Magazine Ad (The Molly Effect)
January 27, 2012
Ad in Southwest Airline Magazine (Owl and Royal crown)
I have been travelling a lot recently for business (nothing to do with The Owl Box) and pleasure. Yes, I know, I am supposed to be retired but … Some of you will know what that “retired but” means. Anyway, last week I was flying Southwest Airlines and looking through their airline magazine and ran across this ad for 1-Oak, a new kind of night club in Las Vegas. What I found most interesting was the symbolism in the ad. Royal and an Owl, not any owl but the Common Barn Owl. Maybe it is just me, but have you noticed the Common Barn Owl showing up in a lot of advertisements? What do you think? Could it be we are seeing the results of 21 million views and its affect on main stream advertising?
I received an inquiry as to McGee’s health because a male owl had been found close by… It had been hit by a car and killed. I am most happy to report that both Molly and McGee were in the box last night and in good health. Remember, barn owls only survive on average about 20 months in the wild, Molly and McGee have been here as of January 21st, 24 months, so we estimate they are around three years old. We hope they set a new record and live the next 30 years in The Owl Box. And yes, I still plan to be around in 30 years.
You have a wonderful day and I plan to do the same.
Carlos, Donna and Austin
Other Goodies
Have you ordered your personal copies of the Molly Songs? If not be sure to check them out on iTunes.
Music:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/barbara-allen/id428385724
Merchandise:
www.cafepress.com/mollytheowl
Books:
www.mollytheowlbooks.com
Movies:
www.austin4media.com
2012 Calendar
January 27, 2012 at 10:48 am
That same Jan. SW airline magazine has directions on making an origami owl out of a dollar bill!
January 27, 2012 at 10:54 am
I did see the origami owl in the Magazine but forgot it.
Thanks
January 27, 2012 at 10:48 am
That barnie is almost as beautiful as McGee!
You take care, Carlos, because I plan to be around for another 30 years as well, and I’m counting on you, and Our Owls, still being there!
January 27, 2012 at 10:50 am
hmm, thinking you ought to be receiving Royal, ties (y)..
warm greetings from ruthiesmom
January 27, 2012 at 10:54 am
Yep…that owl looks like a Mcgee. I have been seeing a lot of Barn owls around too. They are just so beautiful!!! Maybe a gathering should be planned at that new nightclub. Gee that was fun, and I was part of it!!!
January 27, 2012 at 10:57 am
Carlos, did the killed male barn owl have any bands on his legs? Star Ranch’s male has been missing for over a week now and they don’t know what happened to him. I don’t know if you are anywhere close to that area. He had a band on each leg. His mate has been struggling to feed their 5 owlets alone…fortunately receiving assistance from Pete who has been supplementing her hunting efforts with fresh prey for the owlets. Glad you are enjoying your travels and still keeping us up to date on Molly and McGee. They were my first experience with these wonderful birds!
Nancy
January 27, 2012 at 11:59 am
We are not that close to the Star Ranch so I am pretty sure the owl found here is not their male. Barn owls normally hunt within a few miles (5 or less) of their nesting area. I am sorry to hear that their male is missing but I am not surprised based on the average life of a barn owl in the wild, which is about 20 months according to what I have read.
January 27, 2012 at 10:58 am
Ummm. Perhaps this would be a good time for you to trademark the term Molly and McGee as applied to Barn Owls.
Say, Carlos, you did not mention what kind of a club this was being advertised. I gather from the picture that it must be some kind of a place that sells princess crowns. Did you check to see?
And, yes, I still love all MODs and the Royal Clan. Bless you all.
AntPatch
January 27, 2012 at 11:13 am
We have copyrights and trademarks. Just check our Officical Molly The Owl Merchandise logo. http://www.cafepress.com/mollytheowl
Thanks for the suggestion though
January 27, 2012 at 10:58 am
So good to hear from you. I’m glad to hear about McGee. The male owl from the star ranch site is gone. Mom has been doing her best to keep the remaining 4 owlets going. Pete from Star Ranch and his staff are working to find another nest that perhaps could take in the owlets if Mom cannot keep up. All part of the circle of life. Here in Northern Illinois we have an influx of Snowy Owls. For some reason they have moved further south than normal. I am hoping this does mean a colder and longer last half of winter around here.
