InSPIREd Sunday & Mosaic Monday - Back on the Grid!

Hello Blogger Friends - this is my first posting since August 23rd!  I'm actually a bit nervous composing this post.  Almost like I've forgotten how to blog it has been so long.  After months of internet problems, I decided to get a new computer and went with an all-in-one with touchscreen and Windows 8.  I was just getting started with learning to navigate everything when things in my family fell apart.

Those of you who know me through Summit Musings and Facebook know that I--as do most of you--have primary caregiving responsibilities for older family members.  In my case, Diva Sister fell, spent time in the hospital and rehab during late August - September.  I just got her settled back in her apartment the end of September.  At the same time, my older brother in Tennessee went into the hospital where he received a devastating diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer.  He too was in and out of hospital and rehab and finally went home under hospice care the last of September.  Of course, I wanted to be with him on his final journey--while dealing with Diva Sister-- so was driving back and forth between Kentucky and Tennessee to help with his care.  Sadly, he completed his journey last Tuesday--at home where he wanted to be.

So, now I'm trying to get some normalcy back in my own life and that includes blogging!

This is the Convent of San Francesco in Tuscany, Italy.  I took these photos on a garden tour of Tuscany in 2000.  Look closely in the center of the photo and you'll see the campanile, or bell tower. The Convent is now a hotel and rehabilitation center for troubled boys and young men.  (click on the photos to enlarge)

In this mosaic you see the old stone paths and walkways around the convent.  Terra cotta urns and planters made locally from the red Tuscan clay line the paths and this single red rose climbs the convent walls.  A common "hen and chicks" grows between the stones.

Here you have a view of the side garden and notice that each window has its own planter of red roses.  A proud bronze peacock perches on the wall overlooking the well-tended garden.  The boys and young men work in the gardens and the hotel as part of their rehabilitation.  The discipline and responsibility--and hard work--was believed to help many turn their lives around.

Linking to InSPIREd Sunday and Mosaic Monday .

Friday Fences - for the Birds

Still more fences from the Historic Garden Tour of Old Louisville--Garden 14 made a special effort to welcome the birds. Here are a few closeups of the different bird houses and fence decorations. (click on the collages to enlarge)

Linking to Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer . Wish me luck this weekend--installing a new computer(or rather the resident Geek Squad is) and switching to Windows 8 and touchscreen. It's a brave new world and I sure hope the learning curve is not too steep for me to climb!

Wild Bird Wednesday - Chick ID

This little charmer visited the bird buffet for the first time over the weekend. Now those of you who check out my WBW posts know that I'm often wrong about bird IDs, but I'm pretty sure that this cutie is a Carolina Chickadee.

I've only recently become interested in learning about birds, photographing them, and attracting to my yard. My bird ID skills were almost nil except for robins, cardinals, and blue jays! :-) So, I recently ordered several books on Kentucky birds which should up my ID scores considerably. Like using each of them for different reasons--drawings as opposed to photos, different ways to ID, etc. Here's a sampling of how the books are organized:

Comparing the chickadee entries in the three guides, I went with Carolina over Black-capped because his markings were black all the way down neck instead of "capped". Here are a few more shots just because they're so dang cute!

Now, despite all my studying, if I got this "chick ID" wrong, don't hesitate to correct me. I won't be offended at all since I'm just beginning birder education! :-)

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday .

Friday Fences - Late Summer

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Late summer, you say? Yes, definitely for someone who is eager for fall. Spotted this fence and plant filled yard in Norton Commons, a "boutique community" outside Louisville and it just had the feel of summer's ending.

Linking to Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer .

Wild Bird Wednesday - Blue Boy

(click on collage/photo to enlarge)

This blue boy was a first sighting for me yesterday on the deck railing where I scatter birdseed and peanuts daily. I'm thinking this is a juvenile blue jay because the adult jays are my best customers. They love those peanuts! Two things make me doubt my ID -- the missing black markings on throat and his tail seems rather long. Maybe he will develop the black markings and grow into his tail as he gets older? Regardless of his ID, loved that little topknot, round babyish head, and fluffy body.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday .

Friday Fences - Memory Garden

An ornate wrought iron fence surrounds a small, intimate garden planted in memory of members of the Louisville Women's Club for their work on behalf of the community. This memory garden was featured on the recent Old Louisville Garden Tour.

In a carriage house attached to the garden, the Club runs Carriage Trade where fine home furnishing, jewelry, and clothing can be purchased. Proceeds of the sales are used for annual projects. The red fleur de lis napkin weight and three Star of David vases caught my eye. As did the cast iron dog profile over the carriage house door!

Linking to Friday Fences at Life According to Jan and Jer .

Wild Bird Wednesday - the Acrobat

A red-bellied woodpecker that hangs out--literally--in a tree in the front yard. He even lit on the step railing to check out the bird buffet, but I was too slow in grabbing the camera.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday .