A Second Look--June 19, 2013

Most of the week that we were gone, there were heavy rains. However, these didn't seem to affect the yard dramatically. The grass grew taller, and more of the same flowers bloomed. There is mixed news on the baby bird front. All of the baby sparrows died in the nest while we were gone. The theory is that something got their mother. However, we have four new eggs in the bluebird nest. Such is nature.

Here are a few things I saw this week during my Second Look.

Hydrangea, Endless Summer

Blanket Flowers

This Carolina Wren sings to us every morning.

Astilbe

Hottuynia

Spirea

I saw only one mourning dove recently, and now another one has joined it. I assume they are a mating pair.

Boy vs. Girls--Legos

Before I had kids, I thought that each child was an individual, and didn't believe much in gender stereotypes in children. Little boys ran and jumped a lot because that's the kind of games they were taught. Little girls played with dolls because that was the kind of toys they were given. I thought that if all kids, regardless of gender, were exposed to the same things, they would have the same tendencies. Then I spent some time in the real world of kids and figured out that I was wrong. Possibly there were some differences between boys and girls. From time to time, I'm going to share some of my experiences that led me to this conclusion. However, so as to not bias you, I'm going to let you guess, who are the boys in the stories and who are the girls.
Today's Story

When Theo was six, I was sitting on his bedroom floor with him playing with Legos. One of us was building a rectangular structure that looked much like a tall building and the other one of us was building a smaller structure that was "flying" around the room. At first we were both concentrating on our own creations, but then Theo looked at mine and said, "You build just like a girl." He said all of the girls he had seen play with Legos, built something like I did. That surprised me, but he was quite adamant about his conclusion.

You decide: Which one of us made the building and which one of us made the flying object?
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In case you want to know: I built the building and Theo built the flying object.

Ordinary treasures

Do you have an ordinary thing, in fact something that happens everyday, that you see as wonderous? I saw one of those things today while I was pulling weeds. I found a small oak tree with the acorn attached to the root. Every time I find a plant where the sprouting seed is still visible, I feel as if I've found a treasure. 

Do you have something that is ordinary, but makes you think you've found a treasure when you see it?

BTW--Interesting that I didn't notice the maple seed on the rock when I took the picture.

Thankful Sunday, June 16, 2013-- Happy Father's Day

I am thankful for the father Ward is to Wally and Theo.

While the examples are endless of why Ward is a good father to Wally and Theo, I am especially thankful for the many hours he spent with them while they were learning to drive (thus sparing me the same duty.) : -)

New Mexico Vacation, Day Seven--Home again

We're home again after a good week of exploring north central New Mexico. Today we went from desert browns to lush greens, both pleasing in their own way. Now to feed the demanding cats that act like Wally didn't feed them all week (or at least that's what they want me to believe). The laundry can wait until tomorrow.