It was August 24 and the anniversary of my mother’s birth.  It was also the day before my birthday.  In the morning, I opened the blinds and saw a family of sand hill cranes.

Left to right: Father, mother and [big] baby.  They spent most of the day digging bugs out of the ground.  It was fun to watch.  The young one would would have to stop for rest from time-to-time.  It was a very special day.

Sunday

The Sunday of Labor Day weekend, we attended the neighborhood chili cook-off.  That was fun to see old friends and neighbors and to meet new ones.  There were an interesting variety of chilies and side dishes.

Our hosts raise turkeys and they have free range, so they were in view most of the afternoon.  Some the kids would approach them for a better look.  Usually they had a stick in hand . . . just in case.

Sylvia and I hope they do it again next year.  We have ideas for a chili that will stand apart.  Of course we’ll have to experiment with those ideas here at home.  That’s what I most look forward to.

Return of the Cranes

September 7, we burned the second of two brush piles.  The family of three cranes had returned that morning, but our activities at the burn piles made them nervous and they left.  I was sad.

The morning before our 57th anniversary, September 8, the cranes were back and they stayed with us until sunset.

They had come very close to our house, but when I tried to capture an image, they retreated.  For my part, I hope they are eating the bugs that burrowing critters like too.

The next day, Sylvia and I celebrated our anniversary and had a very nice day.  We especially enjoyed that evening’s sunset.

Sunrise and sunset times are changing daily and rapidly as we approach the autumnal equinox.  The cool days and warm earth make this my favorite time of year.