Safe and happy traveling to you and Donna!
Vicki
January 27, 2012 at 11:04 am
Ah, it’s good to know that both Molly and wonderful McGee are doing well! Thank you for the update.
January 27, 2012 at 11:05 am
Oh yes, I totally agree…the barn owls are surely being seen more and more in advertisements. And I do think that our
ROYAL OWLS M&M are the reason for this.
Carlos, you have done such a great job promoting barn owls
that the world ows you a big thank you in helping to make them
have safer places to mate and raise their owletts.. Look at
all the owl boxes going up just because people became aware
of M&M….
I am so happy to hear that Molly and McGee are back into
our favorite ROYAL OWL BOX.
January 27, 2012 at 11:31 am
happy to hear all is well…eggs being laid and am sure molly will be doing same…glad you are gadding about here and there…peace
January 27, 2012 at 11:41 am
Thanks for sharing! Hope you are enjoying your “retirement”
January 27, 2012 at 11:47 am
male owl missing from Starr Ranch….could it be him? how far are you from them? love the ad, glad to hear M&M are fine. We miss them, and all of you!
~Tarheelmom~
January 27, 2012 at 12:03 pm
i always appreciate it so much to hear about the lovely Molly and McGee.. thank you
January 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Thank you, Carlos, for updating us., Long time, no ‘hear from’!! Miss you and the owl box.. As a matter of fact, I’m listening to Molly songs right now :) They relax me as I work at my desk.
Glad you had good news for us. I expect Molly and McGee to be around for a long time.
I just hope the other ‘male owl’ wasn’t one of the young we know so well. Oh well, that’s natiure. Sad sometimes.
But do report any news.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon again :)
PJGrandma
January 27, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Hi Carlos, Donna, Austin,
Wondering about your thoughts on this article. Hmmm, Do you think Molly & McGee had anything to do with this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/science/earth/spike-in-snowy-owl-sightings-stirs-speculation-among-bird-watchers.html?_r=2&src=tp&smid=fb-share
January 27, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Thank you for the updates. I open your emails before my families!
Nhptown
January 27, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Another woderfOWL greetings to you Carlos, to Donna and Austin and all of the other MODz and even the lurkerz too!
Such beautifOWL weather we are having here in California and so happy to know that Molly and McGee are enjoying the owlbox as I knew they would be!
Thanks so much for the continued updates and may you continue to enjoy travels and “retirement” and leisure.
Blessings y’owl for health, wealth and joy
January 27, 2012 at 12:55 pm
OH!
Just one more thing
I too feel that Molly and McGee
and you the wonderful Royals have helped bring Barn Owls to their popularity
right where they should be
January 27, 2012 at 1:33 pm
I pray, too, that all of you are still around in 30 yrs.. Bless your heart. I’m glad it wasn’t McGee but can’t help wondering if it was one of his kids. (Not Ashley, not Ashley.) Thanks so much for checking and showing us the picture.
January 27, 2012 at 1:42 pm
How great to hear from all of you, Carlos! I’ve noticed owls in ads, and even jewelry a lot lately. In fact my husband came home yesterday with a silver barn owl necklace he just “had” to get for me! Sure do miss you and Molly & McGee and are glad to hear that all is well. Continue to enjoy your travels and relaxation and be sure to keep in touch. I know we’d all be thrilled if” you found time to “switch on” M&M for a peek some time in the future! They remain the beloved owls! Greetings and love to Donna and Austin, too!
Love from Holly Sue
January 27, 2012 at 1:54 pm
I always appreciate any news about your “retirement” and news of our favorite owls is so exciting. May God bless the Royals, Austin, and Molly and McGee.
