A Couple of "Firsts" ....

I've been feeding the birds, and attempting to be a "birder" for about 60 years.  My Mom had feeders out when we moved down on Mill St when I was 13, so I count those years as well.  Most of my early birding days were in SE Ohio....  probably all were until I went on a week-long field trip to the mountains of West Virginia with a college class.

It was on that trip that I saw my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  I can close my eyes right now and picture where I was standing (close to Seneca Rocks) and still see that gorgeous bird.  Where our farm is in SE Ohio I'd rarely (very rarely) get one at our feeder.  The last few years when we've been here in the spring, we've had a male come to the feeder.  When we're in Maine we often have a male come to the feeder there.

Yesterday we saw a strange bird near the feeder...  I grabbed the binoculars to get a real close look...

Look at the size of that beak!

I knew what it (she!) was immediately, even though I'd never seen one before.

Yep!  That's a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  I should look through my photo files and show you the male, but I'm not going to...  he's a real dandy, flashy colors, dashing....  debonair....   I'm going to let this lady show her own beauty....   and let y'all know she's the first female I've ever seen.

Now...  for the 2nd first  (sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it?)

I've seen more Indigo Buntings over the years than I'd ever be able to count.  Hey... they're even one of the birds that I recognize their call.  So what's special?  This is the first Indigo Bunting that I've ever had come to my bird feeder.  Actually, as I'm typing this, I glance outside and darned if he isn't chowing down right now.  I was so taken with the colors of the Indigo bunting on the left and the male Goldfinch on the right...  and not to be outdone...

Darned if a male cardinal came along to join them!  There they are, folks!  Primary Colors!  Okay, so there's a little chipping sparrow on the right...  everyone is welcome at my feeders.

There aren't many surprises in the way of birds for me in this part of Ohio these days, but I still get as excited to see and identify my little friends as I did way back then.

That's All For Today!

Spring on the Ridge....

April has turned into May....  the redbud is nearly gone, but the dogwood is more beautiful than ever.  I've really enjoyed being in Ohio this spring....  most years it's just a quick visit and time to move on, but this year our stay will be nearly a month long.

Time for Bill to get a few things done with the rentals...

Seems a house as big as this one is always in need of fresh paint.

That's Bill on the left...  and if any of you remember when we were in Texas the massive job that Bill & Victor, our son-in-law, did on our motorhome a few months ago... that's Victor on the right.  Yeah, Victor lives in Texas, but is currently doing a consulting job in West Virginia, so came over to our place for the weekend.  Seems we put him to work no matter where we all are....

If that 2nd coat of paint looks to be a different color, you're right...  it is.  Guess the Lowe's paint mixer didn't read the numbers right from the lid of the old can.  When it's all done it will be okay, but right now it kind of looks like a patchwork quilt.

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of May and the church I go to here in Athens had their May Crowning...

Guess my shot of the statue of Mary is pretty blurry, but you get the idea...  kids with flowers and a little girl carrying the May Crown...   music....     all very nice.

Painting, May Crowning, trees in bloom...  all signs of Spring...

And, of course...  the birds...

These two Ruby-throated hummingbirds have been fighting over one of the feeders.

Actually, the bird on the left is doing the fighting....  he's very possessive of that feeder and whenever any other hummer comes for a drink, he chases it away.

I have 3 feeders out so there's really no need to be so darned territorial...

But...  birds will be birds...

So the battle goes on.

Yesterday I heard what at first I thought was a mockingbird.  Didn't sound quite right...  then I remembered that Bill told me that he'd heard a Yellow-breasted chat the day before.  Hmmm...  is that what I'm hearing?

Nope...

This Brown thrasher was quite entertaining for at least a half hour...

One thing about moving thousands of miles each year is a person has to remember what kind of critters are in the current habitat, terrain, climate etc.  It's always a joy to hear and see a familiar creature when we return to a place...  like catching up with an old friend we haven't seen for a while.

We'll be here another week or so before heading on up to Maine....  Bill will do more work on the rentals....  I'll do some more geocaching.....  and in the evenings, we'll sit outside (yes, the weather is beautiful!) and enjoy the sounds of the wood thrush.

American Goldfinch in his summer plumage....  looks like a drop of sunlight!

And...  that's the end.

That's All For Today!

A Walk Among the Wildflowers

Always, when we're back in Athens County, Ohio, I manage to get out on the bike path at least once.  Sometimes on my bicycle, sometimes to find a few of the multitude of geocaches hidden along the way, and almost always a walk with my good friend whom I worked with for 20 years.  She is also retired now, so has more flexibility as to when we walk.

