Bats in my Belfry

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted something moving swiftly while I was sewing in my studio today.  It was, to my surprise .... a swooping bat!   Not one to panic, I immediately thought I had to find a way for him to get back outside.  I took a screen off a window but it didn't go near the window, just kept swooping wildly.... then landed on a shelf and looked at me.  I opened the front screen door and held it open while ... er... um... hiding behind it.  Soon the bat swooped out the door and was gone.   Whew! 

It was a very handsome bat.  Rich brown furry body with black ears and wings... wingspan was about 8" - 9"..... it is called "Little Brown Bat."  Eats mosquitoes.  You gotta love 'em for eating mosquitoes.

My husband's woodworking shop is in the same building and he always works with the utility doors wide open with no screen doors .... easier to move the large projects in and out!  That's the only way we think a bat could possibly get in.   I haven't seen a bat since third grade.  I attended a two room rural school with, yes, a belfry.  The rope hung down in the entrance hallway and occasionally the teacher would let one of us swing on the rope to ring the bell.  One day a bat was loose in our classroom.  The teacher grabbed a broom and calmly guided it out the front door.   Thank you, Mrs. Gregory, for being such a wonderful example to us all.

Sunflower Fields

I was searching for a "Barn Sale" the other day and got distracted by these fields of sunflowers.

Thought you would enjoy seeing them, too.  Another week or two of hot July weather should have
them in full bloom.  I love how they truly follow the sun.  I have painted them in the past and feel
the urge again to get out a blank canvas .... not that I can improve on nature's handiwork, but there
is such joy in slopping on brushes full of those happy bright yellows!

Busy in my Sewing Room

It is a beautiful summer here in the north and the long warm days and evenings give me lots of time outdoors... gardening, walking the dogs....   I love my cozy corner of the deck for reading.  And still I am finding plenty of time to sew as well.   Here is a reversible liner of new Ava Rose fabrics I made for a great old vintage flea market cart.   I just listed this in my Etsy shop if you want a closer look. 

Happy Indepence Day!

Cherries are Ripe*Blue Angels are Here

Just a couple of quick postings of photos.... cherry trees are loaded if you care to pick your own.
The farmers are busy, busy getting the fruit harvested and to the packing plant.  With the National Cherry Festival officially beginning tomorrow, we have all been stealing away to our favorite viewing sites to watch

the Blue Angels practice.  Windows are known to shatter when they roar over our little town.  My granddaughter is coming to my house for a quiet nap tomorrow since we aren't in the direct path of the jets.  My, but they are impressive.  Someone called their noise .... "the sound of Freedom."  Happy Independence Day!