THE LITTLE SPIDER'S FAVORITE FLOWER

 

Ahhh...what a beautiful night.  It has cooled off nicely after a hot, humid day.  Looking up at the full moon and watching a sky full of a million twinkling stars, this little spider began to think about the chores for the day ahead.  The sun will be up in a few hours, and I have a lot of things on my 'to do' list.  After a few more hours of rest, relaxation and planning, I was ready for the new day.  After stretching each of my eight legs and yawning a big, long, satisfying yawn, I'm ready to get going.  Oh look, my breakfast is ready.  Right here on my web.  After filling my tummy with delicious treats from the bug buffet, I needed to concentrate on mending the loose silk on my web.  The air was already feeling pretty humid, I think it is going to be another hot day here in UP Michigan.  It is August.  But I must keep up with the maintenance of my home no matter the temperature or the weather.  

I spy, with one of my eyes, the lady of the house heading my way.  I built my house in one of her plant boxes under the front windows of her home.  She is dragging a garden hose...good news to cool off, bad news that she might use a higher power setting and just blow me and my web right out of here.  But, good news, she lays the hose on the ground under the low evergreens that are below the plant box, to give them a good soak.  Then, she reaches up and starts picking around the flowers in my plant box.  From my closer than I like, viewing position, she appears to be deadheading the flowers that are now dried and swiveled and are past their beautiful glory days.  This plant box is planted with Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Alyssum, a tall spike, some flowing Vinca Vines, a few Begonias and some Yellow Gerber Daisies.  The Marigolds have a strong smell, but the rest of the plants only have a faint lovely aroma, which I prefer.   I am particularly fond of the Nasturtiums.  They come in so many beautiful fall colors.  Light and dark oranges, yellows, reds and combinations of all of those colors.  They are edible, have fun shaped leaves and produce an attractive round ball that is their seed. 

I do wander off of my web occasionally to take a break from my web design, to check out all of the beautiful plants.  I also wander about to check and make sure that any other spiders or bugs that are present or are just traveling through. If I find any visitors, I make sure that they are not thinking of staying any longer than a short visit.  If they are courteous and respect my presence, which I immediately make known, I don't mind that they are stopping off for a while to enjoy the beautiful plants.  But, if they happen to be a spider and they are thinking about taking up residency in my plant box, I will hide in the flowers and allow them to start weaving a web and then I will go in and cut all of their threads, and they will sail off into the wild blue yonder.  Other bugs, I allow to stay for a while and then I go over and shoo them away.  

One day, as a game, I started counting the developing seeds that the lovely Nasturtiums were producing.  I began to count them each day just to make sure that they were all there.  Also, I add to the count any new seeds that had developed.  And, for a long time, each time I would count, they would all be present and accounted for.  

One morning, after breakfast and before starting my mending chores, I counted and recounted my precious seeds and discovered that there were a few missing.  Looking down to the ground, I realized that when the seeds become large enough, their weight would put strain on the stem, and they would fall to the ground.  

I decided that my new job was to wind my silky threads around each of the precious seeds to keep them securely in my plant box.  It did take me quite a while to find each seed and create the silk and wrap each one with its own safety line.   It was kind of fun discovering a new purpose for my weaving and my tying skills.  

After doing that, I was happy knowing that all of the remaining seeds would be with me for the season...UNTIL...the lady of the house discovered the seeds.  The Nasturtiums seeds look like wrinkly little peppercorns. They are so fun to discover, touch and hold for further examination.   While the hose was running down below, she decided to start not only deadheading the flowers that were past their glory days...but also started picking my precious seeds.  She would find one and pick it with her right hand and then place it in her left hand to collect.  I obviously did not tie my silk line on all of the seeds.  She was able to just reach in and pick them.  Oh well...

I wandered off to the side of the plant box so as to not to alert her to the fact that I was living there.  The next seed that she went after looked like it was a goner...right hand picked the seed...transferred it to her left hand...and then to my peeking pleasure, BOING...it recoiled right back into place.  My silk threads had worked...I was so proud of my work.  But she did not give up. Plucked the same seed...right hand to left hand and it flew out of her hand again.  But this time, it landed on a tall evergreen that is planted right next to the plant box.  I can swing over and retrieve the seed later...no problem   But, she must have thought that a third time would be the charm and went in again for the seed.  With renewed effort, she plucked the seed, and it went from her right hand to the left hand and did not recoil this time.  My thread was broken.  It broke my little heart.  Even though this is her house, these are her plant boxes and these are her plants, I just wanted to live here and collect those special seeds.   After plucking a few more seeds, she looked pleased and wandered off to another part of her gardens.  

Initially, I was mad, then sad and then I generally go into my best phase...strategizing.  I think I have a new plan to save my seeds.  I will pluck them when they are ready to detach and bury them in the dirt of the plant box.  This way, I get to keep them, know where they are and quite possibly...they will grow into more colorful Nasturtiums for all to enjoy.  

This plan allows me to reclaim my time to devote to my main responsibility...tending to my web.  The seeds are kind of tricky to lasso and then tie up securely enough to not allow them to fall to the ground.  Now that I know that the determined lady of the house will just keep plucking the seeds until she is satisfied - I realize that my initial plan was futile.  So, after untying all of the remaining seeds I decide to bury them in the dirt.  This should work. Now I can finally feel like I can begin mending my web home without fretting about losing my seeds.

This all works...I get to hold and play with my favorite seeds, bury them in the warm, moist soil and watch them grow into more beautiful flowers that produce more seeds.  And she won't be as keen coming over to look for them...when she can't find any.  Finally...they are all mine.  All warm and snug  right here in my plant box, right under my web...the way it should be.  On with today's work.  OH NO, here she comes with the hose again...it's shower time...hang on...Ahhhh..that actually felt pretty good on this hot day.  Thanks lady of the house.  Now, go away and let this little spider get on with its daily work.  

OUR LITTLE TIPO...AND HIS BIG PERSONALITY...

 

Tipo is our sweet, older gentleman...Chihuahua.  He came into our lives as a surrendered little guy of 5 years old.  He and his sister were at the Humane Society where we were living in WI.  When I called to see if this cute little guy and girl were still available, I was told that the little girl had already been adopted.  I was a bit disappointed as my plan was to keep them together, but it was not to be. 

  We hurried over to meet this little guy.  I'll never forget the first time he was introduced to us.  A member of the Humane Society staff brought him out to us on a leash.  He was wearing a plaid bow tie.  He walked through the door and sat down right in front of us as though he was inspecting us.  At that moment, I knew that he would become a wonderful member of our animal crew.  He was small in stature, but large in the attitude department.  A typical Chihuahua I've since learned.  The bold colored bow tie was perfect for this little (big) guy.  It is his signature look.  He wears one of his many bowties when we go for a walk or for rides on my three-wheel bike.  He loves viewing the neighborhood from the basket on my bike.  If he could jump up in there by himself, he would.  When I tell him that we're going for a ride, he jumps around until I lift him up into his basket.  He takes on his whole Chihuahua personality as soon as we take off.   He stands with his front feet on the front of the basket and often times barks at 'whatever'.    

  In the Meet & Greet Room at the Humane Society, while initially sitting in front of us, he continued to really check us out for a few minutes. He looked from me to my husband, up and down.    I thought I would slowly reach down and let him smell me.  He smelled my hand and my arm and then allowed me to pick him up.  I placed him between my husband and I, so that he could check us both out.  He seemed to be relaxed, sniffed us both and he let us both pet him. 

 He had brought a little stuffed bunny out with him to meet us.  After sitting between us for a while, he jumped down and retrieved his little bunny.  He jumped back up between us on the couch with his beloved bunny.  The staff member told us that he was surrendered with his sister and this stuffed bunny.  I felt that it was his touch with his dear sister and to the first five years of his life.  He still has that stuffed bunny.  But now after 8 years, and many washings, it is now just a small square piece of fuzzy fabric. This precious piece of cotton stays in his bed, and he checks on it daily.  He sleeps with us but keeps his toys and bones/treats in his little bed, right next to our bed.  We purchased a little stairway for him to use to get up on our bed so that there was less chance of him hurting himself going up and down.   

We have had many fluffy family members and most of them were larger breeds.  Tipo was our first small dog. We have loved them all, but as we age, a little one is much more in line with what we can handle.  He is smaller and lighter to lift and is easier to walk on a leash.  We also have an older dog, Sadie, that we have had since birth.  We had raised goldendoodles and kept one of the pups, Sadie.  She was now in her 'golden years'.  But now having little Tipo in all of our lives, it really seemed to pep Sadie up...like a playful puppy again in many ways.  

