Cook Out

The weather was garbage when we got up this morning, but by lunch it had cleared up nicely. I had a mini-cookout. I made us burgers and fries for lunch. I hope Jen enjoyed it. We were watching Disney Cruise videos while we ate… and now we want to go swimming in the Caribbean.

I have been in the Atlantic Ocean. I have been in the Pacific Ocean. I touched a Great Lake once… actually… twice, I think. I’ve been in lakes and ponds and rivers. I have never been in a Sea though. Taking a dip in the Caribbean could fix that oversight.

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Okay, Robert. Back to your chores. That bathroom isn’t going to clean itself.

Back Yard

The patio umbrella is open for the first time in two years. The weather today is perfect.

Also, the mangled bird feeder pole has been replaced. I’d say upgraded, but it feels a little flimsy.

Let’s see if the birds start visiting while I cook lunch on the grill for the first time this year!

The Windows are Open

The windows all over the house are open. It is a gorgeous day outside and the cats are transfixed by the outdoors.

In slightly related news, I got an email from amazon today stating that the two new bird feeders I ordered over a week ago finally shipped but won’t be delivered until Friday. Friday? Really? Ugh.

I was saving a bag of bird seed but I just said screw it and filled up the old, decrepit bird feeders one last time.

Also, no sign of life in either of the bird houses I hung outside. Oh well. I guess you can’t win ’em all. It’s still early in the season though… sort of.

Backyard

Obligatory I-went-out-to-the-back-yard-to-fill-the-bird-feeders photo shoot.

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See that light in the basement window? That’s my desk. Fascinating? Why, yes. Yes it is.
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No birds came out of the bird house, but I could hear some chirping coming from inside.

Let’s Get This Sunday Ball Rollin’

It’s Sunday, 8:48am. My exercise for the day is done. My breakfast of protein bars has been eaten without issue. My morning vitamin pills gave me a little stress and I only managed eight ounces of water. I’ll fix that later once my breakfast is good and digested.

We have a lot to do today. We want to clean the kitchen floor, dust and clean the living room, there is a new Playstation to be setup and taken for a test drive (thanks, Jen!). First on my priority list though is to put together this huge tent/shed thing in the back yard. I need it to store a lawn mower, assuming we get a lawn mower. Larry has one he’s looking to get rid of, so I will likely buy that off of him. I need someplace to put it first though, and that’s where the tent/shed thing comes into play. I have no idea if I am going to be able to put this together on my own or not. I may need to call in some Calvary, but I am optimistic it won’t come to that. I just have to get off my blogging ass and do it.

Tomorrow is my birthday. How fucking depressing is that? Today is my last day as a 51 year old. I am listening to some Nirvana right now. Think of it as mood music. Remember the CD Single for Smells Like Teen Spirit? There were two b-sides. Even in His Youth and Aneurysm. To this day I still see that single as the best single ever released by anyone. The b-sides were better than every other band’s a-sides. I always forget how colossally brutal that band was. Just friggin’ amazing. Even after all these years, it all still holds up.

I am planning on borrowing Jen’s little Bose bluetooth speaker when I go outside but I’ll probably listen to something less sledge-hammer-to-the-skull while I’m outside. You know, something more family friendly like The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis. You know, weird and genius rather than freight train and genius.

Okay. Stop stalling. Go change your clothes and get your ass in gear. Let’s go, Robert! Let’s get that shed/tent thing up before you turn 52!

Back Yard Fun

Bird house number one is hanging in the front of the house. No tenants yet. Bird house number two was hung on a baby pine tree this morning.

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Bird house number three was hung on the tree right outside the bedroom door, which is also the first tree in the yard to start coming alive. Green!

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Finally, for now at least, the bird feeders are full. It’s Spring, babie! Enjoy!

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Back Yard Foliage Update

We’re still barely underway here in the Merrimack Valley, but there is some color. Not good color, really, but it’s something.

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This tree is almost done, but the tree next to it hasn’t even started turning yet.
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This guy has made good progress since the last time I looked, but still has a long way to go.
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I kinda like the reds here, but most of it is just going to be the same old blah yellow. Blah. 41/365
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In summation… bird.

Autumn in the Back Yard Update

I went outside just now to bring out the trash. I took the opportunity to get an update on the fall foliage in the back yard. I will break the two minute experience into three pieces.

Part One: The Leaves are Changing

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A couple of trees are turning yellow
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This thing is turning… red? Purple?

Part Two: Are These Poisonous?

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If the deer eat these berries will they get sick?
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If the deer eat these berries will they get sick?

Part Three: Frogger

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Every time I bring out the trash, this frog is on the lid waiting for me.
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This was after I lifted the lid. Mr Frog looks like he’s hanging on for dear life.

And that is the summary of the two minutes I was outside. The sun is blazing and the air temperature is a glorious 73 degrees. It’s practically summer again except that it will probably be chilly again in a day or two.