Mom with a morsel for junior
Close up of the youngster
The Free Dictionary lists the first definition of fledgling as “A young bird that has left the nest and has usually acquired flight feathers, but is often not yet able to fly.” That’s a pretty accurate description of this young robin. It would run across the yard, chirping all the way with a feeble attempt to flap its wings. Hopefully this little one will survive until it can fly. This fledgling may be the same robin from this post.
Wishing well
Dandelion seeds
From a Florida beach
Looking up through the trees
It is a beautiful sunny Sunday morning the day before July 4th. Now at 74 degrees, on the way to 95 for a high.
Original 1927 movie poster
Several actors and actresses played the parts of Tarzan and Jane while bringing Edgar Rice Burroughs’ many novels to the big screen. One of those actors was a man named James H. Pierce. He was discovered by Burroughs himself at a party at the Tarzana Ranch and was hired to play the jungle hero in the 1927 film Tarzan and the Golden Lion.
The next year Jim Pierce married Edgar Rice Burroughs’ daughter Joan. The happy couple starred as the voices of Tarzan and Jane for the Tarzan radio show from 1932 to 1936.
“Tarzan”
“Jane”
Jim pierce was originally from Shelbyville, Indiana. He and wife Joan and other relatives are buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Their family plot is similar to many in the cemetery. However, only on Jim and Joan’s gravestones will you find the names “Tarzan” and “Jane”.
May they Rest In Peace
Only one bird and one squirrel in sight, and like kids they both wanted the same spot to play in. Nature is so entertaining.
Blue jays love suet, and they like suet feeders set on a tree trunk allowing them to solidly perch, as opposed to hanging feeders that sway. This jay was really enjoying the suet cage we set against one of our backyard trees. Blue jays are very intelligent, and some believe that they are capable of remembering individual human faces.
About ten minutes after we shot these videos we saw both the young and old robins in our front yard. The adult was catching worms and grubs and feeding the youngster. Guess all is well, at least for a while.
Vintage book cover
When I was in 4th grade I, like most every other 3rd to 5th grader in Indiana was introduced to and told to read The Bears of Blue River by author, lawyer and politician Charles Major. The website Yesterday’s Classics shares a concise summary of the book: “Balsar, a pioneer lad, enters manhood at the age of 13 when he encounters a great bear while fishing on the river and proves his mettle. This book, full of harrowing adventures, great danger, and many acts of valor, tells of Balsar’s subsequent encounters with bears, wolves, Indians and the legendary one-eared ‘demon’ bear, offering a dynamic portrait of the daily life in Indiana during the 1820s.”
Charles Major lived most of his life in Shelbyville, and his influence has been most appreciated in the community for years. Major’s first book was published in 1898, When Knighthood Was In Flower which was very successful, having been adopted into both theater and film. He published The Bears Of Blue River in 1901.
The statue of Balsar holding his pet bear cubs Tom and Jerry was placed in front of an elementary school named for the author. After the school was demolished in the sixties, the statue remained in storage until it was placed on the town square years ago. Once the new downtown project to redo the square was designed, the statue of Balsar and the cubs was restored and placed in the center of the structure housing the fountain and nice seating.
Graves of Charles Major and his wife, Alice, in Forest Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville
Back when Sher and I were in elementary school, reading The Bears of Blue River was a requirement. I so remember being totally absorbed while reading the book. What a series of adventures Balsar enjoyed. I’ll always remember the excitement and danger of the stories. (Wait ’til you read about the Fire Bear!) I’d suggest if you have family in the 7 to 10 year old range, get them a copy of The Bears of Blue River. Heck, get one for yourself. You might enjoy an exciting trip back to Indiana in the 1820’s.
We wanted to make our own margaritas this evening, so I called our son who is a professional bartender. Here is the recipe he shared with us:
And yes this recipe was very tasty! We thought it was as good as some we’ve had in bars and restaurants.
The Joseph Fountain was first dedicated in 1923 on the center of the town square in Shelbyville, Indiana. It has been the center of the “square” (as the center of town has been known for decades by the locals) and has supported the Christmas Trees and for one year in the 1950’s it was covered with cornstalks in the fall.
Vintage photo showing the Fountain in the center of the square
New information plaque placed at the rededication of the fountain
During the years 2020-2021 a massive project completely reconstructed the square, entrance streets, sidewalks and parking. There the fountain, after complete restoration, was replaced in its historic location. With water again flowing freely, the fountain is once again the center of the square delighting young and old alike.
We have a philodendron living on our wine rack. The sunlight shining through the window caught my eye one morning. The above image is the result. Hope you enjoy it…
Roadtirement 