We continued the garden manicure this morning. My contribution was to set up a further compost bin and to dead head roses and poppies. We each filled a further trug.
Sadly, Jackie found the undamaged body of Nugget Junior this morning. His Dad visited us often, perhaps in mourning.
Shortly before lunch heavy, steady, rain set in for the afternoon, during which I scanned my final pages of Agnes Miller Parker’s flowing engraved illustrations complementing the exquisite pastoral prose of “Down The River” by H.E. Bates.
As usual, click on any image to access the gallery. Just beneath each picture, to the right, a box invites you to ‘view full size’, which can be further enlarged.
This evening we enjoyed a second sitting of Mr Chan’s splendid Chinese Take Away, with which Jackie drank Becks and I drank Alma da Vinha Douro Doc 2018.
Sad news about Nugget Junior. The lives of these small birds are so precarious. I love those illustrations, Derrick. The book looks to be a real joy.
Thank you very much for both the sadness’s and the joy, Sandra.
Well, I’m just broken up about Nugget Jr. I thought you were going to have generations of Nuggets hanging around. Any idea why?
No idea. Perhaps he couldn’t find enough food in the hard ground. He was undamaged. Thank you very much, GP.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the final installment of the fabulous illustrations, but I do feel sad about the demise of Nugget Junior.
Thank you very much for both feelings, Dolly.
My pleasure, Derrick.
Oh so sad! We had a dead bird on our patio this morning. One of the Robin babies. It must have hit the window. So, I share your mourning, Nugget!
Thank you very much, Jan. Yes, it is sad.
I am sorry about Nugget Jr.
Thank you very much, Mrs. W.
Your welcome.
My condolences to you, Jackie and the Nuggets on the loss of Nugget Jr. His life in your beautiful gardens was all too short.
Such a shame, Lavinia. Thank you very much.
Aww so sad I’m sorry about nugget Jr.
Thank you very much, More. It is.
You’re welcome
RIP Nugget Jr! How are the Nuggets coping? I assume he’ll be buried with due ceremony somewhere in the garden.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Sheree.
Sorry to hear about the death of Nugget Jr.
Thank you very much, Maj.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about poor Nugget Jr. That’s so sad.
It is. Thank you very much, Jill.
Poor little thing.
Yes. Thank you very much, Gary.
Another compost bin is an important contribution. I hope that it was fully appreciated.
Oh, yes, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
Oh, no! I’m so sorry to hear of the death of Nugget, Junior. I love those illustrations. They remind me so much of the books I read as a kid.
Thank you very much, Liz – for both the commiseration and the appreciation
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Awgh! Saddened to hear that you’ve lost Nugget Jr. 🙁
Thank you very much, Rosaliene. Sad, indeed.
Oh! I’m so sad for Nugget Jr.
Yes, and we hardly knew him. Thanks very much, Leslie
“A young feather lays on the ground
We hear the father’s mourning sound”
So kind, Ivor. Thanks very much.
That was sad news to wake to. Poor little Nugget jnr. And he seemed the most adventurous of that brood.
Yes, you are right, Gwen. Very sad. Thanks very much.
I’m so sorry about Nugget Jr. Reading Gwen’s comment about him being adventurous makes me think of the risks that come with that in the wild. I had an adventurous kitten like that whose life was much shorter than her litter mates. Thank you for the detailed illustrations.
Thank you very much, Joanna. He still had his orange gape.
Oh no…poor Nugget Junior…and I’m sorry for his dad too 🐦 😣
Thank you so much, Ribana
Sad to learn about Nugget Jr. It made me sadder that the passage in Bates’ book started with flowers of childhood.
Such a sensitive observation, Uma. Very many thanks
That picture of the otter is absolutely superb. What patience the artist must have had.
Agreed, John. And to think this was all engraved. Thanks very much.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about little Nugget junior.
Thank you very much, Sue
So: the river of life flows on, without Nugget Junior. One of the euphemisms for death I heard occasionally while growing up is that someone had ‘gone down the river,’ which makes your selection resonate in a special way.
So it does, Linda. Thank you very much for that link.
So sad for Nugget Junior. He never got to assert his territory.
Quite. He is the only one of the fledgelings who was becoming attached, too. Thanks very much, Geetha
Most welcome Derrick 🙂
Very, very sorry about Nugget Jr. Nature can break your heart. On a happier note…those illustrations are fantastic.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Lovely birds
Thanks very much, Sherry
That’s sad news about Nugget, Jr. I hope the rest of the family is OK.
Beautiful illustrations.
Thank you very much, Merril. We are all fine, and Nugget is still feeding the next brood.
Good for Nugget and partner to carry on. We just lost three junco babies due to heavy rains with flooding of their nest on our balcony….but the parents shall go forward and try again, I understand.
I wish them better fortune this time. Thanks very much, Cynthia.
Such a shame to hear about little Nugget.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
The lives of small birds are indeed precarious, but it’s always sad to see one that has died.
Yes. Apparently robins have several broods a year and many don’t make it to the next one. Thanks a lot, Quercus.
Nature organises itself well, when we leave it alone.
Yes
OH, no! 🙁 I am so so SO sad to hear about little Nugget, Jr! 🙁 Poor little fellow!
But, I am so glad he had you and Jackie in his life…and your beautiful garden to live, and, die, in.
Did you find a burial spot for him? I know everyone doesn’t do this…but if an animal dies on our property we bury it with love.
(((HUGS)))
The soil has been very hard at the moment, but he has been laid out in readiness. Thank you very much, Carolyn X
So sad to hear, poor little fellow.
Thanks very much, Lindsey.
Thanks very much, UB