Morning all: Much ballyhooed snow didn't materialize, we had a sunny day but very cold tonight with temps just below freezing. Spent the first couple of hours today online with Dell Tech Support after a website I clicked on (via Google) delivered a spyware program disguised as an anti-virus program (one of those things that suddenly lights up your desktop with alarming messages about threats to your computer). I ignored it and immediately launched McAffee to scan my computer, which found nothing. However, the spyware program (called Internet Security Essentials) wouldn't go away until Dell's remote support took over and did a super-scan and clean up (LOVE that service! So glad I signed up for it!)
Trish: They said it will take a while for the autopsies on the dolphins. Glad your OH remembered his training and sat still, even if Mia forgot!
Diane: Have never heard of the Nevada Triangle. Will certainly keekp an eye out for the program - we're watching DVD of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest right now. The UK is (it's rumored) is warmed by the Gulf Stream, which perhaps accounts for the daffodils, etc., while you're still dealing with weather from what I believe is called the Canadian Shield...
AQ: Our plants are in danger of drowning right now; have moved some of the potted plants under the eaves to protect them from any frost.
Lindybird: Had big laugh at image of you scraping your pizza off the floor - I'm a firm believer in keeping our immune systems challenged!! :-)) I shall be tuned in to the Oscars from the silly "red-carpet arrivals" pre-show all the way to the final curtain call, although I must confess to shouting a lot at the telly during the entire show. I think The King's Speech will do OK; Colin Firth was nominated last year for A Single Man but didn't get it; think he stands a good chance this time round (and if he doesn't get it, you'll hear me yelling at the telly all the way to the UK)!!
Margobird: Your sister sounds like a real gem.
OG: So glad you had a chance to make various plans with son.
dibnlib: "My fried egg has landed upside down on the floor?" Maybe that happens a lot in Russia? :-))
Hi to all I missed. Have a lovely Sunday!
Trish2: It is on the Birdguides site:
http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=029001
George: great pic of Diesel. Thanks a lot for that.
Quite excited about the osprey sighting in Scotland. Think I'll have a beer to celebrate.
Hello everyone and thankyou for all your contributions which I have really enjoyed reading. I think I'm up to date with all that is happening but I just cannot reply individually - as much as I would like to.
One exception though , Diane , I can but echo all the other comments, I have already told a couple of my doctor friends about you, and I have to say, they winced!! Not in disapproval, just at the thought of pain!
George, Diesel is such a handsome chap. So glad to hear that you have both made such a difference to each others lives.
Alan, I will join you in your celebration, but not with beer. It will have to be a glass of wine for me. I was so excited when I read about the osprey, but knew you would post the info here. Cheers.
Margo, What a lovely day with your sister and Rhys. A lovely little boy surrounded by so much love. It would be fantastic to see Lady return to Loch of the Lowes.
Our last visit to Rome was in 2002 and my husband knew I wanted to go back. I have never been to Viareggio, so Googled it and read all about the carnival. I have been to Florence once, so I think it is time for a retutn visit. Like yourself, I love Italy, including the food. You are so organised, having planned all your holidays plus your LG week. We must start planning our holidays.
Annette - Our media don’t worry about trivial things like equinoxes!!! For them the first day of autumn is 1 March, winter 1 June, etc. Nevertheless with the festival season on in Adelaide thro’ Feb & March, we have daylight saving until 3 April. A mere 13C this morning. Even if the temp rises to high 30s from now on, the nights should be cool, allowing house to cool down. Adelaide soils are notorious - they are called "Bay of Biscay" soils, heavy clay. Also Adelaide is built on a fault line (only minor compared to yours). Thus houses do crack badly. We live with them until they get too big!
I casually mentioned to Dau#2 that Pancake Day was coming soon. She’s not waiting for The Day!!! She promptly invited herself over for tea last night - for pancakes of course. Actually I made fritters and sent the excess home with her. Now I shall have do more for myself. LOL
I'm off to library today where I need to check some books from storage. Hence viewing in what I call Fort Knox. No bags, no folders. Strangely they do permit waist bags (previously known as bum bags), so much prior planning as I don’t like parting with my keys & purse. They may be safe in Security but if there is a fire drill or a real fire, how can I fetch them to get home? I usually get in "Fort Knox" before remembering I have forgotten my glasses or something vital. Hm, lots of travellers on this blog. Watch this space. . . .
Hey, all – another of our co-incidences! Remember the mentions of Terry Nutkins last week? Well we watched Claire Balding’s ”Britain by Bike” (BBC4) final episode this evening. She was on the West coast of Scotland and she stopped at Sandaig, the site of Gavin Maxwell’s Camusfearna, and met Terry Nutkins there and talked to him about Maxwell and the time he spent there!
Now going to read forward from my morning post.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Lindy – I hope the packing and last minute prep went smoothly and that Buzz is comfortably settled until your return. Now I’ve got the right day – have a great time!
Brenda – welcome back – what a nice surprise for you. Not the kind of thing my OH would do – but then not the sort of surprise I would cope with! Pleased you enjoyed it.
Margo – pleased you enjoyed a lovely day with young Rhys and your sister – sorry she is still coughing.
George – I hope Gary comes on to read about the leaf blower in the park! So pleased you are keeping your canine friend Diesel – what a great picture of a lovely dog – and so glad you are making each other happy! He looks very contented and has a beautiful face.
Lynette – sounds like your usual busy Tuesday!
Alan – thanks for news of Osprey near Kincraig! 1st March – most likely to be an adult, but who?!
AQ – must look to see when Pancake Day is – I guess it must be the week when Margo is away, since Shrove Tuesday is the usual time for Carnival!
