Weekly Chat, Sunday January 9, 2010

Busy all day - will catch up tomorrow. Have a good Sunday all (don't forget to check last pages of previous thread. Somebody has been posting photos of puppies again!)

  • Hi, all. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been feeling very sluggish and lazy. Having trouble keeping up with all the posts -- along with everything else in my life. :-((( I've decided that I need a temporary change of scenery. I'm leaving tomorrow to spend a few days with friends in Indianapolis. I'm going to stay with the couple who have all the rescue dogs (the folks who create the videos of the dogs and cats in the local shelter). I will take care of their pets for a couple of days, while they take a short trip with family, and then we're going to catch up, go to restaurants, shopping, etc. Not sure when I'm coming back. I don't know whether I'll be able to use one of their computers or not, so I don't know whether I'll be posting.

    Annette: Sounds like the progress on the landscaping project has been a little bumpy. I hope it will be finished soon and the results are just what you had hoped for. Also hope you get your TV back soon!
    Alan: That webcam capture of the eagle is wonderful! Hope Hamish is thriving.
    dibnlib: Glad to hear that you're healing and making progress!
    Margo: I'm so pleased that your sister was able to fetch the paper on her own. My thoughts are with you.
    Gary: I hope you are safe tonight. The blizzard in New England right now sounds ghastly.
    Kelloggs: Hope you're safe, too.

    AG: So sorry to hear about the awful flooding in Oz. My heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones and property. I know you aren't affected directly, but I read that the flooded regions are the food-producing areas of Australia. Does this mean that your grocery bills will go up markedly? I hope it doesn't create food shortages on top of so much tragedy. I had just watched an episode of House Hunters that had been filmed in Brisbane. The area and the homes were very lovely.

    George G: I hope you find a wonderful dog for good companionship.
    Sheila: I hope your Aunt is able to remain as independent as possible, while still being safe. So good of you to care about her.
    Tiger: It was lovely to hear from you. Take care of yourself!
    Joan: Hi to you! Glad your husband enjoyed his ski trip and returned safely.
    Brenda: I hope you didn't have any trouble with weather and flights for the funeral. I'm sorry for your family's loss.
    Lindy: I hope your water problems have resolved. Also hope that baby Sweetpea is happy and healthy.

    OG: I'm glad that  your son is feeling more social and less reclusive. I wish him the best of luck getting work. I loved the pictures of the gull. I  have a pair of the common flickers that you mentioned to Annette. They are nice birds.
    Hi to Auntie and everyone I've missed.

    By the way, dinner with my brother and his new fiancee was enjoyable. We went to the inn at Turkey Run State Park/Forest. They have a lovely rustic restaurant with a big buffet. They offer "country cooking". Roast turkey, barbecued spareribs, dozens of different salads, fried rolls with apple butter, cherry cobbler, etc. I had a wonderful mushroom salad, among other items.

    Everyone stay well and happy!

  • Morning, Everyone.  A bit brighter here this morning, and much warmer, thank goodness - & we're told it will last for a couple of days before it gets cold again once more at the beginning of next week!!  :-((

    Was too busy to come on here again yesterday - what a lot you have all written in the meantime!!   So very pleased to hear from George that he has listened to our nagging, and is going to consider looking for a suitable dog.  I didn't want to sound as if I was shouting at you, george, but I wanted you to get the message that we were all behind you in this!  Good Luck, and of course let us know the outcome.  Shocked actually, to hear how much snow you still have up there - its so less wintery here that we forget.

    Diane:  Have a lovely break, it sounds a good idea that you help your friends with the dogs and give them chance of a break too, then you can get together as you say & have some fun & chat later.  We shall miss you!  I'm hoping to be off to visit Sweetpea this weekend, as they are too busy to come here alas (although my OH's family are all clamouring to see the new small person, but that will have to wait for a bit). Your dinner with your bro sounds lovely.

    I'm off now to eat breakfast & feed the washing machine.  Later, going with some friends to see "The Kings Speech" so looking forward to that.

  • LYNETTE Glad to hear dentist appt went ok. Silly claim to fame     In 1976 I had teeth extracted in RAF Wegberg by Wg Cdr Quant who was a dental surgeon. All his in/out trays were a familier black/gold. Guess who his sister was?

  • WENDY  Love the Grand dogs Grand horse bit. OHs parents desperately wanted Grandchildren and looked to us as it was obvious his sister wouldn't provide them. They were not happy when we told them we had decided against going down that route. My Mum has 2 Grandchildren but as she always said my brother and I were her priority and not having Grandchildren. Said Grandchildren rarely visit her although they live just 4 miles away and that does upset me. My Grandparents lived in the Wirral and when we lived in Ayr I used to journey by car and 4 trains to get there. Sorry bit of a rant but Mum is good to them and feel they could do better!!!!

