Where the Wind Blows

What's in a Name?

2009-07-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

My early blogging life was spent in a charming little corner of the blog world by the name of Journalspace. There, I was simply BethanyC and for almost five years bethanyc.journalspace was a home almost as real as my actual physical home, a created community that led to offline friendships and a view into lives all over the globe.

It is a given to say that blogging changed my life as I met my significant other in the halls of journalspace. He quickly charmed me with his stories and humor and the rest as they say is history. All of us at JS suffered site slow downs, fairly frequent outages, and loss of data. In fact, about year four I lost the entire content of my journal of four years. Yet, most of us hung in there because after all this was home. Then, a few months after my journal was one of a very few wiped clean the entire site crashed and burned taking most of the words with it.

With a Do Not Resuscitate Order out on the Journalspace site, loyal JS'ers were left in a bit of daze, scrambling for purchase and looking for new online homes. This led to the great Journalspace Diaspora of 2008. I ended up here and I've disliked it ever since.

No, it's not that I dislike Blogger and it's not even that the sense of community is most definitively in short supply. The real problem with this blog, and the reason I've yet to really create a solid blog bond is simply the name.

In the aftermath of the JS crash, December 2008, I was sitting in a house with three other dispaced JS'ers. The Finman was here, brother Chaing Mai Guy was visiting from Thailand, and big sis ElisaC was also staying for the holidays. None of us knew quite where to go and I personally scrambled for a blog name. When my first choice was taken and then my second, I'll admit I got a bit crazed and ended up with a title and consequently a url that was absolutely unmanageable.

Seriously, it is ridiculous to try to direct people to your blog when your url is long enough to extend from your wrist to your elbow. I mean wherethewindblows-girlblogger. Blech! What was I thinking?

Now I'm taking things in hand. I'm moving alltogether and hopefully this will be my last blog move for a while. You may now find me at http://bethanyillustrated.blogspot.com where I plan to be much more prolific and drag my blogging muse from the attic whence she's been cowering for the past several months in apparent distaste of my poorly chosen words.

Post Script: A note for my JS friends. I do know that many of you are now at Keep Connected Live and it looks like a great site. I may create an account over there to help me keep up with all you folks. However, for now I'm staying with blogspot and hope you will all fit me into your busy blog reading schedules even though I haven't made the KCL jump.

Bethany's Tips for Blackberry-ing

2009-06-17T05:49:00.001-07:00

For weeks now a lot of my spare time has gone to the blackberries. Falling in the ranks of the those strange people that get an actual thrill from picking things from a real live plant and then eating them versus the folks that find the aesthetics of supermarket plastic appealing, I was thrilled when I realized the back of the new property is ringed with native blackberries.

However, to be completely honest I had no idea how long picking blackberries took and I'd never truly internalized the meaning of blackberry brambles. Brambles they are thorny, grabby, sticky things that reach out for your hat or your hair. They grasp and take hold of your shirt and your gloves and on the unprepared and uncovered they are certainly willing to tangle themselves in the skin you are in.

Thankfully, I've devised an almost full-proof system for safe and effective blackberry-ing and am only sporting minimal scars from my endeavors. My system includes tongs from the kitchen, heavy leather gloves, a long sleeve shirt, and hat, mosquito repellent and moves that would make my yoga teacher proud. In fact, who needs to practice yoga when they see the most beautiful blackberry just beyond reach and go into the "just a little bit further" blackberry pose?

I do enjoy myself out there. I have a strange sense of accomplishment from picking things my very own self and I've made several pints of blackberry syrup (which I'm here to tell you is an excellent combination with whole wheat flax blueberry pancakes) and blackberry jelly. I also have several bags in the freezer for when blackberry time is done and I need a little blackberry for my morning yogurt. I know it's a simple pleasure but at least it keeps me off the streets and burns some calories (at least until I eat the fruits of my labor).

Elder Flowers, Who Knew Natural Could Be This Dangerous?

2009-06-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

How does one find oneself standing on the side of a country road waist deep in grass dressed in a casual denim skirt, t-shirt, and black mary janes? What kind of person stops on their way home from work to pick plants on the roadside in front of the county, God, and everyone?

At the end of last summer an older friend of mine made elderberry jelly. My friend gathered the elderberries from roadside and naturally (at least for me) I was fascinated by the thought of wild elderberries. Something about the phrase “wild elderberry” just sounds so quaint, so not of this century.

I honestly had no idea that elderberries grow here in the US, much less practically in my back yard. In my mind the elderberry was a product of Victorian novels in which Vicars wives in the English countryside plied their husband's parishioners with countless glasses of homemade elderberry wine. (Though, admittedly I once paid an incredibly ridiculous amount of money for a ridiculously small bottle of Echinacea and elderberry syrup at a health food store. I never noticed that it did much for me but its existence should have made me a bit more aware of the elderberry.)

I must acknowledge that when I’m interested in a subject my research and interest tends to verge on the excessive. One might even proclaim that for a brief time I can become obsessive in my focus. This generally goes off after a while and I can move my life on but of course, I do move on with a bit more knowledge tucked into corners of my brain.

Thus it was with elderberries last fall. I read, I researched, I moved on. Then, a few weeks ago I noticed that the elderberry bushes were in blossom.

