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http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl Blogs >> Blogs >> redbird's blog and stories http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1296139687 Message started by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:48:06

Title: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:48:06 All archived posts (moved from the lefora forum) in this blog are from redbird, unless otherwise noted. Well I have been invited by Deb to post my little stories and sorta blog here on her site.  I have written little things for a long time hoping to make my fellow masto friends giggle or smile or down right laugh out loud. I live in Oklahoma and I write about little things I see on our "little farm" or the birds or just what ever the wondering mind is seeing for the day. I will be on soon and I hope that you will enjoy. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:48:57 I wanted to introduce you to our cat Foote who has 5 toes on her front feet. She has always been a outdoor wild cat until last year when the freezing cold came and we let her inFight at the Farm well I need to let you know that there has been an "all out war" at the farm. Seems that the throw rugs were plotting some kind of invasion and Foote the cat stopped that right in it's tracks. Yes Foote the "great warrior cat" attacked all of the throw rugs (cannot leave one out) and laid the enemy to rest...and to further show her victory she insisted that she eat on one of them this morning. Dumb me I just thought she wanted to eat on the rug because the tile floor was cold... Now I was really glad because I had no idea that we were in danger. Also I must tell you that Foote thinks she is a dog and has become very demanding. When she needs to do her thing she refuses to use the litter box you must let her out just like a dog...and she will follow you thru the house likewise. If you are sitting in a chair and she wants it she will verbally let you know and you better move...who wants a 15 lb cat with 5 toes and long sharp claws in your lap..I am the coward I get up. Her night sentry duties kinda have the household upset. Her schedule of checking the yard is and ..now since we have coons in the yard at night eating the fallen apples and pears..yup she is right there to keep them out..from her perch on the a/c LOL why get your feet wet in the dew when you can stare them down Now since she is solid white cat I spoke to her about working a scare job for Halloween and she laughed in my face...I am in control here she says..I just let you live here. Until next time signing the farm out ...hoping to put a smile on your face redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:50:14 (Archived post from original forum - author DeborahW) LOL! Oh my goodness, redbird, your kitty is hilarious! I would love to see a picture of your sentry guard! She sounds like quite the character. Haa. Too cute.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:51:31 (Archived post from original forum - author riverwn2) I want to buy your next book! You had me laughing and spilling my drink LOL.. That cat has got to be something else! sign me, fan for life :) Ramona

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:52:13 Shhhhhh I am “sitting in my bird watching chair” and watching the birds …my son who is sometimes grumpy nearly always is up early and fills the feeders, water bowls and brings in my paper. ..so I have to give him good marks regardless…and he does take care of me thru sometimes nasty masto attacks. Now I love watching my birds…they all have their own personalities..however my most favorite is watching my crows.   Now the crows have been with us for some time…last year I got to watch a nest they build in our front pine trees and got to see the process until they were big and flew away. Now crows are very smart!! I call my group “the mafia”….another thing is they are hugh.  You would not believe how large they are …first I thought they were ravens compared to the ordinary crow they are large. Now my crows are hooked up to the satellite system…as soon as they see something new for them to eat...here they come shouting and making it known that this is their spot. They come in a group of 5 to 7…one will stay in the tree or power line as the lookout while the others eat and then down he comes and another one goes up...they like cracked corn but sometimes I cook them macaroni…yup they like it...no cheese please and I use to bake cornbread for all of the birds until the Jiffy boxes became over my budget I have seen several times that they and Foote have had a show down…I watched wondering how it would end but Foote pretends that she does not see them.  They ignore her as they know they can whip up on her fast. Well that is my wondering around thoughts for the day. Much love redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:53:20 (Archived post from original forum - lisathuler author) Hey Redbird, I'm putting 10 to 1 on Foote!!!   or more like FOOTE!    (get it?  big foote! hahahaha!)   Your stories are great!  Nice to have a ringside seat on your porch with you!!   I too enjoy watching birds, but I've not got the time to really keep an eye on them.  But here in Brazil we've got some pretty interesting ones!   One little tiny blackbird, called the Tezzziu - pronounced as you see it spelled is called that because that's the song  it sings.  And while it sings it it hops and then does a flip in mid hop all the while going Tezzziu!   Pretty interesting!   We've got wild parakeets of various kinds and colors as well as yellow headed woodpeckers - who love to come and wake us up early in the morning as they bonk their beaks on the beams supporting our roof, and there are some really pretty raucous sounding birds who will put up such a noise that it's impressive,  But my favorites are the Parrots who fly over head squaking at one another the entire time they fly!  They are always in pairs or 3s if they have a baby along and you can hear them from far off "encouraging" one another as they go!    They are great fun!!  They come in several sizes and yet even though I know they come in various colors, we only have the green ones where I live.   We also get a tucan that flys overhead from time to time!  He's a character and his long beak is what makes him look so funny and plastic because his beak shines when the sun is shining on it!  But he looks like a submarine in the air, so funny shaped he is!! Here's to the birds!   Merry Christmas! Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:54:33 (Archived post from original forum - riverwn2 author) Redbird, I would love to come sit on the porch with you, have a steaming cup of coffee and a big piece of that hot jiffy bread and watch those birds and Foote have their games in the morning.  I feel happy just imagining  it. I think you and I would get along quite well and laugh at the same things :)  I bet 5$ that you have names for some of those birds and you could even tell me who was the God Father of the group LOL. Lisa, those are some of my favorite birds. I had a boyfriend long ago who had a Conure that would sing to me and give me kisses. He was so smart.  I used to raise Cockatiels, years ago and they kept me amused for hours watching them and teaching them words. One of my favorites would sit on the edge of my plate at dinner time and eat very politely with me. One of my favorite authors was Eugenia Price. She wrote alot about southern women, and the historical south. She loved to watch woodpeckers and called them "Lord God Birds." RedBird... do you ever listen to the birds and imagine what they are saying? Sometimes I think I can hear what words they sing, if I listen carefully. SeaGulls.. are very canterous birds. It doesnt matter what you ask them, they always answer Uh Uh.. There are small whitish colored barn Owls here in the woods of north Florida. In Spring they have their yearly courtship competition and the males are hilarious. They sound like monkeys in the trees. They start out slowly "Hoo-Hoo" and gradually get higher in pitch, louder in volume and faster, competing for the female until it sounds like a jungle cacaphony --and they suddenly stop, all worn out.. in 5 minutes it starts again LOL... In the south we have a joke that country people play on city people. The country boy will tell the city boy, "Im gonna take you snipe hunting." He takes the unaware person to the woods, gives him a stick and says, "Be very quiet or you wont see them." He leaves the person in the woods and goes home to enjoy a cup of coffee and see how long it takes for that person to realize theyve been taken. The angrier that person is, the longer they waited in the woods, the more everyone laughs til they cry. One of my favorite birds is the Blackbird, cause when Winter is over, you will hear them start to sing before the sun comes up. Its like a gentle alarm clock, very beautiful. My people are Cherokee and one of the most honored birds among all is the Whipporwill. It was considered the messenger of the Creator and there is a very beautiful love poem about it. John Conley wrote a book based on it and it is one of my favorites, called, "Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of Tears". If you ever get the chance, read it, its a haunting love story. Thats it as far as my knowledge of birds LOL.. Redbird Please post more stories...I adore the quirky way you look at life around you and I look forward to your stories so much!! with great gratitude, Ramona

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:54:58 Oh Lisa...what a treat to have all these wonderful color birds flying overhead and allowing you to see them. I am glad that you liked my story redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:55:25 Ramona..you never have to wonder what the birds are saying..sometimes they hold up signs redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:56:11 (Archived post from original forum - author riverwn2) LMAO, I believe you!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:56:33 just a thought Well tomorrow is the big day..so MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY MASTO FREE NEW YEAR to each of you.. I am sure that everyone is scurrying around the kitchen doing those last minute things and being sure that all those special dishes are being made… all the favorites. At our house we have two dishes that must be on the table or you are in deep trouble. Now they are not anything big or special like Julia Childs or Bobby Flay cooks or even Paula Dean with all that butter but she does make a slam dunk baked peach cobbler… Our 2 dishes are quiet simple…devil eggs and fruit salad.  Fruit salad at our house is always in danger as each child has to test taste it and the next sentence is …you better not eat any of this it will make you sick…or if you turn you back someone will hide it. Devil eggs present a little problem.  Will the eggs peel good or bad. Now I have read dozens of ways to be sure that the little peeling job is good…start at the little end…start at the big end…peel under cold water and the list goes on.  Now for all of you I have the perfect solution and I use it each time..sharing this hint with you…boil eggs until you think they are done…put pan in sink and run cold water..start peeling the egg and PRAY…yup it will work..first thing my children on arrival…was this a good egg peeling day or bad. Now I did not forget the birds.  I had some left over biscuits I threw out to them and suddenly the crows had up a sign saying….where is the strawberry jelly?? Love to all redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:57:25 (Archived post from original forum - author jysmith) The secret to being able to peel hard-boiled eggs is not to use fresh ones.  They don't peel well at all.  Older ones have shrunk away from the inside of the shell, and they peel easily.  So, buy a carton a week or two ahead of when you need them and all will peel well! __________________ Take care, Joan

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:57:51 My thought for the day... The other day I was thinking...you know that phrase "Where am I"  well I thought about that and I think we need to say  "I am where"... I am where the days have turned cold and the leaves have fallen I am where the death of my husband is more in my thoughts that before I am where there is aloneness I am where there is pain and uncertain doctors visits. I am where my bird watching brings me smiles I am where my neighbors have their Christmas lights up and I enjoy them. I am where prayers mean so very much to me I am where I am glad that masto folks know ...the place that I am in Where are you?? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 02:58:10 good afternoon well guess we could say a little something here in regard to getting old.  Yup that is me.  It is interesting getting old you have to be more careful.  Yup you have to check your blouse or shirt to see if you have buttoned it correctly...none of that longer on one side stuff.  And you also need to check the shoes as sometimes you can pick up the not correct pair and people are sure to laugh to see you coming with two different shoes.HOWEVER you can get by with wearing different colored socks...especially if your jeans cover them..  So not only is it hard to just be old now you really have to think. Now our cat Foote is also getting old however she has now taken it to extremes.  For some reason she is making new demands.  She likes "fast food"  KFC is one of her favorites and she really likes rotisserie chicken.  She prefers Lemon and pepper.  AND now she likes her food delivered.  No longer does she eat in her spot..if she plops down in the garage she must take it to her....and in the sun room and just where ever she wants.  AND she sniffs at it when you sit it down and you know right away you don't have the right thing.  She also insists that you stand by her while she eats...AND FOLKS THIS USE TO BE A OUTSIDE WILD CAT!!  Dumb me I just came back from Wal-Mart on a Sunday because she was out of food... Now I am thinking that something is wrong with this picture...something is not right.  hummm thinking about having a talk with her but I am afraid that she will ignore me like she does when I call her and she does not want to come in.  I seem to have lost control...but when it thunders and storms she moves like a streak of lighting ...under the bed. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:00:45 (Archived post from original forum - riverwn2) I think Foote has a pet--you, lol.. but then it sounds like a delightful arrangment and one full of love and surprises :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:01:04 Joan...I love your tag line..one day at a time...wish I could get past that part where several days attack at once redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:01:52 (Archived post - deborah author) Ahh redbird, just focus on the positive. You can do it! As for getting old, I don't know your age, but your wit and humor display one who will always be young at heart! We love ya!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:03:03 (Archived post - author jysmith) Ramona, You're so funny! Redbird, I'm where I'm trying to re-build my reserves so I can fight off those days when they attack!  Happy to report (and don't want to jinx anything by saying it) that I think I'm improving.  Same meds and feeling better. So sorry about your loss.  I can't even imagine.... __________________ Take care, Joan

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:03:28 Hey Group... the wind is blowing hard here today...how hard you say???  WELL IT IS A SKIRT ALERT DAY !!! LOL LOL redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:04:01 I saw a sign today in front of Ace Hardware Winterize!! insulate toilet covers not understanding this one LOL

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:04:55 (Archived post - riverwn2 author) hahaha.. yes you did... love ya, Ramona

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:05:21 good day to all thought we might give a little more thought to getting old. Have you ever had this conversation?  Someone ask how old you are and when you tell them they say "you sure to not look it".  Now daughter says that means that instead of 80 it means you look 20 and it is a compliment.  But I am not so sure...I have been thinking about it..I think it depends on the perfume you are wearing at the time...some wear mentholatum or vicks vapor rub or my favorite Biofreeze.   My aunt and I discuss this age thing some.  She graduated college last year at 89 and I will soon be 77....so we can discuss this with lots of knowledge. My aunt and I wrote a book together last year...now this brought many many different opinions and how people author a book together is something I just cannot figure out but I promise one thing I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN....now you see my aunt is a "REAL AUTHOR" she writes books and I just write words.  She thinks that I should use commas where people know the sentence is letting you get a breath and I say ...folks if you don't know when you should breathe ...there is a problem.  Periods for me stop the thought...while the old brain is rolling don't stop it..so as you can see it is interesting..the "real author" and the "word writer"...but finally out of all of that came a book about my great grandfather who was a doctor in Oklahoma...maybe sometime I will tell you about him. Recently after an older conversation aunt sent this to me...and I thought you might like it..... .... Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.  It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle...when the sun comes up you'd better be running. I am glad that I am still running. until next time redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:06:09 (Archived post - riverwn2) Redbird, you always make me smile ... I wish you would write a book of your wisdom. So the women in your Family go backwards in age?? LOL.. my kudos to your aunt!!  I went back to college at the age of 45 and it was marvelous... at first the college kids were sure I was a narc put in the smoking "butt hut" to squeal on them. After awhile, they forgot my age and would come up to me announcing how "loaded" they got lastnight and what a great party it was. When they realized, I was just "me", they would seek me out and ask advice.. it really touched me as I saw the vulnerable side of those kids, soon-to-be the adults running our world.. It gave me great hope and some tears between hugs. This world really is a wonderful place... I know what you mean about commas! I went through English 101 again and they changed all the rules we so studiously learned as kids!!  LOL.. You dont need a comma when you use certain words---WHAT? I would have been in trouble BIG time when I was small if I did that... so I ignore it and do what seems normal to me--but.. there is a Shakespearean Proffessor on this board! I live in horror of her seeing my jumbled use of the English language LOL.. (love you Debbie)... One question here... Can we run like a gazelle and roar like a lion?? Hugs and love to you, Ramona

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:07:19 (Archived post - lisathuler) As to the Lion and the gazelle, it sounds like a good theory, to always get up running!   They certainly DID NOT HAVE MASTO!!!!    I feel more like water, always sliding down hill and trying to find the lowest common denominator! !!!   You know what my theme song would be?   Slip Slidin' Away....!!!!! And as to all that roaring.....it sure beats the BURBING and other various RUDE NOISES I end up doing with this masto!!!!   Gosh, I sound more like a Bull frog than a lion on days!  And I won't go into any further comparrisons either!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:08:18 (Archived post - steelergirl) Lisa- OMGOSH the musical sounds that my husband produces in such great quanity, enthusiasm, and varying tones, timbers, (and *ulp* odors) are from the MASTO??  giggling!  Not sure if I should share that info with him, as he is so often so proud.....  giggling.  He is so brave, though- not gonna give him grief about it.   Truly, did not know that- we know that the gastrointestinal symptoms are common- but for some reason didn't connect (duh) the outward manifestations.... if the diagnosis rested on that alone, we would not be struggling...'nuff said! hope all have a well day today- filled with love and contentment! steelergirl

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:08:53 OH my Ramona...you mean not only do I have a "real author" my aunt but a English Professor reading this "word writer" ...LOL LOL  bet if this person does read this..they are having a heart attack at all the mishaps..but.......... if I make one person smille, chuckle or laugh...so be it... should I change...nope afraid at 77 I will just keep on rollin redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:09:18 Ramona can run like a turtle..but I will beat that lion to death with my cane.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:10:05 (Archived post - lisathuler) Steelergirl, YES!  Unfortunately ALL of that symphony of sounds does indeed accompany masto.  I went from being this very dignified and polished lady to becoming a roller derby queen almost overnight!   My husband has often asked when we got a pig for a pet and where it was that I was hiding it!   I kept saying "He's hiding under the bed so that you won't turn him into tomorrow night's dinner!"   This at least explained the odors or so I thought!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:11:09 (Archived post - lisathuler author) Hey Red, I sure like the idea of the "rollin" instead of the "slip slidin'!"    The problem is that the greater the decline, the harder to stop that rollin!     God bless you for making it to 77!   I pray I make it there too!!!!   Whether or not my brain will still accompany me is the question, though!!!   Brainfogged blondes are pretty dangerous people you know!  Very combustable!  hehe he he!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:27:34 Not having many shining moments right now so decided to share something that I wrote a little time ago. Please be sure to read  p.s. well none of you might  be interested in the following but the last couple of weeks I have spent more time in bed from masto symptoms than in a very long time...and that lets the mind wander.and sometimes it demands that I put thoughts on paper....so...I just wanted to write a little something...the periods and commas are not important to me..just the words.. THE HANKY I am 76 years old and I have been blest to have had 2 hanky carriers in my life time...think the  correct name is handkerchief..but then who wants to be correct.. my little granny was a tiny lady but she always had a hanky in her hand..it was a standard thing  or maybe a requirement..but she always had one..now on week days it was a plain one but on Sunday out came the best..now my granny would take me fishing when I visited...down to the big creek..now I don't remember if we caught fish..just remember my granny holding up the fence for me to crawl thru...and sometimes I got to ride the train down to my grannys and stay a week.. Not only did my granny carry her hanky but if we were going somewhere she had a larger one that she wore on her head..granny had a beautiful head of gray hair that she pulled back in a bun and held it in place by some of those BIG hair pins..but she wanted that extra assurance that the head scarf hanky would keep it there... do you remember when everyone who was stumped..  what to get  a gift for a lady..of course a box of hankies..remember them coming all folded and neat in a box... well then my mom was also a hanky carrier...maybe you inherit it..but mom also had the hanky carrying thing going and the head scarf hanky as well...seems it was a rule that you don't leave home without one..and also one for the hair..sometimes red and sometimes black..or whatever one that was ready when you were to go out the door.... and so now I am thinking..am I going to be a hanky carrier as well...hummm well you know I think that I have moved on to Kleenex.  However sometimes I do stick one of husband's hanky in my purse just in case I need it...but you know I have noticed that I check my pocket and my purse and have even came back into the house to be sure I have that Kleenex before going to the store..and lately I notice that I carry it in my hand..especially if I am in a store...hummm could this be a comfort thing?? kinda like the wash cloth...when you are ill the first thing     some folks say is "can I get you a wet wash cloth?"...so who know maybe the hanky and the wet wash rag are the cure for life's aliments or problems..are all these famous doctors missing out..maybe they should just prescribe hankies... oh well just a thought redbird p.s. I have decided that the hanky carrying is a sign of comfort as I have noticed that I carry my husband's after his death lots and lots.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:28:33 (Archived from Tess) Your story brings back memories.  I remember my dad always had handerchiefs.  Some were plain, some had stripes, others his initials and even some looked like damask-type material.  My mom and I had some too for church.  It wasn't always comfortable blowing your nose on the embroidered part of the hanky.  You'd always find one crumpled up in the bottom of a purse you rarely used.  Kleenex is definitely more comfortable...

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:28:56 a ps to the ps... my daughter would like you to know that the hanky carry is inherited...she carries Kleenex as well redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:29:36 (Archived from Ruth) Redbird I am new to this forum and just getting around to reading through all the posts here. I have just found this thread and I love hearing your take on life, your cat and bird anecdotes, and your wonderful reflections. Sorry you haven't been so well lately, but I hope the writing brings you even half as much pleasure as it does to those of us who read it. What a gift. Thank you. Ruth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:30:11 thanks Ruth I hope they make you smile redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:30:35 Sacred Ritual Violated well I am here this morning to tell you that my morning scared ritual has been violated by Foote the cat.  Now at my house I have some special things that I do each day...and I have special places to do those things. One is my "watching the birds chair" and one is my "reading chair"...and this is well known to those who reside in the house...like Foote the cat and my son Sam. Another thing you need to know is that Sam is Foote's best buddy, friend and anything else you can think of as well as her conspirator. Now I had noticed lately that when I wanted to read...Foote was in my chair..and if I wanted to sit in the sun and bird watch...Foote was in my chair..seems that Foote knows my time table well... Now after retiring 7 times I finally did retire in 2004...why is this important...well my sacred ritual has been going on since that time. Now here is the scene.... Each morning my sacred ritual is...I get up and make my coffee, get my Little Debbie's Oatmeal cookie...and for those who don't know...it is 2 oatmeal cookies with gooey stuff in the middle sometimes  fresh strawberries with it or a banana or sometimes just my cookie.......then I get my paper and sit down to read the morning paper front to back...in my reading chair.. suddenly I began to notice little bits of paper in the floor and suddenly large bits of paper in the floor..MY PAPER...not only was Foote laying in my reading chair but she was reading my paper her way.. now Sam her conspirator said..well I think she is using it to clean her teeth after eating her dry cat food...now I am not buying this statement or reason.. I have not decided how to solve this problem yet but thinking........... redbird "the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:30:54 I was in the store earlier today...laying in a big supply of cat food as we are suppose to have ice, snow, sleet and everything else that goes with that...so I am in the cat food aisle and this man was shopping as well and of course we started talking and bragging about our cats..what they could do etc..and I sure did not tell him that Foote read the paper..he would not have believed me... but he told me that recently someone dropped off cats out in the country when he lives..and a few nights ago he came home after dark and could just catch a little look at some cats close to his house..there were 16 and they all were wild cats..could not get close etc..and he fed them... he called the humane society who told him if they could catch them and brought them in they would have to put them to sleep as they were wild... so...man is still  feeding the cats...he now has 19...and I think I have a problem LOL LOl...he is a good man..and I hope a rich man redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:31:20 Something I read today!! With dreams, you're the only witness and you're free to do whatever your subconscious tells you.You willingly do it in the privacy of your own mind. hummm redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:31:57 (Archived from amiann) I LOVE CAT PEOPLE!!!  I swear they must be human in some sort of way!  They bring pure joy and happiness.  Even if they wake you up super early to go outside by MEOWWWWWING.. God Bless that man for feeding the strays!  I can see why people with illnesses should own pets, they give you those oh-so-healing goosebumps with their persistent affection.  Unconditional love! Happy day all!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:32:18 This story is for all of those who are caregivers...and especially for Steelergirl who has much love and strength for her masto person. A Love Story... at my doctor's office yesterday...all the folks there are very good to me but the receptionist told me a little story that I wanted to share with you as you know how I love cardinals (redbirds) she told me about a loud thump on her front picture window and when she went to look there was a lady redbird lying there. she had flown into the window... now as she lay there... the daughter was saying...oh she is dead and Claudia(the office lady) said ...wait and let's watch a minute..and the bird continue to lay..after a few minutes she went outside and nudged it and it raised it's head and made a chirp..so she went back inside the house to watch and suddenly the male redbird came and flew down beside her...now you know that redbirds mate for life...he talked to her and nudged her and finally took his wing and fluttered it around her stroking her and talking...she raised her head..he flew up to a branch and continued to talk to her chirping and encouraging her and suddenly she raised herself up and against all odds ...knowing that someone loved her ...made her flight to the branch..they sat there for awhile until she was able to continue her flight to somewhere and together they flew away..what a love story and even though they were birds the encouragement and love that was shown conqueror the day... it told me that no matter the odds we masto folks face each day with a little encouragement we can get up and face what life brings love to all redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:32:54 thank goodness this man with the cats lives in the country..however some people have "herds of cattle" and some have horses so guess he can have a "herd of cats" LOL LOL redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:33:50 (Archived from steelergirl) Thank you, Redbird- for sharing, and caring. Your story made me cry-not from sadness-rather because so few stop to realize that regardless of how complicated and hopeless situations may appear, the answer is really simple: love and allow yourself to be loved. And you are reminding us of that...Especially in those most complex situations, true love-be it from a mate, a physical have a cup of coffee friend, or a cyber group of friends, sometimes is that missing magical element that mixes in and the playing field is altered, the outcome is sure, and the road is less treacherous.   There is an energy about pure love that blends with our physical energies-or so my puny little brain believes, and creates a synergy that can-when nurtured and supported-really work miracles.  I believe we all have it in us, to make these things happen, but we have maybe lost touch with the simple power of love and joy.   of course!  I also believe in unicorns and fairies and that someday, somehow, my family and I WILL skip gaily across a rainbow.....  so, hmmmm- laughing- i guess you gotta consider the source!! :) I love your stories and your heart, your beliefs and your willingness to reach out and share your all with us.   Thank you for those gifts!!   and to all the other caregivers out there....  chin up! keep believing and loving, keep fighting and stay fierce enough to do battle.  Hang on to that gentleness of spirit and purity of heart that allows you to love enough to stay the course with your loved one.  Our road is hard-in part because of the battles to wage, for me? primarily due to the inability to make it better for him- to take it away. Bask in admiration for the courage and strength that it takes our loved ones with masto to keep going on, to keep at it, to learn to sidestep some pitfalls- and crawl painfully out of others.  And if yours is like mine? and has an indomitable spirit, a rowdy, irreverent sense of humor, and a truly loving and strong heart, consider yourself blessed to be that person's partner in this journey. YIKES- philosophy and poor grammar and misspellings!!   but from the heart! thanks for giving me a place to share what is in my heart, a place to be safe, a place to learn and a place to read of beauty in the world and in others!! steelergirl

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:34:18 The shootout at O K Corral... for those of you who do not know about this event...it was in Oct. 1881 in Tombstone AZ...it was a dark dreary day and the sheriff was Virgil Earp..now Virgil the sheriff had put some bad guys in jail and their friend were coming for them. So Virgil's brothers Wyatt and Morgan came to help...Old Doc Holliday was there as well..and there was a shooting.... Now at the farm this morning we had our own "Stare Down at the Farm"  ...but let me set the scene... It was a pleasant morning at the farm..the sun was out and we were hoping that it was going to chase the cold away...several birds were visiting and busy at the feeders..a redhead woodpecker was there as well as some meadowlarks that we don't see much anymore..redbirds of both he and she variety..lots and lots of sparrows...but they have to eat too... the crows had arrived in full force with loud caws..bringing in the whole group of five..and suddenly everything went quiet...the little birds flew away but the crows continued on with their little meal..and out of the barn came a stray cat... well what happened next was a sight to watch and I did... the cat came creeping up right to the crows..both staring down on the other...the crows were giving their loud war cry of "don't even think about messing with us"....and the stray cat was hungry and not about to leave.. now the cat would creep forward an inch at a time..the crows would jump up and down and make a run at the cat....the cat stood his ground because food was involved..I watched this for a little time wondering if the guns were going to come out..but finally better heads prevailed and they both began to eat with a watchful eye on each other... just another day at the farm.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:34:42 OH steeler girl...there is no charge here for misspelled words etc..we just need to say and hear the words redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 03:35:00 going on an adventure this morning...down to the mail box at the end of the drive way..and on the way dumping off the dozensssssss of copies of newspapers...don't sound like a big thing to you...well if you have masto with something going on and it is cold ...could be birds are in full whatever this morning...blue jays are screaming..cat from the barn ..came and went with a little help...and I am finally getting dressed for the day..thinking it is looking like a good day for finishing the current book I am reading and listening to see if any stories are rolling around in the old brain..

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/27/11 at 04:52:52 WOW Deb had to almost  pick me up and land me here but hopefully I am here...I have missed you.  just a little story for you this day Charlie Brown I am sure that most of you know the stories of Charlie Brown and all his friends..Lucy and linus and linus's security blanket... well I have a Charlie Brown pillow..yup sure do..one time I spent the night with my daughter and she had some new pillows..oh my they were soft and upon telling her how much I enjoyed them..she put one in my car for taking home. So now I have this pillow...and I decided to name it "my Charlie Brown Pillow"..let me explain.. My Charlie Brown pillow is a great comfort to me..when you lay your head on it seems like things go away...when I am ill..out comes the pillow and when I can no longer lay in the bed and must move to the recliner it goes with me..I can hug it and lay my head on it's shoulder and feel great comfort..I can use it to prop up my body in the recliner and when I had the last hip problem the only thing that I could stand touching my hip, leg and foot...yup you guessed it...my Charlie Brown pillow now one would wonder if this was magic or again a remedy for what is happening to you and your body..now I am not sure but I know one thing..I am glad that daughter gave me my pillow redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/27/11 at 16:34:40 I love your Charlie Brown pillow story. You do have a wonderful way with words!  :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/28/11 at 03:19:06 NEED A GUN..... well I need to get out my gun...yes I said my gun...my trusty Red Ryder BB gun.  We have a unwanted visitor at the farm... This Hawk came swooping in from above and landed in the tree trying to pick up one of my birds.. When the hawk comes all the birds flee to the arbor and sit up a chatter to let the others know DANGER DANGER.. now I tried to reason with this hawk telling him that he could take the new resident that has made it's home in the barn but "NO DEAL" it says..so out comes the trusted gun. Can or would you shoot it you ask???...well you don't understand..I certainly could not hit the hawk but you see the barn is made of tin..yes it is an old tin barn...and I can hit it and the loud ping it makes...will drive many things away..however not the opossum now living in the barn redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/28/11 at 04:36:03 Do you know what I just realized? I am 100% serious when I say that your blog reminds me of the American Literature that I used to study when doing my Master's Degree in English. There is so much depth to everything that you write; it is just like the literature that people study and turn to for insight and meaning in life. Now that is an exceptional talent to have!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/29/11 at 03:25:36 WOW Ms Deb..I appreciate that more than you know.  My writing are words that roll around in my brain until they come out in some form.My dad who was a "great thinker" even though he had not much education but was a great reader ...would tell me "good job sis"..he always called me that...I will tell you about him sometimes..again THANK YOU for the kind words

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/29/11 at 03:55:19 MORNING GROUP since I have lots of basketball to watch today I hope you do not mind my using a little something I wrote around Christmas...hope you enjoy THE CLOCK For about 30 years on the wall between my dining room and the living room has hung "The clock".  It is an old school house version with a pendulum and chimes or dongs on the hour and half hour. Recently during my "time out" with the hip and nestled among the pillows in my recliner it suddenly occurred to me that something was wrong.  I could not hear the tick tock of the clock nor the chimes. Now I counted on that clock as in the middle of the night I could hear it ring out the time all the way  in the bedroom.  It had been there forever. Now from my nest of pillows in my recliner would not let me look at it to see what could be wrong. Now "The Clock" was my husband's project.  ..he kept it running...winding it on a certain day and nudged the hands around when because of age it got a little behind.  he had certain marks on the wall where it must be in for balance...But husband is gone he died in March and I must confess "The Clock" has been neglected.  SOMEONE would wind the time as well as the dong..on any day just when someone thought of it Finally getting out of my chair I went to the clock..yes it had run down and as I opened the face of the clock that just seem to be hanging so I wound it for the time as well as the dong....I gave the pendulum a swing to get it going but it seem to be tired and the dong simple would only give out a thud... As I looked at the clock I thought what is this telling me..that time is running out and I will soon no longer be able to have time...well so be it..it is not in my hands but someone higher than I...and I went back to my nest of pillows... Now after several days of silences yesterday I went to the clock and looked at and opened the face....and suddenly it chimed...promise as I was standing in front of it..I swear to the truth..It chimed out 8 times and as I looked at it ...maybe I have been given more time..maybe something else I need to do... and "The clock" has run and played the dong every since.. love to all redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/30/11 at 04:35:40 CAN'T BE TRUE???? OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO reading an article this morning that says....CHOCOLATE SUPPLY MAY RUN OUT BY 2014!!!! Can this be true..I am not sure of all the details but no chocolate..surely not..can you think about how the world will be with no chocolate candy bars..we will have to buy them on the "black market" and many chocolate lovers will...now this is a dangerous situation...it could cause a revolt..a candy war or who knows what will happen... hummm..2014 is sorta a long way off but shhh... should we began laying in a supply of candy redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 01/30/11 at 11:16:18 Loving your reflections Redbird. My kids had a great book called Bootleg by Alex Shearer, about just that. One of those books  that I enjoyed reading with them, loved it when we found books so well written that they are engaging for adults, and we could share a love of reading in  a new way, and they would, and still do, pass books on to me to read. Ruth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/31/11 at 04:44:35 WINTER COMING TO BIRDVILLE well the weather forecaster says that a super bad winter storm is coming to the farm and that includes Birdville just outside my window.... Foote went out this morning and came right back in saying that the wind was messing up her hair... The birds are busy don't remember seeing so many as they seem to be stocking their pantry before the storm hits.. Noticed a small group of redwing blackbirds and several redbird husband and wives..I have mentioned before about reading that redbirds mate for life..and I see several of those couples ...the female sits and the male bird brings her a seed..kinda like breakfast in bed...and also noticed several young lady redbirds looking for love or maybe a husband as they are wearing low cut tops and tight jeans and dangling earrings..will have to watch that ... The barn situation is still the same...we would like to evict our current residence the opossum but he says no..even sent Foote down to have a talk with him and I am not sure what was said but he is still there..if he knocks on the back door and ask for an extra blanket for the winter storm..well not sure what I will do.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/01/11 at 05:06:04 BIG CHANGE AT THE FARM.... well only in Oklahoma can events change Foote the cat who really thinks she is a dog...into believing that she is a cat.. in case you do not know only in our state can you have thunder, hail, lighting, sleet and snow and blizzard winds all in the time period of 4 hours...yup only in Oklahoma.  Well the storm that I told you about came and is here...and wind chills of -10 and all the stuff that goes with that..snow drifting up ..who knows how high ...now son was out in the snow this morning delivering bird seed to those little creatures who were out ...and he also waded out to the paper box for my morning paper......that was more than a nice gesture. But to get back to the BIG NEWS..Foote with her usual demand wanted out this morning for her duty..but on opening the door and pushing the snow back..she decided that she would be a cat for the day..her fresh and unused litter box is sitting waiting for her use...and unless she wants to disappear in the snow drifts and since she is white..we might never find her.. hope your day goes well and you are safe and warm and fuzzy redbird ps ..working on a way to post a picture of Foote for you...thinking

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/01/11 at 08:44:13 Foote OK just letting everyone know ...that Foote still thinks she is a dog...she was sitting in the floor with her legs crossed and son felt sorry for her and went an shoveled a place outside for her...her identity is still in tact...Foote is a dog LOL LOL

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/03/11 at 13:54:47 redbird, I have decided that my aunt, who is about 10 years older than you, and a wonderfully witty writer, needs to read your blog! She would love your stories, and it might inspire her to record her own on a more regular basis. I am going to print them for her and I know that she will enjoy them immensely!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/04/11 at 03:40:13 Thank you Ms. Deb...that makes me smile!! redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/04/11 at 03:42:11 OK who ever was rude and mean to Mother Nature....APOLOGIZE!!!! enough already..things are totally out of control most every where..and I have snow on top of snow and snow and snow..I realize that some places are worst but Mother Nature needs to calm down..if anyone has her phone number please call her. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/08/11 at 05:57:50 well whoever needed to tell Mother Nature they were sorry didn't...she is arriving in my area by Greyhound Bus later today with the twin brother of last weeks snow storm.  I can only hope that this was not triplets.  guess we are as ready as can be...cracked corn for the crows and sacks of bird seed for the birds..oh yes some human food as well.  ...guess son will have to shovel a new area for Foote to do her thing...as she is sleeping on my bed...in my spot ...letting  us know she is in charge.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/08/11 at 06:04:18 I like this ...it's a line out of a new book that I am reading.... Worry is like chewing gum...eventually it runs out of taste and you have to spit it out.... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/09/11 at 06:52:26 Cry...crying...I've been thinking... so what is cry..if we want to be correct it is a loud vocal sound... or perhaps sob and shed tears...weep..hummm something we do when we are sad.. not sure that any of these fit my feelings... what makes cry...is it a jester or an emotion .. where does it come from... does it come from deep in our mind and soul?? crying can be painful...it is like a cleansing of the soul...taking out all the sad things and looking at them and telling them goodbye. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/11/11 at 04:42:23 This is a story that I wrote about my son who drives a truck. I giggle each time I read it as in my head I can still hear his voice telling it to me..it is a little long but I hope you will read it to the end...enjoy and have a giggle or a laugh... This is a true story told to me by my son Wandel.  Wandel drives an 18-wheeler. He drives for a company called CFI.  He use to drive cross country but now is a local driver.  As a local driver his responsible is to pick up a  trailer load of goods from companies and return them to the terminal to be picked up by cross country drivers.  Their terminal is located in a town just outside of Dallas TX.  I am telling you this part so that you can understand...the situation.  Wandel has worked for them several years and so he has what he calls a "mind set" for truck driving. He explained "mine set" as...when you are doing something...shopping...taking a trip...etc etc..you have your mind on that...you are not necessarily thinking of other things...just to accomplish you current project. In Dallas as everywhere around us...the weather had been very hot...and since his a/c in the truck was not working properly he decided to start his rounds earlier than usual .  Maybe he could finish up his runs before it became so hot. This particular morning he was up very early and picked up a load of tires to take to the terminal...going down the interstate...65 miles per...dark...moving right along..things going fine...WHEN out of the corner of his eye...a slight movement by his CB mike...but he has his "mind set" so he is fine...SUDDENLY his eyes tell him that something is in his lap...now brain has not made the connect yet...BUT suddenly brain says...THERE IS A SNAKE IN YOUR LAP!!  Out the window goes "mind set"...now brain is in gear and telling him to get off the road...which he did in all the unauthorized methods known...we are heading for the bar ditch...out of the truck...door open... Guess who has been watching...right...the police...and now the cop is pulling up.  Wandel is out of the truck...of course the cop is thinking he is ill or perhaps has had a heart attack...so cop says...son are you alright?? Wandel says...yes I am fine ...there is a snake in my truck. Cop says Yeah... Wandel says...no really there is a snake in my truck... Cop says yeah.. So now Wandel knows that the cop is thinking...OK drug test here...or he is going to check for sobriety...and he starts to get out his drug kit from under the seat...that he has to carry in his truck for just this thing.. Wandel says...I understand what you are thinking...I understand that you are thinking of giving me a drug test but I am telling you there is a snake in my truck. Cop says...yeah Now at this time Wandel reaches behind the seat of his truck and pulls out his crow bar...that he tells me all drivers carry to pull out the nails in the trailer floors. Cop says...son what are you going to do with that crow bar as he looks and backs up a bit. Wandel says...I am going to kill that snake...don't think you are going to be able to shoot it. Cop says...yeah. Cop says...I would feel much better if you would put that crow bar up and Wandel repeats...we got to kill the snake. Now they have both doors of the truck open and standing there discussing this snake problem that the cop does not believe and Wandel does not blame him. WHEN SUDDENLY....out of the a/c vent comes the snake's head...there is the snake...it comes out about 5 inches to have a look around...and there are the cop and Wandel yelling...LOOK..LOOK...IT IS THE SNAKE. Now they have this problem...the cop cannot shoot the snake it will tear up the truck...and they cannot pull it out of the vent as it goes back inside every time they try to pull it out with the crow bar. By this time Wandel has proclaimed that he is not driving the truck to the terminal so he is calling "road service" to be towed in...needless to say...road service did not believe him either and did not appreciate being pulled out of bed to tow a truck...with a snake. So here we have the cop and Wandel on the side of the road...trying to figure out how to take care of this problem...finally Wandel says...maybe we can flush him out...so he raised the hood and turns on the water and air on the a/c and they watch...sure enough after about 3 to 5 minutes the snake starts out...they manage to pen it to the floor and you can now know how the crow bar was used...so now they have the dead snake...with a very mashed head...about 3 feet long and big around as a quarter...it brown and black...dead. Well we still have the truck on the side of the interstate and Wandel says...how do we know there are not more snakes in the truck...by now the "road service" is there for towing him in...a grumpy soul who did not want to get out of bed for a "snake driving a truck". Wait wait...say the cop and Wandel...we have the snake. Road service...yeah. So the cop and Wandel find a box for the snake to travel in to the terminal...as the dispatcher does not believe this story either.  Finally all parties are on their way...cop in his car with a story to tell his fellow officers will not believe...Wandel in the tow truck...trying to make the road service person understand and the snake in the box. Wandel now tells me his early morning checking of his truck is different and he has changed his "mind set" to include pounding on the head liner of the truck and check his truck cab for other things...including snakes. How did this snake get into his truck you ask...well he told me that recently they had mowed the large pasture surrounding the terminal and he thinks that could have driven the snake out of the field up under his truck...the boot which is a large plastic surrounding his gear shift had a split in it...so possible the snake came in that way...found his way to the head liner area where many wires runs and found a safe place to rest... Yes I ask...and someone did take pictures redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/17/11 at 03:36:11 well do I have a story for you... this week I received a interesting phone call and it went like this.... A lady called me in regard to a gift that she wanted to give her sister for her 50th birthday.Seemed this lady had just about anything you might think of so Brenda (the caller) ask her what could she give her that would mean something..her reply was.... In the early 1970s you (Brenda) was a freshman in high school and the guy you were in love with for 2 whole months gave you a crochet necklace that his mother had made...just so you understand the guy was my son and I made the necklace... now in 1970s if you had one of these handmade crochet necklaces you were really in fashion.  My husband's mother taught me how to make them as she was one of those people who could look at something and crochet it.  It was lots of fun so I made some with gold beads and sliver beads and Brenda's necklace was with pearl ones and it was long and pretty. As she told me this story of course I did remember making them and she ask...would you still have one...and of course I said no..that has been almost 40 years ago and how did your sister remember this in such detail.. Well I told her I would ask my daughter as I had given her lots of old jewelry from my mom as well as some of my own. Daughter said no mom I don't think so but I will look...so I sit myself down and did a little thinking..and suddenly I remembered an old old jewelry box back in a bedroom...telling self to go look I opened up the box and guess what was in it..yup you are right...there was a gold bead necklace and a long pretty pearl one..they had laid in this box for over 35 years.. I called the lady and told her what I found..and she cried...she so wanted to give her sister this special gift.  She is going to find a black velvet box and I have some little gold tags that I used for items that I painted and sold that say simply ...by Joyce.... not only did it make her happy but it was such a pleasure that someone remembered something I created for almost 40 years ..Brenda and I decided that it had to be a "God thing". redbird The word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/17/11 at 06:55:02 almost every morning I have a special computer game that I play...it is a word game and I play it to see if I am going to have a good day or the brain is just going to be fried all day..and some days I just cannot past the test..I am sure that the computer has the answer wrong and I am right...but how do you argue with the computer... well so I decided to cheat..no one will know and the computer cannot talk..mine is so old that I am amazed when it comes on each day.. so now I can tell you when the computer says...oh no that is the wrong answer...I just chuckle and say...."watch me" LOL LOL   redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/19/11 at 04:10:42 I wanted to share a little tidbit with you.. in my lifetime I have read many many books and I am a fast reader...my passion is reading...so having said that I want to tell you about the very best book I have ever read.  I recently found a new author ...John Hart.  Now he has written a couple of previous books but the one which will be my all time favorite book is  "The Last Child".   I must tell you that this book made me slow down and read and savor each word...you don't have to buy it as I found that it is in our local libraries..that is where I found a copy to read. John tells me that he has another book coming out in March and I am already on the reading list for waiting..He said that as of now it is titled "The Iron Horse"  I can hardly wait..don't know what it is about he did not say.. redbird the word writer PS..a report from Birdville coming in will post later

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/19/11 at 07:53:12 you know that commerical...the potato chip...Ruffles have ridges well my finger nails have ridges..wondering if this means I am getting older redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/19/11 at 10:10:47 well some people just cannot say "I am sorry" when they mess up...they will try to do something nice for you instead...well mother nature is one of those people...she just could not say "I am sorry" for those two nasty snow storms she sent..so instead she has sent 3 "sitting on the porch" days...loving it redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/20/11 at 06:54:20 well speaking of commercials...remember that potato chip one...think it was Lays...that said...you can't eat just one?? well I am beboppin  down the grocery aisle and a big sign catches my eye..CRACKER JACKS...not in a box but a bag...now I am thinking that would make a nice snack.. well of course I got a bag and took it home ...opened that dude up and slipped a couple in my mouth..boy that was good..went back a few seconds later for another handful...and finally I just gave in and took the whole bag...yup ate the whole thing..so my theory is that  ...you can't eat just one ...applies to a lot of things.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 02/20/11 at 09:51:27 Cracker Jacks!!!  OOOOOHHHHHHH!!!   I used to LOVE them when I was a kid!!   I loved the way the peanut tastes with the popcorn!! Here, Redbird, I've got a TREMENDOUS popcorn recipe for you!!  I learned how to make popcorn this way from my Brazilian Girlfriends Get out a DUTCH OVEN with a lid.  You need a BIG PAN.  A long handled spoon and a BIG container for the popped corn. In the bottom of it put about a tablespoon of oil and 2 tablespoons of butter.  Pour in about half a cup of good popcorn and about a 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Turn the fire on HIGH and start stirring with a long handled spoon.   CONSTANTLY stir until your hand falls off!!   and keep your eyes GLUED.  Watch the popcorn change from it's somewhat angular shape to that of a rounded one.  You will also see the butter and oil bubble up around the unpopped kernals in the bottom of the pan.  All of a sudden you'll see one then two pop, but DON'T STOP STIRRING YET!!   Wait just a few more seconds until you see that the pan begins to take off and then remove the spoon and your hand and COVER THE PAN!!   Then LISTEN!   At first you will hear the pinging of the popcorn hitting the lid and then shortly you won't hear it anymore.  That's when you REMOVE THE LID!  Carefully, mind you so that you can put it back on if you need to.  But what usually happens is that the weight of the already popped popcorn will hold back any of the newly popped corn from flying out of the pan!!   By removing the lid, you allow the moisture and steam to escape, which is what makes the popcorn so mushy!!!     KEEP LISTENING!!   You will notice that the ferocious popping will begin to slow down.  When it's slowing down, remove the pan from the heat and continue waiting.  You pour the batch of popped corn into your large container if you smell anything burning or when the popping has stopped.   By stirring the corn you don't need to do any shaking of any pans around.  The stirring will force all of the kernels to get to the right popping temperature all at the same time so the popping ends up going into an explosion of activity almost all at once!!!  And by having the salt and butter already in the pan, the popcorn comes up already seasoned!  So, do not add more butter or salt, you have already seasoned it while it was popping!!!!   And by having removed the lid, you'll see that your popcorn is very crispy!! If you want to make something like the cracker jacks or the such, I can't help you there.  I love just plain buttered popcorn and I let the kids experiment with the other stuff!!   What I've seen people do here is that they will pour condensed milk in a fine thread while stirring and then pour in chocholate Jimmies all through it!   It's okay for the kids, but I personally love just plain buttered popcorn!!   I like being stuck in my rut!    [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] Thanks for the memories Redbird.  I thought I'd share my popcorn with you in return!!   Hope you like it! ENJOY!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/24/11 at 07:55:57 Good afternoon to all... My Charlie Brown pillow and I have had a "time out".  Wanted to share this little tidbit from a book that I am reading... She did not have to be anything.  She did not have to be smart, brave, cunning, heroic, courageous.  She only had to be there, that was all.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/25/11 at 06:14:56 Birdville News... Well Foote let me sit in "The Bird Watching Chair".by myself..and I did and I watched... Many years ago I had bought a bird feeder..it was always my favorite..hard to tell you what it looks like but it opens up and is great for redbirds to feed as it gives them a large place to stand.. Now my bird feeder had somehow made it's way to the trash pile and I will admit it looked bad..parts missing and some together with wire it had survived years of wind and hail and snow..but I decided to get it out..and I did. I did some hammering etc trying to make it useful again...  I told my son that I wanted to hang it and took myself off to the tractor supply store for the redbirds favorite food...black oil sunflowers seed..and we did. Suddenly I looked out my window and could not believe my eyes...remember Alfred Hitchcock's movie...The Birds...well that is what my back yard looked like...Birds everywhere..not one or two or ten or twelve..dozens and dozens and dozens ..they were everywhere..the trees were full of birds holding numbers waiting their turn to get into the feeder..the sky  was full of others coming...and as I looked they were all golden finches-yellow finches..I could not believe this..they are suppose to be on their way north for the summer months.. As I continued to watch this sight I am thinking...this feeder is magic..but I ask one of the finches if he would explain it to me and he said...girl have you not heard of texting..seems the word went out over twitter and all the means available that this feeder was in my back yard..Then I ask..but you are suppose to like thistles not sunflower seeds..reply was ...girl you are really behind the times...you must be reading an old bird book..get a Kindle.. I cannot tell you what a delightful time this is ...how long will it last..is it magic or simply the finches on a migration to the north and we are on the way and it is a stop for fuel..kinda like a gas station..has the new communication brought them to us..when will it end..will it end...I don't know but Birdville is enjoying the new residences. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 02/25/11 at 12:44:06 How delightful!  Thanks for the smile in my day Redbird.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by steelergirl on 02/27/11 at 13:07:14 Redbird- I LOVE the words from your book- thank you for sharing them.  Am not sure why, but they resonated(i know! Spelling!! giggle) with me but, I thank you- Re: birdfeeder magic-   ahhhh- yes, all golden finches? It is a part of nature's magic and, perhaps, a 'sign' of a golden time ahead for all, in your neighborhood of Birdville!  Hopefully, will spread and be the beginning of a golden era for all! We had nice sitting weather this weekend also, and our redbird 'couple'-he bright and flashy and she, quite pretty-i think- if one takes the time to really look at her-more of a muted 'sophisticated' coloring than her partner's flash-to-distract-from- the-wife-and-nest coloring, teased us with both their voices and flashes of color in the trees. They are here every year. am not sure if they stay all year, but they nest in the side tree each year. We also have a large, red headed woodpecker, a small gray one, and some unidentified others, who like to visit the back yard.  I was watching them, grinning, and my hubby asked what was making me smile?  I told him was thinking about a dear lady, with a grand way with words, who was wise enough to take time out and enjoy the birds and all of nature's tricks and treats daily.  He laughed and said "the lady who writes the stories you tell me about?" "yep" "hmm, maybe she's on to something- maybe we should do this more often"  Giggle- so, Redbird- not only are your stories better than 'a happy pill', they have stretched across the country touched the lives of others, reminding us of the beauty and truth that lurks, just outside the door- if you only will open it and look with your heart, as well as with your eyes! Blessings to you! and all around you! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/28/11 at 09:46:34 thank you ...my pleasure and joy is just to make someone smile or laugh or giggle redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/28/11 at 09:48:16 Foote... I looked out the window this morning and saw Foote sitting in the far back yard...she was sitting very still and so I watched her for some time and she still did not move...not even a nodding of the head nor a flick of her tail....still like a statue. so now I am wondering ...what the heck..as this went on for some time like in long time...finally she came in the house and when I ask her she said...I was on surveillance... she had our *@#*^ pesky mole under surveillance...this mole has been with us for several years..and we have tried anything and everything that anyone has told us...we even de-grubbed our yard..as they are said to love the grubs..we have tried EVERYTHING...he does not go to the neighbors yard or anyone else yard just unlucky us... The only thing that would make me happier would be to look out and see Foote putting up "yellow crime scene tape". redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 02/28/11 at 17:52:27 Redbird! Loved your Brothers story!! My husband is a truck driver we've been self employed for 17 years. You just can't believe how well we identify! To top it off, I am absolutely terrified of snakes, and I live in Tucson in a rural area and yep I've got em! So my DH and son like to "freak me out" by saying pssssssst sounding like a snake while I'm outside and I jump. My daughter is dating a border patrol agent and it's his job to tell me as soon as he sees them out and about, which he already has, so the new season has begun. I will use this story to freak my husband out :) Which by the way I've found snakes curled up under his tires, once while I was washing the truck! Let's just say he'll be looking for an entryway tomorrow evening :) Wonderful story. Tell your brother I would have just went into total cardiac arrest!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/01/11 at 08:26:33 Hey group... I am doing a scientific study...Do birds spit out or spit up... will let you know the results redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/02/11 at 08:55:23 Birdville News well got my cup of coffee and the "bird watching chair" was vacant so I sit myself down for reading my paper and watching.. now I notice a lot of activity...lots of redbirds coming and going in the feeder area....more than usual...the lady birds were all in a frenzy getting their feathers combed and just right..the guy birds were flitting around and showing off...you do realize that it is coming spring..mating season and building of nest..so I am thinking what is going on... suddenly a stranger appeared and started handing out business cards...seems he was from e harmony the dating service. what can I say... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 03/05/11 at 00:38:52 LOL!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 03/05/11 at 04:56:10 Redbird, well I can comment on my birds, the predators definitely spit out! I thought our famous writer would enjoy a story of my own, I've sent this e mail to a person in the University entomology dept hoping he can help me. Hello Mr. Bugman, I'm hoping you can help me with my dilemma! I was waiting for nature to take it's natural course but am reconsidering my thought process:)  The beast is the fly,,,, I live up in rural Catalina and have a lot of predator birds.  An owl ate his prey in my rose garden one evening, ( OK it's my best guess I actually couldn't ID him in a lineup, I didn't see him)    So what evidence he/she left behind, believe me there wasn't much, I got rid of.  Weeks later ( could be months), the flies started coming up out of the earth around my rose bush.....  gross, but it is nature, so I let it be, thinking it would run it's course. Well it's progressively gotten much worse, there are gazillions of flies in the mulch under this rosebush...... Realizing I probably have the equivalent of  the playboy mansion for the adult flies ( rose garden with mulch and a drip system) I'm guessing they are continuing the cycle I thought would just die out? I'm guessing here. I'd love any ideas you have to alleviate the problem naturally, If Tucson has a fly plague soon it will be my fault :) Thank You for your time and knowledge! Sandi

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/05/11 at 05:09:19 THANK YOU SANDI!!!! I loved your story.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/09/11 at 04:16:08 Birdville News... just wanted to let you know there is good news and bad news from the farm...bad news first.  As we suspected the hugh amount of golden finches must have been flying north out of our summer heat...and they have moved on..they were here for over a week and one morning...they left.  No notes of goodbye or "thank you" for the meal..you know like one of those ..."eat and run" things. I am just hoping that their GPS(I think that is what you call it) was set for the return trip this fall when they come back...a few are still here and my purple finch brought a date by but think he is a bachelor as usually he is here alone..the remaining golden finches seem to like it here and have applied for housing  however I must tell you  they brought much joy and excitement while they were here...I have worn out everyone's ear that would listen to my story regarding this..so this experience was the good news.. moving on to other events at Birdville...I had offered the crows "free rent" for nest building this spring but they said they had found "cheaper?? rent somewhere else. now this was a bummer..The redbird population seems to be increasing..noticed 7 male birds feeding and several lovely ladies..maybe eharmony matched them up...who knows... more later redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 03/10/11 at 18:49:35 Redbird, we've got a lot of online dating hookups with our birds here as well! I have a tree outside my kitchen window and the other day a pretty little dove was sitting in it and up flew another bird with a single weed stalk in his beak, he gently put it on top of her, she sat her neck up tall and cuddled up to him ( I'm guessing he and she here!) then he proceeded to walk over the top of her head and across her to sit on the other side, after that I decided to stop washing the dishes thinking they may need privacy ;)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/11/11 at 04:05:25 OH Sandi that is neat redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/11/11 at 04:06:51 There was a famous musical several years ago...OKLAHOMA..and of course that is where I live...now in the show there was a song that said...Oklahoma where the winds come sweeping down the plain.... now sweeping is a key word here..we think of sweeping like a broom..however mother nature has the vacuum cleaner out and put it on blow...now you know how that works...so we have had wind and wind and wind for several days now.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/11/11 at 08:07:54 I thought I would share this scientific information with you as you might need it sometimes.. the only animals that ..."do not pass gas"...are the kangaroos and the cat...now if you cat should do this...you should rush them to the vet quickly as something is bad wrong.. LOL LOL LOL  sorry just had to do that redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/11/11 at 08:35:46 well Oklahoma is under a super big "Burn Ban"....we are so dry and most parts have had no rain...high winds make it more dangerous and we have had those as well. today just to the north of us a couple of miles they are evacuating people with a large grass fire coming their way..but the wind is blowing away from us.. last year we were in the same situation and this time the fire was hugh...they moved some out of the nursing home just up the road and we could see it coming..finally it was just across the road.  All kinds of fire trucks were fighting it but I decided that it was getting a little close..sparks were flying in the yard..so I told my family I was packing getting ready to leave.. first I packed clean underwear..then meds and last jewelry..nope do not have them in the wrong order..I  was of the generation that when you left home for something ...mom always said..be sure you have on clean underwear you might have an accident..and I am sure her mom told her that as well.. one day while working in the emergency room at the hospital..they brought in a  young man on a stretcher from a car accident and he said...my mom would be so proud of me..I put on clean underwear this morning...everyone in the ER cracked up laughing as we had all heard the same thing.. so if I have to pack as a fire gets close..I know where my priorities are...LOL LOL redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 03/11/11 at 10:08:31 Be Careful Redbird! Praying for your house and you to remain safe!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/12/11 at 03:29:28 played my brain game this morning like always...it said....sit in your chair today and not move...brain in serious trouble..could not even cheat my way out. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/12/11 at 04:02:49 from reading this morning... "It is always darkest under the candlestick" hummm

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/13/11 at 03:41:28 well .... Foote has told me that she wants to dye her hair...and she is... when I ask her why she said...since she was a white cat that everyone thought she was old and gray headed....so she wants to get rid of the grey.  How you ask?? ..well Foote has her own method.  When she is out in the yard she rolls around in the dirt...I mean around in the dirt...she stretches out and rolls so that most of her body comes in contact with the dirt pile..so currently she is turning into a KINDA  honey blonde....she will not let you brush her so forget that...and the other wonderful thing she is doing is....coming in from a roll in the dirt and sleeping on your bed.... humm I am sorta wondering if she is putting on a disguise for some kind of spy job or something... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/22/11 at 09:49:42 on my way to the mail box today ...way down at the end of the driveway I saw a solid black butterfly flying across my path...wonder if that is the same as a black cat..hummm redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/25/11 at 06:48:16 tragedy at the farm... I can hardly sit and write to you this story as I am soooo sad... just when it seems like everything has happened ...drought, fires, taxes and everything else..things like this happen... I am an old lady with masto and stress is one of the big triggers for me..so just why must I have this happen in my life.. it started some time back but came to an end a few days ago.. "my blue jeans died"..yes as I sit here and weep...it has come to the point that I must give them up..for a long time I could patch them up as they are my favorite jeans..holes begin to appear in all the wrong places but I hung on...determined that it would not stop me..but finally I must admit that it is time for them to go...however I do not have them all the way to the big trash bin..they currently are sitting in the garage..I am hoping that they might raise up and some miracle will happen.. I am in mourning redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/25/11 at 08:51:37 today I want to talk about DUST.  I don't like dust in fact I just hate dust..it irates me.  Who invented dust?  Please let me know if you know...I would like to write them a letter.. I am especially angry  about dust inside the house.  I did not invite it in and I sure did not hear it knock on the door or ring the door bell (if I had one).  I wonder if the NASA moon shot started this whole thing.  Didn't I read that one of the guys walked in the dust on the moon...sounds like a sure thing to me. So now we have this problem that we have to take something and remove the dust...make a clean surface just so it can land again...I put dusting right up there with emptying the knife and fork thing from the dish washer..I just keep filling mine up until there is no more room...it does not hurt to wash them several times ..that way they don't get lonesome for their drawer.. well I am looking for a spot on my schedule to dust the house...it is pretty full with watching ball games and reading and playing games on the computer..maybe something will cancel and I will make room.. does anyone else hate to dust.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/25/11 at 09:21:25 today I decided what I want for my birthday.  Someone always ask me so I have my list ready. head of lettuce tomatoes celery maybe a couple of green peppers a small box of strawberries.. figure that will cost easy $50.00 redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/26/11 at 01:27:22 this was my 90 yr old aunt's reply to my question in regard to dust I think the dust is left over from when God laid down the earth, and it got such a hold on him that he just said Oh Well. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 03/26/11 at 02:32:51 AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!   That aunt of your's is a howl!!!    ;D I can just see it in my mind's eye - God standing back, looking at what a great job He did!!   Then He looks down at His hands and raises His eyebrows and then smacks His hands together to get the dust off!! ahahahahahahaah!   Great comment!!!! ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/28/11 at 04:29:21 my dishwasher "threw up" today.....all over the kitchen floor redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 03/28/11 at 06:49:33 Wow Redbird! We must be in a similar life cycle! I just texted my sis in law complaining about dust last week. I live on a dirt road in a very dusty area! A couple of rooms have a "flat " paint on the walls and the dust sticks to the walls, they are that tape and texture style. The vacuum that will suck a bowling ball and not let go will somehow not suck the dust out of the crevices in the walls! Then theres those ceiling fans, how in the world does dust create a whole new continent up there. Who has time for that stuff?  Your birthday list had me in total understanding. I've been making homemade food from scratch for forever, always looking for the best value/ quality. My search lately has had me in almost tears. I cannot get over the absolute doubling of food items and everyone seems unaware.  Now your jeans post was sooooooo funny!!! I love it! My old clothes turn into "gardening" clothes, but then if someone showed up while I was gardening :) But since your hole is in the wrong place! You will have to let us know of your procedures if you were able to bring them back to life! Then theres my dishwasher, I've hated it for 10 years, however been to cheap to replace it, now I'm anxiously awaiting it's demise! I'm ready! I've been perusing sears.com comparing complaints! So let me know how you like your model I may be following suit! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/29/11 at 06:41:45 A SURPRISE!! WELL....I am laughing and crying as I write this to you....... this morning my phone rang and it was the local flower shop..they had a delivery for me..yes I am at home I replied... of course my little town is small and so we know most of the people who live in our town..when Teresa knocked on my door she had a big red basket...and I am thinking...oh goodness someone has sent me a fruit basket... As I set it on my table I am thinking..Teresa told me Happy Birthday and even if it is a little early that is ok..so I got out the tools to get it open and guess what.... there was my whole birthday list I had wished for...lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and celery and STRAWBERRIES...I looked at the card and it simple said.. "ask and you shall receive"...it was from a dear dear masto friend..a person who I had only met once but that time we immediately developed a special bond...we email often and talk on the phone... but I do not get to see her..as we live far from each other...sometimes God gives you this special privilege to met this kind of person.. it is a dreary day here in Oklahoma but this certainly brought sunshine to my heart redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 03/29/11 at 07:06:33 That's fantastic Redbird!!! Friends that continue the sense of humor are keepers :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/30/11 at 06:35:46 just wanted to let you know that I had a HUGH salad for dinner last evening!! my birthday present was wonderful..and had a little debbies oatmeal cookie with strawberries for breakfast... Foote is being a big "something" she cannot seem to find anything that she wants to eat...I refuse to go down and help her catch the @#$%^ mole so she might as well get use to that. it is like winter here again today..dreary dreary but no rain in sight.  the news tells us that forget it nothing in the forecast. QUESTION FOR YOU TODAY when you put on your pants..including the undies..which leg do you use first and why..this became a problem for me lately when my hip/leg pain was so bad.. if you are right handed do you use the right leg first or left handed the left leg..now think about it redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/30/11 at 06:52:27 sharing one of my darkest secrets.. I cannot make biscuits or pies crust... I have tried every receipe known to man..I have used baking mix that already has everything in it.. was at my daughters and she was making biscuits so I watched carefully..went home got out the same kind of bowl..same fork for mixing etc..didn't work.. one of my dear masto friend sent me a fool proof way to make those biscuits..nope did not work.. now pies crust is the same..something  about my brain just will not let my "hands do the work"...so think it is just best to save my pennies and buy some.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/01/11 at 08:51:42 today I am going to tell you a true story about the government..the Federal Government.  It is a sad story........this story started in 1934... it is about me!  it is about how they will tell you what is correct regardless.. as I said it started in April of 1934.  This is the year I was born and my mom told me that I was born on April 6, 1934.  So always in life my birthday has been on April 6. When the government entered the picture was when I applied for my Social Security when I turned 62.  As most of you know it is a process..lots of questions ..lots of paper work..you know how it is..however I had to provide my birth certificate among all of this..and guess what.. GOVERNMENT SAYS YOU ARE BORN ON APRIL 7.....excuse me..my mom was there I am pretty sure and she said 6...now I don't know about you but I don't sit around looking at my birth certificate ...but after this big thing I did look at it in detail.."had you not before you ask"..if I did I did not remember nor maybe did not pay attention..so I did look and guess what the doctor wrote on the paper...born 4-7 at 12:05 AM... now I am thinking..I was born on the 6th and the dumb doctor did not fill out the paper until later and said the 7...we are talking maybe 5 minutes...but the govenerment did not want to hear my side of the story so of course the government won...now when people ask me at a legal place like doctor office etc..I have to think..do I need my government birthday..sometimes it is confusing..and my doctor office said when we discussed the need to change it on my papers..hummm well we have always used the 6th and it works... so just maybe the government did not win...my children now say that I have two birthdays..LOL LOL  does that mean 2 different presents.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/01/11 at 08:56:03 my son just came in and told me that Foote was not well..in fact we may lose her.. now being a wild cat there is no taking her to the vet..you cannot even pet her unless she wants you to... Foote is about 14 years old and that is old for an outdoor cat ...he is watching her closely ..

