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As our old chat thread seems to have reached its limit (we do that every so often) here ia our all new shiny chat thread...

Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "It's absolutely peeing down here, advice is to travel only if absolutely necessary and the trains to Glasgow have been cancelled anyway - I was supposed to be going to a fancy prize giving exhibiti..."

Sorry to hear that, Daughter in Dalkeith commented about the rain

There's a photo on the BBC of a train tunnel somewhere in Scotland that is flooded, the water would be up to the train windows.
Which when you remember how high up train windows are when you're not standing on a platform shows how high it is (Just carrying on the discussion on the new thread :-)

Thanks Jim

Thanks R, I'd have said something about the weird number of posts, except it wasn't just doing it on the chat thread, I had it on other GR groups, so not sure it was our thread. Nice to have a new one though.

Evening, nice sunny day, and not much to do, so went for a slightly longer walk round the lake. There were two cormorants on a stretch you don't normally see, one I assume was finding food rather than playing hide and seek with me, one of the last times I saw it come up, it did have a fish in its mouth, don't think my pic was very good though. Then when I got to the bird hide, I realised just how much rain we've had this week, the water levels were so much higher than a week ago, only 4 cormorants could sit on posts this week, the rest were under water! And other bits that were visible last week are now under water. Had a nice chat with a few dog walkers though. I was going to walk to Lidl for a few bits, but was getting very hungry, so just came home, pegged my washing out, and went to the sandwich shop, felt too drained after eating to contemplate going to Lidl, so I had my shower, then had a chill afternoon.

Sorry you couldn't go to your event R. That is high Jim! How long is the pumpkin patch for? That's one thing I'll miss about the old job, one of the directors daughters always used to bake pumpkin pie and pumpkin seeds for the office, one year he gave me my own tub of seeds, I tried making my own, but didn't go well.

the next two weekends and then half term week
Nobody wants pumpkins in November :-)

Evening, that felt like a long day. Lucy woke me up at 6.45, but by the time I'd fed the girls and faffed about with my phone and drink and gone back up to bed, she was under the bed fast asleep, so didn't get her meds till about 8.45, I was beginning to think she was going to have to wait till tomorrow! Had a really nice time at the craft fair, it started off quiet, so got to chat to some of the other stallholders, some of them were debating if it was worth doing next year, then it picked up and we ended up with our best day yet, we had a couple of sales of the more expensive things we rarely sell, 3 people asked us to do them a mix bag of what we think are popular, that felt like pressure! I got my cleaner a bag of melts to help cheer her up, she loves them and wants more of them, glad I picked well for her! I bought my autumn ones, and the woman running the walking challenge WhatsApp group had posted about resting this morning, so I posted a pic of my wax melts saying 'excited for my house to smell like autumn/halloween, and snuggle on the sofa reading', and then my line manager asked where they were from, she has bought a box for a birthday present, and tempted to buy some for herself after payday, I think I should get commission in the form of wax melts. I also won a raffle prize, you get to pick your own, I picked one that was a mix of hot choc, glasses, spoons and chocolate. And A got me a lovely cat fridge magnet from her hol, I was very touched

Yes, we have a similar logic to pumpkin scented wax melts, though at least we can reduce them in Nov and people can store them for next year!

Hello

I’ve been very busy at work, getting jobs finished as my boss was retiring. We have merged with another company who have several offices, so lots of changes.
This week was the first week with new company- so far just a lot of sorting out, new computers, new phones and eventually will be starting to use their software. For the moment we are continuing using our existing software.
My computer was installed on Thursday after I left for the day- two huge monitors but when I arrived on Friday morning only one was working and my email program didn’t work.

I had to take mum to the doctor for her legs to be checked, at last they didn’t need bandages. We have an appointment next Friday and if they continue improving then we will be discharged.

I have ingredients ready for pies and soups for the freezers and also plums for chutney making.

House improvements are also continuing- the step at the top of the stairs has been altered so that it is level from the landing into the toilet instead of a step down and then a step up. New carpet to finish that job.
We are hoping to have a new carpet in the lounge, and the porch extension is scheduled to start next month.

The kittens (now big cats - he is definitely bigger than his sister, ) continue to amuse us with their antics. Photo added.

I’m looking forward to having time to do as much walking as Desley, I still go to the gym for yoga and centergy, I’ve not been to Zumba for a few weeks as that has clashed with mums leg appointments. So fingers crossed I will be able to get back to them soon.

All caught up - 7 nice posts!