Janie
January 27, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Love getting news about “The Box” !
January 27, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Thanks Carlos and Donna for the update. Sorry about the male owl. Losing any of them feels like such a loss. I have noticed more barn owls in ads. Keep well..ldgreene123
January 27, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Wow!!! I wouldn’t be surprised if Molly’s press got noticed and brought the common Barn Owl back in vogue!! Carlos, it sounds like you’ve been busy and having fun too. Been watching the Audubon Starr Ranch Owls and they lost their poppa Owl and the 6th hatch. They are in Orange County, too far from you to be that owl., I suppose..Well, in any case, they are leaving food for mom as she leaves for long times hunting only to return with nothing. They are looking for foster parents…Having experienced Molly and McGee helps me to understand more than I normally would have. Thanks again for that. Keep us updated…Hi to Donna, Bonnibell
January 27, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Thank you Carlos for the update of Molly and McGee.. So happy they are both back in the box.. Maybe M&M are planning another family. Glad that you are still busy and active on your “retirement”. You are still my first stop for updates.. Thanks again..
((hugz))
January 27, 2012 at 3:36 pm
The more you watch owls the more they can break your heart. Last week we lost Tobin a European barn owl, he was 9 years old. Necropsy showed an enlarged heart (probable CHF) from old age. At the Audubon star ranch a wild owl pair hatched six owlets then the daddy went missing (8 days now and presumed dead) Mom is doing well two owlets have surmised and the Audubon people are attempting to add supplemental prey to the nest as best they can and would like to foster a few of the owlets to other active nest. The point being ALL Birds of Prey (barn owls too) have difficult short lives. We should NOT allow that to make us sad, but rather we should celebrated every day they share their lives with us as a true Miracle!
January 27, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Carlos, thanks so much for the update on Molly and McGee. We all miss them terribly. I hope that you and Donna enjoyed your travels. I am going to start paying attention to ads (usually ignore them) to look for owls. In your next post please let us know how Austin is doing. Love to all the Royals,
Mary
January 27, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Thank you for the lovely update, Carlos, on both you and the owls!! Happy and safe travels to you all..yes, including Molly and McGee :)).
Kim
January 27, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Carlos, how can you be sure that M&M are the owls currently in the box? Love reading these updates! Thank you for keeping this going.
January 27, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Wonderful new concerning M&M! So the World’s Most Famous Barn Owl Couple is making their mark on the world. Way to go Royals!! *G*
January 27, 2012 at 5:08 pm
I, too, want to say Thank You for the up-date and information on Molly and McGee. I think of you, your family, M&M, and the MODs often. What a wonderful, educational experience we have shared. Thanks for keeping in touch. :)
January 27, 2012 at 5:14 pm
It used to be hard to find almost any type of owl items. Now I see owls in jewelry constantly and on shirts, carvings, sculptures, wallpaper and on and on. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
January 27, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Of course it’s the Molly effect! :)
So glad to hear McGee is ok.
As always, thanks for letting us know.
January 27, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Carlos, so happy to hear from you and that all is well with the Royals and M&M. I still check everyday to see if I have an e-mail from the owl box, still missing you all. Happy travels to you and Donna!
January 27, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Carlos, Thank you for the updates.Good to hear about Molly and Mcgee back in the box. I know they do a good job on guarding the box to keep other owls from taking over their home.
January 27, 2012 at 9:42 pm
I’am happy to hear from the Carlos Donna,and Austin and Molly n McGee is doing fine. I see Barn Owls every where you started 2 year ago. thank you so much.
January 27, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Thanks for the wonderful update! I too saw that ad and thought of our dear M and M!
January 28, 2012 at 2:39 am
Carlos, thanks for keeping us updated, and I second the wish that both human and owl Royals set all-time longevity records!
Folks, don’t forget that several “other” barn owl families live in the Royals’ neighborhood. The male found could have been a member of one of those families rather than one of M&M’s offspring.
