Frugal Outdoor Summer Fun

For this week, I thought that I would mention some fun outdoor ideas for you to consider. For many of us being in school puts a damper on the financial budget. Therefore, I am going to suggest some activities that are fun and entertaining, yet low cost. The first activity that I thought about is going to an outdoor movie or play. Almost every town has at least a few of these events each summer. Check your local newspaper or online resources to find an event near you. Although they are usually free of charge, they are a great time to watch the sun go down and enjoy some quality time with your friends and family. Take your own blanket or chairs, along with some snacks, and enjoy a relaxing evening in the great outdoors!!

The Mule

We own a Kawasaki Mule that we use to run errands on the farm and move from place to place. We don't park it in the same place each time we finish with it. It has a spot under the barn, but we do not always take it back there. One night it might stay down at the barn, and the next night it might just be in the backyard. The last person driving it pretty much just leaves it wherever they finish with it.
Our border collie, Dixie, loves the Mule! She makes every trip possible in it; if it is moving then she is usually in the back. She even sleeps in it many nights; there is a definite attraction to it for some reason. I think her love for it probably is because one of us is driving, and she wants to be where ever we are. Another reason is because it goes to the farm a lot where she can run in the wide open and swim in the ponds.
Well, anyway, this week's funny is that Wednesday afternoon my husband went out to get in the Mule, and a little wren had build a nest in the pocket of it (the pocket is somewhat like a glove compartment without a lid). Well, if you have followed my blog at all, you know that I love any aspect of nature, including birds. I thought that was amazing until I realized that she might not be able to find a nest that was constantly moving!! Therefore, before she laid her eggs, my husband broke up the nest. At first I was really sad that he broke it up, but then I rethought it and knew that it was necessary. The Mule is not an object that we could wait for several weeks to use again, and the little wren needed a stationary home for her babies!

Purple Martins

If you are a bird lover, I'm sure that you know about these aerial beauties...the Purple Martins. Have you ever seen those white gourds hanging on poles in fields? These gourds are usually put up to attract Purple Martins. The photo shows another type, the Purple Martin hotel, that can be purchased to bring these singers into your space.

Purple Martins are aerial insectivores - eating only flying insects high in the sky mostly during daytime hours. According to www.purplemartin.org, the belief of many that Purple Martins can be used for mosquito control is untrue. First of all, mosquitos come out in the evening and are not found at heights where the martins fly.

If you want to attract these aerial acrobats, you will need an open spot of land with the nearest housing 40-60 feet away. Also, Purple Martins dislike areas with trees, bushes, etc.; they prefer open areas. Gourds should be painted white or light pastel to attract the birds and reflect heat. According to the website, one million Americans put up housing and try to attract the birds. If you are successful, the martins are loyal and usually come back to the same house year after year to raise their young. Another interesting fact is that a pair-bond is monogamous.

One of my favorite summer sights is watching their speed and agility as they fly high into the sky and feed. The songs these birds share in flight will certainly make a passer-by stop, look, and listen.

Today's Job

I thought I would share today's job with you by writing a poem.

Today's Job
by Kay Marsh

Sun beating unmercifully down on the ground....
The scent of freshly cut grass...
dried to a crisp
a blessing of summer
Click, Clack, Click
and
M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M....
The hum of the tractor creeping through the fields.
As the seriously sharp blades SNATCH up the grass
and SLING them into the baler,
It's absolutely amazing
how the simple machine
s-p-i-n-s the grass again and again,
around and around and around,
and then
suddenly
with no warning
out POPS a perfect bale of
MILLET!
Right onto the ground.
Anyone ready to load?

Feathered Friends on the Farm

Some of my best friends on the farm are feathered. I have already blogged about a few of my favorites types of wild birds, but today I want to tell you about our tamed birds. My son raises ducks and geese, and last summer he added peacocks and turkeys. Our newest babies on the farm are ducklings. In my opinion, no matter what type of animal you're talking about, babies are incredibly precious. I have dowloaded some photos for you to see if you agree.

Scorching!!

I hope that everyone is enjoying a blessed day with their fathers today! While I type, I am multitasking and making homemade banana ice cream to take to my dad; it is his favorite summertime treat.

