bird rescue, 2

Last fall I rescued this bird out of my potting shed, I know because I had my magenta hooded gloves on, it was a crazy gift, from the universe, and made me smile big.

Today as I let the the dog, and then the cat out, I saw this crumpled little shape of a bird, It looked maybe injured, or maybe my cat Ginger, had caught it, but no she didn't give this little feathered shape a second look, neither did the dog, so I had to investigate.
On went the boots,my wool V-neck, and my bird rescuing gloves, as I stepped out I noticed a little movement, but not really. I was afraid, maybe the birdie, had flown into our big window in the mud room, maybe it's neck was broken. Gingerly I picked up this soft little form that just barely filled the palm of my soft gloved hand, I clasped my other hand over, this little feathered mass, which didn't try to fly away, it didn't move much except for breathing, and occasionally blinking. I could feel her heart beating, as I now recognize, this soft colored bird, as a female goldfinch.
She is gripping my finger with her feet, so I think that has to be a good sign. Now I begin to think maybe my little bird friend is suffering from hypothermia, it is only 21 degrees F, and I did find her in the shade.
So I hold her nestled in my gloved hands, for a while, long enough to consider, if it's "smart to be outside, in my flannel pajama bottoms?", "should I go get my camera,and take a picture of this?" I tell you the pattern of small feathers across her head were to "die for", the detail awesome, it helped me ignore the cold.

I held her long enough to consider getting a small box, and bringing her in maybe she's not going to get more alert, about that time I thought that, I felt her little heartbeat, stronger. She began to blink and focus her little dark eyes, her body tensed, she began to move, I moved too, opening my hand, making that magenta glove that held her , more of a point to take off, then a warm furry nest.
Then time stopped briefly, for she stood, paused a beat or two ,then spread her wings. and flew off.

And yes, I thanked the powers that be, for this morning's gift.

iPod nation

I should have posted this around Valentine's Day, but I was too busy eating chocolate.
For my family, Valentine's day is very much a "who's bringing home the chocolate" kind of holiday...we're not big into gifts, just chocolate.So this year i bought my portion of the chocolate, and I figured we were set.
It's the usual routine when I work nights, I sleep during the day, get up about the time Tom is getting home, but it's the winter,and he's on call for the heating company he works at,on a service call, so I'm up and surfing the net...specifically I'm looking at , or uploading pictures on Flickr. :)
I hear him come in, say hello from the other room, then i hear him and Zack talking, I'm not really paying attention to them.

Zack:"Mom, come and see these chocolates"

Me:"yeah, I'll be there in a few"

Zack:"no really you have to come see this"

Okay, so now I'm up, I come into the kitchen to see them standing there, with sheepish little grins, and on the butcher block is this heart shaped box of chocolates, except the cellophane is off, and well I'm think there something that will jump out at me when I open it.
so reluctantly I lift the lid, inside the box is empty of chocolate, but full of a new Ipod!!!!!!!!
My first reaction is the ever eloquent "shut -up!"
I pick up the box with the smiling pirate Johnny Depp on the cover,
"you guys, oh my gawd" opening the packaging...it's a black Ipod, wooo hoooo!!!
"I had no idea, this was a total surprise."
Needless to say i had two really proud guys happy that they pulled off the ultimate V-Day surprise...i wonder what will happen next year.