Owie!

Knitting crazily fast, listening to episode after episode of Cast On, trying to get Pont Neuf done for my daughter's Lutheran confirmation on Sunday.

Yes, Sunday June 1.

I am nearly finished the bottom border, then I will do the button bands, block and done.

I really do NOT KNOW if I can get it finished in time.

My hands are killing me.

I have to go now.

Heartbroken

Our beautiful hummingbird time is over. While we were out for an hour this morning, something brought the nest down and took the babies. Mummy came back shortly after we did, hovered for a few moments, then flew away.

We are all grieving terribly - shocked to find how much we loved our little friends, who didn't even know we were there.

Goodbye, little sweeties.

It was passed from one bird to another,
the whole gift of the day.
The day went from flute to flute,
went dressed in vegetation,
in flights which opened a tunnel
through the wind would pass
to where birds were breaking open
the dense blue air -
and there, night came in.
-Pablo Neruda

Babies on Board

Anna's Hummingbirds' incubation period is 13-24 days, and our bird's eggs were laid April 30 and May 1. Looking at the calendar I was a bit disappointed because we were heading to Vancouver right on day 13, and staying three nights. 

Not that we would have seen anything - the nest is too high up for us to look down into. But I thought we might miss something good.

In the event, the morning after we got home I snuck up while she was away, and took some quick photos. I couldn't see what I was looking at, but the camera did a fine job anyhow.

Funny-looking things!

So far, their eyes are still closed and they aren't making any sounds - a safety issue I'm sure. And, so far, they are small enough to be fed by one parent, so the dad is nowhere to be seen. According to what I've read, he'll come back when one beak is not enough for adequate catering. When that happens, I suspect it will become much harder to get family photos.

But for now, here's a little scrap of video for you. Every time a breeze shook the branch, the babies thought mummy had arrived with dinner. So cute!

The Green Giant Was Right All Along.

Here's a tip for you:

If your entire family loves frozen corn, and yet you lie awake at night agonizing over what fresh, delicious, and expensive vegetable recipes to make in order to satisfy your need to do 'enough', you are you own worst enemy.

"Loving Dinner"...it sometimes means frozen corn and take-out potato salad.

Thus endeth the lesson.