I am so happy to see your post Johann. Some of the birds have begun to head north again. I haven't seen many yet though. Crows and starlings mostly this week. The starling that nest in my neighbor's exhaust vent in the attic are back already. That will keep the cats busy. They are a noisy family in the summer. Some of the sparrows that are usually around most of the year are out and about, but I haven't seen them for the last few days. I've been watching the young squirrels making themselves acquainted with their surrounding area. One of the little tykes seemed to get halfway down the pine and then kind of froze. The other two young'uns did not hesitate to get to the ground.

MaryPage, I've been watching some beaver rescue clips on YouTube the last few days and learning a lot. They take about 2 and a half years to mature enough to be on their own, so fostering them is a long-term thing. They bond with the foster parent and only the foster parent, shttps://www.youtube.com/@hmuracoo when they go out on their own, they will not approach any other human. This is one of the sites I watch. https://www.youtube.com/@hmuraco This is one of my favorites. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ImdlZtOU80

It is now snow goose and tundra swan migration season in Pennsylvania. This is Middle Creek which is a prime migratory waterfowl site. https://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/pennsylvania-snow-goose-migration-live-cam Gosh, what a racket they are making tonight.

I remember when one spring I saw swans fly over the house in the early morning. My Ex and I jumped into the car and headed over to nearby Lake Pinchot where they appeared to be heading. What a sight. My Ex didn't believe me until we got there and he saw for himself.

MarsGal, thankyou so much!

I could not get the first one, but the second was wonderful, and I had never seen it. The third one was emailed me by my daughter Anne and answers a question I have had: namely do Beaver parents teach their pups to make dams, or is it innate in them.  I had guessed innate, and it is always lovely to have been right!

Really, I cannot thank you enough.

MarsGal: Thanks for posting the Middle Creek Cam.  I put it on my desktop, so hope to see some migrating swans and snow geese.   It sure does look cold there this morning! 

Mary Page:  I agree - it's very satisfying to guess correctly!  I haven't looked at the beaver videos yet, but plan to, after breakfast and more coffee.

Went thru last several days posts, trying to find the person who used the
"tent bed" as their (can't think of the terminology) not emoji, but their identifier.  Want to find out where they got the "tent bed".  Could someone point me in the right direction? I think this cold weather has frozen my brain cells, LOL.

Joanne, that was Sandy-Daphne

Sandy, where did you obtain the "sleep tent"?

Good afternoon everuone!! 

I got my tent bed from Amazon ..
Here is a link to them,  other wise go out on
Amazon and search for "TENT BED"

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tent+bed&crid=3I2YO30Z503JP&sprefix=tent%2Caps%2C3289&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

They have a number of new ones over there now.
So have fun searching for ones that you might like
from twin to double etc. 

Enioy!! 

Sandy

Thanks, Sandy.  I had sent the pic you had on your post the other day to my daughter.  She asked me where they were available.  I searched Amazon yesterday and found them.  Thank you for the update.  What kind of mattress did you get for yours, since it doesn't come with a mattress?

This is all brand new to me, since never in my 93 years have I heard of a tent bed.  Then again, I have most deliberately not been a camper.  Girl Scout Camp & 4-H camp, complete with cabins, were closer to camping then I have ever really wanted to be.  I was willing, indeed avid, to explore anything, anywhere; but put me in a real building with a real bed come go-to-sleep time.

Asked son Chip if he had heard of these, and of course he had.  He says they are mostly NOT used for the camping I assumed.  He says he has known offices who kept one in a corner so people could take restoring naps when fatigue threatened to overcome them!  Who knew?  Well, obviously not I!

Good Wednesday morning.  February has arrived, and not a moment too soon!  Good riddance to January this year.  Not a good one for California this year, in so many ways.  The destructive killer storms of course, and too many mentally ill men, who committed mass killings of innocent people.   

February is one of my favorite months!  Spring starts early here, with many trees blossoming and starting to leaf out.  I'm hoping the birds and the bunnies return,  as well as a few new critters.  I saw a possum and a gray fox on our security camera a couple of days ago!  Also Valentine's Day is always a happy and cheerful time. ❤️

Mary Page and Tome -  I had never heard of a tent bed, until they became very trendy at the huge Silicon Valley tech companies.  The young healthy workers at Google, Facebook Apple, etc. decided they needed a place to nap during the day!  Supposedly this would be rejuvenating and would make them more productive?  🤔    So all SV companies set up areas or rooms in the buildings where workers could retire  for a short or long nap.  The tent, being necessary for privacy.    Lots of jokes  and comments, as you can well imagine.

Happy February Oneth!

Never heard of a tent bed nor nap places in offices    .  I wonder how many of those young workers' parents had problems getting them to take a nap when they were toddlers? 

I agree with Mary Page re: camping out!  We lived in the Colorado mountains for 15 years and would spend many-a-day out roaming around the beautiful back country. However, we always went home to our showers and beds at night.  Oklahoma has many lakes with camp sites but I think most use camping trailers.  I get claustrophobic just thinking about those!!!!