We're about to have a cool day, and then temperatures will drop from the mid 90°F to something significantly cooler (according to the weatherman), and outside will be nicer. It's Fall.

Nice to see you Janet, seems like your life is a bit of a whirlwind at the moment! Hope the work changes go smoothly. Do you like Fall Alicia?

Here in the south east of England, yesterday was sunny and warm. I almost feel guilty for having such a long run of exceptionally warm-for-the-time-of-year weather. However, I think I'll put up with the slight guilt. Very sorry to see the news of the rain in the north and hope there'll be no more for a while. Or maybe just some light drizzle next week and every week.

Now suffering from monitor envy, Janet :-)

Scotland did catch the rain badly, but here in Cumbria yesterday was a nice day. You wouldn't believe how many farmers were mowing grass (us included) and today is going to be busy for silage trailers on the roads :-)

New Jersey had Fall; California's is more muted - probably from the lack of water.

Cooler is nice - I need to get my structure finished so I don't feel I'm wasting time when I go out to ride my Airwheel on the bike paths. Right now it feels as if I'll never finish, and taking time off - when I get so little done in a day - isn't helpful. And I always seem to lose an extra day afterward - all that fresh air, I guess.

I don't have the pressure of 'winter coming!' because it's a muted version of the same as usual. I'm getting my covid booster shot on Wed., and two weeks later it will reach full protection, and maybe I'll feel safer going out.

Evening, we had a bit of drizzle today, but not bad other than that. WFH today, which is weird on a Mon, we were kind of fully staffed, except my buddy had a 3 hour course, which I might have to do too! Felt as though we managed to catch up a bit though, which is good as I might be helping the other team the next two days. Went for a walk after work, still only two of the new ducks, the female was in the water, tried to give her some food, no sign of mister as I call him, but then turned to carry on walking and he was running towards me! Gave him some on my hand. Coming home, saw tortoise's owner, he was with a dog walker and they had to stop to let me past twice, he remembers my name! As I was leaving the canal, mister was on his own and I had a tiny bit of food left, so hand fed him again, he was less grabby that time, as though he's realising it's for him, and he doesn't have to rush. Then a goose jumped out close enough to splash me, and was looking hopeful for also being hand fed, but they scare me too much, so threw what little I had the other way so I could leave! Went to check out bargains, co-op was closed due to an electrical fault, so went to Sainsburys, bumping into tortoise's owner both places! Got some fresh pesto reduced in Sainsbury's, my plan was to put it in my ice cube tray for another time, but after two spoonfuls, realised it smelt lovely, used some with my mushed eggs rather than mayo, then cooked some spaghetti and sweetcorn to use the rest of it, made two more meals - not bad for 54p!

What I forgot to post Janet is that my walking takes about an hour a day, which means less reading time! Ironically my sis in law said that I'd struggle to hit my step count when I went back to work, I haven't, but have struggled to maintain my reading pace, partly due to craft fairs too. Hope you do feel safer going out after your jab. Nice to see some familiar faces, I do hope MT is ok, not heard from her for a while.

Who was it that said, "Life is short. Eat dessert FIRST"?

There will be more treats in the future - your fresh pesto sounded delicious.

Evening, bit of a weird day at work, they've decided I'm helping the other team all week, but I haven't been given access to all of their systems yet, so limited to what I can do. Had a bit to do, spent some time watching someone, then just wrote up some notes. Hope the rest of the week is a bit busier. I have finally been put on the telephone system, not sure I want to, but figured I couldn't ask for all these new things without pointing out that something that was requested in July never got actioned! Unfortunately I left my lunch at home, so had to go and buy food today, we have a challenge this week to use the stairs to get to our floor, I pointed out I can't do all the stairs, so said I'd compromise, so when I got back from lunch, I got in the lift to the first floor, but a colleague jumped in at the same time who was awfully confused at me getting out on the first floor! Had to go to retail park after work, I had hoped my walking boots would last another summer, but they've gone in such a place that the last two nights they've drawn blood, so that isn't wise. Started raining as I got in the car to come home, which was a bonus. Lucy asked to go out at one point, as I opened the door there was a really loud sound of water, turns out ratty neighbour's toilet waste pipe had a hole, so thought I better point it out to her!

It was really good thanks Alicia, it's really hard to get vegetarian pesto, ironically I only ever see it in Sainsbury's when it's reduced, not sure where it normally lives! Will definitely get more, as long as the frozen bits defrost well.

