Friday, May 21, 2010

“I Told You It Was A Left At The Border”!



San Juan Capistrano via Flickr (3 images)



Every day is a new adventure in Arizona!  My first week I was here, I spotted a 40 pound bobcat about 10 feet away from me.  Looking back, my conversation with the wildlife agent about said bobcat was really funny!
KS - I’l like to report a bobcat sighting
Official Wildlife Agent (OWA) - How do you know it was a bobcat?
KS - Well, my ex-brother-in-law was an avid hunter and he had one mounted  above my nephew’s bunk beds.
OWA - Where did you see the bobcat? 
KS - I was on the little patio making some phone calls and he just came out from behind a bush about 10 feet away.  When I first saw his head come out from behind the bush,  I thought it was a kitty cat . . .until he walked a little further!
OWA - Is the bobcat threatening you or you pets?
KS - Not really, but I thought you should know he is in a residential neighborhood where there are small children and pets!
OWA - M’am, where are you from?
KS - I just moved here from Boston about a week ago.
OWA - Well. . .now you live in the desert and unless the bobcat is threatening you or your pets - we don’t come out.  These animals were here long before all the buildings went up in your neighborhood.  I’m sure you will see other animals during your stay here - but like I said, unless they are threatening - we don’t come out!
I hung up the phone, but it always stuck in my head that the entire episode sounded like a madcap Lucille Ball episode of I Love Lucy or a clip from City Slickers!

One of 4+ nests on my front porch alcove
Look closely - the little swallow is peeping out of the nest!

To date, we have dealt with 3 swarms of bees (one swarm necessitated moving out of the house for 2 days while they removed part of our house to treat the hive); rabbit proofing our yard so the little bunnies would not be eaten by our fiercely interested Cavalier King Charles Spaniels; an ongoing battle with “roof rats” who find our orange trees a gourmet delicacy and now the latest. . .a flock of swallows!  This is all a bit  much for someone that is not exactly a “nature girl”!
Don’t get me wrong. . .I love birds - especially the sweet little hummingbirds that are so abundant in AZ, but this latest adventure is not only extremely messy, but a little scary - much like Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchcock’s, “The Birds”!  These swallows are very fast and they swoop in under the soffit of the front entrance alcove with a mission.  If something is not done soon to stop their nest building - I’m afraid our guests won’t be able to come in through the front door!  I spent the day trying to get some help in relocating them to no avail.  Of course, it is the week-end so nothing can be done until Monday (isn’t that always the way things go?)!  By Monday, they will probably have a full subdivision of swallow condo’s built and a HOA in place!  Anyone have any ideas???
As always, the creative mind keeps spinning (especially because there is nothing more I can do about the swallow problem), so I might as well be constructive with something!  I’ve been working on the completion of my Kitchen/Family Room where soft dove-grays  have intersected with powdery aquamarine blue.  There is just something about this combination of colors that is very soothing to me.  


I just completed this Gigi Necklace made up of soft dove-gray freshwater pearls, petal pearls and organic aquamarine nuggets.  I especially like the fact it has an elegant presence, but is not overwhelmingly dramatic - a wonderful and flattering spring/summer choice. 
I can just hear Mrs. Swallow to her husband - I Told You It Was A Left At The Border”!  San Juan Capistrano - you are missing some swallows and I think I have found them!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Phoebe’s Devotion and the Mother’s Day Necklace Winner!

Theoro via Flickr

Thank you all for your touching and sometimes humorous tributes to your Mothers. As I read each comment, I also traced back to your own blogs.


via 2 Bags Full

One in particular has held my attention for days. Vicki from 2 Bags Full has a posting and link on her blog about a beautiful little hummingbird named Phoebe. Phoebe is in the process of hatching her tiny little eggs that will become her new family. Phoebe’s efforts are being broadcast live (via a webcam) so you can see her devotion to her little babies in live time. Click here to go to the website and watch the miracle of new life.



Without further adieu – the winner of the Mother’s Day Necklace Giveaway is:



Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Michelle  Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ



Congratulations, Michelle – I’ll be in touch to find out the gemstones for your special gift.






Happy Mother’s Day – not only to the Mothers amongst us, but kudos to the wonderful children that these loving mothers have raised!