This morning, I saw Papa Bluebird back at the mealworm feeder.  That is encouraging!!  ~~  Sometimes I don’t know why I do what I do.  I checked another Bluebird house at the edge of my yard.  “Yes,” they were building a nest there.  BUT mean old lady cleaned out the beginning of a nest AND she hopes, and prays, they will return to their original home.  Why am I discouraging them?  This bird house has a “door” that is held in place with a screw.  It would be impossible for me to “peek” into the nest.  I was totally ignorant of information regarding Bluebirds when I purchased that Bluebird house.  I’ve learned a lot via books and Internet.  Furthermore, I can’t see this bird house from my living room.  This is a gamble.  Will the Bluebirds return to their original home? ~~ My first bird house purchase was expensive: Over $35.00!! But, unbeknown to me, American-made, recycled plastic, virtually indestructible does not attract birds. I’ve learned they want a house “that breathes”–a house made of wood.

Postscript, same day, 12:30 PM: They’re back!!  Mama and Papa Bluebird are very busy carrying pine needles to build a new nest in their previous house.  Hallelujah!! ~~  Hopefully I’ll have picture confirmation soon. ~~ Postscript, same day, 8:00 PM: I’ve waited patiently, off-and-on all afternoon, for a picture of the Bluebird couple. They are coming and going so fast, I miss the photo opportunity!! But a female Cardinal was content to sit quietly.

Postscript, Sunday, July 1, 2012, 9:30 AM: Mama Blue is impossible to photograph because she is flying very fast to-and-from. Papa Blue is attentive!

Postscript, Monday, July 2, 2012, 8:00 PM: It appears the new nest is complete.  It looks identical to the nest I removed (and destroyed) on Friday.  God’s creation is so amazing!!  Consider for one moment Mama Blue feeding babies on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Babies leave the nest on Thursday or Friday.  Mama & Papa start building a new nest on Friday or Saturday.  New nest is complete on Monday.  I’ll keep watching for new eggs.  (You haven’t heard the last of this story.)

Actually, a July 3rd postscript to follow blog message A Gamble.  A friend sent this link to an excellent video.  I’m envious; I wish I had similar pictures of my Bluebird family.  Should I purchase a little camera and install in the Bluebird house??  They exist, you know.  Many months ago, I saw the entire setup at Wild Bird Center but would not / could not justify over $150. expense.  I love my Bluebirds!!  However, “thrifty Lorraine” opted for limited views of the Mama and babies.  Well, my views were so limited I didn’t get a picture of the babies!!  Here’s a thought: See if the Bluebirds continue to visit the mealworm feeder in months to follow; see if they “hang around” this winter.  Perhaps I could count on them to build nests again next year and the purchase of a spy camera would have a tiny bit of merit.  Agree??

Searching the Internet for a spy camera (that might be less expensive than a specialty retail store) I found this website where a camera is in a Bluebird house.  Sadly (for me) the babies had fledged so no activity to watch.  I’ll be checking this website frequently.  A substitute for the expensive purchase. (Too bad we have to listen to a commercial advertisement!!)

I’ve spent so-o-o-o-o much time preparing donations. I “thought” I had a one o’clock appointment to deliver several boxes to the JAARS Day Care Center–but no answer when I arrived and rang the bell. So-o-o-o-o this is not a happy day. (Bluebirds are gone!) It is 100 degrees as I publish this at 1:15 PM. We are expected to experience several days of “over 100 degrees.” ~~ In the air-conditioned apartment, this afternoon, I’ll continue working on “downsizing.” ~~  FYI: I requested fewer hours at work so I could concentrate on downsizing. Now I have Monday and Friday off. ~~~~~~ Postscript: One-hundred-four degrees at five o’clock!!! This ties the record for the hottest day in Charlotte recorded history. “Feels like 109” per the weather forecaster.

Bluebird babies are gone!!  I didn’t even get a good picture of them!!  I checked the nest a few minutes ago and sensed there were no birds in the nest.  I hadn’t done this before, I gently moved the nesting material for a better look.  So, according to all the information I’ve read, I removed the nest and will carry it to the trash.  (Remove… and discard… according to literature.)  Frequently, Mama Bluebird will start another nest the day the babies leave the nest.  So the box is ready for a new family!!  I’ll continue to put fresh mealworms in the little blue dish in hopes “my” Bluebird couple will return.

