Community Chat

[mousiegirl]

On 8/19/2014 Bird mama said:

Another vote here for the clothesline and the old maytag washer. We had one that was a spare in the event my mom's kenmore broke down. The wringer was never a problem for me, I just had to remember that I controlled the time the agitator was spinning - all dependent on pulling or pushing the start knob. Left too long and that machine would beat your clothes to shreds . I also remember using a wood and glass washboard for my white socks.

Ahh - those were the days.

Bird mama - I remember my Mother had the glass washboard, but don't remember seeing her use it, though she must have. I always hated the fact that she did not have a dryer, and she and I usually hung the clothes in the garage, though neighbors hung them outside. I dreamed of having a matching washer and dryer, and when first married and bought them, I would just stare at them, I was so happy. Now, of course, though I have a very nice set, I hate the job, lol.

[Winifred]

Thought I would make a quick stop to let everyone know that YES, I fed my feathered friends. Interesting in that I have seen very few flitting about. It was very very nice today until about 3 in the afternoon - then humidity set in again. I did, however, get some Bull Thorns chopped up out back and put the sprinklers on the lilacs way out there. They are just all shriviled up - as are the old fruit trees which do not bear fruit any more and also the persimmon tree which produces very well - it is also shriviled up. This heat has been scorching. I hope by 7, I can start watering the back yard - it too is very pathetic. Shortly will head back out to the South 40 to move the water on the lilacs back there.

At any rate hope all are staying cool.

[Bird mama]

Bird of the Day - Spotted Towhee

[mousiegirl]

On 8/5/2014 Puddles said:

Hello Birding Friends! I'm so forgetful these days and forgot to help you welcome August. Thank you Bird mama for the new thread.

possummink, we fly to the States on October 8th and although I have so much to do to prepare for a 3-4 month stay, it can't come soon enough for me. I will miss our walks along the beach, but it can't take the place of being "home." Ian has only one cousin left and he does live in England, but he & his wife use to come visit us in the States and I'm sure they will again when we move back. Oh, you better believe I will bring Dottie the teapot back with me when we move back permanently. She has become apart of our family. I love all your photos of polka dot tea pots. I'm going to look for one to bring home to keep Dottie company.

Waving to sweetpeace, Winfired, mousie and all those who post on the Bird's Nest.

Puddles - this is the perfect Christmas birdie.

[Bird mama]

Bird of the Day - Crested Auklet (love the crazy pompadour)

[Puddles]

Hi everyone. It's been a couple of busy days here, but I still think about you all.

mousiegirl, when I posted that bird I didn't think, but it would have been a perfect post for our December thread,

[mousiegirl]

Hi Everyone! This morning, I sent my little birdie out of her nest and into the wild blue yonder. I was up at 4:20, not by choice as I had another hour of sleep to be had, but that is always the way. We got to the airport in plenty of time, but after checking her luggage, she went directly into the line, so we stood watching her walk through. When she got near me, I reached over for one last hug. I almost didn't hold myself together, but did. When we were in line for the luggage check, I told her to put on her jacket as it was cool, but she didn't, and something told me she would get on the plane without it, and sure enough, DH and I were half way to the garage when he realized he was carrying it. DD and I have the worst memories short term, lol.

We came home, and before DH went off to work he helped me take DD's room frig to UPS, mailed her printer yesterday, and her huge box of bed linens, hangers, and room storage items last week. Last night, she had to unpack five pounds of clothing as she was over the limit we were willing to pay, and she really did have way too much packed, so she unpacked eight pounds, and it was still bulging, and when her luggage was weighed this morning, it was exactly the same weight as our scale showed, bad news for me because now I know that the numbers I see when I stand on it are correct, no more can I say the scale is "off."

DD has never flown alone, so she and I were nervous, but she knew the routine after the orientation trip, and she will have to come alone in November, so this was the first step in her journey toward independence. I think she will be proud of herself that she accomplished this.

She called after she landed, to say she got off the train that takes passengers to the airport one stop too early, so had to get back on. It is a train where everyone stands and hangs onto a pole. She had an hour to wait for the shuttle. I am assuming she got to college on time, and hopefully, she will contact me later on tonight. I have spent the day napping off and on, and not doing much of anything.

The pups were flipping out this morning, must have known something was up because normally, they are not up at 5:00, lol. Poor pups, no more sleeping on DD's bed until she comes home.

Happy weekend everyone!

[Winifred]

Mousiegirl it is really difficult seeing the baby bird leave but am sure she will become so independent and able to make great inroads into life that you and your DH will be super proud. I wish her only the best.

Well doggone it, the feathered ones here have eaten every bit of their food which was put out yesterday. Had to go to the feed store and get some more earlier today but had NO CLUE they emptied every single feeder - they have become vultures for sure. LOL. Had not even noticed many hanging around but obviously they were. Do I put food out again tomorrow??? - that has become very pricey so suspect I will not do that. I use to feed them whenever it was needed but seed prices have more than tripled in the past 5 to 10 years - at least out here it has

Another very humid day - although the temps are a good 15 degrees cooler than those miserable days of week before last and a tad lower than last week but the humidity erases most of the other side of the coin. We did have a couple days this week that were not completely sweltering. I have been sweating like a stuck pig today - always in my head as that is where I sweat and I went to the beauty shop this morning - I suspect that will be a waste of money.

Trying to save water and water only at nights but had to water some trees out back a couple days ago. Still have three to four more trees to attend to out there - cannot do that in the middle of the night as I will not wake up and walk way back there. I did reset my sprinklers on the lawn and that has helped. My back yard, however, has no sprinklers so started putting some water out there about an hour ago. Actually a bit early to do it so I hope there are no water police hanging out. LOL. Actually I am very good about following guidelines on watering due to our critical water shortage. Course I will not be able to cheat a little bit if these guidelines become law - am surprised that has not happened here as it has happened in many places in the state. There are MANY reasons I truly want out of California - for many years this was truly the golden state - not so any more. Cannot afford to even go and buy groceries - much less bird food.

Hope all had a super great day.

[Bird mama]

Mousiegirl, I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I read your post. I give you and your husband credit for keeping it together. I am horrible with goodbyes at an airport. You could be going on a trip for a week and I could know you will be back in no time and I still cry. Sometimes I think it's my personal fear of flying that contributes to my emotion .

You have instilled in her the best of the both of you and she knows that you both have her back and are there for her.

[Bird mama]

Winifred - wouldn't you know it? I decided to wrap some vacation time around my birthday (my employer gives you a holiday day off for your birthday once you've been there 15 years) and a weekend so I could get 5 straights days off in a row and it's humid and rainy here I avoided taking longer periods of time off in July because the last couple of years it's been Africa hot during that time (Tarzan couldn't stand the heat - lol). I thought we'd still have fall like weather by the time the end of August came around and now it heats up

I took my car to the dealer for an oil change and brake check yesterday. The service advisor was so sure I'd need new brakes when I made the appointment, I took my coffee travel mug, my ensure shake and some Kind grains (breakfast), water in a sports type water container and a bunch of magazines. I never made it past the coffee and didn't even finish my AARP magazine and he came out, really disappointed mind you, that my brakes were in good shape (the joke was on him). Better for me to spend $50 than an additional $285 per axle.

I need to get some bird food today for the outside flock or there will be mutiny tomorrow morning. I've been trying to buy on sale as the prices are getting ridiculous. I will get nailed price-wise today because I NEED the food. I have a large flock of first-year sparrows that hatched in June and July and I can't bear to be empty handed.