The Observation Deck

What a wonderful idea Justine!

1. A nice latte and a good book
2. A spring thunderstorm
3. A weekend with nothing to do but relax
4. Church on Sunday
5. Doing the best I can to be environmentally conscious

And what a nice post Bryan!

Bryan Schwegler wrote:A spring thunderstorm

With a front porch to enjoy it on. One of my favorites too.

Most grateful for today:the PTA-the ACTIVE PTA-ok I paid my dues but am not part of the active body! Last night at the Franklin Ice Cream Social I looked around through the chaotic energy and the dedicated body of parents, who had spent hours setting up, working, and cleaning after so all could enjoy a free night together. Those PTA members work hours and days throughout the school year, all volunteer, to make a difference in every child's experience! They are the heart and soul of the school, along with the staff. I am grateful for them and hope it inspires me to do more next year!!!

In no particular order...

Clear sidewalks for jogging
Driving with my sunroof open, listening to salsa music
The patio at Around the Corner
Peanut butter Girl Scout cookies
DIY home improvement projects that look good, despite my lack of expertise!

Thanks, Justine - this is a fun topic to read!

I vote for the thin mints!! Can you salsa?

Today's big things are:

1) Crocuses blooming that I planted last fall. We were missing those early bloomers.

2) Daffodils that are about to bloom.

3) Stuff we planted from DH's boyhood home appears to have wintered over.

4) DH's collection of easter hydrangias have wintered over, too.

5) Buds on trees

We try to plant a bag of bulbs every fall. The people who lived here before planted a lot of daffodils and tulips, so there are a lot of blooms. If I missed a year, I made up for it in other years by planting more than one bag. The one time of the year that our yard looks reasonable is spring.

The other day I heard a chirping noise coming from the wall of my second floor spare room that I am refinishing into a meditation/reading room. Then it sounded like squeaking. So for two or three days I listened and called others to listen but no one could make out the sound. I was so paranoid about mice or worse in the walls of this old house, but then I wondered if it was a trapped bird or squirrel. The squeaking got louder and I worried that baby rats now were living in there!!!! I called exterminators but was really also worried about "humanely" removing whatever was in there.

My husband offered to "exterminate" the creature(s) himself but I really wanted them removed not killed. He climbed out the window onto the roof and found a vent (??).When he removed the vent he pulled out a big bird nest with a half dozen newborn babies!!!! I was so relieved and I told him to hurry and put it back!! He did and I watched by the window to make sure the mamma bird would still come back. Well she was sitting there waiting with the daddy bird too!!!! Of course I sprinkled food on the roof and keep watching and listening and they are still chirping!!

I think that is the most perfect Mother's Day gift I have ever gotten! Spring is rebirth and to have this nest built for newborns in my "new" room feels like such a sign of rebirth and love.

To think about how birds with their little brains instinctively know how to build these amazing nests twig by twig astounds me. And to see mommy and daddy finch coming back, made me think birds have better instincts than some humans!!!

My heart overfloweth today with the joy of being a mother. God Bless every mother, from birds to humans! Whether you are a momma to humans or a momma to animals, or a momma to the community, God Bless!

I am overjoyed at the arrival of summer. I look forward to enjoying the sound of keggers springing up all over. Every year, I find myself waiting for the first sightings of crotch rockets. Oh and the smell of lawn fertilizer is not to be missed. I enjoy watching the weeds grow up around the abandon car in my neighbors back yard. The rumbling of the Baker tow trucks speeding down my strreet sets my heart racing.
It is the little things that makes summer my fvorite season. Did I mention loud butt rock?