First off, I would like to add a little postscript to yesterday's post. My own kids would never, ever try to make me feel inadequate for being technologically impaired. They are patient, gentle, and kind when I need help. Hank especially is very good with this as he does a lot of helping people with technology via phone as his work. And Vergil, the engineer, is another person we have in our pockets to help us when we need it. Owen has helped me before too. He's the one who introduced me to Google Lens years ago and I can't tell you how handy it is to have that ability when I am out thrifting. August and Levon have frequently shown me how to be more efficient on Youtube as we watch videos about such things as sharks and exploding Mentos and diet coke.
And I think that Glen and I still have things to teach these grandchildren.
Theoretically, at least.
I do not want to go back there.
I do not want to experience that again.
I finally did go back to sleep but have not felt very good all day. Almost a little flu-like. I know that if this keeps up I have to go back to the doctor AGAIN but I keep hoping that the stone will just shift itself from wherever it is now back to where it was lying relatively dormant. The worst part is that Mr. Moon is planning on leaving Wednesday to go meet his sister in Orlando for a week of volleyball tournaments that his sister's granddaughter is in. You may remember they went to Las Vegas some time ago for the same reason. And although I am trying very hard not to borrow trouble, I just can't imagine what it would be like if I had to get to a hospital in such pain without him. I know I could call one of my kids to come and fetch me but these things seem to frequently happen in the dead of night and I would hate to do that but trust me- I would. No doubt about it.
Another definite sign of aging is developing an interest in birds. I have pointed this out before but it bears repeating. I am not sure why this is but perhaps it has something to do with knowing that our days here are, if not severely limited, are absolutely not unlimited, and to us birds represent tiny bits of life which can sing such tuneful and lusty songs, build such architecturally fine nests, mate and raise babies together, and fly on their impossibly small wings from one part of a continent to another and even further. And at the same time, often be beautiful and always interesting.
Or it could just be that we've slowed down enough to pay attention to what's going on around us.
I am visualizing stone retreat!
ReplyDeleteI had so many bird feeders at the old house. I miss that activity. Most were hung from the oak tree, so the hawk's from across the road didn't bother them.
We've been seeing a lot of hawks and one got two of Jessie's hens right in the middle of Tallahassee. They haven't been bothering my wild birds though. Not that I've seen.
DeleteI hope that kidney stone stops bothering you. It's a worry.
ReplyDeleteThe yellow rumps are here year round, hardy little fellers.
It's been a lot better today.
DeleteThere is so much right around me that I never notice. That disturbs me.
Begone stone!
ReplyDeleteSuch a bright and colorful puzzle, love it! I need to start using the Merlin app, I'm always hearing birds in my yard and can identify few of them.
I love the app. It is just amazing.
DeleteI hope you get a good nights sleep and that the stone stops acting up. I love birds too and the older I get, the more I love them. The chickadees are always here but this time of year I love to hear them while they flit about, eating, and looking for love.
ReplyDeleteIt's been lovely and warm here, 10C, the snow is melting fast and it's wonderful to be outside again.
Yes, the birds are so very busy this time of year, aren't they? And they need to eat, getting energy either for the long distances they'll be traveling or the mating and nesting they'll be doing.
DeleteWow! It is warmer there! I bet you're enjoying that so much.
I love the jigsaw! My kids have helped with Technology too, "no-one" (daughter K) in particular is very patient and dictates step-by-step as I write it all down after she has shown me. I'm at the point now where I try things for myself and mostly it works out, but if it doesn't I text her and she messages back what to do. I recently had a printer problem and nothing was working even following her ideas and instructions so she sacrificed a Saturday to come here and sort it out.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have the magnificent array of small song birds that you do, we have large loud squawkers (cockatoos) and magpies that sometimes screech and sometimes warble beautifull and kookaburras that laugh at us. Other birds too but I don't know all of them.
Your daughter sounds wonderful. I find myself googling suggestions for dealing with my tech problems and sometimes it does help.
DeleteNot always, though.
See- we would love to have a few of those birds! They would be the epitome of exotic to us.
