Friday the contractors arrived at 7:30, all ready to finish the stucco, and the kitchen.
I'm told this will dry lighter.
So much cooler that I picked a few flowers for a bouquet.
It's guarded by a white hound, Herend porcelain, usually to be found on a high shelf in the kitchen.
Then I gladly escaped for a walk, and found myself in an avian drama. I'd heard a Carolina wren singing and getting responses.
See on the roof there. He's there. Really.
Then I saw another wren in a nearby arborvitae bush, both unconcerned about me, but both shouting a range of songs. Then a male cardinal flew out of the bush, pursued by one of the wrens down the street. I think maybe he was intruding on their nest site. Wrens are fierce defenders of their nests.
I've seen them take down a squirrel in a similar drama, one pecking his head, one his tail, till he was happy to escape, with them pursuing him for a couple of hundred yards.
That was a good year because their nest was on our patio and we didn't see another squirrel for months. The nest was a beautiful piece of architecture which the children's department of the library accepted for their nature corner.
The recent torrential rains have made lichen flourish
And the cloudy weather means the morning glories stay open a bit longer.
And the complications with the car continue. We had another round of texts and emails. They processed an upwardly revised claim, will send the difference directly to the body shop. I was in touch with them. That's sorted, finally.
Meanwhile Gary was trying to get someone to help him retrieve the car I'm stuck here because of the contractor needing me to be present for payment, and the other friend is in India. Timing! We did manage it and the car's home again, looking very nice.
I'm starting the yes2next August challenge, saves thinking about what video next. Numbers refer to their YouTube videos.
Happy day everyone, keep fit, guard your home and your rights! Sez Ted and Big Ursy
The leaf in your third 'nature' shot is intriguing. my ming immediayelt tries to imagine how/why... not an autumn thing I guess
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing some insect damage but I don't really know.
DeleteBirds can be surprisingly feisty, and size makes little difference.
ReplyDeleteThe little wren isn't afraid of anyone. And what a voicebox! I can hear them two streets away.
DeleteLife is quite the adventure. (I decided to omit the adjective.) I love seeing those beautiful little birds staunchly defend their territory.
ReplyDeleteSeeing wrens reminds me that small isn't a bar to being powerful! Well my late great six pound kitty Boud the Fierce, could have told me that!
DeleteAn absence of squirrels is something to be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWe've had them invade roofs and do serious damage, so it's great to have the help of wrens to ban them.
DeleteI smiled at your story about the birds. They can provide hours of entertainment and a break from the news as you well know.
ReplyDeleteThey have their own life and death dramas, too. It's better to see one than be one.
DeleteI am surprised at how well different bird species tolerate each other...generally, but not always.
ReplyDeleteLife is looking up for you after the repairs.
I think with wildlife it's about food and habitat. Where they're not competing, all's well. Or fussing around other species nest sites.
DeleteLife is feeling better, yes.
Glad your car is back and the house is almost done. I like that graceful white hound ornament.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice piece of Herendt. I've had it a long time. I couldn't have it out when there were cats because CKDuncan was determined to knock it off any shelf. Now I can rethink my breakables, when I reorganize the kitchen.
DeleteWon't it be nice to have your kitchen all clean and spiffy again! Whenever I manage to do a deep clean of mine, I then am inspired to cook cook cook! What a cycle! Love hearing birds and their lives. What small little critters to make such a lot of sound!
ReplyDeleteI need to get in there to bake a cake for Handsome Son's birthday this week.
DeleteYour forecast looks much more pleasant! I just checked ours and it, too, will be more bearable for the near future, at least.
ReplyDeleteBirds can be mighty entertaining to watch. Last night we watched a male cardinal feeding a juvenile who then demonstrated to Dad that he could, in fact, peck from the feeder himself and then he flew off, reminding me of a teenaged human. I find it interesting that most of the adults I see feeding young at the feeder are male.
Hurray for things getting back to normal with your kitchen and car. I know you will feel much more settled.
I notice particularly with cardinals that the males do the feeding. Nature's not as role-bound as humans think.
DeleteWell, I'm glad the stucco is finished and the car is home again. That's a big plus. Nice temperatures for a walk. I have a ceramic figurine very similar to your white hound. Jon
ReplyDeleteThe main stucco is done unless it dries unmatching then they'll touch it up. Still other work outside, happening today.
