Thursday, September 07, 2017

Thursday-10:30am

Back again, do you believe it?!
Fall weather--my favorite time of year.  The grouse are here every day again.  Here they are digging in the grass for who knows what.  I guess nobody really likes the cracked corn in the wild bird seed.
The sparrows are flocking up.  Usually 20-30 of them together now. 
You can tell Annie has street cred and used to have to kill her own food.  For days she's been hiding behind the end table, waits until the flock of sparrows is nibbling away, then she dive bombs the screen and they all fly away in a panic.  Annie slinks quickly back behind the end table (because she knows I don't really like her doing that--LOL!)  She and the sparrows do this all day long.  Annie wants to sink her teeth into one so badly.
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Annie must be a little intimidated by the bigger grouse, though, because she has never tried to lunge at the screen to scare them when they come to eat.  On the other hand, the ground squirrel will fill its pouches inches from Annie's face and look right at her--LOL!  Obviously smarter and has apparently figured out that the cat can't reach her so she seldom will be fooled into running away.       
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Been putting out food at least twice a day now that everybody is trying to fatten up or build up hibernation supplies.  I've seen ground squirrels gathering grass after they have mowed here.  So cute!!  They grab as much of the clippings as they can into their mouth and then race, head held high, off to line their dens.  Clipped grass is perfect!  I never thought of that.
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Been in the 50s at night!  Love it!  Snuggling up under the covers when it is nippy--ahhh!  I sleep a lot better than when it is hot.  Wonder how long the flowers will last as it gets colder at night?
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On Tuesday I got an invite to McFamily's for a visit.  Dagan had an eye doctor appointment and could come by and pick me up--well, you betcha!  This time I got to hold little Liam--who was awake the whole time this first time when Leah took some pictures.  Ian wanted to climb up and sit with us, of course.  :)
Ian had just gotten up from a nap and had wild curls on the back of his head. 
We chatted and I tickled Ian's neck and rubbed his shoulder.  Liam was quietly watching all he could take in. 
I stayed most of the day until after Ian went to bed.  Read to Ian for a long time, ate dinner there (Gramma being there at mealtime is very distracting for Ian--LOL!--not used to it), got to hold Liam again for a while, and give Ian a hug and kiss goodnight...was a wonderful visit.
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Ian will get more used to me being over there because I'll be going over to their place for visits for a while.  Dagan and Ian will come over here for visits, too, though.
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Oh, since Annie loves to scare the birds and spends her days stalking the patio, I thought I'd try buying a feathery toy for her.  
These came in a set of two.  I thought they were mice with feather tails, but I think they are supposed to be fish--LOL!  She plays with them!  I was so delighted to have an 8 year old cat leaping about the living room that I ordered a bunch of cat toys with feathers on (she had no interest in balls even though she loves her spinner ball thingie).  Petco had a Labor Day sale and since I needed kitty litter anyways...I ordered a whole bunch of feather toys for Annie.  
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Why so many?  
Well, there's a method to my madness, as they say.  It's because in no time they disappear under the furniture and I have a heck of a time getting them back out.  With the bad left hip and knees that are swollen all the time (arthritis)--getting down on the floor is quite a painful task.  Now I can put down a toy or two until I run out and they are all under the furniture--LOL!  When Dagan, Ian, or Caroline come over they will need to be Annie's toy hunters.  Then we'll start all over again.  ;)
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Dagan took two weeks off to be able to help Leah out for a while, like he did when Ian was born.  He and Ian are planning on coming over for some Gramma time soon.  We are going to start watching Sesame Street (Ian seemed to love that the time we watched an old one I found on youtube), and then after he can try to draw the numbers and letters or play with his toys or color or who knows what.  :)  We're playing it by ear.  
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We would like to try to get in some art & craft time...but if he's bursting with energy and wants to play with his cars and trucks, that's fine.  Kind of hoping to keep it up at least once a month and eventually it be a special Sesame Street and/or art & craft time at Gramma's.  I'll have to dig out my old notes for stuff to make and do when I was a day care teacher.  :)  We already know he loves play-dough--LOL!
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 Me--been having quiet days with Annie.  Only doing what I have to for a while--except for practicing my calligraphy drills.  Discovered I was two years behind on watching Shameless, so have slowly been catching up...interspersed with some BBC historical documentaries, PBS Endeavor, and youtube videos.  
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I wonder if my mom and Blaine will be able to fly Mom home to Florida as scheduled tomorrow?  I hope they can switch tickets and wait a week or so.  May be that the flights are all cancelled anyways.  Blaine is checking into it.  This hurricane sounds just deadly!  Mom lives in central Florida, Eileen (our old neighbor across the street when we were kids) lives on the east coast, and Mom's cousin, Carol, lives on the west coast--so Mom is watching the weather closely.  Prayers for everyone.  I don't have regular TV so I need to find a good weather source online, I guess, to keep track.  This sure looks to be a terrible hurricane season.  
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I feel guilty having these wonderful, fall days of peace and tranquility.  But I am extremely grateful for them.  :):)
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I hope everyone is well, safe, and happy.
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"It is a huge danger to pretend that awful things do not happen.  But you need enough hope to keep going.  I am trying to make hope.  Flowers grow out of darkness."
Corita Kent

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

The weather not withstanding, I'm glad that things are going well for you & yours!!

