The Mockingbird Hill Cottage Rest Stop remains open 24/7. Yesterday, our visitors were bluebirds heading south.
There were probably about 6 or 7 of them. By the time I saw them, these two sweeties were hogging the birdbath. Don and I stood at the windows, entranced by the whole thing. How do they see this birdbath from way up there in the sky? I don’t know, but they do. We are so honored that they stop off for a drink and a quick bath; migrating is tiring.
I never see bluebirds around here except toward the end of winter. They gather in the bushes outside the kitchen window as they migrate north. And now, for the first time, in the birdbath as they migrate south.
I saw a few robins taking baths this morning. I imagine they’re heading south as well.
I’ll miss you, my beauties. Feel free to use the rest stop again in a few months.
I’m this close to finishing A Stranger in the House by Jane Casey. As always with Casey, it is a riveting, extremely well plotted police procedural/mystery. I have never been disappointed in one of her books as she’s an excellent writer. Anyway, I had to force myself to stop in order to make a second cup of coffee and write this post. Delayed satisfaction.
I raked a bit yesterday. We rake the leaves onto a tarp, gather the ends together, and make a pile of leaves near the shed. They’ll decompose during the winter. The leaves on the garden beds stay. And the leaves in the back forty generally stay as well. The big catalpa has yet to lose all its leaves – that will be another big job.
Don’s going to rake today. He was tied up yesterday trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with his car.
I’ve straightened up the office/studio – I did a big cleanup on Sunday. I want to start in on the Beacon Hill soon and I need things to be organized before I do that. I will gently remind Don to CLEAN UP HIS DESK this morning.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Love the birds at the birdbath. They are endlessly fascinating to me. I’ve usually had a bird indoors in my life, but not since 2013. I miss them. Just have to be contented with those who chance by outside—and those on facebook and instagram, too.
Finally got that book from the library and started it yesterday. Aw, Maeve and Josh, come on!
It gets even more intense between those two, Shanna!
Enjoy.
Stay safe!
I’m very angry at that ending…how about you?
Not angry but it was frustrating. Did you read her acknowledgements at the end of the book?
It will make you feel better. The last sentence addresses the ending.
xo
Yes, I thought she owed us at least that.
xo
I love those bluebirds! On occasion I see bluebirds around here, but mostly we have bluejays. It really is incredible how animals and birds find the things they need, like water. Hope Don figures out what’s wrong with his car, not a fun problem. I look forward to seeing your work on the Beacon Hill. Happy reading….
We have a lot of bluejays, for sure.
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
bluebirds of happiness for you and don! glad they stopped by and the robins followed.
we are seeing the same birds as usual here, except in larger numbers. earl has continued to hog the tray feeder and burl (baby earl) keeps trying to get in, only to back away and wait patiently (or so it seems), but he does finally get a turn. as do the six or seven doves waiting on the railing by the feeder. love to watch them all and their sweet little heads and faces and antics.
like you, i had a couple of productive days. in my case, lots and lots of little things, nothing big and obvious like raking the lawn, now off my list and that feels so good! also like you, i like a clean area to do anything creative. fewer distractions, less stress. anyway, have fun working on the beacon hill!
i’ve written down the author’s name as i like a good mystery, as long as it’s not gory. are these gory? and do i need to read them in order of publishing date? thanks, claudia.
hope everyone has a good day. stay safe!
kathy
Yes, you should read them in order of publishing date.
I have no idea what ‘gory’ is to you, Kathy. It’s a police procedural, so there’s a certain amount of murder and all it can entail.
Stay safe.
sorry, claudia. should have said my definition of gory (which includes very graphic descriptions of blood and injuries, whatever is causing a person/the character physical pain, that sort of thing. maybe like stephen king’s books ..?). will check the books online and hopefully they’ll work, because i like police procedurals and mysteries. and would then read them in order. thanks, claudia.
kathy
xoxo
How wonderful to have Bluebirds stop by your cottage for a rest and drinks of water. You and Don have had a good summer for birds.
Have a lovely fall day,
Kaye
Yes, we have!
Thanks so much, Kaye.
Gorgeous photos of the little birds. I am also entranced when I see a formation of geese flying off to warmer climes for the Winter. I
I am glad that you’ve enjoyed the latest Jane Casey, I was a little worried a couple of months ago when you mentioned how disappointed you were with a certain author’s latest book. I wondered that it might have been her.
It’s my son’s partner ‘s birthday today and I bought her a copy of Richard Osman’s latest book as she really liked his work.
Happy Wednesday
I can’t even remember who I was talking about, but no, it wasn’t Casey. I just finished reading it, having got it from the library 4 days ago.
I have Richard Osman’s book on hold.
Stay safe, Dee Dee.
I’m so excited about you starting on another dollhouse and I can’t wait to see what you do with it!!
Thanks, Jenny!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! I am so glad the birds have rest stops along the way, courtesy of caring homeowners like you! It always amazes me that birds go so far…. and come back again. It gives me faith and hope for the World. We humans are not in charge of everything!
As for the promise of The Beacon Hill… I am looking forward to this!
Migration is a miracle. Birds are endlessly fascinating!
Stay safe, Betsy.
Such sweet visitors! My sister and I were out for a hike today and saw the most beautiful leaf colors on the trees! That made me so happy! We both agreed that the beauty of nature helps to calm us during this anxious time.
It sure does. I was outside earlier and realized most of our trees are bare now. And the winds we just had hurried that along.
Stay safe, Ellen.
You are so lucky to have a front row seat to the migration. Nice pics! My hummingbirds left a couple of weeks ago…I really miss them. Enjoy your visitors as long as you can.
I’m not familiar with Jane Casey, but I think I should add her to my list. I do love a good police procedural and mystery. Enjoy your evening! ;)
She’s a really good writer, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Bluebirds! Lucky you. The leaves are falling fast and furious here now. Saturday the boys come to help cut down the daisies, coneflowers, day lillies, brown-eyed susans and all the rest of the gardens. We leave up some ornamental grasses and bushes to keep it interesting once the snow falls. It’s a huge job to lug it all out to the curb on a tarp and we’re old enough we admit we need the help now.
Take care,
Kay
Our trees are nearly bare, Kay. Shocking how quickly it happened!
We leave the coneflowers because birds love the seeds.
Stay safe!