Life Springs Eternal

I look around, and signs of new life abound.  All of my senses are engaged.  The scent of pines, warmed by the sun, wafts on the wind.  The pre-historic, rattling bugle calls of a pair of Sandhill Cranes bounce between the hills, coming closer as they make their approach to the lake.  Soil, moist from the winter's recently-melted snow, yields easily to my trowel.  The yellow flowers of Oregon Grape, nestled in a fresh green basket of pine grass, catch my eye.  Newly unfurled aspen leaves twinkle and dance in the breeze.  Bees angle for space among the clusters of flowers on the apple trees.  I sit back on my haunches and soak it all in.  I am seized with wonder and joy at these seemingly every day miracles.

I have always been attuned to nature and its cycles, but my appreciation of the miracle of creation has deepened ever since we learned we will be grandparents at the end of September!!! 

On an April trip to Cincinnati to visit our daughter and son-in-law, they surprised us with the news - our first clue was this banner in the kitchen.  Upon hugging our daughter, the BUMP also made itself known!!!  

When our creative daughter posted the news on FaceBook, I adored this picture of the three pairs of wellies.  What some may not realize is that this photo was taken in the UK garden of my in-laws.  My parents are not here (physically) to witness the birth of another (34th) great-grandchild, and hence it is so meaningful to me that she planned for this in my second home, with the couple I have called Mom and Dad for over three decades.

The same night as the announcement, the happy parents-to-be presented Man With Hat with a new name - Granda - via a beer mug engraved with the name that has long been chosen.  And in my case?  I have long dithered about what to be called - how appropriate to be given a book with name options, and a gift certificate for a garden sign with the yet-to-be-selected moniker.

At first, I thought I would just let the baby give me a name, organically.  But then it occurred to me that I would eventually be "introduced" to the baby - I envisioned the hospital room, and our daughter saying "Baby, this is your ... "  Well, that just wasn't going to work, was it?  It took me two weeks to arrive at a name I really like - "Ya Ya" - it is an informal Spanish form of Grandmother.  Perfect!

 

 

 

 

In the meantime, the Bump is growing, and the nursery is being painted. Plans for the baby shower in August are progressing.  Anticipation is building. I might just have a tear or two in my eyes as I am typing.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two will become three - a miraculous event that is almost beyond our comprehension.  While I wait, I will gaze in joy upon the world just outside my windows.  I imagine the days when I can show a toddler the yellow flowers of Oregon Grape, nestled in a fresh green basket of pine grass.  We will raise our noses to the scent of pines, warmed by the sun.  Our hands will be dirty with soil, moist from the winter's recently-melted snow.  We will race to the lake, to watch the landing of Sandhill Cranes, their rattling bugle calls bouncing between the hills, coming closer as they make their approach.  The bees will buzz overhead in the apple blossoms, counting ... one, two, three, as high as we can go.  We will lie on the ground, watching the newly unfurled aspen leaves twinkle and dance in the breeze.  Yes, I will lie there and soak it all in.  Every day miracles.

***

I am linking to LeeAnna's I Like Thursday - prompt is "What does Memorial Day mean to you?  Are you participating in a party?"

We were in the UK on May 8, which was the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Victory in Europe, when Germany unconditionally surrendered its armed force at the "end" of WWII.  On TV, I watched the concert on the Horse Parade in London, which featured several videos of living military personnel and civilians, describing their experience.  It was extraordinary.  While I may not know many US military who have given their lives for a greater purpose, I can certainly honor and appreciate it, especially after watching such an impactful program.  

We did not participate in a party on Memorial Day - we enjoyed fajitas and margaritas at home.