This is where knowledge can prove to be a dangerous thing. All this knowledge about traditional uses of elder plants and elderberries has been niggling around inside my brain for weeks and it finally drove me out to the roadside shears in hand, for all the world and God to see, so that I might harvest elder blossoms to dry for tea. (Poor Fin has to put up with this kind of behavior all the time. Can you even begin to imagine? I mean I don’t even always understand why I’m compelled to do these appalling things.)

Lest you be encouraged to picture some idyllic countryside moment, I must give you a fuller picture of my adventure.

First, visualize if you will, mosquitoes roughly the size of elephants attacking in full squadron formation, much like the air force of Mother Nature insuring that any enjoyment of the moment be mitigated by sweat inducing swatting, slapping, and arm waving. While the elephant sized skeeters are still in full attack mode the guerilla fighters show up to the party, fire ants out to take down anything that moves with vicious and aggressive tactics. Those soldiers can swarm a mary jane in mere seconds leaving bare ankles and legs victim to foot to foot hopping, leg waving, burning stings. Last, for anyone stubborn enough to stick it out there are the blackberry brambles, sticky vines, and allergy inciting waist high weeds and of course the certainty that somewhere in all that wildness there is most likely a reptile lurking, possibly even a rattler.

It’s truly amazing I made it out with my life much less without a raging attack of West Nile or a venom dripping snake bite.

Obviously, none of this is the recipe for an idyllic afternoon but what can one do in the face of the call of nature? The elder blossoms were blossoming and if they were to be gathered this season it needed to be done. So, gather I did. Next time perhaps I’ll be a bit more prepared, at least mosquito repellent and perhaps skirts aren't appropriate attire for elder flower gathering.

Nonetheless, due to my efforts I currently have a nice little collection of drying elderberry blossoms.

Anyone feel like a cup of tea? Or perhaps you’d like to come for some pancakes. I’ve read they’re nice that way. Anyone up for an elder flower blueberry pancake? I think I could whip us up a few.

Self Portrait

2009-05-29T05:55:00.001-07:00

Well, I am back in Mississippi. I just had an excellent visit to Long Island and upstate New York. I know I've been scarce on the blogging scene but as some know, I've experienced a few technical difficulties. Mainly, the keyboard on my laptop went kaput. Thankfully, the replacement keyboard was waiting here for me and with the help of a repair manual I was able to install it first thing last night when I got back. I even ignored the call of blackberry picked and yard wandering... I must have been desperate.

Of course, I miss Fin dreadfully and am looking forward to a long visit with him here in Mississippi over the summer. It must truly be love for someone to leave the moderate temps of a Long Island summer for the sweltering, soul sucking, humidity of a Mississippi summer.

Hopefully, I'm back online now for a while and I can jump back into the blogging string. Thank you all for your comments on my post about Tennison, they were appreciated.

The photo above was taken while I wandered the estate of a Long Island eccentric. Sounds interesting doesn't it? This spot was right next to the Llama pen. Fin reunited with his Dixieland Band Buds for a memorial picnic to honor the passing of this incredibly interesting woman. It was wonderful to see him play with the band.

A Girl and Her Dog... I thought a few might want to know

2009-05-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

I lost an old friend today. The Retriever Style, my companion of 13 years is gone. He was a wonderful friend to the end. Tonight, I’m thinking of all the great Tenn stories I have in my brain thanks to that crazy, enjoyable animal. There was the time Tennison swam with the alligators. Or, when Tennison went camping, so many stories.

In a way we grew up together. I adopted him when I was 22, now at 35 it seems like he was around for all the big things. I know some don’t understand having such strong feelings for a pet but all I can say is, it was just the two of us for a long time and I am certainly going to miss him.

The Gate To Nowhere

2009-05-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

Well, hasn't it been a long time? Sadly, I'm offline at the moment as my laptop has succumbed to three years of heavy use. It has in fact decided to take a well needed vacation, at the end of which it will go for out patient surgery and have a new keyboard installed. I've found it quite difficult to type anything without using the letters q,w,e,r,u,i,o,or p. And, cutting and pasting one letter at a time will only take you so far. Thus, you can see that blogging is at the moment a bit difficult.

Above, you will see the gate I built. Said gate, has caused me to feel that the Irish should create a new blessing similiar in vein to "May the road rise up to meet you" except more like, "May you always move into a home with a supply of cast-off lumber in the shed." I know, not as poetic but certainly as valuable.

That's right my gate cost practically nothing. Although, I'm sure the neighbors did wonder why in the world I planted a gate in the middle of the side yard.

I'm sure you all will be glad to know that I have since added a garden fence and even a garden to my gate. Tomatoes, eggplant, corn, peppers, squash... cross your fingers. I'm hoping they actually make vegetables.

A Daylily Picnic and a Surprise

2009-05-03T08:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, was the annual picnic for my Mother's Daylily Club and I was able to attend as a guest. Every year the club takes a summer break and the last meeting before summer is a picnic at a Daylily member's house. This year the club met in Agricola Mississippi, a small community north of the Coast. As the name suggests, the town boasts a heavily agricultural foundation with lots of commercial plant nurseries, cows, and grain silos. You know, rural country stuff.

To be perfectly honest, I used to tease my Mom a bit about belonging to a club devoted the cultivation of one flower. It seemed an easy venue for poking fun. Can't you all see the comedy sketch, little ladies in hats and competitive old codgers vying to produce the most extraordinary daylily of them all? Oh, the intrigue, the drama... the judging.

