To begin the week, it was a chilly morning upon my wake-up hour. But the sky was clear; cloudless. I really had no special plans to do much of anything...I was playing lazy. I even went back to take a nap, only a couple hours after I got up for the day!! And I slept! Now, I tellya, that respite really ruined my mojo. I couldn't get going afterward. Okay, so for the slow start, I had an old power line, ceramic, very large, insulator that I picked up, that had fallen from the pole, on a deserted county road when I was out looking for hawks, etc. several days ago.
It's been a bit too quiet around here since last I posted. I got the house cleaned thoroughly from ceiling to carpet and tiles! Even scrubbed bathroom fixtures and such. Oh, and this is an exclamation point according to Bud....I replaced toilet paper rolls in both bathrooms and tissue boxes. Hey...I figure he can do that himself so why should I? LOL But, it 'made his day' and he marked the day with red on the calender. [it's just a nuisance of a job]
I've been reading SERVANTS by Lucy Lethbridge. About the historical facts of the use of servants both with royalty and middle class up through the ages, in the U K. Maybe a bit like Backstairs at the white house mini series from yesteryear [United States]. Except this book is NOT first person. [which I'd prefer]. We have the DVD set of the mini series, I think we'll be watching it again...it's been ages!! I've also been on my annual witch hunt. Y'know me by now, each August, the stores start bringing out those lovely hags for me to add to my collection!!! I've purchased some since they began showing up on August 1st. Tuesday morning is always a sure bet. Bought two there. At AT HOME I have purchased two others, and a few more at Home Goods. Bud wants to go back today [Wednesday] and see what others they put out. I was there yesterday and they had their carts loaded with them, but not put on shelves yet. I even bought a pumpkin head witch there...or was it at AT HOME? dunno for certain.
Before Home Goods opened their doors, I drove to an area in town that I've never been. You see, I've been hitting all the hotspot birding areas from the past where I've seen Wood Storks [no delivery of babies kind tho!] in the hot summer months; to no avail. Another birder alerted me to a shallow lake spotting of them. I used my GPS on my phone [didn't get lost!] and drove right up to the lake! I was jumping for joy! Seriously, the numbers don't lie....the lake was actually overcrowded in some areas...WOOD STORKS!! I estimated 80-125 of them! In the water feeding on fish, along the shoreline surrounding the banks, and flying off into the wild blue yonder! There were two observing benches too. And nice shade trees there, even tho it didn't cool it off much. But, at last, I found 'em, thanks to another birder's heads-up!! I will add closer views of the storks on my bird photo blog over the weekend.
After cleaning the entertainment center, and re-doing the bedding in the master bedroom, I was thinking since it's so hot outdoors, I will probably play at doing a new sketch. I have one in mind, but have yet to begin with drawing any lines. But, for the past few days I've been reading my new book that arrived from Amazon. Naturally, it's about birds. More so the other several different species of Caracara birds. A couple of weeks ago, when I left while the sun was rising over the horizon, and the dew was still on the wild grasses in the field; I spotted the Texas species of the Caracara [one I haven't seen in a several months in the wild]. Then, the next day, my ordered book arrived! Ironic. It really will be an interesting book for me. I will learn about a whole 'nother genus of the raptor family on the Falkland Islands. From the writings of Darwin when discovered while on the ship, the Beagle, to the new century! [pronounced as in carrot...cara cara]
I also failed to mention when I was searching at AT HOME for throw pillows for the master bed, this store was filling the shelves with HALLOWEEN already. You know me. Oh boy, like a kid in a penny candy store!!!! They had out on display two witch dolls. One, I bought. Also, a Halloween gnome. Yep, bought that too. And, last year, at the very same store, they had their black artificial trees [like Christmas trees] for 90% off. It's been sitting here at home for nearly 6 months now, and I am anxious to decorate it. I will probably buy from Dollar Tree when they stock Halloween stuff. But, the anticipation is great 'bout now.
Here are the Crested Caracara of Texas [also Old Mexico].
The two parents [orange skin around the bill]...the lone adult male...and a juvenile [still with pink skin around the bill]!
