Blackbird fly...

There are two posts for today. This one starts with a broken blackbird and ends at the place where they could fix him. The poor, startled bird found himself on his back in our driveway this morning. Well, that is where we found him.

Flashback: A few years ago, a morning dove had fallen from his nest onto our driveway and was seriously injured. After many phone calls, we found a vet who would help us. She told us that she transfers all her non-pet avian charges to the Raptor Trust. We drove to central New Jersey to see the place and were so impressed that we have gone back many times since. They are a nonprofit organization that cares for wounded birds of prey. Some of their charges that could not be returned to the wild are permanent residents, lovingly cared for and lovely to learn about. They can explain it so much better. Check them out here: http://theraptortrust.org/

Flashback back?: We gently transferred our blackbird to a roomy shoebox with holes punched in the top (In our haste, we used the one for the sandals I needed to return, rats!) and headed straight to the Raptor Trust. Our bird made it there fine and a sweet volunteer started caring for him as soon as we walked in the door. There are veterinarians that donate their time and many others volunteer to care for the birds and the upkeep of the grounds and buildings. Everyone there was so kind. My son bonded with the woman running the gift shop that day. We don’t know if our bird will make it but he is in the best place to try.

In the 30 minutes we were there, a family brought in another blackbird with a broken wing and a couple arrived after saving a red tailed hawk from a local highway. He had a broken wing too! Spring is a busy season at the Raptor Trust but they are up for the challenge. If you care to help them, there is a donation page on their site. If you live close enough, go visit. It is unique place with unique people doing wonderful things. June 26th

Viva la lilies...

There is not much I need to say about this one. My overgrown, woefully untended garden just keeps surprising me this year. These perfect lilies keeping poking their heads out to see if it is safe beyond the weeds. I promise, before the 4th of July I will give my few remaining flowers their independence from the interlopers. (Man, I hate weeding!) June 25th

Oral distractions...

Mmmm… I remember going to the dentist when I was young and I don’t remember TVs on the ceiling and cool mobiles and stuffed animals and arcade games in the waiting room!!! My son likes to go to the dentist so he can see if he can beat his time on UtraMegaSuperHero Guy or whatever the game is called. (He reads these. I will need to post the actual name tomorrow or risk retribution from the video kings or something.)

I love that he loves going to the dentist and, truth be told, I am jealous. I wish my dentist let me watch videos while he was cleaning my teeth. Cavity fillings wouldn’t be nearly as bad if I was watching a romantic comedy; head phones would be mandatory. June 24th

Gumballs?...

I tagged along as my son helped celebrate the birthday of a really good friend. Five 9 year olds and large, round, manually operated projectiles, it was great fun. Well, for the ones who were winning it was fun. The ones who were losing were not so thrilled. Of course the drama shifted from player to player with each frame. There was a time or two that those of us seated in the peanut gallery felt the need to duck incase balls went flying in the wrong direction. Not because they were thrown that way but because the zeal that they were being tossed down the alley was causing a few strays to look like they were going to leave the hand on the up swing instead of the down. DUCK!

I couldn’t decide, do the balls look like large jawbreakers or very small, strange planets? Strange planets with large, deep craters located in very uniform patterns. Whichever, I liked how they looked in the viewfinder. June 23rd

Faux flowers...

A trip to the local Michael’s for craft supplies is like going to a theme park! I was looking for cone shaped cookie forms (don’t ask) and found so many other things I wanted too. All for projects I will start and probably add to the pile of ones I never have time to finish. Yes, I know, if I stopped starting new ones I could probably finish off… Hey!

I am never one to turn down a photo of flowers, even silk ones. Butterflies in any form are worth capturing with my camera too. The colors are so vibrant. Perfect for the start of summer. June 22

Other people's gardens, part 3, the organic addition...

The longest day of the year, the summer solstice, and we were invited for a play date at a friend’s house. Yes, we. While my son was playing with his friends I got to have tea with mine. It was lovely. The view was lovely too. You know how much I love gardens but as the old adage says, ‘Those who can, grow. Those who can’t, take photos.’ I’m sure it is something like that. I admit I can’t but I am so appreciative of those who can.

My friend, who designed this amazing garden, doesn’t have a green thumb she has a green hand. I think she might be green all the way up to the elbow. There is so much growing everywhere and it is all so healthy and happy. She even has a vegetable garden that generously lent its leaves to my dinner salad. It was so good. These photos are just a small part of what she has growing there, yes, all the pictures have things that she is helping to grow. I think the one with the gorgeous black hair may be one of her finest achievements. She has two of those specialty plants but the other had his roots wrapped around the wii. Trust me, she grows beautiful things. June 21st

Grande, hold the java...

The best part about meeting my clients at Starbuck’s is their tea. Yes, tea. I am not a coffee girl. The worst part is having to walk past their pastry counter to order my unsweetened tea. All the goodies looked so yummy. I knew I had to have some of them. I let my camera feast, right through the glass. I figured it would be better to expand the blog than expand my hips. June 20th