Watson

You wake up on a Wednesday morning, thinking about having 2 days left of summer camp left to teach, and little do you know that by noon you will have a Watson in your life.

Some teachers down the hall from me heard a kitten meowing during the camp morning and looked outside to find this little guy.  No one wanted to take him home, so after calling Dale at work I put him in a box and he was ours!  A vet visit Thursday afternoon gave us the all clear health wise.  Watson is between 5 and 6 weeks old and weighs 1 lb.  He is energetic, likes to snuggle (for short periods of time - there is too much to see to be still for long) and has a lovely purr.

Snoopy is in love.  Between the kitten and 5 new chicks he could not be happier.  The rest of the pets are either peeved or indifferent.

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday the baby chicks started to break through the eggs into the big world.  Today they all hatched.

 A lot of work

for a little one and sadly one did not make it (after making the initial hole).  One had to be

helped a little this afternoon and now is in the brooder box with it's siblings.

6 babies.  Warm and safe.  It was a great experience and one that we will try

again later in the summer.  These chickens are destined for a friend who is married

to a guy who is an ex butcher.  A barter for lessons in processing.

But right now they are adorable.  Snoopy hangs about the closed bathroom door like

he is the proud papa and not the rooster who has been strutting around guarding his

ladies and telling us all about it at 6am.

Craft Project - Painted Suitcase

Why paint a suitcase?

For several reasons. 

1.  Free canvas.  It came from my garage and fits my -Use what I have plan- which I'm trying to do this year as much as possible.

2.  Cute storage.  I have 3 of these and can use them to store craft items out of sight.  

3.  Cheap project.  This cost me under $10.  I bought some cheap craft paint (on sale) and used Modge Podge to prime the suitcase and to seal it.  Used an archival black marker to outline the designs.  The ribbon I had probably came from a ribbon sale.  

The painting took a little time as I painted several coats of orange on. I used 8 oz of Craft Smart orange paint.  My suitcase measures 21 inches w by 14 inches tall.  Back and sides are also painted and decorated.  

This will be used to store ribbon in my craft room but the possibilities are endless.  Small suitcases can store tiny toys like legos and cars.  Blocks and small dolls.  Linens and fabric.  The room will look cuter and neater.

Signs of Spring

Remembering

Walking to Section 60 in Arlington Cemetery is a short, mostly serene walk which is why I don't often take advantage of getting a pass and driving over.  This day was no different.  Even thought the parking lot was full with tourists on Spring Break most of them were heading in a different direction to see the graves and sights of the famous.  That is a blessing.  It leaves the rest of the park quiet for family.

Since I was last there however, 16 months ago, the scenery has changed a lot.  So many more head stones that it left me a bit disoriented.  Military personnel are now being buried close to the highway and to the Visitors Center.  Everything looked different and when I made a turn onto York I spent a great deal of time wandering around lost

I walked back to the Visitors Center and looked at the guy behind the help desk.  "I can't find him," I said simply.  "That is what we are here for," came the calm reply.  So I typed in the name and was given a map.  "His address is 6429."  And as my feet hurt from looking for almost non existent cherry blossoms earlier in the day I took advantage of the driving pass.

I had not been far off.  Only 3 rows which made me somehow feel better.  Instead of putting out flowers I put out a small tortoise.  When we were young (and life was different) we rode the tortoises one day at the Buffalo Zoo.

Remembering.

Springtime in Virginia

Or maybe on the calendar only.  We still have power and the air is not bitterly cold.

School is cancelled though the roads are mostly clear.  A few ice patches in our area but near the mountains and in shady areas it is probably much worse.  Judging road conditions for the county on your own road here has never been a wise idea.  Travel a few miles and conditions can change.

 Another snow maker is coming through later with 1 -3 expected. 

Palm Sunday - Chickens in Snow

So the last snow was not the final of the season.  We have 1-2 inches in spots of heavy, wet snow so far. The chickens are hiding under the pine tree in the garden and Henry is standing on one leg  (like a flamingo) but no one wants to go to the warm and clean coop.

Work laundry is finished.  Dinner for the next few days is done and firewood is in the garage.  Phones are being recharged.

On Easter it will be 60.