A rainy weekend. But when I look at the lawn, thank goodness it’s raining! We need it. Thankfully, it didn’t start raining until the afternoon yesterday and I was able to get outside for a bit. I took my pruning shears with me and headed for the forsythia which grows in the woods beyond the shed. Technically, it’s not on our property, it’s on our neighbor’s. But they don’t mind. On the way back, I noticed a bloom on a clump of periwinkle – it grows in our woods.
Oh, what a welcome sight!
On my way back to the house, I noticed some tiny birds flying in and out of the bush that is part of the big garden bed. I noticed them the day before, as well. But this time, I stopped and watched them. A bit of back story: last fall, after a big storm with very heavy winds, I noticed that a portion of a limb from the maple tree had landed inside the bush. Right in the middle. I tried to free it several times, but it was too heavy and I was afraid I would seriously damage the bush.
See? When I decided to leave it there, I did so knowing that once the blush had leafed out, the limb would be masked.
As I stood there, quietly watching the two birds who kept flying in and out of the bush, it dawned on me that one of them was disappearing into the interior of the limb. I could hear a tapping sound, not unlike you hear from a woodpecker far off in the distance. One would fly in and tap repeatedly, while the other bird kept watch. Then the bird would fly out, the other would go in, and on and on. Each time a bird departed the hole, he would drop wood shavings that were in his beak.
They are making a nest.
I ran in to tell Don. We both started watching them. We were completely entranced. We had to do a little work outside – just about ten minutes worth – and they warily watched us, stopping all nest making until we went back in the house. But we kept on watching them from the window. I did some research; they’re nuthatches.
It’s the perfect place for a nest. Big birds can’t get inside. They will be safe. And as the bush leafs out, they will be hidden from view. Isn’t it amazing? I wanted that limb removed from the bush, couldn’t get it out, and now it’s the future home of these birds.
I told Don that I felt ‘alive’ for the first time in a long time. Don’t take me literally. I have a full life, even in the winter. But walking into the woods, cutting flowers, discovering tiny blooms, and watching these birds? This is the first time that I felt that quickening, that heightened awareness that I get when spring arrives and I can be outside tending to my gardens and watching my birds and groundhogs and deer and bunny rabbits.
This morning I awoke to lots of bird song. Lonesome Dove has been cooing. I can’t do any work in the garden yet, but I know it’s coming. During this surreal time, I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
We FaceTimed with my sister and Little Z yesterday. Then we FaceTimed with Rick and Doug. Much, much needed. It was a good day.
It’s pouring out now as I wind up this post. I just finished reading Derek Jarman’s Garden, which I loved. Another gardening book next? I think so. It will be the small and lovely book We Made a Garden by Margery Fisk. I bought it last year and it has been sitting on my TBR pile. Time to dig in.
Happy Sunday.
I too feel grateful for the wonderful outdoors. Here in Brandon Fl we have had a lot of sunshine and it’s getting very hot already. I planted tomato plants and miniature roses yesterday. Just doing that simple thing gave me a reassurance that there is a future and it will bloom! Thanks for all you share and giving us the reinforcement that we are all in this together. Take care and be safe. 😊
Raining in Michigan too. The land needs it, but Lake Michigan is so high we don’t want too much! Many of our beaches are almost gone and there has been so much erosion some lake front homes are on the verge of falling into the lake.
We have been watching birds too. We have our 10 and 7 year old granddaughters here some days. We took a nature walk and they took binoculars and looked for birds. They found a dead blue jay in our yard and we had to have a funeral and bury it, lol. They spent alot of time that day trying to identify birds at our bird feeder.
It seems that “that woman” did talk to VP Pence and we have some supplies coming. Detroit is becoming a hotspot.
Fortunately, we live on the west side of the state. More rural…so far 7 cases in our county with 2 deaths. I have a feeling we are just getting started and social distancing will have to continue for at least a couple more months.
It’s starting to feel like Groundhog’s Day! At least we have spring.
Stay well.
