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)
Clare: No wonder the pix are so lovely - you've obviously taken the time to read the instruction book. Our Coopers Hawk was seen in the hedge again - looking more than a little bedraggled and diminished thanks to our storms. Ha! Cute, but who invited the puffin?
Brenda: I know you'll tell Margo that we're all behind her. I'm glad she's able to talk to you. I can't remember when she had the last transfusion but thought she was scheduled for another soon, but I could be way off there...
Heather: I remember that Sheana became a little demanding of your time. What lovely neighbors you all were/are in terms of helping out. Does the 81 year old still live in the neighborhood? Maybe I should start stocking up on my favorite soup now so I don't drive anyone mad sending them off to the shops with coupons. :-) All I can say about your OH (and most OHs) is that they don't "get" the closeness that exists in so many women's relationships with other women. Oh well.
Coffee pot just did it's thing, so I'm off back to bed with a nice hot cup, my bookie, and a cookie.
Unknown said:No wonder the pix are so lovely - you've obviously taken the time to read the instruction book. Our Coopers Hawk was seen in the hedge again - looking more than a little bedraggled and diminished thanks to our storms. Ha! Cute, but who invited the puffin?
I haven't read the instruction book. Another poster on here (Whistling Joe) is another Minsmere regular and is a fantastic photographer - he has been most helpful in explaining bits and bobs and (crucially) doing so in plain English. What a guy.
Here's one of his photos - and it's one of the most talked-about ones at Minsmere. Check out this link.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Following on from Felixstowe Ferry is Landguard Point:
Clare: Someone who can show and tell in plain English? Perfect! Meanwhile is that raven(??) ringed? And the Harrier sighting must be rare given the response - a good catch for your friend.
I wish it had been a raven - they're very rare around here, though we do get the occasional one and they are spreading eastwards. I thought it was a most obliging crow as it knew I was watching it. Marsh harriers are also rare, though not at Minsmere - they've done really well there, considering that in the early 70's there was only one pair and they were verging on extinction here. Whistling Joe's photo of ten of them was just amazing.
Annette, Margo's last transfusion was the 14th December, after her last chemo week.
MARGO - will be thinking about you on Tuesday. That will be four weeks since your last transfusion. DIANE will have access to more research than me about myelodysplasia but I do believe that if your transfusions are spaced out as much as possible( four weeks doesn't seem to be too bad) the risk of iron overload will be lessened. Some folk go on for a long long time before that happens and transfusions have to stop. I hope that the Joe Brown concert is held during one of your 'good' weeks between transfusions xxx Keep your chin up and make sure that you make the most of those good weeks. Hugs from here :-))))
Sorry BRENDA flagged your post by accident :-(
Lots of lovely posts, so here goes …
Lynette – good to see a post from you. Sorry you had to say goodbye to another villager, but that sounds a really good send-off. Thanks for the good wishes.
Annette – don’t encourage her – no space to let in my attic – it was overflowing before, so now is just right! Pleased the animals are both doing well – you will really miss Peanut when he goes home! Pleased you got the wrist injection, and I hope you will rest it while that takes effect!
AQ – lunch and two snacks? So I assume lunch will only be a tiny one, and they all need to be healthy food! I really am resting – taking time out right now, and I only did seated tasks this morning because I was going out later.
Brenda – thanks for news of Margo.
Margo – sorry the HB continues low, but I believe a month is quite a good interval between transfusions, and you will feel so much benefit later this week.
Heather – what a caring neighbourhood to live in, and you were such a big part of it with all you and OH did for Sheana over the years.
Clare – more wonderful photos – keep them coming!
We did go to the museum event this afternoon, and it was very pleasant – the information in the new display was excellent and it was a really friendly gathering – with “Trench Cake”!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Hi, all. Some replies I wanted to make before the week ends.
Clare: I loved the photos of the crow. What a handsome fella. I thought of you right before Christmas. I went to get groceries and supplies for the month. I was loading my food into the car and a big ol' rural crow cawed at me from a nearby tree. He looked straight at me, and he called and cawed for a couple of minutes. Then he flew right over my head, still watching me. I wanted to believe that he was trying to impart some corvid wisdom to me for the new year! But he probably just knew I had cake, and he was asking for a slice. LOL! Ravens are not supposed to be in Indiana, but I did have a pair of them on this land for a while. I think I mentioned them once. I named the male Poe.
OG: I'm so glad that you're doing well with the treatment, although I'm sorry that it's bringing on some fatigue. It's a good idea to get lunch on your daily trip. Make sure you don't try to do too much, and you may have to get more sleep to compensate for the trauma to your body. Take care, my friend.
Annette: Glad that the Cooper's Hawk is still around. The hawks can look very pitiful and sorry for themselves in the rain. I'm glad that Lightning and Peanut are doing well. I know you will miss Peanut when he returns to your daughter, even if his visit this time was a little demanding on you. I do so hope that the shot will improve your wrist!. Don't try to do too much. I saw Erin Brockovich on the media. She's a gutsy woman. I read that 2,300 homes have been evacuated with more pending due to the methane leak. I hope the El Nino storms are being kind to you.
AQ: I agree with you that 3 hours every day is much better than 2 long days for the little ones. They've probably adopted that schedule to better accommodate working parents. In most families in the U.S., both parents have to work in order to bring in enough income to pay for basic necessities. That may not be true for Australia, though. I don't have any suggestions for snacks. There may be some little oatmeal squares you could make without eggs or nuts, maybe with fruit in them. Blended bananas are a great substitute for eggs, but they'd probably turn brown in the heat. :-) Those floods are awful! Regarding bungalows: My house is a single story, and I prefer that. I don't feel safe on a second floor, when I can't hear or see what's going on downstairs.
Heather: You have been a dedicated and loyal friend to Sheana, and it says a lot about your character that you could lovingly accept her as she was -- her authentic self. My Mom was one of those forthright and forceful women. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I hope your grief will ease as the days go on. Take the time to respect and deal with your feelings as you go through her belongings. Best to you!
Oh, also Heather, don't beat yourself up about the chocolate-hazelnut cake. People become accustomed to the foods they eat regularly. The cake probably tasted ghastly to you, because it was missing the eggs and butter that you're used to. The vegans, though, probably thought it was fine because they're used to vegan baking.
Lynette: Nice to see you. Very sorry about the loss of your village friend.
Lindy: I'm so sorry about your ankle! I hope it will improve very soon. Your toe, too! My brother broke one of his toes last week. 2016 must be the Year of the Sore Toe. :-)
Brenda: I hope the demolishing of the building next door won't be an awful problem for you. Glad the family in Kintore are okay. Terrible about the continued flooding in Scotland! I feel sorry for everyone. I hope you don't miss your family too much now, after visiting with them over the holidays.
Wendyb: The weather has changed so much here in the last few years that I'm also seeing different birds on my patch, just like you. Glad your stone drain coped well with the flood waters.
Hi to bjane, Rita, Rosy, George, dibnlib, Heron, ChrisyB, Sheila, Harelady, Liz, and all.
Sending strength and best wishes to Margo.