Hallo all: I put up the painters' tape showing the dimensions of the various flat-screen tellys (tellies?) we're looking at and now we're thinking maybe we don't need a really big one.
Auntie: Great that you had a lovely day at Pohtiolampi; how fun to see ospreys in action.
OG: I say put Loch Garten for sure on your trip north! We expect a full report! OMG: That python/gator photo was fascinatingly gross. Talk about his eyes being bigger than his belly!! Eeeeuw! Why did I think orchids were a hot-weather plant.... Well - if you go to Caerlaverock, hope you enjoy it. Are "kissing gates" the same as stiles? All I can remember is "Would you rather run a mile, jump a stile, or eat a pancake in a field?" Oh dear. Talk about regressing...... Thanks for update on Big Rig Steve; haven't been on the computer all day. Had earnest discussion with vines, who have promised to behave, and gave some encouragement to the tomatoes, which are being a bit shy. Currently, our ailing Navel Orange tree is getting a lot of TLC in the form of deep watering followed by nutritional snack that will make it feel better (and we hope, look and and taste better).
AQ: Universal laws transcend borders. :-)
It's July 4 - Independence Day - tomorrow; will start off the day shortly after 6 a.m.(!) with live Wimbledon coverage (on our normal channel - just checked!), then will putter about before picking up daughter in late afternoon to go to Mission Santa Ynez, where we'll watch July 4 fireworks display. OH not thrilled with fireworks, so he'll stay home and keep Lightning company (she doesn't like them either).
In the meantime, off to check on osprey cams.
Browsing Ospreys on YouTube (as you do) I really liked this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTPwVg_0enY&NR=1
They look like they're skateboarding when they hold the fish that way.
Terry in Cumbria
Morning all: Thanks for Independence Day wishes! :-) My day started with me just sitting down to watch tennis while cat simultaneously barfed on the carpet. Always the new carpeting; never the area mats. Oh well
Cirrus: Sometimes I wonder "what if" we'd decided to go ahead and pay those taxes! We'd probably have a National Health Service by now! :-)
Diane: Used to play tennis a lot too - would love to try again but fear my right knee might not take kindly to any sudden sideways stops.
Jeannette: How wonderful for you. I bet Margobird will be interested to read your post since she's hoping to do some volunteer work at LG too.
Lindiybird: Funny how one person in a family can make such a difference and win such a place in our hearts. We're trying to figure out whether we want a recirculating, hand-filled fountain in our garden or just a regular bird bath...... Don't think I want to deal with any more plumbing projects! Since we're in a dry climate, there's a long-time trend in "dry river beds" that look a lot like your pretty little stream there. Does it trickle and flow to the left or act like a real fountain? I disturbed quite a few lizards yesterday while coping with the vines. Re the "other" matter, the comments and writing style reminded me of last year's visitor.
OG: Hope you don't get blown away at Caerlaverock. Interesting about John Paul Jones birthplace. Re TV screen, it'll be large, but not as large as I'd feared! We have some tiny orange tomatoes that are so sweet they don't make it off the vine and into a salad because someone (who shall remain nameless) eats them like cherries. Thanks for info on kissing gate.
Auntie!! :-)) I don't think I'd like to start an international incident with that character! Great card. Thank you.
Not having much success in watching tennis and blogging. Back later folks. Take care.
Back from Caerlaverock - Windy, Wild and Wonderful! Need to download pictures before I can upload them, if you follow me. Just about to eat tea - salmon salad - haven't looked at today's posts yet.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Hamish posing in the garden this evening:
Hello auntie that's a great 4th July card for our American friends.
Margobird
Alan Hamish is gorgeous, he really is posing for you.
Hello, Handsome Hamish! - that's a lovely pic of him, Alan.
Had a day of a bit of this and that, today. Went to an outdoor market/fair today, walked around most of the stalls, which were a mixture of just about anything & everything except livestock - came home with two trays of bedding plants for only one pound each. Called on sis-in-law but she was gadding about somewhere, so rang her after the Tennis was finished this afternoon and went over there for a cup of tea and to admire her new furniture. (gave her some strawberries and raspberries from our allotment). The new plants we had are already in the garden, and we are just now eating fruit ourselves, with a bit of cream on top.
