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.
24 March 2011
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.
31 December 2010
Dig, dig, dig. . .
Well, I got the car dug out. Yeah. Now, it has a dead battery. LOL. I expected that, hadn't started it in two weeks and with negative numbers showing on the thermometer it didn't stand a chance. Gonna have to get the charger off the fence and get her up. A couple more storms and it'll spend the rest of the winter where it is.
The next door neighbor that moved to the valley apparently showed up last night and tried to drive all the way to the house. It hadn't been cleared all winter and there had been some pretty good storms. The berm at the front of her driveway settled snow three feet high. Now, any idiot would have known that a Dodge van ain't gonna make it. She got over the berm which was hard packed and onto the soft stuff and just sank.
She lived here for 10 years, I just looked at her and asked what she was thinking. Well, she had her new boy friend with her. Seemed like a nice guy, but I don't think snow is his thing. She wanted me to pull her out. Nope, can't do it. I wasn't being a bitch, just no way I was going to put my vehicle at risk. She borrowed two shovels and finally dug it out. I gave her the phone number of a guy that could get in, but even he said it would take most of the day and the Bob-cat, no way the PU with plow could do it. She decided to leave the car at the road. Smart move!
The Stellar's Jays and Norther Flickers have been stopping buy for a quick meal. They had a little battle between them the other day. Looked like the Flicker had won, then the Jay went and got his buddy and the Flicker decided it wasn't worth it. LOL.
When I was shoveling the berm at the end of the driveway the other day, I wasn't paying attention and one of the dogs snuck out. I mean, I noticed he was there, it just didn't register that he was outside the gate. He stayed near, then some idiot woman in her car decides to stop rather than just drive by. All three dogs get excited and go to see if it's some one they know. If Jack hadn't already been out, I could have stopped it. So, this idiot woman opens her car door and lets the dogs in her car and baby talks to them about what sweet dogs they are. This is two terriers and a Labrador. Are you F'ing crazy Lady!!!
I was beyond pissed!! "Oh, I love dogs." Lady, just keep driving, honk at them, run over the dumb ass animals, but don't stop and let them in your car! Now they're going to try to get in every car they see. "oh, I love dogs." She really did keep saying that. Geez, REALLY, call some ones dogs and encourage them into your car when the owner is right there trying to stop them. "oh, I love dogs" REALLY????? Yeah, I really wanted to kill that woman.
So, today, open gate and if the dogs got with in 10 feet of the open gate they got scolded. Didn't take long for them to go back to, "oh, yeah, we don't go through gate."
The next door neighbor that moved to the valley apparently showed up last night and tried to drive all the way to the house. It hadn't been cleared all winter and there had been some pretty good storms. The berm at the front of her driveway settled snow three feet high. Now, any idiot would have known that a Dodge van ain't gonna make it. She got over the berm which was hard packed and onto the soft stuff and just sank.
She lived here for 10 years, I just looked at her and asked what she was thinking. Well, she had her new boy friend with her. Seemed like a nice guy, but I don't think snow is his thing. She wanted me to pull her out. Nope, can't do it. I wasn't being a bitch, just no way I was going to put my vehicle at risk. She borrowed two shovels and finally dug it out. I gave her the phone number of a guy that could get in, but even he said it would take most of the day and the Bob-cat, no way the PU with plow could do it. She decided to leave the car at the road. Smart move!
The Stellar's Jays and Norther Flickers have been stopping buy for a quick meal. They had a little battle between them the other day. Looked like the Flicker had won, then the Jay went and got his buddy and the Flicker decided it wasn't worth it. LOL.
When I was shoveling the berm at the end of the driveway the other day, I wasn't paying attention and one of the dogs snuck out. I mean, I noticed he was there, it just didn't register that he was outside the gate. He stayed near, then some idiot woman in her car decides to stop rather than just drive by. All three dogs get excited and go to see if it's some one they know. If Jack hadn't already been out, I could have stopped it. So, this idiot woman opens her car door and lets the dogs in her car and baby talks to them about what sweet dogs they are. This is two terriers and a Labrador. Are you F'ing crazy Lady!!!
