My little sister and BIL successfully made it here from TX. They've put in an offer on a house about six houses away from me on the same street. We'll see if the offer gets accepted. They've both been fairly isolated in TX, and I think they're very happy to be near family again.
Don't feel like doing anything today, but I must. Guess I'll pull up my big girl pants and get on with it.
listener, I was going to sign up at Pepsi. Do they *actually* NEED your birthday? That seems *really* excessively overboard. Is there ANY other way to vote?
I tried to vote too, but don't think I was successful. I don't like signing up for stuff I didn't choose.
Finally saw a hummingbird at the feeder today. The smallest one I have ever seen, so cute! I got a new feeder after the storm broke the other one. I make my own nectar since birders aren't sure the red food dye isn't harmful to the hummers over the long term. The only thing is, in really hot weather you have to keep changing to fresh nectar frequently to make sure nothing bad or moldy grows in it. Still, definitely worth the effort.
Had a funny visitor to the feeder today. A crow. He kinda dropped out of the rafters, and sidled (literally, lol!) over to the feeder. He ate some, but was very watchful and finally flew off and hasn't returned. Almost as if he just had to see what was attracting the other birds, grin.
Discussed the puppy idea with Rick today. He thinks no, but left it up to me. I'm thinking maybe I should "force" her into thinking about giving him away a bit more: she's clearly madly in love with him. This has been a very tough year for her: her dad died, his house burned down, she got diagnosed with cancer, and their greenhouse was destroyed by a tornado. Last thing, they ordered a hundred baby chicks, and 70 of them have died. And then the new puppy got into a fist fight with her giant hound. As much as I could love this guy, I *really* don't want her regretting it in two weeks or a month when things are a bit calmer. . . .
Yes, it's easy. All you need to do is click on "Vote" then it will give you the choice of registering or using your Facebook account. I just click on my Facebook account and my vote gets registered and nothing happens over at my Facebook page. So that's a relief.
I understand, Susan. I dislike signing up too. So I didn't, but I had the option of using my Facebook account as the way into it. I hope that doesn't mean Pepsi will start annoying me. Ha!
You are spot on about the nectar. I use 1/4 cup of "superfine sugar" and mix it into a half cup of near-boiling water. Once the sugar is fully dissolved, I add cool spring water, enough to fill it the rest of the way to make a full cup of nectar. That way it's not hot anymore when I pour it into the newly cleaned feeder.
Here's the feeder I use:http://www.drollyankees.com/hproducts/hummingbird-feeders/hummingbird-feeder-lf-4.html?Itemid=3 It's super easy to clean and has a built in ant moat.
Later in the year, once the babies are done nesting, I add a little more water, because at that point in the season too much sweetness can give the birds a tummy ache ~ according to my wildlife biologist son. :-)
Last night we had a really fun birthday party for our eldest and everyone had a genuinely good time.
Today was a hard sort of day with a number of very small concerns arising (some relating to how the wedding plans are shaping up), and little snags and glitches in the day. Nothing to write blog about.
This evening I am quilting some more. But I feel like I'm getting a sinus infection. Heh.
I have had good energy, though, and that's saying a lot, given that in the last two weeks I worked as many hours as if I'd worked three weeks! That explains a few things! Ha!
Got a little more gardening done...prepped the soil and tomorrow I'll sow Allysum and Sunflower seeds. (Not in the same place. LOL!)
On the way home this afternoon what should I see in a marshy field but a flock (maybe 40 to 60) of what had to be ibises! I circled back and had another, closer look. They seemed completely dark in color, not quite black. Looking on the Internet just now it says that in this part of the country they should be white-faced ibises, which have light-colored bills and somewhat variable plumage. These sure looked all dark, though.
I make it according to info I got online. That is, 1/4 c. of sugar in one cup of water, boil for 1 minute and then cool completely before using. Seems to work okay, at least hummers keep coming back. Wouldn't want to make the little things get sick.
