The Hermits' Rest

Goodness Gracious I’m Good

What are you good at?

One thing I’m good at is having a consistent meditation practice. I’m not good at some of my more spiritual things (not very expert at Buddhist practices or very organized as a nature worshiper). But by gosh I’m gonna meditate every day. It’s good for me. If meditation offends you, then, I’m silently praying.

My meditation view isn’t as good as it was last week, but there are still flowers.

Hmm, that’s not what I intended to write about, so let’s find something else I’m good at…observing nature! Yeah! I’m extra good at that, and sometimes wish I could have worked as a naturalist in some fashion as a profession.

Striking caterpillar of the Wilson’s Wood-nymph moth

But, I’m also good at writing and editing, so I did get to use that throughout my working years. I can even write academically, but since I became a technical writer, I’ve stuck with simpler word choices and sentence structures, so as not to obfuscate my scintillating pontifications.

That’s not funny, Apache (couldn’t resist posting another yawning photo)

Of course, I’m good at knitting and crochet. I’m crafty, but not necessarily artistic.

I also hope I’m good at supporting my friends and family. That one waxes and wanes, and as long-time readers may know (I do have a beloved child and petulant sister who I did not support to their standards). But hey, I went to see the niece Kathleen in the hospital for her latest spider bite and brought her flowers and a card (along with son and partner). I’d have visited sooner, but I kept thinking she’d come home quickly. Her body just does not deal with spider venom.

Snakes are looking for her. (Non-venomous)

I like all those positive things I’m good at. I used to be very good at putting myself down, blaming myself for everything that went wrong, and contorting myself to try to get people I cared about but who didn’t care about me to change their minds. I’m glad I stopped being so great at those unhealthy traits! I could not make that guy in grad school, my previous spouse, nor my next-door neighbor like me. Now I think it’s their loss.

Also good at overheating and doing that lip thing. Me doing both of those yesterday.

Let’s all try to get very good at cutting our losses and moving on from relationships and situations that aren’t good for our self esteem. I’m quite good at these proclamations. Hear ye, hear ye!

Too Hot for Horsing?

There was another horse show for the group I participate in, Working Horse Central. Sara and Aragorn went with me and Apache. We had to use our trailer, because Sara’s had gotten damaged in the storms. Mine had only been knocked off its stand, so it was a challenge getting it hitched to her vehicle, but Lee, Sara, and her nephew Justin got it done eventually.

I had a festive new outfit. It was a bit small.

The show had lots of participants, which was really cool. You always learn a lot from everyone at every level. Apache and I learned that a person recovering from a fall and a horse recovering from a laminitic episode aren’t going to do really well in the hottest day of the year so far.

Extra coordinated. My new helmet matched his tack.

I was disappointed in our standings, but we had some good moments and I was proud of how hard we tried. We both sweated a lot. Then I got all red. Luckily, our body worker Jackie was also in the show, and she had a functioning air conditioner in her living quarters trailer. Resting in there allowed us to at least try the final event, though we placed dead last and didn’t even get a ribbon. Wah. I thought we’d done okay, but the truth is that the other folks had great rounds. I enjoyed watching them through the haze of heat.

I was also proud that I was able to do some of the cleanup and packing, though I felt awful. My back hurt from getting a chiropractic adjustment on the part I hurt worst when I unexpectedly flew off Drew. It needs more work!

Love this action shot of Sara and Aragorn. They are so much fun to watch as they get better and better.

And to add insult to injury, I had a huge blister on my heel, because I cleaned up the storm damage in my rubber boots with no socks on. That was MY fault. It sure made wearing cowboy boots uncomfortable.

However, I survived. Apache did, too. He even made a new friend, one of the horses Tarrin is working with. I came into Apache’s stall to clean his poop, and caught them bonding through the open window. The gray horse was making cute little noises at Apache, and they were nuzzling. Then something happened and they both backed up and started yawning. It was so cute! Made the day worth it.

I don’t know what this means, but they were happy.

I really admire the people at these shows. Here’s an example. There was a woman who had trouble getting up on her horse. Her horse was blind in one eye. But once she was on and warmed up a bit, she was so obviously a skilled rider and the horse was very well trained. Her Agility round was awesome. I hope I’m still willing to put myself out there as long as possible, like her. Great role model for me.

Book Report: The Backyard Bird Chronicles

Yes, I read another bird book. The Backyard Bird Chronicles (2024), by Amy Tan (yes, THAT Amy Tan), is very enjoyable for any bird watcher or wannabe bird watcher. It’s absolutely beautiful, too, with many detailed illustrations by Tan, who didn’t start taking art lessons until she was getting on in years. You’d never guess it. She’s a keen observer of our avian buddies.

Yes, the foreword is by THAT David Allen Sibley.

