This is looking promising. The first deposits have been made of nesting material. So, those of you who have been worrying about your empty platforms, take heart. Maybe we all have youngsters and they aren't sure where to shop!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
OSPREY NEWS
Well, there is nesting going on - just at a different site. Guess they didn't want to be on Candid Camera. Or maybe the eagle sitting there all day was a deterring factor. I dunno. But look at this shot. Just wish I had taken it!!!!!
MORE CAMELLIAS, DAFFODILS
OK, here are some of the white camellias... 
I had to include this red one - look at the size of the bloom!
Likewise, I have some big daffodils blooming. I never noticed how big they were before.
Remember the little yellow ones a few posts ago? Smaller than a quarter? Well, here are some little whites, also about the same size as a quarter. 
Some white daffodils, 
doubles
doubles
and a pale pink camellia.
I hope you have enjoyed my garden! Get ready! The first azaleas have opened. I see a bit of deep pink out front! And I have been told the azaleas are in full bloom in VA Beach!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
MORE EAGLES AND OSPREYS
The babies are growing. 
Papa is still not sure what he is supposed to do,
but he shows up occasionally and even helps feed! But most of the time, he is sitting on the Ospray platform. Might as well, he says, as they aren't using it! 
They do show up once in a while, but nothing is happening yet. We are all puzzled. 
Papa is still not sure what he is supposed to do, but he shows up occasionally and even helps feed! But most of the time, he is sitting on the Ospray platform. Might as well, he says, as they aren't using it! They do show up once in a while, but nothing is happening yet. We are all puzzled. Friday, March 28, 2008
COMMON SENSE
A friend sent this to me the other day. Even tho we all have probably seen this before, sadly, it bears rereading. Again, I must credit my grandmother for keeping me aware of Common Sense, because my mother and Common Sense were not even slightly acquainted. And so it goes...
Grandma introduced me to Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense served us all so well for so many generations.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer an Aspirin, sun lotion or a bandaid to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. Duh. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. And say a prayer for all of us.
Grandma introduced me to Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense served us all so well for so many generations.
Obituary
Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer an Aspirin, sun lotion or a bandaid to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. Duh. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. And say a prayer for all of us.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A FRANK OBSERVATION
ANOTHER HERO
For the first 50 years or more of my life, I was always the helper, the fixer, the chauffeur, the care giver. For most of those years I was the youngest by at least 40 years, often more. If somebody needed to have something done, if I didn’t volunteer, someone volunteered me. If anyone had to go someplace, guess who drove? My grandparents raised me, by example, to be a helper, a good neighbor, to look out for those who were unable to do for themselves. I tell you this not to brag, but to explain how hard it is to sit back now and let people do for me. And “asking” someone to do something for me is almost an impossibility. You would think having spent so much time in the wheelchair I would have gotten better at asking, but, no, in fact it has pushed me even harder to get up on my feet and do it for myself, whatever it is. The brain is still 25 and is shocked daily to find that the body is not going along with that concept. Well, crap!
Twenty three years ago I moved down the street to a tiny house in the woods that is really kind of isolated for being in the town limits. I can see only one neighbor’s house, the one across the street, and even that one nearly disappears in the summer when the leaves come out. A few years ago I was able to see my neighbor’s house that is behind me thru the woods. We both had to have our pine trees cut down – pine bark beetle. It seemed so strange to be able to see a house back there. Today, as the new trees grow up, only the roof is visible, but I can hear Frank when he is mowing his grass.
I guess I can thank George W Bush for bringing Frank into my life. Even though we had been neighbors for years, we never “formally” met until I decided to explore the Democratic Party, turning my back on the party I had been raised with from my birth. Frank and his wife have become wonderful neighbors. I could not ask for better.
Last year, in March, I posted an article about being blessed with having Frank for my neighbor, and posted my first dirty pictures on here – pictures of my freshly tilled garden. It had been a dream of mine to have my own garden for years, and now that I had the time, I didn’t know how my body would be able to do it. I had purchased a Mantis several years ago thinking it was small enough and light enough to handle. A friend put it together for me and there it sat in my barn gathering dust. I had almost given up that dream when along came Frank with his cultivator and voila! I had a plowed garden just waiting for me to plant my seeds!
When I came home from a meeting yesterday afternoon, there was a message on my machine from Frank asking if he could come and till my garden. It was still kind of cool yesterday, in the 50s, and he thought it would be a good day to get the job done. Tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 70s.
He didn’t expect to have to take the axe to a huge root that had worked its way up almost to the surface! Bless his heart and aching muscles! What a job it turned out to be. I felt so guilty watching him battle with that root! 
