The Ants Are At It Again!!

 (Handpainted Personalized Porcelain Esspresso Cup with Saucer by PaintMyName)

       Happy Saturday, Everybody!...The sun is shining...even at Roland Garros...so, it's looks like it's gonna be a good day! :-) And thanks to a little 'finagling', it's gonna be a good day for my little hummingbirds at the feeder too! ^_^

       Yeah, we had another little 'incident'...with the ants! Grrrr!...I guess having that hummingbird nectar just hanging there, swinging in the wind like a carrot on a string in front of a horse, was a little too much for them! LOL They saw an opportunity and they just had to take it!!!...the little acrobats!!

 (Acrobatic Ant Card by ketchuponeverything)

      Those of you who follow the blog regularly probably remember the ant 'situation' we had going on here year before last! Ugh! Those ants were driving my poor little hummingbirds crazy!!...Well, we 'thought' we were long past that ever happening again, since the feeder isn't hanging on a tree branch anymore. It's hanging from the over-hang of the house! :-)

       But...those creative acrobatic ants used the blowing of the wind, and the over-growth of leaves on the tree, as an opportunity to get to the feeder!! O_O And once they got to it...they organized..and they were everywhere!!!

(Picinic Ants Keychain Bag by BirchPointeBoutique)

      I was so surprised to see the ants all over the feeder, and to see my tiny hummingbird friends hovering and darting in an odd pattern...odder than their usual left-right-up-down pattern, I mean. :-] Something had to be done...and hubby did it!...He broke off the 'bridge-to-feeder-tree-branch' they were using, and used the water spray bottle to get the other ones that were still on the feeder...OFF!...SO THERE!!!...Right?!...

(BBQ / Picnic Ant with Corn on the Cob Apron by huskadoo)

       Well....mostly right! :-] A little later in the day hubby noticed one lone 'large' ant going around and around the feeder!! O_O How did he get on there?!...

(2 Little 100% Wool Felt Leaf Cutter Ant Brooches by catmade)

     When we noticed that there were a lot of ants going up and down the branch and leaves, where hubby had broken the branch off, we realized what had happened...Apparently one lone steely, acrobatic ant had been still on the feeder...underneath somewhere...when hubby sprayed the others off! O_O Now he was all alone, with no relief coming!

    We could see all of the ants, with their feelers working non-stop, trying to figure it out....trying to figure it out......TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT!!!! :-)) So hubby put them out of their misery by pulling out the water spray bottle and knocking the lone acrobat off!! ^_^ Once he was gone...so were the rest of the organized acrobatic team! :-)

      I guess they know when to give something up as lost! :-] But I don't mind telling you that every time there's a strong wind in the backyard now, hubby is at the window...checking!! LOL Those little acrobatic ants are still wielding power over him, and they're nowhere around!! ^_^ Oh, if only he could turn them all into pretty yard decoration!! ^_^ ...

(Iron Wire Ant Yard Decoration by RoxanesFunStuff)

     But no, no! ^_^ Then who would be there to keep him on his toes, and test his supposed garden/yard domination?!! LOL Nope! All things are as they should be! ^_^ ... Have a good day, Everybody! :-)

 If you don't have time for a poem

If you don't have time for a poem...
(not to write one, I mean to emote)...
then you don't have time to be sitting
and reading this short little note.

And you don't have time for a 'breather',
to pause for a small bit of rest.
No time for a moment's reflection.
No time for a giggle and jest.

No, you don't have the time some are wasting,
with schedules that they have to keep.
No time to be spending on verbage,
whether shallow or thoughtfully deep.

If you don't have time for a poem,
Then you don't have time for me!
So get up and get yourself going,
there's somewhere that you ought to be!!

Warm, Appealing Turquoise.......Ants?!

       If you saw yesterday's post you know that there was more to the story of the Arnold Swartzeneggar sized ants in my backyard. And you also know that I wasn't able to load anymore photos to that post for some reason! But as you can see by the beautiful fine art travel photograph in my header photo, {I stand each day on the shore by honeytree} I'm back in the 'talking and photo loading business' this morning. ^_^
      And before I get into the ant story...which is not a pretty story...I thought I'd show you something that 'is' a pretty story. A pretty story created by Cindy, of CinLynnBoutique, by way of a pretty Treasury entitled Warm, Appealing Turquoise!

