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!
Thanks Diane. Not I really must consider going to bed!
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Joan: The owl sighting was sooo frustrating! When I checked the nest box, the owl was standing very close to the camera, so the image was blurred and abstracted. Not only that, it must have been cold, because the feathers were all fluffed up and the head tucked. So it was difficult to even determine the owl's orientation. Do you know what I mean? It looked like a big ball of feathers. I could see only one leg, and it didn't appear to have a ring on it. I copied the image and zoomed in really close, and I still couldn't detect a ring. I couldn't see the other leg at all because of the owl's position. Then my video froze, and when I refreshed it, the owl was gone from the box. So I couldn't even get a good view when it left. Dang it!!!!!!!! Like you, I hope they are successful this year. I'm worried about my own owls. I haven't heard them for a long time -- not the great horned owls or the screech owls. :-(
Catch up with everyone a bit later.
Hi everyone :-)Time is really flying in and the brighter months are fast approaching (or should that be approaching fast?) My grammar's never been that good;-) Yestarday started off a bit cold but turned out to be a lovely bright day, although it did have a late winter chill. Its great to hear all the birds singing, and now the Blackbirds have joined in with their lovely rich tone.Thanks to all for your posts, pics, and links. Consider yourself the recipient of a virtual Hello!A belated Happy New Month! and a very Happy Thursday.Paul.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
Diane - there was an owl in the nestbox tonight for about five minutes and I took a screen shot. I think there's a ring on one leg. I've sent the pic to the Barn Owl Trust as they were interested to know if the bird was ringed ... this is the pic:
I hope your owls are ok and that you hear them soon.
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
I signed in this morning and have only just managed to look in here. I am not sure where today has gone. Seemed to have been on the phone a lot and then visitors this afternoon. I hope tomorrow is quieter and a bit warmer so we can do some garden tidying. Our local forecast said that we could have snow by mid March, but there is no certainty yet !
Diane, Thanks for the update on the hawk. So good to hear of a successful and happy ending.
AQ, Are you looking at such precious books that you have to wear white gloves? Just remember you are not still stripping the wallpaper, when you are handling the books.
OG, You reminded me of my mother. She always used to say, 'No peace for the wicked' or if she was ill, she would say, ' Stop worrying, only the good die young.'
Annette, Hope you haven't damaged your self-cleaning oven. Our's has warnings, not to use any cleaning agents.
Patriciat, I agree. Richard's holiday was fantastic.
Alan, I will just say to you, what I said to my OH and son, a few weeks ago, when they found themselves in an empty supermarket aisle." You do realise that there is a security camera up there. " Thanks for all the links and pictures.
Margo, Good to hear that your sister had a good nights sleep. Hope she continues to improve.Thanks for the Billy Whizz updates. We are going to miss them when you are on holiday.
Terry, I think it was you I spotted. You all appeared to get a very good reception from the shoppers.
Lynette, As always, thanks for posting all the pictures.
Sheila, I have probably missed you, but if you look in again. Do have a brilliant time in Switzerland.
Paul, Hello to you. Yes, it is lovely to hear the birds and the daylight hours lengthening.
Joan, Fantastic that you were able to capture that picture of the owl.
Terry - Spotted you - the piccolo made it dead easy!! What a brilliant idea.
Brenda - Nay, my research is only in Police Gazettes, not rare enough for white gloves. It is a space problem rather than rarity.
Friday SmilesThey say physical exercise is good for you. I know that I should do it daily, but my body doesn't want me to do too much, so I have worked out this program: Beating around the bush. Jumping to conclusions. Climbing the walls. Swallowing my pride. Dragging my heels. Pushing my luck. Making mountains out of molehills. Hitting the nail on the head. Wading through paperwork. Bending over backwards. Jumping on the bandwagon. Balancing the books. Running around in circles. Tooting my own horn. Climbing the ladder of success. Pulling out the stops. Adding fuel to the fire. Opening a can of worms. Putting my foot in my mouth. Starting the ball rolling. Going over the edge. Picking up the pieces. Whew!
Evening all: Put in several hours at the rose garden today going after weeds. The bushes already have a lot of new growth and even buds; come mid-April, the whole garden will be abloom. Haven't had a chance to read about Richard's Panamanian trip; sounds wonderful.
AQ: Friday smiles a riot - nearly fell over laughing (but that probably doesn't count, right?). And, of course, one to avoid is digging your own grave. Meant to say I liked your Dau's term "Insufficient Reluctance." Have just reserved the "Lost Maps" book from our library.
