A traumatic nature event

It was traumatic for me and one of the participants anyway. I was in the kitchen making the weekly granola supply when I heard a "thump" on the glass laundry room door. Since I was only about 6 feet away, I stepped to the door to open it and put the poor male cardinal on the grill where he would be able to fly off once his stun wore off. Before I could open the door- whoosh- a hawk swooped down to the porch and grabbed the cardinal with his talons!!! All of this occurred with only glass separating us. I squealed and Bella the dog rushed to my aid. There was nothing to do however. I could see the hawk in the tree with his prize. I refuse to let my husband watch those upsetting Nature shows. Especially Penquins! That show started off so good, then an iceberg crashed into their island home. Next- no more home, but they are trapped and left to starve. I literally had nightmares about that.

There are always lots and lots of deer in the yard. Because we don't shoot at them (and because they have lots of grass to eat) they aren't even afraid of us. When I go out at night to take Bella for her potty break, I have to shoo them away from the proch. They fall back a little and snort and stomp their feet. Bella gave up on them a long time ago. I think her major change was last Spring when a doe had twins right in our side yard. A mother doe will leave her fawns in a "safe" spot while she forages, then will come back to get them. They will not move until she reappears. Sometimes hours pass. That is why people often think the mother has deserted her baby. At any rate, we couldn't mow around there and Bella had to stay away. The twins are now grown but still hanging around. Now we have a consistent population of about 8 does and one buck. I thought for sure the buck would be killed during hunting season, but he is still here. I'll try to post a photo. I love the deer, but I hate for them to eat my garden. The only thing that I have tried (and I have tried everything) that works is Liquid Fence. That stuff works like a charm. I have to buy it by the gallon though. I really need to put a salt block out. Maybe next time I go to the co-op, I'll pick up a mineral block.

My husband and I went to our retirement learning class on the spread of Indo European culture and language at the university. It sounds deadly, but the class is really fascinating and taught by a brilliant professor. It makes me feel happy to be learning something new and different. It also makes me happy to not have any tests or required reading! Instead of trying to memorize minutae, you can grasp the big picture and enjoy the subject much more.

In the afternoon we took Bella and the next door dog, Jazzie, for a walk in the woods. Jazzie has to stay in a pen all day while her family is at work, so we take her out for some R and R when we can. She is very sad and barks when we put her back in the pen, but I know she enjoys the walk ..

Now I'll go cook. I'm making rack of lamb, a rice pilaf, salad, and the bread I baked. Cooking for me is easy, but I understand that some people are very unsure when cooking. I really don't like to clean up though. Anything that can possibly be put in the dishwasher is going in. I bought a Fisher Paykey dish drawers. I use the bottom one for pots and pans. That dishwasher makes things much easier.

I hope to write more tomorrow.