January 28, 2012 at 7:36 am
Memory Lane
Molly and McGee
Last Year’s New Year
January 28, 2011 – Eric With Daughter Callia Jamison Blehm
http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/eric-with-daughter-callia-jamison-blehm/
What a great photo that Eric Blehm shared with his fans! – we all love the true story that Eric wrote of the Royal Family, Molly and McGee raising their first clutch and the Owl Box Experience on Ustream – a story so accurately and beautifully told in the award-winning Molly the Owl book illustrated by Chris Adams, just the way, or even better than, fans imagined!
So far, some fans may have taken Carlos Royal’s wise advice to make a list on a legal yellow tablet every day and check off goals as they are accomplished. His grandson, Austin, adopted this practice which helped him immensely to produce two Molly the Owl DVDs. Notice that Carlos chooses and advises using the longer paper (legal) for a longer list! Today is just starting – what is on your list?
Let’s see, from the Molly Experience many creations have emerged from this mindset – four amazing hardcover books, three ebooks (original Molly the Owl ebook, the Molly Watcher’s cookbook with over 1000 recipes, and A MOD’s Journal); at least seven Molly songs (Barbara Allen’s on iTune’s, VacaDude’s The Owl Box Rockz, BugGirl’s Ode, and musique’s Molly Bobble); two amazing DVDs by Austin Faure, an ever growing blog with innumerable observations, photographs, comments, and free pdf downloads; about 1000 Ustream recordings, amazing products and prints on Cafe Press requested by fans; lots and lots of free downloads on Cafe Press, as well as the free teacher curriculum guides on Molly the Owl books, free cartoons and four Story Time with Zorro volumes on VacaDude’s site, and so much more (trailers for the book, vote Molly, YouTube fan creations, etc.)! Fans are still writing books, organizing screenshots, creating new poems and singing tunes of their own making!
“Gee this is fun, and we are still part of it!” And …. Love does make the world go ’round and is a great motivator!
Back to the beginning – Happy Birthday Callia – you are such a beautiful addition to our Molly the Owl family. We hope you had a very happy First Birthday!
January 28, 2012 at 8:15 am
Love the magazine cover and to hear from you, too, Carlos! I ditto the above wonderful comments and add a “deet, deet, deet”. The name “1 Oak” is also good – symbolic of mighty and strong with deep roots.
January 28, 2012 at 8:20 am
Carlos– Thanks for the update. So glad to hear from you.
I totally believe we are seeing more owls in everything because of our M&M which I think is just super. There just seems to be more owl everything in the stores.
PegRod– Great memory.
Everybody–Have a wonderful weekend.
January 28, 2012 at 11:49 am
So wonderful to hear from you… Yes, I have noticed so many more pictures, updates, emails, etc. of owls.(Barn Owls).. Even the Audubon Society in their last email to me mentioned the Barn Owls (M&M) that so many of us mods voted to win… Yes, you really have brought the Barn Owls to the forefront… Thank you for your updates… Have a wonderful time on your journeys…
January 28, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Thanks, Carlos for keeping us “in the loop” of the Royal orbit. Anytime a mass consciousness tunes in or focuses on an event, i.e. M&M, there is going to be a shift in consciousness everywhere. So it’s not surprising to see barn owls popping up. Perhaps we should hold a M&M reunion at the Las Vegas club.:-)
I’m so glad that our two famous ones are still there and leading a perfect barn owl life at the Royal’s box.
Hope you can get some rest from all your travels.
January 28, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Yes I have seen a lot of barn owl advertisments, documentries and showings of barn owls lately, before Molly and Mcgee I had never seen a barn owl. Now I look each time to see if it is Molly or Mcgee. Love their little faces.
