Super Summer Days

Summer is definitely here, even though officially, it isn't, at least, not until around the 21st of the month. I have been enjoying this weather immensely. I've been able to walk four of my dogs almost every day. I take two dogs at a time and go up a rather steep hill for a mile. We then come back down and I exchange dogs, and go again. The first two to walk are my A-Team. They are the two bigger males and actually came from the same litter. They love to walk in any condition and they rarely tire or hold me back, in fact, if I were on roller-skates, often I wouldn't get any exercise at all, just a free ride. The second walk is with my B-Team. That would be Pepper, the daddy, and Roy, the pain. I am glad to walk more slowly for the second walk and that's a good thing because the B-Team is easily distracted, frequently tired and often insists on being carried. I know that is good for a little upper-body work on my arms, but carrying two six pound furry, panting dogs is not my ideal method of exercising my upper-body. Actually, it all works out and, like I said before, I am enjoying this premature summer weather.

I obviously miscalculated the first flights of the baby Bluebirds because they are still in their box. I really don't believe they have taken up playing video games and watching non-stop TV, like so many of today's younger generation has. No, I think I just jumped the gun thinking it was time for them to leave the nest. Mama and Daddy Bluebird are continuing to feed them insects on a rotating basis and also remove the fecal(poopy) sacs from the birdhouse. Bluebirds are very neat and clean little birds. I get such a kick watching all the activity take place with this little family. I've not yet seen a baby bird's head popping out of the birdhouse front door opening. I know from previous bluebird families that they will begin to pop their heads out, looking for mama and daddy. After that, the parents will stay out on the peg and the babies will stick their heads out to eat. The next step will be when the parents have the insect in their beaks, yet sit on a tree branch near the birdhouse. Once the babies start to check out the surroundings of the big wide world outside, it won't be long before they're tempted, by their parents, to make their first flight to freedom. And like parents often do, they will continue to keep the babies nearby on a branch and feed them, til they are capable of catching their own insects. I expect to have a yard full of Bluebirds from here on out. That is barring any unforeseen circumstances, that could include predators or the like. Past birding experiences have pitted me against raccoons, sparrows/starlings, cats and snakes. Bluebirds can disappear just like that when their safe surroundings are invaded by a predator.

I'm really looking forward to the Belmont Stakes tonight. I'm usually not interested in this particular race, unless there is the possibility of a Triple Crown Winner. I was initially disappointed when Shackleford held on to his lead in the Preakness, thus denying Animal Kingdom, the Kentucky Derby winner, his shot at the Triple Crown. However, when I heard that Shakleford was a Kentucky horse, I became interested in him. On a previous visit to Wind Star farms last year, we saw Dussledorf, a winner of one of the latter legs of the 2010 Triple Crown. Now, this entry from next door Bourbon County has a shot at winning two of the three races. I go by Belvedere Farm each time I travel to Paris, my third hometown.

I'm also looking forward to seeing the sixth game of the NBA Finals tomorrow night. As a Kentucky fan, I became a Dallas Maverick follower when Jamal Mashburn was playing there some fifteen years back. I also like Texas teams, due to Fort Worth being my second hometown. This particular tournament has been exciting to watch and I hope the Mavericks can manage another big win tonight in Miami. I really appreciated the post game comments made by one of the Maverick's players, who made some really key three pointers to seal the win. Some people like to make fun when athletes praise God for their performances. Too bad they don't understand that, as Christians, it is one of our purposes in life to always give the glory to God for everything.

Last weekend was especially busy for me, as will be next weekend. But, today and tomorrow are days to relax, get caught up and watch and wait for baby Bluebirds to take flight. I hope you are enjoying an early super summer day. Be safe. love, Susan