The clanging and banging of the garbage collection truck tells me it is Friday morning already. You can't miss the sound as the truck reaches out the mechanical arm and hauls up the can, turns it over and gives it  several shakes and then sets it back on the ground. It sure makes it easier for those guys than having to pick up each can physically and dump them into the truck. Of course that is why they provide the large trash cans too.

It is raining again today. A week or even three days of sunshine strung together might just be a bit too much to ask for. There aren't any storms associated with the rain today so that is a good thing. And, it is supposed to be over by this evening. Besides, I had heard it was going to rain today so I did my outside work yesterday. I got all of my trimming done and the lawns mowed. Ms. Kate got the asparagus cut, and we got the flowers containers moved outside that have been in the sunporch for the winter. Now they can get from fresh air and real water on them thanks to God's watering schedule. It will do them good. Plus, as I said yesterday, my gutters are all cleaned out so let it rain!

I also filled all of the feeders again yesterday. I have a couple of thistle seed feeders that are basically for the finches and they just aren't eating it. I have been told that the seed loses whatever it is that the finches like about it and then they just won't touch it. I think I'm going to empty them out on the ground and put them away for awhile. Nyger thistle seed is one of the more expensive things I buy, and if they aren't going to eat it, I'll just put those feeders up until winter. The finches eat enough of the other stuff around here that I can not worry about thistle seed.

I noticed yesterday that something got two birds and ate them out in the yard sometime in the past couple of days.  I suspect it was a cat although it could have just as easily been a hawk. The neighbor's yellow cat tends to walk through here once in a while. This morning that big old dark colored cat was here and almost got him a squirrel. It chased a squirrel straight up the pussy willow tree. I never seen it catch a squirrel but it sure tries.

Since I gave up my day to chores yesterday, I need to do some writing today. I did manage to get a page done last night but I need another three pages before I quit on this sermon. And --- we have a little running around to do and shopping for a few groceries. Julie and her dog are coiming over this afternoon to spend the weekend. I love it that they live close enough that we can zip back and forth to one another's house. Next weekend we are going to a strawberry festival over close to their house. It isn't a big deal . It is sponsored by the local Catholic Church in a little town called Floyd's Knob and is a fund raiser. The food they put out is good and there is a bit of a craft fair associated with it. It is just a fun Midwest kind of day. It falls right in with my mantra of "Live life simply -- love life deeply."

The weekend is upon us. Take a break from the rat race and stop and smell some roses. You've earned it. Take time to give praise to God who created you and blesses you every day. Have a blessed day.