Small Havens

An intricate and almost magical world unto itself , this little spot by Cedar Pond. Mosses , Lilies of the Valley , ferns ... so many whorls and cavities in the tree roots creating what seem like tiny homes for very little creatures . And yes ! They are indeed small havens of rest , comfort, and safety for the frogs, insects, salamanders, mice, and garter snakes. There are probably many more creeping and crawling creatures I am glad not to encounter as I walk through our woods near the pond, but not near as glad as the creatures that see me pass by.

Spot of Updates

I finished my rug, finally! This rug is locker hooked with the wool fleece of my Jacob sheep. The natural color of their wool is black and white . The gray wool is the black and white fleece carded together. I will hang this rug under Torque's head, on the wall.The rug was designed and hooked by me and is 3 1/2 feet by 3 1/2 feet. Look what I got in the mail! I won some fat squares from Sandra Bennett of Thistle Cove Farm! They came with a handmade card, wrapped in a lovely gold edged bow.I already have a project in mind for these and maybe I will be happy enough with the completed quilt square I make to show it to you later. Thank-you Sandra! Wood Duck Watch: well, the snag the wood duck nest was in is not visible from the house. Calculating incubation time, I believe the ducklings must have hatched during the spat of rain and thunderstorms we had, and my husband and I were NOT parked outside the snag during those days. The ducklings probably hatched, jumped out of the hole way up high in the snag, and followed mom into or around the pond into the woods and ponds on the other side of our little , private gravel road. Maybe later this year I will take a ladder out to the woods and check out the inside of the snag nesting site. Bummer, I was so excited about the opportunity to see for myself the incredible leap from the nest the little ducklings must make before they venture out into the big wide world. All but two of the ducklings are swimming in the pond. They still scatter in panic when Mama Duck splashes with abandon. Silly ducks. The two reluctant ducks are the Rouen. They are very big ducks and they are slow growing . They still have baby feathers that are not water repellent, and maybe it is just plain God-given common sense that keeps them from swimming in the pond and getting water logged and bogged down enough to drown. Yes, ducks can drown! Mildred,the picture of this lily from our garden is for you! No particular name on the tag, just " Asiatic Lily". I love this color. Our son is on his way home from California, without his daughters. Prayers for their safety and his well being are always appreciated, thank-you all so very much! " Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24