Quill of the Hill

More drama in the Gazebo Courtyard. We haven't been seeing our hen lately because she is spending all her time in the safety under the hedge by F-wing. Thanks to the bird feeders in that area she is getting plenty to eat. It is nice that she gets to be the "big bird" among the sparrows. She hangs out there because a hawk wants to make her his "Holiday Turkey" and has gotten bold enough that just circling above isn't sufficient intimidation -- he even landed nearby on one of the flower pots. If that weren't enough, our gang of crows has been muscling in on her chicken scratch and even going inside the chicken coop/dog house! And I thought the holidays were stressful for me.

Great news about the six-foot penguin that the family of Louise Keplinger donated. They have even made it possible that the penguin doesn't have to go back to the zoo. Pat the Penguin will now have a permanent home at St. Simeon's and we can enjoy seeing it decked out as different characters or in seasonal attire. We'll start with a basic "penguin" tuxedo look only using St. Simeon's purple and then let your imagination and suggestions guide us from there. Watch for him soon in the Health Care Center Courtyard. Maybe in the spring when we have some chicks again he could pay a visit to the Gazebo Courtyard and ward off the crows and hawks for us.

I want to tell you about a new flower I've added to my life. One of my least favorite tasks is buying groceries. Recently, to make the task more pleasant and to defy winter, I started buying cut flowers for my desk. I've tried various ones and have discovered that a flower called Alstroemeria is remarkably long-lasting. The lily-like blooms last almost exactly two weeks from the time you get home with it and it comes in beautiful colors. Part of its secret is though the flowers are delicate and in clusters on each stem, the stems themselves are quite long and thick and are able to suck plenty of water all the way to the top of the plant. Every few days you can cut some more stem off and yet never run out of stem.

This is the time of year that all the birds that haven't gone south for the winter can use our help with food and water. Many residents have their own feeders or birdbaths and St. Simeon's also has some in public areas. Most residents or family members are able to take care of their own feeding stations but for others that may no longer be a possibility. Be sure and let Paula Sampson know if you need St. Simeon's to help with your feeder, whether it is just filling it or even help providing seed. The Maintenance Department has funds budgeted to help and also the money collected in the Bird Seed Donation Box (with the squirrel picture above it) near the Eckel Parlor is used to purchase bird seed. Thank you to all who have donated money (bills and coins) there -- we recently took out almost $20 and will put it to good use with a trip to Wild Birds Unlimited.

Have you wondered where the two beautiful ferns went that were hanging in the Garden Gift Shop? They eventually will be on stands by the windows in the Ice Cream Parlor looking out on the Gazebo Courtyard where they spend their summers. But since a Christmas tree is occupying that space right now they temporarily are on the sideboard in the Crossroads Dining Room. Thank you D-wing folks for sharing some of the space in your Dining Room for a while.

If you're out for a stroll (in the building, of course) it is worth a trip to the Hearth Room in the Memory Center to see the Tropical Hibiscus in bloom there. Large, beautiful orange flowers. I know the color has nothing to do with OSU since this plant came from Lee Miller's husband Jack, a devoted OU fan. Go Sooners.