Linking up with Eileen at Saturday's Critters

Linking to Mosaic Monday

Mosaic Monday #189: Trail Cam Treasures

We are so blessed to live on the edge of the wilderness, with all the wildlife that comes with it.  (Did you know they have a term for this?  Wildland-urban interface = a zone of transition between wilderness and land developed by human activity.  Unfortunately, the most common definition relates to increased wildfire frequency and risk.  As houses are near wildland vegetation, they are susceptible to wildfires.  I prefer to define it in terms of proximity to flora and fauna!)  So, let's cast our eyes over some of the critters that have wandered in range of my trail cam!

Elk on the move - same day as the Sandhill Crane - May 18.

Did this elk get lost?  May 29 - and look how much greener it is!

I have had many reports of the neighborhood black bear, and finally I got a shot - from the back, but better than none! (and the clock was off - this was 11 am)

A young buck in early June - he'll be searching out does pretty soon!

And this will be the result! (June 16)  This momma looks pretty skinny ...

I never cease to be amazed by the capability of the trail cam to capture motion, such as this Tree Swallow in flight on June 3.

Sandhill Cranes dance for three primary reasons:  To find a mate, to strengthen the bond between a mated pair, or to express aggression or territoriality.  Based on my experience with our Cranes over the last five years, I believe these two are "strengthening the bond" (June 4).  We could all learn from this, yes?

As you may have noticed from the photos thus far, the camera had been in two locations - the meadow you see above, and the road where I hoped to capture the bear (and I did.)  It was time to try another locale - the lake!  And it delivered in spades!

A parade of mallards.

Mallards with one Greater Yellowlegs (I welcome correction from any of the birders out there).

Three Greater Yellowlegs taking flight.

Great Blue Herons.  Jaw-dropping majestic creatures.

Speaking of majestic, check out the Trumpeter Swans and the 2 cygnets.  This is the first time (since we have lived here) that they have nested on the lake below our property.

I have written in the past (April 25, 2021; September 19, 2020) about the beaver who lives at the lake - we estimate the presence of nature's engineer has raised the water level by two feet.  I wonder sometimes how much of the wildlife we see now has been brought about because of the deeper water.

For priceless photos like the one below, I am grateful to God, the beaver, and the many factors that led us to Montana and this superlative piece of wilderness.

** I may be slow in commenting this week since we have family visiting.

**Also, Mosaic Monday will take a break on September 11 - come back and link up on September 18!

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.

The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain time).

Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.

Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.

As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.

Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.

Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Mosaic Monday #132: This and That

I am on the front porch, and the birds serenade me from the trees.  I feel blessed to be alive and healthy, but thoughts of others who are not so fortunate crowd my mind.  It seems almost sacrilegious to write a post knowing others are suffering, but I speculate that most people would want me to carry on.  This may not be my most creative of posts, but a post it is.

Back in April, I borrowed a Thai Fish Curry recipe from Jan at the Low Carb Diabetic blog.  In my house, we are not too concerned about the low carb element, so we served it over rice, and had broccoli on the side.  So good!

I have volunteered at the Whitefish Historical Museum for almost three years, and in April a new sign was installed.  I think the sign will attract more visitors since it is much more obvious that there IS a museum in the Depot!  On the National Register of Historic Places, the Depot was built in 1927 by the Great Northern Railway, and shares the same architecture as other structures built by the railroad in and around Glacier National Park.

This sign caught my eye at the airport when I was on my way back from the trip to see my Mom in April.  I immediately texted it to #1 Daughter, who loves the J.R.R. Tolkien quote.  This sign fits both of us well since we are coffee fiends!

It's no surprise that spring was more advanced when I was in Ohio, and I snapped a few flowers while I was waiting to go to the airport.

Back in Montana, the trail cam was busy capturing lake wildlife.

As May progressed, flowers (and other plant life) began to emerge in Montana.

Our property borders a stream, and it is a boon for flora and fauna.  As the summer proceeds, grasses, shrubs and cattails will overtake the stream, hiding its winding flow.  Only in the spring can you get this view of the creek.

I moved the trail cam to face the meadow, and was not surprised to see many deer.  At least one of them was a young buck.  And then there is the camera-hogging sandhill crane.  I think he considers the camera his own personal selfie stick!

