In the Monkey ..

North Carolina US style - when we lived in Florida, Snowbirds were people - but here they have feathers - all photos taken through double glass - especially my favorite kitchen window - 2016 Winter - -- EXPLORE -- © All Rights Reserved

until they turned out the lights .. vocalists .. guitarists .. hand drummers .. tambourines .. shakeres .. harmonicas .. and - next week, the paper bag musician ! [ hope he brings his spoons, too ] Until we can find another venue, 28 Jan. 2016, will be the last musical gathering of these wonderful people; we have made many friends; shared music and become a Family. This Family shall find another home. * EXPLORE * © All Rights Reserved

in their Winter feathers - at least a dozen in this flock of Gold Finches - the Summer feathers of the males are a bright yellow - with black wings, tail and head - when spotted on a Dandelion - it blends so well with the yellow, that if the Gold Finch moves - then you can spot it - some House Finches - and Juncos - a Blue Jay and Northern Cardinal - but this was a Gold Finch Meeting - a busy morning - weather is getting colder - saw several constantly fluffing their feathers to trap in heat - © All Rights Reserved -- EXPLORE --

this time, the weather people hit it just right - said we would have flurries - we did - would only last a short time - yes, that happened too - would only stick to branches or grass - yes - now, at 11:00am EST - the Sun is Out ! 'Alien Weather' .. © All Rights Reserved

this young pianist [ 16 yrs old ] learned this by ear - not the complete work, but getting in front of people he doesn't know - takes a lot of confidence - he later played a Darbuka with one of the Wooden Nickels - talent -- only way to go is up ! don't know his name, but is the son of Jamie Leigh, host of the Open Mic Jam - * update * The pianist is Taylor Michael .. 2016 © All Rights Reserved

taken at a stop on the way - to Lyrics Open Mic Music Jam - an omen of the evening - from Jimmy Ray & The Dominoes - to The Jenna Bengel Trio - Jamie Leigh and Friends - Bad Penny & the Wooden Nickels [with new member Stacey K] - Nephew & The Aumans - to solo musicians - and a treat from Jamie Leigh's son [ Taylor Michael ] - 16 yrs old. played Canon In D - we talked afterwards and I found out he learned it by ear - told him that I already told his Mom to take him to the TSO Concert in 2016 - just remind her ~ Jamie Leigh did a great hosting job - we didn't close everything down until midnight ! © All Rights Reserved

''Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right. '' .. credited to Henry Ford American inventor / industrialist who, according to the link below, worked with others to make the automobile not just something 'for the rich', but a car all people could afford. www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/ford.htm © All Rights Reserved - for Poetography Group ' Confidence quotes ' Font: Poetsen One in PicMonkey editing

certainly wish I were the person who took this photo - who created the saying - but - no, have not a clue as to who it is - all I can say - it fits me perfectly ~ shh, SAB .... * 1 note *

up early enough to see the sunrise - but, shadowy figures were running around the deck - before long, light trickled through the clouds - revealing so many colorful feathered friends - top row: Northern Cardinal [m] - Red Bellied Woodpecker [f] - Goldfinch [m] 2nd row: Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee and Junco - Goldfinch - Robin - Downy Woodpecker [m] 3rd row: Downy Woodpecker [m] - Blue Jay - Northern Cardinal [m] These are the ones I got photos of - there were even more varieties ... It was a no-brainer for me - Eat breakfast or watch the feathers through my kitchen window ! © All Rights Reserved

decorative plate of hand-hammered brass - becomes an orb - with some tweaks to bring colors - of intricate tiles in the Middle East into it - © All Rights Reserved -- EXPLORE --

Christmas wreath on the front door .. now a memory of layers of ribbons .. red - gold - green .. textures of silk .. © All Rights Reserved 2016 - 1 note - -- EXPLORE --

gazing out the kitchen window - hordes [ know birds are not called that ] - but Robins all across the backyard - in the yards of neighbors - those 'leaves still in the grass' ? if they move, it is a Robin - then another influx- smaller feathered folk - through binoculars looked like Cedar Waxings - saw a few perched in the White Ash - of course the photos are blurry - CWs don't tend to stay still very long - Juncos - House Finches - Cardinals - Blue Jays - Mockingbirds - somebody left the door open ! it always amazes me that they don't fly into each other - or into the deck railings - especially when they do U-Turns in mid-air -- now that is a sight to see ! this is my interpretation of what it looked like out the kitchen window - © All Rights Reserved

seemed a good day to catch bird photos on the deck - Mr Cardinal - Ms Finch - Ms Junco - several chubby Finches in the branches - Then Ms Finch scores a ' 10 ' in her landing - Grass being mowed in January ? But Then, he who mows, came in - ''Did you know there are snow flurries ?'' So, the bottom center photos is flurries looking out my window - Out the same window not too soon after - Sunshine and blue skies ! Ah, North Carolina - State of Opportunity and Interesting Weather ! © All Rights Reserved * 1 note *

from left to right - 2013 through 2015 Finally ! All permits received - To create loft-style apartments in this iconic old mill - On a 6.8 acre tract of land - This once was headquarters of the Oneida Cotton Mills - The State of North Carolina and Federal Gov. had to see the original brick work - To make available tax credits for historic redevelopment - The developer had to show it is structurally sound - It is to be designed to add 134 new residences to the area - [ now to get my foot in the door for some photos! ] © All Rights Reserved

- heard before seen - House Finch (m) perched in a tree - across the street - up a hill - in the yard of a neighbor - his beautiful song lasted long enough - for a photo to document where he was - it was a gray December day - we finally are getting Winter here © All Rights Reserved -- EXPLORE --

in reverse .. there is color in Winter .. but this one is more about the Form [s] taken .. edited in PicMonkey .. using: Curves .. © All Rights Reserved ^ 1 note ^ ** EXPLORE **

Host - Matt Server / Cook / percussionist - Stacey Percussion to share - 71 degrees in NC - way toooo warm for December ! Held at Lyrics Grill - North Carolina US © All Rights Reserved

- Font: Brush-tip Texe - PicMonkey - full moon © All Rights Reserved Full Moon with branches over it ... North Carolina US