I did talk him into trying out my Mantis, so now it looks at least slightly used! Much better to have some dirt on it and not just dust and cobwebs! I confess, I did try it out in a tiny area after Frank had plowed it up once, just to see if I could do it. Well, I can’t say I can, but I won’t say I can’t just yet. I will have to try it again. He did agree, once that root was out of there, the Mantis was fun to use. Well, maybe he didn’t use the word fun… I forget exactly what he said…
I know lots of people who just sit back and expect the rest of the world to do things for them. They have no problem asking for whatever they need – or want. I am not one of those people. I am posting this so Frank will know just how much I appreciate all he does for me. Just knowing he is my neighbor gives me a sense of comfort. Just to know I could actually ask his help is a wonderful thing. Thanks Frank!
For the first 50 years or more of my life, I was always the helper, the fixer, the chauffeur, the care giver. For most of those years I was the youngest by at least 40 years, often more. If somebody needed to have something done, if I didn’t volunteer, someone volunteered me. If anyone had to go someplace, guess who drove? My grandparents raised me, by example, to be a helper, a good neighbor, to look out for those who were unable to do for themselves. I tell you this not to brag, but to explain how hard it is to sit back now and let people do for me. And “asking” someone to do something for me is almost an impossibility. You would think having spent so much time in the wheelchair I would have gotten better at asking, but, no, in fact it has pushed me even harder to get up on my feet and do it for myself, whatever it is. The brain is still 25 and is shocked daily to find that the body is not going along with that concept. Well, crap!
Twenty three years ago I moved down the street to a tiny house in the woods that is really kind of isolated for being in the town limits. I can see only one neighbor’s house, the one across the street, and even that one nearly disappears in the summer when the leaves come out. A few years ago I was able to see my neighbor’s house that is behind me thru the woods. We both had to have our pine trees cut down – pine bark beetle. It seemed so strange to be able to see a house back there. Today, as the new trees grow up, only the roof is visible, but I can hear Frank when he is mowing his grass.
I guess I can thank George W Bush for bringing Frank into my life. Even though we had been neighbors for years, we never “formally” met until I decided to explore the Democratic Party, turning my back on the party I had been raised with from my birth. Frank and his wife have become wonderful neighbors. I could not ask for better.
Last year, in March, I posted an article about being blessed with having Frank for my neighbor, and posted my first dirty pictures on here – pictures of my freshly tilled garden. It had been a dream of mine to have my own garden for years, and now that I had the time, I didn’t know how my body would be able to do it. I had purchased a Mantis several years ago thinking it was small enough and light enough to handle. A friend put it together for me and there it sat in my barn gathering dust. I had almost given up that dream when along came Frank with his cultivator and voila! I had a plowed garden just waiting for me to plant my seeds!
When I came home from a meeting yesterday afternoon, there was a message on my machine from Frank asking if he could come and till my garden. It was still kind of cool yesterday, in the 50s, and he thought it would be a good day to get the job done. Tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 70s.
He didn’t expect to have to take the axe to a huge root that had worked its way up almost to the surface! Bless his heart and aching muscles! What a job it turned out to be. I felt so guilty watching him battle with that root! I did talk him into trying out my Mantis, so now it looks at least slightly used! Much better to have some dirt on it and not just dust and cobwebs! I confess, I did try it out in a tiny area after Frank had plowed it up once, just to see if I could do it. Well, I can’t say I can, but I won’t say I can’t just yet. I will have to try it again. He did agree, once that root was out of there, the Mantis was fun to use. Well, maybe he didn’t use the word fun… I forget exactly what he said…
I know lots of people who just sit back and expect the rest of the world to do things for them. They have no problem asking for whatever they need – or want. I am not one of those people. I am posting this so Frank will know just how much I appreciate all he does for me. Just knowing he is my neighbor gives me a sense of comfort. Just to know I could actually ask his help is a wonderful thing. Thanks Frank!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
SPRING CAMELLIAS
I will not bore you with names or any technical stuff... I will just show you which camellias are blooming in my yard this time of year. With beauty like this, who needs words?
And, of course, the ones that have been blooming since December... 
I hope you enjoyed my babies! I just realized, I have at least a dozen white bushes, and not one picture of any of the white camellias. Well, duh! And, I have company so I have run out of time....
Saturday, March 22, 2008
HEROES
A CONTINUING LIST OF INSPIRING PEOPLE.....
We all have heroes, some of us have many, some only a few. Some are part of our everyday lives, relatives, if we are lucky, neighbors, teachers, people with whom we have had real life contact. Some of our heroes are examples we probably will never meet. But all of them become our heroes because they inspire us to be better than we might otherwise be, to do more, to push a little bit harder, to overcome the things in life that we perceive as hurdles, to be better people. I have, in the past, mentioned some of my great inspirations, starting with my grandmother who raised me. But today I want to honor a couple of women I have never met, will never meet, but they inspire me to get up off my lazy butt and keep pushing, even when it means pushing the walker to get from point A to point B.
