Rant: Putting the clocks forward. We never have enough time as it is and now we have to give up an hour...

Rant: Unpacking from a month away from home. House needs cleaning, dishwasher door is broken, pipe under sink is leaking, mysterious "white van" man hit brick wall in front garden, knocking part of it over, and took off before anyone could get his license plate number.

Rant: Canned hunts. Ugh. About as unsportsmanlike as it gets.

Rave: Went to lovely sit down dinner party for 22 at neighbor's last night

Rant: Half of people at dinner party above smoked throughout the meal

Rave: Husband and I remembered to buy Mother's Day cards yesterday (today is Mother's Day in the UK and the cards will be all pulled off the racks by tomorrow morning)

Rant: Worried that I'll misplace said cards before it's time to mail them to the U.S.

BTilke, you really had me going for a awhile when I read that daylight savings time started and today is Mother's Day...until I read... in the UK. Don't scare people like that!!!

Rant: I dicided to just start calling the bird feeder a squirrel feeder and its the birds that are robbing seeds out of the squirrel feeder instead of the other way around.

jorr, I totally agree with the bird feeder issue. My grandfather made us one for Christmas and the birds don't stand a chance! Argh, especially since it was a labor of love for him to build it for us!

iw, I have tried lots of things to keep it a Bird feeder including banging on the window! The only thing which keeps the squirrels off of it is my dog when I let him out. When he is in the house and if he didn't weigh a hundred pounds I would lift him up to the kitchen sink window which is five feet from the feeder and they would run away.

jorr, everyone in my apartment complex has the same problem and so noone puts out bird feeders anymore. We have lots of squirrels right here in the middle of the city and they are real aggresive. I am mad at them because they have taken over and so we don't seem to have many birds around anymore. The squirrels climb way up on the two story roofs and tromp around. They sit on the porches by the front doors and refuse to move so you have to be careful that they don't get inside. Ornery critters LOL.

Have you tried safflower seeds in your bird feeder? I started using safflower seed in a tube feeder about a month ago. I was told by an employee at a local bird store that squirrels don't care for safflower. I was very skeptical, but gave it a try. My backyard is full of small birds and the squirrels completely ignore the feeder.

Hi wtm, safflower seeds, interesting! Thanks for the information. I so love birds, especially when they serenade us early in the morning. I never thought to ask if there was any food that birds loved and squirrels hated. Hmmm, that would fix those annoying creatures! Actually the squirrels are funny, especially one the other day. He was poking around in the garden and a big fat tomcat came sneaking up on him and gave the squirrel a big "wop" over the head. The squirrel ran up the nearest tree and really told the cat off. He was even going at it after the cat turned his back on him and walked off as in "I sure took care of him". Better than any movie.

LoveItaly, I would have enjoyed watching that commotion! The squirrels are fun to watch. Unfortunately, last summer I was a little concerned when I counted eight in my backyard. I'll probably get a platform feeder in the next month or so and give them a treat every morning. I'm sure the bigger birds would also appreciate the snack. If you try the safflower seed, I hope it works for you.

RAVE:
George Mason upset UConn and goes to the Final Four.

Monday Rant:

The youngest son is coming home sick from college (thankfully he is close enough). He's running a very high fever and is severely dehydrated from an intestinal flu. The doctor gave him IV fluids today and was concerned because his blood pressure was low.

Now, where in the world did I put my face mask?!? If I get sick again...

Oh STW, I am so sorry. It seems to me that these last months have seen so many people ill including in my family..certainly more serious then a head cold or the 24 hour flu. I sure hope your son recovers quickly. And you take care of yourself also.

Thank you, LoveItaly. I hope your family and your dear grandson are feeling better.

Wishing everyone a healthy spring!

Ah spring STW, that is what we all need I do believe. Some warm sunshine and blue sky. We had a whole 3 hours of it here this morning and actually went to a cafe and sat in the outside patio. And than a bad storm came in. And know so many areas of the US are still having so much snow. A long cold winter for sure. Brrr. Hang in there, and don't get a relapse.

Sorry to hear that, stw, I hope he's better soon and you will stay well.

It's very rare that I have anything to rave about on Mondays, but here's one:

Rave: I just now finished my income taxes and sent them off electronically!! WOOHOO!! \/ And the icing on the cake is that we're getting back a whopping $91!! I know that's not much money, but last year we paid $870, so I'm pretty happy right now. =D>

What a load off my mind, I HATE doing taxes!! I'm thankful that here in TX we don't have a state income tax, I can't imagine having to do TWO of these lousy forms every year!!

My work is done, so if you'll excuse me, I have a date with Anthony Bourdain. (from the Travel Channel). I am just about to pour a glass of wine and join Anthony on his Asian adventure. So ciao for now!!