-TIME WARP -

I give up!  Just when I think I have this time thing figured out, I get lost in it.  Thus, I am back to my physical calendar and now all I have to do is look at it regularly.  This in itself may be a challenge.  Oh well, it gives me something to do.  Although these things to do are what gets me lost in the first place.  So, I give up!

I have just become a Great Aunt, again.  My Nephew and his wife, in Florida, are now the parents of their first child, a baby boy, who was born yesterday.  The new parents look very proud and happy (and maybe just a little tired) and the little one appears quite content.  Congratulations to each of you and may you enjoy good health and happiness always.  

My landlady is allowing me to use the therapy pool for canines to swim.  I usually swim early in the mornings.  Today I was visited by several swallows.  They took turns swooping down to the top of the water, gathered water in their feathers and then flew off to wherever they are building their nests.  I felt very honored that they felt comfortable with me swimming to do what comes natural for them.  

There are many residents who do all sorts of things to deter these birds from nesting under their eaves.  It can be messy while they are raising their young.  Though once a nest has been started people usually leave them alone until the young birds have flown away.  These birds must find some, unusual places (out of the way of humans) to build their unique homes.

I also have a pair of birds who are nesting in the jasmine bush just outside of my window.  They are nondescript brown birds and have accepted the fact that I sit at the window when I am on the computer.  I do notice them around the bush more often when I am away from the window.

Once I finish the inside of my humble little abode I will begin working on the outside with potted plants and bird feeders and possibly a bird bath.  I hear so many wonderful bird songs and I want to encourage them to visit here more often.  Not so sure about the woodpecker though.  I think I'll leave him to find his own food sources and preferably somewhere other than this house.

A pigeon dance!

I was chatting with a seaman at the docks recently and he asked if I had seen the blue pigeon.  I have not seen it yet though now I am on the hunt.  Right now, the pigeons are mating and they can be seen all around the docks doing their thing.  Their colors are amazing and I can imagine just how beautiful the blue one must be.  It is quite curious that their were no pigeons when I used to live here before.

We are experiencing some unusual weather just as the rest of the world.  Rarely did this little coastal town experience temperatures even into the eighties.  During the past ten years or so, that I am aware of, this has changed and there have been years when temperatures over 100 degrees have occurred.

This past week we had two days over 90 degrees and several in the upper eighties.  Since then, and thankfully I might add, the temperatures have been in the sixties and seventies. The cooler weather is one of the many reasons I chose this spot to settle.  When this area is hot it is a challenge as most buildings are without air conditioning since it is rarely needed.  Shade and fans are ones only salvation.

Green grasses on the Rock and white where the birds sit!

We have been experiencing afternoon Santa Ana winds which have created many issues in Southern California with the wild fires.  Everything here is just as dry as further south and I am very grateful we had some rainfall not too long ago.   This is keeping our hills fairly green and less apt to be susceptible to wild fires.  There is a prediction of drizzle tonight and tomorrow which will help bring some dampness back to our area.

Prayers and healing to all those who are adversely affected by the recent fires.  To those affected by the huge amounts of water flowing through their areas all around the world.  To those in Turkey affected by the mine explosion and the school girls and families of those taken from their homes.  I send love and healing thoughts to all those struggling with their current conditions.

I remain grateful for my life situation and all those wonderful people, animals, plants and nature that are currently a part of all I experience.  Blessings to all!

Male mallard resting on a warm rock!

To all those celebrating,

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

Happy Birthday, Ryan Luke!

Happy Birthday, Heather!

Happy Birthday, Deborah!

Happy Birthday, Kathy!

"When I stand before God

at the end of my life,

I would hope that I would not

have a single bit of talent left,

and could say,

'I used everything you gave me'.

Erma Bombeck

Enjoy your talents!