This little rabbit is one that has found a home in my wood pile, and I haven't seen him for several days because of the nasty weather.  But today he's out braving the wind and nibbling on new green grass.  It must be tasty.  I love how he's camouflaged so naturally.

I saw on a ukulele instructional DVD that putting a strap on the instrument is very helpful in getting one's fingers at the proper angle on the neck without having to also hold the weight of the instrument.  So, I decided to try it out on my soprano uke and see if I liked it.  I had the buttons put on (they had to drill into the wood, which made me nervous) and bought the best looking strap in the shop!  After I got it home, I tried it out...immediately.  And I love it!  Therefore, I am now willing to let them put buttons on my standard uke, which is my favorite because it has a full sized neck, translating into more room on the frets for my big fingers. 

In the past week, learned the strum pattern and chords for "Seven Bridges Road," by the Eagles.  It's a great piece; I love the sound.  It will be one I'll introduce to my students soon.  Can't wait.

2 FO's

The Raised Diamond mat is off the needles.  It has a nice garter stitch border around the edges, so I'm not sure I need a crocheted edge.  However, I still have just enough yarn left that I could put an edge on if I change my mind.

This Juniper needle-felted wool mat was started sometime in December for a class I taught, but I didn't finish it.  So, yesterday seemed like a good day to get the project off my to-do list. 

Yesterday was simply too cold and dreary to be outside!  I even started a fire in the wood stove to take off the chill in the house.  Oh Spring, thou art fickle!

Thursday morning musings...

A new cotton mat has been cast on the needles, and the pattern is called "Raised Diamonds."

Birds are still flitting from one bare branch to another in between snatching up bird seed.

The aspen tree is just full of catkins, so I'm anticipating that the little green leaves will begin emerging soon.

Lopee is back this morning, leisurely grazing on the new grass along the driveway.

The grass in my small yard is lucky to get a drink of water this morning.  When I first attempted to run the water, ice in the sprinkler kept that from happening. Yes, ice.   So I had to wait until late morning.  It's a cool start to the day...the warm sun rays are very much appreciated.

Slowly, a spring awakening ...

In the background of this photo of the robin, one can see that the field grass has turned green, and it's very evident along the roadways.  Today I saw farmers working in their fields: plowing and planting.  I think we're just a week away from seeing evidence of green leaves trying to emerge on bare tree branches.  Oh, I'm anxious!

With the warmer temps, I'm noting that I need to get my To-do list going. 
1.  rake up dead grass and pine needles
2   get new gas in the gas can and start the mower
3.  mow grass
4.  get out the hoses and start watering the dry spots

I'm not thinking about planting flowers just yet... but I sure am enjoying other bloggers' beautiful photos of spring flowers in bloom.  They are spectacular.

Happy Monday

Hello, Robin red breast!  What's the news today?  Is it true that spring is here and warm temps are here to stay???

I've been knitting away on this forest green cotton mat, and I'm nearly at the end of the ball.  I think I can squeeze one more repeat out of what's remaining.  Then, I'm thinking a crocheted border would add just the right finishing touch.  I'm planning to make another mat with the remaining ball, but I'm considering using a different stitch pattern, just for fun.  

Spring tunes, wild animals, and runners

This week I attended 3 spring concerts: a high school band, a high school vocal, and a college jazz concert.  They were all well worth it.  So I got a good dose of live music to carry me for a while.

As I was leaving the house yesterday...guess who was on my property?  Lopee.  I don't know why he was all by himself, but he seemed to be enjoying the nibble of new grass recently nourished by the spring snow storms. 

And the birds are happy that there's plenty of seed. Although it appears the feeder needs to be filled again.

Finally, I spent yesterday announcing a high school track meet. It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day, near 60 degrees, and no wind; it's one of the best days for a track meet we've had in years! Here's the view of the long-jump pit from the crow's nest (or announcer's booth).  It's the best seat in the house.   I've done the announcing for WRHS for years, and I enjoy it.  I was only given two days notice, so it's kind of amazing that I didn't have something else already planned.  It all worked out well.  During the field events I play music from my iPod over the sound system.  I think it's all upbeat and appropriate lyrics; although some of the "oldies" tunes aren't particularly popular with the kids... I don't care. Sorry, but no rap. The coaches and more mature spectators love it. 

They found it!!

One bird is sitting on top of the sock; the other on the branch.

I had to take these pictures from inside the house, using the telephoto, but I saw two finches eating the thistle seed!  The pictures are not great, but they offer proof.  Yahoo.  I'm looking forward to watching these birds, even if from afar.