Have a good time on your adventures and luck on your business deals. I still miss everyone. Thanks for the updates
Donna (bingodabber)
January 29, 2012 at 5:36 am
Thank you, Carlos, for keeping us updated on Molly and McGee. I remember the first clutch and watching it “more than I should”, but entranced with the “magic” of seeing these beautiful creatures and them caring for their young. Wishing you and Donna all the best in life. I have ordered several items and love them all and display them. Several people have asked about them, and I tell them the stories. Thanks again for a wonderful experience and the updates you provide. God bless you and your family!! Tina from Frankfort, KY
January 29, 2012 at 8:45 am
Always welcome an update on the Royal family and on our two favorites feathered friends! So sorry to hear about the male owl found in the neighborhood. Hope it wasn’t one of the family.
Let’s have an update on Austin, and keep us in the Molly and McGee loop!
Safe and happy travels!
January 29, 2012 at 1:49 pm
The ad is most fitting. Yes, there are more owls out there (in the media). I have a “Roxy” brand tee with a barn owl on it (Molly of course!) thank you for all the updates. Happy New year to you two lovebirds.
January 29, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Carlos it is so true about Barn Owls showing everywhere. At Cost Plus this year they had Christmas ornament, wrapping paper, wind chimes and other merchandize that were all Barn owls. There are major clothing stores that have barn owl accessories. I have seen barn owl yard animals at nurseries. Look what you started! :)
January 29, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Perhaps better even than the increased appearance of owl things on items of merchandise is the realization by farmers and ag cos. that barn owls are their best rodent control, not pesticides. Hence, the explowlsion of boxes. Although we now have a number of owl “families” on the internet, there’s no denying that “Molly & McGee” got it started… with a bit of help from some humans with a spirit of adventure and tech skills. Amazing how much good can come for so many when people do what gives them joy.
January 30, 2012 at 7:57 am
Memory Lane
Molly and McGee
Last Year’s New Year
January 30, 2011 – McGee Reflecting Light
http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/mcgree-reflecting-light/
Carlos shed light on this amazing photograph of McGee he took by explaining what he saw when he looked upon this stately figure of our “un”common barn owl which, for me, elevated the photograph to an even higher level. What poetry of vision!
January 30, 2012 at 9:35 am
Thank you Carlos for remembering us with your very “anxiously awaited” updates. It is good to know Molly & McGee are safe and sound.
I hope you enjoyed your holidays and here’s to a Happy & Healthy New Year!!
January 31, 2012 at 11:17 am
VacaChat
This Thursday, February 2nd (Groundhog Day!), during his regularly scheduled VacaChat show at 6 pm Pacific Time, John “VacaDude” Atkinson hopes to do a Google Earth tour of East Coast lighthouses. Lots of owl box fans enjoy this chance to “see the world” and learn to use this interesting software program.
In the meantime, Story Time with Zorro, on this past Sunday’s show, focused on an imaginary lighthouse trip and tour by Virtual Owlets Vinky and Vobble and company! VacaDude always covers lots of interesting topics on his shows, including, this week, a brief recount of the story of Cornelia Fort (see Air & Space museum magazine)!
VacaChat 146 – January 29, 2012
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20106008
February 3, 2012 at 7:50 am
VacaChat 147 – February 2, 2012
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20182164
In case you missed it, there is a fascinating mini-documentary tour of East Coast lighthouses via Google Earth shown during the regular Thursday night show. John “VacaDude” Atkinson provides something new to learn at every show, for which his fans are grateful – a free education, like the one Carlos Royal gives his followers and fans!
January 31, 2012 at 11:27 am
“What I found most interesting was the symbolism in the ad. Royal and an Owl” … Yep. I’ve been having that same problem, lately, Carlos. But I think there was a time I would not have even noticed the owl in the pretty lady’s hand. -Might have seen the crown, though. Oh well, getting old is still better than the alternative.
Happy Groundhog Day!
February 1, 2012 at 7:26 am
Memory Lane
Molly and McGee
Post Second Clutch
I thought I would post a sample of DotRot’s limericks from the Second Clutch experience to give new fans and readers a taste of some of the fun we had in chat. Dot created these while chatting and watching The Owl Box and some MODs were there from the beginning, her very first limerick! It started a poetry revival amng chatters and watchers, and you can find hundreds of poems from other creators both in comments, in photoshopped screenshots, in video creations, as well as on Molly’s Wiki page.
