An Interesting Bird!

 Ok, this bird is an absolutely new one on me. The Rifleman Bird.

The rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) (Māori: titipounamu) is a small insectivorous passerine bird that is endemic to New Zealand. It belongs to the family Acanthisittidae, also known as the New Zealand wrens, of which it is one of only two surviving species. The rifleman resembles a wren in form, but is not related to the family of true wrens, Troglodytidae, nor the fairy-wrens of Australia.

This little bird does not fly long distances, so it makes its home in a narrow area to defend along with its mate. Not likely we would ever see one in Texas, but hey, it is a neat little bird.

It has been a cool day, but it finally dried up a bit this afternoon so that a few things got accomplished. Not real spunky about doing anything today. That happens. Walked out to see my new apple tree and was followed by most of the flock. The man who was going to replace the Anderson's gas meter wanted to know if they thought they would get a handful of scratch. Had to tell him they wanted worms or grubs, not grains! These birds are spoiled rotten! They did get some leftovers from lunch, but that was good for them--plus makes clean up a little easier when every freaking grain of food is gone! They never miss a bite.

Sharon Dickerson said that her niece Kimberly is having a hard time getting any sleep. Can't imagine what she must be going through. Anytime one's gut is messed with, the repercussions just don't seem to stop. Please pray for her that she will be able to get the rest she needs. She and her family also need the peace of mind that only God can give us.

Michelle Malay says things with Joe are about the same. Maybe that is at least something to be encouraged by if things are not worse. sigh Wish he could come home, but know he is where he needs to be.

Have saved up over five dozen eggs so far to send home with Jennifer. Not sure which day she will be here, but by Saturday she should have enough eggs for the entire family. Passover begins on Saturday night. It is seldom the same as Easter. But knowing God's calendar, the Jewish people observe the days and the calendar that God set up for their nation, His people. And no, this has nothing to do with eggs! Oh well.

My mind wanders freely and sometimes takes me places that are pretty unexpected. When the engineer for the city came out yesterday, it made me want to go ask him questions, but it just seemed too nosy. Not that it matters if an old woman feels nosy or not. Have wondered several times if the city was getting ready to do something with Lake Wichita. It could be not only a good source of water, it would also make a wonderful place for families to boat or play. The water might never be drinkable, but it would do to put on plants in the medians. Just the parks alone would take quite a bit of water. Scary to think that this lake was once the source of our drinking water! Possum Kingdom was a much better source and did not have the pollution of Lake Wichita. Oh well. 

Put a few seeds in a pot today to try to start them. Covered the top of the pot with plastic after watering the seeds in. That was what was recommended. We will see what happens. Think tomorrow is going to be sunflower seed day. Have to get the mound made out there inside the little corral. Have a strange looking little spade thing that cuts grooves in the dirt and removes any grass. Not that the hens left any grass in there! Think it is about ready to plant except for leveling it out a bit. Then the corn will go around the inside of the rows of sunflowers. This may get interesting. Just hope it turns out well.

Still trying to finish a book started a couple of days ago. It is not the most interesting, but hate to start a book and not finish it. This uncle is the most unrealistic person who ever lived and cared for his nieces! No one in his/her right mind allows children to go to school alone even if the car does take them right to the front of the building! A driverless car is just not too hard as a concept for me, but putting kids inside and telling the car where to go? Nope. Not in my way of thinking. Then there are the strange meals he feeds them. Good grief, Gertrude! Peanut butter sandwiches for meals on repeat! Ack. Oh well. It is just fiction, but it worries me that someone would think that sort of life is acceptable!

Mixed up some jello. Have not had any in a long time. Let's hope it is still as good as it used to be. No chewing, just open mouth and swallow! Kinda like my dogs when they get treats that are bite sized. 

Lay down today for a short nap. The dogs "helped" me settle down. One head and a couple of paws worth of help, ya know. One of these days they will get a surprise and get put in their crate. Or not. It is so hard to UNspoil a critter. And they curl up right inside my body to keep both of us warm and touching. Sweet dogs.

Talked to Connie today and heard about how it was when she got old enough to drive. She had to take her little sister and her friends with her whenever she went somewhere--but was not allowed to correct them. Argh! Could not have done that. Know my children would tell on each other. They knew better than to pull anything on Lance, but he was about ready to leave home by the time Jennifer got to high school. And poor Hanan thought he was a teenager by the time he was four years old! He was nine years younger than Lance. Connie said that Rebekah was eleven years younger than she was. That had to be hard running around with a little sister that much younger! We all think we have it hard until we see what goes on around us!

One of the things my father-in-law used to tell me was that this ground up here was the best soil there was for growing things. Yet he did not plant things up here, just on the farm. Not sure why, but it seems strange to me. Maybe there was just not enough room back then. Three houses were down from his place here. This road used to have a lot of traffic. Now it is just the city trucks, Mr. Anderson and friends, and the occasional visitor over at Jerry's. He is still in jail, so who knows when and if he will return. Meanwhile his place is growing up like a bad weed--typical. Hope JoAnn has her nephew lined up to clean it up pretty soon. Guess it is not my problem. The "privacy" fence keeps most of the stuff on this side out of sight. Yay!

Wow! My phone just reported a bad supercell tornado mess from Alabama and Georgia that covered 150 miles! Five folks were killed and a bunch are missing. Lord help them! We know what that is like, unfortunately.

So far this year, only Thompson has crawled under my desk. Yours truly just looked at the weather report and kept on going. But it is the right time of the year. Talking to Patty about going to the basement the other day. She said she did not think she could make it down there. She would also have to carry her bottle of oxygen, so she was thinking about having a safe room built inside the house, but she had not decided where she could have it put. They have one entire room that is full of guns safes. Seems like a good place for a person safe!

Have more flower seeds to plant tomorrow. Really kinda went overboard buying seeds this year. But last year the poppies were SO pretty. So got more poppy seeds of different colors. We shall see how that turns out. Anyone here ever plant columbine? Got four different colors of that seed. Can hardly wait to see what it looks like as a plant and flower. 

You do know that anyone who plants anything has to be an eternal optimist! And expecting to be happy about what grows, well, that is even more optimistic. But let's face it. If no one ever planted things while expecting them to grow, the world would not be nearly as pretty. Yes, God does most of the work, but we can at least herd the flowers into the best little corners of our world. We are so very blessed with beauty. 

Tonight let's remember those who are hurting, having trouble breathing, and otherwise in mourning. Let our prayers be heard on high as our world sorrows. Let us ask for peace and give as generously as we can of our prayers.

May you all rest well and get a good night's sleep. You are loved.