Dibnlib and Wendy – have a great time meeting up tomorrow
Well, the mist here lifted late morning for another blue sky day – and reasonably warm. Accessible part of photo prints exhibition was excellent – some really talented people around. Some was upstairs, but they ran a slideshow downstairs, so there was plenty to see – including lots of wildlife and landscapes. Had chicken and peach salad for lunch – small plate. No carb so had a very nice scone to follow. OH had baked potato with coronation chicken followed by banoffee meringue roulade. Shopped in Morrisons, then started Tesco visit with a drink and sat over it too long discussing computer upgrades, so shopping went on a bit late - and then had it all to put away! Had a simple fish dinner – haddock fillets in a tomato and herb sauce I had made earlier. Now quite tired.
Good night to all – especially those I have omitted to mention by name.
Went to see Miss Molly this morning and in addition to carrots, also took her some Rope 'n' Ride - no idea what it is but it looks like a very coarse brown cereal. Apparently she likes it because she stuck her head over the fence and took it out of the scoop before I could deposit it in her feeder. Then she scarfed up about 8 carrots before puttering off to have a natter over the garden wall, so to speak, with her neighbor, a burly little Icelandic pony. Got "caught" by the ranch owner's wife, a very chatty lady who filled me in on all the valley gossip (no idea who all those people are!) before I escaped!
Alan: Osprey sighting north of the border so exciting! I do hope Lady makes it back this year.
Heather: Hallo there!
Margobird: Every time we bought shoes, I had to stand on one of those X-ray machines to find my shoe size. (Probably recognized now as some ghastly health hazard!)
BrendaH: I'm a big Italy fan - was there when I was 17 and again at 19.
AQ: Ah, sounds like the same media we have (don't let the facts get in the way of a good story or, in this case, headline). What kind of books are in Fort Knox? My sister was "amazed," nay, "shocked" when she realized we aren't too worried about subsidence in our houses.
Off to rummage in refrigerator for dinner contenders. Wonder what Diane has been up to today? Found a cure for cancer? Sorted out Gadhafi? Discovered the role of anti-matter in the universe?
Hi, all. Thanks to everyone for your very kind and supportive comments about my rotten night! I don't think I did anything to deserve praise, but you made me happy, anyway! I thought I was just whining, and I regretted my long post. The creek has now receded to it's original level. I checked the property and found no wind damage. My ear is clearing up, and my hand is healing very nicely. No sign of infection or nerve damage. Doesn't even hurt much now!
re: stitching my hand When Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana in 2005, I clearly saw that my government doesn't care much about its non-wealthy citizens (just as I'd always suspected!). Since then, I've tried to learn how to take care of myself. I put together what's called a "bugout bag" that I could use in the event of a catastrophe (flood, fire, quake, economic meltdown, LOL). I packed emergency gear and a first aid kit, including a small suture (stitches) kit with sterile, medical-grade instruments. These suture kits are widely available and are often purchased by people who do a lot of camping or hiking in remote areas. When I was working in medical research (as a writer/editor), I took a short course where I learned to prepare and stitch a wound, and I practiced on oranges until I could do it. It was very funny to watch! I butchered lots of citrus!
I also have a bag in my little fireproof/waterproof safe that contains my important documents (bank account numbers, credit card numbers, pins, insurance policies, real estate documents, etc.) all together in one place where I can grab it quickly. After Katrina, so many people suffered terribly because they couldn't prove who they were or claim their assets.
Hey, Annette. I'll bet Miss Molly likes you a lot! The ranch owner's wife would be very comfortable here. This small town loves to gossip. Those little Icelandic ponies are so cute. I just love them. I haven't sorted out the Gadhafi situation, but I may be getting close to working out that anti-matter question. I watch waaaay too much Science Channel on the telly. LOLOLOL By the way, speaking of television, did you know that on February 19, the federal House of Representatives voted to eliminate funding for public television and public radio? Find out more and take action here: http://www.170millionamericans.org/
George: I didn't want to say too much until you'd officially made your decision, but I'm so glad that you've decided to keep Diesel. I think it will be so good for both of you. Yay! And thanks for posting the photo. He's absolutely beautiful! So wise looking. Please keep us posted on his progress. Just love to hear the stories about him!!!
Lindy: Have a really special holiday! I'll be thinking of you and awaiting some of your beautiful photography.
AQ: So glad that your nights will now be cooler. I hope you're not looking up any state secrets or classified documents there in Fort Knox at the library! Hmmmm. I think all that genealogy stuff has just been a ruse. I think you're really a spy!
Brenda: What?!? A secret trip to Rome?!? Are you a spy, too? Seriously, that's wonderful that you enjoyed such a lovely surprise holiday. Did you take an pictures? Would love to see them if you did. Also, I'd be interested in any details. I've never been to Italy. Welcome back. I was wondering where you were.
Alan!!! An osprey sighting in Scotland! Yay! It seems early, but maybe the year is just flying by for me. Wonderful news!
Margo: Rhys sounds like such an adorable, happy child. Glad you had such a lovely day with him. It's wonderful of you to buy his shoes. Sounds like he adored them. Wow, you have some travels planned. I'll be anxious to hear all about your trips.
Heather: Wonderful to see you. How are things with you lately?
Sheila: Hi to you. Thanks for your kind words to me. Hope your road is coming along.
Lynette: Thanks for the lovely screen captures!
AQ: Forgot to say congrats on finishing the wallpaper stripping!!! Do you want to come over here and help me on some projects?
OG: Thanks for your kind words. Glad you got the Begonias planted. They are beautiful flowers. What color will yours be? I especially like those apricot-colored ones. Do you have those over there? The photo exhibition sounds wonderful. Glad you had a good time. I'll have a scone, please! Sounds like you were really busy. I hope you get a good rest.
Hi to Joan and Alicat and everybody!