Q's Corner

Sunday Safari

2012-01-22T17:15:00.000-06:00

Another Black Swallowtail emerged this morning.

I watched her dry her wings.

I was so pleased our older Black was able to feed
in the nectar pot. Raising Butterflies is new for me.

Temperatures warmed this afternoon.
We walked at the park.

I took my afternoon coffee to the deck.
Spending time with the birds is always a delight.

The female Red Bellied Woodpecker

is so pretty with her gray cap.

Lots of Cardinals come and go.

The wind was a strong breeze out of the south.
It ruffled feathers and blew stray leaves about.

I have left lots of morning glory seeds.
I hope they will self sow.

Daffodils are emerging.
Way too early for this sign of spring.

The coral berries are ripe.

We are keeping water in the bird baths.
I hope we get snow soon.

It has been a week of thawing and freezing.

Happy Chinese New Year.
Happy Year of the Dragon.

I am home caring for butterflies.
I am home tending the birds.
I am home dreaming of Dragons.

Sunday Safari

2012-01-15T16:34:00.000-06:00

Roller coaster temperatures once again had me outside

with the birds thinking about seeds.

I watched three Chick-a-dees chase each other about.

It is early for choosing mates.

The Cardinals continue to come to the deck for seed
and fresh water.
It was 60 degrees this afternoon.
The wind is to shift once again and a strong cold front is coming in,
by Wednesday it will be in the teens.

Our albinistic female Cardinal is a regular.

I also have more white on my head this winter than last.

I am involved in a serious study.
I want to understand the different religions
in my world. Shinto has elements I understand.
Nature is where I find awe.

I do need breaks from my studies so I am playing with paper

and hunting for dragons.

I was so pleased to find this teapot!
It matches my steeping mugs.

I have dragons all over my house.

Paper and silk dragons charm me.

My baskets are empty.

I am thinking Spring.
Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday Safari

2012-01-08T13:31:00.000-06:00

The first week of January 2012, was unseasonably warm
with highs into the 60's.

My indoor gardens are blooming nicely.
The mums

and geraniums are cheerful.

I have returned to my housework.
I learned January 7th is called "St. Distaff Day".
It is the day after the Epiphany, the day after the twelve days of
Christmas. It was the day the ladies returned to their spinning.

I have returned to my distaff and my spinning.
I have returned to my writing.

I have returned to my reading.

We are refining our home and gardens.
We are working room by room and flowerbed by flowerbed.
We are embracing simplicity.
We are letting go of items we no longer need.
We are creating harmony.
We are finding our place of ease.

Our celebration of Chinese New Year has begun.

I am very excited that 2012 is the year of the Dragon.

We are Dragons.

We are Rain Dragons.

Our January decorations are up.

Chinese and Japanese motif

find peace in my home.

I find serenity in all my activities.

My rose hips make wonderful healing tea.

They are full of vitamin c.

I have made a note to gather more for next winter.

Kuan Yin
watches over my day.

The more I learn the more I understand.
She is lovely.

My dear friend is an artist.

Years ago she painted a watercolor for me.

It is framed and hanging in my January kitchen.

I do hope we receive some rain.
I do hope for gentle showers.

The Full Wolf Moon rises tonight.

I will make a wish.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2012-01-01T12:30:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year.

Happy 2012!

It is the year of refinement at my house.

It is the year of the Water Dragon.

A Black Swallowtail emerged yesterday.
A lovely birthday surprise.

It is too cold for her to go outside.

She will be an inside butterfly.

I am so happy I have flowers for her.
I am so happy to have a butterfly in the house.

There are 24 white roses in the living room.
A birthday gift from my husband.

There are chocolates too!

One a day will keep me smiling
in 2012!

A new critter has come to live with us.
My daughter made Fuzzy Lamb.

Fuzzy Lamb is my new love.
She is comfortable on the love seat with Alpaca Penguin.

Our reading room is coming together.
My daughter and son-in-love sent this painting for our new room.
It is titled, "Beekeeper".
I have new dreams to dream.

My son and daughter-in-love sent me amazing essential oils.
I have my own scent! My daughter-in-love knows me!
She and my son made the recipe. They are alchemists.

doTerra products are exquisite.
My loved ones spoiled me on my birthday.
We visited on the phone and sent hugs.
I love listening to their voices.
I love hearing about their adventures.

My husband took me shoe shopping.

I needed some short black boots.
I also bought a new outfit and a hat!
New clothes for the New Year.

We start a new year today.
We begin a new story.
May your 2012 be filled with magic.
May your 2012 be filled with joy.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-12-25T16:54:00.002-06:00

It is Christmas Day.

It is a sunny, warm Christmas Day.

We had cafe au chocolat with our blueberry waffles.

Our son sent a new ornament for the family tree.

I sat in the sun with the birds this afternoon.

I visited with loved ones.

A very relaxed day.

The Blue Maid Holly is blooming in the vases.

It is very pretty.

We have added another year

of Christmas stories.

Happy Christmas.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Falling in Love

2011-12-22T15:59:00.001-06:00

I have a gift for you!
I have a new blog.
It is http://q-fallinginlove.blogspot.com/
Let us fall in love with life together.
Happy Winter Solstice

Sunday Safari

2011-12-18T17:23:00.001-06:00

I met an old girlfriend this morning for breakfast.

We visted for a couple of hours.

It was good to see her.

It was good to catch up.

A Sharp Skinned Hawk came on to the deck.

It was much smaller than a Cooper's Hawk.

He scared the birds away for a very long time.

The forecast is calling for snow this week.

I hope so.

I will make a wish.

I am waiting for snow.

Capricorn comes in on the 21st.
Winter Solstice begins on the 22nd at 1:30 am cst.
I have a savory pie planned for supper.

It is a busy week as many people prepare for Christmas.
I send blessings and safe travel.

I have fallen in love with the good Pterosaurs.

My little Terrence is charming.
I will be hunting for fossils.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-12-11T16:34:00.000-06:00

The wind was a gentle breeze out of the southwest.
Temperatures rose in the afternoon to 50 degrees.

It was a lovely sunny December day to sit with the birds.

Seeing Flicker is always a delight.

We left the marigolds.
I did not know squirrels would eat the seeds.

I read while I sat with the birds.

I am catching up on my German fairy tales.

They can be very confusing.
As long as I have cocoa I do not mind.

I do enjoy good chocolate!
I need to maintain my good health.

I found my spirit animals many years ago.

I actually think they found me.

I was so surprised when I read this story.
I also have an Unicorn named Capricorn.
She is one of my Spirit animals.

This is a charming little tale.
A good book, a cup of cocoa, a cookie or two
and I am in bliss.

Capricorn often sits on my shoulder while I am writing.

Others poke their horns out here and there around my
December house.

Always I have Swans and Butterflies about.

Always they are nearby.

My favorite part of The Twelve Days of Christmas
is seven Swans a swimming.
I like five golden rings too and two Turtle Doves.

Always Swans in my house and in my dreams.

Dragons and Dragonflies are Spirit Animals for me too
as are bees.

The Northern Cardinals
are more than a spirit animal for me.

The Cardinals are my companions.

I talk with them.
I share my concerns and joys.

I listen to them.
I learn from them.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-12-04T21:02:00.001-06:00

It was a cold sun today.

I spent just half an hour with the birds.

We are in December now.

Any day we could have our first snow.

I have a new seed holder.
I hope the birds like it.

We have many traditions in December.

Many ways of celebrating the Holiday Season.

I like to add a little something new each year.