I don't know about lower Alabama, but here in Northern Alabama, the weather is extremely hot and humid (another reason for homemade ice cream). The forecast for this week is consistent with high 90's and heat indexes into the lower 100's. We have been in a weather pattern over the past two weeks with hot weather and frequent downpours. The advantage to this pattern is the plants love it!! They are gorgeous green and thriving....both flowers and crops. I was a little later than normal assembling plants into my pots this year, but with all of this rain, they look like they have been potted for months!! On several occasions after the heavy rains, I had noticed the most spectacular rainbows. There's nothing like a rainbow to make you stop for a moment, no matter what you are doing, just to enjoy its beauty. We all need to take more time to enjoy the simple pleasures of nature and the great outdoors.

Fifty is Nifty

Half a century...sounds like a long time...doesn't it?! Well, that's my age as of yesterday! Lucky for me, my daughter planned a surprise party with all my favorites: family, friends, and food!! (: Fifty candles floating in the pool is much friendlier than 50 candles on a cake! Spaced out like that, there doesn't seem to be sooo many! And, no, I could NOT blow them all out. The party took place, of course, in the great outdoors around the pool. I was pleasantly surprised by the collection of old friends and new ones, too. We all enjoyed our time socializing and talking about days gone by until my daughter summoned us inside to watch "The DVD of My Fifty Years." What a wonderful gift..from birth to present day...so many precious memories of the people and activities that have made me who I am today!

Many have asked about how it feels to be fifty. Well, it feels GREAT!! The way I look at it, the more years we are blessed with, the more friends and family we have to enhance our lives. Isn't that what life's all about anyway? It feels great to be the nifty fifty!!

Watching the Eastern Blue Birds

Happy Friday to All!

Today while taking a short walk outside I was reminded of the simple joys that the blue birds bring to the farm. I have already shared my love of hummingbirds with you all, but I also enjoy watching the Eastern blue birds come and go in the spring and summer. It is simply an amazing sight to watch how they are attracted to the nesting boxes and how diligently they work to build perfect little nests and raise their babies.

If you are a bird lover, you might be interested in attracting these beauties. Nesting boxes may be purchased or handmade using a pattern that can be found on the internet. The boxes should, however, have a 1 1/2 inch entrance hole so that larger birds do not take over the nests. Fence posts are perfect places to attach the nesting boxes because the blue birds love open fields, prairies, meadows, and other places with few trees and shrubs. If you don't have fence posts, then you can fasten them to any metal pole. In my opinion, they should be attached at about 5 feet so that they are easily accessible to the homeowner. The boxes that we use on our farm also open from the front for cleaning and easy monitoring of the birds. There are several type of blue birds throughout the United States, but the Eastern blue bird is usually found in the eastern half of North America to the Rocky Mountains. It should not be confused with the Blue Jay; the blue bird is a smaller bird that is predominantly blue with a red breast and a white belly.

Until next time, be on the lookout for the beauties of nature where you live!!

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head!

We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one. - Jacques Cousteau

Well, it's a beautiful, rainy morning on the farm. The claps of thunder are a welcomed sound from the great outdoors. Hopefully, once the rain has provided its necessary nourishment to the earth, it will subside and allow the sun to peek through the clouds. Today I share a poem from Langston Hughes with you so that you might enjoy the beauty of well-written verse. Poetry is my favorite genre due to its fun with words. Enjoy!

April Rain Song by Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

Let the rain kiss you.

Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.

Let the rain sing you a lullaby.

The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk.

The rain makes running pools in the gutter.

The rain plays a little sleep-song on our roof at night-

And I love the rain.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

The rain and sunshine have clearly outdone themselves the past few days. I live in southern Limestone county which is located in Northern Alabama. We enjoy living on a small farm where spring is a beautiful and humbling place. Regardless of whether it's work or play, I just love the great outdoors. Every season gently remind me of the beauty of creation. The birds singing, the wind creating beautiful songs on the windchimes, the gurgle of the pool water.....ahhhhh...summer is amazing!

Today I would like to share my love of hummingbirds with you. Each spring in the month of April I place four or five hummingbird feeders around my porches and yard. This year, it only took two or three days before I spotted the birds arriving. Hummingbird feeders are relatively inexpensive, and I encourage you to purchase one if you enjoy the beauty of nature. There's no need to purchase the nectar in town because making your own is easy. Mix 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups of water; I heat the water to boiling so that the sugar dissolves well, and this can be accomplished on the stove or in the microwave, whichever you prefer. In the beginning of the season, I add a small amount of red food coloring to the nectar to draw the birds into the yard, but once they are here I no longer use the food coloring additive. Place the feeders where you can enjoy the beauty and energy of these incredible little acrobats!

Until next time...lose yourself in nature and enjoy the peace it brings!