Finally, the Studio is in order, and I can begin making beautiful stained glass! It took quite some time, but finally, it is done. Sherry headed off to Fairfax with Jess to pick up her (Jess, not Sherry) new VW EOS. Before she left, Sherry continued work on (what we affectionately refer to as) Fat Forest. She is getting everything in its' place. I love the way she works. She focuses, organizes, huts and gathers, and finally, when it is done, it will be amazing.

I had birds a plenty today. First the Bluebirds on the Purple Martin house, and than Blue Grossbeaks on the feeders. Last year the Grossbeaks showed up on May 18th. That was their first year here. I am so happy that they have returned. I first saw them, not on the feeders, but making a racket in the bushes. It was than that the male made his move, and a mating occurred. I may have seen a second pair, but it is difficult to say at this time. Regardless, I am happy beyond belief that they have returned. I had switched out the seed this morning, and that seemed to have done it. I can't wait until tomorrow to see if more show up. Next (I hope) the Indigo Buntings?

I started work on my Sea Turtle. I got the form cut out and started silver staining the shell pieces. Tomorrow the bottom of the shell, the flippers and the (all important) head. I did some shading in black tracer on the flippers and head, and they are now ready for staining. I have the layout and surround glass selection work to do. I am so happy to be working again. I hate it when I am away for the glass for too long. I lay in bed, thinking of the next thing I want to do. When I can not follow through with these thoughts, it drives me crazy. I am happy to be back in the saddle again.

The Blue Grossbeak. My new favorite bird. The Grossbeak is to Maryland what the Painted Bunting is to Florida.

Up before the birds this morning. Made coffee and ready to start my day. I still have the Studio to finish unpacking. It is to be a beautiful day, with a Low of 56F. and a High 81. In Palmdale today, a Low of 70F and a High of 90F. We are to have partly cloudy skies with a slight breeze from the SW at 5mph. All in all, a fine spring day in Southern Maryland.

I arrived home last evening at 7:30PM, exactly 10 hours since my departure from Columbus, Ohio at 9:30AM. A long day, but worth the trip. Sherry and I sat around the camper, and discussed what will happen with the interior layout, bed, sofa, table, chairs, TV, etc. This will all be left up to her, with only the heavy lifting, moving, and building/hanging aspect left to me. She has a great sense of space and placement when it comes to these things, so I defer to her better judgement.

The trip was uneventful. I stopped in Cumberland at a Tractor Supply and looked over some of the Gang Boxes they sell. The one I liked (a 17 cubic foot model) is pretty expensive, and would require the battery be moved. I will probably go with this eventually, but for the time being, I am sticking with what I have.

Back home, Sherry reported that the Bluebirds were all over the Purple Martin house. This morning, the Bluebirds are back. The Purple Martin is a particular bird, when it comes to nest site selection. Capt.Bill has so many, there is no more room in his Purple Martin condominium. It takes years to establish a breeding colony of that size. I still have hope. I can not bring myself to run off the Bluebirds, or to chase out the Grackle. Yet, if the box is dirty, the Martin will not look twice.

Well, the sun is up and it is time to get at it. If I do not soon get my hands on some glass, I will surely go insane (it has been a dozen days since I last worked on any glass). Maybe today, I will just paint that turtle I have been thinking about.

Departed at 9:30AM. Stopped in Waldorf to return the U-Haul, and than off to Ohio. Over the Mountains. By Sideling Hill the air was beginning to thicken. By the time I reached West Virginia, I was in rain. I have stayed in rain the entire time. I finally arrived at just after 7PM, found Rocks' Trailer Sales, made my way to a motel, and I am ready for bed.

I awoke this morning to a murder of Crows having a riot outside of my window. They must be arguing with the Eagles, as I have spotted them over a dozen times this morning. The Netters are out early for a Sunday, fishing their Pound Net. They are throwing back huge Rockfish, as I do not think they are allowed.

Much aerial combat between the Eagles and Osprey's this morning. Difficult to get good photos though, as they are quick, and the entire engagement is over within moments.

The river seems to be full of fish, as the Osprey have plenty. There is a nest on Art & Nancy's in a tall pine tree. He continues to bring her fish, while she sits the nest. Occasionally, he brings in more nesting materials, usually in the form of seaweed, branches, and bits of debris. They make a racket, screaming at one another throughout the day. He spends more time chasing off Eagles and other Osprey than fishing. Such a life to have!

