A Lovely Christmas

Early on Christmas morning Jim and I helped Santa by placing the gifts under the tree. We were supervised, as always, by cats and dogs, with rabbits looking on and adding comments in their silent rabbit manner. Without a doubt, my best gift was our little grandson, Kayden. I was able to spend most of his first week at home helping Heidi and Ashley as they adopted to life with a newborn. As planned, my duties were mostly housekeeping, but I was able to spend time holding and feeding Kayden. He is adorable and I am totally smitten by him.
We have our home, our children and our animals as wonderful treasures who make our days full and happy. Ashley, Aaron and Kayden were added to our family, as were Jessie- forever in our hearts, and Tabitha, Ernie, Annie and Patrick to our furry family. I am thankful, with all my heart, for my best friend, Jim, who makes my days happy. And last, the chocolate in my stocking was just the tastiest! Blessings to everyone!!

Unto Us a Child Is Born

Kayden Lavelle Miller came into the world this Christmas Eve morning at 9:04Am EST. He and his mother, my daughter Heidi, are healthy and doing well. Kayden has dark hair and baby blue-gray eyes. This picture was taken when he was about 15 minutes old while his Daddy, Ashley, was holding him for the first time. Kayden's little fingers were almost in a prayer pose as he was quietly absorbing his first moments of life as a new baby. His birth is, I hope, the last big event of what has been a tumultuous year. There could be no better Christmas gift.

A Lady in her Finery

Lady's Summer Grace, our collie's registered name, is our only furry friend who was purchased from a breeder, almost 11 years ago. Jim had always wanted a collie, having read a book about a regal collie (Lad, A Dog) as a child. Lady is a beautiful dog, which we attribute to her lineage. She must have liked the line for looks so much that she decided to get in that line twice and skip the "smarts" one. She is, as they say, not the sharpest knife in the drawer. But, like people, no one has everything. So we love our Lady and attribute to her our love of animals. She will be 11 years old next week. Given her still youthful heart, she doesn't act much different than she did as a puppy.
Happy Birthday Lady, and many happy days ahead.

Flying by

I have missed my blog very much. Logging the simple events of my life helps me to remember little details and to relive happy memories. The past weeks have been so busy and so filled with living that it would be an injustice to try to relay it all at once.
I am simply happy to have the time to post this tonight. This photo is a bit fuzzy, but still captures the beauty of a red-tailed hawk soaring overhead during one of my very few rollerblading sessions this autumn. His simple elegance was a gift that day.
Kayden, Annie, Patrick, school, and daily life will be the topics in the next few days. It's good to be back.

My Brother Geese

Life is going by each day at a furious pace. I have wanted to write about so many things but there is just so much time in a day...or a week. And so at least on this cloudy Sunday afternoon, I have found a few moments.
Autumn, while still with us, is fading with the colors. Soon, all will be brown and gray, and yet the hues are still lovely. The colors are more calming and peaceful than the bright reds, pinks and oranges of summer. Nature rests.
My little grandson is due in about 6 weeks. I am so excited to see his little face and to watch my daughter become a mom. I am working on his nursery, sewing a crib skirt, bumper pad and quilt from the fabrics Heidi and I selected at the fabric store a few weeks ago. As I finished one piece yesterday, I watched my hands as I was guiding the fabric along and I thought, "These hands are a gramma's hands and Kayden will only know them in this way. Does Heidi even remember when my hands were her mommy's, smoother and with no sun spots? Can I even remember what they looked like as a girl?" And then I thought of all the things my hands have done, as a child, a mother and a nurse. They deserve to look as they are; they have done so many things.
On several occasions this autumn, while driving to work with my sunroof open, I have seen a V of geese rise up and fly directly over me. I find such heart warming joy in the power and grace of their flight, and feel that I have been given a gift of this simple, lovely vision. I send my wordless prayer of gratitude to the sky , carried aloft on their wings.

Could have been in theater

You see, it all started when we received an invitation to attend my family's annual hotdog roast. Usually this event is held at my brother Greg's very wooded property where you need a flashlight to see where you are walking. This year, my sister held it at her home- right in suburbia. There was no mention of dressing up, but I decided that it would add some fun to the evening. Off to the thrift store I went, and in short order had the perfect loose woman outfit. You can't see the 34D red bra I am wearing (nor the stuffing) under my leopard sweater. The black micro mini skirt and funky black boots, in addition to those hideous earrings, glasses, and a big wad of gum (I had the "hair" already) came together quite well, even if I do say so myself. I vamped on over to my sister's house. Some family laughed, some just shook their heads, and some (Michael, pictured here) clowned around with me. Apparently the older male neighbor across the street doesn't speak to my sister and her family, and he pulled out of his driveway while I was standing outside. I thought he was going to drive into a mailbox...and he didn't wave back at me. Party pooper!

