My Herbs are Growing!

Check it out, check it out, calling all green thumbs....this is amazing. Here is my gift from Sandi that I received a couple weeks ago. I diligently planted the seeds according to the instructions and voila, they appeared.



So now the question is, which plant is what? I planted cilantro, basil and parsley and didn't mark them. I must of been having a "dah" moment. Oh well, I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Thanks again Sandi for a great gift. I hope I don't kill them before they mature. I'd love to use them in my recipes.

Northern Flicker Rescued

As most of you know I am a backyard bird watcher. This morning when I was getting ready for work, I noticed a Northern Flicker clinging to the bark of one of the trees. What was most unusual was the fact that she was all puffed up and looked like she was missing her head.

I watched her through out the morning and I found that she was acting quite strange. The next time I saw her she was sitting in the yard pecking at the ground. If any of you have ever watched Northern Flickers, you would recognize that this behavior is very odd.

Before I left for work I finally realized that the little bird had a broken left wing. I was concerned for her welfare and hoped that she would not be eaten by one of our neighborhood fat cats. Thankfully, on my way out the door, I happen to see her hobble up a tree.

This evening when I got home, there she was again sitting out in the backyard. After talking with Steve I decided to call and talk to Lydia who owns the Wild Bird store in town. Lydia advised us to call Best Friends Vet Hospital. Chris was very helpful and was able to dispatch a technician to our house within thirty minutes.

It didn't take long for the young lady to catch the bird and boy did that Northern Flicker scream when she picked her up.

I wish I could tell you that there will be a "happy ending" to this story, but that might not be the case with this creature. Birds bones are hollow and depending on where the break is on this birds wing will determine if the Vet can fix it or not. If they can repair the wing than she has a chance of survival, if not, then she is going to be a snack for one of the eagles they have nursed back to health. That was hard to hear.

The cycle of life, I know it exists but sometimes it is hard to digest. Would it have been better for her if I had just left her alone than to try to have her injury treated? I had no idea that if she couldn't be treated that she would end up as eagle bait. :(

The experience has been somewhat intense and quite interesting. I hope she makes it!

It's That Time of Year Again

I know this is not the best picture of a rainbow, but I just had to take it.

When the rain showers begin and the sun peaks its head through the clouds, 99% of the time, a rainbow can be spotted. Tonight I saw a double rainbow and then this one within a few miles of each other.

I can't help but think of the promise God made to mankind that he would never flood the earth again. God is so amazing and so good!

Thank You Sandi

Thank you Sandi for your prayers and gifts over the last month. This past month, Sandi was my secret prayer sister and I was hers and what a surprise to find that out during the revealing Monday night and the LBF.

Sandi gave me this balloon cactus and herb planter. I prepared the soil, sowed the seed and now I am just waiting to see if I have a green thumb. I will keep you posted on this project. Thanks again Sandi for the thoughtful gifts.

Republican Party Is Co. Convention

Have you ever been involved in a parties grassroots caucus and then convention? Well I am here to tell you what a laborious process. This past Saturday I headed over to the Island County Republican Convention. The task at hand was to vote on the 2010 Republican Platform and to hear from some of the candidates that will be running in the 2010 election.

Although the process is somewhat painstaking, it is important to see our younger generations (including mine) get involved in our country's politics even if it is just at the local level. I would venture to say that about 90% of the folks in attendance were at least 55 years of age or older. Here are some pics of Saturday's event.

This is a picture of Al, Alvera and myself. We represent the Swantown precinct. Al is our PCO and Alvera and I are delegates. All PCO's and delegates have voting rights.

Happy as larks - here sits Bro. Mike (a delegate) and Bro. Tim (PCO) - and members of Bible Baptist Church. Bro. Tim also led the opening prayer!

Bro. Glen (PCO), Steve's dad and a member of Bible Baptist Church. Glen was also voted in as a substitute delegate to represent our county at the State Convention in June.

Lastly, all decked out and ready to vote is Sis. Carolyn (delegate) and a member of Bible Baptist Church.

Also in attendance was Katie and Vicki (delegate). I took pictures of them, but they turned out to blurry to post.(Sorry ladies :()

This is the first time I have ever been involved in politics and I have stepped up to this challenge for two reasons: 1) Our Country and 2) Vicki. Are you going to stand by and watch your once "free" country turn to socialism before your very eyes? Are you going to continue to stand by and agree with the "change" we have been enduring over the last seventeen months? Will you do your part and get involved? This is our country my friends, and we need to stand up and do what is right. We need to continue to stand for God's Word and his ways and preserve our U.S. Constitution. Get involved now and help make a difference...don't wait until 2012.

Blown Away

Woke up this morning at 1:30am to a wind storm that was pounding a howling wind. After trying to fall back to sleep for many hours I gave up and got up. The wind has not died down at all and we are under a wind advisory until 6pm tonight.

Thankfully, we have not had to endure any power outages as wind gusts are expected to be as high as 35mph.

This picture of the Straits was taken this morning on my way to work. Check out the white caps and the leaning grass. The wind is so powerful that it absolutely takes your breath away. Lots of wind and cold temperatures, but at least the skies are blue and the sun is shining.

Soroptimist of Oak Harbor

Back in February I was invited to a Soroptimist event at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. Soroptimist International is an international volunteer organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally. Soroptimist are women at their best working to assist other women to be their best.

When I had my store open, I met a lot of women in the community. I had no idea that many of them were SIOH members. I joined SIOH this past Friday and I am looking forward to working with these women in the near future. When I (plus twelve other women) were inducted into the organization we were given a yellow rose. A yellow rose indicate joy, gladness, friendship and "I Care". Very appropriate for this volunteer organization of women.

A New Backyard Visitor

Steve and I look forward to this time of year because this is the time that all the flowers begin to bloom and the birds return. This past month Steve and I were surprise to find a new backyard visitor.... a Varied Thrush. He is an absolutely beautiful marked bird. At first glance one might think they are looking at a Spotted Towhee, but the marking in the face is quite different. The Varied Thrush actually has a black mask over his eyes. Pretty awesome, huh?

A Pleasant Surprise

A pleasant surprise indeed. Last year I was given this beautiful plant from my secret prayer sister. To my surprise it came back this year, WOW! Thanks Alyssa for this lovely plant. :)

My New Ride

Well, I can't believe it has happened. For over a year now I have been in need of a newer car as my Impala was in bad shape. At the end of March God blessed us with a Nissan Altima. Praising God for his provision!