DeleteI like the hound a lot. He lies very evenly, nice pose.
I didn't know that about the wrens. Good for them!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your car back.
That challenge looks daunting for me, but I may try it and do my best. :)
As April says, do what you can, don't push. Her mom is at a different level, does most of the videos seated, so it's a good reminder to work with your own range.
DeleteI'd have to be seated most of the time. ;)
DeleteGo for it!
DeleteI'm glad things are settling back to normal for you. Good luck with the August challenge! How clever of April to set that up! I didn't realize how many different workouts she had. I will have to check more of them out. Since our weather has cooled off a bit, I'm happy to get out for walks again.
ReplyDeleteThere are hundreds of videos. I'm glad she made some choices so I get a variety without scrolling endlessly.
DeleteI just read somewhere about how fierce wrens are. Someone had shared an anecdote about two of them and a hawk. The hawk flew away. Glad to read that things are returning to normal in the abode of Boud.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised that they drove away a hawk. They could tackle any intruder on their nests.
DeleteSez Ted and Big Ursy are giving out great advice. I am listening wholeheartedly! The wrens are one of my favorite birds, so tiny yet so feisty and protective. Glad you've got your car back. I liked all your nature photos. What a great idea to take the nest to the library for the children to enjoy. Enjoyed the read Boud, thank you and a happy August to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it, Denise. You read all of it, not just selected bits! I appreciate that.
DeleteThose tough little wrens! It will be interesting to see how you re-set your kitchen back up once the repairs are complete. I suspect that regal hound may move from its high perch to a more visible location.
ReplyDeleteThe August challenge is a terrific idea. Have at it! I'm tackling the HASFit August workout plan (having fallen off the exercise bandwagon (substituting the siesta plan instead, this past month). Chris from Boise
I had to take a break from hasfit for a while, too strenuous while my hip was not up to it. And I couldn't do my favorite stretches. But I'm doing well with April and Aiko.
DeleteThe hound might stay on the hearth. In the past I had a terracotta hearth and he looked great. You're right, though, he and the other pieces will be more visible. That and setting up the kitchen again will be fun.
So you are almost ready to get everything back into place in the kitchen, I guess? That will be a relief. Your dog looks quite good lounging beneath the bouquet, though!
ReplyDeleteThe dog might stay there. It's a good place for seeing him.
DeleteAnd it will be so good to have an organized kitchen again, as far as it ever is.
That was fast! Those guys were good workers. There were some birds I couldn't see but sure could hear having a loud discussion this morning. House done, car home. All is right in the world.
ReplyDeleteThings are good right now. Finally the contractors are gone. The job is really good.
DeleteI checked out the yes2next you tube channel. I looks interesting and I may try it. At age 85 I could use some help with my balance and leg strength.
ReplyDeleteMy own comment vanished. Anyway I said go for it! Eiko is 83, and she works within her range but definitely works on balance and leg strength.
DeleteOh the luxury of a new kitchen - and does the car feel like new too?
ReplyDeleteEverything old is new again!
DeleteThe little wrens are adorable if the stucco drys lighter will you need to paint it all so it looks the same?
ReplyDeleteOnly a little bit longer and your peaceful days will return
The stucco cement was formulated from a sample, to dry matching. It's looking good and I doubt if it will need any touch up.
DeletePeace is almost here!
There is nothing like getting a new kitchen. Yes, wrens are very tough little birds.
ReplyDeleteJust painting and flooring make such a difference.
DeleteAvian action -- how exciting! And good knowing your house is progressing so well. It looks great.
ReplyDeleteSuch a relief. It went very smoothly. None of my fears happened.
DeleteWhile the accident was unfortunate, it seems that the aftermath kf a newer kitchen and repaired auto have turned ed out well, finally.
ReplyDeleteI could use contractors like yours. Haven't found any here that I consider re-hiring. I'm glad things are moving along for you.
ReplyDeleteWe do have a lot of good contractors. The hitch comes if insurance or township permits are involved, because they require licensed workers. But licensed may not mean reliable! And a lot of the Indian and Latino workers are great, but not licensed.
DeleteThe past couple of years wrens have nested in the pine trees just outside our windows and I loved hearing their song. This year they haven't put in an appearance and I miss them.
ReplyDeleteThey don't seem to repeat their nesting sites. Maybe for them it's a safety issue.
Delete