I used to have rituals that I followed daily before I started my
travel life in nursing. So I'm starting afresh with my morning
ritual of drinking a cup of hot tea with a touch of agave nectar
in it. Tea drinking, for me, is a time of solitude, time to pen
thoughts to paper (or computer in this case). And a time to
loosely map out my day. My daughter is coming over today
to help me plant my seeds and replant plants that have grown
out of their containers.
If I get anything further done--well, dealing with auto-immune
diseases that leaves one exhausted all the time--so I try to keep
my goals small and not over-reach. If I get more done, that's a
bonus.
I bought 2 mugs yesterday. The one I'm drinking from has
"Embrace Each Day" on the front. And a picture of a
chicken. I declare myself hopeless.
I have been looking for my father's family members to see
if clues regarding this auto-immune process might be held
there. I truly didn't give the lack of a father in the home much
thought until this auto-immune stuff wreaked havoc on my life.
Now I know a great deal about my mother's side of my family
but nearly zip about my father's side. I am going to re-do the
search based on his last marriage and last child. Maybe that
will shed some light on his family.
All for now.
Kate Thorn
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
"Do You Take This Chicken. . ."
Life is moving right along now. I have the very first flower on my
Fuchsia bush. Plants that nearly died of powdery mildew did
make it back to the land of the living after treatment was given.
About the chickens. Seems Mr. Natural has a suitor. Yep. You
read correctly. One of the chickens is in love with him--even
tried to get in his truck. Follows him everywhere making
inconsolable distress noises and acting really ditzy. The power
of hormones. She was the first. Now he has others making
ga-ga chicken eyes at him. Well, they understand he is a male,
but a rooster he isn't. So now he spends even more time
rounding them up, giving them treats. And overnight, they
none like me. I'm the competition. So I steer clear of
interacting with them. Like, he was the one that brought these
chickens home to be "natural" chickens--right? Nothing natural
about these chickens. He even buys them grapes and blueberries.
I am serious. Natural chickens don't receive this kind of
treatment. I told him he was leading them on. He just wants
them to have optimal nutrition. That's his story. He buys Daisy
cat fresh red salmon. So do I--but mine comes in a can and
states it is cat food. His is high dollar people food. Since I
can no longer eat fish or shellfish, he buys it for Daisy.
This hormonal thing is a problem. I hope he gets the shed
moved soon. It continues to rain sometime every day. The ground
has stayed very wet. We keep hoping for some dry weather.
Not yet.
I did get to eat my one squash. I am planting more tomorrow.
I'm determined if nothing else. I am planting more tomato plants,
squash, eggplant, zucchini. I'll wait 2 weeks before planting
the fall garden.
All for now--
Kate Thorn
Fuchsia bush. Plants that nearly died of powdery mildew did
make it back to the land of the living after treatment was given.
About the chickens. Seems Mr. Natural has a suitor. Yep. You
read correctly. One of the chickens is in love with him--even
tried to get in his truck. Follows him everywhere making
inconsolable distress noises and acting really ditzy. The power
of hormones. She was the first. Now he has others making
ga-ga chicken eyes at him. Well, they understand he is a male,
but a rooster he isn't. So now he spends even more time
rounding them up, giving them treats. And overnight, they
none like me. I'm the competition. So I steer clear of
interacting with them. Like, he was the one that brought these
chickens home to be "natural" chickens--right? Nothing natural
about these chickens. He even buys them grapes and blueberries.
I am serious. Natural chickens don't receive this kind of
treatment. I told him he was leading them on. He just wants
them to have optimal nutrition. That's his story. He buys Daisy
cat fresh red salmon. So do I--but mine comes in a can and
states it is cat food. His is high dollar people food. Since I
can no longer eat fish or shellfish, he buys it for Daisy.
This hormonal thing is a problem. I hope he gets the shed
moved soon. It continues to rain sometime every day. The ground
has stayed very wet. We keep hoping for some dry weather.
Not yet.