Here is a bit of a poem written for myself, but it is dedicated to Diane. as it was inspired by her wonderful pics of her very own Dust Bunnies....
{} {} {} DUST BUNNIES {} {} {}
My Dust Bunnies are hiding: they're awfully shy -
I can't seem to lose them, however I try.
They sit under the dresser, they lurk under the rugs,
Harder to sweep up than dog hairs, or bugs.
Each day they are growing: they eat up the crumbs-
They avoid all my cleaning and when the hoover comes.
I suppose I should chase them with duster and brush,
But I'm not a great housewife: to clean up, I don't rush...
So I'll adopt them as pets, and give them each names -
I'll call them Jemima, Caroline and James....
One day they'll have babies, some more little cuties -
I'll just feed them on fluff, and knit them all booties.
Lindybird: Cute little verse; just hope your bunnies don't leave bunny "calling cards" around the house like real bunnies do. Ohhh. Raspberries and strawberries.....
Alan: Marvellous photo of Hamish - such a handsome fellow.
OG. Glad you didn't get carried away by all that blustery stuff.
Didn't think the Wimbledon final was as exciting as when Nadal played Murray; bit of an anti-climax. Fussed over orange tree again today, then went to gym before it closed at 1 (half-day today). Sun not out here, although it's nice over the hill at my daughters. It's not unusual on July 4, especially at the beach, for people to gather to watch displays where the firework zooms into the - fog bank. Off to sort myself out.
OG: Your day in the wild wind sounds great - glad you enjoyed it: bet that blew away a few cobwebs!
Thanks to auntie for a great osprey pic, even tho it was really for our American cousins.
Annette: It is another Fact of Life that cats only ever throw up on new carpets, and only dig in the garden in the place where you have just planted something precious and special. My fountain has an underground water supply (took OH ages to dig the hole, first!) in a plastic container, and a pump spurts up the water into the little black spout - I can alter the flow to make it higher, & shower down onto the stones, or let it just go 'blub, blub!'
My mother in law has been an inspiration to so many people who came into contact or were related to her - when she was alive, her house acted as a 'clearing centre' throughout the family for news of others, and circulation of used baby equipment, or storage of wedding dresses or toys or even occasionally animals temporarily. A constant babysitting service, and baking was always in progress: sometimes these were done simulataneously with small children on stools in the kitchen Helping Granny. Everyone from age 3 to 83 went to her for her advice - her own cousin brought her 'new boyfriend' round for her approval - they were both 74 at the time! A special person who is still missed today even though time has gone on now, without her - what a wonderful legacy to leave. In the summertime we sometimes try to get as many of our relatives together as possible to recreate her garden parties, such fun.
Thanks to Terry M for the link to the film clip of the ospreys hunting, think I may have seen that on TV somewhere - but I did enjoy it. Also watched the Eagles catching salmon on the same page.
Sorry if I've missed anyone out but its getting late. Looking forward to seeing 'our' osps after their ring and bling day tomorrow (? hope so?) Goodnight.
Had dinner, watered plants in greenhouse, phoned Son, decided we can eat our first tomato each tomorrow and then played with today’s photographs!
Margobird – sorry you lost one of your pond fish.
Auntie – lovely July 4th Card!
Terry – I wasn’t keen to set out, but rain stopped late morning (and never returned) and wind gradually eased from the earlier gusts, and although still quite strong, it was very warm wind coming over the Solway. When our orchids first appeared self-seeded they were in pots – maybe the seeds arrived in compost, do you think? Good that you got that advice about the marquee last night!
Annette – poor Lightning (and poor carpet – again!) – maybe she was anticipating fireworks!
Alan – What a lovely photo of Handsome Hamish the Thunderdog - funny you posted it today – I was thinking of asking after him and suggesting a new photo. I notice you have the same “summer-brown” grass that we do!
Lindybird – lovely Dust-Bunnies poem!! I am sure Diane will enjoy it! Your MiL sounds a wonderful person – and she has left you and others such happy memories.
Today's doings to follow!