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

Bible Study Class in January

Three women of the Old Testament: Bible Study

Wed. Jan 12 - 'Eve' - a new, different woman - translation from ancient documents by women rabbis brings new insights. Neither translations 'right' or 'wrong' - - but different - - and one enhances the other. Come - let's talk about this 'first' lady.

Wed. Jan 19 - 'Sarah' - laughed when told by a man that she was to have a baby. (She was 90.)

I would, too. And I'm not yet 90 years old. This is just part of an amazing life of a woman in ancient times.

Wed Jan 26 - 'Miriam' - - the sister who watched over an ark holding her baby brother - she, in addition to Moses, was celebrated as a leader crossing the Red Sea. - - She was the first person in the Bible named a 'prophet'. There is so much more about this leader - - - we'll talk about women leaders in ancient days.

Classes to be held - -Wednesdays, 1:30 PM - - at the Renaissance

26376 John Rd. Olmsted Twp. - just south of 480, off exit 250 toward Olmsted Falls -

I live here. I'd like to welcome you to my home. I hope you will join me - not just you women, but men, too - - aren't you curious about another view of these women?

Please call me 440-235-1153- so I will have enough coffee, tea, etc. for everyone.

Changing seasons - winter is here!

Now - this was taken on Dec. 6, 2010 - only a few weeks later. But also beautiful in blacks and whites - - and can really see the shapes of the trees and how different they are.

Changing seasons

Hi - this was taken the end of Nov. from my window - - beautiful reds, yellows green etc. How I loved it.

bugs

I seem to be obsessed with bugs. But I have tried to post other things on this blog - - and all it seems to pick up are 'bugs' ! Really - - I don't concentrate on these things that much - - they just happened - for that moment - - to be interesting. I'll keep trying to post other things, more interesting and fun.

bugs

You know about 'Bats in the Belfry"? Well, I have 'bugs in the belfry'. They come down from the edges of my ceiling tile. The exterminator has been here three times. He claims that the cracks between the ceiling tile are too close for any bug to crawl through. Today - - Nov. 15 - - too cold for any bug ' ' I saw something black come through one of those joints between ceiling tile as I was eating my breakfast on my enclosed balcony.

So I watched it - - looked more like a spider than the summer bees - - which looked more like wasps to me. The bug crawled along that joint, and then disappeared. I went over to look directly up - - there was nothing there. I went back, sat down with my cup of coffee - - and in a few moments - the black thing reappeared - just a few inches from where I had seen it disappear.

I watched this several times, then with a smile I called out 'security' - - the people who answer any call about any thing - - even 'bugs in the belfry'. She said elise would come with a spray to 'get it'. I was more interested in watching to see where that ' thing' would come and go. It reached the end of the jint and turned to walk along the crack between the ceiling tile and the cement block edge of my balcony. It kept trying to crawl in the crack. No luck. It came to the next joint between 2 tiles - -it tried to enter that crack - - no luck.

It walked along the joint where ceiling and wall meet - cam to the corner of the room - - still no entry for it. Then Elise arrived - - bug spray can in her hand. I said - - let's just watch for a moment. She sat down - - and suddenly the bug disappeared. She was surprised to not see it - - so I persuaded her to stay a few more moments - - and sure enough the 'thing' reappeared a few inches from where it had entered - -- and then disappeared as quickly as it had emerged. She took her spray can and sprayed that area thoroughly. Then she sprayed where I had originally seen the bug. We opened the windows o the odor of the spray would disappear - - and Elise left. As I resumed my cup of coffee - - there came that bug - - out from where she had sprayed.

I sat and watched again. It was a spider and started dropping down - - while forming web. It was interesting - - it would 'fall' 2 or 3 inches - - then stop and move its legs in an unusual manner and drop 2 or 3 more inches. I have never before actually watched a spider make the 'silk' for it's web. At it dropped further - suddenly it dropped almost down to the floor - - as it came to the floor, I stepped on it - - it ran - - I stepped on it again - - and with a paper towel picked it up and deposited it in my toiler (not the paper, just the bug). And flushed the toilet twice - - just to be sure.

Such was my activity for this Monday morning. Life varies - - is never the same - - and isn't that wonderful! !

I realize I haven't made any comments on my Blog for several days. I've been trying to understand what I want to post - - and could not come to any conclusions.

But today, I'm just recording what I see - and think about - - and hope and pray this is a good solution.

Today, as I was pushing the outside door to leave the building, I notice a small bug - - maybe 1/2 inch long. I looked at it - - it had transparent wings - - front legs covered with white fuzz - - long antenna from its head - - clean - no fuzz, I went outside and looked at it there - -It had an unusual color - - very interesting. I walked on the the Great Hall. Coming back, I again saw the bug. It had not moved. As I looked at it, I wondered if I could get a picture of it. So I went to my apartment, got my camera, and went back to that door. Yes, it was still there - - motionless. But it is on glass - the camera focusses on the sidewalk or grass. I took several pictures - - none were very good - - this is the best - but you cannot see the unusual markings I could see.

