The Kindest Of All Birds

 

"Be like the bluebird who is never blue,

 for he knows from his upbringing what singing can do."

~Cole Porter

We did a little birding the other day, just the usual places, and while we didn't find a lot new in the way of birds, we did find out two pieces of information that made us smile. First, the small bridge on Franklin Blvd has now been fully repaired and is now open for traffic! It has been closed since, January 1st, 2023, and was supposed to reopen in October of 23, but for whatever reason, repairs got pushed back! It's a fairly short bridge, but quite necessary. It provides traffic with a straight shot, to Thornton road, as opposed to having to travel through the middle of the Cosumnes River Preserve! The additional traffic Desmond road had on it, always seemed dangerous to me. Bruceville/Desmond is a fairly narrow road, with a dangerous elbow turn. The speed limit is only 35 mph, but I have seen folks traveling the road at over 50 mph. It's safer for the birds, and it's safer for the birders! So, YAY! 

The second piece of information involves that pretty little Western Bluebird. I spotted it, just inside the entrance to the Cosumnes River Preserve. It stunned me. It was sitting on a very thin branch, not making a sound. I was lucky I spotted it! They are such tiny birds, that sometimes you have to seek them out. It's a quiet little bird too. I have always got the impression that it was the kindest of all birds. It just give out that vibe to me. According to Google AI, the Western Bluebird symbolizes, joy, hope and the arrival of spring. And hey, it's not just me who finds them so ethereal, Neltje Blanchan described their disposition as, particularly angelic! So, Spring is here, finely, and I got a few photos, so it's a happy start of things to come! Last Sunday was a very good day!

Christmastime In Autumn

 

"Christmas, children, is not a date. It's a state of mind."

~Mary Ellen Chase

Castro Valley Boulevard, Castro Valley

December 9th, 2025

Please consider donating to the following charities if you can.

One Warm Coat

Toys For Tots

Feeding America

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #58

 

"The Fall will always be yours and mine... "

~Jennifer Elizabeth

The Smallest Of The Falcons

 

"A kestrel can and does hover in the dead calm of summer days, when there is not the faintest breath of wind. He will, and does, hover in the still, soft atmosphere of early autumn..."

 

 ~Richard Jefferies

 

This is one of my favorite birds, the American Kestrel. I love it for it's beauty, but just watching how it flies, really draws me in! They soar with such whimsy, and they hover for food with deep precision. They are stunning birds, and in my opinion, not mentioned enough in the arts! Did you know they are the smallest of the falcons?

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #31

 

“Their leafy whispers delighted her, and she promised her confidentiality by gently touching the trunks of both trees. They had held her secrets close to their hearts, she could do no less.” 

~Jesikah Sundin,

  Legacy

 

Have you ever just stopped in autumn and listened to the sound of leaves as they glide to the earth? It is music. And it isn't a mere instrumental, it has lyrics too! It's a love song one minute, and the next a marching band. Mostly though, it whispers of love and the joys of a life lived to the fullest. Of no moment left unnoticed and no season taken for granted. I wish I would have lived my life with as much grace as a tree does. I wish I would have allowed myself to learn the timely lessons of letting go, and the healing and renewal that comes from it.

 

 

An Autumn Place And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #70

 

"The music of falling leave, the autumnal story to tell, 

as I drink in its nostalgic smell. The flash of red, the flash of gold. 

 Yesterday is past, yet, the tale did not grow old."

 

~Jayita Bhattacharjee

 

I had a favorite tree in the East Bay. It was in a park I used to visit when I could, which in autumn seemed to be at least once a week. I would take my lunch there and just breathe in the sights and sound of autumn. I love that Halloween happens right in the middle of all this beauty. There are so many memories surrounding that old tree. It makes me terribly sad that I can no longer visit it on a whim, but this tree in Stockton is definitely easing that pain. The leaves are completely different, and in truth, I feel a lot less safe in this park, but look at that light! October never passes away as long as I have that color and that light, and my heart holds on with such appreciation.  I love this tree, we are friends. It felt my pain last year, and it held out it's hand and said to me... come here, sit beside me, and let it all out. My branches are strong enough to hold you. Everyone should have a place like this to go to. I have two!

