READY OR NOT ... SEPTEMBER 25 2013 ...
What a wonderful 14 day trip. Day 1 was flying to Boston and boarding the Veendam, our home for the next two weeks. Day 14 was arriving back in Boston, disembarking, and flying home. My next few blogs will consist of pictures mostly. Hope you enjoy.
Days 2 and 13 were spent in Bar Harbor Maine. Son Andy and D-I-L Lauri who live in Oakland Maine, drove to Bar Harbor on Saturday evening, day 2, and spent the night. So on Sunday bright and early they were at the dock watching the Veendam arrive.
Nancy and I had a great day spending it with them. They were our private tour guides for Acadia National Park.
On day 13 I did the lighthouse tour, by boat, and saw 5 different lighthouses and beautiful scenery. Nancy stayed ashore and went shopping.
The bonus of doing the round-trip cruise rather than one way was that we have 2 days at each port-of-call, rather than just one. Gave us a chance to see much much more of what the trip had to offer.
Of course we were pampered aboard ship. Waited on hand and foot. We saw great live performances, I saw a movie, we talked to so many folks, made new friends, ate, ate, ate, and ate.
Returning to the real world was sort of a shock.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. Was hard to narrow the selection down to just a few. Have a great day and God Bless.
QUITE A WHILE ... SEPTEMBER 24 2013 ...
Time really moves along when you are busy - and busy I have been. I finally have all my cruise photos edited, and, hopefully, starting tomorrow will share some with you.
Between the time I returned and now I have been sort of busy. Un-pack, do laundry, down-load pictures, edit pictures, process bags and bags of apples from our little orchard, along with pears from same orchard, print pictures for the up-coming Covered Bridge festival, attend said CB festival and now am printing pictures for the up-coming Oglebayfest beginning October 4. In between trying to get some flower bed work done, house desperately needs a lick and polish, and I need another vacation.
If this doesn't make you tired, you are a better person than I am.
Also, the first day of the CB festival it rained, and rained, and rained. And, of course my tent decided it was the perfect time for the tent top to leak. I've been expecting this to happen, sooner or later, hopefully later, as I have had the tent for several years, out in all sorts of weather, I guess it just gave up the ghost.
Then, when taking the tent down Sunday evening, the top decided that in addition to leaking, It would give me a view. In other words, the tent is just kind'a worn out. I had to cancel the Mum Festival this upcoming weekend, because it is outside.
Now comes the hard decisions - do I try to find a new top, which to date I have not been able to, or do I purchase an entire new tent. My sides are o.k. So far. If I am lucky.
I AM cutting back on outdoor shows for next year, but want to continue doing Salt Fork Arts Festival, if Bossman will just arrange to be home that particular weekend in August, and the Covered Bridge Festival. And you never know when something else might come along. I also want to do Art in Action at Washington Park next spring, and will need a tent for that. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
No wonder my brain is fried.
Well, better close this out and get outside, flower beds need their fall clean-up. Anyone want to trade places with me? I will only accept applicants who will trade relaxation for work.
Anyhoo, have a great week and God Bless.
EVERYONE...
No, I did not drop off the face of the earth, drop dead, or was kidnapped. So where have I been???
Was on a wonderful 14 day cruise from Boston up the New England and Canadian coast line, spending three days in Quebec Canada, then returning to Boston.
From Boston first stop was Bar Harbor, next Sydney Nova Scotia, then Halifax Nova Scotia, then Prince Edward Island, on to Quebec, returning also stopping at the above ports of call.
This is just a note, I am back, and will be sharing stories and pictures, once I get organized (whatever that is) and download and edit roughly 3500 pictures. And since I don't have anything else to do - only have three festivals the next three weekends - I will be busy.
It was a wonderful two weeks. Now it is back to the REAL world. Needless to say I will be busy. I hope all is well with my friends, far and near, and God Bless.
THIS DOG? ... AUGUST 12 2013 ...
Maybe I should say "these dogs". Great dogs. Great hunters. Until-----
Toenail trimming - Bossman can do Samantha o.k. But Coco! No way! We gave up a long time ago and now take him to the local groomer (dog, not people) for toenail cutting.
Bath time - Forget it. Everytime Bossman gave them a bath (just one at a time) it was a MAJOR BATTLE. He could usually get Sam in the tub, sometimes took a while, but could handle her. Then there is Coco - would take 2 just tog et him in the tub, and when all was said and done it looked as if we had experienced a flood. Water, and suds, everywhere. But we managed.
