Let the battle begin!

Since it was another chilly rainy day today, I decided to drive to Fargo, ND, to satisfy my yearning for a couple of food items I haven’t had in six months.  First stop was the Bread Smith store to pick up a few loaves of their hearty hearth baked breads.  I chose the French Peasant Bread and the Buttertop White Bread,  but then a new item called my name.  It’s called Chocolate Babka.  Toasted, I think it will be a delicious breakfast bread.  I’m going to test it out tomorrow.

Long time readers may remember that I found Carol Widman’s Candy Company last summer.  You know I had to stop to get a pound of dark chocolate covered sponge candy.  It will probably be another month before I head back to Fargo because the Bread Smith store sets up a booth at the Detroit Lakes Farmers Market each Saturday, and that starts next weekend.  There’s always a long line at their booth, and that’s where I originally found them.  They’ll be making their Liberty Bread by then, and I’ll be getting some.  It’s a tasty loaf with blueberries and cranberries mixed in.  I do enjoy a good loaf of bread.

By the time I got back to the rig, the rain had blown away and Emma and I were able to sit outside.  It was still chilly, but mostly due to the 30 mph northerly winds.  As you can see, Emma is right at home again at Tamarac, but she’s also on constant vigilance.

You never know when some marauding mammal might appear.  As I’ve said before, Emma pretty much ignores birds unless it’s a turkey vulture, but anything with four legs brings her right to attention.

The fun begins.  It’s thirteen lined ground squirrels vs. Emma.  They’re sizing each other up for another season of battle.  They are pretty wily characters, and usually win the skirmishes, but it sure adds some spice to Emma’s world.

As the sun peaked out from behind the scattered clouds, there was something different to the right of the patio that caught my eye.  It appeared to be a big round ball about 40’ up in one of the deciduous trees.  Can you see it?

It was a big porcupine taking a late afternoon siesta.  I wondered if this was the same porcupine that favored one of the pine trees in my front yard here last year.  Up in the trees is a good place for this guy.  I sure don’t want Emma doing battle with this mammal.

If it’s sunny and not raining in the morning, Emma and I will be off to reacquaint ourselves with the rest of the refuge.  I do like it here.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy