phenological events Dec. 2010

2nd juncos arrive
8th cold weather moves in
21st big pine comes down
27th eastern bluebirds

sialia sialis happiness

The Eastern Bluebirds came today. They found the bittersweet berries.

We did not get the heavy snows that our friends to the south experienced, but we did get some and it brought with it the winter wind. The wind was howling last night, and continued on into the day. The bluebirds come to eat the berries as the wind subsides.

Bluebirds eat mostly insects and small invertebrates, but during the cold winter months berries are a good supplemental food source when the insects are hard to find.

Bluebirds are a welcome sight in winter. I was happy to watch them eat the berries.

The mythology of the bluebird of happiness has deep roots that go back thousands of years. Indigenous cultures across the globe hold similar myths and beliefs about the bluebird. It is a widely accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, the renewal of springtime, etc. Virtually any positive sentiments may be attached to the bluebird.

May these bluebirds bring you cheerfulness, prosperity, good health, new births, renewal and happiness in the new year!

Wenceslas

Tomte

Do you about Tomtens?

Well, of course, you probably do...but would you know one if you saw one? Would you be able to tell the difference between a Tomten and a Troll?

I think I have a Tomten. But maybe he is a Troll? I'd rather he was a Tomten. I think he might be. Mostly because he fits the description. He is an old, old Tomten, who has seen the snow of many winters...and no one know when he came here...he has always just been here. And sometimes, we see his footprints in the snow. Some say that Tomtens have features like animals. My Tomten has a nose like a pig. I'll show you a picture of him. Here he is.

But he might not be a REAL Tomten. You know, because I have him. And I can see him. And take pictures of him. You are not supposed to be able to see real Tomtens. But maybe my Tomten comes to life when I am asleep.

Someone made my Tomten with their hands. They carved his feet.

They patched his pants.

They knit his socks. And they knit him a hat.

His hat needs mending, but I don't dare touch it. I don't want to disturb the Tomten mojo.

I take him out of his house sometimes and put him near the window so he can look outside. His house is in the bottom portion of my Victrola cabinet..just in case he is a troll. It was pointed out to me by a friend- that living in a VicTROLLA is a good place for a Troll.

When I set him near the window, he takes on a strange shape in the moonlight. He must be Tomten. He talks to the chickens...in a silent little language chickens understands, "lay me an egg my jolly chickens and I will give you corn to eat." and he talks to the sheep...in a silent little language the sheep can understand...

"all my sheep, all my lambs..the night is cold, but your wool is warm and you have aspen leaves to eat."

Yes...I like to think he is a Tomten. Winters come and winters go...

If you don't know the story of the Tomten you can listen to it here.

May you have a very happy Christmastime, Yuletide, Wintertime or Holiday..whatever you celebrate... watch for the Tomten!

loose ends and slow going

The cold weather has warmed up just enough to keep the snow away, so rain fills the sky and puddles. It is a perfect day for finishing up, tying up loose ends.

The photo above shows 2 Russian Style Support Spindles, full of Ashland Bay Merino/Tussah Silk blend. The spinning was finished a week ago, leaving the plying for a rainy day.

The singles were held together and wrapped around a teabox to ply from. Plying on a Russian Support spindle is "slow going" for me, but it is enjoyable. I'm not going slowly- going slowly would imply that I'm taking my time and being careful, which I am not. Slow going is defined as "the rate of speed when one is making slow progress"..which I am.

When I need a break from plying, I switch to knitting...I'm working the second sock from a Zauberball....and the knitting is "slow going" on these size ones...so I have inches to go before I sleep.

oh baby!