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 Morning. Dry here. Still lots of chat on the TV - I know we're all desperate for up to date information but it's just too much that there's hardly anything else mentioned, for an hour at a time.

    Annette, I bet most people's gardens will be pretty pristine for the time of year. Not our Eldests, though - he hates doing anything out there, and only cuts the hedges when we're due for a visit!! Our Youngest, on the other hand, has pruned his several apple trees and now has the problem that the local Tip is closed, so nowhere to take his three carloads of wood!

    Lynette, sorry to hear that the virus has hit your family and hope they make a swift recovery. Your d.in law must be especially needed at this time.

    I may go out today, having been pretty much incarcerated for twelve days since we got back: we were saying yesterday that we've been saving money on petrol! There is quite a list on the food front, although we do still have supplies, but I can't get home delivery for love nor money.
  • The sun is out but in the real world I would not be seeing it here as I would probably be at Tebay services drinking coffee and eating toast on the first leg of my trip down south. Feeling a little sad as I miss my girls.
    Daisy has been up in out in out eaten brekkie and back in her cave. Duke has only been from cave to my bed missing the back door. Snoring here whilst I drink coffee.
    OG yes they will miss their crackling as I have 2 small joints in the freezer. I do have a second top oven but it’s not good for roasting .
  • Oh, Wendy - we love Tebay Services! - spoils you for the rest! Sorry you cant go at present.

    OH been told on phone by Dr that his annual blood test is not important in the scheme of things, so it will be put off for at least 6 weeks then reviewed- as hes 76 its more important that he isolates.

    We saw the Marsh family clip, too - hilarious!

  • Daffs I picked in the garden yesterday,  as their heads were on the ground.  Note the b'day card from sis in law Sue with pic of very dirty spaniel on front!!

  • Good morning. OH is off on a quick foray to Tesco – mostly for fruit and veg.

    AQ – like the Frank Capra quote!

    LYNETTE – sorry your D-i-L is sick with Covid19 – really seems to be hitting frontline workers now. I saw the Marsh family Les Mis video earlier this week – a pity they didn’t all have such lovely voices and musical accuracy as the younger boy!

    ANNETTE – we somehow end up talking about coronavirus just before we go to bed – very bad for us – we need to consciously find a happy topic for late at night.

    LINDA – sorry you have not yet managed to book any home deliveries; ours are quite erratic, from different places but J suggests I shouldn’t miss out on any opportunities – until the freezer is loaded to the gunwales! Nice vase of cheery Daffodils!

    WENDY – sorry you are missing out on seeing your Daughters. BTW, I was very disappointed with Tebay services on recent journeys – not in the class it used to be!

    Cooler here today and cloudy, but not expecting rain, so washing a non-tumble throw to hang it out. Not sure of plans for the day after OH gets home.
  • LYNETTE sorry your immediate family is now affected.

    WENDY yes, Tebay was one of our favourites when we used to drive down south. Nowadays we fly to Bristol and hire a car when we visit OHs Sister and his Dad. Last time they spoke his Dad said he was frightened, then realised how lucky he is to have Sue living with him.

    I looked at the pics of Daisy and Duke on FB. They are so lovely.
  • Hello all - thank you for all your news - I cannot get my head around individual replies, that is what happens when I miss a few days.
    I'm glad that you are all keeping well fed! I eat to live, rather than for any other reason and have never had a hearty appetite. A pity, because my late OH enjoyed his food and I enjoyed cooking for him! Me - I could live on cheese and biscuits, sandwiches and soup,.with the odd grape thrown in!! (Not thrown in the soup). I have loads of food in and plan meals but then often don't bother.... My father was the same regarding appetite.
    Still having daily chats with son regarding the business, he was fairly upbeat yesterday, so I'm hoping for the same today.
    My brother is soldiering on in Brittany - he still has to fill in a form whenever he leaves the house, in the event of the gendarmes flagging him down. I sent him some money yesterday, for his birthday. He decided to buy himself some whisky and believe it or not, has just phoned me from the supermarket Intermarche to discuss which he should buy! As I don't drink whisky I was not of much help.
  • Heather - Had to smile at you, living in a beautiful part of Scotland, not drinking whisky. I used to work for what was Ballantine's Whisky, now gobbled up by, I think, Diagio. When I first started working for them I was told NEVER to tell ANYONE I didn't like whisky! As I was freelance I didn't have a contract, but I'm sure if I had, it would have been written into that as well.
  • PAT - I think you and WENDY have something in common....