#91 No End In Sight!

I said to myself that this year I was going to slow down, so far it has not happened. I am behind on my blog posts but not on my activities. In the last days of February I did a wedding photography shoot over two days, and spent the following four days in post processing! I did a real estate shoot and also a initial review of my kayak book, anybody board? I do have lots of other projects that I want to attempt but for now I will work on what is in front of me. Mainly marketing the Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife book. Sales have been very good so far. Thank you to all who supported  me by purchasing a book. I have plenty left! I hope to work on getting it placed in some stores in the next few weeks.

Colossians 3

 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

# 90 Book It!!

If you build it they will come....

I am very pleased to announce that my first book is now available.

Our mission is to help you provide safe accessible housing for birds and other wildlife.

  Whether you are building or buying a birdhouse, Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife, provides the most detailed information on a safe home environment.  The continuing loss of habitat has created a nesting bird crisis including other wildlife.  If you are serious about helping nature, birds and wildlife - this book is for you.

We believe there is not another book on the market that provides as much expert research and helpful details as found in the Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife.

        Our book includes breeding and nesting information for over 40 species of birds and wildlife.

         All of these species will nest in man made structures.

·         This book gives house placement recommendations so you will achieve maximum occupancy rates in the homes you provide.

        This book has been written with the best interest of the birds and wildlife in mind.

         No fancy hard to follow plans, just solid, safe, and practical information.

         A beautiful full color photo section is included to aid your bird and wildlife identification.

         Our 28 detailed construction plans cover the specifics on which house plan works best for each species.  Easy to follow construction plans will make a great family project.

The joy and excitement of watching a new family grow in shelter you provided is priceless.  The birds and wildlife will thank you in their own special way, by showing off their new families.

You can call or email me if you would like a copy and I will get it to you.

$18.50 each

If you prefer it is also available on amazon.com

Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife is the completion of the efforts of many people. My sincere thanks to all of you who have helped to make this book a reality.

With this book you will learn how to create a backyard outdoor environment that will attract birds and provide them with a safe nesting option.

Mathew 6 :25-26
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

# 89 Think Spring!

Here in Texas we have had a relatively warm winter...so far. They say if you don't like the weather here just wait a few minutes. With the warm weather the birds have been active.

 Photography has been a passion of mine for quite a few years and the more I "shoot" the more I enjoy it. As I was getting ready for work one morning last week I spied these eastern bluebirds in the back yard checking out the free housing. With my camera sitting on  my desk I headed out the back door on a dead run! I did manage a few good shots in the process. Like a lot of things in life when you see an opportunity you had better grab at it. Photography is like that. The moment passes, the smile or giggle is gone, the hug or kiss lasts but a moment. The bird flies away or the deer runs off. Enjoy the moment and take it in. Fisherman say you never step in the same river twice, things are always moving. The bluebird only sits on the house for a few seconds.

You and I are her for such a short time. Enjoy the small things life!

 Genesis 3-19
19 By the sweat of your brow
    you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
    since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
    and to dust you will return.”

#88 Birds of a Feather

Our photography class turned out to be a great success. On a very cold and rainy night 38 people showed up to learn a few things. I think I will do this sometime again in the future. I have already committed to present a photography at the next 4-H event in May. The weather here has been very warm this past week. Lots of birds at the feeders and plenty of the goldfinches like the one above. I have been out cleaning and readying the bird houses I have up. I added quite a few this year in the woods next to our house. I also planted a fig tree and a  mexican plum for the birds. It will take a couple of years for them to produce. Pay it forward!

The book "Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife" is in the printer's Que.

If all goes according to plan it will be ready by the first week of Feb.

 Now is the time I am getting excited to see it on Amazon!

Ephesians 4:31
 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

# 87 Class In Session

This week I am presenting a photography 101 class with another local photographer 

Sheila Hebert   http://sheilahebert.com/

Response to this free class has been steady so we are excited to how many folks show up.

I have come to realize that being able to teach and share some of the knowledge I have acquired is very satisfying. I am continuing to move forward with the challenge for 2015 to read two books a month for the whole year. My last completed book was Halftime by Bob Buford. If yo are over the age of 40 and have not read this book I would encourage you to stop and go get it right now, and read it as soon as soon as you can! Halftime speaks about how to get from success to significance.

 It is a great read!

Get out and learn something new this week!

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

Mahatma Gandhi

#86 Progress on the Books!

Progress is being made! The final edits for our book Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife are almost complete. We are on track to have it in the printers hands next week and ready for shipment by Feb 1 2015. It is a lot of work, and great fun!

 I am also working with another photographer to put on a free basic photography class on Jan 22. We sent the flyer out last week and I have a at least one phone call every day asking about the class. Looks like we will have a full house. I did 2 similar classes last year for 4H and both were very well attended. This one is open to everyone, it will be held at the Hofbrau restaurant in Porter Texas at 7 pm. If you are not busy come support the restaurant and check out the class!  I will let  you know how the attendance is!

For those of you who may not know, I also have written a kayak destination book called 101 Freshwater Kayak Launch Points. I signed a  deal with a publisher last year, who also does a magazine called Texas Fish and Game. That book is also on track to be released this spring.They are doing the editing on this book. It will be marketed online and in local Houston sporting good stores.

Two books to market and photography to keep up with..Its going to be a busy year, just the way I like it!

Proverbs 6

5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
    like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
    consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
    and gathers its food at harvest.

# 85 New Year..New Look!

I got my eye on you! 

 Happy New Year to all! You may have noticed a few things have changed around here.

 Like the blog NAME!..And layout!

The content will change a bit too as I am going to try and keep you up to date with whats going on in Paul Sr's world. I have many  irons in the fire and it should be an exciting year. I will be updating this blog every two weeks starting Jan 2015.

I think we all have said in the past: "one of these days I will..."

Today is the day!

So lets get at it! My first self published book " Woodcrafting for Birds and Wildlife" is in the final editing stages. I am pleased to have been joined by Jim Stevenson.

 Jim is a professional bird guide, ornithological professor, and  the executive director of the Galveston Ornithological Society. His knowledge and support has been amazing.

Within the next couple weeks we will finish the editing the manuscript  and it will be sent to the printer. This is all pretty exciting to see it come together.

The book will be available for purchase online as well as in person if you are in the Houston area.

It has truly been a family effort with photography, provided by Mark Batchelder,

 John and Tracy Batchelder and content contributions by all my sons and daughter in-laws!

I hope to have a firm launch date for the book by the next post,

Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens