Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 17 November 2024

HAPPY NEW WEEK!

I just returned from Indianapolis. I stayed a couple of extra days to care for the dogs. My friends became ill on their last day of the trip, and were sick and feverish when their plane landed. Testing doesn't yet show Covid, but that's what the symptoms indicate.

I had an interesting experience at their house early this morning. I was sitting on their couch putting on make-up. Suddenly, I heard a LOUD bang against the large window behind me. I jumped at the sound. I looked to see a very large female red-tailed hawk sitting on the deck next to the window. She was only about 3 feet from me, and she looked me right in the eyes. I watched to make sure she recovered, and she seemed to be fine as she flew away. She must have been chasing prey and didn't see the glass. I'm glad she was okay. She was such a beautiful, majestic bird.

I've been REALLY busy with the dogs, and haven't been online. The little English setter is 18 years old and not in good health. I'm going back now and catch up on your news.

Everyone have a good week!

  • Thanks Diane.  What a thrill to see the red-tailed hawk!   Hope you managed to avoid picking up any bugs from your friends; it it was Covid, tests won't necessarily show positive the first few days after infection.

  • Thanks for the start Diane.  I had a similar experience to you a few days ago but unfortunately there was not a good outcome.  We met up with friends at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre and were enjoying a chat when I caught sight of something heading for the window.....there was an almighty bang and the poor pheasant fell to the ground......no chance of survival...so sad.

  • Thanks Diane. I hope you don’t catch Covid from your friends. Good to see the hawk and that it survived. Shame about the pheasant Dibnlib. I often get wood pigeons hitting my bedroom window and making the beautiful patterns of their wings. They always survive fortunately. They are so heavy that they can’t seem to gain enough height to get from the garden to the roof (lol)

  • Thank you Diane - sounds as if you've had your hands full. Glad the RT Hawk was OK.  It's often fatal when they do that: I suppose they break their necks. We too, have it happen quite often in spring when the young birds fly but don't understand glass. They do leave a pattern on the window when it's a dove or a pigeon.

    Dibnlib-  All Best Wishes to your brave friend Erica. It might be a tough road ahead but I'm sure she will face it with grit and determination.

    On our return, my OH had to get up early On Friday morning for an 8.30 appointment with the dentist as he lost a filling just before we left. After that painful experience, he took our car to the garage and walked home. We found we'd lost a rear brake light. The garage warned us that we'd need to buy more than just a bulb, as in The old days, as the lightening is a complete unit, and are expensive. When he collected it, later, the man told him they'd had to take off the entire rear bumper (it's a Volvo) to get at the lights. The total bill came to just under £600....!! For one light bulb....Argh!!

    Today I did more laundry and put it out on the line as the watery sun was trying to shine. Within 5 minutes it began to rain so I managed a lot of swearywords!! Its now being spun dry again , in the washing machine.

  • Ouch LINDY we too have a Volvo (XC40 just over a year old so hope we do not need a brake light.  Why is nothing simple nowadays.

  • Oh Lindy. How ridiculous. When I first had a car I could change the lights myself by just unscrewing the glass. Not any more. A broken bulb now always involves a visit to the garage. The front ones in particular seem to be very tricky to get at. Who designed these things!!! Fortunately, I don’t have such vast bills!!! Usually about £15 to £20. Mind you, my car is 16 years old. Maybe a newer one will incur more expense!! 

  • I thought "ridiculous" too... But no getting out of it, as for once it was a job my OH couldn't do himself.I

    My Sis in Law Sue said she had lost her purse last week - possibly stolen as she can be careless, but anyway, gone. She spent two days ringing around and cancelling all her cards. Yesterday she had to make an emergency stop in her car and came to a jolting stop. Something came slithering out from beneath the car seat -- her purse!!I

    Got out my Christmas cards today and was going to begin writing them but my OH cornered me and wanted a serious letter typing to our solicitors re some legal stuff we want out of the way, so I spent an hour on that instead. Pretty boring but had to be done. Also sent for some Christmas presents. Certainly feels early to be doing such things but it can creep up on you.