building a home

in this day of "stressed economy", it would seem that building a new home would be on the bottom of the priority list, but today i witnessed just the opposite. as i was driving to church for the 2nd day of our "chicken extravaganza" (post on that will come later when someone shows me how to get my photos on this), a small bird flew over the road . it caught my eye as there was a piece of grass, or string about a foot long dangling from his beak. this is always a welcomed sight as it indicates that nests are being built, eggs will be laid, and spring is finally here.
i can just imagine the excitement when that feathered boy showed up with that choice building "block" for the new home. that was probably a foundation piece that will be wrapped around a branch for stability. birds are neat- they will go to great lengths for the materials they need for a comfy, hopefully, safe nest. i have seen nests with easter grass, string, yarn, hair, mud, as well as paper used for building.
birds aren't the only critters that are resourceful when it comes to building their abodes. we had red squirrels in our garage before it was converted to "red squirrel" cottage collectibles shop. one morning, i looked out my kitchen window and noticed that a scrap piece of sheet in the garage used for rags, was moving up the side of the garage door. upon further scrutiny, i could see a little reddish head that held the corner of the sheet in its mouth- a red squirrel- headed to the attic of the garage. this was hard work. can you imagine holding a king size bedspread in your mouth and climbing up a wall? i admired their tenacity and when we tore the ceiling down in the garage, we were all amazed at the extent of their nests. what appeared to be tons of shredded material mixed with leaves and empty nut shells fell down on us.( we relocated them in a squirrel box on a tree next to the shop, but i don't think they've ever forgiven us).
last year we had a robin tugging at a wire to no avail and another one took the string price tag off an item outside my shop and flew away with his $4.99 prize dangling from his beak.
years ago i bought a framed photo from a local artist . he had photographed a humming bird sitting on her nest- newly made. it was situated in a lilac bush and was constructed of lichens and tree moss. such a delicate work of art, but sturdy and perfect for her family.
well, soon their homes will be finished and pieces of blue,brown and white eggshells will be found on the ground beneath them. nature never ceases to amaze me and to teach me to stop, enjoy and care for the wonders of this lovingly created world.

super-size-ers

well, ok- i read nella's post that had the "supersize" video on it- took me off and on all day but i got through it. the part that affected me the most was when he ordered his first big meal and had it supersized- 20 mins. later, he "lost" it all out the window of his car. his body had been healthy and not ready for the fat, grease, and sugar that he ate. today as i was driving around doing errands, i was starved, but kept seeing that image in my mind- so i kept on driving (yay!,sherry).
now, yesterday was another day . i had to go to cranberry- it was past lunch time and ,oh yes, i was starved again. i parked my car across the way from a sub shop and as i sat there i watched various people walk in and out. those coming out carried long red bags that contained "freshly, baked", warm cookies. i didn't see one person who looked to be of a "normal" weight, and it made me think of the previously mentioned video. now the reason i was sitting in my car was that it is very difficult to drive and eat a "chick-fil-a" sandwich, waffle fries and cole slaw (that is a vegetable, isn't it?). i have a weakness for chick-fil-a- . for one thing, the employees are so darned nice - they're not open on sun. and they serve caffine free, diet coke(pepsi some places). i look for any excuse to go there- this time, i had to take a skirt back to a store in that town- could have mailed it back for $5.00, but i wanted to save that money (it's a 45 min. drive- now let's see at $2.09 a gallon of gas--- hhmmmm). like i said, i look for any excuse .
well, tomorrow is another day- i have my dr. appointment mon. where i will get weighed in and probably have the riot act read to me.
if i could just remember that my 45th school reunion is in aug. - that might be the way to cut down and get myself under control. wish me luck!

7 things i randomly love

ok- thanks shannon- whatever a "tag" is-here goes....
1. the smell of spring (because it's almost here!)

2. my kids and grandkids

3. the thoughts of starting a new book after finishing one.

4. to sit in church and have friends all around - we've all had a rough week, but we're there together.

5. the first robin (or group of robins-they're always early!) in march.

6. having my car all packed, a new book on tape, snacks, extra money, a full tank of gas and an early start for a trip- yahoo!

7. doing the dishes with nate!

these are just a few of the hundreds of things that i love- these mostly because they are current things. thanks shannon for the "tag". you are so together- i have the best girls in the world! (that would be #8!).

hopeless

this will be a short one. i had a wonderful birthday yesterday- when i got home from shopping, a good friend had dropped off a plant and 2 bags of my favorite candy. well, i opened one (licorace allsorts) and ate about 15 pieces of it! totally discusted with myself and full of sugar, i took the rest of the bag and threw it in the trash can next to the computer. good move-right? wrong! when i got back from katie's and nate's house tonight, i sat down to check my emails and found myself DIGGING THROUGH THE TRASH picking out all the candy i had thrown away yesterday!!! :o( and i ate it, too! i had a passing thought of george costanza -yikes! i am so hopeless- well, tomorrow is another day (and besides all the "trash-candy" is gone).