No Frickin' Blog Since June!

I have no excuse other than I truly need a new computer to go along with my new house. I think I'd be more consistent with blogging if I had the proper apparatus to use during my leisure time. We'll see...

Moved into the new house and loving country life! The views are breath-taking and rooms bathed in natural light are uplifting. Some day we'll be unpacked but for now, adjusting and simply being is all I need.

New House

Our cottage construction is finally underway! I can hardly believe that I'll be a Sun Prairie Township resident after spending a lifetime as a Cross Plains citizen. The commute will be hard to take after walking to work for 28 years. However, returning home to acres and acres of nature and a view to-die-for will be worth it. Growing up, living and working in a small town feels a bit like the poor bug scrutinized under the microscope. Privacy will be a luxury.

In Avian Heaven

I decided to spend a solitary afternoon at Mystic Marsh this past Saturday, and was not disappointed by the plethora of winged friends. As I sat in the old adirondak chair eating my alfresco lunch, I was greeted by the sight of eight tree swallows jockeying for the myriad bluebird houses on site. So spirited and friendly was this bunch, that my pate almost became a temporary perch. After a while, they dispersed and I was contented with the twittering blackbirds, pipping robins and two wayward sparrows. Later I strolled down to the picnic table and viewed a fanning turkey, (with no takers), in the distance and heard the raucous call of the resident pheasants. A couple of mallards flew overhead and my beloved Sandhills circled a few times before landing near a distant pond.

As shadows grew long and the afternoon was waning, I headed back to the cabin porch for a nice glass of vino and opera. I'd no sooner started the music, when I caught a flash of blue to my right. Could it be? Yes, it was a bluebird -- the elusive bluebird who I've been trying to lure in for three years. He checked out the houses and actually stuck around for at least 45 minutes. It must have been Renata Tibaldi's voice that appealed to this vibrant little guy. I was enthralled and highly entertained.

The next morning I began gathering my things for my short trek home, when a familiar melodic blend entered the air. A wee male wren had shown up just before my departure. I sat for a bit and reveled in a solo even Caruso would have envied. Giving the trees one last scan, I noticed a rather large bird sitting atop a limb. I didn't immediately recognize the bird, so I grabbed the bird book for a look-see. It was a brown thrasher. This is only the second time I've seen a brown thrasher, the last time being two years ago. I was duly excited and jotted a small note in the book. I hope he sticks around for a while. Ah...two days in aviary heaven--what bliss.

Tree Swallows are Back

Nebraska & Sandhill Cranes

Jan and I did make our annual sojourn to Nebraska and were not disappointed. Estimates put the Sandhill Crane migration at 50,000. By mid-March, there will be about 500,000. We saw one Whooper - a breathtaking observance even at a great distance. From Nebraska through Iowa, we counted 20 eagles. Meadowlarks and blackbirds are also in Nebraska. Shouldn't be long before they make their way to Wisconsin. I plan to upload some crane photos and will post one or two here when I finally get to it.

Spring Harbingers

Yesterday I heard a cardinal sing. Dare I hope Spring will return with zephyrs softly breathed? (I remember that line from a long-ago song sung by my high school madrigal group.) Now I wait for the return of the blackbirds. This truly is my Spring thing, besides the return of Sandhills. I think Jan and I will be heading out to Nebraska next week-end to see the crane migration. The beauty of organized chaos in motion.

Hopefully we're saying a final farewell to the polluted, frozen concoction of salt, car effluent and garbage as it melts under the warming sun. Another harbinger, albeit, unsightly one, of Spring. I adore snow (when not on the roadways) but abhor it's unnatural shade of sludge.

Bistro Table & Geraniums

This photo makes me long for summer. The table is now buried under snow and ice.

Time Goes By

Egads! Has it really been almost three months since I visited my own blog? Time to get back to it and learn how to type my stream of consciousness.

My incredible son, Jason, is embarking for Washington D.C. in March to take a grant-funded job with the National Association for Independent Living. He's a social worker for people with disabilities and now has a chance to affect change through writing policy and lobbying. He's a bit of a political nut like the rest of the family so he should be in his element. What a stupendous time to be in D.C. The only down-side is that he will be away from his family for a year. The other potential down-side is that he may get a permanent job which would mean a bit of a sob fest for me. I can't imagine being parted from my beloved Ella Enchanting. Of course I'm being selfish and truly am thrilled my son has this fab opportunity.

My other incredible son, Jeremy, was just elected secretary of his union. Did I mention my sons are both progressive liberals bent on creating change for the greater good? Fortunately Jeremy's job doesn't require re-location so he and his lovely wife, Michelle, will remain in the Madison area. (Hope another grandchild is in the future. Now I am sounding like Raymond's mother, Marie!:))

More to come, stay tuned..........