A Visitor

I guess this little one didn't get the message on social distancing.

Heard a bit of noise, and looked up.  Found this one trying to find a way back out.

With this nice warm weather, the doors and windows are open.  The fresh air is nice, but the truth is that the screens and screen doors are not particularly tight in this old house.

I was just minding my own business, trying to get caught up on email and other stuff, when I started hearing some unusual sounds.

Here we go again.

I like having birdies around.  I have some feeders outside, and usually toss some sunflower seeds out in the yard for them.  But they don't really belong in the house.

When I first moved back in, I had one in a nest in my bedroom window - on the inside.

Since she was already there, and sitting on eggs, I didn't have the heart to evict her.

She had a way in and out, where the screen had come loose.  So we pretty much co-existed for a time.  I admit, I wasn't always thrilled to find little bird spots now and again.  But we managed.

When the babies came off, I made sure they got out okay, and fixed the gap in the screen.

It was kinda cool and all, but I don't really want another go at it.

So sorry, but you got to go.

Funny how they'll fly from window to window and never realize that the door is propped wide open.

But eventually, whether on purpose or by accident, she made it out the door.

These guys like to nest in buildings which is fine.

But on the outside please.

Well, being stuck at home, we have to take what diversions we can get.

Stay healthy…

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Early Peppers

Well, NC goes under a statewide "stay at home" order starting on Monday.

Some of the counties already had this, so… Okay.

It was inevitable of course.

But the weather has been pretty nice.  So it was a good time to get out in the garden.

I broke up and cleaned out the last of the raised beds.  And I snuck over to the Home Improvement Store where I was able to pick up some pepper plants.   Never have had much luck starting them from seed - although apparently, it is possible.

I put a couple of them in the fresh bed, and potted this Tabasco plant.

The sun was kinda hot.  That's one thing about this time of year - no shade.  But I managed to avoid a sunburn.  It's easy to get a bit crisp after spending the winter covered up.

It seemed a bit early for peppers to me.  But with all the climate stuff, things could be changing. And of course, if they call for frost I can put a bucket or something over them.

Exciting times, these.  It's a weird combination of tension and boredom.

We did get to have a zoom family meetup today.  That was nice since we can't travel.  Technology has it's good side, even if it can be frustrating at times.

Guess that's about it for now…

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Staying Out of Jail

Under the present Covid-19 conditions, we're all supposed to stay home.  It's no secret that this gets old after awhile.  And can be a bit depressing.  You might wonder what's the point of getting out of bed.

I was feeling that way.

But then I remembered there was an important task just waiting for me!

I received this official piece of mail the other day, and promptly forgot about it.  Actually, that was pretty easy with the many years of perfecting my procrastination skills.

But then I received another little reminder.

And since…

"SU RESPUESTTA ESREQUERIDA POR LEY"…

had been conveniently translated into english, it seemed that I should finally have a more serious look at it.

Let's face it - the Covid-19 restrictions aren't all that bad, compared to jail time.

So I got the stuff out to have a look.

It wasn't all that intimidating.

It directed me to go to a special website, that it appeared google already knew about.  (Imagine that!)

Anyhow…

It was pretty easy to fill out the questions, especially since I am the only one living here.  And so, now that's done, and I have a better chance at staying out of jail.

Another job, well done!

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Beautiful day here in the Old North State

Beautiful day here in the Old North State.

Of course with this Covid-19 stuff we're supposed to stay home.  So I missed out on my afternoon uptown wandering around drinking coffee and beer.  Did sneak over to the grocery store for a look at the empty shelves.  Still can't figure out this toilet paper thing tho.

"N.C. Sheriffs Find 18,000 Pounds Of Toilet Paper And Other Products In Stolen Truck"

I have to admit, I never would have expected a blackmarket for toilet paper.

But apparently it has a lot of unexpected uses.

Unsurprisingly, it's been a quiet day around here, a couple of lawnmowers, but that's pretty much it.  I fixed me a mess of pintoes.  And I caught this guy red handed- or feathered or something.

But now I know who's been finishing of the kitties dinner.

Admittedly, it's not a great shot, but I had to be sneaky and shoot through the screen.

Well, I'm still here, and relatively healthy so far.  And just glad for this nice weather.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Trying to Keep Up

Having been retired now for a number of years, not going in to work is not all that novel.  But not going anywhere might take some getting used to.