When I lived here, the bike path was 17 miles long.  I know that it has been extended in both directions and may even have some spurs to other areas, but I don't know how many miles it is these days.  It's a "rails to trails" path...  not just for bicycles, but for walkers, runners, skateboarders, roller bladers.... anything except motorized vehicles.  There used to be evidence of the old railroad... whistle stop markers and the like.  They may still be there, but I didn't see any today.

We're back a bit early to the area, and what a treat this has been.  Old railroad beds frequently have plants growing along side that aren't found in other places.   This particular area was a narrow dirt road that used to end at an electric power substation.  I first learned about it when my field biology classes took trips out there to learn the local wild flowers and such.  Since most of the flat lands along the river were farmed, sometimes we'd find a singing field for woodcock.  We'd use a tape recorder of the male call to attract other males...  invading their territory, you know.

Later, each spring I'd head out there to see what was blooming.  While I didn't see the Dutchmen Breeches, Squirrel Corn or Wild Ginger, I saw plenty of trillium...

A close up of this lovely spring flower...

When the white blossoms start to turn pink you know it's past its prime.  A few warm days and this group will be gone for another year.

There were lots of patches of Blue-eyed Mary

And quite a lot of Mertensia, or Virginia Bluebells

I was admiring how nice the sides of the path were in bloom with wild geranium, the bluebells and such...  thinking how the predominant color today was blue.  

About that time, much to my astonishment, a tractor with a big mower on the back came along...

Somehow it just didn't seem right to be mowing down those lovely wildflowers.

But there are still hillsides covered with color...

And rock formations, and second growth trees.  

On one side of the path is the Hocking River as well as some woods and fields.  There are small creeks which feed into the river or flow away from it....

This area is next to a large dairy farm.  Usually the aroma of Eau de Manure is in the air...  today I didn't notice.

My friend and I walk for one hour....  we haven't seen each other in months so have a lot to catch up on, but she's patient when I want to stop and snap a photo...

I know this isn't a great shot, but I really like it...  looks kind of like a watercolor...  but most of, is the embodiment of what most of us think of when we think "spring".

It was in the 50's when I walked this morning...  at 4:30 pm it's 67 degrees.  A great day to be out and about...  and walking with an old friend on old, familiar territory.

That's All For Today!

Scars From Years Past...

As far back as 1982 (and Bill no doubt did this before I came on the scene), Bill & I tapped the maple trees on our 13 acres and boiled it down to make maple syrup.  It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.  

When those 13 acres are as hilly as ours are, that's one heck of a lot of walking up and down hills, carrying a 5 gallon bucket full of that precious sap.

All our maples aren't sugar maples...  but truth is, you can make syrup out of about any kind of tree that produces sap.  It's just that the sugar content is a lot higher in sugar maples (as opposed to a red maple or a silver maple), and so it takes less sap to achieve a good tasting syrup.

I can't remember how many trees we tapped back then...  less than 50 taps altogether....  but we were both working full time, as well as keeping up with all the other farm chores, so when the sap was running it was a constant job just collecting sap and cooking it down.

It's been nearly 20 years now since we made our own maple syrup....  and even though we get back to the farm for a short time each year, most years I don't take the time to walk that old sap route.

I did just that this afternoon.  Not all the route, but I was just curious if I could find those maple trees, and even more curious if I could find the scars where we had drilled holes to insert the taps.

It took a while.  So many fallen trees...  from wind damage, from old age....  who knows?  In the past there would never have been the debris that's now laying out in our woods.  Bill would have cut up every fallen tree and we'd have used it for firewood.  We had a wood-burning furnace that heated our house as well as a wood-burning cookstove.  Yeah...  one of those old fashion kind with a water reservoir on the side and a warming oven at the top.  We used a lot of wood.

While out in the woods I saw some multiflora rose growing...

When we raised goats they had almost cleared out every bit of multiflora on our property.  It has been slowly growing back.  There's been a blight or fungus that has attacked it in recent years, but what I saw looked healthy and was flourishing.  Maybe it needs some goats to keep it under control?

And I saw some mayapples growing...

Some folks think that morel mushrooms will be growing close to mayapples.  So far, I haven't found the first morel this spring.  These mayapples don't have a blossom yet, so maybe there's still a chance for some of those tasty fungus to sprout ....  we'll see.

And, not an Ohio Buckeye...

But a tiny sapling of a yellow Buckeye.  Ohio Buckeyes, despite their name, are not native to this part of the state.  

While I aced "Ohio Trees" back in college, that's been a while ago and I have a hard time IDing some of these trees in their winter state.  It is early spring and some of the leaves are popping out, but those stems, bark and buds can pose a real problem for me these days.

