SHE'S BACK!...

The Brown-headed Nuthatch has returned.  I'm hoping she is making this little corner of the world her home.  I say Welcome.

photo by Sharon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US ALL...

Eighty-nine years ago today, twins Ed and Fred were born.   There has always been some question as to which is Ed and which is Fred.  Based on the writing at the top(done in my dad's handwriting), Fred is on the left and Ed is on the right.  Ed passed away 9/12/01.  Fred continues to serve as Mayor of the local Assisted Living facility. 

As adults they celebrated birthday #27 with the arrival of a baby girl...me!

So Happy Birthday to us all!

A SURPRISE VISITOR...

My first ever sighting of a Brown-Headed Nut Hatch. Seems they are unique to the southeast, smaller than the common White-Breasted Nut Hatch, and not quite so chatty. Saw her at my feeder about a week ago but havn't seen her since.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get a photo, so I had to borrow one from the 'net...

A DAY FOR PEACE...

Objective:

Bloggers will unite in a global cry for peace in this annual event. One day. One voice. All it takes is one post. Won't you join us?



BlogBlast For Peace is an online community of international bloggers who "blog for peace". The first BlogBlast For Peace was held November 7, 2006. The peace globe posts spread from blog to blog to blog and became an online annual movement with thousands now participating. There are currently 50 countries involved in the project. People from all walks of life, all political and religious affiliations and beliefs lay aside their differences for one day.

It is inspirational. It is empowering. It is moving.

With respect for diversity and individual expression, peace bloggers embrace the essence of community. It has truly become a "revolution of words."



Dona nobis pacem - Latin for "grant us peace" - is displayed on peace globes available on the event coordinator's blog. Bloggers from all over the world write inspiring posts on the subject of peace, all titled with the Latin phrase, and display the globe graphic. BlogBlast For Peace is a way to get involved, a way to have a voice, an opportunity to speak out. If you would like to share in the vision for global peace, please join us. Fly a peace globe, write a post, learn about your neighbor across the continent, on the other side of the world, or even next door. Around a global table of peacemakers....anything is possible.



Thirty-three official wars and conflicts plague our planet. It is time we stand together to promote the cause of peace. On November 4, 2010 we will speak with one voice, one subject, one day.

All it takes is one post.



If words are powerful....then this matters.

Please don't miss it.

LATE SUMMER COLORS...

BUTTERFLY:   Red Admiral

FLOWER:  Plumbago

A GREAT VIDEO FROM MARCIA

It's all about presentation:

IT'S THE AUTUMN EQUINOX...

SUCH MAGIC, THIS TIME OF YEAR

Autumn equinox, cycles of nature and Chinese philosophy


The Chinese were great students of nature. Autumn is connected in Chinese thought with the direction west, considered to be the direction of dreams and visions.


In the Chinese tradition, the autumn season is associated with the color white, the sound of weeping, the emotions of both courage and sadness, the lung organ, the metal element, and a white tiger. Autumn is also connected in Chinese thought with the direction west, considered to be the direction of dreams and visions.


What does all this mean? It’s a system – a cosmology if you will – that describes how nature works.


To the Chinese, nature means more than just the cycling of the seasons. Nature is within us and around us, in all things. The basic cycles of nature, as understood by the ancient Chinese, are easily comprehensible by western students of nature. They ring true. After all, Chinese civilization flourished for 15 centuries before the Roman Empire came to be. Today we know it’s part of Chinese culture to maintain and add to ancient wisdom. In contrast, we in the western world tend to replace old ideas with new ideas. So – although our western way of thinking encourages advances in things like technology and economics – the Chinese understanding of natural cycles remains far deeper than ours.

Here’s a quick and easy lesson on the Chinese way of thinking about nature and its cycles. We all experience the fact that things sprout and begin to grow (spring). They ‘fire up’ or ignite or bloom (summer) and reach completeness (late summer). They begin to dry and wither (autumn). They rest (winter). In ancient Chinese thought, these five seasons – or five ‘elements’ or five ‘phases’ – include an inherent understanding that the cycle continues endlessly, with each period of rest or winter followed by new growth, or spring.


Each of the five phases or ’seasons’ of ancient Chinese philosophy carry associations with specific things: directions, colors, sounds, organs in the body, fundamental elements such as water or fire or metal, real or mythological beasts.

Here’s another simple example. While summer is associated with the the emotion of joy, autumn is associated with both courage and sadness. Of course it is, because, in autumn, things are dying. The light is dying, for one thing, as Earth’s orbit around the sun and tilt on its axis combine to carry us in this hemisphere further away from receiving the sun’s rays most directly. The days are getting shorter. Plants and trees are winding down their cycle of growth. Sadness – and courage – are natural emotions as these changes are taking place.