I hope that the stone has found somewhere more comfy to rest. I love that jigsaw, just the type I like......sort of blocks of obvious different areas. I am taking some jigsaws that I have done several times to the charity shop today, and hoping to find at least one that I like to buy. They are usually about £3.00 as opposed to around £15 new!
ReplyDeleteYes. The puzzle did make it easier on me. I enjoyed doing it a lot. I, too, get puzzles a thrift stores but I also get them online from ebay sometimes.
DeleteWe started birding when we lived in Connecticut. What a great place for it, and backyard feeders. I just heard that a great way to get kidney stones released is to ride roller coasters. Are you game?
ReplyDeleteRoller coasters? Uh. No. But I can see how that works. I think mine did shift a little yesterday after some activity so that's good. The stone that's in there is too big to pass through the duct so I guess it's just floating around in my kidney wreaking havoc. Or something.
DeleteDon't you wish there was some sort of contortion you could do with your body that would jostle that pesky stone back to a more reasonable place in your kidney? They can do that with vertigo where you lay flat on your back with your head hanging off the edge of the bed, so maybe somebody knows how to do it for kidney stones. Where should inquiries be sent?
ReplyDeleteYes. Those vertigo positions do help I've heard but I haven't read anything that would indicate that any sort of physical positioning can move a kidney stone around. I know if you're passing one, walking can definitely help.
DeleteHope you get relief from that kidney stone.
ReplyDeleteWe saw 2 bald eagles while out for a walk yesterday. Luckily, my son spotted them in a tree or I might have missed them. They majestically flew away and it was beautiful to see!
Wow! Bald eagles! We see them here too sometimes, generally at the coast. They do love fish.
DeleteI hope I never get a kidney stone (reminds self to start putting lemon juice in my water). Sorry to hear that yours is causing you discomfort. Finally warm enough to get outside yesterday and do some work. Weeded the the front flower bed.
ReplyDeleteYeah. You do not want to ever get a kidney stone. Not ever, ever, ever, EVER!
DeleteIt was warm enough here today to go outside but it's been drizzly and so gray.
I hope that your night was quiet and uninterrupted.
ReplyDeleteMostly it was.
DeleteThe puzzle is a real beauty. Jessie chose well.
ReplyDeleteI hope the kidney stone quiets. As Spring approaches, you want to feel good and not be bothered by the pesky stone.
I don't want to be bothered by that damn stone in any season!
DeleteJessie did choose well. She knows I love the EeBoo puzzles the most. I love the art of them, they're well constructed, and it's a woman-owned company. They aren't cheap but sometimes you can get them second or third-hand.
I hope the kidney stone has settled itself down again by this morning. That lying awake in pain thing is awful.
ReplyDeleteIt's been better today, I am very happy to report.
DeleteI’m so sorry that stone has not retreated. You get a nice variety of birds! We only very occasionally see a cardinal or oriole, mostly its mourning doves, blue jays and woodpeckers. I think hearing bird songs is a great reminder that life holds some great and comforting pleasures. I hope on my last day on earth I can hear the songs and feel the sun and breeze, I’ll die happy. It made me ridiculously happy to see the post with you, Steve and Jesse!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
We, too, get a lot of doves, blue jays, and woodpeckers. But we have SO many cardinals. They're probably the most frequent visitor to the the feeder.
DeleteBarbara- your wish about your last day on earth sounds perfect to me. And I'm really glad that the post with Steve and Jessie made you happy.
Rest my friend rest x
ReplyDeleteOh, I do. I promise you. I think YOU'RE the one who needs the rest.
DeleteI didn't realize your kidney stone was acting up again! I hope it stays put or at least doesn't get any worse.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the bird thing either but your theory is as good as any. I've found my own interest in birds has increased as I age. I think when we're young we're focused so much on ourselves, on relationships, on friendships, on our love lives, etc that we have less time for the natural world. But that changes as we get older.
First discovered the yellow rumped warbler (on a phone app) in Alaska last spring while exploring the Eagle River Nature Center. We could hear it but didn't see it. Today observed flocks of robins as I was out and about here at home in northern Pennsylvania. Seems early but they must know best.
ReplyDelete