Nights have been dipping down below freezing, fall winds are blowing, leaves and needles are falling to the ground and old friends drop by for a quick visit to the feeders before continuing their trip south towards warmer winter temperatures and a few winter residents are returning to settle in for the winter. Yes, autumn is here.
A pair of Townsends Solitaires spent about a week on their way to the high desert junipers to the east. Apparently they are one of the few birds that can survive the winter eating juniper berries. The summer flock of Pine Siskin moved on and a week later another flock moved in for a few days. The Nuthatch have returned and I've seen a few woodpeckers scoping out possible winter digs.
Yesterday morning I watched the usual parade of subdivision walkers walk by the house. Several times a week they do their 3 mile walk through the roads of the subdivision. Last night, just before dusk, I drove 12 miles, walked down to a slew and watch Pelicans, Herons, Egrets and a Bald Eagle. On my way home I couldn't help but think "yeah, and what did you see on your walk this morning? A Toyota, a couple Ford pick ups and a UPS truck!" Ah, well, to each their own.
I go up to the slew off and on during migration because there are occasions when the slew is packed with birds. Two weeks ago there was a large flock of Pelicans. Last night there were only 3 stragglers left and they left before dark. There was a family of Osprey a couple week ago and while I heard them, I didn't see them last night. The Bald Eagle was a new addition, I suspect that he has moved in to spend the winter. I'll have to take one of the horses to our upper Deschutes ride as the Bald Eagles will be moving in there for the winter as well. Got a great photo last year.
Need to get the sweat shirts out, just a bit chilly in the morning.
01 October 2011
17 September 2011
Autumn Ride
I managed to get away yesterday afternoon for a short ride on my older Arabian gelding. He's not the smoothest ride, but I like to ride him anyway because he's got a good head. I never have to worry about him doing some thing stupid, he's just plain solid.
Taro is starting to show his age. At 20, he's the equivalent of 60 horse years. That makes him the same age as me. He was excited to get out yesterday. Moved out with his big walk, ears forward, checking out the surroundings. It was a nice ride.
I can rely on Taro to go places the others will argue with me about. Whether it's pushing through brush, downed trees, creeks, lakes, Taro will try. So we did a little exploring on Wright Butte. I was sure that there should be a road on the back side that would connect to another road I occasionally ride. We found it.
We took this photo of the South Sister along the way. It was a nice ride, though, I'm not wearing that pair of jeans again. Ouch!
Taro is starting to show his age. At 20, he's the equivalent of 60 horse years. That makes him the same age as me. He was excited to get out yesterday. Moved out with his big walk, ears forward, checking out the surroundings. It was a nice ride.
I can rely on Taro to go places the others will argue with me about. Whether it's pushing through brush, downed trees, creeks, lakes, Taro will try. So we did a little exploring on Wright Butte. I was sure that there should be a road on the back side that would connect to another road I occasionally ride. We found it.
12 September 2011
America, Land of The ...???
Ideas garnering the greatest applause from the audience at most recent R. "debates" -
Rick Perry executions - "Kill them, kill them all - innocent? - no such thing! - kill them, kill them all!!" Yeah, America the great, land of the free (as long as you're one of us, white, male, christian)
The uninsured - "Let them die, it's their fault! Lazy bastards should have know that all the jobs would go over seas and they'd be unemployed with no chance of getting a job that has insurance or pays enough to afford insurance. It's their fault, let the bastards die!!" Yeah, America the great, land of the free (as long as you're one of us - white, male, christian AND wealthy)
Ah, the "me" generation garnered the "me, me, me and only me" generation.
WOW, proud to American - NOT!!!
Rick Perry executions - "Kill them, kill them all - innocent? - no such thing! - kill them, kill them all!!" Yeah, America the great, land of the free (as long as you're one of us, white, male, christian)
The uninsured - "Let them die, it's their fault! Lazy bastards should have know that all the jobs would go over seas and they'd be unemployed with no chance of getting a job that has insurance or pays enough to afford insurance. It's their fault, let the bastards die!!" Yeah, America the great, land of the free (as long as you're one of us - white, male, christian AND wealthy)
Ah, the "me" generation garnered the "me, me, me and only me" generation.
WOW, proud to American - NOT!!!
02 September 2011
Whitefish to Oldenberg Lake
Nancy and I finally got up to Whitefish Horse Camp for a day of riding. It's a nice little campground, 19 spaces, at the south end of Crescent Lake. The day parking has been eliminated, so you have to take a camp spot, which means you have to check the reservation web site before heading up there in order to make sure you can get a spot. The host was great, didn't charge us even though we offered.
There are several trails out of camp leading into various wilderness areas. Some of the trails are drop dead beautiful and some, well, nice, but . . .
We have both talked to people that have ridden out of Whitefish but neither of us had, so we didn't know which were the "good" rides. Last year we rode a loop that included Fawn and Stag Lakes. It was a really pretty ride that we both said we would do again.
This time we did the Metolius Windigo trail out of White fish as far as Oldenberg Lake. The trail continues on to Windigo Pass where it runs into the PCT and ends. It is a ride we both said was way more work than it was worth. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty enough, just, well, not beautiful. Living in the Cascades you do in fact run across drop dead beautiful. Trails that run through old growth timber, lots of wildlife, beautiful lakes. This trail however went through what we call a "match stick" forest. Tall thin Jack Pines, some living and just as many dead and laying on the ground looking like some one tossed out a bunch of match sticks. We went past several small lakes and they were pretty enough, just that the match stick forest kind of detracted from them.
We had considered continuing on to Nip and Tuck lakes. I liked the names and thought it would be cool to say we had been there. By the time we got to Oldenberg though, we really didn't care much, you could see it was more of the same. So, we ate lunch at Oldenberg. We sat and talked for an hour. As we were getting up to go, Nancy said, "well, I suppose we should take a picture of the lake so we can prove we were here." LOL. We both did take pictures as you can see.
I rode Taro, my white Arabian gelding and ponied April, my little MFT/Arab mare. I had planned on riding April back. I spent all of my time the last two years working with her brother. She has hardly been touched in those two years. I took her recently to a trail course with lots of obstacles and horses. I hand walked her through and she did great and I though I needed to get her back out and working. She was a good girl, but clearly not ready for me to ride down the mountain. Nancy asked me as we were getting up to go if I was going to ride her and I asked her if I look like I was crazy. She just laughed. These 60 + year old bones just aren't fast and agile enough to deal with the kids any more. Really though, she did great, next year I'll have her going as soon as the snow melts. She is the last though, NO MORE BABIES!! Wish we had a covered arena here that we could use winters.
On the way down we took the horses into one of the little lakes to get a drink.
Well, Nancy and I said we would go back up to Whitefish next year and try another trail. Some riders told us the ride to Summit Lake was gorgeous. They also said it was a 9 hour ride. That would mean we would need to actually camp over night, so, we'll see.
There are several trails out of camp leading into various wilderness areas. Some of the trails are drop dead beautiful and some, well, nice, but . . .
We have both talked to people that have ridden out of Whitefish but neither of us had, so we didn't know which were the "good" rides. Last year we rode a loop that included Fawn and Stag Lakes. It was a really pretty ride that we both said we would do again.
This time we did the Metolius Windigo trail out of White fish as far as Oldenberg Lake. The trail continues on to Windigo Pass where it runs into the PCT and ends. It is a ride we both said was way more work than it was worth. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty enough, just, well, not beautiful. Living in the Cascades you do in fact run across drop dead beautiful. Trails that run through old growth timber, lots of wildlife, beautiful lakes. This trail however went through what we call a "match stick" forest. Tall thin Jack Pines, some living and just as many dead and laying on the ground looking like some one tossed out a bunch of match sticks. We went past several small lakes and they were pretty enough, just that the match stick forest kind of detracted from them.
I rode Taro, my white Arabian gelding and ponied April, my little MFT/Arab mare. I had planned on riding April back. I spent all of my time the last two years working with her brother. She has hardly been touched in those two years. I took her recently to a trail course with lots of obstacles and horses. I hand walked her through and she did great and I though I needed to get her back out and working. She was a good girl, but clearly not ready for me to ride down the mountain. Nancy asked me as we were getting up to go if I was going to ride her and I asked her if I look like I was crazy. She just laughed. These 60 + year old bones just aren't fast and agile enough to deal with the kids any more. Really though, she did great, next year I'll have her going as soon as the snow melts. She is the last though, NO MORE BABIES!! Wish we had a covered arena here that we could use winters.