I was beyond pissed!! "Oh, I love dogs." Lady, just keep driving, honk at them, run over the dumb ass animals, but don't stop and let them in your car! Now they're going to try to get in every car they see. "oh, I love dogs." She really did keep saying that. Geez, REALLY, call some ones dogs and encourage them into your car when the owner is right there trying to stop them. "oh, I love dogs" REALLY????? Yeah, I really wanted to kill that woman.
So, today, open gate and if the dogs got with in 10 feet of the open gate they got scolded. Didn't take long for them to go back to, "oh, yeah, we don't go through gate."
24 December 2010
Competition and Stale Crackers
A few years ago we had two grocery stores in town, they were competitors. Then, one of them decided to sell and for a while we thought we were going to get a Safeway, but in the end, the company that owned the store at the other end of town bought it. So, now we have two stores, both owned by the same people - so, NO competition. In fact two weeks ago, Ray's had run out of some stuff, so they sent their guy up to Shop and Save to raid their shelves to refill their own. He didn't even have to take note of what he got, just loaded it up in a basket, threw it in his car and off he went. Okay, so much for competitors.
When this all happened a couple years ago, the locals were pretty upset as we knew that with no competition the prices would be high and the quality low. They promised that they would run them as though they were truly competitors, not to worry. Yeah right.
For the third time this year I bought an item with out checking the expiration date. The first was some Rye Crisps, I don't think I'll ever be able to eat Rye Crisps ever again. I assure you, stale RC are really awful. Then a month ago I ended up with some Turkey Bacon that had an expiration date of 2009. Really??? 2009???
So, today, I'm returning a box of Premium Saltines that was expired. As I'm standing in line, another woman that I know said that she had run into the same thing several times and was making sure that she was hyper vigilant looking at dates.
We both indicated aloud that if items were available at the local BiMart or Corner Store, we bought there as we had always found their stocks to be fresh. Now, the assistant manager is listening to this. So, I get up there, he gives me my money and says "I guess I'll have to have the Nabisco guy check the stock." He wasn't particularly upset, just have the guy check the stock.
He asked if I wanted to exchange them or get my money back. I said that I'd already replaced them at BiMart and I'd take my money thank you very much.
Okay, if I'm the manager or assistant manager of the store and some guy is losing me business, I'm gonna be a bit more upset than that. "Ah, yeah, I'll have a talk with Gary and have him check the stock." Really??? Do you not keep track of the amount of food that comes back as stale?? Do you not care that your customers are doing their best to not enter your store? Geez, you have got to be kidding! How does this guy keep his job??
I know that I buy probably 1/4 what I used to when there were two truly competing stores. There are more people living in the area, so maybe they just don't notice it. Having two pissed customers standing in a busy line complaining about your lousy food and the fact that they buy elsewhere when possible can't help. Ah, well, I did get some fresh Saltines at BiMart.
When this all happened a couple years ago, the locals were pretty upset as we knew that with no competition the prices would be high and the quality low. They promised that they would run them as though they were truly competitors, not to worry. Yeah right.
For the third time this year I bought an item with out checking the expiration date. The first was some Rye Crisps, I don't think I'll ever be able to eat Rye Crisps ever again. I assure you, stale RC are really awful. Then a month ago I ended up with some Turkey Bacon that had an expiration date of 2009. Really??? 2009???
So, today, I'm returning a box of Premium Saltines that was expired. As I'm standing in line, another woman that I know said that she had run into the same thing several times and was making sure that she was hyper vigilant looking at dates.
We both indicated aloud that if items were available at the local BiMart or Corner Store, we bought there as we had always found their stocks to be fresh. Now, the assistant manager is listening to this. So, I get up there, he gives me my money and says "I guess I'll have to have the Nabisco guy check the stock." He wasn't particularly upset, just have the guy check the stock.
He asked if I wanted to exchange them or get my money back. I said that I'd already replaced them at BiMart and I'd take my money thank you very much.
Okay, if I'm the manager or assistant manager of the store and some guy is losing me business, I'm gonna be a bit more upset than that. "Ah, yeah, I'll have a talk with Gary and have him check the stock." Really??? Do you not keep track of the amount of food that comes back as stale?? Do you not care that your customers are doing their best to not enter your store? Geez, you have got to be kidding! How does this guy keep his job??
