In case you haven't read my previous blog, my family and I have been harrassed by a flock of barn swallows who insist on taking up residence in an eave in the front of our antique carriage house. It's been a battle of wits and endurance. Here's how it's going.The saga continues...

Happy to report that it looks like I have won over MOTHER NATURE, and in time for Mother's Day too. Don't worry. I'll make it up to her... a tree, rose bush, marigolds, fertilizer. Dinner out. Maybe even let the deer eat the hosta. Once.

So far, so good. The swallows have been noble adversaries. They would not let up, and they were cunning. Unfortunately for them, I wouldn't let up either.

In case, you too, are ever graced with a surprise visitation from these noble creatures, I'll share how I discouraged them.

Key here is whether or not they laid eggs yet. They won't abandon an occupied nest. I wasn't sure what was going on. All I know is that they were on the attack.

First line of defense is NOISE. The best noise I know is radio news. Started with NPR, then BBC, then Fox, then finally Michael Savage's talk radio show. Have you ever heard his theme song? It's like a jack hammer. I blared it. That combined with clanging pot lids, it worked like a charm.

I am cautiously hopeful. Never say done deal until the fat lady has sung her song. Not meaning any disrespect to Mother Nature, but she has final say.

The moral here is...yes, there's always a moral:  be happy with your successes, but stay cautious. Don't relax into complacency. And keep one eye open.