With so much going on lately with politics, I suppose I could blog about that.  But frankly, I'm sick to death hearing about it everytime I turn on the news.....she said, he said and on and on it goes.  So I figure you don't need to be hearing me rant and rave on here either.  I must admit......I really AM turning down some great blog fodder though.  I saw on the news that a "man" was on Oprah last week and "he" is pregnant?  Oh geeze......I'm not even sure I could blog about that one intelligently.  So........instead I'm just going to ramble here...............

Spring has definitely arrived on Cedar Key.  The oak tree in my yard is shedding......I'm sneezing and have watery eyes and poor Brie is like human Velcro.  That stuff sticks to her fur like glue.  So I'm not sorry to see that the yellow stuff has stopped falling onto my patio.  But in addition to everything blooming and looking so pretty, "my" birds have returned and they're a delight.

We attached this container to the top of a log and the larger birds love it.  Especially the doves.  But yesterday, this is who I found there nibbling away.  Okay, all you bird lovers out there........what IS he?  Because I don't have a clue and this is the first time I've seen him in my yard.  But isn't he magnificent?  Look at that sleek purple/blue/black in his feathers.

We have a fair amount of the above bird in our yard every single morning and afternoon.  Again.....calling all bird lovers.  He's jet black with a vibrant spot of yellow/orange on his side wings.  But, what is he?  He also has a beautiful melodious chirping.  Loud and very distinct.  I just love it.

With spring now here, I sure enjoy sitting on my lanai in the morning and afternoon and just watching and listening.  Birds sooth me.  Both the sight and sound of them.  In addition to visiting our yard for food, they're having a ball bathing in our fountain.  Ray built the patio and pond last year.  We finally recently got around to getting a filter for the pond.  Now that sound both on my lanai and through the open windows of my writers studio is something I never tire of hearing.  Hey, what can I say.....I'm a Pisces.  And as a Pisces......I love fish.  

And speaking of fish.......we're now ready to get our fish pond together.  With some wonderful tips and advice from our friend, Oliver, owner of the Faraway Inn here on the island, I've ordered both our fish and the aquatic plants for the pond.

I have about twenty fish being delivered on Tuesday and the live plants will arrive on Wednesday.  I've gotten a selection of fish that are compatible........Platy's, Shubunkin's, Mosquito fish, Ryukin Goldfish, Pleco's, and Zebra Danio's.  Their colors are gorgeous!  So I'm looking forward to next week when they arrive and I can get them acclimated to their new pond.

I'll keep you posted on that.  So see you here next time............

My birthday was March 19 and when Ray asked me what I'd like, my reply was a whiny "I don't know."  I really didn't.  I didn't need jewelry, clothes, tech-related items or any of the usual birthday gifts.  Then it occurred to me, I know what I'd like.  MORE book shelves!

I have bookshelves in the family room that go from a half-wall to the ceiling.  I have a bookcase in the TV room and another bookcase out here in my writers studio.  And ALL of them had books overflowing onto the edge of the shelves, stacked up sideways.

We all have that certain something that we just can't seem to resist.  Doesn't matter how much or how many of it we have.  There's a deep urge to have more.  There's always been one thing I can't resist......books.  Okay......so I lied a bit......I also have a terrible time turning down shoes or handbags that always seem to have my name on them.  But books.......yup, they're my addiction.  So it's not surprising that I've accumulated so many over the years.

So I told Ray I wanted bookshelves for my birthday.  I don't have anymore space for bookcases, but I do still have wall space out here in my studio.  So while I was in Augusta, he purchased some shelves for me and got them up on the wall.

I just love them and took one morning last week to sort through my books.  All the ones that were hanging over the edge of the shelves have now found a new home.  And the best part.......as you can see, I still have some room left for.......of course, MORE books!

See you here next time..........