Last Friday

Big-ears Magee, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Today is the last Friday of the school year. Next Wednesday, school will be over. I will be spending 24 hours, 7 days a week with two restless girls. Added fun, the toddler has just discovered Scotch tape.

Ducks and ducklings at Lake Eola

Ducks and ducklings at Lake, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Yesterday, the sun came out for about an hour. We were lucky enough to be out at Lake Eola and caught this scene. It helps to watch after we lost all the mocking bird babies yesterday. It has been raining non stop and I think the parents simply gave up on the nest. I tried to save them, but to no avail. It was very sad. But this video is very happy and sweet. Life goes on.

Mockingbird hatchling #1

Mockingbird hatchling!, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Mabel has been sitting on her nest diligently the last few days. I have been careful not to walk by and disturb her. Today, she finally flew away for a moment so I could have a peek. I saw one tiny fuzzy head poking up. Mark took this blurry picture, he is my designated picture taker in these situations. I kept watch for Mabel and Marvin- who flew into the tree right next to Mark- I thought for sure they were gonna pull an all out hawk-style attack, but they didn't- they just squawked a lot. We quickly got out of there, I don't want to endanger the nest. Hopefully, the rest of the crew will arrive soon. We have to think of names! First born, I think- Maurice.

All about nesting.

Today I went out to check on the nests. Both mama birds were sitting in their nests, so I couldn't see the status of the eggs or hatchlings. It was a sweet sight though to see. The mamas all nestled in cozy and I guess, content. If birds possess that feeling. Today, I'm staying home and nesting with my little one, although I won't be sitting on her. I've spent the last two days up at the school getting ready for Art Night and poor Lilah has been dragged along. She is pretty amazing, she just sits there at the table I have set up for her and contentedly eats or plays. Occasionally, she would insist on sitting in my lap, and I wouldn't be able to take her, because I was working on something. I felt very bad. But I made it up to her last night and played and sat with her all evening and gave her my undivided attention. Going to try to do that again today.

Baby Birds!

Cardinal hatchilings, originally uploaded by bossamama.

These aren't Mabel and Marvin's eggs, they still haven't hatched. I found another nest in the backyard yesterday! These are cardinal hatchlings and they are in a nest in our orange tree. I was in the backyard and I heard the distinct cry of baby birds- I investigated and found these guys. Mark came out and stood in a chair to take this picture. I was too scared that the parents would come and attack me- although cardinals don't seem to be too worried about people. They just watched us as we stuck our heads near the nest and came to check on them when we left. Baby birds aren't too awfully cute at first, in fact if I found one of these creatures in my house, I'd probably scream and freak out. They look the most dinosaur-like at this stage! I think this picture is sideways, but I have a headache and I can't focus very well right this minute. It does look to me as if the mama has brought them a dill pickle though- doesn't it?

Come to my garden

Spathiphyllum/Peace Lily, purple penta, gnome, originally uploaded by bossamama.

Go over to my Flickr site and see lots more pictures of my growing garden. Just click on photo.

Jar Mania

Candy Jar!

How can I take time to write about jars? I love a good jar. It is one of the simple things in life that makes me very happy. I guess that might be odd. When I see an empty jar, I thrill with the ideas of what I can jam into it. I love to see lots of little things gathered together in a kaleidoscope fashion. I like to see things, not put them in covered boxes and hide them away. So many things are pretty to look at- soap, candy, buttons and who can resist a jar full of googly eyes?

Bathroom Jars

Craft Room Jars

I save jars from spaghetti sauce, jelly, whatever looks interesting. I have a cabinet in my kitchen devoted to empty jars. Now that the girls are getting older I don't have to worry so much about having so much glass around. Although I am awfully clumsy and do break things occasionally. But I've cleaned up so many broken things, it doesn't scare me much anymore. Just sweep it up! Today as I was browsing Anna Marie Horner's blog I discovered her passion for jars as well and a link to a jar mecca that I previously did not know of. Now, it's just a matter of figuring out where else I can jam some jars into my house!

Pantry Jars

Too much nature

All this nature is starting to freak me out. Yesterday it was hawk-mockingbird wars. Then we discovered that the pile of wings and bloody remains in our yard were probably from a mockingbird, meaning that the hawk had already eaten one unfortunate soul. That's why he was just sitting there in our yard letting the other birds peck at him. He was eating and he wasn't going to be bothered. Thank goodness this morning, I saw both Mabel and Marvin show up and sit next to each other on the wire above their nest. I was so happy to see them and told them so. They just looked at me.

Then later this morning we came across this:


A turtle digging and apparently laying eggs right out in the open by our back gate. It was a pretty big turtle and seemed totally undisturbed by us watching it as it dug. I looked up turtle egg gestation and it's around 60-90 days. So we'll keep an eye out. Though, I have a feeling the raccoons who like to use our back yard as a latrine will soon sniff them out and have a snack.

It's like Mutual of Omaha around here. Anyone remember that show? So just when I thought I was finally safe and ensconced in the house from nature... I opened the garage door to find this:


I was horrified. Snakes are okay out in the yard but not in my garage where I walk barefoot and do the laundry. Mickey just stood there and would not come in the house. I knew Minnie would soon run out there and grab the snake and bring it in, she's done it before. So I slammed the door shut (and then got the camera.) I coaxed Mickey into the house and then I tried to pick the snake up with our handy broom and stick dustpan. I've done it before, when I absolutely had to get a snake out of the kitchen. I tried to scoop up the snake, but it started coming up the steps toward me! I was screaming and trying to stop it, but it wouldn't stop!!! Then I started pushing it back down the steps with the broom and it finally slithered off under the washing machine! I pray that it doesn't die under there, because we have learned that snakes smell very bad when they die in a hot garage. It didn't look injured, so I hope it is smart enough to get back outside under the garage door. I will be freaking out every time I do laundry now.

I don't think I would do well living out in the woods or something. This is why I don't like camping. I love nature and animals, but I like them outside, not inside my home- being nice and not killing each other in front of me! This happens to me each year I realize, when I spend a lot of time outdoors. I just get plain freaked out by nature.

Rumble in the Front Yard!

Photos used for dramatic reenactment, the hawk was on the ground

and Mavis, Mable and Morton were attacking from the roof of our house!

Red Tail Hawk

Today we arrived home from piano lessons to find our Mockingbird couple, whom we have since named Mabel and Marvin, viciously attacking a hawk that was at least 4 times their size! There was even a third Mockingbird involved, perhaps Mabel's brother Morton? At first all we could see were the little birds squawking and flapping their wings and dive bombing. I was sure they were trying to protect their nest and we approached to see if we could help. Suddenly this large hawk ( I think a Red Tail like pictured) flew off from where it had been sitting on the ground. It left behind a big pile of feathers and what looks like some red flesh (eww.) I ran over to see if it had eaten the eggs already and thank goodness it hadn't. I looked it up and read that Mockingbirds are one of the most vigorous defenders of their young. I'll say! Bravo Marvin and Mabel (and Morton!)

Listen...

Not a video, but someone was nice enough to post the song on youtube, odd choice of picture though.

My latest find. The Long Lost. Not new, but new to me. Heard on local college radio. I am always a sucker for a bossa nova or samba beat. Also if I hear a flute softly playing that gets me. This band is interesting. A husband and wife duo- they dress in a sort of shabby Victorian style. The husband has large mutton chop sideburns and the wife wears very long straight red hair. Their songs are extremely quiet, perfect for a quite evening or to calm oneself after a busy afternoon. I often listen to them while driving. This song is the peppiest on the album. Here they are...

I'm just passing through

That's what this little boy named Carlos said to me today. I was at school collecting art for our second annual all school art show. I have spent the past few weeks meeting with each and every child asking them to pick their favorite piece of art to display from a year's worth of work. It has been fun meeting all the kids, except one fifth grade class- who were particularly difficult. And in the end I felt bad for them, all having been pegged as behavior problems. But today, Carlos took me aback. I asked him to pick his favorite piece and he said "I won't be participating in the art show" (He's in third grade.) I told him this was an art show for everyone and that he didn't have to come that night if he didn't want to. Maybe he thought he had to be there. Anyway, he then said "I'm just passing through." He kept saying it. Then he said his mother wouldn't come on a Friday night because she has something she always does- I didn't understand the word he used. He eventually just wandered off and I didn't notice at first because a bunch of other kids had gathered around me. When I noticed I called him up and told him he could take all his artwork home, he wouldn't take it. I asked if he was sure he didn't want me to pick something for the show. He again said "I'm just passing through." Finally, I just picked something and forced his folder into his hand as he left the class with the others. I think he said it again as he was going out the door. "I'm just passing through."

It's the weekend. Foux Du Fafa

Mockingbirds

Last weekend this Mockingbird couple decided to build a nest in our arbor. They spent a week building the nest, bringing tiny bits of things every few hours and meticulously weaving them into a beautiful nest. The nest is right at my chin level so I can peek right in!



I'm so excited because I found 3 eggs in the nest this morning. It was hard to get a good picture because I was terrified that the birds were going to attack me. I love looking at birds and I think they're amazing creatures and want to learn more about them. But if they come too close to me, I get a bit freaked out. Now, we'll wait and see if 3 baby mockingbirds hatch. I'm just amazed that these birds picked this spot, I walk through the arbor everyday to water and garden. We can also see the arbor from the girl's bedroom. Maybe we'll get to watch the babies hatch and grow!

If you like cats...

... you'll adore this one! Found this on the NPR website. This is the most relaxing five minutes to watch, that ends with you giggling hysterically. This cat is awesome- I've never seen such a thing. Stick around to the end- it's worth it. You can also find more videos of Maru here. He's addictive.

For Diana!

A drop of golden sun!

Hope

Our school may be closed, but then merged with the local middle school. This would be great news for us, continuing our language program and opening it up to more children. Not such good news for the middle school. It's curriculum would change drastically and many children would be rezoned to go to other schools.

It's a give and take. A bittersweet proposition. This economy.

Love Neko Case

Neko Case creates the kind of music that must be listened to turned up loud. It's best blasting in a car on a moonlit night with all the windows open. The music echos and Neko's voice floats out on the wind. I would like to listen to it in a canyon or in the woods. It has a dark quality, but of a woman calling out letting us know she's still out there waiting. It causes me to try to be poetic.

Second day of March

Sunflower with ants, originally uploaded by bossamama.

It's extremely cold in my house, a strange March cold snap is to blame. It's warming up outside I'm sure, but I'm housebound with laundry and potty training today. I found this picture that I took a few years ago and forgot. I love looking at it. I enjoy being able to capture a moment with creatures in action. I can't seem to catch a bird, I think I need a better camera for that.

Fried

February Gone!

I realized the whole month of February had passed and I hadn't blogged. Been spending a bit too much time on Facebook. I have also been uploading lots of stuff on Flickr. You can see how my garden has been progressing. I have been worrying over our school closing and spending a lot of time thinking about that. Been wondering whether to hook all this up to Facebook, so that my friends there might check this out. I think most of my friends there already know- well actually, there are all those high school friends and other friends, that I don't know extremely well. This is public, so anyone can see it- but honestly who comes here? Especially when I don't update too often. Have to say summer is a more productive time here around the blog! Here's a peek at the garden.