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 04/01/11 at 09:25:06 I'm sorry to hear this!!!  I've enjoyed the stories!! Red, please be careful because emotions are very strong triggers.  If something does happen and you begin reacting, take some extra meds to counteract it so that you don't get sick please! Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 04/02/11 at 01:17:15 This Topic was moved here from Off Topic by DeborahW, Founder.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/02/11 at 06:17:17 Just to let you know that Foote is better today...son served her breakfast in bed this morning...guess that tells you how he feels about her LOL..think that she has all of trained redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 04/03/11 at 17:40:48 Hoping Foote is doing better Redbird, listen to Lisa on the stressors and extra medicines. On the birthday subject, you should definitely have two birthdays! Foote is in need of some homemade chicken broth, chicken breast and rice so get to work :)  I need a foote of my own! We live quite rural and I've planted catnip to get the wild cats to come and visit and keep down the rodent patrol. Let me tell you I've got this catnip growing in the desert down, it's beautiful.  I really need to look up how to harvest it and give it to friends with cats! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/04/11 at 03:56:33 I have decided to name today a National Holiday and  call it  "I hurt everywhere day"!   Mother nature snuck back in today and gave us a short blast of cold and my old bones are screaming this morning.  Hope that you have missed this holiday.  I for sure will not be marking my calendar for more celebrations.  Pain tends to make one cranky and a little testy...so it might be a good day to sit quietly somewhere and try to smile. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Josie on 04/04/11 at 04:37:27 Hi Redbird , I understand ;-) I have these days . I have to rest , in that moving for more than the call of mother nature is impossible. I find my pain is best , when i am sat up, semi recumbent on pillows with my lower arms on pillows too . Dozing between pain med doses . Many very gentle hugs It took me time to see my early warnings , now I medicate them and avoid many serious reactions . It took me a while to realize I had this option ;-) Josie

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/04/11 at 05:56:20 just a little hint for the day.................. now if you are in pain especially in the "sitting down area" better known as the butt/hips...and you need to get into your car...here is the best way... open car door all the way...approach the car seat by backing in ...place your bottom on the car seat and then swing your legs around all in one motion..I find this is the very best way..proven by me this morning as I had to go to town.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/04/11 at 06:17:54 thought I better give you a little update on Foote.... now here is the story..Foote until the last couple of years has always been a "wild outdoor cat" like in wild..for ever so long you only looked at her never touching but you could feed her..we had a couple of older dogs that were house dogs and they just did not mix well at all. The only people who  could talk to Foote was husband and son Sam..a couple of years ago when the winter was so brutal Sam brought Foote into the house to change her status to an "wild outdoor/indoor cat"  and this has worked pretty well as long as you do as she wants..and really Sam is the only one that can pet her without dodging those 5 toed claws.. so now that you understand all of that..Foote has always had ears that looked like she had been in a super big fight..guessing I would say that it was an allergy or something like that..but they always looked bad..and she scratches them a lot.. a few days ago she really really scratched them and they started bleeding bad..so bad that she lost blood and her being older and not letting you doctor them Sam has just worked his best to keep them clean etc..so he is doing the best he can according to her rules..however I find that she still is doing her thing the way she wants to do her thing..she is getting her meals in bed or wherever she wants and playing this all to her liking redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/06/11 at 06:25:04 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! today is my mom's assigned day that I was born..and if you have read the explanation of that you will understand..today I am 77.  Yes that is old and most days I feel that and especially when that old masto comes creeping around.   it has caused me to stop and think about my life as it comes to a close hopefully later than sooner..but we all must accept the fact it is going to happen. Not sure what I want to talk about today... now I often think about things that have happened or I wish had happened...it is sometimes hard to think of good things and in discussions with my daughter who has some brain study knowledge I ask her the question..why do I think easier of the bad things instead of the good..and she had a brain answer but I don't remember it LOL  I know that we have sides of the brain that effect our abilities and I have always hated that I did not get the side of the arts..I cannot draw other than stick figures etc..and I so wish I could..I also know that brain plays some part of my masto shock but not much study done of that.. well moving on I have thought this morning of my grandmother and my memory of her..this is my dad's mom and I told you about the "hanky lady" who I called granny  my mom's mom..I remember going to visit my grandmother when I was a kid..she had a gentle voice and I never heard her raise it..when I visited her my favorite thing was laying on the bed in a sunny bright room and reading..yup even back then reading was important to me..she would ask ...what would you like to eat and I would say...milk and a mayonnaise sandwich..she had the coldest milk and for whatever reason I loved mayonnaise sandwiches..she always wanted to cook for me but I was happy with that..guess I was strange even back then. my dad played an important role in my life..he was raised poor and often went hungry so he always was sure that we had lots of food in the house and my mom COOKED...she was one of those pinch of this and that kind of cooks.. Husband and I raised 5 children...4 boys and 1 girl...and I am sure that we made many mistakes but my theory is that they should learn from those and  do it in a better way.. so I am going to spend this day thinking of all of those things that I should be thinking of LOL LOL and my son who lives with me and takes care of me thru many many masto shock attacks is doing my dinner..so guess it will be a quiet day and one that I am thankful that God has given to me..I am also thankful of all the wonderful masto folks that I have come to know and love..some I have met in person and some simply thru the phone or email but they are great! redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 04/06/11 at 10:46:12 HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  Oh I hope that you are having a pleasant day! I must say that I dont think of 77 as that old! Of course, that is because my dad turns 90 in August. Dad is doing fine and seems much younger than one would expect at 90. He and my mom (21 yrs younger than him) live just around the corner from me and come over to my house nearly every day where my dad plants himself and watches the stockmarket, deciding what stock to buy next. LOL So, I bet he would consider you just a kid, redbird! Now, did you son make a yummy birthday dinner? I hope so! Have a very happy evening!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by In2butterflyz on 04/06/11 at 15:34:29 [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]   HAPPY   77th   BIRTHDAY   REDBIRD!!!!!    [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 04/06/11 at 15:36:49 Hi Redbird, What you said about the artistic side of your brain is simply not so!  You are an artist, which a writer is, as much as someone who uses a brush to put paints on canvas in a pleasing arrangement.  You use a keyboard to arrange words on a screen into a pleasing story.  Same side of the brain as that painter! Joan

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/07/11 at 05:16:54 THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!! now today is my government birthday but I am still just 77...LO LOL

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/07/11 at 05:25:34 have some serious stuff to discuss with you this morning...remember me telling you about Foote being around 14 years old...not sure what that is in human years...BUT...I think Foote is having an affair..yup think she is.... she did not come in last night..think she was partying  all night long and came in at sunrise.  guess that goes to show that you are never too old to have a fling..kinda wonder who the other cat might be...sure hope that it is not that scum bag cat that tries to live in the barn..he would not be on my list for a choice.  not sure how to handle this as Foote pretty much does her thing wherever it is or whatever it is.  Now of course she is sleeping ...she has gone out to sleep under the trailer where it is private, dark and cool.. will keep you informed as to this new problem redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/07/11 at 05:46:01 another thing that is rolling around in the old brain...what do you do with all that "stuff" that you have collected in your life time..You know at one time it was important to have lots of stuff but I am finding that what is/was important to me is not to my children nor others.. for over 20 years I did family research..at that time it meant wearing out your typewriter and letters..meeting the mail man each day to see if he had an answer but now most things you would want are on the internet making it much easier..when we were traveling to work and stopped in a motel for the evening I would take the phone book and start calling people in the town with the same last name..and maybe ripping out the pages for writing later. so now I have filing cabinets of papers..and libraries really don't want to fill their space with papers either.. my aunt and I discussed this recently and she said that she was sure that her five drawer filing cabinet would land in the garage because the children would feel to guilty to throw it away..hummm must come up with a way to solve this problem..you really begin to think about this kind of stuff the older you get. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/07/11 at 08:48:57 this is from my aunt..remember her.... Well, I can Identify with Foote, and for that reason I did research  on her status.  Google allowed me to look at a "cat age conversion chart," and she is 72 years old in human age.  She may live to the top figure of 20 cat age that equals 96 in a human.  So you be gentle with her, for she's nearly as old as you. So let the dear old soul have a fling, each one may be her last.   e

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/08/11 at 06:09:02 I wanted to share this from a masto friend in regard to my birthday posting..and memories from the past ...I hope you would enjoy them as I did... Larry said... your words here makes me seem to believe that you are pondering on the very things that have taken you to this day and age.  family.  got to love family.  memories are something that many lose early in life or even are deprived of the opportunities to make memories to take them along their way.  i have always contended that memories are Gods gift to mankind, sort of like pictures and snapshots stored in our minds.  they are something that we should cherish and bring to memory as often as we can for they do not wear out and the good ones never get old. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/09/11 at 04:25:45 break out the band...shoot off the fireworks..beat the drum... the &*%^$# mole met the roto-tiller and lost....son Sam was turning up one of our above ground beds and guess who was there... am I sad..not in the lest..it is a scientific wonder that we have not broken a foot or ankle from stepping in a mole hole in our back yard.. This mole has lived at our home for a very long time..in fact years..and as I told you we tried all methods to rid him of his residence.. we made lots of suggestions of moving to the neighbors or down the street or in the pasture next door even offered to pay the moving van fees but no luck... I will try not to smile or even laugh out loud at this latest development redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/09/11 at 04:49:18 Well wanted to share a little something with you this morning....I  know that many of us masto folks have had to fight long and hard with doctors etc for treatment and understanding..but we are not alone now as I have told you about Foote and her ears problems that seems to have gotten very bad with her scratching and the bleeding..so after searching thru everything we might have here at the house we decided to call the vet to see what they might suggest to stop the bleeding.. first vet..bring her in and we will check her...excuse me did you not hear me say this is a wild cat..like in wild..if I could get her in a carrier you would be attack on her getting out..well we have to see her...SURELY you can tell me something that stops bleeding second vet..well she really needs to come in and the vet can give you something for her ears..we have some stuff that you can use to get rid of the ear mites..I say..I am sure that she maybe has ear mites but I cannot get her in there to be checked..and you could not put it in her ears third vet said all of the above..now I am not sure that any vet wants to meet Foote when she came out of a carrier if we could get her in...so after that we decided to not follow that anymore.. we decided to do some research online for help..and we did and we found that some suggested ...PLEASE KNOW THAT I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS...a ointment call Blue Star and after reading all the facts etc and that it could be used on animals and you could buy it at the drug store..I did and I can tell you that this morning after son applied it (and he is the only one who could) she and ears are sooooo much better.. so just wanted to let you masto folks know that dealing with the vet..and I understand their position ....Foote now knows about your problem redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/10/11 at 07:37:05 one day I ask my little grandson what he was doing and he said...grandmother I am busy doing nothing...I have always remembered that... "this is my busy doing nothing day" redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/11/11 at 09:27:25 finished reading a book today that I would place on the list of top ten of my reading..Kristin Hannah's new book...Night Road. now if you decide to read this book be sure to have a full box of kleenex handy redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/12/11 at 09:00:28 my thought for the day is and it is long.............I would like to encourage you to THINK a little "outside the box" in doing THANK YOUs.... most of us in our life and in today's time say "thank you" for some special deed or saying to us..BUT I would like to mention something that you just might not have given much thought to.. as I have gotten older my thinking has changed some and I have come to believe that we don't thank people enough but how I do it is important as well.  I have decided that a simple "out of the mouth" just is not always quite right..sometimes it takes a little extra effort. in my younger days I traveled for a construction company that worked on and built Dillards stores...a team would travel to the site and the company shipped all needed tools, items etc for us to do the job..we usually were in a place from 3-6 months or sometimes a year..I did the office work and since everything had to have been done yesterday and stess levels were high...and we were on a tight schedule and you did get done  period..I would always insist that my supt and I would send a thank you card to our tool room because we had to depend on them so much..when we finished each job we sent a funny card but always..guess who got all the new tools that was bought..yup our team..we also sent the office as well..guess who's payroll went out first..right again.. when a phone talking young girl ran into my car and they had to take the jaws of life to get me out..the officer working the case saw that my medical necklace..he never hurried me and was very considerate..now in my heart and mind I knew that he needed a letter to his police chief..so a letter rolled around in my head and I finally got it on paper telling the chief how things happened and ask that my letter be put in his personal file for promotion if needed..the chief called me to say ..no one every did that but I felt I needed to say THANK YOU THAT WAY.. when I had to be rushed to the ER I always sent them something for THANK YOU..balloons and a candy basket or something and a note..and you know what...when my family got me in the door..they would say..this is Ms. McEntire and I liked that they knew me and my needs without a bunch of crap.. Do you ever send a THANK YOU card to your doctor including his office staff..I do..perhaps I would not be here without them..and sometimes I send them a valentine card.. this week I was in my little local Dollar Store and this store is important to our little 1 red-light town..but it had suffered greatly with bad help and nothing on the shelves..a few days ago I went into the store and thought I was in the wrong place..shelves full and the store looked great...in the back was a younger man and I was telling him how nice the store looked and how great and how hard he had worked..it was a thank you out of the mouth...and he looked at me and said...would you please tell my boss..jobs are hard to find in my town and I think he was glad to have his job...and it meant a lot to keep his job...well did I tell his boss..boy did I...I got online to the company  office and send a letter to the office over this store to tell them what a good job he had done..in fact I told then to please keep him and even give him a raise... now I could tell you other letters that I have written..I do this when my heart tells me I need to...I hope that you might take the time and listen to see if you need to make a THANK YOU out of the box and put your thank you on paper it doesn't take long. AND IN KEEPING OF THIS THOUGHT..A BIG THANK YOU FOR READING MY MESSY MISTAKE WORDS...WITH NO PERIODS ETC..BUT THEY ARE FROM THE HEART redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 04/12/11 at 12:28:54 Wonderful words from the heart redbird, thank YOU -  for all your words, and for this special reminder.   As a mother of teenagers I fear this is becoming a lost art, that of expressing gratitude, genuinely and generously, and is a recurring conversation in our home Ruth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/13/11 at 03:13:21 Birdville News.. we are holding family conference this morning to decide what to do...think we are going to call the local police and file a missing person report.  Now I have read how hard that can be as some say that the person must be gone for a certain amount of hours.  Some say age makes a difference as to maybe they ran away or simply wanted to be gone.. I have wondered how to present my case to them to be sure they take it serious and not laugh...you see our beloved crows are missing..yes you read that correct. For some time we notice that even throwing out cracked corn we did not see the crow crowd anywhere..they did not come in to eat nor do we hear or see them when we are outside.  That is unusual like in never happened.  As I have told you that usually they are in a group of 5-7.  Son says they must be in the area of the nest they chose this year but they could at least come by and let me know they are ok.  They could call..I am really puzzled...and not sure what to do next. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/13/11 at 03:54:28 going to be a good day..I think.  was able to get out of bed without aid of my cane.   However there is a sign on the bedroom door from Foote.. Quiet please..day sleeper..no running the vacuum. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/13/11 at 08:13:57 isn't it interesting....that women say they have gain weight and men say their pants have shrunk..LOL LOL   redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/13/11 at 08:21:34 son just came in to tell me that he thinks that relatives of &^%$*& mole are here...please Lord not that redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 04/13/11 at 10:26:02 Redbird! I so wish I could have snapped a photo of the bird that landed in the tree outside my kitchen window.You would have known what it was! Just looking at him made me laugh, a wild rockstar looking bird, bright fuzzy orange and black, I swear he had a fluffy mohawk! Just made me laugh, I think I have your crows, they are tanning and eating everwhere I pruned, raked. Soon as we hit 100 they will be back! ;) Arrrghhh mole............ a gardeners/farmers worst nightmare. They are the reason I have a love/hate relationship with snakes. I almost pass out every time I come upon one but know i need them to keep those dreaded buggers out of my garden!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/16/11 at 03:43:16 DISASTER AT THE FARM!! well if you have been watching or reading the news you know that Oklahoma my state has not had a positive last few days...tornados and fire seems to be everywhere.  Yesterday they were evacuating people from their homes as close as 40 miles away..not just a few but whole housing divisions...as they fought fire with 65 per mile wind. tornados also roamed deadly over the eastern part of the state as well and here at the farm we had our own problems. 65 + miles per hour wind blew here at the farm ALL DAY LONG...Foote finally managed to go outside for a minute but ran back in as you held the door.  we watched shingles from the roof blow by and now almost the front of the house is gone.. in Birdville the news is not good either...it collapsed my big big bird cage that son built me and I finally had to go out and cut down my favorite feeder as it was hanging with one side down...this morning the birds are all a twitter as they fly around trying to find feeders that are either down etc.. but it could have been worse...and for that I am thankful...we watched the glow from afar of the fires and though we did not have electric power I found a good book to read ...we will replace the shingles and hopefully get Birdville back to normal..oh I forgot..last night we also had a light freeze..  An old saying in Oklahoma is...if you don't like the current weather wait an hour or two and it will change redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/17/11 at 05:57:52 shhhhhhhhh I am hiding looking out the window..son is cleaning up the big bird cage collapse and is bringing things from the barn to construct something but he does not like for you to watch nor give suggestion or instructions ...will let you know later redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/17/11 at 06:48:11 UPDATE son is not building another cage he is building a room...more later as I sit here sirens are going off lots of them which means some big grass fire close by redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 04/17/11 at 08:45:42 GRASS FIRES????!!!!! :o Isn't it early in the year to have to worry about this ?? Goodness gracious, I hope you and your family are safe!!  Sorry to hear about the roof tiles - ouch!  That's expensive!!! Please, though, be careful about yourselves!!   You can always rebuild, but your lives you can't replace!!!   Be safe!!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/18/11 at 07:19:05 well today has come with supposed temp of 97 and just a couple of days ago my peppers froze... as I have told you that fires are everywhere in Oklahoma and Texas..my aunt..remember her lives in TX and she has suggested that we might be experiencing "Hell on Earth". The Birdville News is..... the new bird area is finished and the birds are trying to get use to the new area..instead of a cage it looks like a fenced in room.  why do we have this you ask...well it is nature for cats to get birds and that includes Foote..she mostly lays in their area to make them remember she is a cat but really she is sorta fat and lazy. I did success in brushing Foote for one minute yesterday before her long claws came out ..her ears are so much better and even see little hairs beginning to grow. things are pretty dull here..napping a little during the day as watching the NBA finals is a must    GO THUNDER!!!!!  Oklahoma is new to the NBA scene only having a team for about 3 years but we here are solid members of the Thunder club.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/18/11 at 07:36:06 well a great mystery solved at the farm... for about 3 weeks I have had a really big mystery...when I first noticed it I saw black flakes on my face in my ears and some even down on my shirt.. self said..what in the world..as I checked the area over carefully... it was not stuck hard and was easy to wash or wipe away but I was really puzzled...I checked my hair and shook my head but could not see anything to cause it.. now a few days later it happened again...now I am looking to see if there is some message..like a picture appearing in all of this mess..and maybe I could never wash again..maybe an angel or a radish or a cow  or who knows what was going to appear in all of this black stuff and I would have people coming from foreign lands just to look at it.. wiped it all away and went into the bedroom and checked my pillow and bedding..as it was on my face, and ears etc..maybe it was there..nope.. now a day or two later I sit down at my computer and got ready to put on my headphones as my speakers are out and there....................I saw the pads on the earphones were wearing away and now you know what the black flakes on my face and ears were..well it was sorta scary for those days..I was not sure just what was going on..did I have a new disease etc...but finally I sat myself down and had a good laugh..and shhh you are the first people I have told..but I wondered if I went to the store with all of this there...(I would put a smiley face here if I know how but I don't so I will just say LOL LOL ) redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/18/11 at 09:47:52 OH DEAR... my part of the state of Oklahoma has been given a new classification..the weather man said so... we are now SEVERE DROUGHT redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 04/18/11 at 16:27:42 Black spots....I'd have said ashes!!   As to severe droughts I understand that as we've also had times when this has struck our region of Brazil!   In fact in January and February we went through 6 weeks of upper 90s and NO RAIN and EVERYTHING turned brown and dead and this is highly unusual since that's our "rainy season".  Well we're now into the "dry season" which is our winter and we may get an occaisional day of moist weather but real rain is not expected until September when Spring comes!   This is when grass fires are pretty common and those black specs you were talking of remind me of the ashes that will go way up in the air and come floating down leaving you wonder where was the grass fire which brought it!! Glad you're safe!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/19/11 at 08:23:21 humm today have tingle hands..not a good sign..usual this is a ...going to have anaphylaxis attack..running cold water over hands..bendryl and using ice blocks..I really don't have time for this LOL LOL  nor do I want to either so time will tell.....my basketball team the Thunder plays tonight redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/19/11 at 17:38:07 Birdville... well the new bird area is finished.  as I told you it is more like a fenced in room and certainly not like the cage that was sitting there for the birds. it is a roomy area.  feeders are hung and filled..favorite sunflower seeds in the repaired favorite feeder. Now it is really nice and the fencing will keep cats etc out... however I am sitting and watching and see that we have a problem...the birds simply are not using the feeders like before...hummm so I am thinking that it looks sterile...just four walls up course the walls are only 4 ft tall... so I take myself down to the tree limb  pile as I remembered that the cage was the same way until I put some limbs in..and leaning against the wire for the birds to fly into and sit on.  I got some up to the bird room and put a few in.. then I was off to the store and when I came back they were gone..where are my limbs I ask..son said oh I thought those blew out of the tree...so I explained to him that the birds needs and he said I will put them back..OK says I.. now son goes down to the tree limb pile and brings up lots and fixed them to the wire and oh they look nice...kinda like hanging pictures on the wall and you know how that is..changes everything..but I will let them know we will not be putting in new carpet..wonder if I should ask for a deposit..(smiley face here) redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/20/11 at 03:53:53 you know I am really into reality shows on TV.  I like the Survivor and The Amazing Race and the list could go on but I am having trouble with the new show on "couponing". Now I use coupons because if I can save just the sales tax I think that is big and love the dollar coupons off my  coffee and we do have one store that doubles your coupon....but as I watch these shows and they check out with a thousand dollars of stuff for 6.87 I am left to wonder.  now the stars of couponing will show you their spots for storing and just how many they have of this and that..but it makes one wonder why you get 5 box of vitamins that you don't even take...cans of products that you don't use and would never use..so just how real is this..think I will just stick to my way and if I save some HURRAH FOR ME.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/20/11 at 03:56:20 up early this morning..eyes popped open and no going back to sleep so got up and made my coffee and sat in my bird watching chair... Mr. Jay came by ..like in blue jay and I never heard such complaining..he screamed and squawked and told me in no uncertain terms that the bird area was not to his liking...you know after awhile that noise just gets on your nerves sounds like someone honking down the road or maybe next door when the neighbors teenagers get to going playing their music on loud ...tomorrow I will put out a sign for him telling him that no unreasonable noise is allowed..that ought to fix him redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/20/11 at 03:59:01 :D ;D 8-) :P :) [smiley=bath.gif] my goodness I may have figured it out.. :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 04/20/11 at 11:51:09 I often think,  in my next life, (if I believed in the idea of reincarnation, which I don't!), I want to be a cat. Now I think I want to be a bird, in your neighbourhood Redbird. Or a cat in your neighbourhood would be rather idyllic too.  For now I enjoy little escapes into your world as you describe it in such a  priceless way.  Thanks Redbird.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/21/11 at 07:56:46 you know I have told you lots about the birds and Foote but I have not told you that my daughter is an "dog & Cat whisperer"  Yup she is..now she gets this love of animals from her dad..she has four older brothers and they are good with dogs but not like her. she use to carry dog food in the trunk of her car to feed the homeless animals..once when I went to visit her she had a whole group of baby ducks in her bath tub.  when she was living in KY working at a college she had a deal with a vet that she would pay for meds for sick ones that she found and he would treat them free.... when she was little she always had a cat and the cat's name was ALWAYS Susan..it never changed. now as time as gone on and she is a grown lady her ability is stronger than before.  Her dogs Jake and Ellie are like children and they mind as such.  Going to the groomer is fun to watch because they know where they are going.  On arriving at the only groomer they have ever known she has such fun with them.  they go to the proper area and when it comes time for the bath they can help each other into the tub...however one of Jake's and Ellie's rules is that they have to be in sight of each other at all times..you see they are brothers and sisters..and boy could I tell you tales of mischief that they have done growing up ...she has a new puppy now names Mia and I have not met her yet but it seems that she has taken the house by storm. who do you know that can take her cats to the vet and they sit and let the vet do whatever is necessary for treatment.  Needless to say these animals get the best of care because they are her children.   we have always had some kind of pets...dogs, cats, ducks, talking birds and there are stories about each of them..the ducks following husband around the yard like children..our talking parrot who said many many things but they are now all gone with the exception of Foote.   redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/21/11 at 08:03:28 Hey Ruth if I come back I want to be a banjo player...I love to listen to a really good picker play.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/23/11 at 03:13:55 well with the bad usually comes some good...last night we had a bad storm with lots of hail AND RAIN!!!! my rain gauge says inch and a quarter.  the is the first rain for us in some time.  now we also had bad storms to the north of us but today we are just going to enjoy the wet ground redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/23/11 at 06:39:47 well Mr. Jay came by this morning with his usual sounds and noise but as I listen closer I realize that he is talking in a foreign language...WOW who knew that we had a bird from aboard. Birdville has been busy this morning ...all kinds of activity going on..Sam the son has told them they must pick up and eat the seeds that they have spit out on the ground..we will see who wins that battle..LOL  trees are leafing out and signs of spring are in the air and you know the rain is good but with it brings all kinds of new things like mosquitoes and mowing and stuff.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/23/11 at 06:41:58 :'( well I finally put my favorite jeans in the big trash..I waited for awhile thinking that something wonderful might happen but I put on my big girl boots and said..you have to do this..so out to the main trash they went.   redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/23/11 at 06:55:53 Some time ago I ask Starflower about the tag on her messages and  she sent to me where it came from and the entire song..Starflower thank you and sorry to be so long in doing that...the words to the song can mean different things to different people... a few days ago I lost a dear masto friend and one of the  founder of the Mastocytosis Society ...Iris...there are really no words to tell you about Iris other than she was one of the most wonderful people ever..I went back again to look at the song starflower sent and the following verse was one that I connected to my friend Iris..who was sick  and God took her peacefully home We're all in this thing together Walkin' the line, between faith and fear This life don't last forever When you cry, I taste the salt in your tears. Goodbye my dear friend Iris

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 04/23/11 at 17:41:40 Hi redbird, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend.  That is awfully hard, especially when your friend has been a kindred spirit.  Hope you have some peace and comfort in your good memories of her!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/25/11 at 05:04:53 speaking of coming back later...since I have been busy watching the NBA playoffs..and by the way my Thunder is 3-0 in their series...I am thinking that I might want to come back as a basketball referee..yup ..I would love to "T em up" which means technical foul on some of these dudes..seems some think that a slug or slap to the face or other things do not deserve a "T" and boy when they followed me down the court with all the arguments I would hold up my fingers and "T em up" LOL redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/26/11 at 06:20:45 Birdville news well sitting in the "bird watching chair" this morning and I kept seeing something moving around on the ground.  Now my chair is fairly close to the area so I am trying my best to figure this out...do I need to clean my glasses or the window pane or just what...suddenly several of the "specks" flew ...so I looked harder and lean into the window to see better... now I am seeing dozens and dozens of little birds..and by little I mean baby birds...mom and dad have brought them along for breakfast and they are busy sitting on the ground eating some of the seeds that have fallen from the feeders. gosh thought I  what kind are these birds..however they are still too small to know...so guess I will wait..son says I need to get prepared for more babies as we have so many "adult" birds they are sure to bring their kids for a free meal. I did see my one purple finch who comes by on a regular basis...sometimes he brings a date but mostly hangs out by himself.. one crow is coming however the rest of the gang are still missing..this one I told you about that comes and seems to be alone..think he must smell and that is why they have put him out.. redbird the word writer  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/26/11 at 06:26:00 Foote is mad.. well I must tell you that Foote is really really mad at me...you see she loves my fuzzy blanket on my bed ..she likes to pile it up for sleeping ... now last night she was in her special place on the fuzzy blanket settled in for a long nap...however she did not realize that my Thunder basketball games was on late...now they played awful and lost the game ...I had a few things to say and some were loud as I tried to coach my team from my bed... finally Foote could not take it anymore and left for another sleeping place for the night.. I am expecting a call any time from the team asking me to take over one of the coaches place..LOL LOL redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/28/11 at 05:45:28 well you know sometimes in life you just have to sit yourself down and give yourself a good talking to.... it is not your fault that the wind is blowing it is not your fault that the neighbor children have the music set on loud in the back yard it is not your fault that the mailperson left someone else's mail in your box and you have to take it down to the post office and explain that Henry Jones does not live at your house..I promise it is not your fault that Snarky the squirrell does not understand that sunflower seeds have doubled in price and he needs to dig the nuts he storied away. however it is your fault if you are walking barefooted in the house and you stump your toe on the bed post.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/29/11 at 04:21:01 Foote had a really really bad day yesterday redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 04/29/11 at 05:44:32 Suspense!!!! Do tell what happened!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/29/11 at 08:38:14 well Ms. Deb she had a bad health problem...she started shaking like some kind of seizure or something and fell down..course she would not let us help her.  and she started across the yard falling down several more times until she got out of sight.  If you tried to pick her up she would hiss and bite at you.  Son has told me that a wild animal/cat goes to their place wherever that is when they are going to die and this is what we think was happening.  all we could do is just watch her go and try to find her..later she returned and got on her spot on the a/c which means ...I am ready to come in..we made sure that she had food and water..she slept thru the night and today seems better redbitd

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 04/29/11 at 17:46:14 :(   Hope foot is doing OK, we lost our dog of 15 1/2 years and it was so hard on us.  Just remember that you sure have given a wild cat the good life Redbird!  She's found love, safety, food, and happiness, in fact I'd think pure biss, unless resting on her blankey during a basketball game!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/02/11 at 01:22:28 well I am not sure who is in charge of Mother Nature's public relation but I am sure that you have noticed that she is w-a-y down in the polls.  we had turned our heat off expecting spring and we did have some really warm record breaking days but yesterday son Sam had to light the heater again...brrrr she might want to look for a replacement person.  my wonderful friend Olive had sent me one of those electric throws to use when I was hurting so bad with pain in hips and legs...yup it works great Foote would like you to know she is almost back to normal...yesterday she allowed me to sit on a little corner of the bed and watch the ballgame on the big TV if I would be quiet ...and I was.....almost. well it is another gloomy day here and I have promised myself that I would vacuum the floors...right after I read the paper...do my computer games and fix a little something to eat...well surely there is something else I would need to do before vacuum...we will see how it goes. Snarky the squirrel brought his sister by yesterday to eat sunflower seeds..son Sam had announced that no more seed in the feeders until they picked up all from the ground..Sam still holding to that promise..course the ground is covered with their "not favorite" seeds.. hope your day is good... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/03/11 at 03:37:51 Foote got me a mother's day present..you guessed it..and it was not even gift wrapped..she brought a nice fat mouse to the door and just could not understand that I would not accept it....golly Foote.. so she proceeded to place it in her stash..she has a special place somewhere that you will see her check on occasion..she is resting this morning on my fuzzy blanket we had frost last night but my tomato plants and peppers were protected...and it is suppose to get cold again tonight...if this keeps up baby birds will freeze in the nest.   did I vacuum yesterday...well a couple of rooms and then I decided the new book I am reading needed me.. pretty dull at the farm redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/03/11 at 04:13:59 just read an article about how this lady cleaned her house..she did certain jobs on each day of the week... like Monday she did laundry, cleaned bedrooms Tuesday..cleaned bathrooms etc etc etc  LOL LOL she did not have masto I am pretty sure redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/06/11 at 08:19:18 I have been "taking the air" this afternoon...now this is an old word that many of you may not know...in old times it meant taking a walk or sitting outside..kinda like "ponder" that was a word for thinking...on an old old 78 record of my grandmother talking she says...I ponder and ponder..she tells about getting married on the banks of the river..etc..but I can hear her voice now another one is "whipper snapper"...think this was for a young scamp that liked to do whatever he wanted... now it makes one realize how talking has moved on..in my days..so long ago..it was damn or something similar..but how I hear the f word more and more..not sure who gives permission to make these changes..however I am thinking not all of them are good. well old masto has  raised it's ugly head today and it is kinda one of those sitting days..with pain in wherever..cleaned the bathroom yesterday..yup a complete job but today is the payback.. spent a little time in the "bird watching chair" this morning..I did go out and put out some seeds...however son was not to happy about that...he  said and I quote...there is 100 lbs of seed on the ground and they need to get off their lazy A** and eat them...see more of the new lanague...but I have to say he is right..they tend to spit out the non-favorite ones.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/07/11 at 09:51:08 shhhh...we are on complete shut-down here at the farm...no slamming doors etc...no noise of any kind...Foote is ill and having a bad day so we are being very quiet so she can rest. this morning things looked really bad but she has rallied and got all of us in our place and under control. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 05/08/11 at 01:52:18 I hope Foote makes it!  :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/08/11 at 04:55:06 I read this today.... When mothers say, "because I said so, they really are saying  "I'm 40 years older than  you. I know what I'm talking about. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/08/11 at 07:24:40 to celebrate a victory....there has to be one. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/10/11 at 04:50:42 my quote of the day is.... Aging is not for whimps!!   amen amen amen redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/12/11 at 08:47:59 OK I AM WORN OUT!!!!! put up the long sleeve shirts and get out the summer ones..the day is in the 90s...put up the summer and longs out again..frost coming..take off the fuzzy blanket..put up the winter robe..get the fans out...news flash this weekend down to the low 40s....this has been the routine here at the farm...son even had to light the heater again..man what season is this... and I had a complaint filed against me..son and Foote mentioned loudly that shouts and sounds was coming from my bedroom Monday night and into Tuesday morning..and I am guilty..sure am... you see as I have told you that I am a super big Okla. City   Thunder basketball fan..this is our NBA team..and even if you are not a basketball fan you would have enjoyed that game...it went into 3 overtimes..I was worn out but I did not miss a minute..and since this is the playoffs am napping tomorrow as another game.. Foote is some better...she still is not up to her usual bossy self but she still has son serving her food on her bed or wherever she might be..I am always amazed at how the pets become the boss and let us live here. in between all of this I ran the vacuum even moved the bed and found lots of little surprised there..has this happened to you.. Birdville has had lots of redbirds visiting..they may be having a convention of some kind as I am seeing several... lots of stuff to check out...later redbird :D the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/13/11 at 15:36:30 :'( today we are doing the very best that we can for Foote...however we suspect that losing her is very near.  Being a wild cat and her age makes it difficult and son is the only one who she will let help her right now.  She is finding spots that she can go to be alone...behind a door etc..she looks sad out of her eyes..we can only hope for the best and try to help..son was up with her all night until 6 this morning when she finally rested.. redbird :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 05/13/11 at 17:27:35 The prospect of losing a pet that has taken such good care of us all these years is so difficult!  Hope Foote will be able to remain comfortable for whatever time ther is left.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 05/13/11 at 17:34:22 My thoughts are with you redbird, I nursed my cat through kidney failure just a few months ago. It's such a  sad time seeing them suffer.   :(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/14/11 at 09:21:03 well the fans are quiet and the fuzzy blanket back on the bed...cold weather clothes are out again and the winter robe back for the cold morning...I have on my warm sweat shirt and it feel good...  everyone is saying...gee this is unusual...but then we are lucky...the river is not at our door... we could all talk about what has brought the change but then we do not know where or why mother nature is doing her thing..but she really needs to think things over..and do some better planning.. Foote Report...she had a good morning..slept on the bed in the sun streaming thru the window..she has had a late breakfast and gone outside to one of her favorite spots..son has been out a couple of times to check on her..so we are hopeful.... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Carolsanavywife on 05/14/11 at 15:54:42 redbird, I finally found you all. Don't know if you remember me, from Choctaw? We talked quite a bit last summer.  Sorry to hear about your cat, I had to put my dog to sleep that we had for 17 years.  They are like your kids.  I am still struggling and I think I am going to try and get an appt with the doctors in Boston. I want answers and I am not getting them here in Oklahoma!!! Right now though I am dealing with my dental nightmare.  hope you are well  :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Carolsanavywife on 05/14/11 at 15:57:06 When I said struggling I meant with my mast cell, lol! Also, go THUNDER!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/16/11 at 15:37:41 Birdville news well lots of activity around today..just a reminder this is "mating" season.  Looks like the bird group is planning a pool party...umbrellas and coolers ring the bird bath and see lots of lady birds in swim suits however they may be in lots of trouble as weather man says lots and lots and lots of wind tomorrow..not good news. I know you have read about new people found in the jungles that have never seen other folks before..well we have our own unknown group here at the farm...it seems we have a whole colony of &^^%$%^& moles making their way all around the back yard..I would really like to share this news with the press but I am thinking I would not be ready for the publicity unless they promised to take one home.  I can hardly wait until they try to enroll in the local school..problems for that teacher my basketball team The Thunder won their game last night and I did try to tone down my yowls and cheering..now we are off to the semi-finals against Dallas..you know I am wondering if I could try out for one of those girly jobs..I could cheer but don't think I could fit into one of those tiny things they wear and not sure how I would manage my cane...oh well they don't know what they are missing school is almost out and I will be honest and tell you that I am not looking forward to the noise from next door as they have a couple of teenagers with friends and they play music on one volume and it is extra loud..guess I will have to look for ear plugs...oh hey a thought..I could sit my player in my back yard and turn it up and they would laugh them selves into whatever as my choices would not be something they would like .. Foote is still hanging in..we still are bowing to her every wish..and she is using it to the fullest.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/16/11 at 15:39:57 Carol sure do remember you and so sorry that you are having a rotten time.  I do wish we had some good doctors here in Oklahoma but guess we are just not that lucky..please let me know what you decide to do. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/18/11 at 07:20:41 I read this today and wanted to share it with you redbird the word writer Who is the third who walks always   beside you? When I count, there are only you   and I together But when I look ahead up the white road There is always another one walking be-   side you Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded I do not know whether it is a man or a   woman - But who is that on the other side of you? -T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/19/11 at 03:45:40 just wanted you to know... put up the winter robe put up the fuzzy blanket and waiting for the next mother nature's move  ;D redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/20/11 at 05:15:21 FOOTE UPDATE Well I thought that I would give you an update on Foote this morning...she is doing pretty good..guess you could say" she is doing as well as could be expected"...you must remember she is a wild indoor/outdoor cat and we would gladly take her to the vet if she would let us..the stress of doing that for her would not be good. so we are doing the best we can.  she is still receiving breakfast in bed and her latest thing is that she wants to be carried in and out...now I also must tell you that she can walk...when she wants.. her other new thing is that she likes to sleep in the one bathroom that we have...I think it is because it is quiet there... however I have not figured out how to use the bathroom and flush quietly...and oh yes she does not want the door closed... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/22/11 at 07:32:55 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY :) I like science but I love logic redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/23/11 at 08:26:43 well today I learned a valuable lesson..and a hard one... I decided to move my errand day to.. today since I was wanting to hear the opening arguments in a case on TV that starts early in the morning...so as usual I planned my route to save that little bit of gas..going here first then down the street etc etc.. well I made the first stop at the bank..and then my second stop was to pick up some items from one grocery that were on sale..big sale..made that fine..then on to Wal-Mart to buy Foote's cat food..the kind she likes... here is where the trouble started...got everything in the basket..out to the car ..now I must tell you that I have read horrid stories in regard to Wal-Mart parking lot..grab of purses from old folks..car jacking etc..so I am cautious here..I have this plan..open the trunk..set my purse inside the trunk so no one can cruise by and grab my purse out of the basket..unloaded my basket..everything is cool and then I close the trunk firmly..yup you guessed it my purse is now secure in the trunk..no one is going to grab it not even me.. my extra keys are in my purse..my cell phone is in my purse and everything else that I might need are in my purse...in the trunk... so now I am thinking what to do..and masto does not need this stress and the sun is beaming down and hot and I am not close to the store door.. inside I go for some kind of help..and to make this long story short of several locksmiths ...police  etc finally one came to my aid...at the cost of 40.00 and that was cheap.. first time in my life that I locked myself out of my car...I can promise you that my next trip to ANYWHERE my extra set of controls for my door will be in my jeans pocket..nope not in my purse.. just wanted you to share my day.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 05/23/11 at 17:21:12 Geeze Redbird that was a day wasn't it!!! I wish I could run foote over some catnip. It's growing like crazy!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 05/24/11 at 01:21:11 I've done this only once too, and it was due to reacting with masto that I couldn't think straight and did what I've never done before!!  Ugh! Sorry to hear of your difficulties, but so glad you were able to get through it okay!!! Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/25/11 at 05:17:36 remember my aunt...well I ask her if I could share the following with you.  She has written and published a little book called  Indeed YOU CAN...and it is mostly about her going back to college at the age of 89 etc etc..and since we sometimes talk about "old" it sorta hit home. Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind...it is a matter of will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is a freshness of the deep springs of life.  Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years...we grow old by deserting our ideals...whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like curiosity of what's next, and the joy of the game of living.  In the center of your heart and mind there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer and courage, you are young. redbird :D the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/27/11 at 04:06:14 Good morning.... as I look out the window this morning I am seeing the farm has put on new clothes...the grass is turning green and the trees are putting out their leaves creating many shady spots and covering Birdville with the tree limbs providing an air of comfort... the birds are busy coming and going...eating seeds from the ground as again son is saying..those are not broccoli you are throwing out..just your second choice so eat them. and as I watched I realized that Birdville is just like any town occupied by us humans...all different kinds/colors living together ...  birds shopping for the best seed bargain...moms feeding their babies as they sit on the ground fluttering their little wings...the doves come thru with their comforting coos..and the Blue Jays with their road rage ...territories are claimed and some of those ..."don't get close to my lady" as the male redbird does not allow a strange redbird to intrude... the bird bath reminds me of my children long ago when a bath was... running water and simply splashing the water and declaring ..I am done...as a little bird sits on the edge and pokes his head in the water and shakes it.. when Foote comes into the picture you hear shouts of danger and as a group they fly to shelter...much like many have done in the last week as the storms sweep thru many states..hummm we always see the people afterward but have you every noticed we do not see the birds..so you wonder where and when and how they might have escaped. I have always believed that we can learn from birds animals etc..however I am leaving out rats, mice and snakes..as I do not want to even look at them.. until next time redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/29/11 at 09:21:02 as I have told you that being old is sometimes looking at things in different ways and the times have changed so much since I was younger.. so being old I have thought about things in my life and comments that I have heard older folks say and especially my dad... my dad was not an education man with degrees but he had his masters in life and reading people.  it was always fun and an education to listen to him talk about his life and times...as he got older you would always find him in his special little house where he watched his birds and especially the squirrels. some think that life is like a circle...we are born in a place..we grow up and when grown we live our life in other places and then lots of people (not all)  we begin to have this pulling inside of ourselves that we want to go home..sometimes to the same house..sometimes to the same area and sometimes just the same state.. in my dad's last years of his life he talked much about the area he was born..even though he was in the same state he talked about going back to see where he was born and where he lived until he was almost nine...while he was able though the years he did make several trips to the area..I so wanted to take him home before he left me but his Parkinson was so bad ...I would have rented a van to take him but when I told him there was always a reason he could not go....I visited the area with my aunt before he died and the cemetery where his grandfather was buried...It was a beautiful place with large trees and I would have loved for him to have been laid to rest there..going home.. my brother sorta did the same thing...he also lived in his growing up area but before he died... he went to all the houses he lived in as a kid to make pictures...going home.. I have told you this story so that I can tell you that I am thinking that Foote is moving home..Foote was born in the old tin barn at the back of the yard and she grew up there..only going roaming in the fields and pastures close by but at the end of each day...going home.. in the past few days she is spending more and more time in the barn..going home..son is now carrying her food and water and sometimes he will pick her up and carry her to the house to sleep with him in his bed..but when she gets up for the day...and has some special treat or food..and wants out she goes back to the barn..going home.. Foote is doing pretty well..she still has her special little things that she does...but with heavy heart I am thinking that Foote is going home redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/30/11 at 05:17:30 Birdville news son put out seeds this morning so the traffic is really heavy..we currently only have a two lane road but I can see that funds are going to be needed for a new four lane expressway soon.. the wind is blowing very hard for the last couple of weeks..wanted to hang out my bed sheets on the clothes line...some people still do I promise...but son says...good luck with that.. not sure what my day is going to be...perhaps not much...have not decided ...thinking about trying to make biscuits again LOL LOL ... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/30/11 at 07:55:52 drat drat and more drat..had to empty the sliverware out of the dishwasher...I HATE to do that... maybe it is a masto thing LOL redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/30/11 at 10:31:54 wind blowing today..up to 30 per..but I got my sheets hung out so they could "pop in the wind" ...for all you youngester it is an old folks term..wrinkles out so no ironing...ironing..wash out your mouth..not for this girl redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/31/11 at 07:30:27 Foote update just to let you know...Foote is still staying pretty much staying at the barn...we make several trips down to check on her..she usually is sleeping..early in the afternoon yesterday I saw her out on the yard area and I went down to talk to her..I took her a snack..she seem to be glad to see me and she got up and came to where I was ..I petted her and talk to her...I ask her if she would follow me up to the house...she would walk a little and then stopped and would not leave the barn area. last night we had a thunder storm come up around 3 a m..son went down to the barn and carried her back to the house as she is afraid of storms..he put her in his bed and she slept with him...this morning she was up and slept in the sun room ..she then wanted out and went back to the barn redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/31/11 at 09:50:46 Just a P.S. Foote has decided that the only thing she wants to eat is SPAM redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/31/11 at 15:47:45 I heard this today.... Humans have 3000 thoughts a day....hummm well first I am wondering who counted them...and then I wonder just what we would be thinking about..wonder if they are like flash cards that come up in our mind.. don't think I am going to worry about this much..my thinking is on low speed.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/01/11 at 07:18:38 I AM ANGRY...MAD...AND PI*SED...yes I am..I hate it when people lie and especially when it is big powerful people..stand up in the public and state things that are not true...I have had it.. as I told you I was thinking about making biscuits...and if you are from or live in the south biscuits and gravy are something yummm... so Ok I am thinking ..I have had so many failures with this I will get out my BETTY CROCKER COOKBOOK...now it is states that if you have one of these books and use them you can conquer the world...so OK I could use a little world conquering and especially biscuit making I drag my big Betty Crocker cookbook out..I have had it for a long time but I don't think biscuits have changed that much.. OK so got everything out..sifted the flour and exactly followed directions..well they look kinda good so in the oven I pop them.. a short time later out comes the pan..now I am looking at these biscuits and I pick one up..it is hard..how hard you ask...hard enough to be a "hockey puck"..Betty Crocker lied..how could she do this to a world of women and possibly men who believed her claim.. well I don't need to tell you that these could not have been eaten by the birds so in the trash they went and Betty Crocker needs to issue a statement concerning this and tell the truth now my dear friend Olive says she has a "no fail" recipe I might try it otherwise my biscuit making days are over redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Sandi on 06/02/11 at 06:59:43 Redbird, I'm laughing up a storm!  have you ever made drop biscuits, it's basically the biscuit recipe with a little more milk in it and you don't have to spend the time rolling and cutting. I want to promise you this will work..... but if it doesn't... :) 1/4 cup cold real butter 2 cups flour 1TBS sugar 3 tsp baking powder 1tsp salt 1 cup milk or buttermilk, buttermilk will make extra yummy Cut your butter into your flour, baking pwdr sugar and salt until it makes course crumbs. Stir in milk and walaaa oil your cookie sheed and drop by spoonfuls 450 degrees 10-12 min. I use an ice cream scoop to make the biscuits, I can't eat em but everyone loves em!! I'm spent a lot of years in farm country Illinois, biscuits and gravy are a necessity :) Keep an eye on them they will brown on the tips and then they are ready! Depending upon humidity and flour sometimes you have to add more milk. I was thinking two main possibility with your not so great turnout is maybe your baking powder is old, the other is if you were doing the rolling cutting method if you add too much flour suddenly it will overtake and dry out the biscuit! Maybe Foote would appreciate one !!! ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/02/11 at 16:52:16 hey hey hey...guess what I saw today...... Foster Grant glasses with head lights. ;D I promise ...check it out redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/04/11 at 05:56:09 at my little local pharmacy today...they have the foster grants with headlights..they really are neat..going to get me a pair.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/05/11 at 08:57:49 I am a firm believer in the fact that God made animals and some special ones for our close companions and pets.  I also believe that God has made a special place for them when their time on earth in done... Foote went to that special place last evening.. .I have often told you stories in regard to her and her special talent to keep the household assignments straight and keep us amused with her doings...and most of all to use them to help son and I thru days of low times and sometimes high times.. Foote as I have told you was a wild cat..she was born in the old tin barn at the back of the farm..her mom was a black and white cat with 5 toes on her front paws ...Foote was solid white but also had the five toes..Foote was almost 15 cat years and that was about 73 human years..best that I remember she had 4 sisters and a couple of brothers..and she was the only one left..I cannot remember her not being here with us... for the last few weeks she had not done well..she would improve and then down again..again as I told you she wanted to be at the barn..however with the hot weather son had brought her to the house and she mostly slept in his closet..we did the best we could...but she left us to remember her with tears in our eyes..words of .."I don't want to talk about this" and other thoughts that we will keep in our thoughts and heart. redbird the word writer :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 06/06/11 at 00:33:16 I am so saddened to hear about Foote. I know what it feels like to lose a beloved pet; they are part of the family.  I know how sad you and your son feel right now, so try to focus on the bright side of what a wonderful life Foote had because she was with both of you.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 06/06/11 at 03:20:16 Sorry to hear this sad news redbird, praying that the sadness for your loss is soon overshadowed by the joy of the meories of what Foote gave you in the life you shared. Ruth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 06/06/11 at 15:30:44 Oh my, Redbird, I am so sorry to hear this news!!  It's obvious how much you loved this cat!!! Yet, on the other side of it all, you should be very pleased that you were able to give this cat a home and love and comfort and I've no doubt whatsoever, that you gave to it as much pleasure and joy as Foote gave to you.  Be content and pleased, Red, because that cat obviously loved you and the home and love and security you gave to him in return.  I know cats well and when you have a wild one they won't trust humans and obviously you did something to domesticate him enough to treasure you and your home.  I hope that thought brings you comfort! Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 06/06/11 at 17:16:14 So sorry to hear about Foote leaving for Cat Heaven.  I know the gardens there are full of catnip, there is plenty of yummy food to eat, and many pesky critters to chase. Still, it's so hard to lose a favorite animal friend.  I hope another kitty is out there just waiting to assign you some new duties and to amuse you, (but, of course, never to replace Foote in your heart). Joan