Punkin Patch

To get to Glacier Ridge Park requires leaving the urban area of Columbus and driving along a road where crops are still grown and harvested. There is a family owned farm market and I was so intrigued by the site of hundreds of pumpkins still lying in a field that I stopped on my way home to capture a few pictures. As it turned out, this photo of "picked" pumpkins was much more colorful than a dirt field with one pumpkin per square yard. The day was glorious- blue sky and sunshine- and the pumpkins glowed orange in the bright light.

A victim of statistics

My poor blog has been paid little attention in the past few months. There are 2 primary reasons for this. First, I started a different position at THE Ohio State University July 1. In my former job I always had some task to do, but I could, if I wanted, read other blogs and post to my own from time to time. Not so in my position as Disease Management Coordinator in Pain and Palliative Medicine! Every minute of every day is full. Alas, this leaves no time for much of anything except reading my email in the morning. Second, I am currently enrolled in a 700 level statistics course as required by the masters degree I am working on. This takes a whole lot of my "spare" time. What time is left I spend with my husband and our furry family.
In light of this, I am not planning to quit my blog altogether, but postings will be sporadic.
Happy Friday!

Cute as a button

Ernie the wild kitten had a fun weekend. Even though he has grown amazingly in the past couple of weeks, he still is way too small to be left alone with the collies unsupervised. He has the total abandon normal for his age, and would pounce Winnie's nose and that would just about be his last pounce. So he has spent the time we are at work in the nursery/bathroom with his bed, food and lots of toys. This weekend he spent most of the time out running around and he had a ball! He climbed the stairs, chairs, and blankets; he chased Sam and Tabby and was chased back in return; he swatted dogs, cats, toys, and dirt on the floor. By mid afternoon Sunday he couldn't keep his eyes open and fell asleep in my lap. After awhile, I got up and put him in his bed, where he tried to stay awake but failed...over and over. His eyes would close and he would wobble back down to sleep...and grow to play tomorrow.

Chowing

Ernie loves to eat. He just went for his first vet visit yesterday and he has doubled his weight in the time we've had him. His favorite posture is to put both front paws into the food and go to town.
Something very sweet- and interesting- is that he immediately goes to the food bowl after I cuddle him and nuzzle his head. Being cuddled and eating appear related, which is not surprising, I suppose, given the short time ago he was with his mamma cat.
He continues to bring us joy in his exuberant kitten ways. He is quite the little scrap o'kitty.

Ashley and Heidi

On Friday, September 26, 2008, Heidi Marie Mueller and Ashley Lavelle Miller started married life together. This picture was from the rehearsal on the afternoon prior.
The wedding went beautifully on a lovely autumn evening and I think these two had a great time. The minister, photographer and musicians are all friends we have had the pleasure of knowing long before the wedding, each making the day that much more special. Several of the guests said to me, "Your baby is married!" as if this was something sad, but I have not felt that way. I long ago realized that Heidi was no longer a child. But in growing up, she has become a wonderful friend who brings me happiness. I wish her and my new son-in-law a long life of happily ever after.

Ernie was here

Some photos require little explanation.....

Ernie

Meet Microman, Widgit, Sprite, or more formally, Ernie. I won't dwell on the fact that he, along with his litter mates, were discarded by a dumpster. I will instead, focus on the kitten angel who routinely gets calls in cases such as this, and rescues the babies. If they are too tiny for a bottle, she tube feeds them. She recently found a wet nurse mom, rescued herself with her 4 babies from death row at the humane society, to feed a baby who needed a lactating mother.
We had taken Winnie to the vet for some care and there was Ernie, in a cage with his brother. All the litter but Ernie had found their homes with other families. The sign said "Ernie would like to have a family of his own. Can you adopt him?" The question for us was, how could we not?? And so, once again, our bathroom is a nursery and I am buying kitten chow. Ernie is a ball of energy and our toes are his prime targets for chewing. He only has fuzz, not real fur yet, and is still getting his teeth. He and Mistie the dachshund are friends; he bats at her and she licks his face. Happiness is an orange tabby baby who loves to be nuzzled under my chin.

