Turkey

 Keziah and I split forces today when she went off to an SCA event in Maine and I stayed local and went to an archery practice with a friend.  I've never been a super archer, but my scores today were okay since it has been over a year since I shot and much longer since I practiced regularly.  My goal of scoring at least one arrow each time was achieved.  It was great to practice and great to get to hang out with people.  Other happy things for today:

• An additional reason for going to archery today was to invite some people who were there into the SCA household I belong to.  Another household member was there and we asked them together after practice.  We are giving them time to think about it.  I'm hoping for a yes from everyone.
•  After archery my friend and I went out to lunch and then a nice walk in Winant Park.  There are some lovely views.

Map.

Distant hills.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

• The state capitol dome.

• When I got home there were a bunch of turkeys in the yard.

• The cats were quite curious about the large birds.

😀

• Clouds and colors...

A side note... I forgot about Inktober.  I'm too tired to start that tonight.  If I am able to start tomorrow I'll share then.

☮

Currently reading: Mount Washington A Guide and Short History, by Peter E. Randall.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Blue Plastic Oops

 There was a comment made while the family watched the videos from the wildlife camera.  It was something along the lines of trying to figure out how to get rid of the blue hue.  It dawned on me the other day that perhaps there is a protective film over the lens that I just didn't notice.  Well, I went for a walk today and there was indeed a protective piece of plastic, blue, covering the lens.  Oops.  Hopefully going forward the pictures will be clearer.  Other happy things for today:

• I didn't just go out to the wildlife camera, I took a short walk around the property.  It has actually been two weeks since I have done that.  There are leaves opening on trees and things.
• More lawn was mowed.  I also went over to the side lawn, by the apple trees, and mowed in that area.  From there I mowed a path up through the bramble-that is already everywhere-to the area that was logged a few years ago where I tend to walk.  
• I identified some plants today and some I am still not sure of.

According to Lens, this is a greater celandine and
the internet tells me it is part of the poppy family.
It is on the NH Invasive Plant Species Watch List.
I chose not to mow it right now because it is a pollinator.

Common cinquefoil according to Lens.

Lens says this is an interrupted fern.
It hasn't quite opened up yet I think.

Same plant, larger view.

• The view on the property is becoming more colorful as the leaves open and new plants pop up.

☮

Currently reading: The Backyard Homestead, by Carleen Madigan.

    And now I know what I did wrong when I tried to sprout beans.

Stay safe!

Reflections

 Sundays have become editing days for the YouTube downsizing thing that Zed and I are doing.  This week we did one day that will take a bunch of editing above the slicing and splicing that we have been doing anyways.  That is still being worked on as I write.  Downsizing is hard, but I feel like putting it out there, even if no one watches it, is helping to keep me going with this.  The more I sort through these things, the better I am feeling about my life.  Other things I am happy for today:

• Free media online that can be used on the YouTube videos.  These are such a blessing- thanks to anyone who does this.
• Folke and our guest were sitting on the rocking chair porch with the sun shining.  They were singing.  I could see Folke through the window and her reflection and got some neat pictures.

• Bel set up a new outlet in the cellar for me to use for the plants.  This puts the power closer to the plants and no longer behind the banister. 

• Bel, Folke, our guest, and I went out back for a walk.  The ground is a mixture back there.  Some places it is muddy and in others it is ice or snow.

☮

Currently reading:Currently reading: The Burgess Book of Nature Lore, by Thornton W. Burgess.

Stay safe!

Fresh Air

 There were surprisingly few animal footprints when I walked out back today.  There were a few deer tracks and something small like a mouse.  I could hear chickadees in the trees and saw a few morning doves.  The new tracks today were that of a snowmobile and the footprints of the rider.  My guess is that something happened with their machine, they walked home and then got another person to help them out.  Since I haven't been out there in over a week, I can only guess that this happened yesterday or the day before by the way the snow on their trails were a little melted, but not really covered.  

The walk was difficult, but very rejuvenating.  The temperatures soared into the 40's today so my winter jacket was perhaps too much as I moved slowly along on snowshoes.  I think I am getting better at using the snowshoes.  At least I didn't fall this time.  The fresh air and bird song was what I needed to get out of yesterday's miserable headspace.  I also took the time to notice the very beginnings of buds on some trees.  Signs of spring help warm my heart.

Deer prints.

Itty bitty leaf bud.

The Witch Tree still stands.

Other happy things today:

• My aunt got in touch with Keziah about borrowing some knitting needles.  Next thing I knew we were driving to meet her and then go on to her grandson's house that they are building.  He planned for a house for just him, and then he fell in love.  Thankfully there is room for two in the 30' X 30' house on a hill he is building.  

View from what will be the kitchen window.

Sunset.

• My cousin came by too.  Her dog, Daisy, is always looking for attention.  Daisy got so many cuddles and scritches as she went between Bel and I and anyone else in the room.

Isn't she adorable?

• While the sun was shining, the front room heated way up.  Winston loves it out there.

Winston, watching the wildlife out the front room window.

February 25th is Commedia dell'Arte Day.  There will be a Zoom performance from i Sebastiani: The Greatest Commedia dell'Arte Troupe in the Entire World, at 7 PM at this link.

☮

Currently reading: The Burgess Book of Nature Lore, by Thornton W. Burgess.

Stay safe.