Your introduction to the country

It's been two years, four months and 15 days since Kerry and I left the Bay Area for greener pastures, literally. But then who's counting. I've always thought I was a country girl even before I became one officially. We have wonderful home and five acres. It's so peaceful.

There is nothing better than waking up in the morning to the cry of a Red Shouldered Hawk. Each morning they call to each other just before sunrise. Once the family is organized they head out to hunt for little creatures scurrying around in the tall grass and weeds.

Then there is the clicking sound made by the Belted Kingfisher as he sits on a tree branch over the upper pond.

We have five bird feeders in the front yard. We feed anyone who wanders by--Goldfinches, Lesser Goldfinches, house sparrows, white breasted nuthatch, House Finches, quail, hummingbirds, Orioles, and many more.

Our vegetable garden did not do as well this year. It was just too hot for many of the plants. The sun killed our newly planted fig tree despite the umbrella we placed over it to shield it from 100+ degree heat.