Whistle While You Work

Birds

The wind came up,
blowing strong out of the Northwest.



I took a break from cleaning.
I am almost finished.

I planted 120 Anemone corns.
I had forgotten all about them.
Today was my window to get them into the ground.

A winter storm is coming in.

Maybe I have enough daylight left to wash the outside of the windows.
I don't want them too clean.
I don't want the birds flying into the windows!

Bitten and Smitten

Just a little story.

Last night, after Cardinal time,
while preparing the house for our evening,
I saw dust.
I was lowering the blinds in the living room.
There was dust.
Lots of dust.

I went for the lamb's wool duster. I had to hunt for it. I turned on the ceiling fixture so I could see better. There was dust. Where did all this dust come from?
I had a few minutes before it would be time to start supper. I came to my desk thinking I would come visiting. See what was going on with you. After a short while the desire to clean the wood blinds in the kitchen came over me.
When my husband came home from work he found me sitting in the sink. I was cleaning. I had been bitten by the cleaning bug. This is no ordinary bug. This desire to dust and sweep the crumbs away only comes once in awhile.

This morning the desire to clean was strong. I began scrubbing the floors and walls. I dusted ceilings and shook curtains. Inside and outside the cabinets my dust cloth wiped. I flew about cleaning and singing and having so much fun.
The tops of the doors, crown molding, chair rails and the baseboards were all dusted. The crevice tool came out. This is serious cleaning. I scrubbed floors and tile. Windows and sills washed and polished. I am not expecting company. I am not entertaining. I do not know why I am cleaning as if an event is about to happen.

Then I heard the birds.
Oh my, I forgot to feed the birds.

I gathered the seed and the nuts and went out.
They were waiting for me.

I realized how smitten I am with the birds. All of them. I am delighted with the Cardinals. The Sparrows make me laugh. The Gold Finches are so sweet. The Purple Finches glitter in the light. I enjoy bird time.
It is not a case of one or the other.
I can be bitten and smitten at the same time. I can take care of the house, the gardens, me and the birds.
Today I have enthusiasm. Today I have energy. Today I am excited.
The Season of Light is coming.
I am preparing to let the light in. I am preparing to shine.

Packing up November

Still some leaves cling to the bushes.

The wind harp sings off and on as the breeze
plays her strings.

I am packing up the November decorations.
It is an in between time.
Not yet Winter and the warmth of Autumn is passing.
Even on warm days there is a chill.

The skies are blue with just a little haze.
Rain mixing with snow is in our forecast.

I am getting my December things out.
Time to deck the halls.
I am giving myself all the time I need.
No rushing about.
No worries. No stress.

Book Club

"The Pillow Book" arrived
a few weeks ago.
There are many translations.

Sei Shonagon (966-1017) kept a journal
while living at the imperial court of Empress Teishi,
in what is now Kyoto, Japan.
Her work is considered a classic.
One I have never read.

Liza Dalby refers to this journal often
in "East Wind Melts the Ice".
I am intrigued.
My daughter used different passages
as jumping off points for writing exercises
when she studied for her masters.
I too am using "The Pillow Book"
for inspiration.
If you would like to join in I will
post a little something for
"Book Club".
I think this will be a fun
winter activity.

Cardinal Time

At sunset the Cardinals come to the deck.

Tonight I counted 18.

They come off and on during the day too.
One or two at a time.

It is at sunset they gather.

It is known as "Cardinal time" at our house.

In the American Indian tradition the Cardinal represents,

"Your work has meaning."

We can make a difference.

Full Frost Moon

During the night the moon turned full.



The clouds came in.

A light snow is falling.
Full frost at my house.


Happy Full Frost Moon.

Anything Goes

We Gather Together

First Snow

Before the snow began
I set up a few more seed tables.
I replenished the seed trays.

The feeders were full of birds.
Many birds were waiting for their turn.

So many Cardinals came for lunch,
I lost count.

I made three wishes on the first snow.

I opened the door and sat in the doorway.
The oven was on and the cold air was refreshing.
Safe travel to those who are on the roadways and in the sky.

Thanksgiving Eve

I am baking cinnamon rolls
for my husband on this Thanksgiving Eve.
The cold rain began during the night.
It is suppose to change to snow this afternoon.

I have my music on as I work in the kitchen.
I had filled the seed trays early this morning.

I heard a Cardinal chirping away.
Perhaps there was trouble out on the deck.

The female Cardinal was sitting on my chair looking into the house.
The seed trays were empty.

I am grateful

The temperatures continued
to rise this afternoon.
I was hoping for a butterfly.



The Eastern Comma floated down from the sky.
At first I thought she was a leaf.

I am so grateful to see her.
She is my November butterfly.

She winters over as an adult
in the bark of a tree.

She could emerge again this coming winter.
She likes rotting fruit.
Here she is in her cool-season dress.

Windy

A strong southern wind
is blowing the leaves.
Winter storm warning for tonight and tomorrow.

I set up a few more serving trays.

I set up a few more water bowls.

The birds are my guests for Thanksgiving.

I invited them to stay all winter.

Unseasonably warm

It has been warm.
Today it is 72 degrees out.
The roses have begun to bloom.

An Orange Sulphur found a dandelion.

Over the weekend my husband and I went
to a nature reserve that is close to our house.

We watched ducks and inland gulls.

We watch Double-crested Cormorants.
I took photos of reflections.
My artful life seems to be out in nature.

The birds know

The forecast is for sunny skies
and 62 degrees.
Maybe this afternoon the skies will clear.
Maybe this afternoon the wind will shift
and warm air will blow in from the south.
Maybe so.

This morning,
the air is cold and the skies are very gray.
I felt a little mist
when I went to feed the birds.


They waited on me.
Once I was wrapped in my blanket and sitting quietly,
they came to the deck.

There are many Cardinals.
Their numbers keep increasing.

Mockingbird found his cherry.
I set out a bowl of them for him.
The birds are telling me a storm is on the way.
I believe the birds.

Indian Summer

Change

Life changes,
sometimes so gradually it is hard to notice.



My friend came over for an unexpected visit.
Once we visited each week.
Now not even once a month.
Her life has changed.
The demands of work and family
have taken her time and her attention.
Her wants and needs are different.

We shared a cup of soup.
She told of her comings and goings.

She has changed.

I am aware of the subtle changes of nature.

I watch as the leaves turn and slowly slip off the branches.

I watch the light change as dawn turns to twilight.
It is with people I seldom see the subtle change.
I too am different. I too have changed.
Many moons have passed over my roof.
My coming and goings are with the butterflies and the birds.

Goodbye Indian Summer

The north wind
is blowing cold air into my region.

A few blooms survive.

The birds

and the squirrels keep me company.

I am saying goodbye today.
Indian Summer is too short.