Chescobob-- Once a male defines his territory he will protect it against all comers other males and even bees. He may have just tried to run the bee out but realized it was injured. Hummers will feed on small insects, knats, mosquitoes, small spiders and such. They use the nectar as fuel to fly and find these protein rich snacks which they need. One of the fun ways to watch a hummer up close is to buy a window feeder with suction cups to attach to your window. Once they get used to you being there they wont hesitate to feed while you are on the other side of the window long as you dont do a lot movement. I sit at my pc and have two feeders on that window and the hummers come and go at those feeders all day long. Thats not happening much yet this year since there are not enough hummers yet.

That would be so cool to watch the aerial show from one's porch! We just returned from hiking to the top of the mnt and coming back down in the dark (I wore my headlamp, but DB forgot his). This time the sky was clear so the Woodcocks started later. Beautiful sunset, and then the beeping started. As far as we could tell, there was only one male displaying this evening but he did his flight right over us and landed about 20 feet in front of us to beep. I could just barely see him mating with a female, but we certainly heard them. They are so cute the way they glide around on the ground, holding their bodies still while their feet are a blur, making them seem to float. Their feathers make the twittering sound as they spiral upward (as I mentioned in my first post), but they make the chirping sound with their voices as they descend. The stars came out while we were watching the Woodcocks mate, so when the show abruptly ended we were surprised to look up and see the sky crammed with stars, including Mars almost overhead in Gemini, the Twins. We also saw 2 meteors so we might have an early Lyrids Meteor Shower show, or late Y-Normids. DuBois set up the screen tent by the horse pasture now that the rain has stopped so we should have a great view tonight..hopefully hear some owls, too!

I was 27 when I met my now husband, who was 42 at the time. So the ages are similar. He was divorced and had a young daughter. Honestly I realize it was naivete on my part, but his having a daughter was "neat" to me. I had no inkling of how fraught with tension etc. the whole stepchildren issue can apparently be. I'm actually glad now that I was a bit naive, because the daughter and I have, from the get go, had a wonderful relationship. One thing that in hindsight I really appreciate, (because I'm a mom myself now), is that DH waited about 6 months before even introducing the two of us. And even after the introduction, we both made sure dad and daughter had most of their together time by themselves. In other words, just because he was in love with me didn't mean she was expected to be. Another thing I'd like to add.... when I first met DH, I was instantly attracted to his secure sense of self. All the men my age were still trying hard to prove they were the best, clawing their way up the corp. ladder, buying fancy cars and expensive clothes etc. -all trying to fit in and be the best. It was so relaxing and refreshing to be with someone who already knew who he was, and who was past all that preening stage. It is hard to describe, but I so clearly remember noticing it and commenting to friends and family. So your friend may have an advantage he isn't even aware of. Honestly, I think the biggest thing is to get to know HER, and then do thoughtful things that hit the spot because he knows her so well. I've never been a flowers girl, for example. But if a boyfriend made me a CD of all my favorite songs, or bought me a book I had mentioned, etc. -that would go straight to my heart. The other thing I think is that women watch the way their prospective men interact with others, not just her. Do they generally and genuinely act kindly, compassionately and respectfully toward the shop clerk, the waiter, people in line, their grandmother, etc....

I agree with Betsy, good quotes to start the week and the month. Thank you, Don