View From the Swamp

Took a moment to put the wildlife cam back at the edge of the swamp and then stood on "my" log and was entertained by these two, flying back and forth.....I'm thinking Eastern Kingbird? or Phoebe? or some sort of flycatcher?

Too Busy!

Grand baby seems to be on the road to recovery.  Whew!  God is merciful, stretching me and reminding me of His lovingkindness just when I need it most.   The Babymomma had wrist surgery so we've brought in reinforcements ~ the Other Grammy!!!  What a blessing she brings with her gentle and quiet spirit,.....and meals,.....and sense of fun.  I get caught up in the business of living - laundry, washing syringes and delivering medication and trying to make sure babymomma is taking care of herself.  The Other Grammy makes sure babymomma is getting time to visit with her babies while she can't lift and hold them by herself, taking pictures to document some sweet and special moments and just wrapping a blanket of calm where it is needed most.  She's also taking overnight duty....round the clock duty....for our almost 3 month old grandson!!


I'm blessed to have friends who have popped in just at the right moment, to lend a pair of hands and to bless us with groceries!!!


I'm sad to have missed spring arriving on the swamp (80 degree weather isn't EXACTLY spring)....maybe I need to ask one of the local wildlife to take my camera back down for me!


So, a few pictures of recent spring visitors from inside looking out....

Struggling With Hope

Came across this blog post this morning and it speaks volumes.  The Audacity of Hope  This has been a tough week watching our grandbaby suffer again, working so hard to maintain her little life.  I don't think I have enough energy or brain cells at this point to articulate anything.  A quote from Angie's post...."to have the boldness to say that I trust Him above the hurt."  I do trust Him completely and I KNOW that He is working through this whole experience with His amazing and complete love and mercy to me, to Amber, to her parents.  To read Amber's latest from her mom, it is here.

Liberated!

Well, I'm not sure that's the best title....but 

this device has liberated my mom from a prison of silence!  I cannot remember the last time I spoke with my mom on the telephone.  For years I could just pick up the phone, or she could, and we could speak every day. My husband laughed because there were only two times a year when we would have any long-distance calls and that would be when my folks were in Florida for the winter or two months in the summer in New Hampshire.  I think it has been at least ten years or so that we have not been able to just pick up the phone and chat.  My sister and I, and my mom's sisters, have to go through my dad and that is just not the same thing.  My mom, on the other hand, has only been able to communicate face to face.  If she can see your lips, she can "hear" you.  She did finally get hearing aids a year ago, but they seem to only cause her frustration, making background noises louder and not making voices very clear.  Even with hearing aids, she still needs to read lips since it has been so long.  With this captel phone, a gift from my sister, she has to read our side of the conversation.  I spoke with my mom twice yesterday on the phone!!  It is not perfect either, but prompts a lot of laughter at the mistakes the captioning service makes!  And we have to get used to the delay, while our side of the conversation is transcribed and she reads it.  But to HEAR my mom's voice on the other end of the phone????  PRICELESS!!!!!

**I know, in this day of email and skype it seems incomprehensible that we have not figured out a way to communicate with mom before this.  My folks are very old school and their home is not wired or wireless.  Snail mail and phone calls are the way it is.  Her first call with my sister on Monday night, she announced that she was now texting!

Seen at the Swamp

Two afternoon shots a day apart before I brought the camera up from the edge of the swamp.

I had no idea anyone else was tromping around down there.  Boy, was I surprised!

Feeder Frenzy

Finally a snowy day so the feeder was very busy with take-offs and landings.

These two seemed a bit perturbed to have their picture taken.

There was also a bit of shouting, perhaps name calling as some took a bit too long!