Bad Seed

While a handsome red cardinal eating a bright red berry makes for a lovely photo, I'd be remiss in not pointing out that the berry he's eating is the invasive oriental bittersweet.  And the seeds of this berry are spread by birds, just like this beautiful cardinal.  Unfortunately, we've got several well established vines back at the edge of our woods that I've been unable to successfully eradicate.  Obviously, using any sort of systemic poison is out of the question, so I just try to whack the vines down when I find them.  

Thanks for the stars and comments on my blip of "the girls" yesterday.  We four have so much shared history, so many memories, and spending time together is so very special.  We had a thoroughly wonderful time together yesterday, playing many rounds of Mexican train dominoes (which always goes better with wine and a fair amount of cursing), enjoying a great dinner, and topping it off with Kura's famous Rum Cake in honor of my birthday.  Okay, I'll confess, I begged and cajoled her to make it - it's that good.  Kura and Peg stayed over and we lazed around a bit this morning before heading out for some shopping and lunch.  Kura is now back in NYC, Peg is headed to upstate NY and then to China next week; and Ellen is off to Brussels tonight.  Which is part of what makes it so special when we can all four align schedules to spend time together.

Hubs left Alabama with his mom and her caretaker, Gretel, this morning.  They are currently about 675 miles from home.  They'll stop somewhere tonight and hopefully be able to finish the drive tomorrow.  I won't rest easy until they are here.

Need to tidy up the house now and get some things ready for tomorrow.  
One additional shot of the cardinal HERE

xo
Debbi