1.30.2009
Not Me - Again
OK, so you probably already can guess how this turned out. Yes, I saw how it was going to turn out, too. Already being bird-rejected, I thought I'd just go for broke and try the seed in hand approach. My Dear Husband, having seen the videos I posted earlier of successful hand-feeders, dug out a handful of the black sunflower seeds for me. Nothing like being supported by your spouse in trying to achieve these life goals! My Manly Sons all ended up laying around in the snow watching to see if Mom would really make it this time. Eventually they left, I think I saw some head shaking, and went sledding. Thinking this (they) might have been the problem all along, I kept up holding my hand out there...Now I'm going to make the radical confession that will confirm to you all that I may be somewhat "misguided". I tried to lure the birds in by singing...the Doxology. Those Methodist roots do go deep! After more than 15 times through the Doxology, I gave up. Oh, no I did not throw the seed, yell at the chickadees who were perching (and laughing) nearby, or stomp around in the snow. No. How undignified that would have been.
I gently put the seed in the previously empty feeder. Yes, I had left it empty for a couple of days trying to make them REALLY hungry - and willing. Went inside to see if I could feel my toes again and wash a few dishes. This is what I saw out the window. Traitorous little birds in the feeder IMMEDIATELY afterward gobbling down seed. And laughing. At me.
1.28.2009
Faces Contest - Kid Entry - Joy
1.27.2009
Why Not Me?
This is one of my life goals. I know, this is not big or impressive...but HOW COOL WOULD THIS BE?? Once, maybe twice a year it is prime time to try to accomplish this. Chickadees, the most clever, cunning birds of all, will come to eat from your hand most readily when food is at its most scarce - in the middle of a snow/ice storm. It is maddening to try because the smart aleck, cheeky, little birds sit in bushes all around, chirping (laughing) from the trees right overhead, but never come to hand. Their call sounds like a bird belly-laugh. This photo is of My Youngest, in 2007, trying to hand-feed chickadees right after the big ice storm we had here. I had already stood there with seed in hand, until I thought I would freeze my bunoonies right off! Seeing me give up and stomp off, he thought he would give it a try. So I watched and took some photos, of course. They did not come to him either. Probably because I was standing there. Humph!
1.26.2009
Prayer Crutch
1.23.2009
The Bachelor and The Tube Top
1.22.2009
Good Ol' Puddleglum!
'One word, Ma’am. One word. . . . Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things, trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one.'
This, he says, is “a funny thing.”
. . . We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we’re leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that’s a small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.'"
Now more than ever, I can identify with old Puddleglum! I'm reminded of how Paul describes Abraham in Hebrews 11:13-16 when he says that, "Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one." The Christian life that we lead, the Biblical code that we follow, and the hope that we have in Christ may seem like a play world to others, but we must press on and live like "Narnians" and spend our lives looking for "Overland".
More great resources on Narnia, if you're a fan like me: Narnia and the Bible a website, Live Like a Narnian blog, and "Green Dust" article in World Magazine
1.21.2009
Faces Photo Contest - Entry #1
1.20.2009
Sit By Me
1.17.2009
Ponderable Words and Lyrics
I hear a sound and turn to see a new direction on that rusty weathervane
Suddenly the dead brown leaves are stirred to scratch their circle dances down the lane
And now the sturdy oaks start clappin' with the last few stubborn leaves that won't let go
I can hear Old Glory snappin' and her tattered rope now clangin' against the pole
And my breath is snatched away
And a chill runs up my spine
Feels like somethin's on the way so I look up to the sky, I look up to the sky and...
From the corners of creation
Comes the Father's holy breath
Ridin' on a storm with tender fierceness
Stirring my soul to holiness
Stirring my soul to holiness
I see the lifeless dust now resurrected, swirling up against my window pane
And carried 'cross the distance comes the long awaited fragrances of earth and rain
And out across the amber field the slender grasses bend and bow and kiss the ground
And in them I see the beauty of the souls who let the Spirit lay them down
And it takes my breath away
And a tear comes to my eye
Feels like somethin's on the way, so I look up to the sky, I look up to the sky and...
From the corners of creation
Comes the Father's holy breath
Ridin' on a storm with tender fierceness
Stirring my soul to holiness
Stirring my soul to holiness
And like a mighty wind blows with a force I cannot see
I will open wide my wings, I will open wide my wings
I will open wide my wings and let the Spirit carry me
From the corners of creation
Comes the Father's holy breath
Ridin' on a storm with tender fierceness
Stirring my soul to holiness
Stirring my soul to holiness
Thrift Find
My little pot only measures 7 1/2" across the top, length-wise, and 3 1/2" in height, so it's a little smaller than the ones selling online - for hundreds of dollars!
1.14.2009
A Favorite Photo - With Notes
and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
1.13.2009
Button Briday
Is anyone loving widgets like me? I, personally, love widgets and am having a hard time not crowding up the entire sidebar, making it two feet long with gadgets. Especially LOVE my own font widget! Yes, I get on my own blog daily just to download the new font into our files. (Sure wish I could use more interesting fonts to write this blog!) The art of the day, yes, I peer at that, too. Not to mention the travel photo - someplace I might get to go someday...would love to add a map widget/gadget somehow. Or a button of the day widget! How cool would that be for button geeks like me? Too bad that "button" doesn't start with the same letter as one of the days of the week - then we could have Button Bonday (Button Buesday, Button Bednesday...) Everyone could share a photo of one of their favorite buttons.
1.10.2009
I'm an Eye Roller
1.07.2009
Send the Big Snow!
1.05.2009
Chocolate's not a "Love Language", but....
1.04.2009
"Rocker Mom"
1.03.2009
Last Sweets in the House
1.01.2009
Smashing the Old Year
Sam's - $9.95 - priceless memories. Do it!