I Wasn't Going To Do It

But I caved. Three times this week I've seen a Hummingbird fly to the spot where the feeder usually hangs, flit around looking for it, and buzz away. Third time was the charm. It was a male Hummingbird with his ruby throat that pushed me over the edge this afternoon. I went downstairs to get the feeder and the ant deterrent dome thingy, made a batch of sugar water, and put the darned thing out. I moved the Finch feeder to a crook on the retaining wall and already one of the Sparrows found it. I'm not worried.

 

I saw a pair of Goldfinches on the Finch feeder this morning before I left for the last (thank heavens!) Market on Military. The picture's a little blurry and the birds aren't as vivid as the adults so I assume these are the first nestlings of the season.

 

The alliums are blooming in front. You know, when I planted them I thought they'd be a big round purple ball of a flower. Instead they're about the size of a tennis ball. No, maybe more like a racquetball. They are pretty but not very showy.

 

I was in a bit of a tizzy thinking that Dad's Rose hadn't survived the winter because there aren't any sprouts or new leaves on any of the old canes. But this afternoon I noticed that there are new canes growing from the ground with beautiful burgundy leaves on them. Whew.

 

Speaking of leaves, that's what I drew today, Leaves. I went out in the backyard and picked a few leaves, picked up a maple seed helicopter, and one white violet. I sat down and drew them, then I colored them with colored pencils and I like them. I think they turned out nicely for a quick afternoon's project. See the baby fern? Isn't it cute?

 

The first Iris bud opened overnight. It's the first of many and I'm so happy to see it.

 

The male Oriole visited the grape jelly this afternoon. He stayed long enough for me to take a few shots. This one is the best.

 

And I discovered who's eating the orange half. House Finches! All afternoon while I sat there watching, singles and pairs of House Finches landed on the orange and pecked away. Who knew?

 

Today was the last Market on Military so that meant we had to pack up EVERYTHING to take home. Tables, chairs, books, racks, tablecloths, and other assorted display items. The good news is I sold four books today. Hooray! The bad-dish news is that just after I got all the tables, rack, chair, bag of miscellaneous stuff, and box of books into the house Alexa informed me that "a shipment has arrived." It was more books, 19 more books to be exact, that I needed to unpack, sign, sticker, and bookmark, then put into the stacks. Monday I ordered 10 each of five titles and 5 of one title so that means there are 36 more books to come. I'm kind of glad they seem to be coming in smaller amounts. One box of 55 books would be really really heavy. Nah, they wouldn't send them all in one box. No way. They'd send three boxes, spread 'em out a bit. It usually takes two weeks for author copies to arrive so this box was very unexpectedly early. I don't mind.

 

Tomorrow I get to drive up to Sturgeon Bay (about 45 minutes from home) to deliver more Spies Don't Retire to OtherWorlds Books & More because he called on Monday to say that he needed more. I know I told you this before but I'm pretty pumped about it. Can you tell?

I spent some time this afternoon reading through cda's submission for our critique session on Monday. She's been writing this historical fiction novel since 2001 or so and this is the first time it's been critiqued as a whole. I'm really enjoying reading the parts that I haven't read before. It's a good story so I hope she gets it published so I can encourage you to read it.

--Barbara