At our first home at times we were blessed to have a flicker visit the bird feeder. If I only caught a glimpse as it flew away I could tell it was a Flicker by the yellow band under its tail. It had a very long beak, black stripe under the chin like a fancy man ready fora night out. Black cheeks, red spot on back of the head. BUT WAIT!! There’s more!! Dashes and dots on the feathers.
Northern Flicker photo from online
At our house now they have decided that they are hungry enough to come to the suet feeder right outside the office window. Just now I heard a chirping. Rolled slowed back in my chair to see who was there. And wow! Was I delighted!! Like the photo above it had suet on its beak.
That is almost too much decoration for a single bird! Welcome glamour girl, (or boy)!
There have also been loads of bluebirds throughout the winter! Even though the Grackles finished off the dried meal worms, the bluebirds keep coming for the suet and seeds.
Blessed for their company this winter, photo from online
Some say lovely, I say ugh! Online photo
The starlings and I have a battle over the feeder. They are terrified of movement and I am quick to shoo them away every chance I get.They leave poop every where. Can empty a feeder in nothing flat and decimate a suet block “Presto-Chango” to nothing!
As soon as I find meal worms again I will fill that feeder. For now, birdies, it is seed and suet for y’all!
Do you ever wonder where they all sleep at night?
26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Matthew 6: 26-27
Which of you by worrying can add one more beat to his heart? No, the heart issue is not resolved and never far from my mind. I am trying to take the advice of my LORD and rest in His care.
We have totally dismantled the office. My computer and the printer will be the last things to go this evening. We will lose our Wi-Fi for a bit also!! Oh the joy of moving and not moving. We are excited about the new flooring (all 9 boxes) but not the need to reassemble everything.
Does anyone know how to keep pill bugs out? Evidently they find a space where the carpet meets the wall. I found dozens of dead ones in the office closet where storage tubs have been stacked. I do not want to hire an exterminator.
I suppose we will live without the Wi-Fi and the luxury of our computers set up and ready to go. At least for one day! Not like we are in a storm ravaged part of the country where all belongings are gone. Not complaining, just musing how spoiled we are.
It has been above freezing for a few days here, yet plenty cold at night. Have terrible black ice to our front door. Still almost solid yards of snow from yard to yard in the subdivision. The sun came out and I under-dressed when I went outside. The wind is still cold! Oh right! Winter is still here.
Bob can walk across the top of this snow on the deck. It stormed snow, then ice. Then gradually thawed and refroze and we now have a permanent block until it gets warm enough to melt it all! Even the beagle was flummoxed what to do out there! She had about 2 feet next to house where she could sit. She gave up and came back in.
Last year we had practically no snow at all. This year has been the opposite. Just weeks ago people were asking if I thought this heat would ever end!
Stay warm! Rejoice that winter does not last 10 months! We will enjoy the daffodils and new leaves even more after all this!
“Bless the Lord, all rain and dew; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 65 Bless the Lord, all you winds; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 66 Bless the Lord, fire and heat; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 67 Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 68 Bless the Lord, dews and falling snow; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 69 Bless the Lord, ice and cold; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 70 Bless the Lord, frosts and snows; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 71 Bless the Lord, nights and days; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 72 Bless the Lord, light and darkness; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever. 73 Bless the Lord, lightnings and clouds; sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.
74 “Let the earth bless the Lord; let it sing praise to him and highly exalt him forever.” Daniel 3:64-74
We people need to bless the Lord even with rain and dew, winds, fire and heat, ice and cold, frosts and snow, nights and days PRAISE HIM AND HIGHLY EXALT HIM FOREVER!
On PBS we saw a documentary entitled “Seven Lives of Music.” It was absolutely amazing! Here is a 31 second tiny preview.
I was so enchanted I ordered the book their Mom wrote entitled “House of Music.” It had rave reviews on the cover and did not disappoint. Can you imagine raising seven highly talented, perhaps gifted, children? She also covers the topics of racism, inclusion, prejudice and sacrifice.
Then I began listening to their son Sheku who plays cello on Amazon Music. As a child his first cello was “1/4 size”! I am a sucker for cello music. Here is a short clip of him, 2.36 minutes. The song haunts me. I suppose I had heard it before but this one makes me stop and breathe deeply.
It was wonderful to read how others helped provide for the needs of this amazing family. An education and career in classical music is notinexpensive by any means. One clothing designer was so taken by Sheku’s talent that he provides designer suits and accessories for his concerts! Sheku was even invited to play at the Royal wedding. The 9 minute program below is from when they were featured on the American TV program Sunday Morning. It is quite enlightening as to how they go about their extraordinary, down to earth lives together! Having read the book I was tickled to see the inside of their home. Single income folks with Dad traveling all over the world with his job.
This book is an amazing story of family support, perseverance, and choices. They even include how they made it through the pandemic and the ways they were affected by the murder of George Floyd. If you are looking for a good read buy this one or get it from your library or order a used copy. There were times when Kadiatu (the mom) wrote above my head when discussing the challenges of various classical pieces, but I enjoyed it none the less!
Many comments on YouTube spoke about weeping over this song. The arrangement is their own. Redemption Song by Bob Marley.
Enjoy this huge treasure at the touch of your electronic fingertips!
After I got first booklet of writing finished I started on poetry booklet. Then I remembered I had not posted any poetry lately. Here is one I really like.
Gratitude places you in the energy field of plentitude. Glow with gratitude and see how awe and joy will make their home in you.
MICHAEL BERNARD BECKWITH
The above quote is from Grateful.org. https://grateful.org/ I am so impressed with this organization that I am going to take their training to lead a gratefulness group. Hoping that is a way to reach others in 2025.
On Sunday afternoon, January 12, 2025, Bob had purchased tickets for us to hear the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto #3 at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. This was the second time he made a way for us to hear it in person! This man spoils me!!
This is the view from our seats in the first balcony.
Only a few musicians warming up
The first piece was described some where as the “most beautiful awful piece you would ever hear.” As the man next to me said it was mercifully short.
Then they set the stage for the Rach 3, rearranging chairs and rolling out the grand piano. The excitement in Music Hall was palpable!
Special piano placed next to the conductor step.
Bob got this photo of the pianist, George Li, as he took one of his many bows.
Two encores and he blessed us with the melody below.
I had never heard his encore in my life! I tried the music app Shazam and it could not identify the score. It was so moving, and I was so grateful to be included in this performance, I just closed my eyes, listened, and let tears run down my face.
Evidently Yuja Wang played this at the encore of one her performances. Now if I was totally unfamiliar with it, how did I find out what it was? Well, I was parched after the first half of the symphony and stood in line to get a bottle of water. It was a very long line as only one counter was open and only one woman was working it. So I struck up a conversation with the two guys in line behind me. One young man had waited 20 years to get to hear the Rach 3 in person. He was as ecstatic as I was. I made him promise he would not wait another 20 years before he attended a performance of the Rach 3. Eventually I asked them if they knew what George Li had played at the encore. These guys had put it into their music app and the title above showed up. (This technology fascinates me!) None of us could pronounce it so I asked if I could take a photo of the phone screen and look it up later. They said certainly! So that is how I can share it now with you!
The last half of the symphony was Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3 . Cincinnati has a love affair with Copland. I was delighted with the varied instruments in this piece. The program lists them as 3 flutes (incl. 2 piccolos), 3 oboes (incl. English horn), 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, anvil, bass drum, chimes, calves, crash cymbals, glockenspiel, ratchet, slapstick, snare drum, suspended cymbals, tam-tam, tenor drum, triangle, wood block, xylophone, 2 harps, celeste, piano, strings.
Those men in percussion were SO busy! Some of the instruments were actually played with real hammers and mallets! One of the drums looked as if it was played with a club topped off with red tennis balls. And I wondered how the orchestra members hearing tests came out after years of sitting near the percussion section or even playing in the percussion section!
I do not remember ever having seen a contrabassoon! It is so large it actually sits on the floor on a skinny little leg. Watch closely in this very short, fast video and you will see how it rests on the floor.
I had a delightful time on that Sunday afternoon. Knowing I was to face the Cardiologist in just a couple days deepened my gratitude. The music still haunts and calms me. What a treasure to get to go witness all of this in person.
If you are totally unfamiliar with the Rach 3 here is a link!
Ever since we traveled repeatedly to the areas of New Mexico I have been interested in American Indian life and lore. Actually, as a child my parents took us to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and that began my fascination. As we passed through Oklahoma and the plains states I became more aware of the Native Americans.
I recently came across this book Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. To me, she has such impressive titles to her credit! She is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This is her second book. I saw it first in a national park bookstore. I was able to obtain it recently through our local library.
When we were in New Mexico I bought some braided sweet grass. It has several ceremonial uses. I have started to use it in the house only during spring and summer when we can have the windows open. I think it would be such fun to grow my own sweet grass and braid it. Have not explored that yet.
This section of the book links the lore to the science discussed in the video segment below. It just delights me!