     It's so calming to look at....and after what the ants are doing, I needed some calm!!...Let me show you a few things that are in this treasury, starting with the item of mine that she chose, my Crochet Hand Sandal Bracelet.

     I am so thankful to see my little creation getting some love. :-) Thank you Cindy!
    Here's a few of the other things I liked...
        Bird Print Cushion Cover by ClassicByNature

     
  Vase and Bowl Set by marymestudio

   Flower Cabochons by dangsworld

      
   Simplicity-Fine Art Photograph by SherriConley

          Geometric Flower Pattern Oval Plate by emilydyer

   
            And this beautiful Bird Feeder by cherylwolffgarden

          Oh Yeah.....speaking of bird feeders....*sigh*...the ANTS! I mentioned to you yesterday that we got some 'help'...Ha!...with the ants. The ANT GUARD. Well, say hello to the ANT GUARD.

      I know....it's not a very good picture. (which is probably just as well!!) I'll tell you what it's suppose to do though. The ants can come down onto the top of the dome, and they can go around the outside of the dome. When they go into the hole underneath the dome, where the connecting loop to the feeder is, they can walk around the inside of the hole. But when they go up to try to crawl over and down the wire there's water in the cup! 
       So, the idea is that the ants are not able to....or are not 'suppose to' be able to...reach the middle loop. It's surrounded by water...

        But....therein lies the problem?!...*sigh*....

       These ants were spinning their wheels, going round and round the dome, while my hummingbirds came and sipped away at the nectar in peace, until....*sigh....Well, you have to see for yourself...{If you're squeamish about creepy-crawly things DON'T WATCH! LOL

        They couldn't figure out a way to get to the loop inside the dome, so they could follow it down to the nectar. Their little ant bodies were too small to bridge the gap because it was surrounded by that cup with the water in it. 

      So, they called in the 'Big Guns', the Arnold Swartzeneggar sized ants, the ones that had been to Ant and Body Basics Boot Camp! LOL They were so large that all they had to do was lean over and grab the loop!....Grrrrr!

     Once they figured that out, it was all done. As the day went on we noticed more and more ants down on the actual feeder! Then we saw the whole thing for ourselves, as to what they were doing. They posted 2 or 3 of the 'Big Guns' on the feeder, and when the 'little guys' came they would lay their bodies across the divide and let them walk across and climb down...*sigh*...Using your own body like a bridge...It was genius!!!...Who woulda 'thunk' it?!!.....Ants, that's who!!!! LOL

       Back to the ant repellent!....I'm sorry, but the hummingbirds deserve some peace too, don't they?!....Don't they?! ^_^

       I'm not gonna focus on it. I've got some crocheting to do. Nothing major, but I'm working on using up some leftover yarn....making flowers of course! :-)

         Sure wish I had some of that fruit from the open market right now! {Photo via Hither and Thither}

        Have a good day Everybody!! May it be ant-less!! ^_^

 Backyard sounds

Flitting, flying, flapping, creeping.
Swaying, floating, chirping, leaping.
In our backyard sounds are heaping.
Me and hubby always peeping.

They Make 'Organization' and 'Tenacity' Seem Like Bad Words?!!

      Yep! They're at it again!!...............And I'm not talking about the gorgeous summer fruit at the open market!

       These photos are from the blog Hither and Thither, a blog you MUST check out, if you haven't already! When I clicked over there the other day and saw these gorgeous photos my mouth starting watering. But instead of "Wow! Where are these located, so I can run and get me some!",  the first thing I thought...and it definitely shouldn't have been my FIRST thought!...was "I'm glad that gorgeous fruit is not in my backyard right now!!"

       I know... you're probably asking yourself: "Why would she say a 'fool thing' like that?!"...........Well, I hear you! ^_^ I mean...who wouldn't want the most delicious-looking fruits and vegetables you've ever seen in their backyard?!!

