Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

Much to my horror, yesterday afternoon a Cooper's hawk snatched a red-winged blackbird right from the feeding area in my backyard! Of course it's impossible to keep all hawks away, but I'm hoping this old beach umbrella and orange safety tape will at least deter them. According to some articles, hawks hate orange - I hope that's true! And I've ordered some nets to hang around the feeders as well. The smaller birds stayed away for about 30 minutes after the hawk attack - the fluttering orange tape doesn't keep them away at all. I also added an owl statue near the back door - his head moves when the wind blows, so perhaps he will at least cause the hawks to hesitate. In the past hawks have also taken chickens - but the chicken yard is now entirely covered by nets, orange and silver tape, and even some old Christmas tinsel garland.  . . . not beautiful, but safer!  

Spring is indeed beautiful - and there is plenty of pollen for all. The bees are thrilled and staying busy!  

This morning the grape hyacinths are blooming - this little clump migrated from where I planted them last year, but that's good - may they spread far and wide! Hope you are having a beautiful Sunday.  

Indeed, this is the first day Spring! But today is also the feast day of St. Cuthbert. St. Cuthbert has been a favorite of mine since the days when I lived at St. Cuthbert's House in Brewster, NY . . . many years ago now. But St. Cuthbert has an even more influential place in my life today, because he was one of the first to establish a safe haven for birds on the island of Farne. Here is an article about him:   St. Cuthbert the Environmentalist . St. Cuthbert protected eider ducks, now also known as Cuddy ducks. He also talked with animals, especially birds, just as did St. Francis. St. Cuthbert was able to convince a flock of birds (maybe goldfinches?) to leave his barley field and eat elsewhere simply by talking and reasoning with them. I feed a large flock of goldfinches every day, grateful for the legacy and example of St. Cuthbert. Goldfinch in the rain!

 Happy Saints' Day! We are definitely celebrating today, not only because of St. Gertrude and St. Patrick, but also because the rain, wind, and tornadoes that hit the Delmarva peninsula last night missed us for the most part. . . we did get a lot of rain, but that seems only to have turned the grass greener. The weather here today is chilly and sunny so far, so I wonder if that would be called "fair." Fair weather is usually defined as suitable for outdoor activities. I think it's a little cold, but my phone tells me it's fair for running - that's good, but I'm not planning on running anywhere! The phone says "poor" for jogging, hiking, and bicycling - I definitely won't be doing those activities either, and not just because my phone says the weather is "poor." According to one legend, if the weather is "fair" on St. Gertrude of Nivelles Day then it's time to begin Spring planting - my garden is calling, and it's f...

With a sudden silence yesterday afternoon, our clothes dryer stopped! Knowing what I know about dryers, I am 98% certain that the cable that turns the drum broke mid-cycle. This is the third time this dryer has failed, but because we have an extended warranty, Lowe's always sends a repair person to fix it. I suggested that it would be better financially for everyone if they would simply offer us a buy-out, allowing us to purchase a new machine. But rules are rules, so even though they will actually spend more on repairs than the machine is worth, they have to stick to that plan. The machine has to fail four times before they will give up on repairs and pay us a part of its original cost. I do at least one load of laundry every day - sometimes two or even three. That's a lot of wet towels and dog blankets AND we are supposed to have rain for the next two days. What a mess! But not all is lost - the irises are growing - Spring (and God willing, the sun) will soon be here!  

Mouse took a one second break before resuming the zoomies! We hope you are having a wonderful, energy-filled day, too.  

This female cardinal spends hours a day defending her space - or I should say her car. She attacks any car or truck in our driveway as well as the neighbor's car across the street! I can only hope she is as protective of her nest and chicks if she ever gets to that stage. I have seen a few sparrows nearby, but they keep their distance from the cardinal. This morning a male cardinal stopped by for a few minutes but offered no help . . . maybe he was busy gathering materials for the nest. The male gathers materials - the female actually constructs the nest.  

Jane enjoyed the morning sun rays, and by afternoon there were miniature daffodils blooming in the wildflower area! I had planned to mow the wildflower space, but guess I missed that opportunity . . . it was a very narrow window. And yes, if you were wondering how soon the insects emerge, I saw two house flies, one mosquito, and three wasps testing the weather. The calendar may say that Spring begins next week, but we are definitely in pre-Spring! Hope your days are warm and beautiful, too.