Fledging Day

Monday was the day; it was time to fly! Not only the Bluebirds but also the baby birds who'd been raised in the nest perched atop the flood light under the eaves! Mr. Goodneedle kept asking me if the babies had left their nests yet and I told him I wasn't quite sure. Monday left little doubt that the time was at hand. I stepped outside to be greeted with loud bird calls and constant "fly overs" (close to my head); I was being warned that things were happening. Augie and I watched, for approximately thirty minutes, (from the safety of the side porch) as those babies were beckoned out of the nest and, one by one, played peek-a-boo before testing out their wings and taking that first, BIG, step. Within moments they were in the air. It was a privilege to behold. Quiet returned and I stepped outside once again to reposition the sprinkler in my perennial garden. This time I had only been back inside for a few minutes when there was the loudest crack followed by a thundering crash! It took a moment to realize what had happened, I looked out the door, the one that I had just used, to now see nothing now but limbs and leaves; a tree had fallen across the garden and onto our roof! Seriously, where I had been standing only a short time before! I'm still suffering from post-TREE-matic stress over this occurrence.  I suppose this tree thought it was time to fly too! 

This shot was taken after we'd cleaned up the limbs and branches; you can see the dents in the gutter above the side porch where the impact occurred. There was no wind or rain whatsoever, it was a fluke happening on a still and hot, dry day. 

After it had been sawed up and moved. Take note of the stump where it broke off about three feet above the ground. The trunk itself was undeniably dead but, because of the green at the top, and until it fell, that fact had escaped our notice entirely. 

    All thanks and praise to HIM who sees 

all and protects each of us (even those baby birds) from harm. 

Life is Good!

The Best Diversions

We've had some diversions from our normal routines this week, the best kind, an overnight visit from these two. Since they're currently being home schooled we were able to take an active part in that and even added some enrichment activities as well! 

At break time we played a rip-roaring game of Sequence and took a field trip to a local park for some exercise, fresh air and sunshine; the weather has been absolutely wonderful this week, cooler temps with lower humidity. Sometimes a brief redirection from the customary is just what the soul needs; I feel confident saying that we all had a good time during their visit!

In other news; our little buddy, Hannes, turned 18 last month! He's grown more feeble lately and his little back legs have been slipping on our hardwood floors as he navigates. It's so sad; and scary. We ordered these "grippy" socks and they really seem to help! As you can see, they work for him to safely walk around, and turn, with no sliding or slipping whatsoever. He leaves them on just fine, and doesn't seem to mind one bit.  Honestly, I think he's grateful. We cherish every day that we have with him. 

The Potato Chip quilt has made its way to the design wall, it will need another row and finish up at 64" X 80" when it's all together. I've been shifting and rotating blocks daily as I size it up. This is a fun and fast project!

The Kousa Dogwood is beginning to put on a show with it's fall "fruit". 

The colors are simply stunning as they ripen. 

Life is Good!

 

Staying Safe

For the most part, (as far as I was concerned) the screened-in porch project was finished, the ceiling and light fixtures were installed, the screen units were in place and we found furniture to make sitting out there comfortable and enjoyable. It was not, however, ready to pass inspection; not yet.  We had yet to install safety railings on the inside of the two elevated window walls. Normally this would be wooden railings that match the trim, but that's not what Mr. Goodneedle wanted; he had, in his mind's eye, stainless steel cables that would visually vanish, leaving a much more unobstructed view of the backyard and the woods beyond. Plus, there will be less to worry about keeping clean, no rails to periodically wipe down and clean between.

He did a lot of research and ended up using a very cool system, Cable Bullet; I thought that the installation was relatively quick, once the process began; I'm not at all sure that Mr. Goodneedle would agree with that assessment-- there was LOTS of planning involved to see this through.  

The results are suberb! Another project moved to that ever-growing "done" column.

And so, we continue to adapt to a situation of self-quarantine in an upside down world. My dear friend, Quiltkeemosabe, is facing something completely unforeseen and foreign for her and her family. Her husband took ill (NOT with COVID-19!) and was rushed to the hospital, by ambulance, on Monday morning. She could not accompany him; nor can she, or the family, visit him in the hospital where he remains as a patient. This is understandable given what's going on, and yet it's so sad to think about-- so lonely and isolating for her husband and such a strange feeling of helplessness for Quiltkeemosabe and the family. Please pray with me for her husband, for his health and healing and for his speedy release once health is restored. I am praying, too, for all families who are separated during hospitalization through these crazy days of uncertainty and remembering these words today from the prophet Isaiah: 

 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" - Isaiah 41:10.

Life is Good!

Up Next: Sweet Sixteen