June 22, 2016 Clearing Brush & A Trip Down There

A western tanager at our
bird bath.

Monday 6/20. Most of the clouds moved on by noon and the sun shone most of the day.  A beautiful day for working outside, and we did.  Lots of work clearing brush.  This is something we should have done a few years ago, as there are so many bushes popping up.  We started with a group of six or seven trees on the north side of the south ridge that are surrounded by bushes.  JB put the brush cutter blade on the weed eater which really works great.  He would cut and then I would clear.  As I cleared, I used the cut foliage to create a new swale close by.  This is much more physical work than splitting and stacking firewood!  And it is just the beginning, but we did get quite a lot done.

Our high for this longest day of the year was 70, and tomorrow is supposed to be about the same.  Which is good because I plan to go Down There for a big grocery shopping spree.  Going to be a long day.

We have a pair of western tanagers at Rose Camp now.  They are a stunning yellow bird with black wings and an orange face.  The new pair of wrens has completed their nest in the Bear Country bird house, and may have already laid some eggs.

And, speaking of eggs, Betty and Belinda seem to be leaving the egg laying to Blondie in the past few days.  Hmmmm.

Tuesday 6/21. It was 50 and clear this morning.  I was on my way Down There with my long list by 9:00 am.  It was windy in town, as it often is, but I got everything done and was home at about 2:30 pm.  Must have got up to 80, so it was so nice to be back home where it was just 70 for a high.

After dinner, we sat on the porch and watched the humming bird wars.  So much for the migrating hoards to have moved on!  I am going to have to make more syrup tomorrow morning.  The pair of western tanagers were out and about, and we discovered that their song is much like the robins', who are still Up Here.

Wednesday 6/22. It is 60 this morning - must be summer.  The sky is overcast to the west and clear to the east.  Going to be a warm one.

Thought for the day: You can have anything you want.  You just can't have everything you want.  John-Roger, co-author of You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought.