ONE FLEW OUT OF THE WREN'S NEST

For a number of weeks I have enjoyed watching a wren family work to set up housekeeping in a container hanging on our back porch. All of a sudden they picked yesterday morning when I was sitting on the porch swing shelling butterbeans and peas to chirp, squeak, squawk, dart back and forth and just annoy me all morning. It seemed like they were angry with me for staying out there so long making them nervous about flying in and out with bugs for the babies in the nest. They were the most devoted, attentive parents who were constantly chirping and serving up yummy bugs every few minutes during the day.   Suddenly the squawking picked up and mama bird sat on the edge of the container and I could see a baby peering out over the edge.  It was time.   Mama and daddy were telling the baby to get out and try his wings. This was going to be a Kodak moment!

No sooner had I gotten poised with the camera - I had already been taking pics of mama because she was just sitting there so near me all morning - than the baby came fluttering out and landed with a big thump on the concrete floor.  Eventually mama and daddy bird coaxed baby onto the brick wall and then the table. As I was trying to focus the camera it fluttered onto the swing chain where I was sitting and then just hopped over and lit in my hair for a few seconds.  I don't know who was more surprised, baby or me.  Eventually I had to go finish up supper and when I returned they had managed to get him out into the yard.  Then he was gone.

"Come on Junior, come to Mommy."

"Look, just watch and do what I do.  Daddy is right over there waiting for you."

"Are you my mommy?  Can you get this string off my foot?"

Today there is no sign of the wrens.   I'm a bit sad.  Looks like little birds have to grow up real quick.

Peering into the abandoned nest confirmed what I thought. There had been four eggs, but only one had hatched. It was interesting to see that they had maticulously placed a layer of onion skin in the bottom of the nest for the eggs to lay on. The eggs had brown speckles and were very small.  Very interesting and fun to watch.

GARDEN GOODIES

What a tough gardening season it has been.  In the last eight weeks we have actually only had a bit over one and a half inches of rain at our house.  Water from the garden hose is just barely keeping everything alive.  In spite of that, we are  managing to have fresh veggies almost every night.  Just nothing like it!  Yum, Yum!!!!

Zipper Peas blowing in the breeze.

Clusters of Roma tomatoes.

Hot little Cajun Bell Peppers.

With the donation of a few extra cucumbers from friend Joe, I managed to make a batch of Mrs. Wages' sweet lime pickles.  There was cheering from my whole family.  A family favorite for over forty years.   

Recipe made 7 quarts.

Both pies were scrumptious!

The blueberry and apple pies this week have totally destroyed my plans to try to cut back on my sweet eating. You just can't get that fresh, just-picked taste from processed or store bought fruits and vegetables.  The only thing better than homemade apple pie is homemade apple pie with ice cream on top, which just happened to be on sale this week and I had a coupon for $1.00 off.  Oh yeah!  I'll cut back next week.

 Happy 4th, ya'll.