Last year we studied Snowflakes.

I am thinking about all the different things we could study this month.

I like the idea of knowing more about
Dreamland

and Holly Fairies.

We could study hot chocolate!

Writing Haiku is always fun.

I am drawn to the night sky in December.

I look for the Pleiades.

The Seven Sisters are my favorite.

It is in December I begin watching

the Winter skies.

When I star gaze I dream.

I shall add stars to our December decorating

and chocolate pots.

I shall do lots of dreaming

this month.

There is magic in the stars.
There is joy in the Holly.

Happy December.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-11-27T20:23:00.001-06:00

We spent our Thanksgiving with the birds.

There were over 200,000 Snow Geese, a few hundred Pelicans
and a few thousand White-Fronted Geese.
The Loess Bluff Hills made a spectacular background.

The sounds of the birds are in my heart.

I will always treasure

being part of this migration.

The Pelicans greeted us.

Amazing birds.

There were Eagles too.
This immature was interested in us.

Squaw Creek is about 100 miles North.
We had come looking for Trumpeter Swans.

We were not disappointed!

A small flock were about 200
yards out in the wet lands.

We watched them feed and preen.

We ate our peanut butter
sandwiches with this family of Swans,
a Cob, a Hen and their Cygnet.

A Cattle Egret watched us for a little bit

than went about hunting for dinner.

A Hawk flew into the tree next to our car.

A Yellow-shafted Flicker flew in right after.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Dinner with the Swans was a dream come true.
We had eaten pumpkin pie for breakfast.
Mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy with
peas was our late night snack.

We traveled with our critter friends, Mammoth and Horsey.
We had fun. It was a warm, 67 degrees, and windy day.

Back home we needed bee medicine.
We had lots of work to do.
November needed to be put away.
We had to clean the house and decorate for December!
Our festival of Trees begins December 1st.

We are almost finished decorating. I have put up 54 trees!
Tomorrow I will polish the silver and iron the linens.
We will cut pine and holly for the vases.

I am celebrating the German and Dutch cultures
in December. It is my heritage.
I have paper-cutting and baking to do.

I just might go back to Squaw Creek
in December.
I just might pack the picnic basket.
We will be home alone for Christmas
this year.
Christmas with the Swans sounds romantic.

Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-11-20T16:52:00.002-06:00

It is cloudy and cold today.
I am grateful for my warm house.

Many families are gathering this week
to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Our children live far away.
Too far to travel this year.
I miss them.

It is a good sort of missing.
I am grateful they have found their way.
They have loved ones nearby to share their day with,
no worries.

We have many stories of Thanksgivings.
We have blessed memories.

Like the Native Americans
our family stories are oral traditions.
We laugh when we retell our stories.
We remember the taste of Granny's pies.
I have her rolling pin. It is part of my November.

My friend and I went to an art show yesterday.
I bought a small sculpted and felted Acorn Fairy.
He is part of my November now.
He is part of my story.

I believe in magic.

The Christmas Cactus is blooming.
After Thanksgiving I will pack up the November things.
I will decorate the house for Christmas.

My husband called out, "Geese, geese, geese."
I ran out to the backyard.
Up so high I could barely see them were the Snow Geese.
Line after line of Snow Geese migrating south.
Oh joy! Oh joy! Oh joy!
We listened and could just barely hear them.
These are the first flocks we have seen this year.

The Swans and Pelicans may also have begun migrating.
I shall be looking for them. I worry for the Swans.
I worry they have lost more habitat.
I would love to spend Thanksgiving with them.

May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-11-13T15:43:00.000-06:00

It was 67 degrees this afternoon.

The skies were clear and sunny.

Indian Summer continues.

My sniffles have become a cough so I am taking it easy.

Since it was so warm I sat outside for a little while.

Sunshine is good for me when I am under the weather.

I went inside for a glass of cider and found a
Cabbage White butterfly had emerged from her chrysalis.

My indoor Butterfly Bush is blooming

but I released her outdoors.
It is to remain warm all week.

I took my cider to the deck and read.

I am smitten with the American Chestnut Tree.
I wonder if I could find a spot to grow one.
I would love to be part of her comeback.
I do love the good roasted chestnut!

I have begun collecting proverbs.
I have a notebook for my collection.
I am beginning a study.
Hopefully this will be a life long adventure.
I can always find room for one more proverb.
Trees are much bigger.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-11-06T17:11:00.000-06:00

When the sun came out this afternoon
I went butterfly hunting.

The mums are in their third bloom.

The marigolds look so lovely.

I gathered seed from the Morning Glories.

I picked the last of the squash.

It is November.

The birds are keeping me company

when I sit outside with my coffee and books.

The colors of November are lush.

We still have some green leaves.

We have not had a hard freeze.
Soon I am sure we will.

We still have some grass growing.

The bittersweet is open.
I have harvested and have long sprays in the house.

These Indian Summer days

are treasures.

We bought chestnuts at the organic market.

I roasted some this afternoon.

They are delicious!

I am learning about the Chestnut Tree
this week.

I am studying nut trees
in November.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Happy November.

Sunday Safari

2011-10-30T16:34:00.001-05:00

I watched as the Cloudless Sulphur butterfly
drifted out of the Ash tree.

She looked like a leaf as she glided to the Marigolds.

As the morning warmed more butterflies found the Marigolds.

I was careful when I walked to the garden.

Common Buckeyes were sunning in the grass.

I treasure these butterfly days.

I know cold air is moving in.

Soon it will be just me and the birds.

We will carve our Jack-o-lantern this evening.

It has been a relaxing October.
May you have a blessed October 31st.
Trick or treat.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-10-23T18:19:00.001-05:00

I watered the marigolds this morning.

It is unseasonably warm and dry.
A cold front is coming our way for mid- week.
I hope it brings rain.

I planted the Marigold seed the 15th of August
hoping to have fresh blooms in October.

It has worked out.
I covered them when we had frost last week.
I have watered them.
Having food for the butterflies is nice.

We finished planting the bulbs.
I watered them in.
We will mulch the beds when we prepare them for winter.

I am concerned.
So far we have no acorns on the Pinoak.
Perhaps it has been too dry.

The White Pines are doing fine.
I see plenty of cones.

I shared my fig preserves with a little bee this morning.
She was wanting my toast.

Today we welcome in Scorpius.
Happy Birthday to those born under this sign.

For me it is my Alchemist time.
I shall once again follow Deepak Chopra.

I am reading about alchemy.
"It is said that the attitude of the artist,
more than the process itself,
is what makes alchemy "The Divine Art."
We are gathering leaves.
We are mixing them with grass clippings.
We are making Black Gold.

Sunday Safari

2011-10-16T17:59:00.000-05:00

A Black Swallowtail emerged from her chrysalis
while we were on our adventure.
We found her in the kitchen when we returned
last night.

We released her this afternoon when it warmed up.

I feed the birds this afternoon

and watered the mums.

Rain is in the forcast for tomorrow.

It has been very dry.
We need rain.

We had a wonderful couple of days
with our friends.

Cahokia is a world treasure.

It touches my heart.

I was as awed this time as the first time
I saw these sculptures.

I have read many books about this culture.

We stayed at Femme Osage Haus bed and breakfast.
The Innkeeper, Mary Maassen, was a perfect hostess.
Her 1880's German Farmhouse was exquisite.
Her breakfast delicious! We will stay with her again.

The festival was very fun.

I enjoy being around creative craftsmen.

Always I leave inspired.

My Straw Dolly collection is growing.

