Our bluebirds usually fledge on day 17 or 18, so it won't be long now! The parents might stop feeding them, or bring food and not let them have it, hovering in front of them and teasing. They will get hungry, and the parents will call to them. Eventually, each one will get up into the entrance hole (or window LOL), and peek out more and more, often going back in, while others take a turn. When you see toes on the windowsill, they are very, very close. Once I watched a little boy try to take off, but he would not let go of the box. Then he had one wing in and one wing out. It took him about a 1/2 hour to figure out what to do next, but he eventually made it to the trees. The parents will then guide them to the safety of the trees, either by calling them or leading them. Our best hope is that when they go, they can really fly, otherwise, they are vulnerable to predators; hawks and cats and such. Enjoy the show. And don't blink. We set up a video camera once, to try to catch one bluebird fledging. The whole 8-hour tape was absolutly nothing--no peeking, no toes, nothing. At about 7 hours & 45 minutes into the tape, a blur went by. That was it! BlueBars

Sue, Sorry I am late to this celebration but I happened on this thread as I was searching for an update on your dining room to library transformation. I was so thrilled to hear that your son graduated, got such high praise for his film shorts and is heading off to Hampshire in the fall. I have followed your posts over the years and I was really hoping Hampshire would be a good fit for him. From the start, I had a strong gut feeling about your son and I think he's on a path to an exciting future. Your family is beautiful-- and I can't believe the girls aren't noticing your sons! All I can say is that I sure didnt know what I was looking for when I was in my teens. Those girls will wake up one day! A son who wants to take his mother out to lunch is going to be a great mate! Congratulations!

I know I posted to this but don't see it !! java : I sure hope you can get down there. Thank you ! I love the image of Mom Buttons !! SG,,,,yes following ones own path is so hard to do at times and yet can be so rewarding. We have told all of our children to do this and at present they are all following very individualized paths that are so rewarding. We are indeed proud . Thank you for such an insightful note. tina: he and DIL were there for exactly one year before going to The Red Hen. He loves the intimacy of the Red Hen so he is glad he moved on. I sure hope you can visit some day. Thank you !! nancy NO !! He only made mac and cheese from a box until he left for the USMC. That is where he became interested. Although I do believe all the latent talent came from his Mom and Dad and all the meals he had with us. That is all he talks about now is what we used to fix at home and he asks me all the time for my recipes and old family recipes from his grandparents. We are so happy for them. Thank you !! lynn: thank you !! I sure wish you were closer too. It is such fun to see our kids do well. I hope it continues and he can bring the experience of fine dining to more and more folks. c marlene...thank you !! He is such a sweet sweet baby. He has the best chuckle. We love him to pieces. !! tea...thank you !! Wish you were closer...you would get all the loaves you could stand. !! c

Thanks so much everyone! Hazie, I did think about grouting it, but decided that I liked the swirly copper clour of the ball showing through. I have another plain black one that I will do with grout when I get it done. Barb, I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. All my new treasures have my head spinning with ideas. As soon as I decide on one I'll be sure to post pics. Cindy