Then we remodeled. No more tub. Just a walk in shower stall, for old people like me. Never gave the dogs a thought. Have you ever tried to give a dog - who hates baths almost as much as he hates toenail cutting - in a walk in shower stall. I don't think you really want to try that.
So today made an appointment with the gal who cuts his toenails to give him a bath. Only problem, she is booked until August 20th. So made the appointment. Will see what happens. Maybe she will ban him forever.
I haven't made an appointment for Sam yet. Should be interesting. If I am lucky I will be able to post this blog. Ghen again........
Have a good day and God Bless.
WHERE HAS THIS YEAR GONE??? AUGUST 08 2013 ...
August. Summer is winding down. It already feels like fall out. No wonder my head spins.
Been quite busy. Spent the last weekend with friends in Senacaville Ohio, while attending the Y-BRIDGE ART FESTIVAL in Zanesville Ohio. A good weekend all the way around.
They have a beautiful German shepherd mix dog named Tucson. Of course when I got home I got the evil-eye from my dogs because they knew I was with ANOTHER DOG!! HOW DARE I!!
I HATE COMPUTERS. Took me 4 - yes 4 - attempts to get the computer to let me add pictures. Then I chose JUST ONE picture, just like it says - choose the pictures you want added - and what does it do - puts them all in this spot. I wanted to sort of stagger them. The picture I wanted in this spot was of Tucson. guess what picture I got - all of them. Why do they bother to tell you to select when they are going to ignore you completely? No wonder I'm grumpy.
In addition to all this I spent some time photo-opting. Can you imagine that? Been catching up with myself this week.
Have a busy couple of weeks coming up just catching up . My local grandkids will be returning to and-or starting college in just a few more days, including my youngest grandkid . Can't believe they are all grown up. No way am I THAT old. At least that is what I tell myself, until I look in the mirror. I then pretend that the face looking back at me belongs to someone else.
Well, better get off of here and get busy. Hope you are all keeping busy, enjoying yourselves, and God Bless.
HAS FLOWN BY -- JULY 31 2013 ...
The number of hours in the days, and the number of months in the year have not changed, so how can they be flying by so fast?
I am getting old quickly enough as it is, I don't need it speeded up, thank you, but I don't want it to stand still either. Can't win.
I am not complaining, life has been good, mostly. I just don't like the getting old part. I guess that is why I love the cartoon character Gertrude, or whatever her name is. You know, the old lady one telling it as it is. She manages to hit the nail on the head every time.
But enough rambling. I really didn't have anything profound to say, not even intelligent. But hated to end the month without something. Can't believe tomorrow is August 1st. By the way I will be away for a few days - Bossman is holding down the fort. Between him the dogs and resident farmer the homestead is kept functioning without me. Darn! I like to think I am indispensable. Whatever that means.
Since I don't have anything profound to talk about thought I would share a few of the pictures taken when Betty, Pam and I took our one day road trip. Looking for Mail Pouch Barns (of which we found 7) and anything else interesting.
You never know what you will see around the next bend in the road. Like barns:
Like houses, both grand and not so grand:
And outhouses:
Be kind of hard to use this one, especially if you were in a hurry!!!
And lots of stuff we didn't bother with, just looked as we went by.
That is what makes the road trips fun. You never know. And it s a great excuse to eat out! No cooking. No clean-up. No mess. Just sit and be waited on.
Hope you all have a great few days. How about them Pirates? I don't like to watch baseball as it is too slow moving, but I keep flipping channels to catch the score and see what is happening.
So guess I had better flip this channel and get crackin' Keep safe and God Bless.
THE BARNSTORMERS!!!JULY 29 2012 ...
I mentioned the Barnstormers picnic. I am sure you are wondering what it is all about.
The Barnstormers are an organization, with about 200 members at the present time from all over the country, whose purpose is to try to preserve the history of the MAIL POUCH BARNS. In case you didn't know, Mail Pouch barns was the FIRST roadside advertising done in this country along numerous roads.
This year we had a contest - who can build the best birdhouse, the winner and runner up winning a year of two with their membership dues paid in full. Here is a pic of this years first place winner, 2 year member Judy Humphrey and her entry:
Judy then donated her piece to the auction.
No, we do not promote, condone, or encourage anyone to smoke or chew Mail Pouch Tobacco.
