The cardinals' nest

Up early, trash out, coffee made, animals fed and walked. We saw running man coming back up the hill. We held off a mean and nasty chihuahua. He was embarrassed that we ignored his posturing.

Then we treated ourselves to breakfast and a trip to the "home improvement store." I was there for cheap sprinklers. I have decided to buy cheap sprinklers that can break each year rather than expensive ones which will break each year and frustrate my miserly being.*

I also found loppers with handles that extend (another foot!) and new hand sheers.**

I tested out the loppers in the side-yard. That poor yard is so neglected. It is grown up in trash trees and vines (pie, honeysuckle that never blooms, a thorny vine of some sort, and probably more). We usually toss the yard trimmings there for the garbage men, but they are unhappy that there is a cedar elm too close to the pile.

I made a good start. Inspired by the new equipment and a cool breeze, I whaled the tar out of the undergrowth and trimmed up some low-growing limbs. As one limb fell, I saw the cardinals' nest. Too late, too late to stop. I suppose it is forgivable since nesting season is over.

I have saved the nest to offer up to them what may be able to use it. The cardinals will be back next year to rebuild I am sure.***

Nest among the leaves of the vines.

I am now starting the "inside" work. A young friend called and gently suggested I get out of the heat. I needed no further encouragement.****

Where is my list?



NOTES:

*I INVESTED in a sprinkler a few months ago. Did not have to use it much because of all the spring and early summer rains. It broke the other day. It is just a slipped spring, but I have no idea how to fix it. Will continue my efforts, but until resolved I need to water with something that moves.

**I am convinced that, once a year, DH loses his mind with the nandina (the stand of nandina by the garage gets heavy with rain and falls over into the sidewalk. DH does a very bad imitation of Edward Scissorhands and then hides the shears from me). Ours is not "heavenly," but ridiculously invasive variety. Still it is hard to remove the hedge that has been here so long.

Of course, I think there was some symbolism in the fact that, while he paid for my new tools, he did not "touch" any of them. Perhaps it means something if you carry a new tool to the car. If you touch it, you must use it. If not, well... Of course the man WILL help me haul cuttings to the yard. I will lure him with promises of home cooking.

*** They will be back unless this was the nest of the male I found in the street in early spring. My eye was drawn to a bright spot of red. I first thought, "bandanna." Sadly, it was not cloth, but feathers.

More on cardinals from our friends at Cornell - http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal/lifehistory

****It was strange to stop for the phone and to feel sweat dripping down my cheeks. 

Waiting for breakfast. I thought they opened at 7. We were just a little early.