Post ONE HUNDRED & Book Giveaway

This marks a milestone for this blog... it's post 100!  I've been thinking about how to celebrate #100 and what to write about for quite awhile.  I've been asked if I thought I would run out of things to write about sometime.  I seem to have the opposite problem, I have to choose from many ideas.  Sometimes that means I don't write for awhile because I'm having a hard time choosing!  It's a good problem to have I guess.

Since I wanted to write something special for post 100, that means I have to save the story of the fledging of our second brood of house wrens for a later date...

I also haven't written anything about our hummingbirds and I have lots of photos of them.

Things are always happening that I could write about.  Just this morning a young Blue Jay was being taught by its parent about eating sunflower seeds on our deck railing.

Looking back over the posts I've written, I think my photography has improved... a new camera has helped! 

Speaking of help, some of the most popular posts have been guests posts by Dr. Ruby, PhD.  If you haven't read the story of why she has a PhD, you can click here to read it.  Dr. Ruby is always doing something to amuse us.  Just a few minutes ago I took this photo of her:

She is definitely a funny one!  For some reason this morning she decided to curl up on the towel I use to wipe her dry when we come in from a walk instead of the comfy dog bed.  (Basset hounds tend to get quite damp when out walking if there is any moisture at all on the ground!) 

Posts that include Ruby tend to be some of the most read, while this one, featuring my other 'grand-puppy' somehow got missed by most of my 'tens' of readers.  If you missed it, you might want to go back and read it...  Mac does not have a PhD, but he knows how to lay on the dog bed! (and be very handsome, I think).

Besides birds and dogs, this blog has included quite a few posts about flowers.  One of my ideas was to make this post about flowers, such as these Butter-and-Eggs:

because, as I said in the title, I have a book to giveaway.

It's a new book, and I've been enjoying my copy which I received as a gift (thanks, Sara!).  By the way, another thing I sometimes talk about on this blog are things I remember from my childhood.  If blogs had 'dedications' like books do, I would dedicate it to my family.  Including those little stories is a way to pass them along to my girls.  I hope the rest of you don't mind!

Back to the giveaway...  the book is full of interesting information about flowers such as the stories behind their names (yes, "names" - plural... such as the one above I call Butter-and-Eggs :  the book gives over 30 other common names for it.)  But the book is much more than a list of names, it includes poems about many of the flowers:

The photos and illustrations are appealing... I happen to like this one about Turtlehead because I love turtles.  (Did you see my post about why the turtle crossed the road?)

There is a lot of information about herbal uses, historical info, and other fascinating facts.

If you would like to enter to win the book, you can do it two ways.  Leave a comment here on my blog or if you read it from Facebook you can comment on there.  If you'd like to just leave a comment but not enter for the book, that's fine, too -just mention that.  I'd love to hear what your favorite post has been or what you'd like to see more of in the future.   In a week, I'll put the names in a hat and pick one at random.  If you want it signed by Dr. Ruby, just let me know!

Meanwhile, I'll be keeping my camera handy for the next 100 or so posts, Lord willing!

Still haven't done one about butterflies, or deer!  Or, well... one never knows what one will see next in God's beautiful creation.

*** The book giveaway is now over and we had a winner***

A Book Giveaway!

Since many of the blogs I read have occasional give-aways, I thought... why not give it a try, too.  And give my 'tens of readers' a chance to have a copy of one of my favorite books!

For my first give-away, I've chosen "Mammals of Pennsylvania".  

This is my copy, the giveaway one actually looks in better shape!

It's an oldie but a goodie and I've consulted my copy many times over the years (I've had mine since 1980).  It contains lots of fascinating information about over 60 mammals.  Sure, some of the statistics are a 'little' dated, but even so, it's a very interesting book.  It's out of print now, so this is a chance to get yourself a copy.

To enter, just leave a comment.  If you are game ;-) , tell me if you were an animal, what animal would you like to be?  (Remember my post about chipmunks, and how-- come February I sometimes think I'd like to be one? If not, you can read it by clicking here.) 

My choice would be a chippy!

  I'm not fussy about what type of creature - it could be a mammal, bird, or an insect or, well.... anything!  Ruby thinks that everyone will want to be a basset hound.

"What could be better than a basset?"

So you can prove her wrong and come up with some other wonderful animal, if you like.  Or make her happy and say "basset hound".

Or, just leave a comment telling me you'd like to win the book.  Or, just leave a comment saying what animal you'd like to be but that you don't care about winning the book.  See, I'm giving you lots of options.  I'm very flexible.  Just, someone please leave a comment so I don't feel sad and start looking like Ruby. (no offense, Ruby!)

Next Sunday I will pick a winner by random drawing and post it in the comment section.  I'm looking forward to your comments!  Thanks!