Irving Lester’s “Star List” Used in Class

Some of my readers are former students of my late brother, Irving Lester.  Evidently, he handed out a “Star List” to those students, to help them with grammar. (He taught English for many years.)  I was sent a copy of that list today, and have posted it here, for your enjoyment and enlightenment.

Special thanks to Kelly Johnson, for providing me with the document.

It is a .pdf file, so you can download it easier.

Irving Lester’s Star List used in class

Indigo Bunting

Finally, some decent shots of our Indigo Bunting.

Baltimore Race

Since we don’t feed the birds once the snow melts, we don’t see Baltimore Races or Northern Orioles very often in our yard.  When I was making the bed this morning, I kept hearing a bird that sounded different.  I grabbed my camera in time to find the Baltimore Race in the trees outside our bedroom.  I have never gotten photos of these birds, or of any orioles.  The Northern Oriole is different, it has an orange crown.  I see them flying sometimes, but I am never quick enough with my camera.  It was fun to finally capture this one thru my lens.

 

 

 

 

 

Purple Finch and Wilson’s Warbler

Yesterday, I got photos of a Purple Finch.

 

And a Wilson’s Warbler.

 

 

 

Gray Catbird

Another new-to-me bird.  I saw this gray catbird all day today.  I finally took my camera out and got a couple of pictures of it.

 

Bobolink

It is always a thrill when I see a bird that I have never seen before.  And an even bigger thrill when I am able to get pictures of it!

Today I saw 4 Bobolinks.  According to my bird book, the springtime Bobolinks are the “only North American land birds that are dark below and light above.”

 

 

 

 

New Barn

I know I haven’t blogged in forever…. more about that in a different post.

For now, I wanted to share photos of our new barn as it was being built.   We have had several requests for photos from people who are considering using our contractor, and this seems like an easy place to direct them to photos.  Our contractor was Hostetler Construction from Cochranton, PA.  We highly recommend them.  They do quality work with quality materials.  They construct Borkholder Buildings, pole construction barns, ag buildings,etc.  I love that they come when they say they will, and have a strong work ethic.  They put up our barn during the coldest, windiest, snowy December week of 2013.

 

The barn components were delivered.

 

First pole up.

 

All the poles are up.

 

First truss going up.

 

All the framework is done.

 

Working on second side of roof.

 

Working on the roof.

 

Starting doors and siding.

 

Soffet.

 

Finishing up details.

 

The Borkholder emblem.  Lots of our clients have asked what quilt block that is!  We hope to get a big quilt block up sometime, but probably on the gable end of our quilt studio, not on the barn.

 

All done!

 

 

 

 

New couch

We went to find a new couch and chair today.

YAY!  I have a place to sit, other than at my desk.  I am going to test them both for the rest of the day.

They aren’t exciting, but sure better than what we had.

Common Flicker

Look who came to see us today:

 

I have been seeing this Common Flicker for several days, but today was the first time I got to photograph him.

Our American Smoke is particularly beautiful this year.

 

Yesterday, Steve’s brother came to help him move some farm implements and other crap.  While he had help, I convinced Steve to get my 25 yr old couch out of this house.

 

Steve wondered if a bear might want to sleep on the burn pile!  He will light it when it isn’t so windy.

I don’t have a replacement yet.  Just empty space in my living room.  I went to a local furniture store that is having a “going out of business sale”.  The couch I saw 2 mos ago for 600.00 was marked at 1200.00 today.  Half off means it is now 600.  Great sale, huh?  I didn’t buy anything.  Have 2 more stores to check out in the coming days/week.

 

 

Lazy Sunday

It’s been a lazy kind of  Sunday.  Got the work done this morning that had to be done and got to be lazy the rest the afternoon.

Took a nap.

 

Then I got too hot because my feet were in the sun.

 

and Steve was making too much noise, so I woke up.

 

Rubbed my itchy eye

 

 

Wiped my nose

 

Scratched my head

 

Prayed to find something interesting for supper

Stretched my back

 

And hopped to it!