 

 

~Me

Happy Thanksgiving And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #64

 

"Thankfulness creates gratitude

 which generates contentment that causes peace."

 

~Todd Stocker

 

Last year we didn't celebrate much, then on Christmas, of course, we both got Covid-19 ( Omicron ). We are sick every year on Christmas, well, at least every year since we moved to the San Joaquin Valley, however this year is different. Alan is retired now, so the likelihood of his getting sick, and passing it on to me, is almost zero. While we will never know for sure, Omicron was just as likely to be spread by someone causally walking past you, as someone you worked with, even if your coworkers are giant idiots! Anyway, I have an amazing amount to be thankful for. We are happily married. Dylan is still doing well, as are my other cats. I am enjoying birding with Alan, and I have a brand new box of books to read through the year. I already have a small library, and now more has been added to it. The Republicans didn't get that "Red Wave" the expected and I am enjoying making holiday graphics, like the one above, from my own photos. 2022 has been a fairly good year, I sure hope 2023 won't hold it against us. 

 

I will let you know in a year how it goes!

 

 

~Me

American Avaocet And Leaf Of The Day #30

 

"The birds will wing from the weather,

 while I stand still as the harvest, with the sound of the fall in the air."

 

~Carolyn Kizer

 

Aren't the majestic? They are American Avocet, and I spotted them at a new spot for birding, Shorebird Marsh Overlook, in Corte Madera. The park had every kind of white bird. Pelicans, egrets, Least Sandpiper, you name it! I will be going back. I am not sure when, but probably on a Marin County day. A day spend enjoying the drive up Mount Tam, and riding along Paradise drive and the ridge just over the Golden Gate bridge. You know, a day in an autumn daydream.

 

 

~Me

One Month, A Million Little Joys Plus Autumn Leaf Of The Day #29

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

 

L. M. Montgomery

Anne Of Green Gables

 

Fuzzy little autumn creatures. What's there not to love? And it's even better that I spotted it in October. My favorite month gives me everything in just 31 days! My anniversary. Halloween candy. The turning autumn leaves. The Pacific Flyway, virtually at my front door, as I know the mergansers will show up in the channel eventually. The smell of cinnamon and clove is everywhere. Spumoni. Halloween costumes. Scary movies. And that first cool breeze. One month, a million little joys. October.

 

~Me

Old Picture New Autumn Leaf #24

 "It's like summer wear the world out,

 and by October everyone is just ready for a nap."

 

~Ta-Nehisl Coats

The Water Dancer

 

That's about the best explanation as I can think of to describe it. The summer, with temperatures that rage in the triple digits for days, and sometimes weeks, can only be described as the anger of a year, wears one out, and isn't that just the way it feels after you get angry? Tired. Maybe even sad that it had to come to that? It's only the 15th of October, not even one-third of autumn has gone by, and I am already mourning it's passing, because I know I am going to have to face all the color drain from the year, followed by a burst of spring color, that not only am I am not ready for after months of darkness, but which has always been just a little too giggly for my liking. It's like having someone tell you, "get over it" before you are really ready to.

 

 I know when all is said and done, having all that light around will do is force me back into my summer seasonal depression. My emotional, heartbreaking anger, where I carry my regrets and mourning, and all the sad negativity we humans aren't supposed to share in the open, will live inside of me for 6 months like a parasite. Loneliness lives there too. As does fear. But right now, in this October, I am okay, I will just need to stay on track. Frankly, I am surprised I am doing as well as I am doing! After spending most of the year unable to eat, I am finally getting back on a more normal path to eating properly. The birds will help, and have, as tools to my recovery, as will the movies and my reading. The tools are are here, it's just a matter of taking the old picture, and putting it in a new frame. Not very many frames have worked in the past, mostly it's just been trial and error, but that's the road to recovery isn't it?

~Me

He's Home, And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #6

 

"I've always marveled that geese can feel a call stirring, rise on hardy wings to engage it, and without contemplation, compass or map complete the feat. And could it be that they achieve this astounding accomplishment because far too often contemplation. compass or map rob the call by sterile analysis when we should liberate the call through expectant obedience."

