Celebrate

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Tuesday was my oldest son's birthday.  He was too busy with work and the kids had some sort of thing planned also.  Thursday was his son's birthday, my only grandson.  Six years old.  They also had plans for that day, so we hadn't been able to get time to celebrate with them.  

Friday we had plans to meet them at a great burger joint to wish them happy birthday and give gifts.  We invited my parents along also.  Since they live in the area now it is easier for them to attend these sort of events they hadn't been able to in the past.  It was great to see them all.  We don't get to see them too often anymore.  With the son's work and home schooling the kids and their own social circle they have little time available.  Since they live about 25 miles across town and the traffic in the area has just exploded over the last few years, traveling that distance is not at all pleasant.  In fact my son has stated he hates it so much he avoids it every chance he can, at the expense of being able to get together very often.  He has even been considering a move to another town, much, much smaller than this rat hole to the south of us.  One of the ones he is considering is 4 hours away.  He can pretty much go where ever he wants since he works from home.  We would see them even less if that happened.  Alternatives are not really an option for us at this time in our lives.

The garden is now ready for planting.  Other critters have already found the new soil.  There are 'signs' of recent activity, probably a cat and indications of coons also.  Since the soil has compost in it, the smell has attracted them quicker than expected.  There is also a rabbit that has been chased out also.  Will need to get my small fence extended to try and protect it.  They haven't messed with the onions or strawberries, yet.  

This has  been a really weird and mild winter, even for this part of Texas.  I have yet to have a freezing temperature.  Had some frost but no actual freeze.  Consequently with the warm temperatures we are experiencing, some of our various plants and shrubs are already blooming.   A late freeze will fix that.  The corner patch of Bluebonnets we have appears to not have come back this year.  No idea why, had more than enough rain to make for a spectacular Spring.  My patch will be a no go this year, disappointing. 

It isn't only the plants that are acting weird.  When I went out to check the garden this morning, I saw a Doe being chased by a large Buck.  That is just wrong.  That happens in Fall and early Winter.  Even the wife was surprised by my story.  She doesn't pay much attention to that sort of detail but it made her raise her eyebrows.  

Did I say this was a weird year?

Happy Trails