Sunday, May 31, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
Inspired by . . . Nest Watch Update
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Don't get any closer lady! |
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Too close - we're out'ta here! |
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Wait, Mama! |
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I can't run that fast. |
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All that running made me hungry! |
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There-there, sweetie. The lady won't bother us anymore. |


Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you're here to celebrate with me - because today is my four year blogoversary! Whoot! Whoot!
I don't make a habit of looking at the stats, but just for fun I thought I'd check them out today. This is my 541st post! And I thought you might be interested in the top three most viewed posts {although it's likely you've already seen them!} of the last year:
#3 Creations Manifesto
#2 Community
#1 Nature (babies always win the day, lol!)
Interestingly enough, my least viewed post was one from earlier this week, maybe you missed it?
Thoughts on Faith Vol IV
What I really want to do to celebrate today is to thank all of you - my readers. Whether you're a faithful follower, or this is first time here - THANK YOU - for reading. I pray that you always find something here that inspires you.
No celebration is complete without prizes! I've picked out four, one to celebrate each year of the blog, and we're going to keep the party going for the next four days - so please tell all your friends so they can help celebrate too!
Here's a list of the prizes, to inspire you to enter!
eBook - While I am Waiting by Laura Hodges Poole
Lavender Basmati Soap - from Work of Worth
Vintage Sari Mini Journal - from Work of Worth
Beloved Wrap Bracelet - from Work of Worth
I can't tell you how much Laura's devotional has been comforting, encouraging and inspiring me over the last four months. Work of Worth is "dedicated to utilizing the power of commerce to free the oppressed throughout the world" and I'm excited to be offering some of their products as part of this giveaway.
I hope you win! and thank you for helping me celebrate!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note: these prizes are my gift to you. I am not affiliated with the author, or Work of Worth in any way. They have no idea they are a part of my celebration!
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Sadly, the exact opposite is true. Each devotional speaks to the heart and spirit of this woman who is engaged in battle, in conflict, every day.
Bernard C. Clausen, of the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio wrote the devotional for February 4th and urges us to:
“Join the ranks of those who live bifocal lives. Look down, frankly and boldly, into all the trouble of the world. Spare yourself no part of the terrible reality. Then look up. Hope, and wait patiently, for the salvation of the Lord.”

But we are not to remain focused on the troubles of the world.
Clausen’s prayer is my prayer, maybe today it will be yours too:
Monday, May 25, 2015
“Some people think that I have a great faith, but that is not true. I do not have a great faith - I have faith in a great God! Jesus said that if we have faith no bigger than a mustard seed, it is sufficient to remove mountains. We understand that to mean that not quantity, but quality is important. The joy is that the Holy Spirit is willing to bring faith into our hearts. His faith in us has power, just as a mustard seed is small but has power to bring forth fruit.” ~Corrie ten Boom, Each New Day

Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Inspired by . . . designs in nature
I have a bit of a mish-mash to share with you today. Nature is forever revealing the touch of the Master’s hand. Enjoy.
This little dove blends in so well on trees or on the ground that it is easily overlooked.
The tips of the Inca Dove ‘s feathers appear to be dipped in ink, creating the scaling pattern which serves as it’s camouflage. I’ve never witnessed it personally, but my research revealed that this dove engages in an odd behavior known as “pyramid roosting.” Pairs or groups of Inca Doves may huddle together in the sunshine, with some sitting on the back of the others. The pyramid may be three layers high and include up to 12 birds.
This is not the best shot, these critters move so fast, but I’d never captured the Golden-fronted Woodpecker head-on before. What a neat pattern!

This squash bug (some call them stink bugs) is a hefty insect. I actually heard him land on my porch. His body reminds me of a certain flying aircraft that is supposed to be undetectable by radar. The tips of his antenna are bright orange. Insects fascinate me, I always take a “look, don’t touch” approach, but if you wish to pass completely, just scroll down.
I found this little guy to be quite adorable. Although I suspect I would have received a nasty sting if I’d tried to “pet” him. I think he is a Fall Webworm, but I’m not 100% sure. I just love how he picked his head up to look at the camera {which was being stuck rudely into his face, lol!}
His little, suction-cup-like, feet were fun to watch.
Nest Watch update:
Sadly, the Eastern Phoebe’s have abandoned their nest. Since they had a successful clutch out of the same nest last year, my best guess is that it is cowbird activity that has scared them off. I’m pretty sure one of the eggs, of the two in the nest, is a cowbird egg. {since the Pheobe’s eggs are not speckled - cowbird’s are}
A pair of brown-headed cowbirds have been hanging around lately. And, while I love their song, they are not a bird I want around during nesting time. In fact, I think the single egg in the Cardinal nest may be a cowbird egg as well. {both species lay speckled eggs} I recently learned that Cardinals do not usually use a nest site more than once. The lady-bird above probably saw the empty nest and took advantage. You can read more about the problems caused by brown-headed cowbirds, if you’re interested, on the Nestwatch.org site.
So, I am down to two active nests. One I shared with you before, the Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are nesting here again. You can just barely make out the top of the mama bird’s head in this picture.
The other active site is a Mockingbird nest. You can see the mamma’s tail sticking out of the nest in the image below. In case you are not familiar with the state bird of Texas, this species has a personality to match it’s home state!
I’m still trying to figure out a way to access these two nests to check for eggs. Since they are at least 10ft off the ground and the branches they are on are not human-weight baring, it’s going to be tricky. I know what some of you are thinking, “The next time we hear from her, she’ll be in a body-cast.” Let’s hope not.
One final note for the bird lovers out there who also appreciate a good cup of java. I discovered this product source last time I was on the Nest Watch site. {they have no idea I’m mentioning them and I receive no compensation by doing so}
It’s a great way to help support wild bird causes. Just click on the logo to learn more. I haven’t tried the coffee yet, but I’ll give you my review when I do.
I’ll end with a favorite quote from C.S. Lewis:
"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight
harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs
at present. And cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary decent
egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”
Have a wonder-filled day,
June
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