06.13.11
nesting instinct

I don’t know what part of Canada you’re reading this from, but here in Southern Ontario we have a ton of black and gray squirrels. In the Spring I often see one busily scurrying by, looking like it’s been through the wringer with large patches of fur missing. The first time I saw one like that I was quite taken aback, but then I saw another… and finally hit the Google button to find out what was going on. As it turns out, female squirrels rip out their own fur in the Spring to line the nest for their young.
I now have a new affinity for squirrels. I find I can’t even yell at a patchy, raw-looking, new-mom when she’s going full tilt at my expensive birdseed. There’s just something about a mother’s love, and the natural nesting instinct in us all, that’s beyond reproach. In fact, 3 years ago this month when I struck out on my own professionally, I sat down and wrote out the 6 things I believe to be true about ‘home’ (it’s still on my website). Of course I was thinking ‘people’ not squirrels, but as # 6 says, “Nesting is a natural and instinctive activity and should feel comforting and joyful, not stressful”.
Well Mrs. Squirrel, I’m sure that ripping your fur out is neither comforting, nor joyful, but I can definitely relate to a mother who does everything she can for her home and her kids, even if it means running around, looking like hell, while she’s doing it.

Cobi Ladner, Creator and Editor, cobistyle

from my studio

Everybody loves peonies (especially ants). There’s just something about their big, gorgeous, lush heads bursting open in your Spring garden that seems to say “Hello world!”. I guess that’s what appealed to me when we chose them for the everlasting blooms in cobistyle. Even if it’s just a single stem in glass, it’s an attention grabber at first glance!