What's outside of your picture window today?

@artist01, @athenalee, @johnbishop, and all...I'm ckg the prices on the medical alert systems. Quite a disparity in cost. I'll make a decision in the next day or so. Hate contracts and such, so working on it. I'm not ignoring or putting it off, just need to know what I'm doing.

Well, I have my first tanager! It's lime greenish, a finch body and bill, finch size, and absolutely lovely. I adore this bird. He's very friendly, one of the birds who come around just as I'm putting out new seeds and cleaning up. Several birds - chickadees, tanager, cardinals, and I think it's a thrasher all come around to watch me work on their food. It's a hoot. There is someone who begins putting out a beautiful, loud call to arms for everyone that there's fresh food so come and get it. Interesting little friends. Also, have a new mockingbird coming around. When he's there, the others move aside. They can be a bit bullyish, I think, but I've always loved them. Several others I'm identifying and will let you know.

I have another bird's nest just built the last few days in my mailbox, at the front door mounted on the brick wall. This is the 4th nest there. I put a basket on the ground for mail and so far, the mailman isn't disturbing the nest. I should have eggs soon. Will keep you informed as it progresses. I hope and pray the bluejays and others will leave it alone this time. I've had midnight fights with the big birds destroying the nest and killing the eggs or babies. It's traumatic for me...imagine how the parents feel!

I had 7 lousy, fun squirrels a couple of days ago, all at the same time, running up and around the crepe myrtle tree. I have finally figured out how to best set up the feeders to give squirrels limited access and it's working. They don't like the safflower seeds, and not much the regular mixed birdseed that has more tiny, little millet seed and such. They love sunflower seed, peanuts, not P.B. suet balls, the fruit and nuts seed mix. So, I set them out so the tree rats can be entertained with a metal tube of shelled peanuts, water, and another feeder with seed. Everything else is out of reach or covered with a baffle and enjoyed by all the other visitors.

Oh, I have a large and growing burrow running from outside my fence into the patio to the pavers. There's a mound of scratched-out dirt next to my building. The entrance hole is about the size of a large FL grapefruit or a gallon jug, too big for a mole. Who is this visitor??? I tried to drown them out with my water hose. Didn't work. Ideas, my fellow window watchers? Possum? Raccoon? They live in trees, I think...have a board member coming to ck it out and hopefully get it to move. I don't wish it harm, just want it to be happy elsewhere.

Samantha, the cat, is not happy with that critter either. She loves to go out on the patio, a favorite thing for her, to watch the birds and squirrels. But, now, with this addition, she refuses to stay out long. Inside after ckg it out, smelling everywhere, stalking a while...

That's all folks, from rainy, overcast, and COLD - 48 - Jacksonville, Fl. Another book, but I'm catching up with you. Back on the computer now. Blessings to all. elizabeth

How are you doing today Elizabeth? I’ve been thinking about you and hope you meet with success at Mayo tomorrow! You’ll be in excellent hands! Autoimmune diseases sure can wreck havoc on one’s body…including the pancreas. Please let us know how you’re doing!

Tanagers are beautiful birds. Still too cold up north for many migrating birds, but my sign of spring is when the vultures migrate through. Always a wonderful sight!

I found with Mobile Help, anyway, everything was very straightforward. And, they’re very helpful. I kept the box, instructions, and whatever I didn’t use in the package together as if you go to return it, you’ll just need to box everything back up. They’ll walk you through setup and testing the system. You’ll find it gives you good peace of mind!

Sending many positive thoughts! Athena

@athenalee and all...Thanks for the great message. I'm hitting a low point right now with new negative junk flooding in over my head! Feel like the mound of scratched dirt from the burrows under my fence and piled up against my building wall on the patio...feel like that pile of dirt is drowning me! I rarely get like this, it's just I don't see a way to get everything accomplished that I have to get done. No strength, no energy, have the will, but not the ability, so I'm having a ginormous pitty- party. As I've told myself before, many times, that's just fine. Go ahead and feel sorry for yourself....for 12 hours tops. Then, get off your duff and make it happen.

So, tomorrow I go to Mayo and get some things done, have a covid test so I can see the sinus surgeon on Tuesday. Poor baby, she needs me to have a covid test before she sees me....this will be the 17th test. Now I insist they do the throat swab. No more nasal swabs for this girl.

On the way home tomorrow, I'm stopping at Lowes to buy some rat poison. Yep. Lots and lots. That's the latest. My cat, the wonderful baby she is, is stalking rats upstairs in my bathroom. I've told you folks I'm in the middle of redoing all my baths, have new toilets installed and old vanities gone...except the master that I still use. Plumbers found a huge pipe that carries out all the water to the sewage has a big crack and must be replaced, since last August, before sinus surgery. So, I have holes in my ceilings and walls where the plumbers searched for the issues and the rats are having a ball in my attic. Now, they're apparently coming into the upstairs from the attic and chewed a hole in the drywall behind my master vanity. The cat stalks them at night and is keeping me safe.

I'm getting rat poison to put in the walls and ceilings and attic and outside the patio fence....may throw some into the holes where some animal is burrowing under my fence onto the patio~~~I'm ready to bomb my place and be done with it!

Anyway, that's my tale. I enjoyed so much watching the precious birds this afternoon/evening. I had 2 pairs of doves and a smaller one, a tanager, the birds I mentioned earlier, a huge bluejay, and a huge mockingbird. Lots of activity at 4-5 pm and 8-9ish am. They have a schedule! I do love them.