The Sun broke blood red this morning, so we will see what the evening brings. It feels like rain, and the air is heavy with moisture. I can not see much of Coles Point, over on the Virginia side, so the air must be very wet and saturated. I drive to Columbus, Ohio today to collect the new RV. I am hopeful that I will get over the Mountains dry!

We got the majority of the unpacking and studio set-up complete. It is exhausting work. Killian seemed to have a splendid time of it. We left at 4PM to go to the Raley's for drinks and than dinner at Salsa's, followed by dessert at Brusters. Tomorrow I am off to Ohio, so I had better get some rest.

I woke very early this moring. We sleep with the windows open, (the nights are cool and perfect sleeping weather), and this morning the fish crows were having a riot outside the window. An Eagle must have stopped for a break, for they were going mad, vocalizing their displeasure. This drove me from my bed in time to get coffee and witness a magnificient sunrise. The sun has moved a good ways up the bay from the last time I watched it come up, on the winter solstice. It was nearly at the mouth of the river on that date in 09'. Now it is raising up river, past the Russel Farm on Newtowne Neck, just above the Church Spire.

Temperatures are in the low-60'sF this morning and predicted to go into the mid-to-upper 80's F. with a light breeze out of the south at 5 to 10 mph. Good fishing weather as the old saying goes "When the wind blows from the south, it blows the bait right in their mouths". With certainty Billy is on the river. We got a phone-photo late last night of him hold some pretty big fish, so it seems he was out after work, slaying the Stripper. I believe that he is determined to catch every fish in the river.

The birds here are really turned on. I am seeing such a wide variety. They are not yet on the feeders, but will be soon I hope. I am anxious to see if my Blue Grossbeak returns this season. It was such a thrill to get his bird. I hope he comes back with his mate, and perhaps some of their off-spring to next again in our little sanctuary. I am determined to "knock-off" the bronzed headed cow birds this year, and keep them out of the area. These are parasitic brooders, and a real determent to the other, less established species. I have managed to keep them away from Palmdale, as I sent many over to the other side last (2009) spring. This spring I saw none. They are a smart bird, and know when they are not welcomed.
The river is a busy place this morning, with work boats and sport fisherman running out of the creeks. There was a time when the river was afloat with crabs, and crab pots, and the work boats would run out at first light to get started. Not so now. Crabs are getting fewer and fewer. The Oyster is gone. Too many people chasing too few resources. It looks, however that we will have some grass in the front of the house this year. I see signs of some (a thin lin) setting. This would be wonderful, as the fry and small crabs have shelter to live and grow. Eel grass makes good nursery furniture.

Well, today is the day to pull the Studios together, in preparation for building beautiful stained glass panels. We ordered another shipment of nautilus shells from the west coast yesterday. We burned through 70 last year. It is time to get started again. This year, fewer "no-show" shows and more time in studio building. Maybe this will keep the losses down, and the wolf away from the door.
Tomorrow I am off to Columbus Ohio to pick up "Fat Forest", so best I get started.

Yesterday was, as usual, a busy busy day. We got
the truck and trailer unloaded and everything moved into it's future space. One pile for "show stuff", one pile for Sherry's Studio. another pile for my Studio, on pile for the RV, and one pile for house stuff. What a chore.

The Sonntags came by for lunch, as did Jess and Killian and Madison. They spent a couple of hours and it was really nice to see everyone together. As I said yesterday, Billy is catching quite a load of Rock Fish, as there is a big run going on. This has instigated Capt. Bill (who has not been interested in Rock fishing for quite some years now), to get a boat and go. Several years ago, when he was in the process of giving up on the sport, he gave me a skiff and motor. He asked yesterday if he could "borrow" it. We were all thrilled that he is again showing an interest. At one time it was the center of his life. We are happy that he might return to his favorite pass time. So, on Saturday we will move the skiff and motor over to his house. I will drag the skiff down to the river and put the motor in his shop. This will give him quite a chore to occupy his time, readying all of the equipment necessary to go out on the river. We are very happy that he is once again showing interest in doing something other than sitting in the TV room. The "Cable" is no friend to Capt.Bill!
We have an infestation of Ospry's this year. The Eagle's can not be still for a moment, without getting molested by one to three Ospry's. There must be plenty of fish in the river, as I see the nets being worked, and the Ospry's with fish in tallons.