Every Spring I look forward to the "bellowing" of the bullfrogs as I walk/bike in the morning. Somehow when the bellowing of the bullfrogs start, it is like Summer has truly started.
They bellowed for several months this year and about a month ago, I noticed they stopped. My neighbor just told me that he thought some birds had eaten the bullfrogs, he said he had seen some dead frogs on the bank and the birds eating them.
I will miss the bellowing of the bullfrogs on Summer mornings, somehow it won't be the same (although I guess nothing ever is). Maybe when my Granddaughters come out to visit....
One positive note is that the other pond in the addition has plenty of bullfrogs and when I ride my bike I still hear the welcome bellowing of the bullfrogs in the other pond.
If I were in the range of 8 years old again, I would run down to the other pond, grab some bullfrogs and put them in the pond by my house!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
"Round Tu It's"
I always seem to have a large number of "Round Tu Its", as in "I'll get around to it when I have some more time off".
Years ago, I was talking with a friend of mine excitedly telling him how I'd get a project done "when things slowed down". He looked at me and said, "Bob, things never slow down that much". This was about 20 years ago, and I realize the truth of his statement.
I received a "round tu it" (literally a round wooden coin type item with "Tu It" written on it) as an advertising gimmick years ago, and ever since the phrase "round tu it" seems to describe this.
I get excited about every 3 day holiday or other long stretch of time "off" because I know this time I will finish many of my "round tu its" that seem to accumulate and always be waiting for me. This ranges from work projects, to projects such as sorting through my parents pictures (a "tu it" that is 11 years old), "weeding out" books in my library (something I never expect to get done, I just can't throw away a book, although I do give away or "loan" books, which helps in the weeding), getting back to keeping track of the food I eat and numerous other projects.
The recent 3 day July 4 Holiday and the time spent off waiting for Aliene to recuperate from her surgery got my hopes up. And I DID get a few things done, but looking back I see my numerous "tu its" that I SHOULD have gotten done, but somehow the time just wasn't there!
It is always so strange, I don't seem to be wasting time, it just seems the work or projects expand to fill the time available and many of my long-delayed projects seem to continue on with a life of their own.
Of course, Labor Day is coming and I'm sure I will complete many of my "round tu it" projects during that 3 day period!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Aliene and back surgery
Aliene continues to feel better from the back surgery. She seems to be doing well except for a weakness in her right leg, which hopefully will gradually get better.
She noticed the pain going almost as soon as she woke from the operation (on Thursday) and it continues to improve.
I obviously feel relieved (and Aliene probably even more so!). Of course, now she has to watch it and make sure she doesn't feel so good she tries to do too much too fast!
She noticed the pain going almost as soon as she woke from the operation (on Thursday) and it continues to improve.
I obviously feel relieved (and Aliene probably even more so!). Of course, now she has to watch it and make sure she doesn't feel so good she tries to do too much too fast!
Summer of 2009 (continued)
I am surprised that I have become an avid bird watcher. They are amazing to watch. The squirrels who stop by (and who I try my best to keep out of the bird feeder) are also amusing to observe.
Due to a raccoon, possum (or opossum, I'm never sure about that) I have to bring the bird feeder in at night and anytime we are out of town. One of the few times my thoughts turn capital punishment, but I guess the raccoon/possum/opossum is just doing what they do and it would continue to be a problem.
It seems after a while of bringing the feeder in, the critter seems to forget about it, but I decided not to take the chance anymore.
I could check the Internet and see what the difference is between a "possum" and "opossum" (if any), but it is more fun to wonder about it!
My first experience with a possum/opossum was several years ago when my daughter was staying with me with two dogs. She woke me at 4:00 a.m. with news that the dogs had treed (or rather "fenced") an animal.
I took my trusty Arkansas Walking Stick (that I still use on my morning walks) and poked the critter and it snarled at me! Enough of that, I backed off and it finally sulked away.
I bought the "Arkansas Walking Stick" in Arkansas for $5.00, probably one of the best buys I have ever made. It supplemented a walking stick (actually a shillelagh) I purchased an an estate auction in 1973. Supposedly shillelagh belonged to an 93 year old man and it had belonged to his Grandfather, but I have learned that such things can be exaggerated.