In the old times, our elders say, the trees talked to each other. They’d stand in their own council and craft a plan. But scientists decided long ago that plants were deaf and mute., locked in isolation without communication. The possibility of conversation was summarily dismissed. Science pretends to be purely rational, completely neutral, a system of knowledge-making in which the observation is independent of the observer. And yet the conclusion was drawn that plants cannot communicate because they lack the mechanisms that animals use to speak. The potentials for plants were seen purely through the lens of animal capacity. Until quite recently no one seriously explored the possibility that plants might “speak” to one another.
There is now compelling evidence that our elders were right – the trees are talking to one another. They communicate via pheromones, hormonelike compounds that are wafted on the breeze, laden with meaning. …. The trees in a forest are often interconnected by subterranean networks of mycorrhizae, fungal strands that inhabit tree roots. Robin Wall Kimmerer
The printed book, Braiding Sweet Grass, is 380-some pages long. I am not likely to finish it right now, but I wanted to bring it to your attention. Perhaps this sort of reading appeals to you, too? Maybe I will read it in full at a later time.
I think it would be absolutely delightful if communication between humans happen this way! Perhaps they do? There are times I will see a car that reminds me of someone. Sometimes I see that same sort of car 4 times in a single day. The first time I likely just think of that person. The second time I pray for them. The third and fourth time I am likely to text and ask if they are okay, letting them know I am lifting them in prayer. I firmly believe that God can use anything to further His kingdom. anything to get my attention and propel me towards obedience. Perhaps this a supernatural root system created between people through the power of the Holy Spirit? The Creator of the Universe could do that!! A supernatural root system between humans.
Irregardless of proof or no proof, yield to the Lord and do not neglect when the Holy Spirit puts someone on your heart or in your mind. We likely will never know this side of heaven the power of such obedience!
Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16
The app that offers prayer 3 times a day had this prayer one morning.
God of every blessing, as I meditate on your word, would you prune my priorities, refine my character and realign my desires. Shape my life so that I more clearly resemble my King and more sincerely live for his kingdom.
Prune my priorities. Oh Lord, cut away what is not truly important!
Refine my character. You know what sandpaper and oils I need to change, to please You the most.
Realign my desires. I cannot see which ones are faulty on my own. Help me, I pray.
Shape my life. Help me look more like You, not only reflecting Your glory but bearing Your family resemblance.
Help me live more sincerely for Your Kingdom.
There is a family at church with two daughters. They look so much like their mother it is almost startling! And I am jealous. My children do not look much like me.
Most of all I want to look like my God and Father. I will, with God’s help. Prune, shape, realign, mold, fashion me as Yours, Lord. Be it unto me according to You will and ways. Amen.
Cincinnati is having the first huge snow storm in years. (Sunday through Tuesday) At the current moment there are about 12 inches on the ground and still snowing. I saw parents at the grocery store the other day with a 3 year old boy. They had 2 sleds in their basket. I said to them, “Parents excited. Child clueless?” They answered, “Absolutely!” Hoping they are able to get to a sledding hill before the frigid cold moves in. As of this moment there is a Level 2 travel warning: only necessary persons are to travel.
The Beginning
Bird feeders are emptying quickly. Guess we will make a sacrificial stomp to refill them today or maybe tomorrow. All the usual winter birds have been here this morning. Red-bellied woodpecker, slate colored Juncos, Titmouse, sparrows, nuthatch, chickadee, Carolina wren, purple finch, cardinal. No wonder the level is receding rapidly!
The pinwheel seen above (below and left of feeder) is not spinning this morning! Too much snow for that to happen. (see photo below) None of this will melt this week. We are praying we do not get the possible freezing rain today (or any day for that matter)! Temperatures later in the week will drop to near or below zero with more snow possible in about 5 days.
Barely visible pinwheel blades! (left of solar light)
The Slate-colored Juncos were making me laugh this morning. First of all they look to me as if someone held them upside-down by their feet and dipped them into a pot of ink. With the white belly on the white snow they seem improbable at first glance. They are able to hop across the snow pack. When they do, I think of the wind-up toys Bob still likes to buy for the adult children and grandchildren at Christmas.
Junco perching awaiting a turn at the feeder
A Junco named Grace
Have not seen a squirrel or a white-tailed deer today. Guess they are hunkered down and trying to stay warm? Local weather says “Snow continuing. Additional snow accumulations up to three inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.”
In the foreground is our front step. The wire fence is about 14 inches tall.
I think the little white caps on the solar lights are adorable. DON’T open the sliding glass door!