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 06/11/11 at 20:28:40 Hey Redbird, I hope you're okay!  I'm sorry you are missing your friend - we are too! Please don't stop your stories, however, for they are part of our day and we miss hearing from you.   I pray that you find healing and that you will return to delight us with your stories soon. Lisa :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 06/12/11 at 01:32:43 Yes, I noticed also that you are not writing. Redbird....we need your stories! Come back!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/12/11 at 03:43:36 THANK YOU DEAR FRIENDS,,,my humor box has been turned off sorta ..it is slowly dialing in..your missing me makes my heart feel good Birdville news... from my bird watching chair this week I have seen a baby woodpecker and another robin..and of course new redbirds etc... well you have read the new trend where a whole town goes on a diet and they make the national news...... well let me tell you what happened... as you know son pretty much is in charge of the Birdville..he is also the street sweeper..so....recently he came to me and said you must see this..so this meant ...put on the shoes as I am a barefoot girl...and got to the window to see that he had raked a very very large pile of those seeds that no one seems to like...like broccoli or something that taste bad..I will tell you it was at lest a foot high...well I pretended that I was shocked..and of course I wasn't since I watch them throw them out of the feeder.. so now the proclamation has been nailed to the trunk of the tree that feeders will be filled only once a week..I think this might make Birdville one of those new trend towns that are on a diet..we will see how long it last.. other than that it is a quiet day here hot hot hot so that means another day of doing something or maybe nothing ...may be a gather up all the newspaper day..start a new book of just sit redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/12/11 at 04:16:45 oh oh oh...I forgot to tell you about my weekly trip to town...as you know I plan my route to save my gas and make things run smooth...now my dear doctor called me and said...hey Joyce you have not been in to see me for a year and so come on in...now I like my doctor really well so of course my first  thought was to forget it but then my doctor cares how I am doing so ok will show up... now my planning goes into effect..stop by bank..then to doctor, then that place I really hate Wal-Mart..and then library and stop on way out of town for a take out of some kind for dinner..this is the one time a week we sometimes do this...so got it.. cruise into the bank..time a big problem so stick folder in purse..on to doctors almost late..nice chat with doctor..she never hurries you and you can talk about anything.. out to car to straighten up purse and open up folder and out falls gobs of money..I look at it a couple of times and think boy I am rich..there is something wrong ...this is way too much money..so I pull out the cell and call the bank..something wrong with money you gave me too much..now this is the part that you must not miss... bank...well the teller that helped you is gone to lunch.. redbird...I just want to give you back this money and get mine bank...well the teller will have to audit her drawer before we can do this.. redbird..audit!!! I just want to give you back this money..and how long does it take to audit the drawer bank... sometimes an hour.. redbird...getting mad and upset..look I have things to do I am not going to wait until teller comes back from lunch and audits her drawer.. bank..well we will call her in.. now my fuse is really short as my route and plans are all blown up..so finally the bank and I get together..I drive up to the window and the teller says you are the lady and I say yes...and I say your drawer would sure have been short if I had not brought this back.. now I am wondering why it is sooooo hard to give back to the bank money that does not belong to me... well this story ends with..I did get a reward...I got a parking place right at the front door of Wal-Mart...and you know how hard that is redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 06/12/11 at 14:53:43 See, Joyce, it pays to be honest!!  Good for you! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 06/12/11 at 15:49:46 Glad to see you here again!  I think I see that your sense of humor has followed you back!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/13/11 at 02:51:24 guess what we had for dinner last evening....we had biscuits and gravy...I bought biscuits  ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 06/13/11 at 18:03:39 NICE AND EASY AND SOOUUUTHERN, HONEYPIE!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/14/11 at 03:10:53 shhhhh we are a small little town..one redlight...but we have a "cat rescue" place...I might just drop by...have not mentioned it to son yet..it may be too soon redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 06/14/11 at 07:55:49 okay!    [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/14/11 at 10:43:20 well I just happened to go to a store that was right next to the Cat Rescue...however the cat place was closed.. there was an orange cat in the window..when she saw me she said my name is Maggie...really having to think about this..and not sure that son is ready to get a new one redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 06/14/11 at 13:46:50 GO FOR MAGGIE!!!!    SON WILL GET USED TO THE IDEA!!!! :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 06/14/11 at 17:47:15 If son isn't ready for one, then maybe two would be nice!  He could listen to hear if the other one named itself yet!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/15/11 at 08:51:52 hey... from  "my bird watchin chair" today things seem to be moving sorta slow at Birdville..just like me...it has been so hot that keeping the pool and drinking fountain full is a big job...Snarky the squirrel came as well and checked the yard for some of those "don't taste good"seeds...then he skipped out across the yard I put out stale bread and chips etc for the crows..and you should have seen this one crow picking up all the bread pieces..as I had thrown them out whole..he finally got them all loaded saying they were going to make sandwiches and he would be back for the chips later.. as I told you we have lots of new birds...like young ones and it amazes me how these "ugly ones" turn into the beautiful ones that pleasures the eyes a little later.. I was then off to town for my trip to the library and again that perfume got me...but this time it was one of the clerks..I tried to hold my breathe until she got thru..I know we are strange with strange ways and happening but we are who we are...and breathing is a biggie for us..I thinking about getting me a big purple hat that says...danger I need to breathe.. off to the eye doctor later..last visit he told me how good my vision was and I am thinking...you are not look thru these  eyes..I am.. well must tell you the cat situation is still on hold..not sure we are ready...in looking I found that son had thrown away all things related to Foote..yes it may be too soon redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/16/11 at 06:35:34 when I was younger...70..I was a manager for an internet service in the local mall just up  the road...now there was an outside entrance to our office as well as  big glass windows and door that opened into the mall...so you got to watch people going by all day now since this was a time when I was fairly spry I noticed how hard is was for the older folks to make that daily walk ..and there were many as in other malls..I always admired them for the effort but hoping that I would not ever have to get around this way... however that time has come.. now I am not sure if this is masto...it is easy to blame that old masto bothering the bones..or if it is older age that is looming..now 77 ..but it seems that I sorta favorite the ugly old cane at lest in the house and some days more than others.  maybe I should give this ugly old cane a name so that we can become better acquainted....maybe if I got a pretty one it would be better but....seems that I have fallen into the "walk slow" spot..GETTING UP...out of the chair is an event as well..so I just need to think all of this over  to figure out how I am going to handle all of this..hummm redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 06/16/11 at 09:48:00 It isn't easy, is it Joyce, seeing our bodies change as the years go by and wondering, is this just normal aging or is this my masto showing it's face and sticking its tongue out at me in the process? Well, just because time is passing, doesn't mean we can just blame it on our age especially when it is proven that masto causes bone and connective tissue pain.   So, my dear, allow me to gently recommend that you take this issue to you doctor and ask that some bone density exams and some CTs be run on you taking a good look at your skeletal system, to make sure that things are okay there.  Then, if all of that comes back negative, then you can do as we all want to do, blame it on our age!! In the meantime, I think giving your cane a nickname a good idea!  Yet, find a good name, one which is as always with your good sense of humor, for this is not a bad thing, I'm thinking, but really a good one!   We women know that the price we pay to bear children is a body which shows the wear and tear of having been pregnant.  There's nothing to be ashamed of and much to be proud of instead.  The same goes for that of signs of age - white hair, wrinkles and slowing down and achiness.  Some of these things can be adjusted and improved upon, but others are just par for the course and we need to understand them and not work against them, trying to  work with the situation as best we can.   Ever since my open heart surgery I have looked at my 50 years and realized how young I still am in spite of the fact my body feels so old on some days!  Yet, I also have gained a new perspective on life as a whole!  I've made it to 50!  IT'S A VICTORY!!  My prayer is to continue adding each day, moving into months and years to make it to 51 and then 52 and so on!  If I am fortunate, I'll make it to 60!  By God's grace, I'll make it to 70 as well!!  Each day is a victory and each day is GAIN from now on!!   So, rejoice, Joyce, you're able to look back and say that you were young at 70!  What a tremendous thing to celebrate!!!!   :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/17/11 at 08:12:34 today in conversatoin with son...I remarked that instead of reading my book I should be dusting... and he said why hummm don't know redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/18/11 at 08:24:59 well you know how when someone yells ...fight..fight fight..and everyone comes running to watch..well that happened at the farm yesterday.. here is the scene... Snarky the squirrel was in the yard with his map..think he was trying to find all the spots he had buried pecans but the ground is so hard that digging them up is pretty hard..if not impossible.. so he moved over to the bird pool area where the crow was standing in the water..Snarky must have thought the crow peed in the pool because all at once a serious noise broke out... I looked out and crow was on the ground and since it cannot run but hops he was doing that right at snarky...fast...now snarky is pretty good fighter and he would wait until the hopping crow was almost to him and he would dodge..then he would beat his bushy tail on his back...kinda like beating you chest and saying "come on"...now this went on for some time when the crow started calling for help and another crow flew in and landed on the ground..but Snarky was not backing down..he kept beating his back and running at the enemy..finally one of the crows grew tired of all the nonsense and flew away and Snarky ran up a tree ...like in fast...so I am not sure who won... today Snarky is back trying to dig up something ...but he used the area where I dumped out the bird water for fresh..he dug quiet a hole and I mentioned to son that maybe he was digging a nest for sleeping....son said you need to think that again..however I was thinking it was a good thought.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/20/11 at 05:32:57 well in today's world there are lots and lots of new words for us older folks...and we have lots of new tech approach as well...in the old days we had diaries, journals or just pieces of paper...regular telephone etc.....today we have the internet (which I love) and we have facebook and we have my space as well as others.. but today I want to tell you about MY SPACE..... I really call my space a comfort zone and I do not like to get out of it...it is where I know ...that people know...how to help if I am in trouble...or where to walk in the best place...the store that will be cool and not to many smells that get me into trouble...my ER where they know how to treat me and how quickly it must be done....my doctor who not only treats me but LISTENS... my home where I can sit in my different chairs and no one complains...my birds are happy....to make me happy now this is my space..not one of those fancy ones on the net..just a simple place for me redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/20/11 at 14:03:09 Birdville street sweeper (son) cleaned the streets again..he had his usual pile of unfavorite seeds that he scattered in other seeding spots in the yard...such lanuage I know I did not teach him those words as a child.. ;D son is a good person and takes good care of me...you see he suffers severe PSTD from a horrible trauma..he also has a comfort zone..it is usually in the home and back yard..so we are kinda home folks..he enjoys the birds and their activities so his fussing at them is really done in love... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 06/20/11 at 14:55:27 I love the sound or 'your space' redbird, I feel this sense of peace just hearing about it and your life with your son in your space. What a blessing to create and be at peace in your own place and space in the world.  And to give a space to the creatures too.  Thanks for sharing a glimpse of it with us.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by caormiston on 06/21/11 at 08:54:09 Hi Redbird, I like your space too...sounds so peaceful, and you sound contented.  So nice.  I love reading about it. I have a space too - in the yellow bedroom, sitting in the swivel rocker, next to the window that overlooks the yard.  This is where I start the day in worship, and find quiet time in the stormy times of life.   I look forward to reading more of your blog! Candace

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/25/11 at 13:15:20 The Birdville News... well vandals have attacked us here in Birdville... early morning a couple of days ago I looked out and found that Birdville had been trashed..my favorite feeder was hanging by one corner..and the entrance gate was down on the ground..not being sure what had happened I talked to son as soon as he was up for the day... he informed me that we have several night visitors who we guess made this mess...a raccoon and an opossum have been visiting...since we are under a  extreme severe drought  and we keep several  water fountains full we are guessing thats who has done this damage..across the road from us we have had a coyote den for years..they run along our fence into town for trash browsing..you can see them as they pass the street lights.. so I have written up some rules that must be obey or else...not sure what else is...but that sounds good..we will post them at the town hall for reading.. son was able to salvage my favorite feeder ...thank goodness and finally everything was back in it's place.. we are under house arrest here at the farm...it is so hot that going out is not something we can do...masto does not like heat and we are having 104 plus heat index and no end in sight..I have ask before but if anyone has mother nature's phone number please pass it along. birds are doing well and especially enjoying the water and bird pool..lots of young ones and I did see a baby woodpecker.. I have not been out to check on the cat rescue...right now just does not seem like the right time..I keep thinking about it but........... doing some reading as ballgames are over maybe for a long time as the shutout is just days away...hoping calm heads prevail... so what are you doing these summer days????  hoping you are having some masto free time to enjoy life redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/25/11 at 13:22:09 forgot to tell you about Snarky the squirrel...he brought his girlfriend for brunch..it was fun to watch..they ran up the tree and down the tree...around and around...then Snarky would stop and clap his paws together..not sure if this meant he was great and give him a big applause...or if it was some kind of romantic thing or just what.. dumb squirrel redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/26/11 at 05:16:28 today I am very "THANKFUL" for air conditioning as we are suppose to reach temps of 106 with no relief in sight for days and days and days and days................ redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/26/11 at 08:05:25 I know that most of you have seen pictures on TV or in the newspaper  of little "pre-school children" going on an adventure and the teacher has them all holding to the rope so they will not get lost... well today I watched a new little batch of sparrows who were huddled all together ...who must have been from the same nest and maybe brothers and sisters..now they did not have a rope but they were clinging tightly and staying very close to each other...waiting for mom or dad to bring something from the feeders... they were standing on the raised garden bed just under the window..and trying to become brave enough to jump down into the world...they would get to the edge and back up..and one finally got on the window sill trying to make it inside it reminded me of us humans at any  age who sometimes don't want to jump into the world..it is scary and one has to be very brave to go on adventures lots of times..sometimes the world is gray and dreary and for older folks just getting across the street is a big deal...cannot reach that top shelf in the super market..you think...should I ask for help...will it be ok... so we are just like the little sparrows...trying to decide ...can I make that jump redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/01/11 at 17:28:09 well I went to town today...to the store right next to the cat rescue place...the cat place was closed but some lady was unlocking the door and going in...I didn't but I  got out of my car and looked in the window...now I saw several cats that would just fit...I really want two talked to daughter about it today and she said ...mom our family must have "fur" in it...so I am thinking on talking to son... now he will say..I am not having anything to do with it...right...I figure it would take less that a week... I am going back as they are suppose to be open tomorrow..I need to go to that store again as they were out of sugar...LOL LOL redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/02/11 at 05:47:19 having to say goodbye to another old friend today...seems like this is getting to be a "to often" thing at my house... yes I must say "so long" to my old friend...my bed pillow..no not my Charlie Brown pillow as it stays in my reading chair for leaning on or dozing during these hot summer days,,,my bed pillow has suffer lots of fluffing up and double over and just whatever it took to make me comfortable..but as you know me..it is not quiet to the final resting place yet...I have to think about it a lot.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/02/11 at 07:49:11 in my little one red-light town we also have one nice size grocery store...it is just down the hill from my house..or over the hill which ever you prefer.. so you know most of the folks that work there and have a little conversation with them as you shop.. yesterday I stopped to speak to the gentleman who was putting fresh milk in the case and I ask him...how are you?? his reply was...that if I had known what getting older was like I would have taken better care of myself when I was younger...most of us would say the same thing redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/04/11 at 08:14:24 one of the last jobs that I had in my working life was a traveling job for a big construction co...this company either built or remodeled Dillard's stores all across the USA.. I ran the office and it was a very stressful job..but if the store was open and a remodel was going on you became close to the store mgr etc.. one time in a store in New Orleans the store mgr made many trips to our office and I would always tell my big boss....The Big Wheel is here....one day he said the following to me and I wrote it down.... Blessed are they who run around in circles  for they shall be called Big Wheels... think about it redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/05/11 at 11:20:39 if you are new to my blog you might want to read back a little to find out about Birdville well I am sad...very sad...... as I sit in my "bird watching chair" I look out into my back yard and everything is so lost..bushes are fading fast in the 113 heat index and similar temps for several days and weeks...my big shade trees are even beginning to say ...please send rain.. yesterday we had 100 raindrops...and yes I counted them..... of course Birdville is growing faster than we can keep up...dozens and dozens and more dozens of birds finding us and our water fountains and bird pool...we are now refilling a  couple of times a day..and I am thinking that I may have to put out more fountains... we are seeing baby birds which do not even have all their neck feathers..and those baby sparrows I told you about are now hopping up to the window ledge and I think if the window was open they would just walk in where it is cooler..all of them are desperate for water... even the crows have found their way back..as I watched one was picking up a long stick...not sure what that was about but either he was going to build a bridge or someone was going to catch heck...they stayed for some time standing in the water or close by and none of the smaller birds dared get close Snarky was all over the area...digging with his little paws and then throwing himself down in the dirt and rolling around...reminded me of a kid in the sand box..as I think about all of this it is not pleasant....at this point I would even take a thunder storm...a big one if it would dump lots of rain.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/05/11 at 16:46:54 I think I am in trouble...serious trouble.... today I went out to the cat rescue place to get the phone number to call...I did call and will go out Saturday to look... however... sitting in the glass door was a little dog..looking so lonely and scared ..I could have put him in my purse....I don't know if he needs a home or perhaps just there waiting on it's owner.. oh dear...I cannot remember a time that we did not have dogs and cats... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 07/06/11 at 04:53:53 Sorry to hear about all the heat and dry weather!   KEEP INSIDE, Red, so that you don't get singed!!! Cat or dog?  :-/  Hmmm, that is the question!!    However, remember, dogs need activity.  That right there would give me the cat!!    ::)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/07/11 at 05:14:07 well I have mentioned to you the increase in Birdville..this morning son put out 4 more water fountains and one was extra large.. now  as I said it is soooo hot here that we fill them several times a day.. BUT received an email this morning from someone responding to an ad on Craig's list..they said that a posting was on the list in regard to Birdville.. stating...come on to our place..free food...free drinks and lots of fun... well this took me by surprise and I really don't know who to ask about it so guess we will just keep on doing the usual redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/07/11 at 05:45:05 well today I want to talk about a couple of words that we all know well...I have been thinking about this for week or so... FRIEND and ACQUAINTANCES what is the differences between these two ... acquaintances are something that most of us have...be it a neighbor or a former school chum...of a clerk at the store etc etc..now I have decided that acquaintances mean well but they are just a little lacking.. most acquaintances ask you the question...how are you today ...fully expecting the standard answer...just fine....now on my feeling mean days I change my reply to...how much time do you have for me to tell you....this usually get a quick glance..with no reply when I was a girl my uncle came to visit and my mom insisted that I show off my piano talents for him with playing a song and I did...however the whole time I played they did not listen they talked..so I got up..knowing he really did not care..it was all...what I call ...lip service just throwing that in as it tells me that sometimes ACQUAINTANCES just do not really care..sometimes they call you on the phone only when they have heard that something is going on at your house..maybe I am being too hard on them and maybe I will change my thoughts... FRIENDS friends like you no matter what..you can be mean ...insulting and they just love you anyway...their reply to the ...how are you thing...and your reply IS NOT  ...fine...they say what can I do to help..yup they even look you in the eye when they say it....they might call you on the phone and you answer in a tone and say ...I don't want to talk now...and slam the phone down and they understand that you are having a super bad day..friends don't care what you are wearing or if you have combed your hair..they might mention that your shoes do not match..but in a kind way...sometimes they even give you a big hug and understand if you cry on their shoulder..they care what the doctor said and understand your concerns ... well guess I could go on and on about this..sometimes in our lives we are lucky enough to have a very special friend..one that can know exactly what you are thinking...can finish the sentence you are trying to say..and really really cares about you... I had a friend like that once..she died with lupus..she wrote poems and I could tell her how I felt and she would sit down and put it on paper.. I have never been able to replace her redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/07/11 at 05:53:27 almost forgot this... you bird watchers up north please hold all birds in your area...it is too hot here for them to make their yearly trip..will let you know if things improve redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/10/11 at 04:29:15 well yesterday was a very strange day in Birdville.... the actual temp here was 113 so as you looked out the window there seemed to be birds everywhere..eating and in the water and out of the water... you know I told you that son had put out extra water...he used some of the big things that you sit your planters in that that makes it easy for the birds to use..they are different sizes but some are really really big... now the older water stations sit in a kinda group and yesterday.......well the crows came and did a bully job on anyone wanting to use those 3 water areas..I had never seen anything like that before...most of the time 3 and then sometimes four crows would sit on the ground surrounding the water and then all would fly away except one who continued to stand guard..sometimes they would get in the water for a dip and then a couple of times I saw them hop out into the yard..lay down and spread their wings out as far as possible...when it happened the first time my thought was...this crow is going to die...while it lay there the other crows hopped to it and sorta stood around...and then I thought for sure that was going to happen...but as I watched another crow lay beside it doing the same thing..the only possible solution I could think of was perhaps they were drying their feathers??? the guarding of the water went on for several hours and lucky for the other birds ...son had put the other water stations is a different area so they too had water... then....................... maybe someone can help me with this....I saw a sorta tannish brown bird come to one of the water places...it had long legs a very sharp long beak...longgggg tail and first I am thinking ...roadrunner...but it did not have a top knot.. it was about the size of a bluejay ...anyone??? anyway it drank for several times and then jumped into the water and immediately one of the crows came and put it into flight..I didn't see it come back..it was like a stranger came to town and it was not allowed to stay...hummm well this morning promises to be the same heat however a cold front is suppose to come thru and it will only be 105...as I sit here I hear the crows in the trees calling out to each other....so not sure what  water rights will be allowed today..son has washed and refilled all of them...will let you know redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 07/10/11 at 13:53:24 Brown Thrasher, possibly?  My only guess....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/12/11 at 06:59:13 oh dear... as I watch the stranger (bird) has come back to Birdville...it seems that the crows have not left a sentry this morning to guard their water rights...and the stranger is back...in their water pan and drinking and jumping into the pool and splashing like mad...he is making good time while all the crows are "out to lunch"?? I got a better look at this bird this morning and since Joan had given me a hint I got out my bird book and it is either a thrush or a thrasher..they both are similar.. I shall be very interested in the return of the crows who will find lots and lots of water missing redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 07/12/11 at 11:26:00 With all that activity the stranger makes, I'd say he was a THRASHER!! ;)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 07/12/11 at 11:27:45 Hey Redbird, any cat or dog news????  Has son warmed up to the 4 footers yet?    Me thinks you need to do some seriously buttering up here of son!!! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/13/11 at 08:21:08 where I live people are "watering their houses" ...no that is not a mis-print...if you have a cement slab floor people are laying water hoses around the exterior of the foundation and watering it as the ground is shifting because we have not had rain and the cement is cracking etc...100 miles away yesterday they had 3 inches and then some rain closer to us..but not a drop for here...so for now our concern is keeping the birds water and others that might wander thru the yard day and night..trying to keep a hedge going and a small Japanese maple tree in a pot.. as I watch my large trees that I had thought would be ok...they are fully stressed..I can only hope for the best..we have too big a place to try to water.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/13/11 at 08:23:49 Hey Lisa... well the cat or dog news is not really good...my masto is really doing a number on me right now and I am not good...I did talk to son in regard to a new family member but he ask me to wait until we get me back to some kind of normal...and don't think that will happen until the heat here breaks... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/13/11 at 08:39:07 well rolling around something in the old brain..so I might have more to say on it later... son and I are talking about how...in the old days...right was right and wrong was wrong.... but now it seems that right is right and wrong is right...this may take much thinking redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/14/11 at 03:58:44 I am picky about my laundry...and I always have been...when I have noticed the sons doing their laundry everything goes in the washer..colors and whites all mixed together..and this has almost caused my heart to stop.... now as time has passed and I have had to become more frugal I have begun to use cold water to wash most things...however there does come a day when my whites have to have that "HOT WATER" wash..now to further my frugal in the good weather I hang out my clothes on the "clothes line"..LOL LOL now some of you may not even know what that means..and it stresses me out to have laundry "pile" up... now with the heat that we are having...yesterday heat index was 115...I have to sorta watch my ...hanging out clothes...but today is a "must do" laundry day...now things could be worst..son could decide to do the laundry and I might have sorta blue towels from jeans and whites together.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/15/11 at 04:45:31 well son has made a complaint and I am pretty sure that he is correct... he says...............he is very upset with the bird population...he has declared that no more seeds will be put out until next month...that all members of the community are on rations until all the "I don't like these" seeds are eaten off the ground..in fact he also says that they are to go to the front yard and do their duty by eating all the grasshoppers there... now he further states...that just because it is easier to come to the backyard and eat in the shade with all the water fountains and pool it must not stop them from their duty....EAT GRASSHOPPERS!!!!! THIS IS WAR..... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/15/11 at 05:07:16 Ok...sometime ago I told you about my very favorite book of all time...and I have read thousands of books...it was a book....The Last Child by John Hart... he was sorta a new author and had written a couple of books before The Last Child but it was the best...as I told you I am a fast reader but this book made me slow down and read and think of each word... and since he was new and not as well known he answered his emails personally..and I wrote to him telling him how his book had impressed me so much...he answered he was working on a new book....The Iron House...and hoped to have it finished in Jan...well that came and went and I was so anxious...then it was March and finally it came out Last week... I was first on the library list to read the book..in the front of the book he told how it had been so hard for him to finish the book...but boy am I glad he did.  I brought the book home and read until my eyes said....no more...the next morning I picked it up again and started my reading..but I found that every so often I had to close the book in my hand and have a "time out" and breath...for me this book was sooo "-------" (and and I leave this blank because I cannot think of a good word) compelling, intense etc etc... I also will do something with this book that I have never done before..on finishing I will turn the book over and start  reading it again  just in case I missed something...I am an old lady with many miles of books on my list but I would URGE you to try this book.. The Iron House by John Hart redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/15/11 at 07:27:17 yesterday the heat index in the town where I live was 117....Oklahoma is in bad shape please send positive thoughts our way.. roads are being  closed because of heat buckling the roads and farmers/ranchers are having to sell their cattle we need lots of rain redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/17/11 at 16:04:47 how hot is it at our house you ask.... it is so hot that hens are laying hard boiled eggs ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/19/11 at 05:32:54 oh my gosh...good grief and lots of other things ... yesterday our day here at the farm started out in total confusion....someone posted a sign in the front yard stating that we offered "FREE NURSERY AND BABYSITTING SERVICE"...we had no idea what was going on...we do not have a permit for this nor a license or anything else that would be needed... however the first visitor arrived about 5:30 AM and was waiting with her children when son opened the door to service the water at Birdville...yup there was a mother raccoon and her 2 young children....baby raccoons are called kittens....since she did not like the looks of son she immediately gathered her group and exited the area after leaving a few choice words behind... next to arrive was a mom and dad blue jay..now this was interesting as we had not seen them for some time and had even commented on that...they sat the babies on a limb just outside the window with instructions not to move...and they did not for over five minutes..I watched.. then suddenly we had lots of baby redbirds both kinds ...ladies and gents..as the day moved on we had the crows..whose younger child got into the middle of the water fountain and many protest went up saying ...who wants to drink the water when someone washes their feet in it... finally some experienced nursery workers arrived and was busy tending to the little one who fluttered their wings waiting for food..baby finches, sparrows, and the list goes on..son is sure that Snarky the squirrel will bring his little ones next...oh dear we are not sure how to handle this new problem...we think it is too late to take down the sign...word has spread redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 07/20/11 at 21:05:33 redbird wrote on 07/13/11 at 08:23:49: Hey Lisa... well the cat or dog news is not really good...my masto is really doing a number on me right now and I am not good...I did talk to son in regard to a new family member but he ask me to wait until we get me back to some kind of normal...and don't think that will happen until the heat here breaks... redbird the word writer Sorry to hear the heat is torturing you so much Redbird!  I can't help but think that son isn't right with this, a kitten would be a tremendous distraction from the heat and possibly help your masto reacting by helping to reduce some stress.  He doesn't get masto too well, does he? As to that heat, Redbird, when it gets this bad, since I don't have central air, I've learned to use a damp t-shirt over my underclothes while inside the house.  I've found that even on a hot day, if there is a decent breeze outside, if I put a damp t-shirt over my bathingsuit and go sit in the shade of my porch reading a book that I will actually begin to feel cold!  Granted, it can get old feeling the wet shirt against my skin all day, but when you are talking "survival" and getting through the worst of the heat, you do what you must, right? You should also increase your antihistamines, Red, it will help compensate for the degranulating the heat's causing you and help to keep your situation more stable. Tell son I'm rooting for Kitty!  I lovely tabby perhaps! 8-)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/22/11 at 10:03:22 well we have not talked in awhile...and that is because things are just not OK.. as you may have read where I live is under a giant heat dome with days and days over 105+ and heat index up to 117.  last night they showed on TV someone who knows how..measured the heat of the soil so far down..and it was 125 so that is just a glimpse of where we are..severe heat from both ways.. I am hanging on by a thread..staying in but it is very depressing and upsetting to sit and watch your tress of over 25 years being so stressed they are losing their leaves..and bushes and shrubs that may be completely gone.. and then it seems that we have created a health hazard with Birdville... even though we have a large wooden fence and son has checked the area for breeches we are having uninvited guest during the night hours..told you about the family of raccoons and yesterday he barely escaped being sprayed by a family of skunks that he came upon around the corner of the house the newspaper is telling us that bears are coming into some peoples yards in the eastern part of our state looking for food and water as the natural things like berries etc.. and they are not growing there we have talked about how to handle this as the animals are coming for the grain that the birds do not like to eat..should we empty the water before dusk and refill the next morning..and too these extra animals could be or if bitten by them could have rabies well one funny note...watched Snarky the squirrel play this afternoon with a long stick..he wrestled it all over he would roll into a ball and roll around..then he would peek over the water bowl..dug him a cool place to lay where the dirt was wet and had a enjoyable afternoon..he did not know I was watching.. well there does not seem to be an end in sight for us here..my motto has always been...you can handle anything if you can see the light at the end of the tunnel...but I am not seeing that light..we are hoping that our small electric station will be able to stay up for our coolers redbird the word writer :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/26/11 at 09:08:55 as I have joined the much older group seems that times have changed so much..been thinking about a couple of words use to... there "use to" be outdoor toilets..we had one and also a fighting rooster that tried to delay you getting to your destination...glad that is over "use to" children could play outside and play on the creek in all the leaves without fear.. we "use to" have neighbors that always were there in signs of problems..food cooked and brought if you were sick or sincere offers of help you youngsters have heard many stories of how we "use to" walk a mile both ways  to school in the rain and snow and I did we "use to" do laundry by hand..hurray for washers and dryers People "use to" stand with their hand over their heart when the Star Spangle Banner was played "use to" there was time to sit on the porch and watch the sunset we all "use to" see a little banner of a star hanging in the window of a family that had  sacrifice  a loved one for all of us "use to" wear our socks more than one day starting bad eating habits early when mom "use to" say eat everything on your plate last but not lest...IT "USE TO" RAIN AT MY HOUSE... do you have "use to" that you would like to share redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/26/11 at 10:52:36 I got this from a friend and I ask her permission to post it here...I am stilling laughing right out loud redbird I know what you mean by joining the older group......... I call it, the "brittle bracket." We "used to" have only two channels, and the only movies we "used to" see were twice a year - The Wizard of Oz and The Ten Commandments, which played around Easter.  I didn't know for years that when Dorothy arrived in Oz, it was in color.  It was surely cool when it was.  : ) We "used to" be our families remote control, and our TV "used to" be only in black and white.  It "used to" take a while for the picture to show up, and when we turned it off, it would shrink to a small dot until it finally went out. We "used to" get 5 cents each weekend for allowance, and we had to save some of it in a jar.  We could spend all the rest at the store on the corner for a handful of penny candies. If we travelled away from home, we "used to" call home by making a person-to-person collect call to "Arnold Ziffel."....... remember the pig on Green Acres?  This would be a code to my parents that I had made It to my destination safely without spending any money on a long-distance call.  I "used to" be sad, however, when I heard my mother answer and say, no, Arnold Ziffel was not there....I really wished we could have said something. We "used to" be so hungry that we would go to the store and take unshelled peanuts from the store and eat them on the sidewalk right in front of the doorway.  No one called us thieves.  They let us eat them.  We didn't know we were stealing and never hid.....we were just hungry and only took a few to stave off the stomach pain.  There were other kids there sometimes too. We "used to" ride in the backseat of our car that had knobby, plastic seat covers.  We always knew which seat was ours as our teeth prints were dented in the seat cover in front of us where we thought it was cool to hang on to the plastic with our teeth.  We didn't have seat belts.  We also "used to" ride in the back of our truck, even on the freeway, and we "used to" fight over who got to ride on the fender wells, which placed us higher along the edge in our special seat....yikes! We "used to" play kick the can and pretend traffic cop. We "used to" make faces at our mean neighbor's house. When I was young, but on my own, I "used to" go to the laundry mat.  I didn't have any money, but they had a sink, so, I "used to" scrape all the left over soap off the edges of the machines and "used to" do my laundry in the sink by hand.  I would hang the wet clothes to dry by rolling them up in a window of a broken down car.  They probably would have dried faster hung in a tree or something, but I didn't want anyone to take them--they were stuck in the window.  ; )  I guess it didn't occur to me that they could get in the car and roll down the windows. haahaaha There are so many more, BUT, I can say that I taught my children to put their hand over their heart when the Star-Spangled Banner is sung, and they still do.  I played with my children outside and taught them how to play Kick the Can.  Luckily, we live in an area that is safe to play outside.  If fact, I played in the road outside my sister's house this weekend with my neices.  ; )  We still sit and watch sunsets and lightening storms from the porch.  I cannot imagine, however, any of the boys wearing their socks more than one day.  YIKES! Thanks for the memories, Redbird.  : ) Love and hugs! Michelle

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/28/11 at 10:53:45 today I want to tell you a doggie tail.... some time ago I told you that my daughter was surely a "dog whisperer" and really I should have said "animal whisperer"...again as I told you she has had a series of dogs and cats that have been loved dearly. recently she got a puppy...her other dogs are getting old and have several health problems and she wanted a puppy to be with them to learn from them...and it worked..all of her animals are and act like children. her name is Mia....she is a little dog and is now 8 months old..I have only seen pictures but she's only weights 9 lbs..now understand that nothing happens at the resident without her permission...grass wants to blow..ask Mia first..she is really busy keeping everyone and everything in line.. recently daughter decided that she wanted Chinese food from a place that delivers..and they did..now Mia decided that this delivery man had not ask her permission so as soon as the door opened she went out fast to tell him...now daughter called LOUDLY for her to come back and she stopped on a dime when the call came...she turned and ran very fast back into the house and into her big dog crate..and sat down...she knew she was going to get a "time out" and she did..seems that Mia knows that when she does something dangerous or really bad it creates a "time out".. I am assured that she is being taught with love and just because that something moves it does not need her permission. she is a busy little bundle of joy.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/31/11 at 16:46:59 well we have gotten an weather upgrade late this afternoon...we went from Heat advisory to extreme heat advisory..seems that we are in danger..we now have had almost 50 days of over 100 degree heat straight... I might also mention that there is not rain in sight nor did my little part of the state receive any rain that came close to us... well I am cool..a/c is working and I have my ice blocks that I can hold next to me if things are too bad...but I cannot tell you how sad and depressed I feel looking out my back window and seeing 30 years of shrubs, trees etc just burning up..under the conditions even if we tried to water our area not sure it would help as just water does not do what rain will... up the road from me I had noticed that a horse was standing in a very small pen with no shade of any kind..I could not see any food but maybe a small water container..I called someone and now the horse has been removed..I am hoping that it was taken to a better place..it had to be out in the over 100 heat.. in our bird area we have lots of containers of water for the birds...we use bottom of flower pots ...each one holds about a gallon of water..we have 3 that size and a couple bigger and then one really big one ...the birds use them not only for drinking but swimming as we.... right now we have lots of young birds..you can tell as the neck feathers have not filled out..and we seem to have lots of redbirds...my favorite as I watched a little redbird was standing on the edge of the large pool..I saw it stick in its beck..then braver dunk it's head and then it would sorta try to float..just could not get brave enough to make that final leap for a swim..I kept watching and finally it landed with all feet in the pool and had a good shake..kinda like us humans who just sorta float around issues before taking the effort we need.. I could sit here and tell you how sad and depressed I am but it would not make it go away...however I will tell you  that I am cool and masto is not attacking as it could..so maybe I am blest..and if you see any stray rain drops please direct them our way..will send map if needed redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/04/11 at 05:36:22 well I have spent days..whining and being depressed and telling everyone how bad the heat is....even though I am sitting in front of the A/C and I am thankful for that...my mind wanders around .....so today I want to talk about something else...backscratchers... now that is spelled  B A C K S C R A T C H E R S....whee that is a long word...so I thought I would do a little research on this subject....seems the definition is...tool for relieving itches and you know us masto folks have lots of itches.. so Google gave me lots of options (one of my daughter's favorite words)  just to mention a few...Max scratch with flexible spikes...exotic wooden...extendable theraperitic..stainless steel ..ouch...some might be lucky enough to have someone use their fingernails...to my surprise in today's world of great electronics did not see an electric one....and the list could go on and on... now I remember when I was a kid my dad standing in the doorway rubbing his back against the frame... and I ask him what he was doing and was told...scratching my back.. well my solution to all of this is a wire hanger...yup if you can find one as they are almost a thing of the past...carefully undo all the twist and turns..and leave the little hook...and ohhhhh yes you have yourself a backscratcher redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 08/04/11 at 13:14:34 Oh the memories of watching my Dad rubbing up against the corner of the doorway!!   He reminded me of Baloo the Bear in the Jungle Book cartoon!! Yet, to my amazement, my Dad would occaisionally ask me to scratch his back!  Then he would keep saying HARDER, HARDER!  But I finally would have to remind him, I didn't have any fingernails cause I was a "biter" at that time!!!  :(   Thanks for the memories Red!!!   :-* Just try to remember how miserable of a winter you all had this past one!!   Have you tried a wet t-shirt yet?  Maybe a cool towel on your head for a bit!   I sure am sorry for the drought you're having!   This is what we go through here in my region of Brazil!  We had a bit of a "cold" front come through and with it came about a 1/2 hour of a shower  - if that much.  Here in Brazil we don't have real seasons changing temperatures.  We go from Hot to Cooler, but our seasons are more like based upon it being either wet or dry.  Although it's called Winter, that's a laugh!  What happens is that the prevailing winds change and it puts for a strong high pressure to sit over the middle of the country and it will push the cooler moister weather coming up from Argentina and the antartic to keep from coming up to this part of Rio de Janeiro.  Our cold weather and moisture will be forced to move out to the ocean instead.   So we go from late March to about the 2nd week in September with nary a drop of real rain.  And when it comes to August, it gets worst for then our humidity levels drop into the 20s!  Everything becomes parched and then our temperatures go back up into the 90s!  We've hit 105 in August, which is technically speaking still Winter here!  I call it the Dead Season!  DRY, DRY, DRY AND HOT!! Well, guess what Red, SPRING ALWAYS COMES!!!  and with it, the change in the winds and with them RAIN!!    And when it rains for the first time after 5 - 6 months straight of NO RAIN, there isn't a sound more delicious to your ears!!!  A smell more refreshing to smell, nor anything more pleasing to feel on your skin!!! So, my friend HANG IN THERE!!  THE RAIN WILL SURELY COME AND OH WILL IT BE WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/10/11 at 08:52:16 twas the afternoon before tomorrow when all thru the yard... not a creature was stirring not even a mouse suddenly a loud chatter went up and I sprang from my "bird watching chair" and to the window ran... and what did my wandering eyes behold... a hawk...sitting on the rim of one of the water holes.. I watched as he turned his head from side to side... watching his beady eyes and his sharp beak I could see he was up to no good...but would never tell... suddenly up the tree trunk sprang Snarky the squirrel making sure that those big claws did not carry him on grabbing my Red Ryder BB gun I ran to the door to shoot the old tin shed... the hawk rose and flew to somewhere beyond but my thoughts tell me that we need to be watchful.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 08/11/11 at 06:09:16 Redbird, I just discovered the "BLOG" section of this forum and stayed up WAY past my bedtime reading all your posts up to the point my eyes couldn't stay open any longer. What was the first thing I did this morning upon waking???? I grabbed my laptop and finished reading your blog (of course between loads of laundry.....read blog.....sweep floor.....read blog.....brush teeth (nope that can wait) read blog, etc.) I have now caught up to your most recent blog and want to THANK YOU! I see from others comments that they too thoroughly enjoy your blog. Hear, hear! Me too! Something came to mind. You love to read, you love your birds. Have you ever read the children's series of books "The Guardians of GaHoole"? It's about birds. I finished it about 2 months ago and LOVED IT! Thought you may be interested. Anxiously awaiting your blogging posts! Kim

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/11/11 at 09:06:40 thank you Kim for dropping by and hope you come again...my goal is to make someone laugh, chuckle or giggle..I am glad you did...I have not read the books you mention but will check them out...I now print out a couple of blog writings  when I go to the pharmacy for the monthly meds and tell the pharmacy guy  they are his reading assignment for the day...he is a good kid and tells me how much he enjoys them..and I am sure that you noticed that I just write words..not correctly ;D well lots of excitement at the farm today...you will not believe it...we have all the windows open breathing fresh air..a/c off and 72 degrees outside..can you believe this..now a bunch of clouds went to the east of us about 15 miles with rain..just a few drops here but the cool air was great!!! will it last...who knows I live in Oklahoma where the weather can change by the minute. AND I am in deep deep  trouble with the birds..you see to go to the feed mill it is a trip of 40 miles there and 40 of course back..well I was thinking that I would just some bird seed because we were completely out at one of the local feed stories..and I did..gee I thought this was a good plan...NOT...the birds have turned their nose up at this seed and they are on a food fast not eating at all..now I should explain that I do have a group of about 10 baby redbirds eating however guess they do not know better...so guess who is going to the feed mill..yup son will make the trip..you know I could write them a note when they start spitting out the "don't like" seeds from the seed mill stuff and remind them it could be worst..I still have some of the local stuff.. not sure about our night time visitors as I don't check after dark..as long as they are gone when the sun comes up... well guess that is about it for the day...the ding dong clock is beginning to show signs of ...being over the hill...guess that will be the next to go...I keep hoping for the best but it has been a good one..hung on that wall a longggg time... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/11/11 at 09:09:44 from the current book reading.... he lived by the belief that life was about the "doing" not the "done" humm I am going to have to think about this one..guess it could be..this would call for lots of thinking... the other one... "Real intelligence is like a river;  the deeper it is, the less noise it makes" well  so much for that redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/11/11 at 09:14:03 doing research on the words "or else" will let you know my findings redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/12/11 at 05:31:49 son is on his way to the feed mill for bird seed.... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 08/13/11 at 02:35:12 Yeah! The birds will be so happy and we hopefully will get more 'birdville' stories.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 08/13/11 at 03:24:04 Have you ever thought of compiling your blog entries into a book? I could see this as a nostalgic favorite in bookstores!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/13/11 at 20:00:09 “Useful Tidbits from Redbird” I am hoping that this tidbit will make life easier for people needing just a simple solution to a BIG problem from time to time. Recently a mom said, “I need a way for my son to call to me from upstairs when he has sudden attack of asthma”, and it reminded me of the solution that my family uses. When I have an anaphylaxis attack and cannot leave my bed or move without passing out it became apparent that the “shouting” for help did not work.  Then I read an ad from Home Depot showing a wireless doorbell.  It would work through walls and floors and up to 150 feet.  Since it did not require installation I thought this could be a solution for me. Now since we live in a small community with no Home Depot  my son went to Wal-Mart and they had them for less that 15.00.  He got two and we now have them installed in our home.  The bell part simply plugs into an electrical outlet and the button can be placed anywhere you need it. One of ours is placed on the headboard of the bed but the other is loose so that   when I spend the night with my daughter I take one with me. It works there as well. Now Wal-Mart will not have batteries for the little button but you can purchase them at Radio Shack. redbird the word writer  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/13/11 at 20:01:35 Thank you Ms. Deb... not sure people would like to read my ramblings..they are just thoughts that roll around in my head until they have to come out and you know me..words are the most important...comma, periods and capitol letters are just ..... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/14/11 at 05:04:45 a stranger came to town...he knocked on several doors but no one seem to know who it was..however being the friendly people lots here are..they did make him welcome...who you ask Mr. rain came to my little town..yes right over my spot and left 1/2 inch of rain in my gauge...thinking it may have been too little too late redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/14/11 at 06:57:12 went to the grocery store just over the hill yesterday...and guess what..there in the very front aisle of the store was a big basket of cracker jacks... yup it was..remember the last time this happened..and I ate the whole thing...I did again..boy they were good.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/18/11 at 05:06:50 WAR AT THE FARM....LIKE IN NASTY WAR WITH WEAPONS FIRED.. the news from the farm has taken a turn for the worst..as I have told you that all kinds of animals are coming into the yard...as night visitors..like night invasions...think they are using night vision goggles etc.. and the numbers and kinds are on the increase....we have been doing the "empty" the water stuff trying to discourage them...but according to son as he has been on surveillance ....the animals are eating the grain that the birds "do not like" and are spitting on the ground.. now I have checked ask.com and it says that they should not eat this kind of food but since their foods is hard to find in the current conditions they are eating bird seed...what a shame they could not eat the ^%$#$%^% moles.. well last night the battle got very serious...the skunks sprayed and don't know what the raccoon did..ran if he was smart..because the spray was still smelling this morning as son went out to fill water containers.. WHAT TO DO...well son says he will now empty all feeders at night as well as water and hopefully that will encourage them to find other eating places.. it is hard to live on the farm..what could be next redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/19/11 at 02:19:48 when I was a young lass....I remember that we were poor and that is just above "very poor"...I remember that we did not have window shades on the windows where we lived.... BUT someway my dad got me a bike for my birthday..of course it was a very  used bike..not very pretty but it was my bike...now it was red...not like the red now but a dull color that told that someone had repainted it..many times I learn to ride this bike by pushing it up to the porch and climbing on..sorta like mounting a horse..and ride it I could...just like the wind... HOWEVER...I could not stop it...no matter how hard dad tried to teach me to apply the brakes...but being me I did not let that stop me from a ride.... I simply ran the bike into the porch when I was done...worked every time.. I don't know where my dad got this bike or even how much it might have cost him..I wish that I had ask him before he was gone....I can still see that bike in my mine's eye... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/20/11 at 03:53:54 in keeping with the old thoughts.... now my dad had told me some in regard to his growing up...he was almost on his own at 12 just coming and going to home and mostly going as his family was in the very poor group and large....he told me about following the farm harvest and how they slept in an old train depot with nothing for covers but newspapers...but he also told me that many times growing up he was hungry..so..... in my growing up we were poor but never hungry...dad saw to that...he ALWAYS raised a hugh garden and had milk from a cow and chickens etc etc..all the things that one would need... my mom "canned" lots of those vegetables and we wrapped apples and pears in paper and stored them in the root cellar.. now I only had one brother ...who is now gone...but I remember it well...dad sent us out to pull weeds out of the garden...now this was an important job..not only was it our food but also dad raised his own tobacco... now brother was more clever than I.....he pulled up the tobacco plants saying he thought they were weeds... brother did not have to pull weeds with me anymore smart brother redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/20/11 at 04:08:52 BREAKING NEWS... the weather man says that our "HEAT DOME" that has kept us so hot and no rain is SLIGHTLY MOVING from directly over my state ...a little to the west... hoping this means...GOOD NEWS COMING redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 08/21/11 at 08:27:03 Oh how I hope you get some much needed relief! Kim

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/23/11 at 02:09:19 the words "yes" or "no" are a complete sentence redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/23/11 at 02:31:30 yesterday was my library day so I started out EARLY before the heat came to stay for the day... now I like my library and the people who work there...they must have to take a "nice test" before being employed.. now Mr. Rich as I call him...and I like to talk about current books we are reading with a little of....oh you must read this...thrown in...our latest conversation was about John Hart's new book  ...The Iron House...and trying to figure out how he could write such a book also at the library they keep a list of readers for books so that when new ones come out you can get on the list and when your turn comes they call you...now dear Ms. Brenda keeps my list and no matter how many times I sent in the same book she always says....got you down... but what I really want to tell you is about the book I picked up yesterday...a stolen life ....by jaycee dugard...think it is now #1 on the best sellers list....I had watched her interview with I think...Dianne Sawyer and was totally charmed with her and her ability ...so yesterday as I told you...I got her book for reading...it is a quick read book ...but I am nominating her for "person of the year"...among all the big wigs who manage companies...or whatever great it might be...none have the courage nor will as this lady does...I would love to see her picture on the front of Time magazine as person of the year.. her will and ability to survive against all odds for the 18 years she was held show outstanding courage...her love for her mom and her children goes way beyond... I know us masto folks sometimes think that life is not worth the effort it creates but I am here to tell you that my life and the courage to live it is nothing compared to jaycee dugard.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/23/11 at 05:38:11 well I dusted and polished the coffee table... thats about it  for me today in regard to dusting.. maybe tomorrow will dust something else.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/25/11 at 04:35:00 BIRDVILLE NEWS Well I have been on "patrol duty"...yes there is a kidnapper in our neighborhood ...I have caught a glimpse of him a couple of times but could not get my gun...my red rider gun loaded in time. I remarked to son yesterday that I have sat in my chair and watched birds out my window for many years...and I have NEVER seen so many redbirds come to the feeders...and almost all of them are babies...not unusual to have 12-15 at one time....also yesterday had baby blue jays and a redheaded woodpecker...we also now are seeing one of Snarky's children..son says it is a baby squirrel as it's head is much smaller and another clue is that regardless how many crows are sitting in a group he just gallops right thru the middle..brave or dumb..as I watched he was all over the trees and feeding places and even went up the cloths line pole..dumb ...nothing to eat up there SO now you know why the kidnapper hawk is in our neighborhood..shame on him..he sits on the side of the water bowl and tries to act so innocent...but I know for sure what he is going to do... I checked the FBI wanted list but he is not there yet...guess we will continue to be watchful and be sure that I can hit the old tin barn in time to scare him off redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/25/11 at 04:40:24 our "big paper" headlines and the state TV are shouting ...HEAT RECORDS BROKEN... now I am not sure who the dummy is that thinks this is important but someone please use duct tape on their mouth.. we folks are not dumb enough to know that it is hot and hot and more hot..we do not need to be reminded.. the lady over at the store told me this morning that ....rain was on back order...hoping for a supply to arrive soon redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/29/11 at 05:15:38 well I have started my day with the "dizzy" ...sometimes this means low blood pressure and sometimes it means old and sometimes it means..."masto at play" so I had to decide what to fix for our mid afternoon lunch/dinner...now I do cook one meal a day and the rest is ...you are on your own..now it is a good thing that son lives with me because otherwise I would not cook.. so what can I fix that is quick and easy and no time involved so I decided to put on a "pot of beans"...and make a "pan of cornbread"...if you are not from the south you might not recognize these terms..Beans are dried beans and cornbread is ...well just cornbread.. now the beans require just a little effort as you must "pick the beans'  this means that you must get out all the little rocks, bad beans etc..it was a term my mother used..and growing up many times I "picked the beans". my mom was a good cook..made the best rice pudding I have ever eaten..but she was one of those who used..a pinch of this and that so it worked out great for her...but not me. It is cloudy here today and wind blowing...dare I hope for some rain... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/29/11 at 07:50:29 need a little help this morning... told you that I was having a "dizzy day" ....it is not too bad if I do not bend over or tilt my head down... so now is the question...how do I brush my teeth and spit out toothpaste without bending my head... ;D advise redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/30/11 at 06:18:19 as I have gotten into the really older group I have been thinking about age... when you are young like really young..when asked kids how old they are ...you hear something like...3 or they hold up 3 fingers...when they get to be around 12..they say...almost 13...because that is teenager coming up and the 18 year olds finally think they have become legal.. then as time goes on and they get into their 30-50 group they will say something like...fortyish... now when you get older like me age becomes a "badge of honor"...it is important to let others know that you are still here and moving on...so when you get 77 like me... you say something like..".77 going on 78" guess we all have our little sayings and some just like to keep age to their self but us older one are reaching for the "badge of honor" redbird the word writer  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/30/11 at 16:58:56 saw a large group of birds this evening at Birdville...as I watched they were down on the ground jumping and dancing.. finally someone held up a sign that said....."Flash Mob" redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/31/11 at 06:15:23 THE EVENT a couple of days ago I looked out the window checking on the birds in Birdville...and what did I see.... the kidnapper was sitting on the rim of one of the water pails..and someone did not tell him that it was the crow's water rights he had imposed on... now the crows decided that they would tell him.... I watched as one crow among the four there got very vocal and had it's feathers all ruffled up and mouth open and looked like he was pulling a gun..and the kidnapper just sat and stared with those beady eyes... wondering and wanting to know how this would end I decided to just keep my eyes open for"THE EVENT".. .but suddenly I realized that the baby squirrel (not named yet) was almost right in the middle of this and being afraid that the kidnapper would grab it and fly...I went out to shoo them all away... BUT I would so have loved to see this event.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/31/11 at 15:51:39 you may see my state of Oklahoma on the national news...we did not ask to have this event to make news in our state capitol town of Oklahoma City there are horrible grass fires that are eating every thing in it's path..homes lost but thankful no deaths...this is on both sides of the town.. and only 30 miles away from me another one as well.. please we need rain to give us some damp earth and trees etc.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/03/11 at 10:21:37 well not much going on here at the farm..it is hot and quiet..went over the hill to the store and found that it required me on returning to sit in my chair with my Charlie Brown pillow to get back to somewhat normal.. but we are suppose to get a very strong cold front tonight/early morning..they say it will drop temps 30 degrees...as soon as I can get a time intend to sit on my front porch and welcome it to the farm..don't think it is bringing rain but if it does..I already have my umbrella out and ready and going to sit out in the yard in my lawn chair..wonder what rain looks like...I will sit in the back yard so the neighbors cannot see me..they might think I am weird.. ;D also I must tell you that the %$#&^ mole tunneled up under the bird bath and turned it over..I am thinking that a whole tribe must live there...son had to reset it and did so with bricks and hunks of cement..if they knock this down...they can have it.. another new alarm in our area...about 65 miles from us there is a hugh lake..it sits on the border and extends into TX as well as Oklahoma..scary news ...it has some kind of blue algae and according to the experts for all those planning to spend the holiday there...do not swim...if you boat go slow so none will splash on you...eat no fish if caught..sounds like it is bad.. Fires are still burning one especially large..some areas look like a war zone..just trunks of trees bare if anything is standing.. well that is about it for the day...think I will watch the birds for awhile. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 09/03/11 at 10:49:31 Would this lake be Texoma Lake? If so, I've been there!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/04/11 at 05:21:18 yup Kim that is the one...if you have been there you would know how big big this lake is do you live nearby redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 09/05/11 at 01:19:27 Yes it is BIG! No I do not live nearby. I'm in Alabama. I was there 27 years ago on a youth group trip with the church I attended. We  spent a week on Texoma Lake remodeling a camp for foster kids and then drove to Colorado to hike up Pike's Peak. Sweet memories!!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/05/11 at 05:18:33 OK...you are not going to believe this...after listening to me whine and vent and rage about the hot weather... LAST NIGHT I HAD TO SLEEP UNDER A QUILT!!! I promise...a cold front came thru and we turned off the a/c...opened the windows and just enjoyed the air..now we did not get rain..and it seems that fires are still burning up TX and OK...and rain is badly needed... HOWEVER... I plan to enjoy this cool spell however long it last.. BUT.... the down side of this is...opening the drapes, curtains etc...oh my the dust...now I have the dust cloth out and ready...will I use it??? maybe but not likely... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/06/11 at 06:29:30 bad day.... masto at play redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/07/11 at 05:03:46 well a good morning to all of you... when masto slows or puts you down it allows lots of time for thinking and I did..I went all the way back to my school years..high school that is... I was thinking about my 8th grade graduation..a trio of us girls sang and yes we were good.... when I got all the way into high school I remember that homemaker class was not for me..I got out right away..we had study hall..it is where you go into this big room with lots of others and suppose to study or do homework..hummm I remember it as a easy credit..and then there was band...we had this very older gentleman who was the band director...he could blow up an inner tube (use to be necessary in tires) ...other than that his fame was not letting the drum major (me) wear a short skirt...BUT I loved basketball..that was when there was 6 on the team..3 guards and 3 forwards..now each group of 3 did not cross the center line..guards were only for keeping the other team from shooting and the forwards made you points ...you hoped well lots of kids did not have cars back then...but if you did the BIG THING was to "drag main"...to define this..our little town had exactly 4 blocks..so you started at the end of the street and drove or rode..the whole blocks and turned around and drove back..now this could go on for some time..not much else to do in our one red-light town.. I worked as a "soda jerk" in our drugstore...making malts, cokes etc..and usually worked the 3-11 shift..oh I remember once I had a date with the kid who worked at the local funeral home and he  picked me up after work in the funeral hearse..needless to say got lots of teasing about that now when my kids got into the teenage years not much had changed in regard to the town scene..still had the "street drag" thing but we now had a new policeman.. now George was one interesting man..don't think we had another policeman at the time as George .... was enough for several...now George was a BIG man..it was told that he kept a large hunk of cheese under his bed and when was hungry pulled it out and cut a slice with one of his bayonets.. now if the state authorities called George and told him that a BAD PERSON" was headed to his town or just might pass thru..George would stand under the red light with his machine gun in his hands with those ammunitions belts (2) crossed over his chest..BUT I must also tell you that George was good with the kids..they listened to him when he SUGGESTED that bad in his town was not something you would want to do.. sometimes you wonder where those days have gone..some were good times and then there was bad times as well...like doing laundry for 5 children..trying to figure out which little league baseball games to attend etc etc.. well that is my stroll down memory lane for this morning...hope you have a good day.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/07/11 at 05:06:38 forgot to tell you about my brother and his "street drag"...I only had one brother..just the two of us..I lost him to cancer sometime ago.. he was five years younger than me... BUT in his teen years...he had a car..don't remember the kind but nothing new.. now his things was to drive down the street from the passenger side of the car..caused lots of interesting looks to see his car come down the street without a driver redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/08/11 at 04:56:13 does anyone know if there is a difference between....content and happiness redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 09/08/11 at 14:18:23 I believe technically no there isn't. The word content is used is descriptions of happiness. My personal take is being content is mediocre and happiness is above that.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/10/11 at 05:26:39 BIRDVILLE NEWS.... well Birdville is all abuzz ...people moving in and no one moving out...real estate prices thru the roof and rental units are just not available. we are seeing all kinds of new birds that have never been here before....yesterday saw a beautiful white wing dove ...it hung around and checked every thing out..said it wanted to know more before bringing in wife and children..guess he must of kinda liked it  as this morning he was back for a quick dip in the bird pool..we now have 3 different kinds of doves hanging out.. then this morning son tells me that we had a BLUE BIRD in the feeder..missed that but hopefully it will come back... now I have mentioned this before but  again the redbirds are here in large numbers..nothing unusual to see 12-15 at the feeders..again have never seen this before...some newbie's..not all the neck feathers...but as I noticed the other group have grown into teenagers..suddenly it hit me...THESE KIDS ARE SKIPPING SCHOOL!!...redbirds usually eat early morning or late evening..no wonder they are eating all day....teenagers eat any and everything in sight the crows are being their loud noisy group this morning..a couple of years ago we had a crow nest in our trees and I kept a daily journal of their activities..a lovely lady sent me a crow story that I am going to post for you...it sorta lets you know how really smart they are.. some have ask why I use the name redbird..no I am not native american..but when I first found the masto line back in 96 there was another Joyce...so my dear friend Forrest started calling me redbird because it was my all time favorite bird..so in the masto community I am known as "redbird" ..even in writing to Dr. Akin I sign that name... oh well today another beautiful day..yesterday sat on the porch and read for a little bit..in trying to find something to be thankful for from the drought is that we have no mosquito.. hope your day is bright and masto free redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/10/11 at 05:37:33 [size=14][/size] THIS IS THE CROW STORY WRITTEN TO ME BY A MASTO FRIEND..I LOVED IT AND HOPE YOU DO AS WELL Joyce, I am so enjoying your crow stories. So I feel I must tell you about the crow that was "in love" with my Dad's truck. A couple of years before my Dad retired he was teaching at a school that was right in the middle of a heavily populated business area, with farm land just a few miles away. I was planning a visit north to see my parents and was talking with Dad on the phone. He tells me that a crow has fallen in love with his truck. OK, I know my Dad, if a bird poops on his shiny red truck, he gets quite upset, so I really didn't think more about it. I was able to get out of town an hour earlier than expected for my visit, so when I arrived Dad was still at school. I decided to stop by the school and sneak into his classroom to surprise him. I pulled into this huge parking lot and there is Dad's shiny red truck all off to itself so I parked next to it. The crow started swooping at me in a most threatening manner. So I backed out of the space and parked on the other side of his truck - that was fine with the crow. The crow made it clear to me in no uncertain terms that I could park on the driver's side of the truck but the passenger's side was quite off limits. My getting out of the car did not deter the crow and whatever he had going on with the passenger's side of the truck. I went in, Dad had a nice little surprise when I snuck in to the back of the classroom. From the classroom window I could see that the crow clearly had some relationship with Dad's truck. And truly would threaten anyone who came near the passenger side of the truck. Since I had become a believer in the fact that the crow was indeed "in love" with the truck, Dad told me stories of many times people were threatened by the crow, and about why he was parking where he was - no one wanted to be parked near him, because of the crow. Over that semester students tried various efforts to rid him of the crow - probably hoping for extra credit. One student put speakers outside the building that would play loud "dangerous to crows animals sounds" - which did summons the local police, but did not deter the crow. They tried enticing the crow to other areas around the parking lot with nuts and foods of interest to crows. Nothing worked. At the end of that semester Dad traded his shiny red truck for a new shiny red truck that was slightly different from the former one. He never saw the crow again, but we still wonder if the person who bought the "old" truck also got the crow. Sharon

