Birthday of poet John Milton, and it's snowing!

Borrowing a few lines from today's posting on The Writer's Almanac : "It's the birthday of poet John Milton, born in London (1608). . . . Milton coined more than 600 words, including the adjectives dreary, flowery, jubilant, satanic, saintly, terrific, ethereal,

sublime, impassive, unprincipled, dismissive, and feverish; as well as the nouns fragrance, adventurer, anarchy, and many more." I can't imagine a world without those words!

The first snow of our winter! Blanche and Little Red wonder what these white flakes are, while Betty headed back to the chicken coop to watch the snow from a dry space.

Gabby the duck put her head under the wing - her downy feathers keep her warm - and watched the snow beginning to fall around her.

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Wren update and Goodbye to Anastasia

I am very glad to report that three, or maybe four, wren nestlings are doing well! Both parents feed the babies, and they are extremely busy these days. The wrens are not at all happy when multiple beagles run past their flower pot nest, so we are trying to keep doggie outdoor playtime to a minimum. Fortunately, since the weather is quite hot, the beagles are content to be in the air conditioned house On a sad note today, our kitty Anastasia left us for the Rainbow Bridge - not a great surprise since she was about 18 years old, but she ate supper last night, and I didn't expect to find her gone this morning. Over the years, Anastasia had served as foster mom to several kittens, especially Pye and Weej, two black kittens whom we saved from being thrown into the Manokin River. Farewell Anastasia - we'll see you again at the Bridge! And for a puzzle, Noelle on the edge of the cabinet where she likes to nap!

Wren

Without a doubt, one of my favorite birds is the wren . . . I hope momma wren who discovered this plant hanging just outside the Sanctuary House door knows what she is doing. Maybe she thinks that the comings and goings of the very vocal beagles will keep predators away. She just started this little nest yesterday. . . want to see what's inside the nest? Just click on the nest puzzle! nest puzzle God watches over the sparrows, so I know He also watches over the wrens . . . but yes, I'll try to keep an eye on her too in the rain and wind, and when the beagles play!

Baby chicks and diamonds in the tree

Our Board member Aimee Lauer brought four little chicks this morning - they were rescued from Craig's List. As far as we can tell, two Easter Eggers and two Legbars. This weekend is a strange mixture of weather - rain, wind, and sometimes moments of sun. The sunlight in the tree this morning made the wet leaves and branches look as though they were decorated with diamonds. We are hoping and praying that Hurricane Florence will miraculously weaken, although current maps show East Coast landfall and predictions are that the storm may be a category 4. Stay tuned . . .

Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

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