I know that I buy probably 1/4 what I used to when there were two truly competing stores. There are more people living in the area, so maybe they just don't notice it. Having two pissed customers standing in a busy line complaining about your lousy food and the fact that they buy elsewhere when possible can't help. Ah, well, I did get some fresh Saltines at BiMart.
16 December 2010
Meniere's Disease
Ah, such fun, a Meniere's attack. It's been almost exactly 12 months since my last full on attack. Never know how long they will last, as I recall the one last year was close to 3 weeks long. I've never been able to identify a common pre-condition that sets them off.
Meniere's is one of those fun things that no one quite knows what the cause is. One theory is that it's a autoimmune disease, but they really don't know. The main symptom is vertigo, which is NOT dizziness. It does tend to cluster with other autoimmune problems such as arthritis, which I have, big time. The obvious source is the inner ear and I have had inner ear problems all my life. I've also had serious tinnitus since the early '80s and I wonder if there is a connection.
I have found that doctors are worthless with respect to both tinnitus and Meniere's. I've tried every possible treatment for the tinnitus, none have worked. With both, most doctor tends to think it's all mental. Well, no question, I'm mental alright, LOL. If they can't identify the exact cause, it must be all in your head, not real in the least. Yeah, right.
I read about 6 months ago that there had been successful treatment for a case of Meniere's with surgery. I personally had doubts and thought that the surgery was worse than leaving it alone. But, when you first start getting the attacks and they are coming often and long term, surgery might be a real relief.
The thing is that the apparent natural progression of the disease is that the attacks come less frequently with time. That is the case with me. When it started some 15 years ago, they were often and they lasted what seemed forever and they made life pure hell. With time they were 2 or 3 a year and now I appear to be 1 a year.
I think I was lucky, I figured out fairly quickly how to hold my head to stop a body dropping case of vertigo and if the world did start to spin, I got pretty good at stopping it. Early in the disease there is no stopping the world from spinning and you just lay there waiting for it to stop, it doesn't matter if you're eyes are closed or open, it's like being inside a clothes dryer, it just won't stop. Yeah, I remember that, I'd have gladly gone for surgery. Some people are never able to stop the clothes drier from spinning. I am ever so thankful that most of the time, I can get it to stop spinning in under 5 minutes and usually in under 1 minute.
I remember those early day, when the world would spin for 10 or 15 minutes and all you wanted was to die. Hopefully I won't ever go there again!
Meniere's is one of those fun things that no one quite knows what the cause is. One theory is that it's a autoimmune disease, but they really don't know. The main symptom is vertigo, which is NOT dizziness. It does tend to cluster with other autoimmune problems such as arthritis, which I have, big time. The obvious source is the inner ear and I have had inner ear problems all my life. I've also had serious tinnitus since the early '80s and I wonder if there is a connection.
I have found that doctors are worthless with respect to both tinnitus and Meniere's. I've tried every possible treatment for the tinnitus, none have worked. With both, most doctor tends to think it's all mental. Well, no question, I'm mental alright, LOL. If they can't identify the exact cause, it must be all in your head, not real in the least. Yeah, right.
I read about 6 months ago that there had been successful treatment for a case of Meniere's with surgery. I personally had doubts and thought that the surgery was worse than leaving it alone. But, when you first start getting the attacks and they are coming often and long term, surgery might be a real relief.
The thing is that the apparent natural progression of the disease is that the attacks come less frequently with time. That is the case with me. When it started some 15 years ago, they were often and they lasted what seemed forever and they made life pure hell. With time they were 2 or 3 a year and now I appear to be 1 a year.
I think I was lucky, I figured out fairly quickly how to hold my head to stop a body dropping case of vertigo and if the world did start to spin, I got pretty good at stopping it. Early in the disease there is no stopping the world from spinning and you just lay there waiting for it to stop, it doesn't matter if you're eyes are closed or open, it's like being inside a clothes dryer, it just won't stop. Yeah, I remember that, I'd have gladly gone for surgery. Some people are never able to stop the clothes drier from spinning. I am ever so thankful that most of the time, I can get it to stop spinning in under 5 minutes and usually in under 1 minute.
I remember those early day, when the world would spin for 10 or 15 minutes and all you wanted was to die. Hopefully I won't ever go there again!
15 December 2010
Wave after Wave
After the melt came another wave of snow, well, actually, two small waves. I spent today moving snow around with a shovel. The snow blower just doesn't blow when the snow warms up and I didn't get out early enough. I am pretty sure I can get the horse trailer out if I need to.