Current Oklahoma weather is a mixture of thunder snow (a real thing!), hail, sleet and snow - sometimes all at once!  It can go from 60º+ to below freezing in a matter of minutes. Bleah!

My days have been busy with desk work, the usual Domestic Duties and a few activities.

 Miss Emily invited me to go bridal gown shopping with her and her mama; I had no idea there were so many styles! After spending over an hour in each of two shops, she chose one of the first ones she'd tried on - of course 

Also enjoyed an afternoon's visit with Sir Carson and his Lady Love.  I had met her at family gatherings but this was the first time I'd had a chance to visit with her individually.  I must have done well because, shortly after they left, she invited me to become her Facebook Friend! 

I've put off working on tax stuff but that's really the only project I have left to do.
"Get busy, Callie!" 

Enjoy your day. 

Ground Hog Day - February 2nd!
Looks like Punxsutawney Phil, came out once again, and predicted six more weeks of Winter.      We've had enough Winter here, but could use a few more inches of rain in hopes of putting a final end to the ever-present drought.

Callie -  What fun for you to go Bridal gown shopping with Miss Emily!  Is it a long formal dress, or more of a casual look?    How many bridesmaids will be in the wedding party?  Sounds like Sir Carson, is in a good relationship too?   Do you think he will be next in line?   Weddings are such fun for Grandmothers.  We can sit back and enjoy
everything without all the stress and $$$'s. 

Marilyne, the gown is a long formal one and perfect for a "traditionally built" gal. These two shops were the ones she found that had larger sizes and each one had a lot of styles.  At last count  , there were to be 8 bridesmaids, a maid of honor (her sister Miss Ellen) and a matron of honor. The ceremony will be outdoors just after sunset at a rural "venue" that also has indoor facilities (in case of rain) and a "hall" for the reception. 

Carson IS in a great relationship!  When they met, they discovered they had been in the same h.s. graduation class (big school) and actually knew a bit about one another. Emily remembered her, too.  I'm pretty sure they will be next in line because Miss Ellen "doesn't have time for that sort of thing"  . 

Phil will see his shadow here today and it's supposed to be above freezing (after 91 hours straight of below!) and I'm looking forward to getting out and about a bit this afternoon.

Enjoy your day, Everyfriend.

Raining here this morning . . . not the heavy S/W warm rains we had in January.  This one's coming from the Gulf of Alaska, so it's very cold, and not so windy and wild.   

We haven't heard from Joanne/Tomereader in a few days?   Hoping she didn't have any problems from the ice storm, that caused so much damage in Dallas?  Other members here in S&F also live near Dallas, so hope everyone is okay?

Callie - sounds like you're getting those freezing temps too, so hope everything is OK in OK this morning?    I liked reading about Miss Emily's wedding dress, and plans for their indoor/outdoor wedding.   That combination seems to be in favor in recent years.   Both of my nieces,  (my brother's daughters),  had outdoor ceremonies at sunset, and then indoor receptions.   Maybe a chance Miss Ellen will change her focus, and suddenly develop "wedding fever"?  🤔

MarsGal - Haven't heard from you in a couple of days?   It looked like mild weather in PA yesterday, for the Groundhog Day ceremony.   Phil was very well behaved this year!   

new game!
ADD - A - LETTER

 https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/village-clubhouse~place-for-fun!/trivia-quiz-and-more-games/msg230794/#msg230794

For a twin size  tent bed

the twin top mattress would go inside the bed
and then set upon the box spring.    This way the
tent stays in place and easy to make up the twin
mattress set inside the tent.   

Once inside then the flaps can come down so
it is dark inside the tent.   Good for sleeping. 

Good dfor people who suffer migranes.. not so
good for people who are claustrophobic.   
(like me, for example ...

I gave my tent bed to my grand daughter who
has migraines.   


 

JUNEE, how nice to see recent posts from you.  I appreciate your kind words about our cruise.  I am indeed looking forward to some true rest and relaxation after months of what all I have been dealing with.  It will be fun.

Sorry for all who are dealing with these awful low temperatures 🥶
We still have snow on the ground from our end of December snow storm.  This is the longest amount of time I have ever seen snow drifts stick around this long in Colorado.  We continue to have snow every couple of days and with the cold the grass is still completely covered.  We have a big snow drift in the middle of our cul de sac but it started to melt some today for the first time. 

CALLIE, your post was full of great family details.  Happy for all of you.  Looking forward to the wedding festivities is always exciting for all🥰

MARILYN, sure glad that crazy rain stopped.......the damage around your state is awful.  We can't wait to get to SF again for our visit before we sail.

MARYPAGE, I, too, am listening to SPARE read by Harry.  I am really enjoying it and find my heart aching for Harry as well as others in the Royal Family.

