Not My Best Work

Photography...I will give it a shot! (sorry, bad bad pun). Anyhooo...Sunday morning and the bird feeders were very busy. A large flock of common redpolls landed in the back garden. They are migrating through and I was so excited. Grab the camera, quick! Down like invading raptors come three grackles who are large and very wing-flappy (official technical ornithological term). Away go the redpolls and I haven't seen them since. So there is a photo I did not get.

I have been desperately trying to get photos of the Northern Cardinal which is my most favorite wild bird. Gosh, they are beautiful. Vivid red against a snow-covered pine tree. Lovely! Yesterday, shortly after the grackle vs. redpoll incident, what to my wondering eyes appear but a male cardinal, in all his red glory. Right on my feeder. So quick, again. Grab the camera. The feeder is twirling a bit. Here is the result of my photographic effort:

Can you see him?  He is right there, look carefully! Away he went and has not returned....yet. I will get him, you'll see.

I did get a fair, somewhat blurry shot of a male and female house finch. Not that great though.

My goal now is to capture beautiful photos of all the backyard birds. You will be impressed, I swear. The elusive cardinal will be mine! And hopefully many other gorgeous feathered creatures. The hummingbirds will be back soon from their tropical vacation. Those should be easy to photograph, right?

Keep watching this blog for the latest in spectacular wild life photography.  You will never need to buy a Audubon magazine again!!

Saving Daylight

What will you do with this wonderful "extra" hour of daylight? When I was a kid, it meant getting to go outside after dinner! Nowadays, it means sitting on the porch (once that beautiful summer weather gets here), or walking through the garden until the mosquitos come out. Here's a picture of what I will be doing with my extra daylight:

Yep, sitting in a tree in my Sunday's finest outfit (don't I look good?)

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Somber mood

A little snow fell over night, and I am hoping that may be one of the last of the season. March is always so capricious that way. Gets your hopes up for spring, then covers those hopes with snow and ice. But there are migratory birds returning, such as grackles and red-winged blackbirds. We move our clocks ahead an hour this weekend, and Ostara, the Spring Equinox is in just a week.

Keeping watch on the latest news from Japan. My heart is breaking for all the suffering and devastation. The human spirit is strong and will carry on, I know.

Here's a photo I found on the web....a serene scene.

Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend.



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Keeping Hopeful Thoughts

My husband made it home safe and sound this morning. He had left Hawaii just hours before the tsunami warnings. Keeping hopeful thoughts for the people in Japan and the other areas affected by the devastating earthquake and aftermath.

Silvered Wings

In case you did not get over to Danni's http://thewhimsicalcottage.blogspot.com/   for her February Fairies observance, I wanted to post the poem here that I contributed.  Something sunny for a rainy, wintry day.

Silvered Wings
by Robin Larkspur 

As I sat on arbored swing
I thought I saw a silvered wing.

Not the wing of bug or bird
More gossamer, much more absurd.

My unbelieving eye did blink
just barely once, or so I think.

Quickly sped this tiny being;
Am I seeing what I'm seeing?

There's no such thing, it's just plain rot
I''m sane and grown-up, am I not?

But speeding past my very nose
It stopped and stared and struck a pose.

Its tiny hand reach out towards me
While it hovered like a bumble bee.

A little smile, then tinkling laughter
Made me wonder what it's after.

As I stood and watched, quite leery
It snapped its fingers, my eyes went bleery.

A glittering sprinkling, like shiny dust
It must be dangerous, I know it must.

Frightened now I stepped back quickly
The deadly glitter came round me thickly.

Settling on my face and hair
this dusty sparkle from who knows where.

A scent so sweet, so light, quite fleeting
set my mind to rest, slowed my heart's fast beating.

And suddenly I laughed and shouted
Of course you're real, how could I have doubted.

Memories quickly filled my mind
of childhood spent with fairy-kind.

Playing games in the garden during daylight;
Dancing and singing with them in moonlight.

Tears filled my eyes, I felt quite rotten.
I'd always known, I'd just forgotten.

It's alright, my little dear,
She said quite softly in my ear.

For fairies lost and fairies found
We wait and watch, we're always 'round.

You will see us, we know not when
In fairies you'll believe again.

And saying that, she waved farewell
with silvered wing, more glitter fell.

This time I caught the fairy prize;
and tears of joy filled up my eyes.

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A-thrifting I did go

I've been tumbling about blogger this morning, getting caught up in long pauses, swirling and swirling "loading" signs, and generally not having fun. Trying to post a comment, having it not post, re-posting, then both posts showing up. What to do except take a long break and try again. And it seems the bloggity bogey has settled down.

On a whim, yesterday, I stopped by the thrift store. Now why would I do this when I have been decluttering and reorganizing these last few weeks?! The issue at hand is that I love the hunt and the thrill of finding something unique, interesting, collectible, nostalgic, oh and cheap budget-worthy. So I thought I would post some photos of a few of things I found.

Wooden display "ladder" (I have two others like these that I have found over the years)

Wooden pineapple tray...my guest room has a pineapple theme

Tray with cardinals, for carrying snacks to the family room

Three small canisters for herbs, and Green stuff for St. Patrick's Day

wood curtain rod rings, for a craft project

A box for holding what?

Two brand new decks of cards, unused score pad and two pencils

The girls want to know what I got for them

 (Don't be fooled by the sad faces; the girls always get biscuits and other doggie treats daily and a new toy now and then)

All my purchases came to less than 20 bucks.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Mardi Gras Tradition

When I was growing up, every Mardi Gras my dear mother would fix crepes for dinner. She came to the United States from the Province of Quebec, Canada. The crepes are a traditional meal for this day. I continued the tradition with my little ones, though they called them pancakes and sometimes these pancakes were made into animal shapes with a special pancake mold.

My mom is 95 and living far away from me in Virginia, and my children are off on their own. My husband is away on business. But it is Mardi Gras and I shall make the pancakes again tonight. With sweet dark amber maple syrup. And I will light some candles to mark the continuing of a family tradition. Perhaps a little bittersweet but still memorable.

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