Weekly Chat, Sunday February 6, 2011

Hi everyone,  I am still lurking and watching Phoebe, Lily, Hope and newbie and the eagle whilst waiting for EJ and Odin

 paula "~"     

Yes WENDY do hope all is well with George and his Spaniel and that they had a great weekend together.

When I looked out in the gloamin’ for OH, he was just packing up and coming in!  He’d done much more than I expected with the pressure washer – including a good whoosh under the bird feeders!

Wendy – no jobs in the offing for Son, but at last his health seems to be improving – sleeping better, having day-time and night-time at the same times as other people, etc.  He’s keeping occupied de-cluttering, as well as exercising, dog-walking, music and helping out at church – as well as online job searching and form filling for the job-centre!  His radiotherapy was 22 years ago now, so it’s possible they tightened up on bank holiday closures, because there is so much more need for the machines to be kept working - sad in a way, but partly due to more efficient and speedy diagnoses.  I too wondered if we would get a report from George and his Spaniel – I do hope it is going well for him.

Paula – not long now – just 45 days and 19½ hours!

Hi Paula, nice to hear from you, am watching same from time to time

OG - So glad son has picked up, certainly sleeping and eating better will benefit and keeping busy too. Hope he manages to find a job soon.

Pics for tonight, Norfolk eagle, Lake Jordan, and Lily. She went off for a flyabout and returned looking down at her egg.

Hey George, how are you getting on with your spaniel, do hope its not causing havoc????

OG - I have more ironing in summer ’cos I like cotton blouses but they crumple when washed. I find t-shirts too hot to wear.

Diane - The locusts plague has been controlled, mostly, by the dreaded spraying. We saw a few locusts at niece’s in NE suburbs.

Dibnlib - Our organist has been unwell for several weeks so we are singing unaccompanied. Mixed feelings as the tunes waver all over the place!!!, yet the speed is faster. The organist only knows 2 speeds - very slow and extremely slow. I don’t have enough puff these days for long phrases.

Linda - Thank you for another batch of wonderful Smiles. And a great poem for Annette.

Despite much opposition our state govt has decided to let a mining company drill for uranium in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the northern Flinders Ranges.

Off to a coffee morning (& early lunch) with 2 friends. Wallpaper can wait.

Hi AQ - it looks like govts are the same the world over - listen to opposition but in the end they know what they would prefer to do. Do hope it doesn't upset nature too much.

See you are going OK with choir, our choirmaster is in Sydney for three months so we are being guided by his deputy, and a lovely lady who plays the organ and piano for us.  At least we get a moderate speed from her the only problem is with the vicar.   Did Ave Verum during Communion for a change but  vicar did not really approve said it wasn't on the approved list of hymns/songs.  Unfortunately we are dictated to by him as to what we can and can't sing which has put us up in arms so our acting choirmistress is to take issue with him and see what can be compromised upon.   We await the outcome.  There is nothing like a hymn going slower than it should, it always seems to me to be a derge!!

Enjoy your coffee morning, of course the wallpapering can wait.

Two pics taken just minutes ago, the two darlings of Phoebe, Bea and Jay, fledging is expected between 8th and 18th of this month,   and of Lily

Hi, all. I'm going to bed early (I really am tonight!), but I thought I'd stop in and post that The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place in North America on February 18 through February 21. It can take as little as 15 minutes of your time; the count time is flexible. Here are the instructions. http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/howto.html The page has a nice photo of a pileated woodpecker. :-)

OG: I'm really glad that your son's quality of life is steadily improving. Wonderful!
Margo: So sorry that your sister has to travel so far for her treatments. I hope she can remain comfortable and doesn't get too sore.
Lindy: That was a terrific poem for Annette. She will love it!!! Loved the Monday smiles.
Terry: The winter storm in Texas was a freakish rare occurrence. Ice and freezing weather stretched all the way to the Mexican border. Truly a bizarre phenomenon! Hope you got to see Trucker Dude's trip through Arizona.
dibnlib: So glad you're getting stronger!
Lynette: Lovely screen captures. Thanks!
Annette: Hope the whale count was successful!