We have moved from our hobby farm in WI to UP Michigan.  He has been our good boy for about 8 years now...so, he is 13 years old and is doing well.  I believe that he and his sister were taken very good care of but had to be surrendered for hopefully, a loving reason - owners possibly aging and/or entering a nursing facility...I like to think that...because he is very healthy, well-mannered and just a love...no signs of abuse or neglect thankfully. He does use the house as his bathroom occasionally...but not enough to be a real problem. 

 At times I wish that rescued animals could tell you about their past so that you could do your best to help them figure it all out.  Help them to deal with their past and let them know that they are now in a safe and loving place.  

Probably the best thing to do is to start fresh with good food, exercise, lots of play time, a loving, comfortable home.  Lots of pets, smiles, snuggling and love all day long.    He does not like when someone raises their voice, but I don't think anyone does.  He does not run or hide so, I still believe that he was in a normal loving home before he came to us.  He is not afraid of fireworks. Does not even flinch...the only reactions I see are, when a dog or animal comes on the television, his ears perk up and he runs to the edge of the bed (where I many times watch television before going to sleep) and barks...And, when I let him out in the morning, he runs out, thinking that there are squirrels to chase away...which there are most of the time.  

UPDATE: Some years later (sometimes I write a blog over a number of years...happens)...Our Sadie dog passed away...Tipo's friend of many years.  After a while, we thought a nice way to honor Sadie, our dog, was to go to the local Humane Society in Menominee MI and look at the cats that we previewed on-line.  Not really knowing what age or type we were looking for...we just kind of let the cat pick us.  I walked around thinking that possibly an older one would be perfect for us and a furever home for the elder cat.  My husband was walking around talking to each cat.  One of them really talked back to him and he fell in love with her.  She was named Sadie and she was 1 yr. 2 months old and she was quite the gabber.  Perfect. Giving a loving home to a cat already named Sadie, after losing our dear Sadie dog. 

Sadie, the cat, now lives with us...and Tipo.  Tipo is now 15 years old and quite gray and kind of grumpy.  Sadie is helping to keep him young by just generally teasing him...but is also adding to his grumpiness.  She has a habit of following him...if he runs, she runs along next to him...like when we let him in, give him his treat and he runs to his bed.  She is right there at the door when he scratches to come in, watches closely as we give him a treat and then runs with him to his little bed...which is mostly hers now.  

We came home one day and Tipo was up on one of our chairs and to get closer to us, he jumped to another chair - basically staying off of the ground.  We thought it was odd.  He is usually on the floor jumping up on the backs of our legs and wagging his tail when we come home.  Soon we realized that he was avoiding the little fuzzy alligator on the floor...Sadie cat.  We joked about setting up a monitor to see what actually goes on when we are not at home.  I think that generally they both nap quite a bit ..but Sadie does get into her 'zoomie' moods and I think she would like Tipo to play with her...but, he is not up for that kind of play.  So, she may play around him in hopes that he will play with her...and he just wants to finish his nap.  They work it out though.  Tipo does seem glad to see us and, I'm sure hopes that we will keep Sadie busy so that he does not have to deal with her alone.  

Life goes on...both of them nap quite a bit.  Sadie follows Tipo around a lot...he just ignores her and then she eventually runs off and finds something else to mess with besides Tipo.  She does keep him on his toes which I think helps to keep him active and in better health.  

She has turned out to be a perfect fit to our home and really to our lives.  She rubs up against Tipo every chance that he allows her to...and runs along next to him every time he goes anywhere in the house.   I still take him for rides in the basket of my bike.  He mostly sits and occasionally barks but mostly just seems to love being with me, outside and getting a good look at the neighborhood.  His little eyes look a little cloudy these days, but he never misses a dog or a squirrel when we are riding our usual route.  He lets out a bark or two and the settles back down in his basket with his blanket and the little remaining piece of his dear bunny.  

We pet him and snuggle with him as much as possible and give him a full body scratch every day.  He is aging in every way...but still has the big dog attitude wrapped in a cute little guy body.  

I'VE DECIDED....I DEFINITELY WANT TO COME BACK AS A CAT...

 

My husband and I have had the pleasure of sharing our space with many cats and kittens over the years.  First on our various hobby farms and now in our in-town home.  

While living on our several hobby farms, any cat passing through was offered daily food and water and a place to sleep.  In our big barn, we would put out dry and canned food and water every morning.  And there was a big, dry hay loft full of straw (and blankets) in which to cuddle up and sleep. During especially cold snaps in the winter months, we would hang heat lights in various (safe) spots - not in the hay loft - so that they could stay warm during the coldest of nights. I don't remember seeing any cats under the heat lights...but, I do remember seeing our peacocks under them rather than roosting as they usually did.  

My heart went out to these homeless, helpless animals and we did all that we could to feed them, love them and keep them alive.  Our hearts also took in sheep, goats, horses and whatever other animal or bird that needed a home...It's all been so worth it.  We received much more love and joy from them, than we could ever give.  Often times, obviously pregnant cats would wander into our farm, and we would take extra care of these mama's and their kittens.  

Usually, a few would stick around, but generally, they would move on.  Even though I felt like it, I wasn't going to trap them in somewhere...only offer them food, water and a safe place to stay, medical treatment if they needed it, until they felt that they needed to leave.  

Fast forward to the selling of our last hobby farm in Wisconsin. And our move into an old log cabin in the north woods of UP Michigan.  We also purchased an intown Victorian house to stay in while we were renovating the log cabin on 40 acres.  Renovating the log cabin was by far the hardest renovation we had ever taken on.  The hand-hewn logs were over 100 years old.  It was a heavy duty, dirty renovation.  The log cabin had been used as a 'camp' for hunters for many years since the original owners had lived there.  

We would take Tipo back and forth with us between the log cabin and the in-town Victorian.  But, we would leave Sadie and our parrot at the in-town house.  We would be there most every night to shower and sleep.  They were fine.  We were not going to take them out to the log cabin until we were done with the renovation.  Often times, the doors are open...windows are open and it would just not be safe to have them there.  Many times, depending upon what we were working on...we would leave Tipo in the truck...which he loves.  

 Sadie, our cat and April, our parrot would be so happy when we would arrive back in town.  And, Tipo would be happy to be home also.  

I love our evenings in town mostly to watch our Sadie. She just comes and goes, all over the house, as she pleases.  She had so many windows to sit at and watch the neighborhood.,  We have a glass door at the back of the house and we feed birds/squirrels at a table right outside that door.  It's her favorite place to be.  After her favorite view of the feeding table, she naps, eats...gets a case of the zoomies once in a while and then will rub up against any part of us to receive snuggles and pets.  She always purrs like a little happy motor.  I've put together a cardboard box with all of her 'stuff'...which she jumps into and then proceeds to empty out every day.  I gather it all up once she leaves for another adventure and always add something new that she might like...crinkled up paper, a bag, a bell, a feather...I craft a lot...so my supply of fun stuff is endless.

She will come when we call her.  When we're not sure where she is, we call her and soon we can hear here sweet 'conversations' coming down the stairs, from upstairs or coming upstairs from downstairs.   And then, she continues telling us...whatever...once she is on our lap or rubbing up against us.  I like to think that she is telling us about everything that is going on in our neighborhood when we are out at the log cabin.  She has several windows, with pillows, that she sits at upstairs and watches the world go by.  

No stress...no problems...just food, naps and love.  

As I get older, that's all I that I want also...so, I hope that when the day comes...I return as a cat that lives in a big, lovely home with a loving, fun family.

But, in my always busy head and big imagination (I'm a writer of whimsical stories) I think that I might actually come back as a cat that lives outdoors, in a big city, kind of the God Mother of the streets of the neighborhood.    Often getting into arguments and sometimes fights...but always surviving and helping others less fortunate. Making deals with local shop owners for food and protecting others when they need protecting.  Just kind of strolling around like I own the neighborhood. Always helping others find food and warm, dry places to sleep.  

The big loving home sounds wonderful, but the street smart, city dwelling crusader sounds pretty perfect also. Whichever will be fine with me...as long as I am a cat....  

   

OUR NEWEST ADDITION....A KITTY FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY

We rescued a 5 yr. old Chihuahua, named Tipo about 8 years ago.  He has been our everyday, in every way sweet, little love.  We also have an African Grey Parrot named April.  We purchased her at a bird sale when she was still in her pin feathers. It's been 33 years since that day at the bird sale.  She talks extensively and is very entertaining We also have all of our animals (pets) that live outdoors...llamas, fiber sheep, chickens and peacocks...and any cat that wanders by our log cabin in the woods.  And now, after a visit...to donate...to our local Animal Shelter, a cat already named Sadie will also join our family.  

As I had mentioned in other blogs, we have two homes - for reasons.  An old log cabin on 40 acres in the middle of hundreds of acres of state land in the Upper Peninsula.  And a big old Victorian home in a small city, also in the UP, about 45 minutes from the log cabin.  We spend time in both homes...depending upon a variety of things.  When the sheep are ready to lamb, we have to be out at the log cabin.  Do we need to grocery shop, we spend the day at our home in town. The weather is always a factor, especially winters. Do we want to be snowed in or snowed out of our log cabin.  The roads are all clear for our home in town, but not the roads or our long driveway out in the woods. We do have people that help us out at the log cabin.  A nearby farmer can come in with his big machine and just blow however much snow off of our long drive and the road coming in...and, we appreciate that assistance so much.  We take our animals back and forth with us most of the time, but sometimes, they have a reprieve from us at the Victorian house while we are working on the renovation of the log cabin and tending to our animals out there.  We do have someone out at the log cabin that checks on our animals every day.  We pay them in eggs, fresh vegetable, fresh fruit and meat chickens.  They love the animals and enjoy coming out to our place...so, it is a win win situation.   

One day, after viewing the available cats on-line at our local Animal Shelter I also saw a 'need' list.  So, I told my husband that I was going to go to the store and pick up a few of the items that they listed as needed at the Shelter and then we could swing by and drop off the items on our way out to the log cabin.  Well, we did all that and then after looking at all of the cute cats, put in an application to adopt a cat.  Not really planned, but it seems our history together is never about first planning, then adopting.  Usually adopt or buy first and then plan how we're going to accommodate the new addition.  It has always worked out for us because we make it work.  33 years together and always rescuing, adopting and/or purchasing animals and we continue to do that...just less, and at a slower rate at this point in time.     

  My husband loves cats, and we haven't had a house cat in a while.  We always seem to attract many of them when we have lived on our various farms.  They would show up one day, many times pregnant and we would provide food, water and a place to sleep for them in the barn...and they would sleep up in the hay that was full of straw and a few blankets.  And that still happens out at our log cabin/hobby farm but not as often.  Our log cabin is surrounded by many thousands of acres of woodland and a variety of wildlife. Whereas our other farms were surrounded by other farms...more chances of there being stray cats around.

This little girl...named Sadie...spoke to us at the Humane Society...literally and has not stopped.  Every time we call her (she has our large home...several stories and a basement to roam...and she does) but she always comes when we call her.  She seems to enjoy our rather annoying screechy cat call/voice that we use when we want to know where she is.  She must like that call and pretty quickly comes from wherever she is.  On her way to us...she is talking the entire way and then continues as if she is telling us a long story about what she saw in the neighborhood as she sat in one of her upper floor window seats.  Or, she might be telling us what might be going on in other parts of the house.  Nothing at all...we hope, but we do part time occupy a big old Victorian home that has had many owners and has a history...so, maybe she sees or feels things...that we might not...you never know... 

We could not have selected a more perfect cat for us.  She is the right amount of everything for us.  She does a little bit of everything...and that works. She zooms around, for a while, sleeps a lot, comes over to play and then leaves for parts unknown...in the house. She retrieves things and steals pens.  I tossed a wool dryer ball down the stairs where the washer and dryer are located.  It had gotten wrapped up in a blanket that I had washed, dried and carried upstairs.  So, when I found it in the blanket, I tossed it down the stairs so that I wouldn't forget it upstairs.  I went on to do other things and when I entered the kitchen, there in the middle of the room was the wool ball. She went down the stairs and somehow carried it upstairs.  She is so funny.  Also, I was upstairs in one of my craft rooms using a green marker on some craft project.  I set it down for a moment and she walked right over, took it in her mouth and ran away.  She then batted it around on the floor and like all games...she is totally interested in that game for about 1 minute and then walks away. She wouldn't retrieve that for me though; I had to get up and fetch it myself.  

She loves her food and especially her little treats.  Uses her litter box, drinks her water and Tipo's.  She loves to be loved, purrs a lot and is definitely perfect for us.  No matter how we play with her, she has never taken a bite out of us or even scratched us...we talk daily about how perfect she is for us.  She kind of scratches the furniture...for just a small scratch or two...but nothing worth mentioning...can't even see where she scratched the fabric.  

She loves all of her window seats...loves to watch the water go down when a toilet is flushed and also loves to just run along with our dog.  When Tipo, our pup, comes in and runs to his favorite spot...she runs with him...doesn't really do anything other than just join in the jog.  We let Tipo out of a clear glass door that is in the kitchen, out onto a deck and then out into the yard.  Sadie will keep watch for Tipo and let us know when he is back at the door and wants to come in.  After he enjoys his outdoor 'walk about'.  Sadie watches as we give Tipo a treat when he comes in and then, as I said, runs with him to his bed to enjoy his snack.

Sadie is probably the first cat we have ever had that refuses anything other than her hard food...which really is pretty nice.  Other cats that we have had would jump up on the table or onto the counter and eat or finish off your food if any was left sitting out. She does not pay any attention to anything other than her beloved bowl of food.  She will tell us when she wants us to put more in her bowl, even when there still quite a bit of food in there...but, apparently not enough for her to begin eating...Once we put another handful or two in there, she will supervise the event and then will crouch down and begin eating.  

We adore her and are so glad that we found her and have her as a member of our family....

CREATING COLLAGES...A VERY SATISFYING HOBBY

 

I've always been a avid crafter...of a large variety of crafts...from sewing, spinning, weaving to painting and many other crafts that I see on Facebook. If I see it and like it...chances are, I can make it.  I have a talent for recreating most any craft that I see...usually with no pattern or direction.  I just have a knack for studying the craft, dissecting it in my mind...and then create either a drawing or a prototype before making the final item. I have created some original items...but I'm much better at seeing the finished item and then breaking it down and recreating.  My finished craft item is generally similar to the one that I saw, but with my own personal artistic touches.  

Currently my craft of choice is creating paper/picture collage, many people create digital collages and that is fine.  I personally like the long process of finding pictures that I really like, detail trimming around the picture and then experimenting with positioning of all of the images. I do tend to create very busy, layered, intertwined collages. This method takes quite a bit of time.  After selecting all of the pictures that I think I want included in the college, I temporarily place them on the canvas, eliminating some, keeping some. Then the harder, more intense process begins, knowing where to glue down and where to leave open to then mesh other pictures under, over or intertwined.   

 I am also starting to gather quite a pile of my fabric scrapes and parts and pieces of past projects to begin creating a fabric collage. I've seen fabric collages made by other artists and they are always interesting and unique.  I can't wait to give it a try.

Anyone can collage.  You can use magazines, old books, greeting cards, really anything.  Because I have a really great printer, I tend to look for pictures on the internet that I like, print them off and use them in a collage. Before I began collaging, I used to create Junk Journals for several years.  They are all currently sitting in a big wooden box.  They could sit there for eternity or, they could be disassembled and used in my collages.  So, I thought I could take some of the parts and pieces out of those journals...to repurpose for the 2nd time. The junk journals were generally created out of used materials...bags, ripped paper, damaged books, bits of lace, fabric, buttons...really anything that appealed to me.  

Most all of my Junk Journals are based on a nature theme. I used a lot of tea staining to make the journal papers look older.  I also distress the edges of all with dark stain.  I like to make them look like they had been up in an attic in an old dusty chest for many years.   So, I do take apart my Junk Journals to use bits, parts and pieces for my collages.  After all, the fun part was creating...not just storing and keeping forever.  

I have made a variety of collages.   I tend to create based on my color mood which is usually more along a natural color line.  I also love anything Fairie Realm - whimsical - somewhere one would like to escape into...so, lots of woodland, magical type collages...but they really can be anything. Something kicks off a theme in my mind - usually a particular picture. And then, I develop around that special picture.  It can be a theme of characters or colors or mood.  It can be funny, serious or anything that you want to put together in one group of pictures.  

So, basically there isn't much more to say about collages...except show you a few that I have made... 

  

  

Start collaging...it's a great winter or anytime, hobby. So fun to create your own picture out of beautiful artwork...

HOLIDAYS...A TIME FOR JOY AND SADNESS

I find myself both looking forward to Holidays and also dreading them.  When my children were little, I really loved everything about them...the shopping, the decorating and the excitement that it brought to our family.  All of the family get-togethers and dinners were such a treat, to see everyone and also to eat so many traditional, favorite dishes. 

