Nesting

Reconnecting with Nature -- Linking up with Chrisy to share a look at nature all around us.

In the corners of our house are drainpipes that go from the gutter, under the eaves, and then down the side of the house.  Every year since we have been here (this is our seventh spring) there are bird nests in both corners.  The nests are re-used every year and we delight in seeing and hearing the baby robins.  I have witnessed their flights lessons - and they are both amusing and amazing.  Unfortunately this year, one of the nests was destroyed.  There are black birds that take over the nests of other birds.  I'm not sure what the birds are (maybe one of you can tell me), but they will push the eggs and/or babies out of the nest and take ownership. We assume that's what happened here, either the nest wasn't on a sturdy enough base for a large bird and it fell to the ground or they were fighting over the nest.  Either way, the nest, babies and egg shells ended up on the ground.  I picked up the nest but wasn't really sure what to do with it.

Bird nests are a work of art.  I lifted off the top layer, and it was a perfectly formed bowl-shape.

Under that, was a more solid layer.  I guess every year they must have reinforced the base with some sort of a 'glue'.  In this case it appeared to be mud, and then a new layer of straw/grass, softer material was woven for the babies.

You can see how the nest has been built up year after year.  The circular layers are like a timeline.  This nest must be about 7 or 8 inches tall.

I took the nest and put it into a tree in the backyard.  I'm not sure any other birds will use it, but I couldn't bear to throw it away.

John Prine

We have an annual membership to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  They have weekly songwriter sessions as well as a lot of other great shows.  As members, we get advance notice of these shows so we go and enjoy the shows from time to time.  We had passes to go to 'A Conversation with John Prine".   The Hall of Fame recently expanded and this was held in one of the new spaces - the CMA Theater, which seats about 800 people.  In addition to stage and mezzanine level seating, there are lower and upper balconies.  A lot of the seats are single row, so you don't have anyone behind you, nor are you trying to see over anyone's head.  Great for us short folks.

This 'conversation' was hosted by Peter Cooper, who is a Grammy-nominated singer songwriter, music journalist, speaker, teacher etc.

What a great show!  John Prine talked about his childhood, his start in music, the background to some of his songs.  His voice sounded really, really gravelly.  He had surgery a few years ago to remove cancer in his neck and that, coupled with the allergies in Nashville, took a toll on this voice so he had a tough time singing.  The first song he sang he did from his chair, a little uncomfortably.  

Those chairs are just not made for a man and his guitar.  So before the next song, they brought out a mike and a stool for him.  He joked that he never used to sit on a stool, he would set a 6-pack and an ashtray on it.  He said he used to begin each song by saying something to the audience and would pause for effect and light a cigarette, resting it in the ashtray while he sang.  He would get to take one puff before the song and one after and then he would light another one for the next song.  He said these days he takes sips of water instead.

He grew up in Kentucky in a town that's no longer "Paradise".  One of his first jobs was as a mailman.  He would write songs while he was on his mail route.  He said once you got onto the right street, there wasn't really much to occupy your mind while you were out there, so he wrote songs in his head and he was on his mail route.

One of his greatest songs (I think) is Angel from Montgomery.  Bonnie Raitt did a great version, and you may heard it before

Bonnie Raitt - Angel from Montgomery

But in my opinion, if you want to hear the BEST version, listen to Susan Tedeschi sing it

Susan Tedeschi - Angel from Montgomery

Takes your breath away, doesn't it.  Trust me, you'll be singing this all day.  It's THAT good.

Boston Strong

It was one year ago today that the bombing occurred at the Boston Marathon.  Instead of focusing on the people who chose to bring terror and heartbreak to the city, I would rather take this opportunity to honor the heroes.

On that day, on the crowded streets of Boston, the heroes were everywhere.  First responders who chose to run toward unknown danger and help others.  They provided first aid, they held hands, they talked through the chaos, and they saved lives.  They were not only the Firemen and Firewomen, the Policemen and Policewomen, the Paramedics, the EMT's -- they were ordinary citizens who did what needed to be done until medical help arrived.  

To all of you, from all of us -- you are our heroes.

To all of you who perform these acts on a daily basis - we don't thank you enough.  Thank you for your selflessness, your courage and your sacrifice.

We are

Boston Strong

Happy Birthday Mom!!

If you talk to my Mom today, be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday!!  

Wedding Day!!

50th Wedding Anniversary

Last summer

8 of 8

Well, they've pulled the last Corvette out of the sinkhole.  It's a 2001 Mallett Hammer Z06 that used to look like this

That was a pretty car.  Not so much anymore

I'm not sure how they're going to restore this one....

The couple that donated it actually went to Bowling Green to see the recovery.  They were, of course, saddened by state of it, but were glad to be able to see if brought up.

The Corvette Museum will be having a 'Great 8' special display and all of these cars can be seen in their current state until the beginning of August.  We may just have to take a ride up there someday to see them.

Crushing a Spyder

Remember when I told you about the sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum?  Well they've had a web cam feed going while they're recovering the cars.  I haven't been watching, but I recent saw a clip of them pulling the 1993 ZR-1Spyder out.

Here's it is before

and here's the clip of it begin pulled out of the sinkhole

They said before that they were going to restore all of these cars.  I really think they should leave one of them in the condition it was in when it was recovered.  It's a piece of history now.  It can't be recreated and almost seems like it should be honored, instead of restored.  Just my thoughts.

Happy Birthday Brad

Happy Birthday to my nephew Brad!

It was a bit of a struggle to find a picture of Brad by himself.  There's only 18 months between him and his brother, so most pictures I have had both of them.

If I remember correctly their childhood was spent alternating between being best friends

And chasing each other around with intent to harm.

Hope you have a Great day!!