WanderLust Wednesdays: Bluebirds and New Kitties

Many of you have inquired about the condition of the small bluebird that I had the blessing to nurse some time back. Let me first say that this experience was one of the most rewarding times I have had with a small creature of the wild. I have always been one of those who thinks (or should I say wants to think) that I can somehow help any creature in need. I have picked up strays and hurt animals for as long as I can remember.

Most of these rescues of late have come from the clutches of my dear cats. Yes I know they are cats and it is hard for me to expect anything else from them. I am not sure if there is a way to teach a cat not to chase birds, mice or even small moles. I have put safety collars with bells attached so that they will at least make some form of disturbance as they attempt to stalk their prey. Yet I think they have learned even how to silence these. Sweetie is so good at blending with the dried leaves and colors of winter that there are many times I do not see her until I am right beside her…

Not long back Sunny and Sweetie were in the yard playing with a grass rat that they had herded up into the yard near the back porch. They were having fun chasing it back and forth between them never really hurting it only enjoying the fun of the chase. I of course had to save it from the fate that I knew would eventually come its way so I also started to herd the creature away from them. They continued to follow it down to the edge of the pond. Vincent and I watched as it appeared that they mouse would escape by swimming its way to freedom. It swam the full width of the pond coming out from its triumph escape only to be snatched up in the clutches of a hawk that had watched the entire episode. He was grateful for the cats and I tiring the mouse to the point where he had to do little to catch him.

There is a new kitty in our lives these days. After the tragic death of Blackie I went through a time where I considered adopting a new cat from a local shelter. Each time I would go to Pet Smart I would go in and see the kitties (I do this any time I go there). I would always find one that caught my fancy. I decided though that I would wait until Summer when my granddaughter came to visit and let her pick the new kitty out. Well I must of sensed the a new kitty was coming because last week right after the heavy snow I heard this meowing. It sounded remarkably like Blackie’s old call. I could hardly believe it as his voice had been so distinctive. Lo and behold a new tom was the owner of the call. His matted long hair and worn feet told me that he had traveled far or that he did not have a home to call his own. He was quite skiddish so at first I was not able to catch him. I left him food in the usual spot I did for all the other strays that came to visit.

The other night I heard him again and went to investigate. This time it was as if he called me. I went to him. He was near the cellar and the cat house (a homemade dog house Vincent built which the cats call home) where Blackie used to spend most of his time when he was visiting. He allowed me to walk right up to him and as I bent down and offered my hand he came and I picked him up. I was amazed that he was so accepting. He spends his evenings with Sunny and Sweetie now under the fairy tree. I know he is special as Sweetie accepts him and she does not accept just any kitty. To be honest as silly as it sounds I feel like he is somehow connected to Blackie. And the fact that I am able to hold him and show him affection is quite special to me as I always wanted to do just that with Blackie .

About the bluebird. The reason I started this post in the first place. I tended him as I had told you in my last post about him. He was a delightful little guy. He sang each day as he sat on my counter and watched me about the house. Occasionally I would check on him and make sure he was drinking and eating. He seemed to be doing so well. One day as I removed the towel that covered his cage each evening he seemed somewhat slow and not as perky as he was usually yet when I checked him, he seemed to be fine. He had eaten and he even sang during the morning. I went about my chores yet each time I passed him he just did not seem the same.

Later that afternoon I noticed he was nestled up in his red fleece blanket yet as I spoke to him he did not move. I opened the door to his cage to check on him and that is when I realized he had passed. I can not tell you how sad I felt as this outcome. He had done so well and seemed to be recouping so good. Yet the release of him back into the wild was not something I was going to be able to witness. I will say that when I first found him and started to care for him I referenced my book on birds as messengers to see what it said about blue birds. It stated that bluebirds were a representation of love. I could definitely see that in all that this little piece of blue beauty brought me in the short time he was with me. I prepared him a small box and lined it with his red fleece blanket. Decorated the box then buried him near the fairy tree.

Thank you to all of you who were so kind in sending words of well wishes for him. I have already seen other fellow bluebirds since and fortunately the cats have not bothered them anymore. Blessings

RIP Blackie

If you read my posts on a normal basis you know that I have a dear love for feline.  Sweetie and Sunny are my own kitties that are now a little over two years old.  Still I am one of those who if a stray comes around I am sure to put out food for them and see that they have shelter and water. 

Although two of the other cats that frequent my yard are not what you would call strays (one is the next door neighbors and the other live a bit further away) they still come on a daily basis to eat breakfast or a late snack. 

Then there is Blackie.  The last of the black cats that roamed the area since we first moved here over 6 years ago.  At one time there were 6 of them and yes I tended all of them.  I even took them into a vet and had them all fixed as well as shots.  Over the years they have slowly disappeared.  I never found any signs of them and thus I kept the positive view that they found new homes elsewhere.

