Sunday, February 28, 2021

Kitty time

 

We spent a quiet Sunday.  We alternated between Hops resting in her fireside bed or on my lap.

Hops seems to have lost all mobility on the one side of her body.  

She is in her bed for the night.

Tomorrow we will go back to the Animal Hospital.

No matter what, we have had a quiet weekend of sweet kitty time.

❤❤❤


Hops is the sweetest kitty

 There is no joy here. Hops is not better. Yesterday I forced a little water into her with the eye droppers, but I don't know if I'll do that today.  She is not in distress but just lays here

She spent the night in the heated cat bed, 
I kept a camera on her so I could easily check on her during the night. 

Today I'm planning on having her on my lap much as possible. 

 Tomorrow we will go back to the Vet.



Friday, February 26, 2021

Rice Lake Animal Hospital

Had a quick visit to Rice Lake Animal Hospital with Hops this morning. 
I really liked the humans there.  
Hops was not quite as impressed as I was. 
We don't need a Vet very often, but Hops had an upset stomach for a couple of days so I thought we needed to see the doctor before the weekend. Thankfully, nothing serious, so after a shot of anti-nausea medication & a shot of vitamins for good measure and we are back home.
Hops is in hiding now, of course.
But she will get glad again, especially once her stomach is more settled.

🔅🔅
9:30 p.m.
I fired up a new Wyze cam, stuck it under the guest bed, and there she is.
I poured a little milk, her favorite, into her dish and said that under the bed.
So far, she's not interested in the milk.

Just as I was typing this, she crawled out from under the bed. 
Hops is on my lap purring right now.  I'm not sure we are out of the woods, things still don't seem normal to me. 
But,  let's see how tonight goes. 


Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Buddy likes warmer weather too

 






I watched live as Buddy perched on the porch for a spell tonight. 

40° probably feels pretty great to this little guy too.





More reading and more plumbing

I just finished reading & scoring my last essay for the State Academic Decathlon.  Some were about the novel The Cat's Cradle, and some were about the cold war and the programs that were put into place that proliferated the fear of communism.  Some of these kids did a really good job.  All were interesting, one even made me laugh with their writing style.  Anyway, I am done, for now, but I might have to read a few more to break some ties.

The next thing is to take the training tomorrow on how we are going to do the interviews & scoring for Academic Decathlon via Zoom.  When I read the information about how it will work, it was very confusing, so I signed up for 2 training sessions to be sure I'll really understand how it will go.


 Overnight, it changed from rain into snow so this morning, all the trees, every little twig and branch, had a nice coating of snow this morning.  It was a beautiful winter scene.  I had a few Crows hanging around making a bunch of racket.  The snow didn't last long, the sun came out and that took care of that.  It has been in the high 30s all day, much melting has been happening.  I'm happy to have a safe drive way to walk to the mailbox.
🕂🕂🕂🕂
Yet another plumbing problem today.  I noticed it yesterday, there was a small leak in the water supply line to the guest room toilet.  


The new plumber came today and fixed it, while he was here, he replaced 2 valves under the bathroom sink in the master bath too.  Preventative maintenance is good.

Monday, February 22, 2021

346 days of Safer at Home

501,000+ Americans have died as a result of Covid-19.  Many people are suffering from long term effects of having survived the virus. Unimaginable is the blanket of grief that covers our nation.  

Everyday I am grateful that I have avoided the virus and especially today as I am just home from getting my 2nd dose of the Covid19 vaccine.

I'm keenly aware of how lucky I am to live in a situation that has made self quarantine a minor inconvenience.  I'm also very thankful for getting the call to be vaccinated. 

I hope in the next few weeks that vaccine supplies will start to equal the demand. 

In the meantime,  I'll take a moment to remember those lives that were lost,  many needlessly.

Friday, February 19, 2021

Parking Zone

The other day I was sitting where I could see these 3 woodpeckers, 2 downy & 1 hairy. They perched on this branch for about 15 minutes.  They were not pecking, just sitting.  

