Hummers

This is the kind of hummer I like to see. Rufous hummingbird, maybe. Whatever kind it is, it puts on a spectacular, noisy aerial display, checks out the feeder and occasionally hovers to check out the people who are checking it out. Did I say noisy? We usually hear this one before we see it.

Marie's Birds

Our friend Marie was a great lover of birds, both real birds and art birds. Marie died a few years ago, at age 90-something. At some point — probably at many points — I admired this embroidery work. Marie said her English-born mother made or acquired it in her (the mother's) young adulthood.

It's the finest silk thread I've ever seen. The detail is astonishing. Each stitch is perfect. It has what appears to be French knots that are the size of a pencil tip. The colors are still vivid.

I'm honored that she decided to leave it to me. Next step: find some professional advice on how to conserve it.