Blackie was the last of them.  A big black tom that came on occasion to the back porch and spoke to me.  His call was distinctive and I always knew when he was at the back door.  When the weather was warm he did not come around too often.  He was content to roam the area and find birds and mice to fill his tummy.  Yet as winter set in and the temperatures became colder he would frequent my back porch so much more. 

Yet last week when we received the coldest temperatures of the year thus far, I was surprised when I did not see him.  I would call in the evenings expecting to hear his cry and see him come from out of the brush at the bottom of the yard.  Yet he did not come.  He had been away before so I did not worry much.

The other day, Vincent and I ventured out to town for the first time in a few days and as we drove the road out of our area I heard Vincent gasp and stop the truck.  I asked what was wrong and he started to back the truck up and told me to wait and I would see.  As he backed up and stopped the truck he told me to look upward.  Hanging in the tree was Blackie.  His stomach was open and exposed and it was obvious that he was no longer with us.

Today we went and brought him down from the tree and gave him a proper burial.  It was apparent that he had not climbed into the tree but was thrown up into the tree, landing between two branches.  His front paws and head hung through the front and his hind legs dangled freely.  His stomach was completely exposed and he was stiff from the cold and the time he was evidently there. 

I wondered what had happened to him.  Was it accidental?  Was he struck by a car and someone tossed him out of the road? Or was it not accidental?  I will never know I am sure yet still I found the manner in which we found him so sad.  He was a loner of a kitty.  He was not held and cuddled much if at all as he was quite skiddish.  I had petted him a few times yet it was not often enough.  As I lowered the box into the hole that Vincent had dug, I felt sadness that he did not experience such kindness.

I will miss his occasional visits and most of all his unique cry.

A Thought To Ponder - Times Have Changed

Agnes Waterhouse was accused of having had a spotted cat familiar named Sathan.

She was hanged for it in 1566.

How many of us could be accused of the same today, for simply owning a cat?

A Thought To Ponder - Leo

A cat is a lion

In a Jungle of small bushes

- Indian Proberb -

My Week In Review

Finally it is Friday. Although really I am not sure if that makes any difference to me anymore. Since I no longer work outside the home, I am home all week long, making the days sometimes run together. I wake up some times not sure what day it may be. There was a time when I could depend on Vincent’s work to keep me on schedule. Yet as with most jobs his has cut back somewhat. I love the fact that he is home with me more, although sometimes it really cuts into me getting all my things done. He has been off for the last 10 days and let’s just say that this morning for some time I truly thought it was Thursday.

Since I have been a bit void of blogland as of late, I thought I would give an update on what has been keeping me away. So here goes….

It has been a busy week. Working outdoors in the yard for the most part. With the temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s I have had to water my plants every other day. And like I have said in earlier posts, I created quite a garden to water. Yet still yesterday I could not pass up a great buy on some beautiful gerber daises, so this morning I was planting once again. With Vincent being home this last week he has been able to also help with the laying of rock in my fairy garden. When it is all finished I will be sure and share some photos with you.

The wildflowers also started to come up around the pond and needless to say it is gorgeous. Everyday day there is more color. This morning we drove the country side and occasionally stopped to cut flowers/seeds to take home and plant. Sometimes in the evening when I sit on my back porch and look out over the pond as the breeze sways the willows I am in amazement of the peacefulness of our little place. Although we have talked times about maybe moving someday, I know that if that day ever comes I will be so very sad to leave.

Another thing I learned this week was that there is the possibility that we will not get to have the grandkids this summer for a mini vacation. My son in law is to deploy to Afghanistan and they want to spend as much family time together as possible. I do understand yet will miss the time with them… Yet as I stated this is not a definite thing yet so…. Keep tossing some positive thoughts my way.

Also this week, Sunny gave me a couple of adventures to share with him. First was the feeble attempt I made to rescue a bird from his clutches. Of course I failed and like me being the sentimental sap that I am, I could not let him eat it once I seen it. Then later on the same day, he was chasing another bird whom when I saved, I thought I could nurse back to health. A small chickadee whose only issue seemed to be a damaged wing was quickly put into my bird cage to recuperate. When I checked in on him this morning, I realized that he was wounded worse than I thought and later he passed. After cutting the wood for 2 small coffins as well as 2 crosses, I assembled them and laid Sunny’s victims to rest.

On the creative side I have been dabbling in many new ideas from painting, to writing, to working with dried flowers. Hopefully I will be able to share some of my creations with you soon. I did notice that my one year anniversary is coming up quickly. In July to be exact. Be on the lookout for a big giveaway. I have so enjoyed this last year with all of you. So many great friends and wonderful wisdom has been sent my way, I want to give a little back. I am planning on announcing all the details later in June so come back periodically to check it out… I can assure you it will be a doosey of giveaway.

So with that said, I wish you all adieu. Sending you warm wishes and happy thoughts. Take a little time to enjoy your weekend and don’t forget to hug someone. I am off to tie and hang my Echinacea treasures I found today.