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Monica P.'s avatar

I used to live in Missouri and when I saw the robins I knew Spring was truly here.

Now in South Florida and I have a pair of cooing doves.

Enjoyed your post especially your delivery. Looking forward to what’s coming up next as the mystery of the muddy bird bath has been solved.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I'm sure more pranks are in order! I am a Floridian born and raised, Monica, although I live in Oregon these days. Thanks for the kind words.

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Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

Hahaha super cute! I sooooo wish I had a yard that attracted wildlife. Stupid condo board rules say we can't even have bird feeders on our balconies 🙄

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Jennifer Miller (she/her)'s avatar

lol! I love it, but I’m a tiny bit disappointed you meant real “dirt.” Is it just me, or does the moss growth seem heavier in the PNW this year?

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Hahaha. Yeah, it is...lots and LOTS more rain this year than last, so yes. Plenty more of it at my place.

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Robyn Everingham's avatar

Yes, south of the Equator the heat has abated and we have lovely cooler weather heading into Easter. It is as delightful as your story, Julia.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Many thanks Robyn. I do miss the East Coast; I used to ride my bike from Elsternwick to Mordialloc and come back on the Beach Road in Victoria, and I remember so many towns so fondly there.

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Robyn Everingham's avatar

I know that trail in Melbourne. We live just north of Byron Bay and also have amazing bike tracks and a new Rail trail opened close by. Now the heat has gone we can finally get outside onto the bike trails and get the kayaks onto the creek at the back of our place. I so love this time of year.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Many years ago we had an occluded front that had sat over Melbourne for days on end. It was mid to high forties, and we were dying in that heat. It was February. About 9 pm, when it finally cooled enough, I took my bike down the Nepean towards Mordialloc. When I turned, all I could see was what I thought was smoke on the horizon. I was wrong. It was one hell of a front coming in, hurling fist-sized hot raindrops down at speed. I leapt on my bike and hauled ass, getting just within about 2 km of my house before the first drops hit me right in the face and sent me skidding dangerously across four lanes of busy highway. I barely made it under my porch before all hell broke loose. The torrent was so bad (people, horses, buildings, tractors, the like, floating by, I made that up BUT NOT BY MUCH) that we couldn't leave our houses for days.

Really teaches you a lot about Oz, and extreme weather. The rest of the world has little clue. Aussies have lived with this forever.

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Robyn Everingham's avatar

Ha Ha. Hubby is a ex-Melburnian and we lived there for 5 years a while back. I remember the 40+ degree days where it felt like an oven and the wind made it fan forced. Then it would drop to 20 degrees in an instant. Yes we have extreme weather in Oz but I think the world is fast catching up. Can I tell you that I love your writing. It is top quality writing but it is your energy that comes through every piece that makes it stand out. Watching and learning. Thanks.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Many thanks, Robyn. I've not been back since AGES and wish I had a good excuse. I lived there for four years, saw much of the country even to Geraldton and Albany, believe it or not. But not Alice, nor way north. I feel like I missed important bits but IT'S SO DAMNED BIG.......

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Robyn Everingham's avatar

It is big. Are you in America or Europe? (no probs if you don't want to reveal) But anytime you come this way do stop by. I am sure we'd have lots to chat about.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Utterly delightful story!!!

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thank you Jan. I gotta take a break every so often, lying down now.....

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Warren Nelson's avatar

😜😂

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