 

~Craig D. Lounsbrough 

 

He's home! My favorite of the species of goose. The king himself. The Greater White-fronted goose has finally arrived in lower Sacramento county, after a long trip from Siberia. I have been checking, pretty much since the end of August for it, at all the usual spots. Cosumnes. Woodbridge. Stone Lakes. Even the Clifton Court Forebay, with no luck at all, but on Sunday, there he was, relaxing in the water off Desmond road. Visiting all those places paid off by awarding us at least one new bird each time. And if there wasn't a new bird for this year's file, there may have been more than one moment of deep cute, such as a mother Grebe, floating happily in the water, with one of her babies on her back. Sigh. But knowing he is back moves me a little more toward normal. I am thinking about my projects, and not about painful memories. I am planning to set a new goal to find. The Caspian Tern, or maybe a Black Oystercatcher. So many birds await!

 

Clark's Grebe with baby.

 

 

~Me

A Bouquet Of Autumn Leaves

"Leaves grow old gracefully, being such joy in their last lingering days. How vibrant and bright is their final flurry of life."

~Karen Gibbs

I always said, if we ever renew our vows, I would carry a bouquet of autumn leaves, as opposed to the pink and white roses I carried on our wedding day. Don't get me wrong, the roses were amazing, and they were the color I always dreamed of carrying, but I have grown to love the colors of autumn so much, that I think I could do better now. I thought about that, as I photographed these leaves the other day. They had just fallen from the tree I was under, and at first glance they looked like a wedding bouquet to me. All the gorgeous colors of autumn, in one natural bouquet. The only thing I might add to them, would be to some crystals, and some pearled beads. Other than that, they seem, ready to me! 

#42 Leaf Of The Day

November 3rd, 2019

Sacramento, California

Nikon 

~Mood: Happy

~Me  :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Christmas; Be the light for those who stand in the dark."

~Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann

24 Days Until Christmas: 24 Christmas Poems

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

~Mood: SO HAPPY!

~Me

Christmas Eve With My Angels

"You are never so lost, that your angels can't find you."

~ Jeff Rees Jones

Angels Bright

I am are so blessed! Alan and I have each other, but we also have our three little fur baby guardian angels. Hendrix, Dylan and Joey, fill our house with fun, life, and so much love that, at times, it's difficult to leave to do even the quickest errand! How did I get so lucky, to have found all my joys, in this big world? And it's not just Alan and our boys, I have also found wonderful friends, both online, and in real life! People who fill my heart with love, friendship and support! People who laugh with me, and at me, as I laugh at myself! Those who share my good times, and bad, and who will be there, when the sun shines on me for the last time. They're a gift, and I am thankful for them an infinite number of times.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to say life is perfect, or that there isn't some heavy concerns, my blog is filled with post after post, regarding my fears, battles with Fibromyalgia, the chronic physical pain I deal with, and the darkness which is Trump, but for a little while, I will put all of it aside, and concentrate on the happiness of being together for another year! It feels so good to take a break, for a couple days, to give up second guessing and worry, in favor of happiness! Cats don't have to love you, they choose to! So, if a cat loves you, then you know you have something special going for you! My boys can tell when my pain is overwhelming, and never leave my side. They work hard taking care of me!

So, it's time to embrace as much holiday magic in as I can find! Snuggling while watching old movies, making pies, enjoying snacks straight from the oven, chasing a kitty down the hallway, and giving him great big kisses, playing board games, and even being happy to lose, as long as the one you love most is sitting in front of you! I used to be so afraid of love, and friendship, which is silly, because it was through the magic of hearts open to love, and friendship, that our adventure was allowed to begin, all those years ago! Where would I be without Alan? Where would I be without my friends? And where would I be without my fur babies?

The Brothers Gordon...

Joey, Dylan and Hendrix

Heirloom Ornament #2
Christmas 2013
Berkeley, California

~Mood: Happy

~Me

Happy Thanksgiving 2018

"When you appreciate the blessings in life, your soul rejoices."

