Out Of Hibernation

Can you actually believe that March is here already? The swallows will soon return as well as the orioles. The days seem to be getting longer and flowers are blooming all around us. It is a great time of the year.

This week has provided us with perfect Southern California weather. The temperatures have been in the 70 and 80 degree range with plenty of sunshine and warm breezes. I must say that I thrive in these conditions. The sun and I have definitely had our disagreements on the color I would like to be so I am not one to sit out and bake. Being born a redhead with the fair complexion I have had my share of sunburns. This was before we found out how damaging the sun can actually be. The sunburns are NOT worth the fleeting color that that big light in the sky provides. I do, however, enjoy working in the yard when the weather is as it has been this week.

One signal around here that lets us know that spring has arrived is the appearance of the tortoises. Since they hibernate all winter, it is a real thrill to see them out and enjoying the fruits of the winter garden. Three of them made their appearance this week. Of course they will spend a lot of their time eating and hydrating in their pool of water after a long winter's sleep.

These are our adults who are both in their fifties. Both weigh around twenty pounds and are approximately 18" in diameter. Their names are Joshua and Saguara and they are well loved by the grandchildren who frequently hand feed them. As soon as the kids arrive the tortoises will come out to meet and follow them until they are fed. These two have been family raised since they were babies so they are extremely people friendly.

One thing that I enjoy is checking out other blogs. It is such a thrill to view what others are doing and sharing with pictures. Barb at A Chelsea Morning

is having a giveaway to celebrate her newly learned craft of knitting. Check out the great scarf that she has already made. It looks like she is well on her way to bigger and better things soon. I'm sure there are many others who are also getting into projects that will stimulate their minds and keep all of us inspired.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

This is our "baby" who is eight years old. The children named it Franklin, but we have had to change it to "Frances." The sex of a tortoise is not able to be determined by the eye until they reach about the age of five to seven in captivity. At that time the plastron, or bottom of the shell, will go from being flat to being concave if the tortoise is a male. Her shell is quite flat still and thus the name from Franklin to Frances. As you can see, she loves the strawberry patch even though the berries are few and far between at this time of the year. She will spend a lot of her summer days there enjoying her finds. Right now she is after the blossoms.