Catching up with the 20th century. Oh, wait...

 having a nice fire in the woodstove tonight:  it's 35 outside and 64 inside and what a grand excuse to have one more fire.  We're supposed to have rain for the next two days or so, and the lord knows we need it.    I've been catching up on the mowing this week, and part of the process has been to clear up the downed tree limbs and such.   it's old dead wood, and perfect for a night like this. 

The old fashioned peonies are the first to open

I don't know if they're viewing this as a potential nest site or a snack bar, but they keep coming back to it...it used to be a pear tree.  Sadly.  Im in  hopes it will sprout some new branches,   It's not entirely dead, just er, ah, hollow...

                                                                                 

                                               and my cheeky little friend, posing for the camera.

                                                                      

We are also installing a new generator later this summer, to replace the cumshaw arrangement we have now. New, and a  flip switch that even I can use.  What we have now requires prayers in four languages and several moments of cursing (which is a kind of prayer in itself) and then it roars into life, and the entire house begins to smell like a kerosene can.  

It was time.  After the blizzard last winter and the Cleansing of the Freezer after no power for four days,  I think he realized we do need a bit more power in our generator. 

Not sure if i can handle too many more of these new fangled devices.  What's next?  cell phones?