I wonder if they were in 'time out'.



It was curious to see them just  perched there, in a row, 
like they were waiting in line, and like I said, 
for at least 15 minutes.

Mother Nature keeps us wondering and in awe.

Monday, February 15, 2021

Lucky 7

So, in October 2020, I noticed that my dishwasher was leaving soap behind, shortly thereafter I could see the dishes were not getting clean.

Since I had a home warranty program through Sears, I called to make an appointment. After paying my $75 co-pay, I was assured the machine would be fixed or replaced in compliance with my agreement.

The first (1) appointment was for October 27th.  On this day, the technician diagnosed the problem as the timer and he ordered the part & made another appointment for 2 weeks later.  When the next appointment (2) rolled around, I got a call that it was cancelled due to illness.  Another appointment was made for 2 weeks later, and lo and behold, again this (3) appointment was cancelled due to illness.  Finally, 2 weeks later, the technician showed up (4), he installed the new timer and thought that was the cure.  But after he left, I ran a cycle and there was not spraying happening in the dishwasher.  I called Sears right away and they agreed to send the technician back, in two weeks.  This appointment (5) was a bust after the technician determined that the ticket had been written up as if I was going to pay cash and not under my warranty agreement, so he had to leave.  I had to call and reschedule, 2 weeks later, with a corrected work ticket.  In that visit (6), the technician decided it was the motor for the pump that was faulty.  He ordered the part, left and made an appointment for 2 weeks later.  Then, on the last appointment (7), he was unable to loosen on of the 4 levelers on the leg of the dishwasher, so he could not pull it out to work on it.  He told me that it was corroded and rusty.  He also mentioned that the water lines were corroded and he was surprised that I did not have a water leak under the washer. He told me that I would have to have someone work on that leveler/leg, and that I could call and make another appointment once that was done.  

That was appointment number 7.  
It was February 8th. 
I finally reached the point of no return.  
I called the warranty company and cancelled my agreement.  
I called my local Sears Homestore and bought a new dishwasher including installation and removal of the old machine.
Today, the installer arrived at about 2pm and by 4pm, it was a done deal.
In just one appointment!
Out with the old and in with a new, quieter, more efficient and sleek machine.
Unfortunately, now the old stove looks dated.
I might be shopping over the summer.

🕁🕁🕁🕁
Downy Woodpecker, fluffled

Hairy Woodpecker, this brat was tossing seeds off the platform like crazy

I noticed this bird when I heard the seeds hitting the window.

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

It was wicked cold today, but by afternoon, with the help of the sun, we were creeping up to -1℉.
Now we will start warming up 10 + degrees each day with predictions for the 30s by the end of the week.  
What started me this morning was when a friend on Facebook posted that it was 100 degrees warmer in the house than it was outside.  And it was true, 70℉ inside, - 30℉ outside.
Uffda.

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Cold Snap, Continued

 

There is hope, looks like about a week from today, 
we will be basking in 30° weather, 
a 45° swing. 


In the meantime, Buddy visited the Snack Shack tonight fur about 10 minutes. 
I hope he has a warm spot to sleep on a wicked night like this. 


Stay warm.

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Tufted Titmouse

 While listening to the closing arguments of ImpeachmentX2, I noticed a couple of Tufted Titmouse at the feeders.  Such pretty little birds and I'm so lucky to have them as repeat customers.  After listening to the closing arguments by the Impeachement Managers, I am also feeling lucky that we have some elected officials who are carrying the load of the impeachment procedure with their mastery of the constitution, their fluency and their sincerity.  It gives me hope.  I am wowed by each of the impeachment managers as they deliver their messages.  I hope that we can elect more like these and less like those who act with disrespect towards this process, who seem to diminish our constitution and who scoff at the charges against former president dt.

My little song birds are a wonderful delight on a day such as this, below zero outside and a sad and serious process taking place on the floor of the US Senate.







Take Care.

Be Safe.

