While Don was on his walk this morning, I noticed a groundhog resting on the ramp to the shed. Assuming it was the new occupant, I grabbed my telephoto lens and took some photos from inside the kitchen door. When Don came back, I showed them to him.
It’s Henry.
Oh my heavens, our boy is still with us! There definitely is a younger groundhog hanging around as well. But this guy sat on the ramp for at least 20 minutes. And then he walked down the ramp to the grass to grab a bite to eat. And then he got scared by something and disappeared under the shed. Classic Henry.
I can’t tell you how happy this makes us – especially in the midst of all the corrupt, despicable and vile things going on at the moment. That our guy is still here is a big old shot of joy.
Bless his heart. Our resident gentleman is surveying his estate.
What a nice present this was – and it’s all in the timing, because I’m normally sitting in my chair at the time I saw him, but for some reason I was in the kitchen.
I had a social distancing dream this morning wherein NO ONE was social distancing and they were all getting way too close to me.
Also, Don did a big more digging yesterday and we added some more rocks.
Just a couple to add to the other side of the path and we’re done.
I dug out this large heart-shaped rock the other day.
Isn’t it lovely?
My allergies are out of control, so I’ll lay somewhat low today, except for watering all the seedlings and plants. It’s going to be another hot and humid day.
I’ve started another puzzle, but the edges are all either dark brown or black and it’s really hard to figure out what goes where! I’ll get there.
I finished the Simenon I was reading and then I actually grabbed a book from my TBR pile – Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz – and I’ve started that.
But back to what is really important: Henry is still with us!
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
Hello Henry!!! Maybe he has been social distancing from the new comer. So good to see him again!
He would totally commit to social distancing as he is a good and honest gentleman. Thanks Tana. Stay safe!
oh, what good news! am very happy for you, don and henry! and that photo where henry’s looking right at you … shown well with that beautiful color behind him and his sweet little face … think i’d have to frame that one. thanks for sharing your happy news!
love your rock garden. glad you found that huge heart rock and your hard work there is about done. will be fun for you to see what plants and flowers pop up there. bet the little squinnies like it already.
hope the tax work is done and on its way so you can just take it easy today.
stay safe.
grocery shopping to do here today. not fun, but grateful to be able to do that for people i love very much!
kathy in iowa
The tax work is done, thank goodness! Be safe grocery shopping, Kathy. So glad you’re feeling better!
Oh, it is so good to see Henry again! What a sweet face he has. I’m also loving your rock garden. Enjoy your weekend!
He is the sweetest. We always call him a ‘true gentleman.’ Stay safe Shanna!
Sweet news. Sweet day. Those rocks are looking so great. Hot in the 90’s today…I plan to pick up a couple of books at library take out…still isolating otherwise. These are quick reads…hope you have a good peaceful weekend. I can’t watch what is going on…it is stressing me out to no end…at my age, it is not good for me. I will vote again in November, pray, and hope. I will accept what happens and SOMEHOW deal with it…brendab
I know. I’m having to occupy myself with a puzzle to keep my mind off Trump and his corrupt cohorts. Stay safe, Brenda.
So very Happy to see sweet Henry!
Thank you, Dottie! Stay safe.
What a happy day when an old and treasured friend makes an appearance. I love his dear face.
Your rock garden is stunning .
Stay safe,
Kaye
Park City, UT
He has the sweetest little face! Thank you, Kaye. Stay safe!
Wish we had a little bit of cheer like your Henry brought you this morning. We live in a suburb of Tulsa and are just wondering what the rest of the day/night will bring for our dear Tulsa. This was thrust on the city and a lot of people are wishing this rally was no where near us. Our governor told everyone yesterday that if you fear the virus just to stay home. Well, what about the aftermath and what is left behind for all of us?! I am immunocompromised due to Stage 1 breast cancer and husband has asthma. Had lumpectomy 6 weeks ago and start radiation this week. So, like you and Don, we have basically been at home all this time. Say prayers for Tulsa!
to ann …
i am definitely saying prayers for you, your husband, the rest of your family and tulsa! you have all had something dangerous and disrespectful-bordering-on-hateful brought to your town by an egotistical person. i feel very sorry and worried for you all. i will pray for your quick and complete recovery from cancer and for good health and safety all around. hope you have all that you need and want, can rest and relax and be safe.
kathy in iowa
Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers. We know what the outcome of tonight will be with the hatred that will be spewed and fear for our great city as we are all left to pick up the pieces.
