Our Fine Feathered Friends

We have had a birdfeeder outside our kitchen window for about six months now. It took a couple of months for a few birds to find it. And a couple of more months for the variety of birds to increase beyond the ever-present house finches. And recently, we finally got close enough to take a few pictures. Watching this feeder and other birds around is one of the best parts about spending extra time at home.

Male downy woodpecker

Female downy woodpecker

Chipping sparrow

Mockingbird with wind-ruffled feathers

Female house finch getting ready for takeoff

Red-bellied woodpecker

Male house finch

Female cardinal and male house finch

Bird's that slid down the drain spout. It took a while to get the bird and the nest out. The top now has a screen on it to prevent this happening again. We hope.

That bird, which I think is a finch, may have then moved to a nearby bluebird box. When I went to remove the extra nest to give the bluebirds a chance, there were already babies in it. Use your imagination when you look at the fuzzy red and yellow colors in the middle of the picture. Those are newly hatched birds, however, I was not able to see them well and neither was the camera.

And what feeder would be complete without our large furry friend.

Until next time... when hopefully a few more fine feathered friends have stayed still enough for us to get a picture.

Thankful Sunday, April 19, 2020

I am thankful for the ever-changing 

colors of spring.

Virginia bluebells

Violets 

Tulip

Sprouting acorn

Ornamental cherry

Grape hyacinth

Wallflower

Sour cherry

Lilac

Dogwood

Full moon

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Share with me our stay-at-home Easter Parade, with a few pictures from Easters past and present.

I am thankful for Easter because it reminds us that 

all things are possible.

This Too Shall Pass

This Too Shall Pass

Gentle clouds

Apple blossoms

Bird warbles

It should be so easy

Warm house

Close family

Plentiful food

It should be so easy

But reassuring thoughts are fleeting.

Novel virus

Not knowing

Job loss

It is so easy

No masks

Uncertainty

No cure

It is so easy

For bleak thoughts to invade.

Deep breaths

Good books

Neighborhood walks

I will try

Friend calls

Nutritious food

Consistent sleep

I will try

Because this too shall pass.

This was what I was thinking when I woke up this morning. Unlike my mother did, I do not generally write poetry. She would be so happy that I tried. And she would, also, tell me to share it with others. So in honor of National Poetry Month, there you have it.

Thankful Sunday, April 5, 2020

I am thankful for Wally.

Of course, I am thankful for all of my family, but today is Wally's birthday, so he gets a special shout out.

Wally is an adult now, but it in some ways, it seems like it was only yesterday when he joined our family. He was born in New Orleans after a complicated trip to the hospital and a confusing labor. He had a full head of dark hair and was the sweetest and calmest baby--for about 24 hours. Then our world changed. He slept little, ate voraciously, and cried most of the time inbetween. He still eats a lot and sleeps little. Thank goodness the crying finally died down.



As time progressed, he grew into a very active and curious boy who liked to see how things worked. One time, when he was three, Wally took apart Theo's crib when both of them were supposedly taking a nap. Luckily, no one was hurt as the bed collapsed around his brother. Another time, he took the bathroom door off it's hinges. He, also, loved to build things. Unfortunately, it never seemed to be anything he took apart.

Wally thinks about people and what makes them happy. When he was four, he asked us if poor people were happy. That was a hard one to explain to a four year old. As he grew older, he seemed to have a special appreciation for the senior population. Everyone on both sides of the family was especially thankful for the help he gave his grandparents while they were learning to use computers. He was patient, clear and never got frustrated. He showed these same abilities when he worked as a pharmacy tech when he was first out of school.

Growing up, Wally loved being outdoors and never met a stick or rock he didn't like. That was a perfect fit for Boy Scouts and he eventually became an Eagle Scout. As is his nature, he took his oath very seriously and tried to live up to it. Except when he didn't, because after all he is human. But I won't go into that right now.

Now as an adult, Wally is an independent, productive member of society who tells me not only is he happy, he is content. What more could a parent ask for? Nothing.

Happy Birthday, Wally!