March already! So far this year, we haven't taken any trips. We had to get Tiggie's awning fixed after it ripped while we were at Wright's Beach in November. We also found out that it had developed leaks in the roof. So, our friend, Mark Bean, came over and showed Gordy what needed to be done and how to do it. Now she is ready when we finally decide to take off.

 
Gordy and Mark repairing Tiggie - January's full moon rises

Our friend, Sandy, came out from Colorado to visit her son, John, in Tracy. We decided to meet for lunch and picked a spot half way between Fair Oaks and Tracy. She looked great. Last year in September, she went to Figi to visit her daughter, Krissy and her family. The kids love it there and she had a fun visit. We talked for a couple of hours to catch up on what everyone has been doing.

Where we met, is near where the Sandhill cranes come for the winter. So after lunch, Gordy and I went to see them. Trust me, they are big birds!

We have been having a drought. But we are getting just enough rain to cause fog when it doesn't rain. Folsom Lake was only about 1/4 full when the year started. So, in addition to no trips, there has been no fishing. With all the rain that we got in February, the lake is now about 1/2 full. Hopefully, we will get more rain and will be able to go fishing. By-the-way, Puaxsutawney Phil was right, we have had six more weeks of winter - cold and rainy.

 
Sandhill cranes and an egret in the fog - closeup of the Sandhill crane

Mike Poole, AD7TW, a ham friend of ours, finally retired and moved to Oregon. A group of us met for a "Goodbye Breakfast" at Mel's diner before he left. We took over one end of the diner. More and more people we know are leaving California. However, Gordy and I have decided to stay. Of course, that is unless the government makes it too hard for us to do so.

 
Mike Poole, AD7TW, Gordy, WB6OVH, and Carl Novak, WA6AOB - Mike's "Goodbye Breakfast"

Gordy and I decided to not drink alcohol during the month of January - not even a sip of wine. Instead of wine at night, we would drink water. Gordy discovered if he put the water in a wine glass it was just as satisfying as a glass of wine. We were surprised that we didn't crave the alcohol.

Part of the reason to abstain was to see what difference it would make. For me it didn't do anything - my eyes were still red, my aches and pains hung around and I didn't lose a single pound! However, Gordy didn't have as many aches and pains and he lost 8 pounds. We think his aches and pains went away because he was drinking more water and therefore was hydrated. He's now working at remembering to keep up with the water even though we are back to drinking wine and it is helping.

 
Super Bowl Sunday at Jim and Marilyn's

It was a good thing that Super Bowl Sunday was on February 1st. Can you imagine a dry Super Bowl party? We went to Jim and Marilyn's for the game. Marilyn had also spent a dry January. So, I took over a bottle of champagne for our first glass. The game was great and my team won!

Marilyn's daughter, Rosie, gave birth to Max on January 27. This is Jim and Marilyn's first grandchild and he is precious. Rosie came over with Max on Super Bowl Sunday (Max was all of 5 days old). We ladies stepped away from the game in order to visit with her and the little one. While Rosie and her husband, Mark Carson, were adjusting to the change in routine due to Max's arrival, Jim and Marilyn took care of their two dogs, Daisy and Bear. When she brought Max over that day, it was the first day that the dogs (including Lily) met him. Daisy was very upset and stand offish. Bear and Lily on the other hand were very curious about this new arrival. All sniffs and Bear even licked the back of Max's head. You forget how small newbies are. It was fun to hold him.

 
Marilyn looks at Max - Rosie introduces Max to the dogs.

February is "The Great Backyard Bird Count". We didn't do as well this year as we have in the past because the weather was stormy. On Saturday morning, we had a little break in the weather. So Gordy and I went out to search for birds. We found the eagle again. Since then, we have seen him a few other times. One day on our walk we looked up as he flew overhead at tree top level. We had to laugh because there were two sea gulls diving at him. The eagle just ignored them and calmly flew down the river.

 
The eagle returned and we did get a glimpse of February's full moon.

Most of the time this year has been spent putsing around the house and walking down by the river. The turkeys start amassing to begin their mating rituals. The Great Blue Herons nest high in the trees along the river. I have always wondered why you never see any baby blue herons standing with their parents at the water's edge. This year, I noticed that the herons in the nests have a baby tucked under their chest. So, I guess the babies don't leave the nest until they are grown. If someone knows the real answer, please let me know.

 
Moon and Venus align on February 27 - blue heron nesting

It's now early March and I am itching to plant things in the garden. Unfortunately, it still dips into the 30's at night. Some of my bulbs are starting to bloom and the wild flowers are winking on. Gordy and I have had a few days that were warm enough to sit out in the gezeebo (Buster's favorite place).

So, that's where we are.

Thanks for stopping by,