Once again, since I've been staying home for the most part to stay out of the heat and getting caught in heavy rainstorms most mornings recently, I have made do with playing on the phone [a jigsaw puzzle app], watering plants on the patio, reading, and drawing some. The other day when I was out checking my flower crops, I noticed the incredible clouds that were storm clouds brewing...the higher up in the sky they go, the more moisture will fall...somewhere! I had my cellphone in my pocket so I snapped some photos. Also, once again, I took photos of some flowers blooming in the yard [and bushes]. When I got back indoors I thought I'd attempt getting a very short video of the newest 'gift' I bought for our daughter, Irene. She collects pigs [she has a hutch in her home filled with pigs, pigs, pigs!] This one I couldn't resist. In fact, I've been tempted to keep it for myself...but, I won't. I have enough collections going as it is!! Need to get it to UPS so they can package it and ship it to her!! In the meantime...this is just a few seconds long:
here is a still in case the video doesn't load and 'bobble'...
The morning sky:
Recently, after I uploaded and installed a new puzzle app on my phone...when it starts to get too hot outdoors, I come in to cool down and I usually end up reading my book [a new one I found on Olivia de Havilland -Melanie on Gone With the Wind from 1939] She recently passed away at the age of 104. Speaking of collections, I have tried to find over the last 30 years or so, biographies on all the main characters from that movie...I have Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Hattie McDaniels, and have been searching for a couple of good ones...one on Olivia and another on Leslie Howard [Ashley]. I finally found Olivia's Biography-Autobiography published just after her death. It's a good book. Full of Hollywood gossip and tidbits of her early acting career at the age of 16. Okay, where was I? Oh ya, puzzles. Our puzzle table was torn down and stored for when Erik came to Corpus in May. We probably won't put it back up in the library until all our yard work is done. So, with this app I can get my 'puzzle fix' and I can choose the grade of difficulty. I choose 275 pieces. It's a VERY GOOD app. Many, MANY free puzzles to choose. Altho, it eats up a lot of battery! Maybe 3 to 4 puzzles before the phone's battery is near exhausted. Here are screenshots from the phone's app...
Same ol' flowers, different days from the last time I posted:
To close off for the day, I have to mention that we decided to do some electrical work ourselves. Luckily Bud did this kinda stuff in the Navy aboard ship. But, that was 60 some years ago!! Give or take a few years. A lot has changed. Arthritic hands and knees, eyesight not so good, etc. etc. But, we conquered the job and saved ourselves over $300. We [mostly Bud] tore our fluorescent kitchen light apart and replaced the ballast behind the bulb casing!!! An hour's job for a professional electrician, it took us 3 hours of up and down the ladder, trips to Lowes in the rainstorms, sore neck breaks often...etc. etc. But, it's now done. I haven't put the light fixture's cover back on yet as I need to get back to Lowes for a new light tube. One's very weak and needs replaced before I put the cover up...why put it all together when another job will come all too quickly!!
...and to continue showcasing my Trolls...
↓ My 18th Troll Share ↓
TROLL DOLL COLLECTION
Holiday Themed Mr. and Mrs. Christmas LARGE Soft Scuplture
Okay, let me get this out of the way. Sandra commented in my flower bud post "we did not have to baby ours they grew like crazy". Oh, but I do around Hootin' Anni's abode!! I've lost so many plants over the years because of dear hubby! Both in pots on patios AND in the ground. He knows nothing about them. When he works in the ground, supposedly pulling weeds, he doesn't know the difference between a weed and a plant. If I'm not around, I can go out an hour after he starts yard work, and half my plants have been pulled up and in the weed pile. He's also known to spray weeds and insects ...from my blooming plants and killing them! Once it was Grass...dead as a door nail. Yes, I have to baby them, and keep them 4 feet [at the least] from him!! Or he'll kill 'em. Gives a whole new meaning to social distancing.
