Friday, February 17, 2023

LOOKING BACK TO THE TIME A HOT AIR BALLOON ALMOST LANDED ON OUR JEEP WRANGLER

 THE BAYFIELD RIVER NORTH OF VARNA ONTARIO
An overnight freezing rain turned to snow leaving us with a white landscape and icicle diamonds hanging in the trees this morning.  And then along came the sunshine and lit it all up.

 ALWAYS NICE TO SEE SUNRISE THROUGH OUR PINE TREES
HEADING WEST ON OUR STREET THIS MORNING
 DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANYBODY'S UP YET ON THE STREET BEHIND US
 OFF OUT INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE WE GO

From record-breaking 50F temperatures a day or two ago we plunged to 19F today with a wind chill factor of 9F.  Needless to say, I stayed in and stayed warm.  Oh well, a month from now we'll already be over halfway through March heading down the homestretch for warmer Spring weather:))  Oh hey, and it is March 12th when we turn the clocks ahead.  Twenty-three days to be exact, or just a little over 3 weeks from now:))))  Hang in there folks, better times is a comin....................

There's nothing like a bit of snow to create a feeding frenzy at our birdfeeders and this morning was no exception.  Our half dozen squirrels were zipping around all over the place as well.  Morning's clear sunny skies gave way to afternoon clouds and snow so I was kept busy keeping the feeders topped up.

 OUR BIRDFEEDERS WERE BUSY TODAY

 THAT BIG BLUE BIN ON OUR BIRD STATION IS THERE TO KEEP THE SQUIRRELS FROM JUMPING ACROSS FROM A NEARBY CEDAR TREE
 WE HAD A LOT OF GOLDFINCHES AT THE FEEDERS TODAY
 THIS PLUMPED-UP MALE CARDINAL KEEPS A VERY CLOSE EYE ON ME AS I TOP UP THE  FEEDERS
Another difficult week for Kelly as she tries to deal with not only the difficulties from her Primary Bilary Cholangitis but also the side effects of all the pills she is required to take.  She was first diagnosed with PBC in 2013 and has been fighting its progression ever since.  She has to use frozen water bottles  against her skin to try and stop the almost constant itching from the liver disease-related Pruritus.  It is rare for her to get a good night's sleep anymore because of the itching that continuously moves around her body.  And then there is the nausea and headaches. 

 ONE OF OUR FRONT YARD PINE TREES
 INSIDE A SHARK'S JAW??  NOPE, JUST ICICLES HANGING OFF ONE OF THE BIRD FEEDERS
 ICICLES ON OUR AZALEA PLANT LEAVES

 A COUPLE OF CHILLY AZALEA BUDS
A SQUIRREL SCAMPERS ACROSS THE YARD AS A JUNCO COMES IN FOR A LANDING TO THE RIGHT OF THE BIRD BATHS
 PHEEBS SURE LIKES HER TUMMY RUBS EVERY DAY
It was ten years ago while boondocked just west of Sedona Arizona when a hot air balloon nearly landed on top of our Jeep Wrangler.  It was so close that Kelly had to bend the whip aerial over on our Jeep.  Close Call With A Hot Air Balloon.

 HERE'S KELLY, PHEEBS, AND I AT OUR CONGRESS ARIZONA HOUSE BACK IN OUR BETTER WINTER DAYS
GROANER'S CORNER:(( Twas A Couple Months.....

Twas a couple months after Christmas, and all through the house nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. All the cookies I'd nibbled and the eggnog I'd taste at the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!  When I walked to the store it was less of a walk than a lumber.

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared.  The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rated, the wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese, and the way I'd never said, 'No thank you, please.'

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt  And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---I said to myself, as I only can
'You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!'

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip, get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.  Every last bit of food that I like must be banished till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits or cornbread, or pie, I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.  

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore-
But isn't that what February is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
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10 comments:

  1. I like the way you count the time through this time of year and how close we are to spring time. It is close isn't it? Encouraging, thanks.

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  2. I can sympathize with Kelly's itching! It's a pain! Hadn't remembered DST in just 3 weeks.

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  3. Would Kelly be a candidate for a transplant?

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    1. There has been no mention by her doctor of a liver transplant yet.

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  4. I am sorry to hear Kelly is having to cope with all the miseries. I am wishing her a good night's sleep from time time, if she can't have it every night. Just once in a while. A modest request, I"d say. I hope it happens. Thanks for the lovely cold spell photos....sparkles everywhere.

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  5. I love the icy photos! Kelly is really going through some difficult times, unfortunately. Has Prevalite every been mentioned to help with the itching? It helps remove bile salts from circulation. I understand she's on so many meds already but thought I'd mention it.

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  6. I love that photo of the Bayfield Bunch. How priceless are those memories of happy times. Surely the room they take up in our heads/hearts leaves less room for sad feelings of the present! That is a good thing.

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  7. Your cardinals are so bright red. According to Google - the better the food/ nutrition, the brighter the plumage. %%% Also, for Kelly - maybe she could talk with her doctors about taking cannabis gummies. Some people swear that they have helped them. Always my thoughts & prayers coming her way.

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  8. I wish I could suggest something to help Kelly, but all I can say is that I hope she has more good nights and days than bad and the doctors find something to make her better. As usual, your photos are super nice and I would hang them on our walls!

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  9. I enjoyed the hot air balloon adventure. Prayers for Kelly.

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