Night all!

Evening all: First day of Whale Counting today and no whales came our way!  Still, wonderful out on the point, where it was sunny, breezy and warm.  Had eyes tested this morning and got new prescription, but otherwise okay.

Diane: Thanks for letting me know about BigRig Steve - I saw him parked in Las Cruces, New Mexico last night.  He's in Phoenix, Arizona tonight and, poor fella, is heading to LA next!  Will have to keep an eye on his site. We'll be driving that route to Arizona this coming Sunday when my daughter goes to my granddaughter's for a few months, but I'm sure he'll be long gone by then.  I've got a Rowenta iron (from Target); it's not their most expensive model but it's great; haven't had a problem with the steam - though you do have to do the "clean out" routine every now and then.

OG: We were out at Coal Oil Point (whale watching location) today when two people came by on bikes and asked if it really was "that time" again and where had the year gone!  We've heard the southbound migration was a good size, but the worry is that this year again will be bad for calves since there was ice up in Alaska that prevented the pregnant females from reaching food. When that happens, they spontaneously abort.  Puttered in the garden again this afternoon; need to prune back the roses, but some can wait until I get back from AZ.   Glad your son is getting his sleep routine back to normal - being off schedule can be very debilitating for some people.

Lindybird:  Oh my!  That poem is so - um - me!  How clever. Really did laugh out loud at that. Brilliant, and yes, it really is "all just great!"   That has to be a U.S. "trespassing" sign, what with threats of instant (or deferred) death. :-)   Good grief!  Only 48 days to go?  Seems like time has flown by for almost everyone.

Trish2: Nice to see you - let's get Gary out of the habit of calling Toffee the Tofster ASAP coz we all know bad habits die hard.  :-)

Margobird: Oh darn. Just what your sister and her OH need - a long commute every day. Is there any chance they might stay somewhere overnight - does the hospital have any relationship with any communithy groups or motels where they might stay free or get a discount?  Do you think she'll want to join any support groups during or after the treatment?  Do know your family is in everyone's thoughts even though we don't say it every day.  Re the yobs, you could always do what all red-blooded Americans do and get a gun and shoot them (just kidding!).  Or you could get a video cam and just leave it filming (though you'd have to record the action in order to figure out who's doing it.  What a pain though.....)  Do like hearing about Billy Whizz's antics; he'll be snoozing on your favorite chair before long.

Lynette: Good luck at the financial advisor's meeting - and the docs. Enjoy the gym.

Wendy:  Older houses here have ironing boards that are hidden in a long cupboard in the kitchen  - you open the door and release the board which then lies flat. I think it was a brilliant idea; but a lot of people (who don't iron? who can they be?) converted the space into a spice cabinet.  The only bad thing was that you couldn't choose where to do the ironing and so often couldn't watch telly while ironing.

Gary:  Seems like we all prefer Toffee to Toffster.  :-)    But D****  British Racing Green Toffee?  Hmmm. Sounds very ambitious.

TerryM:  Had my eyes dilated this morning but it took a few hours for them to get back to normal. Thank heaven no whales came by or I wouldn't have been too sure of how many or exactly where they were.

dibnlib: Maybe have Wendy wear a red carnation?  Isn't it nice to be back working out after being grounded?

Paula: Lurking is good.  Nice to see you.

AQ: I don't like t-shirts either - the knit kind are too warm; also can't stand it when they have that stretchy material that clings.  have some nice lightweight cotton tees that I do iron, but they're easy. 

Diane:  Thanks for the Bird Count info and link.  Whale count is always successful, even if we don't see whales - I found myself taking lots of deep breaths today - sooooo relaxing.  Glad your feathered friends are still in the neighborhood.

Thanks Alan/Lynette for pix of various nests. At this rate, Phoebe's chicks will be moving out before long.

Busy day for us tomorrow; take care everyone!