What do you do when your birthday rolls in?

I had a birthday this month and I had to think about that question.  What do you do when your birthday comes?
As for me, I did some of the same things I've been doing for years now, then to my surprise, I've decided not to do some other things.  What I still do: I reflect a lot about my life.  Where it has been, where it's going, what I like about it, what I don't like, what I want to change through new actions and new habits, those sorts of deep reflections.
My Mom taught me that at an early age and I still do it. Not exactly in those details, but she would sit down with me and, after breaking the piggy bank for all the money earned for good behavior throughout the year, she will give me words of wisdom about life.

I also take it slowly that day just to appreciate all the little pleasant things i.e. friends wishing me a Happy Birthday on Facebook, a bird singing loud in the yard, a clear beautiful sky after many days of rain, ..., otherwise birthdays tend to come with unpleasant surprises.  So, you just fill it with your own pleasant ones.

 Now, what I've stopped doing:  I use to set new goals on my birthday.  I'm now over 50 and I now realize that I'm not going to reach a lot of the goals I set on my birthday.  I set them too high for the challenge and I squeeze some easy ones in-between which I reach. I always end up doing a lot of unpredictable things throughout the year.  So I've decided to simply live life in the moment every day, doing the best I can, with great appreciation, and moving in a certain direction, systematically.

I also use to buy myself a gift on my birthday.  I now find it unnecessary.  If I need something and I have the money for it, then I just go buy it.  If I want something but don't have the money for it, then a birthday should not be an excuse to go in debt.  

  Actually, this has been my greatest eye opening experience this birthday.  Simply going back in reflection and appreciating all the little things that make you happy and that you're grateful for.  If you truly stop and think about it, you'll find a bunch.  For example, your sister-in-law just had a baby girl, your kids love you and are coming to visit (or live with you safely), your wife (or husband) loves you, you're here (wherever you are) and not in Syria or in the path of the approaching wildfires in California.  As for me, I took several birding and camping trips this year and I'm thankful for that. I'm also thankful of the above things especially my children and wife.

On and on, let's just be grateful and appreciative when our birthday comes around.

I have found that life greatest joy and pleasures and in the little and mundane things.  All it takes is an open eye of appreciation.  I've learned to suspend the negativity a long time ago.

 We create our own lives by the things we attract into our life and the things we weed out through daily actions.  In that sense, we can use a birthday moment to reassess things as we move forward.  

Well, your idea of a birthday may be different.  I just shared mine with you and I welcome all comments. In any case, Happy Birthday!

Do you remember what you did on the 4th of July?

Well, we went to Connie and Duane's in Alabama and put out a nice fireworks show.  Must be good, because the neighbors sat on their back porch and watched it! We did it in the big backyard.
But before the fireworks...

Duane, Debbie, Melba and Ms. Price (Mama)

...we visited with family,

That's a nice pic of Ricky! Keep smiling, Buddy!

happy family with smiling face,

They were not alone, everyone played on the smartphones at one point or the other

busy family,

Jeremy and Meredith, nice couple!, and nice people

 yeah, that's better, and that will make loving family.

Of course, we played Rook! and Settlers of Catan.

Melba, Debbie, and Connie

The nice ladies prepared good food,

then we played more Rook, had beer, wine, Diet Mountain Dew, water...grilled outside, shared a lot of stories...

...then we had the fireworks the night of the 4th!

We had all shapes, colors, and sizes of fireworks. (Duane and I set out the fireworks; was fun!)
The next morning...

...there was a red line in the sky of Alabama.  And the clouds changed color.  I guess we were not the only one setting out fireworks.  It's a good thing the 4th of July only comes once a year.

So, how was your 4th?

The greatest Father's Day ever

How better can it get? Kelly and Leah came over to join us (Debbie and me) outside Savannah where we were birding and camping...for Father's Day!

I feel lucky.  My young adult children have made the time to spent unique moments with us on Father's Day for the last few years. This time, it took them 5 hours of driving, but they came.

Around the camp fire

Everyone was happy which made things easy.  We were just happy to be together! The food was great, the camping was comfortable.  The activities were simple but fun filled.

Kelly and Leah on Little Tybee Island

We chartered a small boat and went around the waterways of Tybee Island and anchored at Little Tybee Island for a while where everyone did his/her "own thing".  Birding, looking for unique shells, wildflowers, or just strolling on this almost deserted island.  You can access the island only by boat or other form of watercraft.

I thought I have fun finding many bird species, but it seems that the kids had even more fun with our encounter with the dolphins.  We touched these sociable wild dolphins thanks to a patient boat captain.

Kelly on boat

I didn't know Little Tybee Island is more than twice the size of Tybee Island.  I was struck by the contrast between the crowded, overdeveloped Tybee and the natural, undeveloped, and mostly deserted Little Tybee.

Little Tybee Island

I was happy to hear from the Captain of the boat (he seems to be an authority on this) that a bridge cannot be built to connect Little Tybee to the mainland.  Too many reasons against it.  Some places just need to remain natural.

Thanks, Leah for these pics.

 No, this was not at Sea World.  These dolphins just befriended us and let us touch them! Actually, they touched us, because we were not supposed to touch the wild dolphins so we simply put our hands out and let them do the touching.

