Spring has finally arrived here at the Ramsey yard.  Ah, it is the time of year when if the sun is shinning, the birds are singing and the grass is greening—-well, Mom is outside in the garden so LEAVER HER ALONE and educate yourselves!  We have some news to report for those of you who follow our “The Locals” report—While cleaning the pond on Saturday *which was a complete drain and refill, rearrange all rocks kind of clean* we found HULK!  He is our red eared slider we bought from Florida as a teensy tiny baby (I do not support or condone the turtle trade, I have since learned the conditions these little guys are raised in and...okay, hold on, I have to step off my soap box).  He is so big!  And has successfully hibernated another winter!

Here is the ‘during’ picture of the pond.  You know how it goes—-I can never get a ‘before’ HGTV type picture because I walk by and think...I need to move this rock.  Next thing you know, the pond is drained the rocks are dismantled and I am contemplating building a stream and waterfall through the garden.  I abandoned that idea, and decide I really want to go with the abandoned garden trash pile look.  I had a waterfall/stream at my old house—it was the bane of my existence.  I also decided I had too much rock, so I moved stuff around, drained it, got out all the leaves (hence uncovering Hulky-boy much to his delight) and now I wait for it to clear.  Afterwards, I was really pretty happy with the waterfall pot deal.  I built up a stone wall and made the waterflow higher, which made the water sound better.  LOOK!

Today, I am satisfied.  I just need to move a few rocks…