As Our Life Goes On

These nests were picked up off the ground last Fall after strong winds went through our area. I kept them on the breezeway all Winter as decorative items. It was time to clean the breezeway so they are now being returned to nature. The mud holding the robin nest will soften in the rain and wind and animals may carry them off or tear them apart for recycling. The large nest is a robin's nest. Not sure what bird made the small nest. It could have been a mourning dove but it seems almost too well made.  It is time for newly made nests to appear. It was surprising to find the shells from a robin egg on the ground under the pine trees last week. I suppose the robin nest got raided and the bird or animal that ate the egg dropped the shell where I found it.

Russ had no idea that he would get to sit on this monster of a bulldozer when he left the house this morning. Lakeside Sand and Gravel in Mantua was having a free show of large construction equipment. It was somewhat of a thrill for him when the operator of this machine told him to climb on. Russ's dad  was in the Navy Seabees  during WWII and he used a similar bulldozer to construct airstrips on Taipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands.  Russ looks happy sitting on there as he talks to the operator about his dad's service. The day started with rain but the sun did show through for a while while he visited this show. Russ found the equipment much more interesting than he thought it would be and stayed most of the afternoon along with some friends. There was free admission and free food with donations accepted for the Hattie Larlham Foundation.

May Apples are popping out of their sheath like bases. They unfold in a circular pattern to form little umbrella-like plants on the hill over the bike trail. A profusion of dandelions and spring beauties dot the front yard near the road. I like these colorful flowers in my yard. Plants are only weeds if you consider them to be out of place from where you wish them to be. Grass can be a weed if it grows in your flower garden. The cool weather has extended the blooms on the daffodils. Buds and leaves have popped out on the trees and shrubs overnight and it seems that many have arrived just since dawn. Geese and ducks fill the air with squawks and the little frogs and toads seem to have energy to sing their songs non-stop. It is a season of new life and renewal.

It has been a little over 3 months since some major renovations have taken place in our home. We are loving all these changes. The rooms seem brighter and more pleasant to use. The main floor bath is now done. The floors are actually black and white ceramic tiles but that does not show well in the pictures. The subway tiles on the walls are white and the walls are a medium dark gray. The glass tile trim has black an white ribbons through the slightly bluish tint clear glass. The trim is all shiny chrome.  There are a lot of reflections in the pictures which were taken late in the day under less than ideal lighting circumstances. There are a lot of reflections on the walls.   I think it shows the style that might have been original in our 1952 home. We are glad to have this work finished.  See bathroom before picture below. Glad to get rid of the old vinyl floor for sure.

Many of the daffodil plants are blooming on the hill over the bike trail. Tiny Spring beauties and vinca blooms give extra violet and purple colors to the yard. Dandelion-like yellow coltsfoot plants are in bloom.  The Spring peepers sing every night  and the sounds of geese and ducks in the wetlands behind the house are like a sweet song. The air is warm and this all contributes to a great Spring day.