The rain returns

 

The rain returns, in more ways than one. My Home Watch company sent this photo of a snapped irrigation line at the Twisp house, probably courtesy of the snow plower. That hose runs under the ground in front of the garage, so no easy fix when spring comes around. 

In other $$$ news, I got sucked into income tax prep yesterday and blogging fell by the wayside. 

Our tax guy always sent a preparer packet, which I'd mail back with all the tax documents. Simple and neat for an old librarian. 

This year the form is online and I suspect they want us to upload the forms to their company portal. Some will have to be scanned, so it sounds like a lot of trouble "for your convenience." Always something. 

Enough complaining. We had fun yesterday playing our ukuleles and singing at the top of our voices on The Bridge patio. Fortunately, the inside door is heavy so people can sit at the bar and drink in peace. 

We're now using a app called Song Pro, instead of the chaotic airdropping of songs to a group of 40+ people. It's pretty slick. Yes, old dogs can learn new tricks. 

Have a good weekend.  

They really do that

 

A lovely and unique habit of tulips, they are the only cut flowers that keep growing in the vase. Tulips are really responsive to light, and they bend, twist, and elongate towards the nearest light source, like a window. 

Tulips have a special tissue called Xylem that allows them to take in water even without roots. The cut stems are filled with energy and hormones that cause the blooms to open and the stems to grow. Sometimes, several inches. 

And that is the botany lesson of the day. 

 

Rack and ruin

This big flower bed is a disheartening sight. You've seen many photos in full blooming glory, but what a wretched mess now. I didn't mulch and after a relatively warm winter, the weeds are sprouting along with the bulbs and perennials. 

Yes, I know, stop complaining and hire someone to help, but no yard service around will do finicky, hands-and knees weeding like that. Besides, I know pretty much where the goodies (tulips, lilies, hyacinths) are hiding just below the surface. As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. Some people just like to make work for themselves.

On the bright side, spring comes early, and there will be flowers in the house soon.

 

(These came from Trader Joes.) 
 

Something to crow about

 

That's right! The Seattle Seahawks are headed to the Superbowl after a thrilling game last night. This city is going bonkers for the next two weeks. 

Some cute photos from Amanda. Her twelve hens (plus Roostie) roam around the property during the day. 

Nothing makes chickens happier than free range, scratching and pecking for yummy things. No wonder the eggs are so delicious.

The snow in the Valley is unusually light this winter, with inches on the ground instead of feet. I haven't received a single snowplow bill for our driveway, and Tom's new blower hasn't been fired up (yet.)

Nova, with one of the tamer hens, checking out the crock pot. 

The rooster is too skittish to catch and hold. He wasn't spoiled and hand-raised on kitchen scraps. Roostie was a gift from their neighbors across the road, and shows no interest in returning home now. Smart guy, because the extra roosters over there go in the soup pot. 

Amanda's hens will likely expire from old age. 

A pretty view, looking across the Valley from the farmhouse dining room window. And someone wants back inside. 

 

Speaking of birds, a rather magnificent roast chicken I made yesterday. Sorry, girls!
 

The main excitement

 

 The Seahawk mascot

If the Seahawks beat the Rams this Sunday, they go to the Super Bowl to play either the Broncos or Patriots, depending on that game. 

The Seahawks were last at the Superbowl in 2015, where they lost to the Patriots. Feelings of deja vous? Better not jinx it going down that road.

There is no such bird as a Sea Hawk. "Taima" is Auger Hawk (also known as the Auger Buzzard) native to Africa.  

She is trained to fly out of the tunnel ahead of the players at home games. Most of the time, it goes well. But birds will be birds. She once landed on a fan's head, to the great amusement of the crowd.

 Have a good weekend. Stay warm and safe.

Winter mornings

 

That east-to-west time change sure makes for some listless mornings. It is 2 hours earlier in Hawaii. I'm grateful we're retired and don't have to hit the ground running after a trip like that.

The weather is cold and dry-- it hasn't rained in Seattle since January12th. The Safeway store  parking lot yesterday had invisible patches of black ice. Someone was nice enough to warn me when I got out of the car. I slipped once in a Safeway parking lot (go figure) in Cle Elum. Only my pride was injured but shame on Mr. Safeway for not deicing and senior citizens falling down. 

Anyway, a slow news morning here. That major winter storm barrelling across the country won't affect the Northwest, which is often the case. We have our own unique weather drama up here. 

I'm looking forward to seeing my ukulele friends again today. I haven't been to the group since before Christmas.