In 1879 the Bloch brothers owned a dry goods store in Wheelig WV. On the second floor of the building they rolled cigars and stogies.
The tobacco left over from the clipped ends was, originally discarded. Then the idea formed. They mixed the tobacco with a licorice flavoring which was then placed in a jar for sale as chewing tobacco.
The 'chew' sold quickly, and by 1880 the brothers decided to package the 'chew' under their brand, but they needed a name.
So a contest was held to name the 'chew'.
Remember in those days mail was delivered by pony express. The bags holding the 'chew' resembled very small pony express mail bags. A pony express rider entered - and won - the contest. His entry - MAIL POUCH.
It was around the turn of the century (1900) the brothers hit on the idea of advertising their product. In the beginning several groups of painters, usually 2 in each group, began traveling the main roads, and wherever they spotted a barn quite visible, they stopped, and after explaining what they wanted to do, if the farmer agreed, a contract was signed, and the painting began. The painters traveled in horse-drawn wagons.
The painters would be on the road for approximately 8 months, staying over-night with the farm whose barn they were painting. And for that reason, and the fact that horse-drawn wagons were very slow, only a radius of 600 miles of Wheeling ever had Mail Pouch painted on their barns.
World War II started, the barn painting stopped. At the end of the War a veteran named Harley Warrick of Belmont Ohio signed on with the tobacco company to paint barns. As time went on, went on many of the painters went on to other jobs, and finally Harley was the only barn painter left on the payroll.
Upon his retirement the company dis-continued the barn painting practice.
Each farmer that had a sign on their barn received a small royalty check ($10.00 - $12.00) per year for each side painted. Thus one side $10 - two sides $20) and I know of a family today still living on the home farm, with a MP barn and they still receive their royalty check once a year.
So you can see, it is the HISTORY the Barnstormers are trying to preserve. So many of the barns are gone, fallen, the farm sold and developed the barn being torn down, the farm abandoned and time taking the barn.
One of the Barnstormers endeavors is to try to help someone who happens to own a barn or building with the MP painted on it, preserve said building and sign. Another endeavor is to help folks to understand just what they are all about, learn the history and significance of the barns and their signs.
Here are a couple of other tid-bits: During the depression years this guaranteed income went a long way towards paying the taxes on the farm. It saved many a farm from foreclosure for non-payment of taxes.
A lot of the pre-WW II signs contained the painting of a mail pouch tobacco pouch, and even the name Block Bros.
That Harley, as time went by, would deliberately mis-spell or add a word not normally seen, then in his office in Wheeling would sit and wait to see how many phone calls he got re the mistake.
For more information, find them on FACEBOOK - MAIL POUCH BARNSTORMERS, or check out their web-site www.mailpouchbarnstormers.org
I hope this helps explain what we Barnstormers are all about. The picnic is fun, there is a 'store' where you can purchase mp memorabilia, several vendors with MP pictures, there is lots and lots of great food, a guest speaker, and an auction of MP items that have been donated by the members, and sometimes non-members who have stumbled across something. What a great way to spend the last Saturday in July.
Come join us next year. Everyone is welcome, member or not. Just be careful, you in all probability will get 'hooked" The dues are only $20.00 per year and in return you will receive a quarterly newsletter with stories and pictures. And you will have a great day in July.
Enjoy and God Bless.
YESTERDAY! ... JULY 24 2013
Yes, it was a fun day, perfect blue sky white cloud day. Until we came home. What a downpour, but we had had our fun and really didn't care.
Two Barnstormer friends - Belmont Betty and Toledo Pam - met up with me - Bossman's gofer - here at my place bright and early. And then the three of us were off on our Mail Pouch Whatever Photo Shoot. And photos we did shoot.
We found 8 - I think that is right - Mail Pouch Barns, 1 outhouse, and several other (I think 7) barns and buildings.
We got lost a few times, what did you expect, but no big deal. About drove my GPS lady crazy, but we had fun.
We finished up our treasure hunt in Saxonburg Pa about 5:30 p.m. and found a neat little family restaurant where we stopped for supper. The sun was still shining.
An hour later, when we left to start home it was beginning to sprinkle. By the time we reached I-79 south it was raining pretty hard. By the time we reached I-70 west it was a down pour. We crawled for miles. Got back to my place safely. I am hoping betty and Pam made it home o.k. They had just about an hour more to reach home.