Glad to hear supplies are coming. I just talked to a longtime friend from my home state the other day and she spoke about the high levels of the Great Lakes. Rather alarming. Take care of yourself, Marilyn.
Probably feels great to dig in the dirt right about now. Very grounding. Thank you Janet. Stay safe.
It has stormed here all weekend and now the winds are gusting to 50 mph. I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear birdsong again here; I’ve been opening the window on the front screen door every morning just to hear it. It’s cold – I shouldn’t have the window open – but the sound of the birdies chirping makes me feel better.
Not much going on here…I might bake a lemon bread today. Brian and I have played a lot of games this weekend…Backgammon, Yahtzee, Sequence, and a couple of card games. I’m still reading the Beekeeper of Aleppo. Talked to Tim on the phone the other day for about an hour. And me, my mom and aunt group message on FB every day.
Have a good Sunday!
Their morning chirps make me very happy, as well! Have a great day, Melanie.
Here in Oz, we are in Autumn, but some days we still can have warm weather. Today and yesterday were still sunny for a good long walk in the bush. Even though we live in Sydney suburbia, we are lucky to be near a creek area where you can think you are far away from houses and people. Yesterday I stood and watched a small lizard sunning himself on large rocks near the creek. It was magical with the sounds of running water and the dappled sunlight as well as the smells of the bush. We now have time to stop and enjoy the things around us and those things will get us through this time of difficulty.
Being out in the natural world really helps right now, doesn’t it? Take care, Robyn.
It’s a dreary day here with no birds or crows to distract us. But your three nature vignettes were a tonic! Nature has its own agenda–reuse, repurpose, recycle. The tree branch once a sad blot is now a new home full of life. Lovely! Have a perfect day!
Thank you, Nora! Take care.
Nuthatches are super cool birds. They eat upside down and can walk down a tree unlike most other animals (google it and you will see what I mean) then you can look for that behavior. I learned this at the animal rescue I volunteer at
Cool! Thanks for the info. Take care of yourself!
As I walked around the buildings in my complex yesterday, seeing one person and distancing, on my 15th day, I saw a few little sparrows flitting back and forth. I remembered the song, “His Eye is on the Sparrow”…love it…all will be right in time…some days it seems I don’t have enough hours with home schooling on facetime and hobbies, movies, writing my little column, just baking, and using food I still have…I am thankful for health-so far…although not the best…I am praying diligently for others and for my best friend in life whose husband is seriously ill…long story…I am glad you had a great day outside yesterday-I miss my home, but the apartment is nice and quiet…glad you have friends with whom you can connect. You also know that you have so many followers that love reading your blog…
Glad your apartment is quiet, Brenda and that it can be a haven for you. Take care of yourself!
I wish I could say the same for my tightly-packed neighborhood. We’re in a circle of 50 houses with only one exit/entry to a cross street. It had seemed like things had simmered down around here but, now, today, cars back and forth all day long, making the circle of the block right in front of my house; lots of activity. And that’s just what I see from my front windows or my back hill. This evening, 7pm, a PARTY of some sort going on next door where you can hear what sounds like 20(?) people in the living room, with much exclaiming and clapping and cheering voices; singing voices; loud. (This is a neighbor who can’t take a breath unless surrounded by a large-extended family [many, many relatives], friends and fellow church members [they’ve even held church services in their backyard, with a microphone and tents, with a hundred people or more…like that’s okay for the rest of us]; we’ve had to leave our own cars out on the street to reserve a spot in front of our house or we can never do it because there are never less than 9 or 10 cars surrounding this particular house [on a regular, daily basis].)
Out my front door, a street vendor is walking thru with his hand-cart, honking his beep-beep horn, selling ice cream and popsicles to people who, when handing over their money or making their selections from his cart, are in NO WAY distanced from each other or the vendor.
I could really just scream in utter frustration. I guess I should put a bandana over my eyes like a blindfold, and wear earplugs.
