Happy Dance...

I needed to run to the store to pick up a few things late afternoon. I'd been hearing them fly over the farmhouse all day, but never expected to see them all herded up in a nearby field. There were over sixty of them. From a distance, sandhill cranes can look like deer when their heads are down, but once they stand straight, there's no mistaking them.

It's God's way of reminding us that time moves along. It's nearly time for them to migrate south again. We used to see them all the time in Florida. We've also seen them in the Dakotas when they gathered by the thousands to migrate from those states toward Mexico and "on". You can't even imagine the ruckus they make when they all start calling and dancing at the same time. It's quite a sight to behold. I'll miss them.

I learned yesterday that Handsome will be released to come home today. As I won't know exactly when until he calls, I figured I'd make a little treat for him. Nothing like a little baking to weasel a bit further into his heart.

Tomorrow I'll share my drawing of the little handbag I'm working on. I still have a lot to do until it's finished, but at least now I'll be able to concentrate of the task. Thanks again for all your prayers. I'll see you tomorrow!

They're Back!...

 

I thought I'd seen a flash of blue in the yard two days ago. Yesterday it was confirmed. The bluebirds have returned to Hickory Hill Farm! 

I was standing in the yard, talking with Andy. It's been a long winter and these most recent days with temperatures in the 70s has coaxed all of us out of the house. As we stood on the drive near the compass barn, I saw that flash of blue again. Not wanting to startle them as this pair inspected accommodations to raise this year's brood, I took a couple (less-than-ideal) photographs to share.

I'm so glad I cleaned out two of the three bluebird houses on our property over the weekend. I attempted to clean the third, but when I opened it, a happy, plump field mouse dropped out of it. Claudette saw it and wanted to collect it, but I picked her up and took her back to the house until she forgot about it. I closed the house back up and actually put a feeder with sunflower seeds near the house because...I didn't have time to knit a little sweater for it. (Just kidding. Mostly.)

This old fence is beginning to fall down. I grabbed some stay straps to pull back a couple panels where the wood had rotted off the nails, but I think this year will be the summer we replace it...but not until after the bluebirds have fledged their babies.

I've been watching the Hummingbird Central Spring 2023 Migration map for hummingbirds this past week and see that they're getting close. I'll get out the hummer feeders, re-clean them (I always put them away clean in the Compass Barn), and make up a batch of nectar. They'll go up on their hooks later this morning so the little travelers have food once they arrive.

In case you'd like to explore the Hummingbird Central website for yourself, I'll share the link. Just click HERE.

After this past winter season, it's wonderful to see the fields greening, the deer grazing to the north of the farmhouse, and the sight and sounds of happy birds returning. I think I'll spend more time outdoors today. What are your plans?