I’M GUESSING THIS LITTLE FELLOW IN OUR YARD TODAY MAY BE AN ORIOLE
An overcast sky worked in my favor this morning as I was able to finish up my window washing project. I have never seen so many Goldfinches in our yard before & I think I may have seen an Oriole hanging around our frog pond this afternoon.
NOW THAT IS A LOT OF LITTLE GOLDFINCHES ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE FEEDER (ODD COLOR IS FROM WINDOW TINT & SHADOW)
Controlling weeds has become a problem since pesticides were banned a few years ago so today I picked up a Garden Mag Torch at the TSC store for torching weeds. Had me a go at some back yard weeds. Don't know how many weeds I killed but I did manage to set fire to a small wood pile. Hadn't noticed it smouldering but a couple hours later I heard some crackling outside & sure enough I had a nice little campfire going on in the woodpile. I had been scorching some weeds around a couple of old pine logs & probably ignited some dry pine needles. We do have needles on the ground here so my lesson today is that one has to be rather careful when using a weed burning torch.
THINK THIS MIGHT BE SOME KIND OF SMALL CHERRY TREE BESIDE OUR FROG POND
Afternoon sunshine brought up the humidity levels again & I sure was thankful to have a vehicle with a/c again when Pheebs & I slipped up to Goderich for some paint, some birdseed, & the weed torch. We had the Libbygator so cold inside on our way home it started to snow. Snowed so heavy I had to stop & put the windshield wipers on the inside of the windshield just to keep it clear. 
Spent the rest of the afternoon in very close proximity to my fan but will resume more clean-up projects first thing in the cooler morning air. Our 6 o'clock news weather department mentioned a 'storm warning, & storm watch' bulletin for our area of south western Ontario at the moment. A tornado watch as well south of us down around Sarnia, Port Huron, Windsor, & Detroit. I had better post this in case we lose our power which we usually do.
A FEW PHOTOS LEFT OVER FROM LAST WEEK’S COUNTRY ROAD DRIVES
YES INDEED THIS IS RURAL FARM COUNTRY HERE IN THESE PARTS
Skies are blackening as I type this & I just rolled the motorcycle back into the carport. Mentioning the motorcycle I am having quite a time swinging my right leg up & over the seat to get on it & the same thing for getting off. One of the reasons for selling our Jeep Wrangler is the difficulty I was having getting in & out of it but it wasn't as hard a time as I'm having with the motorcycle at the moment. Of my two problem legs it is my right leg that is giving me the most grief & to get on the bike I have to now reach down, grab my pant leg & lift my leg over the seat. Same for getting off. I can get off & while balancing on my left leg have to reach over, grab my pant leg again & lift my leg over the seat. Good thing I'm not a shorts wearing guy or I'd have to wear knee socks to grab onto. Oh the wonders of aging eh..........................
AND WHAT WOULD SPRING BE WITHOUT A DANDELION OR TWO IN THE YARD >>>
GROANER'S CORNER:(( A couple of opposing candidates for county office happened to be sitting next to each other in the local diner. One turned to the other and said, "You know why I'm going to win this election? Because of my 'personal touch.' For example, I always tip waitresses really well and then ask them to vote for me." "Oh, is that so?" replied the other. "I always tip them a nickel and ask them to vote for you too."
I'd better stay away from weed burning torches! I can relate to needing an assist to get your leg up and over. The simplest things become problematic with every year that goes by.
ReplyDeleteTorch those dandy lions! My torch was my fun tool until I burned a fence post! We have had tornado watches all day. I guess it's moving your way.
ReplyDeleteAfter 26 years in California's Santa Cruz Mountains with its yearly prohibitions on any kind of fire, the very idea of a "weed burning torch" is unbelievable! Possession of such a thing could get you ridden out of town on a rail in California! Just goes to show you, it takes all kinds of areas to make a continent!
ReplyDeleteSay Al, I'm thinking those goldfinches are really a flock of pine siskins...friendly sociable birds. :)
ReplyDeleteThe first bird looks a lot like the towhee I photographed on our hike yesterday. The very few orioles I have seen were bigger and more slender. Maybe Judy (travels with emma) can help!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of Pheebes!
Those torches should be banned. Our RV Park was set on fire by someone using one, http://www.contessajewall.com/2012/05/26/fire-at-holiday-park-resort/
ReplyDeleteIt was very frightening. We could have lost our home. They have since been banned in the park.
Saw my heart surgeon today, and yes, "the wonders of aging" are frankly a pain in many parts of my body!
ReplyDeleteBe careful with that torch especially in the forest where you live.
ReplyDeleteMaybe time to trade you motorcycle for a step through scooter?
Geez, good thing you didn't take off to run an errand, might have come back to nothing. Well, plus a few fire trucks.
ReplyDeleteI have a new way of getting out of bed..I have to pull my body up by grabbing my right leg...I refuse to grow up, but getting older is NOT an option..Hey, as my Dad use to say, at least we are still on the right side of the grass!
ReplyDeleteGlad that little lesson was learned with no damage - unlike my "don't put the ashes from the fireplace in the barrel next to the garage window unless you're sure they're cold" lesson of years ago :-) Love all the little finches with their amazing camouflage! That's how cold Bill likes the Jeep as well - I have to wear gloves when it's hot outside :-(
ReplyDeleteBoy oh boy....could have started a major fire with this thingy. Glad you noticed it in time.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried lifting the other leg over the motorcycle? Best be careful with that torch. You don't want to HAVE to live in Congress all year round.
ReplyDelete