Pictures down-loaded, not the editing fun begins. I think we would like to do this again, when Toledo Pam is in our area.
I don't think our grass is going to be mowed for some time to come. If it ever stops raining long enough for it to dry out. I hope this crazy weather pattern is long gone before winter sets in. It felt like fall this morning when I stepped outside downright cool.
Everyone stay dry, stay safe, and God Bless.
TO BUILD AN ARK? ... JULY 20 2013 ...
Today makes 6 straight days we have had rain. We have only 34 days left to finish the ark. Somehow I don't think we will make it. Perhaps the rain will stop???
I know I am being facetious (bet you didn't know that I actually know some big words?) but so far this summer has been a disaster.
My garden growing like crazy. Can't get into it because of the mud. Perhaps with hip boots?
Our township lane has washed terribly. They can't get to it to fix it. Our driveway has held up pretty well, but then Bossman is always working on it.
Now - for quite a switcheroo. Don't you just love that word?
Today is dog groomer day. For Coco. A boy dog yet. Going to the groomer? Yikes!!!
Not what you think. He has to get his toenails cut. Why a groomer for cutting toe nails? Because with Bossman AND me working together, we cannot hold him down to cut his nails You would think we were going to scalp him.
But the dog groomer. No trouble at all. He just stands on the table, lets her - notice I said her - no Bossman - cut said nails, then use the electric sander on them to smooth them out Piece of cake. Takes about 5 minutes for all 4 feet. It hasn't been decided yet who will take him. The appointment is in two hours - someone had better decide what we are doing.
And then there is the problem with Sam. She will think she has to go also - after all they are all but joined at the hip. Sneakiing Coke out without her coming also is a real trick. Perhaps I should say 'nightmare'.
And then you all wonder why I am nuts.
Stay dry, have a good day and God Bless.
YOUR WEEKEND ... JULY 15 2013 ...
I think I need to make some changes. Regarding scheduling of festivals. In fact, lots of changes. I just have to decide - do I want to continue out-of-town shows. Or not. If I do the or not I will not be doing shows as all of them are out of town.
This was my week-end. Left on Thursday, doing a lot of photo-shooting on my way to Cleveland Heights. It was a good day. I was scheduled at Cain Park at 7 a.m. Friday morning. It is a 3-1/2 hour drive. No way was I loading the van, leaving at 3 a.m. arriving at 7 a.m., unloading, putting up tent, setting up display, and being ready for the festival to open at 3 p.m. going until 8 p.m. that evening.
For those of you that remember - it was the day after this very same festival that I had my mini-stroke. Remember lightning is not supposed to hit twice in the same place. Right. Says who.
I arrived home about 10 p.m. last night, walked into the family room and spotted water in front of our up-right freezer. Upon closer inspection the water looked strange. Upon opening the freezer found the food had been thawing out, probably for most of the weekend, the water was mixed with food drainage.
Just what I wanted to come home to. But not complaining too much. Could have been a repeat of last year.
I salvaged as much of the frozen food as I could. Re-arranging the freezers in both refrigerators. The rest had to wait until today
For some strange reason when I went down this morning to cope with the mess, the freezer had started working again, but there was so much frost and ice inside that the outside was hot to the touch. First thing was to pull the plug Then started the clean-up. Filing garbage bags with discarded food, leaking all over the place.
Also having to wait until all the ice and frost melts. Going thru towels like there is no tomorrow. Once I get it cleaned out - major operation - I will plug it back in and see if it starts, or not, if it cools, or not, or if I should just walk off and leave it, or not.
The walking off sounds pretty good right about now.
I have come to the conclusion that next year I AM NOT applying for the Cain Park Arts Festival!!! I don't want to take the chance on what this particular festival will throw at me third time around. Better leave well enough alone.
And so HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND????????
AND BUSIER ... JULY 08 2013 ....
Crazy summer. Crazy year. I don't know what happened to the first half, but here we are in the second half.
Between rain, rain, and more rain, have been trying to whip the flower beds into shape. Bossman trains very well.
Since he got a bigger lawn tractor, I can no longer get on it with my trusty little red cart behind. So since I can't do that there is no way for me to haul the 'trash' that comes off the flower beds, (weeds, trimmings from the shrubs,bushes etc.) and so I just make a nice pile. In an obvious spot. One you can't miss.
