Photo by Joel Henry from Unsplash
Photo by SGR from Unsplash
Photo by Maurito Nixon from Unsplash
Photo by Maurits Bausenhart
Photo by Ian Dooley from Unsplash
Blessings…
Celestial,
Earthly, Oceanic,
Terrestrial, and Personal…
Blessings!
Copyright© 2924 by Cheryl Batavia
May nature’s blessings fill our hearts with joy.
May we live in harmony with nature.
May we cherish and preserve nature’s gifts.
Photo of male cardinal by Patrice Boucher from Unsplash
Photo of female cardinal by Joshua Cotten from Unsplash
Three small eggs,
pale blue flecked with brown
in a nest
made with love,
so exquisitely woven,
softly lined with grass.
Like a queen
in your palm palace,
self-assured
on your throne,
faithful cardinal mother
keeping your eggs warm.
We watched you
weaving your fine nest,
discovered
your blue eggs.
Pretty Mama, we share your
anticipation!
Very soon
your handsome husband
will help you
feed hatchlings…
King and Queen in your green realm,
reigning together.
We will watch
as hatchlings become
fledgelings, sprout
new feathers…
wobbly, but growing stronger,
flapping tiny wings.
Sometime soon,
comes the day they fly.
Under the
watchful eyes
of their parents, they’ll practice.
Soon, they’ll fly away!
We will watch
flapping tiny wings,
self-assured.
Someday soon,
King and Queen in your green realm…
Soon, they’ll fly away!
The cardinals’ nest, the “Palm Palace” is located among the fronds in the back of the tree on the left. We have a clear view of the nest from the window.
Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia
Northern cardinals live in North America. They are the predominate bird in our neighborhood. A pair of cardinals have a nest in our little palm tree that is clearly visible from our window. The mother bird is sitting on three eggs.
From my research, I learned that they raise two families a year. I think this is the second nest. We have not seen the father yet. He is probably at the first nest feeding the hatchlings while his wife is sitting on eggs in the second nest. When the eggs hatch, he should be here to help feed the hatchlings their diet of insects.
Robert and I made a feeder, hung it on a shepherd’s crook, and filled it with black oil sunflower seeds, supposedly the favorite treat of cardinals. We also put out water on a stand. So far, there is no evidence that the birds are using it. Thank you, Joanna of naturetails, for your advice on providing both food and water.
I meant to post this before Easter, but WordPress problems have slowed me down. Anyway, I hope everyone had a happy Easter and a lovely weekend! I am getting the computer problems worked out, but I still may not be able to “like” for a while. I appreciate your patience.
Teamwork. Photo by Shane Rounce from Unsplash
Both man and woman
free to fulfill potential…
Mutual respect.
Choosing roles that suit us best,
regardless of our gender.
Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia
💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
to all the men and women of the world
working together to make Earth a better place to live!
💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
Balroop Singh is a former teacher, mother, and grandmother, writer, and poet. I found eleven of her books on Amazon! Fusion: Poems of Life is the latest one. I read and thoroughly enjoyed this book of lovely poetry, and I enthusiastically recommend it! A huge thank you to Balroop for the very kind review of my book, Earthly Days, below. It was a wonderful surprise!
Earthly Days <https://a.co/51DGEok>
Warm, sunny day.
Oak tassels sway
in the spring breeze…
It’s enough to make you sneeze!
Soon palms in bloom
will spread sweet perfume.
My Florida pride…
Sentiment leaves me teary-eyed!
Pollen is in the air,
love is everywhere.
Cupid is at play…
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia
To My Fellow Bloggers:
I have missed you. First, my 2013 computer died. I bought a new computer and got data transferred from the old computer. Two days later, our internet went off and stayed off for 10 days! No grocery deliveries, no TV, no computer, no house phone…When the internet came back on, I had 695 Emails. We are in the middle of many medical appointments, both for Robert and for me. I am also involved in a project that has been delayed by having no internet. I don’t think I will be up to speed for some time, but I will do my best!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
“Misty woods…”
“Tracks of a lone wayfarer…”
A chill is in the air,
misty woods foreshadowing
winter’s first snowfall.