We walked the Osage Trail.
I met kindred spirits.

A cold front is coming in.
We are to have scattered frost by mid-week.
The growing season is almost over.
It is time to plant bulbs.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-10-09T16:26:00.002-05:00

In October I carry envelopes in my pockets.
I never know when I will find seeds.
I never know when I will find a Spirit house.

I watch as the Bright Eyes Cosmos set seeds.
I watch as they dry in the Autumn sun.
It is the way of Spirit, seed to seed.

I watched as the bees pollinated the squash blossoms.
I watched as the squash grow into fruit.
I harvested for supper.
The Spirit of the squash lives on in the bee and me.

I am watching the chrysalis of the Black Swallowtail.
There are 15 in my house.
These are the Spirit Houses of the butterfly.

I hunt for Spirit Houses each October.

We drove through two very old cemeteries today.
We talked about Spirit Houses.

We talked about birds

and the way color is the Spirit of the leaves.

We talked about bugs and gargoyles.

We talked about symbols.

I think about Spirit.

I ponder life

and death.

I look for beauty for it is the language of the soul.

I find cemeteries to be very beautiful.

It is the way the living honor the dead that fascinates me.

It is the sacredness of roots
and the way leaves dance that enchant me.

There are many stories in cemeteries.

There are many stories in my backyard.

We celebrated international
Observe the Moon Night last night.

We looked at the moon with about 125 others.
We went to the Powell Observatory.
They have a 30 inch telescope.

We had found the Observatory
while on an Artist date last week.

We have a date to go to the Observatory
for October 22 and the 29th.
Hope the skies are clear.

We have our telescope set up in our backyard.
We are learning the Autumn Night Sky.

I would love to see Nebulas.
These are huge Spirit Houses.

We are going to Cahokia
this coming week.
We will share these sacred grounds
with our dear friends.

We are also going to an Autumn festival.
We are sharing the Spirit of the season.
We are building on our traditions.

Happy Sunday Safari

Sunday Safari

2011-10-02T17:02:00.000-05:00

The Question Mark butterfly over winters as an adult.

We had two Question Mark caterpillars in the house.

They made their chrysalis and emerged eight days later.

It has been an honor to watch the caterpillars feed.

It has been a gift to watch the chrysalis

and to witness the emergence of the butterfly.

We have seen many miracles these past few weeks
as the butterflies prepare for winter and migration.

Our retreat time was also amazing.

I enjoyed one on one time with the butterflies.

We celebrated Autumn Equinox in a quiet way.

We said goodbye to the Hummingbirds.

We decorated our house and gardens.
Our October house is lovely.

We did some shopping.
We are honoring our inner artist.

We have made some changes this year.

Our gardens are magical gardens now they are
no longer haunted. The caterpillars taught me
all about magic. They taught me to be a good hostess.

We are following a Luna Astrology.

We are in
Butterfly Days.

The Ivy is beginning to turn to red.

The mums are in full bloom.

I have plugged back in.

It is October,
the Season of the Ancients.
I am looking forward to sharing these
magical days with you.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-09-18T13:49:00.024-05:00

It is a rainy Sunday.

Between showers I fed the birds.
I spent a few minutes with them
before it began raining again.

We did a bit of shopping yesterday.
"White on White" is my October theme this year.

We choose new pots for our over wintering plants.
We choose how our indoor October Haunted Forest
will look.

We talked about what our needs are.
We talked about what we want.
We made our choices.

We enjoy having caterpillars in the house.
Since we have two small cats on parsley
we will need more parsley for them to eat.

I am amazed.

Choosing is powerful.

When I chose to bring a few caterpillars indoors

I chose a new way of living.

I choose to grow mums.
I like them in the October gardens.
I cut many bouquets for the October house.
I have an old white mum growing in the garden.
It will wonderful for "White on White."

I choose to grow American Bittersweet.
It is becoming rare in my region.
I like it for Autumn decorating.

I choose to garden for the bees, birds and butterflies.
I choose to grow Asters.
They are a host and nectar plant.
I choose to grow a mix of native and cultivated.

I enjoy going out to the gardens and clipping mint
for my afternoon pot of tea.
I choose to grow lots of mint.
I dry lots for winter.

I have chosen to go on retreat.
I have chosen to unplug.
I have chosen to to be off line for a little while.

I will celebrate the Autumn Equinox.
I will celebrate the New Apple Moon.
I will celebrate October with white on white.

I am choosing to witness the miracle of life;
leaves for tea, seeds to seeds, caterpillars to butterflies,
moon to moon.

The seasons are changing and I choose to change too.
I will be back in October.

Happy Sunday Safari!

Sunday Safari

2011-09-11T16:50:00.002-05:00

The Carolina Wren sounded off
first thing this morning.

The Northern Cardinals have finished their molt.

The Chick-a-dees

and Mocking Birds come and go.
Their lives are as they should be.

It is ten years later.
We remember.

We will always remember.

I walked the gardens.
I spent time with the butterflies.

We made fig preserves

for our Harvest Moon celebration.

I took care of the caterpillars.

Fresh milkweed for the Monarch

and fresh Queen Anne's Lace
for the 3 Black Swallowtails.

We will make our wishes on the
Full Harvest Moon
as she rises tonight.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-09-04T19:23:00.001-05:00

The Monarch chrysalis is becoming translucent.

I can see her wings.

Soon she will emerge.

We have six more Black Swallowtail caterpillars inside.

All are feeding on Queen Anne's Lace.

The other two are making their chrysalis.

The Orange Dog, the Giant Swallowtail's caterpillar,
is twice as big since she came in.

I am watching for when she makes her chrysalis.

A moderate breeze blew all day from the north.

The wind harp sang her lovely song.

The wind spinner danced.

We enjoyed cooler temperatures.

Autumn is coming.

The goldenrod is blooming.

The Dogwood's berries are turning red.

I love watching the butterflies.

When Buckeye scooted Black Tiger off the blossom I laughed.

He is gorgeous and

so is she.

I am spending as much time with her as I am able.

I already know how much I will miss her.

An amazing Butterfly that holds my heart.

The juveniles are growing up.

We fixed Henry up in the vegetable garden.

Our September gardens look perfect.

My friend sent a card.

She is mindful.

She is my kindred spirit.

She also sent a book.

She knows my very core.

We walk together every day.

We walk in the gap.

We walk in spirit.

We have our Sunday Safari.

We have our wishes.

We watch the moon.

Thank you Cheryl for your friendship.

Thank you for your kind ways.
I miss you.

Happy Sunday Safari
Happy September!

Sunday Safari

2011-08-28T19:51:00.004-05:00

We went to Powelll Gardens for our Sunday Safari.

It was time to walk the gardens and see how they have fared

through this hot summer.

It was a delight to see many butterflies.
This pair of Tawny Emperors only had eyes for each other.

The Question Mark is also called Violet Tip.
The Autumn brood has brighter markings than the spring brood
and they have violet-gray tails.
These are the butterflies that hibernate.

Red Spotted Purples shimmered in the sunlight.
These Admirals prefer to nectar on rotting fruit and sap.
This is a photograph of a female.
Her extra white wingtip marking is her id marking.

Viceroys are mimics of the Monarch.
Birds avoid them thinking they are distasteful
like the Monarchs.

Many Buckeyes graced the gardens.

The Variegated Fritillaries were abundant.

Dragonflies

and Cicadas are ancient species.

We brought a picnic.
After our sandwiches we walked to a small pond.

The algae was other worldly.

Water Lilies are ancient plants.

