNR.

10:22 p.m. - Caller reported two girls and a boy in a vehicle asking people entering the store if they are 21 & will buy them alcohol.  Officer located the vehicle and will be contacting their parents.

Wrong feeder

Busy outside in Sleipnir repotting some geraniums when I heard a familiar hum behind me.  Hummingbirds are back!  They usually make their first appearance around Mother's Day and I had on my calendar to put out some feeders for them on Tuesday.  Guess I need to do it now.  I walked out of the building, headed for the house, and whistled for the dog.  Whip had chosen that moment to go tearing down the driveway to chase a deer.  The deer, unfortunately, was on my neighbor's place - on the other side of the highway.  Yikes!  Yelled for her to stop.  No effect.  Figured she would stop at the Tag Alder as she does twice a day on our constitutionals.  Nope.  The deer was out of sight already which usually causes her to stop giving chase.  Not this time.  I grabbed my car keys, jumped in the car, and went after her.  Found her sniffing around at the side of the highway just checking things out.   I put a leash on her and she jumped into the front seat of the car.  She will have to wear the shock collar for awhile until I can trust her again.   I swear if my animals don't kill themselves, I'll do it.  (Just kidding.  I'm no Kristi Noem.)  After that excitement I still remembered to make hummingbird juice, rinsed out two feeders, and hung them out on either side of the deck.  Wouldn't you know it - no hummers but an oriole flew in.  Now I have to find the oriole feeder and get that filled.

Waiting for me to serve breakfast

Part of the night-time routine is to start up the Roomba, set the TV to the morning news station before turning it off, lock the doors, and check that all pets are accounted for.    Last night I realized I hadn't seen Blitz in awhile.  I haven't discovered all of her hidey-holes.  Have, however, taught the cats to come to their names so l can always get her to come to me.  When I called though only Dunder showed up.  (The cats quickly figured out there are treats for either name.)   A cursory check of each room and the garage only proved I hadn't locked her in somewhere.  It was dark but I put on the light and went out the front door calling her name.  Nothing.  Did the same at the back door.  As I got ready for bed I thought about when she could have gotten outside. I and the dog had been to both out buildings a few times.   Maybe she slipped outside then?  I walked barefoot to Sleipnir and then Mjolnir.  Nope, not there.   It was getting cold and would  continue to drop into the high 30's overnight.  Blitz likes her creature comforts.  I prayed the Lord would keep her safe and warm.  I got into bed.  Instead of sleep coming, it was the Roomba that rolled into the bedroom only to promptly get caught up on a rug.  Resignedly got out of bed, picked up the machine, and walked it back out to the living room.  There were some white patches near the bottom of the glass back door.  (Didn't have my glasses on.)  I walked over to see it clearer.  Blitzen was on the deck looking in. She ran off, though, when I opened the door.  Whip was next to me so I left the door open and shushed the dog back into the bedroom.  Turned around in time to see Blitzen running into the house - and Dunder running outside - but then running back in.  Cold for him too.   Blitzen had slipped into the utility room so I let her be and thanked the Lord for her safe return.  Everyone now accounted for, I went back to bed.  Slept til morning.

First blossoming tree

I was outside working.  Many of the birds have returned and were singing their little hearts out.  One of their songs finally broke through to me and I stopped.  Sounded like the brown thrasher!  It's not on an endangered list or anything but until the last few years I could have counted on one hand the number of times I've seen one (and had fingers to spare).  These last few years though one has found the plum copse in the back of the stockade an ideal home.  I couldn't see the bird clearly through the branches but could tell it was a little larger than a robin, reddish brown, and had a long tail.  That's a thrasher.  Her repertoire of songs/bird imitations is phenomenal.  She went silent and dropped down out of the tree to the ground so I went back to work.  The dog barked.  Whip may be a noisy thing in the house when I want to sleep but outside her bark means something.  Her nose was pointed up at the bird house on the stockade and I could hear some squawking.  I reached up and flipped open the door.   Out swooped a tree swallow followed by a house sparrow.  Figured.  Swallows and sparrows have fought over that house every year.   Twice I've found dead swallows in it.  There was the beginning of a swallow's nest in it.   I checked that there were no eggs, removed the nest, and left the door open.  I'll give it a few days for both parties to find new digs before closing the door again.  

Mrs. Bluebird

 

Thought the all day drizzle might keep people from the library tonight but it had the opposite effect.  A couple of families came in to play w/ Legos that the library provides.  Their creations are on display until the next Lego Club meets.  A mother and daughter sat at a table playing dominos.  One lady caught up on work at a computer and then admitted she wasn't in the mood to go back to an empty apartment.  I pulled out the local paper and said we had some arm chairs if she wanted to read the paper for awhile.  She took me up on my offer.  Another regular was on a computer w/ research spread out around him as he typed.  I reconciled end of month numbers w/ the librarian and updated the new book list.   Before the librarian left she pointed to a rather large box filled w/ donated books.  The librarian asked me to check if we have the book already.  If we do, is the donated copy in better shape than the one we have?  How many other libraries have the book and is it actively being checked out?   This would take awhile.  I took the books out of the box, arranged them in order, and started looking each up on the library system.  If the book was an extra copy or one the library wouldn't keep I put it in the book sale box.   Otherwise, I put a note in the book w/ the info the libraian had asked for.  Had a rhythm going when one of the parents  came up and said she couldn't get her Christmas cactus to bloom like the ones in the library.  I didn't want to stop but info sharing is what libraries are for.    Figured most inside plants fail because of light and/or water.  I asked if the plant got indirect sun.  Yes, she said it did.  How often did she water it?  Daily, she replied.  That seemed excessive for a succulent and I suggested she only water once a week.  She didn't think that sounded right.   I'm certainly no gardner but when I found Internet sites recommending doing it once every one to three weeks she said she'd cut back on her watering regimen.  Finished reviewing only half the books before closing time but maybe I saved a plant.

Mystery Tree

This time of year I like to stand at the edge of the ridge  and look out over the top of the swamp.  I'm watching first for the scarlet bloom of red maples.   That's followed quickly by white and pink pointillism created by wild plum, cherry, and crabapples.  Eventually every shade of green appears as spring settles onto the swamp.  Yesterday I saw this single neon-green tree standing out in the middle of it's still mostly grey-brown companions.  Walking out to it was not an option - wasn't wearing my hiking boots and I didn't know how far away it really was.  Spent the rest of the walk mentally going through the different trees growing in the swamp that I knew.  Too tall for a tag alder.  Could be an ash but when I've walked out there the ash are usually growing in large colonys.  Not a basswood, aspen, or tamarack - I've got individual trees of those kind nearby and they aren't this color.  Not white birch but maybe yellow birch?  Maybe one of the oak family?  When I got home I tried googling specific species and then did a more generic search - nothing.   I'd figure it out - just might take time.   This morning on the constitutional I looked across the road at my neighbor's forests.  The sun was out and shining on a lot of neon-green trees.  Well, that was the answer then - those woods are full of sugar maple.   Probably different trees of the same species 'come out' earlier than others.  I've even got sugar maple in the old woods near me though it's difficult to see them now that the birch and red maple have grown up in front of them.  Googled 'identifying sugar maple' when I got home and found a couple of sites stating that bright stand-out green color is an easy way to locate these trees in spring.  So much easier to find stuff on the Internet if you already know what you are looking for.