Looking out my window...

TO LOOK OR SHOOT, OH WHAT SHOULD I DO?

 
Pilfered Photo of male Red-winged Blackbird

Today I just happened to glance at the feeder (oh, only every five minutes!)  and what did I see? My wonderful cardinals? No, not yet. A male Red-winged Blackbird! That's a first for my patio.

Oh, yes, I've seen them before, elsewhere, but not here. Don't forget, I live in a condo on what was farmland just 11 years ago. No trees. Now, after 10 years our trees have grown sufficiently to attract, well, to attract those critters that like trees. Exception: the squirrels have yet to discover our little development. They'd have to cross a VERY busy street to get here. Be safe, stay where you are.

At first I wasn't sure what he was. The coloring on his wings was covered up except for a tiny stripe of mostly yellow, at least until he flew away. I looked him up in my Peterson Field Guide just to make sure I was correctly identifying him (yep, I was) and learned that they cover up the colors with an umbrella of black feathers. Unless, of course, it is spring, the mating season. Typical male dating behavior: show off your assets until you get the gal and never exposed them again. To her.

And, why the pilfered photo you ask? 'Cuz by the time I finished identifying him and turn my camera on to shoot, he was gone. A frequent occurrence when trying to take pix.

 

WebDonuts Cartoon Contest I have been reading these cartoon for a few years now. Some of them I don't "get." But, generally I find them to be humorous and a good way to start the day (along with Dilbert, Savage Chickens, Basic Instructions and Calamities of Nature).

Recently I started to submit my own captions for his "Cartoon Captions Contest." Oh maybe three or four times. Not winning but having fun. The current contest cartoon is:

I had some ideas floating around in my brain. Of course, "twins" was a major concept. And "double dip ice cream cone." After a few days I saw what others were entering and connections were being made to the movie "The Shining." Finally I had it! And this is what I submitted (No, I hardly ever give up. Even if I've said "I give up." Or, look like "I gave up." Chances are, somewhere deep in my brain, I haven't given up.):

July 12, 2010 at 11:38 am

“Double our pleasure, double our fun… another conjoined cone, please!”

For me, that was it. And then... I got this email from the comic's author:

Ha!  Good one, and way better than anything I could come up with

myself.   Thanks for playing!

Gruhn

And to which I replied:

Thank you! I'm walking on air with giddiness. Even if I don't win, I've won already!
Sharon

I'll let you know what happens. Even if I don't win.

They're BAAAAAAACK!

The above photos were taken July 1, 2010 by Sharon

 

Oh, I'm so relieved. I really thought the cardinals had abandoned us. That's my nature. The cardinal's nature is to find a home and stay there. I really don't think they live on our green patch, but rather a few doors away. A neighbor must have put out some competing feed. That's okay. Actually it's good. At any rate, along with the return of the cardinals, we now have a bunch of house finches and their babies at our feeders.

 

Something else happened this week that I thought was funny. We have a new neighbor, a gentleman, who lives right next door to us. He caught the Chief outside and said something to the effect of "Your air conditioner runs all the time. It's right outside my bedroom window. I can hear it."

The Chief said something like "Well, that's how my wife likes it."

Good ploy. As one man to another, if it's what the wife wants the men can't do anything about it. No anger or bad feelings between the men folk, ya know, 'cuz that's the way wives are!

I was dismayed. Well, not really. When we were deciding which unit to buy we could select just about any of them. We changed locations and models several times. One of the deciding factors was the two air conditioners were both placed by the one bedroom window. We thought better of that and chose the one without the noisy things.

Any way, I gave the Chief some other answers he could give:

1. My wife has allergies so the air has to be on.

2. We unfortunately have full expose to the West which means the bedrooms get really hot in the summer and don't cool off. You, dear neighbor are lucky to be facing the East, so by nightfall you can get the cool air in.

3. With our windows open, our wonderful, cute puppy barks all night at the traffic going by.

4. Because we have a loft upstairs, the air conditioning doesn't cool off the downstairs as well. Your place is smaller than ours, we have to run ours longer.

5. And finally, we've lived here for over 10 years and never had a complaint before! You're lucky you have such good hearing.

All of the above are true-ish.

Of course we only had one neighbor during those 10 years. She was a nice, older lady who hardly ever left her house. She would pick up her mail via her car. Prior to her moving in her son installed surround sound in all of her rooms. She was a music lover.

The Grass Is Greener...

