Since moving to our new house, I have spent weekends outside trying to reclaim our historic domicile from weeds, limbs, overgrown bushes and the like. Not only has my family benefited from my willingness to confront the various forms of poisonous ivy and death-infused spiders, but some eastern bluebirds benefited too.

One afternoon, my son Bergen (who is crazy about birds) and I put our heads together to create a much desired birdhouse.

Materials used:
2 pieces of awesome-looking reclaimed barn wood
Scrap piece of an old crusty leather glove

Tools:
Super annoying/cheap drill
Old rusty nails from barns that are falling down
Small tacks
Screwdriver
Random brass handle
Strapping forearm muscles
Beard (optional)

Time:
Depending upon tools, 2 hours or so

Shortly after making the bird house, Berg crafted a small sign that reads “Home Tweet Home”.
It hangs underneath the entrance.

Have recently set out a bird feeder or a bird house?
Who are your visitors?

I think you should get up early.  It has taken me awhile to be able to say that.  For many years I tried to squeeze the last amount of sleep possible out of my mornings.  Then I realized that you miss so much.
You miss the birds waking for a new day.
You miss the quiet of your home.
You miss gathering your thoughts before things get hectic.
You miss not having to be rushed.
You miss the sunrise.
So listen to me.  Hear what I am saying.  Get up early.  Get a start on your day.  Get out of your house as soon as possible.  Leave your door unlocked.  Make sure you place any cash or jewelry you have on the counter in a way that will make it easy to find.  If you have any paintings of value, please label those before exiting your home.  You should also leave your credit cards.  If you could, leave your pin numbers on sticky notes or whatever you can write on.  Just make sure it is legible.  You could also make a sandwich if you have time.  No peanut butter — I am allergic.  And lastly, please leave the keys to your other car — it will make my morning a lot easier.  Oh, and make sure there’s gas in it.

I always feel better about the safety of my online activity when that little security check box pops up and asks me to do copy work.  The little box appears and I am requested to transcribe 2 words in wiggly text.  There have been combos like “scrimshaw germany” or “whitelash hotpants”.  You get the idea.  But never have I felt more safe about my world wide web proceedings than the time I was asked to copy the words shown in the still below.

I challenge you to post the most ludicrous combination that you experience today or that you’ve witnessed recently.

(The following entry was added 1 day later)

After going to Facebook to post this blog entry update, I got this security check:

I think I am going to write a book with ideas based on these security check words.