The Squirrels Are Becoming Too Clever

 As I was washing dishes Friday afternoon, I spotted this.  We have a large population of gray squirrels around here, and lately they've become rather comfy and complacent.  However, this didn't smack of complacency, but of something else entirely.  That squirrel was tired.
 

 He was plumb tuckered out.

 In fact, he could barely keep his head up.  I stood there, transfixed--so were the girls, for that matter--staring at this lazy, pooped out squirrel.  Then, it dawned on me, he'd been eating from the "squirrel proof" feeder.  That bar at the bottom of the feeder spins, sending the squirrels on a ride. 

 Unless, of course, you are a smart critter who has figured out how to grasp the railing with your hind legs and the spinner with your front paws.  Here, take a peek:



See how he grabs the feeder and holds on for dear life?  Check out his biceps.  They're really rather terrifying.  I'm positive, one day, I'm going to find Holly tearing for the door, chased by the Popeye of the rodent world as he threatens to do her massive bodily harm.  ;o)

I suppose all that grabbing and holding on for dear life provides him with quite the workout, so he then collapses in a jelly-like quivering heap of exhaustion.  He then catches his breath, pops up and does it again. 

In fact, I found yon squirrel lying prostrate on the railing again today.  Quite frankly, I think it's more effort than it's worth, and surely he's burning more calories trying to hold that thing still than he's eating.  But, who knows what goes through a squirrel's mind...

In other news, I'm afraid I told a fib.  Yes, I'm about to inundate you with massive images of flowers once again.  *ducking and running*

I'm sorry!  I can't help it. 

 First off, I hadn't shown off this lovely lady yet.

 I planted heaps o' glad bulbs last year, and they're coming up and blooming in fits and starts.

 I've had the yellow edged with pink, and now a couple of these have appeared.  I find them absolutely stunning.

 I'm torn, for on the one hand I want to leave them out for everyone to enjoy, but on the other, it's so miserable outside right now (did someone say 99 degrees today?!?) I'm not out for any great length of time to truly enjoy them and want them in the house with me (and the A/C!).

Another daylily is blooming.  This one is a beautiful pale peachy-white.

This one continues to put forth blooms.

 As does this one. 

 This is another new bloomer.

 Again, I'm not sure what it is.  I suppose I'll have to cruise on over to the Oake's Daylilies website to see if I can identify it.

 Of the 10 calla bulbs I put in last year, only two have brought forth flowers.  I found this one fascinating because it has produced three different colored blooms.

And, another new bloomer.  This one is a beautiful dusty rose. 

 Ahhhhh.

 So, as to that whole "do I cut them" quandary...you can see I caved. 

 Oh, and I also had this gorgeous creamy white glad blooming.  So far this was the only one.  I'm sure more will, though.

Please note that ugly brown colored wall behind the flowers, for this will hopefully be one of the last times you see it.  We had a phone call yesterday from the first gentleman we contacted about painting the house.  He lost our name in the busyness of the spring exterior painting glut, and then refound our number.  He called rather sheepishly, asking if we still needed the house painted.  He'll begin tomorrow and should be finished by Friday.  WOO HOO!!!!  I'm BEYOND chuffed! :o)

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Today's Sparklies:

1.  That squirrel is too funny!
2.  I saw the ittiest bittiest inkiest dinkiest little toad out front.  It was ADORABLE!
3.  All my plants are STILL alive--meaning I've braved the heat (although, I confess, I may have said something along these lines) and humidity and watered my darlings.
4.  My Nook.  I adore that thing.  I was able to pick up the new JQ at 6:30 this morning--while still in my pj's, and in the comfort of my own a/c.  No waiting for the stores to open, no loading up the kids and strapping them in and lugging them around and all of us sweating to death.  Nope.  I just purchased it and downloaded it lickety split.  Awesome.
5.  I've SO many plans for things to do once my walls are painted...I can't wait!
6.  B got an A on his last project for school and now has one last project to complete before he graduates.  I can't WAIT!

No milestones.