Well, Nancy and I said we would go back up to Whitefish next year and try another trail. Some riders told us the ride to Summit Lake was gorgeous. They also said it was a 9 hour ride. That would mean we would need to actually camp over night, so, we'll see.
16 August 2011
Metolius-Windigo Trail South
Nancy and I attempted to follow the Metolius Windigo Trail from Ranger Butte near Davis Lake to Whitefish Horse Camp on Crescent Lake. Well, the first 2 1/2 miles to Odell Bridge were clear and easy to follow.
It didn't go quite as planned. The trail was blocked after Odell Bridge, so we had to cross the creek and take the Lava Odell Road to Hwy58 near Odell Lake. Notice that is Odell Lake and we were headed to Crescent Lake and Whitefish.
If you plan on trail riding the Cascades, you plan on surprises. The forest service no longer has the funds to maintain trails, so, with a couple years of downfall and the occasional fire, following old trails can be a challenge. They had built this brand new bridge over Odell Creek, so we thought they may have cleared the trail after it. I'm pretty sure that we were the first horses over that bridge. Yeah, well, they had started to clear, but didn't get far. Hopefully some bike or horse group will adopt and clear the trail soon. At least this section allows chain saws, so should be quicker than the wilderness sections that don't allow chain saws.
The trail maps show the trail going through the middle of a gravel pit. It doesn't, it passes just east of the pit. They are doing some logging where the trail passes over, so you have to look a bit to see where the trail continues, but it's not hard to find. You can sort of see it to the right of the dozer in the picture. Not that the dozer will be there forever, but the trail is fairly obvious with just a bit of searching.
After the gravel pit we went through a fairly scenic section until we got to the brand new bridge. After crossing the bridge, you have to watch for the trail on the left of the road. Easy to miss. If you do miss the turn, you come to a closed gate. There are several roads near the gate that lead to and around McCool Butte. We backtracked from the gate and found the proper trail, but they had only cleared around 1/4 mile of it. Nancy and I tried to push through, but putting the horses legs at risk going over the downfall just wasn't an option. It didn't help that a tree jumped out and whacked Nancy a good one in the face either. Broke her glasses and scraped her face up a bit, but she's a trooper and we just backtracked, crossed back over the bridge and caught the Lava Odell Road. We figured that was the most direct and safest route. We discussed attempting to go around McCool Butte, but that was a maze and decided not a good idea even though it would have kept us on the correct side of Odell Creek.
After re-crossing the bridge and getting on Lava Odell Rd., we went through one of the prettiest old growth forests. Maybe a couple miles worth of gorgeous old pine and fir trees, a multi generational forest. It was SO pretty and smelled like heaven. Made the detour worth while. The road is passable for vehicles but we didn't come across any, we had the whole road to ourselves. It really was a nice ride, side by side, pushing our horses up into a nice little foxtrot from time to time.
But low and behold, we eventually got to Hwy 58 and the banks of Odell Creek again. We maybe could have crossed the creek there, but, we both felt it was only marginally safe and not worth the risk. So, the map suggested that we might be able to cross 58 and find a road on the south side. Yeah, no, didn't work.
Thank goodness Linda was doing the shuttle for us. She found a nice spot on Crescent Lake and practiced her casting while we rode. It sound as though she and Mischief had a quiet pleasant day along the lake. So, stuck up the road near Odell Lake, we called her and she picked us up.
We didn't make it to Whitefish, but we had a wonderful ride none the less. I've embeded the GPS track below. This particular one starts 1/2 mile into the ride. Don't ask! My other gps track has the 30 mile ride home included and I had a terrible time uploading it to Garmin. I was sure I turned off the tracking at the end of the ride, but there was the track all the way back to LaPine and none of my waypoints. Sigh. Definitely a learning curve involved in getting the info from the gps to the computer the way you want it. I'll get in time! If you want to see the fun we had near the bridge, zoom in and you can see our attempts to get around the downfall.
Added after some playing on the computer is a jpeg with the leg from parking to Odell Creek Bridge including waypoints.
16 June 2011
Getting Old Really is a Pain
I have always been active, walk, hike, x-c ski, snow shoe, bike. You wouldn't know it to look at me. I'm a fat old woman. No getting around it. I've spent most of my life in the 145 to 155 lb. range. At 5'6" that's a bit much, but as one trainer told me, that's clearly where my body wanted to be.
This winter I put 10 pounds on. Sigh. At 165 pounds, my knees are rebelling. I have an arthritic right knee that really gives me trouble. I didn't get the exercise that I usually do, it was just one of those winters, I didn't get out to x-c ski or snow shoe and it was every thing I could do to take care of the horses. According to weight watchers and others, the 1200 to 1500 calories I eat should keep me where I'm at or lose weight. Yeah, right.
I had a hysterectomy in 2002 and it's true, all I have to do is walk past food and I put weight on. Combine that with the natural ramping down of the metabolic system as one gets older and one just doesn't stand a chance. Instead of a 3 mile hike a day, have to do 6 miles just to stay even. Eating around 900 calories makes a dent, slowly, but really, I just CAN'T do that for long. Can't, won't, doesn't much matter.
I usually take the dogs with me when I hike. They love it when I go some place they can be off leash. Sarah Labrador and Bay Li Rat Terrier can run forever, but Jack R Terrier is showing his age just like me. Jack is a rescue, so I don't know how old he is. I was told he was about the same age as Bay Li, but I'm doubting that now. Poor guy, he loves to go, runs hard checking out the wildlife for about a mile, then he just wilts.
Yesterday I had planned on a 6 mile walk along the river. The dogs had a grand time for about a mile, then I noticed that Jack was walking and stopping behind me. Sarah and Bay Li continued to run like a couple banshee's but poor Jack just couldn't. I went another half mile and turned around. The 3 miles did the poor boy in.
I guess I'll have to leave him home from now on. That means one dog at a time goes with me. Probably best any way. All three can be a bit much when they get excited. Jack will just have to be content with chasing the squirrels.
Geez, I wonder when I'll only be able to chase the squirrels.
This winter I put 10 pounds on. Sigh. At 165 pounds, my knees are rebelling. I have an arthritic right knee that really gives me trouble. I didn't get the exercise that I usually do, it was just one of those winters, I didn't get out to x-c ski or snow shoe and it was every thing I could do to take care of the horses. According to weight watchers and others, the 1200 to 1500 calories I eat should keep me where I'm at or lose weight. Yeah, right.
I had a hysterectomy in 2002 and it's true, all I have to do is walk past food and I put weight on. Combine that with the natural ramping down of the metabolic system as one gets older and one just doesn't stand a chance. Instead of a 3 mile hike a day, have to do 6 miles just to stay even. Eating around 900 calories makes a dent, slowly, but really, I just CAN'T do that for long. Can't, won't, doesn't much matter.
I usually take the dogs with me when I hike. They love it when I go some place they can be off leash. Sarah Labrador and Bay Li Rat Terrier can run forever, but Jack R Terrier is showing his age just like me. Jack is a rescue, so I don't know how old he is. I was told he was about the same age as Bay Li, but I'm doubting that now. Poor guy, he loves to go, runs hard checking out the wildlife for about a mile, then he just wilts.
Yesterday I had planned on a 6 mile walk along the river. The dogs had a grand time for about a mile, then I noticed that Jack was walking and stopping behind me. Sarah and Bay Li continued to run like a couple banshee's but poor Jack just couldn't. I went another half mile and turned around. The 3 miles did the poor boy in.
I guess I'll have to leave him home from now on. That means one dog at a time goes with me. Probably best any way. All three can be a bit much when they get excited. Jack will just have to be content with chasing the squirrels.
Geez, I wonder when I'll only be able to chase the squirrels.
13 June 2011
Warmth, Finally
Well, we've had a few nice days. Definitely warming up. It's been a bit wetter than normal, so, now that it's warming up as well, things are growing FAST. I don't have any pasture for the horses, but their hay leaves behind seeds and so there is grass popping up where ever I've fed. I've let the two older horses out to graze it so it won't get too long. Worried about late summer and fall when all this vegetation dries out. We could have a heck of a fire season.
