Nature Study

Spending some time

with our feathered friends

trying to absorb a little of beautiful autumn.

Helped along by Barb over at http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com.  She’s done a beautiful job of making this topic accessible and very enjoyable. Thank you Barb!

Something Told the Wild Geese

Something told the wild geese

It was time to go,

Though the fields lay golden,

Something whispered, “snow.”

Leaves were green and stirring,

Berries, luster-glossed,

But beneath warm feathers

Something cautioned, “frost.”

All the sagging orchards

Steamed with amber spice,

But each wild beast stiffened

At remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese

it was time to fly,

Summer sun was on their wings,

Winter in their cry.

Rachel Field

Look at this picture…

Channel your inner Gary Larson.  C’mon, think hard.  What caption would you come up with?  Something along the lines of, “Sonya knew she hadn’t actually found her forever man when she awoke the next morning and felt someone yellow staring at her.”  I’m sure you can do better.  I could too, but you know, I can’t spend all day being witty.  For better and more archly clever wit, you must visit Gary and Elaine.  I’m sure they’ve been waiting for you. Catalog Living.  Tell them please, that I really adore their rather large lamps.

Finally…

It finally happened.  The weather broke and today we enjoyed azure blue skies, soft breezes and beautiful light.  Not a 90 degree moment to be found.  Thank goodness.

My daughter, SunshineGirl, and I took a nature walk to celebrate.  Of course, her good friend (and sometimes daughter) Rebecca had to come along too.  Rebecca, and her sister Julie, accompany us most places these days.  Even if they must stay in the car, SunshineGirl describes all of the world to them and mediates all their sisterly squabbles and complaints.  Dolls remain a girl’s best friend.

What to do with a cabbage?

Try this recipe.  I had never before cooked cabbage- didn’t think I was a fan.  But, I’m trying to expand the vegetable offerings around here, and this one sounded promising.

It delivers.

Stewed Cabbage

• 2 slices cooked bacon, chopped
• 1/2 medium onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium cabbage, sliced
• 1 1/2 C. crushed tomatoes
• 1 C. chicken stock
• 1 T tomato paste
• 1/2- 1 tsp sugar, to taste
• 1/4 tsp each pepper and salt
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 T olive oil

-Saute’ onion and garlic in the olive oil in a large pot.  Once the onions are clear and glossy, add the cabbage and all the other ingredients- then cover and simmer 20-25 min. at medium low till cabbage is cooked down but not slimy.

It’s delicious.

(and thanks to imageafter.com for the beautiful cabbage photo)

“Alone and warming his five wits, the white owl in the belfry sits.” Lord Alfred Tennyson

Or, in this case, the tan owl sits, warming her little owlets.  This is a great window into Molly the owl’s nest and her young.  If you only check in once a week or so, they seem to be growing up so fast!  And, if you’re up very late at night, (1am or so if you’re in the east) you may catch sight of her mate McGee bringing in dinner and late night snacks.  The nest is in San Marcos CA, so catching mealtime can be tricky,  but the couple who are doing this are doing a wonderful job, and it is a great thing. Check the family out here:   http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html

Castle Me

Oh to be a tiny paper person and walk amongst these tiny paper walls.  The artist is an young Japanese art student named Wataru Itou and the piece took four years to complete.  Tokyobling has posted about this amazing piece of art here: http://tokyobling.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/a-paper-craft-castle-on-the-ocean/ .  I am endlessly astounded by what people are able to accomplish.

Well, well, well…

Never having attempted a blog before, my learning curve is expected to be steep. I stand on the plain, gazing at the Himalayans. Or so it feels. This should be interesting. So much to learn. We’ll see how I do-