Chipping Away

The return of the sparrows in early spring is always a treat. There are many different kinds of these cheerful songsters (and chatterers). My brother, sister and I will happily announce our first sighting of each new variety to arrive home from their winter haunts.

These pictures were taken in early May, so this bird has long since either moved farther north or found a mate to settle down with and raise a family. I'm always happy when I discover some nesting nearby.

This picture made me smile, as it captures the cheeky little devil's personality - it chips and scolds and darts into hiding if I start trying to move closer for a better shot.

While perhaps less visually striking than a cardinal, bluebird or goldfinch, the subtle brown and rust markings have their own beauty. This pert little bird would probably be the first to insist less can be more. I have to agree.

Better Thoughts of a Common Weed

Being the sort that is easily entertained, I enjoy seeing and admiring things that many might take for granted - or even dislike (or declare never-ending war on in the pursuit of a perfect lawn). Dandelions, for example, can be quite charming, given half a chance.

I remember filling May Day baskets with them (along with violets and other early wild flowers) and hanging them on neighborhood doorknobs when I was a small child. They don't fare very well in vases, but I tried that, too. 

Amish families in the neighborhood of the family homestead fry dandelion blossoms and eat them, claiming they are a great delicacy. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure I will get around to the experiment at some point - curiosity, don't you know... 

So, despite their general classification as a "weed", when I encounter their sunny blooms with bees humming around them while busily gathering pollen, they make me smile - and I wonder what dandelion honey tastes like.

A Display of Temper

Everyone has heard the old saying, "madder than a wet hen". Well, naturally, I got curious and had to look up where the phrase came from.  According to my research, hens sometimes get broody and refuse to let a farmer collect eggs. Apparently, the farmer would then throw a bucket of cold water over the bird to shock her out of her moody broodiness. That alone would put me out of sorts, so I imagine an already unhappy chicken would be pretty steamed.

 

This usually calm and sweet lady wasn't wet, but she certainly got her feathers ruffled. I took a few pictures, because while it's common to see the male turkeys displaying their dominance and prowess, it's rare to see a hen fan out her tail and drag her wings in the same way.

 

 

She's a very impressive bird, don't you think?
 

Mystery Flower

Baloo and I ran across this interesting bloom while out on one of our rambles. Does anyone have an idea what it might be? 

I have looked through all my flower books and can't seem to find a match for it. I think the growth habit is really interesting. It seems to bloom right from the middle of the leaf, which surrounds the stem. 
 

Goose-Neck

It took a long time for Spring to finally come around this year - and I have a feeling we'll slide right into summer, without much of a transitional period, which is too bad. Baloo and I much prefer walking in cooler temperatures. 

It means that babies are being born (I saw my first wobble-legged fawn last week) and hatched. Young goslings are taking to the water under the watchful eye of their parents. It's always fun to watch their ungainly antics as they waddle to the edge and flop into the water. 

It's also easy to see how goose-neck lamps got their name! What flexibility!

Memorial Day and Gratitude

Memorial Day always finds me thinking of the sacrifices that have been made by so many brave souls.  Sacrifices that have secured cherished freedoms and opportunities that I hope I never take for granted or fail to appreciate. Baloo and I walk to the war memorial, read the names of those who died in defense of those freedoms and spend some time in quiet contemplation and gratitude.  It's a priceless gift they have given me. 

I am also very grateful for the customers who have stuck with me through many iterations of product development, a web site crash and rebuild, a pandemic and an amazing amount of family stuff that has thrown me off my game a bit. Thank you for that. I'm trying to get things back on a more even keel now and am learning how to set up sales in the new site. If all works as I think it should, Tan-Z Kut will be on sale through Monday. 

And to top off the news, I have (finally) gotten the modified Speedball cutters back into inventory. I'm sure Kirbert (and maybe a few others) thought I had been abducted by aliens or something. 

Draw a Bird Day

Every year on April 8, I celebrate Dorie Cooper and Draw a Bird Day.  If you haven't heard of Dorie, she's worth looking up and learning about. I get bleary-eyed every time I read her story, which I did again this morning. So, even though I have neglected the blog for a long time and still haven't done the second round of butterfly rescue photos, I had to stop by and encourage everyone to draw a bird today in honor of Dorie. 

It doesn't have to be a masterpiece (witness this quick sketch of a singing meadowlark with a head that's too small and no detail to speak of sketched in for the wings yet - drawn on the back of  scrap paper discarded invoice from Stampeaz, no less). But, I encourage you to take a minute to use your favorite search engine to read about Dorie today and draw a bird in honor of the big-hearted girl who cheered injured soldiers and had such a short but meaningful life! It's a reminder that it's not always the brilliant or strong or successful ones that make a difference in the world. Little things matter. 

Happy Draw a Bird Day!