My family is Italian, so there would of course be a big pan of homemade lasagna (my grandparents are from Italy) My Grandma Addoloratta makes her own pasta, rolls out a big sheet of dough, and cuts it into either ravioli or lasagna.  And of course, makes her own spaghetti sauce (she calls it gravy).  She would layer it all up with lots of fresh ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and shredded Romano cheese that was cut from a big piece that was kept in the basement refrigerator. My grandmother often made something I called smashed olives.  She would buy a large carton of green olives from the Italian Deli.  She would put the olives in between two towels and actually hit and smash them with a hammer. Then she would take all of the olive pieces and marinate them in olive oil, spices and onion slices There was also always a big platter of baked chicken, meatballs and sausage.  My mom, who isn't Italian always added several bowls of steamed vegetables and a big green salad.  My grandmother would make her traditional sweet, light rosettes, covered with honey and powdered sugar for dessert. My mom would always bring a big platter of homemade Christmas cookies.  I always looked forward to and counted on it always being the same...tradition.  

I am so fortunate to have had those wonderful Holiday celebrations.  I have wonderful memories of those times.  Fortunately, my two children also got to experience those Holidays with my Italian family. 

The big silver metal tree with ornaments and lights would be lite in the living room upstairs and there would be a small tree in the basement where we would have our family get togethers.  The presents would be under the little tree downstairs and as I child I couldn't wait to open them.  My children got to enjoy the same tradition.  My aunt lived with my grandmother, and she would make out the gift cards with either a check or money enclosed. My aunt and my mom would always buy my grandma new robes, night gowns or daytime dresses.  She would open the boxes, admire the new clothing and then store them away because it was all too pretty to wear.  She still had useful, older clothing that was good enough to still wear.  That was her generation...had to use something until it was worn out...completely...

Christmases were fun when my kids were younger and also into high school.... but when they moved out and went their own ways...Holidays became kind of sad for me.  We would get together, but they also had another family too...so Holiday times had to be split up.  As we got older, we were less likely to do any long-distance driving...especially in the winter (we've had to turn back because of whiteout snowstorms in the Midwest) ...So, our Holidays were more sending gifts through the mail, cards, telephone calls....and, now they are emails and texts...

I think that this story is probably true of a lot of families these days.  People move about much more than they did when we were young.  So, often times nearby friends and neighbors would become the 'new family' to celebrate the Holidays.  Often times they were similar in age and their families might also live on the other side of the world or too far to travel to...because of age and financial restrictions. 

The saddest part about any Holiday is the memory of having once celebrated with someone who is no longer on this earth.  Anyone who has lost a loved one tries to go through the motion, but their heart is not fully involved...a halfhearted empty feeling...no matter the years.  

The friends and family of mine that have lost a loved one...a child, a partner, parents....choose to believe that their loved one is still communicating with them, staying near to them and joining in by showing them a sign...and that seems to give them great comfort. 

As Tennessee Williams said... "Life is all memory, except for the present moment that goes by so quickly you hardly catch it going",

TIME TO GET READY FOR THE LONG WINTER AHEAD

I think because we live in the beautiful UP Michigan woods, we notice even the slightest change in the weather.  The slightest change in the woods, in the air, in the wildlife. We observe even small changes in all of our plants in our gardens every day while we are out there tending to them.  We notice that there are more birds and wildlife coming through our property to stop and have a snack at our feeding table and/or our seed feeders.  It doesn't appear that any birds are gathering up yet for their long flight to the south.  But the ones that are going to stay for the winter are definitely starting to store seeds, nuts and corn.  

Fall is definitely in the air and we seem to feel it in one way or another.  We notice the subtle change probably more than those dashing from their vehicle into work and those that don't spend much time outdoors.  We are outside every day, rain or shine either tending to our animals or to our gardens. 

It used to make me feel kind of sad when summer was fading and then fall gave way to winter.  And, it always makes me happy when winter began turning to spring and then spring to summer.  But, I've given up feeling one way or the other about seasonal change.  Seasonal change is a time of refreshing and renewing and it is what keeps us all preparing, whether we realize it or not, for change.    

How quickly the seasons come and go.  Some days I find it hard to believe that summer days are quickly fading and that cooler fall like days are popping up more often here and there.  It seems like not too long ago I couldn't wait for winter to begin showing signs of spring and then also spring days warming up into hot summer days.  It is now becoming more fall like every day.  When stepping outside, one can just feel our much-loved warmer seasons quietly slipping away a little bit more each day giving way to a brisk feel in the air.  

