Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Great Peepers. Ahhhh, those eyes!

A thorough eye exam was on my agenda today. I met an Italian doctor from Long Island who thought I was originally from south Philly. Well, that’s news to me. He said there’s something about the sound of my A’s. What does a south Philly accent sound like, I wonder? I’ve never been told I have a home town Baltimore accent but I’ve been told I sound like a Texan before. Gee, I’m all screwed up, especially when I add my acquired North Carolinian “ya’ll”, “all ya’ll”, and “Thank e-ewe” to the mix of Texan and south Philly accents. Perhaps I should just keep my mouth shut. Impossible!

Other than my increasing need for bifocal lenses, I have good peepers and I’m glad. Good eyesight is precious to me because if I were to never see this again,



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oh, I can’t bear the thought. Isn't this the cutest little bird you’ve ever seen?


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Hello, honey. Don’t let me interrupt your meal.
Can anyone look at this tiny, strong avian creature without smiling?


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I'd miss this sight and the life inside, and,



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my 4:15 p.m. daily appointment with a lone Carolina Wren.



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I see you; therefore, I am leaving!



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The death of this willow is adorned with a sparkling green gemstone. How beautiful.



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If I couldn’t see my dogs' faces, I’d hold them so close to mine and



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I would sniff the back of their necks.


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Do you think a physician would tell me to lower my desk chair two inches at home and at the office to relieve my injury? No, they would prescribe megadoses of anti-inflammatory drugs instead. I figured it out myself and my lower back is much better today. There’s no need for me to walk around with an imaginary loaded diaper between my legs. What a relief. Now I can sit pain-free and read blogs!

36 comments:

cat59 said...

What a cute hummingbird! It looks like it has such personality. Enjoyed the other photos, as well, especially of your Boxers!

JeanMac said...

The imaginary loaded diaper cracked me up - I can feel it now. Plus, it brought back lots of memories of loaded diapers. Thanks for the laugh, as usual.

possumlady said...

Yes the things we take for granted like our eyesight. Cute little hummers--I've actually caught a fleeting glimpse of one, two days in a row near my, you guessed it, Rose of Sharon!

Hey Cat59--Boxers or briefs...or Bostons?! ;-)

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

That is my fave hummer pix ever!!!
It's so cute, my teeth hurt.
The diaper visual almost made me spew coffee on my laptop!

Glad your back's better Dr. May!

NatureWoman said...

Those are the *sweetest* hummingbird photos, Mary! I love the little face, awww, soooo cute! (I need to get my eyeballs checked, too).
OMG - imaginary loaded diaper - Mary - LOL!!!! Too bad docs don't tell you how to help yourself except with drugs - but I'm glad you got it figured out!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Yes, a picture that immediately elicits a smile--do we all do that? Or just bird-lovers?
And I share your increasing need for reading glasses--wouldn't it be great to have binoculars instead of bifocals??

Carol Michel said...

Embrace the bifocals. It eliminates the issue of not having long enough arms! In addition to seeing all the birdies, I love seeing the flowers and butterflies this time of year.

thailandchani said...

I can't imagine how you get close enough to those birds to get a picture!

After having eye surgery in April, I know exactly what you mean! What a pleasure it is to see things clearly!


Peace,

~Chani
http://thailandgal.blogspot.com

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

mary, thank you for your kind comments. your site warms my heart, and i feel so happy looking at the wonderful pictures of your lovely birds. xo nita

RuthieJ said...

You're so right, Mary, the gift of sight is very special indeed and not to be taken for granted. I love that little hummer with just one bright red gorget feather on his throat. An amazing picture....

I'm so glad your back is better and you fixed it all by yourself!

KGMom said...

Mary--your comments on sight reminded me of a story about my grandfather (who was blind in old age) and his brother (who was mostly deaf). They were discussing which was better to not have. My great uncle said--he'd much rather lose his hearing than his sight; my grandfather said--he'd rather lose his sight than his hearing.

I loved that--each had accepted what they had lost, and cherished what they had!

Susan Gets Native said...

Well, my day is complete.
I have a mental image of Mary walking around in a loaded diaper.
'Nite.

Mary said...

Oh glad your back is better I now have an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon about my shoulder in less than 2 weeks Thats very quick service in UK

Anonymous said...

Those good peepers are taking some awesome shots! I just love the hummingbird shot looking over the feeder! Aww

dguzman said...

Wow, he (she?)only has that one tiny spot of ruby on the neck--how beautiful!

Glad your back's better and you can go (ahem) dump your diaper....