That way I am pretty sure he will remove this eye-sore. He does. He can do it in a snap, just loads the front loader on his big tractor and off goes the trash. The ONE BIG MISTAKE I have made thru the years is doing what I used to do. I should have been playing the part of the 'helpless female' all that time.
Guess they are right. You're never too old to learn.
So I am making progress with the clearing off, and he is removing what has been cleared off. Guess what I'll be doing when I finish here. Right. Clearing off the next section.
Yesterday was a fun evening. Had friends in for supper, then we sat aroundWell and talked and laughed, and enjoyed. What a perfect way to close out Sunday. Now it is back to business.
When I can't be outside am working on pictures for my next festival - The Cain Park Arts Festival - in Cleveland Heights Ohio.
I only have the one festival in July, one in August, two in September, three in October and two in November. That should keep me busy for a while.
Well, the flower beds are calling. It is becoming over-cast so probably more rain moving in. At least our corn in the garden WAS knee high the 4th of July.
Have a good day, stay dry, and God Bless.
or A LITTLE BIT OF NOTHIN' ... JULY 03 2013 ....
Going to share some of my Ireland pics - which have nothing what-so-ever to do with what I am talking about, but then when did I ever do anything that makes sense?
That about sums it up. Haven't blogged for a few days - haven't had anything to say. Quite a change isn't it?
Weather still up and down. Have been able to get some work done in the flower beds. Next week, hopefully, will dig up my iris bed, give most of them away, I already have a recipient, and re-locate the remainder.
Once that is done, will re-vamp said bed, replace the irises with a rhododendron bush, and another hibiscus. At least that is the game plan.
In addition getting ready for the Cain Park arts festival in Cleveland Heights beginning July 12th. Have several new pictures for this festival.
Also planning at least one 1day trip in Pa for Mail Pouch barn pictures with a couple of friends. Maybe 2 days. Only time will tell.
Then the barnstormers picnic the last Saturday in July. Always a fun day. And July will come to a close.
Back to my flower beds - am replacing the two beds containing annuals with perennials. Getting too darned old to be planting flowers every spring. Or may am just getting lazy, or lazier, whichever. I look at it this way. I have paid my dues for more years than I can count, and now it is time I sit back and reap my benefits, whatever they may be. And do what I want to do, not what is expected of me. It is called "being retired".
I use that excuse, and my other good excuse "I am old" to keep from doing things I don't want to do. Other wise I have lots of get-up-and-go left for what I want to do, not what others want me to do. Now, that's what I call living!!!
So guess I had better get busy doing some of the 'what I want to do" things. Have a good day, stay cool, and God Bless.
ARIZONIANS ... JUNE 28 2013 ...
That's right! Blame it on them! It's all their fault!
We had a ball while they were here. Especially the last week when the weather was perfect. THEN THEY HAD TO LEAVE!!!!
They flew out this past Tuesday afternoon, it was beautiful. Then all (you know what) broke loose.
It stormed, lightning, thunder, rain, wind, whatever could be thrown at us was thrown at us. Don't you just love hearing all about this?
Not only did we have torrential rains, lightning hit one of our trees, starting at the top and traveling all the way down thru the tree into the roots. What a mess! It is all Arizona's fault!
This is Friday. It is still raining. We are still getting thunder and lightning and rain, rain, more rain. Forget the yard work. Forget the garden work. Forget cutting up what is left of the tree work. Forget mowing grass. It is all Arizona's fault!
And forget going to Dubois Pa. (somewhere north of us, but covered by the Pittsburgh TV stations, so in our viewing area).
As of last night all roads INTO Dubois were closed due to flooding. That's right, ALL roads. If you were on your way home, forget it. If you wanted to go shopping, forget it. If you had reservations, forget it. The only way into Dubois was by parachute, and who knew what you might land in.
It's all Arizona's fault!
I think the kids better hop on the next plane to Pittsburgh and bring some of the Arizona sunshine with them.
Last I heard this nasty weather is supposed to last until sometime next week!!!
We're on the hill, but if the valley below floods, we are stuck.
All we have to worry about is the lightning. And maybe slithering down the hill in one huge mud-slide.
Have a good day and God Bless.
AND EXHAUSTED DOGS ... JUNE 26 2013 ...
Kids flew back to Arizona yesterday. Seems so strange to have an empty house. No one to sit on the deck with, drinking coffee / tea / whatever.
Bossman will have to do his own mowing. I don't have anyone to clean up after me, or go shopping with. Or just shot the breeze with. Dogs aren't very good at drinking coffee and shooting the breeze.