Wedding preparations

Heidi and I have been busy these past weeks seeing to all the preparations for her upcoming wedding to Ashley later this month. We have selected a florist, tasted wedding cakes and worked together making invitations. Every day brings a few small details we need to discuss or ponder. My cell phone bill last month reached 3 figures- shocking at first, but then very worth it! Yesterday the bridesmaids and Heidi went for their dress fittings. There was lots of laughing, pinning and turning in front of mirrors. They all looked so beautiful- just a hint of how lovely the real day will be.
Through it all, Heidi and I have had a wonderful time and I will always look back and remember the fun we have had getting ready for my little girl's wedding.

So happy to see you

As I was blading (Or at least trying...Wet pavement and lots of leaves and sticks on the trail) I noted that the colors for today were yellow and purple. This little bee apparently thought the pickings were better on the purple flower and was so absorbed in working that she didn't notice me- or wasn't bothered.
I have read some really good books about bees. My favorite, by Sue Hubbell, is called, strangely enough, A Book of Bees. It is a fun and interesting account of her work as a bee keeper. She describes and illustrates, in a folksy manner, the parts of a hive and explains the process of keeping the bees happy and obtaining the honey. Even if you have no interest in keeping bees yourself, it's a great book and I highly recommend it! Now I am going to have a piece of bread with honey.

Early morning, late summer

My bicycle commute takes me by this small pond. Situated in a park area, by afternoon it is populated by kids fishing and dogs running after sticks thrown for them to fetch. But early in the day, it is generally a solitary place, visited only by the occasional heron standing statue-like in a quest for breakfast. One day last week, the morning was cool- a welcome respite from recent August mornings when the air feels too warm and wet even at 6AM. The cool air caused a fog to float on the pond surface which was otherwise clear as glass.

Safe travels- I'll miss you

The redwings are gone for the year. In ways known only to them, they sensed the coming of the cooler weather and have set out for their winter destination. I love these cheeky birds. To me, more than any other sign, they are the harbingers of spring, returning to Ohio in late February when little else indicates winter is nearly over. I'll see them in their favorite places, perched atop a cattail, swaying in the breeze. The males would be nondescript if not for the brilliant red patches under their wings. They show those off proudly; the contrast of black and red is eye-catching and beautiful. Their willingness to swoop at humans who walk, bike, or blade too close to their nests hidden in the reeds speaks of their bold personalities, just like their wing patches. And so, in mid-August, the wetlands seem empty as I go past. I miss their presence on the cattails and their buzzy calls, and wish them safe travels until they return to us next spring.

A Gentleman

Shackleton is wonderful boy. He has an air of quiet and calm about him as he goes about his days. He is a constant at the end of our bed- he's there when we leave in the morning and always settled in at our feet for the night. Every day when I leave the house, I say goodbye to each of our furry children. Usually the other cats require a hunt, but Shack is always waiting on the bed snuggled in with a white stuffed seal or sheep. He lifts his chin into the air so I can pet his neck and purrs his thanks. He turns down normal cat treats- politely- but loves a piece of honey baked ham in the morning. Shackleton is rarely vocal, except when asking to go down the basement so he can sit on a box and look out the basement window. He sits by the basement door and gazes up with such sweet eyes that, in spite of our determination that no cats go down the basement, we open the door and he trots happily down the stairs. Hating to trap him, we close the door most-but not all of the way. Inevitably, one of the other cats will discover that the door isn't really shut and will wedge it open with a paw. His or her brethren cats soon follow, so we round them all up and swear we aren't going to open it any more- until Shack asks the next time.

Summer in my garden

One of my greatest joys is to wander along my garden, just filling my eyes with the vibrant colors and watching the bees work the flowers.
I notices yesterday that the leaves of the Buckeye tree in the backyard are starting to turn red, and we need a light on when we get up at 6AM.
Summer is preparing to make way for autumn. For now, my flowers.

Devoted companion

Winnie is a good, good dog. She is eleven years old, born on the summer solstice; in dog years she is of senior age, and somewhere around 80 in people years. Winnie is big for a female collie, weighing in at around 80 pounds. She has a beautiful, thick white mane and soft, silky ears. Winn is the kind of dog who shows her soul in her eyes. She smiles a lot. Every evening, when Birdy and I turn into the drive, Winnie, who is waiting at the front door, recognizes us and I see her get to her feet. When Birdy is in the garage and I open the back gate, Winnie is at the back door waiting for me, happy to see me and welcome me home. Her form of greeting -required, not optional- is to stand between my legs and to prance from one back foot to the other while I scratch her hind quarters and tell her how happy I am to see her and to ask her if she has had a good day. Every evening, without fail, she waits for me. Friend, devoted companion; her greetings are a daily gift she gives freely.

