HAPPY NEW WEEK!
Last week's Chat thread is here.
I had a funny bird experience a week or so ago. I put it on my Facebook page, and I thought some of you who like corvids might enjoy it.
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I heard something drumming outdoors on the sill under my kitchen window. I assumed it was one of the woodpeckers again. Both the Red-Bellied and the Hairy woodpeckers have persisted in pecking there this year. (Some delicious larvae must be under that wood.) I said, "Stop that!" The bird quit briefly, and then started again. I shouted, "Now, quit that. You know you can't do that!" A head popped up at the bottom of the window!
A huge Blue Jay stared at me. He was sitting on a small branch that rests against the wall of my house. He was so cute! I told him he had to stop damaging the window. He climbed up the branch and looked in at me, cocking his head. He didn't screech. He just put his face as close as possible to the glass. He looked so comical that I was laughing. I stood still, but I talked to him for several moments. At one point, he started warbling like he was trying to imitate me. (Blue Jays are corvids and are great mimics. They're known for imitating hawks, so they can clear the vicinity of other birds and have all the food.)
This jay's head crest was down, so he wasn't the least bit distressed -- just curious, I guess. He walked up the branch and looked back at me once more before he finally flew.
Blue Jays differ in appearance. They can vary a lot in their facial characteristics and coloring. This was the biggest one I've ever seen, and he had an odd look with a larger face and eyes than the other jays on my patch.
He could be a subspecies from somewhere else. He may have been a migrating bird or possibly an east coast bird who flew here to get away from Hurricane Joaquin, which was threatening at that time. I even wondered whether some Green Jays from Texas have found their way here and are interbreeding with the blues. I don't know whether that's ever been documented or is even possible.
I smiled all day thinking about the little fella. I hope he has a good winter with lots of food available.
Everyone have a great week!!! Monday night is the New Moon (the dark moon).
Oh, Clare, I'm so sorry to hear your news. I suspect that its hard to know when someone is feeling different and has symptoms of something like that, when they can't articulate. Its nice that you are all near enough to go & visit often. {HUGS} to Limpy.
Clare and Limpy: I am so very sorry. I'll be thinking of you both.
Good morning all and back to what is relatively normal for me. Chemo really does knock me down and I spend a lot of time sleeping with Billie beside me.she is such a comfort to me, Beginning to notice some small changes due to the ongoing progression. Difficult now to walk to the end of our long drive and back and having to stop a few times as I get a bit out of breath. Also trying not to walk into various things as I get terrible bruising and a little cut produces a lot of bleeding which is difficult to stop. Apart from that we are both coping and spend a lot of time talking about all the good things we have done to remind ourselves how lucky we have been. Good support from the specialist cancer nurse and also a Macmillan nurse. Sue-Lloyd Roberts the reporter who has just passed away had the same condition I have. She was only 66 and had undergone a stem cell implant when it progressed to AML Which is where I am heading too. When I read her blog where she described the massive chemo treatment she underwent and how ill she was, even if I had been young enough I do not think this would not have been the path I went down. When the chemo is no longer working I will have to rely on regular transfusions and courses of antibiotics. In the meantime Consultant will look into any new treatments that may be suitable. Obviously every day seems so much more . Simportant now. We have another meal planned with the family a week tomorrow and OH and I will be going for a steak again tomorrow. He has a few days off again at the end of next week which I am looking forward to. We are both being optimistic and to that end have booked a show for August 2016.
diane what a wonderful srory about the blue jay. Think I would have smiled all day if I had that experience. See in a later post you are expecting the first cold blast of winter.
rosy I talk to birds, insects especially spiders when I see the beautiful webs they weave, in fact any animal. My beautiful little cat Billie has conversations with me. She is such a comfort to me through these difficult times.
Heather so pleased you enjoyed your Danish friends visit. How I wish I could go to Loch en Eilien again. Such a a beautiful place and forever etched in my memory. Your OH did very well managing to walk halfway round. Hope your finger is healing well and I agree about seeing blood it is OK until it is your own.
Lindy I am probably repeating myself but I spent time there when I was in the Army (hard to believe but that was 57 years ago). Although a a small island quite a lot of interesting places to see. One of my favourites was Mdina, the walled city. It was very peaceful and I believe it is still the same. Our barracks overlooked this city. Good to hear your sat nav has been found and returned. Thank you for sharing the wedding photos. Your 3 grandchildren are gorgeous. Amber is such a pretty little girl and I love the colour of her hair. Sorry but Bonnie's antics still make smile but I am delighted to read that "poo" is no longer part of her diet.