Our Green Grass with Geraniums by Sharon

Bunny in The Grass by The Chief

I love green grass, and I mean the kind that is our lawn. This year the grass is greener. For about the last month we've had rain almost every day and some of it was coming down in buckets.

Yep, some of it came down in very heavy, like weather alert heavy, thunderstorms. While the automatic sprinklers were sprinkling.

The sprinkling system here in our little development has been a thorn in the Chief's and my sides. It was bad from the very beginning, having been installed incorrectly. Then it started to break down more and more. The condo association has spent thousands and thousands of dollars trying to keep it going. Well it's going alright... it's going while it's raining.

A few years ago there was a little drought here. Even with the sprinkler the grass got a little yellow. Big deal.

I guess that some people don't realize that grass can turn into a golden hue (like in California) when there is no water. But, it isn't dead and will revive after some rain.

What a waste to keep our lawns looking like golf courses. It's one of those things I usually keep in my peripheral sight line so I don't have to dwell on it.

    
 

What's the Morton Salt old slogan..."When It Rains It Pours?" 

 
Well, that's good for salt, but not for sprinklers.

 

I want a green lawn, truly I do.

But green in the environmental sense... not the color of money.

More Mourning Updates and Trees' Company

Picture by The Chief

The Chief took this picture of the "third" Mourning Dove. I have now seen them all together on the ground feeding. And, this little, scraggly critter is the baby. Much more exciting than the "menage" theory.

Linden Tree Spring 2010
 

I took the above photo yesterday, as well as the one below, through my windows.

 

Prairie Fire Crab Apple Tree Spring 2010

I am a tree hugger, by nature. When we moved here, now ten years ago, there were no trees. Our subdivision was built on farm land. All the corn and soy beans are gone from this site now.

The first fall the only critters here were those original to the farmland. Field mice especially. Their home had been turmoiled into nothing similar to their known habitat. Yep, that first fall activity was trying to "live catch" the pesky things and return them to a "better" place. 

Then there was a mole (we think) that somehow got into our garage. Now, that was funny. Heard a noise coming from the other side of the bedroom wall. Woke up the Chief. "Go back to sleep. I don't hear anything." (A phrase I have heard more than once.)

More noise. "Wake up! There's something in our garage!"

Reluctantly, with broom in hand, the Chief entered the garage. I of course stayed in bed. I'm like our dog Copper, I can tell you when something is wrong, but I'll be about 10 feet behind you when checking it out.

We still have the broom, the handle has "its" teeth marks on it to prove our adventure.

Okay, so ten years ago there were no trees, no birds, no squirrels, no rabbits. Not even grass, as the development was still under construction. We had previously lived near a forest preserve and loved watching nature visit our backyard...even deer.

Well, sod was put down and various trees were eventually planted. You know the kind, the small whippets of potential. Slowly as the trees have grown, our nature friends have joined us. And, as the trees, my delight grows in seeing new birds each passing season.

And, I have also come to love our trees, having watched the potential bloom and grow. Our Linden tree fascinates me. Its green leaves pull me in, and there its trunk, almost black, with it branching out into space, a safe haven for the birds.

And, of course, the Prairie Fire Crab Apple tree. It grows slowly, and the blossoms last a fleeting moment during the season.

But, oh what beauty... how precious it is.

 

No UFOs, Yet

Our Prairie Crabapple Tree Budding in Spring

I live in a condo.

 We moved in 10 years ago when the subdivision wasn't even complete. The Chief wanted something on one floor. He found this place by accident (on one of his "drives") and told me about it. At the time I hadn't even thought about moving… farthest thing from my mind. But I went with him to look at models. Really nice. The community atmosphere was great. Club House, pool, across from a park. Next to an interstate for easy travel for commuting to train. The layouts were nice, everything was handicap accessible, though for us not needed. We closed in February 1999.

Many people assumed it was "senior citizen" resident living. But it wasn't. There are a lot of seniors here, but also other age groups.

With spring here, people have slowly started testing the outdoors. Much like testing the pool water when first, tentatively going in...first the big toe, then the foot, and bits by bits. So, the other day looking out my window, here is what I saw…all at the same time: Walkers, motorized scooters, canes, & cars. All of which kind of go with the "senior" image.

But, along with those, I saw: baby strollers, bicycles, skateboards, ATVs and joggers.

I can hear my scooter, Rosebud, calling out to me!

Where's The Bathroom?

Usually when I approach my blog I have an idea of where I want to start and where I want to end.

Today, well, today is off the cuff, so to speak.