Now however, I've reformed my ways and while I'm not a daylily grower, I see the beauty and variety these folks turn out. All of the members, are quite devoted to their flowers and I can't think of a nicer way to create community for oneself than by coming together with a group of like-minded flower growers. Yes, devotion to the propagation of beauty really shouldn't be a subject at which to poke fun. So, soldier on daylily growers, may your passions bring more beauty into world.

Now then, for the trip home and a little naturalist excitement. Speaking of people at which to poke fun, naturalists sure are easy targets. Truly, even I know that most of the world might find it laughable that my highlight for the day was catching a turtle sunning on a log in the Pascagoula River.

On our way home, my mother and I pulled off beside the Pascagoula at one of the many boat launches. I'm sure most would wonder why catching sight of a turtle enjoying the sun could be in any way extraordinary. Yet, this turtle is special.

This the Yellow-Blotched Map Turtle, or as it is sometimes known the Yellow-Blotched Sawback Turtle. This turtle is endangered in Mississippi and Federally threatened. While, I live very near the largest concentration of these turtles this is my first time to see one in the wild. This is wonderful stuff on the naturalist front. Poke fun all you will, this turtle IS exciting.

(On a sober note, I think it is important that I mention that the Pascagoula River has made the list for the top ten most endagered river systems 0f 2009. This is mainly due to a shortsighted Department of Energy plan to pump 50 million gallons of fresh water a day from the Pascagoula to flush the salt from underground salt domes in Richton Mississippi to provide more storage space for the Federal Oil Supply. This salty slurry will then be dumped into the Mississippi Sound. This impending ecological impact/disaster is quite honestly the stuff of nightmares for those that treasure the natural world.)

Salt Marsh

2009-04-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, I took my kayak to the National Seashore Park in Ocean Springs for my first kayak outing of 2009. (I know, it's been too long.) The seashore park is one of my favorite places to launch as there are many sand bars close to shore making a string of islands crowded with marsh grasses. To me, it's a beautiful place.

(The photo on the left was actually taken last May. I didn't take a camera out on this trip. The structure out in the grass is a barge in the boat channel.)

Sunday, was a bruising day to be in a Kayak in the Mississippi Sound. The water was choppy and the wind was high. Yet, it was almost heaven to fight the waves, feel the sun, and listen to call of the coastal birds. Where I kayaked the salt marsh of the bayou merges slowly into the Mississippi Sound. Thus, there is a variety of wildlife. As I drove through the park, I could tell that the neighborhood alligator was out sunning due to the crowd clustered on the lookout pier with cameras in hand.

Once I was in the water, I was amazed again at how wonderful it is to see the water from a kayak. It's so quiet and peaceful, no motor to interrupt the appreciation of bird calls or the splash of a mullet make as it zips sideways out of the water and plops back into Gulf. Sunday, a flock of eight pelicans glided over my head, huge dinosaurs on wings. Pelicans are so clumsy landing and taking off but to look directly overhead and see them gliding low together, silent, well that is a magnificent sight. In fact, it is beautiful enough to make you catch your breath and marvel at their size and grace.

The terns were a raucous addition to the scene and fascinating to watch. There seemed to be hundreds in the air and resting along the piers. They looked graceful and delicate as they practically hovered in the strong wind a few feet above the waves and then dove sharply and cleanly for a snack seen under the surface of the water.

That afternoon, I found myself in the flight path of an osprey as well. The osprey looked strong flying above and as our paths intersected his above, mine below he looked down with his sharp gaze, his fierce eyes glanced across mine, and then he was gone. The osprey has such power in flight.

One afternoon spent where the salt marsh blends its way into the waters of the Mississippi Sound. What a beautiful way to spend my time. I can only hope that I am able to make many more trips this spring and summer.

The Lunchtime Naturalist

2009-04-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

Something I truly enjoy about my life at the moment are the good friendships that have developed between me and some of the Moms from past and present storytime groups. When I first moved to Mississippi I thought that this would be a very temporary stopping off point in my life and due to that I didn't encourage or seek out a social network. Thankfully, over time a network of interesting and sometimes diverse people that I respect and have fun with has found me.

During lunch I often take my lunch and camera and walk to our town park to enjoy a little time outside of the library observing the natural world at large. Usually, at least once a week I meet up at the park with two of my friends and their children for lunch. This has really become a highlight of my week. Last Wednesday, while we were eating and chatting I caught a glimpse of bright red fluttering between the ground and a tall pine tree. Thankfully, my friends are pretty forgiving of my peculiarities and didn't mind when I grabbed my camera and wandered away to see what I could see.

What I saw was a Red-headed Woodpecker. The Cornell All About Birds site has some interesting information about this fellow. Apparently, these guys live here year round. However, this was the first time I've run into one. This could be explained by the fact that they are "near threatened". I was really impressed with the vivid colors he sported. This is one of the most boldly colored birds I've run across with a crisp clear hard line between each of his three colors, no gradual fading from one tint to another.

Marveling

2009-04-17T05:35:00.001-07:00

Perhaps I mentioned, that I'm a bit enamored of the Green Anole. Forgive me, while I wax eloquent about a little green lizard. I know this is a bit foreign. Lizards after all aren't polite dinner conversation and are likely to get you an incredulous look and raised eyebrows from the traditional set. However, I'm sure those that wander through these doors will pardon me while I rhapsodize about my new little friend.

