Birds

I admit that I have a rather lengthy bucket list.  Since I'm not getting any younger, I decided I should try to check a few things off.  For several years I've wanted to learn more about birding. Yes I know that birding is often considered a nerdy pastime of list-keepers and early risers but did you know that 70.4 million Americans say that they go outside to watch birds? Birding has become one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America.  And I AM a bit of a nerd when it comes to keeping lists but I am most definitely NOT an early riser.  I won't be making lists of many 'early birds'. 

 I enrolled in the National Geographic Guide to Bird Watching in North America.  The teacher is James Currie, a South African expert with a charming accent!  I love it and I've already learned a lot.  Like many things, the more I have learned the more I realize how much I don't know, but at least I have gotten started. Best of all I've been able to practice the skills I've learned.  

The ponds in our neighborhood are home to many Canadian Geese and Mallards but I've seen three new duck species in the last week - and yes I have added them to my 'Life List'.  You can call me a nerd if you want to.

First the very showy 'Hooded Merganser'.

The female's 'hair-do' and wide eyes give a perpetually surprised look.  

The male merganser is a show stopper for sure.  They are diving ducks so that is fun to watch.  Oh, how I hope they stay around and raise their babies here but I suspect they are migrating through.

Next 'ring necked ducks'....I haven't figured out why they have that name.

And finally the Wigeons.  I've seen these many times before but never knew what they were called.  Already my class is helping me!

I found this cute quote on line and thought I'd share.  Our neighborhood recently outlawed feeding the water fowl so the 'bread' isn't forthcoming anymore here in Lexington Hills.  I know it is healthier but it was so fun to watch the ducks come swimming to us like racers when we threw out the first crumbs. 

100 Days!

I don't remember teachers making a big deal on the 100th day of kindergarten when our kids were little.  They certainly do now.  Isabella's teacher sent each student home with a white t-shirt with instructions to decorate it with 100 'somethings' and then wear it to school on the 100th day. 

Isabella and her Daddy had fun creating a wonderful celebratory shirt!

I think it turned out great!

100 Days smarter! 100 little jewels!

Isabella loves to strike a pose!!!

Kindergarten is so much fun!

Treasures

 One of the perks of being an only child is that my mother kept quite a few of my toys.  I am so glad she did.

Sometime in the 1950's, probably about 1956, Daddy bought me a Märklin train set.  Although it stopped working many years ago, my mother held onto it.  In case you are unfamiliar with Märklin, it's a German toy company founded in 1859 that made model trains. In fact it is considered the premier manufacturer of high end train sets.  I don't know if my mother thought it would be valuable or if she just kept it for sentimental reasons.  I have dutifully moved it around for the last 40 years since she 'gifted' it to me.  We never researched what it would take to get it working again although we raised 3 boys.

I had a sudden inspiration that son-in-law Mark would be the perfect person to figure out what to do with this train set.  He enjoys refurbishing antiques and is willing to put the time and money into necessary research. 

I was so right.  He took the train set and the huge transformer back to West Virginia.  Within a few days, he had learned that the old transformers are a fire risk and had ordered a new one.  Plus he found a great deal on another set and bought that too, so that Jackson now has a figure 8 track and 2 trains!

Somehow I imagine my Daddy up in heaven watching his only grandson playing with that train.  I am sure he is smiling down with joy.  Thanks so much Mark. 

Another treasure from the 1950's is my doll house.  Anyone else find it disquieting that toys you played with are considered antiques???  Anyway, Isabella absolutely loves it. In fact when she left our house last week she said, "Grandma, I am going to miss you and the doll house."  When I asked her which one she would miss more, she didn't hesitate, "The dollhouse".

She is totally entertained with the little people and all the furniture. 

I distinctly remember how much I loved the modern ranch style house, complete with a fish pond on the patio.

Although I had quite a bit of furniture, I starting looking on line to see if I could buy more.  Who knew that 1950's plastic doll house furniture was available on E-bay?  Now we have a veritable furniture store.

If you are around my age you probably remember the big furniture like TVs.  Anyone have a TV that also had a record player?  I am sure that was the height of chic!  

I am glad my mother wasn't a minimalist or a follower of Marie Kondo!  I love sharing these treasures with my own 'treasures' - Jackson and Isabella.

Games

When I came home from my committee meeting on Sunday night, I was so happy to see this.

I love that Johnny and Monica play games with Isabella and that Grandpa and I get to join in on the fun.  She loves them all - from Go Fish to Crazy Eights to Old Maid.  They have several versions of Uno that are favorites.  Last Sunday we played Uno Dare. Instead of being forced to draw 4 when that card is played, you can opt to do some sort of dare.  I had to act like a dog until my turn came around again. Johnny had to impersonate his favorite singer (Elvis, in case you wondered)!!  George decided he'd prefer to take 4 cards.  No surprise there...and he still won!

Isabella is very competitive but she is learning how to win or lose with grace most of the time.  I read these reasons for playing games as a family and I have to agree.

• It increases resilience. ... 
• It helps build self-confidence. ... 
• It promotes essential skills. ... 
• It can encourage academic development. ... 
• It offers lasting memories.

Grandparents are lucky when they get to be part of those memories.

 

 

Happy birthday Daddy!

My Daddy, Jake Gates Montgomery, was born 106 years ago on January 31, 1916.  He's the younger boy in this photo.  The other boy, Joe David Montgomery, is the father of Jane Montgomery Derning and Joy Montgomery Cummings.  Grandfather to Kerrie Pollitt and Kellie Huggs, Amanda Cummings McGraw and Leigh Anne Cummings Stankoski, Alan Creech and Tracy Creech Lloyd.  Alan and Tracy's mother was my cousin, June Montgomery Creech, who died in 1986 from Leukemia. 

Dave Montgomery died in 1947 from an accident. Called out to his job as a linesman for Arkansas Power and Light on a Sunday, he was electrocuted and fell to his death.  My cousins were just little girls.

Daddy died of cancer 43 years ago at the age of 63 on May 27, 1979.  I was only 25.

My parents were married for 30 years before Daddy's death.  My mother was a widow for almost the exact same amount of time that she was a wife. 

 I'm so thankful to be absolutely sure these words are truth.