Good you noted and reported the pipe with a hole! Wouldn't want that to continue.

Today is 'finish immunizations' day - my assistant will pick me up at 2:45 and ferry me to the local CVS Pharmacy for the RSV shot and a Covid booster; flu shot was last week.

It's an absolutely gorgeous California day - blue sky, balmy temperature (finally!) - and the trip will be 'getting out' for the week.

My trip to the Arboretum last week was a success, if bumpy (paths need a bit more maintaining to make them accessible). It felt good to get out on a warm day.

I'm a ham (aren't all writers?), and it always seems that going to a public place gives me chances to answer questions about my unlikely mobility device, a bicycle seat on a hoverboard, which makes me smile.

And my two novels have been accepted into the California Indie Author Project, which makes the ebooks available to readers through participating California public libraries - I understand with some kind of payment, details yet unclear.

A good day overall (except the shots will probably leave me a bit under the weather for a day or two).

Evening all, bit of a weird day. We had to swap our office days for a charity bake sale, so we couldn't sit at our usual desks, two of my colleagues ended up on the other side of the floor, but I was working with the other team today, so didn't feel I should sit with them. The new team didn't have anything to show me first thing, so I asked if it was OK if I went and helped with the bake sale, as they needed volunteers, so I helped with some decorating, then got the job of selling raffle tickets, someone had made a cake which was being raffled, think it took £44! Overall we raised £595.65. Did get made to be included on a photo though ,glad I did it though, as a couple of people came and introduced themself as they'd seen me posting but didn't know who I was, and it felt nice to be included. Got back and nothing new had come in, so got shown one new thing. Then I got asked if I minded working with the new time on Mon and Tue, current team Thu and Fri, and Wed will be whoever needs help most. Can only see if it works, have a 1-2-1 with my line manager at end of month, so can say if it isn't working. It was a weird atmosphere today, it was quite laid back and had some nice conversations, they even started arranging some after work Dec drinks.

Hope you aren't too under the weather after your shots. Well done on your books being accepted into the California Indie Author Project, hope you get some decent payments from it

Thanks, Desley.

You might be amused: I went to get the shots TODAY. My assistant picked me up at 2:45 for a 3pm appt., and we were in plenty of time.

But it turns out I had NOT been able to make an appointment for today - they didn't have any slots - and my appointment is NEXT Monday, Oct. 16.

So, fine, but I asked if it was possible to do it today (and said I would accept a 'no' gracefully and come back next week) BECAUSE there were almost no people there waiting.

They accommodated me graciously, I have been shot (shotted? inoculated?) on MY PREFERRED DAY, and it's all over but the recovering, if any (probably). I swear I did NOT do this on purpose, but it sure worked out that way, due to my addled brain.

Husband said he had mentioned to me I had the wrong day; my ASSISTANT said she thought all day that TODAY was the 16th; and I was going to print out the appointment thingy and bring it along in case their computers said I didn't have an appointment BUT would probably not have READ it if I HAD printed it out!

Sometimes my mind is awesome in unbelievability.

Oh dear Alicia, good job they could accommodate you anyway, but I'm surprised your assistant managed to get it so wrong! I'm going to ring today to book my flu and Covid jabs in

I'm still laughing at that one - I think she trusts me more than I do!

To be fair, she's 20. And we had a lovely excursion on a beautiful day.

I can sound so very positive.

Evening, was a nice start to the day, felt a bit chilly and realised it was only 4 degrees, so put the heating on for 10 mins. Had more tricky things at work, one of which is really rare and my colleague who's been there just over a year has only seen it once!

At least you can see a positive side!

Evening, logged on this morning to find the pic I got made to be included in on Wed has been put on the front page of the intranet, then later on, it was included in a weekly round up, not sure who that goes to actually. Got to sit in a meeting too that was quite interesting. Weather wise we had a miserable start to the day, but brightened up about 3pm. Went for a walk after work, one of the wildlife photographers that I've only ever seen in the bird hide was on the canal bank photographing the new ducks, so I knelt down to hand feed them, they were acting ravenous today, really grabby, both were eating from my hand, but then getting cheeky and trying to rip the bag I keep the food in, and when I stood up, nipping my coat. He said it does seem like they recognise me! Didn't do as long a walk as normal, as it was muddy in places last night, and we've had a lot of rain since then, the river was a lot higher than yesterday, but just enough to hit my step count.

Did he get better pictures because you were feeding them? Sounds possible.

