The Squirrels

The sun is out at last, have forgotten what it feels like to have the sun on your face. Put it this way, if it could be bottled, it would be a best seller.

On that theme, think of the gorgeous smells, new mown hay, freshly baked bread, a just bathed baby, they are all rather splendid, but what is the ultimate best smell? Thinking hard and long, I’ve come up with two – bacon cooking outside; then fresh coffee perculating. Both set my mouth watering, but they rarely are so good as the smell are they? Another one is onions frying on a hot dog stall, but in reality, they fail the taste test. Is it to do with the smells being outside? I’m sure not, but just enjoy them at every opportunity.

The dog and I were out this morning morning watching the Grebe and its chicks. In the last two weeks they have trebled in size, the mum dives into the pond and collects what looks like weed, from the growth rate of the chicks, it must be very nutritious.

Murphy had a quick burst of squirrel chasing, he really is kidding himself, they run up trees with an agility that is truly impressive, leaving Murphy very earthbound. Another thing the squirrels are up to is nut gathering. The Hazel bushes are ladened with nuts, they are not ripe yet, but that doesn’t stop the squirrels. They leave one hell of a mess of broken shells and torn branches and leaves. That’s what they grow for, isn’t it?

Whilst the sun is out, the butterflies are making a long overdue appearance. There are some dingy brown ones with a very ragged look to their wings. According to my book they are called Comma butterflies. Where does that name come from? They have no markings that look like a comma.

On that theme, here is a salient point for you – tea, the lifeblood of our nation, what sort of mind thought that up? Dried leaves, boiling water, brought together, allowed to brew, then milk and sugar added. It is such a performance; some hero must have made the first pot. What inspired him? They call it tea; do other nations have a similar concoction?

We have been to the vets, painful on my pocket and very traumatic for the dog. The last time he was vet bound, he stopped being a MR. I don’t know if Murphy thought that a reinstatement of his manhood was imminent, but he was very apprehensive to say the least. No such luck. He had a thing on his neck, a wart type thing, but it’s of no consequence. Thank goodness!

Buggy Man