I was on the phone with a friend this afternoon (she’s in another city; we’re making calls each Sunday to each other during these virus-outbreak weeks) and she said, “You have to give up the control. Unless you go get in their face (6 feet apart) and risk a confrontation that could be really unpleasant, they’re going to do what they’re doing. Even if you call a cop, they probably won’t come; they’re too otherwise busy with more-major stuff, like the usual crime and car accidents, or keeping people off the beaches. All you can do is control yourself when people won’t take the warnings seriously or obey the orders.” But these violators are not just risking the virus for their own families; they go out there in the larger environment, and they increase the risk for the rest of us.
It’s so disheartening. You see people of all types and ages and income level with phones in their hands (even the homeless), on any given day; they’re getting the same news as the rest of us. Still, they disregard. Some, not all. But it only takes ‘some’ to ruin it for ‘all’. (I read yesterday, and I assume it was a credible report, that those horrible open markets are back up & running in China, where they slaughter animals onsite in front of the customer and spread all sorts of contagion, which is how it is thought the Covid-19 started back in November.) But, like, I have another friend who said she was very, very careful…yet she went out yesterday and did SIX errands, in the middle of the day! Things that I don’t feel are necessary, like taking her dog to the groomer when she could very well have just have bathed the dog at home although of course it’s not the most convenient thing in the world for her to bend over and do it in her bathtub. She admitted this; that she was feeling lazy. Why would a dog groomer be an essential business? They’re not veterinarians! And she ventured out into a pharmacy which has other things to buy like gifts and food, just because she needed to buy a few greeting cards. Could it have waited? I chose my words carefully, but she was having none of it. And she’s such a smart, capable woman; but she is also over age 70 and has high blood pressure, which is one of the underlying medical issues which makes for complications should she contract the virus.
I just shake my head. And retreat to my cave. It seems more sane there.
She did mention this to me, coincidentally, about her veterinarian: You drive up, stay in the parking lot. Call the vet on the phone to say you’ve arrived. A gloved-up/masked tech comes out to collect your dog. The vet examines the dog. Calls you on your cell to give the diagnosis and instrux, while you’re still out there in your car in the parking lot. The tech brings your dog back to the car. My friend doesn’t know about the money part yet; is hoping they just bill her. I think the appointment is simply a routine check-up. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the dog. Again, could it wait? I put off all my HUMAN non-essential medical appointments FOR MYSELF (although some could be considered pretty-darn essential; I’m taking my lead from my doctor to decide); are we all ‘on hold’ as much as possible during these critical contagion weeks … or are we not? Okay for some, not others? Aren’t we all in this together?
I feel like I’m in second grade, out on the soccer field, and we’re all trying to learn good teamwork but there’s a couple of kids who keep grabbing the ball when they’re not supposed to, break’in all the rules. And having poor sportsmanship about it.
But what was quite something was that when I made my aerobic climb up the hill staircase, to where I have a clear view of the adjoining property at the top and behind us, here walking toward me were…count ’em…FIVE sheep. I live in a small town and will jokingly refer to myself as a ‘country girl’ at heart, but I definitely do NOT live in the country and am totally in the city limits where you cannot keep farm animals, even with the one acre these people own. They front Main Street for Pete’s sake. Oh, did I enjoy seeing these sheep, though. They were so silent, gentle; and busily munching all the green weeds and tall grasses. I doubt seriously it’s a 4-H project. I don’t think they’re pets. I don’t really want to think of why these people have these sheep; they are NOT lambs. They were BIG. Definitely not goats! All diff colors, each one of them, the neutrals of cream and browns. (Would they have brought them in so that the sheep could clear the lot for weed abatement May 1? I guess it’s possible. Or am I just naive.)
For now, my husband and I decided to let it go. The sheep aren’t hurting anything; they’re not where they bother us. They’re not penned up; seem to have free roam although they must be fenced off from these people’s dogs (and to where other passersby on the other end of the property can’t see them, which would cause a lot of curiosity on Main Street). They came toward us to the fence because I’m sure they associate humans with feeding. It was startling to see them, but I so loved seeing them; was so unusual. All we have around here are dogs and cats, a raccoon or possum; not even squirrels much anymore. (For a minute there, Claudia, I had your bird-discovery moment! Mine was a sheep-discovery one!)
