My current issue and problem is keeping me up late at nights. My husband asks what is wrong and I find myself in turmoil. Do I continue the hold back? DO I confess my thoughts? Do I start out marriage down a path of resentments and pain?

I am distraught. Less than 11 weeks to go and I still do not know how to approach the discussion that needs to take place. Let me explain…My husband is not, in ANY way shape or form a Purple Martin fan. Don’t get me wrong, he listens to me when I talk about them and cares that I care about them but if given to his druthers he wouldn’t care less if every rain forest was paved over. I love him dearly but how do I approach a frugal man with the money spending options in a nationwide economic recession? I can not lie, this I know. So instead I stare off into space wondering when and how I can bring this up.

I have a few options

1. Wait for the 2 weeks before Christmas and when he asks me, “Honey, what do you want for Christmas?” I let him have it with BOTH barrels instead of my usual reply, “I have all I need, my dear.”

2. Continue to pine and sigh and hope he notices my depressed state during “Half Time”.

3.Instruct my 2 1/2 year old to say, “Martins make mommy happy!”

4.Change the image on his computers desktop to that of a Big Ol Purple Martin Gourd rack…since he doesn’t know how to change it back he will eventually buy me the rack in order for me to get rid of the picture.

5.Arrange some sort of a “trade” with him…..hmmm

All because I am honest with my husband. I sometimes think what harm could a little white lie cause. But we must all remember the Rumpelstiltskin effect. You know that story, right? The father tells the King that his beautiful daughter can weave hay into gold. then she keeps getting in a bigger and bigger jam?

For example: “Oh look at what I found on the curb that someone was throwing away!! A brand new aluminum house with a winch system at that!” Of course I would then have to explain how I cleaned it up to look like new. I would then find myself in a bad scenario where he would start bringing me his favorite old salt water reel to clean up. Then my excuse to throw away his favorite old shirt and sweatpants with the multiple stains would be useless. “But honey, you can make anything look like new”

If I go with a “Oh, look what I won in this contest I entered”  Then my husband would send me out with his paycheck to buy lotto tickets. And he ALWAYS checks his numbers. Besides the fact, with my luck he would instantly know it was a lie. People ask me who I am routing on just so they can know what team to NOT bet on.

I guess I will just have to go with the honest straight forward, if not guilt ridden approach. “Honey, I bore you 2 beautiful sons. I cook, I clean and all I ask is this XYZ system to quench my thirst for Purple. How about it?”

Blog & Photos Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin/ PurpleMartins-R-Us.com

I am so proud of the development that has been made at PurpleMartins-R-Us.com. Now, among the huge selection of Purple Martin gifts such as shirts, hats, decorative tiles, jewelry, art prints, signs, windcatchers and so much more, We now have a large selection of quality housing available. Aluminum house systems from Trendsetter.

Blog & Photos Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin/ PurpleMartins-R-Us.com

Blog & Photos Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin/ PurpleMartins-R-Us.com

Greetings all! I want to first thank Terry and the Purple Martin Society for the privilege she has extended to me. To post my blog on such a platform as the PMS, NA Round Table Conferences, is an honor. It’s not everyday that someone wants to hear me talk about “my” birds. Though I have been blogging quite regularly (since March of 08) on this blog site, other than my faithful handful of followers, people don’t know me from Adam. So I am grateful and thrilled to expand my audience of those, like me, afflicted with this Purple Condition. Thankfully the cure will arrive, for me, in about 89 days. 

So here I am. Let me be clear that I DO NOT consider myself any authority. There are many fine men and women that have been hosting Purple Martins all over this continent, far longer than I. I tip my cap to you. I only aim to voice my perceptions of my humble colony. So far my blogging has served as a glimpse into the world of being a Purple Martin Landlord for those that are venturing into this endeavor for the first time. What my blog will become, over time, I can not say. I can only say, “Let’s enjoy the ride.”

