I found another one!

what a guy!

All the Sea Ranch turkeys love to follow the little paths on the side of road, and goodness, are they funny birds. For instance, one morning, two males gadded up to my kitchen window; I began tapping the pane and immediately both started gobbling! With every tap came a gobble, but they ran away before I could get enough of it. Another funny thing they do is this: males go up to the horse paddocks and 'present' themselves (this is when the turkey goes from smooth and long to fanned and fluffed). Those poor turkeys feel they must intimidate the grazing horses lest beasts get out of hand. So they march back and forth down the side of the fences like little awkward soldiers, so proud of themselves and without a doubt that their display is indeed inspiring fear in the breasts of "...those pitiful, inferior equines." (their words, not mine)
As I was driving home from a walk on the bluff (with Marley!), I came upon the fat figure of a presented turkey on the trail next to the road. He was trying very hard to attract the attention of two plain females nearby, each of whom were busy pecking at the ground, their brown tail feathers pointing directly at his display. He was obviously proud of himself, thinking himself to be quite a catch; he also most likely had an ego outrageously larger than the average Sea Ranch turkey (perhaps he had just finished squaring a parked car into submission?). Unfortunately for him, another very clear point was that the wind was not aware of his romantic ideas. It was furiously strong! Blasting so, his foofed feathers were awkwardly and asynchronously shunting and bending; his little feet couldn't keep his bulging body steady; and every gobble that rose from the wrinkly red throat was immediately drowned.
I didn't stay to observe the outcome; known for their amazing eyesight, I was afraid he would notice me parked and laughing, and I thought he was in enough embarrassment already.

my closet...

Today is a perfect day for nothing! School was canceled on the Reservation (although only three students have been showing up for the past two days) and so I was free to fly home, jump back into pajamas, finish reading Howards End, and begin watching BBC's Middlemarch (for the millionth time). New things to share:

:: When I lean forward while sitting down, my tummy presses against my legs. I found out a few days ago that putting my belly in this tight spot lets me feel the baby move! I am amazed! However, the feeling is not like butterflies or bubbles...it is very gloopy and roly-poly. Little Baby, I love you no matter how unromantic it may be to describe your precious movements!

:: I finished Howards End! This was my favorite line:

"Evie heard of her father's engagement when she was in for a tennis tournament, and her play went simply to pot."

Should I have chosen a more intellectual quote? Probably, but I did really like this one. Next book on the list is Lark Rise to Candleford.

:: Another sewing project is finished! This time it was for the Sea Ranch Theater Company. A new play is beginning this weekend, and I volunteered to sew two curtains. After lots of stressing and arranging and measuring (a sewing machine would have been wonderful about then), I was victorious! I realize now that I forgot to erase the dark, smudgy pencil line I had drawn across the white sheer fabric of one, but otherwise the task was heartening and I really enjoyed it! I recently joined Made This / Love This (http://madethislovethis.com/) and I am supposed to be making a t-shirt scarf. Really, instead, I am dying to make this necklace in the picture above. Hurrah for sewing!

It grows!

I am so far away! And shadowy!
These pictures were taken one week ago, on the side of a very scary road
(we are on the edge of a cliff, hundreds of feet above the Pacific!).
I am with Joel's cousin Amy, and her son Mark. We had such a lovely time!

Filly Designs

A perfect gem in this world: Filly Designs. Emily Christensen writes a wonderful greeting and her philosophy is lovely and shines bright. The above are my most favorite (observe the details!).