We are packing and finishing up the last few details before we leave for our cruise.  We fly on Tuesday for San Francisco to see our family for a couple of days before we get on the ship to sail🥰🥰 SO EXCITED....

Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

Here's to a thoroughly enjoyable cruise, Jenny. Have a wonderful time.

Meanwhile, we are enjoying the second of extra cold (14^o rignt now.) Tomorrow it will be back to around 50^o

I have ordered a new laptop. Unfortunately, it has Windows 11 on it. I say unfortunately because I would rather have a Linux OS, but those are mostly exceedingly expensive and geared to gaming or business. I am going to try something else in that regard. I can get a thumb-drive to hold whatever Linux distro I want without messing with Windows programming. I never had any real luck with partitioning Windows machines and installing a Linux on another partition, and I discovered that not all computers can handle Linux (forget why) even after Windows is wiped. There are thumbdrives available with several different Linux distros on it so I can check out compatibility with Windows machines without actually installing it on the Windows machine. I think I will try out one of those first.

Oh, MarsGal!  You might as well be talking Chinese as far as my understanding is concerned.  Fortunately, my son knows all that stuff and takes care of my requirements in computing.  My 14 year old Will, a great grandson, is a super whiz, as well and all.  He was only 8 when first he told me he would be glad to fix any problems I had, any time!

Darling Jenny, I could not be happier for you and your anticipation.
I see your beautiful face in my folder of memories.  Wasn't it 2001, right after 9/11, that so many of us met in Williamsport?

I cannot recall ANY Bash that did not include Ginger in attendance.  Remember Ginger?

Here's to a lovely cruise!

Jenny, wishing you a wonderful time visiting with California family and cruising!!!

MarsGal,  I'm with MaryPage on "interpreting" your computer issues.  Wishing you good luck with your efforts.

MaryPage,  I remember Ginger very well.  She was fun! 
BTW, the granddaughter who's getting married is the one who lives in the town where your granddaughter has a restaurant.
Has she been able to keep it open during the Covid experience?

Speaking of granddaughter who's getting married  , she and her Mama are bringing lunch.
    I discovered that Icebox Cookie dough can be mixed and formed into logs that can be frozen for quite a while. So great when you need a few cookies that are fresh and warm.
    Off to bake a few for us to have for dessert while we "talk wedding". 

Enjoy your day, Everyfriend.

Oh Callie:  You must be speaking of my granddaughter Kim.  She & her husband Roger, who is a great favorite of mine, have a restaurant in, I think it is Yukon.  And yes, it made it through, and I believe they have a 2nd one now; plus they have a gift shop that sells only Oklahoma items.  I think Roger runs all the side stuff, while Kim has been holding down a big job with a firm in Oklahoma City.  Those girls were living in Virginia when they went out to OK to attend collage.  Their maternal grandfather married a Native American woman and she put them on the tribal rolls.  OK law allowed them to go to state colleges tuition free, so out they flew and stayed with their grandparents and got their degrees.  Both have loved it out there, and stayed and married and each couple has a daughter. My great granddaughter Kirsten is a teenager now, and quite a good, I would say Great, dancer.  She is Kim's, while my adorable little Emma is only 10.  She is Angela's daughter.  Kirsten & Emma are like the sisters their mothers actually are.

Jenny - I'm sure you're looking forward to a sunshine break, in beautiful Hawaii.     Perfect for you this Winter, with all the cold weather everywhere else.  I'll be looking forward to hearing about which Island you like the best?  They all have something unique and special to enjoy!

Callie - Eight bridesmaids and a maid and matron of honor, sounds like it's going to be a nice big wedding.  A good thing it's an outdoor setting, as that works well for a large wedding party.

Mary Page - I meant to comment last week, about your one thousand unread books!   It matters not, that you'll never read all of them . . . just having them there is comforting and makes you happy!  I have a couple of shelves of books in the basement, and in most of the rooms in the house.  I've given dozens of them away over the years, but can't part with my favorites, of which there are many.  I also have good intentions of reading them again, but like you, I have eye problems, so it takes me so much longer to read anything  than it did in past years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARILYNE!

Mary Page and everyone else:   Thank you for the greetings,  but today is not my birthday!     Today is the birthday of the other Marilyn, who posts in Bosom Buddies.   My birthday is not until August.       

Sorry 'bout that!  Well, I'll ask you to pocket my good wishes until your birthday arrives.

Mary Page, I will indeed "pocket your good wishes" until August! 
I'm still thinking about your 1,000 books, and how I would love to see what they are, and spend time with them, and with you too.   Your home must  resemble a small library, which sounds very cosy and comfortable.   

Talking of Birthdays, yesterday was Sato's, do you remember him from Japan, sadly he does not post here anymore, wish he would come back...he posted many photos of his flowers...another lovely member who stopped posting was Sachiko of her very interesting video clips of her travels and foods, also from Japan...

I remember them both. I believe they both had some health problems, and that's why I thought they weren't posting any longer. Loved the pic's and vid's they posted.