Weekend Update...Lots of Stuff!

So many of you are wondering about the gator in our neighborhood after my post Friday: (CLICK HERE FOR THAT )   So, here is a picture of the gator trapper man taking away the "baby gator" that was caught on the first trap.  He will relocate him to another area, and we now have permits for two more traps since this is obviously not the big gator we saw lying in wait by the mama Sand Hill Crane.  We believe there are two adult gators still out there...so here's hoping they will be caught too.

 As of last evening, Mama Crane was still sitting safely on her nest, waiting and watching...

I will check again this morning, and if there are any further updates, I will add them here...

Meanwhile, so many of you also made comments about my exchanging shoes with my friend and my colorful socks...even some thought I might be a real "trend-setter".  Ha! That would be a first in my fashion history!  Trend-setting or even following is definitely not something I've ever done!  I just wear whatever feels comfortable to me...and rarely buy any new clothes or try to keep up with the latest styles.   However, I do enjoy wearing brightly colored socks to match my outfit with my comfy shoes...Here's what I had on my feet Friday when we went out to eat:

I guess this picture doesn't do them justice. They are bright fluorescent yellow... and here is a picture of our group that went out to eat to continue the birthday celebration for my friend, so you can almost see the top I had on too:  (it had some of this same yellow in it)  Yes, my family also remarked that my socks matched my top.  So maybe I am a trendsetter and just didn't know it. LOL.

Front row L to R: my sister Doris, my niece (her daughter) Debbie, our friend Paula the birthday girl, and my sister-in-law Peggy.

Much Later:
Okay, I started writing this post Saturday morning, and then never got back to it.  Things got busy...pleasantly so.  We woke up to a rather "chilly" morning for us...in the 40's  after the past couple of weeks being summer like weather...so, a "chilly" day means it is time for "chili"...

Our "kids" (The newlyweds) came over after their morning at the Flea Market (at Bass Champions in Salt Springs) selling "Ben's Wood Signs"

(previous photo when it wasn't as "chilly"...)

And after our "chili" lunch I helped my daughter in law finish up their income taxes and got them filed...and then I proceeded to work on our own taxes and got them filed! Woo Hoo!! That was the best pay I ever received for an hour's work!!

So now, here it is Sunday afternoon...another "chilly" day, started out in the mid 30's!  I know that doesn't sound bad to all of you who are suffering up north in a very bad winter storm. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.  Praying you are safe and warm and high and dry.  Old man winter just doesn't want to let go, does he? 

This morning before church we took our usual walk to go check on the Sand Hill Crane Nest. I haven't heard if they caught any other alligator yet, and I can't get a good look at the nest because my normal vantage point is not available as there are people up for the weekend at their cabin, and I don't want to disturb anyone by walking too close to their yard, so I did try a different location this morning, and really couldn't see very well...but enough to know that Mama Crane is still safely sitting and waiting.  Here are the pictures I did take, which doesn't show her at all, but are pretty to look at:

Love the dogwood tree and azaleas along the pond...

There was a lovely mist over the water due to the chill in the air...

After we got home from church I looked out our back door and saw this huge Pileated Woodpecker pecking away at our dead holly tree at the end of the back porch:

Sorry for so many pictures, but they were all too good to remove...Isn't he interesting?  I love watching him peck away. That tree needs to come down, but the woodpeckers all love it so much I hate to remove it.  The only problem is it is very close to our power line and when it falls it will probably disconnect our power from the house...so...one of these days it has to be removed carefully...

Now it is Sunday afternoon...time to go fix supper...after spending some time sitting out on the porch reading and listening to/watching the birds come to and fro...I didn't get anymore pictures (you are probably saying "Thank Goodness!), but it was such a delightful afternoon I truly didn't want to come back inside.  So thankful that it warmed up to about 70 or so and was sunny and beautiful.  I know many of you would love to trade places with me. Come on down!  We'll open up the "Bear Crossing B&B" Bedroom for you...

It's small and cozy and we could have such fun!

Okay, hubby says it's time for me to stop writing and think about supper...I don't think we want to eat more chili for various reasons, so I need to go figure this out.

Verses for the day:  Selections from Psalm 103.  "A Psalm of Unmixed Praise"

Psalm 103

1.  "Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2.  Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits;

3.  Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4.  Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5.  Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

22.  "Bless the Lord, all His works,

in all places of His dominion,

Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

Amen.

Have a blessed and restful, peaceful day, dear friends.