Character Building

 

 

Did you see very tired eyes above?  Then pure relief and elation?

 

Well, that's what it is. 

 

This little budgie, Samson...  We dedicate a large portion of our day to his safety.  We also spend copious amounts of time enjoying his silliness and growth.  I've been told he's about 6 months old and is going through his first molt.  So we have been enjoying seeing his head turning white and his necklace spots coming in. 

 

Imagine how absolutely devastating it was to see him fly out our back door.

 

Oh, how mistakes happen so quickly and easily.  And the pain involved, the sheer pain of not being able to go back and NOT make the mistake.  Ugh.

 

Young Man had Sam out of his cage.  All other animals were safely tucked away elsewhere.  I took the trash out.  Yep, the major mistake right there.  I opened a door and went outside knowing that Young Man and Sam were in another room.

 

But then I had to open the door to come back inside.  And in that split second, Sweet P. was in the doorway crying about something and that moment of hesitation was all it took for a sweet little blue birdy to fly up into my face and subsequently over my head.  It was awful.

 

My heart broke because I love Sam, because I knew he was gone, because I worried about his safety, but more importantly, my heart broke for Young Man. 

 

We followed him instantly and talked and talked and talked to him.  We used all of his 'words' and do you know what?  Young Man spotted him in a tree in front of our house.  We have a lot of birds around the Hearth Room, but that little parrot song is unmistakable.  Once we heard him, Young Man spotted him. 

 

We immediately took his cage outside to the patio, opened it, put out favorite foods and cried, cried, cried, (keeping my own tears a secret of course). 

 

After probably an hour, we watched Sam fly down the road to the other end of our neighbor's pasture where he stopped to perch in a big tree by the road.  This was definitely getting worse. 

 

I snuck to the computer to do some quick Parakeet Research, only to find that these little guys are nomadic and don't have much in the way of homing instincts.  If the wings aren't clipped, (which we were advised against due to the fact that we have other pets in the house), then they will continue to fly and can be miles away in a matter of minutes.  The protective mother in me decided to keep this information to myself and pray. 

 

I told Young Man the old saying about, "If you love something, set it free...".  I also told him that everything belongs to God.  Even if that little budgie lives with us, he's not just our bird.  Oh, what life lessons came from this extremely sad day.  So we continued to pray for Sam's safety and for him to be brought back to us. 

 

Young Man walked down the road with sprigs of millet and talked to Sam.  We listened to him sing and chirp for the entire afternoon.  We sat outside for the entire evening listening and watching for him.  We figured our only hope was for him to come back to his cage at bedtime.  He really likes bedtime.  But he didn't come.  It was a rough night to say the least. 

When Hubby came out to make coffee in the morning, he checked the cage on the patio and told me there was no budgie.  So as he got ready for work, I grabbed my coffee and came outside to listen.  The most amazing sound came from just above my head!  It was that sweet little parakeet voice! 

 

I ran to wake Young Man with the words, "I don't want to get your hopes up, but I'm pretty certain I just heard him.  Come listen!"

 

Sure enough, it was Sam.  He had returned to the tree that he looks out at each day from our classroom window.  When he saw us he cried out his very happy song and we horrifyingly watched him fly around our house and yard.  But he came back and perched 20 feet above us.  We were so very thankful to see that little blue puff!  So happy to hear his song!  He was hungry and was eyeing his cage in a big way. 

 

So we prayed and poured out food.  We tempted him with millet and used all the happy words he knows.  We rang his bell and tapped on his cage.  He dropped down to perch on the lowest branch of the tree, just above Young Man's head.  He was really looking us over and considering our breakfast options.  And then he finally dropped down onto his cage.  Young Man told him to 'step up' and he did.  We stuffed him quickly inside his cage and were so amazed and thankful!

(sigh)...
 

That little budgie couldn't decide if he was more tired or hungry, but he was safe and  home.  We were exhausted and relieved.  We were so extremely thankful.  Thankful for safe birdy returns and thankful for small miracles.  Young Man grew up just a bit extra that day.  He learned so much more from that painful experience than I ever could have taught him with words. 

 

I still can't believe it.  And I don't know if what I read during my 'Parakeet Research" was accurate or not.  But I do know it's a real joy for us to get to see Sam's necklace spots growing in and his pin feathers opening.  We've made some new house rules for Sam's safety and it's really good to see Young Man being very responsible and extremely cautious.  We continue to be diligent everyday, but there's also a new appreciation that goes along with it. 

