On the road again!

Leaving you with a few photos taken this week as we head north

 to Washington D.C. and Virginia for a few days. . . . . . and 

a change of scenery.  Weather forecast somewhat disappointing

for the weekend - packing a rain jacket and pair of short 

Chelsea boots and I think they'll be worn a lot!

May is a strange month with such changeable weather.

Yes, the finches managed to quickly build a nest and lay eggs despite

 us shooing them off the hanging basket, smart little feathered friends! 

There were actually four this morning when I took a peek.

Managed to cut several peonies to enjoy in the house this week -

a few remaining in the garden but will be gone soon. . . . . . .if only the

gorgeous blooms would last longer!

 The little fountain actually worked when I plugged it in. Each year I wonder if 

it's going to give up, it's so old now!  If it keeps going I feel we will too!

Enjoy your weekend.

Unwanted visitor!

Never discuss cheese with rats, talk bread with birds

 or make moves with snakes.

                                                               ~ Author unknown ~

Love birds, will share my cheese with a rat teeny tiny

 mouse . . . . . . but snakes terrify me!

OMG, thankful again for yet another great neighbor, this time Dale, two doors down.

He's my go to nature guy as he's a hunter (I forgive him), and will save me

from the not so nice critters who visit the cottage.

Picture this - me sitting on the front porch after supper last evening - light drizzle
 falling as dusk fell. Bob upstairs on phone making travel arrangements.

Finch parents making a last check on their babies in the hanging basket overhead,

(I think they'll fledge any day now), cardinals singing in the fig tree, no mosquitoes,

  life was good. . . . . . 

. . . . . UNTIL I went in the house to get a paper towel to wipe a spider web off the

 carriage lamp and on my return this gigantic 5 foot black snake was silently
 slithering across the chair seat cushion and my reading glasses, WHERE I WAS
 JUST SITTING, down onto the porch and over the doormat.

I could have died right then and there as I'm terrified of snakes - and this was
the biggest I've ever seen at the cottage!!!
Calling for Bob to come downstairs (how I didn't scream I don't know) and at the
 same time calling Dale who was the only person I knew could help me - he was
 having dinner in a restaurant but promised to come home soon. 
Bob couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the size of this creature. I went into
 the dining room and immediately saw it looking at me through 
the window as it climbed up the frame and then I realized where it was planning
to go. . . . . . . . to get my baby finches in the hanging basket, help!!!!!!!!
Dale pulled up - grabbed a shovel from his truck - Mary ran out the back door and
 down the driveway (camera in hand of course!), Bob followed and we all 
headed to the front porch.

Dale: "Oh yeah, that's really a big one"
Bob: "Thanks for coming Dale, is it poisonous?" 
Mary: "How can you get it off the window and save my baby birds?"

As you can see in the photos, it was a huge, but not venomous, black rat snake.
 Dale was brave, Bob was relieved he didn't have to capture and dispose of it
 as even non-venomous snakes bite and one can get a nasty infection, and
 Mary's hands were shaking - and heart pounding.
What a night!

The finch babies are safe and enjoyed what could be their last night on the
  porch prior to fledging - they really look ready to fly. Little do they or their
parents know what a close call they had.

Gotta run now. We're off to the coast - it's drizzly and so humid this morning.
More later. . . . . . . .