It's suppose to be nice tomorrow, then we're scheduled for another wave of snow. Hopefully I can get the stalls cleaned up tomorrow before it hits. As long as it give me a few days between each wave, I should be able to keep up. If we get a really big dump or several waves in a row with no relief, gonna be in trouble.
Still, I'm glad I'm not in the mid west. I have a friend that lives in Minnesota and it doesn't sound pretty.
As skittish as the Flickers are, the Red Breasted Nuthatches couldn't care less. I was moving snow near the suet and looked up. Not 2 feet away were two Nuthatches eating, watching me, but not really particularly worried. LOL.
It's suppose to be nice tomorrow, then we're scheduled for another wave of snow. Hopefully I can get the stalls cleaned up tomorrow before it hits. As long as it give me a few days between each wave, I should be able to keep up. If we get a really big dump or several waves in a row with no relief, gonna be in trouble.
Still, I'm glad I'm not in the mid west. I have a friend that lives in Minnesota and it doesn't sound pretty.
As skittish as the Flickers are, the Red Breasted Nuthatches couldn't care less. I was moving snow near the suet and looked up. Not 2 feet away were two Nuthatches eating, watching me, but not really particularly worried. LOL.
13 December 2010
Fall Thaw
Yuck, after several weeks of early snow build up, the last 3 days have been warm and rainy, rainy, rainy. The stalls and paddocks are a mess. It's the kind of mess I expect only in the spring with the spring thaw and I don't mind it then, 'cause it means summer is near and it doesn't usually last long.
I was sort of prepared though, so the stalls haven't flooded the way they did a few years ago when we had the last el nina. Only one of the stalls got slightly flooded last night as the last of the snow on the roof melted with the warm weather and tons of rain. The other stalls are still completely dry. Whew. Every year is just a bit different, prepare for snow from the west, it comes from the south and so it goes.
The hay in the barn is fine but the hay shed doesn't have a vapor barrier and the ceiling is sweating, or should I say raining on the hay and fire wood in there. Better feed it first and get a tarp out there. We're at 4,200 feet, it's suppose to get cold, snow, stay cold until spring, then thaw. Ah, well.
After cleaning up the stalls I tried to clear the way in front of the horse trailer so I can get it out and use it. We'll see, a bit muddy, but I think I can get it out. A couple of us are trying to arrange the use of a covered arena to work the horses, so would like to be able to actually get out.
Have to take all this snow and manure moving slow and easy, do a little, rest a while, do a little, rest. The back is holding up, but it's talking to me. Rather ironic that after spending time moving snow, I have to come in and ice my back before going back out to move more snow. Actually, my arthritic hands are giving me a whole lot more constant pain than the back. I'll come in and they ache some thing awful.
Suppose to start snowing again tonight, so maybe homebound for a few days. Just gonna be one of those years I guess. Well, better get back to work.
I was sort of prepared though, so the stalls haven't flooded the way they did a few years ago when we had the last el nina. Only one of the stalls got slightly flooded last night as the last of the snow on the roof melted with the warm weather and tons of rain. The other stalls are still completely dry. Whew. Every year is just a bit different, prepare for snow from the west, it comes from the south and so it goes.
The hay in the barn is fine but the hay shed doesn't have a vapor barrier and the ceiling is sweating, or should I say raining on the hay and fire wood in there. Better feed it first and get a tarp out there. We're at 4,200 feet, it's suppose to get cold, snow, stay cold until spring, then thaw. Ah, well.
After cleaning up the stalls I tried to clear the way in front of the horse trailer so I can get it out and use it. We'll see, a bit muddy, but I think I can get it out. A couple of us are trying to arrange the use of a covered arena to work the horses, so would like to be able to actually get out.
Have to take all this snow and manure moving slow and easy, do a little, rest a while, do a little, rest. The back is holding up, but it's talking to me. Rather ironic that after spending time moving snow, I have to come in and ice my back before going back out to move more snow. Actually, my arthritic hands are giving me a whole lot more constant pain than the back. I'll come in and they ache some thing awful.
Suppose to start snowing again tonight, so maybe homebound for a few days. Just gonna be one of those years I guess. Well, better get back to work.
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