Wednesday, December 1, 2010

December Muse Day - 2010

The North Wind Doth Blow
or The Robin



The North Wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow
And what will poor Robin do then, poor thing?

He'll sit in the barn, An
d keep himself warm,
And hide his head under his wing, poor thing.




The photo was taken at 9:00 A.M. this morning. The temperature was 20 degrees F (cold!). This afternoon's temperature has risen to 28 degrees F. I wonder if the little fellow was able to head south today??


Join and/or enjoy Muse Day posts on the first day of each month. Brainchild of Carolyn Gail, you will find her post at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. Read the comments on her post to find other garden bloggers' Muse Day posts. Just click the logo below:


The Robin' or 'The North Wind doth blow'?? *

This nursery rhyme is referred to as either 'The North Wind Doth Blow' or 'The Robin.' The poem is British in origin and believed to have originated in the 16th century.

'The North Wind Doth Blow' uses the olde English word 'doth.' The purpose of the words of the poem is to ensure that a child associates security with home whilst emphasizing with the plight of the robin.

*This explanation was taken from this site.


Nothing shady here today. The leaves are nearly gone from the trees! This is one of the most pleasant aspect of Winter, here. :-)

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

It's Not Yet December...

but I want to sing Christmas Carols today!

We're receiving our first snowfall. I don't think it will amount to much, today...
but
HOORAY!



These first three photos were taken at 9:45 A.M.
(You might notice a change in the bird-care methods this Fall.
Mr Shady mounted a birdbath on the front deck railing --
guess I won't be using the birdbath on the ground, a bit sad --
and a heavy duty bird feeder hanger!)

The photos below were taken almost exactly two hours later...

(out back)


And what's this?
Just keep watch! It's not "shady" but will work in it! ;-)

Look forward to December! It's coming!!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Friday, November 19, 2010

Thanksgiving


Thank You
for all my hands can hold ---
apples red,
and melons gold,
yellow corn
both ripe and sweet,
peas and beans
so good to eat!


Thank you
for all my eyes can see ---
lovely sunlight,
field and tree,
white cloud-boats
in sea-deep sky,
soaring bird
and butterfly.

(Oriole photo taken Spring 2007 - notice the Sunny Corner bed - prior to its renovation)


Thank you
for all my ears can hear ---
birds' song echoing
far and near,
songs of little
stream, big sea,
cricket, bullfrog,
duck and bee!



poem by Ivy O. Eastwick

Monday, November 15, 2010

A Carolina Wren

Last Friday morning (Nov. 12), I walked out into the garage and saw a wren!

Me: "Say! What are YOU doing here at this time of year?" (Thinking it was a house wren.)

It hopped into one of the holes on my husband's truck's front bumper - looking for a home? So I quickly dashed into the house to get my camera. I stood quite awhile, focused on that bumper... but nothing happened. As soon as I turned off my camera, the little fellow flew off! Of course! ha.




So, I turned the camera back on and out hopped (his mate?) from under the truck. I did the best I could, but this was the only photo I got. He/she then hopped back under the truck and soon was on the left front tire. I was ready to take a second shot when he/she flew off.


I'm just WAY too slow on the draw!


But it's a Carolina Wren! (Don't think I've ever noticed them before, but the bird book say's they're year-round residents in this area.) Hope they like my neck of the woods! Please return!

SG

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Green Thumb Sunday, November 14, 2010

Yes, I was taking photos all Spring!

No, you didn't get to see very many of them.

Here is one of my favorite photos from this past Spring (April 17). I know these items are NOT blooming now, but I wanted to share them anyway. :-)


Left foreground: Dicentra 'Gold Heart',
Right foreground: Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells),
Center: Pulmonaria, 'Milky Way',
Back: leaves of Erythronium albinum (Dog Toothed Lily or Trout Lily)
Way Back: little white blossoms - Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty)


Something to be looking forward to again in 2011.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Amaryllis - tips and hints from Deb

(I don't know the name of this amaryllis, but it finally bloomed for me last April!)

If you'd like great information
about starting an amaryllis bulb,

head over to visit Deb's blog entitled Garden Author!


This is the link to her most recent post about amaryllis bulbs.


I've picked up a few hints myself!

Enjoy
(Definitely not a "shady" topic.)
ha.