I did get to eat my one squash. I am planting more tomorrow.
I'm determined if nothing else. I am planting more tomato plants,
squash, eggplant, zucchini. I'll wait 2 weeks before planting
the fall garden.
All for now--
Kate Thorn
Friday, July 19, 2013
Papa Bluejay and Junior
I watched from my desk as Papa Bluejay schooled his son. They were
about 10 feet from me. It was fascinating. Son was wanting Dad to
feed him. Papa was having none of that; his goal was getting Junior
self-sufficient. It was priceless.
Yesterday one of the pileated youngsters came around to the deck.
He was strutting his stuff on railing--oblivious of me sitting here,
motionless and watching. He visited the suet feeder, ate a while,
then left.
My Natural was telling me about me about seeing the "Western
Cardinal" (Pyrrhuloxia)--he'd never seen one either. I showed
him the picture and he identified it also. I have seen both the male
and female now. The male has a red face--the female doesn't. So
we have at least one pair of them.
Hummingbirds? Still no ruby throats. But every kind of western
hummer. The latest identified by both of us is the Bumblebee
Hummingbird. It is so tiny and looks as though it's missing tail
feathers. It's beak is also much shorter than the usual hummers.
The one we have been watching is watching is male with a
magenta gorget. It's breast is a whte with peach or rufous
on sides. This bird is also found in Mexico. What's it doing here?
Also there are more hummers than I am spotting. Two weeks ago
we filled their feeder 2/3 full. Now it's only 1/8 full. That's a lot
of nectar for the few actually seen.
To the chicken-birds: They now know the sound of Mr. Natural's
new truck. They run for the gate when they hear his truck. Their
running is humorous and endearing. Company is coming in 3 weeks,
so their bathtub days are nearly over. I ordered sheets, bedspreads,
and blankets for the 2 spare beds. They are twin size, but great for
guests. We have 3 extra beds, and room for still more. I love this house.
All for now.
Kate Thorn
about 10 feet from me. It was fascinating. Son was wanting Dad to
feed him. Papa was having none of that; his goal was getting Junior
self-sufficient. It was priceless.
Yesterday one of the pileated youngsters came around to the deck.
He was strutting his stuff on railing--oblivious of me sitting here,
motionless and watching. He visited the suet feeder, ate a while,
then left.
My Natural was telling me about me about seeing the "Western
Cardinal" (Pyrrhuloxia)--he'd never seen one either. I showed
him the picture and he identified it also. I have seen both the male
and female now. The male has a red face--the female doesn't. So
we have at least one pair of them.
Hummingbirds? Still no ruby throats. But every kind of western
hummer. The latest identified by both of us is the Bumblebee
Hummingbird. It is so tiny and looks as though it's missing tail
feathers. It's beak is also much shorter than the usual hummers.
The one we have been watching is watching is male with a
magenta gorget. It's breast is a whte with peach or rufous
on sides. This bird is also found in Mexico. What's it doing here?
Also there are more hummers than I am spotting. Two weeks ago
we filled their feeder 2/3 full. Now it's only 1/8 full. That's a lot
of nectar for the few actually seen.
To the chicken-birds: They now know the sound of Mr. Natural's
new truck. They run for the gate when they hear his truck. Their
running is humorous and endearing. Company is coming in 3 weeks,
so their bathtub days are nearly over. I ordered sheets, bedspreads,
and blankets for the 2 spare beds. They are twin size, but great for
guests. We have 3 extra beds, and room for still more. I love this house.
All for now.
Kate Thorn
Monday, July 15, 2013
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis Sinuatus)
Could the lack of rainfall and fires in Colorado be driving them eastward?
There is absolutely no doubt about what kind of bird I saw. What a strange
bird year this is! Kate
Rain and Truck Love and New Birds
Of course it's rained! Wasn't even supposed to! I'm beginning to
wonder if it's ever going to stop. The yard is mush. The butterfly
blooms are feeling it--some are turning brown and flopping over
as if to say "I give up."