That’s part of what the Chinese philosophy of the five phases or five elements is trying to convey: for example, sadness is part of the autumn season. Sadness isn’t an emotion to be avoided at all costs. Instead, sadness is simply part of nature.


So to celebrate the autumn equinox as the Chinese philosophers did, you might...
Stand facing west, considered the direction of autumn in ancient Chinese philosophy. Just stand for a few moments and honor the ‘westness’ of autumn. Consider your dreams and visions, and the path on which you’re moving forward through your life.


Light white candles against the growing darkness of the season. Or place white flowers on your table. White is the color of autumn in the Chinese tradition.


Allow yourself to weep for things you have lost. Weeping is the sound of this season, according to Chinese philosophy.


Find the courage to face what’s ahead.

The Chinese understanding of nature’s cycle seems fanciful, but, once you begin to consider the five elements or phases of Chinese philosophy, you see them cycling in and around everything. You can recognize these phases in the course of relationships, over a workday, in the progress of a play or novel, in the process of aging, while eating a meal, in the growth of a garden, in a scientific or political or business enterprise, while playing a game. All things sprout, bloom, reach completeness, become brittle and die, then rest. Then the cycle begins anew.

Once you learn this basic fact of nature, the dry and brittle phase of autumn, when things are dying – or periods of loss in your life as a whole – become easier to bear.




Written by Deborah Byrd

SUNSETS AND SONG...

Kauai sunset: Lumix GH1 slow motion from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY...

Objective:


On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally.


September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Celebrations take place around the world.

Some 774 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women; 72.1 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out.

 

Give away a book, make a donation to your public library, become a mentor, tape a book for the blind.  Please use this opportunity to help provide for the education of all.

BLOOMS~BIRDS & A BUTTERFLY...

Birds in video include Hummingbirds, Goldfinches, and Indigo Bunting
Flowers are Moss Roses(Portulacas) and a Butterfly Bush playing host to the butterfly.

A BLACK-HEADED RED BIRD???

A friend mentioned having seen a red bird with a black head and said it looked like a cardinal.  I have been feeding and watching birds for a long time and I have never seen such a bird.  So I turned to my trusty computer (one of my favorite things about the www) and got the info I was searching for:


We were just been visited by a bright red bird with a red/orange bill and a black head. It looks like a cardinal, about the same size, but it's definitely not--it's a brighter red, and the head is black and not crested. Do you know what it is?

Your bird is a male northern cardinal with parasite problems, which is very common among cardinals. The head feathers fall out, and the skin beneath is dark. The feathers will grow back, and the cardinal will survive. Many people are asking the same question about this strange-looking bird.

So don't miss the video below...watch a "black-headed cardinal" feed the fish!  For Real!!

ANOTHER ABSOLUTE MUST SEE....

MORBID CURIOSITY

THE MAKING OF A ROSE...

CARPET OF FLOWERS...AMAZING

EMPOWERING ALL PEOPLE

 

 

One in every five Americans is affected by a disability. This means that approximately 54 million people in the U.S. alone are working everyday to gain greater independence and create new possibilities for themselves.

Within the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has done much to eliminate the barriers and discrimination people with disabilities have faced for so long. Yet, about three quarters of adults with disabilities are unemployed--even though most would prefer to be working. And, internet access for people with disabilities is about half of what it is for those without disabilities.

Clearly there is still a lot of work to be done if we want people with disabilities to be truly empowered! Please join BloggersUnite in supporting people with disabilities and the groups who work to empower them by raising awareness. Let people know that despite major gains more needs to be done to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same access to resources and opportunities as those without disabilities.

Getting involved is easy. So act now!

If you have any questions about this event or would like to be an event partner, email Jason at jason@blogcatalog [dot] com

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND GARDENS

HIPPITY HOP HOP HOP

ANOTHER MUST SEE...

IF YOU HAVN'T SEEN THIS...

Then you are in for a treat...

Thanks Marcia

FLOWERS IN EARLY SUMMER...

A GENTLE REMINDER...

When you arise in the morning,

give thanks for the morning light.

Give thanks for your life and your strength.

Give thanks for your food

and give thanks for the joy in living.

And if you see no reason for giving thanks,

rest assured that the fault is in yourself.

~Chief Tecumseh

1813

photo found on web

LOVERS OF THE DANCE...

The young man playing the fiddle was the 2006 Tennessee State Champ...

RINGING IN THE VALLEY...

