“Variety is the spice of life”

Jun5

CARE residents have a wide variety of activities. Furthermore, a wide variety of weather conditions. As I type this (at three o’clock) it is ninety-three degrees outdoors in the shade. (The hottest day of the year!!) Follow me through the seasons. “Never a dull moment.” Always an opportunity to take pictures. ~~ All this… because Facebook asked “What’s on your mind?” That old expression “Variety is the spice of life” came to mind.

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Through-the-air TV reception spares me the cost of expensive satellite service. I receive WiFi from the CARE Center.

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Too many pictures of flooding?? All the recent major flooding in Texas but we were spared significant damage. When we experienced a power outage, we gathered in the dining room of the CARE Center and enjoyed conversation, coffee and fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. (CARE Center has a generator.) ~~ Life is good!!

One, two, three, four….

Jun5

One thousand, two-hundred thirty-four blog messages-and counting!!

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“Yours truly” is passionate about Bluebirds and blog messages!!

World Environment Day

Jun5

World Environment Day 2015

Temporarily, view the Earth Poem with animation.

Feng shui ala Lorraine ?!

Jun4

Feng shui, maybe not. However, I continually “eye” my yard for better aesthetics.

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Truthfully, I have spent very few dollars on my yard this year. Twenty more cement paving blocks, “yes,” but most… in my garden was 2014 expense or items from my garden in North Carolina. A lot of labor involved but excellent exercise for this old lady. Maybe one day soon I can stop arranging and rearranging and sit back and enjoy?! Welcome mat is always out; come visit.

Unknown bird visitor

Jun4

The opinion seems to be: Cooper’s Hawk. I decided to delete a major portion of this previously published blog message. A lot of time and research went into preparation… but I don’t want to publish erroneous information. See my subsequent blog titled Cooper’s Hawk visitor.

Postscript, Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 6:30 AM: An answer arrived via email–from eBird–and I share it here.

**Lorraine – The bird in your photos looks like a Cooper’s Hawk. They are very localized breeding birds in your area and you may not run across them unless you are looking for them, or, as in this case, it visits your back yard. My guess is that either you had some water it was looking for or perhaps something that attracted a prey item (rodents, small birds, etc). Feel free to update your eBird submission as you see fit. Roadside Hawk is extremely rare in the US with only a handful of sightings. –Eric**

Lorraine comment: Yes, the fountain with fresh water was nearby. Yes, there are rodents and small birds in my yard.

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I’ve checked my several bird books–and the Internet–and haven’t identified my evening visitor. My “guess” is a hawk.

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The NSA has not stopped spying on Americans…

Jun4

STOP !!

Jun3

Major mistake!! It seemed like a good idea–the other day–to become involved with Facebook. Several volunteers, and CARE residents, want to promote the Escapees CARE Center. I’ve listened to others talk about their intimate relationship with social media. I wasn’t interested… but willing to help (repeat) “promote the Escapees CARE Center.” ~~ We want to attract volunteers.

“Stop”– I don’t have enough hours in my day for this!! ~~ First thing this morning, I removed my phone number from my FB account.

Activating allows Facebook Mobile to send text messages to your phone. You can receive notifications for friend requests, messages, Wall posts, and status updates from your friends. You can also update your status, search for phone numbers, or upload photos and videos from your phone.

Honestly, when I added information to my profile–including my phone number–I had no idea I’d receive an avalanche of text messages. OMG!! (Go ahead; laugh. I’m sure most readers find my frustration amusing.)