Remembering March

In March, we took a memorable trip to Explorations in Antiquity. We "went back in time" and learned about life in a tent during Abraham's day, sheep keeping, burials, oil pressing, and mill stones. In was a chilly day, but the kids enjoyed walking through a piece of Jerusalem as it was during Jesus' time and sitting in a slice of a Roman coliseum.

Also in March, we had another important birthday. Josiah turned 9. He woke to pancakes and turkey bacon. We celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese and at Grandfather's.

 He enjoyed putting animal cookies on his cake and trekking through the Paulding County wilderness.

































Our home group joined us for a Welcome Party for our foster boy. He enjoyed helping to make the decorations.

Toward the end of the month, I took Hannah and Josiah to a program at the library about birds of prey. With Hannah's interest in owls, it was a must see. I believe the owl in the picture is a European Eagle Owl and the bird on the bottom is a falcon (it has a mask on to keep it calm). They are part of the Medieval Times Show. The ladies who brought them did a great job and it was very educational.

Speaking of Birds

While we're on the topic of birds, here's another sort of bird story for you.

Hannah got a hankering for some fine-feathered finches. Mom and Dad said, "Sure, if you are willing to give up your parakeets."
Hannah didn't hesitate long before saying, "Okay."
Hannah had Mom post her offer on Craigslist.
Hooray, we got a response and off we went to do a trade.



Hannah saying "Goodbye" to Paris and France

We hauled two parakeets to Monroe and came back with two finches.
Home Tweet Home.



They are a nesting pair of zebra finches that already have two eggs in their nest. If they did not get too disturbed during the move, we may have some babies. The lady we traded with, gave us the cage they were in so as not to upset them too much.



Here they are on top of the nest. The female is the gray one in front and the male is behind her. He is gray and white (pied). They went back inside the nest after they ate.
We were very pleased with the lady's set up and I think Paris and France are going to enjoy their new home.

A Brooding Parsite

That is not a very pleasant thing to be called.

At first we were excited to see a new bird that we had not seen before, but once we read his bio we were less enthusiastic about him.

His call is most fascinating and unusual like gurgling water, and he is bold for a bird.

We identified him as a male brown headed cowbird. The reason they are called brooding parasites is quite sad, for the female lays her egg(s) in another bird's nest and then leaves. The resident mom sits on the egg(s) along with her own. When they hatch, that's when things get messy. The cowbird baby gets all of the food, because it's bigger. The other babies either starve or get pushed out.

What lesson can I learn from the cowbird? Build my own nest. Don't leave my responsibilities to someone else. And teach my kids to not be selfish. What do you learn from the cowbird?

Spring!

Talking Clock

Tulip and Lady Bug

Row of Pansies

Bluebird saying "Goodbye" to Winter

Flocks on Friday

I believe these are Cedar Waxwings. They kept flying back and forth across the backyard and zooming down for a drink. Never staying in one place for long. There are many more than you see in each picture. It was amazing to watch and lasted for quite a while before they left to visit someone else.
Also, as this was taking place in the back, Red-winged blackbirds, by the dozen were grazing on something in the front, but by the time I got my camera and snapped pictures of the waxwings, the blackbirds had moved on.

Wordless Wednesday - Red-tailed hawk

This is one huge bird.

I think it is at least 20 inches long.

I could not get close enough to measure it.

Beauriful creature . . .

with a keen eye . . .

and a loud call.

This give a better idea of the size.

He stayed long enough for me to get some good shots.

Then he rose and turned. . .

faced the woods . . .

and flew away.

To find out what kind of hawk this is, I contacted Monteen at Hawk Talk . She got back with me in record time. You can see her answer to me in the comments. You might also want ot check out her blog, if you are interested in such things.

Making Up for Missed Mondays

41. gifts from mom.

Soaps, lotions, bath salts sent through the mail with a sweet handmade card

42. unseen gifts.

What is unseen is eternal

43. flowers from Theron.

beautiful orchids like my mom's

44. quiet.

      In the stillness, in the quiet, I know that YOU are near.

45. a backyard oasis (pool) on a hot July day.

two fish

46. dipping chips together.

Yummy cheese dip

47. summer showers that come and go.

two ducks

48. doves.

(Sorry, this picture does not do them justice. Better in real life.)

49. Little surprises.

Baby mantis on Josiah's arm

50. Milestone birthday - fabulous fifty!
      What a coincidence! This is my fiftieth entry. That does not mean that I will be one hundred when I post my hundredth entry, does it? That is meant to be funny. (Insert laughter) Okay, I'm trying not to overreact. Theron told me, "It's not that bad being fifty." That made me feel better. He should know.