A steady steam of birds. The quail are staying longer, but they are still skittish. A female Western Tanager has come in to feed or drink for years but her male partner has always been leery, never coming closer than the empty lot next door. Well, he's finally started to come in to feed. LOL. He comes in, takes two or three bites then is gone. I don't even have time to reach for the camera much less take a picture. Yesterday, though, I did get a couple quick photos through the window before he took off. He's looking at the female, just outside camera range. They sure are pretty.
I saw a Cooper's Hawk the other day. That probably explains some of the injured birds that I've seen. A Dove came in last week with one eye gone. She was obviously in great pain, though still able to eat and fly. I haven't seen her since. Then there was a Grosbeak that came in that had a back injury. Haven't seen him since either. Ah, well, that's nature.
A steady steam of birds. The quail are staying longer, but they are still skittish. A female Western Tanager has come in to feed or drink for years but her male partner has always been leery, never coming closer than the empty lot next door. Well, he's finally started to come in to feed. LOL. He comes in, takes two or three bites then is gone. I don't even have time to reach for the camera much less take a picture. Yesterday, though, I did get a couple quick photos through the window before he took off. He's looking at the female, just outside camera range. They sure are pretty.I saw a Cooper's Hawk the other day. That probably explains some of the injured birds that I've seen. A Dove came in last week with one eye gone. She was obviously in great pain, though still able to eat and fly. I haven't seen her since. Then there was a Grosbeak that came in that had a back injury. Haven't seen him since either. Ah, well, that's nature.
29 May 2011
Memorial Day Weekend
Well, it continues to be a cool spring. Hail, snow, rain, wind and a bit of sunshine for the Memorial Day Weekend.
A new bird today, though I had seen it down the road, a Tricolored Blackbird. That's two different species that aren't suppose to be in this area. The Black Backed Woodpecker and now the TC Blackbird. I'm sure I have id'ed them correctly.
The major residents this year are the Chipping Sparrow along with the Pine Siskin's. Big flocks of both of those. Didn't have the Sparrow last year, had huge flocks of the Siskin though. The Doves, Quail, Jays, Robins, Mt. Chickadees and Juncos are all well represented at the feeder. Others come and go, a few at a time.
I have been going out doing some Geo-Caching the last few weeks. Decided to break my "consecutive number of days" total. Well, I only had a 4 day streak, so shouldn't be too hard to double that! Made 8 days in a row today.
I did verify that staying off of the lava flows around here is a really good idea with arthritic knees and ankles! Well, I had to try. Don't mind hiking the buttes, but I'll just have to give up on rocks. It's amazing, every year I can do just a bit less than the year before.
Can sure tell the valley people are over here "vacationing". Motor cycles tearing up the backroads and some one is target shooting a few houses away. The wind and cold is keeping them out of the water, so they need to tear something up. Sigh.
I remember back in the 70's we had a year with out a summer. It feels like we maybe headed to another one of those. In fact, it snowed on July 4th that year.
Geez, I sure could use a bit of sunshine!
A new bird today, though I had seen it down the road, a Tricolored Blackbird. That's two different species that aren't suppose to be in this area. The Black Backed Woodpecker and now the TC Blackbird. I'm sure I have id'ed them correctly.
The major residents this year are the Chipping Sparrow along with the Pine Siskin's. Big flocks of both of those. Didn't have the Sparrow last year, had huge flocks of the Siskin though. The Doves, Quail, Jays, Robins, Mt. Chickadees and Juncos are all well represented at the feeder. Others come and go, a few at a time.
I have been going out doing some Geo-Caching the last few weeks. Decided to break my "consecutive number of days" total. Well, I only had a 4 day streak, so shouldn't be too hard to double that! Made 8 days in a row today.
I did verify that staying off of the lava flows around here is a really good idea with arthritic knees and ankles! Well, I had to try. Don't mind hiking the buttes, but I'll just have to give up on rocks. It's amazing, every year I can do just a bit less than the year before.
Can sure tell the valley people are over here "vacationing". Motor cycles tearing up the backroads and some one is target shooting a few houses away. The wind and cold is keeping them out of the water, so they need to tear something up. Sigh.
I remember back in the 70's we had a year with out a summer. It feels like we maybe headed to another one of those. In fact, it snowed on July 4th that year.
Geez, I sure could use a bit of sunshine!
22 May 2011
Is it Spring Yet?
This has not been the most pleasant of springs this year. The sun will come out for one day, then snow or rain for 2 or 3 days. After 5 months of the white stuff, I'm starting to find it just a bit depressing. Gotta get over it! Usually by this time of year I have several hundred miles of hiking/walking under my belt. This year, I just can't make my self go.
It has been a good year to watch the birds migrate though. Apparently word is out that I no longer have a cat and that I've put food out for them. Last Saturday I counted 24 different species of birds passing through, including this beautiful pair of Goldfinches. The fellow in the middle is a Pine Siskin.
I have never thought of Robins as a particularly handsome bird, but, there is one male coming in that is absolutely handsome. His colors are just awesome. He's a little chubby and I some times wonder how he can fly, but he is just beautiful.
A pair of Black Headed Grosbeaks spent a week here. I thought they might stay, but I haven't seen them in several days. The flock of White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows moved on when the Pine Siskin's arrived. In fact, they prompted quite a change in the birds coming in. The nuthatches are still here, but not nearly in the numbers that they were. Chipping Sparrows have stayed in spite of the Siskins as have the Mountain Chickadee and Oregon Junco. There is one pair of Golden Rumped Warblers that has stayed.
All of the woodpeckers that had spent the winter moved on, though I did see the Flickers come in last week for a quick snack. Most unusual was a Black Backed Woodpecker that I got a good look at. I'd never seen one before and when I looked at the one guidebook, it said no, this wasn't part of their territory. There was no mistaking that gold spot on it's head and the solid black back though. So, I got my OLD TRUSTY Peterson Field Guide out. Sure enough, they do summer in this area, though I haven't seen it again.
I was starting to wonder if the Quail would be coming. They have shown up, but they are a bit more elusive than last year. I have a flock of Mourning Doves that considers this their feeding ground and I notice that the Quail are careful to not infringe on their feeding time. Since the Doves spend a lot of time here, I only see glimpses of the Quail.
I have a pair of Stellars Jay's that have raised their young near by for several years. They are still here, in fact they're out there right now eating. Oh, then there are the Brown Headed Cowbirds. Last year they had a Junco raise their youngster. I felt so bad for that little Junco with that big Cowbird constantly begging. It will be interesting to see who they got to raise their kid this year. I saw quite a commotion up high in my large Pondi a week ago. The Cowbirds were determined to get in to an area and several other birds, including the Grosbeak, were trying to keep them out. At the time, it looked as though the Grosbeak were going to nest. It was a few days later that they left.
So, in spite of the snow and rain, the birds have been a bright spot this spring.
I have never thought of Robins as a particularly handsome bird, but, there is one male coming in that is absolutely handsome. His colors are just awesome. He's a little chubby and I some times wonder how he can fly, but he is just beautiful.
All of the woodpeckers that had spent the winter moved on, though I did see the Flickers come in last week for a quick snack. Most unusual was a Black Backed Woodpecker that I got a good look at. I'd never seen one before and when I looked at the one guidebook, it said no, this wasn't part of their territory. There was no mistaking that gold spot on it's head and the solid black back though. So, I got my OLD TRUSTY Peterson Field Guide out. Sure enough, they do summer in this area, though I haven't seen it again.
I was starting to wonder if the Quail would be coming. They have shown up, but they are a bit more elusive than last year. I have a flock of Mourning Doves that considers this their feeding ground and I notice that the Quail are careful to not infringe on their feeding time. Since the Doves spend a lot of time here, I only see glimpses of the Quail.
So, in spite of the snow and rain, the birds have been a bright spot this spring.
07 May 2011
Sun, Sun, Where'd the Sun Go?
I had no more thought "wonder where the Quail are?" and darn if they didn't show up. One thing is for sure, they have been well fed where ever they've been. I look out there and see these really plump, healthy, gorgeous birds and all I can think is how good they'd taste.
