Thursday, May 31, 2012

Challenge of Literature Blog Hop


I have a feeling there are a few of you out there that are going to faint after seeing this blog post. YES, it is true, Tracey of "A Beadiful Mess" is posting about B*E*A*D*S! Amazing, isn't it? My lovely and talented Sister-in-law  Sister, Kim of "Jumbled Hutch" told me about this challenge. I went to Erin's blog to check it out and thought, this isn't for me, sounds to hard, sounds like a stretch. I did everything I could to talk my self out of participating. Later that same day, I went back and just signed up. I felt good about it. I needed the challenge, to stretch, to challenge myself, and more importantly, to make myself do SOMETHING beady!

When I was a kid growing up, we didn't have much. We had 6 children in our family. Times were tough and we scraped by through divorce, remarriage, job loss etc. One day my Mother went out to some rummage sales. I would say I was about 10 years old then. She knew my love of dogs because I reminded her of it constantly by begging for a dog. I had names picked out, what color of dog I wanted. I had bought dog dishes, toys and collars at rummage sales with the money I scrounged up from various babysitting jobs. It was not to be. No one else shared my love and desire for a dog. Anyway, knowing of my dog obsession, she came across a book called "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London. There was a picture of a dog on the cover and it was only a quarter, so she bought it for me. The description if the book is: A classic novel of adventure, drawn from London's own experiences as a Klondike adventurer, relating the story of a heroic dog, who, caught in the brutal life of the Alaska Gold Rush, ultimately faces a choice between living in man's world and returning to nature. I was in heaven. I must have read that book at least 100 times. It sticks in my mind as the defining moment of my love of books. When this challenge presented itself, I knew right away this would be the book I would model my piece after. I present to you, "The Call of the Wild".

Kim made me this wolf centerpiece out of an old book page!

And you can best "believe", I have dogs today, and have had dogs for 37 years. I am not me without a dog in my life. See the other entries HERE.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

World Bird Wednesday

I have actually posted two times in a row for World Bird Wednesday! I know, I know, it is amazing. I promised more "firsts" for me this week. I wont build the suspense any longer. Enjoy and be sure to check out the other entries by clicking the above links. Have a wonderful week.

Immature Bald Eagle
 Eastern Kingbird
 Hermit Thrush
 Prothonotary Warbler
 We got to watch this beautiful little bird fly in and out of this tree stump with nesting material.


 Tree Swallow

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

World Bird Wednesday 5-22-12

HI!! It has been awhile since my last post. My Maddux has stabilized (for now) with his Renal Failure, which has allowed me to make short trips out in nature. I don't go out for the day anymore, too much to do to keep my boy doing well, plus I want to spend as much time as possible with him. I do know I have to have some "me" time as well, or I am just too crabby. Its all a balancing act right now. Anyway, I have seen so many birds this spring that are new to me. I have always had a deep love of birds, but other than really common birds, I've never gone out and actively searched for new to me species. Here are some of the new ones I have added to my "Life List" on my Audubon Bird App I have on my Kindle and my smart phone. If you want to see more beautiful bird pictures, check them out on The Pine River Review.

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher
This little bird is adorable! He had no fear of me at all, flitting around catching his gnats.

Brown Thrasher
Not a great picture I know, but I had to slam on my brakes and take it from my truck! I had no clue what it was and was so excited to identify it! Very cool bird, I think I know where its nesting!

Veery
I was standing at my patio door looking at how long the grass was getting and spotted this cute little guy. He is also nesting somewhere near my house.

Eastern Phoebe

Phoebe nestlings
Adorable

Great Crested Flycatcher

Watch for much more next week! I have several more species to post! I am having a blast. How I love nature :)