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 09/12/11 at 07:04:14 Haha!!  Great story Redbird!!! Hey, I know why you´ve got tons of HUNGRY birds!  You said it yourself = NO MOSQUITOS!!!   We often don´t realize just how vitally important our birds are in keeping the pests at bay!!!    If you´ve got few mosquitos, you´ve got few larger insects that feed on them like dragonflies, etc.  The food chain in your region is seriously affected and with nothing to eat due to your drought, your birds are dying of hunger and thus are flocking to where they are able to find it!!   You may want to consider putting out double doses and let your friends and  neighbors know for obviously you´ve got birds coming from far and wide to your oasis, Redbird, and you´re helping to keep some from starving due to it.   Keep up the good work!!!  You´ll likely have to go all the way into Spring with this for I doubt the region will recuperate from your long drought before winter and with the food supply depleated, these birds have very little to either get them through winter or to prepare them for their migration.   Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/14/11 at 04:02:15 Hey Lisa... I agree with you  ...we are doing our part as we have 5 large feeders out and a ground area for ground feeding birds like the doves, crows etc...and lots of water.. when the white wing dove appeared and he is still around..I looked him up in my bird book and he is really from the south TX area..and where the fires have been so bad.. about 60 miles from us we have for years had a "wild life reserve" ...I even remember it from my teen years..it was a heavy wooded area with some Oklahoma mtns etc..all kinds of animals native to Oklahoma..buffalo..deer etc ...last week they also had a terrible fire...burned acres and acres and those animals are going to have to find a new place to feed and suspect that food/hay etc will have to be brought in..now I am not sure what I will do if a buffalo comes up the driveway... our night visitors or still here..son went out a couple of nights ago and again had opossum and skunks and raccoons..and the "I cannot believe this" part is they are picking up the seeds in the ground feeding area to eat..theses animals usual do not eat this kind of food..we are at the point we do not know what else to expect..son thinks the raccoons have a den under the travel trailer..and we still have the %^&#$@ moles a couple of days ago son yelled at me and said Mom you have to see this..and I did..seems a convention of doves had landed in the yard..about 15 all together..and they all had on their ID's..you could see them plain..ring neck doves..all have a ring on the neck area.. I have been a bird watcher...only in my yard for years..at one time before masto took me over big time..I planned my yard ..by planting trees and bushes etc..and now we are seeing the results of fires all around us..drought etc..so we will just on watching and making note of all the new sights. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/16/11 at 06:07:04 well you know those "paid programs" that you watch in the wee hours of the morning when sleep in just not happening...that was my morning... so thumbing thru the channels I noted that one proclaimed...MELTS STOMACH FAT...humm if this is correct have you wondered just where it went??? ... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/16/11 at 06:29:40 are you one of those people who has "collections" ...it could be comic books...pictures...music..or just maybe some old furniture handed down from family past... so what are you going to do with it as you end time draws near....well let's talk about it.. when my mom was older she told me in no uncertain terms that she did not want any more of anything that had to be dusted...period end of conversation... now as I have gotten older I feel the same way but as I look around I am thinking what is going to happen to "my collections" hummm I have mentioned before about my "family research" material..copies of old wills..court papers..birth cert and the list goes on...sure it could go to the local Historical Society ...but this is my family... my music "collection" is not something just anyone would enjoy as we all have our favorite kind...however after asking my children what they wanted..my daughter said she wanted my music and pictures.. one son said he wanted my Indian pictures but he has since decided that he will retire overseas..so don't think that is going to happen.. old jewelry really not worth a lot but could be used in someone's jewelry making..so am trying to box that up.. tools..since we were people who make their living with their hands..we have oh about 150 screwdrivers..some of my dads and some of husbands dad and some of ours..now we have boxes and boxes of tools.. old dishes and lots of just stuff ...sewing ...crochet..and  my dad's denim jumper that he wore ....I could fill this page with more of the same... now here is the problem...other people do not really want your "collections"..oh yeah they might want a few but as the end gets closer you worry about this stuff...it is like family...you lay awake nights trying to figure it out..now you might say it really does not matter...what ever will happen will happen...BUT I need to know that my "collection" has a special place with special people redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/17/11 at 11:19:56 well daughter coming to visit...going to have to dust..dang I just got the silverware thingy empty out of the dishwasher you know how I hate to do that....decided that dusting is a dirty word....right ???? redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 09/17/11 at 11:49:08 Redbird, I have been wanting to mention this to you for some time, but now you´ve forced me to do it.   Please, Dear, words like "dusting"  are in the same category as "lists"  and "schedules"  and "work".  They are UNMENTIONABLES!   :o  These are words which cause SHOCK :o to the ears and eyes and I, for one, do think that in the future, for the sake of all of us, that it would be a good idea to refrain from using these lamentable words again.  They detract from your lovely stories!!   I would hate to see any one of us thrown into anaphylaxis after reading such shocking language!! : ;) Lisa ;D the word reader

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/18/11 at 05:17:19 SOME THIS & THAT ever use your binoculars (big glasses) to look across the pasture at your neighbors and they are sitting on the porch looking at you with their binoculars and you wave ...interesting can't believe that I did not tell you about the newest visitor to the farm...RAIN...after the weather spell we have had it was a welcome sight..will it be enough to help...don't know but it made me feel better... son told me that we have more grain out than the local feed store as they only have cattle feed...hummmm and he also said that the neighbors might not appreciate having all the bird droppings that are created by my birds...I pretended not to hear him..that is a privilege of the elder...selective hearing.. right now I am trying to figure out the sparrows plan...it is sorta strange...they come in a bunch...like a large bunch..land...eat a bite..sip of water and suddenly they all fly up in the same bunch and away..seems like no matter how still you sit..THEY KNOW you are watching and you blinked you eyes.. since I am a masto person I am trying hard..not real hard ...not to blame everything on masto...like doing laundry..I am pretty sure that I can do it ....simply it is not on my schedule for the day..oops no clean underwear..it is now on schedule.. sounds like a pretty dull day for me...no prince charming riding thru the farm..he could not make it over the fence...no meals on wheels however I am giving that serious thought...will let you know redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/18/11 at 05:19:08 Oh Ms. Lisa...I promise not to use the D word again...instead will use...wiping cloth across a surface... ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 09/18/11 at 11:54:04 AHHHHHH you did it!!   Two bleepers in the same phrase!!  " doing laundry"  and a biggie "SCHEDULE"   ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! :D   Red, what will we DO with you????? ;D My question is What would we do WITHOUT you?!!   You best keep around for a good while longer, sweety, for you provide us with a wonderful bit of relief, just like your RAIN!! Geeze, what kind of neighbors are those!!  YOU CAUGHT THEM PEEPING LONG DISTANCE!! hahahahahaahahaaha!!! ;D    What do you call them, Long Distance Peeping Toms???? LDPTs! 8-)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/18/11 at 16:26:58 OH good gosh...just on the 10 PM news....BIG ALERT FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.... it is not bad enough that we have been in terrible drought...no rain...fires all over the state and now................ we are on a Black Widow Spider alert...what is next redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 09/18/11 at 16:41:44 At least it's not a giant snail alert (10" long!), like they have in Florida!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 09/19/11 at 05:57:51 OH GRACIOUS!! SPIDERS!!!!  What next is right!!!!   One of those bites could probably bury a masto patient!! YIKES! :o I get these HUGE hairy spiders as big as a man's hand inside my house!  They like to come in during the winter looking for warm places to nest!  I've found them crawling along the walls at times or sitting on top of my washing machine!!  A real freaker!  But not for long for I'm quick to the draw with my flip flops!   In a blink of the eye it's SMACK!!!!!!!! :o So, Red, get them flip flops out and HANDY and start practicing!!!! SMACK! :o SMACK! :o SMACK!!! :o :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/23/11 at 04:31:18 CAUTION...for lisa...Please be advised the language contained in the article below may be hazardous to your health ;D I love once upon a time stories..so................ once upon a time there was two little children who were lost in the woods..Hansel and Gretel...they found their way back home by sprinkling bread crumbs ...now hold that thought.... recently I have built myself a nest....one that I can curl up inside....I found that my chair was too far from the TV as I could not see the letters or numbers so my chair moved  to the corner closer...now this was a special corner..it was out of the line of traffic going in and out of the room...so I put in  a nice sheet and of course my Charlie Brown pillow...and as I nestled in I added a few other little things to the corner ..a table for my book reading...my coffee sitting..and what ever else needed to be handy...I found this such a wonderful place..when my bed no longer felt good I got in my nest...when those pains or being tired came ...I curled in my nest..the chair held my legs just right so that the pain went away..I could lean on my Charlie Brown pillow..or just hold it...and I wondered if it could maybe fly because it seem to hold magic.. HOWEVER I began to notice on the carpet...little crumbs...I must have dropped them on my way to the nest..holding some snack or little something to eat..hummm thinking I ...well at lest I will not lose my way..I can follow the crumbs to my nest...BUT...myself knows that it also will attract others to my nest so they cannot stay..so (sorry Lisa) out comes the vacuum for making them disappear..I sure did not want Hansel & Gretel showing up as the nest would be too crowed or furry creatures or just anything.. my wish for you would be that you could build a special nest too..just for you in those masto moments that just seem to never go away..it helps redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/23/11 at 04:43:25 I hate changes..I am not certain why people think that they make things better  for us older folks...if it is not broke don't fix it... well got a letter from my bank..they are changing up the accounts..giving them new names and new fees..so of course I called..now the nice lady went into all kinds of reasons for the change nice lady just tell me what changes for me.. nice lady says..well are you 62 and of course I immediately pull out my "age badge of honor"...I am going on 78... nice lady says..no changes for you redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/28/11 at 06:29:18 does anyone know WHY a saltine cracker has 13 holes.. ANYONE????

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/28/11 at 06:44:22 I WILL NEVER FORGET.... the one and only time I took some money from my mom's purse.... I must have been about 9 or 10 and it was back when a kid could walk to town without fear..and since we lived in a small little town I was strolling down the street when SUDDENLY......... my eyes looked into this used store window...there was a pair of roller skates..used but still an eye catcher..now they just were the skates not with the shoes but I just knew I had to have them... so I went into the used store and guess what..the owner was a friend of my dads..I ask him how much those skates were and he said $1.00....well this seemed like a hugh amount of money for me and where would I ever get a whole dollar.. I took myself back home with my head down and thinking...I have just got to have those skates..what to do... so I decided to look in my mom's billfold..and sure enough there was 4 quarters..and four quarters makes a dollar..and surely she would never miss them... and so I took them and hurried back to town and bought the skates..I was so excited and could hardly wait to get home to put them on for a run down the sidewalk..and I did... needless to say when dad got home I was caught..yes I bought the skates and yes I took four quarters out of mom's billfold.. so dad says... you have to take the skates back and tell the man what you did and ask for your money back...will you go with me I said....no dad says..you have to do this by yourself... so with skates in hand and walking back to town I could not think of anything that would be or could be worst... I entered the store and the man met me and I told him my story...yes he took the skates back...and he also gave me back my dollar... I never again took anything out of my mom's purse or anyone else purse/billfold...not even during married times would I take money out of husbands billfold..I always took it to him and said...you get it out I won't.. that story has stayed with me thru life..and guess it was a lesson that was important. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/29/11 at 04:15:39 I have something to say this morning...guess it is really just blowing off steam BUT you see I live on an acre and my house is set almost in the middle..since we live on a rural route our mail box is down next to the road...now in case you need to know the postal office is very strict..no they say... regardless that you have a circle drive..you must have the box by the road..OK...this makes the distance to "check the mail" about half a block..and that includes there and back..doesn't sound far unless you have masto or just old or you legs hurts etc..so each day except Sunday we go on this adventure "down to the box".  now I can make the trip there pretty good as it has a slight slope..but coming back I have to sing the little tune about the train that says...yes you can..yes you can.. so what is the mail for today.... not much but here is a catalog..now here is where I lose it..it is a nice catalog for women's clothing..now I am a pleasant plumb lady...not fat just nicely rounded..but as I open it for a peek..there are all those slim models making the clothes look great.. now I am upset by this..in all honesty I would not look like this is these clothes..so these catalog people need to take note...shame on you for lying..and could you be sued for false advertising.. and to add insult to injury a loose card falls out with an ad for perfume with the smell on the card...WAIT WAIT WAIT..don't you know masto folks cannot handle some smells and that is a big one for me... well I could go on with this but it would not change anything..I will throw the catalog in the trash and the perfume card as well but outside trash so that the smell does not linger and hope for more exciting mail tomorrow redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 10/03/11 at 00:38:21 redbird wrote on 09/23/11 at 04:31:18: CAUTION...for lisa...Please be advised the language contained in the article below may be hazardous to your health ;D Ah HA!  So, Redbird, you think that by putting in a disclaimer you´ll get yourself OF THE HOOK!!   HAHAHAHAHA!!!!     Well, maybe!  If you through in a lovely apple pie with it perhaps I´ll think about it!  HEHEHEHEHEHE!!! :D ;)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 10/03/11 at 00:39:28 redbird wrote on 09/28/11 at 06:29:18: does anyone know WHY a saltine cracker has 13 holes.. ANYONE???? YOU BOTHERED TO COUNT????????? :o Only you! ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 10/04/11 at 11:41:53 So I 'Googled' 13 holes in Saltine Crackers...""Is there a symbolic significance to the number of holes in a cracker? According to the experts at Bent's Cookie Factory, the answer is no. The purpose of the holes is keep the product crisp and even. The number and placement of the holes is determined by the size and shape of the cracker." So there you have it ladies and gentlemen! LOL Kim

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/05/11 at 04:35:22 oh Lisa you want a apple pie..have I not told you that pie crust is in the same category as biscuits..now I can eat both of these with great pleasure but make them I cannot redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/05/11 at 04:38:53 Kim ....thanks for this info however I just cannot believe that 13 holes does not mean something ...maybe bad...with halloween coming up... :-/ redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 10/05/11 at 08:30:14 You're too funny!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/06/11 at 07:41:29 today I dusted my living room and also ran the vacuum ...and by this time by heart was doing a fast dance...so I crawled into my nest and held my Charlie Brown pillow for awhile redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by femaillady on 10/06/11 at 16:54:20 I was a rural route mail carrier for 33 years (retired 3 years ago due to health issues, both mental and physical).  I fought for, and got approved, moving the mailboxes up the driveway to the house for a couple of elderly ladies on my route (two were blind and one was extremely frail).  It can be done, it is called a hardship case, and you have to agree to move it back to the road if you move.  Of course, they can deny it if your postmaster is an a--hole, and/or your carrier doesn't want to be bothered.  On the other hand, I know that the post office has been eliminating customer service over the past 10 years or so, and has worked hard to get rid of the old school carriers like myself ( and it worked with me, I couldn't handle the harrassment any more, but that is another story).  It really irks me to hear things like this.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/07/11 at 03:57:09 THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this info...I am pretty sure that not many other people  know this and might need this service..and for sure the post office would not tell you about it.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/08/11 at 07:22:45 well our weather man says.... that we are going to get rain...and dark clouds are gathering..weather man says lots and lots of rain....a gulley washer.. well let you know if any gullies come floating down the road ;D redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 10/08/11 at 08:12:51 redbird, I was telling my aunt, who is in her 80s and a wonderful writer, about you and your blog last night. My aunt wants to put together a book, but I can tell she just doesn't know where to start. I told her how inspiring your blog is and how I had once told you that it would make a fabulous book of reflections that people would just love. She was very intrigued. So, next time that I see her, I am going to show her your blog, and I know that she will become a quick fan of yours!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 10/08/11 at 08:14:33 Have you noticed that above your blog, it says that this blog has been read 5385 times!!! Wow, that certainly holds the record by far on this forum for the most read!!!   ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/08/11 at 12:27:11 I read this today in my book reading...and I love it hope you do too "Anxiety's like a rocking chair.  It gives you something to do but it doesn't get you very far". redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 10/08/11 at 14:50:29 Love it!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/09/11 at 03:13:03 several things to say... Ms. Deb...cannot hardly believe that over 5400 hits of my thoughts are being read..THANK YOU FOLKS...and as far as your aunt please let her know that my 91 year old aunt...who is the author...is still writing books and just published one..so tell her to  GO FOR IT GIRL then just to let all of you know..that no gullies came floating down the road BUT for the first time in months and months there are puddles of water standing on top of the ground..HURRAH..gotta check my rain gauge this morning..OH OH OH...neighbor just called her rain thingy has 5 inches redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/09/11 at 03:37:51 DID YOU EVER RUN AWAY FROM HOME...I think I did sorta.... well you see it was like this.... remember I told you that my dad was an oil gauger..who's job it was to take care of oil tanks on different leases for people or oil companies and tell them know when the tanks were full and ready to be shipped...so these companies furnished us a house for living...and usually  it was out in the middle of nowhere with maybe a neighbor in another house or just yours sitting there...now this was the same place where I received my "used bike" ...OK  so you got the scene... I remember parts of this story well...I was a little brat when I was a kid and that was with a capitol B...so one dark and stormy night...I promise.. I remember it storming..big time...so I was in my pjs and getting ready for bed when me decided that I wanted a bowl of cereal...and I wanted that bowl now..well my dad told me no I could not have one....WHAT I was not sure that I heard this right..I was not going to get my way... well then with great drama..I told my parents...I would just ...run away from home...now where I would have heard this phrase I could not tell you as it was in the way before days of TV...but I was sure this would shake parents to the bones and I would get my way and that bowl of cereal.. well my dad said...Ok I will help you pack...from somewhere came an old suitcase..and he started pulling out the drawers that held my clothes..and with a great drama I started putting in my undies..just sure he would give in...you see my dad loved me better than everything..and it was storming outside and just how was I going to get out of this situation that I the brat had made.. but he held his ground...and that is where my memory ends..I promise  the above story I can still see in my minds eye..but I don't remember the end..so my running away from home was a just kinda redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 10/09/11 at 04:24:16 As a parent I have had to pull the ole reverse psychology on my boys when they said they were going to run away. I also went so far as to help pack one boy up. While we were packing I was asking questions: 'where do you think you might go?' 'how will you get money to eat?' etc. I think it was the food part that halted the idea of leaving! What memories!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 10/09/11 at 04:31:49 Wait!!!!! Another piece of memory.... One boy actually left the house but since it was dark out and we live way out in the country where coyoties come out at night, he never left the near surroundings of our house. We kept the inside of our house dark and watched him through the windows. It was cold out! He gave up after, i think, an hour or so!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/10/11 at 03:10:44 well looking out my window yesterday I saw an amazing sight..puddles of water in the yard...then I saw some little birds acting just like little children...splashing and running thru the puddles..some lay down in the water and then gave a good shake.. boy I bet they were in trouble when they got home.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/11/11 at 06:22:59 well today was my "going to town" day...so that meant I needed to put on my "going to town shoes"...yes I have a special pair for this event..none of those floppy sloppy things..my new balance tennis shoes that daughter bought..they have this special tread that holds the ground...and us older folks have to be really careful in case a grain of sand gets in the way...that could throw you right down and break something big or small.. also any little slopes that are in the "walking area" keeps your feet planted firmly...but not sure if that helps when the top half of body starts the falls.. it was a pretty uneventful trip..stopped and got the hair trimmed and the lady who has cut my hair forever..had interesting things to say in regard to the change of my hair..most of it to the old age and how I use to pay her to get my hair the now color  called frosted... and on dressing this morning I really decided that I am going to invent a new button..yeah I know they have those Velcro thingys but I want a button that is easy to use and looks and feels like a button..so will think on that.. the library was clear of all those sweet smelling people who take a bath in some sort of perfume..you know I need to check..the TMS store use to have some of those big buttons that say...I am allergic to perfume well that is about it for the morning..interesting article in this morning paper and will post that info to you later today redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/12/11 at 07:56:27 well I have been THINKING this morning....Thinking is the key word here... so I was talking this morning to my daughter (the dog whisperer) and as I could hear her new dog barking loudly in the back ground...I said...what is Mia barking at...well daughter replied..she is busy thinking that a "something" is in the garage..she then told me how Mia likes to go out in the back yard and chase the squirrels..and they would zoom up the big oak and sat on a branch and fuss at Mia and also drop acorns on her...now  she promised to video it and send me one to see... so this really got me to thinking...CAN ANIMALS THINK..well you can do your own research into this but one site I went to told about how elephants wrapped their trunks around one of their dead and even bury them?...and I remembered that when Foote's mother got run over by a car just down the road..a couple of her cat children went down with husband and watched as he picked her up from the road and put her in the back of the pickup to bring home..and one of them jumped in with her to ride..and I also remember how they sit by the spot that husband was digging for her grave...so THINKING  is something surely they do.. so then it comes to mind..can birds THINK...in reading...one man is sure that a bird that flys and stays in his chimney snores..yup that is what he says and we know that some birds can talk..I had one...and since birds do not smell they check things out by sight and we know that animals can talk to each other in some form that the other one understands..and when the kidnapper hawk comes to the back yard even I understand what is happening from the screams that the birds start so that I will come out and scare the evil one away.. so I guess that lots of us do agree that animals and birds do think...maybe not exactly the way we understand but yup they think... I am going to stick with that...what do you think redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 10/12/11 at 11:51:04 Hi Redbird,   I'm sure you're right about that.  My impression, having raised chickens for eggs, is that some animals have a little "deeper" thoughts than others.  LOL.  (It might be related to the size of the brain, although that doesn't seem to correlate in humans or dogs!)   Even the chickens had some vocabulary mastered, such as "corn."  They recognized that word every time and came running!  Our dogs have vocabularies larger than some people, and that's not counting their ability to sense when the "pack" is about to move!  Do wish our black airedale would learn another way to communicate that doesn't involve licking!   Hope you're having a cool, bright, and sunny day!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/13/11 at 09:37:13 wanted to mention a couple of books to you and especially those who like to read good thrillers/murder Lisa Gardner has a new book that is excellent..Love you More.. it is so well written and holds your attention long past bedtime..story flows great and just a good read the other is a book by Lisa Unger...Angel Fire..I found myself talking to this book saying things..like now that is so dumb..it to is another mystery but good redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/14/11 at 06:44:46 well today is just one of those days..so as I sat on the side of my bed I thought...hummm think I will have a party..have not had one in a long time...so who should I invite..I could invite my friends here on the blog..surely they would come so.............. YOU ARE INVITED TO MY PITY PARTY :)...today at anytime at my home in Oklahoma doors open all day....NO PRESENTS PLEASE.....please bring all of your sobs and stories..and pack in your bag..lots of encouragement ...and any new info that you might have...BRING THE CHILDREN as they are welcome as well...refreshments will be limited as most have those horrible allergic problems.. see you soon redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/15/11 at 05:46:01 NOT A BROADWAY PLAY BUT... in our today's big state paper there was a article  about one of my favorite country singers Carrie Underwood  coming  to her home town IN Oklahoma to help with a playground where she went to school...now there is a saying that lots of good country singers come from Oklahoma and that it must be the water..and that could be true Tony Keith, and Vince Gill and who could forget Reba McEntire and many others..well Carrie is one of my very favorite people not only is she tops in the singer group but she is just a good person...BUT this article got me to thinking... you know I think that kids today are missing something important at school..now don't get your pants in a twist...I think that education is great but so is some play time..when I went to grade school...and yes it was long ago..and it was in the country..and we had like more than one grade in a class room..but one of the biggest things that I remember is that each school year we had 2 plays..like in a Broadway play..everyone in the school was in the play and it had lots of singing and speaking and costumes..mothers sewed for days to make them...and everything else that went with it..each school day just before the big event we had a rehearsal...and I got to sing several solos...I could belt them out with the best..now I was no Britney Spears but I could be heard all over the auditorium...but the main thing was that we all worked together to make this great event..and our parents came..two nights in a row.to the big show.. but this kind of thing has been left out of schools now..they seem to think that other things are more important..not sure that is right but then maybe it is just my memories..you know I can still remember one of the songs I sang...when springs appears the tiny flowers lift their sleepy head...and push the blankets white with snow off their winter beds..the trees put on their coats of green and all around bright smiles are seen...and little birds begin to sing ...all because it is spring... ;Dand etc etc redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/16/11 at 08:00:21 Well today is one of those "crawl in the nest" days...yup moving kinda slow today and just need some time in a place that will wrap me around with it's cool arms and just let me stay for awhile and rest and of course with rest comes thinking and you dig deep into the old mind to see what is there... . I've told you several times how my dad was a gauger for oil companies and how we usually lived out in the back woods because the company furnished the house free...can't beat that... well my mind tells me to remember about how  I usually was a lonesome kid as no other children around and they sure did not have play school any where near to us..so we had to make our own fun..or maybe what we called fun.. I remember one time...I was really being a Brat making sure that everyone heard me loud and clear with....I don't have anything to do...oh yes we had that back when...it is not something new...so dad thought...I have got just the thing for you...now remember we are way out in the country...so we had more than our share of insects and flies etc.. dad say ok sis (he always called me sis even when I got old and he was older)...tell you what I will do..and of course I was all ears to hear WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO....since the flies were so bad in the house he said...I will give you a penny for every fly you kill...boy that sounds great..so off to work he went and I went on my mission..however it seems that there was not as many flies as I thought...hummm what to do..oh I know...I will open the screens and let them in...and I did.. I also remember at this same place a welder came to repair some oil lines running into the whatever...mom wanting to protect me and sure that all the old sayings she had heard were true...covered the windows to make it very dark and warned me not to look at the welding sparks as I would go blind..what a challenge..I looked of course and you know the answer to that one.. well that is all my thinking and remembering for today..maybe more tomorrow redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/17/11 at 05:32:15 went out this morning to "shake" my throw rugs and found that my "shake" had disappeared..WOW guess it went the same place that my energy went.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 10/17/11 at 07:43:52 LOL  ;D ! Guess it left us with just our "rattle n roll" ! I have to ask my husband to do that now -with the rugs-of course  ;). He got me a lightweight/bagless vacuum for my birthday last month; BEST present he ever gave me !!! laughter is good 4 us ! :) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/18/11 at 07:24:14 Thanks Lori..glad that you stopped by and had a laugh redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/18/11 at 07:26:32 Birdville News... well I have not written in regard to Birdville because....the news is not good ...really not good and also very sad. we have closed some of the streets and taken some of the feeders off line... if you have followed the news concerning the awful drought and heat that we had this summer you can know that the wild animals as well as the birds suffered.. we suddenly noticed that we had wild animals in the backyard at night ...picking up bird seeds one by one they were so hungry..then we began to notice that some of the animals were ill...now this was really sad but we knew that we could not continue to have them crawling over the fence..we had raccoons, skunks, and opossums...son cleaned out every possible place in the yard they could hang out..we searched and filled all holes around the fences..but they still came.. looking online for a solution I found three that were recommended...mothballs, clothing with urine on it and I just don't remember the other one..but I choose mothballs..I purchased some of the old type at the store and came home and made little sacks and we put them around the fence and also around the fencing surrounding Birdville..did it work..nope..so son took extra wire and re-enforced the fences around the town..did not work and finally he built barricades ..and they dug under... Then we suddenly had at lest 200 sparrows coming to eat several times each day..well know that I could not afford to feed them as they gobbled up a sack of food very quickly..we changed seeds to something we read they would not like..is it helping..not much... so here we are trying to find something that will work so that Birdville can come to some kind of agreement with my pocketbook and some kind of solution that does not worry us about our health with sick animals.. so Birdville is not running but on quarter power until we can figure it out.. I so am hating this as we had 12-15 redbirds coming..we now put out sunflower seeds only in the early morning and late evening for them.. not sure what we will do next.. am open to any suggestions in solving this problem redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/18/11 at 08:07:10 well after my library trip today and finally getting home... I have made a BIG DECISION... we need to become a nation that wears PJs and houseshoes..yup we need to be comfy cozy redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 10/18/11 at 16:27:01 Amen Sister! Ahhh... wouldnt it be nice to go to the library and curl up in a chair like that ? Dont know if Id ever come home- at least people in the library leave you alone: No "Mom,canI..." or "Honey would you..." :( Yup- if ever I run away from home, Im headin straight to the Library! :D Pajama Party !!! ;D lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/19/11 at 04:12:26 was in my bathroom this morning...and notice a cobweb from the ceiling light to the wall...and I have not even decorated for Halloween redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/19/11 at 04:15:08 Lori you really need to build yourself a nest..they are the greatest things ever and be sure to get a Charlie Brown pillow..mine has magic powers. yesterday at 3 PM I put on my pjs and got into my nest and it was wonderful redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/19/11 at 05:34:17 long ago when my children were small...if my washer went down I was in a  panic...in today's time if my computer went down I would be in hysterics redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 10/19/11 at 07:23:27 Redbird; Isnt it nice that we can say we have "natural" Halloween decorations for a few weeks ? ;) I had a sleepless nite , so finally fell asleep til almost noon! :-[ Decided to stay in my pjs (no bra of course) while I caught up on some housework. Murphy's Law- mailman comes to the door & I had throw a sweater on to sign for some mail !!! Im afraid of heights- but seriously thinkin of movin my nest to the tallest tree around ! :D birds of a feather... lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/21/11 at 04:29:58 morning to all of you just wanted to pass on a tidbit... since smells is a really big masto thing for me...I have found that using Johnson's baby lotion and powder and baby wash do not bother me in any way.  SO...recently I went to their website and wrote to them asking them for samples etc... they sent me some $ off coupons which I used last week..but also in the packet was info for one of their web sites.. On the little card it says... get access to medicines and medical products for free or at a discount.. www.access2wellness.com or call 1 866-317-2775 now I did pop over there but did not go thru the site  so not sure what all is there but may something that might help you.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/23/11 at 05:27:35 well I hate shopping..yup rather take a dose of caster oil.... had a friend tell me once that if ...you look at your Christmas pictures and you had the same shirt on for the last 3 years...it was time to go shopping have you checked your pictures lately?? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/25/11 at 03:39:22 from a book I am reading... The Present is the living sum-total of the whole Past           Thomas Caryle redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/25/11 at 03:42:55 JUST STUFF.... well today is bright and sun shiny but they say tomorrow is going to be a cold blast..so will take that opportunity to do a little baking and add to the "take a break" pile of goodies...not much baking going on this past few months for fun I put out some left over spaghetti for the crows..wanted to see just how they would handle that and it was fun to watch...several of them came flying in and grabbed long pieces...one took his to a brick and chopped it into smaller pieces with his long bill and some took the route of soaking it is the bird bath..I always think how smart they are... yesterday went over the hill to our grocery store with my frugal thoughts firm in place..you see frugal is just a nice word for cheap I remembered a recent cheap reading that said...do not look at items at eye level...look above or below for the better prices..and they were correct... another thing I want to talk about today is....the current price of undies...can you believe the price they want ...almost makes one want to do without.. last but not least..yesterday our state TV station told about an email that is going out saying it is from the IRS and uses a address that might make one think it is the real thing....BUT it is not from the IRS as they said they never contact anyone thru email...if you open it...you will receive one of those nasty viruses..so beware.. well hoping something exciting will happen today oh yes the north part of our state got to see glimpse of the northern lights..don't know how it worked but that would be something to see redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/25/11 at 04:56:49 Saturday use to be the "coming to town day" for all the out in the country people living there and in my growing up time I was one of those.. think they use to call it...the farmers "butter & egg day"...seems they brought in their product for sale to the "town folk" so  on those days dad brought mom and I to town..I remember we parked on main street in slant parking position..usually dad picked a spot that would be right in the middle... now this was in the times that kids could walk up and down the street alone..back then if someone bother a kid they were hung or shot straight away..so mom would do her thing of shopping and I......would wander town to the J C Pennys store..now they had a sorta second floor where they kept ladies clothes and HATS...I loved to try on the different hats..now that is strange as I was never a hat wearer in my adult time...not sure why guess I just used up all the feeling trying on the hats as a kid... dad would sit in the car while we roamed the streets...he always said.."I will watch the people go by"...I never understood this until much later in life..have you ever tried it...just watch people walking..it is an education and you have fun guessing what they do in life etc.. wonder if we ever will go back to the Hat Wearing Days redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/26/11 at 03:00:47 today is wednesday...the middle of the week and a day that gives you hope you will make it thru... so I decided that I would do something exciting today...you know have some fun and laughter I am a sock person..when I worked traveling and running a construction office we had to wear hard sole shoes/boots so I became the owner of lots and lots of socks..traveling on the road it was just easier to buy a new pair that find a place to do laundry.... now I have some wonderful cushion socks that daughter gave me and they are white but my favorite is navy blue socks and of course cotton..masto demands me to have cotton everything.. yesterday I was doing a little work in my bedroom and opened my sock DRAWERS to find they were trying to jump out and were crying that they had lost their mate.. ...so got me out a LARGE LARGE bag and thought I AM GOING TO PAIR ALL OF THESE SOCKS UP WITH THEIR MATE.. :)   yes you are right I seem to just "open drawer throw in sock" but knowing this will be a big challenge I think I am up for it. now some of these  socks are old and some have holes and some have almost holds and some are holding up fine..I am thinking this will keep me busy for a week or so  ...had to use my nest some this week but today seems a good day for now...will let you know how all of this works out redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/26/11 at 03:59:04 there are some commercials that I simply HATE...AT&T has two out that make me so angry that I would write to the CEO if I could find his email address..in fact I might organize a mail blizzard... then my favorite paper towel...Bounty.. has this one that shows a really big mess is cleaned up with one towel...and when the little girl gets several...mom shakes her finger and says no...one will do it....now I am not sure how you measure a "big mess" but at my house....one will not clean up one of those. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 10/26/11 at 04:57:42 Redbird; Dont you know since youre the one who did the housework and held a job there s'pose to come a time when you say to yourself; "Hey-let 'them' fold their own d@#& laundry !" >:(  :-[ Then you only fold YOUR own socks n laundry n hubby's too, of course. This is my system: the bird at home with Failure to Launch syndrome has 2 large hampers now labelled Clean, & Dirty. His laundry only gets folded now if HE does it.  Otherwise I just dump it in the Clean hamper, n he wears wrinkles  ::) MY socks n Hubby's are (usually) like us- a perfect match  :) Guess I should  call myself-Old Crow... lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/27/11 at 08:21:53 today has been one of those brrrrrrrrrr days..cold rainy and dark.. so cheap me decided to bake a batch of cookies..because the cost of cookies at the store are out of my reach.. now again according to the commercial...these wonderful cookies come out nice and round and perfect... now please tell me anyone who is going to refuse a ...not perfect...cookie..and I can tell you that my not perfect cookies are going out of the cookie jar just as fast.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/27/11 at 08:27:21 OH OH OH...Lori...I hate to tell you this but I am one of those people who puts off folding like forever..in fact I have a theory that works for me...that the clothes dryer is a wonderful place to store them until you need them..you see I am not really into housekeeping..I am sure that I was put on this earth for something more important ...but just have not found it yet.. ;D   I rate folding clothes right up there with emptying the knife and fork thingy in the dishwasher redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/28/11 at 07:30:04 well today is just one of those "dog tired" days...yes us old folks talk weird..but we have lived long enough we can if we want...I am thinking I am going to have to use my nest some today... do you have dreams??? I dream it seems like lots and I dream in color...none of that black and white movies going on in the brain..sometimes I dream stories..or parts of a book that I want to write down...so guess these thoughts are  buried deep in the spot where they are suppose to be buried.. dreams have always interested me..however I am not smart enough to figure out why you have them and what they mean...but sometimes after waking up I just want it to continue especially if it was a good one.. when my dad died I dreamed about him for sometime and in my minds eye I still see him just as he was...wonder how that is..may talk to daughter the mind/brain person(she works with the return vets in regard to bad stuff) about this sometimes...we have talked about why you remember bad things more than good things but I am just to tired today to try to tell you what she said..one short thing she says is...when you have thoughts about bad stuff ...start thinking about something good to train you brain to do that...so I think about the time I played basketball...wore # 33 and played another team in green uniforms that was super good and we beat them...wonder what the green team thinks about... OK that is it for the day... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 10/30/11 at 12:39:39 Redbird; Boy did I give You the  wrong impression ! :-[ I am not the best of housekeepers by any stretch of the immagination! I'm right with you about the dishwasher being just as good a place to store stuff til we need it; same goes for the dryer ! ;D  BUT: I have a grandson now who kinda forces me into being better at putting stuff away after the little hurricane visits.  :( He inherited that trait from his dad-Mr. Messy ::). Now about your dreams- my mom told me when we saw our loved ones in dreams-it was because they needed our prayers. Well, thats one idea. I thought Id die of a broken heart after I lost my mother. But then I had a Lot of very inexplicable, Nice things happen for a long time after she was "gone", and I like to think God was allowing her to comfort me in a way. Bad things ? Well they seem to be like "bad"people- they make more of an impression cuz they're not as subtle as Good things. Well, guess Ill go and Not unload the dishes. Grandson's over-house'll stay messy til he goes home.And Im gonna read another one a my "good vs. evil novels-and TRY not to have any bad dreams  :o Nite Redbird, lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/01/11 at 05:51:41 Hey there.... first I just want to remind you that I write things that are rolling around in my head..I don't plan them they are just there...so right up front I want you to know that I do not mean to offend anyone  with my little note today...I really tried to push it aside but it kept coming back...so here goes... I believe in God, prayer and miracles...I never argue with others about their beliefs..as I think that is their right...I have my own set of rules I try to follow...but  today my thoughts are on my mom who always believed the same..you remember during some president's years...don't remember which but it was long ago...in the White House there was a "red phone' that was a direct line to Moscow...if the red phone rang in either place it was ....most important... well my mom had a red phone to God...I believe it I truly do...when times were really bad in my life...and there were many..I would call my mom and ask her to get on the "red phone" and she would..I could tell you some of those times..but guess they are not so important now..I always believed that God listened when mom called.. Mom has been gone now for a long time..and times for me have really been tough lately..seems like everything is going down hill...I have some truly great prayer people but I am pretty sure that mom is watching from above and has her hand on the front door buzzer to the main house up there.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 11/02/11 at 00:26:28 I´m on that red phone for you right now Red!!!!!!!!!! :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 11/02/11 at 08:18:13 Redbird; Hope this isnt crossing the line of the New Rules of the Forum, but I hope that "Red Phone" has a partyline: if not- I'll make a call right after Lisa ! Is it okay to say Im "prayin for you too" ?  :( You are Not alone ;), lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/03/11 at 09:02:50 well today is quiet a breezy day the wind pushes you right along.....little cold mixed in and we are suppose to have our first freeze tonight.... yesterday went to visit my doctor ...who I would not trade for another one...and she looked at me and say...you are ill...that was not a question it was a statement... I could tell you lots about my doctor ..she listens to your problems and when my dad died she cried with me and held my hand..I like to think that I can tell her anything..she has been with me long before masto...and we have learned about masto together.. you see I have for several weeks been losing my voice..down to the point that daughter says...you must go and my reply is ...I will have to go  somewhere to a specialist...and that means getting out of my "comfort zone"....but I went to my doctor and sure enough I was ill...hummm who would know that I had fever...so after all of this ...coming home with a jug of pills...I just put on my pjs and went to my nest and slept...  I am certainly hoping for recovery of my voice  before the NBA starts ball season...if that ever happens.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 11/03/11 at 11:41:52 SOOOO Sorry to hear you are sick!!!   I hope you get better QUICKLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs & Kisses!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 11/03/11 at 15:41:12 Hi Redbird,   What a wonderful doctor!  I used to have one, but we moved, and he stayed there.   I hope you feel better soon!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/04/11 at 04:47:46 well today is that cold day that the weatherman said was coming...had a freeze last night.. BUT with the holidays just around the corner thought we might chat a little about them...Thanksgiving thoughts are lots of food and wonderful treats...and at this point I must tell you a shhhh secret...now please don't spread this word around as it might cause a march of some kind on my territory..it could cause many to weep with big sobs..thumbs down from many folks...and perhaps some will never speak to me again... you see I have not been able to understand the big thing in regard to my secret but before the holidays you start reading many columns in regard...to me is it pure and simply...... I LIKE FRUITCAKE...yes I do...it is almost like confession to a crime or something..one is afraid to buy it in the stores because someone is watching..and who knows if you buy it online just what person has followed the delivery... so I will quietly look and take the chance of getting a fruitcake for the holidays..I really think that all of these people should just try it instead of going with the flow of unbelievers.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/04/11 at 06:11:22 I LOVE MUSIC.... I have this music collection however I am sure that not everyone would understand or appreciate it... I think the most wonderful thing in life would be to own a Bose music system...all that wonderful stuff in one little package... I have my music on the morning listening to Susan Boyle who I love...I like everything about her..and her story brings tears to my eyes and her singing makes me have Goosebumps..I promise..I can feel them coming up..what a gift she has...however there is one little problem...I can understand every word she says while singing...but interview leaves me  wanting.....to understand what she is saying..this is meant as no disrespect..to anyone but in our world our USA language sounds different sometimes.. but am sure that is not important as long as she continues to sing... GO SUSAN....let that music ring loud and clear...I think her music could cure the world.....I can hardly wait for Christmas music redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 11/06/11 at 04:01:59 Hey Redbird, you ok? Did you feel the earth quake? Hope you are ok! Kim

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/06/11 at 04:40:09 well golly gee...living in Oklahoma has always been different than other states...we have an old saying that wait a few minutes and the weather will change...I have seen hail storms, high winds and of course tornados...and throw in a little snow all in the matter of 3 hours.. well  lately we have had some minor earthquakes to the north of me..about 150 miles but not to bad... HOWEVER last night at 10:55  I was in my nest watching a little TV when suddenly I thought ...what is going on...my nest felt like one of those "bucking bulls" that you sometimes see on a western on TV...my nest rolled around and I am thinking some kind of animal is under my nest making it move...but I knew nothing like that was in the house ...and son stuck his head around the corner and said...did you feel that earthquake... well of course that is what it was...I can tell you that it was a funny feeling...the experts are saying it is the second largest earthquake to hit Oklahoma ever..the center of the quake was about 150 miles to the north...of my nest now this morning there are some after shocks..can't say I have felt those..but must check daughter this morning as she was only about 44 miles away from the center.. this was a new experience for me...I have seen a tornado go over the top of our house...but you can get in a shelter for those..but an earthquake..damage reports are saying lots of bricks falling..one of the colleges near has lots of damage...some buildings leaning.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/07/11 at 03:08:58 well just to keep all of us Oklahomans alert...after the earthquake shook us up really good ...today we are looking for tornados and thunderstorms..one area of our state.....last night and early AM had 9 inches of rain.... now not sure what mother nature has on her mind but .....she certainly has our attention redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/08/11 at 03:15:24 WOW ...mother nature has a temper.....and yesterday she let it fly...here in Oklahoma we had another earthquake and Tornados just about everywhere..some clouds had 2 marching side by side thru areas... and son warned me this morning not to step off onto the ground or I would disappear...said the rain gauge had 4 1/2 inches ...seems that mother nature has gotten her memos mixed up.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 11/08/11 at 03:41:13 Wow! That is wild, redbird! I am always fascinated by weather...as long as I am safe inside my home. Stay safe!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/08/11 at 06:57:54 THE FARM NEWS.... let's pretend it is Sunday...that is the day after Oklahoma biggest earthquake ever...and before Monday when tornados were all over the state and rain POURED into my house ...so let us think about Sunday... Sunday dawned as a nice day...slight breeze blowing..sun shinning bright..just a nice simple day..just right well says me...this is just a nice day I will catch up on laundry..now laundry stacking up stresses me out big time...and being the cheap me...I can hang out clothes on the line not having to use the dryer..good plan says me... as I have told you I am really picky with my laundry...so the way that I do my laundry meant I had 3 loads... everything looking good...I am sitting in my "bird watching chair" and note my clothes just swinging in the breeze... now I have told you about Birdville...and how we have had to make some new rules..these have not been popular ones but necessary....we put out smaller amounts of seeds since the sparrows swallow them faster than you would believe..and we also have taken some of the feeders off line as well.. it has almost gotten to the "first come first served" status but they are still hanging in.. so I go out to gather in my clothes toward the end of the day...my bright green laundry basket under my arm..started taking down the smaller pieces..sorta folding as I go  WHEN SUDDENLY I am looking at bird poop ...better known as bird droppings ...all over some of my clothes..some of my pjs and I mean big poop..lots of it...well if I could have seen any of the birds I would bet they had a big smile on their face and some were having a big laugh.... you see the clothes line is close to the bird feeding area...but never before has this happened...I am not sure but think they are trying to tell me...they will have the last word redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Kate: on 11/08/11 at 11:44:58 Living on a farm and a clothesline dryer myself, I can totally relate!!  You made me smile!  Did you have some choice words for those birds!!???

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/08/11 at 16:42:11 well Kate I can tell you that the names used were not....honey, sweetheart or darlin...guess you get the picture thanks for dropping by I hope that I made you giggle or laugh or maybe just a chuckle... that is my goal to try to bring some of those to my masto folks here... please come again redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 11/08/11 at 17:40:48 This one made me chuckle! Hope Mother Nature makes up her mind on one type of weather for you all out there, instead of all of them at once!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/09/11 at 05:52:44 WHAT A DAY !!!!!! well this day started out with my smuckers strawberry jelly ...which is my all time favorite...made some toast and got out my jar which is almost empty...just a couple of spoons left..spread it out on toast and suddenly it had migrated to the cabinet top...my shirt...my hands and fingers and way down to the kitchen floor and the bottom of my shoes...good gosh what a mess which meant me getting out the mop and doing the kitchen floor and while all of this is going on while I am trying to bake a batch of cookies...well this jar of smuckers will be  lucky if it does not make it to the trash... AND THEN opened my freezer and it scream right out loud..defrost, defrost defrost..another good gosh..doesn't it understand that I can only handle jelly this morning...this is one big freezer which is very old....well trying to figure out how to take care of these problems...so may just have to nest awhile redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 11/09/11 at 11:55:23 Ah Redbird; Between the birds and the jelly-you had me laughing ! I guess thats why when a person gives someone a dirty hand gesture- its called "flipping the bird" :D! Theres a new toy out called Angry Birds- ugliest toys I ever saw.  We have lots of birds round here; woodpeckers, pheasants, turkeys, etc. We try to keep the feeders full, but lest we runout/forget sometimes; we have a huge orange cat (Spanky) who keeps em in line ! ::) Take care Red, and never look up outside-unless you're wearing goggles ! ;) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/10/11 at 03:56:30 well decided a little music might help this day start out better...so trying to determine just what was needed and guess who dropped by for coffee... KENNY G...he wanted to play me some Christmas music but told him I had to get pass the big T day first...can never tell who will drop in next redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/10/11 at 04:11:55 Lori what good advice..but I can tell you that seeds supply is low son is making a trip to the seed mill tomorrow... you would think that the birds would appreciate me more as I try to get to them in time when they are screaming and the kidnapper is here....seems they forget that quickly..and I fall on the other side of the good will... I often wonder if birds can think and plan and now I am sure of it redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 11/10/11 at 06:32:06 HAHAHA!!   I can relate!  I love seeing my clothes line FULL of clean clothes blowing in the breeze.  Reminds me of my childhood in Virginia.  I never thought I'd be doing it myself, though.   So far I've never had a bird divebomb my clothes though!!   It reminds me of the Far Side cartoons where there was one scene from above everything had a bullseye on it from the Bird's point of view!! hahahahahahaha

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/11/11 at 18:10:19 well our state TV station weather man gave us an interesting fact this evening.. seems this 11-11-11 thing is something big...in the state of Oklahoma on 11-11-1911 the high temp for the day was 82 degrees and by midnight it was 17... seems that mother nature had a temper even back then redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/13/11 at 05:03:05 well since the "break bucket goodies" was nearly empty I decided that I would bake some cupcakes..chocolate...yumm...again reminding you how cheap I am I usual check the cost of pre-mix against the "start from scratch" and right now the pre-mix wins..they are on a big sale... so I take me down to the grocery and shop around and decide on a 'Betty Crocker" (you know how I feel about her)...super chocolate one... so back home getting all the stuff started and suddenly I note on the package..DO NOT EAT CAKE BATTER...well this certainly stumps me as most of us older kids have done that when we were just kids and never died from it...in fact I could hardly wait for mom to finish with her cake mixing and it was a TREAT to get to "lick the bowl"  what is the deal with these Crocker people..now they are not only false advertising biscuit making but they are trying to crush an old lady's dream...just to show them...I took my spoon and sorta licked the bowl... then as I looked around I became aware of the super big mess in the kitchen..did I make this...several different muffin pans...some of the regular ones and some of the ones...those rubber looking things that came out a couple of years back.....muffins suppose to just "pop out" and my daughter had to look everywhere to find them for my Christmas gift...and on using them found they did not just "pop out"....well this will take some time to clean up... well muffins/cupcakes finally done and super big mess in dishwasher..and by this time...super back ache and crawling into nest.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 11/13/11 at 08:11:22 When I was a kid, my brothers and I would FIGHT over who got to lick the spoon and who got the bowl and the beaters!!!   Mom, thankfully, was the judge and would dole it out accordingly! I remember, though, that we found a stash of Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough in the refriggerator one day and stole off and we ate all of it RAW!!   Yum!!!!!!!!   :D   If I remember correctly, we got it later when Mom found out!!!!!!!!! :o

