We got the snow...the still falling leaving white on the ground not melting kinda snow. I put bird seed on my lawn by my patio each morning and the birds know its there and are pecking through the snow to get at it. We are not supposed to have bird feeders or leave a lot of bird seed out as it attracts vermin, but I throw a couple of handfuls on the grass each morning so the birds can eat. Yesterday I had blue jays, cardinals, juncos and chickadees, mourning doves and a hairy woodpecker all stop by.

Kathy, I am glad your daughter is helping you and that you get to have quiet time to yourself. :hug:

Willow, your kookaburra has a wonderful view and I think I saw him wave at us foll across the pond. :wink:

Being the bird lover I am, I had to look them up and listen to them, I love their laughter-like calls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76r0EyMOOhs

Oh, they’re great! They sound like they’re really cracking up! What a blast they are!

I started to post and saw Willow's beautiful post and thought I shouldn't say any of this.....gosh I love you Willow...you know that....our friendship is so precious to me....and your post was so magnificent..... ♥♥♥

But I will share anyway. If that is OK.

Those of you who know me well know what a strong 6th sense I have...I know things....and they sometimes hit me like a ton of bricks.

I woke up today crying (Kathy knows this....don't want you to think I am being insensitive) and I was a mess for hours....I knew something was wrong. I was awful to Nick....hassled him about why we haven't checked on my medical results.....so we did....he did and then they called me. There had been an error with the blood work....and I had to have it done again.

So OK, Suze's worst nightmare come true....this is the stuff I am afraid of....things always go wrong for me....so I went and had it done again and the needles etc were different and oh my gosh it was so so so so painful. And I cried. And Nick and the nurse were so sweet to me but man I can't handle that....I said I was fine over and over and sat there with tears streaming until I was.

Sigh. In the scheme of things it is so trivial....I know that.
But if not for the love and friendship I have found here, I would NEVER be able to do any of this. ♥

Kathy....you have been my strength for years now. Years.
We bonded and I thank God for that every day.
Nick too...he adores you. :) ♥♥♥

Oh, Suze! I'm so sorry!

I hope the staff was very apologetic to you over the problem. I'm very glad the nurse was sweet to you.

Fouling up is not something the medical profession in America likes to do at all!

I will pray that this REALLY IS the end. I'm glad Nick was with you. God bless him!

PS: next time you have to undergo a blood test, feel free to ask for "butterfly needles." They seem much smaller and easier to insert. They have been lifesavers for some members of my family who have a really hard time with needles.

Sorry for the day-late-and-a-dollar-short advice!

As Americans typically say, I'm a real "Monday morning quarterback!"

I listened to more kookaburra calls a few minutes ago, too--and I saw the following comment on one of the videos:

"Kookaburras actually lower the rate of alcoholism in Australia because of the way their sound affects people with hangovers."

:lmao

You are wonderful...I love you. Thank you....oh, re the butterfly needles....apparently my veins are so good she didn't think it was necessary. :fright:

Oh well.....these are the small things ultimately.....and they teach us to trust our faith.
Because of course in the end, we are looked after. :hug: ♥

Can a native Aussie tell an American the correct way to pronounce "kookaburra?" Aussies were mocking American reporters and zookeepers online!

Is there an intrusive R in it?

kooku--burru, the 'u' as in 'up'.

Thank you!

No worries

Oh ((((Suze)))) :hug: I hope it’s all over soon and everything is ok ❤️

Cook uh bur uh :)
They laugh at me all the time :lmao

For you Gilly


Desiderata
Poem by Max Ehrmann

Quiet words of peace and wisdom in the Desiderata poem, written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann.




Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender


be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata: A Poem for a Way of Life (New York: Crown Publishers, 1995).

Thank you, PJ.

There is so much depth and wisdom in that poem.

Good night! :)

Night Kathy. Sleep well, lovely one. ♥

Thank you for the above ^^^^PJ. Lovely poem.

:candle: :dance:

I hope you get a good stretch of deep sleep, Kathy. We love you so much. :hug:

https://media1.giphy.com/media/5eFHK...61746e32811f33

Sorry it's a bit big....love and goodnight honey xx :hug: ♥♥

Good night all
Lots of sweet reading here today

:flame:

Kathy, hope you got a good night’s sleep :grouphug: