Swallows and Bluebirds

The baby Tree Swallows are about to leave the nest. Before they venture off I was able to get these photos.











It was a full house this last weekend at the Nestle Inn. Among the guests staying was a gentleman by the name of Paul White. He was in town with wife and family for a reunion. Mr. White asked me whether I had Bluebirds nesting around the property. (The last couple years I have at least one pair that return annually to nest and raise their young). The reason Mr. White was asking me this was because he is a strong advocate for the Bluebird. From my own experience, and from what Mr. White told me, Sparrows will take over nest boxes which prevent other species of birds from nesting. Also, Sparrows will drive out or kill other birds (such as Bluebirds and Tree Swallows) that have taken up residence in an existing nest box. (For further info click here)




Mr. White builds the type of bird house shown here that enable the Bluebirds and Tree Swallows to escape if threatened by Sparrows. Also, these bird houses deter Sparrows from using them because they are built to have a shallow interior. I was very happy when Mr. White offered to give me one. I immediately installed it on a fence post of the pasture. Thank you to Mr. Paul White for his insight and generosity as well as the inspiration to build some nest boxes of such a design as to deter Sparrows from nesting and promote the safety and nesting habits of the Bluebird.

Treasures

My neighbor stopped by yesterday to chat, and since the weather outside was less than hospitable we had our iced tea in the parlor. During the course of the conversation she mentioned she had recently gone to a yard sale in town where there were a lot of things in which I might be interested. That being said, and once our tea was done, we drove into town so I could take a peek. She was right. There were a number of nice things I would like to have. But lack of space and frugality ruled the day. Except when it comes to small odds and ends. And even better when they are packed into a pretty clear container.

 When I saw the lace I resisted opening the box. But, seeing inside I knew there were pieces that were done by hand. Probably by someone from long ago. So, when I got home I proceeded to slowly lay out the items...

My $4 find

...and there in the bottom was a tatting shuttle and long pieces of tatted trim.

I like the white tatted trim To some it might look like these items are worthless. But to me and others, knowing what it takes to create something delicate from a strand of thread, these are treasures.

A Good Day For Tatting

With hot, hazy skies, and temps to match it was a good day to be in the house where it was in the low seventies despite 95 degree weather outside. Built of cinder block in 1910 the house cools down quite nicely when the windows are opened at night as long as the temperature outside drops to the sixties. The key is to close the house up before the sun peeks above the horizon in the morning.

I make a habit of checking on all the animals several times a day when I know heat can cause discomfort, and to make sure water is available to all. Today the animals really felt the effects of the heat. Even in the shade the chickens were panting and holding out their wings from the side of their bodies. The rabbitry was too warm for comfort, so I moved the rabbits to a shady area under the big elms where they could feel a breeze on their ears, and thus, cool their blood. The goats and mare seemed to fare better than the other animals. The heat didn't keep them from grazing in the sun although shade was available for lounging.

Even though the coolness in the house felt good when I came inside, I couldn't resist being outside off and on throughout the day. If the sun is shining, I'm usually outside working. But today I sat in the shade with a cold, iced tea and tatted awhile.

What is nice about tatting is it doesn't take up much room. With just a small shuttle (or needle) and a ball of thread I'm good to go. And if I stop to do something else, I can pick up where I left off just by counting double stitches. So, in my ventures to and from the house to sit in the shade, or out to check on the animals it was a good day for tatting.