WANDER INDIANA CALIFORNIA DREAMING

"California Dreaming" -- beautiful sunny California, the state that speaks of Copper Tone tans, sunshine, warm beaches, and the inspiration of many a song.    Contrariwise it’s sad to hear of storms and high water and so many deaths.

You can dream in Indiana, too, can’t you?  I hear that “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes” and “Here in Indiana the weather’s made up and the seasons don’t matter.”  Too funny.

It’s so beautiful today, 65 degrees in the middle of February, and such a blessing.   Especially since John and Ian are changing the water pumps in John’s truck and Ian’s car.  No need for coveralls, just jackets.  And there's no wind from the river cruising across their faces.

First, it’s California sunshine, then wait for it, wait for it…“Nova Scotia snow!”  ha, ha.  

An online friend that lives in Nova Scotia gets snow before we do, and continues to get snow long after we’ve started getting our spring flowers.   I’ve got crocus poking up their nubby heads and the bushy greens of surprise lilies.

It's so lovely out that I took a small walk just to get back in shape.  Used to be able to walk 2–3 miles but haven’t done so in months.

Of course, when coming home I see all the things that need attention like my flowerbeds, the birdbath, and trash all over the yard from highway traffic.  So, trash got picked up, which really interested Sadie, Ian’s German shepherd.  She stuck her nose in an old disintegrating McDonald’s cup I bent over to pick up.  Filled the birdbath with fresh water after dumping out the brittle maple leaves.  When I was done Daisy Dog had to sniff my footprints in the old mulch.  Piled a bunch of “manly” stuff near the fence corner for the boys to put away tomorrow.  That means 5 foot metal rods, old bumper, tow hitch, and some yellow ramps.  Mercy, but boys make big messes!

When I came in I heard thunking and wondered if Sadie had followed me into the Roger Run.  But, no, it was the St. Patrick’s Day wooden decorations I’d hung on the porch banging in the wind.  That meant get out the ol’ hammer and nails and do a better job of securing. 

The birds are all a’twitter.  They’re loving this pre-mature pretty weather, warbling and tweeting in the trees.  I know I hear robins, sparrows, and turtle doves.  Maybe even a cardinal.  They’ll love the birdbath as soon as their scout discovers it.

You knew birds had scouts, didn’t you?  Yep.  One will go looking for food in the winter snow then inform all the others.  At the birdfeeders, one will scamper in the tree branches keeping watch twisting his little head this way and that while another eats at the feeder and yet more eat the spillage on the ground.  After a bit they’ll all trade places.  Very interesting stuff, the nature of birds.

Remember back in the ‘80’s that license plate that said “Wander Indiana”?  Well, I’d say I’m going California Dreaming, but the day’s too far spent to make that long a trip, I’ll just continue to Wander Indiana, in my own front yard.

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