 

I think we just had a huge lesson in Character Building.  We both learned a lot. 

 

For that, I'm thankful. 

(And I hesitate just a moment before opening any doors). 

 

 

 



It's a Bird Thing...

 

 

The Baby Bluebirds are still here!  I guess I really can't call them babies anymore...

 

They often come and perch near the feeders and take turns in the bath, (which I LOVE!), but recently we have had a hawk near the house.  In fact, while sitting in the backyard one afternoon watching the kids play, a hawk swooped in and took a little bird away...  So sad.  I think it was a dove.  I couldn't believe how incredibly brazen that hawk was.  It's been a while now since we've seen the hawk or heard it's very distinct cry. 

 

So now the pretty birds are back!  Young Man built another blue bird box for me and it's been leaning against the garage and often falling over.  I all but begged Hubby to put it up properly this weekend.  All joking aside, after he had the box securely in place, those bluebirds were sitting on the box and peering inside it within 10 minutes! 

 

Now as long as I can keep birdies on the outside and kitties on the inside we should all get along just fine.

 

Now on to work some more granny squares for that tree skirt...  I am also working on some new Christmas ornaments.  Wish me luck!

 

xoxo

 

 

 

 



Baby Bluebirds

It's been soooo much fun watching these babies grow!  I have truly loved every minute of it.  I consider it a very special gift to be able to enjoy the wildlife up close.  I've especially been watching these past few days, as these little babies have been showing loads of interest in what's outside of their little home.  They have seemed very eager to explore, competing for space to pop their little heads out to look around.

But Mama and Daddy Blue have continued to feed them and clean up their little messes.  Since that terrible Derecho (wind storm) we had, I told Hubby I was naming the babies Derec, Windy and Bluster.  He just laughed.  Naming the wildlife...  Yeah.  But if you could have seen how this little box was swinging in the storm with Mama inside on her nest of eggs...  Amazing they survived unscrambled.

Mama Blue actually sat nearby and called and called to them yesterday and I think (in the only Human way that I can) that she was trying to persuade them to fledge. I wanted to witness this sooo badly! Camera at the ready!

But I think Mama Blue was just plain tired of me.  She was tired of sitting around with a fresh lunch in her mouth, wondering if it was safe to visit her young with me sitting foolishly by.  So I gave in and let them be last night.  This morning I watched with joy as she fed them breakfast and made a mental note to keep track of Baby Activity.  Then I got really busy cleaning the floors and ended up cleaning Young Man's room.  It was in desperate need of rearranging and a purge to the basement of excess Lego's.  And do you know what?  Hubby came home and said to me, "Have you checked the box today?" 

Noooooo!   It can't be!

 I MISSED IT!  

The box is empty.  I checked all around and it seems no babies are on the ground and no Mama or Daddy Blue came and fussed at me, so it looks like they all made it to wherever Mama took them.  I will really miss watching them.  I hope we get another brood.  I really wasn't that invasive watching from the window.  I'm a little sad they're gone, but also very glad.  Now I can finally let my 'indoor' cats go 'outside' to plant their onions, so to speak.  They never stay out longer than that, really, but I couldn't take that chance while I was encouraging birdies to stay. 

Bye-bye Bluebirds.  You have a beautiful family!

Clearly, Mama Bluebird is a lot smarter than I am when it comes to moving her babies.

It's Summer

A single sunflower stands alone on our courtyard patio, deserted by the height of summer temperatures. We seem to have retreated indoors to delve into good books and be transported by old movies (I am always way behind everyone else).

The Thai Basil and Rosemary seem to be enjoying the warmth and solitude, as do the mints. No little hands have been present to experience their fragrances or flavors. The catnip has not returned. Too much presence by hefty felines have once again proven the need to have catnip grown in a top secret location, only to be witnessed by the fine felines in fresh snippets provided to them. As opposed to rolling, smashing and gnawing freely. 

As we support local farming, our CSA share of fruit has filled the Hearth Room with delightful aromas of apples and cinnamon.  Almost makes me long for fall.  When the rich colors and warm, spicy scents of the fruits and flavors are bubbling, waiting for family gatherings.  And the temperatures invite us back outdoors to play in crisper air and crunchier leaves. 

But it is definitely not time for that.  Not yet!  The garden is producing plenty of beautiful vegetables to share and prepare for winter meals. 