Drift at the back door.
Tenacious oak leaves show off the snow falling
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! 2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! 3 Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars! 4 Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds! 5 Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. 6 He set them in place forever and ever. His decree will never be revoked.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, 8 fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him, 9 mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds, 11 kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, 12 young men and young women, old men and children.
13 Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! Psalm 148:1-13 The Message
I think I heard about his book on NPR? You know by now my love of nature so when someone tells me about a good new book I try to remember the title so I can find it. The Wisdom of Sheep, Observations from a Family Farm had my full attention.
When we were in Ireland, the first morning in Glendalough, we took a walk. I could hear a lamb bleating. It was like a beacon of sound calling to me. We walked through the tiny neighborhood and suddenly there was a fenced area around one house with lovely sheep. We watched them for a bit. Bob had his camera out and got a few good shots. Once he stored his camera one little lamb, sneezed so hard she rolled part way down the hill. It was hilarious! Her photo before the sneeze is below.
photo by r m dutina
Published in 2024 by Penguin Press, New York I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a gentle read. She writes about the cattle they keep, the sheep and local flora. To give you a little taste of her work, I have copied one little chapter entitled Gamboling by Night.
At fifteen minutes past midnight one late October evening I saw to my astonishment two lambs playing in the moonlight. The big moon had come up and seemed to linger for a minute on the horizon before rising slowly and lighting up the night sky.
We’d finished supper just before midnight but then Gareth heard a lamb calling. I decided to go and investigate. At the very least, I thought, one of them must have got stuck in a fence, or was trying to wriggle under one. I homed in on the sound, torch in hand, in case the moon’s rays were insufficient. Cry, Cry. I spoke to them: Dandelion? Daphne? And zoom, two missiles were at my feet to be cuddled. Nothing wrong at all; very unusual.I stayed for a little while, enjoying the affection; as I turned to walk away, they stayed by the orchard fence. Suddenly I was ‘attacked’ from behind. Daphne had run full tilt into the back of my leg, nearly throwing me off balance, I remonstrated and walked forward. They both followed in glorious, jumpy bursts of speed all the way to the gate. I climbed over and they began a game, racing and chasing each other in circles, ellipses and all sorts of other shapes.
What could I conclude? They had been as good as gold all day, eating, and now they wanted some fun. But why did they call again and again and again, until I went to see them? Well, I could invent a reason but, luckily, I shall never know for sure. They played and I saw them; that’s enough reason and a perfect way to end my day. I am wondering how long they will continue.
This is a perfect example of her book. I got mine from the library and made it my lunchtime read. Bob reads his newspaper on his iPad and I read a book. I am sorry this one is finished. Once a librarian told me that you know it was a good book if you find yourself wondering what the characters are doing when you are not reading it!
When I was a child I remember my parents taking me to the Krohn Conservatory here in Cincinnati to see the nativity scene with live animals. When Bob and I moved back to this area I took him, and he, too, was enchanted. So we made it our habit to bring the children and then for a while the grandchildren to see the same wonder. We even took an elderly friend once and she was delighted!
This year we visited it alone. I love to watch the children delight in the animals. One toddler was telling the cow “Moo!” Another stooped over a little bit to look between the bars of the fence (there to keep us separate from the animals and characters). He was so cute and reminded me of our own kids at one time. The sheep were way out in the grassy yard. We could not figure out how to get them to come closer. Some of the young adults wanted to see the sheep up close. On one occasion one year they were so close we could pet them. This year they did not want to move.
photo by r m dutina
We waited around awhile to watch the families come through. Then I noticed a man leaned over the fence making a motion with his hand as if he had a treat in it. The sheep began to stir. He was not making a sound. I told him we had been trying to figure out how to get the sheep to move, and here he did it with a simple gesture. He replied, “Well, they are my sheep.”
Who better to scratch your ear than your own shepherd!
Sure enough in a matter of mere moments he had them up and moving towards him. One kiddo was delighted and kept saying “Sheep! Sheep!” The shepherd made a few clicking sounds and they came closer to the fence. He did not have treats, but those sheep obviously knew their shepherd. The shepherd told us he worked there at the Krohn and would slip out from time to time to visit his sheep. I thanked him for sharing them with us. Bob told him that we had been coming for years and all the delight those sheep brought to us and others we brought to visit.
Finally this one came to check us out. photo by r m dutina
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:27-31 NIV
My prayer is that now and throughout the coming year you would follow the voice, and touch, and signals from your Shepherd. The Great Shepherd of the sheep loves you immensely.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 