I will always remember when the first question was, “What’s a haiku?” and then chatter Janetniu, who had never written one before, became the Owl Box Haiku Master! There are many poetry forms such as limericks, haiku, ballads, sonnets, odes, epitaphs, elegies and many more.
You can only download DotRot’s free pdf booklet from Molly’s Box blog (right here!), but I will give you the link! There is also a volume of First Clutch verses – I think it might be classified as a ballad that tells a story (in limerick form) if you read from beginning to end.
http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/the-owl-box-celebration-again/
MODs will laugh (and cry) when they read this first one from the Second Clutch! Now who do you think Dot is quoting!
It Begins Again
by DotRot
Uh, Donna? I’ve got something to say.
Now don’t get upset. It’s all okay.
You know those trip plans?
It’s out of my hands.
Molly’s come back and plans to stay!
07-05-2010
February 2, 2012 at 9:10 am
Memory Lane
Molly and McGee
Second Clutch
The Final Farewell for the Second Clutch video is packed with goodies. With close to 10,000 views of this recording(not including the live views) you can see why it is a favorite!
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10321700
New viewers can find the Ustream index of Owl Box recordings, which are great educational tools, or just to watch when you need to get your mind off of other “stuff”! If you are signed in, please rate these one of a kind recordings, up to 5 stars!
http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox/videos
MODs not only got to follow Molly and McGee and their clutches, but also a bluebird family, and other creatures in the Royal Gardens of San Marcos, CA. Carlos and Austin also surprised fans with some magnificant bonus trips – called “Field and Ustream” by some – to the hunting grounds of McGee and family. While observing this, Carlos and Austin also spotted and treated us to a serendipitous view of barn owlets in a nest in the hollow of an old Sycamore tree!
Happy Groundhog’s Day! If your winter weather seems too long, go visit San Marcos and San Diego for beautiful weather almost all year long! But don’t forget a stop in Houston, Minnesota to meet with like-minded people at the International Festival of Owls in March!
February 3, 2012 at 11:35 am
Royals – Mods – and Friends !!! So good to hear that M&M are in the box. Thank you for the updates. Keeping in touch with all of you here is great. Such good Owl memories, and you should see my owl collection! Pajamas, jewelry, coffee mugs. . . All we need now is a SuperbOWL commercial with M&M !!! Carlos, curious if you will be doing any live updates in the near future? (I’m just hoping !) Have you been contacted by any schools for any upcoming educational sessions since this is the season. Glad you are enjoying your semi “retirement” !! Can’t keep a good man down. Lots of love to you and Donna and the Royal family too ! I will be in Vegas on the 17th of this month, maybe I can stop in at the Owl club ! I’ll report back :) ((((((love your gutz))))
February 4, 2012 at 2:59 am
The Las Vegas ad with Royal and barn owl in the same ad certainly seems cognizant of your fame. Thanks so much for keeping us posted on you and M&M. Waiting…waiting….
February 4, 2012 at 7:39 am
Memory Lane
Molly and McGee
MODs May Have Missed Stuff
While I was contemplating posting a link to a favorite Owl Box Ustream recording during this intermission, I went to the site and at a glance, a link popped into my vision that I did not remember seeing before. It was always there, like the owls or other birds around us in our communities, but I had not seen it. There is a great collection of backyard birds of California! Enjoy and you can comment, too!
The link is introduced with, “For outside photos of The Owl Box, Molly and McGee” but it includes many other species of birds, beginning with a baby green heron, a turkey vulture, a great blue heron, and more to discover!
http://www.theowlbox.blogspot.com/
February 5, 2012 at 10:27 am
Very glad to hear M&M are well & canoodling in the box (well, at least preening & snoozing). And that Carlos is enjoying “semi-”retirement.