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/14/11 at 04:11:01 I was wondering this morning if the government has ever investigated "dust".  I really think they should.  I can just see it now..."dust" could be used for so many things...like creeping into those spaces to see what is going on...no one would notice...and they could use it on airplanes..ships..and any place that a spy person would be noticed...yup it would work...and since we don't know where it comes from...nor would anyone else...it would be cheap as "dust" seems to just appear..no manufacturing cost...no plans...it could be a secret weapon... now they say...so I have read that there are "dust" proof rooms for different things in our world...however I just cannot believe it that is one of those...see it to believe it... now I would be the first to volunteer my dust for world safety..just come on by and I will try to bundle it up redbird the bird writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/19/11 at 04:29:54 the big holiday Thanksgiving day is almost here and we are suppose to give thanks for different things according to those "who know" well I have put some thought into this and am trying to come up with a list that fits me for "thanking" of course we are suppose to thank our families and I am thankful for mine ..but some masto people are more lucky than others who have those "you do no look sick and we don't think you are sick" families..so for some that is hard to do.... but I wanted to look more on a personal level for my own thanks... I am thankful for my neighbor Mary who lives just across the pasture..I can easily see her house ...we trade book reading ideas and whether you will need 1 box of Kleenex or 2 for the current book we are reading...and she has told me that when I can no long make the trip to the library we use..she will for me.. I am thankful for my crying days...when I cannot speak to anyone for crying and there seems to be no reason...I just cry...but I know that it keeps my tear ducts open and those days no one has cleaner eyes that I.... I am thankful for the days I need my cane to walk..keeps me standing up and also in case I meet a snake on the way to the mail box I can beat it to death... I am thankful for my nest..when I can no longer manage the day or event or watching the dust fly...I can take my Charlie Brown pillow and crawl to a wonderful place of "no demands".... However I simply cannot be thankful for masto...it has robbed me of so many things in my life...but I can be thankful for all the wonderful friends and people around my country and across the world that I get to talk to ....explaining why my name is redbird...and offering any help and encouragement that I can HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 11/19/11 at 05:00:06 Ah Red; You are on my Thankful List this year ! Thank You for the laughter and wisdom and just plain honest way of looking at life ! When I was a little girl, my mom told me that dust was "the souls of the departed"-and looking at all of it sparkling in the rays of sun, shining through the window- I believed it. Oh how I wish my eyes still saw things like a child's ! I know that some days this disease is a curse; only on our good days can we find something to be thankful about it. If not for all the wonderful people here, and the people we find who truly do love us no matter what- we would be left with palin old ordinary "dust"- and not see the beautiful sparkle on sunny days. You Redbird- are a ray of sun on a cloudy day :) thank you, lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 11/19/11 at 15:25:05 Plain and simple, we are thankful for YOU! Much love and good wishes to you for a lovely Thanksgiving, redbird!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/20/11 at 05:31:05 good morning... well after a discussion last evening with son...and how today...Sunday...was going to have sunshine and Monday was going to be nasty...I was urged to finish my thanksgiving shopping today... NOW I KNEW BETTER!!!!  I knew the sun was not going to shine today..the weather man is wrong...and I should have listened to my masto bones who told me...nay weatherman wrong...we masto people need to write to the National Weather service for jobs..today is not sunny... but I got myself out of the cozy warm bed EARLY...to tackle the task before lots of shoppers arrived with the same idea in mind..now I am not a morning person...I am not a 'GOOD MORNING...HOW ARE YOU??"...I have never been one of these..now it is good that ...there are some...but not me.. ok so I am out on the road...EARLY... I looked in my rear view mirror and notice that this big blue pickup is riding my bumper...I can just hear him talking to his passenger...what is this granny doing on the road...driving the speed limit..little does he know in younger years had lead foot reported by family....she needs to speed up..what he does not realize is that I need to check the horse in the pasture ahead as I do each time to see that he continues to have the things he needs.... BUT big blue pickup does not care...and that is OK...he whizzes around me and off to somewhere....The horse is OK so I continue on down the road...just clucking along... when suddenly I come to the first red light going into town...and there sits the big blue pickup...gee I thought he would be whizzing on thru town...as I sat behind him waiting for the light to change...I noticed that his tag said...BLT county..that is the way in Oklahoma our tags read..lets people know what part of the state we are from...BLT humm now to me that means...bacon, lettuce and tomato ... I finally get my errands done and finish the last grocery stop where the clerk said...do you need help carrying this out...I look at the two SMALL sacks...that cost 46.00...and said...think I can manage.. not sure if I should be "thankful" for the 2 small sacks...or that I can pay the 46....as I try to remember that Santa is watching for his naughty and nice list..I try to smile redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 11/20/11 at 10:00:53 Redbird, I'm am thankful that you've made your nest amongst us in our nice little home here.  I came across some others on another site a little while back who had mentioned you and some of the things you write and I actually felt myself feeling possessive and jealous for I've come to see you as OUR REDBIRD!!    I feel like I have my grandma near me, who wants to comfort me and remind me of the simple pleasures of what life is truly all about, that of noticing the daily, mundane things, that of the little issues which don't cause us major frustration or grief and instead bring us peace and destresses us just because it helps us to remember that there's a whole lot more to life than being sick! Thank you so much my friend for your notes and words.  They are precious and GREATLY APPRECIATED!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING REDBIRD!! :-* :-* :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 11/20/11 at 15:58:10 I'm thankful for the rays of sunshine and many bits of humor you send our way.  Thanks and happy Thanksgiving!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/21/11 at 04:03:54 did you ever wonder if cobwebs are bungee cords for spiders?? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/22/11 at 08:26:48 well let me tell you     WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!!! yes you guys if you are noticing redbird's blog and stories are getting closer to 10,000 and I want you to know that makes me happy... BUT if you put the title of...redbirds blog and stories in a search engine...we are the top 2 coming up...and that leads people straight to the FORUM....so if anyone wants to know about masto....HERE WE ARE...clucking right along..trying to solve the problems and offering a shoulder to cry on..or whatever is needed... and a big thanks to Ms. Deb...for making us a place redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/25/11 at 05:57:59 well the big Thanksgiving day is over....and we are left to reflect on the day... you know how people have a "designated" driver for their party...well I was the "designated" cook...and that was ok  but it is apparent that my efforts are going down hill in the cooking dept... now as you have read before..devil eggs at the dinner is a must and my trying to peel them...well let me tell you...that if music had been playing...it was like a stripper shedding those clothes.... after everyone was out and gone..climbed into nest for a LONG nap..and that ended the day..little late ball game trying to keep those eyes opened.. now this moring I have read tales of the "early black friday" group..and I just have to say that to be included in this camping out group for bargins..you must be young and strong... not sure what today is going to bring..will let you know redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 11/25/11 at 11:45:11 Redbird; I too have been the "designated cook" since I was old enough to take over for my mom decades ago. Well, experience goes out the window with the brain fog. Hubby feels we need to get a 26lb. bird from the farm down the road now. So, did all the prep Wed. nite, & put the bird in the oven. At 5 a.m. woke to the oven beeping; a safety feature after so many hours. Lowered the temp and went back to bed. At 9a.m. woke to a house full of smoke- the monstrous bird had overflowed its juices all over my cleane oven ! After much rushing around opening windows n turning on every fan in the house (also some Heated comments between hubby & myself) we got that bird out, scrubbed the oven bottom- now I kno WHY they're called S.O.S. pads- rinsed it good, and put ole Tom back in there with his newly foil lined nest. Should've taken it as a "sign" when hubby came in from walkin the dog nite before n said he'd seen a turkey gobbling and high-tailin it thru our backyard !!! Next year I think we'll do a HAM... lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/29/11 at 05:57:25 Good morning... well this morning started out ....like....good, bad and ugly...yup it did... seems that the good Lord issued an order for me today...and it said...redbird is to be tested today...nope it did not say challenge...for young people it might have said challenge...for old masto people it means tested... well I passed the first part of the test...I got up but I am telling you that it went down hill shortly after... now some of you might want to skip this part...but I like many others have my bathroom  schedule..my elimination event..now this morning it did not happen so found myself in the fridge for my old folks problem fixer...prunes...gosh I hate the taste of these things but until I have my elimination event my back is going to hurt..now I know that is weird but us masto folks  have unusual things now long standing for me is...my vision is not good in the morning..takes awhile for it to settle in..yes I have been to the eye doctor...the spec. who told me that your eyes cannot hurt..well don't care what kind of degree he has...mine hurt sometimes..we did not part friends..but I have my glasses..in fact 2 pair just in case...and just in case happened next..the arm or whatever you call that thing that holds your glasses on... fell off..where in the world did I lose the screw that holds it on..I am down looking all around on the floor..cannot find it...ok so out comes the second pair..but this pair is not comfortable ...but at least I can see...however after wearing them for several hours knew this was not something I wanted to do...so I decided to get out my glass repair kit...yes they make those..but none of the little screws would fit...what to do...oh I know..so I got out a bread wrapper..you know those little wire covered things..but of course it would not fit...but I can trim it down..carefully trimmed it down to fit..hurrah  as I twisted the wire around and it does hold everything in place..great!!  will have to make a trip to the glass fixing place...maybe next week.. now my plan for today was to bake cookies..saw this new little peanut butter recipe and cut it out..however on trying I could not see the print..so much for that...know what I did next... out came the Betty Crocker cook book for cookies..so followed her recipe..sifted the flour..after I found the sifter back in the far cabinet..and then found the brown sugar had gotten hard..and had to Google how to make it soft..and finally got all together ...gee it looks funny..but in the fridge for firming up to handle.. well cleaning off the bar when suddenly found the screw to my glasses..my comfortable pair that now has the wire holding it together..I am looking at this little screw trying to decide if I want to undo and try to get it back in..the screw is little and I am shaky..so think I will lay it aside for now and hope later will put it together..but you know this wire is pretty good..looks kind funny sticking up...but if anyone says anything I will just tell them it is an antenna for the landing of the next UFO.. well it is now almost noon...and I am not sure what the next test is but I am hoping it is easy...something like a nap or reading a book or just anything.. but hard redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/05/11 at 07:20:35 the north wind will blow and we shall have snow and what will the  robin do then poor thing he will hide in the barn and keep himself warm until spring comes again or something like that..seems like one of those things I learned in high school and that was long ago.. the north wind is blowing here in the Oklahoma fashion..."sweeping down the plain"   but the snow missed us and the birds in Birdville are busy eating as fast as they can.. we have not talked in some time but I just have not felt like telling you what all is going on around my place...NOTHING....it seems like we are just in a place between two famous holidays...and as we watch the TV all the folks are hurrying around ...busy busy busy...and you envy them a little as it seems they have lots of energy or else the battery bunny has given them some spares to plug in..so I am feeling a little down at the moment... seems like "Old Masto"  has come for a visit ...uninvited and has settled in for a long stay..wonder if Santa would pick him up on his rounds and take him back home to the north pole..wishful thinking on my part... we are going to have to be watchful for Snarky the squirrel this winter...our pecan trees were bare like all of those around us so not sure what he could possible have in his pantry..and Birdville residents seem to be moving in and out faster than I can keep up...son came and got me for a look see..and we had a white dove that is now visiting for breakfast, lunch and dinner..my understanding is that ...it is a rare sight for us.... fluffed up the nest to get ready for the NBA games to start..and Charlie Brown pillow in place...just getting ready... hope each of you are doing well...and keeping "old masto" in the closet.. redbird the depressed word writer.. :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 12/05/11 at 12:05:30 I'm sorry Redbird you're feeling a tad blue.  That's understandable.  But when my husband is at times like this he has a quick fix remedy for himself - he likes to watch It's a Wonderful Life!  He says that for him, it always helps him to take a good accounting of his blessings, in spite of all of his challenges. Well, for me, Red, I've got another remedy - that of looking at my victory over death last year!   Facing death has a way of curing you of the pitty parties we all like to hold from time to time.  You've had so many battles you've faced over the years and you know what REAL HARDSHIPS truly are.   Red, sweety, I faced a serious bout of depression when I was but 14.  I was new, again, in yet another school, a big one this time, and I was horribly LONELY!!  I would cry on the drop of a hat and was so miserable I didn't know what to do and my family didn't seem to care.  Nobody even asked how I was doing with the new school.  I just kept crying and crying and crying.  That is until one day I begin to look at what I was doing to myself and I pull myself up short and said, What on earth are you doing to YOURSELF?   THIS IS ENOUGH!!   And from that point on I began battling against that depression!!   I don't know how or where I gained the wisdom as to how to battle depression, but at 14 I did somehow!!!  I've never given into since, not even when 18 months ago I had doctors telling me that they were not going to operate on me, knowing that if they didn't they were signing my death certificate!!!  When I'm sad, I give myself about 1 day to enjoy myself and then I pull myself up short, give myself a few slaps in the face and demand that the pitty party come to AN END!!! So, Red, cry and be blue FOR ONLY A DAY, that's all you're allowed.  Then Buck up Baby, cause your family NEEDS YOU WELL!!   They depend upon YOU and you are who sets the tone for them, even though you don't think so.   My hugs and kisses to you, Red!!!! :-* :-* WE NEED YOU WELL AND HAPPY TOO, SWEETHEART!!!   rEMEMBER, NO PITTY PARTIES!! >:( ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Kate: on 12/05/11 at 13:42:01 Make sure you tell Santa to make a pit stop at my house, too! Hugs to you, Redbird.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/06/11 at 06:44:27 did you read about the family that went out to buy their Christmas tree and when they got home...there was a snake in the tree...talk about killing your HO HO spirit.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 12/07/11 at 22:17:18 More surprise than they bargained for? We are now living in a part of Europe where bicycles are a way of life. Yesterday I saw someone riding along with a Christmas tree under their arm!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/09/11 at 04:33:35 when you were growing up ....did anyone teach you to ...clean the white yuck off your tongue...just wondering  ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/10/11 at 05:45:29 I decided that things with me had been down long enough and I was not going to have a pity party...INSTEAD I was going to have a "ME" party..yes that sounded just really good...How do you have a "ME" party you ask...well let me tell you............. first I fixed my glasses..did not want a UFO to land in the back yard disturbing Birdville...I got out a flashlight, tweezers, screwdriver..and my shaky hands finally got the little screw holding my glasses on back in place..HURRAH FOR "ME".. next I decided to go do a little shopping for my "ME" day..now I have never been to a Starbuck coffee shop BUT I have a 2.00 coupon to purchase a pound at the grocery store..and you know cheap me..AND it was on sale..so I marched into that store and put a pound of Starbuck coffee into my basket.. now bebooping  on down the aisle... I next stopped in the jams and jellies...here I picked up a jar of  Smuckers strawberry jam...did you know that their strawberry jam can cure lots of things..so in my basket.. marching on I came to the bread dept..I like whole wheat bread..so into my basket it goes... now for the really big decision..bacon..now see I love bacon..but in today's world it is to costly for me to purchase...BUT this is a "ME" day...when I visit my daughter she cooks bacon for me...yummm...so I really have to ponder this purchase..but finally I close my eyes and gently pick up a package..and it now lays with my other purchases.. well it seems that now something good is going to happen..took it all home..made the coffee...toast with that strawberry jam...and BACON...now that is my kind of "ME" party... and how did the day end... well the mailman let a package in my box...gosh what is this as I struggled up the little hill back to the house...I got out all the equipment because now all packages are required to be ...not opened by old folks friendly...and finally got it wrestled open... oh my goodness...a beautiful black cane with redbirds circling around the top panel of the cane...it was from my wonderful masto friend Olive who wanted me to be happy If you have not had a "ME" day lately I would encourage you to do so right away... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 12/10/11 at 06:12:37 Oh Red; You surely do know how to throw a party girl !!! That cane sounds almost as wonderful as your friend Olive ! Whenever I start to have a Pity party- I realize how this ugly disease has taught me to appreciate things-and people- in my life SO much more. Yep, we are lucky to have some wonderful friends in our life, & to find enjoyment in a good cup of coffee, the smell of bacon fyring, and some good jam on toast ! :) thanks for reminding us life's simple pleasures, lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/13/11 at 03:12:22 just stuff.... I opened my undie drawer in the bedroom and found it empty I checked the kitchen and the cup towel place is as well guess you understand what that means...I must go to the storage unit for supplies..and you understand the clothes dryer is the storage unit...you do remember my theory on that as well... other things in mind this morning...as it is rainy, cloudy and pretty chilly.....son is remodeling the Birdsville area...removing barricades etc..but I am not asking  as it does not look like a fun job...son's birthday is tomorrow so must bake him a cake..even adults like to have a special cake on their birthday. I also have told you about my friend Mary who lives across the pasture...but you must know that pasture is not a big one..just about a block wide ...empty ...so you have a really good view of her house..now Ron her hubby loves to decorate for Christmas..and his neighbor is trying real hard to win this year's award for this...so then the neighbor on the other side decides he cannot be left out...so...each night I have this lovely view of Christmas lights to look at from my sun room..it is always a challenge to see what they have put up new.. you might want to check your local library as I have discovered mine has now a really good selection of movies..and you can check them out for a week..bargain as no rental and having to be back in a couple of days.. as you can see a pretty dull day here at the farm..maybe tomorrow redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/14/11 at 05:45:57 I know you have heard about instant coffee...instant tea...instant news and the list could go on and on and on................... yesterday I had an instant masto attack..one of those things..good one minute and the next it slaps you right down...so I spent most of the day bundled up in the nest...so my thoughts just rumbled around all day.. wanted to talk about something that I recently heard "It's not the destination  but the journey to get there...so thinking about this caused several hummm moments well the baking a cake journey especially a Betty Crocker is not more fun that the destination of eating it... the trip to visit someone is certainly not more fun that the destination of laughter and enjoyment when there.. and last but not lest...the use of the epi pen on an attack journey is not more fun that reaching the end of the trip when it is over I am sure that you can add your own ideas to this list..these are just a few to get you started... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 12/14/11 at 10:57:05 Hmmmmm is right!!   Thought provoking! Thanks Redbird! Lisa :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 12/14/11 at 12:39:44 Red; Your take on that old line is WISER than the original !!! I know we arent suppose to talk religion on here; but Id bet my boots God would agree with you  ;) ;) ! lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/17/11 at 05:13:38 I am sure that some of you have now read the stories being told about how someone is paying for lay away at Kmart..I especially like the one ...a man in his worn and dirty work clothes with 3 small children trying to get out part of his items and a person steps up to pay for the whole thing..it made my heart beat a little faster and reminded me of a story in my life that I would like to share with you... In 1884 my daughter graduated college and immediately went to work for a org. and was sent to L A for the Olympics ..I got to visit her while she was there and thought how wonderful it was to go to the grocery and buy ...strawberries...just any time of the year... After the Olympics they sent her to Williamsburg KY to work at a college there. now you also need to know that this was in the mountain area of KY...lots of people lived in and on those mtns..I don't remember the name of her job title but she was in charge of some college students that wanted to help people in the community..also during some months people from other states came to help as well...the main thing they did was to build houses for the mtn people and sometimes they drilled wells for water. Now a group would come in and work on the house for several days and then another group came to do part of the work and finally another group would finish it..now these houses were a very small  basic wood frame home...but for these people they were a mansion...daughter would over see all of the work and since her dad had always been a building contractor it was just a naturally for her.. I got to visit her there and it was exciting..we set out to see the first house that they had constructed.. daughter had a little brown jeep ragtop..and as we set out in the mountains and I mean mountains..she told us that we could not go anywhere in the area unless we were in the jeep..the mountain people knew her by her jeep.  It was a little hard to establish a relationship with them and when she worked in the field visiting she would often take her  dog...Brandy...now Brandy could make friends with anyone..the children loved her and that would influence the mom and finally dad would come in with his presence.. now the house that we visited was a mom and her two daughters..mom was Annabelle and I cannot remember the girls names but daughter had found them living in a barn..they did laundry in the creek and bathed there as well..so they got the very first house that daughter directed the building..it was a joy to meet this family and see the pride of being a home owner.. one of the years that daughter was there ... she came home for Christmas we all got a letter on the tree telling us that she had used her present money to buy coal for winter heating for a family..and this set me to thinking.. I was so impressed with the Annabelle and her girls that when I came home my thoughts lingered..I could not get them out of my mind and heart..we did not have a lot of money ...I was working at the hospital but husband was self employed and times were not the best but I just knew I could do something...I finally managed to get some money together and sent it so that daughter could buy coal for Annabelle ..it was not a lot as coal was cheap there... then I looked around and decided that all that material for sewing I would never use...so I gathered it all up...Annabelle sewed clothing for the girls..and some of the girls in the office where I worked came up with some things as well needles, thread and buttons etc ...off to the mountains it went.. I don't remember how but some money was put together for shoes..the girls had never had a new pair of shoes...only some kind of tennis shoe bought at a garage sale.. the next project was a Christmas one..I had received some money for a trip/gas going to a conference for work and think it was something like sixty dollars..not a lot...so.... I sent it to daughter telling her to use the money for buying a Christmas gift for the girls..and give some to them so they could buy a gift for their mom Annabelle.. daughter picked them up on the mountain..now understand this is way up in the mountains..but they went for pizza to discuss their purchase..they decided on a small radio for themselves and a sweater for mom to keep her warm in church..they had never got to purchase a gift for mom.. I cannot tell you how good that news from them made you feel...not only me but people in the office where I worked as well.. Time went on and daughter left the project for the next one..but I will never forget the time my heart was in the Kentucky mountains.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/17/11 at 06:52:16 I could not leave this story with you without telling you some of the funny things as well.... went to visit daughter while she was there and she had a whole batch of baby ducks swimming in her bath tub..something had happened to the mother duck this is the place that she carried dog food in the trunk of her car to feed the strays...and she had a deal with a vet there...if she took a sick dog to him he only would charge her for the meds needed and not his service each month she had to send in a report to the organization main office...on one report she sent taped to the report...her first gray hair...from being so upset about the way the mountain people lived also one of the mountain men and his mom decided that daughter would make a good wife for him...now you have to know that you could hid in those mountains for years...the threat was taken very serious by daughter and her group..and for sometime she did not travel alone or go to town on certain days.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/19/11 at 05:58:04 they say that a big storm is coming to Oklahoma but may not reach as far south as we are... but needed a few things so hurried out early to pick them up.....now got caught on the street where the train comes thru...so when the gate goes down you wait... and that was ok...and I watched all the train cars go by...lots of cars and 2 big engines pulling them...you know being a conductor or train driver  was never something I thought I wanted to be growing up...but as I watched I wondered what they saw as they rushed thru the country side..I tried to read the labels on the cars but that soon became a dizzy project... it was a long train....finally the end was in sight and I watched it pass... THERE WAS NO CABOOSE...there is suppose to be a caboose with a friendly man hanging out the window waving at you as he passed...gosh I hope this is not a cut back... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 12/19/11 at 19:29:53 Somehow a train is incomplete without the caboose!  sigh! Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/22/11 at 07:07:24 after several years of spots appearing all over the body...in the year of 1996 a doctor said..no these are not age spots...you are now a member of the Mastocytosis group...now this is a special group of very few people with this diseases...you have UP..urticaria pigmentosa so I went on my way and my spots kept getting more and more and more...however other than wearing a bikini...which I did not want to do anyway...we just chugged right along...                THEN BAM...seems I passed all the grades and graduated into the SM...systemic  group of masto folks...now added to my many many spots came new things...it  became a little different..more  things came along to make life more difficult... severe fatigue, bone pain and I don't need to list them here...you know most of them BUT suddenly for no reason ever found the body decided to make things really interesting and not fun...you could almost mark your calendar because I was going to have shocking...better known as anaphylaxis every 3 month.. I really kept things interesting with this..everyone in a panic watching the calendar..instead of watching the clock...but after a year or so it sorta settled down with meds.. now I was really interested in how masto effected the brain..because my shocking attacks were not like other folks..I seem to have a way of my own..I wanted to study the brain/masto but not much research done on that other than on mice so.... a few days ago I sat down with my coffee and my little Debbie's oatmeal cookie  which is my breakfast and my BIG paper that I read front to back each day.....and there was a big article regard the brain..... SCIENTISTS SAY HUMAN BRAINS ARE WIRED TO KEEP SHOPPING... a study has been done and it gives you several reasons that this conclusion has been made.... OH GOOD GRIEF..that is what is wrong...my brain is wired wrong...I would rather bite a bear in the butt than go shopping..I hate shopping for anything..I hate shopping for clothes...I hate shopping for shoes...I hate shopping for just everything... now the study did not give any info in regarding masto and the brain but it firmly says....MY BRAIN IS WIRED WRONG!!! well guess this is something I will just have to live with...I will always ...hate shopping... but I do like to go to the library... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 12/22/11 at 20:34:23 I'm with you Redbird, give me a library any day, except for maybe bookshops. We have lived in several countries where English is not the spoken language and when we found ourselves in English-speaking countries and found a bookshop it was like heaven on earth. I have had to learn to stop hoarding for winter, the bookshelves are FULL.  Happy holiday reading.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/23/11 at 07:00:48 MERRY CHRISTMAS    TO ALL      AND A MASTO FREE NEW YEAR!! REDBIRD  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/24/11 at 03:47:35 Last night I was watching a little POLE DANCING....and I decided that I could do that.... first I would have to get me a step ladder... ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/26/11 at 05:00:03 did you make up words when your kids were little....well at my house we did... one of those words was.....woggie....like in wogg  ie... now this word meant really messed up...it could be your bed...your clothes or just anything... looking at my nest this morning it is...woggie....spent a lot of time in it yesterday watching the big NBA basketball games..... and yes my Thunder team won...as well as some other favorites.... so today my nest has to undergo a complete re-do... have you built your nest yet...better get busy as the new year is coming... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/26/11 at 05:10:35 from book reading today.... feeling pain each day is not a bad thing..that's how we heal... hummm and ouch ouch ouch redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/26/11 at 07:35:16 just watched Mr. Blue Jay come into Birdville... it is cold here almost freezing however he jumped right into the bird bath...had a really big splash.... said he was going to join one of those polar clubs that people get into their bathing suits and jump into water full of ice...brrrrr...so he had to practice redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/28/11 at 08:46:12 well by now you know that I am a BIG NBA basketball fan...of course my very favorite is the Oklahoma City Thunder..Hurrah...we won our game and we are now 2-0 and playing a team tonight that will surely give them a tough game...I am waiting for a coaching call that I am sure will come soon...                          SO was watching the LA Lakers play the somebody the other night and after hearing the announcers comments made sure that I noticed... seems that one of the Lakers players has changed his name ...legally.   I am not sure what it is but on the back of his jersey his name is listed as ....World Peace....now if this would help things we all would have this on pretty sure...                    But like the announcers ....they are wondering how to call ....World Peace...when he is on the floor...                  hummmm another one of those moments. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 12/28/11 at 17:37:07 Red; I missed your blogs ! I had the flu 2 days before Christmas- guess you could say we had a "woggie" Christmas at our nest ! :( I hate knock your Thunder, but I sure hope World Peace wins !!! ::) We've had some pretty mild weather for Michigan this winter, so when I was layin' in my nest, I actually wished for a cold spell to kill all those flu germs. Got my wish. Went out tonite and heard an owl hooting in the horse trails. Reminded me of one of my kids favorite books, Owl Moon. Cant wait to read it to my grandson! P.S. I got out the stepladder today, tho not for anything as exciting as Pole Dancing-nope- but my ceiling fan looks better  ;D lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/29/11 at 05:24:00 HURRAH for clean ceiling fans... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/29/11 at 05:30:47 Touching.... well I have been meaning to write about this for some time...it has been rolling around in the brain area.... you see I am a "toucher"..and have been as long as I can remember...when I am talking to someone my instinct is to touch that person..it can be a long time knowing person or someone I have met not long ago...and that is when I must check myself as I do not know how this person will react...now we are not talking about the bad touching here that we teach our children that is not right... now if you have noticed touching has risen to a different level...in my younger times you sometimes got a "pat on the back" for something good..or relatives would give you a big hug even if you did not want one...and people were ok with that...if boss gave you a "pat on the back" your head would swell a little knowing that he thought you did great....and if you met someone new you did a "handshake" BUT.... now we have all kinds of touching and to know exactly what it means is sometimes hard... we now have the "high five"...not sure what all this means as it seems important that babies and even dogs can do the "high five".. then we also have the "fist bump"...in my days fist meant a lot of not good things but now it seems to matter lots.. another one   is the "chest bump"...sometimes it is hard to even stand up when you get one of these...and the "belly bump" that the football players do because they have so much equipment on you cannot reach the chest...is pretty fun...makes one wonder if anyone is ever hurt in all of this... in basketball ball on all levels of playing..we have the "hand touch" and this is my favorite..I wish I knew when and how this started..but every player touches when coming to the bench after play and even the coaches..and then on the floor after each free throw shot..even if you do not make it..the whole team "touches  your hand"...even if missing the shot means losing the game.. recently my granddaughter came to visit with her new husband..when I gave him a hug I felt such a aura of comfort and calm that I just wanted to bury my head in his chest..he is a quiet shy person but he puts out feelings that could calm your soul and I am a person that you can count on...big time.. read an article that talks about this and it seems that it is important this touching...ball teams that touch win more games..and their list goes on...so guess the changing of "touching" is good...however I just cannot see me doing a "chest bump" or even a "high five"...so I will continue my old way of touching ...a gentle touch to the arm.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/30/11 at 05:11:10 it's our ball...with 1.4 seconds to play...we are 2 points behind... ball goes into the court...KD shoots an impossible 3 point  shot..it goes in before the buzzer...and we won by two points... and I came up out of the nest cheering as loud as I could.... now that was a ball game... THUNDER UP!!!!! redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/31/11 at 04:27:49 I am hoping that Mother Nature does not have a problem...I just cannot figure out her current plan.... after all the summer drought and bad times trees dying..grass dead................... son is out this morning having to mow grass in the back yard which is green and growing... hummmm mother nature do you need help...please let us know redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/02/12 at 04:09:04 well it seems that the time has come for the "resolution day"...the day that we all make all kinds of great promises that most of us cannot or do not keep...my resolution for this year is "get"............................ I will "get" up each morning even if the bed or my nest is cozy and warm... I will "get" something to eat with my cup of coffee hopefully my Debbie's oatmeal cookie and read my morning paper...... I will "get" the laundry done..even if it does not get folded ... I will "get" to the library for new books to read... I will "get" my meds taken for the day... I will "get" time in my nest each day and maybe a snooze... I will "get" to watch my Thunder team play their games... this looks like a fairly easy resolution to keep...might have to struggle with some of it but for the New Year...."GET"  is the one that I am keeping... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 01/02/12 at 13:27:36 Red; You've got the right idea ! They say dont make resolutions that will be too hard to stick to or we're destined to fail- so I will follow your example & make ones I can keep. Then maybe Ill gain the confidence to set some tougher goals... :-? You seem pretty well versed on birds too- Id swear I saw two Indigo Buntings in my yard today. I havent seen them since beginning of last summer. Now- I live in Michigan near the bottom of the thumb- so Im either goin' crazy, or they were lost ! Couldnt find my bird guidebook, but werent they a lil bit off course ? Oh but what a special treat to see them in all their beautiful blue iridescence !!!! Hope its a sign of good things to come :) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/03/12 at 09:22:14 you know when I was younger I use to sorta joke and laugh the way older folks dressed...a little ragged and tore..kind of sloppy.. now that I am older folks...I dress the same way...old clothes that hug the body for warmth..that some might think are a bit ragged.. I sure need to forgive myself for those thoughts redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/04/12 at 07:49:39 Lori... you might have seen the birds in question from you...I looked it up in my bird book and they cover a large portion of the eastern area of the USA...it does show that they could come down my way but have never seen one.. we have a large large lake and a sorta large lake near our town so we do get maybe more than we would want in different kinds of birds..in fact some not so nice birds.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 01/06/12 at 04:25:43 Thanks Red; My son teases me because I get so excited over birds, deer,etc... I grew up in the city in a not so nice area. We didnt move to the "country" til I was eighteen. Indigo buntings are the most vivid iridescent blue. Cat got one last summer n I wanted to kill him for a week ! >:(   I hope I never get too "grown up" to stop appreciating the beauty of nature. Speakin of which- time to go walk the dog. ;D lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/07/12 at 04:41:25 well this week is "count the birds" week...says so right here in my big paper... so.... we called a town hall meeting and I spoke to the residents....I was surprised at some of the answers.... some were in the "witness protection" program and the finch said that he did not want all of his ex's to find him.. the blue jay said there just might be a warrant out for him because of road rage and... all the birds were concerned in regard to their cell phones being taken away... so I am not sure how we are going to handle this bird counting...but I always think that the census is important...I did family research for years and years and when I am gone I want all my relatives to know ...where I was and when.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/07/12 at 04:59:10 well this week went to see a new doctor...one that takes care of your voice..and even though my doctor said he was just next door to her and she really did like him...I was really not good with this... you see when I get out of my "comfort zone" I get scared...I do not know how the body is going to react to somewhere new...will the carpet dye be bad or worst will someone have on "perfume"...but since my voice is becoming a thing of the past I thought I might better follow thru..so I did... and to make it even worst this was one of my "shaky" days..well I guess it could have been even more bad...it could have been one of my "crying days"...sometimes I cry even when someone says hello... now of course you don't really see the doctor at first time unless something is falling out..so you see the phy asst.  and that worked out well...I liked her and I have now named her Ms. Kati. she has been doing her job for 15 years and has only seen 2 masto folks..but the important thing is that she listened and never hurried..she listened to me ramble on because when I am scared and nervous I talk and talk and talk about usually nothing important to anyone else just me... after much discuss it became apparent that the next thing should be...her words...a little tube with a camera on the end that goes in the nose and the camera looks at the vocal cords..however since I was alone on this trip it was decided to wait a couple of weeks..until we could see what the med she gave me would do...I am not sure how I will handle this camera trip..everyone says  "it's nothing" they spray your throat for numbing and you swallow the little camera...I just have one question....HOW DO YOU SWALLOW WHEN YOUR THROAT IS NUMB??????????? I am not sure about this..hoping that I do not back out..which will certainly be on my mind redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/07/12 at 06:18:20 spent the morning writing notes of ...thank you.... I send one to the folks across the pasture telling them how much I enjoyed their outdoor Christmas lighting..they were easy to see out of my "bird watching" chair...and it was fun to see if they had added something new each day.. and also to my reading friend Mary and Ron who also had on lights. and to my new doctor assit Ms. Kati ...thanking her for her patience and kindness during my stressed out trip to the office. well ballgames coming on soon and seems like it is to be a day of watching..hope I get to read some as well....the wonderful library had my request all filled and my reading bag is FULL redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/08/12 at 07:03:38 today I want to talk about soap... now my favorite ever is Dawn liquid for doing the dishes...I figure that if it can clean birds from the oil spills it can clean my dishes really well and I would support them for their work with the dirty birds.. NOW they have a new Dawn...that is suppose to cure your hands of the uglies...it says so in their TV commercial...your hands will come out of the water looking just like Hollywood..and of course it cost more....do you really think this is true.. I looked at my old beat up hands..with the ridged nails..just terrible everything...and in my heart I know there is no hope redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/11/12 at 05:59:26 I sat in my nest with my head covered by a blanket... the sounds of clanking of monsters and screams of prehistoric dinosaurs came from the TV I carefully  peeked out from under my blanket... was I scared????... NO I just did not want anyone to know I was watching such a silly show redbird the word writer ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 01/11/12 at 16:08:28 If it's any comfort, Dawn gave my husband really bad eczema, and the smell gives me a terrible headache!  My hands became very dry and itchy from it!  So, feel good about saving your money!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/13/12 at 06:28:07 I had wanted to comment on the recent forum discussion in regard to presidone but I never made it there...but my close masto friend calls it a  "wonderful/terrible" pill and I call it a "happy pill" recently I had a presidone pack to see if it would help my voice problem..and I also told Ms. Kati that I would not be on presidone without an exit plan... now I know lots of shockers like me... that have to take this med to keep them stable and not shock but they try to maintain on a low dose..and I know some folks that take presidone each day that it has not been good for their bones etc.... as we know none of us are alike so we have to do what is needed to gain some kind of balance. I call it a "happy pill" because during the time I was on it last week or so...I had not one pain..I felt great...emptied the dishwasher thingy...folded up the clothes in the basket..ran the vacuum cleaner and changed the sheets on my bed...happy times.. finished the pack yesterday and today I am beginning to get back to old feelings...not worth a darn redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/13/12 at 15:36:48 I know EXACTLY  what you mean! While I have only taken it 3 times, when I was on it, I felt like the old me before I got ill. What a feeling. It's been so long since I felt "normal" that I forgot what it was like. Felt like I was Superwoman with tons of energy and no symptoms at all. I daresay that my personality was probably a lot more bubbly and funloving than my usual happy, but tired, one! Sadly, I knew it had to come to an end because of the dangers of longterm use. Sigh. It was great savoring every second of feeling like "me," though. Oh well, time to kick off the feelings of longing and focus on all the good things that I do have in my life now in the present!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/14/12 at 14:25:22 I don't do much writing  about masto as we have some experts here..but I have had this dumb stuff long enough to make some conclusions... I am pretty sure that the reason that we have not cure yet is...we all have different symptoms...if we had the same ones like measles...mumps..chicken pox etc..then the doctors would recognize the disease and then just maybe they could work more to the cure... Having said that...so many people have food problems..I don't..I can eat just about anything I want with out the problems..when I shock...I cannot talk..maybe you can...and the list could go on and on ..if we tried to compare apples to oranges..we would just find that we are different..sometimes small things and sometimes big ones..it's nothing unusual for some test to come back...normal...but it isn't normal for us guess the main advice I could and would give is...learn as much about masto as you can..if you do not understand...ASK...there is no dumb question and someone will know the answer.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 01/16/12 at 07:00:07 YOU ARE JUST SOOOO WONDERFUL!!    CAN I CLONE ABOUT 100 OF YOU PLEASE???? I find that I just so enjoy what you write here, and appreciate the advice and counsel you give and that your constant lovely way of talking with us so very comforting!     I never really had a grandma, Redbird... can you be mine for I think you must be the PERFECT grandma type.   I´d just love to be little and to crawl up in your nest with a book for you to read to me!   This is what I imagine when I read your stories!    Thank you for being YOU!!   You are a gift to us here!!  Thank you! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/16/12 at 16:04:55 WELL LISA.... you certainly can sit in my nest...and as my grandchildren call me...granny and I love it...you can to if you like when my children were  young I read to them all the time and we also had children story records...remember those old 33 1/3 records..seems like that was long ago..we still had them and think daughter took them home I enjoy writing for all of you as it helps keep the old mind busy...and I like to tell you what I see and think each day and as you know my words come out all different than most..and I hope that I make you giggle... my goal for a long time was to get my children something very unusual for Christmas..nothing big it might only cost 50 cents but just something different to go along with the rest of Christmas one year it was wire puzzles..remember those...then one year I found a little paperback book called....Do you know?....now it was a silly book with little lines ....like do you know why there ..... the kids almost drove us crazy with it all night  until it disappeared for the evening..sometimes lots of fun does not cost much... thank you for your kind words... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/17/12 at 06:13:00 do you remember when you learned to drive a car???  to me that seems so long ago like in forever as I have told you my dad was an oil gauger that measured oil tanks to see if ready for shipping...and so he covered a large area of land each day...results..we had to have a newer car ...even if we did not have window shades on the window...he had to be able to make his rounds each day...during the war he got extra gas coupons...as coupons were the thing of the day during the war..coupons for sugar..shoes and lots of things...my little granny would share hers with us so that we could have some of the needed things..we used honey for sugar and just made do... well that was off the subject... now my dad was a big man...around 6ft 3 and not fat but solid..but he was one of the most "laid back" people I ever knew...he never showed his temper and he was such a hard worker... well there I go rambling again... my dad taught me to drive...it was back when we only had NARROW 2 lane roads...we had a blue Chevy...and when we went to visit my little granny about 200 miles away I got to drive...now I really thought I was "big stuff" until I met a big truck on those narrow roads...I would instantly drop big stuff and become "scared stiff"...I would grip the wheel and say ...I cannot do this...and dad sitting beside me in the seat would say...yes you can sis.... later in school I took drivers ed...now it was a easy class as the school principle taught it..you took it for just that reason plus on some days we would talk him into stopping by .....Herman's Drive-In....because they had the very best cherry pit I ever ate..and I did... I also remember some of teaching my daughter to drive and of course she wanted to drive everywhere...and on some of those twisting winding roads going into Ark. for her birthday I was sure that I would faint as she made her way along..I wonder if my dad felt the same way... well that is it for the day...sun is out and windy and cold..promise from weather man that we will be 80 by Sunday.. redbird the word writer  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/17/12 at 08:34:46 I have a new addiction... I love to play computer games... the new one is Azkend...that I am playing it is a timed game I cannot get past the 7th road and you have to start over if you miss grrrrrrr I would love to find this on disk I am sure that I would never bake cookies again nor cook nor do laundry until I made it thru wonder what is at the end of the roads redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/18/12 at 03:36:08 made it thru 7 on my game... could not finish 8 in time "break bucket empty think I will just read and watch the birds

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/18/12 at 06:32:05 stuck on 8 stuck on 8 stuck on 8 stuck on 8 ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/18/12 at 08:27:41 stuck on 9 grinding teeth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/19/12 at 03:41:21 been sitting in my ...bird watching chair...this morning..finished my paper and watched the busy birds getting breakfast...a few spats over what they wanted at the drive-in window but it seems they all finally settled down and left me some time for thinking... now for several days I have been thinking about the OCEAN...yes I know I am far from there but I went to the OCEAN once....remember me telling you about daughter being in CA for the Olympics in 1984...so I have gone to the OCEAN.   Now I am not sure how I feel about this great stretch of water that goes on forever and ever...you sit in the sand and think this could swallow me up in a minute....you see I cannot swim and never learned...dad use to take me and my brother to tank ponds when we were little.....and we splashed around in the water..brother learned to swim but I was too busy watching for snakes in the pond as I am terrible afraid of snakes as well so this OCEAN thing is almost more that I can understand...people flock to swim and sail their boats and get sun burned etc...and as we have seen in the last several days...big ocean boats can fall down and I for one do not intend to be on one...I prefer to fall down on the ground...it is  not as far.. I think the OCEAN is a good place for some things..lots of living things there but I am also sure they would not like living where I live either...so guess we will stay at home and just think... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/19/12 at 04:16:27 I get so much enjoyment out of reading your blog, Redbird!!! You are nearing 10,000 views! When you hit that, keep your eyes open for a surprise on the forum! ;)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/19/12 at 11:16:50 WOW Ms. Deb... love surprises... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 01/21/12 at 04:55:41 ME TOO! ME TOO!! :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/23/12 at 07:26:37 you are not going to believe what happened... right here in the USA right here in my home town right here in my sunroom.. right here in my bird watching chair right here where I look out into the farm yes it happened to me right here... I sat down in my chair with my coffee and my little Debbie cookie and my paper to read from front to back... and then  guess what happened..... have you ever stopped and thought about what happens when you sit in your chair.. most of us cross our legs and get comfortable... and on my sitting down...I crossed my legs... BIG DEAL SAYS YOU... yup I did...and suddenly I realized what had happened so I tried it again...and it happened again.. you see usually I have to take my hand and lift up my leg to help it make the cross over..and usually there is pain as you move the knee joint along....as you see my masto has not been kind to my bones along with old age.. is my masto gone...nope just letting me have a good day hope yours is too redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 01/23/12 at 08:01:13 RED; I clicked in here to see if you'd gotten your "surprise" yet... Well it looks like ya got a nice one on your own ! :) Its so great when we have a day we can say something good happened, even its a little thing-it's a big thing for us  :D Keep limber, lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/24/12 at 04:28:17 sitting in my chair this morning...sun is out but windy..suppose to have rain later..promise by the weather man here we had winds up to 65 miles per a couple of days ago that went on to the east and did lots of damage...thinking that I must get out to the cemetery as I am sure the fresh flowers I put out have blown away.. but this morning I am trying to remember...so many things that I cannot remember in my life... I don't remember my first bra I don't remember ever having a birthday cake as a child nor an adult... I don't remember my first day of school... is remembering these things important..I also am thinking that I have forgotten my purpose of life...just what am I suppose to do and have I done it???? I looked "purpose of life" up and there seems to be many different definitions..some say that theirs is the best one...is your purpose to be a good parent...a rich person..successful...just what is "your" purpose.. I am sure that we could each come up with something different but in the mean time I need to ponder to see if mine has been done or do I need to shift gears for something to come.. this is one of those hummmm things redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 01/24/12 at 05:48:04 Redbird; I think we All forget a lot of stuff, especially us Mastocytes with our Brain Fog  :-/. As long as you remember the good things in life, and learn from the bad, then I guess you're doin okay. :) As to YOUR purpose in life: If I had to guess, I'd say one of them is  your blog on this forum. ::) So many of us look forward to reading them & finding enjoyment in your wit , and your wisdom. In fact I'm sure you were led here for a "higher purpose"- and when you dont blog for a few days, we really miss you :'( !!!  The mysteries of the universe are many. Thanks for clearing up a few for us :-* lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 01/24/12 at 15:45:34 Hey Redbird, something in life are worth forgetting you know!!  That one about the first bra is definitely one of them!!!   LOL ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/26/12 at 04:56:36 this is camera day at the doctor's office and I can tell you that I sure am not certain it is going to happen they want to run this little thing down my nose..which everyone says no big deal to look at my vocal cords...right.... yesterday was not a good day for me here at the farm..I have been in battle with a tooth abscess this week..some more of that good old masto stuff   that likes to do a number on your teeth and bones...and to cap it off no dentist in my area wants to work on my teeth...they are afraid of the shocking stuff so I am doing the best I can with a bad situation.. then late last evening I had "hard chills" like in brrrr brrr..put on my pj and robe and climbed into bed with quilt, and blanket and soon had to find another blanket and this went on with teeth chattering for awhile until finally it came to an end..for me this is very unusual as my usual night time covers are a sheet and a thin quilt...as I am not a good heat person...but I survived that..and got to watch my Thunder NBA team win another game.. I am hopeful that tomorrow I will get to go to daughters for a couple of days..I need to..have not been in some time...need to check out the children...the dogs and cats..so am hoping that when I get up in the morning I am ok... now usually my kids past me around like an old suitcase...they have a meeting point half way to destination and they pass me to the next one..and going home is the same way...BUT tomorrow I am planning to drive...yup I am..when I do this I have to have check in spots on the way...'just letting you know this is where I am".. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/26/12 at 15:57:00 Do you think that you had the severe chills because your mast cells were reacting? That is what happens to me when I am triggering. I take an extra allegra or zyrtec and maybe a singulair when that happens, and it calms it down. Perhaps you could try that if it ever happens again. We want you to feel well, my dear! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/27/12 at 02:10:36 Hey Ms Deb... I don't know that answer to your question..are the hard chills caused from masto??? don't know...however I had the same thing again last night but not as bad..also added to the event was my need to drink liquid lots and lots.. I talked to my friend and masto expert and she had not heard of this either..the only thing I could put in regard to what I had done...was that it occurred some time after my shower...if it continues I will go up to see my doctor..also I had a long day and was tired..had no nest time.. HOWEVER I want to share with all of you my visit to the voice doctor yesterday..I did see the real doctor this time ...now they sit you in the big chair in the middle of the room...and I wonder if this is some kind of special chair...and maybe a spotlight is going to come on and HO HO HO...we are making a movie..but when the doctor came in he put his stool right next to the Big Chair and shook my hand...he voice was gentle and quiet..and I felt very comfortable..we did not do the camera trick as he said....it is hard to improve on "your improvement"  ...we did talk about several things.. NOW THIS IS THE PART THAT I DID NOT KNOW NOR MY MEDICAL DAUGHTER OR MASTO FRIEND...none of us had heard this before so I am sharing it with you... we are doing blood test because it has been some time since I had any...he especially wants to look at my thyroid...among lots of things he named...hair thinning and lost..brittle nails..sleep..tired etc...HE SAID THAT IF THE THYROID WAS OFF YOUR VOCAL CORDS WOULD SWELL..so we are checking that ...he also told me that a virus was going around in my area that effected the voice etc... we talked a little about shocking and he mentioned something I could try..he did not push me to do anything that I was not comfortable with etc.. I think I am going to like him...BIG TIME....and you know my doctor has talked about retiring several times which means I would need someone...he is an allergy person..I am going to get him some of TMS special doctor material just in case.. well off today to spend the weekend with daughter..tell you about it later redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/29/12 at 05:20:02 Hey group wish I knew something funny and interesting to tell you about today...BUT my funny is broken maybe next time redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/29/12 at 06:48:59 have a question for you.... what do you do ....when there is nothing you can do to change a situation??? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 01/29/12 at 13:24:31 Red; Cant tell you how MANY times Ive been in this situation. I say to myself and Others- put it in Gods hands, pray for the people/person affected; and focus on the things in life you do have some control over. Hang in there sweetie ! lori :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/30/12 at 03:16:15 Redbird, I know for a fact that many of us experience severe body tremors with teeth chattering, etc when we are triggering. If you are able to take an extra histamine blocker when triggering, you might want to take one next time that happens to you. I bet it will go away after taking one! I take an extra zyrtec or allegra when triggering.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/30/12 at 07:12:25 I am sitting in my "bird watching chair" that sits in the sun...I am looking out the window watching the birds flint from branch to branch...I see the wind as it has began to ruffle the trees and can see any new comers that might have come for a visit to the farm...and it feels good to have the sun on my face.. I am thinking about us here that suffer with the disease of mastocytosis...and we think that we are in a terrible situation with our health...they tell us that we are a orphan bunch of folks..with no cure in sight and the state of our health will not improve for lots of us...and many of us suffer pain and we just know that surely no one is worst than us... NOT TRUE.... I visited this past week end with a person who has severe PTSD...the windows were covered and blinds drawn so that no one could see in...not even the sun nor light..it was cold and bare and I knew how this person use to like to be in the yard and enjoyed working in the flowers etc...and I sat at the table at this house and thought... until a couple of years ago I did not know what PTSD was...in fact if I talked about it I would usually get the letters mixed up..however Post Trauma Stress Disorder  is real...you might hear more about this from the Vets that return from war...think in the other wars it was there but just called something else..but now we are hearing about it everywhere and with all  classes of people.. So now I am thinking this is just as bad as masto...there is no cure...it is not going away...some doctors do not believe it is real... so in my thinking I am sure that mastocytosis has a new neighbor PTSD living along beside us ...with the same hopes and dreams of past days when we were all healthy and enjoyed life and was able to sit and enjoy the feeling of the sun on our face...if you meet one of these new neighbors please give them a hug and touch them with a feeling of love.. redbird the word writer :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/01/12 at 05:21:02 don't know if you have noticed but Mother Nature is sure being a "cranky folk"..seems that she does not know ...where she is at...what is going to happen...or when... so I offered her a Old Farmers Almanac but she refused.. Son was at the Indian Store this morning and conversation with them there told this tale....winter here is over...BUT summer is going to really be bad with heat...and here I thought last summer was bad...does the old Indian know...he could know more than the current weatherman.. I have put out a missing person report as my redheaded woodpecker has not shown up for several weeks now..the birds here are as confused as us folks...they do not know to build a nest or still hide in the barn... the crows still have their camera spotted on my door and when I go out to the yard they let me know they are on alert...thinking about cooking them some spaghetti as it so much fun to watch them eat it. weatherman says we are to have storms here Thursday and Friday and if you know about Oklahoma we can have storms..like in big storms.. I have not done much the last few days..seems like my "want to" is just on low level..sitting in my chair lots and reading..cannot sit in the nest for that unless I want to fall asleep.. I am watching my Thunder team play and I hate to tell you that we just got really clipped by the clippers..I mean instead of Thunder up...it was Thunder fell down... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/01/12 at 07:55:19 Redbird, Did you see how many views you have had on this blog? 9965 at the moment. Hmmm....getting really close to 10,000, aren't ya? ;)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Riverwn on 02/01/12 at 14:35:09 :D :D :D ;D ;D ;DCONGRATULATIONS ON 10,000 VIEWS!!! :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Riverwn on 02/01/12 at 14:36:02

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/01/12 at 15:44:09 [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=cheesy.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]  [smiley=cheesy.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=dankk2.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=cheesy.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] CONGRATS REDBIRD for being our star blogger and hitting over 10,000 views! We love you! Keep on writing!!!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 02/01/12 at 16:36:07 [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]  WITHOUT A DOUBT, OUR HOME WOULD NOT BE QUITE SO COZY WITHOUT YOUR WONDERFUL, WARMING PRESENCE REDBIRD!!!    WE DO INDEED LOVE YOU!!!!!!    [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif] [smiley=kiss.gif]

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 02/01/12 at 19:10:05 YEAAAAA Redbird!!!!!!! :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!! Love your stories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big Hug, Joan

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 02/01/12 at 19:44:16 Ditto to all of the above. Where do we sign up for the Redbird fan club, and are there sweatshirts?! Redbird you are a National, actually International,  Treasure.  Thank you.   Ruth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/02/12 at 03:03:24 ahhhhh thank you for the beautiful display and thanks to you Ms. Deb for providing the space to write... but most of all thanks to all of you who continue to read my ramblings ...I just hope that I make you have a smile or two...and for me and my OLD computer who thinks blog is a misspelled word it means that I can sit down and said those thoughts several people have suggested that I write in a different style..with all those correct stuff but I don't want to...I just write what flows out...I often wonder where those thoughts come from..as sometimes the thoughts have arguments which is going first out to the page..then sometimes they just hide and getting them out is really a big job.. I have always believed that if we can look for some humor in everything even when it is darkest...we will learn something from each situation.. hope I continue to be in your reading .... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 02/02/12 at 04:21:51 Red; Congratulations-and Dont Change a Thing about how you write!!!! :-* lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/03/12 at 04:17:24 Definitely don't change your writing style! That is what makes your writing so compelling to read! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 02/03/12 at 06:39:30 Love your style!  It's almost as though you're sitting in the room talking to us.  As for corrections, I'm sometimes a little horrified to see the errors in my posts (hate to proofread), but just have to laugh them off.  The other day I saw one I'd written that said "them steroids." LOL.  I'd made a change and forgot to delete a word!  It sounded kind of "down home," I thought. Joan

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/03/12 at 11:48:15 OH OH OH...did you see those beautiful Snow Owls on TV last night...they say they are moving down from Canada into the USA I so wish that I  could look out into my yard to see one..their wing span is 5 ft and they are white and brown...please be on alert and let us know if you see one redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/04/12 at 03:50:18 don't you just hate to get a hair cut and some of the little hair thingies just cling to every thing...down your collar no matter how careful the hair cutter is..and they are in your nose and on your glasses...and you hurry home to jump in the shower...well Friday was my haircut day...and the dawn broke with storms and me feeling just like I had been run over by a truck...I sat in my nest for some time just trying to convince myself I was going.... It has been a long time since last hair cut..I would try for a different day BUT my cutting lady stays  sooo busy you really have to plan to get in..so finally after sitting in the nest for some time...got myself together and went and yes...hair down collar and everywhere else...home to jump straight in the shower.. well it is time to turn the calendar to the next month February...and it seems that this is a red month...valentine day and heart month and the list goes on...but red is my favorite color..daughter says that something medical happens to your eyes when you get old that red makes it easier to see but I have always liked red.. OH...and speaking of red ...did I tell you about husband and I first little apartment..it was in a house with a duplex and the landlady lived upstairs..now it was only about 2 blks from main street so it was easy to just walk down to the store..so one day I went to town for something don't remember...but just as I turned the corner ...there was the lady from the other duplex...WEARING MY RED DRESS!!!...I was so taken back I don't remember what I said...nor what I told husband..or what she told her husband...her name was Glenda June and in the years to come I never saw her without thinking of her wearing my red dress..wonder what she thought when she saw me.. my dear friend  who has masto...has had some really bad problems the last couple of years..with her bones...her spine and leg have gotten so bad that she has a abrace for her leg and walking ..she also has a motor wheelchair for getting around...a couple of months ago she bought one of those robot sweepers..and it was so great she also got one that mops... now I am thinking that if they make one for empty the thingy in the dishwasher I will go in debt to buy one... well that is about it for the day...just not feeling up to par..but that is nothing new..yesterday was stormy and warm..today is cold..who ever is in control needs to get out the manuel and read it... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/06/12 at 04:04:21 today I want to tell you a story about my state of Oklahoma and the people who live here....I am bragging a news story yesterday in my big paper and on the state TV stations told us the following... last year a little girl from London came to Oklahoma for treatment of a rare brain tumor..she was just over a year old..and because of her age the doctors there in London told her parents to bring her here for the proton treatment... they came as any family would to save their child..and what did they find... Lily had 30 treatments but along the way people were so warm and friendly..they talked to Lily in the mall or just wherever they met her and she became a chatter and lively and eating like a little one should... and they went home what happen next would make one wonder...Lily no long ate well..she did not chatter and her family was sure that it was because people there in her home town did not treat her the same so what happened... the family brought her back to Oklahoma last week for vacation  they wanted to see if the hospitality made the difference.....and she again turned into what a 2 year old should be..running everywhere and talking to everyone who she could stop ...she loved the attention and love that came with it... she received special attention at the NBA Thunder team in OKC..and the team members go out into the community and do lots of work for the children of our state.. so now this family is trying to decide if moving to Oklahoma is something they must consider...and by the way..the latest scan shows everything clear.. the family says it has been life changing... we here are sorta known for helping..of course it is not without not so fun things as well ....but the heart of lots of people here is golden ...when people really need a helping hand it is truly the best..farmer too ill to get in his crop...neighbors from far and wide do it for him...someone stole a wheelchair..another one shows up..and I could go on with but I want to tell you one more story... you may remember the Murrah bombing in Ok City ...if not you can google it..for days the rescuers worked... dug by hand or shovels or whatever they could to find people..especially painful was a day care center there filled with children...while the rescuers worked the people came together..if the cry went out for shovels...cars lined the street for miles..bring shovels...need flashlights..more than could be used were brought....anything that was needed the people brought...my sister-in-law and her mother got up each morning making biscuits and gravy and getting in one of those lines...bring it in for the workers..guess I could go on and on with this...but just wanted you to know what a wonderful state I live in..I am proud to be from Oklahoma redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 02/06/12 at 05:57:34 Awww,  that is a lovely story! I really hope that the English family does make the move. Obviously it would be a life changing event for their little girl and for them. You should definitely be proud of your wonderful city!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 02/06/12 at 07:34:36 Lovely Redbird, thanks for warming my heart! Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/07/12 at 05:50:09 WARNING!!! I have always told you that I write what rolls around in my head...so please know that the following posting contains language that may be offensive to some people...please do not continue if you are one of those... remember me telling you all about the bone chilling spells that I had that made my teeth chatter..and some of you suggested different things...well I had two like that and then went into a spell of feeling just like dog poop..and so very tired...sleeping a couple of naps a day in the nest...having to drag myself to do anything...did manage to get up for that haircut I told you about...and when I got home...crawled into my nest...so very tired... when I finally decided that I could get out of my nest I stood up and the whole bladder went...I mean I peed in my pants "big time"... well as you can guess this was a complete surprise....WHAT IS GOING ON...now I have had little leaks like some here but this was like turning on the facet.. so now I am thinking ...ok does this mean some new something...however if so...THIS IS NOT FUNNY...so I check around and some say...oh Dr. Theo has done lots of research on this..but I don't want to read his research...I want it to go away.. and of course this is on the weekend which means my doctor who only works half a day on week days..is not in..not sure I can face the ER crowd since I am not next to dying and it would mean WAITING...which is not something I think I can do without losing it in the floor.. hummm so I find some pads..surely this will help keep things in check...NOT...it seems like everything that goes in the mouth ...shortly after comes out the other end.. well I did live thru the weekend and  started some antibiotic meds as it seems that it is a  Kidney infection..could the bladder be involved ...maybe will have to wait and see...so for now I am better..still padded up just in case...I learned a lot thru this that I want to share with you just in case that it happens to you... if the bladder seem like it is not there anymore and things are just running full steam ahead... when you stand up..stand on a throw rug... if you get to the bathroom and just cannot get clothes down in time..stand in the bath tub.. drink that cranberry juice in small sips..just in case "IT"  is still in control and not you.. if you must go to town for pads...do not drink anything for at least an hour before and be sure to put some towels in the car seat so it case of.... so there you have it..I have told you that I always like to look for humor in things that happen..well in this event..I am trying hard to think of what it is... is it over..don't know for sure but I will be better prepared next time redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 02/07/12 at 15:15:43 "That" was not funny, but the way you told it was!  Hope it's over now!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/07/12 at 15:37:10 thank you Joan...humor is the only way that I can handle the really bad things in my life..otherwise I would not make it thru redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 02/07/12 at 16:46:31 Red; God bless you for your honesty, wisdom, advice; and most of all- your ability to tell it like it is!!! ;) I've had some issues in that area(as Im sure MANY of us have) :-[ and it sure does make one humble. Dont know if its the meds, gettin' older, or carryin around my 28+ lb. grandson for the last year...Probably all of the above ::) But I can relate :( ; Hope you get back in "control" soon sweetie !!! :) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/08/12 at 16:59:46 This was in my paper this morning..sorta liked it.. when you get stressed, what 's the first thing you turn to?? desserts.  If you notice that is stressed spelled backward redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/09/12 at 07:20:46 if I had a fireplace at my house this morning...I would have a roaring fire going and sitting in front watching the flames dance and make funny shapes... but since I don't have one...I am sitting in my chair watching the birds and having those thoughts rolling around in the head... so I am wondering who am I named after...now this is a powerful sentence and it seems that most everyone has wondered this at one time...have you?? now names are important..most people take great pride in their name..and they  do not like for their name to be made fun of or mispronounced ...it is a really big deal in business to call your customer by their name..and I use to have the ability to recognize different people over the phone and call them by name as it makes them feel really important ...in doing family research for years...there is something called a naming research tool...don't remember all of it but it is like...first son named after father..girl after mother etc..so that let's us most of the time see this family line and names handed down for generations in their family group... and if you look at your name you will find that lots of people have your name in your age group..you always look for the most favorite one of the time..lots of James or Thomas or William... so I know that my middle name Florene is after my mom's sister who had a really bummer of a life and my mom and dad raised one of her girls... but where in the world did Joyce come from...you very rarely see a Joyce in my age group or even in any age group..wish I had ask my mom before she was gone.. hummm so guess this is something I might never know...and that is alright but it does cause me to stop and think about it sometimes redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/10/12 at 07:36:15 love and hate I "love" a big glass of cold buttermilk..guess that is the "born on the farm girl" coming out...and to make it better cornbread crumbled in it...I can just see your faces now ;D I "hate" wet clothes..if water splashes on my shirt etc...I hate it..have to change right away.. just my thoughts for the day redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/12/12 at 16:15:46 Sunday morning... well Birdville is all atwitter...seems like a winter storm is suppose to come our way and the birds are getting in their last minute shopping.. noticed that a robin redbreast was in the yard..think his gps must not be working correctly as they are not suppose to be here until spring...he must be lost...in fact that is one of the first signs in my part of the country...robin appears..spring is near..It was interesting to sit and watch him as he sat very still almost like a statue..son even remarked ..could be he was a spy in disguise..he certainly was watching me thru the window now son was having one of his usual rants..I am not putting anymore seed out until they get it all off the ground....I am not going to fill the feeders until they get stuff cleaned up...I sat quietly and listen..but I noticed this morning the feeders were filled again and ice broken on the bird bath...yeah he does not like the birds ;D...he tries to pretend that he does not notice any of the new ones but I also noticed that the bird book sometimes is not exactly back in the same place as he looks them up SUNDAY NIGHT well for once the weatherman was correct..snow is on the ground and coming down..this is the first snow we have had this year ..so guess tomorrow will be one of those reading days.. hope this are well with you redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/13/12 at 04:26:23 what a dull gloomy day..wow..snow is here and the birds are working hard at finding those seed underneath..however they are doing a good job..the lost robin is back with the group..wonder if he is speed dating.. well the gloomy day finds me sitting by the window and thinking the same kind of thoughts..they have been rolling around in the brain for a few days so must get them out... NOW YOU MIGHT REALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS BUT.....if I had my choice between having masto or Parkinson I would have to choose masto...you see my dad had Parkinson and I watched a big strong man become a shell of his abilities..I watched a man who's mind was very clear but his body gave him up...I watched a man who loved nature and his birds and squirrels reduced to someone who had to sit in a chair...someone who could not eat because of his shaking...someone who was robbed of his dignity and pride...Parkinson brings you down to your knees and leaves you there..my dad died from complications of Parkinson.. I have read that some of the new studies say that Parkinson can be inherited..and that frightens me more that Masto..could my shaking be caused from this terrible disease Parkinson...according to my doctor ...NO...and now there seems to be a lab test to really say for sure..but I am so afraid of this disease...I have not had it done.. some say that Parkinson is caused from your environment..but then who knows..the real cause...I just know given the choice I will take Masto any time.. my aunt...you remember her the author and is now 93 ...told me about a Bible story...in the story you can take in three of your problems and trade for 3 new ones...thought about this some...gee if you did that...what kind of new problems would you get...better or worst..so as bad as our problems are..and not knowing what the new ones could be...guess I will just stay with the current ones.. well a Mr. redbird is standing on the window ledge reminding me that watching them is a good dose of meds redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/14/12 at 04:44:59 did you ever put  your underwear on wrong side out??? and you do not have the energy to change it and you wonder what they would said if you had to go to the ER redbird ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/15/12 at 04:23:23 well trying to see my friend Mary's house across the pasture but the fog is just to thick..but the sun is trying to peep thru so it should be soon to see if her garage door is open... after the sudden snow and it leaving so quickly...we wonder what is coming next...is spring coming early...are we going to have terrible storms like some are saying...I am thinking that mother nature has her on set of plans and she sure is not sharing. Birdville is busy too...notice that son was up early and filled up the feeders and bird bath..he noticed yesterday late that we had another new bird but I did not see it in time to ID it..hopefully today will catch a glimpse.. have you seen on TV the pictures of the crows some where in PA  where a thousand of crows have settled in the trees and ruining everything in sight...first I wonder who counted them..and then I am hoping that none of those crows are related to my 7 here...I enjoy our crows but that many would make me change my mind....fast. do you ever think about your growing up??  it was a time of "making your own fun"...simple things that brought you joy and home made toys that you wish you still had....I remember my dad taking a wooden thread spool  and a rubber band pushed thru ...and held in place by two small match sticks...now if you wound the rubber band...it would move the spool across the floor..they don't even make thread on wood spools anymore...but I have several tucked away in my sewing mess....and my uncle made me a wood man  on a stick with the joints loose and you could make him dance..darn I wish I still had that... and do you remember catching fireflies on a summer evening just after dark and putting them in a glass jar and sure that this was a great treasure..gosh was life much more simple then?? and all summer long you went barefooted...and at our house bath time meant getting out the old tin tub...mom heating water on the stove in a big pan..and pouring it into the bath...don't remember how many pans it took...but taking a bath back then was a job... my hair was never cut until I was in the fifth grade of school..I wore it in pig tails down my back..gosh time has changed.. well that is about all that is rolling around in the old brain today...I hear the crows hollering so will check them out..hoping that they have not received some kind of communication from those up in PA redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/15/12 at 17:21:19 I have a small little group of friends that I share my writing ramblings  with and this is one of the replies I got in regard to early memories of "making play things" hope you enjoy Hi Redbird – I remember the buttons that you would thread holding on two ends and then you would wind it and it would whiz like crazy.. the more you would pull it apart the more it would keep going. I think they outlawed them because so many buttons were breaking and fly into eyes. Jacks with balls – and if you didn’t have jacks you would use rocks.  If you had a golf ball wow that would be a treasure. J Simple days.. not so complicated like it is now with computers and always learning how to use new gadgets (like the tv control) J Wanda

