Archive for November, 2008
Let Us Be Thankful
Is your glass half empty or half full? So, the economy has hit a speed bump, the holidays are upon us, and there are lots of pessimists out there. These are the “glass is half-empty” people who are telling you what an awful season it’s going to be, it’s going to get worse before it gets better, the retailers are really going to suffer, etc., etc., etc. Oh, woe - what is wrong with this picture? We can all hang our heads and fall into their traps, or we can choose to enjoy this enchanting time of year.
If you aren’t going to shop as much, you will have a bit more time on your hands. I don’t know about you, but there have been years when the hustle and bustle of the season has left me feeling robbed of some of the most important things in life. At this delightful time of year, aren’t the best things in life really free? There’s time to spend with family and loved ones, go caroling, and be very particular about every light and ornament on the tree. There’s that trip to Longwood Gardens, or somewhere fun that we have been meaning to go for years. Have you yearned to go hiking through the woods to find the perfect tree, with all the kids in tow? Just do it. Stringing cranberries and popcorn might be fun too, and then hang your string on the bushes outside and be charmed by the birds that will come and get it. Choice is a wonderful thing.
Let’s replace our “woe is me” attitude with gratitude! In this economy, it’s easy to get lost in the blues. It helps to remember what is going right in your life. Try keeping a gratitude journal. Switch the focus from the negative to the positive, and make a list of all that is positive and good in your life. Be thankful, for every thing on that list. People who focus on the positive are just flat out happier people. They have more joy, and more energy. There is definitely something powerful in a regular gratitude check.
Each of us can make our own choice - half empty? or half full? Conjure up a smile, burst into laughter and make each day a day to remember and be thankful for.
Let Nature Be Your Stress Reliever
As an avid lover of birds, butterflies, flowers and gardens, you will often hear me us the phrase” Nature is God’s stress reliever”. In these tough economic times, many of need to get away - refresh- recharge! There isn’t a more cost effective way of recharging and relaxing than to take walk into nature, to observe, to watch and hear the beautiful songs of the birds, and lose yourself in the splendor of all of the sights and sounds that Mother Nature has to offer.
Watch a Chickadee pick just the right seed off of the feeder, then fly off to enjoy his snack. I am particularly fond of the Woodpeckers and the drumming sounds that provide a “rhythm section” for the sounds.
Now that the leaves have almost all tumbled to the ground, the squirrels are more visible and daring as they stock up on food for the cold days ahead. Now I know there are some of you who think they are pests. Well, there are times that I agree, and other times I don’t. That’s why Bird Essentials provides options to love them and feed them, or help to keep them at bay. Did you know that squirrels try to fool other squirrels and small animals that might eat their “stashed morsels?” They fake us and potential other robbers with a slight of hand trick. The squirrels appear to be burying a seed or nut, when actually the hole, covered up, is empty. It’s been proven that potential robbers give up after taking time to excavate “empty stashes”. You can find out how to keep them at bay or enjoy the frivolity of their antics by feeding them by choosing a squirrel proof bird feeder.
As I have stressed in previous articles, by providing food and water sources and heated bird baths to wild life during the fall and winter months, you will have an endless flurry of activity. Enjoy the stress relieving joys of bird feeding and watching.
Sit back, enjoy the show! It’s an inexpensive way to relax and forget the stress of the day.
Give Me Wings
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Sharing poems, especially ones that are moving beyond words and written by very good friends is a passion. Having not been blessed with the talents to write this way, I always find them particularly moving, I hope you like it as much as I do:
Give Me Wings
Give me wings
So I can fly,
For freedom, for independence.
Give me wings
So I can be
All that I am,
All that I can be.
Give me wings
So I might fail,
Learn …
Succeed.
Give me wings
To be myself,
Give me wings.
~©Terry Gorley~
Life is GOOD, Be HAPPY!
- Life is Good be happy
Have a great day. Go to the park, the zoo, the movies, or just take a walk and appreciate the birds and nature. Regardless of the circumstances that life has to hand you today, put on a happy face, and just plain have a great day!
Bird Watching and Beyond
When it comes to hobbies, bird watching is both an educational and enjoyable activity for many outdoor enthusiasts throughout the world. Bird watching has long been a popular hobby among worldwide nature- lovers. Armed with a pair of binoculars and a field guide for identification, bird-watchers can be found in wildlife preserves or in their own backyards. Bird watching not only is a pleasant pastime for young and old alike, but also is an educational means of better understanding various types of our feathered friends and their individual feeding, hatching and singing behavior.
For those bird-lovers seeking methods of accurately identifying birds and their natural habitats, the World Wide Web is an excellent resource. Many web sites feature valuable information and photographs provided by birding guides and various ecological organizations like the National Audubon Society, the American Birding Association and the Peregrine Fund. These organizations, which are dedicated to the study and preservation of birds throughout the world, are useful resources for avid bird-watchers seeking data on such topics as the best locations for pursuing their hobby.
Bird-watchers can also employ these web sites for information on the best birding equipment and bird food recipes, as well as to participate in online discussion forums. Internet users can sometimes even find “live bird cams” and interesting trivia and surveys on bird watching. Regardless of whether you are a novice or an expert in the area of bird watching, the World Wide Web is a good place to go to find information on observing these diverse and fascinating creatures.
I created BirdEssentials.com to share my enthusiasm in this pleasing and entertaining hobby.
What sparked your interest in bird watching? Did you see a beautiful bird? Or perhaps you encountered an unfamiliar one. Maybe a good friend took you on a bird walk and you discovered a really pleasant experience. Maybe you are living with lots of birds in your backyard, like we are, and the experience has made you more aware and concerned about our native birds.
Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. More than 65 million Americans of all ages watch, feed and landscape for birds. It doesn’t matter where you live - in an apartment, townhouse or single family dwelling, in the city, suburbs or country. Just stand still and you’ll hear them: wild birds. It is hard to imagine life without them.
Bird watching is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation in the country. Each year millions of people discover for the first time the joys of bird watching. It’s easy to understand why: birds are fun to watch! One of the best things about bird watching is that it can be enjoyed just about anywhere . . . but the best place to start is right in your own backyard. All it takes to get their attention is food, water, a place to build a nest and appropriate vegetation. I would like to return to this publication periodically to share methods of attracting birds to your back yard. I suggest you might start by getting a simple feeder from BirdEssentials.com and some food and adding some shelter and water. I look forward to continuing to give you some tips on landscaping and gardening to attract, feed and help house them; continue to educate you about the types of feeders and houses you will need the attract the exact birds you want.
Ambition
“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” C. Archie Danielson