  • Well, I was right about it being mist and not drizzle yesterday – they changed the forecast partway through the day!  Was thicker in afternoon, cleared for an hour while we decided we would go out, then came back, but it was reasonable visibility on most of the road, and only very patchy on the way home.  Bird Club was a good speaker, and very interesting.  First half was about necessities for migration – food supply and feather fitness, with regard to moulting patterns.  It’s all very civilised with a coffee break in the middle, and last night we had the mince pies which were originally bought for the December meeting which was cancelled due to weather.  In the second half, he covered reasons for migrations – not just the long haul trans-continental flights, but more localised seasonal relocations.  All this was illustrated by example birds.  There was a staff person from Caerlaverock there, and he was sharing that some of the Barnacle Geese are underweight – the November snow came before they got fully built up after their arrival.

    Thanks for evening and morning posts.

    Annette – sorry your grandson causes extra worry – is he very young or just not very grown-up?  Obama seems to do those “human” speeches better than the real political stuff – I think it’s because he sounds so genuine and concerned for people.  So pleased you had a better day with desk and landscaping – good that design lady will supervise the planting. 

    Wendy – we have grandkids but have always kept them at arm’s length – refused to move near Dau#1 when we retired because we guessed childminding was in her thoughts!

    Alan – great shots of Phoebe and Eagle.

    Gary and Diane – you don’t need to apologise when you aren’t here – we miss you, and are pleased to see you when you are here, but we (and any others out there) are all free to come and go!

    Diane – Red-tailed Hawk encounter sounds magical – and I do so agree that animals somehow have an awareness of things we cannot understand.  I wish you safe travelling and a really good time of refreshment in the city – hope you will be able to stay in touch, but will understand if you can’t.  Pleased meal with brother went well – restaurant sounds good – I love buffets, although I am aware that they are designed to make us eat more!!

    Lindy - pleased you have it brighter – still a bit dull here, but mild.  Hope you get your visit to Sweetpea – they change so much in the early weeks – and I hope they can soon come to you for a while so local family can meet him.  Enjoy the film.

     

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • Good Morning ALL. Another wet morning after another wet night, with plenty of more heavy rain forecast.

    Margo, I can understand your sister's OH being worried when your sister went out on her own, but happy for her that she was able to collect the newspaper. Hope you are not having any problems with all this rain. Good to hear Buzz is enjoying his own covered restaurant.

    Annette, Good news that you are now happy with garden progress. I won't mention the desk. 

    OG, Sorry you had problems parting with any blood. I would think you now have some bruising.

    George, I hope you see a suitable dog when you are able to visit the home. Do you have a particular breed that you prefer ?

    Alan, Thanks for the racoon dog and Phoebe pictures. Really love last night's eagle capture.

    Gary, Good to hear from you. We all have times when life get's too busy and we are unable to post

    .Diane, Love the idea of your protective hawk, but more car tyre problems is not good news. Do enjoy stay at your friends.

    Linda, Wish you could send some of your brighter weather down here. I want to see that film, so will be interested to hear, what you think of it.

    Thanks for all your news and pictures. I have just realised that I have missed a birthday, so must go out and buy a belated card and present.

     

     

  • Good morning all.  Have not read all the posts yet but on looking at our local paper the following is happening every night at dusk just a couple of miles from me.  Will have to try and get down over the weekend to observe.

     

    http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8786805.Amazing_sight_as_100_000_starlings_fill_the_skies_in_Poole/

    Margobird

  • Morning all,

    I have a confession to make re the eagle pic. It wasn't a screenshot but a pic of the male I nicked from another place. Don't tell anyone. LOL

    Margo : Glad your sister was able to get out and it showing signs of improving. Must  be really hard for BIL.

    Diane : I hope you enjoy your trip to your friends.

    Annette : Glad things are progressing with the landscaping. Sounds as though it will be really nice.

    Cant remember who mentioned the new Gerry Anderson film but I cant imagine actors doing as good a job as the puppets. However I think that Joanna Lumley would make a great Lady Penelope.

    Weather is bright spells and incredibly mild. Temp 12.4c and rising. After the coldest December for 100 years we are now heading for the warmest January. Strange weather.

  • ANNETTE Glad things are progressing at last. Celebrate with a really good glass or 3 of wine when it is finished.

    DIANE  Good to hear of your meeting with the Hawk. I like to think he was warning you about the tyre. Do hope you enjoy your visit to friends. They sound like really great people.

  • Good morning Brenda H  weather same here.  It seem as thought it will be like this until next Monday when it will turn colder.  Although I don't like the cold I think I would prefer it now.  Fingers crossed have not had to "toilet watch" up to now.  As long as there are some breaks in the rain the backing up does not happen.  Having moaned about the weather yesterday I felt so guilty when watching the news of the flooding in Australia.  How awful to loose your home and all your posessions.  It will take months if not years before everything returns to normal.

     

    We were worried about putting Billy Whizz's food under cover in case he thought it was a trap but he had adapted to it just fine bless him.  We are off to Italy in March for 4 days and I was worried how he would manage but OH is going to get someone in to put food and milk out for him while we are away.  Both our next door neighbours have passed away now and we couldn't have asked them to do it anyway. 
    The person that will be doing it is the same person who looked after our fish while we were away last year.  I feel much relieved for Billy now as I know he will be looked after.

     

    george g so pleased you are now thinking of getting a dog.  Let us know when that happens and perhaps you could put a photo on for us.  Hope your weather will improve for you soon.

    Margobird