Good people, polite little boy. Never had a bird in the house... except 74 years ago, parakeet got out of tall cage. Tiger cat pressed him against the window screen and didn't know what to do after that. Mom pried him off claw by claw. Birdie happy to get back to seeds in his safe house. Lots of birds OUTside here. Flocks of sparrows, BlackBirds with red and yellow on their wings, Doves nesting on single bare stick in the front bushes, Starlings with stars upon thar's, Thrashers and Robins, Barn Swallows catching treats in the air, vrooooming Hummers, a pair of Orioles, Red Tail Hawks, one Eagle, ONE actual Blue Bird in 35 years, lots of Juncos and one flock of all brown Cow Birds in a driveway puddle after rain. Sandhill cranes on migration path, singles or trailing flocks. Owls in the distance, no Crow seen.
Kate! I didn't know you were a birder! Me, too! I have spotted all the regulars that you have listed here - except for an eagle, a crane and a blue bird. But we do have snowy egrets, grey herons, finches, towhees and pelicans! Thousands of crows here are a total nuisance! They pull the shingles off the roof. So nice to know you are a friend of birds.
Not a hobby birder... they are just here. Friends took me to see the Grand Landing of Sandhills last year. O MY. Lines and lines and lines of them for hours. They filled the field solid. You know why the Vs are longer on one side............more birds on that side.
I'd be really annoyed if they started to pick shingles off the roof. Squirrels and cats like to hunt up there. Only two cats now. 9 was a party up there. I'll be happy to see Bridge Cat up there with Hansel. Maybe another week of meds first so he can get to hunting.
At the Grand Landing site, there is a viewing stand 2 stories up that could hold 50 people. Birds flew right past us almost close enough to touch. They didn't care that we were there, or maybe thought it was fun to make us duck. They are BIG birds. They could easily knock us over if they flew into us.
Eizer and Eli are so good for each other it's hard to tell who is getting the most out of the relationship. Your description of the two women picking out Eli's wardrobe with the "cool off" of coffee and cigarettes is great, Sharron!
As you know, I love the Bartlett Clunes story - there is a gentleness and sweetness that seems to be missing today. Every time I read or re-read a chapter, I smile.
Thanks so much for your continued support of my one tour de force, Janice! It is not the great American novel, but it is about good people who care about each other, and going the extra mile. And very sweet, if I do say so myself.
Oh, I am so glad, Kym. This little story means so much to me. It does my heart good to know someone out there loves it too. It is definitely of a different era. Nostalgia, but with a heart, I think. Thank you for reading some of it.
Thank you for reposting this story. That novel gave me such a warm feeling, reading the stories of people finding each other and working out their problems and relationships. sigh
Thank you for this kind comment, Sue. I bring chapters of Bartle Clunes up out of the archive every once in a while, sort of as advertising. So few people ever go to the archives for any thing, I just want to remind them.
That's a good idea. Also referring them to older posts within a new post. Whatever brings people down the home page to explore. I think as we submerge ourselves inside our bunkers, we'll have plenty of time to read then, as long as the internet stays up and running.
I love that polite little boy! And that he is getting so much attention! What child wouldn’t be over the moon with a whole brand new wardrobe, and a cherry tootsie pop?!? I know I would have been, too! You put us all right in your stories, Sharron. And as long as I am reading, I am engaged…time flies , and I’ve enjoyed the trip! Thanks for giving me a stable place to be, in this crazy world! 🥰
Yes, I am retreating , too. I've been spending time back in Riles Crossing myself, Thanks for reading a bit of Bartle Clunes - for the millionth time...
Such an easy-going, warm piece, Sharron, like a good cup of coffee. You always include some unique figure of speech or descriptor to liven up the prose. This one stood out to me: "beaking it into his hand." I never came across that verb before. A thoroughly delightful read, featuring engaging characters.
