Sights and Sounds of Spring

Yesterday was such a beautiful day.  The kids and I spent most of the afternoon outside.  They were playing in the dirt in one of the unplanted garden boxes, I was on the back porch reading and enjoying the day.

As I've said before, one of my greatest joys is the pond that Rod and the twins put in several years ago,  We stocked that pond with 3 Shubunkin that we bought and 5 orange fish that were given to us by a neighbor.  Since that time, these fish have blessed us with additions, several orange and white, one black one with an orange belly, and many all orange ones.  All have beautiful fancy tails.  Yesterday, as I sat watching the fish, I was so thrilled to see a baby Shubunkin - our first. I also found a black baby, and an all white baby in addition to several orange babies.  Hopefully our three frogs will make their appearance as the weather continues to warm up.

Izzy told me that she saw a bird flying into the roof of the porch.  As I sat there yesterday, a lady cardinal was flying in and out of the rafters - in with dried grass and twigs, out with nothing.  I'm assuming that she's building a nest in preparation for motherhood.  We have several pairs of cardinals who frequent our feeders, but had never seen one building a nest.  So, we're now looking forward to new little cardinals.

And I listened to all the beautiful songbirds as they practiced their newest songs.  Sadly, I heard a mourning dove calling and not getting any response.

***And last, but certainly not least, my thoughts and prayers are with those families who were affected by Monday's senseless acts of terror. I am so proud to be a citizen of this country where people jump in to assist others in times of need.  There were certainly many heroes on Monday.   I can only pray that those responsible will be brought to justice, whether man's or otherwise.