Presents

I was playing with my roses,
when the north wind began to blow.
The wind harp began to sing her magical songs.
I looked out the window and saw a light snow falling in the sunlight.
The air was filled with music and glitter.
I grabbed my coat and my hat.

Cooper's Hawk flew in.

Thank you Cooper!

Happy Birthday!

"Wake Up!
For today is your Day of all Days."

The Birthday Bird of Katroo came calling.

"Then the bird says,
"Come on! Brush your teeth and let's go!
It's your Day of all Days!
It's the Best of the Best!"

I popped right up.
I wanted to see the sun rise.
I want to enjoy each minute of this day.

Today is my birthday!

Gathering 2007

I am reflecting today on 2007.
I have looked back at each month.
I remember the hope I had in January.
I had made plans for exotic gardens.
Mother Nature had another plan.

The Chick-a-dees
reminded me of the Spring.
It came so early and was frozen in April.

Nature changed me this past year.
She changed the way I garden.
She changed the way I find joy.
She showed me planting native,
planting for the butterflies,
was exotic.
She taught me to trust.



The Carolina Wrens always make me smile.
Their song and their call is cheerful.
They are just who they are.
They taught me acceptance with joy.




The Cardinals were my birds for the year.
I watched and learned their different nuances.
I learned all their different sounds.
I can anticipate their next move.
They taught me awareness.

The White Breasted Nuthatches are new to my backyard.
They taught me anything is possible.
Somethings more probable when I cooperate with nature.
Today as I gather 2007 I am aware of how much I have learned,
not only about nature but also about myself.
I am making my plans for 2008.
I have a theme and a word.
2008 is my year to have fun.
Please join me.

The Posing Ball

I never tire of sitting outside with the birds.
I enjoy watching them.

The ball finials on the deck posts
give a nice spot to perch.

The birds land and look at me.

When they feel comfortable
they come down to the seed trays.

Sometimes they stay for awhile.
Sometimes they rest.
Sometimes they want raisins!

Snow

Home again

Weather delays create a domino
effect for the airlines.



High winds in the west
and a winter storm in the mid-west
kept me on the ground for a few hours in the south.
Storms move on and so did I .

I had planned for a day of travel.
My carry on bag was full of nutritious snacks
my daughter had packed for my return trip.

My new book,
"The Pacific Northwest an Interpretive History"
by Carlos Arnaldo Schwantes, kept me entertained.
I will return to the Pacific Northwest.
I want to see Portland , Oregon in the spring.
I want to laugh again with my daughter and the Gulls.

Coming home was a delight.
A freezing mist reminded us
to be full of care as we followed
the well known highways,
black ice is invisible.
We had all the time we needed to return safely,
no hurry, no worry no stress.

Our son greeted us with warm lights
and hugs.
I slept in this morning.
The birds had been well cared for while I was gone.

It is good to travel.
It is good to return home.

Alphie

Clear Skies

My son and I were visiting
out on the deck.

It felt warm in the sun.
The sky was clear.

The birds came and went.

They did not mind our chatter.

Mockingbird was looking for his raisins.
I treasure these warm winter days with my son.

Melting

The sun was bright today.



The temperatures rose into the 40's.




The ice melted from the trees.

The snow is almost gone.

Our son arrived from California.
We will spend some time together.

He will care for our house when we leave
for a Winter Holiday.
All is well.

Snow

It was snowing lightly when I awoke.
It continued throughout the day.

My husband and I trimmed our family tree.
We listened to Christmas carols.
We baked cookies together.

The birds came to the gardens.
They came to the feeding stations.
They came to the deck and the porch.

Lots and lots of birds.
I filled the feeders twice.
I scattered seed all over the deck.

We watched the birds and ate our cookies.

The Nutcracker

Sunset

The waxing Crescent Moon
beckoned to me.



I wanted to watch the sunset.



The geese flew over.
The Cardinals came to feed.

All afternoon the air
has been filled with shimmering light.

Lots of the ice melted today.
If it does snow tomorrow the trees
will not be so laden with ice.

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun,
do-do-do-do.

Brilliant light!

Sun?

I was excited to get up this morning.
The forecast is for sunny skies.
Warming up too,
all the way to 37 degrees.

I was showered and dressed
with morning chores all finished, early.
I wanted to be outside in the sun.

"Mockingbird, where is the sun?
It is ten o'clock in morning.
I dressed in blue to greet the sky!"

I am tired of grey.

I am tired of ice.
I am waiting on the sun.
Freezing fog does nothing for me.

Yes?

Tap-tap-tap.
Tap-tap-tap.
Tap-tap-tap.



I was in my office.
I was working on a Christmas project,
just listening to music and scanning away.

Tap-tap-tap.
Tap-tap-tap.
Tap-tap-tap.

Finally she got my attention.

Oh dear, she was out of nuts.
"Okay, let me get my boots and my coat.
I need my leg warmers and my hat and gloves.
Hang on, it will take me a minute."

The Holly and The Ivy

It is cold.

My world is frozen.

Even my music is covered in ice.

My world is awesome.
I have reverence for nature.
I have wonder and some fear.

It is difficult.
The seed is covered in ice.

I walk full of care.