I love that you saw sheep! What a wonderful and magical encounter!
I want to smack them all. Who are they to endanger us with their self-absorption and carelessness? It really pisses me off.
I watched a cute little movie last night that was just what I needed—lighthearted, pretty English scenery, Diane Keaton (love her!) plus many English actors I like, simple plot, not much thinking involved! Only three or four years old, yet I had never heard of it. Unexpected and entertaining. Did I mention Diane Keaton? (Love her!) Oh, the name was Hampstead.
I love the story of the nuthatches and the branch, too!
I think we saw that advertised on Netflix? We didn’t watch it, but we will. I LOVE Diane Keaton. Take care, Shanna.
Yeah, DirecTV (satellite dish) has been running a loop of free movies. I’ve been recording like crazy, running down my recording space to where I’m just about at capacity, but I don’t go to the movie theater so I am LOVING these films with NO commercial interruption. I missed the mid-March HBO/Cinemax free days (dang!), but I by happenstance discovered the free Showtime/The Movie Channel a few days ago (ran thru the 26th); and, currently, they’re doing free Starz. I don’t think they’re doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. They know people are home watching TV, so it’s a great time to promote the product/service. I recorded that Diane Keaton film because I, too, just adore her and I thought the British landscape/London would be a Calgon moment, to ‘take me away’ for a little while with something scenic, much like the movie “Notting Hill” with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. (My fave role of his is in the film, “About a Boy”.) Anyway, I’m glad to know Hampstead is a good romp. will look forward to watching it!
We’ve been watching Cheers so we haven’t been taking advantage of any of the freebies. I’ll check out Starz this week.
I have a whole bed of vinca minor out back. Yes, I know it is invasive, but the bed has wooden barrier all the way around. Love that the birds have such a safe home. One year some birds, robins, had a nest in a tree just outside and below my back deck. I so wanted to see the little ones leave the nest but one day before I got up, they legged it. All that waiting for nothing.
Ours isn’t invasive because it needs shade, so it sticks to the woods. I love when there is a carpet of purple flowers.
Take care of yourself, Jan!
My DIL asked for the We Made a Garden book this past Christmas. I leafed through it before I wrapped it and it looked really good. Hope you enjoy!!
It is a dreary and quite windy day here with rain thrown in there for “fun”. We have a roast going in the crock pot. That should be good for a few meals this week. As someone else said, it really is a bit like Groundhog Day. They all blend together. Today was a bit different as hubs had “church”. The minister, my hubs (organist), and the radio broadcaster person. All 20-30 feet apart. I did just hear that in Louisiana some churches are holding full services because “God won’t let anything happen to us”. As Forrest Gump said: Stupid is as stupid does.
Stay home and stay safe everyone!!
It’s very dreary here – two days in a row and it’s going to rain AGAIN tomorrow. We try to stay positive, but it isn’t always easy. I’d be complaining about it even if we weren’t under quarantine! Stay safe, Chris. And I echo your ‘Stay Home!”
Oh, I know exactly what you mean about feeling alive. Part of our kitchen reno was replacing the windows with much larger ones plus additional glass panels on either side of the cook top. The result is an almost continuous view of our backyard patio/garden/pergola area. Until the weather is warmer and I can get out there, I have a front seat view of the many varieties of birds, chipmunks, squirrels (gray and red), and the occasional doe or fox who visit.
On one of our last visits to the nursery I picked up a new wren house to hang in the usual spot from the pergola where the old one had rotted. Every year a house wren nests there serenading us all summer and I wanted to be ready to welcome her. Now, I can see the little house even if I’m sitting on the other side of the kitchen! So great you’ll have a family of nuthatches to keep track of this summer right in your yard. I’ll have to look up what their call sounds like.
We had bad thunderstorms in SE WI last night, Scared the crap out of the cat but to me it sounded like spring. In fact, we’ve had so much rain the past couple days and all day today that I expect to hear our sump pump kick in at any moment.
