May 29 2015
Egg in the Nest
Today, Abby discovered the cardinal’s egg in the nest built in the aviateur bleriot rose. We can see it through one of the sun room sliding glass doors. Patches lays near it, keeping watch through the glass.
Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category
Apr 30 2015
Chicken Rights
Last weekend, Zeke and I traveled east for chicken and waffles. (This bizarre southern combination doesn’t quite work for me, but Gabe loves it.) We were delivering lilies that I had dug out of the ground last fall, piled underneath the redbud for the winter, and watched green up as Spring got under way.
“I really need to bring those lilies to Vanessa’s mom,” I said every time I walked past them these last 5 months.
Zeke was ready for adventure and gladly accompanied me to the house of creativity. The Weddings are brilliantly clever people who love to fabricate, learn, and build. The last time we visited, they had made the most ingenious chicken coop and were awash with chickens and eggs.
Unfortunately, the county has taken offense at their chickens and has required their removal. Zeke and Jillian spent the day enjoying the last bit of chicken time, before the chickens left the house of creativity for their new coop.
This action by the county has exasperated Vanessa enough to rise up and fight the man for chicken rights. We’re praying the fight is successful, so the chickens can return home once again.
Apr 28 2015
Time for a Shave
Yesterday was Blaze’s yearly transformation from golden retriever to lab. The transformation makes me laugh every time, because he looks completely different when he emerges from the groomers.
Each time, I’m tempted to say (with a silly French accent), “That’s not my dog.”
A few years ago when I returned with Blaze from the groomers, my neighbor, Mike, asked me if I had gotten a new dog.
“I swear its a different dog, but my wife says it isn’t. I told her I’d bet my paycheck that you got a different dog,” he said.
“I know its hard to believe, but it is the same dog,” I replied.
“I guess I owe my wife a paycheck,” he groaned.
Mar 20 2015
Game On
My brother Howie and his family came to visit for Spring Break to tour the sights of DC. The visit was filled with air hockey and Smash and “tired legs” from all the walking around.
It was fun to hear each night what interested the kids the most (words carved at the Jefferson memorial, a leaf found at Mount Vernon, the Lego store employee).
I was reminded that often kids have a different standard of what is significant. A gift shop and a frozen yogurt often trump the impressive scenery and the history lessons.
As expected, Howie defeated all the Manry boys in air hockey. Abby did not get a game in before she headed back to college, so she can claim she is still undefeated in the Tournament of Uncles.
It was great to spend time with them and listen to the tales of their tourist adventures.
Feb 19 2015
Ice Dagger
Gabe thought it best to remove the ice daggers from the porch for the safety of all Manrys. Patches thought it best to hide.