Lots of Hummingbirds were flying about.
It was a warm summer day.

Late tonight the Moon is New.

It is the New Sunflower Moon.
August is slipping away.
Soon we will greet September.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-08-21T15:51:00.002-05:00

The Variegated Fritillary graced
our gardens this afternoon.

Such a joy to see her.

The marigolds are blooming.

I do hope she returns.

The Red Spotted Purple butterfly surprised me.

I have not seen very many Red Spotted Purples this year.

These are butterfly days.

Happy Sunday Safari

Editor's Note....
Thanks Randy for letting me know
my visitor today was the Variegated Fritillary.
The last time I saw one was June 22, 2005.

Sunday Safari

2011-08-14T21:03:00.000-05:00

We installed our Wind Sculpture this evening.

We had a brief ceremony welcoming her to the gardens.

It is an honor to have one of
Lyman Whitaker's kinetic art pieces
"gracefully capturing the spirit of the wind"
in my gardens.

I am tired this evening.
I stayed up too late with
the Full Green Corn Moon last night.
We walked as she rose and had a light,
late night dinner on the deck.

I took a few photographs of Eastern Tailed Blues
this afternoon. I counted eight in the mint.

When resting in the shadows they open their wings
and shimmer an amazing blue violet.
They are tiny but gorgeous.

The Black Swallowtail has been about.
I am watching the little egg she laid
turn into a fast growing caterpillar.

I have begun to plant mums.
These are so pretty, pale yellow with dark yellow centers.
I moved the mint that was growing in the window boxes
to a flowerbed and planted mums. I love having mums for
Autumn.

I bought enough to do up pots for the front porch and the deck.
I shall do a few for the house. I will have a few to give as gifts.
I plant mums for me.
The bugs do not like them.
They do not set seed for the birds.
I grow them for the beauty of their bloom.
I grow them for Autumn.
We are over a month away from the Autumn Equinox
yet I already feel the cooler nights and the turing of
the Seasons.

My husband said,
"Go get your magic seed basket."
He had spots ready to plant.
We planted all sorts of Autumn vegetables.
We still have at least 60 days left in this growing season
maybe even more if first frost is late.
Mother Nature provided .8 of gentle rain to water our seeds in.

My nightstand has a new book.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-08-07T16:30:00.003-05:00

A male Cloudless Sulphur has been
coming to the back Day Lilies all week.

I love the way he dips into the throat of the flower.

He almost looked green in the morning light.

I counted twenty bees in the Sunflowers today.

I do not know where the Honey Bee's hive is.
I have often thought I should follow a bee.

One plant remains from my old Moon Garden.

Our first Buckeye of the Summer.
These are my husband's favorite butterfly.
They immigrate to our area from the south.

The skies were clear and it was muggy.
I looked to the north and saw a storm coming in.

I stood out on the deck and felt the wind shift.

No rain for my gardens as the storm went north.
We did receive a lovely cool down.

My friend sent me a delightful book about Trees a few years ago.
I have read it many times.
I am reading it again as I begin another tree study.

This time I am sitting with the trees in
my gardens.
I am learning their magic.

I am trusting the trees.

The sun has come out.

I am seeking shade once again.

A Hackberry butterfly calls to me.
Time to dead head the butterfly bush.

I can do this quickly and
get back to my study of the trees.

I love sitting under the Ash Tree.
I love listening to the leaves sing in the wind.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-07-31T18:11:00.099-05:00

My husband asked me if I wanted to go
see the Ebony Jewel Wings this morning.

He thought we could leave after I finished my journal jottings.

He thought we could go before it became too hot.

I did want to go. I could jot later.

They are so very beautiful.

So very, very lovely.

They make me cry they are so elegant.

I love the Ebony Jewel Wings.

I love the way they talk to each other and

the way the males change from iridescent green to iridescent blue.

I love the way the females flash their wing dots.

I can almost hear them saying, "Hello."

We sat with the Jewel Wings for a couple of hours.

The Jewel Wings sustain me.
They are gentle spirits.
They eat mosquitoes!

My husband did the photographs today
with our macro lens.

I was happy to just sit with the damselflies.

I was content to be with the Jewel Wings.

I love Summertime because of the Jewel Wings.
It is their time of year.
I can see butterflies in the winter
if I go south or find a butterfly house near by.
I have not found an indoor
Dragonfly or Damselfly house for winter enjoyment.
The Ebony Jewel Wings have about three months
of flying every year.
Three months of hot and humid weather.
Summertime on the Tall Grass Prairie
includes these amazing bugs. I love living here.
I love living with the Ebony Jewel Wings.

We love turtles too.
A turtle with a Vivid Dancer is even better!

Wow!

We love drifts of wild flowers

and butterflies.

We love lotus and bees

but this Summer belongs to the Jewel Wings.

They make heat and humidity

tolerable, enjoyable because it is necessary for them.
It is their habitat.

Knowing the Jewel Wings are doing fine
gives me great hope.

Climate change is about but the Jewel Wings are adapting.
I will too. I am getting up earlier so I can greet the dawn.
I am inside during the heat of the day.
I rest. I read. I drink lots of water.

Back home I watched the Sunflowers and dreamed of
ways to create a backyard habitat for Ebony Jewel Wings.

I have the mosquitoes.

I just need a gentle brook with dappled shade.
I need a small forest glade. I think I could support a small group of Jewel Wings.
My husband thinks we could come up with something
for the Ebony Jewel Wings.
I love him for that.
I love him for taking me to see them this morning.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-07-24T16:14:00.001-05:00

It was cloudy when I went to the deck this morning.

It was much cooler.
It was enjoyable to be outside.

The bugs were out and about.

The mint is a favorite spot

as are the clovers.

When the clouds thickened
the butterflies and bees sought cover.

The birds came to the deck.
A brief shower freshened the air.

I love the smell of summer rain.

It was a short shower.

I watched Chippy lick the side of the clay pot.
I guess he needed minerals.

The Tigers came out with the sun.

The morning glories folded up.
The temperatures began to rise.

We had a short break from the heat.
Hope every one is staying cool.
Remember to set out water for the birds.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-07-17T13:22:00.000-05:00

Zebra.......

We whisper her name....
Zebra.......

My garden journal says she was here
last year on July 17th.

Zebra.....

Right on schedule.

Zebra.....

She is gorgeous.

Zebra.....

A heat advisory continues.

I seek the comfort of my fan.

Zebra!

Keep your cool,
tempers can flare in the heat.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-07-10T15:10:00.000-05:00

The female Black Swallowtail flew about the back yard.

I knew it was a female because of her lack of yellow markings
on her forewings.

My butterfly book says, "butterfly blood is yellow."
So very interesting.

I love taking her photograph.

The Tigers were out too.
It is hot, 97 degrees.

Some of the butterflies take to the shade.
This Dusty Wing stayed in the shade
as did the Summer Azure.

I am keeping a close eye on this Black Swallowtail caterpillar.

With each molt it changes in coloration.

These are bug and bloom days.
The Tiger Lilies are gorgeous.

The Rose of Sharon are in full bloom.

Day Lilies continue to add color to the borders.

The figs are beginning to ripen.
My friend says she would like to fold up her gardens in July.
She is weary of the heat and the dryness.
She feels this way every year.

I too am tired of the heat.
But I know the sunflowers do well
when the temperatures soar.

They are the highlight of my summer gardens.

I finished processing our trip photographs.
We ended our adventure with Paleo Rock Art.

I picked up a couple of books at the library.

Once the weather cools down I would like to see the rock art
here in Missouri.

