Keeping track of the neighborhood animals

Hi neighbors. Another beautiful week behind us, and one waiting ahead for us. I hope you've had the opportunity to get outdoors a little (when it's not raining) and enjoy the sun and the breeze.

There is nothing like a walk in the park or around the neighborhood to clear one's mind and stir one's soul. I enjoy sitting on the porch, no TV on, no phone ringing. It is so nice to listen to the birds, watch the silly squirrels and see our neighborhood rabbit hopping around eating clover.

With the return of the owls the squirrel population has diminished this year. I hope the rabbit fares better as we only have the single one to my knowledge here on the block. He goes from house to house. Neighbors will call out, "Have you seen the rabbit today?" Another will answer, "He's in so-and-so's yard." It's funny we all keep such close track of him.

We have few dogs in the neighborhood now. Two families with dogs have moved away. One family had a pit bull and the mailman was happy to see him gone I think. Truthfully, I had never seen the dog without a wagging tail, ears forward, and politely inquisitive. But that could have been the Momma dog that had a liter of pups last fall.

Stray neighborhood cats have all vanished. One that was an indoor-outdoor cat left with her family. Others I think left with the owls. I noticed the neighbor with the owl tree had cut the tree down. It was huge and hollow. I know their house is safer now. And the owls haven't gotten clean away. I still hear them each night with that distinctive horned owl hooting and chatter.

My children got me a tea set some time back and I have just started using it. It really makes great tea using an infuser which sounds very scientific. It is, however, just a small holder for tea and water with a filter on the bottom. I've only tried one type of tea and should move on to the others I suppose. The kit came with four.

There isn't much more news in the neighborhood today. Flossie hasn't been over in some time, but I know she is fine. Hopefully she has that huge tire filled with dirt and has her flower garden planted. I went over the other week to help her gather in her strawberries. She didn't want to move the plants till later in the fall.

Music on the Square was entertaining last Thursday! There were lots of people who showed up and the crowd seemed to enjoy the performances. I had donated four autographed copies of my poem, "Long Distance Love" to be given to anyone who chipped in a little cash to help the performers with gas money. I don't know if anyone did offer some cash, or if anyone took a copy of my poem. If you have an interest in helping support the Music on the Square, check with Doug Harper here at the Nevada Daily Mail newspaper office and get a free copy of the poem. It's autographed, on good quality photo paper and suitable for framing. Be sure to attend the free showings every week on the courthouse lawn right here in Nevada.

Monday the Creative Writers group meets in the Nevada Public Library meeting room at 10:30 a.m. Anyone interested in writing in any genre feel free to drop in. We do speed writing exercises, discussions on writing problems, and try to stretch our creativity with expressive writing. This week I will lead a round table discussion on finding your voice as a writer. The meetings are always fun and helpful. I hope to see you there.

Until the next time friends, remember, enjoy the cooler days while you can, summer will be here soon enough.