One last little program for the nearly-1st-graders and Mrs. White was explaining the wayward Opossum of Nome Alaska, Grubby. A local celebrity, he hitched a ride on a shipping container from Washington State, check it out. We did a little presentation on "what skull is this?" the kids got them all with little coaching. Junior Zoologists. Have a great summer kids, and they promised they would spend it outdoors (all but one little boy, oh well.)
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Magpie Ranch
Seems like all the magpie nests have fledged young in the last few days. I have lost track of how many nests, and 5 or 6 young in this tree by the office yesterday. They will beg for up to month, young recognizable by shorter tails and blue eyes, pink mouth linings- for begging! How they all fit in that domed stick nest, growing for 28 days, is a mystery to me. Must be a relief to "escape" but then it's a dangerous world out there.
Friday, June 2, 2023
MTPR
Jazz Sessions with Annie Garde (and a half dozen visitors in the studio) and our favorite record. Just kidding - this is by far the worst from the big collection at my Mom's, wonder where that came from? We started with Ahmad Jamal "Poiciana" on LP, then Oscar Peterson, Monty Alexander, Bill Evans. Guitars with Wes Montgomery and Brothers, Kenny Burrell and Jim Hall, even Brazil 66, Stanley Turrenteen, and a little Miles, "Porgy and Bess." What fun. Trip home and went to bed, big day for me as still feeling really ill and new tests at the hospital next week.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Thursday, June 1
I've had this day circled on my calendar forever, as a guest host on Montana Public Radio's Jazz Sessions with Annie Garde, 2 pm MST and left of the FM dial. I had tentatively cancelled due to my illness and one month today. Annie offered to spin my chosen discs but think I'll try to tough it out. Should be the most fun I've had this spring! Mischa was listening to some Jim Hall yesterday, lots of surprises, a couple of LP's and several with vocals.
Monday, May 29, 2023
Couple More
Top and bottom, kids in the Eagle Building, "because they are so pretty," and favorite was "when Sibley came out of her cage and the dogs came outside!"
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Artists and Heroes
The 2nd graders from local Lone Rock Elementary and teacher Julie Bachman surprised us with these thank-you letters Saturday. There I am with Sibley, love the dress. And student with his favorite, Simon the Great Horned Owl who "kept staring at me." Love these, more on the way!
Friday, May 26, 2023
Happy Birthday Miles Dewey Davis!
My favorite jazz aficionado/composer/musician was born this day in 1926. Dad turned us kids onto Miles with endless reel-to-reel tapes when we were young. I named this Great Horned Owl Miles to honor the man, and with the same last name it was a natural. I remember one middle school boy jumped to his feet in a crowded gymnasium when I asked if anyone had heard that name. He stood and announced to all his classmates, "Miles Davis was my gym teacher in third grade!" Can you imagine, "do the jumping jax kids...."
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Three Weeks Today...
...since the total knee replacement surgery and can only get better as I have been really sick this whole time. I had a trip to the doctors' yesterday, and was told to pack and overnight bag and be prepared to be admitted to the hospital for a “procedure.” Dodged the bullet and sent home, thank goodness, and told to take it easy. But I feel a little better today and cancelled two programs this week, four total, and sorry schools. We will make it up to you - promise. And what the heck is on the hummingbird feeder just now? A Bullock's Oriole!
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Music Library
A snapshot just now of Mischa helping me edit the CD's and make some sort of tidy, organized something. My 25-year-old stereo/amp/tuner died last week so I dug out the spare. And while you're at it, Kate, high-grade the thousand CD's that are filling that dresser and wall rack and boxes on the floor. Annie Garde and I are hosting Jazz Sessions on Montana Public Radio, 2-4 pm Thursday, June 1st, so selecting some gems to play. In the meantime Mischa is enjoying some OP - Oscar Peterson in memory of my Mom on this Sunday.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Friday, May 19, 2023
Daunting Task or PT?
I kind of like mowing the lawn, an old Husqvarna push mower and sections at a time. However, with two feet of grass and dandelions plus one "knee recovering from surgery," this will be a chore. I tried doing some test swaths yesterday, and works with half the mower width and back and forth in spots. I wonder if this will qualify at PT and I promise not to overdo it. Had to start with the Penguin in the front yard, progress reports on the way.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Monday, May 15, 2023
Portia
Portia the Barred Owl was just approved for our state and federal Education Permit in late April. In December this bird was retrieved from the roadside just up Three Mile, near-by here in the Bitterroot and suffering a traumatic head injury. As a young bird (by plumage) our Veterinarian Dr. Scott Bovard agreed that this owl would make a great addition to the “teaching team.” Most young raptors die that first year: tough being a predator. Barred Owls are uncommon and have been moving into the state only in the last 40 or 50 years. So we now have a bird named for the Bard (!) of Avon, William Shakespeare and Portia from The Merchant of Venice. Very lofty, I know.