The time change shifts the seasonal changes into overdrive...no matter the purpose of the time change, it always seems like it is just darker in the morning and darker earlier in the evening.  Add cooler/colder temperatures to each day...and it feels like it's telling us that the 'resting' time of the year is upon us.  For animals and also for humans.  We still need to go to work, we still need to get things done...but rather than working outside until later in the evening...we call it quits much earlier...to rest and relax.  And, that's not all bad.  

After all of its abundant gifts of colorful beauty, summer does deserve to be able to wind down for a much-deserved long winter's nap.   All of the fading above ground parts of the flowers and seed pods become food for insects and animals to eat and store for the long winter.  Below the surface the roots all cuddle together for a nice nap.  I believe that they are thinking about the next time they will feel the sun warming the soil and they will once again feel like peeking their little heads out.  But for now, time to begin resting and reflecting.     

All of the once fresh green leaves of the trees have started to go through their annual seasonal display of color change.  We witness a beautiful spectrum of colors here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  When the dried leaves settle on the ground, it becomes habitat for insects and mulch for the perennial plants.  

 Our current weather is mostly mild, some sunny days with a cloud covering and a sprinkle here and there.   I am sure that the experienced sages in wildlife have passed down the much-needed information to the younger members about preparing for the cold season ahead.  I wonder how exactly this information is passed down.  Through observation or is it just ingrained for the survival of their species.   

One of my favorite year-round activities is watching birds and squirrels. You get to know your daily visitors and look forward to seeing them each morning. I have situated a table right outside of my full glass kitchen door so that I can watch the daily visits of a familiar variety of birds and squirrels.  I keep my bags of bird feed right inside the door and always fill a container on my way out...I mound the seed mix onto this table and call to my daily visitors.  I am sure that they pretty much know the sound of the door and are waiting somewhere nearby.   We have several other hanging feeders on posts on our fence and deck that attract smaller birds like Chickadees and Nut Hatches.  I think that they feel much more comfortable picking up seeds without the larger birds and squirrels looming about.  So, I fill those everyday also.  

  Each morning as I go out to feed our chickens, I hear a familiar signal from a Blue Jay that knows my routine.  He is signaling me to not forget his peanuts. So, every day, sometimes several times a day, I scoop out corn, black sunflower seeds and, a seed mixture for my friends.   I always top off the seed mixture with a handful of peanuts in their shells.  These are a favorite of the Blue Jays and the squirrels.   After feeding everyone, I go back into the house and stop for a moment to watch the activity on this table before I begin my day.  

The squirrels eat some of the mix and peanuts right on the table and then seem to also take some and disappear for a while.  They creep down to the table from the nearby pine trees, kind of walk around the top of the table for a while and then settle down with a peanut or a piece of the dried fruit.  When the Blue Jays drop down onto the table, if a squirrel is there snacking, the squirrel will jump up onto the fence or up into our nearby pine trees.  They do not go very far away...after all, it will be his turn next once the Blue Jay flies off.  There are several squirrels that don't seem to mind each other's company.  This table generally seems to be 'a table for one', but, when there are two squirrels tolerating each other's presence, I assume they must be nest mates.  When the Blue Jays land on the table, they look left, look right and then grab a peanut and immediately fly away.  Sometimes though they will drop their first choice of a peanut and then choose another...I wonder what was wrong with the first one...did a squirrel touch it?  Not sure how many Blue Jays that we have feeding at our table.  Either there are several of them or one very busy one that is eating and storing many peanuts. I can't imagine that one Blue Jay can eat so many whole peanuts so quickly, so hopefully they are not being fool hardy and are putting up some of the peanuts in their larder for winter eating. 

Occasionally we will see migrating birds stopping in for a seed snack before they continue on their long journey.  I hope that they get their fill, rest up for a moment and then be on their way as the harsh, snowy season cannot be far behind.  

I will put seed and snacks out year-round. I don't care who eats them.  If they are hungry, I am glad to feed them. I don't notice as many visitors stopping by in the summer months.  Hopefully they are receiving their food from more natural sources.  I am more than happy to feed them when their natural food sources are harder for them to harvest under inches of snow.  So, all are welcome at my bird feeding table...there are daily specials for all customers.