I'm truly amazed by this small green guy. His body is so supple and viewed up close, as he is above, he looks a collage of different color and textures. Who knew that such a small creation could encompass such a palette? Notice, the delicate blue around the eye, the copper tint to the snout, and the brilliant green textures running down his back. He is simply a natural work of art.

Tonight, Fin and I are off to hear the lady that speaks about frogs. This activity is part of the Pascagoula River Nature Fest. I'm very glad we have the chance to hear her as I've already missed two oppotunities to hear her speak on local frogs. (I know you all are terribly envious of Fin. I mean really, what could be more entertaining than a Friday night out at a frog lecture?)

Happy weekend everyone.

Post Script: We made it to the frogs. Poor long suffering Fin was bored out of his gourd but very good humored about it all. It is a true trial to be in a relationship with a developing naturalist. Poor, poor man.

Back Away From the Lizard

2009-04-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

Lately, I'm very enamored of the Green Anoles perching all around the house. Although, these are very common throughout the south, I knew very little about them until a few months ago when one darted out of our pump house and caught my interest. Now I see them everywhere.

The guy up above is the largest of our anole family. He lives by the back patio in the honeysuckle and he often sits out to sun on the gate in the afternoon. In consequence, he and I have developed quite a friendship as I frequently use the back gate on the way to the shed.

Here he's showing off his dewlap. As this behavior is seen primarily when an anole is protecting his territory or possibly when he is seeking a mate I'll let you be the judge of how one-sided our friendship may be. In fact, it's just possible that on the afternoon of this shot he might have been muttering under his breath about pesky humans mucking up his routine. As green anoles have very little voices we may never know.

Here in Southern Mississippi we are having an absolutely gorgeous spring. The new growth is just such a brilliant and alive green. The heat has yet to be oppressive. It's a beautiful time to be in the south. I wish you could all stop by for a cool glass of mint tea, made with mint picked in the garden. It would be lovely.

Shhh... They Think I'm in Hattiesburg

2009-04-01T19:58:00.001-07:00

That's right, this little accidental librarian is supposed to be in Hattiesburg at the University of Southern Mississippi's Children's Book Festival. So, how did I end up on Bourbon Street?

This photo is courtesy of the lovely waitstaff at Brownstone's in downtown Hattiesburg. Those folks graciously let me climb up on a chair in the dining room so I could capture a little piece of Hattiesburg's own Big Easy to take home.

This is my third year to attend Children's Book Fest. It's a bit of shock to realize that this is my third bookfest pilgrimage. Three years ago I had no idea that I would enjoy librarianing quite so much or that I would stay in the sultry climes of southern Mississippi so long.

We have two more days to go. This year the main event is Judy Blume. (A few folks may have heard of her.) I know she was prominant on the shelves of the library when I was a child and she's writing still. From my childhood, the Blume work I remember best is Freckle Juice. I think that may still be my favorite Judy Blume. I can't tell you why, it just stayed with me, the way books do sometimes.

Tail Over Teakettle

2009-03-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's library storytime will be Silly, literally. There will be books about being silly, silly songs, silly crafts, silly, silly, silly. Milton agreed to help set the mood by rolling "tail over teakettle" in the backyard. (Notice he's also sticking his tongue out at the blogging world. Not very respectful, is he?)

Here, in the southern US spring is well underway. That's gotten me out and about in the yard and on the bicycle. In fact, twice last week I made the five mile (one way) commute to and from work. I truly enjoyed the ride as the world looks quite different and much closer from a bike saddle and the weather was just about perfect.

Sadly, on the way home during my second day of bicycle commuting I had the most spectacularly bruising tail over teakettle crash. As the old-timers say, I've been "stove up" and recovering from an impressive collection of road rash and blue marks. Mind you, there were no bones broken and thankfully the bike was not damaged but yours truly has truly been a patchwork of bandages.

The bandages, oh the bandages! Although I tried at first to conceal them, the concealing did not last long and the bandages led to a barrage of questions at the library. It's important to know that I live in a rural community. By venturing out on a two wheeled, non-motorized conveyance I have broken a fast and unspoken rule within most rural US communities, adults DO NOT bicycle simply for recreation or to commute to work. It is not done. This unspoken rule is especially applicable to adults owning working vehicles with combustible engines.

So, to begin with I am way outside of most of my community's societal comfort zone. In fact, my being seen on bike will lead most other adults to believe that my car is broken. Who knows, one of the local churches might even take up a collection for that poor Ms. Bethany down at the library.

All of the above being the case, most people are bit incredulous that my bandages were earned in a bicycle crash. For everyone's sake and comfort, I'd really like to jazz the story up with a fossil fuel burning machine but those are the kind of tales that put you in awkward situations later when the truth leaks out, and somehow the truth always does leak out. So yes, I've had to tough it out and explain time out of mind that "I had a bicycle crash." "Yes, you heard me correctly I did say bicycle." "Yes, the non-motorized kind."

This admission, led one 12-year-old young lady to proudly proclaim that, "My mother hasn't ridden a bicycle since she was four." This was said with much pride and obvious satisfaction, as certainly adults riding and crashing bicycles falls far outside the realm of acceptable adult behavior. (The exception of course being Lance Armstrong.) I think perhaps, some of the library patrons may even believe that I've had my comeuppance for venturing out at all on a bicycle and stealing a few precious feet of roadway from the gazillion horse powered trucks and SUVs that are king of the road in the south.

Imagine how horrified they're all going to be to hear that I didn't learn my lesson and that "Ms. Bethany WILL ride again."