All of the birds showing up are well fed. There is one male Robin that is so fat that I don't know how he flies. I've never thought of Robins as a particularly pretty bird, but this dude is down right handsome, if a little plump. His colors are so vivid. There's a leaner, younger male coming in as well. His color isn't quite as vivid as the other, but close.
The Pine Siskin's have shown up. They are a pretty little bird, but they come in such large numbers and their call is so shrill, that I really wouldn't have hurt feelings if they left. There is a yard about a mile down the road that they appear to like. As you drive by their place all you can hear is this cacophony of shrill bird calls, no mistaking that call.
Haven't seen any signs of ground squirrels, but I do have tree squirrels. Jack loves to go after them. Poor boy is nearly blind, but if he catches sight of their movement, boy does he zero in. If I'm in the house and see the squirrels getting too comfortable and considering coming across the driveway, I'll say "squirrel, squirrel, who wants to get a squirrel?", open the door and the chase is on. No chance they catch them, but it keeps them away from the house.
Well, except for that little red squirrel that was on top of the house yesterday. It came in from the horse paddock. Not good. Hmmm, I'm watching one right now doing a tight rope walk out to the feeders. I have pipes on the rope, so that if they get to close and step on the pipe, it will swivel and toss them to the ground. Ah, he stopped before stepping on it. Probably has tried it before.
Darned rodents are why I have hesitated to put feeders out. I don't understand why people actually put squirrel feeders out. Do that not know that rodents not only do huge amounts of damage but that they carry all sorts of nasty diseases? I mean, they are cute and fun to watch, but, wow, they love to chew on things. I see they have dug up the electrical wire from the solar panel to the gate again. They did so much damage last year that I finally had to give up. I cut it short and reburied it, but it's sticking straight up in the air about 6 inches this morning.
Not sure where the sun went. Sure getting tired of it hiding!
All of the birds showing up are well fed. There is one male Robin that is so fat that I don't know how he flies. I've never thought of Robins as a particularly pretty bird, but this dude is down right handsome, if a little plump. His colors are so vivid. There's a leaner, younger male coming in as well. His color isn't quite as vivid as the other, but close.
The Pine Siskin's have shown up. They are a pretty little bird, but they come in such large numbers and their call is so shrill, that I really wouldn't have hurt feelings if they left. There is a yard about a mile down the road that they appear to like. As you drive by their place all you can hear is this cacophony of shrill bird calls, no mistaking that call.
Haven't seen any signs of ground squirrels, but I do have tree squirrels. Jack loves to go after them. Poor boy is nearly blind, but if he catches sight of their movement, boy does he zero in. If I'm in the house and see the squirrels getting too comfortable and considering coming across the driveway, I'll say "squirrel, squirrel, who wants to get a squirrel?", open the door and the chase is on. No chance they catch them, but it keeps them away from the house.
Well, except for that little red squirrel that was on top of the house yesterday. It came in from the horse paddock. Not good. Hmmm, I'm watching one right now doing a tight rope walk out to the feeders. I have pipes on the rope, so that if they get to close and step on the pipe, it will swivel and toss them to the ground. Ah, he stopped before stepping on it. Probably has tried it before.
Darned rodents are why I have hesitated to put feeders out. I don't understand why people actually put squirrel feeders out. Do that not know that rodents not only do huge amounts of damage but that they carry all sorts of nasty diseases? I mean, they are cute and fun to watch, but, wow, they love to chew on things. I see they have dug up the electrical wire from the solar panel to the gate again. They did so much damage last year that I finally had to give up. I cut it short and reburied it, but it's sticking straight up in the air about 6 inches this morning.
Not sure where the sun went. Sure getting tired of it hiding!
01 May 2011
Bird and Squirrel Watching
The last couple of weeks have been chilly. Snow storms and wind. The sun finally came out yesterday, but it wasn't warm. None the less, Sarah Labrador likes to go out to soak up what sun there is. Well, she does have a nice double coat to keep that wind at bey. The Terriers go out for a while, but come in long before Sarah.
Birds galore. Not having cats in the neighborhood does make a difference! I have birds that aren't suppose to be here. Several Golden Crowned Sparrow's seem to have decided to stay. According to the field guides, they don't breed this far south. They do run with White Crowned Sparrow's which do breed in this area and there are several of those as well. Another Sparrow I shouldn't have is the Savanah Sparrow. There is one, maybe two running with the other sparrow's. They are suppose to like the grasslands, not conifer forests. At any rate, they look as though they plan on staying for a while.
The California Quail haven't come back yet this year. I had a good sized flock last year. I do have a lot of Mourning Doves. Maybe they don't co-habitate as they are both ground feeders. Lot's of Juncos, Nuthatches, Robins and Stellar's Jays. The Jays usually move on but there are couple sticking around. The woodpeckers aren't coming in as often as they did in the winter, but stop by now and then.
Last year there was one poor little Junco that raised a Cowbird. I saw the first Cowbird this morning. Well, some one will be raising a kid that's not theirs.
Lots of tree squirrels this year as well. The Western Gray Squirrel are big and bold. I've been sending the dogs out to keep them on the other side of the driveway, away from the house. Typical Gray, they get complacent, thinking there is no way the dumb dog can get them. One lost some tail fur yesterday, thinking that Sarah couldn't catch him.
Labradors aren't as dumb as they appear. When I was a kid, we had a male Lab. He'd chase the squirrels and they got so confident that they would walk right by him as he slept. Didn't work out too well for one squirrel. I was watching at the time and that dog just waited, then as fast as lightening he was up and had that squirrel in his jaws. The other squirrels didn't test him any further. The one yesterday though, I'll bet it'll be back.
Have some Red Squirrels coming in as well. They are a little bit more shy than the Gray. Haven't seen any ground squirrels yet. I put poison out for the ones in my septic field and they ate it, so hopefully they won't come back. They do sooooo much damage. That was the one thing I loved about having the cats, no ground squirrels. But, no birds either.
If the ground squirrels come back, I may have to get a cat. I'd hate to lose the birds, but I can't afford the damage the squirrels do. Well, we'll see, I'll enjoy the birds for now.
Birds galore. Not having cats in the neighborhood does make a difference! I have birds that aren't suppose to be here. Several Golden Crowned Sparrow's seem to have decided to stay. According to the field guides, they don't breed this far south. They do run with White Crowned Sparrow's which do breed in this area and there are several of those as well. Another Sparrow I shouldn't have is the Savanah Sparrow. There is one, maybe two running with the other sparrow's. They are suppose to like the grasslands, not conifer forests. At any rate, they look as though they plan on staying for a while.
The California Quail haven't come back yet this year. I had a good sized flock last year. I do have a lot of Mourning Doves. Maybe they don't co-habitate as they are both ground feeders. Lot's of Juncos, Nuthatches, Robins and Stellar's Jays. The Jays usually move on but there are couple sticking around. The woodpeckers aren't coming in as often as they did in the winter, but stop by now and then.
Last year there was one poor little Junco that raised a Cowbird. I saw the first Cowbird this morning. Well, some one will be raising a kid that's not theirs.
Lots of tree squirrels this year as well. The Western Gray Squirrel are big and bold. I've been sending the dogs out to keep them on the other side of the driveway, away from the house. Typical Gray, they get complacent, thinking there is no way the dumb dog can get them. One lost some tail fur yesterday, thinking that Sarah couldn't catch him.
Labradors aren't as dumb as they appear. When I was a kid, we had a male Lab. He'd chase the squirrels and they got so confident that they would walk right by him as he slept. Didn't work out too well for one squirrel. I was watching at the time and that dog just waited, then as fast as lightening he was up and had that squirrel in his jaws. The other squirrels didn't test him any further. The one yesterday though, I'll bet it'll be back.
Have some Red Squirrels coming in as well. They are a little bit more shy than the Gray. Haven't seen any ground squirrels yet. I put poison out for the ones in my septic field and they ate it, so hopefully they won't come back. They do sooooo much damage. That was the one thing I loved about having the cats, no ground squirrels. But, no birds either.
If the ground squirrels come back, I may have to get a cat. I'd hate to lose the birds, but I can't afford the damage the squirrels do. Well, we'll see, I'll enjoy the birds for now.
