A few days ago I was looking out at our bird feeder at our various grosbeaks and sparrows when something I had never seen landed. It was blue. Bluebird? Indigo bunting? I get to see those rarely, but this was different. Stitch got out the nearest bird book and found it right away. It was a blue grosbeak.
Normally they would stay about a thousand miles south of us by St. Louis, but they do nest in South Dakota which is only about half that distance as the grosbeak flies. Like our former beloved wrestling governor, Jesse "The Body" Ventura said when asked if he was worried that Minnesota businesses might move to South Dakota because of lower business taxes, "Nah, 'cause then they'd have to live in South Dakota." He was right, but apparently it's okay for the grosbeaks.
Another sure sign of spring was the opening of our local Garage Sale Season on Saturday. While many of us were observing Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day) here in the Midwest we were also celebrating the fact that it is now warm enough to venture out to the neighbors in only a couple of layers of protective clothing. Also, as of Saturday, most of the inland lakes were declared ice free so people could go fishing without an ice chisel or auger! I noticed today when I was repairing fences that there is still a bit of snow in the woods, but I digress. Our community garage sale was at our community center in town where anyone could have a table or two and display whatever stuff they had that someone else might want. I suspect that a lot of the same stuff gets passed around every year or two as people decide they really didn't need that thing they picked up for a song at the previous sale. I usually play it pretty conservatively and don't buy much unless I really need it or think I can flip it for a little profit. This year's opening
pièce de résistance was a WW2 cold weather flight suit pants in leather and fleece.
The really cool thing is, it fits! I was tempted to show the girls by wearing only these pants, but I am sure the screams would have frightened the neighbors. I could have left the full-length side zippers open for a real show, but then I would have to charge admission. I have since listed these on eBay to try and turn a small profit to "invest" in my partscaster. Since the wife and I split the original price of $20 and after eBay fees I might get lucky enough to buy a few strings for my half of the investment. Don't worry, I won't quit my day job. As
Professor Batty mentioned last week, I have GAS. Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It applies to photography equipment and guitar related things, but I have yet to admit I have a problem. Yes, I know there is a twelve step program to help, but I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM! Okay?
Photography stuff is like dominoes. You buy a new camera, then you need a new carrying case. After a while, you find it would be nice to have a lens hood. And, of course, the UV protective filter. Now I want the ND filter.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem, either. If you don't take that first step, there is no way you have to take the other eleven. :-)
Amazing. I actually has a pair of those pants years ago. They are just the thing for going out in -30° weather, albeit a little on the heavy side.
ReplyDeleteThat bird is such a beautiful blue! You should have kept the pants. You never know when they might come in handy.
ReplyDeleteThe birds are lovely. And you should have kept the pants!
ReplyDeleteIncredible bird! I have never seen one except in books. I have a few crazy houpes hanging out here. I'll have to try to get some photos of them. There are cuckoos in the forest, but very hard to spot, but you can lure them by imitating their call...then they get pissed off when they realize they've been tricked....
ReplyDeletePP, I knew you would understand! :)
ReplyDeleteProfessor, They would be nice for those winter excursions on the tractor.
Rubye Jack, I had never seen one before and it sure caught my attention. The pants may not sell, so you never know!
BF, See above!
Microdot, I hear the cuckoos on occasion, but it never occurred to me to try and call them in. Might be fun!
Jono--I donated some books to the dog rescue group I work for. At one of our events, I was looking through the tables full of books we were selling at a rescue event, and lo and behold, I picked up a couple of ones that--after I thought about it--I had donated.
ReplyDeleteYikes. Sometimes the circle is so tightly constructed, the "trash" doesn't even get to go to someone else as it's transformed into a treasure. Sometimes it just boomerangs back...
That is a gorgeous bird. We rarely see that much color around here but we got lucky and saw a black headed grosbeak here this morning.
ReplyDeleteIf you kept the pants and charged admission, maybe the profit would be more than what you'll get on eBay …? Just a thought.
That bird was amazing. Such a gorgeous, lucky find!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty blue bird! Not so sure about the pants!
ReplyDeleteSioux, it's sometimes hard letting go, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAT, I don't look like the guys in the fireman calendars anymore. :( I doubt if I could pay people enough to take a look. Good idea, though.
Ahab, it is really a boost to see something so unusual.
irbii, I would have liked so much to spend time in your countryside looking at birds or anything else last summer. Yes, the pants are what we would politely call "different".
Love when you post pictures of birds. Also enormous pants.
ReplyDeleteLucky stiff. Never seen that bird myself. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteDonna, yes, they are some serious pants. When I put them on I feel like I should be chasing the Red Baron.
ReplyDeleteGeezers, Stiff? Why I remember when waking up stiff was a good thing!
Reminds me of something the wife said once: "How many fishing poles do you have, anyway?" "They are called rods, fishing rods." "But how many do you need?" Silence.
ReplyDeleteShould fish more, the answer is simple. One for each fish.
ReplyDelete