Simple Solstice Decorating 2012

This year I decided to step it up a notch and do my entire tree in birds. For the first time in years I was excited to get out and bring home our tree and put it up. It looks adorable. Now I have to work on all the goodies for the outside bird gift tree.

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How I feel

Changes....

It is an incredibly warm Winter here in the North East. Today it is presently 63 degrees. I'm giving up on trying to save the world by talking about how I feel. Everyone has a excuse for the climate change that is occurring, and honestly....there is little chance that I will be here when the crap hits the fan, and it will happen. The earth have reached the tipping point, and honestly...it's too late for us humans. A month ago there was a devastating Hurricane that hit the shores of LI and Jersey. The areas are completely ruined for *human* habitation. People have lost everything. My oldest son is down in Staten Island volunteering with the NCCC, through Americorp. His dad and I went down to volunteer for a day with Habitat for Humanity in the Rockaways. I was blown away by what the wild ocean can do. I'm not usually one to volunteer with or for humans, I only do things for nature and animals, feeling that is my calling. I was deeply saddened to see what these poor people who lived through hurricane Sandy are going through. They have lost everything, some even lost loved ones. I am glad to have spent a few hours helping another human being, it was simply the best feeling in the world and one that I aim to give MYSELF again and again. Volunteering is just the greatest gift you can give YOURSELF. As always....my goal for 2013 as I embark on my brand new life and way of living, is to simply simplify my entire life in every way shape and form that I can. I need to lighten the load on my mind, body and soul. Part of doing this will be to stop wasting so much time on the internet. My New Years Goals>>>are best started on Birthdays. Let the cleaning begin so I can look forward to starting my new little business, Cherished Companion Pet Services. I can finally do something that I love full time. It will also work well with continuing my wildlife rehab work.

Last day at Hawk Watch 2012

Who is this lucky?

First Snow

New Camera

Coyote

This large 75-80 pound coyote was seen here in town by a friend of my sons.  What a beauty.  My Canine Wildlife Biologist nephew said it must be a hybrid.  This morning most of my siskins seem to have moved on and been replaced by about 2 dozen Goldfinches.  I went through nearly 50# of thistle in a very short time.  I had a great day at the Hawk Watch on Friday.  154 birds total.  120 were Red-Tail Hawks.  It was cold and a pretty good wind W-NW.  One more week and the year will be done. 

Hurricane Sandy was pretty devastating to the Jersey Shore and Long Island.  About 80% of us lost power.  Ours was restored in less then 24 hours.  It's almost a week and we have lots of friends who still don't have power.   4 poles came down on our road, and it remains closed. We opened our home to any of our friends who needed food, laundry, internet, TV, showers etc. I loved having everyone over. 

Calm before the storm

 Only 11 birds yesterday at the watch.  We have 3 storms all converging on our area in the next few days.  Hurricane Sandy, a Northeaster and another rain storm.  Figures it's all happening on Bobby's birthday again! 

Pine Siskins

Hundreds of Pine Siskins are eating me out of house and home.  This morning I had a Red-Tail in the front yard and also....White Crowned Sparrows. The bird life at home has been amazing. 

Last night we have a great night at our Tipi.  It was a warm beautiful star filled night, blessed to have that gorgeous piece of land.

Changes

Struggling with so many thoughts as the life changes are taking place....spending so much time thinking and looking into options.  I decided that is not necessary.....my new life path WILL be presented to me when the time is right.  I need not worry about it.  My life so far has been a great one,  and everything has always worked out, and this time will be no different.  One day at a time...and take to the woods every day for soul time.  The answers will come when I'm ready for them. 

Guess what showed up at my feeders at 2:30 this afternoon....PINE SISKINS!  So happy to host them, hope they hand around.  Going to have to bite the bullet and grab a bag of thistle.  I think mine is old and spoiled. 

