Rose Cottage Ltd

I am like so many other US citizens who right about now, can’t figure out the “whys” of what is going on with the current administration. But I know I don’t like it.

The Prime Minister of one of our strongest allies, Israel, is in the US to speak to Congress – our citizen representatives, and our president is acting like a stubborn, ill-mannered, 2nd grader. Our VP Biden isn’t attending either, but I doubt Netanyahu cares. Our Secretary of State – who one would THINK has this diplomacy thing down – will also not attend. Obama’s minions such as the unbelievable Susan Rice, have had nasty things to say about Israel’s Prime Minister. President Kennedy treated Khrushchev with more respect.

As a US citizen, and for someone who has a good bit of common sense and a memory – I don’t trust Iran. I don’t trust this “deal” this administration is allegedly working on with them. I haven’t seen ANY deal from this administration that was actually good for America or that made us safer. I am concerned that nothing we hear about it will be the truth or rather ALL of the truth. As I mentioned before, Obama seems more interested in headlines and less cognizant when it comes to the details. Details are important when you are talking about nuclear attack capabilities from a country no one trusts.

Therefore, as someone with a documented and long history dealing with Iran, I want to hear what Netanyahu says. I want to know his concerns. And if he thinks making his statement is important enough to the free world to risk Obama’s whining and a trip to the US to speak his piece, we have a obligation to listen. Whether we agree 100% or not is not the point. But we should be willing to listen since it is in the interest of America’s national security.

Any of the people’s representatives that do not attend should be recalled for being unwilling to do their job. Part of their elected position means they avail themselves of all and any info that is in the interest of our national security. This is a prime example.

I will look forward to the day when this country is again run by adults with actual EXPERIENCE at their jobs. Until then, I expect those in office to DO their jobs for which they are VERY well paid – and listen to America’s ally at least as much as you meet with her sworn enemies.

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.

If you haven’t heard about the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, you can find out all about it here.

This year the bird count runs from yesterday through Monday – click here to find out how you can participate.

Here are some of the numbers from the 2014 campaign:

+ Number of checklists: 144,109
+ Species observed: 4,296
+ Countries participating: 135
+ Estimated number of participants: 142,051
+ Photos entered in contest: 4,491
+ Photos posted to gallery: 1,242

This is a great thing for kids. Get them a pair of binoculars and get them outside!

And Happy Valentine’s Day!!

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.

Look for “Real Estate Saturday” tomorrow morning…