Tan based the book on her bird journal for a few years, including through COVID. She is a dedicated suburban bird feeder with the funds to give them the best a bird could want. I enjoyed reading about how hard she had to work to thwart squirrels and rats from getting all this fine food.

I learned a lot about songbirds of northern California, of which I wasn’t very familiar before. There are lots of similarities to the birds here, just Western versions. Tan’s charming and sometimes a bit naive observations are quite fun to read, even when you know some of her ideas aren’t entirely accurate. But she has so much fun thinking about what birds are thinking, that you just want to roll along with her.

Even though I observe birds differently (no way I’d feed them and encourage even more mice, rats, raccoons, etc.), I got a lot out of her close observations, which I rarely get out in the woods or pasture.

Most of you would probably enjoy this book, both for the writing and the art. And you get insights into Amy Tan’s life. I have loved her memoirs before, and this was sharing her memories on a topic we both love.

Honestly, even non-bird folks will be charmed by this book. Maybe it will inspire others to look closely at the nature around them.

I Truly Loathe Tornadoes

I was going to write about every time a tornado damaged my property or that of someone I cared about, not to mention lost pets and livestock. It goes way back to childhood. No one I knew was killed in one, so yes I should go on and on about how grateful I am and that things can be replaced.

Willows tend to break. But it’s where bird friends live. Hardly any birds out today.

But. Being close to those things can traumatize you. I saw that in my son’s eyes today. We’ve shared tornado trauma, and he had it again yesterday when one came out of nowhere and threw debris around him and his partner. They each made it inside, but my goodness, that was scary, especially when the roof proceeded to peel off.

Anyway, I got all nauseated driving home from our shortened trip to Waco. So many downed trees and damaged buildings. And it was worse in Temple, the closest large town to us. Houses moved off their foundations and such.

Right by our place there were huge round hay bales that flew over the highway. I’d hate to be driving when that happened! We lost a water trough and all my horse training barrels went far away. Glad we’re okay, though.

It just got to me this afternoon and I had to lay down. Goldie joined me and insisted on laying her head on my hand, so I napped as long as she did.

Hope I’m better tomorrow. Too many tornado memories. Do I have any humor?

Humor. Ssssally climbing the wall. She fell right after the third picture.

What a Scary Weather Day

Yikes. Today started out just fine. I got a bunch of work done, then in mid afternoon Lee and I drove to Waco, with me doing my meetings and stuff. Have laptop, will work. Lee was called to Federal Jury Duty, and wanted to check out the courthouse before tomorrow and not have to get up quite so early.

As we drove, we started getting severe thunderstorm warnings. I still had time to check out the lovely river area near the Waco Hilton. They’ve done a great job!

As I was taking pictures of urban birds, I heard thunder. So I went inside and we went downstairs to eat dinner. That was a good idea.

It started to rain, and it got as bad as rain gets in a hurricane, along with similar winds. It was quite a show outside the restaurant windows. Then things went downhill when the kitchen had to stop making hot food, then some roof collapsed in the convention center part of the building. Water was pouring in.

We only had a couple of power glitches. Unfortunately it was not as good back at home. The hospital where Kathleen is staying went on generator power and moved all the patients into the hallways. She said there was a bit of chaos and screaming when the big hail came. They had 80 mph winds.

At home it was bad. Our house, family members, dogs, horses, and chickens are fine. Many trees are down and water was over the roads. Luckily everyone got home safely. My chicken pens blew away. The pool, which had just had a repair today, is full of lawn furniture and a greenhouse frame. But that’s nothing.

Roofing blew off the cabin where my son lives, and the material covering their patio is now in Sara’s horse pen. Glad we have the RV where they can stay until repairs are made. A tree fell on Sara’s horse trailer, and Mandy’s balcony rail is gone.

It was a mess. What is good, though, is how we all checked up on each other. My friends, family, and even the insurance agent/friend started texting and offering to help each other out. It really made me feel safer and like I belong. Plus I was so worried about everyone!

I haven’t heard from the people in our Red House Airbnb. There are so many trees around it that I get worried. Someone will check tomorrow. I just hope we don’t get much more rain tonight.

There IS something more positive out of today! Lee’s trial got canceled, so he doesn’t have to go in tomorrow. I may be able to visit a friend in the afternoon, since tomorrow is my extra early work day. And Lee met the lady who is the court clerk and she told him our planned vacation in a couple weeks would excuse him from the next trial. He still might have to go at the end of June, though. It’s our duty to do this service, so Lee is happy to do so.

So Much to Be Happy About

Sure. Given the choice, I’ll choose being happy. I don’t think that was always my choice. Sometimes I chose something other than happiness. Melodrama? Ennui? Risk-taking? Emotional masochism? Whatever it was, it’s gone.

