Weekly Chat, Sunday February 27, 2011

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!

  • Everyone have a good weekend! I've sworn that I won't go online for a couple of days, because I have to do some work! :-))) I'll "talk" to you all when I've made some progress. (By the way, the bird is a California Condor -- copyright free. I just love him! LOL)

  • Morning all,

    Diane : Thanks for the pic of the Condor and the pretty butterfly. I dont think LadyP will be videoing my trolley hopping skills any time soon. I am a bit wary now that BrendaH has mentioned CCTV.

    Djoans : nice capture of the barn owl.

    Everyone else thanks for the chat etc.

    Weather is miserable again , dull and cold with temp at 2.9c.  At least it is dry and the Thunderdog definately prefers it that way.

    San Francisco peregrines now have 4 eggs.

    3 eggs for Aria & Vento:

     

  • Friday – starting with the mist we didn’t get yesterday, but it’s very thin, and no frost.  Birds doing their spring thing – and overrun with Chaffinches.  I am even more convinced about short migrations of Goldfinches up and down the country – sure that one of our returning birds is “Chubby Baby” from last year, who is now a handsome solidly built adult, larger than your average Goldfinch!  By the way, forgot mention that I spotted (no pun intended!) a Ladybird in the garden last Sunday.

    Had chiropody appointment yesterday – she said she has seen quite a lot of people who got chilblains during February, so it wasn’t just me.  I still have remains of three, but only one is painful, because it was partly under the nail and now, nail having been cut, exposed to rubbing on sock.

    Going out today – Environment Fair in the afternoon and History meeting this evening, so dinner at Bruno’s in between.  Slept somewhat better last night, so should have enough energy – have decided that feeling “off” is down to being ready for Steroid top up due later this month.

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • Terry – good to see you on the flashmob video!

    Trish – despite caring for other birds, pleased Mrs SH is back!

    Alan and Lynette – thanks for captures.  Decorah Pa is sooo handsome!

    Joan – pleased you are enjoying signs of spring.

    Lynette – pleased you are enjoying the family research – almost feel inspired to have another look at ours – I know several cousins are doing it, but they are not very good at sharing info!

    I know I missed Sheila - hope she has got off safely for a good holiday in Switzerland – a bit early for Alpine meadow flowers, but should be some wonderful scenery.

    And a Happy Friday to you, Paul!

    Brenda – I hope you get an uninterrupted and brighter gardening day.

    AQ – love the ideas for an exercise programme!

    Annette – pleased to got your rose-garden time.  Are you still pleased with your own garden?

    Diane – thanks for all your posts – and that wonderful Condor!  Into our daughters’ teenage year there was a real cobbler with a shoe shop near us (not the one from my childhood further south) – I think he retired about 1983.  Sadly, he didn’t get much repair work by then as we were into the throw-away society!  Pleased to “hear” so strongly determined to work over the weekend – just take care – please!!!

     

    Solar guy just phoned, full of excuses and even apologies, but that isn’t getting the job out the way – apparently some details are in the back of the surveyor’s car and he’s somewhere on the road between Inverness and Perth – I did suggest that it doesn’t take a whole month (since man came to look at changes) to do that journey, even on the notorious A9!  We have a vague (not even provisional) date mid-March, which will be three months from the original job!  Watch this space – again!!!

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • Re Lily and Hope and shooting research bears, please read WRI report today ( http://www.bear.org/  )and if you can't write individual letters to the legislators, at least sign the online petition at 'PROTECT Collared Bears in MN'.

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • Hello aquilareen   love the Friday Smiles,  that exercise programme sounds fine to me.

    Margobird

  • Good morning Brenda H hope you have got some sun this morning.  Very birght here but another hard frost overnight and the wind is still chilly but this is better than rain and all the cloudy weather we have had.  Hope we are not going to get anymore snow now,  All my daffodils and crocus are now out and it would be a sheme it they got snowed on.

     

    Sister with bronchitis is getting better and had the best night's sleep last night she has managed so far.  Other sister with cancer has virtually lost all her hair now but remains as cheerfull as ever.  She and OH are coming down to see some friends in Oxted this weekend.  It will be good for her but I think she will find it quite tiring. 

     

    My nephew's wife has to have further surgery unfortunately but they have told she should be able to have more children if she wants to so that was a relief for the pair of them.  When she first had Rhys she said that she would not have anymore but they have had such pleasure from Rhys I wouldn't be surprised if they did try again.

     

    Billy Whizz and I are now communicating with each other.  He meows at me and I meow back,  and I managed to get really close to him again yesterday afternoon.  We have made arrangements for someone to come in and put food and milk out while we are away which I am so pleased about.

    Margobird

  • Hi Heron 77 and a happy new month to you.  Yes the birds are now in full voice.  My sparrows whilsting and chirping most of the day now in my "Singing Tree" as I call it.  Wonderful to hear the blackbirds singing again.  I love listening to them at the end of the day.

    Margobird

  • Good mroning Alan hope you have some sun today.  Thanks for the capture and egg news from Dukes Farm.

    Margobird

  • Alan another thanks for the news of live webcam at Woods Hole and the 3 eggs at the West Ehd nest. 

    Margobird