Put me in nature, and I’m happy. That’s how I’ve been all my life, and though my moods might change, the nature lover in me never will. I’m an animal lover, too, and if any of these two parts of me rub off on my family, then I feel I’ve done right by them. Goodness knows enough bad parts of me have probably been shared with them already!
It has often been difficult, however, to pry my husband and children away from computers and other monitors. Oh, I insist on sports and cycling and hiking with the dogs, but it’s not hard to figure out what they’d prefer if given the choice. That’s pretty much why I don’t ever give them a choice when it comes to my planning for us to be outside, be it for enjoyment or working in the yard. Sometimes I get a grumpy, groaned response when I announce it’s time to take the dogs to the creek, but a good mom knows when to ignore this or put her foot down. The hardest part is getting the family out of the door – once you get them away from the house, they have a good time, unless you accidentally forget to tell them that they’re not allowed to bring their Nintendos in the car. It’s all over if a nearby game beckons them.
My kids have been involved in our new garden since I began it in the fall. Amazingly, they’ve been fairly willing to help at least a few minutes each day, and they delight as I do when birds and dragonflies and butterflies and other creatures come visit our blooming flowers and pond. But last weekend the effect I’ve had on my kids became truly apparent. My oldest son had friends come over for a birthday party, and when they arrived, he didn’t pull out the video games or Nerf guns. He took them outside to see our pond, and when they finished looking at that, he and his brother showed them the butterfly garden and thistle socks and birdfeeders. I didn’t get to hear the conversation, but I watched through the window as they pointed to different places in our yard and played tour guide. My heart swelled, and I’m still smiling.
And I also get to smile about our thistle sock experiment. We have a winner! The finches have found the thistle socks, and the clear favorite is the kitchen lace, which I kind of hoped for because it looks the prettiest in the tree. I guess I’m a girl after all – sometimes I forget that in a house of boys. Surprisingly, the next choice of the finches, based on missing thistle, is the jersey sock. The green netting has some holes poke into it, but it doesn’t look like they’ve touched the brand sock or the pantyhose (though there is a run in the pantyhose, so one must have landed on it). I’m also glad the finches chose the kitchen lace sock, because it’s the one my youngest son stitched by hand, his first attempt at sewing anything with a needle.
So I think I’ll make a few more lace socks, and then rotate them as I refill thistle. The lace socks aren’t exceptionally durable, however – the finches are a little rough in their endeavor to get to the thistle, but I can make a bunch for cheap, and I think they’ll last a pretty long time anyway.
The activity at the other feeders is busy nonstop. The hummingbirds are starting to fight over their feeder (and I’ve gotten to see them visit the flame acanthus and salvia). And it’s a nonstop parade of creatures at the other feeder. Cardinals, finches, blue jays, doves, squirrels, and titmice all for the most part are playing nice and taking turns (well, not so much the blue jays — they are the classic bullies). But we’re entertained, and so are the cats and dogs inside.
Cool on the lace sock. Guess I’ll have to get busy soon and sew some!
First of all, happy birthday to your son! I think it’s great that he was proud of your yard and took his friends outside to show it off. Technology is wonderful, but I know what you mean about how we can get tied to it — especially kids. In the precomputer days of my childhood, all we wanted to be was outside — even on the coldest of winter days in PA. The captures of the hummingbird were awesome — and I am glad the birds chose the lace. In fact, what kind of bird is the red one in the photo?…we have those here! Great post; I really enjoyed it!!!!!!!
These shots of the hummingbirds are wonderful, Meredith!! And very clever feeders you’ve created 🙂
Lynn
Thanks, everyone! Lynn, I was very pleased I managed to get some hummingbird shots. They were very skittish with me around, but today when I replaced the sugar water, one hovered over me wondering what in the world I was doing to her feeder!
Tina, those thistle socks are super easy to make. I refilled the lace one yesterday and it’s already almost empty!
Islandgardener, that’s a house finch on the thistle sock. We have them year-round here in Austin. I’m no expert on finches, though — in fact, I just learned how to identify them this week, as well as the titmouses that are coming to my other feeder! The bottom photo has a cardinal and… something else. Maybe another finch?
And my son says thank you for the birthday wish! He’s sitting behind me… on another computer, lol!
I’m so glad I didn’t miss this post. I wanted to know the outcome of the socks. I too am glad it was the lace. I’ve got lots around here.
So glad your kids have learned the garden is most important compared to the games and computer. I know that made your heart sing.
You have a right to be proud about the garden’s effect on your son. That’s great! I know how hard it is to pull boys especially away from video games, so good for you.
This is a lovely blog and I’m glad that your son’s enjoying the garden too.
My household is the reverse; I live in house full females (including the dog) and I am the only one with the gardening bug. Is quite a chore to get my family out in the garden, but I try. You take great pictures, the hummingbird is amazing.
I can completely relate to your technologically-oriented kids! No matter the ages, we all share this new issue. My daughter is almost 21 and has obviously changed her focus from the way I raised her…now her life does revolve more around the computer. But look at us, we all do the same thing! At least we have instilled nature into them when we could. I see my daughter with animals and know she still loves nature as much as she did as a child. She rides horses regularly and is observant of her surroundings so is not just a computer girl! My son is 12 and although he’s ‘hooked’ on the same things your kids are, he loves the outdoors, too. In fact, he’s at a lake right now w/my husband, fishing& swimming-and I’m going to join them later. Hopefully we’ll see some dragonflies, and other creatures & critters along the way. I’ll try to get some photos to share:-) Your hummingbird shots are so lovely, and sweet;-)
What beautiful photos.
How far away should a finch sock be from hummingbird feeder?
Thanks, Julie
Hmmm, good question. I’m not really sure, but I’d say probably at least a few feet apart. The hummingbirds tend to be pretty cautious, and the finches get pretty busy on those socks. At least they don’t compete for the same food!