Interesting week for odd things happening.

At night the frogs all come out. Everywhere. There is NO way to drive down any of the roads without squishing them. They seem to hurdle themselves into your car too..very strange indeed. So, I'm refusing to go out after dark until they get over that. Whatever it is. Is love in the air for them? Why do they cross the road if they are everywhere then why dont they just stay with the girls and boys that must be like 6" from them? I just dont get it. It leads to just many more questions and absolutely no answers. It's very very odd. Freaks me out too. I'm laughing though by the end of the ride because you just really cant help it. I dont know what specific amphibians they are...orange reddish color with white line around the mouth and exposed ears. Yes, I had to pick up the one in the driveway and set it safely in the field. Dont know if it helped but, gosh I hope so.

There is something living in the gutter above my back door. It only makes noise at night (fabulous). It's got to be small because I did go out with a flashlight to make sure it wasnt a raccoon or owl having a feast on something up there. What the heck could it be? I have no idea...I just hope it doesnt decide to dive bomb me at some point....that could be UGLY for us both. I must say though that when it's dark in the middle of nowhere and you hear faint scratching coming from above your head when you are outside....you can move pretty darn quickly. Someone should have gotten that on video...they'd make a fortune.

The washing machine and dryer are now working. What a fiasco. Did you know gravity plays a big part in a washer? I had no idea. How spoiled am I? How spoiled Was I I will make that. Now, to figure out why the neighbor looses all water pressure when I do laundry? OMG...when will it end? And about that well water.... Can I just tell you how much I despise the smell of it at the moment? It's like old wet dog that hasn't dried in a week and rolled around in poo or something. Am I really getting clean? Gross. It's sulfer. Great. Hope it goes away again soon.

Ticks. Lovely and charming ticks. Deer ticks. Here is what I have learned from the health care professionals. You worry about Lyme Disease if it's in you for over 24-48 hours and/or is engorged. When you pull it out, most likely you will not remove the corkscrew head. You are morelikely at a risk of serious infection from trying to remove the head than just letting it come out by itself. I am totally freaked out...1 week and it's still there. UGH. I dont feel all that bad...like I'm an idiot or something though (although lack of immersing myself in DEET isnt smart). The neighbor took the same walk and said they came back covered in ticks as well. Maybe that's why the guy down the street was laughing..he knows, I know he does. See if I invite him to the BBQ.

The deer stare you down. Really. The biggest girl just stares at you. I thought it was just me but, the neighbor said she was a tad freaked out by her one night as well. It's really really creepy to have a deer stare you down at sunset and like 100 yds from your door. Just figuring out that it's more than just the curious look or odd attraction or something is creepy enough. Thanks though...I'm happy you're bumbling through my yard with your big giant body and damaging hooves. Cant wait till you get friendly. Jeesh.

There are an abundance of hawks and other predator birds flying at all times of the day. TYpically they are here and there and singular in nature. I'm guessing this is in direct correlation to the amount of road kill (see frogs above) available. All I can figure.

Okay. The adventures of the weekend.

One trip was up into Mass to look at a camping area for one of the summer weekends but, the roads were still closed and it was WAY too cold to go looking. Have it in the memory banks to go look when the parks are all open...seems nice from where we got to anyway. Took the scenic route home and that was lovely as well. Also found that Sturbridge has a plaza with Applebees, Stop & Shop, Marshall's, Old Navy, Verizon...etc etc....its like 20 miles from here so, guess I can shop in Mass much easier...??? Odd.

Took a little ride around the counrtyside with Maureen today and took a small stroll around a park in Pomfret.

Mashamoquet Brook State Park

" The region was once the domain of the Mohegan Chief Uncas. The name Mashamoquet is Indian for "stream of good fishing" and originally was applied to the entire area.

I am adding a gallery of just the nature/animal shots so it can be a bit more organized - wish me luck with that. I will add to it as time goes on and have a few files now to add to it as well but, here it is for now anyway:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/nature-in-the-hood/

I am going through digital files like CRAZY. It's all good. I'm loving every single second of it and hope it continues. Of course, I hope I get good shots as well so..there ya go.

It is now officially trout season. And I am humbled by the trout. They are large, they are stubborn and I'm just not doing as well as I can or should be. I finally had one on my line this morning but, he was a lip catch and got away. I need bigger hooks. I'm feeling all fisherperson and actually thinking about making a lure of my own...how crazy is that? I am determined though. Or crazy. Your call.

The weather is starting to shape up and although today is in the 50's all I see in the coming forecast is 80's. No Spring this year. I shall not complain. I love the heat. Remind me of this when I dont have a/c cuz I have stupid windows. The weather however is bringing to mind ALL KINDS of good stuff to come. I cant wait to do the shopping walks or hideaway finds, the hikes, the camping, more firepit activity, fish on the barbie...etc etc. It's going to be good. I hope at least.

Now, about the internet connection during these storms....argh. I knew this would happen but DANG it really sucks. TV has gone out a bit but, not as bad. It's all about living out in the middle of nowhere. pthbth to that. Still, I'll take it anyway.

I am becoming more and more animal aware. It's odd but, at least now when I look out into the field and see something moving my first thought isnt...'Who the hell is up in the back yard?'...it's more...'ohhh Whats that?'. Funny how your thoughts change that way. Funnier too that while washing dishes I see a cat and immediately know it's a bobcat and not the neighbors tomcat. Got a picture but, it's blurry. I have been educated on many animals and calls and times of day and small little things to see and BOY do I see them. I even see the trout in the brook. The funniest one I think though was what I thought was a frog bellowing out in the field, we took a walk up to go see what kind, and it flies up and away. Okay, it's a bat. No, its not a bat. Duh. It's an American Woodcock (crazy looking bird). I find out that it's mating season (like 4 months of this) and thats what they do. Okie Dokie..now I know. The bat do the divebombing though so, thats something to always be on the lookout for. There's something scratching away in the gutters at night...I'm guessing bat or mice or something....not quite sure. The neighbor hears it too so, it's not just my imagination. I'm also getting to know the 6 deer that are all about here all day. The biggest one has a scar running down by her upper thigh. One of the older girls has a shot wound in her neck and the baby is simply adorable. I know they're gonna be food in less than a year but, I still cant help getting to know them.

Not much of an update but, something anyway to those 4 or 5 constant readers. Bless your hearts.