While wandering around, I came across the mineral block we put out for the deer when we were here last summer.  It's almost gone now....  I've been thinking I should buy some Sweet Mix (horse feed) and put out...  the does should be having their fawns soon and might appreciate a little protein supplement to their diet.

The dogwood and redbud are still flowering.  I think the colder temperatures and the rainy weather has probably prolonged the season a bit....

To me, they are just so beautiful.  I never tire of gazing up at the colors...  and the bees and other insects that are anxious to replenish their food supply.

Oh yes...  Did I find the scars?

I think I did....

That round hole is about the size of a dime...  maybe a nickel.  It's the only one I found on the half dozen or so maple trees I found.  It's about the right height and diameter...   so it probably is where we drilled for one of our old taps.

Of course when after I'd walked down to the creek and checked everything out, I had to walk back up the hill to get home...

But despite no morels, no birds and mostly just a forest coming awake again after a long, cold winter, it was a good walk.

I don't think I'll wait so many years before I do it again.  There's just too much out there if you look real close.

That's All For Today!

Ramps.... and the Farmer's Market

Saturday mornings going to the Athens Farmer's Market its a must.  While the market is open all year round, of course it really starts getting lively by mid April.

The market opens at 9:00 am....  and even on a cold, dreary day like yesterday, folks are ready to shop.  This is early...  it was quite crowded when we left around 10:30.

This market is one of the oldest... and rated as one of the best...  in the whole USA.  The regulations are strict and adhered to religiously.  Vendors must grow or produce whatever they sell.  Everything is local.  No crafts or flea-market type items.  Look how many vendors are already set up and selling in April.  By June there will be twice (or more) this number of sellers.  Everything from beef to lamb or pork, to eggs, cheese, bakery items, and bedding plants was sold yesterday.  Later all kinds of fresh produce and fruits will be available.

There are always a few street entertainers around....  playing music for tips.  I don't know how they determine who gets to perform, but sometimes, when the market is going full blast, there will be 3 or 4 different people, located in various spots around in the market.

When we went to the market yesterday I already had in mind what I wanted to buy...

In the back row is a jug of "Sticky Pete's" pure maple syrup.  We'll be heading for Maine soon, and while I don't care much for pancakes, I can't resist buying some "Ployes" mix (buckwheat pancakes) and having them with that syrup.  A couple of things not in the above photo that I bought...  a couple packages of bratwurst, and a package of breakfast sausage.  That sausage will be delicious with those ployes!

Those 5 jars of salsa at the top right are made locally.  I don't know Tom's last name, but he's been making "Southwestern Style" salsas for several years....  and we always load up when we're here.  Personally, the Cilantro Hot is my favorite...  I think Bill favors the Ghost Pepper.

Right in the middle of that top row is something we've not bought before.  Ramps Pesto...

Most of us are familiar with pesto made from basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese and olive oil.  Well, ramps are even more garlicky than garlic...  and this concoction of ramps, feta cheese, black walnuts and olive oil has one heck of kick!

Unless you're from the eastern part of the USA...  and maybe even from the Appalachians...  you might not know about ramps.

Well...  this is from the Wikapedia site...

The ramp is a bulb-forming perennial with broad, smooth, light green leaves, often with deep purple or burgundy tints on the lower stems, and a scallion-like stalk and bulb. Both the white lower leaf stalks and the broad green leaves are edible. The flower stalk appears after the leaves have died back, unlike the similar Allium ursinum, in which leaves and flowers can be seen at the same time. Ramps grow in close groups strongly rooted just beneath the surface of the soil.

Allium tricoccum is popular in the cuisines of the rural uplands of its native region. It is regarded as an early spring vegetable with a strong garlic-like odor and a pronounced onion flavor.  Ramps also have a growing popularity in restaurants throughout North America.

The plant's flavor, a combination of onions and strong garlic, or "fried green onions with a dash of funky feet" in the words of food writer Jane Snow, is adaptable to numerous cooking styles. In central Appalachia, ramps are most commonly fried with potatoes in bacon fat or scrambled with eggs and served with bacon, pinto beans and cornbread. Ramps can also be pickled or used in soups and other foods in place of onions and garlic.

And since it's early spring here, there are various ramp items available...

Back to that photo above....

Those 2 loaves of bread are from a local bread/pizza business.  On the left  is rolled out bread dough stuffed with ramps greens, feta cheese and slices of bacon then the ends twisted up and baked.  On the right is a loaf of bread that has ramps, artichokes and maybe a couple of things I can't remember.  

I will say that for lunch yesterday Bill and I split that loaf of bread on the left, slathered it with the ramp pesto and thought we were in heaven!

We probably stunk to high heaven from the garlicky aroma... but I swear, I just don't know what Jane Snow is talking about when she describes ramps as smelling like "funky feet".