🕊☮☮☮🕊

Tyv tror hver mand stjæler. -Danish

The thief thinks every man steals.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Double Overtime

 My ability to see great-niece Ruby play 7th grade basketball has been hit-and-miss. Sometimes the games are live streamed, but sometimes it's very hard to find where they are available on the internet. On Thursday night Luck seventh graders were playing Unity at Unity. I didn't find the game until halftime.

Ruby's team has really improved over this season. I really love watching Ruby she's a good ball-handler and she is fearless. She is not afraid to go grab the ball away from one of the opposing players if she gets the chance. She also has kind of a move that is hers, I call it the 'Ruby Route'. When she brings the ball down after the inbounds she calmly dribbles around the corner along the base line and almost always gets a bucket.  

This particular game with Unity, who is also one of the natural rivals of the Luck sports teams because they are located so close by, was a nail-biter.  The score flip flopped back and forth for the lead almost the entire second half. We ended up in overtime, where again the score flip-flopped and ended in a tie. So a second overtime was played. It was very exciting and in the end, Ruby and her team were the winners. I almost thought she might be able to hear me yelling from my living room, I was very excited.



This is tournament time for the high school teams, but THIS was the best game I have seen this entire season.  Well done Cardinals!

Thursday, February 11, 2021

4 of my projects got fully funded

I woke up this morning to 4 emails saying DonorsChoose.org projects that I had donated to, here in Wisconsin, were fully funded by Herb Kohl Philanthropies.  So, I asked Google what was up...I'm so happy for those 578 teachers & 51,379 students.  Wow, it is a very good day.  I feel quite special to be a small part of these projects.

Herb Kohl Philanthropies again funds Wisconsin teachers’ projects

Milwaukee Business Journal
By Rich Kirchen, Senior Report, Milwaukee Business Journal

 

Milwaukee businessman and philanthropist Herb Kohl on Monday disclosed another sizable gift to Wisconsin teachers to fund projects and educational programs in their classrooms — and announced a matching-grant offer to support social-emotional learning projects.

Kohl posted a “You just got funded” message to 578 teachers in 359 schools impacting 51,379 students, Herb Kohl Philanthropies of Milwaukee said Monday. The foundation paid a total of $425,000 across the state via flash-funding Wisconsin teachers’ projects on the site DonorsChoose.org.

The timing was in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week May 7 through May 11.

“What teachers do every day for students inspires me to provide this support,” Kohl said in a press release. “These classroom projects are just another example of how teachers go the extra mile to provide for their students.”

Kohl said the materials cost money and that teachers all-too-often cover those costs.

The matching grants for social-emotional learning projects will become available on Tuesday.

The grants will go to classroom supplies and educational materials for teachers requesting resources that help students become “happy and connected members of their communities,” the foundation said.

For every dollar of support for these projects, Herb Kohl Philanthropies will match them 2-to-1. The foundation will provide up to $75,000 in that effort.

This marks the third year that Kohl’s foundation is funding Wisconsin teachers’ DonorsChoose.org requests.

Kohl is a former Democratic U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.


 https://wiphilanthropy.org/project/herb-kohl-philanthropies-again-funds-wisconsin-teachers-projects/

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

And On and On

 Our cold weather continues on and on, as does the Impeachment-X-2 trial of DJT.

Today, it was a high of 5℉, but it was bright and sunny so that softens the chill a bit.

I took a few photos of the birds in the wind.

A Bluejay is always a striking sight.


I was happy to capture the Bluejay and a female Northern Cardinal in the same frame.

Neither bird noticed the other.  The Bluejay was intent on cracking open a seed.

It is an amazing world outside this living room window.

Again, the Mourning Doves were perched in the sun, catching a little nap. 
 Down coats puffed to the max.

The cold is sticking around about another week.  We will survive, but we will be grateful when we seen temps in the 20s and 30s, that is for sure.



Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Tournaments & ♥️

 Tonight was the beginning of Regional Tournament play for our high school girls.  

