Though it’s been two whole days since anything weird happened at the ranch, I’m on high alert. Any sudden movement gets me on defense. That has included swooping Barn Swallows, a deer in a field, and an owl on a fence post suddenly turning its head.
Scary swooping!
Most of this is normal, though the owl was pretty cool.
This Black Caterpillar Hunter didn’t set me off. I thought it was interesting.
I’ve been throwing myself into work, which is useful. And coaching coworkers does keep my mind off potential threats. But the minute I’m outside I’m watching for anything amiss. I’ll get over it after a few days.
Worst, we were watching our nightly television hour, when we heard loud screams. It wasn’t our TV, or the one in the bedroom. We ran outside to see if someone was hurt, then it became clear that our coyote neighbors were closer than usual. One coyote can sound a lot like someone screaming. It got my blood pumping!
We are chatty animals
I will do some breathing exercises after I finish this.
Looking at clouds helped earlier.
Today’s best news is I felt well enough to go eat some Mexican food with Lee. I sure enjoyed my tacos al pastor.
How do I know? I just started singing some old Billy Joel song and it sounded like an alto singer doing the song, not Frankenstein’s monster. Yesterday I surely would have sounded monster-like.
My audience. He didn’t run off.
Many exciting events happened today.
I almost opened my mouth all the way
I ate a juicy pear
My ears and salivary glands hurt more than my throat
I thought of writing a catchy pop song to the rhythm of the popping in my ears. Something’s moving around in there.
I was able to laugh a lot with my coworker and family—light-heartedly kidding around is healing
But that’s about all I have for you today. I am patiently healing and not rushing it, as I’ve been encouraged to do.
I’ll emerge a beautiful Suna-esque butterfly as I escape the mystery ailment cocoon.
Maybe I’ll review some television next. Being sick has led to a lot of that, since I can only read so long before my head hurts. (Whine, whine, whine—so many friends have much bigger challenges —I do remember you all.)
While over-the-counter pain meds enabled me to get through the day, the antibiotics haven’t put a dent in my throat pain. I got the news that my thyroid is fine. Of course that’s good news, but that leaves me back not knowing what the heck is wrong. I’m very impatient with illness.
I did get outside to check the mail and saw lemon beebalm starting to bloom.
At least I didn’t miss horse stuff, since there was light rain most of the day. For that I’m grateful.
The flowers are now very happy.
I had many meetings today, but napped in between. Tomorrow is not quite as bad as that, and if I don’t feel better, I’ll go back to the doctor for an ENT appointment or something. Ugh.
Not much excitement is going on here, because we’ve been getting nice, steady, light rain for two days. That’s atypical, because usually we go directly from severe drought to severe flooding, which means most of the rain runs off. This time the water has had a chance to soak in.
Damp hummingbird
It is flooding down at the other family property in Yorktown, though, and in many places south of us. We just lucked out. The rain will continue this week, but I hope it stops in time for us to travel to our final camping destination for a while.
We’re going to leave Seneca at a motor home repair place when camping is over to get all fixed up for more adventures. The lack of hot water, a kitchen faucet, and a bedroom slide-out has all become tiresome.
The RV carport will be empty while Seneca is gone.
But if it rains, it rains. I’m just glad I haven’t had to drive a lot in it, like all the rest of the family have. I go out and obsessively check the rain gauge to get my steps in. And of course, the one time I forgot to put on rain boots is when I had to go in the muddy chicken house to fetch a turkey egg.
Dramatization. Yeah, I know…just wanted to try this.
I was surprised to get over 50 bird species on Merlin today, even with the rain off and on. It’s very convenient that my birding phone can sit on the back porch and not get wet. That enabled me to confirm to Lee that he truly did hear a flock of seagulls fly over. Franklin’s Gulls are on the move, heading to central Canada.
Note that this is the only week in the year that these gulls are likely to!
Let’s see what tomorrow brings! Woo hoo! Maybe more rain.
Today was beautiful, as days after a spring cool front tend to be. Every color was bright, the animals were happy, and the birds were out in full force! Thanks to migrating gulls and other visitors, we had 72 species at the Hermits’ Rest today! That’s the most since I have been tracking birds.
Penney enjoyed frolicking with me.
The weather was so nice that Vicki decided to ride her new horse, Malone, over for a visit. He’s a very attractive red dun with an expressive face, especially when he’s looking at Darryl, Jr., who is his first turkey experience.
Here he’s looking at Drew, who also interested him.
I got Apache all saddled and warmed up, and we set out to ride around the field. Apache was fine for about five minutes, then decided he was done.