I am so sorry, Ann. I know that many, many people in Tulsa are appalled and worried by all of this. My heart is with you as well as my prayers. Please stay home, stay safe, and maybe do something other than listen to the news…We are holding you in our thoughts. xo
Thinking of you, Ann, and everyone else in Tulsa. I still don’t know why he had to pick Tulsa. OK certainly isn’t a “swing state” by any means…. I can only think of one major significance as to why someone so evil would choose that spot to rally with his dispicables….. stay home and stay safe.
Thanks, Chris. We know why he picked Tulsa….to feed his ego. There appear to be quite a few out of staters here also. The smart Oklahomans are staying far away. No, this is definitely not a swing state. Our votes never count when there are elections.
Chris, Trump chose Tulsa for specific reasons. Fine folks in Tulsa destroyed Black Wall Street while other fine folks did nothing. Here’s a link to the story: https://daily.jstor.org/the-devastation-of-black-wall-street/. Places like Tulsa are like magnets to people like Trump. It seems the sins of the fathers really are heaped on the heads of the children. I’ve always been bothered by that declaration. Why should innocent people have to suffer for the sins of past generations? I finally understand.
Current generations can right the wrongs done by those who came before us. People are doing that even as we discuss current events. I believe the majority of the citizens of Tulsa are better than those who destroyed Black Wall Street and commit atrocities agains Indigenous and POC. There is more good in the world than there is evil.
My father was stationed in Fort Sill several times during his career as a soldier. I hated Oklahoma. Racism was rampant there. It was also rampant in our hometown of Jasper, Texas. There were always kind people who nurtured me in the middle of such darkness though. I lived among and went to school with people from many cultures in Lawton.
I discovered my life’s passion in Oklahoma. My first portrait was of Margaret, a native American. My art teacher was Caucasian. My first boyfriend, Bobby Hill was Caucasian. My best friend was African American. I had a classmate, a Brazilian/Caucasian, Arlene Lugo. She was beautiful. The ugliest person I knew then was our Math teacher; she told Nigra jokes in class and expected us to laugh. She encouraged students to tell such jokes too, until a classmate’s mother called the principal and complained. She told him what she would do if he did nothing.
I grew up during extremes of social unrest and turned out okay. There is hope. Tulsa is stronger than the evil and darkness that’s headed your way. Something wicked your way cometh. Stand against it. And be well. We are praying.
Bobbie, I, of course, know of the Black Wall Street Massacre, and that was what I was inferring to when I said “one major significance” as to why he would choose Tulsa AND why he would pick this day/ week. It is disgusting, but that is what he is. Totally disgusting. I am sure there are many of his troops from out of state in attendance. My wish would be that none of the major news stations would carry the “rally” (Fox News isn’t a news station, in my opinion), and he would be screaming and spewing on deaf ears so to speak. The next best thing is if no one would watch. He measures his life by his TV ratings, and I, for one, am tired of this sick reality show we are forced to take part in on a daily basis. I am so sorry that the education system in those cases failed you so badly. We must do better.
Thanks, Claudia. We are definitely home and will not venture into Tulsa. Also, bought a lot of groceries a few days ago as we won’t be going near any kind of store for a while. I am content reading….our library does curbside pickup on holds until they open again. I had 8 new releases come in….I’ll be busy for a while.
How wonderful Henry is still with you! We had a groundhog living under our deck and getting into our vegetable garden. We used a live trap and relocated him.
Love the rocks! It looks great. I love rocks in general. I had my granddaughters each paint a rock that sits in my flower bed.
Best of luck with the puzzle.
Stay safe.
We don’t mind the occasional nibble on the garden. I considered relocating another groundhog a few years back, but then I read, after a lot of research, that it wasn’t the best option for the groundhog, so I didn’t. He eventually moved on. Thankfully, Henry hasn’t moved on and for that we are grateful! I love rocks, too. We’re supposed to get rain in the next couple of days. I’ll be interested to see what they look like wet. Stay safe, Marilyn.
Wowser! Henry must have a lady friend. He looks well cared for!
Maybe he’s having an affair and he was off somewhere with his lady! Stay safe, Kelly.
Oh that’s made me smile, welcome back Henry. Isn’t that wonderful, especially with the world as it is. Take care.