Spring Valley played at Augusta.  It was a close game. In the end 3 pointers by Augusta & Spring Valley turnovers made the difference.  Spring  Valley hung in there, I think the final spread was only 8 points.


The Luck girls hosted Clayton.  
Also a close game, especially at the end, but the Luck girls hung on for the win.  They go on to play Friday at Prairie Farm. 🤞

I watched both games, Luck on the big screen & Spring Valley on my tablet.   
It was exciting.  
Zero driving is nice.


♥️♥️♥️
I also had an appointment with my cardiologist today.  I have been having some feelings like atrial fibrillation and I've been taking a medication called flecainide to help my heart go back into normal rhythm. 
I was concerned about the frequency so went in to see the doctor. She decided to send me home with a 48-hour heart monitor which will collect data until Thursday at 10 a.m. . She also did an EKG and some lab work. In the end what I found out was that the Flecanaide can be prescribed at a lower dose daily if my heart wants to continue to go out of rhythm frequently.   So now we'll just wait and see what the heart monitor shows after wearing it for 48 hours. So far that's not too uncomfortable but it does mean no shower until Thursday. On Thursday I'm scheduled to have an echocardiogram. That's not my favorite procedure as it is long and tedious but it's another bit of information.
I feel fine tonight, we will see what tomorrow brings.
♥️♥️♥️

Peace✌ 

Monday, February 8, 2021

Don't Hate Me

 Laila and I have often used this phrase with each other after seeing this meme. Who knows why it strikes our funny bone.

And today, it even applies to the temperature outside, a brisk -6℉ on a sunny afternoon.


Well, the dishwasher guy could not get the dishwasher out to work on it, so he said I needed to get someone to work on the leg that he could not get to loosen so he could pull the machine out.  So, he left.

That makes 7 appointments, 5 times he has been here, and yet I am washing my own dishes.

I decided I've had it.  

So, I called and cancelled my home warranty deal with his company and then I called Sears and ordered a brand spanking new dishwasher including installation and removal of the old machine.  The salesman had the unit in the Rice Lake Store so it is just a matter of the installer to call me and set up the appointment.  
I might have been able to pursue longer with the warranty people, but suddenly I am just over the edge with it, so now it is done.  
I'll be happy to have a new stainless steel interior dishwasher anyway.
So that, is that.

Sunday, February 7, 2021

It is winter now

 This has been a mild winter right up until Friday, then the temperatures dropped to zero.  It is not uncommon for us to have a stretch of below zero weather in January or February, in fact, normally around basketball tournament time we can count on it.

This week it seems hard to take because it has been such a pleasant winter, with manageable amounts of snow and temperatures in the 20s and 30s.  The forecast is for about a week of these cold temperatures.  This kind of cold just adds stress into daily living.  There is worry about pipes freezing and furnaces failing.  Any hiccup instantly becomes a crisis in this kind of cold weather.  So, even though I am safe and warm in my house, there is that underlying worry that doesn't go away until the mercury climbs a bit.

One bonus is that it is sunny today and was for most of the day yesterday.  That helps my brain think it is not that cold and I think it is probably beneficial to the critters who live in the woods.  The bird feeders have been busy.  I truly amazed at the survival of a song bird in -20℉ temperatures.

The way these head feathers stand up make me think of how the hairs on my arm stand up when I get the goosebumps.
I don't think they like it if the wind catches the cone-head from behind, undignified.

Always stunning and in the wind, quite a showy bird.  I do love my Northern Cardinals.

While the Cardinal shows off his cone-head in the cold, the Mourning Doves puff up their entire coat of feathers.  They inflate to about 3 times their normal size.  I caught this one taking a nap in the sun, in the  below zero weather, but he was surrounded by his coat of many feathers.  Looks comfy.
Mother Nature gave my songbirds many techniques for survival, thankfully.


The new handicap steps that I got for Hops are working out well.
This morning, Barley was soaking of some sun on the top step, multi purpose is always a good thing.


