Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

   A sweet friend made mention of the adage "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." and I found it quite fitting for my day's activities.  After doing the morning chores, I settled in taking apart my newest acquisition.  This clock was a whole lot different than any of the other clocks I had repaired and I was a bit nervous about tackling the job.  Still, if I am to learn the repair and servicing of antique or any keywind clocks, I had to make the attempt.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained...kept going through my head.  Plus, this clock was purchased for only $15 so I would not be out too much if I totally ruined the mechanism.

  The first step was to get to the clockworks then I would see what was keeping it from working.  The clock's pendulum was not swinging continuously.  I jumped in with both feet, dismantled the clock, cleaned each piece then reassembled it.  The clock was oiled properly and the pendulum crutch was adjusted.  Success!  It was sure nice to hear that steady ticking!  

  Folks, sometimes we just have to jump right in to face challenges.  The things that scare us the most can often teach us volumes.  That first step begins the path to a broadened awareness.  Just go for it and keep thinking "Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"  

Don't Leave Me!!

  Don't leave me!!!  Early this morning, quite a ruckus could be heard just outside the front door.  Panicking that a rat snake had found the baby wrens, I hurriedly opened the french doors and stared at the hanging basket that held the nest.  Nope. nary a snake could be found.  Then my thoughts went to the squirrels that are always climbing about the arbor.  Knowing that squirrels are not above eating baby birds, I searched again.  Nary a squirrel could be found.  A hawk, perhaps?  Nope, nary a hawk was in the vicinity.  Something was up, though, as the parent wrens were having a fit in the tomato plants.  So, I tippy-toed out to the garden and was surprised to see baby wrens struggling to learn to fly!  My babies have left the nest!  I settled in on the garden bench to watch.  One, Two, Three. Where are the others?   There were five in the nest,  Wait!  I see one snuggled down under the rose bush.  Number Four!! Where is Number Five??  Try as I might, Number Five could not be found.  Disheartened, I figured the noise I heard was Number Five being attacked by some predator.  

  Since I had not had my coffee yet...hey, I even forgot to slip on shoes...I headed back inside.  Number Five lumbered around in the brain as I made coffee.  Taking the mug back to the doorway, I stood looking out at the nest.  Poor Number Five.  It saddened me to think that, though I pulled the mama and nest through the tropical storm, I was not there to help when the littles left the nest.  Poor Number Five!  

 

  Suddenly, "Peep".  Huh?  "Peep"  I had to look.  Gently, I pulled the basket aside and peered into the nest,  Yep!  Number Five was nestled deep inside!  Whoa!  Little One!  Get yourself in gear, Buddy!  The others are going to leave you behind!  "PEEP!"  Then, there was fluttering by my head!  Mama Wren returned to urge Number Five from the nest.  "Come on, Lazy Bones!", she seemed to be saying!  Number Five stretched up to the edge of the nest and tumbled to the ground.  Mama Wren hurriedly met him and encouraged him to the tomato plants.  Once inside the branches, he felt braver and was hopping from limb to limb.  Go, Number Five!!  Catch up with your siblings!  Now, the nest is empty and my heart feels happier!  Hopefully, all five will continue with their lessons and not meet up with some dire fate.  It is out of my hands now!