I started reading another book. This time it's a biography about Lady Randolph Churchill. Winston Churchill's mother. It's quoted: Jennie Churchill had two hundred lovers of whom she married three. Also, American born, she was soon to be into British aristocracy marrying in 1847 to Lord Randolph after a three day romance! In this marriage, devoted to her husband, she gave birth to Winston, and other children. A truly fascinating woman of her time. Then, an update about the new plant blossom! The very next morning, after I posted a photo of the bud, it was in full bloom. And gorgeous. We also noted when I went out to get a picture to share, another bud forming at the top of one of the cuttings. Ms. G told me the parent plant is now 50 years old. So, it definitely comes from good stock. Did I say it's gorgeous?!! Also in my comments Ginny wanted to 'see' the wrought iron planter...it's really nothing special, just to keep the plant from dragging on the ground as it begins to drop to side edges of the pot. Early that morning, before sunrise, I was debating whether to drive up toward San Patricio/Bluntzer Texas area...about a half hour later, the rain came down. I decided to nix the idea for then. Around 9 a.m., the rain had stopped, but still overcast and a threat of more rain to come, but I wanted to get to an area called Wright's Pond since there are reported egrets breeding and nesting around the deadwood that borders the pond. I'd seen photos from other birders. I told Bud, you can stay home and eat lunch by yourself, or come with me and we can go out after I get photos of the egret colony. He jumped up [fastest I've seen him move in a long time. lol] and, off we went. While we were there and I was taking pictures, Bud said "There's a goat by the fence." Hmmm, I hadn't noticed...but he knows I like goats. I walked down the ranch's drive a bit on foot and got a picture. So sweet. We then stopped along the roadside and took a photo of an old school in the area. The building is dated 1939. And odd part of it all is, the state of Texas Historical Society has a historical marker plaque on the grounds...but as you can see, the property is posted "no trespassing". I took a couple of photos and left. By that time it was 11:30. Time to seek out a restaurant. We went to I HOP back in Corpus. After we got back home I looked up the history of the school/town of Bluntzer, Texas. "The town was a stage stop." I'm assuming there were two schools [but not at the same time] the first opened in 1870s and was flooded from the hurricane of 1919...relocated to the one in photos here...1939.
With walking two parks, I took quite a few photos; it was such a beautiful day! I tend to get distracted by many things when the weather is perfect. Low humidity, mild 70° range, a slight breeze and deep blue sky kissed with the fair weather cumulous, clouds! Once I reached the peak where the observation tower is that looks out on the mudflats and a portion of the bay, I'm "on top" of the world, looking down into the tree tops [bottom right photo in 2nd collage] and over the flats for bird activity. This day tho, I watched the beautiful white clouds drifting quickly above me while just listening to birdsong! And since there were many photos, I made two larger collages to show off nature...
Oso Bay Wetlands Nature Park
Lakeview Park & Oso Bay tree tops.
I've done some walking at two above mentioned parks this past week. One park there were reported Godwits that are uncommon in our area. I've seen a group of them only once in my 10+ years of taking birding to a whole new level [photography]. And, believe it or not, the first time I saw them it was after a very heavy rainstorm and the ranch fields flooded! Well, we had a flooding storm about a week ago, and the standing water is in a different field across from a park I frequent. Off I went...they were still there as another birder texted me! Hot diggety-dog. We do have other Godwits that are seen regularly, but not these migrants; as you can see on the habitat map [courtesy of Google Search]. Besides, they are the most attractive of the species in my opinion. Especially when all decked out in their breeding plumage which some had when I found them!]
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I made a pasta salad with shrimp and cheese for dinner tonight. Side dishes of jello with fruit, toasted garlic bread, and warm apple pie for dessert. Neither of us feel like joining the Mother's Day crowds at restaurants for dining. We'll just enjoy each other's company and watch movies. Hope those who celebrate today have a wonderful time together with family! Bud bought me a book for Mother's Day that I have been wanting...SUNFLOWER SISTERS, by Martha Kelly. I've read one of her other two books and enjoyed it very much. Hope this one is as good or better. I can only hope. It's a favorite subject for historical novels, for me...Civil War.
It's been a while since I've shared nature's hearts. Here are some from my archives where I save for future postings like today. Three leaves and one broken nest from a Kiskadee bird...
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This will be my last update on the birthday's Table Top Garden. I think most of the bulbs shipped in the planter have either bloomed or is now in full bloom, as you can see in the first of the series of 6 photos, before they all too soon fade away. I'm thinking of experimenting with them over the non-growing season for this temperate zone and its high water ground table and see if I can't encourage them to bloom next year. Wish me luck.
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Lastly, I realized this morning I never did a critique on the last book that I was reading when I posted on my blog. All I can say is, don't bother even opening the cover. It made no sense throughout. Well, it did somewhat, but all I can say after finishing it, what was the purpose of writing this in the first place. I am now reading "The Queen's Fortune". A historical novel of Napoleon's first love. By Allison Pataki. It was recommended to me from my sister. It's a hit and miss reading since I've been helping with the English grammar and punctuation of my son's PhD dissertation on Churchill. That is taking up a lot of my time which I don't mind helping...but, he'd better dedicate his work to "For My Mother" lololol.
Lastly, I realized this morning I never did a critique on the last book that I was reading when I posted on my blog. All I can say is, don't bother even opening the cover. It made no sense throughout. Well, it did somewhat, but all I can say after finishing it, what was the purpose of writing this in the first place. I am now reading "