She was looking pretty sassy in the sunshine.

Today is Superbowl Sunday.  Since the Packers lost to the Tampa Bay team, I'll be cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs.  I hope it is a good game with no injuries.

𒁸𒁸𒁸
So, I was thinking about gun control this morning.  Listening to podcasts and reading the Twitter, I am sad that we can't come together on some effective laws.  
I don't really know anyone who thinks all guns should be banned, and here in Wisconsin, hunting is one method of controlling our wildlife populations, so I can clearly see the need for hunting gun ownership.  So, what would be so bad about having an extra step involved in owning a gun.  Not unlike if you want a motorcycle, or if you want to drive a school bus, or a big rig, you have to take an exam to obtain a license.  Then, periodically, you are required to renew those licenses.  Why couldn't that work for guns.  Surely, that would not eliminate every problem, because I am sure there are people riding motorcycles without a proper license and you can certainly own a motorcycle without a license to drive it, but maybe it would slow down the real criminal in our society and really, that's the main reason for gun control.  Responsible law abiding citizens, who own guns, rarely use them for evil, well at least that is my observation, based on no scientific data.
Watching the videos from the insurrection at the US Capitol, it is clear to me that people need guidance and that citizens need protection from those folks who find their courage and manliness in possessing and displaying an automatic weapon.
It's a hot topic and I have heard the arguments that adding paperwork isn't going to stop gun violence.  Well, it might stop it, but I doubt it would make it any worse either.
I keep hoping that discussion and common sense will intervene.
Listening to the father of one of the children killed at Sandy Hook and following one of the survivors of Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, David Hogg, convinces me that we need some kind of change to our current process of selling guns and ammunition.
But until the money and power associated with the NRA and gun / ammo sellers is somehow managed, there is probably little hope for change.
𒁸𒁸𒁸

On a lighter note...
Just caught this Blue Jay perched outside the window.  He is quite puffed up too.  I have never really noticed the fringy edge of his downy coat before.




☮ peace ☮

Saturday, February 6, 2021

330 days of Safer at Home

Google sent me my monthly travel recap.

This is the 12th month of self quarantine.  It seems crazy now,  when it all started I think I thought a month or 2, 6 months max.  Now I'm hoping, with the help of vaccine, for some normalcy to return in the next 4 to 6 months. 





My second vaccine is on February 21st.

I wonder what 'normal' will mean. 


Thursday, February 4, 2021

Virtual basketball, better than nothing

 


Tonight I watched great-niece Charli play varsity basketball. She's a freshman and she starts on the varsity team. Tonight was not a winning effort but the Spring Valley team played like it was a two-point game right up until the end. They are starting to press the other team and shake things up. Unfortunately the season is nearly over but I think next year could be pretty darn exciting and hopefully by then I'll be sitting in the bleachers instead of sitting in my recliner.




Live streaming is nice but this particular school has a camera bolted to the ceiling and sometimes it's hard to even tell which girl is which. In the bottom of these two pictures Charli has the ball getting ready to inbounds it. In the upper picture I would guess the Charli is playing defense under the basket but it's often pretty hard to really tell. So I'm ready to get back in the bleachers where I can see the action again.

We had about four and a half inch of snow overnight until noon. Now the temperature is dropping and we are looking forward to a weekend of highs the zeros. 
Winter is not done with us.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Peanuts for everyone

 I liked the look of this feeder in the catalog, but now that I have it, I think I could go broke keeping stocked with peanuts in the shell.

The first to visit was a White Breasted Nuthatch and he spent quite a bit of time there pecking away.


It did not take long for the squirrels to move in and start draining the peanut supply.
It is fun to watch them figure out that the peanuts are inside a big spring, and that it just takes a little leverage to own one of those treats.

This is a photo I saw on the internet, taken from space, showing the Northern Lights above Canada.
It also shows that the Great Lakes only have 7% ice so far, but after this coming weekend, we expect that number to increase dramatically.
I just love this photo.


☮☮☮







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