"Mizzling Afternoons..."

 

It had been a long while since I had captured the Great Blue Heron on film (Ha Ha!  No one uses film these days, but it sounded good.  I am not sure what we capture on these days. )  It's not that I don't see these fascinating creatures when I am out and about, for I do almost every day, but it's that he seems to have a great fear of mankind; guess that's stored somewhere in his DNA because of some distant relative's experiences with our species.  Normally, at first sight of me, he lifts those mighty wings, and up and away he goes.  

Dan refers to the Great Blue Herons as my "big ugly birds." The picture I currently have as my header  is one of my older pictures, and one of my favorites. I love that the blue showed up so clearly.  The picture was taken with my Canon Rebel with a Zoom lens.  I don't carry that heavy camera with me anymore, but, instead, just grab the phone/camera from my pocket.   

 

Life is an admirable arrangement...

It is so clever of it to have June

in every year and a morning in every

day, let alone things like birds, and 

Shakespeare, and one's work.

~Elizabeth von Arnim

"I find it good to be out this still, dark, mizzling afternoon; my walk or voyage is more suggestive and profitable than in bright weather.  The view is contracted by the misty rain, the water is perfectly smooth, and the stillness is favorable to reflection... "   ~From Thoreau's Journal, Nov. 7, 1855

Summer Tanager

I heard his song long before I saw him.  He was late getting here this year.  I was worried for I have become quite spoiled to his oh-so-sweet song on long summer evenings.  

"Do not curse the mountain for its height.  Climb it breath by breath, and let patience be your guide.  Endure not as one burdened, but as one sculpting a legacy, chip by chip, day by day." (Old Stoic Wisdom)

"Mizzling afternoons" does, indeed, describe our weather here as of late.  My boots have grown accustomed to becoming sodden messes almost every day.  Millie and I keep racking up the days since we last missed hiking the hillside trail.  It now stands at 1,146 days.

I recently read the story of Emma Rowena Gatewood, who at 67 years of age told her adult children that she was going for a walk.  And walk she did!

"In 1955, with just a simple pair of Keds sneakers and a homemade denim bag, she embarked on the incredible adventure of hiking the Appalachian Trail, a path over 3,470 km that crosses mountains, forests, and varied terrains across the United States.  Without maps or technology, relying only on her intuition and the kindness of strangers, Emma became the first woman to complete this journey alone and in a single season.  

Her story inspired thousands and changed perceptions about the abilities and courage of older people, especially women.  She repeated the hike in 1960 and 1963, proving that age is not a limit to achieving great goals.

Emma Gatewood is a symbol of perseverance, courage, and love for nature.  Her legacy lives on among hikers and adventure lovers around the world."

-Source:  National Park Service

Spring Notes...

 

The days seem to rush by.  I jot quick notes on the calendar to keep track of certain events. 

There was a big anniversary last month.  We watched an old 1930s Western to celebrate.  It was a good day. 

The first hummingbirds arrived right on schedule the first week of April.   They now spend most days in the honeysuckle thickets where I think they raise their young.

 Zinnias, Nasturtiums, poppies and other seeds have been sown about the place.  They are popping up all over.

Millie and I have heard the song of the Summer Tanager for the past few mornings when we walked the trail but have not seen him yet.  His song is definitely one of the joys of summer.

The little black kitty has gone missing.  He was happy and playful one evening but gone the next morning.  I have been sad about that, but the other three are doing well.  I love them and they love me, but they don't care for other people.