K.
I should order a wren house. We had wrens trying to make a nest in our hanging plants last year which we had to nix because they would have been in danger there. But I loved hearing their song.
Yes, the rain continues here and will also continue into tomorrow and part of Tuesday. I know we need it but the gray skies are getting me down. Stay safe, Kay.
How exciting to have a brand new family coming to your garden! Oh, you were meant to not be able to lift that branch last year. What joy it will be for you to watch!
Big smiles!
Can’t wait. They were diligently working away on the nest again today. Stay safe Jeanie.
a visit with little Z (aka Little Buddy) is probably the best medicine there is!
this all can’t last forever.
I think things are going to change for the better eventually.
sleep well tonight! XO
Hopefully sooner rather than later! Take care of yourself, Tammy.
We took a day off from news headlines (for the most part) yesterday and it was welcome relief.
Maybe ‘outdoors’ will tune us into our senses like never before, when we’re here in our confines, indeed taking time to smell the roses and use all of our powers of observation.
I’m so glad you had a nice day with the bird discovery (enjoyable story!); I love how it made you feel ‘alive’; must have felt so great. I’ve often been struck lately, since all this virus horror started, of how something or other happened, like sometime back (in my personal life; say, even a year ago) and, okay, I ‘get it’ now, because Point A led to Point B but there could be no realization of it at the time. Things that eventually fall into place…which are perhaps pre-destined…and of course it brings up all kinds of deep subjects like religion, etc. (Gives me something to chew on.)
Where I am in SoCalif, we’re stormy-looking to the north today but, otherwise, a blue sky filled with masses of white clouds and 70 degrees and, whew, would I love to be further out there in the world seeing more of the beautiful and wider landscape but, in the meantime, just grateful for what I’ve got.
(Claudia, my husband has been working & working on grocery home delivery, finally got a slot and it disappeared before he could blink [and that was about 2am]. Was already as far out as April 5 for delivery and they said to expect that many items would not be available; for instance, at least in those wee hours, they had absolutely no paper products. We’re stuck in this weird situation of really only one significant grocery store for a suburban town of 30,000 [much of the populace are commuters] which, I know, is unbelievable; and we’re just outside the radius of delivery for other chains in the larger county area. So, we’ll continue to fine-tune our grocery cart today anyway and Husband’s plan is to set the alarm for like 2am again tomorrow to see if we can get ‘in’, as trying to do this in waking hours along with apparently everybody else has proved quite impossible. I’m just so glad, though, that he’s onboard with the idea of home delivery instead of constantly feeling the nag that the only way we can ‘do this’ [resupply] is to physically go in the grocery store. Really glad for your tips and everybody else’s here. As someone said…was it Chris in Wisconsin?…who’d have thought we’d ever have to spend so much time & effort & thought on something as simple as running to the market for a few food and household items!)
Gosh, I hope he can snag a spot. It’s crazy, isn’t it? I’m afraid to check our list because I’m sure I’m going to find that some thing aren’t available. Ah, well. We’ll get what we can get. Take care of yourself, Vicki!
Ism’t it amazing how the birds can calm us during tough times. Bird watching is soothing to the soul. We received our groceries last night. To our amazement we received almost everything we wanted. We will not need any more groceries until a few weeks.
Marilyn
Good news! So glad you got everything, Marilyn. Take care!
what a sweet thing … those little birds making a home in that big fallen tree branch! glad that you and don could watch them build part of it.
and that you could clip some flowers to enjoy indoors.
i agree about the power of nature to bring some peace and the importance of getting outside on a regular basis, especially during this weird and very scary time. walking a bit here every day, feels better.
my work hours change this week, from full-time to three three-hour shifts a week. my boss said she thinks that will last at least a month. i wish it was a complete-yet-temporary closure, but i am relieved to not be around so many people. many thanks to those working hard and scary jobs on the front lines against this awful virus. may God bless us all.
hope you, don, everyone here and your loved ones are safe and well.
kathy in iowa