Here’s Malone watching me warm up Apache. Only later I realized the poles are set wrong.
It was pretty frustrating to see him back in his old ways. I remembered how to deal with it, but after ten minutes or so, my right leg was getting tired of trying to get him to go forward rather than sideways. It didn’t help that Drew and the other horses were in a tizzy and running up and down the fence line. Soon Drew broke the fence completely. He wanted to join us.
I got Apache back to the starting area and proceeded to do more ground work with him, so he won’t think I will stop asking him to do things if he behaves badly enough. He did fine.
Trying to be a good boy.
Malone didn’t really want to leave, so it was Vicki’s turn to deal with an opinionated horse. Once they got to the end of the driveway and around the corner, it got better.
His last moment of spiciness.
Whew. I need to get over my horse (more like horse trainer) issues and ride more often or Apache will stay uncooperative. Kathleen and I are encouraging each other to not work so late and do more horse activities. She had Dusty all saddled up and working in the round pen this evening. He’s getting muscles and seems to be enjoying it.
He’s remembering the old days. Doesn’t he look good?
I did make my nails look festive and get caught up on my temperature blanket today, but I still have Master Naturalist stuff to do. I’m just giving myself permission to take it easy, however.
Very spring-like!
It may be starting all over again, but Apache and I will get back on track! Plus, the fence is repaired again, at least for a while.
Today was the first “normal” day in over a week. Other than work, it was just lovely, too. While the wildflowers aren’t overly spectacular this year, looking at them makes it impossible not to live in the moment.
The dandelions of many species were beautiful this morning (pre mowing)
Though the bluebonnets have mostly gone to seed, the other roadside flowers are making up for it, which makes butterflies happy.
Click to see the flowers better
The weather was pleasantly warm, and in the morning, the wind was just right. It was perfect for getting the horses’ hooves trimmed. Apache is still shedding profusely on his white spots, and the wind blew the hair away from poor Terry while he trimmed.
Meanwhile, Vlassic scrounged for hoof trimmings.
The horses were so good, and they all look great now that the cracks are smoothed down.
Oh, THAT’S what he’s doing back there!
I was charmed at how Mabel and Apache waited their turns nose to nose. They have become good friends.
Nice day isn’t it? Yep.
Even Drew was in a good mood, asking to have his face rubbed, then, get this, mouthing and licking my hand sweetly and gently. We had an absolutely relaxing and pleasant time together. He’s settling down into a fine companion.
RelaxedVery relaxed
The time spent with the horses is so good for me. Dusty and Spice are always so friendly and well mannered. We now have a happy, balanced herd. I’m glad to now have Kathleen’s help with them, too. It’s helped me move forward.
Tomorrow should be either fun or wet. We will see!
You didn’t hear from me yesterday, because I didn’t feel up to writing about lots of meetings followed by all the endless steps it takes to go from one place to another these days.
The only Portland photo I took yesterday.
Still, work was actually quite productive, so it was all worth it. I was pleased with myself that I coordinated packing, returning Jasmine’s nice warm coat, driving to the airport, returning the rental car, walking great distances to find planes, and remaining patient when my flight from Phoenix to Austin was delayed so the brakes could be repaired. I’d certainly prefer a delay to not having good brakes on a 737 when it lands.
One of the things flying across the country accomplishes is to remind me how amazing our landscape is.
I got lots of reading done in the Phoenix airport, so I was glad the second book I brought with me is over 500 pages long. You have that book report to look forward to!
Phoenix.
I was quite pleased to find my bag that I’d checked (first plane was tiny) was already on the carousel when I got to Austin at 1:30 am and that the hotel driver was waiting for me. That was so nice of them to send him when the plane arrived! The familiar sight of the oddly shaped rooms of the familiar hotel was so welcoming.
I love the huge rooms
After a pleasant hotel breakfast I headed home and made it through a couple hours of work before I had to nap. I was much perkier after that and got all my late meetings done so I could visit my animals. I gave the chickens and turkeys some dewberries. It was great fun watching them go after the fruit. Clint the rooster tossed one in the air and caught it!
Cheerful Gaillardia
The horses were in great shape, thanks to Kathleen’s care, and I enjoyed seeing the new horse-area flowers that came up in my absence.
Black-eyed Susans are starting up.
Of course, I had to say hi to all the birds! The Painted and Indigo Buntings are back! What a happy sound! I also got to see this Belted Kingfisher, which proved it wasn’t a Mockingbird mocking me.