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/15/12 at 17:24:30 this one from my aunt..the author and who is 93 I remember all of these; they were good because we used our imagination.  We had no toys, but my little sister and I drew houses in the dirt in the summers , partitioning the rooms.  In the winter we made furniture out of match boxes, using buttons and glue and whatever.  We never had bikes, but we swung from the tire that hung from the tree. In my own family, we have nine children and had few toys; the first four were boys and I remember they played barber forever, taking turns being the barber, using a comb with most of the teeth gone, a small piece of wood for a brush and one of my big dishtowels for a cover up.  When Christmas came, I found a barber set made for kids, everything they needed for hair cutting.  They played with it once and put it aside.  They never played barbering again. In the summer, I went to the alley of appliance stores and filled the station wagon with huge pasteboard boxes and dumped them in the backyard.  They became homes, schools, stores, etc.  until they completely weathered away. My husband dumped a large load of sand in one part of the yard and they played construction all summer; I remember giving them small mirrors for lakes. They all became brown and healthy in the summers for they could hardly wait to get outside. In the winter, they put up blankets or sheets in their rooms and partitioned them off, for whatever make believe they dreamed up.  I filled two large pasteboard boxes with old dresses, hats, gloves, etc. and they could fill days with "dress up."  They used them for endless plays they wrote.   We had a friend who worked at a carbon shop, and he gave us small shapes of black used for experimentation.  The kids used these for building forts, schools, etc.  I found a big bunch of small plastic figures and they added to the realism. Sorry, didn't mean to get so carried away.  Imagination and curiosity were theirs.  And today, they still maintain these qualities. Elleta

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 02/16/12 at 12:29:50 Those button on a string toys weren't banned at my parents' house or at my own!  We made them and compared buttons to see which would make a better noise, and so did my kids.  Wow, we never worried about buttons in the eyes!  Maybe we should have.... We also played cat's cradle, jacks, and hopscotch among other games that didn't require much "equipment" and no electronics. Fostering creativity is more challenging now with all the electronics available to kids.  Sounds like your children benefited from their imaginations!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/19/12 at 05:24:58 wanted to recommend a book for your reading....how good is it???  well it made me read wayyyy past my bedtime...did not watch my Thunder basketball team play....so that is how good it is... Kristen Hannah new book    HOME FRONT... the story is about how a mom goes to war and leaves family behind...instead of the man/husband think you will enjoy redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/20/12 at 07:57:03 just a short note. well have not been well but will tell you about that later..it is still rolling around in the head but not ready to be put to paper.. I have been sitting in my bird chair watching the crows eat spaggetti...and suddenly I saw some kind of large bird fly to one of the tree branchs at the back of the yard.. I could not see it well enough so I got out the BIG GLASSES..to see it better   I watched and watched...man that bird is sitting really still..must be a hawk waiting for a bird.. so I watched some more... it sat still some more... SUDDENLY I noticed that I was watching the figure of a bird on one of the big bird feeders...oh my...I must have been sicker that I thought.. that sorta dulled my bird watching for the day...however I did have a BIG LAUGH redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/21/12 at 03:18:55 BREAKING NEWS..... one of our TV station had a news story last night that was different...seems that hundreds of black birds have invaded the Wal-Mart parking lot just a few towns away from us...they have cut the branches from all the surrounding trees to try to keep them away... I really think the solution is simple....they want to go shopping and there is just not enough shopping carts..they just want to check the "roll back prices" redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 02/21/12 at 16:45:10 Red; Lately your posts have had me a bit scared :o ,thinking of that movie "The Birds"... But then I read your last post & it made me chuckle ! ;D I think maybe enough people just arent "eating crow" these days? lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/22/12 at 03:34:40 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D lori you are a hoot!!   only you could come up with that line.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/26/12 at 04:44:53 I have not gone away...just not much rolling around in the brain... doing a lot of thinking about "the ball team that wore green uniforms" and if you do not know what that means you might read a few pages back...where I talk about them redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/28/12 at 07:04:01 really been in a dark hole...but digging my way out... today I want to share a little household hint... I may have told you before but when I have one of those super shock or anaphylaxis attacks or  I past out...it is very hard to get me to the car...and we can be at the ER before an ambulance can arrive at my house.. so my son suggested that we get a wheel chair to get me to the car easier....I called a medical equipment place and ask if they had a used wheel chair and they did..the cost was only 35. dollars and I told the lady I would take it..now it wasn't too bad..has no foot rest but that's ok as well... now we have had to use it several times... however... I also use it for some entirely different things.. if you open the fridge and roll it right in front...you can sit and clean it out ... same with the oven..also with the bottom of the cabinet..yup just the thing..and last but not lest..if you need to dust those end tables or even the baseboards etc...just roll right up...it is so much easier...and standing makes my back shout out in pain.. I really wish that I could jack it up so that it reached the top of the cabinet and the sink...but really cannot complain.. I am pretty sure that I could sit in it and push the vacuum..haven't tried that yet.. you might check this out... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/29/12 at 06:10:11 hey there... I wanted to let you know the latest thing going on here at my house.....it is something new that I have started and it has become very interesting and it has help me in my journey to dig out of my black hole... ok...hold onto your hat...here it is... I have started talking to my self......out loud....oh yeah I can just see you rolling your eyes...saying ....well redbird has lost it.. . usually when this happens people starting talking like that about the person..pretty negative..sorta shying away from them...BUT...you and everyone else does the same thing ...except where you do it is different..now think about this...you create talk in your mind, head, heart or brain..you just do not speak it out loud... well I read once that if you really wanted to remember something ...READ IT OUT LOUD!!....so I remembered that and decided to work this theory...here is how it goes... when I just cannot lift my foot to make another step...I say OUT LOUD...come on Joyce..just a couple of more steps and you can rest... when I simply don't want to put that last few things away...I say OUT LOUD...just a few more..you can do it..come on let's get this over... when I am so weary that I think...what is the use of trying...I say OUT LOUD...just a few more minutes and you can crawl in your nest for a rest.. so you see working this theory has really helped me..I encourage myself and by telling me out loud it makes me  believe it can happen.. I can tell my self out loud lots of things...like I am a good person...I like myself ...I am useful...I still am needed on earth...and lots of other things... and another good thing is...I manage to agree with most of it and the best thing is THAT I AWAYS GET MY WAY!! I challenge you to give this a try..don't matter what the family thinks..just have a good interesting encouraging conversation with your self. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/29/12 at 06:21:43 I have told you before about how much I like my doctor...I think she could never be replaced for me... a couple of weeks ago was in her office...really sick...down so low seemed there was no way up...told her I just could not get things done anymore...I had no motivation...I would start something and not complete it...just did not want to....told her how I would vacuum the floor and just leave the vacuum sitting and that made me feel so guilty... and she said............................... Joyce ...what does leaving the vacuum sitting have to do with the big scheme of things... think I am going to remember this when I just cannot finish something... DOES THIS PLAY INTO THE WORLD SCHEME OF THINGS... redbird the  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/29/12 at 06:23:34 just a quick note.. we just got the tip of the latest storm that went across our state and wrecked so much other stuff..we were lucky hoping that all of you were too redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/03/12 at 03:43:00 as you know I am a BIG NBA BASKETBALL FAN!!!! especially the OKC Thunder... I love to read about each team on the net... and I love to read the comments following an article however I am a bit puzzled..when it says  30 comments and 80 recommended??  WHAT redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/06/12 at 02:19:44 a recent study shows that your fingernails grow faster than your toe nails..and the nails on your dominant hand grow the fastest... and yup I did measure them out  ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/07/12 at 06:35:22 ohhhhhhhhhhhh the morning came and I am peeking out of the cover at the clock..not that I have anywhere to go..outside my window it looks dark and gloomy... so I say to myself...gosh you are warm and cozy and sleepy...do you really want to get up...sometimes I think I am going to just stay there as long as I want... well let me see...today in Wednesday...weekly grocery ads come out today and I am always looking for a good bargain...if there is any of those any more.. so finally I sit up on the side of the bed and say...self start your day... and I did... of course you know about breakfast..coffee...oops must take that little pill on a empty stomach...seems like I am on the edge of something new so will talk about that later..then coffee perking and I get out my little Debbie cookie..that you already know about but today I add half of a banana.. take my self to my bird watching chair with my paper and sit and watch the wind blow..yup it is pretty brisk..birds are hiding in the places I cannot see...to early for them as well. not much going on in my state today..thank goodness super Tuesday is over with the whatever votes..and I am thinking about what to do with my day.. hummm well I cleaned the bathroom a couple of days ago..and the vacuum is sitting out to make it's trip over the living room carpet..hummm and my new book for reading is sitting  on the coffee table..Jodi  Picoult's new book  Lone Wolf ...now everyone would not care for her writing style as it is different but she writes so honestly about life's every day problems... soooo now if I put on a stew dinner will be done and I could read??? yup reading wins out.. we are suppose to have rain in a couple of days...that will be different..spring is almost here...trees are budding out and soon we will see just how much damage they suffered with last summer drought.. will check in with you later redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/08/12 at 06:55:11 G'day as my friend from down under like to say and I love to hear... just thought I would drop by ...not a lot going on...today is cold, wet and rainy and parts of the state are watching for tornados and part are watching the snow fall...and me I am just watching.. well I would tell you that the living room rug is still in place..still needs to be vacuum and I could tell you that I did read and finish and cry my way thru Jodi Picoult new book....Lone Wolf....  as I told you she writes a little different however her books are based on things that happen in real life and then she weaves a story around them...The Lone Wolf is about a family member who is on life support and family has to make decisions to take him off...or not?? and yes did cry at least one box of Kleenex.. so today I decided to make home made something ...you can either call them burritos or what ever..I am really into either one pot lunches or simple...so I did the shredded cheese thing..cooked the meat and used re-fried beans...now when I cook beans I de-gas them by pouring in some coke or Dr.Pepper or what is handy however these re-fried beans come in a can..so the afternoon may be exciting as I am sure that these were not treated..oh well they were good..but it is too cold to open the windows..but as strong as the wind is...smells are blown away quickly the calendar says that spring is close..I am watching carefully Birdville to see if any new tenants have arrived..it usually gets pretty crowded..birds looking for nesting material etc...I may take some pieces of cut yarn and hang in the trees for their shopping..I have done this before and it is fun to watch...one day we watched a robin unravel an old rug... well that is about it for today..I am thinking that I need to do something important like play computer games...or maybe something else...I still have not gotten past the 9th day on the game Azkend...makes me shout ugly words.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/10/12 at 04:31:16 this morning thought I would share a little something with you.  I read..... If you shave a tiger its skin would still be striped...  the tiger has a white spot on the back of each ear so it seems like it is keeping an eye on you when it is walking away now I personally do not intend to research this information ....however if you do please let us know the results. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/10/12 at 06:09:18 am I the only one who remembers when we bought jelly in glasses and when the jelly was gone...another glass to drink milk or tea or something..sometimes the jelly glasses had designs on them.. gosh those were the good old days redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/11/12 at 08:22:02 not a very eventful day here so thought I would drop you a line... just so you know...I did vacuum the LR carpet.. well yesterday got a new "fat lady" catalog in the mail...after finally getting my wind back from the mail box journey..I sat down for a look see... now I am always amazed that they have not be sued big time for the pictures they put in the book...yea right we would look just like these pictures if we just buy these clothes...for me  that is false advertising.. well got that rant out of my system...so lets just thumb thru and see what is going on...now I have to tell you that styles really don't mean much to me...just so I am comfortable...... I have told you how much I hate shopping...I would rather bite a bear in the butt..... that has not changed so I do most of clothes shopping....if there is any...right on line or via phone... hummm well here is sorta a blouse that I like...but not sold on it... and oh look...some jeans...better look this over good as the pair I am wearing is getting mighty thin...in fact I hold them up to the light/window to check...can you see thru them yet... here are some pajamas...now I really like pjs...in fact I think that the world would be at peace if we could just wear them all the time...but I cannot wear those that get up close to the neck..feels like choking...well mark this page now I am to the underwear stuff..since I have gotten old I like the bras that fasten up the front....and here are some guarantee comfort ones.... and  here are the p-a-n-t-i-e-s...you know this item has changed so much...you have so many choices...and this old masto lady has to hunt for all cotton..well you can have bikini...high risers...low cut and even throng..now that would be a show seeing a old lady in a throng..course to me it is a show to see anyone in a throng...don't they just make plain old p-a-n-t-i-e-s anymore... well thru that  part...seems like there are going to be bright colors for spring..wow orange..lemon yellow...better get thru this part before my eyes go out.... now I am at the back of the book....leggings...oh my gosh,....goodness...&^%$#,  I don't believe it..and you won't believe it....I am holding my breathe... right here in this book...this "fat lady" catalog...right on this page...wait for it....  SNAKE CHARMER LEGGINGS... "it's a season of snakeskin prints, nowhere is it more fitting than on stretch leggings" these look just like snake skin...like rattle snake skin...oh my ...good grief..what if you were wearing these and some snake thought you were it's mother and wanted to hug you...oh this makes my heart hurt..I am so afraid of snakes..think I will tear this page out and burn it... well that is it for me...looks like after that shock I will need some nest time redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/13/12 at 03:16:28 if only I had enough words to tell you HOW MUCH I HATE THE TIME CHANGE!!!!! checking around to see if I can find enough redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/19/12 at 08:06:54 Hi.... we have not talked in awhile...seems that I have been a tad puny...in fact went up to see my doctor....now my doctor is not a masto expert but she is a redbird expert...when we started this visiting thing it was long ago..and I do have a rather thick file..in fact I am not sure that perhaps there are two. I had a list of things I wanted to discuss with her...some things that were getting out of hand..and see if there was a way to make it better.. first on the list was "cold" still having those spells  and would you believe it..kidneys acting up again so that required a antibody... .next was shaking in the hands..and she told me that as we get older our muscles tend to get lax..so have a little stress ball that I am to use for squeezing ... last the most important one for me was not being able to control my emotions...some one speaks to me "I cry"...if I am trying to have a conversation even though it is normal..."I cry"..and I hate it.. hump she said..I think we might try some antidepressant...but wait they would not be good for you...they have beta blockers...another hummm I am thinking she said..OH..this is something you might like to try...as she knows that trying for me ...anything that messes up my meds...is usually a no..she told me that this is not a drug...it is a medical food containing vit B and it nudges the brain ...OK lets try it..so she gave me a sack of samples..it is called Deplin and you can read about it on the net...and I did but it was just as she had told me so thinking that something really needed to happen for the better..I started taking it...one a day and I take it with my morning meds.. so how is it working...I think good...I have has several conversation without crying and read a sad book and it was ok...I am really hopeful..so now I can talk in the grocery store without all those tears.. I decided to keep a little notebook since I started this...it is bright red so I hopefully want lose it..just to jot a note each day so I can have more of a accurate record it all is helping.. wishing all of you well redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/19/12 at 08:12:32 and another thing...I need to tell you about my friend Mary who lives across the pasture... you see seems like the storm season has come earlier that normal to us here in Oklahoma..so Mary and Ron decided in the late last fall they needed to have a cellar put in..and my number is 2 for seating...but the gentleman brought his "digger upper" at that time it was just too dry to be able to install it..so he left it in the yard to be sure it was there for the first possible timing.. well we are now having those storms and winds and tornados..and it is too wet to dig the cellar..but she still has the machine in the yard if the time every comes... I told her she should charge him storage for it sitting there all winter redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/19/12 at 08:17:17 and another thing.... I have found another computer game that has me hooked...no I have not forgotten about Azkend..cannot get off the 9th road...need to get a GPS for help... but I stumbled across Sea Journey...now the goal is to blow the ships out of the water..and you take turns but the other person is the computer.. I have watched my ship burn to the water...many many times and usual you can hear lots and lots of bad words when this happens.. gosh and I cannot even swim redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 03/19/12 at 18:03:55 Funny (as in funny-odd) how the computer always wins ! >:( I am hooked on Words with Friends. Only problem is sooo many people want to play, I've got ten games goin at once ! ::) Its like Scrabble. I spose it helps with memory-but I forget... :D The dr. told me to do crossword puzzles today cuz I told her how frustrating the forgetfulness is. She also told me to take 1000mg. Fish Oil- bless her little uninformed heart- she's Masto-ignorant :-? She forgot she had me on it 3x a DAY before my hive explosion last year. ANYways; the birds are comin round again. I may be a bit impatient, but I put out an orange half today. Every year I see orioles fly by before I'm ready for em. Not THIS year ! Well, gotta get my fanny to bed. Blast those battleships girl !!! ;) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/20/12 at 06:51:21 well Lori..... I am watching veryyyyy carefully the computer plays in this game...I am pretty sure that it is cheating...not that I WOULD if I could ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/20/12 at 07:02:39 and another little clue... if you are studying the board for your next move....little arrow comes on flashing saying move here....I am thinking that it is just trying to get you to mess up...so I ignore it redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/21/12 at 05:06:32 well here I am today...water logged...playing this game ...however I noticed that my cannon balls that I shoot don't even reach the computer's ship lots of times.... unfair...and I cannot find the life jacket for my ship redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/22/12 at 06:42:31 TIRED..... for some time I have been thinking about "tired"...what exactly is tired....we hear people talk about being tired...we hear that our TV is tired and we need a new one... lots of items get labeled tired..now my computer is tired...and it can only think about one thing at a time..but granted for computer age and developments... it old and tired.. we often hear especially masto folks say something like....I am so tired of being tired...seems like our bodies get a deep tired that just won't go away even after a nap...we do not need to paint the house...or run a race... we can get tired just sitting in a chair..our tired comes from deep inside our souls..nothing seems to touch it... so I decided to look up "tired" in the Webster...found some interesting explanations for this word.... exhausted bored fatigued physically & mentally fatigued But the one I like best is  ......weary.....that is the way I often feel..weary...now you can be weary about lots of things...life is a big one..sometimes my masto body says...What...I must get up and face another day...I am too weary.. I am pretty sure there is no magic pill for tired..some have tried to make one and promises for sure they are right..nope it is not here ...we might get a sudden boast but no long term escape from "tired" sometimes I get weary because the housekeeping  is not up to par...but I have decided that I am going to put a sign on my door that says.... WEARY LIVES HERE redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/23/12 at 08:16:38 BIRDVILLE NEWS.... well spring is really trying to come into town...trees are budding and we have had lots of rain..however some of my pine trees are not going to come back out due to the drought last year. well son went into one of his rants this morning...the usual...you birds need to pick this seed off the ground...I am not filling any more feeders until you clean this up.....I expect when I look out in the morning..I will say yup they are full I with the help of son....put up a humming bird feeder..now if you read about these birds it will tell you that it should be close to a bush etc etc... however my friend Mary from across the pasture has one hanging from the eave of her house..so I put one fairly close to my bird watching window...I sat in the chair to be sure it did not block my view for other watching..so we will see son has mowed several times already..the grass is like some kind of gluey stuff..everyone else is having the same..it just hangs onto your shoes and tries to trip you as you go by... that's about it for the day redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 03/24/12 at 09:08:05 Ah Red; Sounds like a cheating computer for sure ! With Spring here in MI, came-the stomach flu. :( I was so lookin forward to riding the mower for the first time this season... On the up side- I lost several pounds that I didnt need anyway  ::)! lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/30/12 at 04:35:19 morning from the farm.... well I don't normally write about this kind of stuff but I am soooo excited that I just cannot keep it quiet...now PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT A DOCTOR...JUST A FELLOW MASTO SUFFERER...I try never to give medical advise just things that have worked for me....and I truly believe that each of us must find our path thru this disease...so having said all of the above...I want to share with you where my path has taken me... for the last several months I have been in a dark place..trying to climb out with no hand holds on the side of the pit...I had lost my husband a couple of years ago....and that seem to lay heavy inside my soul....I could no longer control my emotions and even would speak with a stutter...I would cry at things that normal folks would not notice...I could no longer hold a conversation with ANYONE...finally it just got the best of me...and I went to see my doctor telling her that I was at the end of my rope... now as some of you know I was/am a shocker big time..or some call it anaphylaxis...shocking is easier to spell...and I have had many life threaten attacks that caused the doctor to caution me to reach the ER as soon as possible..now that will sure make you pay attention..so after more than two long years of switching meds and finally getting this under control to  a fairly good place...suggesting some med change for me just was not an option..I did not want to rock the boat so to speak...so...as different things came up I just weighted very careful the adding or changing anything in regard to meds.. but I was now asking my doctor ....what can we do...I am desperate....after much discussion ...the doctor knowing how I felt about new stuff...she said that she thought I needed some type of anti-depressant med...but what...lots of humms later she had a thought...lets think about trying this Deplin...it is not a drug as such but a medical food...it should not bother you etc etc etc...ok says I let's do it...and we did...of course I came home and jumped on the net to read as much as possible..and said yes I have now been on this for a little over three weeks..and I am so excited I can hardly contain myself..I went back to my doctor and ask her to explain just what was happening to me...was it real or just in my head etc...she told me how that sometimes...and please know I cannot tell you exactly...but that things get shuffled around in the brain and our thoughts etc...just cannot find the right place...and yes it was real ...oh my... so I put it to a test...I watched two troops homecoming and uniting with families and did not cry..read a sad book ...and most important I had a real conversation with a person at the grocery store...oh my ...I feel that I am a worthy person...that I am smart and can do things... now I cannot say this is for everyone...and I am not saying ...take this med...however in all of my masto time and reading etc...I have never heard of this approach of med food... just my story that I wanted to share this morning redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/31/12 at 03:24:13 a good morning from the farm... today mother nature has thrown us another interesting day..temp suppose to be 90...however things are growing ...like grass having to be mowed once a week so that we can walk...trees are coming out and soon will have that shade ...so not much else happening on the weather stuff...storms are building and my friend Mary across the pasture has decided not to build a storm cellar..those that are underground and both she and hubby would have so much trouble getting down the steps they now are going for a safe room..not sure that my number 2 spot will still be available.. since our winter was so mild we have bugs and bugs and bugs..son is on another rant to the birds that they go to work..yeah right...that is going to happen.. my Thunder team is really messing around with my sleep pattern..my body has refused to accept the new time change..says no ...it is not going there and since my team is playing on the west coast..games are going on after midnight...son mentioned the noise..and finally closed his door..but I know that unless I give out a couple of shouts...they would miss me... Birdville is pretty busy...we have opened up another street  for those driving around checking out things...and our single male redbird is still single..I am pretty sure he is looking ...he sits in the tree and sings a lot..son says he sings all night..he hears him thru his open window..wonder if I should get out my catalog and shop for him I am thinking that my crows are nesting...somewhere...as their usual pattern they have not been around much as it takes all hands to feed their young.. well not much news..so later redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/01/12 at 04:33:11 I WON!!!!!! I WON A SHARE OF THE REALLY BIG LOTTERY.....             April fool redbird :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/02/12 at 05:50:44 the farm news is just about the same...son mowed yesterday AGAIN!! the spring is bringing green everywhere....it is a good time of the year usually...son told me that I could not sit in my "bird watching chair" during some of the days this week...he told me that he was going to be cutting down some dead bushes and trees and he knew that I would not want to watch....you see I have this thing about trees...it hurts my heart to see one go...trees are special people..they give so much to us...their arms hold out to catch the sun rays for sheltering...homes for the birds and even though new trees can be planted they are like children..growing up.. so I will not watch... it looks kinda stormy today...the weather people have decided to change their language in regard to their warning...some will be like....take shelter or you will die.....and this past year that is sure true...so will watch the clouds today and hope for the best....seems that mother nature is in a snit ...cannot decide just what she is going to do..we here are having June weather in the 90s ...this year has not been a good year for her...she seems very confused..the indians told son while he was at the indian store that this was going to be a HOT summer... well this week I move into another chapter of my life...I will reach the age of 78 and you know how I feel about this being a badge of honor...I will now be able to say...I am 78 going on 79...some of the chapters of my life have been sorta hard but this year I am hoping for better things... not a lot of other stuff going on...it looks like a quiet day...so guess I will just start a little lunch... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 04/02/12 at 10:20:34 Red; I hadn't had a chance to read your blogs for a coupla days but DANG GIRL--- I gotta get me some of that Deplin!!! :D You sound so upbeat! :) I am so very glad it's helped you feel better !!! :-* lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/04/12 at 06:26:01 had to get out the blanket-ie and winter pjs for last night as mother nature is really acting up...I have lived in my area of Oklahoma for many years and even though we have had nice weather right up until Easter...when that weekend arrives we have a cold spell.. Ms. Nature really went on a spree at our neighbors to the south in the Dallas area....pictures in today's paper show one side of the street torn up and across the street nothing happened...seems that a tornado does not check names or address before it blows thru.. my son was at work at his truck terminal in Lancaster one of the hardest hit... when it blew thru..however his trucking company was not the orange trucks that you saw flying around on TV but it is located there..email from him that he was fine..it is a miracle that no one was killed...storms are still lurking around so a watchful eye is necessary so after the storm and we here had cold rain it blew my shopping schedule up..so up this morning early to get started...body not in mood as it has never and swears that it will never....adjust to the new time...and at my age ...who cares...but finally in the car and down the road.....checking the horse and he now has lots of green grass so guess he is ok for awhile......cars everywhere...it is almost like playing bumper cars...or dodge ball...pay close attention... I also had to go to my most unfavorite store in the whole wide world...... W-A-L-M-A-R-T...people were buzzing around in the store and I found myself on the soap aisle looking for something and suddenly....SMELL...oh know I can just hear them now....clean up on aisle 9..... finally out and on my way...library to pick up the books they have saved for me...and home..time to climb into the nest and read a few lines...might take a nap as the Thunder plays tonight..GO THUNDER..... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/05/12 at 05:06:47 my friend Mary across the pasture called me yesterday with an ALERT!!! a humming bird was at her feeder... I am hoping they will soon find mine...this requires much watching from my bird watching chair redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/05/12 at 06:36:12 darn....the storage unit (dryer) is full...I don't have time today to fold clothes..Joe Pike the forest ranger and his family are in big trouble..their friend Nate from the secret forces has bad people looking for him..they want to do bodily harm..and they may harm Joe to get to Nate... this is my new book from the library... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/05/12 at 06:57:24 oh good grief...Joe's new ranger trainee is a spy

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/05/12 at 15:06:11 you will be glad to know.... that Joe Pickett aka Joe Pike saved his family and Nate his friend took out the bad guys and will live to be there in the next C J Box's next adventure... and I cleaned out the storage unit and got all the clothes folded and put away redbird :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/06/12 at 03:37:29 I opened my new book and it says.........         TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE              CHAPTER 78 and today is my 78th birthday ...and I began my journey to 79 redbird the word writer :D

Title: REDBIRD's BIRTHDAY!!!! Post by Joan on 04/06/12 at 18:33:45 Happy birthday, Redbird!!!!  78 is a lot younger than it used to be. You were a spring baby!  Hope the weather there is uneventful in honor of your birthday!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 04/07/12 at 01:45:17 Hope you had happy day Redbird xxx  [smiley=birthdays.gif] [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/08/12 at 03:38:52 morning from the farm.... well Easter arrived here cold, wet and ugly...repeat the weather here is ugly.. Snarky the squirrel has been here wrestling with the bird feeders this morning.....yes I said wrestling...turning them all different ways...shaking them like he could make Easter eggs fall out...twitching his tail to show his displeasure....sitting on top of a feeder ...staring you right in the eye...as he can see me the same as I can see him...don't know what to tell him...then he was up the tree going to different branches that led to no where...he did leave a note asking that I call mother nature for some kind of weather update...I am told that some parts of the state...Easter eggs were wearing life jackets. son mentioned that he was going to mow AGAIN...grass is growing like crazy and my biggest oak tree is in full whatever...leaves out and it is growing so tall. a couple of days ago my friend Mary across the pasture was sitting on her porch taking the air...got out my big glasses to be sure it was her so that I could wave...don't think she saw me... well as you can see things are really quiet here..talk to you later redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/09/12 at 04:22:31 today I want to tell you a story....it is a true story...and maybe long...     as I have told you before the doctor told me I had masto in 1996...and as soon as I got home I was on the net looking for information.  At that time TMS had a chat line on the net where you could talk to people..medical stuff and just silly stuff which ever you wanted and someone would post an answer etc.. there I met my dear friend Olive who has masto as well...thru time we became very close even though we live miles and miles apart...we stay in touch by phone every week and email almost daily... I did get to meet her in person once...on the way to the Reno TMS conf. we had a lay over in Salt lake City..it was interesting as there I got to see Donnie Osmond and his group trailing thru the airport..and  in the waiting area I sat just 2 seats over from Rosie Grear and he gave me his autograph...but most important I saw this lady with purple spots on her arms and I knew it was my friend Olive as I also had those same spots that make you look like you were in some big fight...and lost thru the years Olive and I have shared lots of things personal and medical..how are the kids..snowing here in Utah...are you safe from the tornado coming thru Okla..sometimes we send each other stuff...Olive loves home grown tomatoes and since their growing season is limited we have them first and I sent her several via mail while she was waiting...and when walking became more of a problem she sent me a beautiful cane with redbirds all around the top.. recently we talked about my birthday and I was telling her that I could not remember ever having a birthday cake ...and my birthday being last Thursday she set out to see that one was delivered to my home...she really worked hard  at it..calling several floral shops..grocery stores but as I live sorta in a little place nothing was available...so next she ordered one on line..to be delivered UPS on  my special day...right...you guessed it..it did not arrive...so to make this story short it has been sitting in the UPS terminal since last Friday..maybe today it will come... however that is not the important part of this story...the beautiful part of this story is....if the cake never arrives..that a dear wonderful friend ...who I have shared many smile, giggles and tears would do something for me so that I could have a cake on my birthday....I wish you all could have this kind of friend redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/09/12 at 06:17:20 well son has a question for all of you today... when Easter comes we talk about how the Easter Bunny brings eggs... but the rabbit does not lay eggs...chickens do...so why do we not say...Easter Chickens and eggs I could not answer this..can you redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/09/12 at 07:42:47 from my reading..... I have come to understand what it means to not only have years in my life, but to experience life in my years. redbird  :-/

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/09/12 at 16:56:07 Hey...do you know what hail the size of softballs sounds like on a tin roof... folks here in our state do...it sounded like artillery shells being fired...and you know what 5 minutes of that would do.. one of our towns was hit by this size and tornados well I hate that it happened but I am also glad that it was not our house redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/09/12 at 17:01:16 well I made a fresh pot of coffee as the UPS told me my package containing my birthday cake was to be delivered...and I wanted to be ready GUESS WHAT!!!! it did not happen...it is still at the UPS office...do you think they might have eaten my cake

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/10/12 at 03:43:00 have you ever wondered why no one has invented a clothes warmer...I know they make towel warmers  that hang on the wall and you can take a nice warm one after your shower  and it is yummy... but changing from your warm pjs into your wearing clothes...they are cold..sure makes you think your day is going to be a cold dreary day.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/10/12 at 03:58:14 the tale of the missing birthday cake continues... now you remember that this was a special treat from my dear friend Olive...after much trouble as you can read from past post.... well no it did not arrive again yesterday as promised by UPS... so my friend called the UPS station this morning... that was suppose to be trying to deliver my cake...(not)...and told them how this was a special cake for me..that it was FLOWN  into their station for delivery on April 6 and how it had been mishandled etc..and I would also tell you she was upset...her wonderful surprise spoiled... well says the station manager ...what will it take to fix this...and my friend thought a minute and said...this now is a 5 day old stale cake...the only way it can be fixed is that you go out and buy another one and deliver it... station manager says...well I live pretty close to this town...I will go out and get a cake and deliver it myself...what kind should I get and what should it say.. so now we are again in holding..the old stale cake is suppose to be out for delivery again..will it come...who knows...will a new cake arrive...who knows.. I and daughter think they ate it... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/12/12 at 07:00:37 the journey of the missing cake ends... well the cake traveling on the UPS truck for 5 days...finally found it's way to my house...I think at one time this was a wonderful cake...nice and creamy...was a vanilla bean cake...creamy frosting...and packaged so very well.... but it could not stand the traveling stress that it had to endure..poor cake...it looked bad but I will say this...the two tier cake with creamy white frosting and yellow roses that the UPS station brought to me...is delicious... now I can not only say I had a cake for my birthday but two cakes... makes me feel special redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 04/12/12 at 17:19:32 Oh Red! All I can think is if our UPS man is ever that late with my Ketotifen- I will have to hurt him !!! >:( How lucky you are to have Olive !!! I have an Olive- but her name is "Sandy" ;D  Aren't we blessed to have such friends in our lives ?! I hope you had a wonderful "2nd" birthday celebration. And tell that son of yours he is right about the Easter Bunny! I guess maybe it was someones way of explaining Chocolate eggs? ;)  (looks more like what bunnies drop...)  :D lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/13/12 at 04:17:37 A SAD SAD DAY AT THE FARM!! yesterday son told me to put on my "outside shoes" and go with him for a walk around the yard....and I did... as we walked the reality of death of some of my beloved trees became very apparent..it was easier to pretend it was not there until you came to see them up close... some of them were in danger of falling on power lines in front of the house...some of falling on the house.....so I must accept the fact that the dead trees must be taken down...some of the bushes I could handle the thought but my trees... and as I sat in the house with my ear muffs on to try to stop the sound of the chainsaw  it became real...son was doing a job that needed to be done..just not what I wanted to happen.. last summer drought was the villain...I am hoping mother nature is as sad as I am... this morning I took my coffee to sit on the porch and look at the downed trees..I was sad... I could remember when each tree was planted...since pine trees were one of my favorite...we planted 21 in the front..30 years ago...they were just about four feet tall...we planted them on a cold rainy day in Feb..husband and I...we planted them in pods of three just like the book said...we watched them grow to tall and stately pines...and the old song..wind in the pines ...was really true..when the wind would blow you could sit on the front porch and listen to them sing...birds made stops of rest there before traveling on and my beloved crows made their nest there one year.. and when giving instructions to those who were looking for our house...we always said...it is the pink brick with all the pines in the front..what will I say now...yes I am sad... we could plant new trees...but I am old...I would not live long enough to see them grow...maybe I am like the trees...old and death threatens to take us away.... once husband after finishing mowing came in and told me how many trees he counted while trying to get around each of them..it was more than a few...but I have always protected them as best I could... I am sad redbird the word writer  :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/14/12 at 04:11:25 WOW.....tornados  all over our state of Oklahoma yesterday and this morning......and yesterday some decided to dance right in town... so I hurried this morning to get my shower...don't want to get blown away dirty... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/14/12 at 04:13:41 THINKING....... I am thinking about posting my crow stories here..there are about 10 little ones that I wrote while watching the crows make a nest and hatch out the little ones............... thinking redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 04/14/12 at 04:49:24 Please do, I would love to read them, but then I enjoy reading whatever you write [smiley=thumbsup.gif] Ruth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 04/14/12 at 11:14:30 Saw the weather map and thought of you!  Glad you're safe and hope you stay that way....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/15/12 at 06:30:29 Here is the first of the crow stories... dated 3-5-09 well thru the years I have written to you stories about "The Farm".  They are true stories as I have watched and seen so many funny things that the animals have done.  Don't feel much like writing about it now but ......... the latest is worth a note. As many of you know   birds have been a favorite here at the farm..we have out bird feeders and son built me a special big cage for feeding that the cat...(who by the way is named Foot because she has such big feet..5 big toes on her front paws)...cannot get into.  This winter we have mostly used the front area of the yard because it has been cold and we can watch out the big front windows. now one of our favorites are the crows...yes I know you are saying CROWS who likes crows...but I challenge you to just watch them some time.  They are so smart..when our first group of crows appear several years ago there was 7 and we called them the mafia..they were hugh and so big that at first we were not sure what they were until they opened their mouth..yup crows..Now the crows always announced when they were arriving...you could hear them screaming from afar..telling us they would soon be here.  When they finally arrived one would stay high in the tree or phone line..watching while the others ate..then one would go up and relieve him and this would occur until they left...thru the years the group became smaller..don't know if gang war fare got them or what but currently we have 3... for several days we had noticed that they were gathering nest material..large twigs etc..and yesterday while sitting out in the front I saw a crow's nest high in the pine tree in the front yard...boy did I get excited...as I would never have thought of them building so close to people..but there it was.. later as I watched out the front window I saw a "SHOW DOWN" between the crow and Foot..there they were both on the ground making little runs toward each other..finally the cat was behind a bush...tail twitching mighty hard but the crow held the ground..now husband says that the crow knows where the groceries are(grain for birds) and she is being smart..that she can just fly down to the ground for lunch instead of  flying over the hill to the store..so I am excited to be able to watch this development and see how and what happens...will let you know. redbird       ....to be continued....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 04/15/12 at 11:22:07 Looking forward to hearing about the adventures of Foot versus the Crows!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/15/12 at 16:30:32 have you ever noticed that you do not have a single itch on your face or your leg or your back or even your foot until you put on fresh nail polish redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 04/16/12 at 04:06:24 Red; You know, the Same thing happens to me when my hands are covered in dough, or burger, etc. :D :D :D I have a friend who says she "loves crows". I couldnt understand that at all, til I read your story. Maybe God made em smarter than the other birds cuz they arent as pretty to look at... :-/ I will have to start watching them instead of shooing them out've the yard.  :-[ lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/16/12 at 04:51:33 CROW UPDATE FROM THE FARM 3-6-09 morning group just wanted to give you an update on the progress of the nest building at the farm being done by the crows. Yesterday was spent carrying things to fix up the nest.  It seems they might have been watching HGTV ..things just having to be so so...interesting to watch them carry materials. Once 2 of the birds were carrying a piece of string one on each end...when they came to the branch it was funny waiting to see which would let go or would they go under, over or just mess up by going one side and the other one going the other way...but they worked it out. Now I was most interested in how I could tell the crows apart..which is the male and which is the female as they look alike from the distant you have to watch them..husband and son are saying it is the one that squawks the most..and I am saying it is the one who does the most work... a couple of problems I am seeing ...one is the squirrel likes to run up this tree...and he thinks it is his...the other one maybe more serious...this tree is a "swaying pine tree"...you know the old song or saying..wind blowing thru the pines..or wherever I heard it..well the wind here has certainly kept this tree swaying...and if this mom bird has morning sickness she is in trouble big time. well we are busy preparing the nursery..cleaning out the bird bath and moving a couple of bird feeders.. more later redbird                    ....to be continued....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/17/12 at 04:25:15 I want to be sure that you know that I am not a "fashion" gal...nope ...after working many years in the health industry office area...and years of dressing for work..pantyhose etc...I took a job with a commercial construction co ...where my husband was a foreman..it was a traveling job...but the most important thing was that I got to wear jeans..hard sole shoes and sometimes when they could make me....a hard hat....I ran the office for them....at that point in my life I made many statements...no more pantyhose jobs for me... after that I worked as an office mgr for an internet company but as most of you know...internet people mostly have their own style of wearing one of my favorite shows on TV...and there are not many...is Project Runway...not for the fashion clothes they make and show...but the process of making the clothes..I think these people are amazing...they just lay out a cloth...no patterns and come up with a something in just a few hours...I use to sew especially for my daughter and it took a pattern and hours of labor..once one of my sons brought home pairs and pairs of baseball pants from the college team for ...remodeling... I find that masto has changed "fashion" for lots of us...if it was up to me I would wear my cotton knit pjs most of the time..I have to cut out the labels of my shirts etc...because I cannot stand the slight rubbing of them on my skin ..no lace for me..and that ring around the bra that holds it in place..allergic for me..I am strictly cotton girl....so I am not sure that the words masto and fashion go together...and that is ok with me...I plan to just stick to my old soft jeans..and I will wear my pjs as long as the duty of the day allows... if you love fashion I am hoping that your masto allows you to be in the current style redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/17/12 at 06:49:13 been thinking about FEAR"  for some time...I think that I might have it...it can come in many forms..fear of living...fear of dying...fear of the unknown...fear of snakes..(just threw that one in)... it is hard for most people to look into the future without some kind of fear especially as you get older...fear of losing your loved ones..fear of uncertain times in our world... one of my latest fear is falling down...in the shower..in the yard or even in the store...seems that sometimes I feel like life has given me a little shove and it makes me wave my arms around trying to settle back down into balance..you know what I mean...really you are not trying to take off ...you are just trying not to land.. I am sure that fear is not on a shopping list nor can you purchase it...it comes free....not something you can put back on the shelf out of your cart..nor is there a pill to make it go away...so I just say a little prayer each day...Lord please keep me safe redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 04/17/12 at 16:37:02 Red; You are right: Fear comes to us, wether we want it or not. It isnt free though. It costs us dearly.  :( But- You know what they say- the BEST things in life are free!  ;) Do you remember that song "I Say A Little Prayer For You" ?  I will ask God to keep you safe too! lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/18/12 at 03:42:07 Guest at the Crow's Nest 3-9-2009 morning to all, In furthering my education on "crows" I went to the net to read some about them..Jan had written to me in regard to a documentary that showed the crows putting hard shell nuts on the roadway and as the cars passed over they were cracked...Now I am laughing as we cracked pecans for our crows for a couple of years..One of the funniest sights that I every saw was watching the race between husband and the crows when the hulls began to crack..husband in the tree and the crows taking the pecans out of the hulls...and him trying to gather them for our use. now in my reading I find that crows are territorial like in very...and to prove this point our crows had an unexpected crow show up yesterday.  As I was watching the feed bowl  I noticed that we had 4 crows.  Hummm I thought well the article said that sometimes a child of the group will come back to help protect a nest but as I was watching it soon became apparent that this  a "party crasher".  In no uncertain terms they told this crow to leave and when he was a little slow they did hurry him along with a couple of shoves.. Another item I read in the  article was that they could recognize your car and if  you were driving they would let you know ...they knew. Now  husband had told me that  when he goes to the store...in our very small town ...they often find him and caw at him on the way home...now I was finding that a little hard to believe but guess it is soooooooooooo. well the nest is still being worked on...now sure how much longer it takes before the laying of eggs will start...we are expecting some of those "bad storms" that Oklahoma has ...so hoping it is anchored to the tree really good love to all redbird                               ......to be continued......

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/18/12 at 05:43:17 ALERT!!!! IMPORTANT FACT YOU NEED TO KNOW!!! humming birds do not suck the nectar from your feeder...they open their bills and lap it up with their tongue really fast.... just in case you have a humming bird danger attack redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/20/12 at 04:09:18 ONE OF MY MASTO FRIENDS SHARING THEIR CROW STORY 3-9-09 I am so enjoying your crow stories. So I feel I must tell you about the crow that was "in love" with my Dad's truck. A couple of years before my Dad retired he was teaching at a school that was right in the middle of a heavily populated business area, with farm land just a few miles away. I was planning a visit north to see my parents and was talking with Dad on the phone. He tells me that a crow has fallen in love with his truck. OK, I know my Dad, if a bird poops on his shiny red truck, he gets quite upset, so I really didn't think more about it. I was able to get out of town an hour earlier than expected for my visit, so when I arrived Dad was still at school. I decided to stop by the school and sneak into his classroom to surprise him. I pulled into this huge parking lot and there is Dad's shiny red truck all off to itself so I parked next to it. The crow started swooping at me in a most threatening manner. So I backed out of the space and parked on the other side of his truck - that was fine with the crow. The crow made it clear to me in no uncertain terms that I could park on the driver's side of the truck but the passenger's side was quite off limits. My getting out of the car did not deter the crow and whatever he had going on with the passenger's side of the truck. I went in, Dad had a nice little surprise when I snuck in to the back of the classroom. From the classroom window I could see that the crow clearly had some relationship with Dad's truck. And truly would threaten anyone who came near the passenger side of the truck. Since I had become a believer in the fact that the crow was indeed "in love" with the truck, Dad told me stories of many times people were threatened by the crow, and about why he was parking where he was - no one wanted to be parked near him, because of the crow. Over that semester students tried various efforts to rid him of the crow - probably hoping for extra credit. One student put speakers outside the building that would play loud "dangerous to crows animals sounds" - which did summons the local police, but did not deter the crow. They tried enticing the crow to other areas around the parking lot with nuts and foods of interest to crows. Nothing worked. At the end of that semester Dad traded his shiny red truck for a new shiny red truck that was slightly different from the former one. He never saw the crow again, but we still wonder if the person who bought the "old" truck also got the crow. Sharon                  .....to be continued......

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/20/12 at 17:24:56 put up the summer jammies...out with winter...blanket back on bed... today we had cold and windy...no birds flying ...my honeysuckle is blooming and I am hoping for a bunch of visitors at the humming bird feeder.. been sorta lazy the last few days...just nothing going on... I am pretty sure that the crows are nesting ...somewhere....storms are staying to the north of us...so as you see...things are kinda quiet..anything happening at your place... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/21/12 at 04:40:11 so whatca doin today redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/22/12 at 03:24:16 MOM CROW 3-10-09 well this is just a short note... when I went out to sit in my usual early morning place...on the front porch with my paper and coffee I found a note from the crows..it read...if you want to be a part of our morning routine please do not wear that loud red robe..we see you every time in case you think you are hiding. as the day went on it seems like a quiet day for crow watching..finally I went to my usual watching  site and after awhile I thought that I could hear some kind of noise coming from the nest..SURE ENOUGH MOM CROW WAS IN THE NEST...I could see a little movement..SUDDENLY the remaining crows showed up and mom crow hopped out of the nest and they all took off for dinner at the drive in.. love to all redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/24/12 at 07:07:40 Crow watching 3-11-09 well today crow watching is being done from the inside...we went from 70's yesterday to the cold 42 today...no hiding on the front porch. now last night the wind blew pretty hard but the nest seems to be holding fine..the one problem I am facing is where to get some of those sea sick pills as the tops of those pine are "swinging".... it seems sorta quiet out there and maybe they are cuddling trying to keep warm or trying to figure out a way to get an electric blanket up the tree. hummmm electric blanket up the tree...now I could see that it could be a traffic stopper on our road. love to all redbird                    .....to be continued.....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/24/12 at 07:08:47 just wanted to let you know..... if there is a bone in my body that does not hurt..... I do not know where it is... weather change redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/26/12 at 05:54:06 well I am needing to blow of steam this morning....like in GRRRRRRR now I have this things about going to the doctor...I go when I need to...not just for checking in stuff...figure I know my body well enough to know if it is not well....the doctors who want you to do that...to me...are just trying to make patients/money/insurance/medicare...just my opinion... so lets get to the story.... my regular doctor office is run by 2 people...stable..comfortable......the voice doctor who I was sent to has maybe 8-10 people working there and they cannot seem to remember what they are suppose to do...and for this old woman...not good.. however after reminding them that THEY were suppose to call for a order of lab test..and finally having to talk to the office mgr to get things straight...like it took over 2 months for pre-approval paper work for a med he wanted me to take..and the lab absent order I am not in a good mood.... HOWEVER... since this is just suppose to be a visit to get results of test...that could have been given to me over the phone...I go...to the office....to sit for my 10:15 appt...that does not happen...and smells in the office are causing me to get out my hanky and cover my nose...and thinking this is it...going to have an attack right here in this place..well it is close to the hospital ER...waiting...watching my watch...and thinking that ten more minutes and I am out of here..I cannot do this....THEN JUST BEFORE  I go..I get to go to the back and wait some more...so when the doctor comes in and ask ...how are you ...I say I am tired...tired of waiting.. and then...HE ASK ME...do we need to increase your med dose...I am looking at him...you have the lab results and you are asking me..before you ever tell me whatever... so I look at him and say...this is what I am thinking....my voice is back...and if the current med is what caused that to happen..I am fine with it..let us not change anything... thank you and goodbye...so now I am so tired that all I can think of on the way home is crawling into my nest... appt in 4 months...probably not unless I decided that it is something I need... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/26/12 at 05:57:42 CROW WATCHING 3-15-09 well it has been just too cold to do much crow watching unless it is out the window..however the weatherman promises better sunny days next week. One of the things that we noticed is that we had put out some stale bread.  Husband went out and found it in the bird bath so he took it out..then as we watched one of the crows put it back in the bird bath to softened it up so that he could eat it...dumb people don't you know it is kinda dipping your donut in your coffee... does anyone know how the mom crow eats while sitting on the nest..gotta find that out..I am pretty sure that she is sitting on the nest as when I go out she makes this weird sound kinda like a krump.. may have more to share later redbird .................to be continued........

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/26/12 at 06:31:31 PS..... and another thing was....that I was ask to pay my portion of bill BEFORE I even saw the doctor... is this  something new redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 04/26/12 at 18:36:02 OOOHO RED; The reason they have us pay FIRST now, is because they know we might get fed up with waiting and leave! Then the shoe would be on the other foot- and the Doctor would be left waiting. ;D I spent an hour and a half at the dentist's today.Then I spent another 45 minutes at the eyeglass place waiting to get a lens put back in for the third time this month  >:(. After that it was on to the Sprint store, where the guy told me (quite honestly, at least) that I will always have bad connections because I am in what they call a "fair coverage area"; translation- no towers anywhere near our home !  :'( Well, after that, I went to ACO & bought a giant bag of birdseed. At least the 4 male Blue Jays & the 3 Redwing blackbirds congregating at the birdfeeder this mornin all got along and brought some smiles to my day :) ! Too bad I cant say the same for some of the humans I had to deal with later... :( take care, lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/27/12 at 05:13:28 FARM  NEWS.... lots of activity at the farm...son has a new toy...it is call a "chainsaw"...and he is really busy playing with it... anything standing still or shows signs of brown like in dead...is going to feel his new toy...so I am staying in the house. now I will have to say he has done lots of work with it...we lost so many trees and bushes last year that really needed to come down..I am not sure but think he is liking it..we had a hugh pile of limbs etc piled in the front yard but the city came with their chipping truck and worked away.... I will have to also say the yard is looking really nice... I am trying to get the humming birds to find us...I put out a feeder and got another one today...my friend Mary "across the pasture" already has several coming by but she has had her feeders out for years..seems that they like or have a route they make..kinda like the paper boy...some make it and some of us don't...thinking about sending in a map to humming bird headquarters.. Snarky the squirrel came by and checked the feeders...pickings are kinda slim as we need to make a trip to the feed mill...and he would prefer "oiled sunflower seeds" he left on the order list... storms are building for the next few days..seems that tornados are going to be everywhere this year...not just in tornado alley...and they sure have been eating their "Wheaties the breakfast of champions"  as they are strong as  can be..... well the NBA play offs are starting and my Thunder team made it to #2 on the list..and if you have not seen "the elbow" put it in a search engine as it is everywhere..against one of our and my favorite players... and I just picked up  some new books that just came out..so going to have to read and watch..son just might have to fix his own meals... guess that is about it for this time... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/27/12 at 11:56:36 doing a online survey...... DO YOU THINK....when having an attack and terrible stomach cramps... does it help the pain to moan..... my answer is....I did moan loudly and I did think it helped... HOW ABOUT YOU????? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 04/27/12 at 16:25:48 Doing a crossword puzzle or sudoku helps me take my mind off it.  Haven't tried moaning, but will give it some thought.   ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/28/12 at 09:25:28 OHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhh HAD A HUMMING BIRD TODAY!!!!! it was at the new feeder..... hoping that it is a location scout redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/28/12 at 09:30:24 CROW STORIES GO ON 3-17-09 well yesterday was a nice day so out to the porch for a little "crow watching".  I even got out the bird watching Bushnells(binoculars) but there was one little limb in the way so I could not get a good look. One person on the line wrote to me in regard to the fact that crows and ravens are the only bird that plays..neat!! but that send me to wondering if they "play" jokes on people as well hummmm ..and it was suggested that we should all get bumper stickers and Michelle sent me a video of a crow working out a problem ...(if you want to see it will forward to you).I have always loved bird watching but the crows are so smart it takes watching to a different level... Watching yesterday ....husband told me that we have an extra crow out but I was sure this could not be correct as they evicted the extra a few days ago..but sure enough there it was..so the only thing that I can figure out is that it is  one of the children coming home for a visit...or school reunion...or as the article suggested ...to help with the hatching of the new group...guess we will see. and we know from reading the K-6 pamphlet that pop feeds the mom crow while she is sitting...wonder if she gets to pick from a menu.. well I hear them calling so will see what I can find them for lunch.. redbird                          ....to be continued.....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/29/12 at 04:51:24 a article in my big paper today....in regard to dancing...now I know that lots of people enjoy this activity...and it seems that it does good things for your health... HOWEVER after much thought I made the decision ....not to take "Belly Dancing lessons".... yes think I am going to skip that one... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/29/12 at 06:51:40 CROW STORY STILL GOING.... 3-18-09 well yesterday here was a wonderful day for crow watching..just a little breeze and warm..like in 84 so... sitting on the porch I noticed that the extra crow..whoever he/she is...gone again..don't know exactly what the deal is..maybe his wife called him home or if it got mad and is pouting..but gone for the day..maybe he had a Dr. appt.. noticed a little fun behavior yesterday..not sure exactly what it was but when the crow landed on the ground it would hop up and down and caw and sorta raise it wings..now I could not figure out if this was a new form of stomp dancing or line dancing or just what..or maybe it was just putting it's foot down to an activity it did not like I cleaned out the bird bath yesterday this thing is bad...they had been dipping their  bread, chips and fritos  and I am thinking like the other birds need to drink as well....and the pasture just across now has cattle and the people have installed a HUGH watering tank 1/2 block up the road ..so I am figuring they could dunk there..well guess I thinking wrong as on my chair this morning was a note saying....look lady we will dunk where ever we want to so cool it.. not much going on in the nest area..sometimes when the crows get close you will hear a little sound..think that is mom letting them know it is close to eating time...hummm sounds familiar when the guys at my house think it is time to eat.. later redbird                         .....to be continued.......