The Bickersons

Nutmeg, on the left, and Jeffrey, are 4 and 5, respectively and have been paired for several years. As time has gone by, they have developed patterns of sharing their lives similar to many couples. Nutmeg is pretty much the boss of everything, and Jeffrey seems quite happy with that. Apparently Nutmeg is an excellent groomer and that must make up for her rather dominant personality. Every morning, the rabbits get a bite of banana. Although we've been told that variety is best, bananas are what they want. We've tried strawberries and apples, but Jeffrey hops up in anticipation, sniffs, and leaves rather dejectedly. They also get a scoop of rabbit pellets following the banana. Nutmeg always wins a banana war, but Jeffrey has learned to hold his own for the pellets. He, who is generally docile, can make some serious grunting, snorting noises if Nutmeg tries to get in the way of his first few bites. She snorts and charges him for the bananas and he gives it right back for the pellets, every single day. And, like many long married couples (several years is long in the grand scheme of a rabbit's life, if you think about it), they always get past the bickering and quickly settle in to share, side by side, at the pellet dish.

Wedding Preparations

We are busy making all the preparations for Heidi and Ashley's upcoming September wedding. This past weekend most of the bridesmaids went together for their dress fittings. Tara, Rachel, Autumn, Holly and Sierra all crowded into the corner we were given and dresses of various colors- none of them the actual wedding colors- were brought forth for trying on. In addition to brown green and blue, we had boat neck and halter and strapless selections. Given that there was only one of each size and neck style, the girls did a lot of trading and modeling the dress for all of us to give our opinions on which style suited each girl. Sierra, the flower girl, was in heaven in her white dress and stood looking at herself in the mirror while all the others were trying to decide which dress they liked the best. Tara, Heidi's long time friend and maid of honor, is pregnant and spent a lot of time with a jacket stuffed "strategically" so she could get an idea what the dress would look like in a couple of months. It was great fun.

Summer

It is hot.
I'm talking sweat
-as-soon-as-you-walk-out-the door hot. We in Ohio only understand the concept of "dry heat" in the same way you would understand anything you read out of a text book. That is to say, we have wet heat that the weather folk refer to as humidity. Personally I think that word is too poetic for the feeling that you have been sealed in plastic wrap when you go outside. I prefer the word humuggity- from which we derive the word muggy. I don't know if muggy is a word that a people who have lived all their lives in, say, Phoenix, would know. Here, it's part of the forecast, as in "Today it's going to be hot and muggy."
We humans spend our days either in air conditioning- if we're lucky- or somewhere near water. My animal buddies just have to weather it out, so to speak. Yesterday evening I saw a little sparrow sitting on the fence panting. I wanted to invite him in to the AC but I guess he's better off with the heat than with 6 cats. It seems that the flowers LOVE this weather, as they are in full bloom and very lovely. I enjoy more than I can say wandering around the garden just admiring the colors.

A beautiful garden

We have a special garden in the side yard all planted with orange and yellow flowers as a living tribute to our little orange tabby. Jessie has blanket flowers, yellow lantana, orange daisies with blue centers and big bright orange and yellow shasta daisies. We maintain a strict "no weeds" policy; this little garden is watered and petted over and loved. It brings me comfort to know that Jessie "was" at this time last year, even if only a little fetal kitten.

Blader chick

It was a glorious summer afternoon to enjoy. James, Leah and I headed to the park on our preferred wheels. Wildflowers were in full bloom and the sky was blue blue blue. When we were finished I decided to capture the perfect day- and my stylin' doo for posterity.

Winter is just around the corner...

July is almost half over. I know if I went back and looked at every day that has passed, it would seem right that it should be mid-summer. But just tonight, thinking about the day I took this picture last winter, all I can think of is that it is going to be Christmas again before I can blink.
Tonight, this yard is green. The buckeye tree is in full leaf and flowers grow where in this picture, the earth rested.
As I sit, on July 11 at 9:16PM, the AC is on and we're watching the Tour de France. Each of us (Jim, Leah and I) are wearing shorts and t-shirts. The fireplace is dark, but the sky is still light. I walk the dogs in the early morning or after 7PM so they don't get too hot in their black fur coats. The days pass, each one a bit shorter than the last. Yet, summer is in her glory. The pools are filled with kids who are young enough to think summer is a long, fun time. Winter is, to them, a distant memory.

