The land always is producing, growing, hosting a muriad of other life forms. I have been so grateful for the chance (as I have mentioned before) to watch the Shama thrushes raise their young. Being able to wittness it so up close and personal is such a blessing. Being separated from my own family makes me appreciate the parents tending to their young all the more. Even after the chicks fledged from the nest, the parents are still feeding them, and teaching them how to find safe places to roost, feed, drink, and find cover and safety. I can hear the chicks call to the parents constantly. It makes me laugh as I can relate and feel that is what I do with my God all the time!! 
When the chicks fledge their tails are so small and stubby, as an adult they are very long and elegant
This little guy was pretty big for his feathers. I found him by the gate that lead out of the yard to the road. The day they fledged I thought for sure all of them were goner's as we have a lot of feral cats here that are really really good hunters. I can hear at least three of them so those darn little birds have made it and made me happy that my prayers for their safety was answeredOn one of my supply trips into town I stopped to drop off some things at the Humane Societies thrift store, and ended up coming home with a few things. The japanese childrens dictionary is a lot of fun, and I grabbed it thinking I would cut it up for soul journal pages, but now dont have the heart to destroy it. Such great detail is in this publication. The other book is on Ecuador. I have traveled there , and have no problem cutting this book up! Inside were leaflets from a bullfight. Yes they do those sorts of things there. And old newspaper articles from the 70's. The sewing basket has a real jade ring on the top. It needs some cleaning, but will be useful non the less.
I also found a super cheap ice cream maker that I have been having fun with. So thankful for super fun ingredients that I can pick on my walks with Maggie or from my yard. Bananas, coconut, passion fruit, papaya. YUM!
Will close with a few pictures of my Maggie, my dear sweet companion. She makes me laugh, teaches me patience, keeps me active. Can you just see it in her face. Come on mom take me to the beach!
It has been a challenge moving as we had to use the front door because by the back kitchen door, a shama thrush has laid four eggs in a basket that I have hanging by the back door. The eggs hatched, and we went from four to three to two, and now there is only one baby chick in the nest. I found one dead in the driveway and cried for two hours. The solo chick gets really vocal when the male come close and calls that dinner's on!!! The kitchen has been on the dark side because I keep all the curtains closed to not spook our feathered friends.
Gods creation is such a wonder to me, and I never get tired at marveling at his handy work.
have been clearing the weeds out of this hillside, now is ready for "good plants"
Jeremiah 32:38-40 (New Living Translation)
As a child my favorite blanket would go with me , when ever I was scared or tired. My "security blanket" was comforting. As I grew up I grew out of needing that blanket, and learned how to cope with being scared or tired, lonely etc., all these unsettling feelings.