The Watcher

2009-03-17T05:23:00.000-07:00

Here we have another of the Southern Toads that hang around the place. Perhaps, you notice that our little friend has an audience.

Milton was quite interested in this toad's movements. (I must hasten to add and I'm sure all of you will be glad to know that no toads were harmed in the making of this photo, or even in the immediate aftermath.) Actually, this guy may look pretty innocuous but the truth is he would most likely do much more damage to Milton than Milton would to him. Toads have glands behind their eyes that secrete poison and when pets come in contact with this poison it can cause nausea, irregular heart beat, and occasionally death. So, the current educational campaign is to teach Milton to "Just Say No" to toads.

On an unrelated note, I must mention and in fact I think it is quite obvious, that my blog is falling into disrepair. It's just that blogging is a bit of a chore these days. I wish I could get back to the blogging flow but it's not coming easily. I do have lots of springtime photos to share so perhaps there is hope, maybe this blog's not dead yet.

Pine Warbler

2009-02-25T05:46:00.001-08:00

This pine warbler greeted me as I left work on Monday. It's the first time one of these guys has stayed put long enough for me to capture (in a photographic sense) him. Most people that use the internet and also bird know that Cornell University has one of the best websites around for birds in North America. They are also very active in the observation and science of birds. In fact, they just finished their annual Backyard Bird Count in which they harness the power of volunteers across the nation to count birds in their neighborhood. I only had two days that I could count and took counts at my house, our local park on my lunchtime, and the library.

I found it very challenging as there is so much bird activity here, even in a small area. This year the library partnered with the local Audubon to promote the bird count and it was very exciting to see how people became aware of the their surroundings when looking for birds. I still have people coming in to tell me the birds they saw on their walks.

If you're interested in reading up on my handsome friend in the photo, read his page over at the Cornell All About Birds site.

Milton Portrait

2009-02-24T16:53:00.000-08:00

Do we think Milton's getting a bit stuck on himself? I mean after all, he is a Z-List Blog celebrity.

I do think that perhaps things are getting a bit out of hand. I mean I've started a whole new, devoted to Milton folder in my photo files. It's just that he's always striking a pose. How can I resist that, really? He just naturally "works it".

On a divergent note, I've been meaning for a while to mention Tenn, or as he is also known Tennison the Wonder Dog. A few people have asked after him and I thought I should fill in my few remaining old time readers.

In my early years of blogging, at my old blog home journalspace, Tenn was a frequent feature. Sadly, for both of us he's becoming quite elderly for a "retriever style". He now lives with my parents as they are more available to take him out when he needs and have an overall better schedule for him. I go over at least once a week for a walk around the neighborhood but I do miss his companioship as he and I have now been family for almost thirteen years. He's not the photogenic dog he once was as his hair has thinned and he has problems with recurring skin infections but he is as loyal, intelligent, and bold (especially if you have a bit of people food around) as ever.

The Natives Love Me

2009-02-17T08:10:00.000-08:00

I've been making friends again. I found this guy hanging on the side of the house looking for a snack the other night. Obviously, he was thrilled to have his peace disturbed and a camera flash going off inches from his eyes.

I'm afraid he and his friends are all going to hop for the hills when they see me coming. Their little frog voices will be screaming, "Run for it boys, the human with the evil black box is on the loose." It's a compulsion really, maybe even a disease. I just can't stop taking photos.

I love the clarity of this guys eyes and the color. I think that bronzy color is very handsome. And, those cute little bulbous toes. Who wouldn't love those toes? What a handsome little critter indeed. Too bad, he's going to run from me every chance he gets.

Geese Bottoms

2009-02-13T05:56:00.000-08:00

Well, Geese Bottoms! Doesn't that sound like some type of pseudo naughty expletive. I'm actually thinking of adding it to my own personal lexicon for times of great stress.

This photo explains the great winter goose mystery of 2009. The winter goose mystery of '09 began a couple of weeks ago on a nice clear warm morning while I was lazing in bed with the back door propped open and was surprised by an unmistakably goosey honk wafting in on the breeze. I hopped out of bed, grabbed my camera, and rushed out to a clearly empty and goose free yard. While I didn't particularly want a goose in the yard I was a bit dismayed to find that my ears had deceived me. I found myself questioning my acumen about the natural world.

I mean, I know I don't know everything, or even much and I constantly resort to outside sources even for the most basic of bird identifications but seriously, a goose honk is a goose honk. If I'm going to start hearing things that aren't really there then quite honestly I'd prefer something a little more melodic than a sound remarkably like the sound my alto saxophone made back in sixth grade when they entrusted it to my overeager and novice hands. (Seriously, have you ever heard anyone learning to play a saxophone? Not pretty!)

I've continued to hear the occasional goose honk, only to rush into the yard and find no goose. So, it was a great consolation this morning as Milton and I took our walk around to have these guys fly a low direct course over the house, honking all the while. Whew! I'm not hearing things after all and these geese bottoms are my photographic proof.

A bonus Milton photo. Here we are about to set out on the morning walk around. Doesn't Milton look enthused?

Morning Rambles

2009-02-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Milton and I often take a walk around the yard in the morning before work, just to see what might have happened in the night or to see perhaps what's lurking around out there. We don't generally find a lot going on. Most of the time our walk is made up of me fuming at the birds for taunting behavior as they call so very loudly from the trees but stay neatly out of camera range. We do however catch the amazing moment here or there, like this spider web glistening in the dew.