Bailey

Jim and I were at Glacier Ridge last weekend on a beautiful early summer morning. In addition to paved trails for us hoomans (LOL cat-speak) there is a nice bridle trail as well. Bailey and his fellow horses and their riders were also enjoying the fresh air. Bailey and I don't know each other, but he seemed quite willing to pose for this picture before ambling along the trail and his riders were kind enough to wait as well. I promised them Bailey would be a famous horse, and here he is, out on the web.
I have come to a new way of thinking about animals knowing that our rabbits are prey. They don't like being chased and fear sudden motion because such movements carry the danger of being eaten in the wild. Horses are also prey animals. They are herbivores, so not predators like dogs and cats, and I understand better now why they are skittish at times. It's hard to think of an animal this large being a prey animal, but there it is. Happy trails, Bailey!

Bag Bro

My husband has no control when it comes to purchasing bags. He's like a woman who has to have a purse for every outfit, just worse. In our basement we must have about 50 bags that have been purchased over the years; brief cases in leather, canvas (of varying shades), recycled tires. We have garment bags and many, many bags that a person can use to carry around on a daily basis.
I blame, to a certain extent, his bag brother, a Mr. Kurt Smith, who also seems to have a similar compulsion to have bags and more bags. (You know I love you Kurt.) Anyway, these two have dubbed themselves "bag bro's". When the UPS man drives up with yet another bag, I know I'll hear something about bag bro's and all that stuff. Well, Sammy seems to have adopted a similar desire, if not to own bags, at least to be IN bags. When ever any bag is left where he can get to it, Sam jumps in and makes himself at home. This bag is one of my grocery bags that holds a ton of stuff and is reusable. Groceries out- Sam in.

Celebration of a Life

Tammy Miller, mother, sister, daughter, friend, and my co-grandma-to-be, left this life- suddenly and tragically- on Monday. Her sons, Ashley (my Heidi's beloved and father of their expected child) and Aaron, age 12, never thought they would be without her so soon. She was only 49 and, we all thought, in the prime of health.
"It is good that the world is round. If it was flat, we could see too far ahead and know what awaits us." This is as close a quote to a statement made in my favorite movie, Out of Africa.
I didn't know Tammy well, but we had just gathered at Heidi and Ashleys' on Memorial Day for a cookout and Tammy and I first talked about our future grandchild. She was so excited, and had talked about her plans to babysit as much as she was allowed, and had even mentioned moving from her long established apartment so the baby could have her or his own room.
And now, we are left with memories and sorrow and mourning what might have been. Ashley and Heidi will become parent figures, at 27 and 24, to a 12 year old. Aaron has lost the most important person in his life. This grandchild will know his Grandma Tammy only from photos and stories, and I have lost the joy of sharing this grandchild with her. But we will all step up to fill the void left by her absence, and be the parents and grandparents we would have been , but more. We'll tell her stories and do things in her honor and memory. We'll celebrate her life even as we miss her. And we are all reminded, yet again, that tomorrow is promised to no one. Today is a precious gift.

How much is that kitty in the window?

Patience was hanging out in the upstairs window just watching the world go by.

Flowers are people too

I have come to realize in the past couple of days that I have an emotional investment in the flowers growing in our yard. I either planted the seeds in the dirt or brought the plants to my garden and they depend on me, especially when they are young, to provide for them until they are established~ kind of like my kids!
Maybe it's part of the reason why tending to the garden isn't a chore; I enjoy caring for the little plants and watching as they grow and flower. Especially my little impatiens I grew from seed make me happy as I see them spreading, growing new leaves and stems and producing flowers. By mid summer they will be bright and colorful. This peony was inherited from the previous owners. It had been planted in the backyard where, unfortunately Lady and Winnie were able to walk on it. Since I moved it to a protected spot in the side yard it has happily blossomed every spring.

In the garden

Yeehaa! I can head out into the garden and work for hours if I want to...What is it I wanted to do today? Let's see, the area around the clematis needs weeded and some mulch put down, and those irises I bought still need to be planted- and so do the lavender. I think I'll put the irises in the side yard by the daisies but where to plant the lavender.....Oh, that's right: I also should feed my little impatiens. They're doing well, but could use a little boost- and I can't forget to water the hanging baskets. It's already hot out and it's only 9AM. It looks like the foam flowers and Jacob's ladder is happy. They are so beautiful. Thank you flowers for making the garden so bright. How are you guys, my little forget-me-nots? Doing OK in your new spot? Oh shoot- the rain knocked the peony flowers down and they're all mushy. Oh yeah, before I go in I need to give the birds some fresh water and I think the feeder hanging under the dogwood is empty.......