GrandmaG said...

Between the hurricanes and the fires out west, it's such a stressful time for so many people. I've been checking for updates 3-4 times a day. My goodness 90% of Barbuda is in rumbles! 90%! I have to wonder where all the trash goes. There's just so much. Fun days ahead with Ian! It seems like I went through that just yesterday. But now one grandson is in six grade and the other is in second. Goes so fast even when you're paying attention :( Enjoy!

My name is Erika. said...

What a happy grandma you are! Love those pictures of you with the 2 boys. And love reading about Annie too. I wonder if she remembers when she flies at the door that the door is there, or if she is just having some good old cat fun. :) Happy weekend. Hugs-erika

Deb J. in Utah said...

Congratulations on that new grand baby! What a blessing! You are one happy grandma. So nice that you live close and can be a part of their lives. Have a good weekend. :-)

Mersad said...

I congratulate you as well! Such a blessing!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What wonderful photos of both grandsons. You look SO happy with them, too.

I laughed at Annie's toys. Both my two hide their toys, then suddenly they appear again, only to disappear a few days later. Mine prefer mice, though. They rip feathers to shreds in a matter of hours.

I love Endeavor, too. I think I missed one, but I have a tv, so didn't see them online. To watch the weather online, just go to weather.com. It's the same thing as watching the weather channel.

Jon said...

I love this time of year, too! The weather has been gorgeous here - in the 40's at night. It's time to get out the blankets and have a cup of tea.

Cats can be so sweet, but they always have that predatory instinct. If I ever dropped dead, my three cats would probably eat me in two hours (*smile*).

You seem to have more wildlife outside your windows than I do here in the woods. I think most of the birds and animals where I live stay hiding in the forest. I always heard them, but seldom see them.

Janie Junebug said...

Even if the flights aren't canceled, it isn't a good time to fly toward Florida. I have a book to edit, and we're waiting for Irma to show up. I love the photo of you with Liam and Ian.

Love,
Janie

Divers and Sundry said...

What fun to spend time with your growing family :) I'm getting a kick out of hearing about Annie's attempts to hunt. She'll get a lot of good exercise and entertainment with the bird-substitutes you bought for her. Fall is certainly here. It still gets up to 80+ during the days, but the nights are downright chilly. I sleep better when I'm not hot, too, so chilly nights suit me fine :)

Desiree said...

Don't feel guilty. I know it is so hard when the world is suffering on many different levels, but we must not go into those dark moments and relish our own small worlds, this in turn makes the big world better!!! I am enjoying the amazing weather we have gotten from the storms, but indeed I hope they are all over soon and it is not like this the whole season. I worry about what our winter will be like this year, last year was so calm, and this year I just don't know what to expect. Hope mom stays safe and so glad to see the tiny little cuddle bugs! XOXO

Serena Lewis said...

It's lovely to see the grouse and sparrows gathering for their treats. Oh my, I hope Annie doesn't end up breaking through the screen or is it a pet-safe screen? Too funny that the ground squirrel just looks at her knowing she is behind a protective screen. Clever! It must be so lovely to watch them gathering lawn clippings for their dens.

Great pics of you with your Grandsons! It would have been a wonderful visit for sure.

Definitely a good idea to order so many feather toys. I can certainly understand the pain. You have a bad left hip, mine is the right on top of my back issues.

It will be nice for Dagan and Ian to have a regular visit to watch Sesame Street and have some craft time.

I hope your Mum, her cousin, and Eileen stay safe. We have been hearing about it on the news and then there was that dreadful earthquake in Mexico. So sad and, of course, the animals being caught in those conditions are never far from my mind either. Mother Nature likes to remind humans that we don't control everything and that we are at her mercy.

I am also very grateful for the peace and tranquility around me.

Love and hugs xo

Far Side of Fifty said...

Your flowers should do well yet for awhile yet cover them with a sheet if is gets frost like at night:) Sounds like you will get some good Ian time. What does Annie do when he visits? Does she come out to see anyone? Cute toys and I can understand about them getting under the couch, Chance does the same thing with his balls...so I usually move the couch and send him in to retrieve:) I hope your Mom is still safe in Minnesota...I bet her flight was cancelled:)

DJan said...

I love those pictures of you and the grandkids. Ian wants to be close so you won't forget him! I remember being the oldest and feeling little left out. My sister is right in the path, near Tampa and now I'm afraid for her as well as everyone else. Scary times. :-(

pearshapedcrafting said...

What fabulous photos! Love the idea of extra toys for Annie! When she gets braver she may go and retrieve them herself! Please excuse me if I have massive catch up when we get back from France - I will do my best but not sure what the connection will be like like! Hugs, Chrisx

froebelsternchen said...

Such lovely photos Rita!Thank you for sharing!
Happy Sunday and a good new week ahead!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Awesome photos as per usual, Annie is slowly getting used to living with you, she is lovely

Sherry Ellis said...

You were thinking ahead when you bought all those cat toys. I hope your plan works!

Lady Fi said...

Annie is a hoot! How lovely to see you and your two sweet grandkids.

Zue said...

You all look so happy together.....wishing you lots of lovely moments!

Xxx
Sue

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

This is my favorite time of the year too. Can't believe how many birds you have gathering on your porch at one time. That's amazing. What a treat to see the grouse! Love seeing all the happy smiles.