My Birds

Well....I guess I haven't told you about my bird family. It's a story so here we go. I always hang plants on either side of my front door and usually they do well. Doing well means they usually last the summer. Well not this year. We had so much rain in June and July that I think it drowned my plants. The first ones that I put in died pretty quickly so I went out and bought some new ones...impatiens this time, as I have never killed an impatien plant, inside or outside. So much for that theory.. One day I go out and there they are.....DEAD.

Okay. So I put my hand up into the hanging plant (which is above my head because I am just a fat little woman) and what flys out but a bird (don't ask me what kind, all I know is that she makes a clicking sound). Well, I thought, this can't be right, so I called Ralph out of the house and had him look in the plant which he could do because of his superior height. He reached up and brought it down to show me the nest with eggs that was making a home in the planter.

The babies have hatched. So since we have known that the babies are there we have been trying not to use the front door or bother the babies and Mom in any way. I have been so worried this week about the babies because of the high temperatures that we have been having. I put a bowl with some water out on the ledge of the doorstep so Mom could take water to the babies (not that I know if that could happen or not) and Ralph came home today and said that the babies are much bigger so they survived the weather. This is a video that San took on Sunday when she was out. Watch the baby open its' mouth thinking the camera is food.

Happy Birthday to Me

Well, here it is the day of my 56th birthday. It is difficult for me to even believe that I am that old. I know that everyone says it but I feel no different than I did when it was say my 26th, 36th or 46th birthday. What are the good things about turning 56?
Well, for one I am here to celebrate it in reasonably good health, with all of my family in good health and looking forward to seeing my first grandchild. I have friends and family who were not fortunate enough to even turn 56 so I am thankful for that.
Another good thing is that it puts me closer to the time when I can say good-by to paid work and do every day only what I want to do.
I am much clearer in my mind as to what is important in life. Trying to impress others, letting other's opinions influence what I do and say more than my own.....all of that is behind me. I am confident that I know what is good for me and I don't really listen to other's advice.
So many things that seemed important when younger no longer seem that way. Simple pleasures such as good food, music, good company and a good book are what I enjoy these days.
I will end this post by saying that I will post again next August 16th with my 57 year old thoughts.

Sidney Crosby and the Stanley Cup

Well, so much excitement here in Halifax last Friday. Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburg Penguins and son of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia bought the Stanley Cup to his hometown with a parade. Ralph and Trish were able to take it in but I had to work so I missed it, but here are some pictures.

Where has the summer gone

We wait so long for summer here in Canada and then it is here and gone so quickly. Once summer started here in Halifax it was hot and sticky. Lots of fog and rain and humidity. Add hot flashes and a sore hip and sciatica on top of that and poor Ralph has had to put up with a cranky wife :-)

Speaking of Ralph, he has only two weeks left in Debert. He has enjoyed working with the Cadets I do believe as it put him back working in Finance. It has been a little rough having him gone every week but we have managed. I have put up some pictures of Ralph in his fishing kyack that was part of his retirement gift. He loves it.

My baby girl and her husband left yesterday to go home to Toronto. We wait so long for their two week vacation and it comes and goes so fast. I have posted pictures of her baby shower that we had while she was here. I know it is early but it is the last time she will be home before the baby comes, which is December 18th by the way. It is still so hard to believe especially because Trish isn't really showing yet. Ralph and I are going up to see her in October and at that time she will be seven months so maybe it will look more real then.

The humidity has lifted here and it is quite comfortable outside. Funny story....I was out on the front doorstep yesterday looking at the two dead plants hanging on either side of the front door. I couldn't believe that I had killed two more hanging plants. This makes six this year :-) Anyways, I reached up to stick my finger in the pot (trying to ascertain that the reason they died was that the soil was not draining properly from all the rain) and when to my surprise and I am sure to her's too, a small swallow flew up out of the planter. She then sat in the nearest tree in the front yard and started scolding me. Ralph came out, lifted the plant down and lo and behold there was a nest with four eggs in it. We gently put it back, and went in and closed the door. After about five minutes Mom came back, perched on the railing for a minute (to make sure that human was gone), and then flew back in the nest. I guess that we will be using the garage door for the next while.

Guess that is all for now. Hope everyone is having a great summer. Will check in again soon.