The "build your own bird" project

This is a collection of pheasant wings, given to me by a friend at church who's an (obviously) avid hunter.

They're coated in Borax powder, as this seems to be the way one would preserve them (according to Google).

I once saw a wreath made from wings, and it was so beauitful. You could really see the pattern of the feathers, and the way the colors changed in the light.

So, I'm hoping to make one for myself, and one for the hunter's wife. We'll see ... I'm a tad bit paranoid about getting them preserved enough so as to not smell bad later!

Google seems to indicate that they need to sit in the Borax for 60 days, so look for an update on this project in a couple months. (Or not ... if things start to smell bad around here, and it heads for the dumpster in the dark of night!) :)

Makes me smile every year ...

Coffee break time ...

I love reading memes, but I rarely do them. I found this one on Trixie's blog -- it's all about what we've done. My items are in bold. Put yours in the comments if it appeals to you!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (really want to do this!)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (Does DisneyWorld count? How different could they be?)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (unfortunately for all involved)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (Lake Michigan? How different could it be?)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (crafts, yes ... art? nope)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (never been more miserable in my life)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (gym days in school!)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been inside an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing (not yet, but I really want to!)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

One of those rambling, full of miscellany updates

Quite a few things rolling around in my head ... but none of them enough for a post ... so I'll combine them. Assuming that only those who know me actually READ this, there might be something in here of interest. :)

I've just finished reading In the Land of Invented Languages. It's a study of different attempts people have made to create a language "from scratch."

While it's not written from a Judeo-Christian perspective, I found it interesting to read from that perspective. The Bible talks about why we have different languages. (in short ... mankind had gotten too big for their britches, and were, as a whole, acting in direct disobedience to God. He thwarted their plans by confusing their languages, so they couldn't collaborate as easily).

In the Land of Invented Languages talked about the way our language ties in with our philosophy of life, and culture. It also lists one after another how people's attempts to create a "logical" language have failed. Interestingly enough, the one invented language that HAS gained a tiny bit of ground (including a handful of "native speakers" who grew up in households where it was their first language) is Esperanto. And that's one of the few invented languages that carried with it its own cultural bias and philosophy (the peace/love/mother earth thing).

Well ... anyway ... that wasn't as well formulated as I'd like ... but you get what you pay for on this here 'ole blog. :)

I've been reading through the Bible this year with Robert Murray M'Cheyne's reading plan. I'm a couple weeks behind already, but not letting that deter me. Fortunately there's no grade hanging on whether I finish on time or not. :)

I guess that's it -- I'd best be getting myself to work.