I thought it was a good idea at the time...

You Have More Land Than You Think

Clever design creates more housing on small sites.

You might assume that squeezing small units onto small lots might end up feeling claustrophobic, but a few simple design principles can actually lead to housing that is welcoming, comforting, and feels spacious. Best of all, a smaller house is more affordable, and land costs are spread amongst more units, creating greater affordability without subsidy.

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Today is cloudy, breezy, and mild.

I fed the birds. I haven't seen any yet.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- We went to Whiteside Garden again. This time I picked up a clump of wildflowers fused together: a couple of tiny ferns, and even tinier columbine, and some yellow violet.

We stopped to chat with a friend. His yard has several red-headed woodpeckers. I heard them drumming and spotted one as it flew away. These used to be the dominant woodpecker around here, but have been largely replaced by downies and are now rarer to see.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I planted the new wildflowers. One yellow violet had come loose, so I put that with my others. The rest of the cluster went into the mossy part of the savanna which already has a woodland feel.

And now I'm hearing thunder, on what was supposed to be my main planting day. *sigh*

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I planted the sedum from yesterday and watered the newly planted things.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I planted the holly from yesterday at the east edge of the Midwinter grove.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I watered and mulched the holly.

It's 83°F outside now, too hot to do as much yardwork as I hoped. At least I got the Whiteside things planted.

I've seen a few sparrows and house finches, plus a fox squirrel.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I watered the pansies and violas. The hot wind is just stripping the moisture out of everything. :(

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I watered the new picnic table garden.

I saw a brown thrasher foraging in the house yard.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I raked a section of orchard.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I sowed some grass seed in the orchard.

EDIT 4/14/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.



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Today is cloudy, breezy, and mild.

I fed the birds. I haven't seen any yet.

I put out water for the birds.

I've seen a six-spotted tiger beetle on the brick of the big red birdbath. I figure it's either drinking from the moist brick or hunting other insects attracted to the water. :D

These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Vocabulary: Quiddity
Economics
Nature
Birdfeeding
Today's Adventures
Philosophical Questions: City
Food
Birdfeeding
Space Exploration
Gaming
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 4-10-26: Meditation
Nature
Poem: "The Grabber"
Poem: "So DONE with It All"
Poem: Their Hidden Source
Poem: "Beautiful, Tough, Shiny, Resilient"
Food
Birdfeeding
Community Thursdays
Draw a Bird Day
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party

Early Humans has 22 comments. Philosophical Questions: Pregnancy has 65 comments. Safety has 77 comments.


Last week's Poetry Fishbowl went well. I am still writing.


The weather has been variable here. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, two turkey vultures, two blue jays, a brown-headed cowbird, a male cardinal, a male goldfinch,and a fox squirrel. Red-winged blackbirds have been singing overhead. Leafing out: maple, hackberry, mulberry, mayapple, Dutchman's breeches, trillium, yellow trout lily, Asiatic lilies. Currently blooming: daffodils, violets, grape hyacinths, tulips, anemone, leucojum, yellow violet, bluebells, Solomon's seal, pansies, violas, sweet alyssum. Flower buds: peonies, alliums.

Today is cloudy and warm with howling wind.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches plus a brown-headed cowbird.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 4/12/26 -- I did some work around the patio.

EDIT 4/12/26 -- I emptied the bag of raised bed soil into the hollow by the garden shed.

I picked up the big branch in the south lot.

A third tuft of violet leaves is blooming yellow. That's three now, although this one is smaller. I'm so happy that my yellow violets are spreading. :D 3q3q3q!!!

EDIT 4/12/26 -- I picked up more big branches in the orchard and moved them to the firepit.

I've seen a fox squirrel at the hopper feeder. I heard a bluejay screaming above the south lot but didn't see it.

EDIT 4/12/26 -- I picked up more big branches in the savanna and moved them to the firepit.

EDIT 4/12/26 -- I picked up more big branches in the savanna and moved them to the firepit.

I saw two bluejays high in the trees above the house yard, bobbing up and down, screeching at each other. \o/

It's trying to spit rain.

EDIT 4/12/26 -- I picked up more big branches in the savanna and moved them to the firepit. We also dragged the biggest branch to the side where it won't block the mow path.

I am done for the night.