I am reading during the hot afternoons

and dreaming of cooler times.

Stay cool and hydrated.
Happy Sunday Safari.

The Good Red Fox

2011-07-07T20:42:00.002-05:00

We have been walking in the cemetery at dusk for the last few weeks.

We have seen the good Red Fox but it has been too dark for photographs.

Tonight we walked a wee bit earlier while the daylight was still strong .

I am thrilled to have photographs.

We like the good Red Fox.

Sunday Safari

2011-07-03T18:15:00.003-05:00

I watched a Summer Azure nectar in the Queen Ann's Lace.

This is a tiny butterfly with less than an inch wingspan.

The Queen Ann's Lace is a favorite spot for many bugs.

It is my favorite wild flower.

I have been writing in my journal about freedom this weekend.

I have been thinking about the feedom to choose.

I am so happy the female Tiger Swallowtail,
in her black form, choose to visit the cone flowers today.

This one was very large with a wingspan of at least 4 inches.
Her tiger stripes were very visible.

I like white flowers.

The day lillies attracted Bumble Bees today.
I am always happy to see bees.

We had showers off and on all day.

I have been keeping the bird baths and puddlers full of fresh water.

In the heat the birds need water.

Lots of little ones are coming for seeds and nuts.

A pair of House Wrens are nesting.

They were here last year.

The mint is beginning to bloom,
fresh sweetness for the bees.

I saw an Indigo Bunting
in the vegetable garden.
I am so happy the birds and bugs chose
my backyard today.

Sunday Safari

2011-06-26T13:31:00.002-05:00

Today I went hunting for balance.

I have been watching this Robin who has lost his tail.
He still can fly. He still can hunt for food.

A full tailed Robin ran tail-less off the raisins.
I hope he can grow a new tail soon.
I will hide some raisins for him.

I am reading a very interesting book.
I have thousands of photographs. A huge collection.
Every day I take more, even though I am still processing
the 3,700 photographs I took while on holiday.

I have read page one 10-15 times.
I just keep rereading these two paragraphs.
I am reading it again while I post today.
I have also moved on in the book. I read a chapter and go back to page one. I am impressed.

"Several of the animal figures in the collection in the
Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc cave were drawn with a finger moving on a thin film of clay. In French the term for such drawing is trace digital, or digital drawing. We are at once linked from twenty-first- century digital images to the digital images of our ancestors, reminded that the computer-based use of the term is anchored in our very physical nature and reminded that construction of images is a purposeful act."

Today while I was taking photographs I thought about my
"purposeful act."
Sometimes I am looking for the relationship
of the bug and the bloom.
Here is a Hoover Fly in Queen Ann's Lace.

Sometimes I am looking at the patterns of the bug and the bloom.

For my collection of Queen Ann's Lace photographs
I needed the pink of the just beginning to open bloom.

Sometimes I am taking photographs and changing the
settings on the camera just to see what kind of effects
I can create.

I have photographed the
Eastern Tailed Blue many times.
Each time the light is different.
Each photo is unique.

Often I look for the way the light shimmers.
I will use different lens and cameras.

Often I am documenting relationships

seeing the pattern of life and enjoying the beauty.

Today I began a new collection of images.

This one is titled,
"Bees in the Moon Glow Coreopsis."

I took many photographs of the
Mason Bees today.

She is my favorite bee.

I hope to document all the different
bees and bugs that visit this year.

I will keep looking for balance
and maybe get another hard drive for storage.

Happy Sunday Safari

Sunday Safari

2011-06-19T18:22:00.001-05:00

A Great Spangled Fritillary nectared in the Purple Coneflower garden this afternoon.

Another fed in the butterfly bush.

They joined up for a short time.

I have seen all my butterfly friends since I have been home.

I missed them while gone.

I was shelling peas when the Giant Swallowtail came to the Garden Rue to lay eggs.

I shall be looking for Orange Dogs to emerge. The Garden Rue is for them.

It is hot and humid today.

My camera fogs up when I go outside with it.

We have had lots of rain. Another .7" fell last night.

I fell asleep to the sounds of thunder and rain.

Summer Solstice is Tuesday.

I shall watch the sunrise.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads.

I miss mine and am grateful for all the love he gave me.

I am processing trip photographs and doing up my scrapbook.

I am slowly getting back into the swing of things.

Happy Sunday Safari.

We are home

2011-06-18T23:53:00.000-05:00

We drove 5,468 miles.

We drove the trails west and home again.

We stopped for fossils and rock shows.

We visited National Parks and Monuments.

We visited our children in Oregon and California.

We followed worn paths.

We honored those who have also traveled
these sacred grounds.

Our wagon is very different from
the covered wagons of the 1840's.

We were comfortable sipping coffee,
talking and listening to music.

Our adventure has filled me with awe.

It will take me a few weeks to process
the 3,724 photographs we took.

There are wildflowers to identify.

We will decide on one photograph

to frame for our travel room.

I have bird sightings to record.

I found fossils on my travels

and met many amazing people.

We began our journey with a little
dashboard friend,
Horsey.

She entertained us for hours
as she pointed out wildlife
and gorgeous landscapes.

It is a beautiful country we live in.

We learned about the geology
of each area we traveled and about the
flora and fauna of the past.

Mammoth joined us in Oregon at the
John Day Fossil beds.
He has a very interesting story.
I am looking forward to sharing it with you.

I did some shopping too.
Lots of new books for my Natural History library.

I am happy to be home.

Happy to hear the cicadas sing and watch the fireflies.

Happy for lighting storms.

The butterflies and birds greeted me.

My children are happy.

We laughed and hugged

and laughed some more.

I already miss them.

Fossil hunting is my new hobby.
I am dreaming of gem trails.

We're Okay

2011-05-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

Tornadoes have ripped through our area these past few days.

Today five tornadoes dropped out of the clouds for a brief
reminder of how awesome nature can be.
Our city was spared this time.

Other areas were hit.

Tornadoes have destroyed many homes these last few days.
Many people have been killed.

In the mist of so much sadness and loss there has been an amazing outreach of kindness.

People helping each other.
People offering comfort.
People living from their hearts.

The storms pass.
The butterflies

and bees return to the gardens.

The birds are busy feeding young.

A pair of Sparrow eggs,

a poppy blossom,

a Great Crested Flycatcher grace my backyard.

The female Hummingbird comes to her feeder.

The Baltimore Orioles come for jelly in the rain.

We are almost ready to leave on our road trip.
We just need the rains to stop so we can mow the yard.

We are okay.
We are sad.

Mother Nature can be very fierce.
Mother Nature can be so very beautiful.
Stay safe.

Sunday Safari

2011-05-15T13:53:00.000-05:00

The poppies are opening

as are the peonies

and iris.

The butterfly bush has blooms.

The chamomile is ready to harvest.

Baby bunny tried to get into the spinach but we have it protected this year. The bunnies can eat clover.
The spinach is for the humans.

A cold front has come in.

Too cold for bugs.

I sat out with the birds wrapped up in my blanket.

I wore my jacket, hat and gloves.

The wind is a fresh breeze out of the north with temperatures in the upper 40's, brrr....

The Cat birds are nesting.

This past week we had over an inch of rain

but the winds have dried up the bird baths.

I refilled them twice.

We have had 40 different species of birds in the gardens
since May 1st.

Lots of males and females. Lots of babies.

I am studying and

making plans for our road trip.

I finished preparing for the workshop we are attending this week
on native pollinators.

