Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Bird Watching!


This is the feeder we watch when we sit in the gazebo with our morning coffee.
I LOVE the purple finches - or house finches as they are also called.
We have TONS of birds flock to our feeders! Two in the back yard and two in the front.


We also put out TONS of feed!


We buy 40 pound sacks and store it in painted galvanized trash cans!

I love birdsong and the fact that the birds eat their weight in insects make our time outside all the more enjoyable! We have house sparrows, song sparrows - ALL kinds of sparrows in addition to various kinds of wrens including the Carolina Wren which sings 'tea kettle tea kettle tea kettle! Warblers visit and we have an occasional black capped chickadee - which I am assuming are only on their way north. We enjoy watching the blue jays and cardinals and robins - none of which come to feeders as a rule. We have a woodpecker family in the big elm tree towering over the gazebo


. The birds all LOVE the large dead tree branch that is cradled in the crook of my next door neighbor's 'trash tree.' No one will remove it because it is home to so many bird families! I call it a 'trash tree' because it's one of those trees the birds plant I guess. Left to itself our yard would become a forest if I didn't pull up all the tree seedlings! We also have our fair share of grackles, cowbirds, and crows. Louis Dean says to just leave them alone.....they still eat bugs!


After our coffee and Bible time I read a chapter from whatever book we are in.
This is my favorite time of the day.

I went to Fort Worth today to see my Mother! It had been going on two months since I had last seen her!!
She is 87 years old (I think!) so I do not want to miss spending time with her.
We had a great time together! Lunch at the Red Lobster - our favorite! Then we did a little shopping at the local Dollar General Store. After that we settled down in the kitchen and I showed her all the pics and videos from Amber and their quadruplets! She was EXCITED!!
Mother had a stroke several years ago and doesn't remember things like she used to.
She thought Amber had ONE girl - not THREE!!
She said, "I THOUGHT it was three MEN! Not WOMEN!" For whatever reason her brain gets the men/women but not the girl/boy thing!

I am home now and I won't tell you who went with me to have a mani/pedi this afternoon!
I PROMISED!

I have to get busy with some housework because we have an appointment with the TV tonight!


Dallas was one of Louis Dean's all time favorite TV programs!
It makes its return debut TONIGHT!!
While I never watched the original series - I am SO ready to join LD!
Looks like FUN to me!!

And JUST when I thought I had NO new news about the Quad Squad.......
Amber JUST this moment posted on Facebook!
So I will close this post with the latest update!



Here is Harrison wearing his shades today! He got his chest tube out today and the hole from the previous one on his other side is almost healed. His vitals are good, they've weaned his morphine some more, and he's completely off the nitric oxide. He may even get to come off the ventilator soon and move to something less intense. Loving the progress, he's such a fighter!


20 comments:

Amber said...

Sounds like you had a good day! That's funny about Grandma. And thanks for reminding me about Dallas, we plan to watch that show as well.

Luann said...

I am watching Dallas as well. I love the birds also and have numerous feeders all over the yard front and back. Wish I was a painter as your galvanized trash can is beautiful. You always have such inspiring idea's. So glad you made it to Ft Worth today and had a wonderful meal and visit. Everyone's days are numbered so it is always important to make a good memory when you can.

Linda said...

Hey, Luann.....(Sister!)
I can't 'reply' other than here but I painted that trash can with spray paint and very little else. Just a few touches with a brush. Next time you are in Texas - bring a new trash can with you! I'll take care of the rest! I have a few done in oils that have lasted years and years....in bad shape now.

Deb said...

We are counting down to watch Dallas also....sounds like you had a great day...I love that trash can too...great news on Harrison...

Blondie's Journal said...

Your bird feeder is so cool...it looks like the birds have to work a little for the seed which gives good photo opportunities. I can never seem to catch good pictures of our birds! Do you get squirrels and other critters coming after the fallen seed?

It looks like your mother is doing well...how I wish my mom were here, even if she forgot a few things! I know you know how lucky and blessed you are. And that little Harrison...what a trooper! :)

XO,
Jane

Vee said...

And he is beyond handsome with or without the shades. So glad that he is making such good progress.

Your mom is so cute. This must be absolutely incredible to her...four great-grands at once!

Would you believe that I've never considered all the insects birds eat? Perhaps we need some bird feeders asap, though the bugs have not been too bad even with all the rain. We once had a large bat population in the forest that kept the bugs down, but some virus wiped them nearly out so we have noticed bugs more than in years past. I'd rather have birds than bats! I like the way you store the bird seed, too. That's half the battle!

Denise said...

PTL on Harrison's report. I love birds, as did my precious daddy. The other day we had a robin in the bird bath, cardinals, blue jays, a red headed woodpecker, doves and a purple martin at our feeders. I can see them out the window while I am working. A bunny rabbit was out there yesterday! I just wish I could keep the squirrels away from the feeders.

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my goodness you have Some birds there - love it. sandie

Angie said...

I've been meaning to make a bird feeder with Axle. I think he'd really enjoy watching them! If I had a pretty painted can like yours to store food in it might motivate me even more!

I'm so glad you got some time with your momma. It's so important to you I know. I bet she was excited about the babies. I mean really, who wouldn't be?

Wonderful update from Amber on Harrison. God is so good!!!!

Happy Wednesday dear friend

Bev said...

i love your bird feeders...we have so many finches too..the love the birds songs in the early morning hours!...

Marsha Young said...

So happy that little Harrison is making good progress.

We have three feeders and also buy a lot of bird seed. We have blue jays, house finches, hummingibirds, northern flickers, sparrows and the occasional woodpecker. :)

Songbirds must be one of God's best ideas. :)

Pondside said...

I'll be watching JR and the gang too!
Such good news about wee Harrison - what a trouper!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

That little guy is really something! Yay, Harrison! I love watching my birds at the feeder in my yard, too, Linda! I watched Dallas and it was good to see all the old gang back!
xoxo

Mary said...

Visiting from Sweet Tea!
You are a busy lady! I completely forgot about Dallas until I woke up this morning. Why is it that birds seem to be more fascinating the older you get? We've put out bird feeders and love to watch the birds. Your bird seed can is beautiful! :)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

We watched the return of 'Dallas' too!

My today's post, is a quick review, and asking for YOUR reviews of it. Hope you have time to leave a comment.

:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Susie said...

Linda, Sending prayers to all . Amazing little guy. Glad you got some time with your mom. Smiles, Susie

Judy said...

So glad your little man is improving! I will continue to pray for him...for all of them.

How I wished I had read this yesterday...and recorded Dallad last night. Oh well. Next time!

Your mom is cute.

Sweet Tea said...

I've recorded Dallas, but haven't watched it yet. Like you, I didn't watch the old version, but I'm gonna get in on the start of this new one. . .Great news about Harrison!

darlin said...

Aw that last shot with Harrison holding what I am guessing is Amber's hand is adorable! I'm so glad to hear of his progress, things sure are sounding amazing on your end.

Your Mother looks fantastic, it's too bad as we age that things like memory loss have to happen, or is it a good thing I wonder?

I love your garbage can, now that's one classy looking bird feed holder.

Have a wonderful weekend Linda, take care and God bless!

Carla said...

Okay I want a trash can painted up. LOL
I missed the New Dallas show. Darn it. Oh well I have plenty going on.
Your mom looks good.