The Unbluebird

As I was roaming about the garden looking for near ideal locations to place my plants that I recently purchased, I noticed a small bird’s head sticking out of the bluebird nesting box.  It was NOT a bluebird.

Somehow, a tree swallow commandeered the bluebird box closest to the house.  That particular box, and the one previous (before it disintegrated over time), has been home to many Eastern Bluebird families since placing a box in that location 23 years ago.  What gives?

I am not saying the bluebird has any more rights than the swallow, but they certainly should have seniority.  Don’t you think?

In fact, while watching the tree swallows fly in and out of the box, a male bluebird landed on the roof of the box.  The head of the tree swallow immediately disappeared within the box; an obvious move indicating that the swallow did not want any confrontation.  Besides, the male swallow is smaller than the male bluebird.  He was no dummy.

male tree swallow flying back into the nesting box - I was unable to get him flying out as he was too speedy for me

In the end, the bluebird flew off leaving a very happy tree swallow couple.

female tree swallow returning to home

As for me, the tree swallow is pretty; but, I favor the bluebirds.  Maybe next year the bluebirds will take possession back!

Reconnecting With A School Chum

My friend from junior high/high school came for a quick visit. Maryann is still the tall, slender, dark-haired, attractive girl I fondly remembered. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention...as nice and thoughtful as ever!

The many years since our last meeting melted away and I felt we were back in Mr. Zeglin’s 7^th grade home room and English class.    I think we both felt like we were back in those days of our youth, rather than the few years short of 60 (our birthdays are only two days apart - Maryann is younger than me by a mere two days).

When Maryann’s final trip plans included a visit to our farm, I warned her that she would be the subject of one of my blogs.  Maryann was OK with that just as long as I spelled her name correctly….S-O-P-H-I-A   L-O-R-E-N.  I knew then that the years did not change Maryann one iota.  I anticipated her visit with excitement.

Maryann and her husband, Ted, were perfect guests; gracious and considerate.  We talked of old times, naturally, and about our current lives. I was proud to be able to introduce her to our lives on the farm; a rather big jump from my growing up in a suburb of Chicago.  Maryann’s fascinating way with words provided interesting stories of her city life including volunteer time at one of the nation’s premier zoos - Brookfield Zoo.  Jack Hanna, as a guest speaker, once warned her to steer clear of an eagle he was exhibiting.  Eyeing the sharp beak and sharper talons, Maryann immediately realized that she did not have to be told twice.  The visual of her hands transforming into claws were worth those unsaid thousand words.

35 years of marriage, two wonderful children, a satisfying job, and a life of happiness...what better to ascertain about a dear 'old' friend!

Old friendships…some are definitely worth rekindling; and, this one certainly is. 

Late night feeding...putting Maryann to work!

 

 

I look forward to a repeat visit…soon!

The Silver Lining

I am stuck in the house on a self-imposed sentence.  My confinement started one week ago yesterday and it will continue through this next Monday…..11 days.

Why?

A friend from long, long ago; I am talking 7^th grade - high school here, is coming to visit next week.  That is exciting news. I am looking forward to our reunion.  Unfortunately, as usual, my house needs a good cleaning.  I hate housework. (Have I ever mentioned that before?) And, when I finally attack the job, I take forever! I am downright slow! Eleven days just gets the, what I call, public spaces clean; the main 1/3rd of the house.  I hope I can hide the less than clean other 2/3rds. Frankly, I am on a roll; so after the visit, I plan to continue with the other 2/3rds and see how much I can accomplish before I totally give in to the call of nature…Mother, that is (ie. gardening, mowing, weeding, relaxing and the like). The outdoors is just too pretty to disregard. 

As I was resting my tired/sore feet and reading a chapter in a James Herriot book (multi-tasking even during a break), I heard (quite loudly); then saw (most impressively) a beautiful male American goldfinch at the bird feeder located just outside my living room window.  He was in brilliant seasonal garb - fluorescent yellow highlighted with pure black and white.

The bird enticed me to take a pause outside, to take a short walk around my garden.  Oh, my gosh…the plants have taken off again due to recent rains and warming temperatures.  I was missing quite a bit of spring.

The lush foliage of the woods has just about enveloped my surroundings  in a  private world, open only to the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountain view.  I am hoping this same view will grab the attention of my dear friend and that she will overlook any missed dust bunnies (better known as dust hippos in my house) and weeds gone wild.  Perhaps, introducing her to feeding the lambs will also be a perfect diversion.