     I'll tell you who!....The Wug! Owner of a backyard full of crazy-brain-making ANTS!!!

       UGH!!! They are so tenacious!! And now they're driving my hummingbirds crazy too!! The hummingbirds fly up to the feeder to get a little sip and....WHOA! What's that?! O_0...I see them back up, with wings beating like crazy, tip their heads sideways, and then try to go back in for a sip, and WHOA!!! MOVEMENT!!!...Then they get that crazy-lady-nervous-twitch....and fly off!! :-(
       I've hardly seen any hummingbirds for a couple of days now. The only things I've seen are these...

        And the ones I'm seeing the most now are not the little tiny ants that you  see in commercials or cartoons...NOoooo!! These ants are big Arnold-Swartzeneggar-sized ants!! They look all muscled up, like they've been at 'Ant and Body Basic Boot Camp' or something!! LOL

        And boy are they organized!!! They're like a well-oiled-nectar-thieving machine factory!!!....Uh! Can you tell I've about had it with 'em?!!...UGH!
      I know they're God's creations. And for that reason...and right now it's that reason ALONE...I admire their ability to work out a problem, organize a 'CAN DO' team to fix the problem, and then 'get right on it, and never give up!'
     But I've been known to be pretty tenacious myself!! Hello Mr. Ant...Meet your Wug equal!!...."They call me Wug....Poetess Wug! I like my backyard like James Bond likes his martinis.  Shaken, but not stirred!!" Grrrrrr!
      Something had to be done! I mean.....my hummingbirds should be able to come and get a drink...and give me endless joy (just saying!)...without having to worry about ants in there drink!....So, since we can't keep applying and re-applying ant repellent every time the sun comes out after the rain...(because, frankly, it rains at a drop of a hat around here lately, and who has time, or the memory, to keep doing it!!)
     Enter....................THE ANT GUARD!!! :-) And since blogger won't allow me to upload anymore photos right now, I guess I'll have to save the rest of that story for tomorrow!...Seriously!! Wouldn't let me load NOTHING!!!!!! UGH!!....Maybe I need to send blogger 'to' Ant and Body Basic Boot Camp!! LOL
    Okay....tomorrow then! :-)

Ode To Me, From Blogger

Don't be happy,

or at peace.

Don't rejoice

at sweet relief.

Don't 'gut-laugh',

or feel serene,

'cause if you do

it might be seen.

Don't relax

suspiciousness;

Just be on guard.

(Not 'you'. That's best!)

Don't be concerned

or even talk;

Just look for bad,

just like a hawk.

Don't think out loud

that things are good;

Please don't trust it-

even if you should.

Don't think they care,

'cause if you do

the things they do

give you a clue.

They're working through

some dings and dents;

But they're all done

at your expense.

To be annoying

is not their goal;

But this helps them

be in control.

And that control

is their real key;

And it makes me feel

I can't be me!

They switch things up.

I think: "What's wrong?"

The day-I know,

will be real long.

When all is calm,

I try again.

Their there for me.

Like my best friend.

I joke around.

I feel adored;

But that same day,

I get ignored.

I strive to share

what was my day.

My feelings seem

to be in their way.

This up and down

may work for Them,

But I am not

a jungle gym!!

I need to be happy

and at peace,

and to rejoice

at sweet relief.

To just relax,

and every day,

just be myself

in every way.

To be controlled

electronically...

It will not work-

No! Not on me!!

I will be happy,

and carefree,

'cause Thankfully

I still love me!

Even when Blogger

makes me moan,

my thoughts are in

the happy zone.

You'll find me laughing

with my friends;

Not changing moods,

just like the winds.

So, don't be happy,

or at peace;

Don't rejoice

at sweet relief.

But all alone

is what you'll be,

'cause I'll be happy-

being me.

Monday Is Creeping...Marching...Dancing...and Flying!!

        I've got a little hummingbird feeder problem! `'O_0'` I'll tell you about it in a minute, but...first, let me stop right here and say CONGRATULATIONS to the happy couple!!! Sara, of the blog Russet Street Reno, just got married!! If you wanna see how much fun their wedding day was, just follow the link over to her blog HERE to find the rest of the photos! 
        And let me just say, they know how to take a wedding photo!! :-)) Here's a sample...

