Birds in my backyard.

This is a Northern Flicker.
It’s quite large compared to the other birds in my backyard.

Hummingbirds are back in my garden. I make my own nectar for them.

Did you know?

They eat insects and insect eggs on the ground and in trees. They love spiders and spider eggs and will use their bill and not their tongue to catch insects.

Flowers in my garden.

 Clematis

 Columbine

Allium

Springtime is here. Let’s get digging.

April showers bring ...
Everything is growing!
 Bulbs, plants, seedlings. Now is the time to get ideas of what to plant this year.

When you donate to Beads of Courage, your gift helps fund our mission of hope and healing!

Calling all Bead Artists! We want YOU to join the 1000 Bead Challenge!

The purpose of the challenge is to help us gather the beads we need to fulfill our mission: to provide innovate arts-in-medicine programs that improve the quality of life of children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Every year, we distribute approximately 100,000 artist-made beads to Beads of Courage members.

I'm making glass beads to help with the 1000 Beads of Courage Challenge.
Here is an example of my homemade glass beads.

Per the Beads of Courage website:
 https://www.beadsofcourage.org/the-beads-of-courage-program/

How Does it Work?

Upon enrollment each child is given the Beads of Courage bead color guide we call the Beads of Courage Bead Prescription (available from Beads of Courage, Inc). Their Beads of Courage experience begins when each child is first given a length of string and beads that spell out their first name. Then, colorful beads, each representing courage during their treatment experiences are given to the child by their professional health care provider as determined by the Beads of Courage Bead Prescription. As beads are added to their Beads of Courage collection, children and teens can RECORD, TELL, and OWN their stories of courage.

The Beads of Courage Program is available for the following:

• Cancer and Blood Disorders
• Cardiac Conditions
• Burn Injury Recovery
• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Chronic Illness
• Rehabilitation Care
• Trauma Recovery
• Pediatric Intensive Care
• Palliative and Supportive Care

All Program Bead Prescriptions were developed in collaboration with experts in the field (nurses, doctors, child life specialists and social workers) so that each bead guide would reflect meaningful acknowledgment of a child’s courage displayed during their treatment experiences.