Announcement: Sydney (of Mel & Syd) brought her 1st egglet of this clutch into the box & its worldwide online family this morning (Sunday) at 8:16 am. Mom & (big) egglet doing fine.
I wonder if Syd & Dale (now sitting on her 4) have a California chatline between boxes? Do they PM each other?
February 5, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Great update! Thank you so much, ao.
There are several Ustream sites for “owlceanside” aka, the Owl Box of Sydney and Mel at Oceanside, California – for those who are link-challenged, the link below is the inside view on Ustream to see Sydney and her egg. Chat is restricted, so you must sign into Ustream to see chat and there is currently no Social Stream.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/owlceanside
February 5, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Here is the new link for the blog and access to 4 cam views of Mel and Sydney
http://melandsydney.blogspot.com/2011_06_05_archive.html
February 7, 2012 at 7:57 am
Memory Lane
Molly and McGee
Carlos and Donna
February 7, 2011 – Desert Camping
http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/desert-camping/
Last year, Carlos treated fans to two striking photos, including one entitled “Oasis in the Desert”. The second includes a relaxed and happy pose by Donna. Some of the desert communities of the Southwest have been turned into literal Paradises with irrigation, hard work and constant care. You may have never seen such heavenly blue skies!
Blue skies and the February vacation away from San Marcos, CA cleared Carlos’ mind so that he was stimulated to provide some interesting thoughts, predictions and calculations … hmmmm …. thinking and imagining now!
February 8, 2012 at 11:34 am
With Valentine’s Day coming up, there are some great gifts you can buy for MODs and owl-loving friends, including one of Chris’ Christmas designs! The heart-shaped red pendant is just perfect for your own Vowlentine.
http://www.cafepress.com/mollytheowl.596349470
There are also matching earrings and all the other coordinated items.
http://www.cafepress.com/mollytheowl.596349466
VacaDude’s 2012 Calendar has selected for February the gorgeous “You Never Forget Your First Love” cartoon of Molly and McGee, Max, Pattison, Austin and Wesley at the Owl Box, which he created for the March 25th Molly & McGee Day! Click on the calendar image and you can see each month.
http://www.cafepress.com/vacadude
I understand that Sydney at the Ustream Oceanside, CA, box has laid her second egg – she is on a roll, since she seems to prefer hardwood flooring to lots of gagshag! (Umm, Dale, could you share some of your luxurious Chula Vista cottontail extravaganza?)
February 8, 2012 at 1:57 pm
New viewers – here is the Molly’s Box blog link to the “You Never Forget Your First Love” posting.
http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/2011/03/26/you-never-forget-your-first-love/
February 9, 2012 at 8:43 am
Memory Lane
Molly and McGee
First Clutch First Hatch
I thought that I would post a link to a highlight of the very first hatch that Ustream Owl Box fans saw – a moment from Owl Box history, that will be repeated in many owl boxes in the next two months!
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/5643239/highlight/58621
With the very first blog entry by Carlos, he established that participation and observation were keys to success! Later, many ornithologists watching Ustream would point out that watching these wild common barn owls raise a clutch 24/7 inside an open box, allowed them observations never before possible (and free of mosquito and other insect bites)..
http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/hatching-observations/
The Chart Pages were a work of love and hard work, and raises Molly and McGee’s First Clutch up another notch as being a well-studied and documented event. This is a concrete compilation of Carlos’ first blog recommendation to observe and report – final credit goes to Cowliflower, Ethger and TwoCatsMom.
http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/chart-pages/
Grateful virtual hugs to Carlos and the Royal family assistants, Cox Cable, Ustream, Owl Box Moderators, a world of compassionate watchers and 24/7 volunteer crews!
This is a Valentine Victory – you see, if I am not mistaken, the Owl Box Ustream broadcast was activated on February 14, 2010!
February 10, 2012 at 10:46 am
VacaChat Feb 9, 2012
Valentine Season Poem
Barn Owl by US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser
Zorro the Mouse read (how does he do that!), among other poems, a beautiful Valentine’s Day poem last night.