        ....Looks like a fun wedding, huh?! ^_^
    Anyway...back to my problem. `'O_0'` You know how I've been watching my hummingbird feeder like a hawk?! Well, not like a hawk exactly, but like an eagle...I've been Eagle-eyed! LOL
    Well, while staring the hummingbird feeder down this weekend, me and hubby saw a big ant on the feeder, going round and round the base. (You can see him in the header photo.) We didn't think much of it at first, until...

       ...we saw a whole line of ants crawling along the branch, in single file! O_0 They went up the tree, along the branch, grabbed a hold of the hook to the hummingbird feeder, and followed it down to the feeder!!

      Our first thought was: "Great!!...Grrrr!...all this trouble to put nectar out there for the hummingbirds, and the ants...one by one...are gonna come along and tote it all away!! 
     Hubby went outside to get a close-up photo of our little thieving visitors, and....OH NO!!!!!! He saw this...

      ...One of the ants had gotten inside the feeder...and died!! ;'_'; ... I don't know why I was so upset about an ANT! But, for some reason, this made me really upset!
      And then it got worse!!! `'()'` When hubby looked closer, to photograph the line of ants toting our nectar away, he realized...they were going "in", but they weren't coming "out"!!!! O_0

     `'O_0'` YIKES!!! It was terrible!!! It was full of dead ants, just floating in there!! I don't know how many. And I don't wanna know! I don't even wanna think about it!!

      Thankfully, the line of ants heading to the feeder has stopped now,....and the hummingbird has been back a few times since then....Is he eating nectar soaked ants now?!!!!!! O_0

     I know! I know! The circle of life thing.....but I'm not liking this one bit! It's taking all of the joy out of my hummingbird watch!! O_0 What would you do in a case like this?! I'm not ashamed to tell you....I'm at a loss! Do I let the hummingbird "go at it", or take the feeder down?!

    Right now, I'm just not gonna look at it....So, needless to say, there will be no hummingbird picture today!...even if he comes up to the feeder with Groucho Marx glasses on and does a hummingbird jig! LOL Maybe I'll have a better sentiment about it tomorrow....Maybe.

    Speaking of jigs though, I got some footage on my camera last night of Mr. Wug "cutting a rug" (that's dancing, for non-Southern speaking folks! LOL). We were getting ready for bed and I decided to play my song by Paul Simon, the one I posted yesterday, one more time before I 'knocked out'. 

    Sitting in bed, waiting for hubby to finish cleaning my C-Pap machine (I have Sleep Apnea, and I have to wear the C-Pap machine contraption on my face at night), I noticed that he was getting distracted by my music. I grabbed my camera and asked him if he wanted to dance! :-] ...I "bed-danced" while I filmed him!!! ^_^

    I was gonna upload it for you to see it, but it uploaded sideways and I couldn't figure out how to turn it right-side-up...It's still funny!...Except for my 'witchy' laugh cackle. LOL Who knew I sounded like THAT when I laughed?!!!! YIKES!! Almost makes me wanna stop laughing...forever! LOL.......NOT!!!

     I don't care what it sounds like! We were having some fun! That's more important for my memories. :-] {If you wanna see it, email me and I'll give you the sideways Youtube link. I don't have it set so that the public can see it. Only people I give the link to. :-)}

   Okay, back to my peaceful backyard...

     .....Uh OH!!!! Guess what else we have in the backyard now?!....

       ....a Woodpecker!!!...*shaking my head*...where was he when the ants were climbing this tree?!!!

     Looks like this tree is starting to be like New York City is to Entertainment people! It's a "hub of activity"!...because look who else is loving this tree....HERE...a Cardinal!!

    So, that was how my weekend went! How about yours?!...Spill it!! :-]

Backyard sounds

Flitting, flying, flapping, creeping.
Swaying, floating, chirping, leaping.
In our backyard sounds are heaping.
Me and hubby always peeping.