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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Happy Valentines Day

It's almost Valentines Day, a time to make cool cookies and give them away to grandkids and their families.  These are samples that didn't last long at home but went to see the local grandkids and their folks-not sure how long they lasted there!
Wood is still in play as I started making these small hearts carved, sanded and finished that are given out as "I am giving you a piece of my heart for you to have with you all the time".  I also have given them to some of the young people I see with the advice that when things get too tough, just take this heart out, or in your pocket and rub it for good luck.

 St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. The most popular martyrology associated with Saint Valentine was that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire; during his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer Asterius. Legend states that before his execution he wrote "from your Valentine" as a farewell to her. (Wikipedia)

A little history lesson there for how we got to this holiday-for most, just another day at work but for those romantics in us, a special day of recognition for those we love.  So go for it, give you loved one(s) something special.  Much peace and love to you on Valentine's Day.









Saturday, February 9, 2013

The Cardinal in Wood

I had cut out a cardinal from a piece of basswood several years ago but for some reason I never took it beyond the square block of wood; I did put the eyes in a year ago but again, not again, not much more follow up was done.  But now I have decided that I should try to get some of these half done projects finished before I cut out any new ones-unfortunately I do have plans to cut out some more.  But back to the Cardinal.


The male Northern Cardinal is perhaps responsible for getting more people to open up a field guide than any other bird. They’re a perfect combination of familiarity, conspicuousness, and style: a shade of red you can’t take your eyes off. Even the brown females sport a sharp crest and warm red accents. Cardinals don’t migrate and they don’t molt into a dull plumage, so they’re still breathtaking in winter’s snowy backyards. In summer, their sweet whistles are one of the first sounds of the morning. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)


Although these pictures don't do the male the color he displays, part of the courting ritual is for the male to feed the female seeds, often sun flower seeds from a local feeder. When the female agrees to be his mate they both sing to each other-just how romantic!  If the mating is successful the male will often continue to bring seeds to the female during the incubation period.  The male is very territorial, singing from the highest limbs and aggressively chasing off other males who fly into his territory.




After mating the female builds a cup nest in a well-concealed spot in dense shrub or a low tree one to three meters (three to ten ft) off the ground. The nest is made of thin twigs, bark strips, and grasses, lined with grasses or other plant fibers. Eggs are laid one to six days following the completion of the nest. The eggs are white, with a tint of green, blue or brown, and are marked with lavender, gray, or brown blotches which are thicker around the larger end. The shell is smooth and slightly glossy. Three or four eggs are laid in each clutch. the female usually incubates the eggs, rarely and for brief periods, the male assist. Two to three, and even four, broods are raised each year. The male cares for and feeds each brood as the female incubates the next clutch of eggs.(Cornell Lab of Ornithology)


So here you have everything you need to know about Cardinals.  The male defending his territory, sing to his make, feeding her during the incubation period fits right into this season of Valentines Day!!  So let me be the first to wish you a Very Happy Valentines Day!!!  We as the male have the ability to make February 14 special for the women in our lives-I remember that I had to provide 3 cards, 3 treats while the daughters were at home, so make sure you count correctly!  Flowers are good, candy OK but something very special is even better, especially if it is something that will last a long time.  Sometimes we all get way too busy with life and jobs to remember those who are most special to us.  As I sit here watching a Charlie Brown Valentines Day Special and just how disappointed he always is when he gets no Valentines Card, we need to work real hard at making sure that everyone has a great Valentines Day.

As for me I just need to remember to "Measure Twice and Cut Once".  Much peace in your life.

Papa Richter