13 April 2011
Psychic Dogs?
This spring weather has me in one heck of a funk. The six inches of snow the other day set me off on an eating frenzy. I ate every thing I could find in the kitchen that didn't require any real prep. Geez. I managed to get through the winter with only an extra 5 pounds. Not bad considering it was one of those years that I couldn't get out to snow shoe. I haven't gotten back on the scale since my funk last week as it probably added to that 5 pounds!
So, I decided, rain, snow, sun, I was going to go for a hike along the river today. So, of course, it rained, snowed and the sun did come out. Sigh. Don't care, I'm going! Okay, so, do I take the dogs? Certainly one of them, but maybe not all three. They're in the other room sleeping, I walk in, pick up the box with their collars and suddenly there are two terriers in front of me jumping 3 feet in the air and a labrador running in circles. Now, come on, I haven't picked up that box in 5 months and I was careful that it didn't make any noise as I picked it up, how did they know?? Now what do I do, I swore I would never take all three ever again. Yeah, right, take all three.
Left the house in sunshine, drove 4 miles to the river and it was snowing. Ah, spring! Put my gps on and one on Sarah Labrador and off we go. In and out of snow storms. Several downed trees, but no real problems.
Checked the Osprey nest, still there but no Osprey, though I did hear them about a mile up river. Maybe they have moved the nest, the old one didn't look too safe. Will have to go hunting next WARM day.
When we got back to the car, I had done 4 miles and burned 343 calories. Okay, that's a start. Sarah's gps was still working and she had done 6 miles to my 4 and had burned 1045 calories. Hmm, wonder if the calories burned is the same for a dog as for a human.
Sarah's gps track is funny to look at if you zoom in. My track was straight down the middle of all those circles and zig zags. Sarah Labrador by danugna at Garmin Connect - Details
So, I decided, rain, snow, sun, I was going to go for a hike along the river today. So, of course, it rained, snowed and the sun did come out. Sigh. Don't care, I'm going! Okay, so, do I take the dogs? Certainly one of them, but maybe not all three. They're in the other room sleeping, I walk in, pick up the box with their collars and suddenly there are two terriers in front of me jumping 3 feet in the air and a labrador running in circles. Now, come on, I haven't picked up that box in 5 months and I was careful that it didn't make any noise as I picked it up, how did they know?? Now what do I do, I swore I would never take all three ever again. Yeah, right, take all three.
Checked the Osprey nest, still there but no Osprey, though I did hear them about a mile up river. Maybe they have moved the nest, the old one didn't look too safe. Will have to go hunting next WARM day.
Got up to the turn around, two miles. There were 4 ducks in the river. I look down and there's Sarah out in the river. Well, she is a bird dog. I guess we get to see if that gps is water proof, it is soaking wet now. I did get a picture of the ducks. I saw these ducks last year and couldn't figure out what they were and ultimately miss identified them. This year, the female was with them and I finally have an ID, they are Common Goldeneyes. Okay, well, they do have a yellow or gold eye. 
On the way back to the car, I hear a big splash in the river. I thought, wow, that must have been one big fish. I turned around just in time to see what I'm guessing was a hawk of some sort come up out of the water. It had a cute little fish in it's talons as it came back around and flew by me. Darn, I have no idea what it was. Dark upper, white breast, black tail and definitely a hawk or a kite. It wasn't that big, medium sized. Ah, well, I enjoyed seeing it, what ever it was.
When we got back to the car, I had done 4 miles and burned 343 calories. Okay, that's a start. Sarah's gps was still working and she had done 6 miles to my 4 and had burned 1045 calories. Hmm, wonder if the calories burned is the same for a dog as for a human.
Sarah's gps track is funny to look at if you zoom in. My track was straight down the middle of all those circles and zig zags. Sarah Labrador by danugna at Garmin Connect - Details
07 April 2011
Pet Peeve
I don't buy fully prepared microwavable dinners often any more, but every once in a while I will. There are a couple that are actually quite good, though they do tend to be a bit pricey, especially in this one grocery town.
I bought a chinese dinner the other day that I've found to be quite good. Having discovered of late that packaging tends to lie, I decided to check this particular item out. I had looked at the info on the side to see how many servings and how many calories per serving. It said one cup per serving, 250 calories per serving, package holds 3 servings. I looked at what was in the bowl and said "NO way that's 3 one cup servings."
Okay, I spoon it into a two cup measure, 'cause I know there is no possibility there are 3 cups there. Hmmm, 1 1/2 cups. Let's see, that off by 50%. Okay, that's by volume, it also lists grams. Let's check it by weight. 200 gram servings, that should mean 600 grams. 410 grams. Hey, 33% or 50% less than advertised, I don't care, now I'm pissed. Maybe if I had weighed the box it came in I would have come out to 600 grams, but I don't EAT the BOX.
At the same time I bought the chinese food, I gave in to my worse half and bought a prepared pannini. I get home, pop it out, put it in it's sleeve, put it in the microwave, THEN I look at the nutrition info. Dumb. Now, it's clear that it is meant to be one serving. You are not going to cut that little thing in half and share it, but, when I look at the box, 2 servings, 250 calories. Ah, that means that one pannini in the microwave is 500 calories. Yikes!
Now, that is the one that REALLY pisses me off. Package some thing that is CLEARLY meant to be a single serving, but because the nutrition info makes it clear that you're going to gain 10 pounds if you consume it as one serving, list it as 2.5 servings or 2 servings or what ever number of servings will make it look like a good deal calorie wise. The average consumer is going to flip it over, see the 250 calories and not think twice about it. They end up eating 500 or maybe 750 calories and never know it.
Soft Drinks are especially bad about this, but as the pannini above shows, foods do it too. One of my favorite foods does it with their packaged foods, when ever the calorie count gets too high, what is obviously one serving suddenly becomes 2 servings. Some of their food is one serving, but they are all low calorie, the second the calorie count gets a little high, it becomes 2 servings. I will buy their one serving packaging, won't touch the other.
I really hate that. I stopped buying bottled drinks a long time ago because of this little trick. You want me to buy it, it's clearly one serving, label it that way. I usually catch it on packaged food as well, but every once in a while one slips by. I didn't expect the one with the chinese food where they just plain don't give you any where near what they say. That's fraud. I really like that food and if they had been any where near correct I would continue to buy it. I will NEVER buy it again, I'm sorry packaging 1/3 to 1/2 less food than labeled is just too much.
Any way, that's my food pet peeve.
I bought a chinese dinner the other day that I've found to be quite good. Having discovered of late that packaging tends to lie, I decided to check this particular item out. I had looked at the info on the side to see how many servings and how many calories per serving. It said one cup per serving, 250 calories per serving, package holds 3 servings. I looked at what was in the bowl and said "NO way that's 3 one cup servings."
Okay, I spoon it into a two cup measure, 'cause I know there is no possibility there are 3 cups there. Hmmm, 1 1/2 cups. Let's see, that off by 50%. Okay, that's by volume, it also lists grams. Let's check it by weight. 200 gram servings, that should mean 600 grams. 410 grams. Hey, 33% or 50% less than advertised, I don't care, now I'm pissed. Maybe if I had weighed the box it came in I would have come out to 600 grams, but I don't EAT the BOX.
At the same time I bought the chinese food, I gave in to my worse half and bought a prepared pannini. I get home, pop it out, put it in it's sleeve, put it in the microwave, THEN I look at the nutrition info. Dumb. Now, it's clear that it is meant to be one serving. You are not going to cut that little thing in half and share it, but, when I look at the box, 2 servings, 250 calories. Ah, that means that one pannini in the microwave is 500 calories. Yikes!
Now, that is the one that REALLY pisses me off. Package some thing that is CLEARLY meant to be a single serving, but because the nutrition info makes it clear that you're going to gain 10 pounds if you consume it as one serving, list it as 2.5 servings or 2 servings or what ever number of servings will make it look like a good deal calorie wise. The average consumer is going to flip it over, see the 250 calories and not think twice about it. They end up eating 500 or maybe 750 calories and never know it.
