Pee-ers Revisited

For those of you who are just joining me... You have a lot of catching up to do! LOL Actually--not too much, but this post actually is a follow-up to previous posts...  Before we moved off the hill, we had an epidemic of post-midnight pee-ers.  There was the near-miss in the pantry.  The puddle at the foot of the bed in the next bedroom.  And the bull's eye shot into the dresser drawer full of clean clothes.

Most of those nighttime escapades were somewhat anonymous.  That is no longer the case.  One of The Buddies, who shall remain nameless, has renewed his passion for peeing in assorted places.  Earlier this week I heard someone wandering about--it was late, and I thought everyone was asleep...  In he walked, tugging on his underwear.  And before I realized what was happening, he was peeing in my bathtub!  I tried to redirect him to the toilet, but that just encouraged him to wing that thing around, and his wild aiming was no longer being contained by my basin!  So--I quickly reevaluated and encouraged him to finish his business and get back to bed.

Two nights later, I heard rustling again...  I got up to check, and saw a similar sight.  The Buddy was tugging at his tighty-whities (which happened to be blue) and proceeded to wave his business around his room.  Let's be clear...  We no longer live in the contemporary house with the concrete floors!  This was not good!  So, I helped him tuck it away and hustled him into the bathroom...  which has tile...  not carpet... 

The best part (is there a best part?) came the next morning.

Hey, Buddy, do remember what you did last night?

To which he vehemently denies any such occurrences.  He honestly remembers nothing!  Truly at a loss...  What to do...?

Autumn Slides into the Valley

As I witness the harbingers of fall, I know my heightened enthusiasm irritates many of my friends. This year, for the first time--maybe ever--I was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of fall colors and coolish weather. I have thoroughly enjoyed these waning weeks of summer. The warm afternoons, fading into pleasant evenings of dining under an umbrella... But today I saw it.   In that little canyon... The first one you see as you head up the hill...?  There were subtle shades of orange in there... Just whispers of color, really. But they were there.

I've always loved autumn. And autumn appeals to me so much more than fall.  Maybe because it's more adept at invoking the true feeling of the season.  Winter is powerful--with the sharp wind, the biting cold, the blinding light reflecting off the snow...  But autumn is subtle.  Fading temperatures, transforming colors, a gentle slide from the sizzle of summer to the bitterness of winter.  It's a season of mellowness.  Mellow colors, flavors, aromas.

Despite being caught unawares, I'm looking forward to the anticipated changes that autumn ushers into the valley.  Baking pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, simmering spiced cider, listening for the crackle of pine logs in the fireplace.

I'm not wishing away the beautiful weather, but I'm ready for the change. 

Summer's Come and Gone--Almost

Wow!  It's been a long time since I've logged in to Blogger.  The whole interface has changed and it took me a minute to find my way around!   I guess I've been so busy enjoying not being busy that I took an unintentional, prolonged vacation from blogging.  But the kids are back in school.  The schedule has once again become routine, so I guess I should get back to real life as well.

I've enjoyed my summer even more than usual this year.  Two (quick) trips to NYC with the requisite shopping and dining.  A new job (that I love).  Lunches with my girlfriends.  Dates with The Mister.  Movie nights out on the lawn...  Snoasis, days on the lake, corn on the cob.  What's not to like?

Maybe the best part of this particular summer has been meeting new friends.  Neighbors in the new neighborhood.  Mom's of some of HRH's new dance friends in NYC.  Strangers on airplanes...

It might be the end of 2011--but I think this is going to be the start of a fantastic year!

Ready to Concede Defeat

Last week a lovely, young couple moved into the neighborhood.  It's obvious that they are completely devoted to one another.  They chatter happily as they work to create their new home together.  They never seem to squabble.  They are committed to getting their home in order as quickly as possible.

My adorable new neighbors are the Swallows...  No, not exactly Mr and Mrs Swallow--more like the barn swallows.  Yep, my new neighbors are a couple of birds.

So The Swallows (Mr and Mrs) decided to relocate to the neighborhood late last week.  I enjoy their lively twittering.  Their roost of choice is the temperature gauge right outside my office window, which gives me a prime spot for observing them.  I've noticed their pretty colors, iridescent blue wings, orange heads, yellow bellies...  And I thoroughly enjoy their animated conversations.  Their cheerful chatter makes me smile.  They are brightly colored, energetic, and very entertaining to watch.   

It was obvious from the first that the friendly little neighbors were some type of swallow; I decided to find out more.  So this is what I found out:  my cheerful neighbors are the same pesky little birds who love to build muddy nests.  I know, I know...  They will keep the pesky bugs out of my yard, and I'm sure they have other redeeming qualities, but here's what else I learned...

Barn swallows mate for life.  They will live four to seven years, and they will return to the same nest year after year.  They hatch two broods a year--each brood usually includes three to four hatchlings.  The first brood generally hangs around to help with the second brood.  This is all fine and dandy--after all, we encourage committed relationships and a tightly-knit family unit.  The next part is where things get dicey...

So, besides the messy, muddy nest, and the unsanitary droppings, these cheerful little chirpers are also territorial.  Especially when they have a brood in the nest.  So, basically, I'm looking at the young couple, and their first brood dive-bombing any guests who come to my door during the raising of the second brood.  Would you come to visit me if you know that you would be attacked by a swooping flock at my door?  No, I didn't think so...

So we've taken to discouraging The Swallows.  It's not that I'm opposed to them living in the neighborhood, but I'm not sure about having them as "live-in'" guests, so to speak, for the next four to seven years.  Every day we spray the mud off the eves of the porch.  Again, and again, and again.  The Swallows are nothing, if not persistent!  This has been going on for a week now.  And after a week of starting over with their nest-building every few hours, they just keep at it.

I'm about ready to concede.  The Mister, however, is holding his ground.  It is, after all, the house he is financing--The Swallows haven't even offered to pay rent for the pleasure of sharing our roof.  So, armed with a Super Soaker water gun, The Mister attacks, retreats, and attacks again.

It might be a very long summer...