Do you have abandoned satellite dishes in your backyard?  I had two… from previous tenants in my apartment.  My apartment had been vacant for over two years!!  (Personally, I limit myself to “free” TV reception.)  I’ve planned this project for several months and finally bought the hardware a few days ago.  I “borrowed” the idea from a professionally built baffle that cost over $25.  I paid less than $5. for the hardware for the satellite-dish baffle.  ~~  I doubt that my inexpensive item will stop the squirrels but “the creative side of me” wanted to attempt “building a better mouse trap” (building a better squirrel baffle).  ~~  FYI:  Prior to drilling the hole, the battery for my drill had to charge overnight.  That explains my early morning project versus late afternoon, after work. 

Postscript, 7:00 PM: I was called to work mid-morning. Back home, after work (after 5), I swapped the baffles before filling the feeder.  Time will tell, this arrangement might keep the squirrels off the bird feeder.

Postscript, 6/29/12, 11:45 AM: Some women move the furniture around. I move bird feeders, bird houses, hanging flower baskets–and baffles.  I want things to “look nice” and I didn’t “like” the appearance of last night’s arrangement.

Postscript, 6/29/12, 7:45 PM: “No,” the new arrangement didn’t stop a squirrel.

Soliciting Your Prayers  8/01/11

Squirrel News  12/05/11

Better than Netflix  12/06/11

Raccoon proof !!  2/05/12

Lorraine’s garden  2/16/12

Playing in the mud  3/02/12

Gloomy day  3/03/12

The Price is right   3/05/12

Continuing the backyard project     3/05/12

See what I accomplished  3/10/12

Backyard fanatic reporting in  3/17/12

Building the Masterpiece   3/26/12

Will my tomato plants die??  Will the baby Bluebirds live??  ~~  Another heart-stopping moment this morning.  Those once-sturdy tomato plants–reaching for the sky–were bent earthward.  Yes, the plants are heavy with tomatoes but I suspect our extremely hot days weakened the stems, and the heavy rain (last night) weighted the branches and leaves.  I had stabilized some of the growth with strips of cloth supports.  I should have anticipated the plants might topple from the weight of the tomatoes.  I provided more support; I fed the plants more liquid fertilizer; I talked lovingly to them and said “I don’t want you to die.”  ~~  Tomato plants and bunny rabbit at the beginning of my day.  (I was encouraged to see “Peter Cottontail” eating alfalfa pellets from the new bowl purchased specifically for him.)

So you’ve seen the “bookends” of my day: Morning, before I went to the antique store.  Evening, after I got off work. I was delighted to see movement inside the Bluebird house. Mama and Papa Blue kept carrying mealworms into the house so I knew there were little ones.  

I’m multitasking. While eating a big homemade salad lunch, I uploaded the pictures taken this morning, cropped some… and started this blog. I enjoyed my very first home-grown tomato (about the size of a golf ball) . Delicious!!  It has been almost four months since I planted the tomato seeds. This tomato was from the seed that was planted “according to the moon” according to Old Farmer’s Almanac. All the tomato plants are doing well but this plant grew faster and best. ~~ I was “multitasking” while watching God’s little creatures. More “downsizing” while watching and worshiping. After one o’clock before I stopped for lunch. Now it’s two o’clock and last bite of salad so time to go back to work. Right now (today) I’m sorting paperwork, discarding lots, shredding some. ~~ Oh, FYI: Hot and humid; eighty-eight degrees right now (2:20) and I’m using the air-conditioner.

I’m really going to value the visit (tomorrow) with the chiropractor!! I’m exhausted!! My shoulders ache and I have mild back pain.  I’ve been sorting paperwork, and shredding almost all day. I have a purpose for the smaller bags of shredded paper. They will be packed on top of several boxes that will be shipped to family. ~~ FYI: At 4:45 PM it started raining (thunderstorm) and the temperature has dropped to a comfortable seventy-nine degrees.  I have the doors open and A/C off.   ~~ Bye!! I’m going to turn off the computer (due to thunderstorm).  ~~   Footnote, 6:30 PM: It rained hard for over an hour. Strong wind, too. The rabbit seemed oblivious to the rain as he/she feasted on corn below the squirrel feeder.