As luck would have it, our watchful cat and masterful hunter, tipped me off this morning to something going on in the passion flower vine. The 6 foot vine grows at the northwest corner of the house shaded by a young redwood tree from the adjacent property. Hiding among the web of flower buds and greenery hid Meatball sitting on three eggs.

Did I mention Meatball's secret nest is outside the perimeter of The Yard? It seems Meatball (new nickname: Houdini) has been escaping on a regular basis. Experts recommend leaving a fake egg in the nest to encourage a laying pattern. Meatball likely won't be fooled by two golf balls, but ideally she will make a new nest in The Yard. My guess is the nest inside the coop with the avocado pit wasn't inspiring.