Sunday, May 18, 2014

Birds and feathers

It seems like I am seeing a new bird everyday. 

Yesterdays bird was very pretty.

Cape May Warbler

I think it is a Cape May Warbler…just passing through to his summer home in the North.

Underbelly Cape May Warbler

He was nice enough to show me his very golden yellow belly.

Some of the neighborhood kids were over for a visit.  I think I bored them with bird names.  Mason thought “butter butts” was a way cool nickname for the Yellow Rumped Warblers. 

yellow Rumped Warbler

“Butter Butts”

Mason peeked into the Robins nest for me..there are three eggs.  I held the ladder whilst he climbed up. 

Far Guy and I sat outside for quite a long time yesterday…watching birds and working on Christmas ornaments.  It was nice to be outside in the sunshine! 

We took the feather pillows in to be re-ticked and cleaned.  A church in town was having a fundraiser, a fellow from Willmar Minnesota was there with his feather cleaning truck.  I always ask if I will get my own feathers back…he said yes of course minus the dust.  I have two feather pillows that were a wedding gifts from my Maternal Grandparents…my Grandmother saved feathers and down for those pillows. It probably isn’t important to anyone but me.

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20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used to love feather pillows, but about 10 years ago my husband and I both started coughing when we slept on them.... The one I had was from my childhood. VERY old pillow.

DJan said...

I didn't know anybody ever did that with pillows any more. I would be very glad to have such a wonderful feather pillow that has been in the family for so long. Nice birds, and it does sound like Far Guy is on the mend. :-)

Unknown said...

I had no idea that feather pillows could be cleaned and reused with the same feathers and down. Thanks for the history lesson! I enjoy so much your headings and the fact that you change them so often. They always are so artistic and attractive. Love seeing the colorful birds.

Shirley H.

Marty said...

Sometimes I think you're living in another land or alternate universe - a feather cleaning truck!

Travels with Emma said...

Feather cleaning is new to me too. I love the Cape May!

Beth said...

I love the 'butter butt' bird. We have nothing like that here. I am glad it is warming up for you all!

Nancy said...

I'd love to have my feather pillows cleaned, but like you, I'm afraid I wouldn't get my own down feathers back. My mom save the down from her geese. I don't want to get someone else's poor quality feathers in return for my fluffy down!

Dreaming said...

I have never heated of feather cleaning before. How very cool! I have pillows in need of that, but not with a history like you'd!

Linda Reeder said...

I have also never heard of feather cleaning before. Interesting. We no longer have feather pillows around here.
I am enjoying my mind movie of you two sitting outside in WARMTH, carving and watching birds. It's a good picture.

Lynda said...

Praise God for the appearance of the birds - - spring is definitely around your corner and that is cause for smiles. Grandma had feather pillows. I don't know how they were cleaned or if they were. I do remember they could be nice and fluffy but not stay that way.

LindaG said...

Wow. I didn't know there were such things as feather pillow cleaners.
Kids, haha. Butter Butt. ;-)
Enjoy your lovely weather!

Red said...

Feather pillows are important to me as that is what was used when I grew up. I don't like the synthetic stuff that's used in pillows today. I have a deal for you. I'll send you weather. You send me some birds!

Karen said...

Love the variety of birds you get!
I'm a feather pillow fan too, that's what I sleep on, but have never heard of a cleaning method like that. I have put mine in the washer and then the dryer. It works okay, but if the pillow is really stuffed, it takes forever to get them dry. Don't want to get them dry cleaned, and have the remnants of the chemicals right by my face.

Cynthia said...

I'm enjoying the warblers today, too. Can't get good pictures like you though with my point and shoot camera. The best bird today was an indigo bunting in the sunshine. Just takes your breath away!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

It's been really nice here the past couple of days- perfect weather to sit outdoors. But, I hear the storms are coming back this weekend. You have some pretty birds passing through- I really like the "butter butts"!

Jacqi Stevens said...

Well, we could sure use a fund-raising truck like that around here! Never heard of a feather cleaning services, but it certainly makes sense. I think around here, people just throw their old pillows out and buy new ones. Silly, I know, but that's the mindset.

Glad you had a beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors!

Anonymous said...

Wow, it's awesome that have pillows containing feathers/down that your grandmother gathered. I totally agree that this makes them really special.

thecrazysheeplady said...

I had no idea you could/should clean feather pillows. And I too would care about the feathers. And your birds and stories and information is just wonderful. You are a treat.

Terry and Linda said...

Sitting outside in the sun is really a treat!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife@wordpress.com

Sam I Am...... said...

I didn't know they even did that. I think that's wonderful that you still have those pillows. My relatives were so unassuming they never thought anyone would care to have any of their things and I so wish they would have.