This story, for what it is worth, is the grand opus of my life, and I am extraordinarily attached to it. So far, about 200 people have read it. That's about 199 more than I expected. ha ha ha
Good people, polite little boy. Never had a bird in the house... except 74 years ago, parakeet got out of tall cage. Tiger cat pressed him against the window screen and didn't know what to do after that. Mom pried him off claw by claw. Birdie happy to get back to seeds in his safe house. Lots of birds OUTside here. Flocks of sparrows, BlackBirds with red and yellow on their wings, Doves nesting on single bare stick in the front bushes, Starlings with stars upon thar's, Thrashers and Robins, Barn Swallows catching treats in the air, vrooooming Hummers, a pair of Orioles, Red Tail Hawks, one Eagle, ONE actual Blue Bird in 35 years, lots of Juncos and one flock of all brown Cow Birds in a driveway puddle after rain. Sandhill cranes on migration path, singles or trailing flocks. Owls in the distance, no Crow seen.
Kate! I didn't know you were a birder! Me, too! I have spotted all the regulars that you have listed here - except for an eagle, a crane and a blue bird. But we do have snowy egrets, grey herons, finches, towhees and pelicans! Thousands of crows here are a total nuisance! They pull the shingles off the roof. So nice to know you are a friend of birds.
Not a hobby birder... they are just here. Friends took me to see the Grand Landing of Sandhills last year. O MY. Lines and lines and lines of them for hours. They filled the field solid. You know why the Vs are longer on one side............more birds on that side.
Wow! What a sight that must have been!
I'd be really annoyed if they started to pick shingles off the roof. Squirrels and cats like to hunt up there. Only two cats now. 9 was a party up there. I'll be happy to see Bridge Cat up there with Hansel. Maybe another week of meds first so he can get to hunting.
Hah!
At the Grand Landing site, there is a viewing stand 2 stories up that could hold 50 people. Birds flew right past us almost close enough to touch. They didn't care that we were there, or maybe thought it was fun to make us duck. They are BIG birds. They could easily knock us over if they flew into us.
Wow! Thrilling!
Eizer and Eli are so good for each other it's hard to tell who is getting the most out of the relationship. Your description of the two women picking out Eli's wardrobe with the "cool off" of coffee and cigarettes is great, Sharron!
Thanks for the second reading, Ron. I love the relationship that develops between this old man and the lost boy, too. I appreciate your support.
As you know, I love the Bartlett Clunes story - there is a gentleness and sweetness that seems to be missing today. Every time I read or re-read a chapter, I smile.
Thanks so much for your continued support of my one tour de force, Janice! It is not the great American novel, but it is about good people who care about each other, and going the extra mile. And very sweet, if I do say so myself.
What a wonderful trip back in time! Loving this story!
Oh, I am so glad, Kym. This little story means so much to me. It does my heart good to know someone out there loves it too. It is definitely of a different era. Nostalgia, but with a heart, I think. Thank you for reading some of it.
Thank you for reposting this story. That novel gave me such a warm feeling, reading the stories of people finding each other and working out their problems and relationships. sigh
Thank you for this kind comment, Sue. I bring chapters of Bartle Clunes up out of the archive every once in a while, sort of as advertising. So few people ever go to the archives for any thing, I just want to remind them.
That's a good idea. Also referring them to older posts within a new post. Whatever brings people down the home page to explore. I think as we submerge ourselves inside our bunkers, we'll have plenty of time to read then, as long as the internet stays up and running.
Yikes! Excuse me. I am going to lie down.
I know, right? What happens now .....?
Loved this story! Specially the part where the ladies hovered around the little boy!
Yes! I could just envision those women. They hit the jackpot that day, didn’t they!
I love that polite little boy! And that he is getting so much attention! What child wouldn’t be over the moon with a whole brand new wardrobe, and a cherry tootsie pop?!? I know I would have been, too! You put us all right in your stories, Sharron. And as long as I am reading, I am engaged…time flies , and I’ve enjoyed the trip! Thanks for giving me a stable place to be, in this crazy world! 🥰
Yes, I am retreating , too. I've been spending time back in Riles Crossing myself, Thanks for reading a bit of Bartle Clunes - for the millionth time...
I enjoy every time I read about that place! Thanks for posting this part…it’s one of my favorites!
Such an easy-going, warm piece, Sharron, like a good cup of coffee. You always include some unique figure of speech or descriptor to liven up the prose. This one stood out to me: "beaking it into his hand." I never came across that verb before. A thoroughly delightful read, featuring engaging characters.
This story, for what it is worth, is the grand opus of my life, and I am extraordinarily attached to it. So far, about 200 people have read it. That's about 199 more than I expected. ha ha ha