Owl Box fans love Zorro’s regular Thursday night “Poetry Time with Zorro” segment on the Ustream VacaChat show.
On this site, the author, Ted Kooser, prefaces the poem with thoughts and tips for when you write your own poem for the year – original source is here:
http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/movies/kooserBarnOwl.html
Quote by Ted Hoower – “This next poem, “Barn Owl,” is one of my annual Valentine [Day] poems. I’ve written 20 years worth of valentines, and “Barn Owl” is one of them. In each of these valentines, I try to either get the word “heart” or the color red or something like that. And you’ll hear the “heart” coming out of this one.”
Barn Owl
by Ted Kooser
High in the chaffy, taffy-colored haze
of the hayloft, up under the starry
nail-hole twinkle of the old tin roof,
there in a nest of straw and baling twine
I have hidden my valentine for you:
a white heart woven of snowy feathers
in which wide eyes of welcome open
to you as you climb the rickety ladder
into my love. Behind those eyes is
a boudoir of intimate darkness, darling,
the silks of oblivion. And set like a jewel
dead center in the heart is a golden hook
the size of a finger ring, to hold you
always, plumpest sweetheart mouse of mine.
Countdown to Valentine’s Day 2012 – 4 days
Chula Vista Owl Box – 4 eggs laid, hatch watch
Oceanside Owl Box eggs – 3 laid – still laying
Anyone want to share their own Barn Owl or other owl-related Vowlentine’s poems with us in these comments? Share the love.
Molly’s Motto – “Gee this is fun, and we are a part of it!”
February 10, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Here I am in New England, watching the San Marcos owls since the first clutch, never thinking I would ever get to see one. And tonight our local news station runs a story about a high school project that is making barn owl boxes for a silo for a barn in Vermont!! There were owls there last summer!Sooo Happy!!
February 10, 2012 at 8:39 pm
ps…could this be another sign of climate change? not that I’m complaining….lol
February 10, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Guess what? We put up an owl box two weeks ago, and tonight I heard a funny twittering sound, went out to investigate and saw an owl perched on top the box! It looked to be a female. Then I heard another owl scream from somewhere nearby. WE HAVE OWLS!
February 11, 2012 at 8:36 am
Lucky you, Sandra! Wishing I could say the same.
February 11, 2012 at 8:17 am
I am so glad to hear about more owl boxes for our beloved Barn Owls. I have to believe this is another “legacy” from M&M.
February 11, 2012 at 8:44 am
Absolutely. I had always thought it would be cool to have an owl box, and helpful with rodent control. But watching M&M convinced me, and my family got me a box for Christmas!
February 11, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Lucky you… I would love to have an owl box but I only have a small patio. I do feed the birds but the mice and rats also like to eat the bird food.. I have had the mice/rats get into my vents and die and it has created many nightmares… But I love feeding the birds but sure wish that I could have the owls…
February 11, 2012 at 9:23 am
Thanks for sharing, and for putting up owl boxes, too. Barn owl love is blossoming in our earthly atmosphere we all breathe – inhaling and exhaling the owlettabunda now! Ahhhhh … so nice.
February 13, 2012 at 9:15 am
VacaChat
Valentine Story Time Theme
For those who would like to take a trip in your imagination, last night’s Story Time with Zorro was about Zorro, his mouse girlfriend, Zorrina, the Virtual Owlets named Vinky and Vobble, and a Valentine’s menu from ChatterChopz aka CC’s Cafe!
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20416519
February 19, 2012 at 9:03 am
Molly and McGee will always hold a special place in my heart. They were my first introduction to the barn owl – and what a wonderful introduction it was! I never knew that barn owls could be so fascinating to watch and learn about. Even though I now watch barn owls on other Ustream channels (and Audubon websites), I always remember my “roots” – the Royal owlbox! Thank you for everything, Carlos and Donna!