It is wonderful, Fiona. We’re very happy that our friend is here with us. Stay safe!
lovely to see Henry how old would he be now?
dq
We’ve been here 15 years. (I’ve edited this comment because I’m not sure when we first noticed Henry – I’d say he’s been here at least 10 years.) Average lifespan in the wild is 6 years, but they sometimes live as long s 12 years. Henry doesn’t really live in the wild, with the threats that come from that. He stays under the shed, ventures out to eat and that’s about it. It’s pretty safe for him here. Stay safe!
Yay Henry! So glad to see you back! I really like your rock garden idea!
I wonder if Henry knows how many fans he has? Thanks, Jane. Stay safe.
Hooray! Welcome back, Henry. I know you were so missed!
I’m with you on allergies and such. Mine might be sinus, though the weather is fabulous. A headache for days on end.
Today I had a Zoom wedding shower. Not the best “venue” for that sort of thing, especially if the bride who is running the show doesn’t quite know how to keep it lively or work the tech as well as one would like. But given that I probably won’t be at the wedding, at least I could be at the shower.
Laying low. Happy Solstice!
Sorry about your headache, Jeanie! I think a friend of ours is inviting us to his Zoom wedding. Very strange, these Zoom events!
Stay safe.
Yay, Henry! So happy to see he’s still around! :-)
Me too! Thanks, Lily. Stay safe!
Oh, dear Henry! So happy to see him. Does he hibernate under the shed in the winter? You only see him in the summer, right?? Is that a “normal” life span for a groundhog? I had no idea they lived that long.
Love the rock garden so much! It is quite humid here today. We were looking forward to a nice day of rain, but we have only had a couple of little showers so far. But that is good news for Donnamae’s wedding for her son at her house. Hope you & Don are having a great day.
Yes, he hibernates but he usually comes out in early spring – at least, we usually see him then. I’ve read that they can live up to 12 years – but Henry has been with us at least 10 years. Maybe more. He sticks close to the shed and he doesn’t really live in the wild. Pretty cushy. Stay safe.
So glad I stopped by today and found out about Henry. And your rock garden – what a job but well worth it. Been in another one of my “down” periods finding it hard to concentrate and just generally “settle.” It’s hard to see so many disregard the simplest things like wearing a mask in public. Can’t they understand how the only thing they’re accomplishing (besides either spreading the virus, or contracting it themselves) is prolonging the time we’ll need to take these precautions? Apparently not.
The weather has been absolutely lovely and for that I am very grateful. These are days to tuck away in the memory and bring out to remember mid-winter.
Take care,
Kay
I know. It’s very depressing. I have to find ways to amuse myself, things that take me to a different place. Otherwise, I’d either be screaming or crying most of the time. I understand. Stay safe, Kay.
Maybe spying Henry is a sign of better things this year, maybe things are turning for the good in our country before 2020 ends. He is so cute. He must love his homestead!
Let’s hope so, Mary! Maybe it’s good luck – our country sure needs it. Stay safe!
Howdy Henry! Love your rocks!!! And because it’s been a while … LOCK HIM UP … LOCK HIM UP … LOCK HIM UP. And let’s not forget what a despicable POS Pence is. 😡😡😡
And Barr.I’m watching this clown show take place in real time (the attempted firing of Geoffrey Berman.)
Thanks for saying hello to Henry! Stay safe.
Henry is one handsome devil!
He sure is! Stay safe, Jill!
Henry brings tears of JOY to my eyes! bless him!
that first picture…. he is actually POSING for you! I know he is.
sending you love for loving Henry so much! xoxo
Thank you, Tammy! We’re so happy he’s back! Stay safe!
Cheers for Henry!
Your rocky road remind me of a dry riverbed.
Yes, we think the same thing. Thanks Martha! Stay safe.
Phenomenal photos of Henry; I so enjoyed looking at them and really glad he has returned to you!
We are too, Vicki. Thank you and stay safe!
O Henry! (Sorry for the pun.). His reappearance brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. We have to hold on so tight to the joys that buoyed (I never now how to spell that) us in the past while we hope for better days. Also, I love finding heart-shaped rocks! And another dear friend of mine does, too. Once I found a broken spiral shell on the beach which fit perfectly on my finger as a ring. What a treat! Please give my best to Henry. Thank god for small things–special critters and rocks.
Love ‘O Henry!’
His appearance yesterday was just what we needed. You are so right about holding on tight to the joys we can find – especially in the everyday wonders we see. Stay safe, Nora!