On Skidaway Island

A hiking on Skidaway Island with Kelly and Leah gave us a chance to see the Painted Buntings again and for the children, a moment to appreciate birding.  Sure, there were more than birding...butterflies, wildflowers, deer...nature is lovely in any regard.

Thank you, Debbie, for all you do to make the get-together pleasant in every way.  You're the greatest!

American Oystercatchers

How quickly time passes by! Especially when you're with loved ones and you just want to spend a lot of time together.

Kelly

Till next time.

Can't wait!

I love you, kids, for a great and unforgettable Father's Day!

Birding and taking a break in the Florida gulf Coast

It just seems that we like to take a break in this part of Florida every year now.  Maybe because we find the beach here to be the prettiest.  Or maybe because Grayton Beach State Park offers beach areas that are quite private.  Or just because it's inexpensive to camp or rent a cabin here.  Or all of the above.

We were really looking forward to some great birding during the few days and nights we spent in the Santa Rosa beach area.  Did we see alot of birds? No, not really.  We did try and picked up two lifers (these are bird species a birder has not seen before).  They were a Black Tern and an American Golden-Plover.   

The beach was gorgeous and the weather was perfect.  We enjoyed that! And it's was nice to brush up on our gulls and terns.  

A lake by the beach, very unique

We rented bikes and hit the trails near the marshes and wetlands where most of our target birds for the trip were.  That's where we came up a bit pretty empty handed.  Sure, we ended up with 92 bird species for the trip including 33 additional species for our Florida yearly bird list.  We're happy.



You're pretty!












Laughing Gull

It was strange to go to some great birding habitats in Florida and notice that there were hardly any birds!   

Since you've read this post this far, I'll let you in on a secret.  You probably already know that some of the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida are world renowned.  They are that beautiful with white sand, clean, and pretty ocean colors.  That's why it can get expensive to get a nice place on the beach; and my secret...Florida State Parks that are on the beach. 

Get down from that tree!

Here is the link Florida State Parks.  From that main page, go to "find a park", then "reserve".  We like Grayton Beach State Park.  Don't expect to book a cabin today and go next week now.  You have to book a few weeks in advance, sometimes a couple of months in advance.  They call these "cabins" but they are really comfortable 2 bedrooms duplexes tucked in the woods for privacy with screened porch...for $130.00 a night.  These cabins are well maintained and are in a gated complex. That's why the beach has a "private" feel. 

Debbie's mother (Mama) came with us and greatly enjoyed the trip too! We all had fun. 

When you work hard like most of us do, you need a break from time to time.  Even if you don't work very hard...well, take a break to the beach anyhow!

Pretty beach, where is everybody?

Bye now!

What have we been up to lately?

Spring is here. 
We've been taking full advantage of it; working in the yard, birding, one camping trip, more birding, working in the yard some more, and birding even more.  I almost forgot.  I go to work every day too, except for weekends and when I don't go.

This Robin has decided to make her home on our front porch.  We believe she is the same robin that comes every year.  She thinks she is part of the family.  Her name is Robie.

I guess if we can guarantee to leave some doors open for her, she will make her nest right in the living room! Some bird!

Birding at the Oconee National Forest.  We usually take Mama (Debbie's Mom) with us on our birding outings.  She loves the outdoors.  I've been thinking about taking her camping too.  She is only 86 years young.  This will take a lot of convincing on several fronts. 

Cardinal chicks

First hatching of Northern Cardinals in the backyard.  Those birdies can cry for food.  Someone needs to make pacifiers for birds!

They're cute though.

A pair of bright color Goldfinches came to visit the feeders.  Only one in the picture.  The other one took the picture.  Really? Don't believe it.  Debbie took most of the bird pictures. 

American Goldfinch

Black Belts at the tournament.  Andre is 4th from the left.

In-between our birding outings, we had our national TaeKwonDo tournament.  Our school organized it and I helped set up the place with others.  I got a medal for just being a 3rd degree black belt.  (Other 3rd and 4th degrees got a medal too).  Easiest medal I've ever gotten!

We need to see more birds, so off we go to the Okefenokee for a four day camping trip.  Fantastic!

Camping at the Okefenokee

Debbie in the canoe

Lazy gator

Did you know there are lots of alligators at the Okefenokee? There are lots of birds too.  We saw our share, and loved every bit of it.  There are beautiful wildflowers, plants, and butterflies too.  If you love nature, it's the place to go.  

Bog Candles blooming

Back home, we went birding around town, within an hour drive.  Did you know there are nature trails, forests, birding trails, wildlife management areas or a State Park within an hour drive from any American city? I read it somewhere. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Before I forget, a beautiful Rose-breasted Grosbeak came to our feeder.  He felt sorry we couldn't find one in the woods so he just came straight to the house.  Birds are nice!

We found a new spot for birding.  The Oaky Woods WMA.  We went there for a picnic and saw lots of birds including some of the migrant warblers.  The place has a campground for primitive camping.  Since no one goes there, hardly, we're thinking of going camping there.  Will be fun.    

This place is rich with butterflies too.  We need to remember to take Kelly and Leah next time they're home.  They love butterflies! 

It's therapeutic to be in nature. 

Debbie



  Bye for now.