ENJOYING SPRING

Yesterday was the first of June. Our weather, the past two days, has felt more like August. This has been a really unusual Spring, weather-wise. We were cool,hot, cold, unbelievably wet and now it is not only hot, but, hot and dry. Welcome to Central Kentucky! Actually, I've enjoyed the days, whether cold, hot, wet or dry. It's been a wonderful springtime around me.

I have continually watched my bluebird house and noticed activity, but was concerned by some nesting Flycatchers that were showing the bluebird house a little too much attention. Their nest is in the back of the house and I was just hoping and praying they weren't feeling like their babies were threatened at all by the bluebird family. I learned hard lessons about birds and how protective they are of their young years ago in Henderson. I don't want a repeat of either the bluejay incident or the starling/sparrow incident here in Scott County. Thankfully, everything has turned out fine with the Bluebirds and the Flycatchers.

Not only have these bluebirds already hatched their first brood of babies. (These juvenile bluebirds are now living in the trees of my yard.) Now, they are nearing the big day for their second brood. I believe they are feeding these little birds furiously and will be coaxing them out of the box soon. I hope it's today, as I have no plans to venture anywhere for the first time this week.

I've also had wonderful early luck with the hummingbirds. They are darting about all around my yard, visiting the three feeders that I try to keep clean and filled for them. In addition, my finch feeder has been swarmed by yellow Goldfinch and many beautiful, turquoise Indigo Buntings. There's also the usual birds and we occasionally see Orioles. Although the male is black and orange ( Go Paris ). The female is a mustardy yellow. I really got upclose and personal with her because she crashed into the glass doors over the deck and was stunned for sometime while I looked her up in my birdbook. I was surprised to see it was a female Oriole. I thought they were both black and orange. I learned something new that time.

Mark and I have our vegetable garden planted with squash, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes and green peppers. I'm also taking care of purple petunias, azaleas, a couple hydrangeas and some Gerbera daisies, in five different colors. Spring has definitely sprung at the Libby's.

I don't know if I mentioned the really awesome book I read about the little boy that almost died during emergency appendectomy surgery. He amazingly described angels singing to him at the hospital where this took place several weeks later. This began a lengthy question and answer period with his father, a very small town Nebraska minister. The discussion over his "visit heaven" was drawn out over many, many months. This three year old had quite the story to tell and after years of people telling them they should write a book about this amazing revelation, they finally did. It's called Heaven Is Real. I first saw them on the Today show and asked for the book for my birthday. I highly recommend it.

Well, it has been a really beautiful morning and I know there are things I need to be doing. I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy all your springtime blessings. love, Susan