Mr. Natural has left the house 2 nights in a row and slept in his
truck. Think he likes it?
He has been working downstairs and has found so many structural
mistakes that most of the siding will come off of the back of the house
in order to properly insulate and replace siding with new siding. I
was unaware that you can get concrete siding--all for it. Even if
the cost is such that we only do one side at a time, think how
indestructible they will be. Combined with a steel roof--well,
this house won't need any more of that sort of maintenance in our
lifetimes.
The downstairs porch is at the top of the list. Especially with all this rain
this year. The porch is screened in. There are mildew and mold and rot
problems, So that is where we are starting. They had carpet down on that
porch. That is going. He is going to redo the concrete floor and stain it
to match the house. Double paned windows are also going in where
only screen was.
Meanwhile, while dreaming of all the projects completed, the sky
is gray and threatening rain again.
We have some new birds--members of finch family, at least one of
these are out of place birds. I thought at first it was a pine
grosbeak--but now I think it is a rose finch. Neither bird is found
here natively. This has been an unusual year birdwise. I have seen
many species here not native to this area. I think I have identified
the soft gray bird with white front that looks like a tufted titmouse
minus the tuft. I believe it is a gray vireo.
All for today.
Kate
I actually think I am seeing the rose finch, not the pine grosbeak. I will re-check beak
color today. These new red birds all showed up together.
Kate
wonder if it's ever going to stop. The yard is mush. The butterfly
blooms are feeling it--some are turning brown and flopping over
as if to say "I give up."
Mr. Natural has left the house 2 nights in a row and slept in his
truck. Think he likes it?
He has been working downstairs and has found so many structural
mistakes that most of the siding will come off of the back of the house
in order to properly insulate and replace siding with new siding. I
was unaware that you can get concrete siding--all for it. Even if
the cost is such that we only do one side at a time, think how
indestructible they will be. Combined with a steel roof--well,
this house won't need any more of that sort of maintenance in our
lifetimes.
The downstairs porch is at the top of the list. Especially with all this rain
this year. The porch is screened in. There are mildew and mold and rot
problems, So that is where we are starting. They had carpet down on that
porch. That is going. He is going to redo the concrete floor and stain it
to match the house. Double paned windows are also going in where
only screen was.
Meanwhile, while dreaming of all the projects completed, the sky
is gray and threatening rain again.
We have some new birds--members of finch family, at least one of
these are out of place birds. I thought at first it was a pine
grosbeak--but now I think it is a rose finch. Neither bird is found
here natively. This has been an unusual year birdwise. I have seen
many species here not native to this area. I think I have identified
the soft gray bird with white front that looks like a tufted titmouse
minus the tuft. I believe it is a gray vireo.
All for today.
Kate
 |
| Pine Grosbeak |
 |
| Rose Finch |
 |
| House Finch |
 |
| Purple Finch |
 |
| Grey Vireo |
I actually think I am seeing the rose finch, not the pine grosbeak. I will re-check beak
color today. These new red birds all showed up together.
Kate
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Mr. Natural gets a New Truck
 |
| 2013 Chevy Silverado Z71 Fully Loaded 4x4 with bells and whistles |
 |
| Add caption |
2004. Paid 6000.00 cash for it. No air conditioning. But it
was in great shape and would prove to be a very game little
truck. Mr. Natural caught this commercial on TV regarding
if you had an older model truck and came in and traded the
older truck for a newer truck, they'd give you a 7500.00
cash incentive. Of course, it was too good to be true. The
deal was even sweeter. He came back and woke me up--
so I went to the dealership and bought a 40,000.00 truck
for the equivalent of 28,000. Sweet or what. He's in heaven.
The truck is a Z71--pic follows. Have to admit it is a sharp
looking truck. Mr. Natural talks only truck now. Has to have
a bed rug--on its way. Then it will be ready to function as a
truck. It has bells and whistles--we haven't even read the
very thick manual yet. Maybe when he comes back to
earth.
