Travel, The Mob, Pea Soup

Gentle Reminder (no: Attention!): The “Blogger Habitats” post I am planning is steadily growing in size and I’m so happy about it! There are a few of my blogger friends I am still counting on to participate and you know who you are… I’ll be away for a few days and hope to see your submission in my mailbox when I return. Everyone is invited and details about it are listed at the end of this post. I want to show it by the end of the month so please humor me?

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Unsettling.

That’s how I’ve been feeling lately. We are heading to Maryland tomorrow morning for a few days to see my Dad in his nursing home and to visit with other family and friends. Reports are that Dad is doing well, but I need to confirm that for myself. I always feel apprehensive before I visit with him… A year ago, when I spent days at a time living with Dad and caring for him, he wasn’t sure who was feeding him dinner. What should I expect tomorrow? Sitting with a man who you know very well and trying to make familiar conversation is something I will never become comfortable with because I know, in my heart, he doesn’t know me anymore. Small talk is heartbreaking, too, because, fifty-two years of loving memories flood your mind while you are talking about absolutely nothing. My heart is already aching but I’ll try my best to be sure he smiles and enjoys the company.

Traveling with DH isn’t a party, either. He’s agenda-driven to a fault. On the road, there’s no chance of making left hand turns, or a U-turn (God forbid), for bathroom breaks, drinks, or gasoline. It’s gotta be a pit-stop. In and out. Right side of the road, only. When I’m driving, he fiddles with the buttons on my dash then finds a static talk radio station he likes, and I want to eject him.

Because I have this strange desire to leave a clean house, whether I am away for two days or two weeks, I’m home today with a list of 23 things to do. Does the pet-sitter care? No. But, I do.



Another dilemma. Pea soup. Bad pump. No ecosystem going on here. When the pond installer did the work, I asked, “Where’s the biological filter?” His reply had to do with adding beneficial bacteria once a month. Now I know that’s bull. It isn’t working. Now we have another summer project to work on… The pond is pretty and the fish are growing but major work is on the horizon. Sigh…

All of us have seen Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. Well, welcome to my house for the same view. Forgive me for complaining once again, but they remind me of “The Mob”. Unbeknownst to me, I spoiled the starlings and grackles.

When I thought I was lucky to see lifers in my yard, my field guide burst that bubble real fast! These juvenile delinquent starlings were released on probation. They peck and poke at the adult starlings and grackles and the adults give it back. Beak wars. The constant screeching and discontent drives me insane enough to go out there and give them all the back of my hand. I muster all the control I have to keep myself from running out there like a crazed lunatic with a broom to knock their shrieking heads off! Instead, I grit my teeth and slam the screen door. Hmmmpf.

My wonderful blogger friends have given me suggestions and I just bought safflower seed today. By the time I get back from my twenty+ hours in the car trip, the feeders will be dry and maybe they’ll relocate. I’m learning.

Even the mockers are testy and raced this poor red-bellied away from his suet into a tree where the hawks usually perch.

I haven’t even been carrying my camera very often lately because I just got tired of stalking and zipping in and out of hiding places. Sitting back and enjoying the view is almost as much fun. I will, however, review some nice things I have captured.

First of all, after a chilly snap last week, the hummers are back! I bought another new feeder and I’ve seen them visit during the past few days. No bird in this photo but stay tuned.

This was probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve done with a camera. A dragonfly is resting on my right-hand pointer finger. I tried to take a photograph with my left hand. Hopeless.

Miniature roses are near the pond. They’re growing so fast this year!

My little Chickadees still visit when the coast is clear.

Mr. Biggins is showing his part-Boxer heritage. The boy needs to see a doggie orthodontist.

This sweet Song Sparrow visits me often as do the lovely little Chipping Sparrows. The woodpeckers, goldfinches, and hummingbirds keep me looking, too.

I really need to get away from home for a while but these girls will make me want to come back to witness another “attack of the floor monster”. Really, I dread leaving them.

While I was uploading photos for this post, I sat back in my chair, heaved a heavy sigh, and looked to the right through the window to the front yard. I saw some tail feathers in a tree that I’ve seen before – back in February.

To Chloe and Bella I exclaimed, “Cedar Waxwings!” I grabbed the camera, tripped over the dogs, and nearly fell through the storm door to get one shot. There were five and I didn’t even have time to zoom.

I think I’ll start carrying my camera with me again… I needed that!

Tonight, I’ll pray to be blessed with an uplifting weekend. Without a computer before bedtime for the next few days, I’ll immerse myself in Anne Lamott’s “Traveling Mercies”. It’s a gift from a friend.