Under a Blue Moon

There is quite a bit of bird hustle and bustle going on around here.  We have tenants in the skinny birdhouse (which I hung solely for decoration).  I'm not sure what kind of birds they are but they look like finches with a jaunty tail that points almost straight up.

They spend the day running back and forth across the railing (you can see one about mid-way on the railing, right above the flower pot) then up to the birdhouse or the feeder.

They chase the squirrels away too. I saw one divebombing some poor, unsuspecting squirrel that wandered too near.  The poor guy was just crossing the deck and I don't think he had any nefarious activities in mind at all. 

I also bought a new hummingbird feeder.  It is quite pretty but it doesn't have very much red on it so I was afraid that the hummingbirds wouldn't even notice it.  So I stuck a red millinery flower on it. 

And it worked!

Excuse my spotty window.  We had quite the rainy weather last week.

We've noticed two different hummingbirds using it but they chase each other off.  I may get another one and hang it on a different part of the deck so they can each have their own.

And finally, the girls are getting bigger and bigger.  They are looking like pre-teens.  Not quite gawky yet, but almost.  The cochins are really looking big.  They are all getting used to perching and they are very curious.  I couldn't take many pictures with the cage door open because it looked like they wanted to come out and see what I was doing.

We marked the ground for the coop and vegetable garden area.  I think we are going to break ground this week!

For keeping Evan in your thoughts.  Intellectually I know it is considered a routine procedure but when it comes to your child's heart is it ever routine?
 

Busy weekend at the Blue Moon household.  We finally got our chicks.  I would like to introduce you to Scarlett, Rosita and Lucy; the Rhode Island reds (three chicks on the left) and Bellina, Ina and Grace; the Buff Cochins (on the right).

Bonus points if you know where the name Bellina came from.

I suppose now we are committed to building a coop.  These chicks are two weeks old and will probably be ready to go outdoors in about five weeks.  The weather will be warm by then, I hope. 

I also finally got the 3-tiered planter planted.  Herbs on the bottom (basil, oregano, thyme, cilantro and chives) and geraniums, lobelia and allysum on the top two.  The liner on the bottom is looking a little wonky.  I didn't really notice it until I looked at the pictures.  Hopefully when the herbs fill in it won't be so noticable.

I don't normally do this but I do believe in the power of positive energy (whether it be prayer, vibes or just a caring thought).  So if you could throw some of that energy my son's way it would be dearly appreciated.  My youngest had open heart surgery when he was 18 and as a result had to have a permanent pacemaker implanted.  Today they discovered that one of the leads has cracked and needs to be replaced.  They are going replace the entire pacemaker when they go in. 

His name is Evan and his worrywort mother thanks you.