Sam and Coco love people, love company and all the extra attention, someone else they can con in to letting them in and out, which they are experts at.
Today they are sleeping. Completely exhausted. They will probably sleep for the rest of the week.
Now for a very sharp change of pace. That was quite a storm that moved in last evening. Wind, rain, lightning, thunder. Lightning struck one of our trees dead-center, quite a boom and vivid red flash when it hit.
The dogs are afraid of loud noises, and the thunder was really loud. They were climbing all over us, shaking like crazy. When the lightning hit, I thought they were going to go thru the roof.
That is another reason they are sleeping today.
We were needing rain, but not a gusher. Had more storms during the night that wakened me. Very gloomy today. Guess we are in for several days of rain.
Kids left to go home at just the right time.
I am going to spend the day playing catch-up. Have to get ready for the Cain Art Festival the middle of July.
So it's welcome back to the real world. Be safe, stay dry and God Bless.
FORGOTTEN WHAT YOU WANTED TO SAY? ...JUNE 24 2013 ....
Sat down to blog this morning, nothing but a blank mind. I know I had something in mind when I sat down, but it flew the coop.
I do know one thing. It is already hot - hot - hot!!!! Humidity very high. Feels good inside. Guess I'll stay inside.
My Phoenix kids vacation is winding down - they fly out tomorrow. I don't know where the time has gone, but gone it has.
We've had fun. Done some things. He loves coming home and playing with Bossmans toys. He can't have that kind of toys in Phoenix.
He has mowed, hoed, chopped, cut, sprayed, pulled, you name it. For him it is 'relaxation' compared to the fast-lane life-style in Phoenix.
Know Bossman will miss him. Now he has to start 'working' again. Darn!!!
A few weeks ago after a rain I caught a nice rain-bow over the fire pit. Right now we could use some rain.
Now I have to get busy with pics for my July festival in Cleveland Heights. That is always a good and fun festival to do. From now until the middle of November I will be kept busy.
Mu youngest grand-daughter just had her 'launch' yesterday at Washington and Jefferson College. She is the youngest, and now she is an adult. How fast time flies by.
The great grand-kids are growing and changing - what happened? No way I should be that old!
I will tell you one thing, though. The ONLY time I admit to being OLD is when it will benefit me - senior citizen discounts, restaurant discounts, etc. If I am old, I am sure going to take advantage of it.
Otherwise - watch out! I'll just steam-roll right by you.
Since it is the kids last day here, guess we are all going out to dinner tonight. Suits me. Don't have to plan the menu and cook. Just sit back and be waited on.
I hope you stay in today where it is cool, the heat is supposed to be miserable. So take care and God Bless.
WHAT MORNING WILL BRING...JUNE 20 2013 ....
A little bit of background first. We have 2 bluebird boxes on our fence where we can see them from the house. Every spring there is a mad race - both bluebirds and tree swallows want to 'rent' these house.
Usually we manage to have one tree swallow box and one bluebird box. But not this year.
I guess that is typical - as nothing has been as usual this year.
We have 2 tree swallow boxes. We also have lots of bluebirds, so they must have found a house in another neighborhood. Guess as our bird houses are getting older, the bluebirds wanted newer, bigger, better. Must have found what they wanted.
But back to the breakfast (don't know about you but lost my appetite for breakfast this morning) buffet.
First thing I saw when I walked into the kitchen were these birds sitting on the railing of our back patio ramp. They were fluffing their wings and watching. About that time a tree swallow came flying by and as it passed, the sitting birds grabbed something.
Turns out the sitting birds were young tree swallows. Mom and Dad had coaxed them from their houses, and they landed there. Mom and Dad were feeding them as they rested.
After a few choice morsels they spread their wings and flew off with Mom and Dad.
It amazes me how these birds can fly and snatch their food right out of the air.
But let me tell you, it is a 'mine field' when you are mowing. Mowing disturbs the bugs. The disturbed bugs take off in flight. The tree swallows are dive-bombing the bugs for dinner. You are on the mower, they are diving all around you. They don't care. You feel you need a suit of armor to mow.
Now the swallows have shoved their young out of the nest. After a bit of re-arranging they will raise a second family. Then come fall they will all depart for their winter homes in the south, returning the next spring.
And the battle will begin again as to who gets the bird boxes.
Have a great day and God Bless.
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