Both arms still a bit sore - a little out of it - should be okay in another day or two.

There is an annular solar eclipse we might be able to see some of tomorrow - not supposed to look directly at the sun, but the Exploratorium (fabulous science museum in San Francisco) will be livestreaming it. So we can watch it on a screen safely, while feeling the darkness happen outside our windows.

Alicia wrote: "Did he get better pictures because you were feeding them? Sounds possible.

Both arms still a bit sore - a little out of it - should be okay in another day or two.

There is an annular solar eclips..."
That the shots haven't been too much hassle

Jim wrote: "That the shots haven't been too much hassle"

Thanks. I seem better today; it is a small price to pay for one of the triumphs of modern medicine, and I'm in the vulnerable category.

Y'all will just have to wait for LIMBO a couple more days. :)

Evening, very odd weather today, at one point it was sunny, though I'd thought it looked quite grey, then it rained really heavily, then within 10 mins we had a hail shower! Luckily we were able to take cover in a shop for most of it. Took my sis and the kids out for the day, but niece isn't well with a chest infection, so we just went to local market town, got some stuff from said market, then had food in the Wetherspoons (that is sadly one of the ones being sold, despite it seeming a popular one) - we parked at the side of the canal and me and nephew walked up to see what wildlife is there, and there were some white geese, which google tells me are called common geese - don't normally see those though. It was sunny on the way home, so I said we'd see if the ducks were around and feed them, mister was on the other side having a wash, but when I threw some food, he came over and jumped on the bank for some food. He actually let us all hand feed and stroke him, and missus came for some too, not as grabby as last night, though still cheeky enough to try and take it out of the bag! My sis was brave enough to let a goose eat off her hand and while it was distracted, I had a sneaky stroke, much more wary of them though. Then finally got to finish my book when I got home, not reading nearly enough.

Possibly Alicia, I think he was slightly in awe of their reaction to me! Glad your arms aren't too bad. The solar eclipse sounds good, glad you can watch it safely on a screen.

Evening, another sunny, but chilly day, saw frost on neighbours roofs this morning! Went for a longer walk, went half way round the lake, and stopped at the cafe for a hot choc, they have an amazing range of syrups, I started with chestnut praline, which I don't think I'll have again. Sat on one of their benches reading my book, but unfortunately they are on a really windy corner. No one in the bird hide, and the water level was higher, there was a cormorant just finishing drying it's wings when I got there. We are doing wear black and white for charity this Wed, have done my nails in advance, couldn't decide between 5 designs, so figured I have 5 fingers on each hand, so have done them all! Really like the spotty ones, going to think of other colours I can do those with.

It has been distinctly chilly here as well, yesterday managed cold and wet!
Today was a lot nicer.

Evening, got in the car today and it was only 2, so was glad to find some gloves in my pocket! Was working with the other team today, started off just doing the stuff I've been shown, then got invited to a meeting, that was hard work! So then got shown some new stuff, and picked up on a couple of errors, which went down well. My nails went down well too. Walked out with someone I met last week while helping volunteer, she was positive about something permanent coming up too. Went to the canal after work, but mister and missus were in the goose field eating grass, so didn't want to disturb them.

Evening, not quite as cold today and got to double figures by home time. Wasn't that good a day at work, two of the people I sat in a meeting yesterday with were off sick, so some of the things I was going to be doing couldn't be done, and the person left to train me had other things that I'm not ready to be shown, so quite dull. I did get shown one new task that wasn't too bad, it's only done once a week though. Got made to have my pic taken again, we had to have a group pic of us all wearing black and white. Tomorrow is whoever needs me the most, and no one shouted louder this pm, so no idea what I'm doing in the morning, glad I opted to work from home in the morning and just go in at lunch for a training session! Got asked if I minded posting a letter to the next village on the way home (and got told I could claim some flexi time for doing it), drove home past the canal and the muscovy ducks were in the goose field again, looked like they were lying quite close to a goose, which is brave - though on Sat, mister did keep nipping geese when they were getting close, the mallards aren't that brave.

Looks like you're getting to some of the harder/more complicated tasks. Hope you didn't catch anything from the sick people in the meeting.

I have a cold, but negative Covid test

I'm on my third cold since having my flu jag six weeks ago! I hadn't had a cold for years and years prior to this so I'm a bit ticked to be honest.

