Hallo folks. Not much action yesterday afternoon on last week's chat, though SueC quoted a poem by the Wolof fishermen of Senegal about ospreys, which I found reassuring.
Just checked the floodline - they've removed the "watch" on the coast due to less wind and not such high tide as previous few days - but it remains on the rivers in Dumfries and Galloway. I suspect your tide patterns will be similar to us, Patriciat, as the water is basically coming from the Atlantic Ocean! You have wonderful bird opportunities near you too!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Unknown said: Out reclaiming the garden today; moving all the plants back into their normal locations, washed off the patio table and umbrella and swept up all the stray nails, screws, bits of wall, metal, etc. that the contractors missed when they cleaned up, Hummingbird feeders need refilling and I can see one feathered head bobbing up and down at the regular feeder, which is almost empty. Better get on the job or they'll all start complaining!
Out reclaiming the garden today; moving all the plants back into their normal locations, washed off the patio table and umbrella and swept up all the stray nails, screws, bits of wall, metal, etc. that the contractors missed when they cleaned up, Hummingbird feeders need refilling and I can see one feathered head bobbing up and down at the regular feeder, which is almost empty. Better get on the job or they'll all start complaining!
At first I thought it was just your kitchen being remodelled, then I've realised that iy seems like the whole house has been made over - how brave! Really pleased for you that it is finished, and that you can get the garden back to normal. How is the cat now? Have we ever had a photo of her?
Annette: Come on now, you know the cat has to christen the new carpet; it's what they do. =O)
I'll step out before bed tonight and see if there are any meteors to be seen though it's doubtful but hey, no guts no glory.
Someone else mentioned a river and that reminded me to say I'm reading a facinating book at the present called River-Horse by William Least Heat-Moon. Two men went all the way across America together from New York City to Oregon by river navigation in a 22 foot boat, interspersed with some travel (also known as a portage) in a 9 foot canoe, during the 1990s. I'm at the point where they've gotten on to the Ohio River near where Ohio and Pennsylvania meet after having come down the Hudson River to Lake Erie and on down the Erie Canal. Mister Least Heat-Moon has had other adventures published but I decided to start out with this one and I'm glad, it's really terrific.
OG, yes, usually about 20,000 Brent geese and many thousands of waders. Havent had a chance to see them this year yet, mostly because of the weather but will go soon.
OG: We did the kitchen/living room, but lots of construction stuff was kept on the patio and a lot of debris accumulated there too, not to mention folks sawing wood, metal, etc., so the patio table and all our potted plants were moved. All back in place now, though didn't get anywhere near as much done as I'd planned; still, love pottering in the garden so no biggie.
Caerann: I read Wm Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways" when it came out - um - how many decades ago? It followed his spiritual journey across the country (a coming of age ritual among some Native Americans I believe). Have you read "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose, the story of the Lewis & Clark exepedition? Lewis's and Clarke's actual diaries are fascinating too. I'm just about to finish McCall Smith's "The Lost Art of Gratitude."
Annette: I actually have a copy of the Journals of Lewis and Clark and it was a very good book. I had a chance to pick up all 3 of Least Heat-Moon's book at Half Price Books but River-Horse appealed to me at that moment. The David McCullough book about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge also appealed to me but I'll get that one from the library instead of buying it. Have also been interested in his book on the Johnstown Flood for quite some time. Have you read that one?
Diane if you're out there and Annette or anyone else: Have you read any of the Foxfire Books? We bought the set of Volumes 1,2 and 3 published in 1975 in Mineral Point, Wisconsin a couple of years ago.
Oh and here's a story I thought all of you might want to take a gander at:
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/local/localbrad/4538728.___Fancy_a_flutter_on_the_horses__mate____/
Caerann: We've got the McCullough book on the Brooklyn Bridge but I haven't tackled it yet; saw his Johnstown Flood book at Costco the other day and will reserve it from the library. Thought his "John Adams" was marvellous (also the TV series); also read "The Bridge Between the Seas," about the building of the Panama Canal - very interesting - had no idea that France had originally planned to do it but the financing was undermined by a huge Ponzi scheme. Have you read 'The Devil in the White City," about the Chicago World Fair of 1893 (and the backstory of the serial killer)? Fascinating!! Haven't read the Foxfire books. Ha-ha. Take a gander at the goose story! Very cute!
Lovely story Caerann hope he recovers poor thing.
Margobird