Drama at the Pond

It was borderline raw this morning when we took our walk: windy with some humidity under a sky of glowering clouds. Are you feeling it yet? 

We reached the pond and looked for wildlife. It's been pretty quiet the last few days. We spotted a stranger on the near edge. A largish, long legged white bird was looking for breakfast. Then the pair of mallards swam out of the papyrus. The lone Muscovy flew in for a landing. I didn't recognize the new white bird. It had a large straight bill and a some dark feathers on its face.

We started around on the top of the rim of the pond and heard a small commotion.  The newcomer came flying, he was being chased by a much smaller bird who squawked as he flew.  I noticed that the feathers on the ends of the white bird's wings were black. Then I realized the little, noisy bird was our Little Blue Heron!

Even though he couldn't fly as strongly as the bird he was chasing he managed to rout it. 

So maybe that's why we always see the heron on his own. 

Later in the morning I related the morning's events to my sister. She suggested our new bird might be a Wood Stork. I checked with my friend Mr Google and he concurred.

That's about as much drama as I want these days, thank you very much.

More Birds

 

Here we can see the Anhinga with his wings outspread in the background: A pair of mallards in the water.  It was a quiet morning on Thursday.

Haven't been out for a walk yet. BD objects to rising early on weekends and holidays but will consider a walk at 11am or so.

Yesterday I made the meal traditional in Pennsylvania - Pork and Sauerkraut.  This is what I grew up with It sounds odd to other Americans, let alone those in other countries.  My neighbor from Wisconsin for instance wanted an explanation, for which there is none. 

I stopped asking for the Southern tradition of eating Black Eyed Peas and Greens to be explained long ago. 

Pork, Sauerkraut, Mashed Potatoes, and in the case of yesterday, I made Waldorf Salad. Apples in some form often accompanies the meal. 

The Little Blue Heron

Beautiful sunshine warmed the temps up admirably. I'm sorry, but the camera on my phone is not able to pick up the beautiful color the sun shining on this bird produces. I told BD it had to do with the refraction of the the light. He smiles, knowing how often I make totally unfounded statements like that. There are also some mallards swimming in the pond. No Anhinga today.

 

My Days

 Monday morning.

Up at 6:30 to shower and dress, check emails and messages. Out the door at 7:50 to walk with my old friend, BD. 

First we exchange as many crossword puzzles cut from the newspaper as we have made progress on.  He fills in the Acrosses and I do Downs till we complete a puzzle or fill in what we can of the other's blanks or in a final move, we "Ask a Friend" named Mr. Google. I'm actually content with abandoning mostly finished puzzles for a new one, but BD wants all the answers filled in. If we finish a puzzle or get totally frustrated we start a new puzzle or two to keep things going.

We walk a circuit in our neighborhood of about 2 miles.  Occasionally we reverse or vary the route a bit but enjoy seeing several of our neighborhood dogs walking their masters and always pause to assess the birds at the pond in Capri II. Mallards, Moscovies, Little Blue Heron, Anhinga are the usual residents.  Others visit from time to time like the pair of Canada Geese we saw one morning. On the banks we may see Sand Hill Cranes, Ibis, Egrets. In the bushes might be Woodpeckers, or Red Winged Blackbirds. A flock of Bluebirds are scouting for territory after the successful nesting box was put up last year by the Audubon Society. Higher up we might see Red Shouldered Hawks and often a few Crows. There are lots of turtles in the pond and frogs live in the corner full of papyrus. 

I'm home now, having had morning coffee and a salad that would have been better had I made it into a smoothie. Tomorrow is another day.

How do your days go?  

Where have I been? I wonder.

On a whim I was looking up some old friends in the Blog World.  Some old faithfuls are still here.  Nice to see. 

But, where have I been?  

My last post was from the end of my last visit to Japan 4 1/2 years  ago. Here in Florida I have been living in a condo since then.  A little has changed, I'm 4 years older (as are we all).  I've made some new friends for which I'm grateful and what's more, I have managed to hang on to a few old ones. 

I am officially retired. On Social Security and all that. Still driving a car. No major illnesses or accidents. Exercising 5 or 6 days a week. Still looking at dropping a few pounds. Toying with Veganism due to reported health benefits. I still think of myself as someone who sews and if I don't actually sit down to the machine soon I may be declared retired there as well.

My sister has recently purchased a condo more or less across the street from me. Her husband died at the end of March and her vision has declined dramatically due to severe glaucoma. So I have been working with her to settle in and get up to speed with the things she needs to do. 

Leave me a comment if you have the time and the inclination. 

   

To The Park!

Saturday's my day off.  Coming from retirement to the Guest Home this time hasn't seemed much like work because my old list of responsibilities is shared with others. However, During the week I am aware of meeting the expectations of those I work with in being certain places at certain times and of course taking responsibility for those tasks that are mine. So Saturdays I really make a conscious effort to be "off duty."

Today at the suggestion of several friends I decided not to waste the beautiful sunny breezy weather and to visit Osu-Bosai Park. This is in my old neighborhood. When I had my own apartment some years ago, I knew this to be a place to go to if there was a severe earthquake.  There are places designated around our town that are not overhung by buildings where people should gather to be out of the danger of things falling on them. To make use of the space without compromising the purpose there are some simple structures and areas made for sports, nature and information.  There is also a rose garden.  I saw one plaque near the entrance path that said something about Roseheim, Germany which I know to be one of Ichikawa City's Sister cities.

The blooms were just past their prime but the colors were still stunning.

There is also a Water Feature in the park. This wee waterfall becomes a stream that runs a little way along with the "stone" bed and rocks placed decoratively along the "banks".  I remember a young man who on a visit to Auntie Georgia's Big House was taken to this park to play in the month of January. He thought the water looked mighty inviting and decide to take a little wade.  He found it a bit chilly I'm told.

Returning to the Guest Home I took one last rose shot.  This is a Queen Elizabeth Rose that was presented to the OMF Guest Home on the occasion of the dedication of the buildings by retired OMFer, Isabel Bowman in 1999.

I took a lot more pictures with my regular camera (these I took with my tablet because I could "get" them to post them here).  There is a little hope that I might be able to get my pictures from my camera to my tablet. I posted previously that I hadn't been able to upload successfully because of the limitations of the computer I'm using in the office.  If I can find an OTG cable that will fit my Kindle fifth generation, I could attach the cable from my camera to it. I just haven't been able to locate the exact piece of stuff to fit.  Still working on it though!

Cooking For Those Who Appreciate Food

This week we are hosting a training here at JHQ. Since it is our Mission's training and our colleagues attending, some meals are provided.  Of course someone has to cook the meals. This time Rowena and I are sharing the responsibility.  Today was my turn.

I prepared some raw vegetables and dip for the fresh part of the meal and roast chicken for the protein. There was also Japanese rice and some cake.  The meal was colorful and attractive to my eye, so I took a couple photos:

As I mentioned, there was also rice - two rice cookers full.

So, when you cook for those who appreciate food, you have to expect results like the photo below. The rice is not shown in this photo either, but there were a couple of servings left.

Not all of the cake was eaten immediately, but I did notice that some folks chose to get theirs first - you know the adage, "Life is uncertain, eat your dessert first."

I've been informed by my fan that everyone is happy to see that I'm blogging again.  When I questioned who the everyone might be exactly, I was told that it was all the people and cats that matter.

Now, to cook myself something to eat.