Pink March

I was fed an Instagram post that claimed, "once the hobby of senior citizens, bird watching is being embraced by young people in droves." Fed is the correct word there because, I don't know about you, but nearly everything in my social media feeds are either advertisements, click bait, or people I don't know. It frustrates me, but I suppose I can whine all I want and it won't get me anywhere, so hush up Gail!

It did strike a chord with me though because I just finished a terrific book that I got at the library for a song. Well really a quarter but a "song" sounds more fun. Called To See Every Bird on Earth, it is as much about a father/son relationship as it is about birds, so if either of those topics interest you, perhaps you would find it as fascinating as I did. Yesterday afternoon on my walk in the park, the sound of a bird calling and singing stopped me in my tracks. As the trees are beginning to flower and bud out, it is harder to find birds, but I followed the sound and found a Brown Thrasher, the first bird that captured the attention of the father when he was a teenager.  He went on to find and count over 7,000 bird species all over the world but, it was the sound of this beautiful bird that first captured his heart. 

Such a pretty bird that I have rarely seen in a tree because primarily it hunts for food on the ground. It made my heart sing too. AND I am thrilled that young people are taking up birding!

Nearby a Northern Mockingbird was noisy as well. We had a Mockingbird that stayed atop one of our bushes for nearly a week and I thought it would become a resident bird, but I thought wrong.

A cute little Carolina Wren, the smallest bird with the biggest voice, was in the shadows but easy to follow the song because it is so loud.

Everything is happening fast in our world of nature. One day a tree is bare as can be, and two days later it looks like, well, I don't guess there is anything else like it in the world is there?

I was sad when we had our little snow and then a few really cold days that did not do Sandy's tree any favors.

Some new buds remain, but it won't be long before the tree is green once again. 

Across the street from Sandy's house, is this house with the creeping phlox looking mighty fine this year after Bruce planted more last year. 

Most of the year it looks pretty crummy, but for this display it is worth it. Then too, I have watched a whole lot of YouTube videos on gardening and one thing that is stressed is pruning, so that will be my plan going forward after it blooms. I was so thrilled when I saw my first Yellow Tiger Swallowtail feeding on the prolific blooms. The warmth of Florida keeps bees, insects, and butterflies feeding all year but here it is very much seasonal so a cause for celebration when they do appear.

Last week between the cold, and a minor health issue, walks and pickleball were mostly not happening for me. Then on Saturday it was hot as the dickens! Seriously, from snow on the first day of the week to 85 degrees on the 6th! Today, on the other hand is just glorious both in a beautiful sunny sky and a high near 60.

The pink trees did not wait on me!

And look what is blooming on the shady side of the house.

I did not remember this blooming so early, but it seems to like the little sun it is getting before the Rose of Sharon trees develop their leaves and throw this area into complete shade. 

Friends, the lilac tree is showing great promise, although it is a spindly tree that is definitely in need of some pruning.

Over and over you have heard me talk about the Riverwalk and rightly so. Two rivers meet in the middle of town and are vital to our town for lots of reasons. The walk is broken into sections where some parts are wild and free, while others have lovely sidewalks. Can you guess my favorites?

You may be wondering how the seedlings are coming and the answer is slowly, but surely they are sprouting.

Remember the celery? By golly it's growing too!

In fact it seems to be doing quite well so I have another piece in water in the kitchen.  Things are popping up in the beds that I keep wondering what the heck they are;  I'm pretty sure these are hostas.

We will find out won't we? The grass was growing quite well as were the violets sprinkled everywhere amongst the grass. Bruce's sense of order won out although I will say the blade was high enough that we have plenty violets remaining.

His trustee duties are keeping him plenty busy that's for sure. It's almost as if he was a project manager again without any salary! Speaking of salary, tomorrow one of Bruce's favorite superintendents is coming to visit with his wife. We are looking forward to seeing them and showing off our little slice of heaven.

Here's one of the violets and a big fat bumble bee too.

One morning, out the basement sliding glass door, I saw a bunch of Goldfinch going crazy.  I took this photo through the glass and while it is not very good, I was able to count the birds. At the cottage we had this sort of thing, but this is a first for Campbell Street.

I am more used to seeing them like this.

I'll help you out....twenty Goldfinch, many of whom are beginning to show their bright yellow mating colors.

Our ladies group had a White Elephant sale that was fun and I bought a few things, including an amazing handmade basket with Eucalyptus for five dollars. Because it is a fund raiser I should have insisted on paying more. I bid on this handmade bowl but lost out to a higher bidder. 

I am finishing up a scrappy quilt, sewing on the binding while seated on the front porch because it is NOT COLD! I am using a little needle book that I made many years ago. 

I thread four and sew until I run out and do it all over again. An abundance of natural light helps my aging eyes! The holes in needles seem smaller and smaller to me. Just one more thing that is harder than it used to be. Think opening anything, whether it is a jar, a plastic bottle or something encased in the hardest plastic on earth. It's not easy for some of us old folks!

See this cat. It is a menace cat. It likes to sit on our porch in the mornings and even more so under the bird feeders. Birds do not like cats so birds stay away from feeders. Boo hiss! I filled a spray bottle with water and it did not take many squirts before above cat runs when he sees me picking it up. Go Away!

I saw my first bunny last Wednesday. Today, as a matter of fact, about twenty minutes ago I saw my first groundhog. Both were in the our neighbor's yard. Said groundhog was viewed from my second story kitchen window while rinsing my lunch plate. Both are threats to my garden. Boo hiss!

Our Japanese Maple is coming!! Truth be told, by the time we return from Florida there is a good chance that all the leaves will have opened, a sight to behold. After months of a bare tree in the front yard it is most welcome. It remains to be seen how my blogging will go next week, but I will do my best.

your friend,

Gail

p.s. I hope you enjoyed pink March!