In any case, her visit, the silver lining, is much anticipated.  And,

enjoy a few of today’s treasure’s that I found in my garden…I am!

Worth The Wait

Being the gardener and outdoor person that I am, I wait an entire year to see many things one time during a particular season knowing that I will have to wait an entire year just to observe such item again…baby birds stretching their heads over the edge of their nest, beaks open, squawking for food; amazing autumn color; the first snowfall of winter; the blooming of a particular spring flower.

I am not a patient person, but I have no choice in matters concerning Mother Nature.  So, wait I must.  And, the wait is always worth the 365 days, more or less.

The piece de resistance of waiting is this…the wild yellow lady slipper orchid.  Aren't they magnificent?

Come spring, I watch for specific green shoots to pierce the ground just steps into the woods from the edge of my lawn.  I watch daily as these shoots elongate.  I might wait a day or two before I return if progress seems slow.  Then, one day, there they are: brilliant yellow color shining through the shade of the woodland, perfectly-formed slippers enhanced with tiny purple dots on the inside.  I look closely so as not to miss any detail.   

Do you see a monkey's face?

A few seasons back, I discovered a second, smaller patch of yellow lady slippers growing about twenty feet away from what I thought was a solo component of my woods.  Now, I get twice the pleasure!

I make sure to enjoy these fabulous orchids daily. These blooms never last long enough for my taste. 

I step gently into the woods, slowing walking toward the outstanding flowers.  Buddy stays back on the lawn, crouching low to the ground, as if he knows he must behave while I have my moment.   I look at each bloom from every direction.  Sometimes I catch a ray of sun penetrating the delicate membrane. I am not in any hurry, so I purposely linger. And, I never miss a peek inside the slipper before I take my leave. 

Yes… the wait of a year is definitely worth just one sight of the beautiful, wild, yellow lady slipper.

Rosy Rhododendron

I have one magnificent rhododendron in my garden.  That is all I need.

In reality, this rhodie came with the farm.  It was already growing in the flower bed below the kitchen window when we bought the farm almost 23 years ago. The color is perfect!

This rhodie has been transplanted, by me, three times.  I finally found a place where I decided it would be home.  The rhodie now resides comfortably on the east side of the house, in the shade of the silver maple tree and the house.  The health of the rhodie lets me know that this is the ideal location.

The Over-achiever - one flower opened way ahead of all the others!

Early spring is resulting in early blossoming of most every plant this season…the rhodie is no different. 

The rhododendron forms its flower buds in the fall, so I know how extensive the blossoming will be six months in advance.  When spring arrives, I get anxious as I watch the pointed buds expand; the hint of color popping out; then, the fully opened globe of gorgeous rosy magenta flowers.  The flowering of each bud is staggered, so the blooming season is generously extended. 

Just the way I like it!

New Strawberries...We Hope!

Our strawberry ‘patch’ has been providing us with the most delicious, juiciest berries since planting it several years ago.  Becky was/is the caretaker of the strawberry patch.

We ate plenty of fresh berries; and I made the novel, one fresh strawberry pie complete with homemade crust every season.  I also sliced and froze the mandatory surplus into family serving-sized containers.  After the plants stopped producing, we knew we had our frozen stash to enjoy until the next strawberry season was back in full swing.  

The cycle was flawless; that is until this past mild winter when all of our strawberry plants perished. 

A decision had to be made; start anew or forego a strawberry crop altogether.  Within seconds, we determined that a new crop would be planted.  How can we be expected to endure store-bought berries?

With that decision, came another; Becky decided she wanted to plant the new berry patch in raised beds.  So, both she and Glenn (grudgingly) constructed three raised beds.  If the three beds worked, there was still enough room to add another 2-3 beds in future years.

Becky lovingly planted 30 plants.  Becky gingerly spread grass clippings around each planting.  Becky gently watered each plant. We wait.

And, by dusk, the cats benevolently used a part of the raised bed as their newly discovered litter box - ugh!

Knowing Where To Look

Spring came early this year.

The 'appear without fail' mayapples made their arrival in March. The green foliage of these short perennials broke through the ground in the woods and soon produced an emerald carpet covering the forest floor.

The mayapples always greet spring from under the towering trees.

Look closely between the leaves to see the hidden flower.

Most mayapples bear a surprise; a small, single white flower hidden under their broad, umbrella-like leaves. 

I actually have to lift the leaves to observe the simple flower.

Observing the mayapple flowers, whether in March, April or May…just another rite of spring!