Today is our son-in-love's birthday.
We sent a small gift.
We will celebrate his birthday with our daughter's
when we visit next month.

We have birthday wishes.

I have been doing some research on places to go
while in Portland, Oregon.
I am excited.

I am packing my book bag.
I want to see the birds, bugs and blooms of the
Pacific Northwest.

When we leave Portland we will head south.

We will visit our son and daughter- in- love.
They know all sorts of wonderful fossil places.

It is a long
Fossil Freeway we travel.
I hope to be home for summer solstice
unless we get involved in a dig!

Wish me luck!
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-05-08T19:22:00.001-05:00

An Indigo Bunting came to the backyard this morning.

A Cecropia Moth was on the trunk of our neighbor's tree.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks come often to the feeders.

We planted five fig trees.

Fruit is already setting.

I spent telephone time with my children.

I opened cards and gifts.

I miss them.

We talked about fossils and rocks.

We talked about coming for a visit.

We talked.

Soon we will share hugs and fossils.

Happy Mother's Day.

Happy 5 years of Q's Corner.

Happy Sunday Safari.

It is a busy day.

Sunday Safari

2011-05-01T14:51:00.000-05:00

The ribbons on the May Pole are still.
The morning winds have calmed. The rain and sleet have passed.
It is a cold, wet May Day.

The Oak Leaf lettuce is ready for picking.

The chamomile opened this morning opening.
I will have a Chamomile festival to celebrate.
I harvest the Chamomile for winter teas and hair rinses.

The Wild Columbine is blooming.
The Hummingbirds will be pleased.

The Azaleas are in full bloom .

The cool weather plants are thriving.

I watch the sugar snap peas grow. They have shot up
these last couple of days.

Soapwort is a gorgeous pink.

I potted up Fuchsia for May baskets.

I fell in love with the Fuchsia a few years ago.
This May I am learning how to propagate.

The Bridal Wreath Spirea has begun to bloom.
I propagated two bushes from an old bush 20 years ago.

My pansies and violas are in the best of spirits.
It is May!

I have projects planned for this month.
I have field trips and work shops planned.

Happy Sunday Safari.
Happy May Day!

Sunday Safari

2011-04-24T19:56:00.000-05:00

The Dogwoods are in full bloom.

The Dandelions are in first bloom.

The male Hummingbird is claiming his territory.

A pair of Hairy Woodpeckers have been coming to the nuts and suet cakes. I think they are nesting.

The scout for the Baltimore Orioles has found the grape jelly.
I heard him calling. Hopefully the rest of the Orioles will come in.
I have plenty of fresh grapes and oranges for them.

The Brown Thrashers have mated.
The pair come to the suet cakes.

These two Northern Cardinals are so cute.
They do lots of seed giving.

We went to a Chalk Walk festival.

It was a small festival but lots of fun.

Chalk art is one of my favorite art forms.

This is living in the now.

Art for the sake of art.

The hands of the artist fascinate me.

It is time to plant.

We hung the Fuchsia baskets
for the Hummingbirds.

I planted the window boxes
in mint.
I hope to to use the flavored mints in teas.
This lemon mint smell delicious.

Chocolate Mint is one of my favorites.
I will be making chocolate mint syrup
this summer.

The west window box is planted with Apple Mint.
It is a new to me mint.
Perhaps a few leaves in ice water will be refreshing.

I planted deep red petunias in with the mints.
The Hummingbirds will like them.

It has been a relaxing Easter.

Rain is in our forecast for the next few days.
I hope you had a blessed Easter.
Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-04-17T21:54:00.001-05:00

We went walking on a small section of tall grass prairie.
I was looking for spring wildflowers.
I was looking for butterflies.

I have brought out my field guides.

Once again I will try to learn my wildflowers.
I remember this is Yellow Rocket.
I will try to learn the names of the moths.
I remember a few from last year.

I need a field guide for bees. There are so many different species.

We had a pleasant walk on the prairie.
The Black Swallowtail finally let us take her photograph.

Seeing the Spring butterflies always makes me feel happy.
They have survived another winter.
Eastern Tailed Blues shimmered in the sunlight.

Wild Sweet William is just coming into bloom.
I shall look for my garden Sweet Williams.

I saw many blooms. Many trees, bushes and flowers that I do not know their names.

On the way home we looked for the Belted King Fisher.
We did not see him.

Instead we were treated to Blue Winged Teals and
a Great Blue Heron.

A pair of Killdeer patrolled the water's edge.

Canada Geese were nesting.

The water spoke to me.
I want to visit the wetlands.
I want to see the spring wildflowers that grow near water.
I want to see the butterflies of the wetlands.

Yesterday we looked out the dining room window
and saw a Bullock's Oriole at our feeders.
This is the first time we have ever seen one.
A very handsome bird.
He is very far East for his range.
I hope he finds his way to his nesting grounds.
I am looking for the Baltimore Orioles and the
Orchard Orioles now. Perhaps he migrated with them.

The full Pink Moon is tonight.
We will sit on the deck and gaze at her.

We went to a kite festival yesterday afternoon.
A strong south westerly breeze made for easy flying.

Our friends came over for movie night last night.
We watched "Pirates of the Caribbean- Dead Man's Chest."
That was lots of fun!
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-04-10T18:38:00.001-05:00

All day the wind has blown as a fresh breeze
with gusts up to 25 mph. Temperatures once again rose into the upper 80's. Too warm for April.

We opened the windows and the sweet scent
of the white lilac drifted through the house.
Spring is in her second act.

The pear tree our friends from England
gave us last September is blooming.
A treasured reminder of their kindness and friendship.

More daffodils have bloomed. I am taking photographs of hearts this year. I am pleased I planted this group in a heart shape. I wear my heart on my sleeve so it is no surprise I have heart shapes around me. I deadheaded the spent daffodils. Keeping my flower beds up this year is my goal. I have native plants mixed in with the cultivated. I have flowers for the bees and butterflies and my kitchen table all planted together. I have vegetables planted in with the flowers. Each flower bed has a herb or two.

The dogwoods are blooming.

The birds have mated and are building nets.

We have moved the nuts and suet

to their summertime places.

Red Bellied looked around for a bit

until he found the nuts.

These days of fresh southernly breezes could

help the song birds migrate.

I have been following the migration of the

Hummingbirds.

Some have been sited in my area and even farther north.

I set up the Hummingbird feeding station.

Any day they could arrive.

We walked in the cemetery

this afternoon.

We saw a pair of Blue Birds.

In my backyard the bugs are waking up.

I look for them

on the flowers and in the grass.

I look for the bugs.

I have missed them.

Happy Sunday Safari.

I am savoring every minute of Spring.

Today it is Bumble Bees

that have stolen my heart.

Sunday Safari

2011-04-03T16:41:00.002-05:00

We celebrate the New Bee Moon today.
We will be in the dark of the moon now until the Full Pink Moon.
Now is a good time to plant root vegetables.

It is very warm today.
Thundershowers are in the forecast for tonight.

We are under a wind advisory.
A strong wind from the southwest has flatten many of the flowers.

I sat with the daffodils just in case the wind and severe
weather damages them.
Having daffodil time is always a delight in the Spring.

I am following "Journey North" as I watch for the
Baltimore Orioles and the Hummingbirds to arrive.
The Juncos will leave soon for their northern breeding areas.

The Mockingbirds continue to delight me.

They do like raisins.
Soon I will put out oranges and grapes for the Orioles.

The birds are beginning to nest.

The wild violets are opening.
I saw Mason bees in the Spicebushes.

