Feb 20 2010 . spring in WA state

Hi.. two weeks without a cane...the new knee feels good
and the body works great - - pretty good for such an oldguy.

Then there are our young grandchildren, Arizona, Brescia,
and Kaitlyn. And greatgrand sons, Ryder, Ethan, Eli, Koby,
and Orson. Soon Arizona and Brescia will have a sister?

Yesterday, Kaitlyn was with us for a few hours. What an
additional gem she is. she could walk, but only takes a
few steps, Next month on this day, she will be 1 year old.

And, so will the new bride- yes Mrs Quigley will be a year
older in one month. They will probably have snow there
still. Whereas, here in Washington, the flowers are peeking
up out of the ground, and the little animals are out and fun.

Last month we had a young squirrel on the fence. It was
near a bird feeder. As it got on the feeder, the outer
wire section of the feeded slid down the inner section
which prevented the squirrel from getting into the feed.

The squirrel tried everything, and then it succeded. By
grabbing the top of the fence with it's hind feet, and
streching it's body down the fence board, and arching it's
back, it was possible for it to use a foreleg to reach the
seeds and grasp one or two. It would then put the seeds
into it's mouth. by this method, it emptied the bird's
food in a short time. Needless to say, the bird feeder
was removed and various ideas were considered. Should
we add another extention to the fence and put the squirrel
too far away ? That seemed like a good idea, but a back
up solution. The fence bracket that held the feeder,
was a long black metal wand like bracket. Would it be
possible to reshape the bracket and put the feeder out
of reach ? if so that would be the solution, I thought.

The 2nd idea is what I did. The squirrel has not been
back yet, and when it is, we will see. If it still can
get the food, then the fence extention will be used.

Oh, with my mobiliity restored, it was possible to plant
two new berry bushes, and some new colorful plants in
the front yard.

Hopefulloy, I can now settle down and grow old with the
beautiful lady whom agreed to live with me, almost 50
years ago, this comming april. We will be in CA next
month and will go to Disyneland for a couple of days,
yet our trip is to see my Sister and Brother, and for
Ann to visit her Aunt and Uncle- some family older.