Not Too Buggy About It

Birdseed. I use three types: a wild birdseed mix, sunflower seeds and thistle, each for its own specialized feeder, each kept in its own dedicated bin. I have a large bird population outside the sewing studio window who flock in large numbers to partake of the abundant offerings.  This method  of storage has worked wonderfully for many years, the closet where the seed is kept is just inside the exterior side porch door, conveniently located for filling the feeders just a few yards away.  At least it had worked wonderfully well until last weekend!
I was totally unprepared to open the closet one morning and find the walls, floor and ceiling teeming with teeny-tiny crawling black bugs! Apparently some hatching had happened in one of the seed bins. I was totally creeped out and launched into high gear as an exterminator!  I sprayed. I mopped. I vacuumed. I hauled the infested seed-filled bins just outside the door onto the side porch while I worked. After two days of lathering, rinsing and repeating the clean-up effort not a single teeny-tiny bug remained. However, in the meantime, the now protein-enriched seed became all the more attractive to my feathered friends; no need to place it in the bird feeders either, they helped themselves directly! Right now I am rethinking my birdseed storage plans. This time I am buying new bins, ones with lids. I haven't repurchased any birdseed, I'm not too buggy about it. At least, not yet.

Life is Good!

On this, the second day of November,  I am thankful 

for glorious fall days with cloudless sapphire skies.

Resurrection Spray?

I never gave a lot of thought to what a four year old might think the purpose of an exterminator would be; I just assumed that Gregory understood they kept one's home free of bugs by the obvious method. Apparently he thinks that the bug man, by use of his magic spray, is able to perform the complete opposite!

Gregory spent the night with us on Saturday; when he came out of the bedroom yesterday morning he tenderly cradled a dead lady bug in his softly closed fist. "Nana", he said "you need to call the bug man, I think this lady bug is dead and it needs the spray"!  He gave it to me and I placed it on the bathroom vanity, I didn't want to traumatize him by pitching it in the waste basket. I caught him examining it a short time later... "it's still dead" he said, "you need to call the bug man now".

The sweet innocence of his heart, one that believes in a world where life can be restored through a well-placed squirt, is enough to melt my own. 

Life is Good!

On Their Own

I provide plenty for the visiting birds and wildlife: water, seed, nectar, abundant trees for shady refuge. I refuse to be bullied by tempting products, showing up on store shelves, to provide any more that I already do. In these tight economic times I am finding lots of ways to make our household dollars go further and when it comes to specialty items I simply have to draw the line. I have two birdbaths. The bugs can use either one of those, or a puddle for that matter, and bring their own soap.

Life is Good!