Soft Drinks are especially bad about this, but as the pannini above shows, foods do it too. One of my favorite foods does it with their packaged foods, when ever the calorie count gets too high, what is obviously one serving suddenly becomes 2 servings. Some of their food is one serving, but they are all low calorie, the second the calorie count gets a little high, it becomes 2 servings. I will buy their one serving packaging, won't touch the other.
I really hate that. I stopped buying bottled drinks a long time ago because of this little trick. You want me to buy it, it's clearly one serving, label it that way. I usually catch it on packaged food as well, but every once in a while one slips by. I didn't expect the one with the chinese food where they just plain don't give you any where near what they say. That's fraud. I really like that food and if they had been any where near correct I would continue to buy it. I will NEVER buy it again, I'm sorry packaging 1/3 to 1/2 less food than labeled is just too much.
Any way, that's my food pet peeve.
02 April 2011
Getting a bit Warmer
A couple nice warms days brought on a nice snow melt. The yard is 90% clear now. Yeah!! Of course, it's snowing today, but, well, it is spring. I was talking with a fellow the other day and he said that you could count on the worst of it being over when the buzzards returned and they returned a few days ago. Hmm, okay, sounds good to me. He said that he had worked with local Native Americans for years and this theory was theirs and his observations were that it was true. Like I say, sounds reasonable to me. If I didn't have feathers on my head, I'd prefer to wait until it got a bit warmer too!
Managed to get a lot of paddock clean up done with the warmer weather. With 5 horses out there, they do a fair amount of shitting during the winter that I can't get out of there until spring. Looking a lot better. Of course, I've replaced the shit with shedding hair. I leave the hair out there in case the birds want it for their nests and as I mentioned before, the Raven's seem to quite like it.
Started a 5 day spring worming regiment on the horses today. It went really well. Couldn't believe it, but it is only day one. By day three they run the second they see me. By day 5, both they and I are ready for it to be over. It really went well today, odd.
Bird feeder is busy. The Junco's arrived in mass this morning. There had been a few here and there, but this morning there were about 30 out there. There was one Junco yesterday that was colored quite a bit different from the others. She was really noticeable. I've been looking all day today, hoping she would come back so I could get a better look, but, no luck. I noticed two males this morning that were a bit different in coloring as well, not as different as the female yesterday, but noticeably different. The males could have been adult vs juvenile, but the female yesterday, she was truly different. They are all dark eyed Junco's and a majority are what I know as Oregon Junco's. I'm thinking there must be more of the non Oregon variety coming in this year, not sure why.
Well, in spite of the snow, I need to go do some more paddock clean up. Should have it done by the end of next week. Have to do it by wheel barrow since the tractor is still down. Ah, well. Later.
Managed to get a lot of paddock clean up done with the warmer weather. With 5 horses out there, they do a fair amount of shitting during the winter that I can't get out of there until spring. Looking a lot better. Of course, I've replaced the shit with shedding hair. I leave the hair out there in case the birds want it for their nests and as I mentioned before, the Raven's seem to quite like it.
Started a 5 day spring worming regiment on the horses today. It went really well. Couldn't believe it, but it is only day one. By day three they run the second they see me. By day 5, both they and I are ready for it to be over. It really went well today, odd.
Bird feeder is busy. The Junco's arrived in mass this morning. There had been a few here and there, but this morning there were about 30 out there. There was one Junco yesterday that was colored quite a bit different from the others. She was really noticeable. I've been looking all day today, hoping she would come back so I could get a better look, but, no luck. I noticed two males this morning that were a bit different in coloring as well, not as different as the female yesterday, but noticeably different. The males could have been adult vs juvenile, but the female yesterday, she was truly different. They are all dark eyed Junco's and a majority are what I know as Oregon Junco's. I'm thinking there must be more of the non Oregon variety coming in this year, not sure why.
Well, in spite of the snow, I need to go do some more paddock clean up. Should have it done by the end of next week. Have to do it by wheel barrow since the tractor is still down. Ah, well. Later.
24 March 2011
Spring, yeah, not here
A week into spring and I'm cold. I'm tired of being cold! Today is windy and COLD. Sigh. Really has put me in a BAD mood. Would love to get out and hike with the dogs, but it's too damned cold. I mean, I don't mind this kind of cold during the real winter, when I can put my snow shoes on and go for a stroll. But this, can't hike, can't snow shoe, can't easily ride the horse from the house. AND, it's suppose to snow all weekend. Sigh.
Aside from that, there are lots of birds in the yard and I am enjoying watching them. Grey squirrels have been playing in the yard, which, while fun to watch, I don't trust them not to do a lot of damage. The Golden Mantels will be back soon, then I'll have to consider getting a cat, which will chase the birds off as well. Ah, maybe I'll luck out and the ground squirrels won't come back. Hmmm, I'll have to check to see if maybe the grey squirrels chase them off. If they do, I may take a liking to them and let them stay. I know they chase the red squirrels off, cause they did yesterday. Hmmm.
Thinking that maybe, just maybe, spring was close by, I set up my outdoor grooming and trimming station for the horses. Managed to get one horse trimmed before it turned nasty. I much prefer to do them outside rather than in the barn.
So, time to do some work inside the house.
Aside from that, there are lots of birds in the yard and I am enjoying watching them. Grey squirrels have been playing in the yard, which, while fun to watch, I don't trust them not to do a lot of damage. The Golden Mantels will be back soon, then I'll have to consider getting a cat, which will chase the birds off as well. Ah, maybe I'll luck out and the ground squirrels won't come back. Hmmm, I'll have to check to see if maybe the grey squirrels chase them off. If they do, I may take a liking to them and let them stay. I know they chase the red squirrels off, cause they did yesterday. Hmmm.
Thinking that maybe, just maybe, spring was close by, I set up my outdoor grooming and trimming station for the horses. Managed to get one horse trimmed before it turned nasty. I much prefer to do them outside rather than in the barn.
So, time to do some work inside the house.
13 March 2011
Cozy Nests
Last night, just before dusk I saw a Raven fly low overhead with some thing in his beak. I thought it odd, since Ravens are carrion eaters and tend to eat their meal with in a few yards of where they find it, even if it's quite small. Not only that, what ever it was carrying was almost white. I couldn't think of any small critters in the area that would be that light in color.
So, I go out to feed the horses this morning and a Raven flies by with a really big white some thing in its mouth. Hmmm, light bulb goes off in my head. When I brush the horses, all very light in color, I toss the hair they shed out into the paddock for the birds should they want it for nest building.
LOL, apparently they do. The Ravens had even gone inside one of the stalls where I had tossed a couple large bunches of hair last night. Some little baby Ravens are going to have a really nice cozy nest this year!
I quite like having the Ravens around, they come in and go through the horse manure and I almost never have a fly or bug problem. Attracting the right birds can really help with the bug population. Come mosquito season, I'll be wishing I had more Bats and Night Hawks, that's for sure.
Any way, the darn Ravens have not let me get close enough to get any good photos. This one this morning was on the fly and the only half way decent one I've managed to get. So, I'm going to brush the horses tonight, leave the hair out in the paddock, get up early in the morning and see if I can get some photos of them. Ah, worth a try.
So, I go out to feed the horses this morning and a Raven flies by with a really big white some thing in its mouth. Hmmm, light bulb goes off in my head. When I brush the horses, all very light in color, I toss the hair they shed out into the paddock for the birds should they want it for nest building.
LOL, apparently they do. The Ravens had even gone inside one of the stalls where I had tossed a couple large bunches of hair last night. Some little baby Ravens are going to have a really nice cozy nest this year!
Any way, the darn Ravens have not let me get close enough to get any good photos. This one this morning was on the fly and the only half way decent one I've managed to get. So, I'm going to brush the horses tonight, leave the hair out in the paddock, get up early in the morning and see if I can get some photos of them. Ah, worth a try.
05 March 2011
Bald Eagle 2011
I stopped by La Pine State Park during the Great Back Yard Bird Count last week and took this picture of a winter resident. Not sure I don't like this picture just a bit more than the Bald Eagle I got last fall. I almost got it in flight, almost.
04 March 2011
Ear Buds and Ear Wax
I spent the last 4 days deaf in my right ear and limited hearing in my left. Scared the living begeejus out of me. I mean, I've always had super human hearing. Years ago when I'd go in for my aviation physical, the doctor would joke that he loved to see me come in because I calibrated his machine, hearing tones that very few could. Of course, age has taken it's toll, but still, I have pretty darn good hearing for a 60 y/o, even with a case of tinitis.
