"Faith is believing that one of two things will happen. That there will be something solid for you to stand on or that you will be taught to fly."

I've been pretty quiet on here recently. I'm juggling school, work, and some other personal things and it's gotten to be quite a lot the last few weeks. I'll be back soon. Just wanted to share this quote which I read on a friend's facebook page. Seems to be where I'm living these days...

little bird, little bird...

... fly through my window.

Here is evidence that spring is on it's way; the days are getting longer, the trees are beginning to bud, and the birds are singing in the morning. I caught some pictures of this little guy preening himself outside my window Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the audio version of The Bad Birdwatcher's Companion and my resulting new found knowledge of (a few) British birds I can tell you that he is a Great Tit. There was what I think may have been a female at the top of the tree and this little guy didn't sit still for a minute, he was hoping from branch to branch and fussing with his feathers and singing every few minutes. Lots of fun for me!

rambling

First of all something I've been meaning to say for a while now:
Has anyone ever noticed how spring seems to have a theme every year? Like there seems to be more of one kind of plant or animal than any other? The first year I noticed this it was daisies. They were absolutely everywhere. Every road side was lined with them. They were springing up in yards and ditches and medians. Absolutely everywhere. Then it was butterflies. Big, small, plain, fancy. Butterflies flitting about everywhere, in neighborhoods, on the highway, at the park. Butterflies galore! This year, birds. Birds singing, birds courting, birds building nests. Robins, finches, wrens, woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, bluebirds, geese, birds I've never seen before. The birds are absolutely everywhere! Am I the only one who has noticed this?

Second, something I've thought of:
Oftentimes my response to someone ribbing me (taking the mick out of me or teasing me or having a laugh at my expense) is an explanation of the way I see things. I do this because I'm not always a very witty person and I'm usually not quick on the draw for smart comebacks. But what I've realized is that when I do this British people think they have "wound me up." So, what's a girl to do?

Third, I've been listening to Radio Theatre's Little Women. I'm a third of the way through my second listen and I continually find myself crying while I listen. And I don't know why. It's a puzzle. But I do love it. (Little Women that is, not the crying.)

Fourth, yesterday I spent six hours at the pottery studio. I was glazing the entire time. We'll see what comes out of the kiln... could be scary!

I guess that's all.

the surrey county show

Today Frances and I went to the Surrey County Show, the English equivalent of an American County Fair. Despite a cold, windy, and rainy day we had a great time! It was much more of a farm show than the County Fairs I went to when I was little (of course what I mostly remember is all the rides and cotton candy). There were lots of stalls selling outdoor farm clothing; wellies, bush hats, moleskin trousers, etc. We saw:
Goats
Cows
Sheep Shearing
A weirdly shaped Duck
Lots of Chickens
Eggs!
and Horses. We also saw pigs, sheep, caged birds (including some beautiful Finches), a petting zoo full of animals. A man with a parrot on his shoulder. Flower arrangements, Bee keepers, tractors, a bird dog demonstration, falcons, a European Eagle Owl, and plenty of other things I can't remember right now. We were soaking wet, cold, and more than ready for a cup of tea when we got home, but it was a really fun day!
And I got to wear my baseball hat!

birds are my favorite and my best

I've posted a new link to the myspace page of a friend of a friend of my sisters. She has beautiful paintings and her cd is great too. I just really love birds. When I grow up I will have lots of bird feeders and a bird bath in the back garden.