To make it worse, Thursday is discounted pints at the JBirds - or rather was.

Well, we'll just have to trust that the Governor knows best in this case, and raid the fridge.

But to be honest, we have cheated just a little.  As was previously mentioned, there was the Windshield Transplant.  And then a necessary trip to the bank in a tax-related affair.  But the trip to the laundromat has been cancelled.

Here at the house things are a little primitive.  There is no hot water unless it's heated in a kettle.  (Or on the heater in cold weather)  Consequently, a washer is not an option.  While some clothing can be worn more than once, there are some items that it is best to have clean.  So in the interest of not contributing to the pandemic, we opted for hand washing this time.

But the weather has been warm, and Spring is definitely here, even officially now!

Some of the salad fixings are starting to make an appearance.

But it will still be awhile before they make it to the table.

But these guys are ready now.

It's always nice to supplement the store stuff with something from the yard.

Especially if trying to avoid the store.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Transplant

Another sign that Spring is on the way

Not a lot going on around here today.

Can't really go anywhere I guess.

Well, of course I could, but it's kinda being discouraged.

Still, they haven't hid the key to my car yet.

But I did go out for a bit yesterday.

Had to take the car for a windshield transplant.

A couple of years ago, while driving on I 85 a rock (I assume) popped up and into the glass.  It made a huge noise and scared the fool out of The Fuzz.

But rather than shattering, the only damage was a nasty little ding right in front of the driver.

It certainly could have been worse.

But lately this harmless little ding had begun to expand into a crack.  And since it was time to take the vehicle in for it's annual inspection, something would have to be done.

So an appointment was made at the local windshield place for a transplant.

They do make house calls.  But due to the possibility of rain, it needed to be done under cover, and the only cover here is a oak tree without leaves.

I'm happy to report that the transplant was successful.

On the down side…

Just heard the Governor announcing that they are closing the restaurants and bars.

Oh well…

Looks like going into town for a beer is out for now.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

River Trail - Post Flood

A few years ago, the Fuzz put up a post about the new (at the time) 1st Broad River Trail.

Well it was pretty nice, and a good place to have a bit of a nature walk, and a little gentle walking exercise.

Well, not too long ago I went down there to enjoy the river and all.

This was shortly after all that rain we'd had.  I was surprise to find this scene.

This sign was also posted.

Well, a sign like that would never keep The Fuzz from having a look (as long as no cops were around) and me either.

Living a ways from the river, I hadn't realized just how much of a flood it had been.

One of the first things I noticed, other than the sand, was just how high the river must have been!

You can see the debris caught in this tree.  Probably 6ft above the trail level.

The river banks are a mess of twisted up trees.

And a lot of the bank has been washed away.

The arrow is pointing at a post that used to be one of the trail markers.

But one of the saddest sights was the cool suspension bridge.

Here's what is left of it now!

Bummer!

Closer look.

I don't know if there are any plans yet to fix this.

It will certainly be a big job - and expensive.

But I, for one, will miss it.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Passing the Torch

Well… seems like forever since that Fuzz put up a post here - some thing like a year and a half!  There has been a lot going on with his life, and he just hasn't done very well with it.  But the Fuzz is still living, more or less.  However he feels like the time has come to pass this blog on.  And so now he is turning Kinda Fuzzy over to Jandi in the hope that she will do a bit better with it.  She says she will try to keep as much continuity as possible, but time will tell.

The Fuzz says thanks to everyone who followed over the years.  Looking back, Kinda Fuzzy began on August 21, way back in 2006.  But these past couple of years have been a time of struggle and change for The Fuzz.  And he feels that it is time for him to get out of the picture.  He hopes that this change will work out better for the blog.  So he wishes the best for Jandi and Kinda Fuzzy.

Hi guys!

Here in NC spring seems to be coming early.  This peach tree is blooming here by the house.  But it is still a month till our official "frost free" date.  We'll have to see whether it manages to hang on and set fruit, or gets clobbered by a (not all that) late frost.

But the blossoms are pretty.

We have managed to set out some Lettuce and Napa Cabbage as well as planting a bunch of seeds - which somebody dug holes in during the night.

Weather has been nice lately, haven't needed a fire for a few days.  But it's bath night, so I lit one just for the occasion.

Thanks for the good wishes, Fuzz.

We'll try not to mess things up too badly.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