Hi everyone: Don't forget to check the final posts of last week's chat for tips on ordering stuff through the mail and what to do when a package has been tampered with and/or items never arrive in the first place! Also, OG is back and had a lovely time and may post photos if she can find some without total strangers blocking the views! Brenda/dibnlib: Americans aren't "allowed" to go to Cuba because - oh don't get me started. But a friend of mine did go there - he had to go somewhere else first and then pop over to Cuba on the QT before heading back to the States. Tiger: Nice to see you. Emma: "They" have just approved a bunch of wind turbines offshore of Cape Cod - one of the most famous scenic places on the U.S. East Coast! I'm fascinated to see what happens since I can't believe the moneyed and well-connected folk with fab houses in that area would allow it to actually happen. Diane: Yes, I read some comments on Trucker Steve's blog about some negative folk on Facebook, but no idea what that was all about and, like you, had no inclination to find out! He's heading to Florida next...
Since folks on here are talking about it, thought I'd mention that BP's curly headed CEO? didn't endear himself to anyone last week when he said he was eager to "get his life back" after the spill. A nice option for him when those killed and their families won't ever have that option, not to mention the wildlife.
Haven't been around much today - Farmer's Market and errands this morning, then this afternoon went on our Gray Whale "thank you to volunteers" boat ride on the Condor, which typically does whale watch cruises for tourists, etc., but was just for us this afternoon. Mike, our main GWC guy, works (unofficially) with the captain of the Condor during Gray Whale season. The Condor calls us when they see whales heading our way while we let them know when we have whales around Coal Oil Point. A win-win arrangement for everyone. Today, we left the harbor and immediately found ourselves in a pod of dolphins - a huge pod of about 700, Mike estimated, in full hunting mode. Just an amazing spectacle; we were surrounded by them. The dophins on the outer edge of the pod were leaping out of the water in coordinated groups of four or five - one of the rangers said she'd seen that behavior before and speculated that it may be a way of driving the fish into a particular position to facilitate feeding for the rest of the group . We could see fish jumping - literally for their lives. Other dolphins were behind the boat and still more right beside us, riding the wake from the bow . Immediately in front of the bow the dolphins were swimming (all this very fast) upside down, their bellies exposed and our guide explained that this was normal hunting behavior - that they can better see the fish from this position. Just amazing. Then we headed 9 miles out to track two humpback whales - a cow and calf pair, which we followed for about 30 minutes, watching the mother roll on her side to feed on krill; then saw the calf breach, which was a real treat. They served us wine and food, but I didn't partake since we were in a heavy swell and my innards were feeling a bit odd. That wasn't helped by the diesel fumes or the very strong perfume that two young women were wearing. I haven't had problems on boats before, but as they say, there's always a first time and this was it. Suffice to say I made it to a quiet corner at the rear of the ship before.....
Probably going to bed early tonight! Granddaughter and OH arriving Wednesday, so a busy week ahead. Take care all!
Hi ALL, I was going to watch Andy Murray play at Queens on TV and then, obviously, it started pouring with rain.
OG, The Bonsai are beautiful. Friends have bought them for me, but I have never kept one alive for more than a year.
Linda. Splendid Poppies. We have wild poppies which grow randomly around the area, but have never grown my own
Alan, Rather a magnificent Welsh dragon.
Cirrus, Sorry about your eye probems. It really does sound painful.
After overnight and morning rain, we have sunshine now. Hope it lasts for a while.
Oh Alan, I should have remembere that story, but I still find it so sad.
Heather, so sorry, I'm definitely not firing on all cylinders, sigh. My 'lump' on the cornea is an ulcer - so the same or similar I think. I have three different bottles of eye drops, two of which need to be refigerated and some eye cream which I put in for overnight whilst I sleep. Light is very painful to me - I' wish I could wear sun specs at work cos as the night progresses the lights in the store brighten and I find it uncomfortable, to say the least. I've already had three appointments at the Eye Hospital and go again on Friday. But, I can see I am progressing back to health. Trust your SIL is fully recovering - the whole thing just takes over ones life!!!
Some drops of some sort are going in my eye every hour
Hope it soon clears up Cirrus, anything to do with the eye can be extremely painful.
EJ now feeding them again. I think its #1 getting the lions share this time, the other two keeping thier heads down.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Morning all: Somewhat achy today after yesterday's rock tossing event (another Olympic possibility). Not doing anything serious out in the garden today. Do have to go vote (the California primary) and make a list of stuff to buy for granddaughter's arrival tomorrow. Think she'll spend first night with us, then rent a motel room up near her Mom for a couple of nights, then back here the night before they head back to Arizona.
Sorry weather is so dreary - we have usual June Gloom but will lift later on to pleasant sunshine.
OG: I remember those fondant thingies - always a bit too brightly colored for me. Are these bonzais in your home?
Djoan: How clever of you to make cards, which reminds me, I have to buy one to get in the mail to the UK for great-nephew's 3rd.
Lindybird: Never seen a white poppy before but ooooh, Patty's Plum is lovely. jsb: Matt cartoon "translates" very well!
Alan: Handsome fellow, your dragon. Might make a nice garden ornament. I like the sound of the award-winning ice-cream parlor.
Cirrus: Glad your eye is on the mend. Tesco: Where plants go to die! :-) I get exasperated in the garden departments of stores when they don't take care of them; always makes me want to apply for a job and sort them out. I did march a sad-looking Plumeria up to the manager of our local hardware store a while back and asked him what he wanted for this obviously neglected plant. He named a fair price and it's living happily ever after in the garden now.
OK, lots of organizing to do today, so will creak off into the day. Take care all. Thanks so much for pix!
Just back from hairdresser, so a quick reply before making dinner, just to clarify the Bonzais were at the show! I did have one once, and enjoyed shaping it, but I think I eventally killed it with kindness! More later.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
EJ gone for a break leaving chicks to sleep off their feed. One poking its head up to see where mum is. Back she comes, looks around her, decides there's no threats, perhaps she can see Odin. A bit of head siding then, but has decided to have a preen and settle down of sorts.
OG thank you for the Spitfire pic, must show OH later. Must note the Gardening Scotland dates for next year. It appears there is plenty of parking so we can stay with Mum and go from there. it is just a pity she won't be able to go round herself. she refuses a walking stick so don't think she would take kindly to a wheel chair. sorry about the itlalics, don't know how to get rid of them!!!1
AQ love the sound of Maggie Bet he is showing off. We used to have house martins nesting above the front doorstep when we lived in Fife.. What a mess, and so difficult to clean off. But it was nice having them visit anyway.
Intruder alert, it tried to land but EJ saw it off. Now mantling over her family. EJ is now calling can obviously see the intruder. Keeping a watchful eye. Its still around