Evening all, proper stormy weather today, some of the neighbours wheely bins blew over while I was in the shower, and when I drove to work at lunch, it was incredibly windy. Took a while this morning for someone to decide who needed me the most, but luckily got my team, though I did get quite a few awkward ones again! Had a meeting this afternoon being shown some equipment, it was actually quite interesting, even if it did over run, so we didn't do any work afterwards, as we only had about 15 mins left. Did some shopping on the way home, walked along the canal to see if anyone wanted feeding, but there was a lack of ducks/geese, though the muscovy's were back in goose field.

I need to do something about my flu jab, the clinics at the docs are a bit inconvenient, I can get a free one at work, but feel a bit bad taking a slot that someone who isn't eligible for a free one could use, but at least I could do it on an office day and just walk downstairs!

Take the free one, get it OVER with. Don't feel bad - you're just as important as the King. And PM.

Evening, weather wasn't too bad today, had another day where things didn't run smoothly, it just seems to be the norm now! I did ask my buddy at one point why I hadn't been getting my weekly round up of things I've done wrong, she said I'm doing so brill that she just does spot checks now, and she just finds such minor things she fixes them, and said that if I see minor things her and our other colleague make I can just fix them too, without having to flag them up, which made me feel happy, although this afternoon I got something I wasn't confident about, so I just e-mailed her and asked her to check it. Got a delivery today, they attempted delivery on Tue, and should have come back yesterday, but no card yesterday, so I went online and it only let me reschedule for tomorrow, so was rather surprised when the postie knocked on with my parcel, think he was pleased when I said I was happy I got it a day earlier than expected and glad he didn't come yesterday! Went for a walk after work, the muscovy's were on the other bank, missus came very quickly when I shouted, took mister ages, missus was acting very greedy, took loads off my hand and when I stopped to try and get mister over, she would pull on my coat sleeve! When they were both eating off my hand, I did get to stroke their throats, and me and missus did gaze into each others eyes, they have quite cute eyes. Didn't get to do my normal walk, there is one stretch that was quite muddy last week (and slippy in places) and we've had more rain since then, so I walked up to the bridge, stared at it, and turned round, so walked part way along the canal in the direction I rarely do, saw 20 geese in two groups, there was a group of 4 at the back, it's amazing how well they stay swimming in a straight line.

I think there's some physics involved: it's easier to stay in the center of the wake of the duck in front of you, than to break through the water yourself on a different line.

It's true in a slightly different way for, say, geese flying in a 'V'. It probably has to do with waves reinforcing or canceling each other. But it does look staged and tricky, doesn't it?

Well Babet can do one!
It's been horrendous here and we're only in the yellow warning zone. Surge was 6m at the harbour yesterday, it's supposed to be worse today. Our poor wee huts are still upright but they've been pushed about 10m across the esplanade

Ah, that would make some sense, especially when they are swimming with young, plus there is protection when swimming with young. Wow R, it seemed Scotland were getting the brunt of it, but glad you are in the yellow zone and not the rare red zone I heard on the news

Rosemary (grooving with the Picts) wrote: "Well Babet can do one!
It's been horrendous here and we're only in the yellow warning zone. Surge was 6m at the harbour yesterday, it's supposed to be worse today. Our poor wee huts are still uprig..."

They weren't exactly flimsy from what I remember!
Hope you are get through it OK
Daughter commented "It's blowing a hooly and raining a bit. I don't think it's the end times"
But she is a Cumbrian so we're used to westerly gales. Easterly is a bit novel for us

No Jim they are very solid! I've been watching the waves from my window, and they've been hitting the side of Lamb island and going right up over the top, which is 36m at its highest. I think it's the stormiest I've seen in the thirty years I've lived here. We've not had much rain though, and I'm just glad that it hasn't coincided with a spring tide! Easterly winds are more unusual here too, although there have been a lot more this summer (which is why it was so cold!)

Evening, I realised how crazy I was today, when I decided I needed to still hit my step count despite the storm, and the fact I have a cold! Needed to pick up Lucy's meds, decided to go at lunch, and the roads weren't great, it's wheely bin collection day, so any that were emptied and not put back were in various places. Then decided to go and get a payday treat coffee, I wasn't sure what syrup to have, so she offered me a brand new one that she hadn't even opened - rose! Made my drink taste like turkish delight and she even had freeze dried rose petals for on top, but they weren't very nice. Am going back next week and having it in hot choc. Decided to swap my GP flu jab app for one at work as the time slots were more convenient, though did go for one in my lunch break. Also got my letter from the recent rheumatology consult, I know she said my numbers were excellent, but don't normally get told them, this letter said they were 39 last Dec, and are now only 9, so no wonder I'm able to walk more! When I went for my walk, I did do part of the canal and saw mister and missus in a spot I don't normally see them, missus twigged quickly I was offering food, mister look a bit longer to realise where my voice was coming from. At one point I realised I was in a position where they could eat off a hand each, missus gobbled hers, then twigged I was stuck as mister was still eating so just put her head in the bag and helped herself! She got her throat and side stroked for that.