Beautiful Music

Julie, my younger (I can't say "little" any more as she is in her 40s) sister, is a budding pianist. Our grandma, Alice, played the piano most of her life. Grandma's style was more honky tonk, although she did play for many church services. When Grandma died, Julie inherited the piano, and it is the one she has been using until just recently. This is my sister's new piano, and she is very excited to continue her musical pursuits with this lovely instrument. I admire my sister's dedication to learning- I tried lessons once but didn't have the patience. In the past year or so, Julie has called me to share her music. I am serenaded over the phone, and I enjoy these mini-concerts very much. It warms my heart that she can play so well, but most of all because she seeks me out to share her talents. Thank you Julie. and Bravo!!!

A rainy day

Sam has it right. It has rained, thundered and lightening has lit the sky all night and it doesn't appear to be ending any time soon. This is a nap day if there ever was one, and I admit to being just a bit envious of my boy who can sleep the day away!

Miracles

The miracles of nature are everywhere. This beautiful tradescantia grows in our side yard. The deep purple flower is so eye catching amidst the almost neon green foliage. Why did someone name this spider wort??
We witnessed a heart warming, wonderful saga in our backyard late yesterday afternoon. We knew there was a nest of cardinals in the tree outside the back door, and yesterday the babies left the nest. They are tiny brown puff balls with comically wide beaks and they are sooooooooo CUTE!!!!! At first they hopped around on the ground, with Mom and Dad everywhere, flying from shrub to tree to ground, chirping and buzzing and twittering. Even someone who doesn't speak cardinal could clearly understand what they were saying. Gradually, the little ones, with major fuzzy wing flappage, managed to get a foot off the ground. One flew into a little dish of bird seed; another flew up our back steps one at a time. It was precious and priceless and I am thankful for witnessing such a gift. I hope the babies grow up and come back to our yard to raise their own babies in our tree someday down the road.

New trails

My new favorite trail at Glacier Ridge Park winds in and out of wooded areas. I enjoy being out in the sun one moment, and the next, shrouded in the filtered light and softness of the green carpet and ceiling.
Friday after work I decided to have another run at the trail. I don't know the exact reason, but I felt like I had strapped 50 pound weights on my shoulders. Everyone who has ever done repetitive workouts can attest to the fact that most of the time, the workout is good- need a bit of warm up, but then you can move along. There are also the rare occasions when the stars align and you feel like you have wings and you can go and go. And THEN there are the times like Friday where I just couldn't get going. It was very windy, and this trail is very open in spaces, so that took more effort. But the small hills that I usually can blade fairly easily were bringing me to a stop and there was no glide.
So after a half hour I gave in and went back to the car, acknowledging that at least I got a half hour and assuring myself that, yes, it must have been the wind. But I'll be back!

Tabby Toes

Tabitha has her favorite spots in the house selected. The drawer in the bathroom that USED to be for extra towels is her bed. She sleeps there every night and has staked a claim on the space. I had to go out and buy more towels because she also claimed the ones in the drawer.
Her second favorite place is in the kitchen on a stand that USED to be where I put my purse when I came home. Now it has a nicely padded area on top where she and Sam hang out and watch birds. The dish there is really Sam's, but he doesn't seem to mind sharing with her, and she definitely thinks it's at least half hers.

A new trail

This is an inline skater's/naturalist's/birder's dream path, located at the newest Metropark in Dublin, Ohio, Glacier Ridge. I thought my previous 2 favorite trails were good, but man, this is fabulous! Glacier Ridge, as the name implies, is set on 1038 acres left by the retreating Wisconsin Glacier thousands of years ago in what was most recently farm land. Since acquiring the land, the parks service is returning it to its previous state prior to agricultural use. Thousands of conifers and deciduous native trees have been planted, and the open areas have been seeded with a mixture of native grasses. There are

200 acres of restored wetlands and vernal pools set within the woods. Throughout this natural wonderland weave these paths, curving into and out of the woods, around grasslands, and nearby ponds and marshy areas. Bluebirds swoop and dive, red wings call from their precarious post atop cattails, and warblers fly into the protected grassy areas. The views are alternately wide open and canopied by newly leafed-out trees in the mature forest. There will no doubt be many pictures from this magical place.

Joy! Joy!! Charlie's back!

My bunny buddy has bounced back and is the happy guy he usually is. Even as late as yesterday afternoon I still was very concerned, as he didn't want his afternoon meal of greens and pellets. We have an appointment at 10:30 this morning which I am happily going to cancel!
He did eat some hay yesterday afternoon, and was leaving bunny poops in the cage- good things- but he still wasn't acting normally. I gave him extra orchard grass, which he seemed to like, and bought dandelion greens last evening- a favorite of all the bunns'- and he really liked those too. And this morning, when I opened his cage, he came running out just like old times, for his banana. He did 'thump' when I walked toward him, which is the way rabbits express fear or distress, by stamping their back feet hard, but I think he was just afraid that we were going to do more "bad things" to make him better. When I left the house, he and Stuart were flopped together in their cage in a post prandial pellet nap. It's a good day.