If you have not visited the Purple Martin Society, NA-Round Table Conferences, please check them out. My blog will be appearing there as “Susan’s Purple Martin Blog”

God Bless

Blog & Photos Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin/ PurpleMartins-R-Us.com

by: Susan Halpin

I have been thinking a lot lately of the latest fad of “going green”. It seems like using environmentally friendly products has become all the rage. Reducing ones carbon footprint has become the quest of many. But with all these acts of conservationism none is as humble and beautiful as what a Purple Martin Landlord does for his birds.
Not many people are aware of the plight of the Purple Martin. Besides the fact that most people have NO idea what a Purple Martin is, the act of putting up a house or a gourd for a Purple Martin to live in is becoming a remnant of a bygone era. Much like families sitting together for dinner-SANS Television, putting up housing is something more of us should do but not many of us actually do.
What is so compelling about this bird anyway? It’s about 8 inches long and so are a lot of other birds. The males are a steely blue-ish black…OK. The females not as fancy looking…alright. What is the big deal? Since these birds will never visit your backyard bird feeder most people will never get to find out. But if you are blessed enough to witness them, you will be taken in by their beautiful song, unquestionable grace in the air and apparent joy of flight.

So why am I writing this? You wanted to help the environment. You want to make a difference in the world. Feel free to donate money to save the Whales. Don’t let me stop you from recycling the newspaper. But other than a change in your routine and giving up a Starbucks Latte twice a week, what do you want to do? Do you want to make a difference right in your own backyard?
Many people want to help nature but they just don’t know how. We go to our local “Mart” super store and spend 20 bucks on a nest box and complain that no birds ever nest in it. So, what can YOU do to make a difference? CAN you even make a difference? ABSOLUTELY! It’s not easy and sometimes it’s not pretty either. But the joy you will experience, the pride you will feel, the sense of accomplishment will be amazing!
Back in the 40′s and 50′s, when putting up a house for Purple Martins was popular, you could drive down a road and see birdhouse after birdhouse. Heck, there was a time when parks and public areas would put up housing for Purple Martins. Then something happened. Somewhere along the line, we forgot about those that were so completely dependant on us for their continued survival.
So what happened? We may have many opinions on that but one thing is certain. Literally, only individuals, like you, hold the key to this birds survival.
That’s right, You-by putting up Purple Martin housing- can be personally responsible for bringing Purple Martins into the world. You can be single-handedly, the most important factor in those birds life. For what purpose does any life have? Only to be born and die, and hopefully adding some offspring to the mix. As long as more are added to the population than die, we will slowly and surely fill the skies with Purple Martins. But your help is needed. Your actions are vital. Join fellow Landlords and raise up a Purple Martin house and enjoy the song and grace and joy that you will have added to the world.

For more info on Purple Martins go to: www.PurpleMartins-R-Us.com
Or check out some of the links on the right.

Blog & Photos Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin/ PurpleMartins-R-Us.com

September 4, 2004, a date that will live in infamy. Well, at least for me it will. 13 days prior to that I had given birth to my son via cesarean. After being discharged from the hospital on the 26 (I believe) I crawled into bed in pain and in a fog. My son was a blessing but feeding him was proving to be a problem. Without getting too graphic, God’s way of feeding children was not working out well. I was sleep deprived and my son was happier with a bottle in his mouth. I recall the news talk about a hurricane approaching. I also recall my every waking moment being full of diapers and bottles and pumping and all the other bits of being a brand new mom. I was a tad preoccupied. And I must admit, I was a bit weary of warnings to board up your house and store water and supplies.
I grew up in Florida and have vague recollections of what hurricanes meant for me. Hurricane David was a big to-do back in 1979 and was touted as a monster but to me it was a day off of school and a camp out at home. I think I slept through it. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was a lot scarier. I lived on my own in the Ft.Lauderdale area and there we had wind that swayed metal street lights as if they were made of rubber. I rented an apartment and no one bothered to board any windows. I pushed my sofa up to my sliding glass door and recall stuffing my washer and dryer with all my photos and things I could NOT live without and huddled in a safe room for a few hours.
Fast forward to 2004, I guess I didn’t think that I had to be the one to prepare. My husband, never having been through a proper hurricane did not bother to fill up the bath tubs with water. By the time I realized nothing had been bought-no water, no food, no supplies, I was too tired to care and fell asleep. I awoke shortly thereafter to no power, no water, no toilet or showers. It was 2 weeks of no power and a much longer story I am writing here.
My point is: I pray that all those in the path of “IKE” heed the warnings and get out. I pray all those that need help, receive it. I pray that all those that will be suffering are helped. I pray that this hurricane brings people together in the spirit of goodness and grace. May God have mercy on Galveston tonight.

