Monday Musings: Books, Birds and Birks
Happy Monday ladies. I’m not sure what difference it makes that it’s Monday but let’s start the week off on a happy note:) Our temperatures hit the 80’s over the weekend which seems ridiculously early to be so hot but I’m loving it because the sun is out. These are a few of the ramblings on my mind this week.
Dust Jackets
I’m really enjoying this book by Pulitzer-prize winning fashion journalist Robin Givhan. It’s a fascinating topic but the dust jacket isn’t holding up well. Trivial I know, but there it is. I like dust jackets because they give you a little synopsis of the book and you can fold them to the inside to keep your place. They’re designed to keep the book clean and it turns out, a book without its jacket, isn’t worth very much. Who knew? People have been known to take off their book jackets, file them neatly, then put back on when they loan the book to friends. Do you remove your dust jackets? Enquiring minds want to know:)
Hummingbirds
I’ve just bought a third hummingbird feeder and am still striking out. The previous owner left me this feeder which they wouldn’t drink from, so I bought these, which they also won’t go near. I make the recommended 1 to 4 sugar and water mixture, clean the feeder, and yet the hummingbirds want nothing to do with them. My friend Terry had a birdfeeder on her back porch that the birds swarmed. It looked so easy. I read that you should not put red food coloring in the water so I’m not. If I could get even one bird to sip from a feeder, I’d order this adorable glass one. Or this one so I could see them up close. Any suggestions?
Birkenstock’s
I don’t think of myself as a “hippie-type” person but I seem to be leaning that way. I use and wear mala (meditation) beads, I use and diffuse essential oils, I have healing crystals on my desk and bedside table, I eat organic food and now I’ve ordered my first pair of Birkenstocks. I’ve ordered these for the garden and around the house because they’re waterproof and have lots of support. I’ve never worn Birks before but many of you swear by their comfort so I’m anxious for mine to arrive. I may even wear them with the caftan I am obsessing over..more on that another day.
Be well and wear what makes you feel confident.
xx
Please google plants that hummingbirds feed from. They like all trumpet like flowers especially bright red ones. I have firebushes and a bottlebrush tree here in Florida and they would rather feed from them than a feeder. Plus if the feeder is in the sun, the liquid will “turn” and they will not eat it. You ae so lucky to have a nest!
I do see them around my bottle brush tree…darn
My mother lived a bit southeast of Folsom and had great luck with the simple plastic Walmart feeders. Maybe one hummer will find your feeder and attract the rest of the flock. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
I grew up with a very simple hummingbird feeder and would watch the birds using it often while I was eating breakfast. I haven’t had a feeder for over fifty years, but I do have some Bird of Paradise plants just outside my living room window that the hummingbirds love. So, I sit on my couch and watch the hummingbirds as much as I want. I also love to leave my dining room window open and listen the the chirps and tweets of other birds.
Book dust covers stay on while I read and they usually remain in good condition. Maybe because I like to read a book in one or two sittings. It’s rare that I start a book without several free hours to read the entire thing straight through.
I haven’t had any Birkenstocks in decades, but I do love my Clark slides. I have several pair and alternate wearing them. I also have one very well worn pair I wear for slopping around the house.
I’m a big fan of Clarks for comfort too
I don’t read paper books anymore. Just use Kobo on my phone or computer. This was a godsend throughout menopause as I suffered from insomnia and was reading intermitently throughout the night. I was delighted to start using a tablet and being able to read without disturbing hubby. Never went back to paper books.
I have a lot of hummingbirds at my place. I plant flowers to attract them and provide them with food. I don’t really like them personally, as I find they are real dive bombers. I’ve had to duck a few times as they seem to fly straight for me. Maybe it’s just me!
I usually wear rubber boots in the garden at this time of year because it can be cool and/or damp. Later on I wear old Sketchers. I put bark mulch on my flower beds every year, and the texture can be hard on bare skin.
I love caftans and will look forward to hearing what you think and seeing what you chose!
I’ve had a few really pretty glass hummingbird feeders over the years. They made a sticky mess on the deck and we never saw one hummingbird. One year, I painted a terra-cotta pot a bright turquoise colour, filled it with orange million bells, and put it on the patio table on that same deck. To my surprise, the hummingbirds loved it. 😊For the first time, we had hummingbirds in our yard.
Wow, I thought they liked red, not orange.I obviously just need to plant more flowers
Love the picture. I gave up on bird houses and bird feeders. I have dozens of birds who love my back woods and adored my fresh garden veggies, especially strawberries and watermelon. Pricked holes in them but would not have their babies in the bird houses or drink from my hummingbird spigots. Oh well. I love watching them.
I love dust jackets so I want them on when I’m reading. I usually buy used books at library sales or on eBay so the jacket is not always neat but it doesn’t bother me. I miss holding real books now that I read on my kindle more. I guess it’s like the difference between a music download or a record album cover. We make progress but we lose something along the way.
I like holding real books too. I’ve bought several on my Kindle but never finish them because they’re unsatisfying
When I read “Birks” in your blog title, I thought you were going to mention Dr. Birx! 🙃
Thank you for this post, Jennifer; such a relief from the Facebook posts full of politics and coronavirus. Delightful reading and informative too!
I’ve been feeding hummingbirds for the last ten years, enjoying a swarm of birds in my two hanging feeders. This year, a male “bully” has been territorial and chased most of them away. I’m patient, as hummingbirds live 3 to 5 years, that the swarm will return. The bully is beautiful! His chest is a bright fire red, with iridescent green wings. I use the feeders with the perch; however, a few years back, I had trouble with ants. Now I have the models with the cup on top that’s filled with water; ant problem solved. I make my own hummingbird syrup, 1 part sugar/4 parts water. We also have lots of blooms they enjoy. In So Cal, the birds are year-round.