Not too long ago I saw a seagull in a local parking lot. I was amazed! In NY they were a common sight, but that's the first one I've seen in SW Ohio ever. And this was before any bad storms could have just blown it in. I think we're way too far from the big lakes to account for it. Still can't imagine where it came from.
Well, if sea gulls could get to Salt Lake City ...
They're reasonably common in the Chicago area. Probably yours normally lives around Lake Erie but decided to do a bit of exploring. Just to see what's out there in the way of food, you know.
I only make it my quirky way because Wildlife*Biologist*Son told me that the purpose of boiling it for a minute is to ensure the sugar crystals completely dissolve, since if they don't they can lead to tummy upsets for the wee birds. It also boils off any impurities such as chlorine. But since I am using superfine sugar and very hot water from an instant hot water tap, that does the same thing, and the rest that I use is spring water which doesn't have the issue. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.
I would think that getting caught in a tornado would be deadly, even for a bird. I know the Ohio river is about and hour and a half south, but I doubt it came from there.
No, the light was diffused by gray clouds, and pretty much behind me as I looked at them. I was probably forty or fifty feet from the nearest ones.
And by the way, the clouds followed me home and got thicker and thicker, then came rain, thunder (mild) and lightning (mild). In June? In central California? And this is a winter-type storm, not a big tropical storm that just makes it here in the summer.
So. Howard's first!!
ReplyDeleteLooking to be pretty nice. Warm and a bit muggy. I think I can live with it.
My little sister and BIL successfully made it here from TX. They've put in an offer on a house about six houses away from me on the same street. We'll see if the offer gets accepted. They've both been fairly isolated in TX, and I think they're very happy to be near family again.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel like doing anything today, but I must. Guess I'll pull up my big girl pants and get on with it.
Nice to have family around. Glad that's happening!
ReplyDeleteMe? Was just thinking about putting on ma pants. Guess I'll join ya, lol!
listener, I was going to sign up at Pepsi. Do they *actually* NEED your birthday? That seems *really* excessively overboard. Is there ANY other way to vote?
ReplyDeleteI tried to vote too, but don't think I was successful. I don't like signing up for stuff I didn't choose.
ReplyDeleteFinally saw a hummingbird at the feeder today. The smallest one I have ever seen, so cute! I got a new feeder after the storm broke the other one. I make my own nectar since birders aren't sure the red food dye isn't harmful to the hummers over the long term. The only thing is, in really hot weather you have to keep changing to fresh nectar frequently to make sure nothing bad or moldy grows in it. Still, definitely worth the effort.
Hi guys!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cat! And Susan.
ReplyDeleteHad a funny visitor to the feeder today. A crow. He kinda dropped out of the rafters, and sidled (literally, lol!) over to the feeder. He ate some, but was very watchful and finally flew off and hasn't returned. Almost as if he just had to see what was attracting the other birds, grin.
Discussed the puppy idea with Rick today. He thinks no, but left it up to me. I'm thinking maybe I should "force" her into thinking about giving him away a bit more: she's clearly madly in love with him. This has been a very tough year for her: her dad died, his house burned down, she got diagnosed with cancer, and their greenhouse was destroyed by a tornado. Last thing, they ordered a hundred baby chicks, and 70 of them have died. And then the new puppy got into a fist fight with her giant hound. As much as I could love this guy, I *really* don't want her regretting it in two weeks or a month when things are a bit calmer. . . .
Yes, it's easy. All you need to do is click on "Vote" then it will give you the choice of registering or using your Facebook account. I just click on my Facebook account and my vote gets registered and nothing happens over at my Facebook page. So that's a relief.
ReplyDeleteAnd THANK-YOU!! They've moved up 11 places in just a few days. I hope that keeps happening.
ReplyDeleteI understand, Susan. I dislike signing up too. So I didn't, but I had the option of using my Facebook account as the way into it. I hope that doesn't mean Pepsi will start annoying me. Ha!
ReplyDeleteHi Cat!
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on about the nectar. I use 1/4 cup of "superfine sugar" and mix it into a half cup of near-boiling water. Once the sugar is fully dissolved, I add cool spring water, enough to fill it the rest of the way to make a full cup of nectar. That way it's not hot anymore when I pour it into the newly cleaned feeder.
ReplyDeleteHere's the feeder I use:http://www.drollyankees.com/hproducts/hummingbird-feeders/hummingbird-feeder-lf-4.html?Itemid=3
It's super easy to clean and has a built in ant moat.
Later in the year, once the babies are done nesting, I add a little more water, because at that point in the season too much sweetness can give the birds a tummy ache ~ according to my wildlife biologist son. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour thoughtfulness and wise heart make my day so often. This is one of those times. Keep us posted. ♥
ReplyDeleteLast night we had a really fun birthday party for our eldest and everyone had a genuinely good time.
ReplyDeleteToday was a hard sort of day with a number of very small concerns arising (some relating to how the wedding plans are shaping up), and little snags and glitches in the day. Nothing to write blog about.
This evening I am quilting some more. But I feel like I'm getting a sinus infection. Heh.
I have had good energy, though, and that's saying a lot, given that in the last two weeks I worked as many hours as if I'd worked three weeks! That explains a few things! Ha!
Got a little more gardening done...prepped the soil and tomorrow I'll sow Allysum and Sunflower seeds. (Not in the same place. LOL!)
On the way home this afternoon what should I see in a marshy field but a flock (maybe 40 to 60) of what had to be ibises! I circled back and had another, closer look. They seemed completely dark in color, not quite black. Looking on the Internet just now it says that in this part of the country they should be white-faced ibises, which have light-colored bills and somewhat variable plumage. These sure looked all dark, though.
ReplyDeleteI make it according to info I got online. That is, 1/4 c. of sugar in one cup of water, boil for 1 minute and then cool completely before using. Seems to work okay, at least hummers keep coming back. Wouldn't want to make the little things get sick.
ReplyDeleteNot too long ago I saw a seagull in a local parking lot. I was amazed! In NY they were a common sight, but that's the first one I've seen in SW Ohio ever. And this was before any bad storms could have just blown it in. I think we're way too far from the big lakes to account for it. Still can't imagine where it came from.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Facebook account, so I guess I'm shut out of this one.
ReplyDeleteDo you have locusts?
ReplyDeleteWell, if sea gulls could get to Salt Lake City ...
ReplyDeleteThey're reasonably common in the Chicago area. Probably yours normally lives around Lake Erie but decided to do a bit of exploring. Just to see what's out there in the way of food, you know.
That is always a good method.
ReplyDeleteI only make it my quirky way because Wildlife*Biologist*Son told me that the purpose of boiling it for a minute is to ensure the sugar crystals completely dissolve, since if they don't they can lead to tummy upsets for the wee birds. It also boils off any impurities such as chlorine. But since I am using superfine sugar and very hot water from an instant hot water tap, that does the same thing, and the rest that I use is spring water which doesn't have the issue. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.
Moved along by a tornado?
ReplyDeleteSusan, could your gull have been moved along by a tornado?
ReplyDeleteAlan any chance they were silhouetted?
ReplyDeleteI would think that getting caught in a tornado would be deadly, even for a bird. I know the Ohio river is about and hour and a half south, but I doubt it came from there.
ReplyDeleteNo, the light was diffused by gray clouds, and pretty much behind me as I looked at them. I was probably forty or fifty feet from the nearest ones.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, the clouds followed me home and got thicker and thicker, then came rain, thunder (mild) and lightning (mild). In June? In central California? And this is a winter-type storm, not a big tropical storm that just makes it here in the summer.
Their bodies were maybe the size of a small chicken, several times the size of a pigeon. Nowhere near the size of a egret.
ReplyDelete