Poor Becky (beaky) - see her beak.

Becky's up and about this morning . .

'Armless this morning . . .where's breakfast?

Blackbirds

Ring necked dove on its quince tree perch.

SPRING IS ON THE HORIZON . . BIRDS ARE DOING WHAT BIRDS DO AT THIS TIME OF YEAR . . .

Signs of spring are most definitely in the air. 

Blue tits are occupying one of the boxes, but can I catch the little devils?  I can not. Have watched them coming and going in/out of the box for a few days but as soon as I set my camera they disappear. Obviously camera shy. 

 The other box has not as yet attracted any birds, but I think sparrows have begun work on the end terrace and a robin has been flying in and out of the bushes where a robin box has been attached to the old wall.

 Two blackbirds are building a nest in the hedge against a far wall at bottom of the garden and we have seen some long-tailed tits flitting here and there amongst the bushes.

'Armless (pigeon who damaged his wing) has survived the winter and comes to call, but another tragedy was averted when one of the pigeon quartet that regularly use this garden flew off the roof into the conservatory yesterday and lay almost lifeless in the guttering - blood pouring from its beak. Looked as though its neck had snapped. 

Sounded like a gun shot (some would say no more than a pigeon deserves) but faced with a wounded creature it's difficult not to respond to the call of nature.

Her (I think) beak was gently bathed and she was placed on some soft fabrics (hmm) with water and soft breadcrumbs and placed in the shed o/night. I thought she would be dead by morning, but such is the power of natural healing that she was up and about tho' wobbly on her legs - greeting her mate. At least that's who I think he was (definitely male 'cos he strutted). 

Could have been her father.

So ends what might have been a tragic tale!  She has joined the family and known as 'Beaky' tho' I have now changed it to Becky.

'Legless' is one of the blackbirds that frequent the garden. Has lost his claw (foot)and walks on his ankle-less leg (not sure what it's called in bird anatomy). 

Seems OK and we look forward to seeing his offspring later in the year.

The quince tree is a regular perch for two ring-necked doves.  

A thrush is seen occasionally, as are 2 magpies, a host of coal-tits - a little mouse and a squirrel we call 'Sammy.'

Bit like a menagerie - but it's providing an interest and entertainment for my invalid and that can't be bad.

NESTING BOXES

SPARROWS TERRACE

SOME OF THE FEEDING STATIONS IN GARDEN

March is here! Can spring be far behind? Last years tulips on nearby roundabout into town.

FAME IS FLEETING!

My moment of fame will soon be over - all will be forgotten in one week's time when the next issue of magazine drops through the letterbox - but I've enjoyed every minute - apart from proof reading at 4 o clock in the morning - and that was made palatable with a few glasses of sparkly to keep me awake!  

I'm hoping, if circumstances permit, to start on a new project this summer - ready for the autumn . . . .  so watch this space . . . .

CONVERSATION PIECE in March issue of UK Popular Patchwork magazine.

CONVERSATION PIECE.

I am very proud to announce that I am featured in the March issue of POPULAR PATCHWORK MAGAZINE.   Do have a peek.

LASERED EYES!

Anyone had their eyes lasered?  

Mine - done on Tuesday afternoon - were due to thickening of lens after cataract operations about 9 years ago.

I was terrified, but not as much as elderly chap who sat opposite me in hospital waiting area.

He was trembling.

I tried to calm myself by asking the following Q: 

"Will this be worse than being on the delivery table during labour?" 

By that I don't mean the government.

I ask myself this same question when faced with the following situations:

Dentist.

Cervical smear.

Flight take-off.

Motorway holdup.

An hour of pilates.

A pile of ironing.

You can probably think of others . . . 

The answer in this case was an unquestioning 'NO!'

The whole process took all of 3 minutes, after which I skipped (smiling) out of the laser room to the joy of waiting patients - most of whom, like first chap, were sitting chewing their nails but trying to look nonchalant.

Made bread this morning for my toast and home-made marmalade. Yummy, with lots of butter. Slimmers Beware!

VALENTINE TULIPS - from Amsterdam?

IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY!

Received  2 Valentine cards this morning. Wot is happening to my fan club? 

Received 3 cards last year.

Did, however, receive a very nice bunch of tulips in lovely spring colours. A change from red roses. I love flowers, and grow roses of all colours plus lots of other beautiful flowers in my garden. 

My absolute favourite flowers are lilies, especially the heavily scented white longiflorum lilies, which I grow in large blue tubs so I can move them around the garden.

MARMALADE ALERT!

This Marmalade is not for the faint-hearted. 

This POWERFUL Marmalade has been known to make a strong man's knees tremble and must, therefore, be used with discretion.

Let's begin by taking some Seville oranges & ONE lemon - which appears to be camera shy - having disappeared for photo shoot. . . . .

I'm using my Great Grandmama's Whole Fruit Method . .

Assemble sterilised jars (dishwasher then oven) and utensils . . .

Place washed oranges and camera shy lemon in pan.