More space in my brain for wildflower appreciation.

That leaves so much room for positive experiences, contentment with whatever comes up, and inner peace. Of course, there are moments of wonder and happy times, but I’m loving the contentment I’ve achieved. More challenges will come up, but I have good tools for coping.

Speaking of challenges, I bet baby Hope will provide some, but cute ones.

Work has been fun, because I’m learning new ideas and helping out others. People are just so interesting when you just observe them and help out. I’m out of the office politics game, and love the detachment.

Just observing and noticing is way better than getting emotionally involved!

Horses are still fun, too. Today was Apache’s lesson and I got to go with Sara. That won’t happen much more in the future, so I enjoyed watching her and Aragorn trying new things.

Apache spent more time getting his hooves trimmed. I think he gets his done as much as I do. But it’s his lot in life, being metabolically challenged.

My new helmet matches all his tack. It even has cactuses on it.

We enjoyed our lesson until side passing time. We just aren’t good at that. I guess we know what to work on!

He’s a good horse. And I washed all the sweat off.

The heat is back, so I’m pretty tired. And my back hurts where I fell from Drew last week. Plus, our pool pump seems to have gone out. Always something to deal with, but hey, I’m not hospitalized like poor Kathleen has been all week (another spider bite). Tomorrow will be better, no doubt!

Maybe I’ll see the black mud daubers! No, these don’t sting you.

I’m Cool with the Cool

How do you feel about cold weather?

First: I’m so tired I am a little woozy and my whole body hurts. Why? No horse tumble! A combination of too much activity, poor form in entering a Jeep Wrangler (wrenched my back) and too much heat (and I just realized the air quality is bad due to Mexican fires).

Carlton got so tired from being glad to see us that he fell asleep on his beloved bone.

Second: though born and raised in the heat and humid of Florida, I never dealt well with heat. I didn’t sweat well, so I tended to get overheated and pass out. I ended up sorta enjoying the Illinois winters while I was there, and now I even choose to vacation in winter where it snows. (I do not like ice, ice storms, and feeding horses in almost sub-zero weather, however.)

As for my day, I had a great morning hike between meetings and heard two new life birds, both warblers (America Redstart and Prothonotary Warbler). And thanks to keen observers who know my interests, I got to see a banded water snake in person and photos.

We’re glad to be home, though both Lee and I immediately did a lot of ranch chores upon arrival, which is why I got overheated. Lots of chicken and horse work had to be done, since it turns out, due to unforeseen circumstances, none got fed or medicated.

Plus, the farrier came, so everyone had to be rounded up and dealt with. I’m happy with Drew’s behavior, though. Biting attempts were dealt with and he was great after that. Bonus: my new riding helmets arrived, and I’m excited to use them!

I’d hoped it would show up better, but Dusty has a mane now!

Think of us Texans as the lovely cool spring fades into memory and the months of Hades begin.

I’m Too Cautious, or Was

Have you ever broken a bone?

This is an odd question. I thought most people had broken a bone before. Not me, though, other than a cracked rib I suffered when a rotten baseball bleacher collapsed under me when I was a kid. I’ve always been rather cautious, you see, and not fond of potentially bone-breaking activities.

I always try to stick to the trails and not court danger.

Like today, since I’d been dizzy yesterday, I took my hiking stick with me when I went out. I did find it helpful when going up and down hills. But I didn’t get dizzy again, thankfully.

I sat at this bench and attended the Church of Gaia, where the birds preached and sang.

Only since I started riding horses did I begin to play dangerously. Oh wait. I drive a car. Never mind. Still, so far so good, even in a couple of accidents.

Anyhow, today was another day of fun in the outdoors, other than mosquitoes. I took off in the morning and did the only trail I hadn’t done yet, plus most of the others. There were more clouds today and a bit of breeze, so I figured I better enjoy it while I could!

There were many birds to see, and I was gratified to encounter a whole flock of white-eyed vireos who hung around long enough for me to get recognizable photos.

Other than that, I was surprised that Merlin heard many kinds of flycatchers, but I’d just learned from Kenn Kaufman that this isn’t unusual (see earlier book review post) so I didn’t start questioning Merlin’s pattern recognition.

They were in there, somewhere. Look how many trunks this tree has.

I pretty much checked all my to-see items off the Palmetto State Park bucket list, too. I found a cute little green tree frog that I’d missed yesterday, I saw a flying parula (warbler), and I found a venomous snake. Check!

After all my walking, Lee and I drove around some and walked in downtown Luling, Texas, home of the Watermelon Festival and a lot of oil wells. When we used to always go to Yorktown to see Lee’s dad, we drove through but never stopped. It’s a cute but smelly town. We enjoyed window shopping.