The chickens are not happy. Today around 6pm the sun
finally did shine. Had been cloudy, humid all the day long.
But it did not rain today--which was a very good thing.
I am losing still more plants to powdery mildew. I've
treated them, but their tender age and the fact that I
didn't recognize it at first did not improve the situation.
Seed that I ordered via Johnny's Select Seed came
today. I planted over 3 plantings all my Zephyr
squash--and lost it all to powdery mildew. Not to
be deterred, I am planting again. I love that squash.
The replacement cord to my Kindle arrived today.
I'll find the old one now--but I had searched and
searched for it. It has been charging all evening.
Be glad to have it working again.
And I've edited 10 plus chapters of my book.
Editing is tough. I am a perfectionist and I feel
every mistake.
All for tonight.
Kate Thorn
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Quick Note regarding Yellow Finches
I was reading in Birds and Blooms today and found a curious tidbit
about finches. They eat only seed, no insects. I thought all birds ate
insects. It said they preferred thistle. My thistle feeder was empty
most of the time--they liked the sunflower seeds better.
Kate Thorn
about finches. They eat only seed, no insects. I thought all birds ate
insects. It said they preferred thistle. My thistle feeder was empty
most of the time--they liked the sunflower seeds better.
Kate Thorn
Call me Ellie Mae--and Where's the Ark
Chickens were uneasy tonight. People have been setting off
fireworks anytime it quit raining long enough for them to do so.
They are now fenced in the front yard. That's better than letting
them run loose. The neighbor on one side, he's a cool guy. Don't
mind if they come to his house--He'll get eggs for free! The other
neighbor, well, not so friendly, and though Mr. Natural
has been close on their heels each time. A bird dog has been
unleashed twice but he was there to rescue them. It's difficult to
put up fencing in these torrential downpours we've been having
daily.
Seriously, he had a 5 gallon bucket to put the raspberry bushes
in--said to put the roots in water. Overnight was several downpours
ago. It was overflowing this morning. He emptied it this morning.
It rained several times in the day--saved the hard rains for
tonight.
Considering building an ark! Luckily, we aren't in a flood plain.
Anyone that's ever been through a few hurricanes will understand
what I am about to say--We have had hurricane level rains for
weeks. Just no winds. And our gardens are full of powdery
mildew. (Can be killed by Neem Oil products) Recommended
that you trash the plant and remove from vicinity of other plants.
Deadly and spreads that easily.
The chickens were sitting on the railing of the porch tonight
waiting to come inside. They will be traumatized when they
are no longer allowed in the house. Right now, I think they
think we all chickens, including the cat.
All for tonight.
Kate Thorn
fireworks anytime it quit raining long enough for them to do so.
They are now fenced in the front yard. That's better than letting
them run loose. The neighbor on one side, he's a cool guy. Don't
mind if they come to his house--He'll get eggs for free! The other
neighbor, well, not so friendly, and though Mr. Natural
has been close on their heels each time. A bird dog has been
unleashed twice but he was there to rescue them. It's difficult to
put up fencing in these torrential downpours we've been having
daily.
Seriously, he had a 5 gallon bucket to put the raspberry bushes
in--said to put the roots in water. Overnight was several downpours
ago. It was overflowing this morning. He emptied it this morning.
It rained several times in the day--saved the hard rains for
tonight.
Considering building an ark! Luckily, we aren't in a flood plain.
Anyone that's ever been through a few hurricanes will understand
what I am about to say--We have had hurricane level rains for
weeks. Just no winds. And our gardens are full of powdery
mildew. (Can be killed by Neem Oil products) Recommended
that you trash the plant and remove from vicinity of other plants.
Deadly and spreads that easily.
The chickens were sitting on the railing of the porch tonight
waiting to come inside. They will be traumatized when they
are no longer allowed in the house. Right now, I think they
think we all chickens, including the cat.
All for tonight.
Kate Thorn
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