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Sunday, March 13, 2016

SWAN SONG

Hello dear friends! Did you remember to set your clocks ahead?  Guess daylight savings time is one sure sign of spring.   But the most exciting one for us is the return of the swans. Sorry the pictures are not very good, in advance.  I keep thinking of what my dear blogging friend, Andrea could have done with this opportunity, she takes such lovely pictures of birds and flowers, unfortunately, I am not a photographer. You'll have to zoom in on the picture if you want to get a good look at them.
There were perhaps  several hundred this time in the farmer's field.( One year there were so many that the ground was completely white with swans for acres and acres) I tried to get as close as I could, but when I got within a hundred feet of them they became skittish and started to take flight.
Here's another  picture of them to show you how many there were.  All the white areas are swans.
Here's what I couldn't believe; that no one even slowed down to look at them except for Ran and myself.  Everyone just sped past, completely oblivious to the miracle that was taking place right under their very noses,  an opportunity so rare that only a few people get to experience in their lifetime.  I believe that I live an enchanted life, but perhaps it is only that I take the time to enjoy what is there; a star-filled night, the warmth of the sun on my face, an baby's long eyelashes, the taste of the good earth from freshly-dug potatoes.  Everyone is always so busy with their lists and chores that it seems to me they miss the wonderful world that has been created for us. So many people think that they must spend money to find pleasure, when the truth is the very best things in life are free. The old saying is true. So many people think they must be busy, busy, busy all the time.  As Ran and I held hands and silently gazed over a field of swans, I knew that no cruise or diamond ring would ever compare to that moment and no completion of a task would ever be as important .  I'm sure that if I get to Heaven, there will be fields of swans,  this was just a glimpse of Heaven.  It is well with my soul.

Be still and know that I am God
~ Psalms 46:10 ~


THRIFTY THINGS WE DID THIS WEEK

Ran built this kindling bin from free pallets:
We'll probably paint it once the weather warms up, if we can find any reasonably priced "mistints" at the hardware store.  Otherwise, we'll let it weather to a natural grey color. Had to laugh, we are known around the neighborhood for our love of free pallets.   Yesterday our two elderly neighbors stopped us on our walk to tell us they spied some pallets.  Now even the neighbors are on the lookout for us!

Got half a dozen free pallets for firewood and projects.

While out for our daily walks, we bring back branches and sticks that have broken off the trees this winter.  Our kindling bin is just about full from doing this and plus we have found some larger branches in the neighborhood that are excellent firewood.

Since cabbage is priced so lowly as we approach St. Pat's Day, I made a huge batch of vegetable cabbage soup, the only thing I needed to buy was the cabbage and celery, everything else came from the pantry.  I'm doing the cabbage soup diet this week to jump start my dieting.  I've been on a plateau for weeks. It always works for me.

Brought in the dried hydrangeas from the bush trimmings to decorate with.  You know I wouldn't spend good money on flowers but I still wanted some sort of flower arrangement.
Fortunately for me, I love primitive decorating and dried hydrangeas suit that style.

We started our seeds.  Most came from seeds we saved.

Went to t he doctor's and got a glowing report on my health.  Good health is so vital to having a good life.  Little things like daily walks,   abstaining from junk food, and spending part of each day in quiet contemplation can do so much to help you obtain it and they all are free!

Finished one sampler and began another from supplies I had on hand.  One will be a Christmas present.  It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas presents, especially when you make your own gifts.

Packed away my heavy winter clothes and started getting out my spring ones.  Hope springs eternal!  I never bring out everything at once, that way, when I get bored with my wardrobe, I just have to "shop" in my attic for something new.


That's about it for this week.  I will be taking a blogging break for a while, unless something truly remarkable happens that I want to share in the meantime.  Hope you all have a lovely spring!

Hugs
Jane





 

21 comments:

  1. I had no idea Swans migrate. They must like colder climates than my state. I just may do a little research on them as your photos have really peaked my interest.
    Congratulations on your excellent medical report.
    I am always amazed by your pretty and healthy thriftiness.

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    1. I think they migrate to the tundra, Rhonda. Wish the pictures could have been better. We get to see them in the fall and spring. It's funny but they always stop at the same field. Isn't it fascinating how their instincts tell them the exact place to go?

      Thank you for the kind words! Hope you have a wonderful week!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  2. **As Ran and I held hands and silently gazed over a field of swans, I knew that no cruise or diamond ring would ever compare to that moment and no completion of a task would ever be as important . I'm sure that if I get to Heaven, there will be fields of swans, this was just a glimpse of Heaven. It is well with my soul.

    Be still and know that I am God
    ~ Psalms 46:10 ~ **

    So true and so beautiful!

    Happy Spring ~ FlowerLady

    P.S. It's not 'if' but 'when' you get to heaven. :-)

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    1. Thank you dear Rainey! Just think your dear Mark probably sees this every day!

      A special hug for a dear friend!

      Jane

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  3. Thanks Jane! My recent bird pics are not very good. I would think it was a miracle if I saw even a swan around here! Let alone as many as you have! Maybe God hides beauty and saves it for those who look! Eyes have not seen the beauty of heaven, so I will forego cruises and jewelry also...and save up for that reward!

    The natural color of the hydrangeas look so nice. I would love a home in only natural hues like that. They go nice with the blue.

    I hope your blogging break brings in spring flowers! hugs, Andrea

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    1. I don't know Andrea, I thought your recent pictures were very nice! Bet you could have zoomed right in on those beautiful birds.

      I like what you said about God saving beauty for those that seek it.

