A Nest Constructing Weekly Link Round-Up

Humans aren't the only ones on the planet who are trying to reuse and recycle. Denis found proof of that the other day. Well, perhaps he found proof of an attempt to upcycle. Too bad it all went wrong.

I used to hang a wire suet basket filled with yarn scraps out on one of our shepherd's hooks. I read somewhere that birds would appreciate the nesting material. Today I read that it wasn't a good idea, that baby birds could actually strangle themselves on the yarn, so the basket is gone.

But take a look at what some young nest builder tried to construct! The softest yarn was chosen in a color that wouldn't call attention to the nest. I can also see fresh grass stems in there which definitely didn't come from our property, which is desert landscaped. This bird wanted a soft, cushy, fashionable-looking nest for its babies. It's too bad that the bird was a novice. Not only was the yarn lumped in one spot instead of being woven throughout, but it also wasn't attached firmly enough to the tree to withstand the wind gusts that ripped this one loose and threw it to the ground. I do have to admit that I'm chuffed that a bird wanted my contributions as a part of its nursery.

But the world turns, pool time beckons, and I'd better check that link corral before I jump in cool water. Head 'em up! Moooooove 'em out!

►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄

• Elliott Management is to acquire Barnes & Noble for $683 million.
• Getting rid of books doesn't have to be a chore. It can be an act of love.
• The American myths of westward expansion that just won't die. 
• In the 1870s, Lincoln, New Mexico Territory, was the murder capital of America.
• The intimacy of crime scene photos in Belle Epoque Paris.
• Girls outperform boys on national engineering and technology skills tests.
• Plant species have been disappearing 500 times faster than normal, thanks to humans. (We're so nice that way...)
• Kate Atkinson: "I live to entertain. I don't live to teach or preach or to be political." 
• Alison Weir's new novel raises a controversial theory: Henry VIII divorced Anne of Cleves because she'd already given birth.

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄

• Cold War nuclear bomb tests are helping researchers identify art forgeries. 
• An ancient asteroid crater may be hiding off Scotland's coast.
• How do scientists date fossils?
• Astronomers have made a massive discovery on the far side of the moon.
• A trove of English court records reveal stories of murder, witchcraft, and cheese theft. 
• A gate to a prominent Biblical city from the reign of King David has been discovered.
• Treasure hunters believe they have found the fabled Amber Room looted by the Nazis.

►Channeling My Inner Elly Mae Clampett◄

• A ten-mile-wide ladybug swarm buzzed over San Diego. 
• Found: A bees' nest built entirely of plastic waste. 
• Keep calm and don't stress out the dog.
• Animals are becoming nocturnal to avoid interacting with humans.
• Meet the newly described long-nosed Pinocchio frog.
• After nearly going extinct, Washington's pygmy rabbits need room to grow. 
• Australia kicks off a search for a possibly extinct lizard.
• The endangered cow being saved by cheese.
• How to eulogize an animal.

►The Happy Wanderer◄

• Naples, Italy has its first book hotel where you can sleep in a suite surrounded by books.
• Dutch artists painted a giant bookcase on an apartment building featuring the residents' favorite books.

►Fascinating Folk◄

• Trailblazing engineer Irene Peden broke Antarctic barriers for women.
• The real-life mighty women of the sky who paved the way for Captain Marvel. 
• Phyllis Latour Doyle: the forgotten spy whose knitting helped pave the way for D-Day.
• Ellen Harding Baker, a teacher in 1876, handcrafted this quilt to help teach astronomy to her class.
• A library of one's own: meet Chris Browne, the man who owns 12,000 books.

►I ♥ Lists◄

• Strong women have taken their rightful place in crime fiction. 
• Books to immerse yourself in the bookselling life.
• Eleven travel destinations bookworms need to go to before they die.
• The sublime magic of the seaside thriller. 
• Eighteen twisty thrillers coming this summer. 
• Top ten houseguests in fiction.
• Literary Hub's most anticipated books of 2019, part 2.

That's all for this week! Don't forget to stop by next Friday when I'll be sharing a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure.

Have a great weekend, and read something fabulous!