Monday, July 29, 2013

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.

 

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Resting on a branch in the morning light.

 

 

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

 

 

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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

 

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

 

 

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

And again.

And . . .

Oy.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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

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38 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

Awesome as always......your hummers are breathtaking.....what a sweet sweet family you have.

Low Tide High Style said...

I love that pic of the hummer feeding on the aloe!!...I can never get a good shot of them eating from anything but a feeder! And I have only seen goldfinches here once or twice during the summer, they are so striking. Glad you were able to meet up with your family, and I hope your week isn't too busy!

Kat

JaneK said...

What a peaceful quote to go with such lovely pictures....

Frank Baron said...

Those little hummingbirds are just gorgeous. Your photography is always such a treat. As is George.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Beautiful pictures, as always.

Deb said...

Beautiful photos. I look forward to watching a hummingbird swing.

Country Gal said...

Wonderful photos ! Oh that was great your sister came to visit you . We have less Gold finch here to this year but the feed is the opposite for us they prefer the sunflower seed in the feeders then the thistle in their feeders also butterfly's and hummers have been less then past years . I think it is due to the weird spring we had and it messed up their migration lol ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good evening !

Anonymous said...

We planted sunflowers and not even one came up. I guess something ate the seeds we put in the ground.sure hope to have better luck with them next year. :(

Mental P Mama said...

So beautiful there....xoxo

Hilary said...

I often long for it. Solitude. Ah.

Donna S. said...

Glad you got to visit at lunch.

Cloudia said...

You are so true.

George has such presence.

ALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° >

Hilary said...

Oops.. that comment from Frank upstream was really from me on his sign in.

mrs mediocrity said...

Sometimes a quiet weekend is just what you need most. Great hummingbird shots, they are so fast, it's crazy.

Reena said...

Always a treat to stop by here my friend. So love that George! Miss you and thinking of you. Maine or Bust next year!!!

Nellie said...

We rarely have hummers around here, though one surprised me last week as I was picking blueberries! You are correct in that they move rapidly! Congratulations on such good shots!

That was very nice of your sister and nieces to come to you this week-end.

Sending along my good thoughts for you!

Hugs,
Nellie

Nellie said...

We rarely have hummers around here, though one surprised me last week as I was picking blueberries! You are correct in that they move rapidly! Congratulations on such good shots!

That was very nice of your sister and nieces to come to you this week-end.

Sending along my good thoughts for you!

Hugs,
Nellie

Nellie said...

We rarely have hummers around here, though one surprised me last week as I was picking blueberries! You are correct in that they move rapidly! Congratulations on such good shots!

That was very nice of your sister and nieces to come to you this week-end.

Sending along my good thoughts for you!

Hugs,
Nellie

Carolynn Anctil said...

I'm sincerely sorry to hear that your husband is not doing as well as one would hope. I'm glad your visitors were willing to adjust their plans to accommodate so you could all enjoy yourselves, regardless.

We seem to have only 3 birds - robins, swallows, and goldfinch. I would dearly love to have some hummingbirds stop by for a visit.

Carolynn
A Glowing Ember

beth said...

wait, what? you tried to capture the hummingbirds? i think you got them perfectly.....WOW !!!!

i'lll be thinking of you during this busy time in hopes that's it's theraputic....and fun! wait, is that possible.

hey, how's the new couch?

xo

ps....your sister is the best !!!!

GailO said...

Man those hummingbird photos are SO much better than any I have ever managed to take! Gorgeous! My flock of hummers are going through two cups of nectar a day! I refuse to make more than that:)

It is nice of your sister and nieces to make some changes in the plans...sisters are like that:) I do think of you and your husband often and hope you are both remaining strong...

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

That George has the most amazing face!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I just love the swing....

and you know.. the goldfinches have not come around much this year here either..and I did have thistle out there for them.

The JR said...

I'm glad you still got to visit with them. I'm waiting on my sister from FL to let me know when she's coming.

Love the pictures. George is sooooooo handsome.

Em Parkinson said...

Interesting how different your Golfinches are from ours, which only have a snip of gold on their wings. Gorgeous photos and I'm so pleased you had a good weekend. Great solution to your staying away from home problem.

sharon said...

The hummingbird pictures remind me of the song from Seals and Croft- "Hummingbird don't fly away". Love watching hummingbirds. Good to hear you had a great sister weekend. We need that female bonding sometimes. :)

Paige said...

Just beautiful. Love the swing. Hope they use it!

Ellen said...

HI Kate,

Love the hummingbirds. I've only ever seen one in my yard and I loved it. Never saw a hummingbird swing before. Looking forward to a report about it!

Hugs and good thoughts.

Acorn to Oak said...

Great photos! I especially like the hummingbird photos...those are hard to get! :-)

Andi said...

We don't have as many goldfinches this year either. They love the seeds from my coneflowers. It's an excellent excuse for me to delay deadheading. :) Just wanted to pop in and let you know I was thinking of you today.

Bluebird49 said...

Hey Kiddo--I have been a slacker lately. Our son (40 years old) needed us badly, and we came , as you would and any other mother worth her salt!
So, I sat here, reading the three I had missed, and Loving the picktures of--well--all of them, although there were two that were faviorites this time. Don't you just hate that---it seems so critical, I guess---but I'll tell you what.
1. George. I just love GEORGE!! That face...that face. Makes me smile.

2. SOFA!! I have not had a new sofa in over 25 years--the last one, my SIL gave to me that she was going to throw away. It had seen some wear and tear, but I gladly took it. OI LOVE that sofa and I know your husband will rest well on it. You're such a thoughtful woman and wife, Katie!(Hope there are not too many pillows on there for him--but since they're not all on the end---I'll bet its a winner all around! They came through!

Bluebird49 said...

Sorry--I typed too fast as always and didn't spellcheck!! I really can usually spell-it's these arthritic fingers that do me in, usually!

Annie said...

Lovely photos Kate. And I love the quote!
Hope your week goes well for you all.

Unknown said...

You are good! I can never get those hummers quickly enough....smiles

Lili said...

Catching up with you tonight...it is so peaceful and lovely over here...I really have missed reading your posts and taking in your amazing photography. Swooning over your luscious bokeh too! xo

A New England Life said...

I wish you were here to help me with my new camera, Kate. I'm struggling trying to figure out which lens to use. I hate switching back and forth. Plus I can't seem to get super macro shots. All your pictures look wonderful!

Mary said...

Omigosh, you are the queen of bird pictures! I swear, they are just amazing! And I love that quote from Wordsworth, too. You really need to do a bird calendar. :) Hope your week is happy! xoxo

Daryl said...

cannot believe i missed this post .. i have been away from visiting too long xox