A dusting of snow…
tracks of a lone wayfarer
on forest byway.
A dusting of snow
lies softly on fallen leaves,
touches trees with white.
Melting snow streaks windowpanes…
We watch winter’s first snow fall.
“A dusting of snow…”
“Melting snow streaks windowpanes…” Photos used by permission of the photographer.
Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia
Books by Cheryl Batavia. Art from Mainspring Books, publisher of Earthly Days.
Earthly Days
Brazilian Pepper Tree, formerly known as Florida Holly. Photo by Ann Murray, University of Florida.
Poinsettias indoors.
Cardinals at the feeder.
Red holly berries.
Red bow on evergreen wreath.
Christmas time in Virginia!
Poinsettias outdoors.
Red poison ivy, palm trees.
Red Bow on faux wreath.
“Florida Holly” berries.
Christmas time in Florida!
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels.
Q. I know you grew up in Virginia, Cheryl. Do you feel that Christmas is too hot in South Florida where you now live?
A. No, South Florida weather is lovely at Christmas, Santa.
Q. Why do you have a fake wreath on your door?
A. Real wreaths dry out and turn brown within a couple of days here. Fake ones last forever!
Q. Florida Holly Trees are so pretty! Why don’t you plant some in your yard?
A. Brazilian Pepper Tree, sometimes called “Florida Holly,” is an invasive alien species related to poison ivy. It is irritating to some people.
Q. Oh! Why do you even have such a plant in Florida?
A. Florida has outlawed Brazilian Pepper Trees, but birds eat the berries and spread seeds everywhere! Despite our best efforts, I think that tree is here to stay.
Q. Why don’t you have a bird feeder? Don’t you like birds anymore?
A. I love birds! But Florida birds can find their own food all year long.
Q. Don’t you ever wish for a white Christmas? Snow is so beautiful!
A. No! I enjoyed snow when I was younger, but it got old scraping the windshield. I am glad we don’t have snow here. I wear flip flops and shorts every day. No need to bring me any mittens, Santa!
Q. Don’t you ever miss Virginia?
A. Sometimes…although I have lived in Florida for thirty years.
Q. Thank you for taking time to chat with us today, Cheryl. Merry Christmas!
A. My pleasure, Santa. Merry Christmas to you! I am sorry we don’t have a chimney, but I will leave you a key in the poinsettia pot by the door.
Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia
Robert and I hope
you get something special
in your Christmas stocking!
We wish you peace, love, health,
& lots of smiles in 2024!
❤ ❤ ❤
Winter Wonderland, Christmas Market in Old Toronto, Canada. Photo by Manpreet Singh from Unsplash.
We celebrate life
in the sad, dark days of wars…
an act of courage!
Believing in a future
of brighter, happier days.
Living in chaos…
We envision harmony!
Living in wartime…
We seek negotiation,
cooperation, and peace!
Whether Diwali,
Ramadan, Hanukkah, Christmas,
or Winter Solstice,
we celebrate brotherhood
and one human family!
We celebrate life,
cherishing nature’s wonders ,
and our hopes and dreams.
Mindful of the light that shines
in the darkest hour of night.
We celebrate life
in the sad, dark days of war…
an act of courage!
Hope, like a glowing candle,
illuminates the new year.
Diwali lamp. Photo by Janardan Mahto from Unsplash.
Ramadan Lanterns. Photo by Rawan Yasser from Unsplash.
Hanukkah Menorah. Photo by Robert Thiemann from Unsplash
Advent Wreath, Christmas. Photo by KaLisa Veer from Unsplash.
Bonfire, Winter Solstice. Photo by permission of the photographer.
Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia
“Let There Be Peace on Earth…”
Ellen and Katey visited a ranch…E-I-E-I-O!
And on this ranch they had some cows, E-I-E-I-O!