      I actually like hydrangeas more after they have dried and weathered then when they are fresh. A home in all natural hues would be beautiful. Maybe your retirement home?

      Ran weeded the asparagus bed today, so I'm hoping for fresh asparagus! I did notice that the daffodils are starting to peek out of the ground. Just takes a bit of warm weather. If we don't "speak" before then, have a blessed Easter!

      Hugs back,
      Jane

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    2. Thanks...have a blessed Easter too! I was just out looking to see if my asparagus was peeking through....no luck. But it is raining so that might bring them out. Whenever we might have to paint walls inside a house, I am going to suggest white! hugs,andrea

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    3. The beauty of white is that it never clashes with anything! I think those all-white rooms are so peaceful. Unfortunately I love everything! It's hard to stick to one style.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  4. Jane, Isn't it lovely weather we are having. We slow down to for turkey, deer, and anything that moves! The wonder of it always amazes! Spring is coming or is it here? Hope you don't stay gone too long. Have a great night!

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    1. It wasn't nice here, Vickie. Cold and rainy. The weather forecast was way off base, they said it was going to be almost 60. Don't think it even reached 40. Ran told me last night that we were all going to get up and clean the flower beds, but when I went outside this morning, I only lasted about half an hour and my fingers were numb from the cold. What a difference a being few miles south and inland makes, huh? We are always dressed too warmly when we go to Bay City.

      I hope that spring comes early this year. That would be a pleasant surprise after the last two years wouldn't it? Hope you a fun week!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  5. Love the pictures! I have never seen so many swans before. Thank you for taking the pictures to share with us.
    Congratulations on your great checkup. That is always a relief. Hope your arthritis is doing better.
    I like hydrangeas too, and I can see a little green on my bushes now, so I hope I will have some blooms this year. I am ready for spring now. My kids have put away the snowman/snowflake decorations.
    Scared me when I saw your title of swan song...hope you won't be away forever as I do enjoy your blog.
    Hope you have a blessed Easter!

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    1. Hi Kathy! I wish everyone could see a flock of swans in their own habitat at least once in their life. It's a joy to behold.

      The arthritis is doing better. Thanks for asking!

      I think by mid-March everyone is ready for spring.

      Have a blessed Easter, also!
      HUgs
      Jane

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  6. Another enjoyable post. I always look forward to reading your thoughts. The pictures of the swans are amazing. It must have been an incredible experience to see that many beautiful birds.

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    1. It was Sandra! Hope all is well with you.

      Hugs
      Jane

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  7. dear jane,
    a lovely post and wonderful photos of the swans.yesterday was a wonderful day,the sun was shining and I was working in my little garden, But today it's cold again and it's rain a little bit.
    i wish you a wonderful week,
    love and hugs regina

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    1. The weather has been up and down here too, Regina. Today it's cold so I'm canning to heat the house up. It sure easy to get impatient with the weather this time of year!

      Hope your week goes smoothly!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  8. Catching up on reading my favorites today after being gone for the past week visiting our daughter and her family. We had a good trip driving wise if you like rain while driving in heavy traffic like Kansas City, St. Louis and Louisville :) But coming home the weather was nice and the driving was much nicer. Our new little granddaughter is just precious and cute as a bug and very adored by her big sister. She told me she's been waiting 11 years for this baby :) So glad to be able to celebrate our daughter's 40th birthday while there. She sure looks great for being 40 and a new mama again. Our son in law was so good to us. He made sure we went out to eat where they could accommodate my diet needs and we also went to visit an old fort in Harrodsburg KY. Love doing that sort of stuff so that was fun too.
    Stopped in St. Louis to visit long time friends and spent the night with them. It was like we'd never been apart. That was fun and glad we made the time to stop and stay. Good to be home though and sleeping in our own bed again. No swans in Nebraska, but we have lots of geese flying north now. When I'm out and hear their call while going over I too stop and look at them. Like you say, some of the best things in life are free. Now that you mention the asparagus I better get it in my schedule to get the bed ready for spring by removing the old ferns and covering the bed with compost. Ok, enough from me. I can ramble on too much. Nannie

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    1. Glad to read that you had a good time, Nannie. Congratulations on the new granddaughter.

      We got the asparagus bed cleaned up but then it turned cold. Nothing peeking out yet. Really looking forward to fresh asparagus. It's so much sweeter than any you can buy.

      The weather here can decide if it's spring or winter. One day it will be in the 50s and the next in the 30s. Will be so glad to put away the heavy winter coat.

      Hope you enjoy the remainder of the week. Isn't it going buy fast?

      Hugs
      Jane

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  9. Those swans are amazing!! I would definitely be the person stopping to look at that as well, I get excited when I see a field especially full of Canadian Geese, so seeing a field full of swans would be an amazing treat! Good to hear you got a good health report, I have been eager to get back to taking walks as well, I think that will definitely help me improve health wise. Our spring is always incredibly rainy but every time the sun comes out I definitely am eager to get outside! Hope you have a Happy St. Patrick's Day! :)

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    1. Happy St. Pat's Day to you too, April! Swans certainly are beautiful, graceful birds. Just love them.

      Yeah that rain sure is not helping with walking. I have one of those mini trampolines that I jog on indoors when the weather is bad. I really need to do both because I notice that it exercises an entirely different set of muscles. Still waiting to get motivated. Ha! Have a lovely weekend!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  10. Thanks for sharing your projects and savings (from last post, too). I made some kraut with discounted cabbage and stocked up on 39 cent chicken thighs. Got some chicken in the crockpot now waiting to go into tacos. I love your bread from your last post! Now I'm inspired.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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