Saturday, July 31, 2010

It's hot. And I mean HOT. I worry about those who have to work out in this heat. And I worry about the animals that live out in this. Whether they are pets or just the animals we see every day.

Currently, a mama dove is sitting in her nest in my small redbud tree in the backyard. This is her 3rd time since June to be sitting in her nest. I know it's the same dove. We look each other in the face on a regular basis. She is used to my being out there watering, cleaning the pool and clipping the grass by hand....I don't want to scare her or her babies with the lawn mower, so I cut it by hand. Her first 'nest sitting' resulted in 1 baby. I worried about that baby when the deluge in June hit. 12" of rain in 4 hours. As soon as it was light enough to see, I went to the backyard to check on my new feathered friend. There it was. Sitting tightly in the tiniest nest you could imagine, being poured on. And with a "What is going on???" look on it's face! I was bailing water out of the pool as fast as possible, and cheering out loud for the birds' survival of the storm. Yeah, if anyone else had been out in their yard, they would have heard me. And they would have known I am crazy.

Soon, the baby dove left. So did mama. Then a couple of weeks later, there she was again! And she sat, and sat, and sat. With such patience. I never looked out there that I didn't see her being so diligent in bringing new babies into the world. Then one day, I saw pushing and shoving going on in this nest, and mama dove shifted over a bit. And there it was! The baby. This nest is seriously the smallest, and flattest thing I have ever seen! The next couple of days I was watching and looking, and BEHOLD 2 babies were in the nest. Mom wasn't around. She was out hunting for food for her babies. Besides, all 3 of them wouldn't fit in that thing!

Then, the 2 babies were gone. Flown the coop as they say. But just yesterday, there was mama dove again. Sitting tightly and very vigilantly in that nest. And today, I got to wondering. And marveling at her commitment. At her willingness to sit and do what it is she is supposed to do. (And yes, she watched me as I cleaned out the pool, and never took her eye off of me as I floated lazily in the afternoon heat). It makes me sad that God's other creation, man, can't be as diligent with life as those animals He created first. It's so hot outside, yet there this beautiful dove sits, waiting to do what she was born to do. Be a bird. Make new birds. Protect those eggs and that nest with everything that is in her. I don't hear her complain about being bored (mind you, I don't speak dove). I don't hear her complain about being uncomfortable and wanting a different nest. Oh yes, I know, humans are different. We have souls, we have choice. But man, I'm learning a lot from watching this mama. And wishing that ALL mamas were as protective and as committed to new life as this feathered beauty.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

YIKES! it was so stinking hot today. It was oppressive! then they said on the news that the heat index was 115.....yes, 115! no wonder it felt like you were walking through wall mud! Oh wait, I was walking through wall mud! texture is done on the most recent demolition and remodeling. I went ahead and painted tonight----the paint that I had matched doesn't match...now I WILL have to repaint the whole kitchen. rats. rats. rats. Oh well!
Our little 15' pool felt great today. Got in it to clean it out. When Andy got home, he got in for quite awhile---he was vacuuming it out. But I know the water felt great for him after he'd been out in the heat all day!
A new baby great niece has arrived in our world. She was born this evening. Haven't seen her yet. Hope to do just that soon. Welcome Emma.
We currently have 6 foster kittens. I brought them into our bathroom this evening and closed the door...they usually reside in the garage. I wanted them to cool off a bit. they had fun in the shower.
Andy leaves next week for a 10 day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. There's a group of 26 men from church going. I hope they have an amazing time and get to spend some great time wiht God, and each other. I'm flying to Colorado to see one of my very best friends! I desperately need some Robin time (I'll put up with Steve too)....and I WILL sit in the cool mountains...I WILL!!
Night all!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

4th of July came and went. No celebrating here. Rained and rained. But a lot of people still managed to get together with friends and family and go have fun. Guess we're not that inventive. Besides, Andy had to work July 3rd....in the rain. We didn't know until July 2nd for sure that he would have AT LEAST the 4th off....too late to make plans with anyone because their plans were already made. And he didn't want to go out in the rain to watch fireworks. Fuddy duddy. It's so hard to be married, but be by myself so much. When it's this time of year I AM by myself more than not. And it's different than being single. I feel guilty when I make plans that would take me to friends' houses for fun celebrations, when I know that Andy can't get there until who knows when, or IF he can even get there in the first place. So I stay home. Sound like a martyr don't I? But, I don't know if I explained this well enough. I do go to movies or out to eat with my girlfriends or daughter, during the day. But the evening times and holidays when Andy has to work, I don't....he has never gotten angry because I went somewhere without him, but, I still feel guilty! We have a boat. Didn't have a vehicle to pull it with for 5 years. Finally got one last year. How many times did boat get out? 1-----yes, 1. The phone company in its divine wisdom decided that all technicians must work 6 days a week, unless an emergency is declared, then it's either 14 or 21 days on, then a day off. Well, I'm off in the summer, and can get away....but not Andy! I am so thinking that this fall when his work slows down, we ARE going away for several weekends and take the boat....see, since we go to church, we don't miss, unless we are out of town on vacation. Well, no one else takes that into thought, so, maybe WE'LL do that....bad attitude, but stink!!! Anyway, I'll quit griping. Yes, the overtime is good, but when you don't get to do anything together but WORK, how much fun is that?