My husband cleaned up a bee box.
It is early for the Mason bees to nest but just in case
we like to be ready.

I have my sun hats out.
The temperatures will moderate but today is hot!

We have had a few nice surprises.
The Christmas cactus has re-bloomed

and a Black Swallowtail emerged.
My husband brought in a chrysalis he found the first of March when he clean up the hops vine. I placed it in a bowl of dried flowers.
What an honor to see this miracle of nature.

I stamped the calendar and made notes in my garden journal.

I celebrate the bee in April.
Each day I do something to honor this noble creature.
I collect bee lore.

In April I am falling in love every day.
Today I once again fall in love with the Moon.

I collect Moon lore.

The New Moon is known as the Grandmother Moon.

I can feel the stirrings of love.
After reading The Illustrated Cottage I have been inspired.

Nina Williams created in her home and gardens a frame work for a fairy tale. An amazing book and a cleaver idea.

I love the Art Nouveau style. Yet my home and gardens are much different.

My home and gardens tell the story of two lovers.
I look around and see my photographs on the wall. I see the art work my children did when they were young. I see family photographs and lovely reminders of our parents and Grandparents. I see the woodworking my husband has done. I see the gifts from family and friends. I see birds, bees, butterflies and buds.
I see beautiful. I see a wabi-sabi home.

As I look about once again I am in love with my home and gardens. I am in love with my collections and my passions.
I am in love with our music and baseball on radio.
I am in love with April.

I shall look for the Bee in the sky.
It is near the Pleiades, my favorite constellation.

I am falling in love; head over heels.
I am falling in love with this life I am living.
May you fall in love with your life this April.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday safari

2011-03-27T14:30:00.001-05:00

I bundled up this morning when I went outside to feed the birds.
It was cold. This afternoon's high is in the 30's.
The snow yesterday was only flurries but left a dampness and a cold
that gets into my bones.

Robin was all puffed up staying warm
while he protected his raisins. He keeps the Starlings and the Sparrows away from the deck and the seed trays.

We are putting out two bowls of raisins

so the Mockingbirds do not have to wait for Robin to be distracted.
Keeping the raisins apart seems to be working.
We do not need any fights over raisins.
I try to keep a peaceful backyard.

The parade of flowers has slowed down.
The cooler temperatures are nice for the daffodils but
will keep the tulips from blooming.

We went to the Alpaca show.

So many different types of Alpacas to admire.

We had a fun time visiting with fiber folk we know

and taking pictures of the darling Alpacas.

I had a wonderful visit with Gloria Smith.
She and her husband raise Paco-Vincunas.

I have visited their farm and have met some of these animals.
I have Athena's yarn in my knitting basket.
She is a very beautiful animal.

I love this fiber.
It is very soft and lightweight but warm.

I enjoy knitting with Paco-Vincuna.
I enjoy just holding the yarn.

While writing this morning I realized how
much I depend on the adventure of discovery
for my energy.

Often an idea will stir other ideas and I will once again be fired up.

While I wait for warmer Spring days I am thinking
about how wonderful an edible front yard would be.

I am listening to Jazz and

finding my French connection.

I am listening to animals.

I am studying the Olive.
I have a few every afternoon.

I shall be looking for a tree and a pot
and a place for my Olive Tree to grow indoors next winter.

While I wait for my next discovery and the joy of falling, once again, head over heels in love, I am taking comfort in what is around me. March is slowly coming to an end. April showers are in the forecast. I hope they are rain showers for May flowers.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-03-20T19:19:00.001-05:00

Hello Spring!

Yesterday's rain washed Winter away.

We went to the Medicine Wheel this afternoon.

I made my offering. Spring has come.

The cycle continues.

Daffodiles are blooming

as are the miniature iris.

The turtles were basking

as was the skink.

We saw very few bugs but I know they are waking up.

I always look for the Red Fox.
This is one of the many sculptures at the gardens we visited
this afternoon.

They had lots of Tete-a-tete Daffodils in bloom.
So charming. Mine are a few weeks away from bloom.

Seeing kites flying was very fun.
I am looking forward to flying kites.
Maybe this week.

We heard lots of frogs but never saw them!

It was a gorgeous first day of Spring.
Temperatures soared to 80 degrees.

On the way home we saw a King Fisher.

There is a new development near a small river
not far from our house.

I was surprised to see the Kingfisher so near the road.

When he flew into a wooded area I was pleased.

Loss of habitat is everywhere.
I hope he has good fishing this Spring.

I want to visit the Tall Grass Prairie soon.
I want to see Spring wildflowers.

Our pair of Mocking birds

are fun to watch.

The Forsythia is in full bud.

The crocus continue to bloom.

Sweet Spring has come.
We saw another bee this afternoon
and a two butterflies.
Soon all manner of bees and butterflies will wing their way
into my gardens.
I am happy.
The bugs are returning.
I have missed them.

Happy Sunday Safari.
Happy Spring.

Sunday Safari

2011-03-13T18:14:00.000-05:00

A Winter storm is coming in.
We are to have snow overnight.
I have Spring inside.
The white roses are opening
filling the house with the smell of Spring.

Vases filled with flowers help me stay warm.

I have been reading this afternoon and looking out the backdoor.
Little Chipmunk filled his checks few times.

The Cardinals are choosing mates.
Watching seed giving makes me feel as if I am part of this ritual..

The birds are fueling up before the storm.

March is a very fun month.
Often it is a reading month.
Often it is a learning month.

Tracing DNA to find
the roots of the Celtic people
is fascinating.

I am continuing my arm chair travels.

The more I learn about
Wales the more I want to walk this magical land.

St. Patrick's Day
is Thursday.

I think I will make a pot of potato soup.
Maybe the snow will be melted
and we will be able to plant our potatoes.

I send blessings to Japan.
May her people find comfort.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-03-06T19:01:00.003-06:00

We took our cameras with us when we walked this afternoon.
We went to an old cemetery hunting for
Celtic Crosses.

We found a few.

This one was full of celtic knots.

The back was very interesting.

There are chapels tucked into wooded areas.

It is a beautiful place to walk.

A Red Tailed Hawk flew over.

We stopped and watched
as he dipped and soared away.

Fungi are amazing.

A native stone wall surrounds the cemetery.
I could spend hours investigating the rocks.

It is still nippy out,
but Spring is on her way.

Robins found lots of places to perch up.

I counted four chapels.

I sat outside in my backyard for a little while.
It is to rain this coming week.
I may not be able to sit with the birds every day.

I found a book at the library
about tatting.

I brought out my Great-grandmother's
shuttle and some of her tatting.
I want to do something special with her work.

We are making our plans for the week.
Some friends are coming for dinner on Saturday.
I am dressing the dining room table.

I chose a green shawl to be the under layer.

I was so pleased to see the Pisces fishes.
Once my Grandmother's crochet tablecloth is on
the fishes will not show but I will know they are there.
I shall use green and yellow
depression glass for our place settings.
I shall design a centerpiece.
Doing up the table is very fun.

We celebrate Mardi Gras this coming week.

There are just enough activities to keep us busy
as we wait for Spring.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-02-27T16:25:00.001-06:00

The fog engulfed the gardens all day.

I was transported to another time

and place.

Snow still lays on the ground.

After I fed the birds
I took my books and blankets to the deck.

We have packed up February
and have cleaned the house.

We have decorated for March.

We have our calendar of events.

We hung the shamrock

and our kites.

Kites are good,

so very, very good.

Soon the weather will warm
and the winds will carry our kites skyward,
soon, very soon.

