To Life! :: Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker

Last Saturday was Seth's birthday. I've discovered that Seth is a bit Don Draperish about birthdays, so I did absolutely nothing special, we spent the day washing the cars in the sunny-sun-sunshine and cleaning up the yard and house. It was splendid, and he enjoyed it immensely.

In other news, spring is finally here! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Once spring finally arrives, Vermont is heaven on earth. I love the way the fresh young maple leaves drape like a waterfall:

I love the dewy morning grass, soaking up every slice of sun it can get:

I love the Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker who frequents our telephone pole:

I love the spray of green that appears on the hillsides:

I love the  bzzumble beez bzzuzzzing around:

Overall this week was a celebration of my two greatest loves: Seth, and Spring. (In that order, I guess...)

News from the BackYard:

That damn red squirrel is going to be the death of me. Whenever I take Thunder out on the leash he nearly breaks my arm in two trying to get around the corner. I don't know what he intends to do when he gets that squirrel, probably bark at it from a safe distance til someone rescues him and brings him inside. Inside, away from the terrible, dreaded squirrel.

The birds seem to be coming in waves, with Chickadees my only constant companions. Two weeks ago it was the Dark Eyed Juncos. This week it is the Chipping Sparrows. They're everywhere! You'd think, with them being everywhere I could be bothered to get a good picture of one, but when there is such greenery to be had, who wants to spend time on the boring old chipping sparrows. Besides I've been busy enjoying them in person, without the camera. Yesterday I was sitting outside (in the sunny-sun-sunshine) when two started squabbling at the feeder. Another one came and told them to 'take it outside' so they continued squabbling mid-air. They were so involved with themselves that they nearly ran into my face! Instead they realized they were going to hit something and swooped away at the last minute to continue squabbling in someone else's yard.

The big curiosity is whether my dogwood bushes will actually produce flowers this year. I bought them about five years ago in a fit of sorrow for myself that dogwood trees are not zoned for Vermont winters. These bushes are, however, and I was hopeful that their lovely blossoms would ease my longing for Kentucky Spring. They have never blossomed yet. This year is their last chance to blossom for me, but it's not looking very likely. What do you think? Blossoms or just more greenery?