Blog & Photos Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin/ PurpleMartins-R-Us.com

I was partly amused at a story I saw on CNN this morning. Apparently the European Red squirrel is being seriously threatened by America’s larger more aggressive Grey squirrel. The red squirrels are trying to wage a comeback with the help of active conservationists who are trapping and euthanizing the American squirrels. I am sure at some point a rich American will probably spend millions of dollars to have trapped grey squirrels returned to the USA to be repatriated to their native soil.

 I have written about North America’s plight against European invaders such as Sparrows and Starlings. The fight is not for the faint of heart and I am sure that it may seem cruel to some. One thing must be kept in mind. In 50 years, if nothing was ever done to control Sparrows and Starlings here…or grey squirrels in England-our native species would be urban legends. Much like the Dodo bird whose extinction was sealed when cats and dogs (among a few) were introduced to the island of Mauritius. These animals decimated the native populations of Dodos and though they did not compete with the Dodo’s, they did directly cause their demise. So, even though the squirrels in Europe and the cavity nesters in the America’s are being pushed out by direct competition by direct relatives, those related species were introduced by us. Lets not tell our Grandchildren WE were directly responsible, by our INaction to the fall of any animal. Just as we would rise up against a neighborhood bully to protect the weaker kid on the block, let us protect the weak-as God would have us do.

Blog & Photos Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin/ PurpleMartins-R-Us.com

I just wanted to wish all of you a safe and happy 4th of July. My kids are looking forward to the fireworks.

I took the house down and have yet to give it its final wash. It sits in the grass as a lonely testament to the martins departure. I remember last year I was so worried about the house as I still had babies in a nest. I was worried that the mother would abandon them from all the smoke and fireworks that goes on out here. Thank goodness we have had alot of rain. No need to worry about wildfires this 4th…or what the martins will think.

Speaking of Purple Martins. I saw 1 today. A lone martin on the wire for about 5 minutes. Then he was gone. I am being over run by Grackles. They are trying to eat me out of bird seed. A faithful pair of cardinals tries to wait their turn at the feeder, the 1 fledgling they bring is so ugly…but cute. I chase the grackles away and that buys the cardinals a minute or two before the grackles return. The baby cardinal begs relentlessly at the feeder only centimeters away from seed. The male parent hulls the seed and stuffs it in his beak. So cute.

Mr. Roberts tells me that only a few dozen Martins are returning to the Davie roost.

This is a translation of something I found on a South American Website. Written by Raul Ortelli, “El Zorro y las Aves” Buenos Aires, Argentina,1964  

ORIGIN OF THE SWALLOWS,  a legend

Twenty centuries ago, in Nazareth, the Child Jesus, while playing with his friends, made some delicate bird figurines with clay from a nearby creek.

While they were playing a Pharisee who was passing by started screaming at them: “Don’t you know that today is Sabbath day and you are not allowed to do any type of job?”  Immediately he tried to squash the figurines with his foot but Jesus extended his hand and the birds began to fly.
That is the way  swallows were born.  These same swallows later made their nests on the roof of Jesus’ home.

Many years later, when Jesus was already a man and was on his way to Golgotha, the swallows were desolate as they followed Him. The Teacher was going to die and a stream of blood mixed with tears was running down his face.  The little birds then, one by one, took the thorns of the crown off the magnificent face. At that moment the Earth trembled and  the sky was clouded over.

From that day on swallows acquired the mourning cloak that they still carry.

A huge Thunderstorm came through this afternoon. Luckily my boys slept without so much as a whimper, DESPITE a lightning strike somewhere outside their window. An electrical surge has destroyed our DVR and something is amiss with our electrical system. After the lightning hit a light came on in the living room and would NOT turn off! Needless to say, that had me very concerned. I tried to switch the light off at least a dozen times without any luck. Finally it shut off….only to turn back on. An emergency light came on a few times, even though we did not loose power. We did have a circuit breaker trip but we had already reset it. I REALLY should call an electrician to check things out! If the house goes up in flames, you will know why!

On a purple note. The pole that the house is on suffered a career ending bend even though I keep my poles lowered. I would hate to think what would have happened if the poles were up fully and if the housing was full of birds. Just further strengthens my believe that as soon as you have martins that are committed to your site, just keep the pole down 5 feet or so. No need to tempt fate.

The other pole that has a much heavier gourd rack suffered no ill effects at all. I wonder if having the pole cemented or not could exacerbate bending? I mean, if the ground wont give, the pole will have to…right? Maybe we should rethink concreting poles in the ground.