Bluegrass time has arrived in the valley of East Tennessee, held at the Nine Mile Volunteer Fire Dept.  The first of four to be held this summer and fall.  It was a beautiful, albeit a cool and windy day.  Blue skies and green mountains surrounded the Sequatchie Valley. The sounds of the mountains and the valleys rang out for several days as campers and locals gather for good music, good food and great fellowship.  Enjoy the slide show and look for the next festival to be held in June.  (Please note when you click on slideshow it will offer you the opportunity to enlarge the screen, please do, I had to pay for that!!)

This free digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

A WORK OF ART...

YELLOW IRIS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN...

JOHN & PAIGE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR FRIEND...

Those born under the sign of the Bull....

are faithful and generous friends with a great capacity for affection . In the main, they are gentle, even tempered, good natured, modest and slow to anger, disliking quarreling and avoiding ill-feeling. If they are provoked, however, they can
"explode" into violent outbursts of ferocious anger in which they seem to lose all self-control. Equally strong, however are their occasional sallies into humor and exhibitions of fun.  That which we love the most about you!


Love you, Girlfirend

WORTH SAVING???...

Hope you have a wonderful Earth Day

Here's an invite to do Mother Nature a favor today~

Leave a beautiful footprint on earth today and everyday

Blue Bird Eggs

DON'T MISS THE LIGHT SHOW...

In the pre-dawn hours of April 22 (1:00 - 3:00 am), be sure to look up. If you do, you'll likely be treated to a spectacular celestial show in the form of the Lyrids meteor shower.

Why bother to wake up at an ungodly hour to gaze at the sky? Several reasons. First, the Lyrids shower was, according to Meteor Showers Online, first observed at least 2,600 years ago, making it the oldest of any meteor shower. Secondly, viewers have a small chance "to get a glimpse of some dazzling fireball meteors from a completely different meteor swarm."

TOO CUTE...

A CONSERVATIONIST DREAM COME TRUE...

Feeding Our Eagles

Comox, B.C., Vancouver Island


In January the weather got so cold that the bald eagles were cruising over our houses looking for helpless cats to make a quick meal. Some kind souls decided to feed the eagles down at Goose Spit so they would survive the cold spell. Here's what happened...

A former teaching colleague took these photos in front of his home... they are incredible!

A beautiful morning feeding the eagles.


No zoom lens used here! I was this close!

Here are the men who were feeding them, pretty amazing to get this close! It was not too long ago, that the American Bald Eagle was an endangered species... !

I wish I could take credit for these photos, only the black eagle and eagle-on-a-rock-in-the-water are mine!  I don't know who the photographer was but a heartfelt thanks for sharing them with the world...

HAVE A GREAT SPRING DAY...

Sure sign of Spring are the Robins, rainy days, spring bulbs, and rainbows...I love rainbows, everytime I see one I think it is just for me...

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE...

A Friday night favorite at the local jam session...Ashokan Farewell...as played on the guitar:



Written by Jay Unger in 1982, Ashokan Farewell is a favorite among fiddle players and those of us who love the haunting sounds of Jay's fiddle as it plays of the lament expressed by the songwriter

THE ETERNAL PROMISE OF NEW BEGINNINGS...

MOTHER NATURE NEVER LETS US FORGET...

 

The delicate and beautiful crocus is the first bulb that bursts forth in early March, reminding us that Spring is just around the corner...

THE MORE I SEE OF MEN...

THE MORE I ADMIRE DOGS....Sevigne, 1626

Loyal and loving friend to my son for 14 years. 

You will be missed by many who loved you.

RIP Spike

SPIKE (aka. Spiker to me)

Australian Shepard

14+ yrs. old

Rescued off the streets by John

BIRDS, SNOW & ICE

Another snowfall on top of the last, up to 8 to 10 inches, depending on who you ask!  It was a beautiful snow and only the most stubborn of mountains of snow created by snowplows still remain.  Hope you enjoy another walk in the Applachains...

FOR YOUR RELAXING PLEASURE...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOYS...

a fun video, think all will enjoy...have fun

A REMINDER ON A WINTER DAY...WALK WITH ME...

through the stunning gardens in North Washington in July.  The traffic you see are folks waiting to return to Canada with U.S. citizens waiting on the other side to  return to the States.  I took the liberty of borrowing a tune from Neil Diamond.  Thanks Gary for introducing me to "Leave a Little Room for God" and thanks to Marci for all the great photos.  Hope you enjoy your tour with me...no photos have been enhanced in any way...

Help Children :: U.S. Fund for UNICEF - UNICEF USA

Help Children :: U.S. Fund for UNICEF - UNICEF USA

OUR FIRST SNOWFALL...

followed by 2 weeks of below freezing temps leading to lakes, ponds and creeks freezing over for the first time in many years

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I COME IN PEACE...

Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear coming upon tethered sled dogs in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanks to the Simmons duo!!