This week, I'm missing my walk with Milton. So this morning, I faced the cold, and braved the streets of Jackson for an early morning ramble. I had such a nice time. Our hotel, where most of our classes are held is in the Fondren neighborhood of Jackson. This makes for very nice walking and even though the south is not known as a pedestrian friendly environment I managed to find some sidewalks and saw a few others striding about.

As Milton is back at home on the coast, this morning I was looking for a new rambling friend. Imagine my delight when I found this low maintenance Dalmation. I wonder what his people thought when they looked out their front windows to see a woman sitting on the street in front of their fire hydrant taking photos. I wonder if they get that a lot?

Flying the Coop

2009-02-02T04:39:00.000-08:00

Today, I'm headed to a week long school in Jackson about librarianing. I'm definitely looking forward to the week but it is always such a wrench to leave home. I know I'll enjoy the school, meeting new people, and getting out of the routine but home is just so comfortable. Also, they assign us roommates from other library systems, that is always a gamble. The time I went to the first part of this class two years ago I had a great roommate and we had mucho fun. Hopefully, this year will be the same.

Yesterday, Milton and I had a beautiful day watching birds. You can see from the photo that Milton toyed with the idea of mowing the lawn. In the end he decided it would be much more relaxing to sit under a pine tree with me. So we, both pulled up a patch of grass and I watched birds while Milton watched me. Milton is much more interested in watching the exotic watch bunnies and squirrels that wander into the yard than watching birds. Birds, aren't his thing. We added three new birds to the many seen lately.

After such a beautiful and peaceful day in my own backyard it makes it especially difficult to leave.

Eastern Bluebird

2009-01-26T20:58:00.001-08:00

Funny story, well I think it's funny, last year when I was walking back to the library from lunch at the park I saw this beautiful blue bird. I'd never seen one before and thought, "what beautiful color", "what bird could be that blue?". Once back at the library I told all my co-workers about the beautiful blue bird and hightailed it into the upper 500s (I love Dewey) for a little bird identification. Imagine my chagrin when my exotic, never before seen blue bird was actually an Eastern BLUEBIRD. Hmmmm... It all seems so simple and self-explanatory in retrospect.

Thanks to that experience, today when I happened upon this little blue bird at the park, identification was no big deal. I mean really, anyone can see that's an Eastern Bluebird. Jeez...

So Much to Learn and Only One Lifetime

2009-01-22T17:39:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I'm missing a training meeting about how to identify local frogs by the sound they make. The training is to prepare folks to go roam the roads and participate in a frog watching program. As I've come to proudly embrace my own inherent nerdiness I will admit with pride that I think it sounds fascinating. Sure, I know a Friday night trolling the back roads to hear frogs gettin' it on, flirting, and partying doesn't appeal to everyone but if you bother to get in touch with your inner naturalist you might think it sounds better than dinner and a movie. Sadly for me, I'm kind-of maxed out for the week on my ability to tackle new ventures.

That's the thing that I find frustrating this week, time and energy. I must work. I have to keep food on the table and the lights on. I have the great blessing of actually loving my job. Yet, this work-a-day life is really cutting into my time, my "there are only 24 hours in a day to accomplish so many things" time.

Yesterday, I got interested in bamboo bikes after reading about a program in Ghana to help the people of Ghana build cargo bikes out of bamboo. I thought, "I could build a bamboo bike" but then I remembered that I have beehives to build, bat houses to build, a house to paint, a garden to plant, trees to plant, and a farmer's market to organize. So actually, when I look at it, learning to build a bamboo bicycle really is out of the question this year. Also out of the question, at least for the foreseeable future; that yogurt maker I want to make, the yurt I'd love to build, the wood strip canoe that I've dreamed of building, chicken tractors, etc, etc. You get the idea.

There are just so many interesting things in this world. So many things to experience and learn. So many new things to try. I just don't know how I'll ever accomplish or learn "hands on" half the things I want to.

This means that I have to work diligently on balance because things catch my interest so quickly and always I'm fighting that devil "time". As I said, so much to learn and only one lifetime. Let's hope it's a long one.

**The flower above is my lovely Christmas and housewarming Amaryllis from my friend Jane. Thank you Jane

It's Good to Be Queen

2009-01-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

I think the Queen had a good time. I admit I'm jealous of her feathery thing. I'm pretty sure that I would like one of those things to wear around the house, perhaps even wear it to librarian. It's very fun.

I had a good time, cut a rug, ate some food, chatted with lots of people. As is often the case with these types of things there were lots of women, not as many men and of course as the Finman is off in the arctic north there was no slow dancing for this belle. I did manage to show off my moves with that perennial favorite, the dance that simply won't die, bringing fun and frivolity to dances since the 1970's, the electric slide.

I learned to dance in Almost West Texas in cowboy boots on the hardwood floor of a former high school gym. Imagine my surprise this morning (when I realized after trying to do very simple things like sitting) that dancing in stilettos apparently requires an entirely different muscle group than dancing in cowboy boots. Who knew?

You may notice in the photo on the right that I was quite sparkly. To be honest, I really feel compelled to mention that I would not normally accessorize to this degree. It is tradition for the court, after the presentation of the current King and Queen to go around the event giving away strings of Mardi Gras beads. In my pursuit of photos I inadvertently found myself at the center of the throng with beads coming from all directions. In fact, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that I was in danger of having my lungs collapse under the weight of cheap plastic beads and that I barely escaped with my life. Again, who knew that a Mardi Gras ball could facilitate so many injuries? These invitations should definitely come with a health warning.

