Jeremy Herndon Blog

I’m so glad that we are in the part of the country that is having the extreme warm winter weather. Folks have been totally taking advantage of this warm weather by getting a lot of outside work done that generally doesn’t get started until the end of April. I am hoping that this weekend will be nice again so that I can get my tiller out and get at least one of the gardens tilled. The ground hasn’t been frozen in weeks so it is nice and moist and soft so that it should be a breeze to get tilled. I hope so because tilling is not one of my most favorite chores.

Our retired neighbor that lives across the street is starting to get to work on his backyard swimming pool, since it won’t be long until people are wanting to take a swim and cool off from the heat of the day. He was looking at new swimming pool liners to use this season as well as a new pool cover. I haven’t talked to him in a while to see if he was successful in finding all the pool supplies that he needs and if he needs any help with anything to get it ready. He is a really nice fellow and always extends an invitation to the neighbors to come and enjoy his pool, which we have done a few times a years since he had it built. It is a very nice pool that he takes much pride in and he certainly deserves it after working hard in the E.R. in town for so long. We are certainly blessed with good neighbors.

I’ve always had a soft spot for our feathered friends.  I keep a pair of binoculars and a bird identification book close at hand so if I spot a bird I haven’t seen before I can get a closer look and try to figure out what it is.  From time to time I’m thrilled and blessed to spot a few American Bald Eagles near our house!  But sightings like that are few and far between.  I mostly see hawks, blue jays, robin red breasts, grosbeaks, woodpeckers, doves, nuthatches, finches and cardinals.  Once in a great while I see a Northern Bluebird – what a thrill that is to see that!  I see way too many turkey vultures and buzzards for my liking, though, if you know what I mean.  I understand that they are a protected species and I know that they have a job to do, but they give me the creeps! 

I’d like to put a few Quality birdhouses and birdfeeders in our yard to help care for the birds in our neighborhood.  I suspect that if I did that I’d see a lot more of them in the yard a lot more often.  I’m just not really sure what is the best kind of birdhouse.  I love the colorful and whimsical ones, but I’ve read that the plain ones are more attractive to the birds.  What do you think?