I usually spend the last couple of hours or so of my nightly sleep cycle in the recliner.  Lately, we’ve been experiencing some very strong winds during that same predawn period.

Our bedroom is sheltered and is usually quiet.  The family room, which is home to the recliner, is less sheltered and has a skylight.  That means I more easily hear rain on the roof and wind against the house.  Actually, I like that and it helps me sleep.

The other morning as the strong winds buffeted the house, I noticed a strange sound coming through the wall beside my recliner.  What could it be?  I’d have to check it out in the morning.  Later that morning, I looked out a window and saw this.

Strong winds loosened the siding on this corner of the house.

I went out and looked at it from the other end.

Loose siding

That was a powerful wind to rip that siding loose.  I have it temporarily tucked back in, but the bottom of this strip is not under the piece that is designed to hold it firmly in place.  Next job is to figure out how to effect a permanent repair.

Excuse me.  I need to go do some research.

Finally, a respite from the rain.  That’s the good news.  Then I looked at the weather radar loop.  Looks like Lin is shipping more precipitation from Chicago . . . and it’s headed right this way.  Welcome to spring. 😉

This morning I looked out the office window to see a rooster pheasant moving quickly through the formal gardens in the walk-out area.  I’ve been seeing a number of these boys lately.  Looks like it will be a good year for them.  That is assuming the gals are also around.

I turned my attention back inside, and a short while later motion out that window caught my eye.  It was a deer running.  Something had frightened it.  I stood and moved where I could better observe her path across the fence and into the neighbor’s back yard.  Her companion was waiting just short of the next fence.  After brief consideration of their situation, the two hopped that fence and disappeared into the woods beyond.

Errands to run this morning, and I’d rather take a nap.  Maybe later?

Meghan and her hubby live just around the corner from us.  Their barn is very close to the low ground on our place.  They are at their barn a couple of times a day to care for the critters that they keep and feed there.

This morning, I received the following message from Meghan in an e-mail.  I thought you might enjoy her story too.

Good morning, Neighbor!

So I am walking down the lane to the barn to do chores this morning. It is dark and I am wearing a headlamp and I have a couple of dogs with me.

I get down to the bottom, look up to make the turn toward the barnyard and I see a pair of glowing eyes in the brush.  I whistle for the dogs to call them out so they don’t get covered in burrs.

The dogs come so I give them a pat and look up again.  Two sets of glowing eyes.  I look down, two dogs next to me. I look up again.  Four sets of glowing eyes!

We were downwind so the dogs did not pick up on your visitors.  As I fumbled for my phone to try and take a picture,  the deer decided they should beat feet and off they went.

I thought something might be bedding down in there since it is a flat spot but this is the first time I have seen them there.  I guess they were trying to sleep in this morning and we ruined it for them.

Have a good day!

— Meghan

I know the spot of which she speaks.  I’ve watched the deer settle in there at times and I’ve seen them rise from there at other times.  They don’t stay there all the time.  They are far too wary to do something that foolish.

Meghan is working in her flower beds this afternoon.  I wish I could do that too.  The last time I spent 15 minutes outside, I suffered for a week.  It sure will be nice when this foot has healed from the bunionectomy.  I’m starting to have bad feelings about my recliner, and that not right.

Last week, my foot was feeling fine.  It was so good that I went for a walk.

That was a bad mistake. 🙁   Now I’m paying the painful price.

That also means I haven’t captured any images over this past week.  I found nothing that was timely in the archive.  For those reasons, I am not participating in Wordless Wednesday this week.

Spring must be here or soon to arrive.  A series of sunny days is one of the best indicators.  In this part of Michigan, our winters are marked by lead-gray overcast skies.  The lack of visible sun is the downside.  However, it also moderates our winters.

Last year, we had 80 degree temps in March.  That resulted in great losses for fruit growers in Michigan.  This year, we are running lower than normal temps, which should be better for our farmers and their crops.

Here’s hoping that you are enjoying a pleasant spring.

Snow drops blossom on west side of barn

As expected, the first spring blossoms were the snow drops.  They don’t get a lot of direct sunlight where they are planted.  For that reason, they are a bit slow in appearing.

By contrast, the crocus are looking to be nearly ready to burst out in their golden glory.  Daffodils and hyacinth usually follow shortly after.

Friends from church joined us for Easter dinner.  We were relaxing after the meal when the phone rang.  It was our granddaughter, Briana.  She would like to stop by to greet us if we were going to be home.  We were.  She’d call back later when she was on the way.

Later, the phone rang again.  I saw the name on the caller ID, so I received the call and said, “I bet this is my favorite granddaughter.”  (We only have one.)

She replied, “It is, but what if it had been somebody else?”

“In that case,” I said, “I’d have lost the bet.” 😉

She said that she had just turned onto our dirt road.  She also reported that she had a couple of guests with her.

A few minutes later she walked in the door with her parents.  Now there was a happy surprise.  We hadn’t expected to see any of them.

Some days are incredibly good that way.