Twofer Tuesday

I had a perfectly good post written for today, but then life happened. So lucky you will get two posts today. Read them both and then vote for your favorite.

The first story is titled, “Outwitting The Birds“.

This past weekend Hubby and I worked together to “net” our cherry tree. Now that the cherries are starting to turn a little pink, the birds can see them. We noticed them coming from far and wide to sample the delicious sweet cherries.
However, Hubby would have none of that. A few weeks ago he sent away for a large net to put over and around the tree. Of course, due to the fact that his knees are still not up to par, I was the one who went up the ladder and did all the fitting of the netting. Don’t get me wrong, Hubby was there on the ground, helping me, but I was the one up on the ladder doing a job that spelled disaster for me.
You see, I’m not what one would call graceful. In fact I can be walking across a bare floor and trip on nothing at all! So I was quite nervous to be up on this ladder with a feeling that my life could end at any moment. I also have a fear of heights. Granted this was not too high, but I am even less graceful when I am off the ground, even if it is only by a few feet.
At one point I started to fall and grabbed onto the ladder. It was then that I said to Hubby that he should just stand in back of me so I can feel him there. That would surely make me brave!
The netting was finally in place, the seams sealed up and all the tools put away. Whew, I cheated death, yet again.

Last night our neighbor came down bringing strawberries for us! (YUM!) We sat on the patio talking and we noticed a pair of Baltimore Orioles flying around the cherry tree. We watched those birds flying around and around, trying to figure out a way to get to our cherries! Finally one was very tired and landed on the netting on the very top of the tree and just sat there. I grabbed my camera and snapped.
Right now I am feeling a bit giddy. It appears that Hubby and I are winning this battle for the cherries.
Now all I need to do is start looking for cherry recipes.
It’s going to be a big crop!

The second story is titled, “Mrs. Noah”

“God, it’s me, Mrs. Noah. Remember me? Right now my Hubby, Noah is laid up with his newly replaced knees. I’m waiting on him hand and foot, taking care of the animals. You remember the animals, God? The ones you told us to get?
Okay, Lord, today you sent us more rain. I wasn’t really happy about that. When I took the little ship out to get the mail, I noticed the path to the Ark was pretty rutted. Seeing as Hubby is still not doing well, I went out this morning and worked for over an hour shoveling mud and digging trenches. I’m not used to this kind of work, but I figured that I had best do it before the path washed away.
I came in after, sweating, (you know my feelings about that) and after taking my second shower of the day made Hubby his lunch. Then, because I was so tired I even got into my pajamas. I intended to just relax and not do another thing today.
God. How come you don’t like me? While I was sitting here trying to relax the rain started coming down in sheets. More rain than I’ve seen in a long time. 3 1/2 inches in less than an hour! Hubby was really impressed. I was simply horrified!

After feeding Hubby his dinner, I headed back up the path. I was shocked to find the drive nearly washed away. I shoveled and raked and raked and shoveled until my back and arms ached and I felt nearly drunk with exhaustion. All of this requiring a third shower.

So I’m asking again God, what do you have against me? I’m a good woman, I feed my Hubby, I feed my animals. I even planted a garden. Do you really need to help me water it so much?
I’ve got a little something to ask you. Could you please just cut the rain? I know you’re trying to improve on that 40 days and 40 nights deal, but come on, enough is enough.
A woman’s got to rest!”