I wish I had something substantial to say for the Spotlight, it being the day and all, but I don’t, so let’s pretend (oh goodness, how many times did I say that as a child?) that you’re my neighbor, which you kind of are, and we’re chatting over the back fence.  That’s my shadow wearing my favorite hat, waving at you.  Good morning!

How are you today?  I hope well.  I am fantastico.  I awoke to Greg’s warmth next to me and a billowing bedroom curtain.  Gosh, that might be the finest AM combination.  Despite whatever turmoil I might be experiencing, there is always joy in being with the hubster and seeing a curtain fluttering in the breeze.

As for Spotlight potential, I am reading a book, a monster of a book, page wise, probably the longest I’ve read, Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.  That’s one of the reasons why I haven’t written much this week.  I’ve had my nose in that book since Monday.  It is really good too, at least so far.  I’m 475 pages of 1164 into the story, and boy does it have me going.  Who is John Galt, and why would he start such things in motion, really, just because he can?  I don’t know; it seems sort of wicked, but also pretty right on, too.  I think, like Ms. Rand, I am a bit of an Objectivist, though to a lesser degree – I am also a Gemini, and this trumps all!  I kind of wish I could just sit in my comfy chair until it’s done, but I’ve got things to do, like get ready for tomorrow.

That’s the other bit that’s been keeping me from writing.  We’re having a party for the neighbors tomorrow.  I’m calling it an “afternoon social” with lemonade, chips, dips, and four kinds of cookie – sugar, chocolate drop, gingersnap, and my triple threat peanut butter.  I’ve got the dough for the first three cookies made, a batch of lemonade in the freezer, so we’ll have lemonade ice rather than diluting something so delicious, and two of the three dips ready to go.  Now, I need to get some weeds pulled, the last bit of bark mulch and rocks spread in the yard, the vacuum out to tackle the dust bunnies, mop the floors, and clean the icky mess that is my stove top.

Oh yes, that’s something else special that happened to keep me from the blog.  I made omelets with my friend Amber yesterday, and she got to see said stove top in all its dirty glory.  We had a grand time making our delicious omelets (filled with roasted asparagus, mushroom, and Willamette Valley gouda, zowie!), chatting, and enjoying a bit of sun out in the yard.  It’s funny how a person can be in your life for literally years, yet there is so much you don’t know.  I’m glad we had the chance to get to get better acquainted yesterday.  It’s like having a lens you thought was clear come into greater focus – the colors are brighter, sharper, and even more eye-catching.  Thanks Amber.

I better get a move on, so much to do!  Think good thoughts for dry weather until 4:00 tomorrow because if everyone comes, there will be fifty of us crowded in the house.  After that, I don’t mind if it pours.  As a matter of fact, I’d rather like it.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Monday to you my gentle readers.  I hope this finds you well.  I’ve been dazzled by all the beauty coming out in the garden and thought I would share it with you.

Yellow Alyssum

Apple

Azalea

Blueberry

Ceanothus

Yellow Flowering Currant

Daphne

Dogwood

Epimedium

Japanese Painted Fern

Belle de Nancy Lilac

Delavay Osmanthus

Pasque Flower

Primrose

Rhododendron

Rosemary

Star Flower

Strawberry

Tulip

Twin Berry

Happy Birthday Jen and Martha!

Rich

A propensity to hope and joy is real riches:

One to fear and sorrow, real poverty.

David Hume

Remember when I told you that I liked to feed the birds in our backyard?  Well,  I think it is safe to conclude that I’ve taken my love for all things avian to a new level, as in I think I can officially call myself a birder.  Since I first wrote about my fine feathered friends, I must say that my interest and awareness has only increased, finding my eyes peering through the binoculars (or “bins” as the veterans say) more and more.

However, what gave the stamp in my passport, so to speak, was participating in my very first Bird Song Walk this past Wednesday morning, organized by the Portland chapter of the National Audubon Society.  We met at Mt. Tabor at 7:00, walking hither and yon through the park listening to and observing many a beautiful winged creature.  An added bonus – the trilliums were in bloom!

Apparently it was a banner day, as we saw: a Merlin, two Red Tailed Hawks, Spotted Towhees, Orange Crowned Warblers, Creepers, Bush tits, Hummingbirds, Stellar Jays (six or seven enjoying a coffee klatch!), Flickers, Thrushes, Crossbills, House Finches, Goldfinches (American and Lesser), Sparrows, Nut Hatches, Pine Siskins, and more that I cannot recall at the moment.  I remained in awe and occasionally on the verge of tears throughout the walk.  That I was in my own neighborhood (a mere fifteen minute walk), among so many beautiful birds and people with such great knowledge (not to mention ears and eyes) was quite humbling.

Apparently, the Merlin was our greatest “get,” as many of the veterans had never actually seen one live and in person.  It was beautiful and incredibly swift – gone in 60 milliseconds!  One of the hawk sitings was rather cool, too.  It was perched on a lamp post near one of the reservoirs, and remained there for the full five minutes we observed it.  Once, as I was watching, I swear our eyes locked through the binoculars.  I felt a wonderful sense of communion.

When I arrived home, I immediately turned to my Birds of the Willamette Valley Region to learn more about each species I hadn’t known before.  Normally I am not one to make such statements, but the book is a must have for Portlanders observing the myriad feathered creatures here in the city, as there is no need to search through page after page of North American birds that may or may not inhabit or migrate through the region.  Additionally, each bird is very well photographed, so there is relatively little guess work.  I highly recommend it.

Who knows, maybe I’ve piqued your interest enough to see you at next Wednesday’s walk!  See you soon…

Contrast

Happy Earth Day everyone!  I hope you are finding new ways to help keep our planet as green and wonderful as Kermie himself.

The above photo is the dicentra (bleeding heart) in bloom on our north fence – so pretty and delicate.  I love it!

Now, for some contrast, as there is nothing earth friendly or delicate about it, I thought I would share a bit of fun.  Follow the links to what I find humorous.  I see three possible reactions on your part: laughter, head scratching, or horror at my bad taste.  What will it be???

This is on one of my new blog favorites, WASP 101.  Humor and style, one of my favorite combinations.  Mara?  Are you there?  You’re going to love it!

More WASPy style at The Trad, as well as this hilarious video.

I’ve had this link in my bookmarked favorites for ages. The Flight of the Conchords rock!

Another favorite bookmark, so wrong it is right.  Bert and Ernie gangsta style.

Happy Wednesday…

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