Charlie

The little guy in the foreground is our mini lopp-eared bunny, Charlie- or Charlie Brown, as I call him, just because he is brown, not because he is like the real Chuck. Charlie is our happiest rabbit, but he became ill yesterday, as he has done, unfortunately, many times before. We know he's down when he stops eating and doesn't come running from his cage when we open it. Yesterday morning he turned down his favorite treats and stayed in, so we knew it was another episode. For rabbits, not eating can become life-threatening in a short time. (Most impulse rabbit buyers don't know this, but that's a story for another day.) So we know that we immediately launch into syringe feedings of anti-gas medicine, belly massage on a heating pad, pain shots and fluids given under the skin. Usually, this is all that is needed, and in a few hours he's back munching away. Yesterday, he didn't improve, so we went to his special rabbit vet- not too many veterinarians know how to care for a rabbit; they are considered exotics. He was x-rayed and no intestinal obstruction was found, so we went back home with an additional medicine to improve gastric motility. He got a shot of Valium at the vet's office and had the munchies afterwards, which is common. He did eat some hay, but wanted nothing else, and this morning still is not himself. So I'm a bit worried about my boy and hope that when I go home in a few hours, he'll be better.

Can you see him??

Right in the very center of this picture, can you see the dark object at the top of the tree in the middle of the reeds? OK, admittedly it is a small spot, but it is a red wing black bird protecting his domain. Undoubtedly, somewhere in the protective grass below, his female companion (Significant Other? Wife?) is in their nest with their future offspring. One of the reasons I enjoy a morning commute via bicycle is that I get to pass by the wetlands. This time of year I usually get buzzed by a red wing, just to make certain I know to stay away from HIS territory...So far this year I'm still waiting. The red wings' buzzy trills fill the cool morning air, joined by the songs and calls of robins, cardinals, song sparrows, and some species whose songs I don't know. Everywhere along the trail it is green, green, green, no doubt because it has rained for days here. The forecast is for one nice sunny day- today- and a return of rain for the rest of the week. I'll enjoy today.

Time

This isn't a picture of my watch, per se. It's just a Timex with the required nurse's second hand and real numbers rather than just lines. (Which leads me to say Happy Nurses Week to all my fellow nurses out there.)
Nope, this is a picture of the artificial measure that humans created long ago so that we could tick off the passage of our lives in some standard way. Lately, I swear that someone is playing a joke on me and the hands go around WAY faster than they used to. I just don't seem to have enough of that time stuff- not in a day or a week, or- hey, it CANNOT be May already. Didn't we just put the Christmas tree away?
Obviously the older we get the more we try to squeeze into a minute. My days are very full, but they are a good full. If I could change the time I spend it would be less at work and more at home. However, that isn't an option right now, so I don't dwell on it. I like my work, love my home and my family and my animals. I don't mind doing laundry or cleaning, although I admit to spending very little time cooking. And then there are also the pleasures of gardening and reading a good book, or doing a project for the class I'm taking at Ohio State. And I can't forget how much fun it is to rollerblade or take the dogs for a walk.
The one thing that I am so grateful to my hospice patients for is they taught me to enjoy, savor, and appreciate every day, as none of us are promised one second more than the one we have right now, and oops- there goes that one, and another, and- see, someone IS playing tricks with my watch. Have a good day!

Wild Violets

Cost of a Birdie gas fillup: $42 + Beautiful spring morning = Riding my bike to work today.
There were violets everywhere: purple and pink were on Mother Nature's chosen palette this May morning, with pink Dogwoods along the path in the woods. As I rode along, a red-tailed hawk's flight path took him directly overhead and reminded me how big those birds are. I was thankful at that moment to be a big human instead of a mouse or bird.
Every spring at the wetlands sanctuary, a goose- I assume it's a mom and maybe the same mom- nests at the top of a hillock island in the pond with one tree at the top providing shade. I had hoped to see and photograph her this morning, but the little hill was vacant as I went past. If I was a goose mom, I think I would choose that spot for a nest too. Happy May Day!

Shackleton is 3!

