Early Peonies.
Today is International Migratory Bird Day
Not one but two families of Canada Geese were by the side of the road as I drove very slowly home from the Lakeview Center the other day.
Not one, but two white breasted small black birds were perched on this decorative something beside Lake Tomahawk the other day.
I'd love if someone might identify them for me.
UPDATE: I've now been given the information that these are Tree Swallows. Thanks.
Tomorrow is superwoman's day a.k.a. Mother's Day.
Today's quote:
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Yesterday I had my blood draw for my Monday physical, and treated myself to someone else's coffee and biscuit. Only the gals at McDee's weren't on the ball at all at 8:20 that morning. Coffee was the bottom of a pot, with lots of big grounds at the bottom of the cup. The sausage biscuit wasn't in my bag, but some kind of maple tasting things with egg, cheese and sausage between them. The maple tasting things were instead of a biscuit, and were totally like sponges in texture. Something totally fake food. And I also had some fried potatoes on a slab. I didn't eat them. I feel sorry for whoever ordered it, who must have received my sausage biscuit instead. It wasn't until I was home before I found out the mistake. Wasn't about to go back to tell them.The good news was that the phlebotomist found my vein on the first try. I always have to drink a lot of water before blood draws, since I'm so dehydrated my veins are tiny little things. Also might have to do with being 82.
There were two other good things to happen that day...going to pick up lunch in a box, and later to meet my friend Helen for coffee at Peri Social Club. Since my essential tremor makes my writing look like a 2 year old, I may ask Helen to help fill in the form for the yearly physical. Pretty silly since most of the information is already in their computer which is where the Dr. looks most of any visit.
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Update: A little after 9 am there was a 4.1 earthquake felt here in Black Mountain. It's epicenter was west of Knoxville. I hope the little shaking that I felt was about all that everyone felt, but I am thinking of my blog-friend Big Daddy Dave who lives in that area. Hope all is well with his wife and neighborhood.
...I remember when Canada geese were migratory!
ReplyDeleteThe ones around here do come and go, making fun vees and lots of creaking wings, as well as a few honks when going by in spring and fall.
DeleteThose look like tree swallows to me. And you're doing very well, getting out and about, meeting friends, all that. Yes, why do they ask you to tell them again what they already know?? I have trouble with blood draws, similar reasons, and they use a pediatric needle nowadays.
ReplyDeleteMe too, tiniest needles for blood. For some reason (economic probably) the ER at our hospital uses just one size needle for all the pokes they give. I forgot all about my meeting Helen, and was napping when she called wondering where I was. I then forgot I'd said I'd pick her up, but was sitting at Peri's and called her where she was waiting for me to pick her up. Who says my mind is working ok still? It was a good reminder that I need to make amends with my other friend for our mixup on her birthday earlier in the week. I'm working on that now.
DeleteThanks for bird ID too!
DeleteWhat a disappointing breakfast, especially since that is the main meal we have out and not very often.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, and I do wish I'd picked something better to enjoy!
DeleteHello Barb,
ReplyDeleteGreat capturers of the geese family, I love the cute goslings. Your Black/white birds are the Tree Swallows, they are cute too. Love the pretty flowers. I have felt earthquakes here in Maryland, the second one had my office building swaying. It was scary. Cute squirrel, he found a nice spot out of the wind.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Thanks for vote of confidence on Tree Swallows. I wonder how I've never noticed them before. Same to you wishes for a happy Mother's Day!
DeleteHappy International Migratory Bird Day! How lovely seeing those two Canada Goose families and those little black and white birds by the lake. Hopefully someone can ID them for you! And Happy Mother's Day for tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThat McDonald's mix-up sounds like a funny (but disappointing) start to your day! At least the phlebotomist was on their game. Lunch in a box and coffee with Helen sounds much better. And don't worry about the writing – good friends are there to help! That earthquake sounds a bit unsettling; hope your blog-friend Big Daddy Dave and everyone nearby are okay.
Thanks Melody...good to have your comments, as always!
DeleteHi Barbara, That earthquake was centered in the mountains about 17 miles southeast of our home...a 'shallow quake' as per the experts at 16 miles deep. There was a long loud rumble, over 30 seconds long. I didn't feel any shaking but my wife did. Earthquakes are fairly common over here but they are usually so mild we don't feel them. Earthquake insurance, which we do purchase, is really just a minor rider on our homeowners policy. That's because the history of earthquake damage in East Tennessee is almost unheard of. It did get our attention but we both experienced a more severe quake over 50 years ago in St. Louis MO. Thanks for thinking about us. Love the baby geese! The red breasted grosbeaks have arrived in our area. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteThanks for quickly responding! Glad you had no damage either. I remember a quake in St. Louis as a child, probably 65-70 years ago. Nothing broken, but a first experience isn't to be forgotten. I would never move to California due to that.
DeleteI used to do an all-day storytelling thing for a festival put on by a raptor recovery center on this day. All my stories featured birds, and I always had a craft session for children and adults, making feeders, birdhouse, etc. It was fun, and exhausting. I finally passed it on to a much younger storytelling friend.
ReplyDeleteNo earthquake here in WV, that I know of. That has to be unnerving!
And I am glad you are going to make amends with your friend. Karma, maybe? It usually gets me!
Goodness gracious, you certainly spread your wings in many different ways...and it's good to have you share some of your memories. Glad you didn't feel the shake, rattle and roll this morning. Now just to get in the same place at the same time...it's getting harder and harder to do! But I'll be off the stupid pills this week at least, and may feel a bit less stupid!
DeleteWhat a sad breakfast!
ReplyDeleteWell, I ate it, so it did become part of me. No wonder I'm depressed! OK, this morning I had sourdough toasted with apple butter spread on it. And homemade coffee with honey too!
DeleteEarthquakes are scary. We had one when living in Alaska. It was a 7.1 and we were scared. Nothing got damaged so we were lucky. My health centre, I have to write my prescriptions out so I can get them renewed. I never understood that, they have all my info and I told them that but it's the way it is they told me. :(
ReplyDeleteYes, Alaska is known for big quakes. Glad no damage at least. I think the people who have us do all this writing then just add it to a computer/digital file as they update it. At least it's keeping a few million people employed, as health insurance companies really have no other good use.
DeleteThat breakfast whatever sounds just disgusting!!!! I used to treat myself occasionally to a "Sausage Biscuit with Egg and Cheese" at McD. One Saturday I was driving 90 minutes to watch a grandchild compete in some elementary school engineering thing. I picked one up and got on the highway, unwrapped and took a bite. Raw egg. I will never forget it. It was my favorite unhealthy treat up until that day. But I think the sweet sticky bread could compete for the worst taste ever.
ReplyDeleteWell, I ate it...and it was nice that it kept the egg warm until I finished. Goodness, a raw egg would certainly turn me off for it too! I will try my egg inside a biscuit of my own baking tomorrow. May even add some sausage too.
DeleteThose are beautiful Tree Swallows! I do love that bird---so beautiful and graceful!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading about your day, from the birds and flowers to the coffee mishap and the earthquake! Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDelete