Different Stuff

After literally a YEAR without seeing an owl... I was on my way to church 

last Sunday morning, and came across this guy, where I had seen owls several times before. 

Mass is at eight, I try to leave by seven so I can go up and down country roads, and it paid off. 

He/she is a beaut, huh? 

They. Are. So. Hard. To. Capture. 

I was telling Friend Jill at lunch today that I have three 

"pet" crows at the Ag.  As soon as they see me pull up, they fly from where ever they are. 

They wait until I put out a treat for them (Chicken Delight), and then come down to eat. 

They literally wait until I turn my back. 

I was waiting for one to turn into the sun today to get a good picture. 

I pay for all the feed at the Ag, both Chicken Delight and Protein pellets, so... I don't mind 

putting some out for the wildings.  

The other day, I was at Marshall's.  I found this little 

Le Creuset baking pan for 7.99.  If you know 

how much they retail for, you would realize this was a good deal. 

I needed it just for small dishes for myself. 

You can see it's perfect for two servings. 

This is what I fixed in it.  "Funeral Potatoes". 

Two weeks ago, I helped serve a funeral lunch at church. 

The lady cooking put a HUGE pan of whole canned potatoes... yes, I said
CANNED potatoes, in a big baking pan.  She poured melted butter over them, 

and then salted and peppered them. 

Then she sprinkled onion soup mix on them. 

This was covered, and baked at 350 for one hour. 

When she took it out, she sprinkled parsley over it, and then 

put cheese on top, sprinkling it across, then popped it back 

in the oven for five minutes, uncovered. 

Here is my horrid picture in bad lighting. 

My gosh, it was good.  

I used a cheese I got at Dillons, it is a Cheese with 

Parsley and Chives in it.  

Delish! 

I used one can of sliced white potatoes. 

Sister loves to lay in the deck door window in the morning, and watch Bird TV on the deck. 

Someone brought this to the same door, and wanted to bring it in. 

This would be the someone. 

I took the dogs to the Ag on Tuesday.  I can't let them loose to run while I do 

the chickens.  I can trust Jes, but not Lilly. 

This cracked me up as I finished spreading feed for the crows. 

He obviously didn't think it was that funny. 

We found a trail of feathers on the ground by the pond, that went back towards the railroad bridge. 

I took pictures there, which appeared to be where the kill was made. 

(they were too dark). 

Jester was having a BLAST off-leash. 

Remember, the Ag is closed this time of year, so there was 

no one there for him to bother, and I always carry plastic bags 

"just in case". 

He always goes to the edge of the pond, but rarely gets his 

feet wet.  Lilly, on the other hand, would wade right in. 

He finally wore himself out. 

Lilly was okay walking on her leash, it's a fairly long one.  

Sometimes I just can't get them to the park, so we substituted on Tuesday. 

I spent Wednesday in court.  About a year ago, Keith and I 

decided to sue a neighbor here, which we thought about 

before we did.  We had been bothered with him coming to the 

house repeated times, demanding that we move a 

discharge pipe from our sump pump in our back yard, 

that carried harmless water from our heater/air conditioner. 

It was finally rectified yesterday, to my satisfaction, at least, 

though I think Keith would have been mightily disappointed. 

It was the court's opinion that our pipe (MY pipe, now) is 

entirely legal, is separated from the property line by the 

correct distance, and is not causing him harm. 

He, on the other hand, is allowed to keep a dike he made, 

backing up water into a small pond on our land. 

I love the pond, so it was okay with me. 

No money will be exchanged, but 

our/my legal fees came to $9,000.00.  Yes, I said $9,000.00.

The important thing is that should I ever decide to move, 

this can be disclosed as a matter that has been resolved. 

I was able to sleep last night, for the first time 

in several nights because I confess to you, I am 

afraid of the man.  He intimidated me at 

our door four times, and finally, I got Keith out of 

his sick bed one day to deal with him, and he never 

came back after that.  He appeared to be belligerant in court, sitting with arms folded all day, and I was scared the whole time I was there.... not of the court, but of him. 

It took huge joy from our beautiful house, because to sit on 

the deck meant we look down on his house.  Keith only sat there 

maybe four times. 

I guess everyone is assuming where I am leading with this, 

but I am not there yet. 

I managed to get an Iphone cheaply from a family member, 

and I have been using it for pictures here and there. 

I took some of the pictures on this blog post with it. 

It has been two months today since I fell and broke my wrist. 

It is not only not healed, I have many more weeks of 

therapy and strengthening. 

I am trying very hard not to re-injure it. 

I leave you tonight with a short video from the Ag: 

A Lovely Weekend

Yesterday morning the trees in the wild area across the road glowed in the sunlight. 

A man wants to develop this 26 acre parcel into an amusement park of sorts, 

a driving range, a miniature golf course, and batting cages.  The 

entrance would be on our road, down on the corner.  Two weeks 

ago, myself and 17 other neighbors attended a hearing of the planning and zoning committee to 

discuss this plan, and the gentleman was stunned that so many 

were in opposition.  From a purely treehugger point of view, I don't want the habitat 

destroyed, but we are also worried about trash along our road, and 

vandalism, and the increased traffic.  (among other things). 

Thursday, he called our defacto head of the neighbor's committee, 

requesting that he meet with us at the library in Tonganoxie, 

so, yesterday morning, we all sat down at 10 AM.  At 10:30, the 

man and his wife left in a huff, saying they felt ambushed by us. 

We don't know what will happen a week from Wednesday, 

when we have another hearing... we know the planning 

people are in favor of it, for the most part, with 

an increased tax base.  

The man, from KCMO, intended to have his family members running the place, 

which would be open 8 AM to 10 PM seven days a week... and yes, 26 sets of bright lights. 

I used to listen to the coyotes in this piece of property at night... and loved hearing the birds, the owls, etc.  When we first moved there, we saw deer regularly, but no longer. 

I'll let you know what happens. 

Jester will do anything to get Lil to play with him. 

She actually WAS wagging her tail...

He was trying so hard.  He is such a happy dog, and I am going to have to start 

taking him to the dog park where he can find some other little dogs to play with. 

The red-bellied woodpeckers were there visiting the feeders. 

In about a month, I am going to tail off the feeding so heavily. 

The little birds were waiting to come down. 

Because of this... starlings, red-winged blackbirds, and cowbirds (with the brown heads) 

They are wiping the feed out daily. 

And guess what?  It's happening here at the new house, too.  I'm going to 

have to lay off feeding for a few days. 

The downy woodpecker was taking advantage of the horde being 

mis-directed. 

Our girl loves her old house, where she came home as a puppy. 

I saw this little guy on the way home. 

And this one, too! 

Barred owls hunt day or night. 

I am going to huge wildlife area tomorrow with a friend, we will 

leave very early in the morning, and get home late in the afternoon. 

Keith will be doing the chores for me, after dialysis. 

I hope to have some wonderful pictures for you!