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

A Little Bit of Everything -

Such a busy time this has been… It seems like autumn arrived and the pace has not slowed at all. Sometimes I enjoy a fast pace. I am one of those nuts that work well under pressure. Believe it or not I am over halfway done with my Christmas shopping for this year; possibly more but I don’t want to sound too much like an over achiever.

This weekend my oldest son is getting married. I have had a ball helping my new daughter in law with many of the preparations. I was honored to go wedding dress shopping with her, it was a delight. It is an outdoor wedding with the rehearsal dinner picnic style so I have deserts to make. All in all I think it is going to be great. Weather report is looking good with a warm up to 85 with a light wind for Sunday (10-10-10).

Of course with weddings comes family so my daughter will be here as well as my other son with his fiancée (who are getting married in April 2011). I feel like I have been running like a chicken with his head cut off all week, trying to get all the last minute details completed.

Distractions? Of course there have been distractions. Winston was sick earlier with a stomach virus or so we thought. I initially thought it was his newly opened bag of dog food yet I was assured that the 3 days at the vets where he was given fluids intravenously because he had it coming out both ends said otherwise. However as soon as he returned home and was well enough to go back to his food, lo and behold he started getting sick again. I immediately took him off the Science Diet Puppy Food with lamb and rice and put him on something else. In fact I even cooked rice and chicken for him a few days, yet that proved to be quite the chore for an 8 month old lab puppy. He is doing much better now and is as energetic as ever.

Then there was the distraction of my poison sumac flare up. Vince was so good last winter and early spring to clear the sumac from around the pond. We did not go down to the bottom of the yard and clear out any of it, mainly because the land is not ours and we thought it wasn’t necessary. All summer long I went and never had a bout. I think I got it from my old friend Sunny, my orange tabby. He likes to prowl and I have seen him several times coming out of the bushes down that way. I was able to get into the doctor’s office and get some steroids to fight it off just in time before it over took my arms before the wedding.

Other than all that I have been enjoying autumn. A brisk cool front came through and yesterday morning I awoke to a temperature of 37. Autumn is definitely here with us. Yesterday I purchased a box of Georgia peaches the size of softballs. What am I going to do with them I am not sure yet they tasted so good I just had to.

I go up to see my mother tomorrow to celebrate her 79th birthday with her. I will probably take a few to her as well as a couple of the beautiful sweet potatoes I purchased at the same time from the roadside vendor. Vincent’s mom lives in the same town so I will take a few to her as well. The others, I will eat and make a nice peach cobbler for when my kids come down.

One last heads up… Don’t forget about Mrs. B’s continuing 31 days of Halloween. It has been great so far and I am sure it will only get better. I am participating in the haunted blog tour  as well as contributing a set of my willow runes in one of the giveaways (October 26th ). Also a quick reminder that on October 26th my own giveaway will be announced. I will be honest; I have tons of ideas dancing around in my head. I have not decided if I am going to do one with several winners or several over a period of time. Guess you will just have to stop by on the 26th and take a look see.

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday filled with opportunities for blessings and wisdom… Take a few moments to slow down and enjoy life, if only for a few… In the end I can assure you that you will be glad you did.

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.