I offer squash and cukes to all who visit the Hearth Room. Soon I will be pushing tomatoes and onions, too.  Although, right now Hubby is still marveling at how well the onions have done, allowing them to continue to swell.  Well, except for a few....

Add to the mix these wonderful Romano Beans we were gifted by a fellow gardener.  I am learning to cook new things, as well as old favorites in different ways.  These meaty beans were prepared with a coating of EV olive oil and chopped garlic.  Dashed with sea salt and pepper and roasted on a baking sheet.  Summery goodness at it's finest!

Somehow we managed to skip planting zucchini here, but it seems to always be one of the first things folks share.  This year has been no exception! 

As soon as a zucchini comes through the door, it ends up here in a rich, sweet batter.

My young apprentice has found cooking to be a wonderful world of exploration lately.  From how sticky your hands and face can get to how exceptionally good things taste.

Oh, my little zucchini breads...  You didn't last long enough.  I do hope another large squash makes it through our door soon.

And absolutely worthy of mentioning is the very delicious and necessary corn fritters that are a tribute to everything good Granny taught me.  Every summer for as long as I live there will be corn, fresh from the cob, mixed with milk, flour, eggs, salt and pepper, with a little dash of sugar.  I wrote of them last year and I probably will again.  That Granny, she's  a good one.

Fresh, hot, corn fritters, cukes and red onions (don't tell Hubby), and beet greens from the garden.

I'm not sure I ever shared with you my unconventional corn and potato patch.  Yet another space in need of landscaping, that once the potato bags called it home I found the need to fill in around them with corn and sunflowers.  Just another moment of whimsey. 

Speaking of whimsy along with the joys of summer, I have to show you one of my most favorite-ist things ever.  In this very unexpected place, a little couple of bluebirds have decided to make a home.  This birdhouse was made by Young Man a few years ago and as you can see, it hangs and is not stationary.  No matter to the little bluebirds in love that desperately sought out this place as their home.  The place to raise their little family. 

One tiny orange mouth, ready to be fed, competing with two others.  I can see this box just outside the Hearth Room door.  I have had the most heart squeezing fun seeing these 3 blue eggs hatch into the tiny balls of fluff they are now.  Mama and Daddy are the best birdie parents, watching over them constantly and taking turns feeding those hungry mouths.  I'm waiting for the chance to get a really good picture of them, but Daddy Blue has been on to me lately...  I thought I'd give him a rest from worry for a bit.

As our retreat indoors continues, I am constantly reminded of my need to visit the great outdoors by happy, energetic children, immense plants climbing out of the garden, and by little feathered friends who are holding me to my promise of filling the feeders that I so lovingly hung for their benefit.  Yep, they just lie down and wait right in the dish until I come and provide.  We all seem to get a little stuck in our ways here at the Hearth Room.  Even the outdoors is spoiled .

 

 

Flowery Progress

I am holding myself accountable for completing this Curli-Q Flowery Scarf!  I must admit I wasn't crazy about the particular flower instructions, so I have pooled some Flowery Inspiration and am putting different flowers together here. 

The smaller 'bud' type of flower is made by crocheting a chain and then putting 3 double crochets in each chain stitch.  You can change color a time or two along the way.  In the end, you just swirl up the little hooky chain and stitch it together.  You get a pretty little bud!

I think the variety of flowers does make this scarf MUCH more interesting!

Now I just need to move on to my other colors and we should have something really much more interesting to work with here.  Yes, I do believe it's coming along....

I know, I know...  Yes I have gotten into that Hipstamatic App thing and I am loving it!  I'll get over it soon.

In the mean time, my kitchen has been taken over by - Robots?  Legos?  Lots of fun things apparently.

Yep, that would be the Legos. Amidst the pet hair, I'm sure.  Time to go reclaim the house!

Another something very handsome I really wanted to share.  I so love these little friends.  Do you have any yarn in your nest yet?

So, as promised, it was 60 degrees today and our Gift of Snow is really gone.  I can only find teeny tiny specks of it hiding under the trees.  We enjoyed it soooo much.  We can finally feel like we had winter at least.  Even if only in a very quick and tiny episode.  Now if only I can get Sweet P. to understand, as she continues to rush to the door with hat and boots in hand crying, "Wheeeeeeee."  I have nothing to sled on now, Sweet P.

Let's go make some flowers.

xo