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/01/12 at 02:32:05 yesterday was a bad day at the farm...... I had one of those "dizzy" days that required you to hold on to the sink when you had to bend to spit out the tooth paste stuff...yeah it was bad...and it went on and on.... now sometimes my "dizzy" will last 30 minutes and sometimes a couple of hours and sometimes a day...and this one was a looooong day... no reason known...it just comes along and says...hey think I will just hang around awhile..and see what happens.... and to add to that I became very close to one of this really big anaphylaxis attacks that send me on the hurry to the ER....I had the wheel chair ready to get me to the car...I started stuttering while trying to tell my son something and that is not a good sign...so he says...do we need to go...and I said...let me lay down and see if I can make it...and I did... I also became aware that I had not been as careful as I should have...the only benadryl I had was ...the little tabs that you put on your tongue...so it is on the top of my list for next shopping.. I hate this "crap"...being old is hard enough but this masto makes you have bad thoughts and say lots of "not nice words"... well this morning I am up "dizzy" gone for now...I hope it fell in a pit and someone covered it up.. redbird :D the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/01/12 at 02:38:21 CROW UPDATE 4-25-09 morning.. well have been gone for a few days...and upon arrival home I am told that the baby crows have been seen...husband said that when he was on the roof yesterday doing whatever you do on the roof..the adult crows make it very clear to him that he needed to get down and especially Foot the cat who goes everywhere with him..and loves to help him work.  My understanding is that after much scolding and other actions they did get down but he could clearly see in the nest and could see at lest one baby and thought maybe two.... soooooooooooooooooooo this morning early with my "big glasses" and cup of coffee and not the red robe I stationed myself on the porch for viewing..after much impatience  finally I could see that something big and black was in the nest or at lest to the side of the nest..now the big glasses did not reveal much but I kept on the job and finally the other crow came to the nest with the low croaking sound ...that I think is crow talk and sure enough I did see at lest one little head appear for feeding..so I kept at my post and finally did see what I thought was another one... now............... it appears that one of the adult crows stays in the nest or at lest to one side of the nest while the other one is bringing food..gosh maybe it is baby sitting the little ones so they do not fall out of the nest..Oh I hope they don't fall out.. Now the wind here is still blowing at a good clip and the tree is still swaying so the thought of the built in rocker that I had must be true..these will be the most rocked babies ever.. I am still amazed at the structure of the nest and how it stays on this limb in all the wind that we have had..I have read about how the nest is built but not how it could be so secure on the limb.. will keep you posted redbird                           .......to be continued.....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/02/12 at 03:48:48 CROW UPDATE 4-27-09 well this morning I was awaken by cries from husband saying there is a baby crow on the ground..since I had not gotten up yet I did hurry and grab a robe(not the red one) to see what was going on.... and sure enough there was a baby bird..maybe here I should correct myself with baby bird..not knowing how fast crows grow or how big they are in the nest I can tell you this was one big baby bird..now hold your two palms of your hand together and I will tell you that this bird filled the space... now we have a problem..we don't know if the bird fell out of the nest..as we had another round of wind 50 per plus..or just what has happened but we do know there is no way to put it back...so we moved it over to the bird feeding pan...simply because we did not know what else to do...we could have brought it in and tried to save it but we knew that physically we could not manager to feed it and care for it..so.... now the bird must have fallen out after the crow parents flew away for the morning hunt because when they returned and saw the bird on the ground it was quiet a show..and to add to the "whatever" additional crows flew in..we had 5 crows on the ground..they fluffed up their feathers and croaked and stomped and some kind of stomping dance it was something to see...now we could see the little..oops big bird  croaking back and hopping a little and finally got itself into a patch of grass against a log sitting by the feeding pan..think it must have felt like it's nest..ok so here we are watching all of this with crows flying in and out and feeding the nest and the bird on the ground opening it's mouth for food.... so son says we have to get this bird off the ground..we can close our cat Foot up in the patio but the neighbors dog or the raccoon(more on that later) will get it...so he says let us take one of the old big cages and cut the bottom out of it..he covered it with a dark colored pillowcase and we stuffed/made a nest out of some pine needles and he wired it to a branch of the tree that the nest sits on..well really this was the only thing we could do...will it work... well let me tell you what happened..after attaching it to the limb four of the crows came back from hunting..now they knew that something was not right so they flew around and landed on different branches etc..all four looked "this thing" over good..and then they flew off..don't know if they had a conference or what but when they came back a couple of them got closer and closer..looking and looking... and finally landed on the edge of the cage...and would you believe they fed the little/big bird..and when the one finished the other one landed on the cage and feed it again..so we don't know what will happen or what but for now it has a new condo with plenty of room and a private bath..will let you know on a lighter note..we do put out corn grain and food scraps for the birds..this morning husband was trying to find some of something to feed so he took some leftover macaroni and cheese and put out and the crows loved it...then he put out some left over spaghetti and that was funny watching they pick that up...think they may have thought it was anemic worms.... now I know this is long but...and I know you will not believe this butttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt husband sleeps in the recliner in the LR because of breathing problems..easier to breathe for him...now we live on the last street of our little town nothing but pasture across the street so we are a little out..now he tells me this morning at 12:05 he heard this tapping on the door...he thought it was somebody at the door..so he turns the light on and yup it was a raccoon trying to open the front screen...usually he gets in the garage thru the cat's door but guess he decided he wanted in the big house... we have boarded up the cat's door...so not sure what tonight will bring redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/03/12 at 05:57:22 well went shopping this morning as sometimes it just has to be done....and I found a way to be rich and famous... now I went to Wal-Mart my most lest favorite place to shop but sometimes I just have to...and as I was trying to get thru the store...it came to me... YUP going to be rich and famous...I am going to invent turn signals for shopping carts...and for those fast aisle shoppers...a red flashing light just like an ambulance with siren sounds...you know they are coming... YUP ...I am sure that you have had this experience...trying to make that turn and peeking out to see what is in the way...and here comes a cart...fast driver that wants to run you down... YUP...rich and famous redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 05/03/12 at 09:20:54 Love it Redbird! I think you should go for it. I guess a horn would be too much to ask for though, for the ones who like to stop in the middle of the aisle to chat to a friend?

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/03/12 at 17:45:44 SOMETHING I READ..... it's not the problem that defines us....it's the way we handle them... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/03/12 at 17:49:13 GOSH....I am not sure that I have told you that my team in the NBA is THE THUNDER OF OKLAHOMA CITY... I am sure that if you check...only a couple of times ;D just so you know again ;D  we just won the third game in the playoffs against the last years champs... THUNDER UP   :) redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/04/12 at 07:16:29 CROWS THE FINAL CHAPTER 5-4-09 Morning... after several days of drizzle and wet and cold we finally see the sun out... well the crow news is...................................... they have flown...it was so cold and wet that my observation post was too wet to sit out. I tried to watch from the window...but?  I knew it was close as they were out of the nest and climbing up in the branches and flapping their wings but the actual take off will remain a mystery.  Now I have been a bird watcher for a long time but this was one of the most wonderful experiences that I have had.  To watch and see just how smart these birds are made me track down everything I could find on the net about them but the one bit of info that is lacking is how that nest is attached to the limb that allowed it to with stand the winds we had during the nesting and I am sure that if we could find out the formula it could be sold . So now the birds are gone but I am expecting them back to visit the feed pan.  This morning after putting out corn grain we looked out and this fat squirrel was sitting in the pan.  All the little birds were trying their best to share but no he would not share.  THEN............in flys one of the crows and told that squirrel that it was going to eat and squirrel said no...and crow did not even  call for help...husband declared the new tenant's name should be Rocky the squirrel...now I have a hunch that we will either put out another food pan or crow will bring more help. well until next time redbird PS...oh how could I forget to tell you that yesterday visitor was a skunk...a sure enough live one and it certainly cleared the deck of all including us humans...as it waddled across the yard                               .....THE END...... I wanted to add just a little tidbit to this ending... the baby bird did not live..we are not sure why...could have been the fall as it was pretty far down to the ground... the next year 2010 the crows built a nest in the back yard in some pine trees that were not as tall...we watched them build the nest and a couple of times saw the mom bird hanging around...but then suddenly they were gone..did they have eggs etc...or perhaps they got a job transfer and had to move.. I am sure that this year somewhere they have had a nest...all signs give me that impression..I have tried to keep things out for them but they have not be a regular visitor as usual so according to the dates of the story...it would be time for the little ones to take flight..so maybe they will bring them to visit.. I hope that you enjoyed these stories as much as I enjoyed telling you about THE CROWS. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 05/09/12 at 04:28:12 Red; How are you ? Hope you're not "under the weather". lori :-*

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 05/12/12 at 07:28:09 Hi Redbird,   Hope you're resting and having a smooth recovery.  Miss your stories!  Take care of yourself and get well soon!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 05/12/12 at 10:14:35 Thinking of you Redbird, best wishes for a speedy recovery. Ruth

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 05/12/12 at 15:47:51 Redbird, I hope you are resting and being good so you can get better. You are missed but more importantly cared about. So be good, rest, and get better! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/16/12 at 04:09:27 A LONG TRIP well here I am...I have missed all of you.....seems that I have been gone for awhile...but hopefully I am finished and back home...you know that I always...or most of the time have to write with humor....life has taught me that the only way I can make it is to laugh instead of cry....as you will see in this story..I really tried to look at things in a funny way and most of the time I could...did have some bummer moments... on Saturday May 5 I was at the local store and sudden harsh pain under my ribs that send me home quickly so that I could lay down..and it went away..enough that I could go back to finish shopping..Sunday dawned clear and bright but body was not jogging along..just in a slow walk..by 10 PM I was as sick or sicker than I had ever been..just sick sick sick...told my son that we needed to go to ER...but something told me that it was not one of my masto attacks...however  something was really wrong.. lucky for me the ER doctor was someone who I had seen many times in the past and knew me and my masto problem really well...oh I was glad to see his face..I was clammy and sweating and he was concern that it was my heart..my EKG was looking a little funny so next thing I knew was a little nurse standing by my bed with aspirin..which I did not take as I have not had that before..you know this has been talked about some on the TMS line do you take the chance or what...now one of the things you should know is that sometimes women do not have heart attack symptoms like men...they can get pain under the ribs not in the chest area so sometimes it can be a fooler... BUT  by this time they determined that it was not my heart..but I was so sick I just wanted to melt into my self..after some other test the doctor came into the room ...well it is your gallbladder...you have an infection there as well as stones.....and a stone has passed into the duct and it must come out as you could die..well that sentence sure made me into a believer..take it out..but where...with my disease and no recent major surgery his thought was to move me to a really big hospital about 150 miles away.. can I go by car... no we have called the ambulance to take you..and they did.. the ambulance ride was like traveling in a tin can..we made sure that epi was on board..BUT I heard the nurse telling them....this is a very sick lady..when we arrived at the big hospital I heard the ambulance people say ...this is the very sick lady from Duncan..ok I am thinking...I am really a very sick lady.. now this is where a REALLY BIG problem starts.. my veins for IVs are just short of zero..so finally the nurse got one into my hand..but it was a little shaky..but in..word arrived that I was going to the floor and then word arrived that I was not going to the floor..I was going to a unit that was just a  step down from ICU ...and that was good.. after going thru all the normal admit stuff I am finally on the floor..IV in and running full speed..ordered by doctor..now I will tell you what that means...up to bathroom every 1 1/2 or 2 hours..but since I was plugged into so much stuff I had to be unhooked and helped..it was bad..finally it got to the point that I would unhook myself and go...somewhere there was a control who monitors all of the rooms...and when you unhook...you call them and say...10 54 up to bathroom...I learned to say...10 -54 out.....my IV alarm went off with loud beeps frequently...as there was no way that I could stay that still...it was decided that I needed a new IV spot which meant finding a vein...they worked for almost an hour trying to find on and then had to call in THE EXPERT..and again one was in but boy for how long was a question.. so began  the waiting game..the deal was...that if stone did not move out on it's own..a procedure would be done to remove it first and then the surgery..none of it sounded like fun..so we waited...finally on late Wednesday came the word...stone has moved...surgery tomorrow.. but before we go to surgery I must tell you a few things.. I have never seen or met nurses or aides like the ones in and out of my room..I cannot tell you how nice they were and are...never one time did they complain not act that you were a problem..I learned a lot about them..Sha goes to school 3 days a week and works 25 hours...Craig just got married at 41 and they are expecting a baby and Kim who she and her hubby are working a financial plan .and Shelia the head nurse who spoiled me and each day urged me to  DRINK AND DRINK AND DRINK...you see by now I have not had any food since early Sunday...and by now the cry...have you had a BM...and my reply..I have had no food...and telling Ms. Shelia that my dream was to have some bacon, eggs and toast and coffee...and for my first real meal she saw that I had it.. and then there was BOB..... we will leave BOB for a moment and talk about going to surgery...I had with me the surgery procedure recommended for us masto folks...as well as the papers I carry with me for those shocking spells..all the nurses, doctors had read it and when the surgeon came in he also read it carefully and made the remark...this is a great document..he made copies and took it to the surgery for the folks there to read as well.. so off to surgery..still maintaining the time dump for urine..as I had to stop on the way to the surgery room...now Larry who is the person who gets you ready for the entrance said....oh I can get in a better IV spot..and we are telling him..now as easy as it sounds..after much poking he finally thinks he has hit the jackpot..BUT inside the surgery...nope the anesthesiologist says this will not do...now he had been picked to do my stuff...and he was one of those chosen to assist with heart transplants etc..and he is good...so I am trying to tell him...zero veins....but if he did not feel good about this..IV place who was I to argue...BUT after looking and poking he also did not find anything..so now what to do...ONE IN THE NECK...and they did and everything continued on.. there was this cute little kid in surgery Kyle...he was really neat..and as he took me to recovery he was singing to me....you were boring boring boring...think that all the preparation..they were set for whatever...and it went well and so I was boring...and that was ok.. recovery went well except I was told that I was very drunk...I could hear daughter saying...I have never seen my mom drunk.. finally back to room and nurses ask doctor if they could slow my IV drip down and the answer came back no...so here I am IV in neck..and the bathroom schedule the same every one and half hours no longer than two...this put me in a spot that I was not sure how to manage this..2 hours after surgery..and need to go to bathroom... AND THEN THERE WAS BOB.... Bob is a sweet hard working aide..who is on the move all the time..works hard..just whatever you need he will do...he is a sweet person and everyone knows BOB...after trying to help me use the bed pan ...it did not work..even with daughters help.. so Bob became my motivator...bless his heart this would not work...so 4 hours after surgery I am up going to the bathroom..and continued until I left.. finally late after surgery my IV alarm kept going off and off no matter how still it was and since it was in my neck..I was not a happy camper nor was my nurses..so finally one of the head nurses went to find the doctor in the hospital to see if he would let them take it out..and they did..I can also tell you that the needle part... it was about 5 inches long AND THE NEEDLE WAS CROOKED..no wonder it was going off and off and off when dismissal finally came on Friday...it seems that I had passed all the test..I was awarded a shiny new walker..a three speed....it is metallic blue..leather seat..spoke wheels..and even a basket for needed items to carry along..just a really neat graduation gift... on arriving home I rushed to my bedroom as there sat my "drug of choice"...my Vicks vaporub...after lots of days on oxygen my nose was really dry...and my "comfort hanky" (story about this pages back) ....I learned a lot...just to let you know... God promises that I will again walk upright not hunched over.... you can pick up things from the floor with your toes.. remember that wire back scratcher...it can pick up your pj bottoms when they fall down... instead of sneezing hold your nose until it passes.. don't try to bend over just pretend you are at exercise..and you are doing a squat..bend the knees and down you go.. that is pretty much it...a couple of things...surgeon told me that my gallstones were as big as olives and I had two..I normally think of them as little stones... and soon I will be writing for my records to see just what they used for that knocking out stuff and will let you know that as it might be helpful THANKS TO ALL FOR THE PRAYERS AND CONCERN IT MEANT A LOT I have had a few times when the eyes needed washing out..so I cried and that was ok but am better redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kimtg68 on 05/16/12 at 04:51:12 So wonderful to hear you are home and recovering. The use of humorous.through your ordeal is inspiring. God speed redbird!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by ruth on 05/17/12 at 03:25:11 So glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery, may it be a smooth one. Glad to have you back Redbird.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 05/17/12 at 09:07:39 Glad you're back home, Redbird, and still seeing humor everywhere you turn.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 05/20/12 at 14:39:32 Red; I will add to the "Welcome Back!" chorus. :-* We missed you. Glad to hear you had some caring people watchin over you. :) Hope you are takin it easy !  :-? lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/23/12 at 03:09:23 wish I could tell you that I have been driving my new walker thru a field of flowers.. wish I could tell you that pain has passed... wish I could tell you that laundry is all done and out of storage... wish I could tell you that daytime TV is wonderful.... HOWEVER I cannot do it... seems like this surgery stuff does it own thing in it's own time...just when you think that every thing is on the good...it slaps you right in the face... so guess by now you understand that have had some bad days... I and my family thought that  I had skated right thru this and were unprepared for the set back...but a week from surgery day...that old ...don't feel good came crawling in and on Friday the really bad...don't feel good came knocking on the door...and Saturday dawned with great pain.. well follow up doctor visit was to be Monday and since I live 150 miles from doctor I did manage to tough it out until then... doctor assures me that nothing is out of place..so home again and after changing a med...Tuesday was a better day...and today Wednesday better yet... so just maybe by Saturday I will be driving my walker thru the house at a faster speed..and funny thoughts will arrive in head just waiting to come bursting out...thanks for listening redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 05/23/12 at 04:01:58 So glad that you are feeling a bit better each day. You light up OUR lives when you stop by here to chat. So hopefully our good wishes will light up yours, too!! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 05/30/12 at 13:51:07 Oh, Redbird, I´m sooooo sorry you´ve been sooo sick!!   I´ve kept you in my prayers, sweety!!    I fully understand the difficulties!!  I feel like the Bride of Frankenstein myself!   That neck IV is a very interesting trick, isn't it?   After I was done with my open heart surgery I took stock to see what they'd done.   They'd put TWO in my neck, one on both sides and then two in my feet!  Let's not mention all the OTHER tubes and wires they'd had in me!   This is surgery at it's best or worst, I'm not sure, but whatever it is, IT'S A LIFE SAVER!! Red, you're going to need to up your meds dear.   Your account says that your gallbladder was INFECTED.  And on top of the infection, you also had surgery.   This means your body is working OVERTIME to heal and it's going to take you some time to catch back up.   Any excessive physical or emotional stress and reacting is only going to keep you reacting.   So, you should keep your meds to only 6 hours apart and add in an addition dose every day.  This should help you feel much better.   Then as your body calms back down (loads of naps) and you regain your strength, you can cut back on the extra doses.   Keep SAFE and go slow with your recuperation!! KISSES SWEETHEART! :-* Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/03/12 at 04:46:37 hey... long time no talk...and I am hoping that this writing will be the last of "the health issues" topics...seems that returning to a half norm is slow...taking one step forward and two steps back...I still get tired very easy and have to rest in my nest and some nights my nest is the only place that I can find any sleep.. this has been a hard journey for not only me but my family...I could say that lots of things made it hard...masto...old...or just something but it has been hard I have learned lots of stuff during this time...I have always found that if you will look at situation even bad ones you will learn some kind of lesson....I have always been an independent person...I hate asking for help so.....but as you know my old wheel chair is a favorite for me...now if I had to use it all the time I might think different but for me it has been a good friend...it helps with so many things...and thru this journey it has become more than a friend..it has been a labor saver... did you know that you can sit in this chair and clean the bottom of the ice box out..and you can even mop the floor while sitting there...and did you know that pulling vacuum cleaner is easier that pushing it..oh yes just lots of little things... when you are just too tired to make it across the floor you can nestle down in the chair and sorta glide along to wherever  you are going..it is old and tattered but a goodie.. I do have to tell you about the most scary moment of this journey...I was in terrible pain..under my ribs and my side..I could hardly move and didn't..but my checkup day was just a couple of days away so I decided that I    would try to wait to have this checked out..it is 150 miles to the doctor .... finally arriving at the doctor office all kinds of help getting up there and ....will not go into the conversation with doctor as he does not have the best "doctor manners"...but leaving the office ask daughter if she would stop at the large grocery store just down the street from her house and get me some soup...I love soup and also if she would get a roasted chicken it would give son and I something to snack on..and she did...my very favorite soup...potato and bacon and a couple of others... on the journey home...yes the pain was still there and had not gone away..so now I am in the house..decided to have a small bite of chicken and get to my nest..now here is the scary part...I got choked on the chicken..trying to get it up or down...son watching me struggle...need to mention that he is an ex fireman who knows all the help stuff...and this sudden thought came into my head...he will do the Heimlich maneuver...oh please dear lord let this go down or out or somewhere...I hurt so bad under my ribs and side...if he does this..I will not be able to stand it...finally up it came...and for that I said THANKS... I am hoping for some kind of normal week ...it sure started out all wrong..when I got up this morning...I was sure it was Monday and the cable man would soon be knocking at the door..and to my surprise finding my newspaper that son brings in each morning..I am thinking ...boy lots of Monday news...however reading Sunday on the paper made me realize...that I was maybe not ready for a normal week... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 06/03/12 at 14:52:28 Red; I know many of us miss you terribly when you don't "write" for a while, but more importantly- we are hoping and praying for you to feel better SOON ! Chicken seems to be giving people on here a rough time lately :(   I am glad you have your "trusty" chair to help you out, just don't overdo things, okay ? :-* & hugs, lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 06/04/12 at 03:38:31 I just know this will be a good week for you!! Now I have a story to tell YOU! Guess what? Apparently at my house we have developed our own little forest! We now have a mommy and baby bunny living in our bushes in our front yard. It is so cute to look out and see one of them sitting at the edge of our bushes next to the driveway happily eating leaves from the ivy. We also have a baby chipmunk in the same bushes! Apparently my bushes and the tree that drops berries is quite an attraction, as we will have birds coming by for a snack on those berries as well. So the kids and I have decided that we have our own personal forest in our front yard. LOL Take care and keep those spirits up!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/04/12 at 08:40:02 well I woke up today and yes it was  Monday...the paper said so...so out of bed to wait for the cable man..he is the most important person for me today..the LR TV has suddenly turn the screen black and that will just not do as it is the one I watch from my nest...I use Judge Judy program time to rest there... so sure enough this man comes early and would you believe that with a press of a button...that of course I already had pressed...things popped right up..makes one wonder... then I needed to try for a trip to the library..had not been in a looooong time....and they had some books waiting for me...well pulled into my parking place and looked up and there meeting me opening the doors was my favorite library guy Rich..he carried my books in and even gave me a big hug ....he was glad to see me...now I have told you before that people who work here must have to take a nice test before employment...sometimes I share my little word writing with them and they think it is funny...and of course we have to talk about the latest NBA game...just about have everyone there on the Ok City Thunder cheering squad...so that went well... now I knew that I should not crowd my luck here ...so put off a stop at the grocery store..we certainly can live without whatever I thought I needed... and I am putting of off a haircut until  next week..maybe my tired will be better so home and my nest is calling... lots of farm news I will share next time redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/04/12 at 16:51:25 Ms. Deb....that sounds so exciting..please keep us inform in regard to your new animal friends redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/07/12 at 04:47:42 A DOG'S TAIL... I have told you that daughter has a special way with animals..I call her the "animal whisperer"...thru the years I have seen many pets come to live with her and each of them had a special place in all of our hearts...dogs and cats living together..just like family Now Brandi was a special little blonde cocker that could smile and talk...oh yes she could...each time I would visit she would greet me with a smile and tell me all the latest things that happened...until daughter would say...enough already..she could find her Christmas presents under the tree as she knew which belonged to her..and could open them as well...we were really sad when she left us.. and I may have told you about a visit that I found baby ducks swimming in her bathtub..it has always seemed that she has this special way... as time went on daughter got a brother and sister dogs...they were big dogs.... spaniels..Jake and Ellie...they had many adventures as well..on arriving home at noon one day from work...to check on them..they had decided to clean house..mopping was the main objective...and they had the water on the floor...all the hardwood floors..they simply chewed the water lines in the bathroom...much easier than buckets.. now Jake and Ellie were getting older..and had began to have health problems..even though they always had the best of care..time was beginning to slow them down.....Ellie had become diabetic and had to have special food and care and shots..Jake had lost most of his hearing..since Ellie had to have a special diet...dog treats from the store were not for her...so the vet made some suggestions..frozen pumpkin balls..yes you read that correct..daughter would take pumpkin from the can and freeze them in ice trays..now this was not a problem until the "great pumpkin shortage"  a year or so ago...you missed it??...well let me tell you it was real..daughter could not find any in the large city where she lives..so I was calling every store in my area until I found lots of cans...saved the day...now they also like frozen green beans but seems they are plentiful now daughter began to have thoughts of getting a puppy...one that could learn from Jake and Ellie ...laying in the floor of the dog ICU with Ellie in one of her bad spells..a little puppy came over to smell her out..and when I say little..tiny is a better word...now the Vet sorta pushed this relationship..as she knew that the puppy needed a good home and also how daughter took care of her animals..it would be a good match..so she kinda mentioned that perhaps daughter would like to take the puppy home for a weekend..and then another weekend..and of course by that time the Vet had daughter hooked..smart Vet.. what to name this new family member..after much thought she became Mia..and it was soon very clear that Mia was the boss of the entire household..including the cats..all humans as well..she was very picky who she shared her love with..to say she was spoiled is not even close..however  she did mind  well...she knew what "time out" was ... now today she is almost a year old... she is still small...weights in at 11 pounds and her legs are about 2-3 inches long..she is what you would call a miniature miniature daschund..and part something else..she is very close to the floor..and that is good as she sees things the rest of us miss down there.. I had mentioned to daughter that Mia needed to go to "play day" at the Vet's office..you see they have a ...sorta mother's day out program there...she needed to be around other dogs and people..and daughter would say..well I am thinking about it..and I would think to myself..this is like a parent who is sending her child to first day of school...however seems the Vet...who is also a good friend had the same thoughts... so............... yesterday was Mia's first...day at  the "mothers day out" program..it just seemed like the prefect time..Jake and Ellie were going to visit the groomers there so they would all be together..and they were..now I understand that a long written list of instructions accompanied them as well as a large bag of "pumpkin balls"...and Mia was to be with Ellie so that she would not become SCARED??...no one knew just how this would go as Mia's circle of friends was very limited.. well let me tell you how it went..... seems like Mia adapted really well...she took over the whole place..no dog to large that she did not and could not handle..and she protected her sister Ellie from everyone...even the groomer.. a phone call was made to check on the progress of the day...the young tech answered the phone and when ask ....how is Mia...the answer came back....welllllll and you could hear whispering as she turned to talk to someone before that answer came out..pst..pst..and finally the tech answered...well she bit both the groomers..lucky for them they had on thick blue jeans...now Mia was not about to let these strange guys take her sister to somewhere ....she just would not allow it..and she didn't..so what to do...well the Vet decided that Mia would have to go to "time out" in her office..so with her blanket she went..on checking on her in a little bit Mia was doing fine in "time out" she had discovered Snooky's dog food and was having a break from her busy day..now sure what Snooky had for lunch... the Vet told daughter just how smart Mia was...you see Mia knew that this certain room is where she got her toe nails clipped so watching her they noticed that she would stand in a doorway and run fast past this hated room..I can just see her now...long ears flapping and getting her speed up ...yup she is a smart girl... at days end...my understanding is that....the groomer got a large tip...I am pretty sure that they will check the list of dogs that will be coming to the next "day out" and dress according to just who will be there.. not sure who learned the most...Mia or the rest of the group who were there...Mia certainly made the most of her day..she was busy..keeping everyone and everything in order...my understanding is she had a long nap on arriving home.. I am still laughing ...hearing about this dog tail... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/09/12 at 05:05:47 interesting research revealed recently.... that coffee drinkers live longer...so I  figure that means I should make it until age 193...did not become a serious coffee drinker until I married..seems that husband was raised on...black coffee (I mean really black the boiled kind) and meat and gravy...now since my dad always had a garden, cows etc..I was raised like a country girl...vegetables, milk and those kinds of things...I was quiet an adjustment for my taste and cooking...but I never got the boiled coffee stuff but I did convert to coffee my way... just when you think you have life figured out it throws you a curve...like the neighbors children got a cross bow..or what ever those really strong one are and they use your roof for a target..well guess it is bigger than a bulls eye.. and I PULLED the vacuum across the LR floor..easier for now. and son says something  strange going  on here at the farm...as I had told you that we had no rain for a loooong time...and this spring started with our grass growing like crazy...he was mowing a couple of times a week..not from rain...then we started getting some rain and now it is dying...go figure...looks like mother nature is going to keep us all on our toes.. Birdville is buzzing..son is on another one of those ...eat that seed you threw on the ground...rants...take him a couple of days to get over it... my friend Mary across the pasture is going to have lots of company this month... and just in case you missed it....MY THUNDER BASKET BALL TEAM...IS IN THE NBA FINALS..  everyone here in Oklahoma is getting ready...and I am making my schedule so that I don't miss a minute...people are flying flags..wearing shirts and beards..if you don't know about the beard...google it.. so hoping that you will give a shout out for victory redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 06/10/12 at 03:45:08 Haaa. Okay I am going to have to google that beard and wee what that is all about!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/10/12 at 05:15:45 well the news is in and it seems that the Oklahoma Thunder Basketball team plays Miami Heat...hate that for them.... unless you are from Oklahoma or have visited here you might not realize that Oklahoma people stick together..and so the entire state is waiting for that National Crown..yup we are redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/13/12 at 06:50:44 I would like to speak to something I saw last night at the NBA finals basketball game...which of course the Thunder won...THUNDER UP!!! well it was doing the pre-game stuff and when the young lady sang the National Anthem..which she did an outstanding job... I looked and notice that not many people put their hand over their heart in respect or whatever like we always did ...use to everyone stood and did this when this song was sung..kinda bothered me and then I thought...maybe time has just passed me by and showing respect to our country does not happen anymore ... well whatever you think about it...I am still glad that I live here and have the option is doing this.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/13/12 at 07:19:57 MIA GOES INTO TRAINING???? now you remember Mia is daughter's little dog..and I do mean little ...in size and not age...seems that she has a new interest which totally seemed unlikely but then who knows...she has sorta erased "mother's day out" from her calendar..she might be expelled.. recently while watching TV from her favorite spot on the couch...buried deep in the blankets for keeping just the right temp...cozy...something on TV caught her attention...they were talking about the summer Olympics being held in London this year..hummm....so as she listened she noted that just maybe this adventure was for her...she had never been before but it sounded like lots of fun..lots of people were going.. well she was sure that daughter would not take her so how could she get there..well it seemed that becoming a member of the USA Team would  be the best thing... so she got down from the couch and approached the exercise room...daughter has one of those rooms that has all kinds of funny looking stuff ...so since the door was open Mia ventured inside..gosh she thought...just what kind of event should I train for...oh yes...training was on her mind..become a member of a team.. now she was most interested in the track events...as swimming was not something she wanted to do ...nor diving...bicycle riding would be a problem for her as well...so yes track was the "it".... well it was certain she could not do the broad jump with 3 inch legs...nor the high jump so finally she settled on track...the 50 yard dash...ok that sounds good... so getting on the treadmill for training was just what she would do and did...she would train and go to the Olympics and ....do a ....walk on...well that means that you are available for a spot when something happens to someone on the team...she was not worried...with her training she would fit right in..and walk on was better than...walk off... so Mia is now training on the treadmill...will keep you posted on her progress redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/13/12 at 12:49:38 seems like lots of folks do not know about Oklahoma...nor the Thunder nor anything about us...what great people we are and how we care for each other and how families love one another and my list could go on... until the past couple of weeks lots of people some more famous that others thought that Oklahoma was a vast wasteland...we all rode horses...had outdoor toilets...and wore boots..(well we do wear boots).. some are now changing their minds..especially with the visiting from AROUND THE WORLD...people in town for the NBA finals..and The Thunder is up 1 game to zip.. but I would like to also tell you about an upcoming something..yup read it right there in my BIG state paper... .Oklahoma City is getting a two story McDonalds...yup we are... right there at Penn and something..and for your information there are only 2 others ANYWHERE...one in Los Angles and one in New York...so what does that say in regard to our state and OK City...YUP seems like we are getting right in the swing of things for the big time redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/16/12 at 04:08:27 as you know by now...the crows are one of my very favorite birds to watch..and as we are beginning to see some of the spring babies...things should get interesting... now I did not see this...but son told me about seeing the baby crows visit this morning...maybe I should get up early... seems that the mom and dad crow brought in 2 babies for breakfast..son said that the dad landed on the ground and started gathering corn in a pile...when he had a fairly large pile he called in his family...he showed the babies where the food was...then the parents showed them how to wash their food in the bird bath.... son had cut down some dead trees and one of the stumps was almost level so he used that for a plate to set the food on... oh yes I must get up to be able to see this new event redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/16/12 at 04:11:46 when I was growing up....zippers in skirts and dresses were in the side of garments...now it seems like they have all moved to the back... do you remember redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/18/12 at 13:45:16 had to go to the store today and it can be dangerous here in my town...now we are a very small spot...we have one red light so traffic is sometimes fast speeding...need to be very careful...you can go from one side of town to the other in seconds and seems the big trucks that come thru...could not stop for a light if needed..so watchful is a good word...but I made it there and back... sitting in my nest trying to get a little rest..I was looking at the spot on the ceiling that rain had come thru and left a large spot...it needs to be painted however unless you want to paint the large ceiling...it would look awful... so sitting there I thought of a wonderful new thing....DIRTY PAINT.....you see it would blend right in with whatever needed a touch up.. it could be used in the kitchen...or just anywhere...soon as I can get an investor I plan to make millions.. I noticed the birds who like to sit in the grape vines at the front porch or remodeling a older nest..guess money is tight everywhere...cheaper than building a new one.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/21/12 at 04:06:51 I hate commercials that are really dumb..makes me feel like....they think I am a fool... one of the newest ones is for a phone...my phone is a shiny red one (my favorite color)...it sits in it's nice neat little holder until I want to use it and then it pops out..when I finish it goes back..I only use it for "call outs" not "call ins"...now daughter has one of those phones that does everything...well I have not heard it talk yet BUT this commercial that shows the person having a complete conversation including jokes...is just too much... and then my BIG STATE PAPER had an article about how cars will soon be talking to each other...WHAT????? can you even image what this could cause...what if one has road rage...or wants to spend the morning gossiping...or simple does not want to get out of the garage...what if one does not like what the other is wearing.. what about these wonderful older cars...mine is a bigcar.. deep jade green..and even has CROWN in it's name...it is a proud car that holds it's head up high...is it going to have hurt feelings because it cannot talk..will it's self esteem fall to an all time low...will it become depressed..how will I explain to my car that for me it is still GREAT.... oh yes commericals have been stretching the truth ...want to catch your eye and money...one needs to be careful and as for me I will just stick to the old favorite ...tried and true... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 06/21/12 at 04:49:55 Red; I agree with you ! Although, I would like my car to yell out "Use your turn signal Dumbell !". It would also be nice if it could tell my husband to "Pay attention to the road", and tell other drivers to "Get off the @#$% cell phone while you're driving!". Now, as to the crows- I would love to send them to your place- cuz they are eating us out've house & home ! That phrase "eat like a bird" sure doesn't apply to them. They eat like piggys ! :o lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/24/12 at 16:28:10 I am hoping that some of you will see the message that I have pasted below from my dear masto friend Olive.... and would send this young man an email...he is ill...but the hospital prints off emails and takes them to the patient..it would really be neat to get some from far away...I am not sure the address will show up in the right length but you can copy it into a search engine and it takes you right to the spot.. Let's flood his email box redbird There is a young teenager named Trino Castro.  He has cystic fibrosis.  He is very ill and in Primary Children`s hospital here in UT. I am thinking it might cheer him up to receive lots of get well wishes.  I would also ask you tell him where you are living while you pray for him.  He will be really surprised that pepple in another state is concerned about him. Go to the Primary Children web site.  Here is the info. If there is a problem let me know.  https://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/primarychildrens/forpatients/Pages/home.aspx Thank you so much.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/26/12 at 05:26:09 BIRDVILLE NEWS well it is hot in Birdville..we are having some of those triple number days.....however that has not kept the streets from busy busy busy... not only have the streets increased   traffic but housing seems to be filling up really fast...of course everyone is wanting a swimming pool so son has pulled out the really big water saucer and we have filled it up and opened it for the season... we have a lots of new residents that have not lost their baby fluff feathers and some of those teen agers with low riding pants...Lordy I hope they don't fall off....and redbirds that have not gotten all their feathers yet nor their beautiful color...but it seems that it will be a fun summer here yesterday the crows came with their young children...you can tell the young ones as they are not fully feathered out...one caused some kind of something as I noticed that it got a "slap" with the adult wing..bet whatever it was does not happen again...we still have the "lone crow" that either is a cast out...or a single ...or something...it just cruses in and out...seems pretty happy Snarky the squirrel came and it was fun to watch him...HE PLAYED AND PLAYED...all by himself...he would jump on the trunk of the tree and down to the ground as fast as he could and then dig a hole...jump in the hole..tried to figure out this play but could only think he was working on a survival underground place...he worked at it... well the old riding lawn mower finally gave up after about 25 years...seems nothing last long any more..so now son is really going to get his exercise by pushing the other mower around our 3/4 of an acre.. other news here not much...mopped this morning...oh yes that is a big thing as I am still moving S L O W L Y....daughter keeps reminding me that coming back from surgery is not a snap...and it is not.. well that's it for the day...reading a book this afternoon and staying in where it is cool.. take care where you are.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/28/12 at 07:03:35 well guess that the world is going to fast pass me by.. today in my BIG STATE PAPER....in the business section it tells how ...coming is a new thing...eye glasses that you can see the internet on the glasses...you can talk to them...don't know if they answer but I am thinking that this is just too much for me...seems they showed them at some new invention type show somewhere... now you if thought that cell phones could be a hazard...just wait until you try to watch jeopardy on your glasses.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/28/12 at 07:07:16 guess by now you all know that my Thunder basketball team did not win the championship ...but son is trying to make me feel better by saying ...well they are the second best...but it does not help... I can tell you that I am going thru withdrawal..big time... still reading the sports and seems that all NBA teams are plotting and planning for next year... hoping I will get a call with offer to coach next year or I would settle for telephone line straight to the coach's ear redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/01/12 at 03:47:52 Birdville News... I knew something was wrong when I looked out my "bird watching window" and saw a sign coming into the  town of Birdville..... it said.... Use it up or wear it out...make it do or do without.... seems that son is in another one of his "eat the seeds" you threw on the  ground rants..it will be ok in a day or two... lots and lots of babies new in town....each trying to find it's own way..seems that we are in the "kicking out of the nest" area of growth..some are handling it better than others.. the crow family visited yesterday..brought two of the youngsters..as big as they were they were begging to be fed..and they are big...up on the bird bath with their special crying... and the "lone crow" is having his problems as well...the mocking birds are teaching their young how to "dive bomb" the enemy.. when he lands he has learn to watch carefully for attack from above and it is funny to see him turn his head between bites trying to stay safe... yesterday ...I think I saw a new redheaded woodpecker...his colors were not all there and another clue was...that he would land on the ground...pick up a grain of corn...fly back up...put it in a spot on the tree and eat it..he really worked at this for awhile... then I have not been able to get any other families of humming birds...seems that we are off the route of any other than the one we have.. the he and she redbirds look funny without all their neck feathers..we have a large crop of those.. plenty of water out for these hot days that we are having and I mean hot.. well check in with you later redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/01/12 at 03:52:34 Mia News.... just so you know.... Mia did not make the Olympics team.... in fact she did not make it to the try outs the roads were to hot to travel with her short legs and she does not like to fly oh well maybe next year redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/03/12 at 00:38:17 been intending to write about this for some days....but today is the day it needs to come out...it has been rolling around and rolling around in the old brain... do you ever sit and just wonder about life...and what is life...of course we can find it in the answer book...while you are alive...but really does it mean just that...now I am not off on some wild tale...but life can also be what you leave behind when you leave this world... what did you do...maybe some great thing...or maybe not... lots of friends to miss you...or maybe not invented some great thing...or maybe not so what are you leaving to this world who really does not seem to care however maybe a few will see what you have done with you "life" recently I have noticed how behind I am in keeping up with things..even though I read the latest news I am amazed how things are speeding along and I am just hanging on... noticed in the fashion news...it is the latest thing to show the "bra straps"...and you can even buy a bra now in colors so that it can be more notice...yup that one left me behind... then the tech stuff...cars that talk to each other..glasses to wear and watch the internet...and cell phones that seem to be glued to everyone ear...cannot leave home without one...may have told you but when computers came to our hospital and one was put on my desk...I was scared...you see I was in my 50's and had already gone thru that fifty crisis with life...the one where you look and see...what have I done with my life...you know the one.. well I was so afraid that this change at our office would not include me and I needed to be there...then our computers had a button that said help..plain and simple right there on the button..but I was too afraid to push it... but I made it thru that and moved on...now that I am "going on 79" others things have pushed into my life I could blame lots of things for my current state of mind that concerns me greatly...I could say...I have masto...I could say...I am old...I could say ..I have been ill...I could say that the motivation and energy level is not there....but the truth of the matter is...all those things that need to be done....I don't want to do them...and I just don't care...they suddenly do not seem important ...hummm wonder what this means... thinking on it... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/03/12 at 01:42:09 seems that where I live was the lucky part of the state this morning...we had a shower... now a rain shower is just a step above a sprinkle...but then guess we should be proud of our state standing this morning.. so I sat on the porch taking the air and read my BIG STATE PAPER....it was nice.. as I sat there a humming bird came to drink from the bush close by...I sat so very still as I wanted to watch...when he finished he choose to sit on a little twig and rest..still I sat ...we looked at each other in the eye...who would blink first...he did as he flew away after letting me have a wonderful look another thing that I need to research or someone needs to tell me or something is.....the battle between the mocking birds and the crows...as I told you this has been going on for some time...now the mocking birds do not seem to be bothered by any other birds landing in Birdville but the crows....as soon as the crows land...out of nowhere the mocking birds show up with their battle plan...have to watch out..unless there is some old feud that I don't know about... watched a charming romance start yesterday as well..a couple of new lady redbirds sitting on the ground when up comes a Mr. redbird...he checked out the ladies and finally picked one...he started feeding her from the seeds that he gathered...Kinda like bring someone chocolates..this went on for a few minutes and things really looked hopeful...when a couple of more ladies arrived and he escaped...will watch for this budding romance.. not much else to tell you today... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/04/12 at 03:44:48 my friend Mary "from across the pasture" has been talking dirty...in my presence... she has used the word "ironing" several times.  I have ask her not to do that but sometimes she insist in telling me that she has been "ironing" now just so you know...I never say this word...I say "dryer" redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/05/12 at 01:01:11 THIS IS AN ALERT!!!!!!!! MOTHER NATURE is moving the HEAT DOME that we here in Oklahoma have been under for days... TO THE WEST... you need to get ready as it will be hot...all of you folks need to be sure you have ways of staying cool in case you lose power... DO YOU KNOW that there are battery operated fans...Wal-Mart did have some... BE SURE...that you have lots and lots of extra ice ...I have little ice blocks that I use to hold against my body/face... HOPEFULLY....it will just move right on out to the ocean...and fall down redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 07/05/12 at 08:03:54 Red; Oh your last 2 posts have me LOL !!! I haven't @#$% ed in years. Yes- that IS a dirty word. My neighbor used to ask me to @#$% her kids outfits FOR her !!! Seems she didn't own an @#$% OR an @#$%ing board ! I know better now- I don't buy any clothes that require @#$%ing. :D  My Mother used tomake us girls @#$% pillowcases. :( AS for the heat wave- I burned my leg yesterday on our aluminum boat when we went fishing ! It was worth it tho- a wonderful breeze on our small lake, AND... I caught two bass ! :D Lots of rain (humidity too :() since Tuesday. The grass is a lot less crunchy ! ;D Things are lookin up  :D Keep cool Red  8-) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/06/12 at 01:57:00 survey question here..... have you made your "bucket list"...you know the one...that holds all the things you want to do before you are no longer here.. . hummm I don't have one...wonder if I should get one....Ace Hardware has lots of neat buckets...not sure what I would put in it.. really going to have to think on this one... DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST??? redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/06/12 at 06:15:06 I don't know about you but I kinda believe in dreams.....I think that I told you that I dream in color.. when my dad died my dreams went to a new level...I dreamed stories and when I dreamed it one night it would continue the next night until the story was finished...I could/can recall each detail and the names of the characters..how it starts...the middle and how it ends.. a few morning ago I was slapped awake E A R L Y with a thought heavy on my mind...I was to write a book...the color of the cover and the picture that would be on the front...and the name of the book and what it would be about... hummm...I have two stories in my head that are firmly there...I have jotted notes down on one... BUT then a couple of days ago I started a new story... Luke who was in the marines and met Katy who was also marine...coming back from service and the EVENTFUL life they had... last night I dreamed how Katy's company was taken over by some employees while she was very ill...and found out when Katy was going back to her company... I could go on with this BUT I am just a word writer and my aunt is the author...I am going on 79....thinking on this redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/06/12 at 06:18:59 OH MY...OH MY....OH MY OH MY OH MY.... my friend Olive who lives in Utah...says they have been warned to watch for rattlesnakes...that have been run out of the forest where fires have been burning... I watch for grass snakes...green snakes or any snakes...I look out each morning to see if one or anything is sitting on the porch redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/08/12 at 02:20:40 for lots of years I have sat or stood or just whatever and watched birds in my yards both back and front...for the last several years my watching has been limited to the back area..once when I was younger and active and working I wanted to make my back yard one of those bird havens..it seemed so simple then but as time went on...it wasn't regardless I have seen lots of birds and enjoyed their play time and routine BUT yesterday was the crowning glory of my bird watching...let me tell you about it..... it is hot here and we have been keeping out extra water pans ...since we have so many babies they are flying all over and into everything...sitting on the ground waiting for a bite from mom or dad...just making sure that you know they are there THEN suddenly I noticed a little bird with lots of red on it breast..so I am thinking yup it is a little purple finch... BUT wait something else about it caught my eye...it has a purplish/bright blue head...looking again and straining my old eyes...it seems that it has a iridescent back...this is not a purple finch... now for some time it came and went to the water pan...and I continued to be sure of my thoughts...OK this is something new... SO out came the bird books...looking, looking and looking...turned every page one by one...perching birds etc...finally I found something that looked sorta like it...but kept watching the water pan...on getting better looks....YES IT IS A PAINTED BUNTING...it is the most beautiful bird that has ever came to visit...his bright colors just amaze me... now it is small and I wonder how it came to visit...first I thought maybe someone kidnapped it and dropped it off...then I thought maybe it ran away from home...or it's gps was broken...or maybe it just needed a drink on such a hot day.... oh I am hoping it comes again today...if not I will mark my calendar as a day worth all the years of bird watching please put into a internet search engine....picture of a painted bunting ...and see this wonderful bird redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/08/12 at 03:27:50 well if the census taker came to Birdville today...they would find babies ...lots      parents....few think that soon as the babies were old enough to push out of the nest....parents went on vacation... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/08/12 at 08:51:45 well you know how son rants...eat that seed that you spit on the ground...well we have been out of seed for 4 days and the seed mill does not open until tomorrow... I saw a black bird turn over a rock to look under it...LOL LOL...seems like they are taking his advice.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/09/12 at 03:09:30 sat out on the porch this morning..wanted to catch the mocking bird's radio show before it was over..as soon as he is done he calls his troops together to do sentry duty in the back yard...did you ever wonder how this bird learns all the different calls he makes..if I listen carefully sometimes I can recognize which bird it belongs to... then in my bird watching chair...trying to understand why the humming bird water is milky...however the little bird is drinking away WHEN suddenly....OH LOOK...EVERYBODY LOOK...IT'S HERE...COME AND SEE...HURRY...IT'S HERE...IT'S HERE... these words come rolling out of my mouth as the "panted bunting" appears at the water pan...now since this pan is white he stands out in all his beauty...but he just gives me a quick look as he fills up with his morning drink... now all the young redbirds have discovered each other and the fuss is on...chasing each other thru the air..looks like red airplanes flying fast ...in the trees out the trees over the ground...if this keeps up they will sleep really well tonight.. son is on the way to the seed mill this morning...I expect three cheers from the group as soon as he returns and fills the feeders...son should not complain as they have $#*&^ eaten the seed from the ground.. well TV says a cold front is stalled out just up the road...LOL LOL...good excuse for the cold front they promised us for today... not much else going on here...talked to daughter yesterday and seems that Mia is having a quiet week..course her homework keeps her pretty busy ....having to manage the household is a pretty big job...and she does. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/10/12 at 02:38:46 good morning from the farm... well up early for me this morning...but did not check in with the mocking bird radio show...just moving slow... but sitting in my "bird watching chair" thinking I might see the "it bird" my new resident...the painted bunting I noticed that my one lone honeysuckle bush was really looking sick...now we are again in that no rain zone...so several days ago I had ask son would he please give it a drink...I could not turn on the outside water faucet.. you see me and the outside faucet have a history..and not a very nice one..I have been known to turn it on to water something and leave it on....for days...now I admitted to this but family seems to want to prevent this so they turn the old faucet off really hard...it takes pliers to turn this dude... so this morning I am thinking...son is asleep so I just slip out to the faucet and look at it and then the honeysuckle and said to myself...I can do this... so I remembered this little ditty...left is loosely goosey and right is righty tighty....and I got it on so now I am thinking I will water this bush ten minutes...but how will I remember to note ten minutes and turn it off... so....I go in and put on my watch...now this is an award winning watch..and engraved....my beloved boss gave it to  me when I finally retired after lots of times .... now this watch is pretty but who wants to wear a watch in the house...only wear it on trips to town...BUT I put it on as a reminder that I must turn the water off... OH YEAH....watered the bush...put water in the  bird pans...and remembered to turn it off... rightly tighty.. oh my it is a good day redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/11/12 at 03:08:57 I guess that most or all of you know that you can check out movies at the library...since I am frugal (nice word for cheap)...I have done that... yesterday afternoon I watched the movie....War Horse....it was good but very sad...very sad and I cried and cried and cried.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/11/12 at 05:12:46 know what I did today?????? loosey goosey....righty tighty.... you know what that means redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 07/11/12 at 05:45:44 Red; YAAAY for you !  :D You turned on the water all by yourself ! Isn't it funny how little accomplishments can make us feel so good ? :) We had a pickup truck truck that I was afraid to drive to town in for years. One day day I got up the nerve & drove it into the nearest city (traffic there is awful). I felt like I was pretty cool drivin that big red truck 8-) ! War Horse made me cry too- but goood movie. Have you seen Seabiscuit ? Same horse, good movie. Bet that horse can pay someone to turn his water on For him ! ;D lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/17/12 at 02:52:41 you know since I have started my "little spot" here at this forum ...and as I have shared with you things about my years...I have tried really hard to stay away from politics and religious writings as I think those things are a persons own choice... HOWEVER today  I am going to make an exception..if I offend let me tell you now that I am sorry... my family is in a crisis situation..and I would like to ask for your prayers or special thoughts...especially for my daughter and especially for next Tuesday July 24... she will be traveling to Washington DC to hopefully settle a over two year struggle...it has been hard thank you redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 07/19/12 at 04:47:15 Red; Hope all goes well. Prayers on their way UP ^. Hugs, lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 07/20/12 at 04:40:24 Uh oh, I hope that everything goes okay for your daughter!!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/20/12 at 06:48:46 thanks to everyone for remembering my family this coming week..this hearing has been a long time coming ...like in a couple of years...and daughter who is a very smart lady will be there doing talking.. so........................ in the TV commercial or shows...if someone is anxious or nervous they show them eating ice cream out of the carton... just so you know I am ready...this morning I got a carton of ...praline pecan turtle sundae... hope I don't have to eat it but if needed I also got a jar of Jiff peanut butter and smuckers strawberry jam... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/21/12 at 03:58:54 WELL.....yesterday my friend Mary "from across the pasture" came to visit and brought me half of her watermelon..how can I say it was good....it was good!!....I had not had one in a very long time and her thoughts of sharing  it with me made it even better.... now Mary is the a very kind and nice person...if you needed something Mary would really try to help...glad that Mary is my friend "across the pasture" I had told you some time ago that Mary and hubby Ron were getting a new cellar for the storms that like to come thru our state...and the seating arrangement for it was....my seat was #2...however after much thought in regard to climbing in and out it was decided that a safe room would be better...that you could just "walk in"....when I told her that I wanted to come and see it...she told me that she was going to have "open house" for the safe room and that I now had "standing #2" instead of sitting..I am pretty sure that if needed lots of bodies could crowd in .... now to accomplish room for this in their garage..Ron built a little storage house out in the back...and since Mary like to "decorate everything" she showed me pictures...it has hugh butterflies on the sides..and an beautiful eagle on the front over the door...hummm I forgot to ask her how they were hanging as this is a metal building ...wonder if this means drilling a hole...and rain would come in...and then the inside would not be dry...will this is certainly a hummm question. well you might as well get ready to hear me whine and sob and cry and say ugly words...looks like this summer here will be a repeat of last summer when the heat was so bad and we lost trees and bushes...already my really big trees are losing leaves...talked to the master gardener at the nursery and she told me that everyone was having the same problem...that did not make me feel any better..we have no rain in sight and temps are well over a hundred for next week or more.. ...ranchers are selling their cattle...and the problems go on with others as well...however I am thankful for A/C talk to you later... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/25/12 at 02:25:24 just a BIG THANK YOU to all that remembered us yesterday....decisions were made in our favor and now we can go on with our lives... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 07/25/12 at 15:47:30 That is great!! I was thinking about you and specifically came looking right now to see if you an update. Glad to hear it all worked out!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/26/12 at 06:56:01 thanks Ms. Deb ... it was really interesting to hear about the Federal Court Building in Washington DC thru daughter's eyes..everything from the security that one had to go thru to the beautiful blue carpet with the USA Seal...to the place where the Justices sit and the feeling of power there...her atty had argued a case before the Supreme Court and told her how you almost would forget your argument  because you would become so awed... one of the people who accompanied daughter wore a cowboy hat which is common in our part of the USA and security seemed ok with the hat however the band around the hat wasn't...there was a little buckle that held it in place..now that required some BIG security to finally ok and put them thru I can also tell you that it was one of the longest days of my life...it went late like in late... and I can also tell you that I ate almost all of the carton of praline pecan turtle sundae ice cream ....yes it was a long day redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/26/12 at 06:59:17 daughter when you were a little girl and then growing up...I knew that you were special...I always told you that you could be whatever you wanted and especially because you were a girl in the then and now world it would be hard...but whatever you wanted to be...be the best...if it was sweeping the streets or the garbage collector or whatever...be the best one...you did just that in your profession....and now that you are all grown up you have become the beautiful wise lady that you are today... I am surprised that many people think they are much smarter than you...you have proved that over and over..I am so proud of you and the person you have become..you are strong and proud of who you are....I am glad that you are my daughter and also my best friend. love you mom