AQ pleased you enjoyed your trip. Are you planning for 2016 now. Glad you had a respite from a nanny day and some time to do other things.
Wendy sorry to read about Daily but a relief to know she is getting over it for now.
geoge thinking of you and hoping your results will come through soon.
Brenda sorry you seemed to have had your fair share of rain. We were apparently in the east last evening as no rain was forecast for us but we had quite a heavy shower.
OG so sad to read you have suffered the loss of another family member, my thoughts are with you. Hope the scan goes well and there are no problems arising from it.
Annette good to read you have enjoyed family time. You must be worried about those long journeys that have to be made. Billie and I have a very close relationship, she hardly leaves my side. She is definitely my stress buster.
Lynette sounds as though you enjoyed your break even if the was a bit changeable.
dibnlib lovely ohotos of Benson, it will be interesting to see whether he will like the snow when it arrives.
Will end this long ramble now but just to say I may post regularly you are always in my thoughts. Take care and have a good weekend.
Margo x
A quick appearance from my autumn hibernation for some quick comments and my update.
I did watch out for RITA - more especially her dog Amber as a way of recognising her! - when we were in Muir of Ord, but never spotted her.
Have speed-read a number of posts, but by no means all, and enjoyed photos and links.
Good to see MARGO's post today; pleased you are sounding more up-beat and thinking positive again.
Thanks for everyone's kind thoughts. I was not given good news yesterday, following various tests: I do have a cancer, and already received a first appointment with Consultant Surgeon next Wednesday, by which time I should have received the biopsy report. It will be dealt with at our local Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, in Dumfries, but actual procedures (chemo, surgery and extent of surgery) will be decided between myself and the surgeon. I had told them I couldn't commit to an appointment next Thursday or Friday because of Uncle's funeral which I am determined to attend, so they snuck it in on Wednesday!
Must go - making main meal for lunchtime as J has band practice this evening. Having to do things gently because biopsy site is a bit bruised (not enough for painkillers) and I am not supposed to be lifting or stretching for a couple of days.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG - Not the news any of us wanted to hear, of course but thank you for sharing it with us. Don't hibernate for too long xx
OG so sorry about the result of your scan. Thoughts and prayers for you.
OG: Of course, we were all hoping that it was just one of those unusual scan results, and that it would be nothing at all. It must be gradually sinking in that now you will have to have treatment: I do hope that your hospitals there are as good as ours here, as we were frankly stunned at the huge amount of care we had when my OH was diagnosed, we really do think that the NHS in particular in respect of the staff, are astoundingly good. Sorry too, that its come at such a time when you have a funeral to get to. Its good that you were able to juggle the appointments.
Big {HUGS} to you, and my thoughts are with you and of course, EE.
Margo: It's good to see your post and to hear that you're both keeping positive. I keep imagining you with your little guardian by your side, she really is a little star! Just wish I lived nearer, and could come & visit you and give her a cuddle, myself.
'morning all:
Clare: So sorry to hear that Limpy and Helen are so (understandably) distraught by MiL's condition. Please pass on hugs to them. I'm speculating that her mental condition made any diagnosis very difficult. I'm glad you have Minsmere as a break from the situation at home and hope Limpy can find time to de-stress there too. Do take care.
Margo: Brilliant that you've made plans for next August - but don't stop there! Please pass on our admiration to your OH - and of course Billie, your star stress-buster. I haven't yet struck up any conversations with spiders, much as I admire their handiwork (but why do they have to spin their webs across the walkway behind our house?). How exciting it must have been to be stationed in Mdina. My BiL did his National Service in Egypt and regrets he was too young to fully appreciate the history, etc..
OG: I have read that breast cancers in older women are slow-growing, so hope that will mean not-too-invasive options are available. Thanks for keeping an eye out for Rita.
Gray skies and coolish temps today; nasty flash floods in the interior mountain and hills, but not locally.
Take care all.
Super day up here in the Highlands..
Not the happiest of pages to read today..
OG tried to PM you but it was spat out:-(
I was lucky as my biopsy and then histology were done on first visit. Which along with all my other treatment was first class.
Daisy a bit happier as she has ear drops to sort out ear detritus as it seems anything to do with ears and eyes bring on episodes.
She is a bit embarrassed as her Mum has just sent her a Xmas jumper. It fits but the look of distane is obvious!!!