Where Have All the Cardinals Gone?

 

We were a bit late in putting out a bird feeder for winter. We've seen chickadees, tufted titmouses, and blue jays, but no cardinals.

I miss the lovely red birds and I don't know where they went. They are not a migratory bird. It makes me wonder if there wasn't enough food around here this summer because of our drought. Or if we have the wrong food in the bird feeder. They like sunflower seeds the best (allegedly), and there is some of that in the mix.

Honestly, I haven't seen a cardinal in months. Of course, things like seeing birds are something one takes for granted, until suddenly they're not around. So maybe it hasn't been as long as I think.

Maybe it's been longer.

Today we have severe winds, 40 mph winds, that are knocking me offline every now and then. 

The high winds are swinging the bird feeder all around, and I just watched a blue jay take a wild ride while trying to eat during what it thought must've been a lull in the breeze.

Most likely the feeder will need a refill by the time the winds blow themselves out, as the seed will be more on the ground.

Maybe the cardinals will find their way back. I hope so.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. How long was your last phone conversation?

A. Just a few minutes. Long enough for my husband to convey information.

2. Have you ever dyed your hair?

A. I used to highlight it when I was younger, but then I started reacting to the dyes and stopped.

3. What do you have on your feet?

A. Socks and tennis shoes.

4. Do people ever mispronounce your name?

A. All of the time. If you call me and mispronounce my last name, you're a telemarketer.

5. Where did you get the shirt you are wearing?

A. From my husband's old workplace.

6. Does any part of your body hurt right now?

A. Yes, my lower back hurts. 

7. Do you drink hard liquor?

A. I do not drink any kind of alcohol.

8. Have you ever read a book in one sitting?

A. Yes.

9. Do you like cats?  Why or why not?

A. I am allergic to cats. I honestly don't know if I would like them or not, as I have never been around them much.

10. Do you like the ocean?

A. It's ok. Nice for a vacation. I don't think I want to live there.

11. Ever think you might have seen a UFO?

A. Yes.

12. Do you type fast?

A. Yes.

13. How long are you usually in the shower for?

A. About 8 minutes.

14. Chinese food or Mexican food?

A. Chinese.

15. Do you read and believe your horoscope?

A. I read it, but I don't believe it.

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Long Cool Woman

Saturday 9: Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress) 1972

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 

(This is one of my husband's favorite songs.)

1) This week's song begins with Hollies' lead singer Allan Clarke telling us of a Saturday night trip downtown, taken at the behest of the FBI. What are your plans for Saturday night? (No, we don't expect you to tell us you'll be working undercover for a government agency.)

A. But gee, that is what I was going to tell you! I have a secret meeting set up for an in-depth interview with a Deep Throat who will totally unhinge the orange menace and lead us back into the light of true democracy. Just kidding. My plans would be to take a shower and either watch a movie or read a book.

2) At a bar, he meets a woman in a black dress. The LBD, or little black dress, is a wardrobe staple for many women because it's appropriate for almost any occasion. Let's say you get a last-minute invitation for a "dressy" dinner this weekend and you don't have the time or money to buy something new. What's your go-to outfit from your closet?

A. Black pants and a black top, with flashy jewelry. I don't wear dresses or skirts anymore, as I don't have the shoes for them. I have this huge orthotic I wear in my shoes so I can only wear closed toe shoes.

3) Everyone at the bar starts to run when they hear sirens. Do you often hear sirens in your neighborhood?

A. We seldom hear sirens around here. When we do, it's a sign to stop and watch to see if the fire truck or ambulance goes on by or heads down a driveway of someone we know.

4) In 1972, the year this week's song was on the charts, Popeye's opened their first fast-food chicken restaurant in Louisiana. Now that the Thanksgiving feast is over, will you be eating any carry-out this weekend?

A. Maybe. If I can get my husband to run out to the place in Daleville with great salads, we might have one of those. After all that feasting, one needs to eat some healthy greens.

5) Black is this week's signature color because November 24 was Black Friday, when retailers historically have slashed their prices and the holiday shopping season begins. Have you begun your gift shopping?

A. Yes, I have. Unless my husband asks me for something specific, I am finished with him. I would like to get my brother something special but so far haven't found the right thing.

6) Walmart, Best Buy and Target all advertise heavily on Black Friday. If you could have a $100 gift card from one of those stores, which would you choose? What would you buy?

A. I would choose Walmart and buy the things we normally buy there - deodorant, shampoo, lotion, etc. I hate to shop there but they do have the best prices and availability on some things.

7) This Monday is sometimes known as Cyber Monday because shoppers can find big savings online. Do you shop confidently online, or do you worry about security breaches and identity theft?

A. I do worry about security breaches and identity theft, but honestly, I think it is more likely to come from these big data breaches of hospitals and government agencies than from a store. I've had several notices this year that my data was stolen from a hospital system, another that it was stolen from the local government, and another that my banking system was hacked - not my account, but the entire bank. I honestly don't know what you can do to stop it at this point, and even if you don't think your information is online, it's out there.

8) What are you thankful for this year?

A. I'm thankful that I could celebrate turning 60 and 40 years of marriage. Both are big accomplishments.

9) Random question: Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone (texting doesn't count)?

A. My husband. He does not text so he always calls.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however. 

 

I Hunt with the Camera

 

Thursday Thirteen #835

So, what to do for a Thursday Thirteen that lands on Thanksgiving? The obvious would be the things to be thankful for, of course.

1. My best beloved husband, who is wonderful at driving me nuts.

2. My brother, who picks out the best Christmas presents of anyone I know, and whom I love very much.

3. My other family members, numerous and plenty, though I don't see them too much, ranging from my father to distant cousins.

5. The beautiful Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains that surround me, the Blue Ridge to my back, the Alleghanies to the front (though I tend to lump them all together as the Blue Ridge).

6. My new eye glass lenses, because now I can see what I am doing. I had no idea my vision had deteriorated so much. Best not to let 4 years go by without a prescription change next time.

7. My friends, who should be in number 4 of this list, but I am too sorry to go back and make the change. They are dear to me.

8. Music, which makes me happy, even if I sing or play it badly.

9. Books, which also make me happy and take me away to distant lands and on fantastic adventures, to places where I can find dragons and wizards or whatever wonder I might desire.

10. Good food, because who doesn't like good food?

11. Decent television shows or movies, when I can find them.

12. Clocks. I have always liked clocks, always worn a watch for as long as I can remember. I like to know what time it is.

13. Night and day, for where would we be without Helios and Selene as they travel in their chariots across the sky? 

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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 835th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.