Our sweet boy celebrated his third birthday Sunday. To celebrate, he got a bigger piece of ham than usual for a morning treat and I sang to him. (Whether THAT was a gift is up for debate.) He is the most gentle, laid back soul who likes to spend a great deal of the day lying at the foot of our bed, curled up on one of the white stuffed animals. He likes this so much that I will find him apparently sound asleep but purring away.
As he's grown from kittenhood, he isn't as interested in play fighting or racing around the house, but he's maintained his svelte form in spite of a lot of napping. We love him from his pink ears to his curly tipped tail and are fortunate to have him in our lives. Happy BD Shack!

Spring is here

All along the Olentangy River bike trail, beautiful forsythia are in bloom, and the splashes of bright yellow are everywhere.
I think often of my little Jessie, who never got to know a spring time here. There are lots of bad things about this earth, but surely spring must be one of the most beautiful gifts our Creator gave us. And so, at least in my heart, I take Jessie with me on my rollerblading trips. I wear my heart with his name engraved on it and a tiny bit of his ashes, and as I blade along, I see all there is to see for him with my eyes and then send them to him, knowing that he has springtime every day.

Birdwatchers

Ah, springtime! Gone are the dark days of winter when the hours of bird watching were so limited and the days so short. Now, as the sun rises earlier and sets later every day, a feline person has so many more opportunities to hang out at the window and gaze at the menu choices. This is such hard work! All the teeth chattering, tail twitching and vocalizations of greed and desire are not for the faint of heart! There is also the often required glaring, swatting and- if pressed- hissing to drive away current table top occupants to be certain of at least sharing the view. And after a fine time perusing the menu, there is lots of time to take one of many naps, dreaming of cardinal fricassee, sparrow skewers or chickadee and dumplings.

Daffodils

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of the bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed-- and gazed-- but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth (1770- 1850)

Night buds

Several nights ago I happened to look outside after dark and I noticed that the tree to the left of the front door looked kind of neat in the dark. I am embarrassed to say that after 5 years of living with this tree in my yard, I don't know what kind of tree it is, other than it gets white flowers in the spring and drops little rust colored leaves in the fall.
I fetched my trusty camera and took this picture, which will win no art awards, but that's why I have a day job.

The Joy of Flowers

I get a chuckle every time I think that these tough little guys are called pansies, which generally means a coward or softy. Pansies look delicate, but they can withstand frost and cold. When I bought these, the nursery had tables and tables of pansy flats, and the greenhouse was a riot of colors. I especially like the delicate white with lavender edging.
Last weekend was perennial bed cleanup. I spent about 6 lovely (seriously!) hours grabbing big handsful of old brown leaves from between flowers, and gently teasing out the ones that had settled in at the base where all the little shoots were starting to come up. There were also dried stalks left from last summer's flowers, which I left hoping that they might provide some late season seeds or shelter for a bird or other small critter. So now the flower beds are clean, the brown earth is visible and the green sprouts are getting higher every day. Oh, did I mention it's supposed to snow this weekend?

My Bird

Six years ago, for the first time, I bought the car that I wanted- a Beetle with a sunroof. Originally my plans were to get a red or yellow beetle, but Birdy was there with her bright green color and sunroof and the rest is history. I love my car. She and I have traveled over 50,000 miles together in the 6 years I've owned her. We've received lots of compliments (What a fun car!) and have had lots of little kids point at us as we go by. As all 2002 Beetles do, Birdy has a built-in flower vase on the dash and I always make sure she has pretty seasonal silk flowers. There is also a crystal butterfly suspended on a cord from the rear view mirror who flies all over when we go around corners. Some people think Beetles are bad in snow, but she has never stuck me once in all the years I've had her. Most recently she saw little Jessie and me safely down the West Virginia mountains in the dark while semis raced beside us going at least 80 miles per hour. I trust my little car. As I've said to Jim, there is no way I will EVER let anyone else own her, nor will she ever see a junkyard while I am alive. So I guess if the time comes when she can't hit the road anymore, we will have a big green flowerpot in the back yard!

By the sea

When I made the trip to Australia last September, spring was in full bloom.

While walking near the beach, I noticed this brave, beautiful patch of flowers nestled behind the protection of these rocks. Sweet little patches of bright fuchsia; an awesome, mighty sea.

Probably by now these flowers are long faded, for just as we welcome our time for spring, Queensland summer is fading into Autumn. The whales who breached all around us in the bright, sunny Hervey Bay are now far *north in the Arctic waters. I think of them often and wish them safety.

* My favorite editor pointed out that the whales are north this time of year, or at least not in Antarctica. Typical of me to be switched in my directions. It's a trait I have grown to accept...sigh...