As some of you know, the only “sport” I faithfully follow and can quote the stats for is the Iditarod. It is a grueling dogsled race across some of the world’s most beautiful and awesome terrain from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska,
and it takes place the first couple of weeks in March. Now the true athletes here are the dogs. The people are just along for the ride… well, and to feed them, rub their little feet, and protect them from angry moose. Over the years I have become friends with one of the mushers and have learned much about the care of the dogs.
Anyway, I will share a newspaper article about this year’s last place winner in the Iditarod. Now if that sentence did not make any sense, let me explain – anyone who travels 1,100+ miles across the Alaskan wilderness with a team of dogs, is out in the snow and ice for more than a week (the first place winner usually makes it in 9 ½ days) is a WINNER! You can say what you want… you try it and tell me you are a loser after traveling 1.131 miles by dogsled in 2 weeks. See what I mean? 
Anyway, this year’s Red Lantern winner was a 62 year old woman, Deborah Bicknell, my newest hero.
“The second time proved to be the charm for Bicknell, who returned to the Iditarod in 2008 after enduring a day-long adventure last year lost in a blizzard and drenched by a slip in the Kuskokwim River in the heart of the Alaska Range. This year, Bicknell helped a couple of other mushers — Liz Parrish and Molly Yazwinski — and wound up getting the honor of being last across the finish line when Yazwinski scratched and Parrish’s stronger team surged ahead.”
Bicknells’ eight-dog team trotted under the burled arch about 8:30 p.m. Monday to an enthusiastic crowd of dignitaries and fans, where she blew out the widow’s lamp, which is left lit while there’s a team still on the trail. It took her 15 days, 5 hours and 36 minutes, almost six days slower than winner Lance Mackey. “I was planning on not being last,” the 62-year-old daughter of a longtime mushing family said. “My dog team is better than that.”
This is an unusual event in that it doesn’t really have losers, whether you are first or 78th, as Bicknell was. Eighteen more teams started the race but couldn’t make it to Nome for one reason or another. It’s true that anyone who finishes the Iditarod has accomplished a feat in itself.” You can find the entire story in the Anchorage Daily News archives or at Iditarod.com.
Bicknell is right up there with Dee Dee Jonrowe, age 54, who did not do as well this year as she has in the past. She was 15th.
A few years ago Dee Dee ran the race just a few weeks after coming off chemo for breast cancer in 2003. Dee Dee is a longtime hero of mine, and I have written about her before.
Here is a picture of Dee Dee with Susan Butcher (1954-2006) who was a 4 time first place winner of the Iditarod who later worked the check points even when her leukemia was making it hard for her to function.
Heroes. Role models. The kind of people that make me get up and keep going even when I am not sure how I can possibly go another foot further. These are the women who will push me (or shame me?) into keeping up the fight. Good thing, too, ‘cause the birds need seed! Gotta make that Wal-Mart run today! Glad I can take the Toyota and don’t have to harness up the cats!
I have borrowed these pictures either from Anchorage Daily or Iditarod.com.
We all have heroes, some of us have many, some only a few. Some are part of our everyday lives, relatives, if we are lucky, neighbors, teachers, people with whom we have had real life contact. Some of our heroes are examples we probably will never meet. But all of them become our heroes because they inspire us to be better than we might otherwise be, to do more, to push a little bit harder, to overcome the things in life that we perceive as hurdles, to be better people. I have, in the past, mentioned some of my great inspirations, starting with my grandmother who raised me. But today I want to honor a couple of women I have never met, will never meet, but they inspire me to get up off my lazy butt and keep pushing, even when it means pushing the walker to get from point A to point B.
As some of you know, the only “sport” I faithfully follow and can quote the stats for is the Iditarod. It is a grueling dogsled race across some of the world’s most beautiful and awesome terrain from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska,
and it takes place the first couple of weeks in March. Now the true athletes here are the dogs. The people are just along for the ride… well, and to feed them, rub their little feet, and protect them from angry moose. Over the years I have become friends with one of the mushers and have learned much about the care of the dogs. Anyway, I will share a newspaper article about this year’s last place winner in the Iditarod. Now if that sentence did not make any sense, let me explain – anyone who travels 1,100+ miles across the Alaskan wilderness with a team of dogs, is out in the snow and ice for more than a week (the first place winner usually makes it in 9 ½ days) is a WINNER! You can say what you want… you try it and tell me you are a loser after traveling 1.131 miles by dogsled in 2 weeks. See what I mean? Anyway, this year’s Red Lantern winner was a 62 year old woman, Deborah Bicknell, my newest hero.“The second time proved to be the charm for Bicknell, who returned to the Iditarod in 2008 after enduring a day-long adventure last year lost in a blizzard and drenched by a slip in the Kuskokwim River in the heart of the Alaska Range. This year, Bicknell helped a couple of other mushers — Liz Parrish and Molly Yazwinski — and wound up getting the honor of being last across the finish line when Yazwinski scratched and Parrish’s stronger team surged ahead.”