Yes Darlings, The Queen Has Invited Me to the Ball

2009-01-16T14:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I'm attending a ball, a Mardi Gras Ball. My friend and former co-worker Kim was elected this year's Queen and our library manager is the Grand Duchess. This is the first Mardi Gras ball I've attended and I'm definitely looking forward to it.

I had a difficult time deciding what to wear. I didn't buy anything new but over the years I've accumulated quite a collection of satins, silks and taffetas, thanks to various weddings and parties. I did have a few things to choose from.

I can't decide if I'm pleased or disappointed that I can still wear a iridescent blue taffeta number that I wore when I was 19, a mere 16 years ago. On the plus side I haven't gained a lot of weight. However, on the down side of things it definitely proves that the svelte and athletic physique I've desired the last twenty years still eludes me. SIGH.

Oh well, I'm still excited to be off to the ball. I've decided on a flirty little silk chiffon frock. So Darlings, as I said, I'm off to the ball.

Lunchtime Blogging

2009-01-14T10:27:00.000-08:00

Here we have a Yellow-Rumped Warbler. I've seen these both at the library and a few miles away at home. I find I really enjoy photographing birds and identifying them later. I'm no birder and unless I've seen one before I have no idea about the names of the different birds.

Actually, I guess I might be becoming a birder because I have to admit I find it very fulfilling to able to identify the wildlife around oneself. For instance, to look through the lens of the camera and know that you're looking at another yellow-rumped warbler. Yes, that's quite nice.

About this particular warbler, I really like how the canopy of the forest blurred out around her like an impressionist's watercolor.

And now, lunch is over and it's time to get back to work. Librarianing here I come.

Winding Down and Big Plans

2009-01-11T18:42:00.000-08:00

Here I am a the end of another weekend wondering where in the world all the time went. I'm sure part of my astonishment at how fast time flew could be chalked up to having only managed to spend seven hours of Saturday in an upright and awake state. Seven hours, can you imagine? I can't, and I lived it. I went to bed Friday and on Saturday surfaced briefly at 8am and then again at 12:30pm. About 4:20 in the afternoon I managed to drag myself off the bed and made coffee, thus insuring the seven hours of wakefulness, but the coffee was apparently not sufficient to the task of prying me out of my pajamas. It was almost as if Saturday didn't exist at all. I wonder if humans have ever bred with sloths and if perhaps I have a recessive sloth gene?

Today, I really should blog about Mississippi Sandhill Cranes. I know I should. However, after a full day of non-slothfullness I'm entirely too brain fogged to bother with all the fact checking that goes into a decent naturalist blog. So today we must be content with the dried hydrangea from the top of my Aunt Jean's stove. Lovely, isn't it?

Also, I'll give you all a bit of an update about something that will be taking some of my time over the next few months. While ruminating about things in general at the end of December my mind somehow wandered to farmer's markets and the fact that the town I librarian in, in fact the town that I now consider "my town" does not have a farmer's market and how nice it would be if it did have a farmer's market. It soon struck me that if the town was to have a farmer's market someone would need to organize it. Following quickly upon that was the idea that I could help organize a farmer's market. In consequence, since the new year I've been researching and pulling together a core group of women I know through the library who all have some interest in supporting the local community, gardening, natural products, and making the most of our resources. I think each of the ladies I've contacted have something great to offer the project and better still, they are interested and willing to pitch in. Hopefully, we'll soon have our first meeting and perhaps this thing can become a reality. Provided, that things turn out well, I may even begin another blog chronicling that experience.

I certainly hope everyone's week is off to a great start. I know I should certainly be well rested and able to tackle whatever challenges surface this week.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like... Spring

2009-01-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

If the leaves weren't continuing to fall off our oak trees I would really think we were in the middle of spring. Today, it was a lovely 72 degrees here. (That's 22C for my friends outside of the US.) The sun was shining and I had a beautiful walk at the park during lunch. It even smelled like spring.

Above, you'll see one of the cardinals that flits about the house. Here, he's perched in the water oak directly in front of the front door. He and and his lady friend were having snacks over at the wax myrtle bush nearby. It was very entertaining to watch. (At least, it was entertaining for me but my idea of a fun night out has become sitting OUT on the porch listening to the frogs do their thing so I might not be the best judge.) Wax myrtles are supposed to be a winter time buffet for the birds and last weekend that certainly proved to be true.

As my friend Keri would say, these birds are real "kick in the pants". I am so thankful that the couple that lived here before us enjoyed wildlife and put up the feeders and didn't take out all the native plants. The other morning standing in the kitchen and looking out the window I saw a blue jay perched on one side of the bird feeder having breakfast and a cardinal perched on the other side of the feeder breakfasting as well. I grabbed my camera but sadly the photos didn't do well through the screen on the window. It's a shame because it sure was one beautiful and colorful scene.

Finally, I really must have one more reptile moment.

Yes, yet another of my Mediterranean friends. Doesn't he look cuddly? This is the one I found while hanging the hammock chair on Sunday. I have to say, I'm quite impressed with his eyes. Do you see how the pattern of his eye seems to mirror his mottled color? Crazy.

Now then, I think we're done with the reptiles for a while. Next, I have a story to tell about the endangered Mississippi Sandhill Crane, perhaps this weekend. I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday.

