Not Quite Ready…..

Today’s early morning walked let me peek at the nest again. Frankly I expected it to be empty. But no….two little birds were up there peering down at me.

I wonder what is keeping them from launch day? The nest was crammed with five or six little ones a few day ago.

Now there are two…….

Elbow Room…..

This morning I overslept so Fenway and I didn’t hit the sidewalk until just after 7:00. We took our usual route east to the lake, then along the sidewalk bordering the water until turning back west at the end of the park. A quick peek inside the comfort station building to see if any birds were still in the nest.

I looked up to see three little faces quietly looking down at me.the countdown has begun…..and now there are three.

Mom! She’s Touching Me!

This morning Fenway and I took an early walk before the predicted humidity began to rise. It was a nice morning along the lake and others had the same idea. As I walked past the small building that houses bathrooms behind the bandshell I saw a man pointing his cellphone up inside the hallway next to the soda machine. I’d been noticing signs of bird activity for several days but did not bother to walk over and explore. 

I asked him what he was photographing and walked to stand next to him. Looking up I spotted the nest…..a very crowded nest!

My not-so-good photo shows three babies. There were actually two or three more crowded in the back!

All must have been waiting for mom or dad to come back with breakfast. I’m not sure what kind they are, maybe swallows?

As I looked at the little bunch all I could think of was car trips with our two in the back and one saying “Move over!” or “Mom she’s touching me!” I guess baby birds are more cooperative while sharing their small space and these little ones will probably be gone in the next few days.

Suspicious......

About two weeks ago Dave and I took off on an airplane for the first time in almost two years. With backpacks and one small carry-on each, we donned our masks and walked into O'Hare to get ready for our flight to Anchorage. The airport wasn't too crowded and we made it to the security line quickly. I took off my shoes and put my stuff into the plastic bins provided and my suitcase up on the conveyor belt so everything could be x-rayed by the TSA. My cute little colorful suitcase…..a carry-on but I picked it so that if we ever do have to check luggage for a flight it will be easy to see coming down the conveyor belt.

I watched my things move away from me and walked into the stand-on-the-yellow-feet-raise-your-arms-and-hold-still full body X-ray machine and then out the other side. I found my backpack, purse and shoes but no suitcase. It had been diverted to the other side of a plexiglass screen. The TSA agent approached, picked up my suitcase and asked “Is this your bag?” When I responded she then asked if I had anything sharp packed inside. I told her nothing that I could remember but she was free to open and search it. (Duh!) She lifted a few items of clothing to expose two suspicious plastic bags.

She looked at me and I said “Oh…those are cheese curds from Wisconsin that I am bringing to my friend!” She nodded, put my sweatshirt back and re-zipped my suitcase.

I’m still wondering why those cheese curds set off warning bells? The density? The shape of the package? Cheese curds …… who knew!

Smelling Smoke….

Fenway and I rolled out of the condo at 6:30 am and turned toward Lake Michigan. It was a beautiful, calm, cool morning with a slight on-shore breeze. Perfect! The sun was already up and posting a lovely sunbeam across the water….and a sort of soft rainbow of colors…in the hazy smoke.

It’s hard to even imagine that the many western wildfires are colorizing our sunrises and sunsets. It was disturbing to sense the slight “off color” scent in “my” air. I can only imagine what it is like for the people fighting or fleeing the raging wildfires. And I can only imagine how different many of the areas we visited out west in our RV would look now. And I can only wonder if, when the greening recovery will begin to change them back. Hundreds and hundreds of years.

……but I did see a mourning dove, robin and bright yellow goldfinch.

Collaboration With Friends!

Last fall when we were all still basically staying at home I asked a few of my quilting friends if anyone was interested in trying a “Round Robin” project. The idea is that you make your own center square….about 14-16 inches in size. When it was done you put it in a box and passed it along to the next person on our list-of-six. Each participant was tasked with adding a four to six inch border and then pass it on again.

Each member had the option of including fabric for others to use or trusting in the choices made by the rest of the Round Robin Gang! This was a fun, not-in-person project that we could do during COVID times. We could drop the box off on the porch while enjoying an ourside somewhat “distant” chat!

I started with this center square and I did pass along some of my stash with the understanding that my quilt friends could use their own fabric choices if they wanted.

The months went by….the boxes rotated through the group, and about two weeks ago I got my round robin quilt top back. I was more than pleased as I’d forgotten what fabric I’d used in the first place but this beautiful lap quilt features the best of my stash!

It is machine quilted and all done….ready for winter TV time on my lap. I’d do one of these again….but hopefully without the COVID part.

 

Morning Nap…..

Fenway and I usually luck out on our morning walks....we see something even if I have to "settle" for a cardinal or a squirrel. I haven't spotted as many fawns this year but I know they are out there because Dave and Fen spot them on their late afternoon strolls up the bike path.

But the other day as we walked past the brew pub next door and along the stream a small motion caught my eye. There was a lovely little fawn napping in the morning sun. It watched us carefully as we went past on the sidewalk, but didn't move. It was still young enough to have it's spots for camoflage. 

And then on the way back for coffee and breakfast in our condo one of the big migrating monarchs fluttered just ahead of us. It stopped to visit some wild bee balm alongside our path. I never get tired of spotting these beauties and always marvel that they are heading for Mexico for the winter! Those fragile-looking wings must be a lot sturdier than they look.

A sleepy fawn and migrating monarchs....a nice start to the day.