I had noticed that my hearing was not as good lately and I hadn't cleaned my ears in a bit, so, I dropped a few drops of mineral oil into my ear. Wham, no hearing. Okay, okay, that was what a doctor had told me to do, what the heck just happened?! Maybe there was a bug in there and it just ran up into the canal and blocked it?? Yeah, doesn't explain the other ear.
So, long story short, called RN friend. I have been doing a lot of listening to audio books of late and I prefer what are called IEM's, they're the ear buds that go into the canal and seal. Turns out they heat the canal, causing the ear wax to melt and then the ear buds block the canal so the ear wax can't get out. When I put the mineral oil in, it did what it should, softened the wax, but because there was so much of it, the wax just sealed off the canal. No hearing in one ear and limited in the other.
RN friend tells me to not panic, put mineral oil in canal twice a day to soften wax for 5 days, then flush ear canal with body temp water, should take care of it. 5 days with no hearing, this is going to drive me nuts. Today was day three, had to try the water flush. OMG, you would not believe how much wax came out! Any way, I can hear out of the right ear now and I'll start on the left tomorrow. No way I was doing the left until I knew for sure it would work.
Switching to head phones from here on, nothing going inside my ears!!
I had noticed that my hearing was not as good lately and I hadn't cleaned my ears in a bit, so, I dropped a few drops of mineral oil into my ear. Wham, no hearing. Okay, okay, that was what a doctor had told me to do, what the heck just happened?! Maybe there was a bug in there and it just ran up into the canal and blocked it?? Yeah, doesn't explain the other ear.
So, long story short, called RN friend. I have been doing a lot of listening to audio books of late and I prefer what are called IEM's, they're the ear buds that go into the canal and seal. Turns out they heat the canal, causing the ear wax to melt and then the ear buds block the canal so the ear wax can't get out. When I put the mineral oil in, it did what it should, softened the wax, but because there was so much of it, the wax just sealed off the canal. No hearing in one ear and limited in the other.
RN friend tells me to not panic, put mineral oil in canal twice a day to soften wax for 5 days, then flush ear canal with body temp water, should take care of it. 5 days with no hearing, this is going to drive me nuts. Today was day three, had to try the water flush. OMG, you would not believe how much wax came out! Any way, I can hear out of the right ear now and I'll start on the left tomorrow. No way I was doing the left until I knew for sure it would work.
Switching to head phones from here on, nothing going inside my ears!!
13 February 2011
It's Okay For You
What a beautiful spring like week. The snow and ice are melting at an amazing pace. Jo has a large pen that has been full of snow and ice for months, but, today the darn thing is nearly clear, I couldn't believe it. The horses, like me, have put on a bit of weight. Gotta love winter!
Finally managed to get my hair cut. Ah, it feels sooo good. I had to wait about 15 minutes while she finished up the customer ahead of me. I've met the customer a few times over the years. Her husband was an engineer, a very successful engineer. I was once told that they were probably one of the wealthiest family's in the state, though as I recall, the person said in the country. They own 300 acres on the river, with a quarter mile of river frontage. No question, they want for nothing.
So, the wealthy woman is chatting about her granddaughter. She's a college graduate and recently married. Turns out that she married an Army NCO and her granddaughter is going to be living on base, in fact was going to be moving this weekend. OMG, you would have thought the world had come to an end. It seems that sort of life is fine for those that have no other choices, but HER granddaughter HAD a future. What ever was she thinking, marrying a soldier. Not a commissioned officer but a non-commissioned officer. I did not get the impression that she would have been one bit happier even if he had been a commissioned officer, but really, a NON commissioned officer, the horror of it all.
I happen to know that the hair dressers grandson is in the service, an enlisted man. I would assume that the wealthy woman also knew this. She clearly felt no shame in expressing her horror, which was considerable, over the kind of life that her granddaughter had chosen. The hair dresser didn't blink an eye, just kept styling he hair.
I spent most of the week thinking about the exchange and the fact that the man that sent 5,000 young American men off to an un-wise, un-necesarry war to die, thought very much the same about them as this woman did about her grandson-in-law. It's okay for those with no other options, but not for them or theirs.
Finally managed to get my hair cut. Ah, it feels sooo good. I had to wait about 15 minutes while she finished up the customer ahead of me. I've met the customer a few times over the years. Her husband was an engineer, a very successful engineer. I was once told that they were probably one of the wealthiest family's in the state, though as I recall, the person said in the country. They own 300 acres on the river, with a quarter mile of river frontage. No question, they want for nothing.
So, the wealthy woman is chatting about her granddaughter. She's a college graduate and recently married. Turns out that she married an Army NCO and her granddaughter is going to be living on base, in fact was going to be moving this weekend. OMG, you would have thought the world had come to an end. It seems that sort of life is fine for those that have no other choices, but HER granddaughter HAD a future. What ever was she thinking, marrying a soldier. Not a commissioned officer but a non-commissioned officer. I did not get the impression that she would have been one bit happier even if he had been a commissioned officer, but really, a NON commissioned officer, the horror of it all.
I happen to know that the hair dressers grandson is in the service, an enlisted man. I would assume that the wealthy woman also knew this. She clearly felt no shame in expressing her horror, which was considerable, over the kind of life that her granddaughter had chosen. The hair dresser didn't blink an eye, just kept styling he hair.
I spent most of the week thinking about the exchange and the fact that the man that sent 5,000 young American men off to an un-wise, un-necesarry war to die, thought very much the same about them as this woman did about her grandson-in-law. It's okay for those with no other options, but not for them or theirs.
08 February 2011
Birds are Back
They all like the suet feeders, though the doves always eat on the ground. Plenty down there, those Flickers and Jays drop as much as they eat! Fortunately the Doves do a good enough job that the squirrels aren't invading . . . yet. I see an occasional Chickadee stop by the thistle feeder, but there is some thing about it that they don't like, they barely touch it before taking off. Not sure if it's placement, type of feeder or what.
In getting ready for The Great Backyard Bird Count, I put out a large feeder for the little guys. Stocked it with shelled sunflower and thistle plus the left over seed from my Canary that died on Thanksgiving day. You may remember, I said never again to putting a large feeder out last fall, but, well, I did put it about 150 feet from the house, so, with a little luck, the squirrels won't be tempted to come in any closer. With no Pine Siskins, that feeder should be good for a couple months.
OMG, there must be a 100 birds out there right now. Hmm, getting ready for migration? Nah, I think it's that small bird feeder. Maybe having lots of little guys around makes the big one's more comfortable. Geez, the things been out less than 24 hours.
Hey, back to the Great Backyard Bird Count. If you're interested, it's Feb 18-21 and only requires 15 minutes of your time, more if you like. Go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ to download a check list and get instructions on how to participate.
30 January 2011
Warm Tending Toward Cold
Two weeks of spring like weather in January. Crazy. Nice, but crazy. It's cold enough at night that the snow has melted into ice skating rinks any where there is traffic. Thank goodness for wood pellets. When it's wet during the day I can lay a thin layer of pellets, they'll sop up the wet, expand, then freeze in place at night. Makes for nice little "walk way" for me and the horses. Though, I'm not thrilled with what sticks to the boots and tracks into the house, but better than doing a flip on the slick ice.
Angel started to shed big time about a week ago, Jo has started and the boys are holding on to their coats. I think the boys are smart, 'cause I'm pretty sure we'll get hit with some cold and snow in February. Angel's stall is 100% inside while all the others have outdoor portions to their stalls, so that may be why she's shedding so bad. I need to hunt up the shedding blade.
The hay bales I have this year are 115 to 120 pounds and boy are they hard to move. I am sooo careful, but still, I managed to wrench my lower back a couple days ago. Popping asprin and icing my back trying to calm it down.
I've been taking Sarah Labrador and BayLi Rat Terrier out for a run with the ATV. Sarah gets this big smile and runs and runs and runs. She loves the winter running. She has a hard time when it warms up, that double coat keeps her too warm and she just withers, but oh, come winter and you can see the joy in her eyes as she lopes along in front of the ATV. I let her choose the speed and her speed is around 10 MPH. I love that look of joy she gets. BayLi loves to go out, but he's more interested in the smells than the run. Haven't been taking Jack JRT out, he thinks he can handle it, but I don't think so.