In the afternoon, the sun strikes the front porch just right.  Although there might be a slight nip in the air yet in May, the sun is strong and unfiltered, keeping that chill at bay.  The perfect setting to enjoy a margarita for Cinco de Mayo!

In town, which has a lower elevation than our house, flowering trees cause me to stop in my tracks.  How is it possible for one tree to have so many blooms?

A week ago, just two days after we celebrated being fully vaccinated (read: two weeks after the second shot), we hosted a dinner party with four vaccinated couples, all from our mountain Ambassador group.  One of the ladies brought these Gerber daisies.  For me, the flowers and the gesture were symbolic -- bringing color back to our lives after 12 months in the "desert" of the pandemic.  In the past, receiving flowers on such an occasion might be expected; now it brings a rush of joy and delight.  For those who might still be in the "desert", for whatever the reason, I offer these daisies as hope that better times might soon return for you. 

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.

Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.

The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain time).

Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.

Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.

As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.

Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.

Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Mosaic Monday #30 - Movin' and Shakin' in May

Sandhill Crane by our lake

May has lingered.  Oh, not in a bad way.  Last week, I sat down at the keyboard to compose this May summary, and then a glance at the calendar brought me up short - whoa, there's another week left!  It occurred to me that, by week 3 of the month, I was full, satiated, deeply satisfied.  It led my mind to conclude that the month must be over!

First Glacier Lily in our yard 

Even my attempt to distill the month's activities yields seven major categories, in addition to our road trip, recent hikes, and my garden journal.  So much has happened in May that it's no wonder my brain would put me a week ahead of myself!  But, it's just too much for one post.  On the other hand, this is a helpful problem - I won't be running short of topics for weeks, months, maybe even years!  Does anybody need to "borrow" some of my material?

So, as unlikely as it might seem, I pared down my content to four subjects that brought me immeasurable joy this month.


REFINING OUR EXTERIOR LOOK

It was always our intent that our landscaping should evolve over time; I have grand visions for the ultimate look of our property.  This month, we stepped forward in this area, in both permanent and seasonal ways.  First, we added a jackleg fence to both sides of our driveway entrance.  It provided some needed definition, while maintaining the rustic feel we prefer.

Upper left: first section underway

Right: first section completed

Lower left: second section completed

Driveway with fences

All of the logs used for this project are lodgepole pines harvested from

our property during last year's thinning process

Second, we enhanced the driveway itself with dress gravel.  The original driveway was constructed with a crushed material that compacts to establish a firm foundation capable of withstanding the rigors of all four seasons in Montana.  Having passed through summer, fall and winter, the driveway was ready for dress gravel to provide a finished, clean look and better define parking/driveway areas from landscape/natural areas.

Left = before   Right = after

Driveway outside garage

Before and After; Looking down driveway toward road

Before and after: additional parking area, especially designed for the

RV owned by my younger brother and his wife!

Before and after - looking up the driveway from the road - WELCOME!

Third, we adjusted the location of several large rocks at the driveway entrance while our gravel contractor was on site with his Skid Steer (you can see them in the collage directly above this paragraph).  I am ecstatic that we have completed a few more stepping stones leading to the landscape we envision for the roadsides along the entrance.

My landscape design for the right side of the driveway is already a

year old, and our thinking has evolved.  But, you get the idea!

Fourth, we selected annuals for our deck planters.  Already, the little splash of color adds warmth and layering to the deck that is so absent in the winter.

Black-eyed Susan Vine; Ambella White Bellflower; Coleus;

Evening Star Trailing Petunia; Red and Orange Ivy Geraniums

BIRDWATCHING THROUGH THE SPOTTING SCOPE

In past posts (March 14, April 7, May 5), I have written about combining my spotting scope, PhoneSkope adapter and my phone to take bird pictures.  This month, with some assistance from Spousal Unit, I feel I have improved my technique.  It doesn't hurt that it's been a banner month for birds!

Left: Male Evening Grosbeak; Middle: Red-winged Blackbird; Right: Female Evening Grosbeak

One day, I saw a yellow-headed blackbird come to the feeder, which is quite unusual.  I set up the spotting scope with my phone and waited for it to return.  And the most wonderful thing happened.  I was passing the dining room window, and my brain, on alert for "birds", saw a "bird" and caused me to stop and look again.  This is what I saw.

Great Horned Owl

This stunning creature roosted in the same spot for over three hours.  We couldn't take our eyes off of him.  (We kept hoping he would swoop down and capture one of the Columbian ground squirrels scampering around below him, but it was not to be.  That may sound cruel, but they are eating some of my landscaping!)  I love the clarity of this photo, and wondered aloud why this came out so much better than my other shots.  Spousal Unit reminded me that Mr. Owl sat very still, whereas most of the other birds are constantly moving, not to mention the feeder on which they are sitting is often swaying in the breeze.  Right.

This discussion made me wonder if video might provide better clarity.  Maybe you can give me your opinion.  Here is a picture of a Blackheaded Grosbeak (it seems to have been the month for grosbeaks), followed by a video.  Make sure you watch the video through to the end - my sought-after Yellow-Headed Blackbird shows up after the grosbeak.

And here are a few other birds from the month.

Left: Rufous Hummingbird; Center: Song Sparrow; Right: Yellow-Headed Blackbird

In case you would like more, below is a video of the owl, and separately, the female blackheaded grosbeak.

ENJOYING A VARIETY OF WILDLIFE

Of course, we have more than just birds here!  The trail cams have continued to deliver a delightful menagerie.

Upper left: Red Squirrel; Upper right: Canada goose

Lower left: Mountain Cottontail (well-camouflaged, right?)  Lower right: Columbian Ground Squirrel

One morning, Spousal Unit suddenly grabbed the binoculars and said "Is that a moose?"  Well, that was better than a shot of espresso to get me going!  By the time we looked through the binoculars and the spotting scope, "it" was nowhere to be seen.  The good news?  The trail cam was in the perfect spot to capture "it".  So, I trotted down there and retrieved the disk, and this is "it".

A cow elk.  Elk are usually in herds; the fact she is on her own suggests she is ready to calve (give birth).

One of our neighbors told us today that he saw a cow and two calves in the last few days.  Might be her!

Another sign of spring - the young bucks with nubbins for antlers.

My heart always takes a little leap when I see the coyote on the trail cam.

And then there are the spring wildflowers.  

Upper left - I love to bring the outside in - larch, kinnikinnick, star-flowered Solomon's seal

Upper right: Oregon grape;  Bottom: Blue violet

Some of the flora we find is edible, as in the case of morel mushrooms.  I wrote in the past about a gift of morels from a neighbor - upon first taste of the sauce prepared by Spousal Unit, we were hooked.  Fully intending to go mushroom hunting on public lands this spring, we were pleasantly surprised to find enough around our own acreage to make a meal.  Melt in your mouth good!

REVELING IN THE SURPRISES

But the month wasn't complete without a couple surprises.  One day, Spousal Unit was tidying the woodpile and came back with this beauty - a long-toed salamander, which just happens to be the state salamander of Montana.  Yep, you know I love nature when I get excited about one of these!

And last but not least,  Spousal Unit was fishing the North Fork of the Flathead River, and popped into the Polebridge Mercantile.  Despite its middle-of-nowhere location, it is deservedly famous for its baked goods.  Imagine my delight when he returned to the house with two huckleberry bear claws.  Savoring this confection made up for the fact that he didn't hook a single fish!

What's not a surprise?  That Spousal Unit was the man behind both of these moments - I can always count on him to bring me joy! 

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Monday (U.S. Mountain time).
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog.
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back.
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by.
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully.
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter