The coneflowers are beginning to open, which brings a smile to my face. This morning, I looked outside and a goldfinch was sitting on top of the zinnias, eating the seeds. Don loves goldfinches, he’s fascinated by them. I also briefly saw Phileas – or part of Phileas – as he jumped into the water when he heard me call his name. He quickly disappeared. At least we know he’s alive and well.
I’d been seeing catbirds on the porch railing a lot. Catbirds are never on the porch, so I was intrigued. I also saw a catbird carrying a twig the other day. Hmmm…nest building was going on somewhere. Was it the burning bush or the hydrangea/spirea area on the far side of the porch? As I was sitting on the glider over the weekent, I watched the movements of the catbirds and my focus narrowed to the limelight hydrangea.
Right there.
I peered into the bush and saw a nest. It’s hidden of course, as it should be, but mom and dad are flying back and forth a lot. I went out on the porch to water yesterday and one of the catbirds was perched on this table. He was startled and started making that catbird sound repeatedly. He flew off to the maple and continued his call. I guess we’ll soon be dealing with protective parents.
Right before all of this happened, I had been chatting with Don about the fact that we hadn’t seen any nest activity this year.
I spoke too soon. I’m glad there’s a little nest tucked into that bush. I’m fascinated by birds and nest-making.
I tried my best to avoid as much ‘news’ as possible over the weekend. I know what’s going on, some of it unbelievably tragic, but I didn’t want to stay there, if you know what I mean. I have to keep as calm as possible and it’s a huge challenge. I finished the Jane Casey book I was reading and Don picked up two books from the library that were being held for me. I’ve started one of them, John Connolly’s newest – The Children of Eve. I’m happy to report that my reading mojo has come back, if only because I’m forcing myself to make time for it during the day.
I’ve also closed my Etsy shop until they stop profiting from the “Allig*ator Alca*raz” merchandise that is currently being sold on that site. Etsy has changed and it’s not for the better. A site founded to sell handmade and vintage items is now profiting from merchandise that touts a concentration camp. And they refuse to do anything. In fact, they’re digging in, threatening those who write to the sellers asking that they take down those listings. Between the higher fees now being charged to sellers and this atrocity, I’m over Etsy. Just recently, I received an email from them congratulating me on having a shop for 13 years. That shop is going to close very soon. Until then, this is the message when you visit my shop:
Hello everyone, we’re on a temporary hiatus until Etsy stops promoting and profiting from merchandise glorifying a concentration camp.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Good decision, Claudia. There is an old saying “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”. It seems you’re going to have some new baby birds. Hugs, Elaine
We are. I just saw mama sitting on the nest!
Stay safe, Elaine.
I admire you for refusing to use Etsy right now. How anyone can promote the cruelty of the concentration camps is beyond me. I woke in the night thinking about that camp in Florida and how horrible it is.
We had a robin’s nest in our forsythia this year and they had several little ones but we didn’t see them leave although the nest is empty. We are seeing lots of bunnies that come to nibble in the kitchen garden when we sit down for our meals – like we are all eating together. It helps lift my sagging spirits.
I saw a bunny run through the corral this morning. So cute.
Stay safe, Ellen.
hope the nesting is successful and brings not only distraction, but also much enjoyment and joy. same with the books and blythes and being with your sweetheart. may it all be more than enough to offset the disgusting greed and misuse of power that’s going on in our country.
though at first it upset me, thinking there was a cat lost in the woods across the trail, i now know better and am enjoying catbird sounds, which are new (it seems) this summer to this neighborhood. and don’s fascination with goldfinches is understandable; they are beautiful and they are our “state bird” but we’ve rarely seen them here.
happy, safe monday to all.
kathy
Catbirds are amazing. And they really love taking a bath, so we always have a lot of catbirds in the birdbath.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Claudia….I just want to take a moment to say thank you for your words, your clarity and your courage. Your blog has been a quiet show of how much strength there is in your decisions to step away from platforms that profit from this disgraceful administration. It inspires me and reminds me that creativity isn’t just what we make…it is about how we refuse to be complicit. So your little cottage and blog is something much larger to me….it is a refuge of reason and a call to action (for me and hope others. ) Love how your photos and words capture the quiet corners of your world and even in this chaos is worth protecting still beautiful …thank you for sharing.
with gratitude,Maria
Oh, thank you so much, Maria. Your words are so kind.