Alan: How about Duvet Wrestling While Riding a Supermarket Trolley as an Extreme Olympic Event? (I think the ladies might have an edge there.) Regarding the Panama City cam; there are ships with webcams and, I believe, webcams at the Canal which make for interesting viewing. Decorah eagle quiet right now - but still with 2,000+ viewers.
Margobird: Glad your sister's feeling better. Like your OH's "life is short, eat dessert first" philosophy; I need to do more of that.
Terry: Oh brilliant! Loved the video; what a treat for shoppers!
Djoan: Old oven-cleaning habits die hard. Good capture of the owl!
BrendaH: Oh bother; must now check oven Owner's Manual. :-(
Lynette: Impressed you got the ironing done with all those cams to watch. Nice captures, thanks!
Sheila: Off to Switzerland? Look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.
Heron: I'll vote for "fast approaching" or "approaching quickly." (Don't ask me why.)
Auntie: Heard lots of nice things about Finland on the radio the last couple of days. It's apparently the country with the smallest economic gap between the wealthy and not-wealthy; also the schools don't do standardized testing (which has crippled U.S. public schools where kids are taught only to pass tests).
Hi also to OG, Diane and Alicat and everyone else; take care all!
Hi everyone.Brenda: I hope Friday is a lot quieter and warmer for you. Snow in mid March seems a bit unfair after the thick blanket most places got at the tail-end of last year.AQ: Brilliant Friday Smile as usual. I have to say that looks like a very physical demanding excercise routine ;-)Annette: Glad you had a good day in the rose garden. I'm certain on the whole "fast approaching" or "approaching quickly" thing, you've voted correctly.
Hi, all. Even though I live in the woods, my house is within the borders of a little town that was established in 1835. They had a shoe cobbler here until the 1960s.
Joan: Congrats on getting the barn owl screen capture! And that certainly looks like a ring to me. Well done, you!!!
Terry: I think I saw you!!! Thanks for posting the video. It was wonderful. What a fabulous idea, and you're so talented!
Alan: I respectfully request to see a video of your supermarket trolley riding skills! Perhaps Lady P could be convinced to make us a video. LOLOLOL
Lynette: I laughed at your pun (I've got it all sewn up!). LOL
Annette: I never use the self-cleaning mode on my oven. One time, when I lived in an apartment, I set the oven to self-clean and it got so hot that it burned a big black mark on the wall! :-o
Re: Finland Several organizations conduct yearly surveys of citizens to find the "happiest" or "most prosperous" countries in the world. Finland is almost always near or at the top of the lists. The ratings are based on standard of living, social safety net, education, health care, security, civil liberties, etc. And you are correct, the countries at the very top are always the ones with the smallest gap between the richest and poorest citizens (meaning that wealth is distributed more fairly). The U.S. is never near the top, due to widespread poverty plus unequal access to adequate health care and education.
AQ: Australia often does very well on those "happiness" lists, too. I loved the Friday smiles! Hmmm. Interesting about your research discoveries of the men who had a wife in every port. I imagine that life was very hard back then. Not surprising, I guess, that lots of people deserted loved ones and moved on. re: "Uncontrollable children" I don't know much about Australia's history, but in the U.S., companies used a lot of child labor. Working conditions for children were truly horrific. Young children worked brutally long hours in mills, mines, farms, and factories for pennies a day. I imagine that lots of those kids were embittered, angry and very rough. Wonder if that's what your references are referring to? Very sad, I think.
OG: I'm glad that your son sounded in good spirits, but sorry that he had such an awful cold. I'm also sorry that you're not feeling 100%. I sure hope that you don't get his cold! Take vitamin C and black currant juice. Must be very frustrating that the suits at the solar company are ignoring you. I hate those kinds of situations where I feel powerless. Keep at them!:
Patriciat: I sooo hope that your husband's Occupational Therapist can greatly improve his -- and your -- quality of life. Re: your arthritis. I know that arthritis is very painful. I think you're right that staying active is very important. The joints do get worse with little activity. Try to be as gentle as possible with them and still enjoy your life. I sincerely hope that you can continue the agility training. You enjoy it so much, I'd hate to see you have to give it up. By the way, I've found that taking fish oil capsules helps my arthritis a lot. Just thought I'd pass that along. I'm sending you all the good, healing energy I can muster. :-)