Welcome to the Garden

Clovie (nose bonk at the screen): Hey, there's a bunny out there!

Me: Um, he's not real Clovie.

Clovie:  It says Welcome to the Garden so how about it?

Me: Clovie, I didn't know you could read!

Clovie (scratching at the screen):  C'mon, open up!

Me: Sorry Clove.  I wish I could but it's not Clovie proofed out there.

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

 

Husband and I drove down to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge today to do some bird watching. It was a nice little trip.

 

We saw lots of swallows, a couple of bald eagles, red winged blackbirds, goldfinch, a hummingbird and a few others we weren't able to identify. We walked all the way out to the Puget Sound and back - 4 miles. Whew! 

When we started on the boardwalk there was a warning sign about the squirrels. It said they were very AGGRESSIVE and might BITE.  I've got to say I was a little scared because I was wearing capris, my bare legs exposed, and I can visualize one of these big boys, teeth bared, jumping on to my calf.  

Don't you know we were walking along and we see one of these AGGRESSIVE squirrels laying motionless, eyes open, flat on the boardwalk. He looked dead.  Rather than walk up to him we opted to make some noise and, surprise, he took off!  We walked hurriedly past.  A minute later I looked back and there he was in the exact same spot, laying out there again like he was dead.  Creepy.

Morning Routine

I am sure I have mentioned a few times that one of my favorite things to do on my days off is to sit with Clovie with my morning coffee and read the paper. I even set my alarm to get up early. If it's nice out I open his window for some fresh air. The neighborhood is usually very quiet.

That is how I spent the mornings on my first week of my vacation. For me, it's a nice way to relax. I'm not sure Clovie gets anything out of it other than some attention.  He has his own little morning routine:  blast out of the cage when I set down his morning greens and open the door, dive into breakfast and eat everything on the plate, spend a little potty time in the hay box, sit a spell on the rug in front of the hay box-maybe do a little grooming, hop up on the chair and onto the top floor of the cardboard condo for some hay, then back onto the chair and look at "mommy" to see if she's available for a little bunny massage.  (Sometimes he goes behind his cage and sits next to me for his massage.) Then, under the chair for the rest of the day where he can keep an eye out for us in between naps.

Vacation

Clovis and I were on vacation (from each other) last week. Our darling daughter took care of the animals while husband and I explored the central coast of California. We had a wonderful trip; great things to see and do.

Here are a few highlights.

The Boardwalk - Santa Cruz

The Jellies at the Monterey Aquarium

Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch in Carmel

Big Sur Coastline

Hearst Castle

Paso Robles wine country

San Juan Bautista Mission

Treasures

We had family visiting us last weekend. My mother and a couple of my sisters and I took a drive over the Narrows bridge to Gig Harbor, a quaint little harbor town with some fun shops.  My eye is trained to scope out bunny stuff and I try to be very selective when I buy.  I found a few treasures I could not resist. This tray had my name all over it and it looks great in my kitchen.

I found this little creamer too. I thought it was sweet.

I had a fun and memorable weekend with the people I treasure. 

Clovis remains, of course, my most favorite bunny treasure.

Bunny Mums

Clovis:  It's Mother's Day?

Me:  Yes, Clovis

Clovis:  Are you my Mother? 

Me:  Yes, Clovis, I am your Mother.  Who else but your Mother would love every part of you?

Happy Mother's Day to all you Bunny Mums! All you Human ones too...

Three Shades of Clovis



Shade One

Shade Two



Shade Three

Three Shades of Clovis in Graphite 4.75" x 6.75"

My entry in the Parklane Gallery 20th Annual International Juried Miniature Show May 8th through June 3rd.  

Each shade of Clovis is about 1 to 1-1/2 inches high in graphite. If you view the online show, Three Shades of Clovis is #221A, about halfway down the page.  I also entered Spotted Rex, #221B, a colored pencil I have shown before.  There is some wonderful artwork in the show - worth taking a look!