Saturday, February 20, 2016

A Few Birds and A Few Words


My first robin of this year landed in my backyard along with about 10 of his friends the other day.  I was so excited to see him that I broke out into song.  Now that isn't something you'd want to hear, but I was a happy gal.  To me, the first robins say spring is on the way!


Excuse the quality of the bird shots today as I was 
shooting through a dirty window.  

Saturday is garage cleaning day.  I had to postpone the cable/internet/phone change over because I just couldn't get into gear the last few days to get everything done before they invaded my house.  The basement and most of the upstairs is clean except for the computer room.  The wiring for the upstairs TV comes in through the garage and I doubt if the technician could even find the wire should he need to change it.  I don't know how the garage gets so messy so quickly.  For that matter, I don't know how my computer room gets so messy, either.  At least I can't blame that one on my hubby!  The stuff is all mine.  Paperwork and stacks of books and magazines, luggage, you name it...it is kind of a catch-all. 


I have to admit that I've been spending way too much time reading the news instead of working.  The election news is both fascinating and annoying.  Are you getting as tired of all the whining, fighting, and barking as I am?  But I can't help it, I have to see what they say next.  I tend to take with a grain of salt what the pundits say or write.  It's plain to see that many of them have their favorites and don't even make an attempt to be impartial.  

One thing I have to wonder, and I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, is this group of people the best we can do?  I'm talking about both sides of the aisle here.  And just think...we have many
more months to go to listen to all this.  Sigh.


My new glasses have been ordered and should be in this coming week.  I found out that my right eye is worsened because of the beginnings of a cataract.  He said that it will be a long while before it will cause problems enough to have to be removed.  That was good to hear.  I didn't even ask about contacts.  I'm very nearsighted and have progressive lens and since it had been awhile since my last pair, I nearly fainted when they told me how much they were going to cost, but I figured it was worth it considering how long it had been since I had a new pair.  I also ordered new prescription sunglasses.

We devoured the blueberry muffins and it's time to make something else.  I've got some bananas that are turning dark and I should make banana bread, but I've got a couple of new recipes that I've jotted down to try.  One is called Cream Scones and the other is Cinnamon Apple Muffins.  Maybe I'll make both!  Do you use sugar or a sugar substitute in your baked goods?

It's after midnight as I write this so I better wrap it up and hit the Publish button.  Morning will be here soon enough and we need to get the garage cleaned out for starters.  I also want to trim back some Knockout roses, too.  We are supposed to have temps near 70 today so it will be a good day to work outside.  BG also wants to get back to work on the electric wiring at The Project.  We need to get that finished.  So much to do, so little time.  And energy.  We'll get it all done eventually.  

Enjoy your weekend! 
 xo Cheryl

19 comments:

  1. Cheryl, You won't offend me about the pack of whinies running for office...they need to tell us how they stand, not where the other fellow doesn't. I hate it. It's hard to chose one ..I want one who will work for our country. That mean all of us, not just their old cronies, or rich families. LOL Gaa, don't get me started . I loved the robin picture. We have had one here for two weeks. He is eating the tiny crabapples. But yesterday he was finding some things in the grass. He was on the ground pecking around all day. I love their sweet song. I am getting a cataract too ...got new glasses...not liking them though. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  2. Robins have arrived here also, and I did manage to get a few pics before they left. I hope they will be back. I've been having trouble with night time driving and my eye doctor told me that cataracts are to blame for that. Goodness...getting old is not for sissies. Have a lovely weekend!

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  3. I have had Robins here for over a month. Way earlier than normal. I thought it was a sign Spring would be early. Think they were right.
    I am worn out with presidential politics and the constant speculation every day. I think they ought to pick a name out of a hat. It is a miserable job anyway and I am suspect of anyone actually wanting it.
    Good news about your eyes not needing surgery.

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  4. Hi Cheryl!

    It's so good to see a Robin! It will be the end of March before they are brave enough to fly to Idaho... :0)

    Politics drive me crazy as well, and the other day, I said that exact thing to my husband, "Is this the best our country has to offer?!". Really all the bickering is horrible and tells me tons about the person, which does not say much.

    I'm glad you are getting prescription sun glasses! My doctor stressed how important they are, especially in our high altitude, we are a little over 5000 feet above sea level and that much closer to the sun. But, everyone should be wearing them!

    I don't use sugar substitute to bake with, I think you have to add more liquid or something, I'm not sure. My doctor put my husband and I on a low-carb diet, so no baking for me for a while. After next week, we can add a few more healthy carbs . . . don't donuts count as a healthy carb?!