For about a year now, I've mostly stayed inside whenever possible. This is due to more than one reason. I must admit I do like looking out my windows while being at my computer...hence the name of my blog.

As you may remember, it was about a year ago that I had my "big fall" which resulted in 20 stitches in my scalp, 7 on my wrist, a concussion and 2 fractured ribs. That took many months of recovery.

Then, it seems, the trauma of that injury resulted in developing Fibromyalgia. The medicine I took for that melted my brain.

So, right now I'm taking a RX break for the "Fibro" until I can do without my brain again. So far it's a question of "Brain" or "Pain."

The Chief is having his own medical problems. To which he is being very brave for me.

My mother use to live in Arizona at a place called Arcosanti. The space she lived in was very small: small kitchen, bathroom, and a combo living/sleeping area. But nothing compared to the video below! I think this Hong Kong apartment is about the size of our office. So, when you're really ready to downsize watch the video at the link below!

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/videos/worlds-greenest-homes-hong-kong-space-saver.html

As the Chief is all too aware, one of my first questions about a "new" place is: Where's the bathroom?" As it is with the above Hong Kong Room. Bob didn't know the answer. So, here's what I found:

Hong Kong combination shower and bathroom

This looks pretty much like the "private" bathrooms on Amtrak. Except Amtrak's sink is outside of the toilet/shower. I would suspect that the Hong Kong bath doesn't normally shake you from one wall to the other. That's a plus.

My Red Scooter "Rosebud"

I love my little red "scooter." It's true I haven't used it much...just to the park with The Chief and dog. But I know it's there,waiting.

I bet as baby boomer's age you will see many of them having a grand time just toodling about on one. So cute it's easy to forget that we need them to get any where. Mine, as many do, comes with a choice of 3 colors: silver, blue and a razzlematazzel* red. I can color coordinate my clothes and baseball caps accordingly. Heaven.

I saw one of my doctors today. With his back to me while writing in my chart: "How is your pain? Any better with the new medicine?" After I did some thinking: "I don't know." Turning to face me: "What do you mean you don't know? Your have to know!"

"Hmmm." I searched and searched for an answer. OMG! I should know the answer to this, clearly I should. After me mumbling something, he said: "See you do know!" Harrumph...I hate pop quizzes!!!

 

*Spell check did not have any suggestions for correct spelling, but you get my drift.

How The Wind Blows

I've been looking out my window today. The wind blows in puffs. The golden leaves on our corner tree shiver. Then fall.

Since I''m on the computer I don't see everything the tree is doing. But sometimes in a glance I see a leaf or two floating. Yes, in this case "floating" is the word.

Rear Window

 

Remember that movie? No? Then you are a whippersnapper! Ha!

I previously told you about watching my friends and neighbors out my windows and making up stories...some of which might be true.

Well, today was very exciting. Two people, a couple, (A) one outside and (B) one in a car. From the body language I would say that A was agitated. Walking away from car and into house. After a second or so, B got out of car and walked away (my assumption is "pretending to walk home".) The car is in front of the garage. Back comes A. Back comes B. A opens garage door and starts to back out. B watches.

Now my brain starts a story...A's gonna back up and smash the parked car. B's gonna punch A. I call 911. Police come. I've saved the day.

In reality no one smashed a car or threw a punch. Police were not called. No bodies were buried. No bloody hatches discovered. But, next time, next time...yeah, next time just might find me dialing 911.

DREARY GRAY DAY

  
Today is certainly titled correctly above. Depressing almost as it reminds me of the worst days of winter. There hasn't been any noticeable wind either. And it is alway windy here. Creepy.

So, inside I stay, safe and warm, looking out my window. Some people have put out their autumn decorations - pumpkins and straw. I enjoy looking at it, but not enough to drape our condo in the season flare.

The birds have mostly stayed in their nests in their trees. If I were able to see them I bet they'd be all fluffed out like a baby chick keeping safe and warm. I think I was always fluffed out until about 4 years old, or however old I was before I was scooped up and taken to a hospital. I was with polio. That was back in the day when the Public Health Department would put up big "QUARANTINED" sign on apartment doors requiring that sort of posted notice. My health has been pretty much down hill since.

When I was little and we still lived with my father's mom and dad, I loved halloween. Didn't trick or treat much, but we stayed busy in the kitchen putting together homemade treats to hand out. We did carmel apples with nuts, cinnamon red clear hard sugar apples, and of course pop corn balls. We had lots of kids come by, but there were always left overs for me...I'm thinking now, not by chance.