But Geico Makes Them Look so Cute..

2009-01-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

I have a gecko problem. It started when moving furniture from my storage facility to the new house. I'd wedged myself between the metal wall of the building and a wing chair, referred to in another time as the "ugly chair" when I noticed paper thin egg shell casings on the very dusty and soon to be thrown away slipcover of ugly chair. I looked up at Big Sis and said, "There are gecko eggs on my chair". Big Sis, immediately asked what everyone continues to ask when I tell them this story, "How do you know what gecko eggs look like?" That was a stumper, I mean can't most people identify gecko eggs when they run across them?

After an appropriate amount of time marveling over the delicacy of gecko eggs the move was back underway and Big Sis and I continued to load furniture, including ugly chair, into the back of her truck. Once back at the new house, with the truck backed as close to the house as we could manage it was time to unload. As we unloaded ugly chair I decided to strip off the old slipcover that had become irreclaimably dirty during its tenure in storage and walk it back to the trash can by the shed. All this time, I must admit to a niggling worry that "where there are gecko eggs there may also be geckos". Sure enough as I began to strip off the old cover I opened the gate for a gecko stampede. Well, actually it was only one gecko, but he was fast, he was fierce, and he was the vanguard.

Now trust me, as this happened a few weeks ago and I've repeated the story more than once, I have already been informed many times over that, any naturalist in training worth the title naturalist really should embrace darting reptiles and not consider such wonderful and helpful creatures at all menacing or otherwise disconcerting. This is apparently true, even if an angry horde of geckos, disturbed from their cool weather digs, charge you from concealed pockets in your furniture. So forgive me when I tell you that immediately on seeing the darting gecko I "screamed like a girl" which I am, or rather I'm a woman but was at one time a girl and ran away with heart racing, leaving Big Sis in my dust to face the wrath of the gecko. Big Sis true to her inquisitive, fluffy, love the whole world seminarian heart immediately started cooing and rapturing over our new cold-blooded guest. A guest, that hightailed it for pines at the first opportunity. Meanwhile, my run headed me straight to the camera. Sadly, I only to got back in time to see gecko one leave in a blur.

With my heart rate somewhat calmer I was ready to get on with the moving gig and continued with my task of uncovering ugly chair. I really shouldn't have been surprised when gecko two ran for my face. I mean, "where there are gecko eggs..." Gecko two actually posed for the camera, allowed Big Sis to love on him and was then content with a new home on the privacy fence. (I haven't seen him there since, but I do sense that he's nearby.)

Prior to this experience, I actually had no idea that geckos truly were the darlings of the reptile world. It seems that in disparaging geckos you may open yourself to a barage of recriminations worthy of a Senate Subcommittee Investigation. I've also been informed that naturalists should be no discriminators of reptiles.

Let me state in my own defense that I have no problem with geckos that choose to live outdoors, eating bugs, making the world a safer place. It is only when they stake a claim in the folds of my furniture and dart about in defense of said furniture that I find geckos truly objectionable. Surely for a habitat they could find a better place.

In fact, I'm sure they could have found a better place than the box that held my hand-tool leather bag bought years ago on a trip to Mexico City, or better than snuggled between my book boxes, or amongst any number of my possessions. Yes, the ugly chair geckos were only the beginning. I'm still finding geckos. I know for sure at least one is living somewhere in the house, there are untold numbers still in the storage unit, and I found one today nestled in the folds of a hammock chair I was hanging. So while I continue to acknowledge that geckos have a wonderful job to do in this world I also maintain that geckos (and their eggs) do not belong in your furniture much less amongst boxes spoiling and despoiling possessions. Call me a bad naturalist but I'm ready for these geckos, darlings though they may be, to find another home.

*A naturalist note about the geckos in question. After realizing that the geckos in my gecko infestation had a very exotic look, and reminded me a bit of a leopard gecko I used to work with in the education program at a zoo, I had a bad moment or two thinking that I'd contributed to the introduction of a non-native species into the wilds of coastal Mississippi. Thankfully, after some research I was able to put my fears to rest. I did have a bit of trouble finding an identification simply because these guys are non-native. Thank goodness, I'm not the one that let him out. This particular gecko is the Mediterranean Gecko and ranges from Florida across the Gulf Coast although he is also continuing to spread north from Florida as well. Oh, and he also ranges in well, the Mediterranean.

Just Beginning Where I Left Off

2009-01-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

I had many urges over the last week to sit down and blog, post a photo or two, only to remember that the site hosting my blog was in the midst of a major implosion. Having already lost four years of blog entries earlier this year to a hard drive overwrite I can't say that I was at all surprised or incredulous when it was announced that Journalspace was gone the way of the passenger pigeon. I do however feel a bit sad for the site admin as I know he's poured a lot of energy into the site for years. Hobbies sometimes get out of control and I can't help but think that something which began as fun turned into a full time second job.

Now, as stated above, I'm simply beginning where I left off. So far blogspot's been easy enough to navigate. It's not home yet but I'm sure I'll settle in.

You may have noticed the Southern Toad above. This guy hangs about in our drive on muggy wet nights. As, I live in muggy and wet coastal Mississippi this means that he and I are becoming quite close. After all, you can tell from his expression how enamored he is of me. In fact, I'm sure that in frog/toad culture that slightly pissed off look is actually an expression of great admiration.

So tell me, what do you think he's thinking?