    Hope your day cleaning the garage was a good one. I cuss my garage every time I step out of the car, it's definitely on my to do list for Spring.

    Have a wonderful Sunday!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  5. I have seen robins other places near us, but none here at our house. Me, too on the politics. Just tired of them...ready for it to be over with. Hubby made a comment the other day, which I can't remember just what he said.

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  6. I love all birds,but the first Robin is a special treat.I don't think they will show up here for a few more weeks,but who knows.You talk about your place getting messy,well I live alone.No one to blame for the messes except myself.Will I ever learn to keep things tidy?At this age,I don't think so. LOL

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  7. There are been flocks of robins in our province (way up north Haha) all winter long which is becoming quite common I guess. It's been an easy winter though and they seem to be finding lots of berries and such to eat to survive. Aren't glasses an awful price!? I will be going for my check up next week and am hoping my cataracts aren't ripe enough yet for removal and that I can get new frames. I'm not looking forward to the bill though! I hope you have a nice week ahead. The weather must be warming a bit where you live now with signs of spring besides the robins. Take care.

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  8. It's really warm here today too. I used to be one of those people that had to listen to all that. I'm not anymore. I don't even listen to or watch the local news. If I want to know the weather, I check online. I know that someone will email me if something big happens, so I just live in my little world now, kind of insulated.
    Brenda

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  9. Hi,
    My cousin and aunt who live in Southern Wisconsin both have seen robins! Already! That is early for Wisconsin.
    I enjoyed all your bird photos. :-))
    Carla

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  10. Oh my, a Robin already, maybe a sign of Spring. Love the bird shots, thank you,Francine.

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  11. We are sisters, Cheryl. I'm going crazy working on our insane basement and doing little by little in the garage which is unheated. Can't seem to light a fire under the guy so it's frustrating.

    I'm a news junkie and totally agree about our race for presidency. So very strange and with the advent of social media. this time around and the parodies of the candidates on TV, sometimes you feel it's all too true. Incredible but like a train wreck..you can't look away.

    Like you I need new glasses and contacts. Can you believe my eyesight improved? I'm 56. I thought I'd be half blind by now. The glasses I bought 2 years ago are no longer good...I can see better without them. What is happening???? Ha!

    Love the sighting of birds...none here, we are just too cold of a climate to get a single robin until April. :(

    Jane

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  12. I hope your glasses arrive on time. Mine are two weeks late. My last two pair, including these new ones. shocked me to my knees! It has just been two years for my change but the difference was great. These darned glasses better be that much better. My cataracts are still not needing attention either and at my age that is a miracle in itself.

    I don't watch the TV about these yahoos running. I am not happy with either side and feel it is sad
    that we can't show better people to lead our great nation. I usually have a favorite but certainly don't this year!

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  13. I forgot to mention that my favorite way to use up bananas is a recipe for banana cake from a very old version of Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I freeze it in two pans with icing and have it ready if company drops by or we get hungry for dessert.

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  14. Robins are a much happier thought/sight than all the
    barking, back stabbing, nasty . . .
    I am looking for consistent, kind and honest . . .
    I wonder if it will appear . . .

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  15. You have been busy! I love your bird pictures! Post a pic when your new glasses come in ok? I bet you will love them!

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  16. ugh, mostly i hate election time on facebook...so many people have to put their opinions out there, and be so nasty about it...it's election time when i usually start deleting "friends" :) everyone thinks they are an expert on the subject, especially my nephew and we are polar opposites so that doesn't go over well, i just try to ignore him!
    i use the real thing when baking, in fact, i don't use sugar substitue in anything. both of the recipes sound yummy!

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  17. Love seeing your Blue Jay! I haven't seen one in our yard here. :(

    I don't watch a lot of news, but my uncle does and he fills me in on everything. lol I never miss a republican debate. Could careless about the other side because neither one, in my opinion, is qualified to get our country back, they would just take us down...can we go down any further?? scary what has taken place in the past eight years.

    have a great day!

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  18. I loved your bird shots; they were awesome. I love that you saw a Robin; I have not seen one yet. It snowed here a little bit yesterday. I can hardly wait for spring. I too wonder how the garage gets so messy. We have all of our Christmas to put up in an area in the garage and I don't know when that will happen.
    We kind of follow the news and I am very tired of the politics and yes, I agree there is no one I even want to vote for. I think the whole thing is a mess and a bit scary too.
    Have a really lovely week dear friend and don't overdo. Blessings and hugs for you~

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  19. I can't even talk about this group of political peeps that want to be the president of our country... makes me cry. Sad is what it is. I love that you are seeing robins, CH saw one yesterday!

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