Lakeside!

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Arrived in Lakeside about noon on Thursday. Time for the Midwest Birding Symposium 2011 at last! This time we are staying at the Hotel Lakeside, built in 1873. It was very windy and the lake was choppy and rough, but the boat cruise went on this evening.

On the way here we stopped at East Harbor State Park, and saw two unfamiliar gulls. Looked them up- greater black-backed gull and Bonapartes gull-two new birds for us!

Vacation

Wednesday evening we stayed in Port Clinton, Ohio. This is the view from our motel windows.

Started off Tuesday to drive to Shipshewana, IN; but the car broke down on the way about 30 miles west of South Bend. So we spent the afternoon in a repair shop there. It was a nice one though, with a waiting room and a beautiful ladies room! Made it to Shipshewana that evening, found our hotel, ate supper and slept. Wed. morning we went shopping - I got to go to Lolly's quilt shop (woo hoo!) We had a nice lunch, then on to Port Clinton. Took the Jet Express to Put-In-Bay - saw a bald eagle flying low right over us just as we were pulling out of the harbor; also cormorants, gulls of course and a bird I couldn't identify- it put me in mind of a pelican- will check the guide to see if I can figure it out. Had a good supper and walked around Put-In Bay. It was raining a little as we got off the boat back in Port Clinton. It was very windy during the night, but the clouds were breaking up and the moon was still out in morning.

Chrissy

Chrissy is on the left on top.

We went to a scrimmage game at Millikin to see her cheering for the first time.

Empty Nest

I hadn't seen or heard the parents this morning, so I went out to look in the nest and the babies have fledged! I had hoped to see them learning to fly, but they must have taken right off while I wasn't there to see. No evidence of foul play; the nest is intact and empty. It's pretty quiet in the yard now.

Babies

The eggs have hatched. As I was sewing, I watched the adults going to the nest with bugs in their beaks. When I went out and peeked into the nest I saw little baby birds.

Expecting

Four eggs are in the nest.

Carolina Wren Nest

The other day as I was at my sewing machine, a Carolina wren pair were singing loudly right outside the window. I watched as they built this nest in a hanging flower basket. Today, I went out to check the nest because it had been so quiet, and was surprised when the female flew out.

I quickly took photos and went back inside. A few minutes later she returned.
It will be fun watching this new family.

As you can see the deer (or rabbits or both) are munching on my hosta, leaving bare stems sticking up. In the past I've put netting over my plants but birds get caught in it, so that was nixed. We have some repellant spray but apparently that wears off too soon. Next I plan to try fishing line and soap.

Birthday Girls

Jenny and Chrissy's birthday was on Sunday, I took them to lunch on Thursday. Chrissy had big news - she made the cheerleading team at Millikin U. for next year! Looks like I will be going to some sporting events.
We've had some beautiful weather, in between the rain. Cooler, and the cicadas seems to a little quieter. Lovely evenings with the full moon this week.

Cicadas

This has been the year for the 13 year cicadas to come out and party. My youngest grandbaby was born 13 years ago, his birthday was Friday, the 3rd. I remember the cicadas being out when he was born. They are fascinating to learn about, spending 13 years underground feeding on tree roots, then emerging by the millions (it seems) flying up, mating, laying eggs and dying. According to the article "A Prime Mystery" written by Laura Erickson in the spring 2011 issue of Birdscope ( a newsletter of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology: Nobody can explain why the cycles of periodic cicadas are prime numbers, but many people believe it somehow makes it harder for predators to track their cycles.

It's been so hot and the cicadas have been so very noisy and smelly - I'm ready for their party to be over.

Progress

It's a mess now, but will look nice when done.

Goslings

Walked to the river this morning and got photos of a "gaggle of geese" with their babies swimming up the creek. (you'll probably have to click on the picture to make it big enough to see them.)

Also got a picture of the Sangamon taken from the bridge looking east.

Siding

Here are "before" and "just getting started" photos of the new siding project. The original "wood" siding has soaked up water and started to rot in places. The new color will be a medium gray, and we're thinking that the shutters and front door will be a dark slate. We're also getting a window put in the east window of the dining room to get more light in there.

Spring Again!

Warm weather is here at last. The iris are blooming, and I found a fountain for the courtyard by the front door.

A New Year 2011

My posts are a out of order, but I'm catching up today. My family has gone home now. Earlier, we had a nice lunch at Hometown Buffet (no cooking or clean-up), then here for gifts, games and visiting. Jason and Shirley had to work (it's rare that someone isn't missing), but they did get to be here for Thanksgiving this year.

White Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. A good snowstorm on Christmas Eve, making the drive to church was a little treacherous, we picked up a friend who didn't want to drive on the way. Our new minister gave a lovely service for a small crowd. After we got safely home, we watched A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim as Scrooge. The next day T and I woke up to beautiful snow cover, stayed home and watched movies - Miracle on Thirty Fourth Street, A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life, and the Andy Griffith show Christmas episode. I make turkey soup from the Thanksgiving bones that I had stashed in the freezer.

This year I had to work and missed Dad's dinner on Sunday (another good reason to retire!) T and I went up for a visit on Wednesday.

Retirement!

Woo Hoo! Friday December 31, 2010 was my last day of work at the library. My department gave me a very nice party; with balloons and chocolate.

Moving forward to the next thing. Sewing room, here I come! No scheduling stress-conflicts on nights and weekends. Although I will miss the job, being a library assistant was my cup of tea-if it weren't for those nights and weekends.

Thanksgiving 2010

T and I fixed turkey dinner at our house. His son and all my family except two grandkids were here. The turkey was fresh from an organic farm, and was so good.