Now back to work on my next column collection: A New Addition 1982-1983. I’m only half-way through that book. Hopefully, it won’t take years to get it in print.
I’ve heard odd noises outside our house before, but last night really made me think.
First, two neighborhood Tomcats had a face-off. Their yowling on our front porch reminded me of the sound of howling coyotes but worse because it was on our front steps
This time there was no brawling, thank goodness–I hate it when fur flies.
I went out to shoo them away. At least they could take their argument elsewhere. (They are the two who haven’t been neutered yet, but I have an eye on them.)
A calm moment after supper – snapped a while back with critter cam.
Later, I was quietly writing on my laptop at the kitchen table. It was very dark outside–no moon. This time the noise from the porch was different. It was loud and scrapping. It made me catch my breath.
Then I realized what it was.
I turned on the outside light and saw two raccoons finishing up the cat food crumbs the cats had left. As they ate they moved the heavy old enamel meat trays I feed the cats on.
Another photo from my critter cam archives
The two raccoons looked up at me.
I walked away and let them finish.
The next time I looked, one was up on the birdfeeder, finishing the food there, too.
Yes, Sunnybook Farm is where the wild things are. If I have to go outside after dark, I make a lot of noise. The wild things scatter and don’t bother me.
Today I checked the oil level in my car. I’ve checked oil before, but I always had Bob as a backup. This time I was on my own.
First, was to remember the latch to open the hood.
That was easy to pull. Getting the hood to open was the challenge of the day. I remember Bob cursing at the car hood when he couldn’t get it to open last year. I didn’t curse, but I felt like it. I had the latch knob in my hand but couldn’t budge it…. until, suddenly it worked.
Finding and pulling out the dipstick wasn’t a problem. I even remembered to bring out a paper towel to wipe the oil off the stick.
All went well. There was even oil on the dipstick. It wasn’t necessary to add any.
I was so proud of myself.
I have an oil change appointment for Friday, but I didn’t want to have any kind of problem before that scheduled time.
Now I know I can drive back and forth to Seymour this week without worrying about low oil.
Last August our daughter, Rebecca, introduced me to Longshadow Woodworks at Art Street in Green Bay. Ever since I’ve been working with Aryn and Courtney Kern talking about replacing my three kitchen cutting boards. (https://www.longshadowwoodworks.com)
I measured and remeasured, and re-remeasured, hoping I’d get everything correct. I then emailed my measurements to the Kerns for their estimate.
They gave me their estimate but said they couldn’t do my custom work until winter. That was okay with me. We had been putting off getting new cutting boards for years, and years, and years. (Bob and I moved here in 2001.)
Today I met Aryn Kern at the Artigras event in Green Bay and picked up my three maple cutting boards–Aryn and her husband Courtney drive from Minnesota for both Artigras and Art Street.
I was extremely happy with their creations for our kitchen.
Guess which are the old cutting boards and which are the new ones.
I held my breath when I slid the new boards into place. They fit perfectly!
Susan with Aryn Kern at Artigras
Thank you, Aryn and Courtney, for doing a wonderful job. I love my new cutting boards. I love them so much I will think twice before cutting on them. The wood is just too beautiful. I don’t want to scratch it.
I was working in the kitchen and thought I’d switch my computer to nature videos. That’s when I remembered the live stream video of the Decorah eagles. There are two different nests.
I watched one of the bald eagles on its nest. I don’t know if it was the male or the female parent. I understand they take turns on their clutch of eggs. All I know is that while that bird sat there it rearranged a few of the stick/grasses that made up its next.
Photo off my computer
Whoever was taking care of the live streaming zoomed in on the bird.
I had a bald eagle in my kitchen today. It was good company. I will check on it again … and again … and again. Just google Decorah bald eagles and you will find one or two live streams on youtube.
