David didn’t have a chance to put the stake for Kacey near the garden, but I had the irresistible urge to get outside and do something useful on a very warm winter day. Using a child’s rake to clear the iris bed seemed reasonable. The bed could have used a heavier hand, but I did what I could while holding the leash. The dog seemed content to watch. It wasn’t until I finished that I found she had tangled the leash in an over-grown bush and couldn’t move. Kudos to her for waiting patiently.
Since raking went fairly well, I came inside for the coffee grounds. We’ve had a resident skunk digging in the front yard, looking for grubs. I read that coffee grounds were not to their liking. I don’t think coffee is much of a deterrent, but it saves us having to take the stuff to the dump. Kacey sniffed every spoonful, making sure there wasn’t a tidbit hidden in there for her.
The temperature continued to go up as the sun reached the middle of the sky. Despite the warmth being one degree below my usual cutoff point, I ate lunch on the porch. It wasn’t quite like summertime. I ate hot clam chowder and wore a heavy sweater. It was not a meal to linger over with good company.
Mehrling Muse 
Great picture of you! You might also try shavings of Irish Spring bar soap…I hear it works well for deterring mice!
LikeLike
Irish Spring soap would certainly help mask the odor of a dead mouse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But it might deter the skunks too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always nice to eat outside when the sun is shining, even if it is a bit cool. Kacey is such a good dog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely day! It is 72 here today, and I am about to go outside for a bit–but not with a dog on a leash! I can barely manage that when I have to. 🙀
LikeLike
If Kacey saw another dog, I’d be jerked to the ground in an instant. I don’t walk her off our property.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good plan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You look wonderful and happy – wish I could be there with you 😘
(But I can’t say I’m unhappy here in Milan 😄)
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’d love a visit from you when your life slows down to a normal pace. I’m glad things are going well in Milan.
LikeLike
Milan? Oh how awesome!
LikeLike
She lives in Denmark but has to been loaned to the Italian headquarters to organize some procedures. Heady stuff!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Maybe the Skunk and Kacey would of liked to join you for lunch Anne!
LikeLike
Kacey was on the porch with me for lunch, but I hope the skunk was far away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first porch lunch of the season!
LikeLike
I ate on the porch once in January. My goal is to find a warm enough day every month. The selfie is to remind me I actually did it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your threshold is lower than mine. I doubt if I’ll be eating on my deck before April!
LikeLike
I usually don’t eat outside until it’s 65°.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are all ready for Spring and may be pushing things a bit .In this present warm up I’m thinking the trees will start budding and then another cold spell will do damage. …I so want to get to the flower beds but…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You look good Anne. I love that smile🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Arlene. I have lots to smile about.
LikeLike
Good luck discouraging the skunk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clam Chowder on the porch seems lovely. It might get warm enough here for me to sit outdoors on the porch for a while. Hmmm…what would be a good lunch, and what will I wear? I hope the skunk is deterred by the coffee.
LikeLike
Wear something warm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome picture you. So sweet. Smile. Beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you. It was surprisingly warm outside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good here will be warm day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are having a warm spell too. I went out to the farm with my hubby and the dogs for a couple of hours yesterday. Sounds like you and Kacey are becoming great friends. I hope you are able to get rid of the skunk but more importantly I hope that Kacey never encounters the skunk.
LikeLike
David is the one who walks Kacey in the dark, and he is trying to be aware of animals wandering about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Skunks don’t like coffee grounds? Interesting. I’m glad you got to have your lunch outside in Feb. That sounds delightful to me.
LikeLike
It was even warmer today — 64°. The wind was fierce, though, so I ate lunch inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you’re following through with your series of “Lunch on the porch” photos every month of the year. You were industrious and deserved a nice meal with nice company – you did not share your clam soup with Kacey?
LikeLike
I may have let Kacey lick the soup bowl. I don’t remember.
LikeLiked by 1 person