How gracious, how benign is solitude

I had a quiet weekend. It was one that had been planned in advance to have me visiting my niece in Philadelphia for an overnight stay. My sister and her other daughter were also on board but I had to cancel because I just didn’t feel that it was wise leaving my husband at this time. Although he’s stable, he is still not good.

So my sister and her daughters came to me. How nice of them! We met in Wilmington for lunch at what has become one of my favorite restaurants. Will try to have photos up tomorrow.

On Sunday morning, I sat outside for a little bit, trying to catch a photo of a hummingbird. Geez, those little suckers are fast.

 

Resting on a branch in the morning light.

 

 

And feeding on the flowers of the aloe plants which are a favorite of theirs.

 

 

I bought a little photo prop this year - a hummingbird swing from the Isabella catalogue. But I have yet to see one of our little ones sitting on it. I’ll try to entice them with something.

Hummingbird Swing

 

A black-capped chickadee fluffs itself after a dip in the bird bath.

 

 

And George gives me the eye as he waits for me to throw the frisbee again.

And again.

And . . .

Oy.

 

 

We don’t have many goldfiches this year, but this could be due to the fact that we don’t have any sunflowers planted. I swear, they love them. They also seem to prefer thistle seed over the oiled sunflower that I offer in the feeders.

 

 

A partial view from my chair.

 

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This week promises to be really busy at school. I’m fine with busy. And the weather has been nothing short of pleasant which is such a relief. Hope your week is off to a good start. Will be back tomorrow hopefully with some cell phone pictures taken in Wilmington.

 

When from our better selves we have too long been parted by the hurrying world, and droop. Sick of its business, of its pleasures tired, how gracious, how benign is solitude.    ~ William Wordsworth