After all my chores were done, Lee and I sat by the pool and enjoyed the hummingbirds around the red yucca blossoms. These natural hummingbird feeders were a great addition to our yard. We saw both male and female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and Lee even realized they are green! Forgive all the pictures. I had too much fun.
MaleFemale from here onMany hummingbirds
The palmettos are sending up flower stalks, too. Those attract butterflies.
Dwarf palmetto
Of course, I also greeted the dogs. Here’s Penney indicating she’s glad I’m back.
Maybe. No clue what she was thinking.
Thanks for sticking with me and being so supportive, friends and readers! You’re appreciated!
Oh, it’s probably a tie for best thing about today. I enjoyed watching a cottontail standing very still while a juvenile bald eagle flew over. That was pretty special.
Be vewy quiet.
Just as good was the fact that I did a good job on today’s meeting for my new assignment while only letting my annoyance come through once during difficult meetings with my own department. You know it’s bad when you need multiple debriefs and still come out with no idea what to do next. But I got through it!
I rewarded myself by smelling the incredible scented white petunias.
Many of you will have been in situations like the one I’m in, where multiple people think they’re the decision makers, topped by workers who refuse to do what the deciders ask. All my cohorts and I can do is explain the consequences and listen. We aren’t the deciders. We’re the facilitators once we know what to facilitate. Guess that’s why we make the big(-ish) bucks.
Second reward: finding winecups in the front of the house.
Other hard decisions were made on other topics, so my brain is ready to shut down. I pulled together outfits for a trip to Oregon next week, but still have to pack for camping this weekend. I hope to have fun between all the driving and flying. I get to see favorite camping friends and coworkers I like, so that bodes well.
The purple ones smell good, too.
I feel confident I can deal with all the challenges and that remembering what’s good will be of great assistance. Ow I’ll make a wish for success in the next week!
That’s what I tell myself when I get overwhelmed or frustrated. Just keep moving. Sometimes just putting one foot in front of the other seems hard. I have a notion that we all feel like it’s hard to keep moving sometimes. I’m glad I’m to the point where it’s not too often.
There are always thorns or other obstacles on our paths! These are thistles.
Today was one of those days. I was just wondering why I was making so much effort. Maybe I was just coming down from all that self-help book energy. I stood on the porch and looked out at the nice, full pond, took a few deep breaths, and decided I’d get back to moving forward…tomorrow.
Porch view. Yay for full pond.
Today I mostly crocheted, watched a variety of television shows, ranging from the rather crude Ted (Seth McFarland humor at its crudest) to art history and a documentary about lobsters. Meanwhile, Kathleen cooked a fine traditional Easter dinner, and I provided wine. I’m not much of a helper.
It looks like I’m over halfway through!
I’d have had more blogging time if we hadn’t reached the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The final episode was very long, since it had to neatly end many story lines and “regale” us with endless battle scenes. That may have been the next-to-last episode. I get bored watching tiny model ships pretend to explode and shoot rays of various colors. Actually I knit, crochet, or read during battle scenes of all kinds. I like character development.
No reason for this photo except I still can’t believe the false dandelions this year.
On that tangent, I’ll take my leave so I can drive back down to the Austin suburbs for a visit with the dentist. That’s just the start of a long couple of weeks!
There’s an old sappy song going through my head right now.
Where are you going, my little one, little one? Where are you going, my baby, my own? Turn around and you’re two – turn around and you’re four Turn around and you’re a young child going out of the door.
It came up when I was watching my friend Ellie, who’s going to have her second baby next month. I met her when she just started college, and now she’s got a career and beautiful family. I’m so happy to have watched her grow and mature over the years.
Look at that face!
And to see Ellie and her husband, Jimmy, with their older daughter just warms my heart. They’ve done a great job raising a polite, intelligent, and charming little girl. I enjoyed spending time with her, drawing, problem solving her strange pen, and trying out the child’s binoculars I got her. The binoculars came with a whistle. She really liked the whistle.
Lord of the Rings themed decor. Baby Charles Christopher has a LOTR mural in his room.
Ruby can even read already! My heart burst from pent-up love, I guess. I don’t know how I’d cope if I had grandchildren and could see them all the time. To get to watch the child of your own children grow up is a real privilege. (I respect my children’s decision not to reproduce, so I’m glad to have bonus grandchildren.)
I want those hair things. I didn’t want to share Ruby’s face, but you can see her hair! That’s what mine looked like—same color and curls.
I also made a new friend and got two new friends on my Finch app. All in all, I had a good day, and didn’t mind one bit driving to Round Rock in the rain. Yes! We got 1.8”! The ponds filled. Joy!
The Hermits' Rest 