Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 29 March 2020

HAPPY NEW WEEK! 

I hope everyone has a good week and keeps healthy. I'm hoping that everyone on this forum will avoid the virus. Sending you all protective energy. 

BIRD NEWS FROM MY PATCH

The big Barred Owls are nesting at the bottom of the ridge right across from my front door. Every time I go outdoors, one of them gives me a booming hoot. Last year, they nested in a tall, old locust tree on the levee by the creek. We had so much flooding that the nest site turned out to be a precarious perch. I think they remembered it was a dangerous location, so this year they’re nesting low in a tree across from me. They are incredibly loud. Their call sounds like, “Whoo cooks for you? Whoo cooks for you?” They can also caterwaul just like large apes when they're feeling aggressive. They can chill my blood sometimes. LOL!

I walked up the hill to town last week to get a couple of meal items at the little general store. I looked up, and R.T. Hawk was flying above me. He landed on a tall silo and watched while I went into the store. Then, he escorted me back. I think he thought he was protecting me from the big Barred Owls, which are his enemies. I hope they can all stay away from each other. R.T. and his mate are nesting far back in the flood plain away from my house right now.

  • Good evening all. Like many others, I could not access this site for most of the day.

    Belated Birthday greetings to Bjane and OG.

    Heather, I tell my son and daughter that I food shop once a week. I really need to go twice for fresh stuff and my sanity. Last time, I had a list ready in order of display in the shop to try to be speedy. Everyone else went in the same direction, so I did an about turn and bought my chocolate and wine first. My trolley must have looked suspicious, if we are only meant to buy essentials!

    Thanks to all for news and amusement.

    My OH went for a walk by the river this morning, and was careful to keep two metres away from others. He couldn't help coughing ( into a tissue) and a woman passing him nearly fell into the river in her hurry to get away. He has a persistent cough as he has COPD.
  • LOL Wendy. Bonnie does well with long nights but I dont think she could go that long!
  • I could not access the site when I returned from food shop, tried all day, here is yesterday’s drivel.

    Very little traffic on roads, car park half empty, sanitiser at entrance to supermarket very low (I have my own in pocket), everyone polite & distant, tape on floor at checkout, chemist now have a glass barrier with slot for scripts to pass, bank “greeter” monitoring numbers in bank at any one time (bus trip refunds safely repaid into my account). OH ignored my advice and insisted on carrying some bags. I told him to wash his hands. I discarded my outer clothes to be washed, and wiped everything before putting away. Maybe overkill but. . . . I shopped for 2 weeks; Easter bunny goodies taken care of and hidden from OH.

    I have 20 library books out with due dates starting next week. Yeay, all been extended automatically until 1 May. One can request holds & arrange a time for pickup. Or one can take a “themed book package”, eg children's books, crime fiction, youth fiction etc. I wonder if there is a category of “non-fiction I have not yet read!!!

    Outbreak of virus among baggage handlers at Adelaide airport yesterday, more cases today. [Update – now 13 sick with over 100 in self-isolation. Travellers through airport in past 2 weeks advised to wipe their bags.]

  • Lindy I think it comes from his 6 years on that dreadful chain.. how he can be so lovable and forgiving only heaven knows :-)
  • Just a thought (especially for ROSY LOL)

    I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process. . . it may not be true, but do I dare take the chance? (Anon)

    My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already. (Dave Barry)

    When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading. (Henny Youngman)

  • Hi AQ - we took some books out just before our local library had to close but found out they have automatically renewed them until July. Of course we will have finished them by then, means delving into the book shelves to see what to read. Can't be a bad thing as most new books get put there unread.

    Rosy - I like that shopping idea, wine and choc first then other essentials, will keep that in mind when I have to go out and do a shop. Ususally have mine delivered but have only this weeks on order and couldn't get in for following weeks when I tried 4 weeks ago, all slots taken up, most supermarkets are like that now. Oh well, will have to risk it and hope for the best.
  • belated birthday greetings, OG and BJANE

    Annette - let's hope that if a postal ballot is the way to go over there that everyone adheres to it and votes you know who out. The more I hear him on the tv spouting on the more he seems to know very little of what is going on re virus. Just my thoughts.

    Lovely pics, Annette.
  • Pat O I loved the you tube video of the song for Bergamo. My Sister and I were in Bergamo for a week in 2016 as she has been writing a book about Giovanni Battista Moroni  who was an Italian painter of the Late Renaissance period. We loved it there especially the upper Old town. I said to her just the other day that when this virus is over I shall take her back. She is on the last few chapters but is continually rewriting but the end is in site. We travelled to surrounding towns where he was born and travelled to in his lifetime.

    I didn't go out anywhere yesterday but must get out today or I will go barmy - or more barmy than Ive already become.

    Hope all are well and getting used to the restrictions.

    I see that some US news channels have stopped broadcasting Trump's nightly statement and rejoin when Dr Fauci comes on. How those sycophants that stand behind him nodding away, can sleep at night - well hopefully he and they will all be just a distant memory this time next year.

    Keep well all and stay safe.

  • WENDY i didn't realise Duke was a rescue. Glad he has a lovely home now.