I heard Flicker and saw him fly into the Ash tree.
The fog clouded him.

The Ash Tree, Nion, is associated with Pisces.
I thought of my friend and her love of the Trees.
She is a Pisces.

Flicker doesn't seem to be afraid of me.
He feed while I watched.
I was lost in thought,
lost in remembering and dreaming.

Robin comes for raisins.
He is very protective of his raisins.

March has always been about
Ireland and kites at my house.

I have hunted for Fairies

and quoted the
Irish.

I have celebrated St. Patrick's Day
and I have been inspired.

I have made all sorts of
St. Patrick's Day crafts.

I have loved the fog.

This year I am adding Wales
to my March.

I am studying their traditions.

I am learning about St. David,

daffodils, leeks and Red Dragons.

I am gathering seed.
We will plant our Spring kitchen garden
as soon as the snow melts.

I am arm chair traveling
in March.

I am adding Celtic Astrology
to my understanding of the
ancients.
I am adding the
Lunar Zodiac of the Druids
and tree lore to my March.

My friend told me about a BBC
program called, "Merlin."
She is waiting for season 4 to begin.
My daughter helped me find, on line,
season one and two.
It is wonderful.
I watch one episode every day.

I am very much a Yankee
in King Arthur's Court.

I know very little about Arthur
and Merlin.
They are now part of my March.
I will learn their story.

I did not have children's stories when I was young.
It was when my children were young
I discovered tall tales and legends.

It is in March,
when my house is dressed in Hobbit colors,
chiefly green and yellow,
that I hold close magic rings.

It is in March I have conversations
in the fog and mist.
I read Merlin is buried in Wales.

We are having a thunderstorm.
The rains are to turn to sleet and snow.
February has been a wild weather ride.

May your March be blessed
with good health and prosperity.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-02-20T13:20:00.000-06:00

It is the 14th annual Backyard Bird Count weekend.

I was pleased to see the male Red-bellied Woodpecker.

A flock of American Robins

came for water and raisins.

The wind blew strong out of the south.
It was 64 degrees F at 1pm.
I heard the Snow Geese before I saw them.
A huge migrating flock flew over my house.

For a brief moment

I was part of Spring migration.

There are many birds that call our urban backyard home.

The Red Breasted Nuthatch

is one of the smaller birds.

I did not know they ate Dogwood buds!

Most days we have over a hundred birds
visit the feeders.

I counted 24 Northern Cardinals.
It is busy in our backyard.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-02-13T15:29:00.075-06:00

By 10 am the temperatures were in the upper 40's F.
The wind was calm.
I went outside to be with the birds.

A pair of Tufted Titmice came for nuts

as did a pair of Carolina Wrens.

I am far from Spring

but milkweed seeds are dancing

and migration has begun.

The sparrows have begun shopping for
nesting boxes.

In February, the Tall Grass Prairie
often is blanketed with snow.
My gardens are still snow covered.
I sat with my books and my note pad.
My camera nestled on my lap.

As the temperatures rise the snow slowly waters
my bulbs and perennials.
I do not want to hurry Spring.
I am content to watch as she slowly emerges.

I shall be planting my chives soon.
They are an early Spring herb
that the bees and butterflies love.

A pair of Red-tailed Hawks hunted
my backyard.
I enjoyed the sun on my face.

We celebrate Valentine's Day
tomorrow.

I shall celebrate all week.

Have a
Happy Valentine's Day.

Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-02-06T13:58:00.002-06:00

The female Yellow Shafted Flicker is a regular visitor.

I stand at the backdoor and watch her.

I am so pleased she is comfortable.

My daughter helped me find Dragon patterns.

I want to embroidery a Dragon on a hat.

Now to figure out how to do it.

A few more hyacinth are in bloom.
I love the way they scent the house with the promise of Spring.
The tulips are just about over.

Thirty-five years ago my husband gave me Lady Bug
mini pillow for Valentine's Day.
She comes out in February along with my other Lady Bugs.

My Father gave my Mother lady bug scatter pins.
I wear them in February.

Lady bugs pop up all over my house in February.

On my 19th birthday I was very sick

with pneumonia.

My husband and I had just met.
He brought me a big Teddy Bear to help me get well.
Teddy comes out in February and sits on the bed.
Teddy helped me once again recover from pneumonia.

I still feel very tired. I need to rest often.
I do enjoy my handiwork.
These little Teddies might be fun to make out of felted sweaters.
I have a few of them waiting to be used.

We have chick peas cooking to make hummus.
The Super bowl game is later this afternoon.
Maybe I will sew up a Teddy and have hummus and chips and watch the game. I really enjoy the commercials.

I bought out a photograph album I bought years ago.
I will have to decide what to put in it.
I have lots of photographs of bugs I love.

Happy Sunday safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-01-30T16:37:00.001-06:00

I have been very sick this past week.
My doctor prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia.

I feel better today.
I was able to have a short time in the sun with the birds.

I have much compassion for those who have illness.

My husband has been a gentle care giver.

He picked up books at the library for me.
He fixed our meals.
He checked on me while I rested.

He has cared for the details.

Together we were able to pack up
our January decorations and clean the house.

The forced red tulips are in bloom.
I have cut a few for vases
and have left the others growing in soil.

They are part of my February decorating.

I have brought out the poems of
Rumi for February.

Basho is my new love
he walked with me when I was so very sick.
His face looks just like my husband.
I will keep his Elegant Way, his wabi sabi way,
while I twirl and spin in the love of Rumi.

We have fun in February.

We read stories from the
Arabian Nights

and listen to sitar music while
sipping Turkish coffees.

We watch the weather reports.
February often has terrible ice storms.
A Winter storm is on its way for tonight and tomorrow.
My husband is making sure we have everything
we need to be comfortable in case we are iced in.
I am working on
our calendar of events.

We have plans to hold hands on
Valentine's Day.
Perhaps a dance in the kitchen
after a light supper.
Luna New Year is February 3rd.
I am planning a nice stir fry for supper.
Candlemas is the 2nd. I will make some candles.
The wearing of red and black is the 1st.

We have plans to take care of
each other this month.

These are familiar ways.

I will be well soon.

Happy February.
Happy Sunday Safari.

Sunday Safari

2011-01-23T13:43:00.001-06:00

As we approached the sand ford of the Meramec River
we saw three Bald Eagles perched in the Sycamore trees.
A good omen.

The Caverns are amazing.
I am continuously awed by the work of Mother Nature.

Caves are cool. This one is a constant 60 degrees,
warm for Missouri winters and refreshing in summer.

A shallow river runs through this cavern
making for majestic reflections.

Over 100,000 visitors
walk this 1 1/2 hour tour each year.

When we visited last week it was just
the two of us and our tour guide.

Wonderful ratio for photographers.

Using daylight fill in
I was able to get some nice macros.

My husband used a monopod and a wide angle lens
to get some of the sweeping cavern vistas.
This curtain is world renown.

The Eagles were still perched up
when we came out to our car.
This intimate experience has wetted
my appetite for spelunking.

Missouri has many Show Caves
to keep me busy too.

On the way home from the Caverns
I began running a fever.

I am able to control the fever with aspirin.
I am listening to healing music.

I have my books,

my spinning and knitting

and the birds to keep me occupied.

I am staying inside,
studying the dust on the windowsills.

I am reviewing the print material I picked up

from the Missouri Botanical Library.

I may order a few prints.

I do hope I am on the mend soon.
Happy Sunday safari.
I hope you and yours are well.