Amazing day at the Hawk Watch!!! Cold with storms all around and a strong NW wind produced an incredible once in a lifetime count.  I had a total of 258 birds.  5 Bald Eagles, 1 Golden Eagle, 2 Peregrine Falcons, 4 Northern Harriers, 205 Sharpshinned Hawks, 8 Coopers, 2 Redshoulder, 1 Broadwing, 6 Redtails, 14 Kestrals, 4 Merlin. 

Bunny & Squirrels free

On my hike today I saw my first Juncos of the season!  Also a Song Sparrow. There was a Kingfisher at the stream and a Red Shouldered Hawk.  At home on the feeders a nice size flock of Purple Finches continues.  I had a special guest a beautiful female Rose Breasted Grosbeak. There are also a few Grackles still hanging around.  The final 4 baby squirrels were released as was my Cotton Tail Rabbit.  I am hopeful that I'm done for the year. And later on before bed.....sow and 4 cubs pay us a visit....BEST PART OF MY DAY! 

Program

A simple “program” for getting rid of a lifetime of collected and gathered belongings.

If it has a sentimental value of some sort:

Then gift it to a friend or family member.

If it has a monetary value (someone will give you money):

Then sell it.

If nobody will give you money, but it is useful someone:

Then donate it.

If it can be recycled:

Then recycle it.

If none of the above criteria are met:

Then trash it.

 

Winter Finches

Cold front came in last night.  Our yard is full of birds.  Robins, Purple Finches, Gold Finches,  Chickadees, Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Yellow Rumpted Warbler,  Golden & Ruby Crowned Kinglets. Yesterday up at the park there was a flock of W.T. Sparrows.

Friday at the watch I had a couple of flocks of Pine Siskins.  I didn't have a whole lot of birds, but the ones I did have were nice and close.  Beautiful views of Osprey, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcons, Harrier, Shapies, Coopers, Boadwings and Kestral. 

Rain

It's been raining a lot the last couple of weeks.  I don't remember a fall with quite so many migrants stopping over.  Today I had a late hummingbird and a monarch butterfly.  There have been warblers everywhere, including my backyard.  From what I've heard Pine Siskins are down in our area now, I better set up my thistle feeder again to prepare for them.  The bear pulled the pole down.  On Monday Derek was up in his tree stand and had a sow and 4 cubs hanging around under him!  How luck is that?  That would be a dream come true for me.

I am enjoying the simplifying process!  I've been feeling better physically then I have in a very long time, and it sure has given me lots more energy.  I am also loving being on a personal spending freeze.  I shop online and put my items in a cart, then I think about the item for a while before I purchase it.  It is amazing how well that works to completely stop me from frivolous buying.  By the time I think about it for a few days, I've changed my mind and realized, I don't need the item.  I will only buy things that I need.  Body care products and food.  I got hubby a couple of birthday gifts, inexpensive simple things that he will enjoy.  I've also decided that when I have to buy someone a gift it will be food.  No more giving material things. Trying to re-use items in the house instead of buying anymore....it really feels good. 

Today I wanted to head to the Health Food Store to pick up a couple of Items, Paleo Bread and Mimic Cream.  I called the store to see if they had either item in stock before I headed out and wasted precious gas to buy a couple of luxury items.  They had the bread in stock,  but not the cream.  The women who answered the phone was a bit nasty to me about drinking coffee!!! She said that 1-2 cups was a lot of coffee.  I decided that I was not going to shop there for the bread, I could make my own today.  I badly wanted a BLT, so I made up a Paleo style spinach egg flat bread that would hold the BLT fixings.  It was delicious and I found out that I didn't need a $8 loaf of Almond bread, that honestly isn't all that healthy for me.   I also made a delicious coconut cream for my coffee, and enjoyed my first cup since I quit dairy mid August!  Recipe is 1 can Coconut Milk, 1 egg & 1 TBS of Coconut Oil, whip it up and enjoy.  It will keep about a week in the fridge.  The health food stores and Isles at the supermarket are full of overpriced unhealthy foods that people think are good for them because they are organic or gluten free.  They still have tons of calories from other grains, sugars, etc.  Not one wants to have to just eat the things they should, Vegetables, Fruits, Lean Proteins, eggs and nuts.  It really is that simple.