Well, goodnight and God bless. All will be better tomorrow, I'll kill some rats and whatever and feel lots better. If I had a rifle, I might be shooting some rats, solving the problem. Better crock outside and not in my walls....Apologies for being so full of fun tonight! Love to all. elizabeth

Hang in there Elizabeth and keep being your positive self! Home problems are often an added burden, but your health is most important.

@athenalee, @johnbishop, @loribmt, @ sueinmn, @artist01, @gingerw, and all...Just a quick note to let you know my blood glucose is up but still not right. Mayo Clinic nurse called this morning to ck on my status and the readings. I'm so impressed with Mayo! I got a call to answer my weekend email portal question...no call from the primary doc and he should. Ordered new diabetic supplies. I will report to Mayo via portal tomorrow and following w/readings. See primary tomorrow.

Getting dressed to fly to Mayo, via the expressway.

Got a call back from Mobile Help this morning. I SIGNED UP FOR MOBILE HELP MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM. No contract, got a small pendant w/2way talk, fall detection, and a card deck-sized base to have beside my bed in case. It's confirmed and shipping soon, so I'll be one ecstatic woman in a few days, feeling safer than I have in many years of falls.

Thanks, @athenalee, for the suggestion and information. I found this company to be very helpful, NOT pushy or HEAVEY SALES ORIENTED, price is great, pay quarterly and get free shipping and free lockbox for an outside key for emergency folks. So, Laurie, thanks to you for keeping after me and making me move forward.

Off to Mayo. Chat soon. Feeders are swamped today with all the birds in the area coming by and bringing their families. Love it. Blessings and no more pity-party today. Still swamped, but better attitude.
elizabeth

@athenalee, @johnbishop, @loribmt, @ sueinmn, @artist01, @gingerw, and all...Just a quick note to let you know my blood glucose is up but still not right. Mayo Clinic nurse called this morning to ck on my status and the readings. I'm so impressed with Mayo! I got a call to answer my weekend email portal question...no call from the primary doc and he should. Ordered new diabetic supplies. I will report to Mayo via portal tomorrow and following w/readings. See primary tomorrow.

Getting dressed to fly to Mayo, via the expressway.

Got a call back from Mobile Help this morning. I SIGNED UP FOR MOBILE HELP MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM. No contract, got a small pendant w/2way talk, fall detection, and a card deck-sized base to have beside my bed in case. It's confirmed and shipping soon, so I'll be one ecstatic woman in a few days, feeling safer than I have in many years of falls.

Thanks, @athenalee, for the suggestion and information. I found this company to be very helpful, NOT pushy or HEAVEY SALES ORIENTED, price is great, pay quarterly and get free shipping and free lockbox for an outside key for emergency folks. So, Laurie, thanks to you for keeping after me and making me move forward.

Off to Mayo. Chat soon. Feeders are swamped today with all the birds in the area coming by and bringing their families. Love it. Blessings and no more pity-party today. Still swamped, but better attitude.
elizabeth

I am so happy Mayo is helping you solve the blood glucose puzzle! My husband was struggling to manage his after he had to discontinue one of his meds and the new one just didn't do it. He had a phone visit with his primary, who listened to his report, then suggested a minor adjustment that worked! So happy - we were scratching our heads, trying to figure it out - didn't seem related to diet, exercise, sleep... he was just SLIGHTLY undermedicated and it made a big difference. Keep searching.

You second report made me give a sigh of relief. YAY on the Medical Alert. Now please wear it 24/7 even in the shower. I won't share my horror story but to say my Mom took hers off to shower, fell and couldn't reach it, and we found out 18 hours later when my brother went to pick her up for lunch, found her on the floor - and she got an ambulance ride instead of lunch.
Sue

@sueinmn, @artist01, @athenalee, and all...Glad to relieve your mind, Sue. I had visions of me doing the same thing but I don't have a lunch date coming by, so I guess I'd still be there....on the floor. What a horror story for all of us. Yes, ma'am, I'll wear the darn thing. Paying for it and want it. Probably put the little base thingy beside the bed just in case and wear the pendant all day I'm up Actually can call that a birthday gift to myself! Turned 75 yesterday, 6th. Could be one reason for the sad day as I got no calls from family or friends. We who live alone often celebrate alone. This year wasn't fun. But, I'm over it now and happy to be this age, just recognize how yucky growing old can be. An acceptance, I think.

Off for dinner. Blessings to you all. elizabeth

@athenalee, @johnbishop, @loribmt, @ sueinmn, @artist01, @gingerw, and all...Just a quick note to let you know my blood glucose is up but still not right. Mayo Clinic nurse called this morning to ck on my status and the readings. I'm so impressed with Mayo! I got a call to answer my weekend email portal question...no call from the primary doc and he should. Ordered new diabetic supplies. I will report to Mayo via portal tomorrow and following w/readings. See primary tomorrow.

Getting dressed to fly to Mayo, via the expressway.

Got a call back from Mobile Help this morning. I SIGNED UP FOR MOBILE HELP MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM. No contract, got a small pendant w/2way talk, fall detection, and a card deck-sized base to have beside my bed in case. It's confirmed and shipping soon, so I'll be one ecstatic woman in a few days, feeling safer than I have in many years of falls.

Thanks, @athenalee, for the suggestion and information. I found this company to be very helpful, NOT pushy or HEAVEY SALES ORIENTED, price is great, pay quarterly and get free shipping and free lockbox for an outside key for emergency folks. So, Laurie, thanks to you for keeping after me and making me move forward.

Off to Mayo. Chat soon. Feeders are swamped today with all the birds in the area coming by and bringing their families. Love it. Blessings and no more pity-party today. Still swamped, but better attitude.
elizabeth