What's outside of your picture window today?

Yikes, that’s a bit of a cruel joke for this time of the year. 😢
We’re having snow today in Central Wisconsin but thankfully, no snowpocalypse! It’s really heartwarming to experience the camaraderie and goodness this storm brought out in your neighbors! We certainly need some of that right now, don’t we?
Fingers crossed for a nice thaw this week. It’s 30 degrees here right now but by Friday, the weatherman said it will be 70 degrees! Ok then! I’ll take that! ❄️😎

You know how it goes, something good always comes out of the bad.

You’re my kind of people. Positivity is power. 😊

Negativity is a waste of time and energy. 😊

Agree 100%! You can always find something good.

Even here, on the temperate Oregon coast, we had (for us) extremely cold weather...in the 40s...for the past several days. There was a bit of snow visible from town, just east on the higher hills north of town. This is something I've almost never seen here, even in December or January. A week ago, I did a fish spawning survey where I was cold all day, first time that's ever happened in the 30 years I've been collecting data on the same river. We did see fish spawning, although it was hard due to the hail! Rained or hailed most of the day, so all six miles of the hike were cold and wet. On the way back toward the car, my hands were so cold that I had trouble grasping my stick and the rope we've hung to help us cross the big landslide. Before this cold, I was thinking it was time to go over my big flowerbed a second time, as some tufts of grass and small weeds have found new homes there; I mowed part of the acre I mow because the grass was nearly dry. Shirt sleeve weather, followed by days of cold we're just not used to.

@joyces, @sunny617, @loribmt, and all...My word, ladies! What's happening to your weather? I'm in northern Florida. We had a late hard freeze I mentioned in March, something I can't remember happening so late. It May have killed my vanda orchid that I didn't bring inside all year and was quite happy until that March freeze, it was so late and lasted for hours. Thankfully, I sent you some pretty pictures a few months ago when it was blooming her little head off. Now, my inside orchids are budding and should have multiple blooms soon. I'll show you when it happens.

We're having a lovely spring, in the 80's daily this week, although it did get in the low 60's several nights after long, heavy rains. Rain is good, but all my feeders need help and I'm not sure today is a day I can do that work. we'll see. Off to the PCP soon re hospital follow-up and whatever. Not worth the visit...

Sunny, how do you do it? I love the spawn counting you do and admire your stamina to still get out there hiking, crossing landslides, etc. You are in excellent condition to be able to keep that up. Congratulations. And, it sounds like the river's coming back, with more fish. That's wonderful news. How long was your trek out in the cold and wild? You are a good soul to do that for the fish and for us all...

Lori, how about some pictures of your lovely lake? Or, maybe you're at home-so, when do you get back to the lake to share some beautiful nature with us? You take beautiful and interesting pics that tell your story so well. Thanks for all you do...

I hope to plant my steel planters with succulents, that are growing in the pots not planted yet. They're doing so well, I can't wait to have the energy to plant them and hang them on the wall. That's a project I really want to get finished to enjoy seeing every day. My poor squirrels are not happy. I give them peanuts in a tube feeder, they are voracious, but now they're gone and they're mad at me. They go from feeder to feeder, several have safflower seeds...ha, ha, ...so they move on. I love it. Several they can't get to, finally figured out where to put them for birds only. several are empty because they jumped on them and spilled most of the seeds on the ground.

This year, I have had a huge family/group of ground feeders that also use feeders. Small, brown, and gray with black, rust, and white. Sparrows? Finch, tanager, waxwing, titmouse, chickadees, cardinals, and woodys all eat the peanut suet balls in the tube feeder I still have out. I may refill once more and switch to peanuts or sunflower since it's getting hot. So much fun!

Enjoy the day everyone. Whatever the outside is now, tomorrow will be different...today is lovely. blessings all...Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth! I’ll take some of that 80 degree weather. We’re in the city for a few more weeks until after my trip to Rochester in 2 weeks. Then we can head up to the north woods. The lake is still frozen solid yet, according to neighbors. Opening day of fishing season is May 1st and it will most likely still be ice fishing. That has happened occasionally in the past!
There’s barely a sign of life in our yard right now. Waiting impatiently for my spring bulbs to get all glamorous! They like to put on a big show in the spring but right now all there’s only one or two crocus getting read to bloom. But there are hundreds of daffodil bulbs, tulips, hyacinths, crocus, grape hyacinths, etc., just now peeking up through the soil. Should be quite spectacular once again, whenever Mother Nature decides to cooperate. They’ve had plenty of water, now we just need sun!
We don’t have a bird feeder in our yard, but several neighbors do. So we’re getting treated to some pretty migratory birds coming through. Then there are the neighborhood turkeys! Several were sitting on top of the fence between yards yesterday. I’m used to seeing robins and cardinals, so I was taken aback by these huge lumps of feathers on the fence. 🦃 And of course, several families of squirrels complete the entertainment package on Nature’s TV. 😅

Did you refill your squirrel feeders?

@loribmt, and all...Haven't been downstairs today. A bit weary since yesterday I drove to the PCP for a perfunctory visit that the Mayo nurse made for me to follow a hospital stay. PCP referred me back to Mayo nephrology and gastro. Humph! Just something had to do to keep everyone and medicare happy, I guess. I know PCP wouldn't do anything. I updated him on a couple of meds now using and he is testing urine. That should be worth the visit by itself. No results yet. Definitely not Mayo lab.

Nature is giving you a good bit of entertainment in town. I love you have wild turkeys. They must be fun to watch. And, your bulbs will be spectacular. What a mixture of bulbs you have. I don't attempt bulbs here as it requires digging them up and caring for them then replanting. I can't do that anymore, so I either buy them in bloom or will enjoy your picture. I love the blooms of them all...but, not in our heat. Please send pics when they bloom.

Do you have a Rochester visit? Hope all goes well, as I expect it will. You are a wonderful example of how this is supposed to go. Keep up the good work, my friend. You have more folks to help!

I may gather my energy and plant those steel planters I love so. But, knowing me, I imagine I'll feel guilty as sin if I do that for my fun and don't take care of the feeders. I hate guilt! Seems I have more than my share when it comes to things like this. I'll keep seeing the empty or dirty feeders and won't be able to do anything 'til I clean them....so, guess I'll be cleaning and filling today.. Maybe planting tomorrow????

Have a lovely few days. It's in the 70's here today and tomorrow, then back in 80's again. This is such a lovely time of year. Love all the colors and flowers coming alive. I never cease to marvel at the many shades of green in the trees, grass, flowers, etc. amazing, isn't it? What Nature offers us...

Enjoy your current digs, stay well and send pics when you can. blessings, Elizabeth

Have had some very pretty visitors this May. Just missed the pair of cardinals feeding each other.

Beautiful shots, John! I’m sure your kitties are keeping a close eye on your feathered friends. ☺️