The 3rd month of the year is here and that 

means Spring must be right around the corner.

 Here in our part of the world, the last of the grimy, sooty remnants of snow are almost gone.

 The sun peeps out more often and stays with us longer. 

The air seems so warm and breezes so soft and fresh. 

For now the gardens remain soggy, full 

of tangled brambles and broken branches.

 Ah but soon the world will burst forth with

 color and the lovely scents of the season.

 Uh huh, Spring is right around the corner.

 Ssh...can you hear it? It's coming, gently, 

on the wings of those sweetly chirping robins. 

Listen... 

It's almost here...

Warmly,

Susie Q

Marching Into Spring...

The 3rd month of the year is here and that means Spring must be right around the corner. Here in our part of the world, the last of the grimy, sooty remnants of snow are almost gone. The sun peeps out more often and stays with us longer. The air seems so warm and breezes so soft and fresh. For now the gardens remain soggy, full of tangled brambles and broken branches. Ah but soon the world will burst forth with color and the lovely scents of the season. Uh huh, Spring is right around the corner. Ssh...can you hear it? It's coming, gently, on the wings of those sweetly chirping robins. Listen... 

Empty Nest Syndrome

As you all know, much of the last 5 weeks has found our family absorbed in our robins. Mama Robin laid the last egg on April 26th. They were the most beautiful shade of blue. Of these 5 sweet little eggs, 3 hatched. This photo was snapped on May 8th. Don't you love the little tufts of fluff? This is nature's way of keeping them warm when Mama is off foraging for worms. And poor Mom and Pop Robin kept up a dizzying schedule of feeding! On May 12th...Dear, tiny fuzz balls but their little feathers are beginning to form! May 14th...Yes, they now look like *real* birds as Gracie said! They are also getting much more active! May 16th..."Hey guys! When that lady with the camera comes out, let's all MOON her! On three..." May 18th..."Ssh. Here she comes again. Pretend you are sleeping. Maybe she will take the hint!" May 19th..."Hey lady! If you are gonna check on us so often, at least you could bring a worm or two! We are HUNGRY!"May 20th...This was the biggest baby and the most active. I knew he would be the first to leave the comforts of home. May 21st...I knew he was making his move. He was so active all day. Up and down, fluffing those wings, puffing out that chest. Mama and Papa Robin sat in our trees and called to them, over and over, for hours. I decided to go out and take another picture. I snapped this photo and, just as I went in to take another (more clear), out this little guy flew and landed on top of my head! I think it surprised him as much as it did me! In a wink of an eye, he was off again and flew straight down and into our neighbor's yard. Papa Robin joined him and the two sat there chattering away. "Well, son. I am so proud of you. Good work! You were so brave. Ah, and no matter what your Mom tells you, you DO take after me you know. I hope your brother and sister will follow your example! Your mother needs some R & R. She is still mad at me for letting Mother's Day slip my mind! Nag, nag...well, you know women...oh. You don't do you? Son, we need to have a little chat..." Mama remained in our tree *pleading* with the other two to join their brother! "Okay now. I am sick and tired of catering to you ungrateful children. It is time you grew up and went out on your own! You make a mess of the nest, expect me to feed you at all hours of the day and night. And then there is your Father. No wonder you two are so lazy. Just like your Father. No one in this family thinks I have needs...I have wants, I have desires..." The other two seemed to be having none of this *leaving the nest* silliness. Mama Robin sat in our tree and *begged* them to follow their sibling. Oh yes. She pleaded for hours! It was well after dark when she quieted down. The "Timid Twins"? They got all cozy and said, "No way Ma! It is cold out there. We like it here. Um Ma? How about some dinner? Pass me the remote Ma. Dancing With The Stars is on the tube tonight..." Just before sun up today, May 21st, Mama and Papa Robin began their begging in earnest. Grace and I sat just inside the front door and watched the show. Mama flew back and forth, nest to tree, tree to nest. She begged, she pleaded, she PUSHED! This Mom had had enough. She had a yoga class at 10 and, by gosh, she was not going to be late! Right before the school bus arrived, Twin #1 sat up, fluffed his feathers and flew! He was quickly followed by Twin # 2. I think it surprised them both! They sat on the curb and Grace, afraid that the bus would hurt them, ran outside and flapped her arms, ran in circles in front of them and pushed the twins back into the yard. There they sat, watching her. She did look familiar. Grace knelt down and the twins drew close. For just a few precious seconds, it was as if they were thanking her for our hospitality. Then, in answer to Mama R's calls, off they flew. So this is what we were left with tonight. The two unhatched eggs. Bill carefully removed the nest and placed it in a glass container I have on our deck. The eggs he buried in our garden. Our daughter made a tiny cross for it. Ah, yes, I know. Sweet kid huh? Silly, but I miss my 3 little ones already. I hope they will live a long life and stay well. Fly my little ones, fly high. Mama Robin? The last I heard, she was hitting the blackjack table at the Argosy Casino.

Feed Me!!

The lady with the camera is back...pretend you are asleep! Mama Robin has 3 hungry mouths to feed. The 3rd baby was under these two, snoozing away. I just caught sight of all 3 up and jockeying for position! They are getting so big...

Love and Hugs, Susie Q

Rockin' Robins...

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. ~Chinese Proverb Oh how active they have gotten! Bibbing up and down and beginning to make all manner of sounds. Poor Mama and Papa Robin are doing their best to keep their babies fed and safe. I captured this photo this morning just as Mama headed out for more worms... I hope your weekend is a sweet one! Love and Hugs, Susie Q

Sweet Ones

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder ~Do click on each photo for an even better peek!~ We can see 3 sweet little faces...where is number 4? Of course, Susie Q is obsessing about it! Worry truly IS my middle name. Okay, so it isn't but it SHOULD be! But aren't those 3 faces dear? Grace says they are *yucky* right now but what do 10 year old girls know? High School Musical they know but baby birds? Nah... We will keep you posted! The front door at Rabbit Run is quite a mess, the door basket quite crooked, the front porch quite dirty and the front yard in dire need of a clean up. Mama Robin simply does not allow it! I grab the camera and run out when I see she has left the nest but she caught me this afternoon! I now have a sore spot on the top of my head. Ouch! See what I brave to provide photos for you all? Photojournalism at it's extreme! I am sure most of you are offering prayers for those in our nation who faced the weather tragedies this past weekend. I know that most of you are remembering the people of Myanmar as well. Tonight, please also take a moment to pray for the Chinese who are facing their 2nd day of fear and heartache. The earthquake occurred not far from where we visited and where our daughter once lived. Precious people...strong people. My heart is there tonight... I hope you all had a special weekend. I will be by to visit you all soon. I always love to see what you have each been doing. I send you hugs and much love. Susie Q

We Have Babies!

You may remember that a Mama Robin built her cozy little home inside our front door flower basket. Today we gained 4 new residents at Rabbit Run! 4 of the 5 little blue eggs hatched and out they came! Mama Robin has declared war on anything and anyone who comes near the front yard or porch. So, for at least another few days, we can do no planting or weeding or re-doing the door basket! Bill was able to mow (We use a push mower so I guess it is just quiet enough not to frighten her.) but that is it for our front yard beautification this week! Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo, (Sadly, little Gummo did not hatch) may you fly high and sing happily. Happy Birthday!