On our way back to the campground, Lee suddenly stopped, and I soon saw why. A huge black vulture was sunning itself on the roadside. It looked so regal. For once, my photo through the windshield did the subject the justice it deserved. I love the images!

Not a bad day at all! And no broken bones!

Book Report: The Birds Audubon Missed

To say I enjoyed The Birds Audubon Missed, by Kenn Kaufman (2024) would be an extreme understatement. I had a great time reading it and must admit I put off important things like Master Naturalist meeting minutes and knitting to keep reading.

Bonus: the book is beautiful. The paper it’s printed on feels wonderful and the illustrations are crisp and look true to the original art.

I guess I’ve become one of his (no doubt) many fans as I read along, because I admired his pluck in just taking off and hitchhiking across the US in search of birds during his teens and twenties while I was looking at birds only on rare escapes from university classrooms. He got the education I wanted, deep in my little naturalist soul.

The other thing I most admire about Kaufman is his embrace of non-polarized thinking. In the book, he lays out many criticisms of John James Audubon’s dishonesty, appropriation of others’ work, errors of judgment, exaggeration, and ethics. At the same time he reminds the reader that nonetheless, Audubon was an extraordinary artist who contributed much to the increase of scientific knowledge about birds of North America in Europe and among people of European descent. Yeah, Kaufman often points out that there was vast bird knowledge on the part of millions of people who already lived there. What a good guy.

The book taught me so much about history from an avian point of view, so now I know who all those people are who’ve historically appeared in bird names (those won’t be around much longer, however). I also learned a great deal about how bird classification has been refined in the past few centuries and continues to be worked on.

Just last night I read a long section on tyrant flycatchers and how they’ve come to be differentiated mostly by their calls. Then this morning I went out and heard many of the birds discussed, thanks to Merlin’s skillful algorithms. As a bonus I learned how the Northern Parula got such an odd (to me) name for a warbler. It is in the order Parulidae. Parrula means bird in Katin. Its Latin name is Setophaga americana, which comes out to American moth-eater.

As you have probably inferred by now, I got a lot of nuggets out of this fascinating resource. Also enjoyable were Kaufman’s asides on how he tried to learn to paint in the style of Audubon for the book’s illustrations. It wasn’t much fun. Nor was it really necessary, since Kaufman is a renowned painter of birds, in addition to writing many bird guides.

Painting in Kaufman’s style and his attempted Audubon style.

I’d recommend that anyone with an interest in birds, history of science, or art history would enjoy The Birds Audubon Missed. But it’s written so well that anyone who enjoys learning would come to treasure it as much as I have!

What a great book to finish after a weekend on birding!

Can I Take It Easy?

In my current phase of life I have way more energy than I did in the pre-menopausal years. I think I finally have my thyroid and hormones tuned optimally, so I’m much more active. That’s all good!

But today, after 17K steps the day before, my head reminded me it had been whacked recently. I had balance issues and more headache than I had before. Then I got nauseated and realized I had a rare migraine. I had things to do and places to go, though. could I make myself stop?

Luckily the morning walk was slow and easy, since we took Martha through the Palmetto trail to show her the pump house and the wheel with trees growing through it. I did okay then, distracted by cute frogs and butterfly chrysalises.

Mike found this leopard frog. I found one later but it’s invisible in my photo!

We went to historic Gonzales, Texas (I think “historic” is part of its name) for lunch at Lee’s childhood favorite barbecue place, the Gonzales Meat Market. That was fun and delicious, even while dizzy. Lee got me a cool crape myrtle walking stick afterwards, with stones inlaid in it, so I wouldn’t fall down. How sweet!

Historic Gonzales. It’s where those Come and Take It flags originated.

After that I admitted defeat and realized I was not hiking for mikes today. Instead I slept a long time. Upon awakening I felt better. Whew. Before you start lecturing me, I’ll go to a doctor if I have more symptoms.

Wrens live in our grill. I took this while resting. It’s the male.

I was able to walk the river trail, shortened, and I’m glad I did, because there were wrens everywhere. It was so much fun watching them. I also finally found a snake. It was a pretty ribbon snake. I got pretty hot, so more resting occurred. I really couldn’t do my usual stuff!

After we ate our favorite camping meal, cheese and crackers, I couldn’t stop myself from heading out again. I just wanted to make my movement goal on the watch. This time I didn’t get too hot, and I got some good river photos. I needed a few more steps so I just went a little ways down the swamp trail. I was rewarded by the sounds of a wild turkey and pileated woodpecker. They were cool, but a bit spooky, so I went back!

All is well now. I got my goal taking a short walk with Martha, then we all enjoyed a campfire and s’mores. Of course, I’m wide awake now, thanks to that healing nap.

I never thought I’d ever be a person who felt weird if they didn’t get enough exercise. Where did Slug Suna go?