HAPPY NEW WEEK!
Last week's Chat thread is HERE.
Saturday evening was perihelion, the time when Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun for this year. Hello, Sun!
I hope everyone has a wonderful first full week of 2016!
Earth and sun via ISS Expedition 13 / NASANASA government photo: Public Domain (Copyright Free)
Oh, and the reindeer.......
We put him on the conservatory windowsill and I squeezed his arm, which starts him off. He immediately burst into song, loudly, and tried to escape by running along the windowsill and bashing his head against the glass. Bonnie went berserk, as she thought that it was a new toy for her!!
I rescued him quickly and took him into the sitting room, where on the carpet, he did his whole repertoire, showing that he could walk, but only in a circle! Bonnie is of course disappointed!!
I'm afraid I've just posted another thread full of photos - just click on this one to see the rest:
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
WENDY - we don't have Magpies here, but they have them as near as Lockerbie. Some birds seem to come up the motorway corridor from England and miss us out as we are "round the corner"!
LINDA - don't wear out that reindeer before next December! Bonnie's reaction was just as I expected!
Just been entering some little "twigs" on the family tree as two of my cousins responded to my queries with details of their young grandchildren. I am not so tired tonight, but will go to bed early again, rather than sit in front of the TV until I am worn out!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG, Pleased to see that you don't feel so tired tonight, although I do think the extra hours sleep and rest must help you.
Clare, Lovely photographs. I like the ducks in flight the best.
Annette, I hope you got some satisfactory treatment for your wrist.
Linda, Think you should put that reindeer away now. You have obviously been enjoying playing with it :-)))
Hello all, and hope everyone is OK and not suffering too much with flooding. Not been on all week so am skimming through so many posts.
Clare - just like to say that I clicked on your pheasant pic and they all came up, lovely captures.
Diane - thank you for the start-up of the week and the pic, lovely to see the sunrise coming over earth.
Heather , what a true friend and hope the meal went off OK
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Been to a funeral or should I say Thanksgiving service for a member of the village - local business man, past cricket president, vintage car enthusiast. He had a massive stroke last year and ended up in our local care home but unfortunately he had another massive stroke just before Christmas and died. The church was packed with over 200 people and it was a somewhat celebration of his life. A convoy of vintage cars left his garage and made their way up to the church and were parked outside so we could all see them, as well as his beloved Singer.
It really did uplift you even if it was tinged with sadness.
Just looked briefly at all your news, things seem to be happening in various degrees but do hope that most of you are keeping well.
OG - do hope that despite the rain and journey to the hospital, everything went well for you.
Margo - thoughts are with you as you recover from your latest bought of chemo.
Just heard yesterday via FB that our step-grand-daughter and husband are now on Hamilton Island after spending a few days with her cousin in Melbourne. Reports that it is very hot over there - just like you are getting it AQ where you are situated.
Clare - looked at your latest contribution from Minsmere - great photos.
Will try to look in a bit more frequently.
Evening all:
Lindybird: Love the image of your wobbly reindeer. I bought two of those silly wind-up thingies - one a Christmas tree and the other a snowman. They're about 2 inches tall and when you wind them up they zoom all over the kitchen floor. I think I'm the only person amused by them, although the cat is always initially interested.... If you need room to store Xmas stuff, OG has plenty of room in her attic! Peanut is doing well, so is Lightning. I suspect Peanut will be going home to daughter's house when she gets back this weekend. :-( I think I've spoilt him.
Heather: We have flourless chocolate cake here - not sure if it's vegan or not - but it doesn't rise much at all. Yes, gas leak is in (formerly) nice area of San Fernando Valley (just over the hill from LA proper). It's about 8,500 feet down. Was surprised to see Erin Brockovich (she's the consumer environmental advocate portrayed by Julia Roberts in the movie Erin Brockovich) all over the media. I didn't realize she was still out there breathing down these companies' necks. :-) She still looks very glam. Anyway, the well was built in the 1950s. A safety cap was removed in the 1970s and never replaced. I'm sure it'll cost Southern California Gas company $$$billions what with the displacement of residents and various ailments. The leak has also blown California's emissions limits out the window... So sorry that dealing with Sheana's effects is so upsetting. How long had you known her? I only remember her as being someone you looked out for - and then looked after in the care home. Was she that much older than you?
OG: I don't think I mentioned the wrist - I messed up the tendons working in the garden back in October. It got better for a bit, then chronically painful again. I've been wearing a protective brace (a very cumbersome one) but it ended up creating a sore place right over the tendon. Brilliant. Anyway, opted for a cortisone shot today - which was really not fun! Good to know the Old Toll Bar is on the agenda again. :-) That exhibition sounds like something I'd like to see. Had to smile at the new "twigs" on the family tree.
Clare: Thanks for more lovely photos! I know you've told me before, but what kind of camera are you using?
Wendyb: Stay safe and dry.
Lynette: That memorial service sounds lovely - a good turn out, vintage cars and all. Hope all is well with you.
Big Hallo to everyone else. :-)
Thanks for suggestions for Miss4’s kindy – I’ll pass them on. I think the problem will be variety with limited permissable items. She’ll need lunch plus two snacks each day. My girls only had 3 hours of kindy 5 days a week. Now the system has 2 longer days. I think 3 hours of excitement is enough when they are starting out. But I’m old-fashioned!
Yes, the fires south of Perth are horrendous, over 100 houses lost.
OG – Please go slow. You need to rest up a bit more and let your body recover. Orders from Dr AQ <grin>
Heather – It is understandable that you feel weepy. You have been a good friend of Sheana for so long. Ignore your OH, some men just don’t understand. [Later} I’ve just read Clare’s wise words.
Thinking of you Margo and sending healing thoughts.
My half nanny day (5 hours) wasn’t too bad. I was not cranky before the end!!! I took the three outside. They had a plastic tub of water & small paint brushes and were "painting” the house bricks with water. We don’t need expensive toys, just a change of clothes LOL. The twins were soaked when we came inside.