Harvey Windowbanger

Here's another one of our wonderful critters . . . Kinda.  

Meet Harvey Windowbanger.  (As opposed to Harvey Wallbanger, of course!)

Every year since we've lived here, at the end of winter, we have a visitor.  I don't know if it's the same bird or not, but I would think it has to be because there's always only one that does it, and it's always a robin.  

Imagine yourself sound asleep at 6 in the morning.  Then imagine being awakened to a BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  It's Harvey!  Is he trying to build a nest in K's closet?  Or is it some ritual that for every piece he brings for the nest, he has to bang into the window first?  If someone knows what this poor guy is doing, please enlighten me!!!

The only critters in the house elated about Harvey's return arrival are the cats, who are entertained immensely and line up every morning to watch the show . . .

Getting Closer!

I'm still not able to get close enough to Skunk to get a nice clear picture, but at least they're getting better!  P got to see her over the weekend finally, so he was thrilled.  Normally he's making all kinds of noise and clomping around and she's nowhere to be seen.  I let him do the ceremonial make-alotta-noise-pouring-the-cat-food-in-the-bowl thing too.  That big black thing under her chin is her beautiful bushy tail!

A New Critter!

I have been catching glimpses of this guy (or girl!) in the barn, but up until today, only the back end of him (or her!) running away from me.  Today I surprised -- (okay I'm just deciding to go with a "her," since I'd love a girlfriend for our P.W. part-time barn cat, and I'm also calling her "Skunk."  So there.  :))  Anyway, I surprised her when I came around the corner from the stalls, and I saw her run into the arena, up onto a platform and, in one gigantic leap, up through those bars into the loft.  She turned around to watch me, so I took the opportunity to show her that I've been the one -- yes, me -- that's been putting the yummy cat food in the bowl that she's obviously been eating for at least a month now.  Then she watched me go back and forth a few times with some wheelbarrow loads, and I decided it was time to get a little closer since she was now letting me see her.  I walked up the stairs to the loft and sat on the top step, about 10 feet away from her.  She just watched me, and I just sat there and talked to her quietly for a little bit, then got up and left her to her adventures, hopefully impressing on her that I was NOT a predator nor out to get her.  

Can you find her in this picture??  :) 

Her face and body are mostly white, and she has one black ear and a solid black tail.  Hopefully she'll let me get closer soon!!  Until then, she's obviously made a nice home for herself in the hay . . . 

The Tutor

This is Smokey.  She helps P with homework . . . When she's not chasing cats, that is.  

She was found on the streets in South Milwaukee, dirty and alone.  A kind soul took her in, cleaned her up, and found her a good home -- OURS!