Larry, Moe and Curly in My Backyard!

Guess what I woke up to on Friday morning before going to work? Larry, Moe and Curly were standing in my backyard! Not really, but that is what I have affectionately named these "guys" who found their way into my postage stamp backyard.


They just sort of meandered into the yard thru a portion of the fence that was half-way down in the back left-hand side of the yard adjoining a farm. It was really quite humorous to see them walking around and just eating the grass that, by the way, needed to be mowed. Young niece, "Bunny", walked down to the owners house to let "farmer Bob" know that we had company in my back 40. Unfortunately, "farmer Bob" was not home. Husband went down later to try and contact "farmer Bob" without success. So the plan was to make sure the side gate was shut and they could stay all day while we were working until someone came home to let "farmer Bob" know that we had his steers.

My Mom kind of watched throughout the day to make sure the gate stayed closed and the steers were safe and that someone didn't call animal control in the subdivision. When I came home they weren't in the back yard. As soon as I walked into the back yard, here they come again over the broken down chainlink fence to check out my surroundings. It was just too funny. "Bunny" and "Baby" (young nieces) went down to "farmer Bobs" who was now home to tell him that Larry, Moe and Curly were in my backyard. Here comes "farmer Bob" with a pail of grain to lure The Three Stooges back home. It was just unreal. "Farmer Bob" kept apologizing about the steers in my back yard and he fixed the fence. Have you ever seen steers/cows jump? These guys actually jumped over the fence that was halfway down. Now I laugh at the nursery rhyme about "and the cow jumped over the moon". Steers/cows can really jump.

I did get a little mowing done on the back yard thanks to Larry, Moe and Curly. Hubby finished the job over the weekend trying to dodge the "cow piles". Hubby also had to adjust the satellite dish so that we could watch TV as it was no longer pointing in the right direction thanks to Larry, Moe and Curly.

"Farmer Bob" plans to add more animals to his little piece of heaven besides cows and horses. The plan is to add some chickens too. Hopefully, the neighbors adjacent to the farm won't mind the "million dollar smell" and the sound of "farmer Bobs" animals being that close to the subdivision. I really don't mind at all. It is better than the smell of paper mills, chemicals and the sound of sirens all the time. Something about watching and hearing nature that helps calm the inner spirit!

Come visit any time Larry, Moe and Curly! If the grass is up, it is yours!

Music to My Ears! Do Snowbirds Have Ears?

I guess I never thought about whether a bird has ears. When I was thinking about something to write in the blog, it just hit me. So I did a little looking and found these two links with really good information: #1 and #2. One of the things I found interesting in the reading was: Birds can be music buffs and can distinguish between human composers such as Bach and Stravinsky. So what do you think Snowbird would be listening to as she writes today? And do you think birds would love to listen to this violinist? You can find him here. I was personally able to hear him perform with the local symphony and it was absolutely "music to Snowbirds ears". He is fantabulous. Is that a word? If it isn't, it is now. I have downloaded most of his music to the Zune for easy listening. If you ever saw the Ladies in Lavender, the music is being played by this violinist--Joshua Bell.

Snowbird loves all types of music. I grew up in the rock n' roll age, but I have never limited myself to only that type of music. Living in the Deep South, I have even come to like "country" and "blue grass" music. But there is something about "classical" that makes me appreciate the depth of the music. I can listen to the music all day. It is like nature is talking to me when I listen to classical and the various instruments contributing to the overall sound.

Now I would love to see Yo-Yo Ma in concert. My nieces have seen him perform. Another child prodigy playing the cello at age four. Maybe someday! Until then, I will listen on the Zune!

Such beautiful music to Snowbirds ears!

Middle of the Night / How to Soothe the Spirit?

Don't you just hate it when you can't sleep? That's me. Up again in the middle of the night. Right hip and leg hurts so I'm up to move around. May take a couple of Tylenol and lay back down, but for now, I'm up.

It's also a good time to sort and think things through. Some things I'm thinking about:
(1) Health (lower back and hip) What is next in line for treatment of this problem? Call the doctor today for results of MRI.
(2) Job (commercial insurance) Is it time for a change? Non-stop stress can be a killer especially when you live on the Gulf Coast and spend 1/2 the year in hurricane season and insurance companies don't like where we are located. I like my job, but not the endless stress and mountains of paperwork.
(3) House (need to look at buying) What do I want and need? Simple wants and needs. A place to put my yarn stash and knitting chair is top priority. The rest will just have to fit in somewhere. I like the house I am renting next to little sister, but is it a fit for me and hubby? Hubby would like to move out of the South, but I'm not up to that big of a transition just yet.
(4) Knitting--What project should I work on next? Where to begin? Sweaters or socks?
(5) Cross Stitching--Which project to make for gift giving?
(6) Clean (spare room needs my attention) How to do with lower back issues? I want to make it my craft room.
(7) Lawn (definitely needs attention) Do I hire this done to achieve results that will make Snowbird happy? Did I mention hubby likes to do the grass thing, but not the landscaping. Lawn work for Snowbird is not an option right now.

I use to go to Gulf Shores or Dauphin Island and sit at the water when I needed to think issues through and through. Haven't done that in a while. There is something about sitting next to the water and listening to the waves beat on the shore that helps restore your spirit and then problems or issues just seem to take a back seat.

I've also thought many issues through when I pick up my knitting needles and go for it. Long term sitting not good for back though. Knit a little bit, then stand up and go for short stroll (even if it's just to the end of the driveway or through the house). This takes place all the time.

Maybe a short short road trip on the weekend. Ugh--price of gas! Maybe across the bay and back. I could handle that without breaking the bank.

Waves/water, knitting or road trip? Which one will Snowbird choose to soothe her spirit?

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

To all knitters, crafters and bloggers, have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend from Snowbird and family.

Snowbird and hubby enjoyed the day off. We ate dinner at little sisters with "Baby" (niece #3) cooking for the group. She made burgers, baked chicken (for those on diets), potato wedges, corn, green beans and baked beans. Her Mom provided apple pie. We didn't have room for the apple pie. Maybe we will enjoy a piece today with a big cup of coffee. Thank you "Baby" for doing the cooking. It is always a joy when "Baby" cooks for the group.

When all of the cooking was going on, little sister and I sat down at the computer to do some geneology research. With little sisters help (she keeps me focused), there were some additions made to the geneology book that just seems to keep growing. We are going down different lines in the family tree now to see who is sitting out there in the branches. We both love that sort of thing. Especially the history associated with past members. We have my Dad's family through the Grandmothers line back to the Revolutionary War. We have a past Great (#5 I believe-always have to check the #) Grandfather who was in the Revolutionary War. So we look back at July 4th with pride knowing that somewhere back there a family member helped establish history and was part and parcel to our nations birthday in some way.

Again, Happy 4th to all!