Bicknells’ eight-dog team trotted under the burled arch about 8:30 p.m. Monday to an enthusiastic crowd of dignitaries and fans, where she blew out the widow’s lamp, which is left lit while there’s a team still on the trail. It took her 15 days, 5 hours and 36 minutes, almost six days slower than winner Lance Mackey. “I was planning on not being last,” the 62-year-old daughter of a longtime mushing family said. “My dog team is better than that.”
This is an unusual event in that it doesn’t really have losers, whether you are first or 78th, as Bicknell was. Eighteen more teams started the race but couldn’t make it to Nome for one reason or another. It’s true that anyone who finishes the Iditarod has accomplished a feat in itself.” You can find the entire story in the Anchorage Daily News archives or at Iditarod.com.
Bicknell is right up there with Dee Dee Jonrowe, age 54, who did not do as well this year as she has in the past. She was 15th.
A few years ago Dee Dee ran the race just a few weeks after coming off chemo for breast cancer in 2003. Dee Dee is a longtime hero of mine, and I have written about her before.Here is a picture of Dee Dee with Susan Butcher (1954-2006) who was a 4 time first place winner of the Iditarod who later worked the check points even when her leukemia was making it hard for her to function.
Heroes. Role models. The kind of people that make me get up and keep going even when I am not sure how I can possibly go another foot further. These are the women who will push me (or shame me?) into keeping up the fight. Good thing, too, ‘cause the birds need seed! Gotta make that Wal-Mart run today! Glad I can take the Toyota and don’t have to harness up the cats!
I have borrowed these pictures either from Anchorage Daily or Iditarod.com.
Friday, March 21, 2008
ORPREYS
The ospreys are getting ready to move back in. They have been in the area for a little over a week, now it is time to build the nest. Phew, gotta clean up this mess first!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
EAGLE WATCH - PAPA
Papa has finally picked up in the feeding department.
These are the Blackwater Refuge eagles.
Monday, March 17, 2008
MORE EAGLES
Since so many of you have emailed me about the first eagle family, I thought you'd like to see this one!
This is a West VA eagle family.
Now she's got herself a good man! (Unlike the pair at Blackwater where Mama has to do the hunting most of the time.) ANd humans think a good man is hard to find!
Now she's got herself a good man! (Unlike the pair at Blackwater where Mama has to do the hunting most of the time.) ANd humans think a good man is hard to find!Sunday, March 16, 2008
THE IDES OF MARCH more or less
Middle March... a golden time of year... gold as in daffodils,
(I just love the old fashioned tiny ones!)
forsythia
and goldfinches. Can you count the finches on this feeder? This is the new 2 sock feeder, so you are only seeing one side of one sock! 
But, the trees are starting to do their thing, so soon the gold will be overpowered by the pinks and reds and whites and then the greens. I am sure the Buddhas
and St Fwankie are
enjoying the hint of warmer weather and blooms here and blooms to come as the buds fill out on everything.Saturday, March 15, 2008
FEED ME!!!!!
The pic says it all............ 
Are they cute or what???? Glad you all are enjoying the babies.
Are they cute or what???? Glad you all are enjoying the babies.Thursday, March 13, 2008
Duh...
Forgive me, folks. I forgot to tell you how to "find" the eagle cam... it is http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camhtm2.html. What would I do without you all keeping me straight? I get distracted so easily, you know...
If you keep an eye on the cam, you will see Mommy Eagle on the nest most of the time. This is the only time I have seen Papa on the nest. 
Papa eagle has not been a real good provider, so Mama has to find food for the little ones. Papa can often be seen hanging out on the Osprey nest which is currently unoccupied as the ospreys have not returned yet - but they are due soon! There is a link on this site to the osprey nest cam.
Papa eagle has not been a real good provider, so Mama has to find food for the little ones. Papa can often be seen hanging out on the Osprey nest which is currently unoccupied as the ospreys have not returned yet - but they are due soon! There is a link on this site to the osprey nest cam.See how they have grown????? I have finally found a time when Mama is off getting breakfast! Baby picture time.!!!
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