We'll be here a couple more weeks or so...

Wonder what else I can find at the market that is so deliciously different?

That's All For Today!

One Measly Photo...

And here it is...

I put up the hummingbird feeders on Monday.... almost immediately Bill heard that familiar sound of one flying close by...  but it was a day or so later before I actually saw one.

By Wednesday I was seeing one but wasn't quick enough to snap a photo...

Today... by golly, the little rascal has been zipping in and out all day...  and although it's not real good,  I got him.

Here in Ohio we get only the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds...

But that's okay with me....  I'll enjoy whatever stops by.

However....  this morning I heard the Wood Thrush behind our rig...  their sound has to be one of the most beautiful bird songs ever!  Later today I heard the Towhee telling me to "drink your tea"....

Yes, it's really springtime here...  even at 32 degrees at 6:00 this morning, that's so typical for April.

That's All For Today!

Roots....

Do you remember that book (and I think maybe a TV special) about finding your roots?  Well, Bill has been serious about genealogy for over 25 years now and has done a fantastic job finding his family...  both sides....  as they entered the USA from England, or wherever....  traveled to Kentucky and his own branch... went on to New Mexico where both his Dad and he were born.

Actually, one year we volunteered at Lower Hatchie NWR, which was only 20 miles from Henning, Tennessee, where Alex Haley's roots were started.  But that was years before Bill had begun his own search.

My own?  Well, I've never taken my search seriously enough....  made a few half-assed attempts over the years.  Actually got pretty serious about it in 1996...  drove to western Pennsylvania to a way back in the boonies place called Turkeyfoot....  found my great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather's gravesite in the churchyard cemetery.  Also saw that someone had placed a marker that he'd served in the Revolutionary War in 1776.

So I've fooled around with finding my ancestors...  honestly, I've always figured that they were dirt poor, always farmers and later coal miners....  probably never owned a thing.  Knowing my parents, I figured both sides were honest folks, but hard working, kind of hard scrabble kind of people.

I've never expected to find a will registered with a Probate Court....  never figured I'd find any land records....  felt lucky if I found an actual tombstone at a cemetery...  those things cost money.

But... back to 1996...  that was the year of 4 surgeries for me...  the year before I "retired" from my job...  and quite frankly, the year that went to hell and I totally changed course about my future life.

So....  no more research...  until the last year.

My interest sparked to life again.  I made several phone calls to various Probate Court offices in several Ohio counties to get information.  Several places responded immediately.  One, the one that had the most info, I sent the money with the request in February....  and..... just yesterday I finally got the response.  Okay...  part of this is my fault....  the reply finally came to our daughter's in Texas a few weeks ago (the day after we left there)..  and she forwarded it on to our Livingston, TX address, which probably got there the day or so after we left there...  and when we got our mail yesterday, there it was!

But not enough info...

So...  today, Bill and I drove the 40 or so miles up the road to New Lexington, Ohio...  the county seat of Perry County, where my Mom's side of the family came after having moved to Somerset Co, Pennsylvania (moving there from Somerset, NJ....  from Somerset, England in 1710).....   

What a wealth of information we found...

In 1876, when my Grandma was born, there were no Health Dept's that kept records on computers....  the records were written in a huge ledger which was kept in the court houses.  Emma M Colborn....  That's my Grandma...  the only grandparent I ever knew...  she was born June 28, 1876, the daughter of CC Colborn and Harriet Shaner Colborn.  She was female, and white.  Her brother John was born 2 years later and her sister, my great-aunt Vic was born 5 years later.  I don't know when my great aunt Bec was born, but it must have been later.  

This will suffice as a birth certificate for whatever records I need.  Okay...  no inked baby footprints...  nothing about birth weight and length.  Hey...  I'll take what I can get!

Bill and I poured over Birth Records, Death Records, Marriage Records...  and even though I thought it was hopeless, we also looked at probate records of Wills and the such.

We also went to the New Lexington Library, but it was the court house that had most of the information that we were looking for.

Here's Bill....  checking out the facts...

The Facts, Ma'm.... Just the Facts....

We spent several hours in the Court House before heading down to the library.  Turned out that the court house had a lot more documents ... we had 12 copies of various entries made.....  much more info than the library had.  

Sometimes, when you're doing a family history search, you'll find personal documents...  like letters or journals...  I really don't have much hope for my own...  both sides of my family were folks who didn't talk much...  about themselves, their hardships or their own history.  We've barely begun to find a thing about my Dad's side of the family...  and I'll be quite surprised if/when we do....

But....  just making a little headway into the inroads into my Mom's side today brings a smile to my face....  and a few more pages into the records that Bill is recording for my kids to know about their past.

That's All For Today!