I ran out of suet for two days and the birds all left and haven't come back. LOL. Ungrateful, fickle little buggers that they be! I do hear the chickadees and nuthatches in the trees though. They come in now and again but they sure don't like that thistle feeder. I see them try it, but they don't stay long. Not sure why they don't hit up the suet as they leave, but they haven't been.
I was invited for a ride out on the desert a couple days ago. When I went to hook up the trailer, the darn thing had fallen off it's blocks. By the time I found the jack and got organized, I decided I was just not suppose to go. Probably could have made it, but I would have been frazzled. Darn, I really wanted to see the trails in this particular area. One of the few I haven't done yet.
Suppose to cool down a bit for the next week. Well, I better get the ice pack and go nurse my back for a bit. Probably do some reading while I do that, there sure isn't any thing on TV. I mean, really, there is nothing worth wasting your time on. I know, we need another cop show! LOL.
Angel started to shed big time about a week ago, Jo has started and the boys are holding on to their coats. I think the boys are smart, 'cause I'm pretty sure we'll get hit with some cold and snow in February. Angel's stall is 100% inside while all the others have outdoor portions to their stalls, so that may be why she's shedding so bad. I need to hunt up the shedding blade.
The hay bales I have this year are 115 to 120 pounds and boy are they hard to move. I am sooo careful, but still, I managed to wrench my lower back a couple days ago. Popping asprin and icing my back trying to calm it down.
I've been taking Sarah Labrador and BayLi Rat Terrier out for a run with the ATV. Sarah gets this big smile and runs and runs and runs. She loves the winter running. She has a hard time when it warms up, that double coat keeps her too warm and she just withers, but oh, come winter and you can see the joy in her eyes as she lopes along in front of the ATV. I let her choose the speed and her speed is around 10 MPH. I love that look of joy she gets. BayLi loves to go out, but he's more interested in the smells than the run. Haven't been taking Jack JRT out, he thinks he can handle it, but I don't think so.
I ran out of suet for two days and the birds all left and haven't come back. LOL. Ungrateful, fickle little buggers that they be! I do hear the chickadees and nuthatches in the trees though. They come in now and again but they sure don't like that thistle feeder. I see them try it, but they don't stay long. Not sure why they don't hit up the suet as they leave, but they haven't been.
I was invited for a ride out on the desert a couple days ago. When I went to hook up the trailer, the darn thing had fallen off it's blocks. By the time I found the jack and got organized, I decided I was just not suppose to go. Probably could have made it, but I would have been frazzled. Darn, I really wanted to see the trails in this particular area. One of the few I haven't done yet.
Suppose to cool down a bit for the next week. Well, I better get the ice pack and go nurse my back for a bit. Probably do some reading while I do that, there sure isn't any thing on TV. I mean, really, there is nothing worth wasting your time on. I know, we need another cop show! LOL.
19 January 2011
Sunny Winter Days (Big Smile)
What a beautiful day. After spending the last week reclaiming stalls and buildings from the flood waters, things are looking pretty good. At least for now. I imagine we'll have lots more snow and then the inevitable spring melt and mess, but I don't have to worry about that right now.
One of the Northern Flickers had another tussle with a couple Stellar's Jays this morning. Last time the Flicker gave up but he held his ground this morning. Not going to make him leave that suet until he was darn good and ready. LOL. The Jay's were even trying to physically move him, but no go. They all got plenty. I see a Nuthatch out there right now. I put a thistle feeder out but none of the little guys seem to like it, they ignore it and go to the suet instead. Ah, well.
I really need a hair cut. It's driving me nuts. I finished stall clean up and am going to go take a nice long shower, then head into town and get a hair cut. Hope ya' all are having as nice a day as we are here, later.
One of the Northern Flickers had another tussle with a couple Stellar's Jays this morning. Last time the Flicker gave up but he held his ground this morning. Not going to make him leave that suet until he was darn good and ready. LOL. The Jay's were even trying to physically move him, but no go. They all got plenty. I see a Nuthatch out there right now. I put a thistle feeder out but none of the little guys seem to like it, they ignore it and go to the suet instead. Ah, well.
I really need a hair cut. It's driving me nuts. I finished stall clean up and am going to go take a nice long shower, then head into town and get a hair cut. Hope ya' all are having as nice a day as we are here, later.
12 January 2011
Friends That Transcend Place and Time
The cold/flu that hit me last week seems to have pretty much moved on. Just a bit of sniffles left. We had a few beautiful winter days, cold but sunny. Now, it's warmed up, the sun is hiding and it's just a bit dreary outside. The snow no longer has that fresh, crisp quality, having melted into a mass of white with no real definition, just there. Instead of that black blob from Star Trek, it's a menacing white blob.
Took a picture of the windmill. It was completely covered in snow last week. Now the snow has settled and melted and the wind vane has re-emerged to show that there is a bit of wind out there today. The top is about 4 feet, so still a bit of snow out there.
I had a visit from an old friend, Ellie, over the weekend. She lives over in the valley, retired professor at the University. It was so wonderful to spend time with some one that was not only like minded but such a kind and caring soul. She brought and left behind a peacefulness that I haven't felt in sooooo long.
It was an interesting weekend!
I had a visit from an old friend, Ellie, over the weekend. She lives over in the valley, retired professor at the University. It was so wonderful to spend time with some one that was not only like minded but such a kind and caring soul. She brought and left behind a peacefulness that I haven't felt in sooooo long.
It was an interesting weekend!
01 January 2011
An Unkindness of Raven
The horses think that the name for a group of Ravens is quite appropriate. An unkindness of Raven.
In the winter with the packed snow, if it's not raining or snowing, I'll put the horses hay out on the packed snow, then toss their pellets on top of the hay. They either get complete cubes which are quite large and require a lot of chewing or they get a low starch pellet which is rather small and apparently the perfect size for Raven. Tonight they got 2 pounds of low starch pellets on each hay pile.
So, I fed and then a bit later when going out to the garage to get some thing, I noticed quite a lot of activity in the horse paddock. I stopped and looked and saw black wings, the occasional Raven head and horses chasing them and apparently not winning. I don't have the best of views from the garage, so after a few minutes of watching and thinking it quite funny that the Ravens were stealing the horses pellets, I decided that I really ought to put a stop to it, since I really don't want Raven poop all over the area.
The Raven had a look out in a near by tree and I didn't get half way to the barn before they all took off. OMG!! There must have been 30 Ravens, the sky was black as they took off. No wonder the horses were losing the battle. They weren't all that upset, just irritated. LOL, guess they didn't get a full ration tonight, may have to go toss them some extra hay to make up for it.
I'll have to stay in the barn tomorrow night and see if the Raven come again and if they do, maybe I can get a picture. Maybe a bit hard since it will be near dark, but it would be a cool picture.
In the winter with the packed snow, if it's not raining or snowing, I'll put the horses hay out on the packed snow, then toss their pellets on top of the hay. They either get complete cubes which are quite large and require a lot of chewing or they get a low starch pellet which is rather small and apparently the perfect size for Raven. Tonight they got 2 pounds of low starch pellets on each hay pile.
So, I fed and then a bit later when going out to the garage to get some thing, I noticed quite a lot of activity in the horse paddock. I stopped and looked and saw black wings, the occasional Raven head and horses chasing them and apparently not winning. I don't have the best of views from the garage, so after a few minutes of watching and thinking it quite funny that the Ravens were stealing the horses pellets, I decided that I really ought to put a stop to it, since I really don't want Raven poop all over the area.
The Raven had a look out in a near by tree and I didn't get half way to the barn before they all took off. OMG!! There must have been 30 Ravens, the sky was black as they took off. No wonder the horses were losing the battle. They weren't all that upset, just irritated. LOL, guess they didn't get a full ration tonight, may have to go toss them some extra hay to make up for it.
I'll have to stay in the barn tomorrow night and see if the Raven come again and if they do, maybe I can get a picture. Maybe a bit hard since it will be near dark, but it would be a cool picture.
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