Beauty, sweetness, wonder

Isn't this an awesome photo? A little while ago, I was working in the den and could hear a cardinal chirping away out front. I figured it was on the power lines, but went to look. He was bouncing around in the magnolia tree. I took this looking sideways out the front window so I wouldn't scare him away. He was plucking petals off the flowers, and trying to pull the buds off the branches.

This little guy was snooping around the trunk of the tree. I think I saw him out back yesterday, nibbling dry grass near the driveway. I took his photo through the storm door, but then did venture out to see if I could get a better photo. He didn't run too far, but didn't want to pose anymore, either.

Last year Greg found a bunny nest in a depression in the yard - wonder where they'll be this year?

Finally, the tree is pretty much all bloomed. The flowers usually get either frozen or hailed upon. We're supposed to have heavy rains tonight, but it's not going to be hot enough today for hail.

Blooms burst forth!

This was the magnolia tree on Sunday afternoon...

This is the magnolia tree today (Wednesday):

After the flowers fade, it will be thick with dark green leaves.

I love this tree - it was a birthday gift many years ago, and has grown from being a stick, to a tree almost as tall as the house. Those flowers mean Spring is really here. Yea!

Happy Birthday wishes!

It's the first day of you-know-what!

It is a dull, grey, damp day here, but warm, and the birds are singing. I'm not complaining.

Crane-watching

We spent a lovely day driving the backroads south of the Platte River between Alda and Gibbon. The annual migration of the Sandhill Cranes is beginning to peak, and we enjoyed the birds and the river. Sunshine and 60 degrees made it perfect birdwatching weather. Here's a link to more information about the cranes, and the place where we started today: www.cranemeadows.org
We took a minute or so of video, but the wind was blowing too hard to hear the cranes. Sounded a bit like "cooing". We saw a few do the "dance", too. It was very cool!

The Platte River (it's pretty when it has water in it!)

The crane in the middle of this photo is "dancing".

My new blogs

I've been reading several food/cooking blogs and cross-stitching blogs lately and decided to go ahead with my own. So here they are:

http://livedangerouslywhileeating.blogspot.com/

http://stitchingintheheartland.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

T.

Happy Birthday day - again!

He keeps arguing that he is 3, but I got him to show me 4 for the picture. He's really not sure what this all means, but is having fun with it. Treat bags went to preschool, and his Grandma is picking him up this afternoon. Happy Birthday, buddy!

Has it Sprung?

“One swallow does not make a spring, nor does one fine day”

(quote by Aristotle)

We all want to believe that Spring has arrived and will stay for a few months. I think she's just visiting, teasing, and will go away, laughing at our disappointment. Everyone will be cranky when she goes, but we'll welcome her back with delight when she returns, whether it is to tease again, or to stay for good.

This photo is my magnolia tree, taken this morning. It'll be blooming soon, then when the flowers fade, the leaves come on. It's gotten big enough to screen the entire North side of the front deck, offering a haven for those little birds who sing and flitter about, driving the cats crazy as they watch through the window.

I'm really aching to get some gardening going, but I do know better. Today I will clean up some more of the dead brown leavings from last summer, and bide my time until the bulbs come up. The hyacinth started up in January, then winter finally showed up and I'm worried they won't bloom now.

I do plan to have a small vegetable garen this year, in addition to my herbs, so there is lots of work to do to prepare for that. And I may be getting a small gazebo soon, so there will be a new area to landscape around.

Another birthday day!

Rock and Roll Never Forgets

Oh. My.

Bob Seger live. Along with The Silver Bullet Band, he made everyone feel 30 years younger last night. (The gentleman sitting next to me first saw Seger in concert in 1971 - I was 10 years old!)

This was by far the best quality performance I have ever seen in concert. I clapped, cheered, danced, sang along, and was even moved to tears.

When Seger says "Let's ROCK AND ROLL!" he means it. No flash, no dazzle, just great music, and he performed the songs just like we knew them from his albums.

I can't even choose a highlight moment, there were many. "We've Got Tonight" made me cry - it was a beautiful rendition. Then right after that he sang "Turn the Page" - I thought Greg was going to cry, too. :o)

I know this is a gushy post, but I can't help it. Truly one of those "someday" things that was so worth the 4-hour round-trip drive and the $$$ spent and having to get up at 6 when we didn't get to bed until 1:30. We always will be glad we went.

Wild Hogs

This was one of the funniest movies I've seen in awhile. I like to think my dad would have enjoyed it. The Harleys, the leather, John Travolta. Okay, I liked John Travolta - Dad would have liked the bikes, though. :o)

I liked this movie more than "Ghost Rider", though Nicolas Cage has better abs...

Um - yeah, I recommend "Wild Hogs" if you're just looking for a fun movie - not one with any deep, society-changing wisdom. Enjoy!

Edited 3/8 to add: I watched it again tonight with Greg. This movie was just as funny the second time, and I saw a few things I'd missed the first time. Go see it!

How have I been blessed?

This has been a trying day, and all I want to do is whine about it. Instead, I decided to list what has been a blessing to me:

Healthy kitties - naughty, but healthy. :o)

Hugs and kisses from Wyatt, Garett, and Grace.

Sunshine and decent temperatures outside.

Helpful people on the phone.

Looking forward to the Bob Seger concert tomorrow night!

Greg is on his way to being well, Jessi loves her new job, Nick is fine, and there is no need to dwell on the negatives. :o)

See?!

Oh, sorry, you can't see! There is too much blowing snow to see! This was the view out the front door at 6:45 this morning. Yeah, I just stuck the camera out the door and pushed the button. :o)

Snuggled in for a Snow Day - at least until I have to go to work tonight. Good news on the horizon, though. Forecast high for one week from today, 59 glorious degrees. Perhaps Spring is on the way, after all! Yea!