Today, three large containers and one hanging basket departed for their new home. The beautiful red Mandavilla is sold and will be spirited away by a new owner. The beautiful pink Mandavilla–at the front porch–is sold and it, too, will go “bye, bye.” Plants, planters, and bird feeders have been sold but (woe is me!!) there are still dozens of things for sale. I’m praising God that I’ve had this awesome experience growing flowers for the Hummingbirds–and watching their coming and going.
…took a tumble!! I’ve been “downsizing” and the car was packed with donations for Turning Point Second Chance Boutique in Waxhaw. Everything had been unloaded and I was ready to leave. Then I took a fall and struck my head on their back door. I was (am) so embarrassed because emergency vehicles rolled with sirens screaming!! I refused treatment… but consented when Stephanie offered to drive me to the local emergency room. She stayed through the extremely long process. After three hours, this stubborn old lady was threatening to walk out of the treatment room and exit the building!! Finally, stitches were in and patch was in place. 
Belatedly, Stephanie was back in Second Chance Boutique and could resume her responsibilities abandoned about 10:30. I’m so grateful for her genuine warmth and thoughtful attentiveness!! Stephanie–my guardian angel.
My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me.
I cannot choose the colors;
He worketh steadily.
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
and the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.
~~~ author unknown
If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!! I once had an attractive wall plaque with that message. It was sold or given away. Right now I am embarking “full steam ahead” on “downsizing.” More things are destined to find their way to Thrift Shops. In the future I may reminisce and question “What happened to such-and-such??” The saga with the Bluebirds is drawing to an end so I’ll focus my energy on the neglected “downsizing” project. I’ve dragged things from Lancaster, California, to Brookville, Ohio, to Shelby, North Carolina, to Waxhaw, North Carolina. I have five or six (or seven or eight) sturdy old suitcases full of picture albums. I have a decades-old trunk full of pictures–and albums–from my parents and grandparents. Off-hand I don’t know how many boxes of genealogy. I’m facing the problem again “What do I do with these?” ~~ True story: I wrote those words (“What do I do with these?”) and then, subconsciously, put my hands in my hair and gave it a gentle tug. Strange isn’t it how the mind works?! ~~ Keep me in your thoughts and prayers; I’m especially “needy” right now!!
FYI: I’ve followed a holistic lifestyle for over thirty years. I’m conscientious about the food I eat. I don’t use prescription drugs. I’m going to support the movie-making project.
Now, here’s a thought: We’ve heard how the government monitors our phone calls and our e-mail so we have no privacy. “Big Brother” may be trolling the Internet and e-mail messages for names of individuals that are anti-GMO. Perhaps I’m paranoid(?) but I believe Christians are documented “in the system.” I’m standing up for my beliefs even if it costs me my life!!
I have “a one track mind.” Please scroll down and see the progression of baby Bluebirds from eggs to adolescence. I love my Bluebirds!!Occasionally I find a web site with information from a kindred spirit.
These same messages can be found further down in the blog. I’ve consolidated them here so the reader can move from day-to-day. Depending upon your computer, I believe you can read one message, close it (x), return to this message, click the next, read it, close it, etc.
Five Little Bluebird Eggs in the Nest
In the remote chance I might see one of the Bluebird babies fledge, I sat on the patio for a couple of hours. The following pictures have little value but provided an opportunity to experiment with the Canon. I love the zoom!! In the past, with the Samsung, I seldom used zoom and relied on the “crop” feature in Picasa software. I’ll spare you pictures of bees, chameleons and crows. (The Canon has “image stabilizer” so zoom pictures are better than those with the Samsung.)
I love to be creative!! There is a sense of satisfaction compiling one item from unlikely objects. For ninety-nine cents, from Goodwill, I bought the plastic “drink” dispenser. I’ve owned the snack tray for decades!! The metal bracket was an eighty cent Thrift Shop purchase just waiting for its eventual usage.
From my growing library of books and pamphlets regarding Bluebirds, I read about building a “platform feeder” (for the Bluebirds). The description called for wood platform/bottom and wood roof/ceiling with clear plastic sides. In my mind’s-eye, buying small pieces of lumber (at Lowe’s or Home Depot) and paying to have it cut to size, was an expense I didn’t want. (Not that I couldn’t afford it; I just didn’t want to go that route.) Today (after the chiropractic appointment) I saw the “drink” container at Goodwill and identified how it could play a role in the creation of a platform feeder. I hadn’t been home an hour before I started drilling holes to attach the bracket, and holes for drainage and ventilation. I have my own small store of hardware items but no bolts the proper length. I need to visit Ace Hardware for four bolts, washers and nuts. (Ace Hardware because I can buy one, two, three or four specific items and not have to buy a package with more than I need!!)
I’m ahead of schedule because the “platform feeder” was suggested for feeding Bluebirds during the winter. But I was challenged by the idea and it is under construction. I’ll post additional pictures after it is assembled. ~~ Maybe the Bluebirds won’t even adopt the feeder but it is fun to create and expense was nominal.
Postscript, Sat. Aug. 17, 2013, 3:00 PM: I’ve discarded the several items; I’ll never complete the project. I’m moving to Texas and will not have Bluebirds. Here is a link to a professional built “see through” feeder.
Note: Please see Baby News–Day Thirteen.
Three Quarters & Counting 