DJ Geribo

Although I'm not fond of the summer heat (I will never move to Florida!) I am thrilled to see so many of our summer birds returning to our neighborhood. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds are one of my favorites along with the Orioles and the Bluebirds. We've also had visits from the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and of course the little 'campers', the American Goldfinch.

I've been spending less and less time painting these days. Not because I don't enjoy it anymore, I do (although I am spending a lot more time on my writing projects). I used to do outdoor art shows in the summer at various parks around the area but it seemed as though most people were just out for a walk, baby stroller and kids in tow, and certainly not out to buy artwork. I got tired of spending so much time preparing, driving to these locations, and spending a long day in the hot summer sun, and not even making enough money to pay for the cost of the booth space. 

A few weeks ago, on a cold and windy day, I had a surprise when I started to open the front door to let my two Pomeranians out and curled up at the door was a porcupine!!! Obviously I didn't put my dogs out but made them wait. My husband, Jim, and I went out the garage door and photographed the little guy who just seemed to want to enjoy the sun on our front porch and get out of the cold. He stayed there a bit longer and then wandered off. He came back again later but then we didn't see him again. I figured he had moved on.

Although we are only coming into the end of February, we are starting to have warming days and less frigid nights (climate change). The animals seem to be the first to know this. I'm seeing lots of deer around and the turkeys are here everyday. The songbirds are on our feeders and I'm seeing the American Goldfinch again. 

We are deep into winter and it is proving to be a very snowy one, more than we've had in the past several years. And with it has come the cold, as well.

But since I'm someone who actually enjoys the 4 seasons we experience here in New England, I'm OK, mostly, with the snow and the cold. As long as it is warm in our house!