Rose Cottage Ltd

I first looked at this birdbath and didn’t care for it but, the longer I looked, the more I liked. See what you think…

Mariposa Birdbath – $144.99
from: DIRECT GARDEN DÉCOR / Garden-Fountains.com

Look for this, other birdbaths, fountains, and garden statuary from:

I want to assure you that my Easter eggs, did NOT quite reach this level of decorating skill – but I can appreciate those that did!

Happy Easter to all!

And on another happy note, the Obama Countdown Clock tells me that we are finally under 600 days until Obama is out of office!

His attitude and actions toward Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu this past week were appalling and embarrassing to me as a US citizen. This is NOT how we treat one of our strongest allies.

Other than one (hopefully last) snow storm in the northeast, many of us are near the time when we can get outside and work off some energy cutting grass, tend to our yards and gardens, enjoy the early blooming flower bulbs, and watch buds and color gradually form on trees. I don’t know about you but this has seemed like a LONG winter. I am READY to be done with it!

I’m stuck at home for the second day due to ice and snow and let’s admit it – even if you didn’t have to go anywhere, knowing you just can’t, can get annoying. Just as when we were school age, playing in the snow is a great, new experience at first but then, “we have nothing to do” creeps in.

The adult version of “we have nothing to do” seems to involve poking fun at others who are dealing with their same version of “winter.” If you’re living in Boston or other parts of the northeast US right now, snow totals less than 4 feet don’t even catch your attention. In DC yesterday, 4 to 6 INCHES of snow shutdown the Federal Government. At my location in Central North Carolina, 2 inches of snow topped with a inch or so of ice – shut down EVERYTHING.

Niagara Falls – Frozen Solid!

Around this time of a winter event – for lack of better word, people start to get a bit touchy about their weather – almost defending their ability to live in a nearly hostile environment. People in Boston are making fun of those in DC and I am sure DC would be or is making fun of those of us “down south.” I don’t play this game because I never WANTED to win the “Who has more snow?” contest. It’s why I don’t live in Boston – lovely city that it is.

To all those who get too personally involved in the snow totals contest I say “Chill out.” I have friends in Arizona and Southern California who think we are ALL crazy for living anywhere where the temperature ever gets below 60 degrees! They get their digs in now regarding my close-to-zero temperatures but I will get payback when Arizona residents are dealing with 100+ degree heat in mid-summer and I am sitting in North Carolina on a balmy and perfect 80-degree day.

I’ve never seen a situation so appropriate for the statement, “It is what it is.” If your roof hasn’t caved in from snow pack and you are relatively warm, fed and healthy, just enjoy the day, or the week, or in the case of the northeast, the month – and know that this too shall pass.

Still can’t believe I’m putting “2015” in the headline…

This week’s “real estate” is less about buying and selling and more about deciding what kind of very local environment you really want.

Most, some might say “normal people” look first at the house when viewing a potential new property. I might be interested in the facade and style, but when I am looking, what grabs me is the yard and immediate surroundings.

Part of this is because I have a rather large dog – and he needs his space as much as I do. It’s also great if he can have a fenced-in backyard so he can roam around at will to take care of his necessities, while I wait for him inside. This is of primary importance during winter when he can manage a 9-degree morning longer than I can!

I also like a property with some trees and natural areas around it. If you are looking at a property in any form of subdivision, you can tell almost as soon as you enter whether the developers valued trees and green space – or not. If I can’t see a decent stand of trees inside the first quarter-mile, this is not likely the place I want to live.

If you are required to live near a city, you will increase your chances of seeing wildlife if there are trees and green areas available. A small pond may bring geese. Some think this is a bad thing. I have the opposite opinion since I think geese have done a remarkable job surviving in areas where most of their former habitat may have been destroyed. If you can’t live and let live, get a apartment downtown where you will mainly have animals of the two-legged variety to worry about.

I have two bird baths on my current property, three bird feeders, quite a few trees, and for Cato – a fenced-in backyard. I’ve noticed since I moved here that I have quite a few avian customers who have grown to count on the bird feeders being kept full and even I have been surprised at the amount of activity on both bird baths. It’s been cold lately with morning temperatures down to 9 degrees so I’ve been taking pans of hot water out to the baths to melt the ice. By the time I am back inside and looking out the window, there can be 3 to 5 birds already taking advantage. The ground is frozen solid and has been for most of the past week so the birds are relying upon me more for food and water. They are creatures of habit just as we are.

I’d rather be on a much larger property with more wildlife but I think I’m doing a good job to promote and care for what I have. If you choose to interact with wildlife, you can – even in a suburban location. It doesn’t take more than a hook and a feeder to enjoy your “neighbors” and I find it relaxing after a long day, to sit and watch them fly around the backyard in relative comfort and security.

To me, this is one of the benefits of having my own bit of real estate. I can fairly easily create a more enjoyable environment for myself and for local wildlife…with hidden benefits for all.