Wow. that sounds wild R!

What fun with the geese!

Busy getting used to new routine at work, new software as well as the two monitors. I’m going into the office Tuesday to Thursday so I have a nice long weekend.
I have mums flu jab sorted with her GP. I’m with a different practice who have just decided to start inviting me for the flu jab. I’ve been getting a free jab for several years now at the pharmacy that deals with mums prescriptions. My GP practice told me that I didn’t qualify as a carer because I didn’t get paid, that was when I enquired about the first covid jab as mum was shielding.
This year I am going to call into the pharmacy on Monday after my yoga class.

I believe that our region is scheduled to have the landline switched over to digital soon. Our provider hasn’t contacted us yet but I know that we can upgrade to full fibre. How will you manage Jim?

It has been raining here, but we are lucky that we haven’t had the really bad weather from the storm.

My snuggly cat Barney is on my knee purring right now.
Bradley likes being stroked but not cuddled and is sleeping on the cat tower.

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "How will you manage Jim? ..."

They finally give up on fibre for us and we've been swapped back to ADSL which is more stable but at 2mbps!

At some point they're going to have to do something as they're talking about taking the copper out in this area comparatively soon, as our mobile signal is bad as well

Evening, that was a long day, got picked up to go to the craft fair at 7.15, I normally walk to A's, but she insisted on picking me up, I was glad when I realised how dark it was at that time! Think she was glad I had agreed to go when her sat nav got us lost! The place today was an auction house that use the downstairs space for craft people to have tables, plus have a cafe, very random, and it's an old bakery, so very high ceilings and no heating, we were freezing! Didn't do well, took £7, and the table cost £12.50! Got a lovely purple resin bat necklace, the stallholder kindly gave me a discount, going to wear that the rest of the month. Got discounts from a stallholder selling body shop stuff and the cafe too, so that bit wasn't too bad. We got home, and one of A's neighbours saw us unpack and asked if he could buy a burner and some wax melts, so we inadvertently made enough to pay the stall and some profit! Got home and went for a walk, found mister and missus (that A thinks I should call Donald and Daisy) in the same space last night, missus came over quickly for food, mister took a while again. Someone had a chat with me about them while I was hand feeding missus. Saw a deer in the woods as well, which was nice. Ratty neighbour had tried getting hold of me after I'd gone to bed last night, so called in on my way home, she's going away so wants me to look after the rats this week, not sure I knew she had 4 of them though. She kindly gave me a not cheap bottle of Seville orange gin (that ironically I was looking at the alcohol free version of last week!), some biscuits and some choc rolls, which was a surprise, I don't normally get that much for looking after them. Was certainly ready for the sofa tonight!

I'd like to say they have solutions Jim, given the whole country is planned to be swapped to digital by the end of 2025, but some of the phone calls I have about our users being switched to digital don't fill me with confidence!

Are Donald and Daisy ducks or geese? I think I may have gotten them wrong.

We think they are Muscovy ducks, but I wasn't sure at one point if they were ducks or geese, they are bigger than the mallards, though not as big as the Canada geese.

Fancy feathers on the male's head?

So beautiful, all of them, even the grumpy ones. Herons, kingfishers, Canada geese... And they can fly (but don't have opposable thumbs). Don't know what I'd give up to be able to fly.

Evening, was a bit worried when I woke up to rain, given how high things had been last night, but it stopped around 10 and when I went out around 11, the levels weren't as bad, and the paths weren't as bad as I expected either. Went halfway round the lake to get a raspberry hot choc. which wasn't bad, I was very good and didn't get dessert, even though they looked lovely, as I had cheesecake yesterday. Am slightly worried, ratty neighbour showed me 4 rats yesterday (I thought there was only 3), I've been in twice today and only found 3 both times, really reluctant to worry her on holiday, will see what the situation is like tomorrow. Just had a nice bath, and noticed the toenail I put the rocking chair on a few weeks ago is now looking very bruised, fingers crossed it falls off!

Not sure he has fancy head feathers, but his back is stunning.