Hollering from the Hills

Sorry I had to holler, otherwise, you may not have noticed my post.  ;)
It's been just over a year since I posted, and I have spent some time considering if I would continue or if I had completed that phase of my journey here.  I am, yet, undecided but am here today to share a few pictures and thoughts with you.

Tuberose Begonia

 A feisty, little Carolina Wren has built a nest in this hanging basket of fuchsia.

 There are six eggs, and she is now in set-mode.  I didn't want to start her screeching at me so you'll have to imagine her on the nest.

There's been a lot on my mind during the last year, and I've been encouraged to share a bit of it by several of my readers. (Thank you to all who've contacted me with inquiries as to my health, etc.  You are much appreciated and already know that Goodman and I are in good health, thank the Lord.)

We all have different points of view as we all have different experiences, but some things are just too obvious to ignore, and they are troubling to me, at best.  Healthcare in our country is in a state of glaring change and has been for many years.  It's just a well-paying business to far too many "health professionals."  There are good doctors, yes, but many are not, and the good are too few in number to serve the masses in my opinion.

We dug up several of these little trees from a section of the pasture next to our neighbors' pine tree, but it doesn't smell or appear to be a pine sapling.   We shall see...

We've witnessed unnecessary operations performed for monetary gain many times.  I have personally had a few of those myself, but when I realized what was going on I came fully awake and decided there had to be a change.  Mind you, even though I make & use herbal preparations for myself and my family members, I'm no doctor and am likely as not to misdiagnose an illness that I am unfamiliar with.

  I began searching for help with diagnosing non-life-threatening illnesses, and that search led me to a wonderfully helpful set of books titled Be Your Own Doctor & Be Your Own Doctor II.  The books contain a series of easy-to-read stories that are engaging to read and very handy to have at hand in time of need.  Also, there are recipes and recommendations so readers may, confidently, begin to "doctor" themselves when a professional is not required.

* Disclaimer: The only interest I have in these books is the wealth of information.  I am in no way connected to nor do I receive any monetary gain in any form for anything I say about them.  I'm just one who knows they are worth their weight in gold to me and my family.  If there is any interest I may be back here to share a bit of the instances where they have saved us from the surgeon's scalpel.

Have a lovely rest of the week, y'all!

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On the Verge of Spring in the Foothills

Hello from the foothills where the bluebirds are already house hunting in earnest and thoughtfully waiting for the winter to pass.

A couple of posts back I had mentioned that our Budding Herbalist had been down for a visit, but I failed to mention that she was spreading her wings as a sewist and had made this lovely laundry bag.

She's all about details and likes whatever she does to be a step away from the norm.

She was back this week and this time wanted to try watercolor painting.

Her first attempt fairly burs-ted with color.

 Meanwhile I busied myself finishing this spring-y crochet scarf/shawl.  It's called the Midsummer Garden Shawlette by Kristin Omdahl.  The video instructions and chart information is here, and there is another video therefor lefties to make the same shawl.  I think it's perfect for filling in those much too low necklines that dress designers are so fond of these days.  I'll just go ahead and say I don't care to see anyone's anything that ought to be covered up.  I'm just old enough to be over it and don't mind saying so.  ;)

I thought I had dug up all the daffodils that were in the pasture several years ago, but we have a bumper crop of them out there this year.  I'm calling 2018 the Year of the Daffodils.

One of our ever-present grumpy looking, yet beautiful Cardinals.

Happily my begonia cuttings made it through the winter and will be potted soon, Lord willin'.

More dyed sheep from the Scottish Highlands.

This photo is too pretty for words, but I think someone has doctored it a little bit.  Have a lovely week y'all.

Shared at Saturday's  Critters

Bird's Eye View

 Hello from the hills!
 We've had the best time birdwatching from the kitchen window for years.  I set out water and a few seeds and here they come.

Bluebirds and Purple Finches

There's always a bird or two to be spotted.

Northern Cardinal

  They'll always show up for a morsel of homemade peanut/raisin suet.

Northern Cardinal

 But since installing this window feeder (no affiliation) recently, we don't have to approach a window to see them, so I'd heartily recommend it if you're a mind to do a li'l bit o' effortless, up-close birdwatching.

Nuthatch

 I cook a lot so it's nice to have finely-feathered company when I'm busy, too.

Towhee

 Just add some seeds and be prepared for lots of birds.

Dear Winter, your days are numbered...

They're trying....

So are these succulents.

Sunset sky through one of the sugar maple trees.

More dyed sheep from the hills of Scotland.

Sharing this post at:  Wild Bird Wednesday,  Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, Saturday's Critters. Wednesday Around the World