I Budge(ied)

After plundering the bird feeder, this young squirrel decided to stride boldly up to the sliding glass door and peer inside. I'm sure he's watched Blondin being handed wholemeal biscuits, and eventually worked up the nerve to try begging on his own. I cracked the door expecting him to run, but very nearly had him run inside. This little fellow is fearless. He took his biscuit from my hand and scurried off only to return a bit later. I have a rather strict, "One per customer" policy with treats, but I wouldn't be shocked to find this one climbing the screen and knocking on the glass to get my attention. He got into a bit of a tussle with a red bellied woodpecker, but at least he came out of it still in possession of his tail. They learn quick that the birds are possessive of their feeders!

Today was strange, but in an overall pleasant way. I took Danny for a haircut, and the new hairdresser (his former moved away) looked at his oily hair that had just been washed earlier in the morning an announced: "Your hair is oily because your body is changing. When you're in puberty everything changes and you'll get pimples, and grow hair all over your body and hey, cheer up, you're becoming a man. But wash your hair twice because it needs it, okie dokie?"

I'd been after Mr. ETB to have "The Talk" with him, but now I think we'll just let the hairdresser do it-she seemed pretty comfortable with the subject.  I think she was younger than I am by a few years, but has teenage sons. 

This sort of thing (not the puberty discussion specifically) happens to me quite a bit where people either over-share or feel so comfortable around me that they discuss things you wouldn't typically speak about with a stranger. I guess I don't come across as threatening which is good and bad. Mostly good-I like being generally approachable. 

I might have gone a wee bit overboard (again) at the garden centre today. I came home with a rather exotic variety of coneflower that has beautiful green and pink flowers. How could I possibly resist? A few more varieties of salvia (purple and red), more celosia (orange and yellow), a King Kong Coleus (it is magnificent), and enough sweet woodruff to fill a bag bed on the back patio. It grows well in shade, and I'll use the flowers in salads and the leaves for winemaking. I also bought more Italian basil because...summer! I also purchased a pump sprayer that holds two gallons of water and is wonderful for cleaning up after birds (and squirrels) and washing windows. I would love a power sprayer, but there's no spigot for a hose at the back of the house and I don't want to run it from my washing machine hook-up. Knowing I can easily clean the sliding glass doors is terribly exciting to me. Yeah, that's kind of pathetic, but I'm my mother's daughter, so there. 

I didn't buy this:

I can't decide if this is too twee for someone my age (or any age, really).

This top is meant to be worn off the shoulders. I did that for a bit, but I'm sensitive to sun and after a while I could feel my shoulders getting hot. I will say it is a flattering look if your arms aren't that great but your shoulders are. The straps are part of the top (not my bra) which don't do much holding it up, but I imagine are there more as part of the look. I took a chance on this top because it was .99 cents. I do end up dressing a bit more adventurously when it is practically free. 

The crochet detail at the waistband and sleeves is quite nice. 

Outfit Particulars:

Da Rue skirt-Goodwill

Kenar top-Goodwill

Shoes-Goodwill

Vintage straw handbag with lucite handles-Fairy Tail Costumes

Carved bone necklace-Hand-Me-Ups

Bakelite bangles-several places

Fragrance-Chant d' Aromes

 In other news-I bought Danny a budgie. Long time readers will know that I do not share my son's love of birds, and after living with a somewhat neurotic bird (well, he was a member of our family) as a child (it was my sister's) I developed a rather intense dislike of the feathered bastards. Forty years later I've made my peace with them, and though I swore up and down it wouldn't happen, we now have a bird. His name is Xerox (because he copies you, geddit?). Expect several photos once he adjusts to his new home. Danny figures Xerox is about two (by feather patterns, and the colour of his leg band from the budgie society) and they can live a very long time. In "Bird years" they're about the same age which means they can go through the awkward teenage years together. Perhaps I can get Danny's hairdresser to have "The Talk" with Xerox.

I have a hellish week ahead, so I'm off to grab the weekend by the balls and have some fun. Look, I'm all dressed to spray the windows and patio clean again! Don't say I don't know how to have a good time.

Have a great weekend!