I keep my jackets on my books. I like the extras the offer too.
The Birkenstocks style hasn’t attracted me, even in their latest go-around. I prefer huaraches and other braided and wrapped leather styles. Our heat wave began last week in L.A. and I’m afraid it will go through until October now.
He sounds very fun to watch. I would be patient too
I discovered that hummingbirds won’t come to a feeder that has no place for them to stand on to rest. Paid a lot of $$ for a couple of beautiful glass hummingbird feeders, made the mixture same as your recipe, but they only fed on the feeder where they could land and rest while they ate. Also regarding Berks, I used to swear by them, but have since switched to Oofos. About the same cost but way more versatile and WAY more comfortable, as evidenced by I now own 9 pairs!
just an fyi on your new rubber birkenstock’s…..unlike the traditional birkenstock’s, they will not mold to your feet! i wear mine around the pool or to the beach. lots of different styles to try!!!
i like to have a strap between my toe, so i wear the gizeh style. not quite as “hippieish”😁 there are two types of “birkies”… leather or flor-nubuck. the latter look like leather but usually a bit less expensive. the footbed on all are leather. enjoy!!
Good morning from the west coast. We have 2 of the basic plastic hummingbird feeders. My husband makes the syrup solution for them = no food colouring. During the winter we still have hummingbirds here – we bring in the feeder when it starts getting dark so it doesn’t freeze overnight.
We had 3 hummingbirds here for months – then in March they disappeared for the month – now 2 are back. I have a red salvia plant on the deck for them – it’s just starting to get leaves after dying off for the winter – they love the flowers – 4 feet off the ground and also plant a few scarlet runner beans for them – they also like these red flowers.
One has to have patience in attracting hummingbirds – eventually they do find the feeders.
Be careful in the garden if you are in the dirt with open shoes/no socks – you don’t want any dirt to get into a small cut etc. Wash those feet thoroughly when you come in.
Book covers – some I take off when I’m reading if they are not a tight fit as they move too much and edges get frayed.
I’ve worn Birks since my first pregnancy, as suggested by my podiatrist. They are my “house slippers,” in that they’re on my feet anytime I’m in the house and awake. Once they break in, they mold to your feet and are super comfortable.
I regret that I gave away by Birks many years ago. I had two pair that I bought because I had bunion surgery and they were the only shoes that fit. I’ve been thinking about buying another pair but they just seem so wide on a narrow foot. I love books with dust jackets too!
I am enjoying your opening pictures. So pretty. I look forward to having my coffee with you every day.
HaHa about you becoming a “hippie”. I am exactly the same except for the Birks. My feet give me fits and no matter how many pair I’ve tried, Birks are not for me.
I have read with interest all of the comments and advice regarding hummingbird feeders. This post is timely since I’ve located two feeders we received as gifts and am ready to try them out. Being an ex high school librarian, I couldn’t live without my books and would never remove a jacket. I only loan books I don’t expect to get back because I’ve learned that very few people take as good a care of them as I prefer. I’ve rescued many old books that I’ve loved from thrift and antique stores. Unfortunately, when we relocated to our new home I had to part with many of my beloved books as well as nearly all of my movies. I would never wear any type of sandal or open toe shoe while working in the yard. We live in a rural area now and there is a danger of chiggers and ticks! I’ve dealt with those little buggers before and want no part of them now!
Good morning! I agree with those who say that the basic hummingbird feeders are the best and that having a place to perch makes a huge difference. We have a basic feeder (one with four red plastic flowers) with a perch underneath each flower. When the resident male isn’t keeping away other “rivals”, we often have four females at the feeder – one at each perch, drinking away. I feel like we have the hummingbird version of “Cheers”!
The simple hummingbird feeders with a resting ledge work the best. Try Best-1 or Perky Pet brands. I tried the pretty glass feeders with no luck and they are hard to clean. Keep the feeders clean and near flowers and give it time to find your feeders. Hummingbirds are fun to watch.
Cindy has it right. Perky Pet “pinch waist” version available at many retailers and quite affordable, but if you want the cadillac of feeders, easiest to fill, clean, and with a lifetime guarantee, go with Aspects “HummZinger”. They are more expensive but worth every penny. We have 11 feeders scattered around here and use up pounds and pounds of sugar. Hummer love 🙂
Fancy decorative feeders are useless, except as yard art.
Hummingbirds can take a while to find your feeders. If the previous owner didn’t attrack hummers in the yard it is not a known destination for them. Buy one of the cheaper, red, plastic ones and hang that. It took me two years to get hummers to my feeders even though they came for the fushia while it was in bloom. I take mine down once the rhododendron and fushia are blooming, as the sweetness attracts wasps. Be patient grasshopper. 😉
I leave the dust jacket on my hardcovers as it protects the book. I am careful with them as they can get damaged. I take them off my coffee table books and file them, if the book itself has a nice cover/right colour.
I must admit I don’t like Birks at all. I don’t find them attractive plus they don’t fit my narrow feet. Having said that, they might be very comfortable on your feet and become your go to footwear.
Week 7 of self isolating/social distancing. I’m bored! My house is clean and everything in it’s place and my garden is weeded, pruned, shrubs relocated, mulch raked….I’m starting to get bored but I will continue to stay home, stay safe.
Just make sure when ordering any style Birks that you order the correct width for your foot…they make Narrow, Regular and Wide…..and make sure that the length is such that your toes do not bash on the end or go over. Once that is correct the straps are adjusted so your foot stays in place. There used to be “official” Birkenstock stores where they were trained to do fittings; there may still be one of those in your area when stores can open again