While looking up how to spell "shillelagh", I noticed a large assortment of walking sticks on the Internet. It might be interesting to get another walking stick or two!
Due to a raccoon, possum (or opossum, I'm never sure about that) I have to bring the bird feeder in at night and anytime we are out of town. One of the few times my thoughts turn capital punishment, but I guess the raccoon/possum/opossum is just doing what they do and it would continue to be a problem.
It seems after a while of bringing the feeder in, the critter seems to forget about it, but I decided not to take the chance anymore.
I could check the Internet and see what the difference is between a "possum" and "opossum" (if any), but it is more fun to wonder about it!
My first experience with a possum/opossum was several years ago when my daughter was staying with me with two dogs. She woke me at 4:00 a.m. with news that the dogs had treed (or rather "fenced") an animal.
I took my trusty Arkansas Walking Stick (that I still use on my morning walks) and poked the critter and it snarled at me! Enough of that, I backed off and it finally sulked away.
I bought the "Arkansas Walking Stick" in Arkansas for $5.00, probably one of the best buys I have ever made. It supplemented a walking stick (actually a shillelagh) I purchased an an estate auction in 1973. Supposedly shillelagh belonged to an 93 year old man and it had belonged to his Grandfather, but I have learned that such things can be exaggerated.
While looking up how to spell "shillelagh", I noticed a large assortment of walking sticks on the Internet. It might be interesting to get another walking stick or two!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Aliene is having her back surgery today. This all started February 11 with severe pain in her leg. Of course at the time, we had no idea it was back problems, actually sciatic nerve pain.
The Doctor determined the problem was a "ruptured disc" in her back. Several "nerve block" shots didn't help and physical therapy helped her deal with the pain, but only on a temporary basis.
After several "events" dealing with leg pain and weakness, Aliene was only too glad to schedule surgery as early as she could get it. The day is finally here.
Surgery seems to be somewhat like a death in the family in that time suddenly seems to lose meaning and time becomes timeless, so to speak. What is normally important becomes unimportant for a brief time.
I noticed this is especially true for funerals of family members and I have found if I don't accept the suspension of time and other concerns, I regret it later.
My Mom, who passed away almost 12 years ago (that it was 12 years ago is almost impossible to believe) is what I think of when I think about this. For over a week, I worked with my brothers and sisters on all aspects of our Mother's death.
On the day of her death, my Mom called all of us children, friends she hadn't talked to for years and other family members. I know she would have enjoyed the funeral services, from the fact the Preacher was a Native American who took the time and had the empathy and ability to provide a sense of her life as well as her religious beliefs (hef Father was a preacher) to the fact that it was a sunny day and the group of people, while mourning her passing, also talked about her life and remembered how she touched peoples lives.
I can remember as a child how my Mom (the daughter of a Minister) would ask people she had just met to Sunday dinner and was always interested in their stories.
Anyway, Aliene is ready for her operation. We trust the Doctor and I am looking forward t the surgery being successful.
The Doctor determined the problem was a "ruptured disc" in her back. Several "nerve block" shots didn't help and physical therapy helped her deal with the pain, but only on a temporary basis.
After several "events" dealing with leg pain and weakness, Aliene was only too glad to schedule surgery as early as she could get it. The day is finally here.
Surgery seems to be somewhat like a death in the family in that time suddenly seems to lose meaning and time becomes timeless, so to speak. What is normally important becomes unimportant for a brief time.
I noticed this is especially true for funerals of family members and I have found if I don't accept the suspension of time and other concerns, I regret it later.
My Mom, who passed away almost 12 years ago (that it was 12 years ago is almost impossible to believe) is what I think of when I think about this. For over a week, I worked with my brothers and sisters on all aspects of our Mother's death.
On the day of her death, my Mom called all of us children, friends she hadn't talked to for years and other family members. I know she would have enjoyed the funeral services, from the fact the Preacher was a Native American who took the time and had the empathy and ability to provide a sense of her life as well as her religious beliefs (hef Father was a preacher) to the fact that it was a sunny day and the group of people, while mourning her passing, also talked about her life and remembered how she touched peoples lives.
I can remember as a child how my Mom (the daughter of a Minister) would ask people she had just met to Sunday dinner and was always interested in their stories.
Anyway, Aliene is ready for her operation. We trust the Doctor and I am looking forward t the surgery being successful.
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