With a moo, moo here and a moo, moo there.
Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo, moo!
Ellen and Katey visited a ranch…E-I-E-I-O!
Adapted from the traditional children’s song, “Old McDonald Had a Farm.”
Photos by Ellen, Katey and friends.
With a neigh, neigh here…
and an oink, oink there…
Here a mew, there a mew…
Everywhere a mew, mew!
Katey and Ellen visited a ranch. E-I-E-I-OOO!
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, my daughters from Texas and I visited Zoo Tampa and had a wonderful time. On Wednesday, they visited the ranch of some of their friends in nearby Arcadia. I stayed home to rest and prepare for Thanksgiving dinner the next day.
I love the photos Katey and Ellen shared from that trip. Katey and Ellen love horses and volunteer at a ranch in Texas that uses horse riding therapy for disabled children. The pig in the pictures is a rescued wild pig. Cats and kittens on the ranch are very affectionate. One in particular seemed to want to go back to Texas with Katey. They also fed peanuts to a friendly squirrel!
After a quiet Thanksgiving and a dinner of ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, and ice cream, we rested up for a boat tour and dinner overlooking the bay in Punta Gorda on Friday. Robert was supposed to go with us, but the weather was a little cool and windy. On Saturday, we took a water taxi to an island restaurant, then had decadent deserts in Boca Grande. The girls went for a swim at the beach near the lighthouse.
Katey Batavia, Ellen Maher, Cheryl Batavia on the water taxi.
I have been under the weather, so we didn’t take the road trip we had planned, just some day trips nearby. Allergies and a sinus infection, followed by 24/7 migraine headaches for several months have slowed me down. I recently had an MRI, which ruled out the most serious possible causes of the migraines. A neurologist’s visit is scheduled for March to follow up. Meanwhile, a prescription for migraines from my family doctor should ease my pain. Hopefully, next year, my daughters and I will take our usual road trip.
Katey Batavia
I found these photos today and thought people might enjoy them.
Downtown Miami, night-time view from our hotel room. The two glowing buildings in the center are the beautiful concert hall and opera house. We attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for these two lovely buildings when we lived in Miami Beach. I later attended some concerts there.
The law firm where my late husband practiced law was located in the Intercontinental building on the left. The sculpture in front of that building is a monument to the Challenger Crew who died in a space mission accident. The tile we bought in support of the monument is still there.
Katey on the white marble slide near Bayside where she used to play as a child. She would slide over and over again until her face was flushed, and we made her take a rest. It looks as if a lot of children have loved it since then!
Katey met a new friend, “Clifford, the Big Red Dog,” at the Miami Book Fair. Katey and her brother had named our dog “Clifford” after him when they were very young.
Cheryl and Katey Batavia at the Miami Book Fair. The Hanging Out with Wild Animals books were on exhibit there.
House in Miami Beach where our family lived for seven years when our children were young.
I confess,
the house is a mess!
I need to clean; I need to shop…
Now’s the time for posting to STOP!
‘Cause soon Ellen and Katey
will visit Robert and me!
A long-awaited visit,
I’ll post it!
Photo used by permission of the photographer.
Smiling through our tears…
holiday celebrations…
an act of courage!
Believing in tomorrow,
we sing songs and light the lights.
Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia
Photo by Rahul Pandit from Unsplash.
Photo by Derek Evans from Unsplash.
Photo by Jovan Vasiljevic from Unsplash!
Happy Holidays! It is the holiday season. I will be taking time out for Thanksgiving and a vacation with my daughters. When I return, I will share some of the festivities with a post. In December, we will be celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas!
Earthly Days Review
Earthly Days is a beautiful collection of poems that resonates with the soul. The verses capture the essence of life, love, and family with a warmth that makes you smile and reflect. The nostalgia in some poems takes you down memory lane, while the love of nature and concern for the environment inspires contemplation. The author’s words linger in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page.
__ Christopher Hernandez, Mainspring Books
Gulf Coast Poet 