Little Green Birdie

So I'm off work today and spend the afternoon out picking up a few things, getting some books from the library, the usual. I pull up to our house, and since no-one is home, I take out my keys, grab all my stuff, including a large take out cup of iced tea I had yet to finish and head for the door (yeah, I was never one to make more than a single trip from the car if I can possibly help it). I pull open our screen door and let it hit my rear as I fumble to insert the key into the lock; so of course my cell phone goes off at just that inopportune moment. Hubby was calling to find out if we needed anything for dinner.

Just then, I look down at the step and inches away from my feet is this little bird - sitting there watching me trying to balance library books, bags, a large drink and a cell phone whilst attempting to open our deadbolt. {And on a side note; why are cell phones so small that you cannot possibly, for the life of you, hold the darn thing hands-free between your head and shoulder like a normal phone? Believe me, I was trying...}

So I shove the library books between my legs, careful not to startle the little thing, as I delve one hand into my purse for the digital camera (yes, I DO take it everywhere I go). All the while I am telling hubby about this green bird only a few inches long that is just sitting here watching me. Unbenownst to the bird, on the other side of the door is a yappy dog and two cats which I am sure would love to "play" with our newfound visitor - if I was ever able to open the darn door.

I finally get a chance to take a picture... of the cement step and half the wall. No bird. Bravo.

I try again... this time I got a great shot of the potted plant - sans bird. Geez.

All this time, this tiny bird is just sitting there, cocking his head sideways to watch this stupid human juggling act, so I become concerned that it may be hurt or something... I didn't see it fly in, or where the heck he came from.

Finally I get a shot with the bird actually in it... doh!

Satisfied by now that I am probably some lunatic or perhaps simply bored with the acrobatic show, the bird hops off to leave me alone at our front door once again.

Wasps or Mosquitos?

Each year from June to September, Manitobans have participated in the official provincial sport of "Swatting Mosquitos". It is quite the sight to witness; thousands of bare-armed and/or legged citizens, desperate to grab a few fleeting summer hours outside could be seen running, jumping and slapping themselves silly in a vain attempt to outlast the vile insect hoards.

I, however, never being too athletically inclined, excel in the couch-potato version of the sport; better known as "hiding inside" during hot humid days.

This year however, a new sport has surfaced and has become all the rage. "Darting Wasps" involves the even-more awe-inspiring moves to avoid the yellow jacket's stings with wild arm flinging, zig and zagging mid-step and basically running like a fool from these tiny, but agressive warriors.

I don't know which is better; but it sure is fun to watch the game from my living room window.

The Battle Over The PC

Not only do I now have to share my computer with my teenage daughter (while hers is in the shop -- which, if you don't have/had a teenager, is quite the tragedy if they can't IM their friends 24/7).... I also have to battle my cat Dakotah over desk space.

Last week I finally got myself a half-decent desk for our library / scrapbooking room. Previously my PC was in the basement, dangerously teetering on an old broken down desk barely held together with makeshift supports [ie. large paperclips bent over nails]- not a good thing to have a CPU and large monitor weighing it down, but I digress...

Anyway, I was so happy to finally have my computer and printer upstairs where I could sit down any time of the day and blog, print out photos to scrap, and otherwise check my email 30 times a day. That is, until my daughter's PC finally gave up the ghost and I had to take it in for repair after trying for days to get it up again, to no avail. Now she stands behind me while I type, waiting to get on the net and chat to friends who literally live down the block (*sigh*).

Once I DO get on (like now while she's sleeping...heh, heh), my cat has to make sure SHE'S the center of attention.


A black cat walking in front of your monitor can be a bit hard to type around, never mind the tail swishing in your face, or her trying to "catch" things on the screen...


Or she'll simply steal my seat when I get up to get a drink or snack.

Maybe I was better off in the basement after all...