Ducks & ducklings

I just saw my first family of ducklings - - mama was chasing them across the grass from near the apartments into our lake - they were running - down the bank into the water. There is a little bank - - I couldn't see them - - but I saw the ripples - - then one came up out of the water = and 2 more then 4 and finally ten - - but mama was still in the water, swimming in and out - - then she climbed the bank and turned around - - 2 more ducklings came - - and as she waddled toward the flock, another little one climber the bank - - I think that makes 12 or 13 - - I'll have to catch them again and recount.. Unfortunately they were so far away I couldn't get a picture - - but I will.

In the back ground is this picture - - no sunlight - but a wonderful sight of dozens and dozens of white-flowered trees.We get very little sunshine - - but the trees are beautiful anyway. So here they are.

The Geese

Spring ! ! It is coming ! The geese have returned. And I hope the attached photo shows 2 of them - - the male standing tall guarding the female while she eats. Then later I saw the female standing tall while the male ate. The there came a flotilla of 4 geese - in the lake approaching where the pair was feeding. I heard a single honk. The male immediately lifted his head. Together they watched. When one, then two of the lake geese climbed on land, this original pair walked slowly - together - as a pair - - advancing on the invaders. The invaders now numbered 4 on the grass. The original pair slowly approached - - honking loudly - - the first of the invaders began to run - - the female followed him. The male continued toward the remaining . Then one jumped back in the water. The other two began to run - - but now both male and female were after them. They too fled in the water. The original pair stood there - watching - - as the 4 invaders swam away. When the distance seemed enough, the female began to feed again on the grass while the male stood guard.

This was an amazing interlude of watching I was privileged to see. I've never before been far enough away so as to not disturb the action - - nor taken the time to continue to watch the encounter.

What a gift that was this morning. I hope you can see the one picture of the female eating while the male is standing guard.

Enough for my spring-time observing. Hope you enjoyed it. Live. Me.

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Winter at three lakes

Ice storm 2/21/2011

This was the view out my window this AM. It was spectacular! But the ice downed many electric wires. We were without power Sunday night - 3 hours - but they were from 11:30 PM to about 3:30 AM. I knew the beginning - I was on my computer - and had feel my way to my bed. The next AM I noted the clock on my kitchen stove was 3 hours slow. today the sun is shining - - temperature still cold (in the teens) - -but I am so glad I don't have to go outside.

Getting old

A Plain Dealer columnist, Regina Brett just brought forth a new idea - - and it gave me ideas and a new purpose for living. She wrote: "Calendar busts myths on aging." and she continues "Growing old is not for sissies.

I just recognized the difference - - I'm not 'old'; I just getting 'older'. And aren't we all - - you and the person near you right now- - and the baby in the stroller. We're all 'getting older' - which sounds so positive. It means to me that life has not ended - - it continues to move on - - and I'd better move on with it. I wonder how anyone else feels about 'getting older'? A fifteen older would relish the idea! - a 39 year older never wants to be 40. But at 89 - - why not relish the idea of getting older - - and do something about it - - in a positive sense. New Years resolution - - "What's fun - and great about getting older?"

The Woman 'Eve' Bible Study

Bible Study - Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 1:30- 3:00 - at the Renaissance Senior Community;

26376 John Rd. Olmsted Township; (south of 480 just off 252 going south toward Olmsted Falls.) Call me for further details .

ASSIGNMENT

if you wish one - not required!

Anyone who is interested and can come to this Jan 12 class about 'Eve'. - - - -

I have a 'homework' I think you will like to get ready for the class Jan.12, about Eve.

See me in the church narthex, following the 11:00 service. I have several different Bibles for you to choose from - - so you may explore further - this account of Eve and Adam.

Come - - sign out one of the Bibles - -whichever one you choose - - and bring it back when you come to the class on Jan.9.

Bring your own Bible, also. Reading - - Genesis, chapt. 1 and 2 will also get you prepared.

See you on Wednesday ! Hallie