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for the birds

December 3, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 11 Comments

Boogee (hard “g”) lives around the corner from our Fayetteville cottage.  How do you spell your name, I asked? I don’t really know, she laughed. That’s just what everyone calls me.
One corner of Boogee’s dry-stacked rock wall is a shrine to Found Objects—lost or discarded sidewalk treasures discovered and relocated by neighbors strolling with sleepy headed toddlers, dedicated power walkers, Razorbacks headed to English class.
Partially hidden within fall leaves—a like-new pacifier, a purple plastic Easter egg, a man’s red and black striped necktie.
I contributed a red string with tiny black beads found on Dickson Street—nothing fancy or nice— oddly interesting. With my offering, I felt part of the neighborhood.
Near Boogee’s inviting front porch, she grows cotton! A single stalk , a specimen celebrated like a rare Japanese Maple. The cotton hangs white and heavy, ready to be picked. Beyond ready but still soft and beautiful.
When are you planning to pick your cotton, I asked? Oh I never pick it. I grow it every year for the birds. The birds take bits for their nests. 
One of the reasons I lovelovelove Fayetteville…
talya

Musical Pairing:

White Bird, K T Tunstall

Filed Under: Gardening Tagged With: Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    December 3, 2012 at 6:36 am

    Who knew you could make a bird’s nest out of cotton? I wonder if the cotton growers in NE Arkansas know this? Hmmmmmm…………… Barbara

    Reply
  2. Colene says

    December 3, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Birds will use just about anything they can find for their nests. I fling out bits of thread, dust bunnies, hair, etc. and think of it ending up in a nest one day. Boogee is my kind of person.

    Reply
  3. TimH says

    December 3, 2012 at 11:46 am

    Awesome story, and I can see where it would be easy for you to ‘take a cotton’ to Boogee…she sounds like an awesome person!…Also, I’m glad you’re enjoying your Fayetteville home and neighbors…Being a Hog fan for as long as I can remember, Fayetteville has always been tops on my list of places to live…but I definitely can’t complain, Nashville is pretty awesome, too, and from time to time, I run into a Razorback fan, which is WPS cool!!!=)

    Reply
  4. LisaLisa says

    December 3, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I love Boogee’s reason for planting cotton by her porch!. I totally agree Tayla.

    Reply
  5. Kaa says

    December 4, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    The birds around my house hang around where the dryer vent is. Lots of lovely lint. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Fawn @ Instead of the Dishes says

    December 9, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Love this. It’s so wonderful when we discover the treasures (be it people or lost items) around us.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    January 22, 2013 at 6:27 pm

    My mother-in-law always hung strands of brightly colored crochet thread on the lower branch of a tree located next to her bird feeder. The bird nests in her trees were always so colorful. She loved birds and people and beautiful flowers. I love and miss her very much. Thank you for this wonderful blog Talya. Enjoyed this read very very much. Take care, Timmie Lynn

    Reply
  8. Talya's Mom says

    October 4, 2013 at 7:04 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  9. Talya's Mom says

    October 4, 2013 at 7:05 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  10. Talya's Mom says

    October 4, 2013 at 7:06 am

    I love Boogee. Talya, maybe your should take her some cottonseed for next year’s crop. Great blog.

    Reply
  11. Gayle Glass says

    October 4, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    As Kaa mentioned, dryer lint is good, too. Also, when I trim my dog (shelti mix) I just dump the trimmings in the flower bed. I’ve noticed that they grab it quickly, too. But I love the idea of a single cotton plant just for this purpose. Next spring, I’ll plant one in the wildflower garden.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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