I wish my peepers were good, but they're getting worse; still, I'll wear Coke-bottle-bottom lenses if I have to; I gotta see my birds!

Anonymous said...

As always you have such an eye for photography, I just LOVED the Bella picture. Her personality was written all over her face! The hummingbird pics were great also. I have one visiting me and he loves nothing better than to hover in front of my big window trying to get into the house to my inside flowering plants. I worry about him hitting the glass but so far he just hovers there in mid air admiring the view.

kate said...

I'm glad you figured out how to make yourself feel more comfortable. Those darn bifocals ... I have so many pairs that I've kind of lost track of them. They are all fun to wear though because they are all wacky colours.

Your hummingbird, Carolina wren and green gemstone pics were gorgeous as always!

And your pond is teeming with life ... as is your couch with sweet puppy Bella.

Annie in Austin said...

Good medical sleuthing, Doctor Mary - paying attention paid off in less pain.

As to the good peepers - I'm so glad you use them to see and share the world with we who were handed a pair of spectacles in second grade.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

entoto said...

Pain-free, YIPPY!

And what a cutie, peeringg over the feeder. I sure wish I had hummers....

Cathy said...

Oh, Sweetie - as long as you're holding them close and sniffing the backs of their necks . . . . sniff 'em between the eyes for me :0)

I'm so glad you're getting relief from the pain. And you figured it out on your own. Oh, boy.

And, yes - that is the cutest bird - ever :0)

Anonymous said...

Those are good hummer shots, in fact all your bird shots are wonderful. Your camera works great.

Glad you got a good peeper report. I have bifocals, but use another pair for the computer. I am always fiddling with glasses.

Now, I have to go back and read about your back problem. I was trying to connect that last section to the eye exam!

smilnsigh said...

Guess I'm not the only one, who missed your back problem. Well, regardless of that, I certainly rejoice with you, for being back pain free.

Mine's still not totally gone but.... if only I'd be more wise and like now... getoffthecomputer!!!! duhh me. I'm getttttin'!

Mari-Nanci

Unknown said...

oh wow I tried this morning twice to see your blog and could not get all the photos to come up.
Finally ... anyways love those hummingbird photos. and the Wren.
glad to hear you are feeling better.
posture and seating height does make a difference.

Naturegirl said...

Mary Mary you crack me up!!
These images of the hummers are just the most amazing!! You must have the best telescopic lens!!!
Oh...those sweet doggies...Sunshine that's what they are!! hugs and smiles NG

LostRoses said...

Looks like that hummer is enjoying looking at you as much as you enjoy him, Mary. I'm off to the eye doctor tomorrow. I've decided I'm officially sick of swapping back and forth between two strengths of "readers" at work.

Maybe if I get bifocals I can take pictures as good as yours? Doubtful!

Larry said...

Nice Hummingbird Pics!-I guess all of us with the gift of sight should be thankful.

Anonymous said...

Mary, your bird images never fail to delight. They have such wonderful character and whimsy.

Chrissie said...

LOL, great post, Mary :-) Love all your pics, the last is brilliant, I really enjoy pics with shadows.

JeanMac said...

The first 2 pics make me thin the hummer is on look out for Mary and her camera - it's too cute.

Dirty Fingernails said...

I think you have a camera hog hummingbird on your hands.. He is beautiful..

sonia a. mascaro said...

I'm so glad your back is better, Mary!

I enjoyed all photos and it's amazing that you can photograph so close of the birds! I think they love you!

Have a nice weekend!

cat59 said...

Oops. . .sorry; Bostons!

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I am happy to be home and back reading what is happening at your house. I missed you!
Your Hummingbird party has been a delight all summer. Keeping your eyes in great condition is very important to me! I like seeing your world through your eyes! When your Hummers are peeking at you they also are peeking at me. "Hello, dear MAry's Hummingbird folk." Carolina Wren is one of my favorite birds! Big song for such a tiny bird.
Self care seems to be the best care of all! I also go for massage! In yoga they say "you are as young as your back". Glad you found the answer to the back pain.
I also was pleased to read you had some rain while I was gone.
Happy September.
Happy to be home.
Happy to be reading and looking at your world.
Hugs,
Sherry

dmmgmfm said...

Mary, your photos are wonderful. Thank you for making me smile.

Hugs,
Laurie

Jayne said...

Glad your back is better Mary. Love the hummer pic. I've always thought being blind would be the very worst disability to have. It invokes so much fear in me. Glad your peepers are in good shape. HUGS!

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