Stay safe.
Good for you! You are awesome for calling out for decency.
We cannot close our eyes to these actions – or inactions.
Thank you, Beverly.
Good for you on your Etsy account. People in this country need to go back to the basics, some have forgotten how good they have it in America. Spoiled, soft, immoral people! Unfortunately, it will always be this way because we are flawed and we are free in this country to protest, demonstrate and say basically anything. The good and bad of a free society.
Enjoy your garden of lovely flowers, I’m envious of your green thumb!
Thank you so very much, Darlene.
Stay safe.
I agree with you about Etsy having changed from a vintage and hand-made cottage industry site to a site with many shops hawking cheap trinkets. I do like many Etsy shops where I’ve purchased items in the past and know the quality, so instead of punishing the legitimate crafters and artists, I try to find if they have an independent site and buy directly from them. But, honestly, I don’t purchase much these days. I’m focusing on decluttering and shopping in my sewing/crafting room.
I don’t purchase a lot – though sometimes I do for the Blythes. There are many wonderful creators there. I will explore buying directly in the future.
Stay safe, Wendy.
Over recent times I’ve heard of a lot of irritated Etsy sellers about the cost hike. This is yet another reason to stay clear. I hope there are some other sites coming in that will be a venue. Meanwhile, very good news about your nest! That will be a delight. (I hear you on the news and couldn’t agree more.)
I saw Mama sitting on the eggs this morning!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I admire your stand on Etsy. I have since deleted my account as well. It’s time to really search local if I am in need of something.
How fun to watch the mama bird nest. That could be a few hours entertainment right there. Will watering your plants be more difficult?
It’s a difficult balance for me to stay informed, yet not to over do the involvement. I just have to keep diverting my attention. This morning’s diversion was weed pulling…. I was pulling weeds with a vengeance too, lol!
Enjoy your day! ;)
At some point, maybe. But I watered today and there was no problem. I close the front door quietly and do my thing without making too much noise.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
Another instance of you being a brave wonderful person, thanks for taking a stand on Etsy.
We have a raspberry patch and occasionally I manage to get a berry before being chased off by the catbirds who seem to be in charge. I’m going to plant some blueberries too, the idea just popped into my head the other day so maybe the catbirds are now controlling my thinking.
Cheers,
Ceci
We have black raspberries all over the property and unless I remember to pick them, they’re gone very quickly.
Thanks so much, Ceci.
Stay safe.
I also enjoy bird watching and nest building. I found an empty nest in the woods the other day. The plants sure are growing with all the rain we have been having. We are blessed if we can make our homes our safe, happy place like you have. Sad when anyone sells anything making light of suffering . It is not cute. We need more kindness in this world. Enjoy and stop to smell the roses. Have a good week everyone.
Yes, we need a heck of a lot more kindness.
Thanks so much, Carlotta.
Stay safe.
Good for you , for standing up and “saying no thanks to cruelty.” Some things are just not funny and concentration camps are one of those things!
I am glad you got your reading mojo back.
Take Care,
Kaye
I am so glad you are here. Thank You!
Thank you so much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
I just love all the greenery around your cottage, and baby birds! How fun!
I also admire you for calling Etsy out for what they are selling. I am really disturbed about what happened in Texas. I try too not to watch too much. It is just so, so sad!
Very sad, indeed, Deb.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Yuck, the Alligator Alcatraz T shirts are a new low. Although, I saw a few T shirts tonight on Etsy that say Stop the Alligator Alcatraz so there’s still some hope for humanity out there. I haven’t shopped on Etsy for quite a while now. It started to feel like the little guy was continually being pushed off the site. It’s losing it’s original mission.
That’s exactly it. It isn’t what it used to be
Stay safe, Cheryl.
Good for you for doing something to protest. Just when I think it can’t get any worse they come up with this detention center. It makes me sick.
My life is pretty slow but I do get in a hurry sometimes. I try to remember to slow down.
Me too. I’m sickened by everything this administration is doing.
Stay safe, Kay.