I'd rather say "see ya later".

There is something about saying Good-bye that’s way too final. Parting, either temporarily or for forever, weighs heavily on my heart and emotions. It’s easier for me to say “see ya later” with a weak smile than to have my eyes brim with tears and my throat tighten so hard I need to choke out a “good-bye”.

The only neighbors we know well moved away a few days ago. That’s Maureen in the photo after giving the movers directions to their new house. We moved next door to them two years ago and became friends to Maureen, Dan, and their four terrific children. A few weeks at a time would pass without seeing them but when we did see each other again we easily picked up where we left off. Their kids are grown now so it’s time for them to downsize.

Chloe and Bella watched the noisy truck pull away while I stood on the front porch with them, feeling sad and a bit lonely already. I look at that empty house and sigh.

They moved thirty minutes northwest of us so we’ll see them soon. When Maureen came by on Saturday night to pick up her frozen foods from our freezer, we hugged and laughed. It was slightly bittersweet and in unison we said, “See ya later!” Yeah. No good-byes.

Unlike me, Maureen has a green thumb so she planted this for me on the day she left and I promised to try to keep it alive.

Each time I have moved on to another job, another house, or another state, I dreaded leaving friends and family. When my only child was far away at college, those tearful “see ya laters” at the airport security gate or at the edge of the driveway as she drove away scarred my heart. When it was time for her to pack up to leave for school after being with us on break, the agony would start - the same agony I felt when I would get ready to leave her at college to head back home. On a few occasions she agonized also, already missing me before I left – those were the worst farewells and warranted a good cry until I hit I-95. It’s damned hard and no one understands until you experience it.

This is one of my first hummingbird photos, taken in April. I was so excited with it! Where did the time go? The last two started their journey yesterday. They left quietly without notice, the same way I left a job once – out the back door because I couldn’t bear another round of farewell wishes. I didn’t mean to be rude…

Godspeed to you, lovely. Please don’t forget me?

Now that I’ve made it clear that I’m a sensitive, sappy soul tonight and my hormones need adjusting, I’ll try to kick it up a notch!

I was too curious about the female crouched low, ruffling her feathers, and loudly begging or demanding a morsel of food. I think he was annoyed with the woman.

Afraid of scaring them away, I kept my distance while he fed her repeatedly. It would have been great to be close enough to get good photos of this little affair but I don’t know if it was love or harassment.

There are too many LBJs out there now. Cowbirds were here during the winter months and I haven’t seen one since. Could be a Cowbird. Oh, well.

Juveniles haven’t learned much about self preservation yet. I was too close to this one.

This will be an exciting fall and winter, I think. My feeders were new last winter and the number of birds who visit since then has steadily grown into constant flurries of activity.

The Carolina Chickadees are still frustrating and taunting… I call them "DCs" because they drive me plain freaking nuts. There are so many now! The cooler temps might be making the difference as I’m seeing more woodpeckers and nuthatches and less PIGEONS.

Ever present. The Coop thinks he’s hidden. Not!

Note: If you have not heard from me lately, it’s because I’m drowning at work but it won’t last long. I come home in the evenings with dragging feet. Bear with me?