Coming Back Around

Poor Ginger has been down with the stomach flu for the last couple of days.  I've been tip-toeing around the fringes of it myself, but feeling much better today.  I think part of that has to do with being up all hours, with one eye open, one ear cocked, and one leg hanging off the edge of the bed ready to spring into action at the first hint of trouble: that horrible gag in the middle of the night.  The gag heard round the world; from a mother's point of view anyway.   If you're a mama, you know.  You know that sound.  (We'd already changed the bedding and cleaned up the floor once.)  Mostly, I was only needed to hold one's hair up and lend calm support through the worst of it.  Sometimes the ordinary events in a child's life can be difficult for us all.  Still, we are nurtured by the small gifts of compassion and very happy to be feeling well again. 

Meet Pumpkin. Ginger's pride and joy.  Her gentleman hamster companion.  He seems happy to be back in the thick of things too. 

Some of you asked about the little bird sitting on the bench in my last post.  Why, this is a 'Rufous-Sided Towhee', to be exact.  The males sport black and white polka-dot "suits".  I actually see more of them than the females who must be off tending their grass nests in the tangle of trees here and about.  I'm quoting now, from a small pocket booklet by Miller and Nelson, all wonderfully handwritten with beautiful illustrations and general bits of information:  "A timid ground feeder; prefers dense, unkempt gardens..." (yes, that would certainly explain their presence here!); they scratch with both feet together looking for insects...the "Towhee Shuffle".  They really do look like they're dancing when they do this!  Very cute.  They have incredibly bright rusty-red colored eyes too, hence their latin name meaning, "red-eyed chirper".  And a song worth noting, described as, "drink-your-teeeeee".   They're primarily located coast to coast.  Keep your eyes peeled to see one, they will surely delight.

oh, and I've got another apron-smock nearly finished, pictures soon!

Comments

[ellen kelley]

I am so sorry to hear that the dreaded "bug" has been in residence. Not fun for anyone.
That Pumpkin is just adorable. I love his sweet face and precious little hand! He looks well loved and well taken care of.
Take care, hope everyone is up to par.

[Suzanne]

Sorry your under the weather too!It hit us last night and your description fits my night and day to a "T"! Why can't they vomit suddenly during the day-why always at 3am?? I just posted about our "bug basket:-)Take care!

[lizzieJane]

Oh yes the dreaded middle of the night vomiting, I wonder also why it always seems to happen at around 3am!
Hopefully you will all be feeling better soon.
What a little angel Pumpkin is, I think just holding him could make anyone feel better.
Hang in there!

[Lisa]

What sweet cheeks!!!!

And the pictures in your previous post are beautiful...thanks for sharing.

[Erin]

I'm glad that your daughter is feeling better. I became ill over 6 weeks ago and I am just now getting over it. It's gruesome! Loved the little Towhee in your last blog! I couldn't tell if it was real or not or just a beautiful, idyllic professional photo. It was really quite nice!

[fiona]

ahh THAT sound!its better than any alarm clock, cuts thru even the deepest sleep~!glad to hear shes on the mend!

[Teresa]

"Feel better!" to everyone under the weather. Now that's a hamster I could love - such a handsome fellow. This weekend I made a second smock and a summer nightgown for myself. Remember plisse pjs? Cotton plisse is thin, cool, and airy for our hot and muggy summer nights here in NC. My painterly sister will get her choice of the two smocks I've made for her birthday today.

[Elizabeth]

that is quite possibly the most amazing bird name I have ever heard...and the hamster is incredibly adorable as well.

[Gayle]

You're gentleman hamster made my day. I enjoy reading your posts.

[Pixie Hedgehog]

What a little love of a hamster! His cinnamon-coloured suit is so handsome :) Furry friends always make recuperation so much faster.

[JudyC]

Even us Mommy's of only cats know that sound and sit upright immediately from a sound sleep. I heard it last night in fact.

Glad she's better.

[Laura]

What a cute hamster. My kids would love one but I had one years ago & he was a biter!!!!

Hope your darling feels all better soon.

Laura

[Elizabeth]

Hi, I read daily but don't comment often; I just wanted to say that I have a Towhee and his wife in residence under my bushes in the back yard. Their scratching reminds me of chickens, and they certainly can rustle a lot of leaves! I hope that you all feel better soon.

[Gina]

I hope Ginger is feeling better soon! Stomach flu is the worst. I'm sure her little furry friend will keep her company while she works on getting better.

[Mary Smith]

I love the photos of your hamster! We have one too and my daughter adores it. It can be awful when the kids are sick and such a relief when they are better. I love the bird. We are great bird lovers too! That looks like a wonderful bird book!

[Lena]

I'm sorry to hear that Miss Ginger hasn't been feeling well, but very happy indeed that everyone is on the mend again.

Thank you for all the loveliness you've been sharing here lately. I've enjoyed the springtime with you.

[mikawendy]

I hope everyone is feeling better soon.

I LOVE Pumpkin's wee fingers! Too cute!

[Kathleen]

Just love the apron! The colors are so cheery. Pumpkin is adorable. Hope everyone is feeling better. Blessings,Kathleen