I wondered about life - - and all God had created - and about this bug. Was it 'good' for us - - or 'harmful' to us and what we plant? It's legs - front and back - were so interesting - - God was so amazing in the countless variety of his creation. I just give thanks for this small bug - - and all the thought, wonderment it has created within me.

music

Last night, 8/12/10 I went with a friend to a free (!) - open seating - - concert of the Cleveland Orchestra. It was a taping of a compete symphony of B ------ (I can't remember his name - - I had not heard his music before - - but I seemed to be the only one so ignorant!) being done for WVIZ.

The music was magnificent - - and of course the surroundings of that beautiful concert hall are breath-taking. As I sat there - - I gave thanks for such an offering of spectacular music and overwhelming beauty. How blessed we are at times like these.

I have no picture - - I cannot find my program - - perhaps I'll find it and add the picture later.

Job I wouldn't want !!!

Yesterday I heard a strange noise - and looking up from my reading, I saw a man's face in my third floor window - - yes, the window washers were here doing their once-a-year washing. I know they never look in- - they are too busy trying to see if the window is clean.

I walked up close to the window and waved - - he saw me and waved back.

Then I thought I'd like a picture of that. When he went to my next door neighbor I took this picture. I never realized that he had one foot on the ladder and one foot on the window sill. That is one job I'd never, NEVER want to do.

So, here he is - - hard at work!

Maggie

Animals are such interesting creatures. My cat Maggie are having a slight disagreement over her food. I want to feed her as much as she will eat - - she is so very small - - the last time I tried to weigh her I believe she was only 4 pounds. So I will keep feeding her as long as she eats it.

But after I have given her food for about three - maybe four times, she may not finish what is in her dish. But she still comes to me - mewing as though she wants more food. I go, see food still in her dish - point to it and tell her, she has to eat all of it. She looks at though she doesn't understand. I'll even take my finger, move the food around a little in the dish - and tell her she must eat it before she gets anything more. She still plays 'dumb'. I have left her several times - - all this is over an hour or more period of time.

I went out to my balcony, read some, went and got a little tomato to eat - - Maggie following me all the time - crying. She had not eaten the food yet. I was ready to go to bed - and going to the kitchen to turn out the light, I saw her dish was empty. I exclaimed about how good she was - and got the flavor I knew she liked and gave it to her. She immediately 'pounced' on this new dish of food, eating it as though she had not been fed in days.

She understood all along what I was saying - - and trying, like a young child - to get her way without 'cleaning up her plate'. She finally 'gave up' and did what she had understood. Isn't it amazing what these animals can understand - - and pretend to not know what you want.

This type of incident has happened several times. I wonder when she will decide not to wait so long - - and will do what I tell her to do. I think she really enjoyed the game.

Brains

An article in the Plain Dealer 6/29/10 - YOU DOCS TIP OF THE WEEK:

Older but wiser brain

The article states: "You can't find your car in the parking lot? Your wallet's wandered away again? Etc. Think you are losing it?

EXHALE: Everyday memory lapses may mean your brain's getting older. But it is also getting wiser. ( ! ! ) . . . . . .

Yes, recall gets tougher with age. That's because our brains are taking in more information than ever before. . . . . . .

In new research, seniors absorbed more facts during a memory test than people in their teens and 200s. Plus they were 30% better at using the information later to make decisions. Better decisions ! YES ! ! . . .

Oh, and when you have an opinion, share it. After all, your brain's wiser than ever.

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Isn't that reaffirming ! ? ! Many cultures have long recognized this. Their eldest ones are the 'wise ones'. Somehow in the modern era society has lost track of this wisdom. Let us elders reclaim our heritage and recognize that we are truly the 'wise ones'.

We need to do it ourselves. Younger people don't understand - and are too busy to see their own mistakes. Let us become the 'sages' of our time - - and speak up when we understand the situation better than our 20 year olds.

Don't let 'them' put 'us' in the corner. Speak the wisdom you know.

Death

Death is so hard to deal with. Whether it be only a small bird on the walkway, my beloved cat, Peaches, my brother, Hunt, my mother, Martha, my dear husband Ed, or now a wonderful friend, Don.

We know they are all right - the dear Lord has them in his caring presence and everything is

perfect for them

But us, - - -we are still here and there is an empty place where an important living being once was. We hear all the Gospel reassurances - - we believe them with our whole being - - but there is that empty space. That is so hard to face.

We pray that the dear Lord will remain especially close to each person suffering grief - - and understanding each person's grief, will provide the love , caring, and strength that is needed. Thank you Lord, for all these precious beings you have given us - for a time - -and then on into eternity. Thank you.

When I was a child my mother always said before we would start anything, "You have to get your ducks in a row". Here are the geese doing the same thing. That group has usually 14 young ones in it. And as you can see with all the geese on the grass - -we have a LOT of geese - -much to our groundskeeper's despair!

So sorry - - I couldn't even spell Tuskegee correctly! So sorry, Art.