Twitchy Tigger

Tigger is my next door neighbor's cat - a cat with a sense of humor, but not very bright!  On Mother's Day my neighbor's son accidentally let Tigger outside and life for them and him hasn't been the same since.  It took literally weeks for them to coax Tigger back into the house.  Once they did though it was too late.  Tigger had already had a taste of being outside and as terrified as he seemed to be in the beginning, he now wants outside on a constant basis.  Now that it's getting colder though, he's decided that there are indeed advantages to being inside.  He gets along with all the other cats and is quite the kitty ambassador to the other animals.  He likes to chase the squirrels and is fascinated by the woodchucks, and, of course, the birds.  He's very inquisitive and a good tree climber.  He's come a long way since that fateful day in May.  He would be a great candidate for the website, Cats That Look Like Hitler, except that he's black with a white mustache.

Here's Tigger stalking a woodchuck.

Where'd he go?  I think the first few weeks of his 'escape'  Tigger actually hid under my shed with the woodchucks, so maybe they're good buddies.

Okay, it's getting cold out here.  I'm ready to come in now.

I'll just wait right here.  I'm sure somebody will be along soon.

Tigger's a good guy even if he does look like Hitler!

Fall Colors

You saw a little bit of the fall colors in the last post, but here is a more up-close and personal look at some of the fall colors that are still around.

Yes, those were roses.  Through snow and several hard frosts my neighbor's roses are still hanging in there!  Happy Fall!

Perfect Perspectives

I've been working a temp job for the last few weeks that takes me to Cumberland, Rhode Island.  I'm really loving the drive - at least once I get past Route 1.  In a matter of literally feet, I go from busy two-lane mass confusion to the New England countryside.  So this post I'm taking you on a little drive with me.

From my house I go a few blocks to Newport Avenue - one of the main drags of Pawtucket on the eastern side of town.  It's a mixed zone of homes and businesses.  I stay on Newport Avenue (Route 1A) until I hit Route 1 which takes me across the state line into Massachusetts.  Route 1 is loaded with restaurants, gas stations, strip malls, a regular mall and car dealerships. although once in a while along the way there are hints of things to come.

Then I come to the corner where I turn onto Route 120.  And I go from this...

to this.

When I make that turn, I definitely let out a big AAAHHHH and can feel my blood pressure go down about 10 points.  The rest of my journey is a joy.  By the way, 120 also takes me back into Rhode Island.  Here are more scenes along the way.

There are some spectacular houses in the area as well as more modest ones.  But the majority are nestled in the arms of these wonderful mature towering trees.

This little shed is dwarfed by the trees.

And then I come to another light where I turn onto Route 114.

There are a few businesses on 114 - like a general store!  The 'Lil General store to be exact.

A veterinary office and an ice cream shop.  I love their sign.

But there is also a little park.

And you can't be in New England without seeing a few stone fences.

A couple of times I've turned that corner onto Route 120, gone a short distance and seen wild turkeys along the side of the road!  (My friends in New Jersey also have wild turkeys that wander into their yard.  I 'borrowed' a picture from their house.)

This kind of scenery just speaks to me and soothes my soul.   I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I do!

Jumbled Juncos

Tuesday morning I went outside to feed the cats and saw a couple of juncos - the first of the winter season.  I never see them during the summer, only when food starts to get scarce and especially when there is snow on the ground.  The Dark-eyed Junco, a North American bird and member of the sparrow family, is one of the most variable birds around with variations within subspecies which include slate-colored juncos,

Source:  Wikipedia

white-winged juncos,

Photo by Christian Nunes  Source:  About.com

Oregon juncos,

Source:  Wikipedia

pink-sided juncos,

Source: Wikipedia

and gray-headed juncos.

Source:  Wikipedia

There is also a red-backed version and the Guadalupe junco.  You get the idea!  Mine, I think, are the slate-colored type.

They are ground foragers and coniferous forest dwellers.  I live next to a park which is probably why they show up here.  Seeds and insects are the main items on their diet.

Will try to get some photos once winter really sets in.