Saturday, July 17, 2010

Angels Flying Too Close to the Ground


The hummingbirds are bellying up to the nectar bar. Again. They've been at it since early this morning, barely a break between sip-fests. For over a week now a pair have been visiting regularly, taking turns on the perches. Yesterday afternoon another female showed up. At first the Mrs. seemed territorial and a bit agitated (hard to tell when a hummingbird is agitated, so perhaps I'm projecting). She chased her off and claimed her place on the perch.

This morning it appeared the ladies had arrived at a place of peace. They were seen sipping together, side-by-side on their perches, occasionally turning towards each other as though in conversation. I thought maybe they'd formed a somewhat tentative menage a trois. You know, three to a household, ala Tilda Swinton. I tried to take their picture but they were having none of it. Probably no one likes to have their picture taken at a bar.

Then, this afternoon, another male showed up. He did a little wrangling for position, gave a quick glance at the other guy who'd arrived just moments earlier, then went to sipping. Or slurping. Those little rednecks seemed to be fine, having quickly accepted each other's presence. There are, apparently, two pairs. Which is good, because there's a reason, "Two's company, three's a crowd," became a cliche. Have you seen the Woody Allen film, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona?"  That lays it all out, rather picturesquely.


Anyway, I really wanted to tell you about my cabin today. I walked over to it intending to take a few photographs and then come in to tell you about it. While I was out there a storm hit, hard and fast, bringing with it marble-sized hail that was actually bouncing on the grass as I watched from the porch of the cabin. It felt so good, so calming, like I was exactly where I should be in the universe at that moment in time.



When the hail subsided I went into the cabin and started to pick up and discard those things left behind by the former owner and not of any particular use. There were a few things left behind that could be very useful. Four fishing poles, one made for fly fishing, were left standing alongside the fridge, and a tackle box, complete with tackle inside, close-by. A badminton set and lawn cricket, or something using colorful plastic wickets, hang from a beam.


I don't intend to tussle with any bees, but a beekeeper's hat rests on a shelf along with a box of mosquito coils, the kind we used to buy at the drive-in theater and burn in the back window while we steamed up the windows in front.


I had to wonder how a Mexican sombrero had found its way to the cabin, as though it had been hanging there ever since Pancho and Lefty made their getaway from the Federales.


I  had the best time inside the cabin while a downpour occurred outside. The sound on the tin roof made me happy. I took several photographs, appreciating its aging windowsills ...


the antique light fixtures ...


and the old Hotpoint refrigerator, circa early 1960's, I believe, which still works very well. 


I wandered into the addition where the walls are lined with shelving and hooks hang from the ceiling. They look to have been used for drying something at one time. I speculated. Can't know for sure. There's also an old brick fireplace. A bit larger than the one in the original cabin.


I found a box of  rag balls, the kind used to create rag rugs. All of denim, about a dozen. They warranted a few photographs. They would make good cloth ties for whatever a person might want to tie. Or bundle.


Perhaps I should move on.


There are angels flying up near the beams. The former owner's deceased husband was a folk artist who made a lot of wooden ornaments and such but was also quite well-known in the area for creating wooden fish decoys.

Inside the cabin, there's a wooden sign, hand-written in pencil, which states:  This vertical log cabin was built in 1911 about 4 miles southwest of here. It was the Sarkio home until WWII. I traded 3 sheep for it from Don Witt. It was moved here and reassembled in 1972. Add on is from various sources.    
 ~ Otis, 1987

I must say, the energy inside the addition is very warm and inviting. It was a great way to spend time, the perfect shelter from the storm.


Now, it's evening, another storm is brewing. The hummingbirds? Still makin' the rounds. They're showing some serious signs of addiction.







The photographs are mine.

13 comments:

  1. You lucky woman! What a cabin, storm, woodcraft, fireplace, hummingbirds! I'm really smiling still as I write this about your place. Must be so good. I like the notation about the cabin being built, assembled. Like the photographs about the cabin. And, angels.

    Really good post. Intimate, personal, showing a respect and love for the land and structures you have. Keep the posts coming.

