???????

This morning, along with the flooded yard, brought another duck. What kind of duck? It will take a smarter person than me to guess. Take note of the top knot, the white throat and white wing tips. I do believe he came from the same place Lucy (last summers goose) came from. He didn't seem at all bothered when I walked up to take the photos so I think I can safely assume he is a domestic duck. My husband and I had great fun watching him this morning as he swam around stopping only to eat. I do wish the pond was already in.


That's it for now. Click on the photos to see them bigger. Till next time.

Hope!

This photo is the site of my pond. (I hope) The low spot behind the tree collects water every time it rains. Of course the tree will have to go but my son wants it for fire wood so that will be an easy and cheap way to get rid of it. I have called the person who will be doing the digging and am waiting, not so patiently, for his visit. Now that it seems it might be a certainty, I am getting nervous. Will it hold water? What will be the bottom line? Can I really afford this? The one question I do NOT have is will the birds come. This is where the next photo comes in. As I already stated, the area gets flooded when it rains. This is what happens then.
DUCKS!!!!
I wish the pond was already in so they would stay and nest but in a few days the water is gone and so are the ducks. Next year! The ducks will come and hopefully stay the summer. Have I mentioned, that I love ducks? Ducks, geese, birds in general. They are great fun. If anyone wonders, I will not be getting domestic birds. Last year with Lucy was a roller coaster. She spent more time in the road than the yard so she went back to her original home. I am very happy to say she is alive and well with her new mate.
That's it for today. Spring has sprung and I have things to do. Till next time.

Spring

The last year has been a very difficult time. I lost my Mom, an uncle, a couple of friends, my beloved cat and a very special aunt. Needless to say, I haven't been myself. Am I fully back? No, but I am better. There is something about spring that gives you a renewed hope. Here in The Hollow, spring has come early. There is a new joy every time I look at my gardens. Many of my plants came from my Mom so as I see them push their way above the ground I see a bit of what she loved. She also loved the birds. As do I. This cardinal was sitting in the very top of a tree singing his heart out. I am happy to report that there were several answers to his call. The wood peckers are almost living on the suet cake and the chipmunks and squirrels are finding their way into my feeder. Yes, they know how to dump half a feeder at a time. Do I mind? Not at all. It is great fun to watch them jump and hang off it or try to balance on it. I have yet to be quick enough to snap a picture of their antics, but do have a hope that sooner or later I'll get one.
There are many beautiful crocuses blooming. Yellow happens to be one of my favorite colors so it was a happy moment when this little pretty bloomed. Of course the purple ones are also lovely. The honey bees seem to think so too. There were dozens of them on my flowers. Today is a good day and the hope is, that there will be many more to come. I will be posting again soon. Until then enjoy.

Beautiful Day!

What a beautiful day in the "Hollow!" It is warm, sunny and almost feels like spring. I wish it were spring and the cold, wet, snowy, winter was behind us. The hill in my photo looks beautiful now but in winter all the snow that falls there ends up in my driveway. Not so beautiful. Because of the great day, I am putting up all of my outdoor Christmas decorations. It is so nice to put them up in a t-shirt instead of slogging through several feet of snow, trying to use a ladder, then ending up in the urgent care. (not that that has happened) The lights will not be turned on until Thanksgiving night. (except for a brief test lighting)

That being said, I mentioned in my last post that my phlox were still blooming. Here is a photo to prove it. Not a lot of blossoms but for November 8th it is almost miraculous! I will miss my flowers.


A few days ago, I got in a friendly, fun filled, discussion with a friend about who's hamlet is recognized by the state. I think I won as we have a sign and she does not. In my friends defense, her little hamlet is on the old maps. (as is mine) Here is a photo of my sign. I did not put it up, the state did. So I reason that if the state put up the sign, my little bend in the road is official. Hers is not! What say you?



On that note I see it is time to get a start on supper. Because of the beautiful weather we will cook outside and eat by a lovely fire in our fire bowl. If we are lucky our neighbors will join us. Till next time.

More snow!

We are having another fun filled day here in the "Hollow." They tell us that the snow will stop and then we should have a nice weekend. I love nice weekends. Our Halloween was uneventful. We travel to our sons house to see the littles in their costumes. They are so cute! Speaking of littles in costume, check out my sweet grand niece. I personally think she is the cutest!

My gardens are all put to bed with the exception of my phlox. I think I have backward flocks as they are still blooming! Really! Hot pink mixed with snow and dead leaves. I've said it before and still say it. The "Hollow' has it's own micro climate. Not a good thing in the winter as the snow loves to collect in my driveway. We also get snow when no one else is getting it. Whats with that? Enough of snow! I hate the stuff. Come on retirement and a warmer climate! Till next time.

Snow!

October 16th and we had snow! YUCH!!! Of course it didn't stay but the fact that we had it at all I find rather disgusting. As you could guess my garden has become a sea of stems and leaves with a few interspersed flowers that don't seem to want to let go. I think it is time to replant my three amaryllis bulbs and see what happens. Some years I get beautiful blossoms and others nothing. HMMMM. Speaking of blossoms, my Christmas catus is loaded with buds. I have never had so many. Must be it likes being thrown outside for the summer and ignored. I'll take a pic when the buds open.


The "Hollow" has a new member. His name is Tama and he is a beautiful burmese mountain dog. He visits with his mom quite regularly. He even has his own baby here. Right now he is only 15 pounds but he is expected to get up to 115 or so. What a sweet and beautiful animal he is.


My cats aren't even too afraid of him. That is unless he gets them to run. He loves that. I should say he has three cats at home so he is not mean towards them. He just wants to play.
I'm keeping this post short as there are a couple of hundred things I need to get done in the next hour so, so until next time.

I'm Back!

It has been some time. I was reeling from my moms death and buried myself for a while. It is getting better but I will always miss her. Forge Hollow has passed from summer onto fall. Fall has been as rainy as summer was. I long for sun. Lots of it. My garden was and still is quite lovely. There is a dahlia that is almost as big as a dinner plate and it's color is a dark red. Wonderful! The phlox are blooming again as are the fever few and shasta daises. In my new garden the mums and lavender are blooming and the smell and color is great. As for Lucy, she has gone to her original home. She liked to spend too much time in the road so for her sake she went back. I still miss her but it is best for her. The pond is on hold until summer. Then I will welcome wild geese and ducks. That way I hope I won't get to attached.
We had a bit of fun here in the "Hollow" last night. A hot air balloon came down across the road from my house. It was beautiful. I think I would like to take a ride.


As this summer has been a trial, I have spent a lot of time in the mountains. I have a very good friend who owns several cottages and he asked me to camp sit for him. Of course I said yes and headed north. I got to live on a beautiful lake and listen to the loons and get paid for it! A tough job but some one has to do it. I found it very restful. The view I had while there was great!


He asked me if I would be willing to watch the cottages next summer a few times. My reply? Does a bear ---- in the woods! Of course I will. I am not nuts! I took a quick trip up yesterday and the colors were spectacular. There is nothing more beautiful than upstate New York in the fall. The weather may stink but it is beautiful. That's it for now. Till next time.