~Lailah Gifty Akita

Think Great Be Great

I am grateful for so much in my life. Alan and I just celebrated our 28th year of happiness. Our furbabies are all healthy and happy. We have a roof over our head. We are truly blessed! But even in the times of sorrow, I knew that we were given a lifetime of love for each other, and it is never taken for granted. Every Thanksgiving, is another year of feeling grateful for the life I live with him, but we also live that emotion daily, when we share, I Love Yous, through texts! The smiles he gives me, when he comes through the door at the end of the day, is everything! I am so grateful for all that I have! 

Friends. Health. Happiness. Love everlasting! 

And of course... autumn!

#62 Leaf Of The Day

November 22nd 2018

Photographed November 21nd 2018

Stockton, California

~Mood: Grateful

~Me

Art Like A Falling Yellow Leaf

"Sadness, is an autumn, within an autumn."

~Mehmet Murat ildan

The Orinda Theater, which I spoke about in a previous post, is a gorgeous independent movie house, which opened on December 27th, 1949. Well past the age of the Art Deco movement, yet all through the theater are window panels and architectural lines, reminiscent of that earlier era of design! That theater is fabulous, and I will be doing a more in-depth posting about it at a later date, because I love supporting little individual gems, such as single movie houses, but for now, just gaze at that gorgeous window panel.

I snapped this photo when Alan and I were at the Orinda the other night, to see, Beetlejuice! Look at that panel, isn't it absolutely enchanting? That style just mesmerizes me, and it doesn't hurt that it somewhat resembles a falling yellow autumn leaf! Maybe its my love of autumn, the way it reminds me of the art deco movement, or vise versa. I'm not sure, but I think as I travel along during this vacation, I might see how many more art deco designs I can find to admire, while I'm searching out those falling yellow leaves!

I'll find autumn in anything I guess!

#23 Leaf Of The Day

October 14th, 2018

Ione, California

~Mood: Happy
~Me :)

Meowy Christmas And Happy Pawnakkah

"December is full of the light and love
 that you can bring into your life. 
You can chose to be stressed or you can choose to let the small stuff go and be peaceful this holiday season.
 It really is a choice you make."

~Eileen Anglin

It's Christmas Eve, which traditionally is a bigger deal in our house than Christmas Day is! We have our traditions on snack foods, and board games. We watch our favorite holiday movies, and rag on politicians. This year there is a little bit more to complain about than most years, but also this year we are celebrating the season a bit different than we usually do. You see, as of the time of this post, Alan is in bed with a fever of 102.3 from a head cold, passed along by an inconsiderate coworker! I can feel it, it's coming in my near future, I should be in a feverish haze within 24 hours! Weeeeeee!

Alan and I were both sick with colds last year too! It's our second Christmas in our new house, and it's the second year in a row that we will both be suffering from head colds. LOL. I guess that is just our new tradition! If so, so be it! We have always had weird traditions, so we are just going with it! Christmas might be delayed but it's not like that stopped the boys from making holiday videos for your festive viewing pleasure!

So now, without any further delay, we present...

MEOWY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY PAWNAKKAH

Starring... 
The Brothers Gordon 





I love my boys!

It doesn't really matter how you say it,
 the most important thing is to mean it!

Peace On Earth 

Mood: Happy/Grateful

~Me :)

 

 

Feel The Mellow Golden Sun

"Squeeze your eyes closed, as tight as you can, and think of all your favorite autumns, crisp and perfect, all bound together like a stack of cards. That is what it is like, the awful, wonderful, brightness of Fairy colors. Try to smell the hard, pale wood sending up sharp, green smoke into the afternoon. To feel the mellow, golden sun on your skin, more gentle and cozier and more golden than even the light of your favorite reading nook at the close of the day."

~Catherynne M. Valente

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland

 In A Ship Of Her Own Making

Sweet, sweet autumn! I woke up this morning to the most beautiful sunshine, the clearest air, and the most lovely twinkle of leaves dancing here and there! It was a day of unbelieveable happiness. It really was. It was a day of decisions and better yet, decision made in confidence and peace! Details aren't really necessary, just know I am okay. I am happy. And autumn is really a season of healing.

I am happy! Alan is happy!

And there is so much more to come of this magical season! 

 Leaf Of The Day

October 20th 2016

Mood: Happy

~Me :)