    This rancher envies you in a good way. Lucky woman, fabulous place.

    (Jack Matthews, Sage to Meadow)

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  2. great cabin and look at that fireplace, a building still standing the test of time, was wondering where the angels would come in.

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  3. Jack: Thank you, so much, for your comments. Yes, I am very fortunate to have found this place. I deeply appreciate its intrinsic value. I trust your visit to Santa Fe is going well...


    Linda: There is something about those things that stand the test of time, like Willie Nelson. My post title is alluding to his song, "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground," from 1980. My, how time flies.... It just popped in and, with the angels flying there, seemed apropos.

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  4. That's a really cool cabin! What a peaceful retreat you've got!

    We put up a new hummingbird feeder just yesterday since the other one started leaking, and within an hour we had a hummingbird feeding. Yesterday, I also bought my first Bougainvillea which is still in its pot patiently waiting to be planted. This morning I looked out the window and spied our little hummingbird stealing nectar from it. I was in awe; those birds are so amazing to me.

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  5. I lived in a trailer home for the first six years of my marriage. The only thing I missed when we bought a house was the sound of rain on the roof. It makes you feel at one with nature. Thank you for sharing all the pictures of your darling cabin. I can't wait to see what changes you make as you settle in.

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  6. Gail: Aren't they something to watch? Those tiny little feet clutched around the perch, the shiny green heads and back of the females and the red-banded neck of the males... I'm hoping some other varieties, with other colors, will show up, as well. Love bougainvillea. Had some in the first place I lived at in SF.

    Ms. Sparrow: Yes, indeed, the sound of nature on the roof. This is a place with so much potential. That's part of what I love about it.

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  7. Teresa,
    I'm feeling right with the world today, after catching up with your writings and photos from the last few months. Wonderful posts, beautiful images and big transitions. Your new life in the land of it's start is a joy to see unfold. Views from the shore, Height O' Land, gardens and so much more are running past my minds eye like flashes of dreams.
    Couldn't agree more with your thoughts on Mark Twain, Van Gogh, finding a way to make a difference in the 60's and on and on. Now I need to get out there and see if I can make a difference in our yard before the day ends and the work week begins. Good thing our July days are long in the North!
    Hugs, Chris
    PS...I would have struggled with getting that mower started too! ; )

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  8. Chris: So nice to hear from you! Speaking of flashes of dreams, I just returned from watching the movie, "Inception," with Leonardo DiCaprio, which looked at the question of dreams vs. reality....: ) Can't tell you how much it means to me that you took the time to go back and read several posts. Quite an undertaking. Thank you for your kind words about my writing, both here and also on your blog. It's awfully nice, to come home and have such thoughtful comments waiting for me.

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  9. That cabin is quite a work of art in itself. Just one delightful detail after another. And I love that you were able to enjoy the storm!

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  10. Hi Teresa,
    I just saw a news report about the hail storm damage in Minnesota...and then I read your post. Small world!

    The cabin is lovely. What a wonderful place to write and reflect.

    When we lived in central America our house had a tin roof. During the rainy season the rain came every afternoon. It was so loud inside the house that we couldn't hear each other talk. But there's something soothing about being sheltered from the raging storm.

    You are a lucky woman!
    Jann aka Nana

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  11. Nancy: It made for a Very nice day.

    Jann: That tin roof in Central America! I'd love to hear your stories.

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  12. Teresa,
    I've been wondering about "Inception". The concept intrigues me but the trailer feels like the movie could be a bit "too big" for a small theatre. Did it feel that way? Though after seeing Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and few others lately, I don't know why this one feels off putting. Something about that image of the rolling building.

    My pleasure, regarding catching up with your postings. And thank you for your kind words here and back at my place. Love the land of electronic travels. What a great time to be alive and able to share in explorations. Hugs, Chris

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  13. Chris, re: Inception: I was going to write a longer response, but have decided to do a blog instead...LOL Isn't that the way it goes with us bloggers? Everything becomes a possible post!
    Yes, electronic travels, shared explorations. Very nice.

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