A Better Bird Feeder

Hi All,

It is summertime and the birds are out singing and chirping all around us.  Which got me thinking...'how do these birds eat?'  What do they eat and, 'could I help them to eat?'.  And that got me thinking about bird feeders and building them...and that was how I came to write todays' blog entry about building bird feeders.

So...clicking on this link will take you to a link from Lowe's about building a bird feeder.  The link includes a list of tools and materials needed for this project, as well as a 1 minute video.  Also included are step-by-step instructions how to complete the birdhouse.

This next link is from This Old House - and also explains how to build a bird house.  Again, a video is supplied for the readers interest.  The instructions from this link are a bit more comprehensive than the first one - but are still very, very helpful.

Readers can click on this link from Allcrafts.net in order to get 50+ free bird house and bird feeder woodcraft plans. Included in this plans are beginner bird houses, pole bird houses, nesting boxes, bluebird houses, plate and feeder bird bowls, box houses for sparrows, Oriole feeders and traditional birdhouses.

Click on this link - which will help you identify birds that you might come across in your backyard - or wherever you put the birdfeeder! (Link goes to a website which - appropriately enough - is called 'What Bird?'.)

Finally, on Tuesday, July 8th at 3pm the library is hosting a program entitled, 'Building a Better Bird Feeder'.  Program is for students entering grades 3-5 and online registration began on June 24th.  If you have kids or grandkids, this might be a great introduction to the joys of building birdhouses - and feeding birds!  Click here to learn more about the program we are offering at the library.

Enjoy the links! And enjoy seeing the birds.
Regards,
Stu

Happy 100th BirthdayTo the Erector Set!!!

Hi All,

Did you know that 2013 is the 100th birthday of the Erector set? I didn't either until I came across this article from the New York Times on Tuesday morning. Here's a link to the article entitled, '100 Years Later, Seeing the Influence of the Erector Set'.

I played with an Erector Set when I was a kid so the article had some passing interest for me. But then I began to dig a bit deeper...there are Ebay listings, Youtube videos and websites dedicated to Erector sets and their background.  Forthwith, a blog entry about Erector Sets.

Click on this link to get a perspective on the history of the Erector Set from Wikipedia. There are interesting quotes about the Erector Set - in particular this quote which is a great summary of the parts of the Erector Set:  "Erector consists of various metal beams with regular holes for assembly using nuts and bolts. Other mechanical parts such as pulleys, gears, wheels, and small electric motors were also part of the system. What made Erector unique was the ability to build a model, then take it apart and build something else (over and over)."  For a kid who has imagination, combined with creativity and a little bit of spunk and you have one of the world's great toys....

The Wikipedia article has 5 sections (each section links to the respective part of the Wikipedia entry) - so click on the links to your hearts content! History, Movie, Applications, See Also, and References.

Their Man Who Saved Christmas was a film based on the true story about the efforts of toymaker AC Gilbert to continue making toys during World War I. Click here for the link from Wikipedia. Click here for the movie review/link/details from the Internet Movie Database.  BTW, Jason Alexander (of George from Seinfeld fame) stars in the movie.

Click on this link for the official Erector Set website - note that there are lots of Games, Apps, Videos and a list of Where to Buy Erector Sets on the site.  For more 'unofficial video's that deal with Erector Sets, click on this link from Youtube - note that the first bunch of videos include topics as varied as 'Incredible AC Gilbert Erector Display', 'AC Gilbert Erector Sets 1960', 'Erector Sets and Other AC Gilbert Toys', 'Erector Set Commercial', and 'Noah's Erector Set Creation (music).  Cool stuff - here's the link!.

Finally, to get some background information and to find out what makes the Erector Set educational, click on this link from Ideafinder.  Cool stuff. And of course, enjoy your Erector Set!

Regards,
Stu