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/29/12 at 02:21:03 well this morning dawned with another hot day forecast...in fact our TV weather man is saying we have moved from a "heat dome" to a "heat inferno" and to stay inside...do not go outdoors... so not much to do...sitting in my "bird watching "chair but reading a book and looking out some to catch a look see at who might be flying in... now some of the younger birds land with a sorta bump...and I have had some of those bumpy landing per airplane... as I look at the birds I am reminded of the fairy tale...ugly duckling...we have gobs and gobs of ugly birds...young and not all their feathers...facing life just like us humans...some of the babies running after their mother nudging her saying ...time to eat ...as she picks up seeds to feed each one...are they thinking what will I be when I grow up..wonder what a bird thinks...can  a bird think??...I am not sure but they know where and when to come for dinner...they know that water is here...so it lets my mind wonder a bit I notice that the youngsters again are like our kids...dipping a foot in the water...should I get in or not...then they stick their head in and swish it around..hold up their wings and use the beck to nose around...sorta like a human holding their arms up and saying...do I smell that bad... but hope is that the birds will grow up to be the beautiful ones ...and will bring hope and joy to "bird watchers" every where. one little lady redbird who must just be out of the nest ...no neck feathers...she lands to eat and water..she is so shy and timid...I want to whisper in her ear that in a few weeks she will be this wonderful beautiful lady bird. son told me about watching one of the young crows..he was standing on the side of the bird bath and since it is made of plastic..that made it lean and water was flowing over the side...he spent some time trying to figure out how he could drink the dripping water when all he had to do was turn around to drink..finally he did make that turn..again just like  us humans when we must make a turn in life.. my "it" bird...the oh so pretty painted bunting has been back...it knows that I am watching holding my breathe and not moving  so that I will not disturb it..it drinks out of one of the white water pans...so that his colors show so bright...he is just a lovely bird...I have not seen him eat but "it" comes for his daily drink..guess it is like some folks...going to happy hour.. when I think about my life and it twist and turns..I wonder what would happen if I had made different turns...would I be president..no I wouldn't...sometimes I get loney...sometimes my computer and books are just not enough...but my bird watching is always there and it brings me much joy as I weave stories about them into my thoughts. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/30/12 at 04:33:24 sitting in my chair this morning....hummm no birds in sight..the only one who shows up is the little humming bird....it has had a difficult time in the past week or so...seems another one has shown up but it is a bully...we need to send him on his way... then as I sit there I become aware that something is just not right..silence...so I carefully look around...and there....it is....the hawk...big...mean...and dangerous..there he sat on a limb just outside my window... now all the birds were hiding in the twisting vines on the arbor..they needed help...so out with my old red ryder bb gun I go...can I hit the hawk...goodness no but make noise I can... so we are back to normal...watching .... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/31/12 at 05:06:39 today we woke with the plumbing problem that actually happened last night..all the under the sink pipes decided after 30 years...they were just tired and all died...yes it was sad... however this morning meant a trip to the plumbing shop..thankfully son can fix this problem...but I went and sat in the car .....watching.... now I can tell you that the plumbing shop business was busy...lots of men coming and going...all kinds..some in dress clothes...some in jeans and some in dirty shorts...BUT as I watched I notice that a lot of them had something in common...they all had to spit...like in spit...on the ground..so now I am    wondering if this is a necessary thing or a usual  happen here or you cannot  get in or some kind of ritual they are all performing... made me wonder about son ...as he did not spit before entering the shop..but soon he came out with the needed stuff for fixing... no I did not get out to inspect the ground...think I will just continue to wonder.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/31/12 at 07:01:28 son ask me to speak to the crows....they are moving stones into the grassy area... why you ask in the bird seed... we get peanuts in a hull that are mixed into the seed...and they sit the peanut hull on the rock and peck it open... however they do not move the stones back and it messes up his mowing  ..I can just see me now giving them a lecture ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/01/12 at 04:59:01 WELL ...yesterday at 3:15 the temp outside my house was 111..highest it has been here this year and it stayed high until very late..thankfully my A/C is working.... son was going to be gone this morning for awhile so he filled the bird water pans last night and watered a tree ...telling me this so I would not see the need to get outside... so OK since cleaning the house is not my top priority for the day...I sit in my "bird watching chair" and watch the birds come in and suddenly I had a thought...so I tell myself...you remember that old daily journal you had and you recorded each day your problems???...so instead of reading how bad you felt and how sick you are...I decided to just rip out those pages and make it into a bird watching journal...yup I did..and I started right away.... a baby brown thrush came...and my "it" bird the painted bunting...and record all those baby redbirds..and mocking birds...and how the baby brown thrush climbed the tree just like a woodpecker..as the trunk is rough...oh yeah..this is good... since the old remembering is not just as sharp as before this will help me know each day what has happened in Birdville... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/01/12 at 05:09:06 hair is the problem of the day here..... does anyone remember the movie star Veronica Lake....remember how she had one side of her hair hung down and almost covered her eye on one side..she is  an oldie movie star... but I remember her and her hair well... my hair is driving me crazy...the top is so long that it hangs down in my face and a Veronica Lake I am not.. maybe next week the hair cutter and I can meet early and since she has done my hair for longer than I can count..we can fix this problem.. Oh I hope so redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/02/12 at 02:18:41 do you know that it was 113 at my house yesterday...so............. this morning I ask son if he knew where the bird mister was and he said it was in the old tin barn...there are two but one is broken... so.............. I ask him if he would bring it up to the house and he did...cleaned it up and out and we have it installed this morning ready for the really bad heat of the day...I am hoping the birds like it..know it will take a while to get use to the color and shape ... will give you a report tomorrow redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/02/12 at 04:53:11 according to e-medicine...I think I have a sty on my eye...e-gads when is enough ...enough redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/06/12 at 03:50:12 I decided last Thursday that I would make my weekly trip to the library...week days are good as lots of people are at their jobs...and since it has been so hot here I went early a little before they opened.. as I sat in my car waiting...I watched...and I started giggling...and I giggled and I giggled.....I put my hand over my mouth... lots of the older group of men had on shorts...I giggled...and some had on shorts and flip flops...I giggled...and some had on shorts and socks with their shoes...and I really giggled...now I am no different than lots of the ladies here...I like looking at some of those nice legs that some men have BUT... I giggled...and giggled and finally  ;D,,,,I am so sorry redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/06/12 at 06:15:36 just so you know..... if it had been one of us old ladies...I would have giggled as well redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 08/06/12 at 15:18:13 Haaaa! You are so adorably funny, Redbird!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 08/07/12 at 04:29:00 ;D ;D ;D; Thanks Red- I may laugh out loud now when I see that look-especially the black socks with shorts n sneakers !  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/07/12 at 04:34:48 I like to watch the cooking shows on TV...some are thirty minutes long and some are an hour...they are designed to make you think that you could be this great cook...however I don't even want to be.. But I have never seen one of the cooks wash their hands redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/08/12 at 02:24:00 if you have heard or read the news you are aware that my state of Oklahoma has been in the headlines...for not only drought and heat and last few days awful wildfires that burned thousands of acres plus lots of homes... yesterday we all watched as clouds formed and some areas so hard hit got rain... and we eagerly watched  clouds that were racing toward the farm...and Birdville... one cloud came overhead and....spit...... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/08/12 at 07:07:13 spit ....one drop

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/09/12 at 08:29:41 oh my gosh....^%$#*&^%....I am expecting the police to arrive at any time..to arrest us for criminal active and harboring  criminals here at  the farm....and maybe some other stuff as well But I swear we are innocent...I did not know... but here is the story.... I don't go outside much as it is too hot and son has taken care of the water pans for the birds.. today I was telling him about how I had noticed that we had a cripple bird coming to water... and he said...I need to tell you something... it seems that the crows are stealing corn from some farmers field and bringing it to the back yard water pans to eat it... he said that early mornings he would find small corn cobs and pieces of corn in the water pans... so if we are found out ...we may be going to jail ..... wonder if we can get out on bond redbird the word writer  :-/

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/12/12 at 02:35:46 I need to tell you something this morning....you see I have told you over and over how wonderful my doctor is.....I would not trade her for anyone else... BUT she does have a flaw...just a little one that sometimes is hard to over look...now I have this symptom...called "I don't want to"....and I don't want to includes lots of things...I don't want to sweep the floor...I don't want to clean the house...I don't want to fold up the clothes...you know how I hate that...I don't want to empty the dishwasher thingy....now I have had this for some time... AND she has not been able to cure this and get me back on the "want to" track... BUT I think I will forgive her and hope for the best redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/18/12 at 04:39:42 sniff....sniff sniff sniff....WHAT IS THAT SMELL....is it in the kitchen...sniff..sniff..check the trash...smelling...sniff no not the trash...ok check the bathroom...sniff...sniff...nope...maybe son's bedroom as it is sure dirty..sniff sniff...no...where else could this strange smell be....ok sniffing the whole house...hummm??? ok house seems not to be smelling anything other than usual... so will check the front yard...opening the front door carefully as you never know who has come to visit...sniff..ok open the glass door... sniff sniff...yes there is the smell... IT IS RAIN.....been so long forgot what rain smelled like redbird :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/18/12 at 10:07:05 it has been so hot here this summer I have not baked much..if it does not fit the little oven it don't get baked.. so a couple of days ago a cold front came thru and knocked the temp down some so I ran into the kitchen to bake   some applesauce muffins..I have done them so many times I don't even look any longer how to make them...they are really good ...quick to fix..etc so I thought I could pop these in the oven and out before the kitchen temp climbs and I did... now I kept watching them in the oven...and it seem like it took them forever to brown..but finally they did...so got I got them and took them to the rack to take out of the pan...hockey pucks hummm they seem kinda flat but got them out on the cooling rack and of course son tested them right away...and I must say I was not far behind...well they taste ok...but something is just not right. so back in the kitchen I went to review all the things in the muffins...yes I measured everything and still they just did not work.. flour..sugar..egg..salt..butter..applesauce..baking powder...so I turned over the baking powder can and it said.....good until 2004....seems nothing last any more... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 08/19/12 at 06:11:58 LOL. I though that you were going to say that you forgot an ingredient. I have been known to do that....I baked a cake once and forgot to add any oil! Oops....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/20/12 at 04:04:17 son has a question for you today what animal grows wings as an adult but can taste food thru its feet?? answering coming soon redbird ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/21/12 at 02:38:03 AND THE ANSWER IS........................................ a butterfly.... according to animal planet redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/22/12 at 06:30:20 today my family and I became a written part of history....it's like this.... I have told you about my little town...we have one red light ...we are small...so that makes for ....years ago people all knew each other ...we don't now but back then times were different... my dad moved us into town after several years of living on what we call here...oil leases...actually this consist of maybe a couple of houses next door to each other or sometimes just one and my dad would take care of the tanks and measure what was pumped into them from oil wells and he would determine when the oil then needed to be pumped out of the tanks on the next place.. moving into town was a new and different experience for me and my brother  ...we were not use to neighbors and all the different things that it brought to our lives.. now our first house in town ...there was a hugh rock just down on the corner of the street and we could go down there and sit on the rock..guess it was fun as we did that a lot... by now my dad was working for the new refinery that was about 5 miles out of town...all of his working life was in the oil area.. I have told you that my dad was not a lazy man...he worked so very hard to take care of us...now one of his other things he like to do was "build houses" and then he would sell them for profit...he did lots of those... but one of his largest projects was a motel he built here on the edge of our town... AND THAT IS WHERE MY TODAY STORY BEGINS.... early this morning I had to get gas for the trip to the doctor's office ...coming into town I noticed one of those big "tear down" machines working on the motel that my dad had built...it has sat vacant for many years and it seem  to have become a place for kids to play and some other stuff and so they decided to tear it down... I drove by on my errand and came back by and people and official looking men were everywhere...but I just wanted to know the details..so I turned around and came back and ask the guys what was going on.... several of them came to my car and conversation told me the reason it was coming down ...and I met the new owner of the property...who of course I knew his grandmother well....so continuing on I told them that my dad had built this...and they all got excited and the new owner said he had been trying to find the history of the property etc etc...so I told them some of the story...and I ask if I could have a rock from the building...and they got me one...and the newspaper man took my picture getting the rock...and after much more conversation he ask me to come for an interview as this was part of history and it would be recorded and placed in the Historical Library...so tomorrow I will go for the interview...and so I am sitting myself down trying to remember all the things I can tell them..looking for a picture of the  motel when it was so pretty and nice... I think it is going to be on the front page....it certainly made my day brighter redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/22/12 at 07:39:27 I think of one more doctor says I-N-F-E-C-T-I-O-N to me I might spit in their eye...I and my body has just about had it with this symptom..and effect... this had not been a good year for normal living...throw in a few of those mentioned above and makes for a not fun year... had several kidney infections...had a infected gall bladder with removal...and now am struggling with an eye infection... I will now tell you that I have put "infection" on my s##t list..and they rank right up there at the top... this eye infection makes it a struggle if not impossible to read my "big state paper" and most of the library is on hold as well... when will this be over...doctor does not know...however he did speak ugly words to me this morning...he said...if the pus pocket does not go away on it's own...we will have to open it up and scrape....like in s##t ..s##t  s##t..and yes that is me cussing up a storm... waiting another two weeks to see what happens.. and of course most of us masto folks wonder if it is old masto at work..who knows..I just know it is the s##ts redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 08/23/12 at 16:28:03 Sorry to read about the miserable infections!  I'll bet there are some old time recipes for an eye infection that really work.  We have an old-fashioned eye cup that I've used before.  Bet some of the younger people on here have never seen one!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/24/12 at 02:21:42 does anyone know where I can get a wheelchair for a bird?? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/24/12 at 04:16:48 THANK YOU JOAN your post made me remember that in my moms things there was a couple of "eye wash little cups" and I got them out...cleaned them up and will follow your suggestion of using them redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/24/12 at 14:11:36 I made a BIG decision today....I don't want to be a gold miner in Alaska redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/30/12 at 06:54:34 WOW ....it looks a LITTLE FUZZY HERE.... I have been battling a eye infection now for over a month...I am holding my breathe saying it is some better...my new eye doctor and I have been meeting entirely to much..he likes to add little instruction each time we meet...and as I told you he does talk to me sorta nasty and a little dirty...he says things like opening the pus pocket and scraping...but good for me...it is almost gone..my bottom eye lid on the inside has gone from looking like a piece of raw meat to...hummm well looking better... now I am very concerned and when we meet next week I have a list of questions for him..like is this going to last forever....and will I be able to see better...and is this fuzzy going to go away...he appears to be a gentle soul but I am not sure under that calm look is something else...and if he comes into the room with a little knife I will either hide or call 911...I am not sure he knows that Sept is a big month for new books coming out from my favorite authors...oh yes and my name is top on the list at the library...doc you need to hurry this process along... hoping to see you later on a CLEAR DAY.... :) redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/04/12 at 07:43:37 just dropping by to let you know about a GREAT GREAT new book that I have just finished reading.... You Don't Want To Know by Lisa Jackson... I promise you will not put it down until you finish...I read on it for awhile during the day...could not put it down for a very long time...bedtime came and I went to bed and got up to finish it... redbird :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/08/12 at 05:21:42 saw the eye doctor this week...and I am making good progress...eye about 85 percent back and infection gone now I explained to him just how important my eyes are to me just in case he did not know...he said he understood... now he is a gentle doctor...calm and soft spoken...his instruction for this never happening again or  less likely to happen... shampoo eyelashes once a day..baby shampoo.. and the special eye drops that he gets out of this drawer and gives me.. so I will try my best to follow his instructions... however he wants to look and see behind my eyes...hummmm redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/08/12 at 06:40:54 well just wanted to share a little something with you today....my dear masto friend Olive told me about her housework theory..and since she is in her wheel chair most of the time or at lest has a leg brace to walk..I figure if she can do this so can I..... she told me that when she is laying in bed at night she thinks about ONE thing she can do the next day..just ONE...little or big...and if she is lucky she will do more...so now I am thinking that I can do this... now don't know if you have read about the scary West Nile Virus thing going on in my state as well as Texas...but it is serious as some have died and lots very ill.....so I got a lecture from son...as he placed a can of mosquito spray on the counter...if I go out I must use it...I promised..so how would this work with the new "work theory"...hummm... so Ok since I am restricted to the house ...unless I want to spray...I will work in my sun room....now don't know if you know...but the health dept has rules for being clean...they rate ...dusty, dirty and filthy...now my room was just between dirty and filthy..so with great enthusiasm I began..I started in one corner and made good progress..really considered it more than one project..scrubbed, dusted (which I hate)..took down old curtains in that part of the room..threw away stuff that I did not need or probably never needed...and finally called it a day...next day with this new "work theory" I attacked some more cleaning...son in to check on me several times...gosh that part of the room really looks good..clean in fact squeaky clean..son helped me hang new curtains in that end of the sun room... now yesterday was another work day...however suddenly I needed two more new curtains..so that part was at a halt...but I could clean the windows on the outside as well as in...so out I go to clean them..just two of them...son loudly says...what are you doing outside..did you spray and I loudly said back to him....IT IS 106 OUT HERE....what mosquito would be out in this heat...so finished that... today is a slow day..a cold front came thru our town last night..gosh it was nice...feeling a little sorta slow this morning...so my project for today was to bake muffins while it was cool... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/09/12 at 07:53:01 I am just the luckiest girl in the world... did I win the lottery... no did I find a hidden treasure... no I have not one...not two but three spider bites on my leg... I think that I must have been bitten at night in bed...I am usually sleeping on the top of the bed...and it could have crawl up my pj...I really think if it had been while awake I would have felt it... guess who is checking bed with flashlight... turning pj inside out for checking and will sleep with pj bottoms under the sheet... man I am so lucky..guess it could have been four redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/10/12 at 06:46:47 well today is a very sad day...... you see I am still working my "work theory" and today brought me to boxes of my research material gathered from over 20 years of  work regard my family of Bullards and Burns... in the past you did all your research by mail so that meant pages and pages typed out on the typewriter and standing by the mail box each day hoping the mail man brought you a letter .....from somebody...I wore out my daughters portable typewriter...yes wore it out... when I was traveling for my job one of the first things I would do on reaching a town would be to get the phone book and look up all the Bullards and call them..daughter was always amazed that they would talk to me...but everyone wanted to talk about "their family". so here I am sitting with two large pasteboard boxes in front of me....knowing that it was no longer necessary to keep them...almost all of this info is now on the internet...court house depts as well...gosh as I look at all of that...I am sad... but I know that I must simply "throw it away"...I carefully go thru each folder for pictures or legal documents .... I know that no one else would want them...the historical library does not want to go thru all of this...it would not make sense to anyone else .... but I must be brave...as I gently lay these pages in my trash pile...I pull it back for one last look and to know  that parting with it...I must do... when my aunt and I wrote our book about our great grandfather who was a doctor ...and how he came into Oklahoma in 1884 on horseback...and how he continued to practice and live among the indians...you see it is all here...on this page it says....... as my pile grows I am not sure how I will handle this...but I do now have  most of it in the big blue outside trash...will I do a dumpster dive and get it all out...no I cannot...however I can shed a little tear knowing that  this part of my life is over...and the book....Deeds and Misdeeds of a Indian Territory Doctor....is done from all these pages of research... I hope that tomorrow work day is not as sad... redbird the word writer :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/11/12 at 07:52:32 we have all read stories about finding a penny that the person was sure that one of their loved ones that had died had sent just for them and they would find them in unusual places... well today in keeping with my new work schedule..I was cleaning out a corner where stuff was piled and stuff hung on some nails etc... now my dad had when he died a clock collection...nothing fancy but he would make garage sales or junk store etc..even though his getting around ability was not good...he hung them in his little room on the back of the garage and he sat there most of the day...and he just enjoyed them..and he kept them running etc......but toward his end of time ....some of them he had given away as he knew that his time was coming soon... in this corner I had hung a couple of his clocks they did not work....to get them out of the way and one was pendulum  that swung back and forth... as I dusted it the pendulum began to swing...on it's on...back and forth...I thought well I must have bumped it just right it will stop...but no back and forth it went and is still going...so I moved it to a place where I could look up and see it... now I truly believe that it is my dad saying to me...I am here watching...when things get tough just look at my clock and I will be there... as you might know I was close to my dad...and I was not only his only daughter but his favorite redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/12/12 at 07:05:27 well work day number...something....is sorta slow...the old body has limited me to a smaller portion of work today... I did clean off some shelves around the computer area...and threw some stuff away...who would ever knew how hard to ":throw away" stuff  is... well as I look maybe I did more than I thought..tomorrow a couple of more shelves in this room but must bring in the big ladder for that.. you know this work theory of Olives just might work for me..she said...little or big...which ever you can do for that day.. I must tell you that today's job was a little dusty...have dusty hair.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/12/12 at 07:15:50 OH WAIT WAIT....I FORGOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING!!!!!! in my "big state paper" this morning....you see sometimes there is a lady who put in recipes and sometimes it is...please sent this person a card because their birthday makes them 100...you know just little stuff... HOWEVER... in her column today she talks about ....SPAM....not email stuff...SPAM THE CANNED MEAT.... now I know that some of you just hold your nose talking about this....but here is a bulletin...right here in my paper...posted by Melba the column writer...get ready...hold on.... she has posted a recipe for....spam chocolate chip cookies...... yes here it is in black and white...she also said she made some and they were good.... well does anyone need the recipe?? redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 09/12/12 at 17:34:59 Eeeww!  Thanks, but no thanks!   ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/13/12 at 07:16:07 ok soooo...well let me say it this way....my regular work schedule has been kinda interrupted...or better yet I will call it my project for the day...going out..like in to town... you see I wanted to check for another matching curtain to fill in the space of windows...and needed to put some library books in the...in bin at the library...and pick up a few things at the grocery...so guess you could call this a project.. now I did not find the curtains so will file that for doing another day...BUT the grocery had some of those bags of bananas that were just too ripe to sell and of course they want to get rid of them...they are cheap cheap cheap...so I got a big pkg....so decided since the weather here is cool...like in 58...I am baking banana muffins...a couple of dozen..tomorrow we can have bananas in a bowl of cereal..and a couple of snacks OHHHH I forgot I can have one for my breakfast along with my little debbies oatmeal cookie...boy that was a good buy.. really not much else going on...clock is still swinging...thanks dad...and did I tell you that I found another one ...from him and it runs backwards...yup that is the way it is suppose to run... might read another chapter in a new book that sorta has me hooked...and I am saying...I USUALLY DON'T READ THIS KIND OF BOOK...but I am.. guess that's about it for the day...I will think of you while ...doing coffee and a fresh baked muffin... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/14/12 at 03:42:51 BRRRRRRRRRRRRR who would have thought last week that I would be saying this word....we have had a SUDDEN change in temp and I have a pot of home made chili going on the stove this morning...I love chili...I even like bad chili so guess that means...I have never met a pot of chili that I did not like. you know sometimes I get to thinking how old I am and how bad I feel on some days...especially when the old masto thing rears it's head....well yesterday I received a phone call from someone I had known for many many years...more than I like to think about..now she is only a couple of years older than me.....and as I listened to her talk I realized how lucky I am..I can still drive my car...I can still walk pretty much without my cane...and I can read and really lots of other stuff...gosh..maybe I should wash my "cannot do that any more" thoughts and hang them out to dry and get a fresh look at life...and be thankful for what I can do.... well I am going to do a "project" today..got a couple of more shelves to clean in the sun room ...put away some of the things I have new places for and while all of this is going on...I think I will listen to my music...sounds like a plan to me... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/16/12 at 06:47:37 just about have all my projects in the sun room finished..just like one little corner..however yesterday I was just too tired to do anything in fact sat and finished my book... so today I must try to get something done...have the stumbles a little but still some things I can do... I can arrange my music cds...and have some pictures to put in little frames..just sitting down stuff.. but as I looked at my work tools they were dirty... now before swifter or whatever it is called..we had other kinds of dusters.. first there was just plain old rags..then we went to the feather duster which really just throws dust every where else but where you are looking...then out came some new one...made out of special stuff but I choose a fuzzy lamb type one...soft and picks up the dirt... well this morning I looked at it and boy did it need a bath...and you remember how your doggie looks with all its matted hair or your daughter tangles when you forgot to use...Johnson's tangle free shampoo"...that was my duster...so I get out one of those combs...you know the ones with big teeth ..they were for some hairdo at the time...and I gave that duster a good combing...and soon realized that I was going to have to cut out the tangles..and I did.. not sure what tomorrow will bring...I for one am wishing for basketball...and to see my Thunder play again. later redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/16/12 at 06:48:51 yes we have had a big weather change here.... just so you understand...I got out my winter house shoes

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/16/12 at 08:54:58 it's wonderful to have a daughter or son...in my case daughter who will listen to you having a "cry day"...and says it is ok.. today is a sad day for me...why?? no reason why.. redbird   :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 09/17/12 at 18:16:49 Those are the days when I want to eat chocolate, watch a funny movie, and go to sleep early!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/18/12 at 05:22:03 were you ever so tired that you did not care if you had your underwear on wrong side out??? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/19/12 at 04:37:36 a bell isn't a bell until it has been rung..... a song isn't a song until it has been sung.... love is not put into your heart to stay.... love is not love! until you give it away :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/21/12 at 06:49:53 son took me for my big "looking behind" the eye visit to my eye doctor....I can tell you I was really scared at what he might find... my eye infection is almost gone...he says it may take another few weeks for it to completely go away but it is almost there... now I decided to do a little interview with the doctor to really decide if I like him or not...I told you he is really quiet and gentle...never raises his voice...and I always think it is funny at the end of your visit as you get out of his exam chair...he always hands you your purse...I have wondered how many different one he has lifted.. so I say...do you like being a doctor...and he says yes....and I say..why?,,,and he says...I like knowing that I can help people see better...and I ask...do you like coming to work in the mornings..now that is a key question..because if you hate your job and don't like coming to work sometimes that makes you not a good worker...and he says...yes I like coming to work each morning..so I am now thinking....I LIKE THIS DOCTOR... but on to the exam...he puts the drops in my eyes to make them BIG...and lets me have a seat in the little waiting room along with others..who I guess are getting big eyes too..when it came my turn again..I got in his chair and he brings out the "big looking machine"...he didn't say hummm but he looked carefully and finally pushed the big machine away and said................ you do have cataracts...however they are not close to being ready to do anything with them....I would like to check them in 6 months...but they may not need to have any surgery on them in 6 months or 1 year or EVER...I am liking this doctor...I am telling him that I have lots of new books to read...and he understands....and I tell him that he did good well am out of the office and put on those special sun glasses because your eyes are too big for all the bright light...and as I am making my way to the car...I AM ONE HAPPY LADY....I might do a jig redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/22/12 at 06:02:36 today we are going to talk about my favorite foods....they are in the following order..shrimp...fried chicken(KFC) and  BACON..... now  a couple of years ago someone at my daughters work ask what she was getting her mom for Christmas...and she said...5 pounds of bacon and 2 large cans of Folgers coffee...now this person just could not understand such a gift...however I thought it was wonderful... I LOVE BACON...in times past you could go to the store and buy a pound of good bacon for a dollar and then it became a couple of dollars and now it is beyond my budget...I am not sure just why this cost has risen so...I bet if we ask the pig raiser he would say...not me making the money..so who is the mystery person with all this bacon money I really am thinking about making a petition that would give us older folks a special discount for buying good bacon.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/22/12 at 06:33:12 The Farm News.... well we have a little situation here at the farm...you see a mama cat and 2 kittens have found their way into the back yard..they are white with some yellow and black...and the mama cat has a black eye... now these kittens are good little ones..they mind their mom ...if she tells them to get behind the bricks stacked there and hid...they do and do not show their face again until she says OK...once we watched as the mom went over the fence to the pasture and soon she came back with a big mouse that she was carrying by the tail... so well now we are thinking what to do...we want to feed her some food as I am sure they are hungry...so we talked and talked about what to do... should we buy some food or just let them depend on mom to bring home the groceries.. see...remember the battle we had last year with the skunks and raccoons coming into the yard..some of them were sick...but they were so desperate for food and water they came in...first we tried to stop up all the holes under the fence but finally gave up there were so many and the raccoons simply moved whatever you put there...we read to put out moth balls and we did but still they came...we also did not want the cats to become totally depend on us for food... on the good side was the fact that they would keep the mouse pop. down in the barn or wherever they were...BUT if these kittens were female we soon would have a total of many cats running around the barn and yard...BUT just maybe they would catch that ^%$#@ mole that is still with us...Foote our use to cat did..you cannot walk in the back yard unless you are careful for all its tunnels.. for several days I watched and thought...what to do??? I went to town and bought cat food redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/22/12 at 08:24:08 son says to think postive.... instead of female kittens...they are males... now there is a thought redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/23/12 at 06:45:23 laying in bed last night...doing my planning for tomorrow project.. per my masto friend Olive's work plan...I am thinking... you know I get a email newsletter from a lady and it is called Hillbilly Housewife...it sometimes has little things that are good to know and recipes and how to save on some things etc...you get the picture... and I am remembering that last weeks newsletter had the amazing recipe for biscuits...all of the comments posted were great.. so I am thinking...remember my baking powder was really out of date...2004 during my recent attempts...you think that might be the reason for such duds.... this morning I pulled it up on the net and read it again..OK I am going to try it and just see...if it's me or the baking powder.... now I followed the recipe EXACTLY...putting in the shortening and working your finger around with flour and shortening for 2 minutes...no more or less than 2 minutes..that's what it says OK next put in all the other stuff and finally the milk...now it should be a soft round ball to turn out onto a flour coated wax paper..and KNEAD IT 10 TIMES...no more no less... well I can now tell you that it was not the baking powder...it is me...yes sad to say it is me.... I took them directly from the oven to the yard and gave them to the birds.. now if I could just get a contract from the NF? who does hockey I could easy make them a batch of hockey pucks a day... does anyone know where I  could win a lifetime of canned biscuits??? thought I would give you a laugh for the day... ;D redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/25/12 at 07:41:27 well my project for today was a killer...yes it was I decided next on my list was the laundry/pantry/walk thru...all in one... I soon found out that I had a big job on my hands..however I made myself carry on...stopping a few times for a sip of tea and to rest my back...and it did hurt... I am always amazed at what you find ...there is my pecan cracker I forgot I put it there...I might need that as my pecan trees are loaded this year and if I can beat the crows to them...might have a sack full... also aired all the blankets and got them put away in those plastic bags that are suppose to suck it up to small..but after awhile they just like us humans...expand.. checked all the pantry cans for past due dates...those seems to be ok...while I am there doing a little laundry..washing rugs..my theory had been to put them on the clothes line when it rained to save a bit on the washer etc...however since we don't have rain any more and may never have it again I washed them... vacuumed in all the little cracks and cob webs off the ceil...this area is a busy area..well I will have to admit there is one tiny shelf that I need to clean but please can it wait until tomorrow..I promise I will be back..unless masto rears it ugly head.. if things go as planned tomorrow...my project is to finish my entry..I just call it our coming in the front door area...want to change a couple of things and then on to the bathroom... you will notice that I have not been in the kitchen yet..putting it off until the very end..the very end..as there is so much to do...I have decided that I do not need 580 pots and pans...and my silverware drawer has thousands in it...you get the picture... well my music is playing and I am sitting and sipping a little tea...wow what is that smell??????  oh it is me...time to hit the shower redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/27/12 at 01:55:23 THE FARM NEWS seems I missed the early morning "boot camp training"....son said early this morning the mom cat had the two kittens working on their climbing...she sat at the foot of the old pear tree and watched the little ones climb up and down and up and down...many times according to son...yesterday she did have them out in the sun giving them a bath...and it was a rough bath..you could see her scrubbing their ears...HARD... son has opened up the barn so they can get in easier so think they made be set for the winter and rain and hail and wind..that we had last night... this morning on his watch while I was sleeping soundly he fixed both the crows and cats eggs for breakfast... now I know that some of you are saying this is not healthy meals for them...but think about it...crows eat road kill and cats eat rats, mice and snakes etc...so not sure how eggs might be a problem.. THE BIRDVILLE NEWS... I have not been able to keep up with Birdville...all the fires have driven strangers in and the drought has added to that as well...I gave up on trying to collect rent as I could not tell who is who... son and I have searched the bird books trying to ID some and finally given up that as well...in the afternoon they are taking bathes in the drinking water pans not sure why they do not use the bird bath..it kinda funny as one will get in the middle of the little pan and sat when another one tries to get in he will splash them..or you will look out and find a pool party going on..several in one water pan giving it a good work out.. I think my one humming bird may have left town...have not seen it in a couple of days..the mean hawk has been here several times as well and when I hear the birds screaming I know it is time to get out to the rescue.. well that's it for today... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/28/12 at 05:56:01 son is sharing with you the following.....if the garage door is dragging because of the rollers and you don't have any 10-40 spray stuff...or whatever it is called....PAM COOKING OIL SPRAY  will work too.                    AND when I use my electric salad maker to grate up a sack of cheese instead of the old hand grater...I also spray the grater part with PAM so the cheese don't stick... are we just the best sharers... :) redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/29/12 at 06:11:16 FARM NEWS it is a rainy day here at the farm so outside things are s-l-o-w...Birdville is almost shut down due to flooded streets and low places... HOWEVER there is some activity going on...I told you that son had fixed breakfast for the barn cats...as they now have established their living quarters in the old tin barn...we decided not to charge them rent... WELL this morning it is rainy kinda misty and when son got up....he works the night shift here at the house...I ask him if he had seen the cats this morning and he said yes...they had called in a order for breakfast eggs and he cooked them and DELIVERED them to the barn so the kittens would not get wet...can't beat that... AND yesterday the mom cat brought the little ones out to eat some of the cat food we had put out...they ate just like big cats but she sat on "watch duty" looking all around for any enemies that might creep up..later they were seen doing their training ...climbing up the tree but one further back and by the barn.. well that's it for this rainy day redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/29/12 at 06:21:57 you know when my children were growing up...four boys and one girl...I always told them laundry duty was mine but theirs was to empty their pockets unless they wanted the contents washed...I was not a pocket emptier...so some things thru time did get washed.. now the kids are all gone but son who lives and cares for me...and he does his own laundry...and I do mine.... don't you just hate it when you wash a Kleenex in your pants pocket...as I am still not a "empty the pocket" person  ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/01/12 at 06:41:14 THE FARM NEWS..... WELLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! yesterday it was raining pretty good and steady so son carried down the cat food for mom and kittens to the barn and since it was raining he went into the barn and set the food down... well mom cat must have thought this was a "home invasion"...because when he took them food last evening...they were gone... now they did not leave any kind of a note...no forwarding address... HOWEVER the mom cat covered up the food plate and bowl for milk ....guess that was a statement of some kind... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/01/12 at 06:49:31 today at my house....right here in America....right here in my town...I cooked some old fashion ...fried potatoes...the kind that you put in a skillet with grease and cook until tender... please don't tell the greasy police author unknown  ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/03/12 at 07:49:44 you know my cleaning project is still in full swing..now I would have to be honest and tell you that a few days I just read a book instead...but I am getting down to the end...now one of the good things is that son has gotten into the project and has been much help...today he moved the fridge and cleaned the floor as well as the inside and out..however he told me that he would not stick all of that stuff back on the outside of the fridge..wonder why..some of it is helpful and some maybe not but guess I will get it back on it...might need it.. now another thing...do you have a junk drawer...most people do I think??? some in the garage but mine is in the kitchen..you open the drawer and all kinds of little things look back...today son ask me..do you know what is in here....there is a metal flashlight like they don't even make anymore...OK says I...and I look ...well I see lots of screws and nails...batteries..hummm rubber bands both for hair and paper..little pieces of paper that contains important info for something..here is one of those drape hanging thingys...and some of those things you stick in a cob of corn for eating so your hands don't get messy..a couple of pair of pliers and some wicks for the oil lamps...gee here is a golf ball and a bottle opener..and I could go on with this list...however my thought is... I am not going to clean out this drawer..it contains surprises and treasures and just lots of fun things.... anyone need a washer???? redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 10/04/12 at 07:39:57 Red; Doesn't everybody have a "junk drawer" in their kitchen ?! I would tell you of the treasures in mine- but I'm saving that project for Winter...  ;) Actually; (don't tell anyone) I have 2 ! ;D :D ;D lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/04/12 at 08:42:11 Ms. Lori...I even saw in mine one of those things that you know... you sew on to expand your bra..now how it got there...who knows redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/04/12 at 08:43:12 WHAT A DAY!!!!     what a day..... it started with those big honking geese flying overhead..going south for the winter...dad always said when you hear them...winter was close behind...then the weather man stated that a cold front was to be here today with cold wind and cold weather...but you know everyone could have just phoned me and I could have told them all of this ...my masto bones have been screaming all day.... my work project is almost to the end..in my living room it is all complete except a wall of book shelves ...so I picked up all my cleaning tools and those paper towels you toss around...and said this is good... well I made the decision to move one of the oil lamps to another place and knocked the globe off and it of course shattered into lots and lots of pieces..thankfully I had on shoes..so cleaning it up was a 20 minute job..got out the broom, the barrel vacuum and the regular vacuum..see we go barefoot a lot and wanted to be sure it was all up..vacuum and vacuum and vacuum..well put lamps all back...not a safe day for me to do this.. well since it is going to get cold I really need to dash to the store and get some sugar..try to keep the treat box full for those days..and I did...on arriving back at the house ...I got so crooked into the garage..you see it is not a straight into the place you have to kinda curve into it..and I did it all wrong...went into the house and told son...whoever is going to drive the car next needs to know how crooked the car is...and if it is me going to drive it out...you will have to back it out for me...so he went out and fixed it.. by this time I decided that the rest of the day...I just needed to sit in a chair.. the cats are back in the barn...mom cat spoke to the police to see if it was safe as she was sure that a home invasion had occurred..son says he will not deliver food to the barn again..we'll see...I am betting he will especially when it get so cold or snowy.. the kittens came out to give us a show..they paraded around the back yard and up the trees and under the old boat turned upside down... ;D I am laughing as I am writing this because I hear him cooking eggs... son went to the seed mill this morning to get bird seed..so guess we are all set for the coming cold spell.. Hope tomorrow is a better day.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/05/12 at 06:38:11 on my way down to the mail box today I looked at my pecan tree in the front of the house...it is loaded with pecans.. now I am not sure when they will crack open but I am hoping that I can get a few for eating and baking and the crows don't get all of them...husband and crows fought each year to see who could get the most a few years ago daughter bought for her dad's Christmas present a pecan picker upper.. it looks like a slinky stretched out and in a ball...on a wheel with a handle..you just roll it on the ground and it picks them up... I know right where it is ...so will keep my eye out to get to use it redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/06/12 at 03:33:22 four weeks ago our temp was 105 and today it is 45...guess we are going to skip fall...out the winter pjs and robe put up the summer ones Mom Nature seems to really have things confused...could she lose her job..a few days ago I needed to go for gas...now the station is just about 10 blocks from my house ...it was cloudy but dry...when I got down to the station it started pouring rain and of course I got wet like in wet...since it was my errand day I had to come back to the house to change clothes..guess what...not a drop of rain...hummm well the horse up the road that I check on each time I go by has lots of nice green grass to nibble on..since we finally had rain and it looks like he also has some company with two other horses in the pasture with him...that's good as they can huddle this winter. and son let something slip in  our conversation recently...he mentioned that he had been sitting in the chair watching the birds..he did not say it but he meant my "bird watching chair" ...this was before I got up for the day.. today I plan my work project to finish the living room and all those book shelves..that will finish that room...and since son has done the hard part of the kitchen..I MIGHT stroll in there for a little chore...going to have to really phsy myself up for this room... as you can see it is pretty quiet here....nothing exciting here other than the bricks are falling off the neighbor's house..they have it prop up but it seems the whole thing is going to come off in one piece.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/07/12 at 06:15:58 I have told you before that I believe in being a body listener....I have had my old body for so long I know most of it's moans and groans etc...so I listen for what it wants to tell me this morning when I got up...my body said to me.....I want something greasy and unhealthy for lunch today... who am I not to listen....so I had greasy french fries for lunch... and by the way....boy were they good  ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/09/12 at 06:48:03 today I have the Secret Garden playing their music..I like them ...have several of their CD so just sitting and looking out the window...thinking about my dad... I have told you some about my dad...he was a proud man ....it didn't have to be something big for him to find pleasure and joy ... dad had this room on the back of his garage..it had windows nearly all the way around...one part was for his growing plants...and one contained all his hand tools etc...the rest was for sitting and watching... a super big tree was at the back of his yard...he heard that the City were going to trim this tree back and he became very upset...so he hired an atty to talk to the city for him...as he told atty...they will not listen to me but they will you the atty came and looked at the tree and said I will do this....and so the tree was saved. as time went on and his abilities to be active was limited so he sat in his room more and more...he like to watch the birds and the squirrels and anything else that happened by...when I went to visit I knew to always go to his little room in the back..he had a little stove for winter and an a/c for those hot summer months.. now dad like to "piddle" he called it with his plants..he like to mix his own soil and his plants grew to big strong ones...he had some beautiful asparagus ferns which are my favorite plant...and he would always say...Sis now take some of these home with you...and if I choose one he would say...well that is an old plant..maybe you should take something else...took me awhile to realize that he really did not want me to take a plant but he felt the need to offer...so after that when he offered a plant to me I would say...well dad I will get one next time.. when dad knew his time was near he insisted on my taking some of his plants..he died in 12-96 and I still have one of his plants however it is not as pretty as when he had it... this is also the room that he kept his clocks on the walls..and...it was his own little personal getaway..others might not  have been impressed with his little hideaway but he loved it.. so like dad today has been one of those days of "watching"...I have seen a variety of things...just like dad would have....the birds and the kittens playing chase across the back yard... it makes me sad even after all this time to think about my dad...he was my very favorite dad redbird the word writer :D ps my dad's clock is still ticking away here in my sun room so I know he is near

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/09/12 at 07:24:44 BIRDVILLE NEWS told you about all the new tenants and visitors coming to our little bird town...BUT as we looked out a couple of days ago we say a TURKEY VULTURE...or we here call a buzzard sitting on the back fence...on the outskirts of Birdville... we also saw the crows doing their best to get rid of this monster...dive bombing and screaming...however this cool character just sat..it sorta bothered me with the kittens in the barn that is close to that fence and that corner is where they like to hide in all the stuff piled there...however mom cat kept them out of sight... I got out the "big glasses" and watched it sit...so very still and silent..finally it flew away...not sure if he was looking things over for future visits...BUT I certainly will not be renting a condo or townhouse to it... will keep you informed redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/10/12 at 05:05:04 since I had a not pleasant experience with the auto payment of bills...I am still in the older group of Americans who sit down and write out a check each month to pay them... this month when I went to the post office to mail them I needed stamps...up to the window for the purchase and the gentlemen gave me...BIG RED STAMPS WITH LOVE on it... I looked at the man and said...you want me to put LOVE on these letters that I am having to pay my money... you have got to be kidding..... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/12/12 at 11:00:49 THE FARM NEWS.... sitting in my "bird watching chair" this morning...just sorta sitting quietly..the mom cat had come out of the barn and decided to go over the fence for hunting..yesterday was boot camp again for the kittens...who are really getting big...but they mind mom really well...up and down the tree several times ...then some free play time and then she gathers them up and to the barn for naps..what a life... so as I am kinda day dreaming I notice a little speck of fur coming down the big pecan tree right outside my window and the one that shelters Birdville...oh gosh Snarky the squirrel must be back..all I can see is a little sight of fur...slowly it creeps down the other side of the tree and suddenly I see a young opossum...coming down the tree and as I watch with my mouth wide open...he makes his way across the yard ...climbs one of the large crepe myrtles...on the fence and gone...did my eyes really see this in broad open daylight...yup I did... now as I tell this tale to son he says...it may have spend the night in the tree..since its hair was ruffled and mussed...he had maybe spent the night....and he said that since they have 4 to a litter that means there is possible others..now I am not a happy camper...you know one of those people who...if I don't see it... maybe it will go away..but there it is...right out there for me to think about...we have opossums in the yard..not good..rabies is a big thing for those of us who live out...all kind of animals ...the news is telling us about..we may have to come up with some kind of plan...since we put food out for the crows and cats and birds... we are thinking redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/17/12 at 00:16:31 we all know how high on the romance list "kissing" is....did you ever think about where and how kissing came about...who invented and when...wonder what the first kiss was like redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 10/17/12 at 06:17:21 Red; I think it must have been instinct: just think how wonderful it feels to kiss a baby, or your child, or someone you truly love... I find it strange that in some cultures, people dont kiss  :-? By the way, I checked out Winged Planet on the internet yesterday- Awesome !!! :) I loved watching the cranes do their courtship dance. We have some around here in the farmer's fields, & I always feel so priveliged to see them, also the herons. The woodpeckers are back to our feeders  :) Yaaay ! Makes me wanna  :-* my husband  :D lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/18/12 at 05:04:37 Oh Ms. Lori...I am so glad that you saw the program...wasn't it awesome..and if some of the rest of you ....might one to see it... Winged Planet on the Discovery channel...just put winged planet in a search engine on the net and you will see some really neat things about birds etc..

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/18/12 at 05:10:11 well I have a lot to say this morning...... first I want to make sure  you are aware of a giant conspiracy going in right here in America...and I am sure right in your home town...you need to watch for it..now I have discovered that all major mfg people including those that use jars, cans, and boxes got together and came up with a plan to make older people totally miserable trying to open their product.  they used the excuse that it was "children safety" but that is not all that it was about..nope you can include us seniors right in the group..and I don't mean seniors graduating from high school or college..just remember all you CEOs that we the older group of Americans are the group THAT COOKS...I realize that times have changed and now you can have your underwear in the same basket with your lettuce...but we need to be careful and watchful to be aware of the next thing they do...and if any of you big mfg people are reading this ...please know that I am available to sit on your board of directors to bring some common sense ... THEN.... remember my sharing with you the "cleaning theory" that my good friend Olive shared with me???? remember just do one thing a day..and I started the plan and finally got all my house nice and clean and dusted and it became contagious and my friend Mary "across the pasture" and daughter started the same plan...and even my son decided to clean his room after four years...WELL.... SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED...... you see for several years one of our bathrooms was not very useable and was off limits..and it sort just sit there...the other one was working and since we had...one for you bathrooms and this one is mine said husband..kinda like this is my truck and you cannot use it..that is the way the bathroom was..WELL it had become apparent that fixing it had to be done...even though there were only two people in the house now...and we were trying to be considerate of each other...and we were getting older...you could just not sit in the bathroom and look at the stars or meditate ...or read a book or the paper while the other person was sitting on the edge of the bed or chair with their legs crossed...we had to fix the other one..and that is what we are doing....remember all that clean house ...well let me tell you that the bathroom has had to be gutted...dust... I AM STRESSED.... so now I am trying not to stress out...but it is hard...son is doing all the work and he is very good since being a carpenter/painter was his profession in life when he was able to work...and he is very concerned since this will be my bathroom(thank goodness) that it is "old people friendly"....and to make it worse nothing in the bathroom was built correctly..nor the plumbing or anything else..so the room has been gutted except for the tub..daughter keeps saying...just think how great this will be when finished...BUT  I really don't need to know why this nail is put here so that ...the screw will work..he truly is related to his grandfather who while in ICU drew a circle on his arm for the nurse to be sure that she knew where to put in his IV....but son wants me to understand what  he is doing and it makes him feel important to tell me how concerned he is about me.. and finding items that will fit in this  room I have spent hours online trying to find the needed items that we will replace.. A BIT OF SUNSHINE... the kittens are becoming more available for viewing..however it is apparent that mom is still in control and is raising them correctly..she allows them so much play time and eating time and then it is nap time..maybe for her more that them...they continue their training program and this morning son told me that one of them got on the brick ledge just outside the "watching room" and played and ran back and forth..going under the window a/c think it was a tunnel training...as it would have to get mighty low to get thru that space.. and the pecans have started falling .... well I have run out of words...thanks for listening...boy do I feel better redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/20/12 at 04:00:22 am still trying to recover from my "yesterday"....sometimes it seems like things get harder and harder... it started with son and I looking at the ceiling in the "new bathroom" and saying...yes this ceiling has to be painted...since he was working getting the walls ready for paint that meant...painting ceiling..I had to go get the paint..since I needed to get some other things at Wally World...better known as Wal-mart....that means I am "it" now since we do not have a mall in our bigger town up the road that everyone has to go to shop....this means that all the teenagers call each other and say....let's all meet up at Wally World...and the seniors call each other and say...meet me at Wally World for breakfast...so now you understand this place is a crowd for this old stumbling lady who is trying to get to the paint counter..and as soon as I got inside I knew right away..I sure did not need everything on my list..would save them for another time.. yes I got the paint and some of the other things..looked at some little baskets...got some of that "friendly" clean the silk flower stuff..and some of that air canned stuff as the old computer is making sounds..they keep that stuff locked up and the clerk...bless her heart always says...I better not read about you smelling this in tomorrows paper...and I am thinking I hope you do not read me in the obits.. on getting it all home son gets right on the job and now the ceiling is pretty and white...and I am thinking OK since I was brave enough to "go shopping" I am going to repot my plant that dad gave me...I had trimmed it back...I hate trimming plants and trees...it is like you are taking advantage of them and they cannot defend themselves..it hurts my heart..so out to the patio and yes this plant did need new soil...had to get out the cart for carrying as it was too heavy for my old arms...now it looks nice I just hope it understands that I did it in love.. I went out to the mail box and boy did the crows give me a scolding..I really think they recognize us...you see I was in their way as the pecans are falling from that tree and they are busy eating..just so you understand..we have a circle drive in the front of our house..and after several cars ...like the paper person come thru and the pecans fall on the driveway..some are cracked and crows are eating..and crows are cracking them as well..I stood and watched them bang away..tough beaks..Mary "from across the pasture" came she had gotten me some bacon at the Sam's Club and I told her to watch for those crows as she went back to her car. the cats are doing well...saw mom come over the fence and she was carrying a mouse...so guess hunting lessons will be coming soon..they are really growing and seem big and they are fat..eating well..they are liking 9 lives tuna and egg flavor... and I broke a tooth...so how was your day redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/21/12 at 07:33:02 well son is laying tile in the new bathroom....after many many  &^%$#$#@ words he has decided ...he will never lay tile as a profession redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/25/12 at 11:34:12 ;DI read today..... True strength is breaking a chocolate bar with your bare hands and then only eating one piece not possible ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/26/12 at 02:28:27 HALLOWEEN COMES TO THE FARM......... for several days strange things have happened at the farm...first we noticed that the cats had not been out of the barn all day...which meant they had not come up to the water pans nor eaten anything...I was worried that something had happened to mom cat ...and for sure they would not get out unless she gave her OK... spoke with son in regard to this and his reply was something like...well if they get hungry enough they will come out and eat...nay says I...so finally he went down to just take a peek..and the kittens were there sitting on an old roll of carpet..but no mom cat well the next day came with the same...I worried all day ...as no sign of cats..so finally son said I will cook some eggs and take down to the barn ..for the little ones...and he did...he sat the plate down and left thinking he would come back later to pick it up so the other varmints would not find it.. when he went back to get it... mom cat was there in all her protective mode..growls and hiss... then suddenly I also realized  that we had no birds..not even the pesky sparrows who like to raid the feeders as soon as you fill them...nothing..so I continued to watch and still we have no birds...a couple have flew thru but none stay and eat.. and the crows who like to think they control all of us ...have sat on the fence or electric line and scream..the loner crow will dive in for a couple of bites and is gone..fast... now I have never really believed in ghost or spirits or vampires or what ever else Halloween has on their list....but I am beginning to wonder if they are not floating around the farm...we cannot see them but the animals can... redbird the word writer  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/26/12 at 07:57:35 son says I am carrying this "cleaning project" a little to far...he does not think I should vacuum my fuzzy winter house shoes.. well.................. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/27/12 at 05:22:39 GOOD NEWS....in my "big state paper" this morning it says...........that gasoline and peanut butter will be going down in price......... HURRAH...I like both redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/03/12 at 07:21:22 we have not talked in awhile...seems like years... The Farm House has been under going a remodel...makeover...and any other words that you might find that would apply... most of us here have not enjoyed it at all...the mom cat and kittens...the birds...and this old body that has masto...in fact a couple of days ago it required me to grab my Charlie Brown pillow and crawl in my nest with a severe stomach ache...I moaned and groaned and finally body said...OK we are thru with the pain...thank goodness.. The Farm House has a new roof and it is great...however it took lots of people and noise and folks wandering around to get it all done..I really just wanted them to go home...daughter kept saying...just think how good it will be when it is done...however the old eyes did not seem to think like she did...but finally it is over...and other than their big truck falling thru my driveway and ruining it...it was over..and it is good!! now the bathroom project is a different story...oh no...it is done and it is pretty and "old people friendly"...son has done a beautiful job...but there is a problem...warning you now if you offend easy...do not proceed.... when my children were growing up bathroom function meant #1 & #2   now you can use your own thoughts here but a hint would be...#1 was the easy one to clean up when #2 required more work...got the picture...don't know what the signal is now for the more newer families.... well my old body can use the new commode for #1 no problem...  but refuses to #2 in the new commode...I have to use the old bathroom and commode for this process...I have been trying to figure this out and the only thing I can come up with is...my body is use to the way the old commode sits...in the other bathroom...it is use to the green commode instead of the new one and until body makes a decision...guess #2 will continue as before .... we are enjoying watching the mom cat and kittens continue their play and being in the back yard...I have not seen many wild cats but I cannot believe how watchful and strict mom cat is and the fact that they listen..the crows are feeling a little put out with their being in residence..but they will get over it...where else can you get three meals a day...water...etc...oh yes son told me that our bird bath is on it's last leg and I should shop for a new one.. my cleaning project is still on my mind but it has slowed some with all the dust etc OTHER PEOPLE...have had flying around but will tackle it again soon...son said he would do the floors...I like that as he usual does it at night while I am sleeping... and my ball team...The Thunder...well if you are a NBA fan you know we traded away one of the favorite players...so time will tell... guess that is it...and please know all of you storm folks...if and when you can get back on your computers etc...I have thought about you with special thoughts...hoping things are better soon redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/07/12 at 04:23:29 I can tell you that The Farm has been super busy...and I have been named "Farm Manager"  was not a titled that I wanted but I got.... you see son was on the ladder painting the outside of the house...this is the ladder that he told me not to get on as it was old and would break...so I didn't...he did... now it broke with him and he fell down...down...down..and when he finally got into the house it became apparent he was really hurt...he had some cuts but his limp was ..... now being the macho man he is...and like lots of men...he assured me it was ok and he was ok....OK says I... well he got in the shower and on his bed...and about 8 pm he comes out of his room and says...I think my leg is broken... so up I jump get ready to take him to ER...get my shoes on and grab my purse and I am ready...get the car out of garage in the front so that he can get in... now ER for him is a 38 mile drive to the Indian Hospital..husband was Indian and so children have health care with them...and they do have great health care... so we are loaded in the car...and of course I am driving he can barely get in the car with his leg and he is in pain...and he has such a pain tolerance that it must really be pain......it is dark ...like in dark...like in very dark but I am brave even though I don't drive at night.. lots of cautions from son...like in...watch out for the deer and sure enough we saw a couple of them trying to cross the highway...the road is not familiar to me but I am focused...we will make it and we did...but son assured me that he would drive home..OK no problem. X-rays and all that stuff and I am in the waiting room...there I learned a valuable lesson..a little boy of about 3 maybe 4 was waiting and crying he felt so bad...and I did not have a single thing in my big purse that I could give to him to maybe help...not a little car...nor a ball and any little thing he could hold in his little hand...lesson learned will put something in big purse for next time finally son comes out on crutches...and a soft case from his hip to his ankle..leg not broken but severely bruised and doctor says ...DO NOT BEND YOUR KNEE...AND IF YOU ARE THINKING OF DRIVING HOME...I WILL ADMIT YOU OVERNIGHT...so I am driving home..in the dark...very dark and it is about 1 in the morning... son has mellowed out some as he has had shots..pain shots etc..and we did get home.. now my understand is from son...that he is reporting my driving to daughter...not sure what good that will do...for me I will continue my way... so now you know why I have been named "Farm Manager"...son always got up around 4-5 AM and fed the cats and they are usually sitting waiting on him...so now I set my alarm for 6...to feed the cats...this morning it was cold and I fed the cats and went back to bed...will speak to mom car to see if we can change this feeding time.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/07/12 at 05:32:48 I made muffins this morning...I like them better than eating cake as they just fit in your hand and just the right amount for eating.. so this is a new receipe...sounds easy... in the pan and they smell good..seems they are done... hummm they did not brown on top..but the bottom is nice and brown..I know...I will just turn them upset down in the box and no one will know the difference.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/09/12 at 06:34:43 WELLLLL... the cats went somewhere to a "sleep over party" yesterday and forgot to tell us they were going.... since son's accident and  I have become the "farm manager" and it is my duty to be sure that the cats are "fed on time"...I prepared their evening meal and got it promptly out to them... as we watched ...no cats...and we watched some more...no cats...and as the evening wore on...we had all kinds of guesses as to why they did not show up... night fell and still no cats...and son and I would meet in the hall both of us checking the yard....after a look see for the cats...no cats... finally I gave up but seems like son kept looking....he got the flashlight to shine in the yard ...looking... when I got up this morning he told me that at 4:30 AM he was up looking in the yard...no cats.. finally at 6 AM ...guess what...all of them were sitting by the back door waiting for their breakfast.. guess they did not serve refreshments at the sleep over redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 11/09/12 at 11:19:21 Whew! You had me worried about those kitties!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/10/12 at 09:29:37 the wind is really blowing here at the farm today out of the south which means sorta warm.....like in blowing so hard that you want to be careful where you stand...I know that I am old and forget things but I don't remember in the past this kind of wind...however tomorrow it is suppose to be from the north...cold north..my friend Olive in Utah says that snow is coming over the mountains but I am hoping it falls in a gulley before here... I watched the cats this morning...they were playing "king of the mountain" ..so you know how that is played or maybe you are to young...but we have an old boat..turned upside down sitting on some blocks...one of the cats get on top and try to keep the others off .. .just like life sometimes a person get to the top but never gives a hand to those below..and how helpful that "helping hand" would be... so I made a trip to the bigger town up the road..needed to pick up a bathroom facet and that will finish up most of the remodel..however we are kinda at a stand still with son and his accident..wanted to get some chili mix for the cold tomorrow...and into the grocery store I went...now you have to realize that the store was crowded but not so bad that you did not notice those around you...at the check out counter...right next to me was a person..I will not call a lady as she did not act like one...and she had several children with her of various ages...one must have done something she did not like ...so she grabbed its ball cap off his head and hit him with it and said some threaten things... I just stood there ...thinking what should I do...I could say something..like you should not act that way...or you should have not done that to this child...I was really at a lose of words..it bothered me all the way to my car...did I do right by just letting it pass...or should I have stepped in.. still thinking about it...what would you have done... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/17/12 at 03:27:17 today in my "big state paper" was an article that really got me to thinking...been doing lots of that lately.. the story was really an interview of the widow of a college coach in the large univ. here in Oklahoma....Oklahoma State University....you see it was a year ago that he and one of his coaches were on a recruiting trip up into  Arkansas ...the plane crashed killing everyone on board... now the article was about her struggle of the past year but one of the things she told about really struck me...and I think I am going to adopt it as my new life motto especially when  masto just will not let go of the body and I am feeling like giving up.... she told how the coaches saying was......a simple five words....."win the next five minutes".....WOW.... WOW and WOW...this is a powerful five words..and so appropriate for anyone who is having a bad time or bad day....win the next five minutes.. don't think of the next hour or day or week or month or even a year...just the next five minutes..think I will print this out and put it in my nest...and on the cabinet and a few other places to remind me... that's my thinking for today...might have another thought to share ...will just wait and see...in my next five minutes I am going to start the project of dusting the living room redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 11/18/12 at 11:28:33 GREAT words of wisdom, redbird!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/21/12 at 03:08:53 the time  of year has come again for giving thanks...and I like many others look over my life and realize that we all have different things to be thankful for... now most of us are "thankful" for home and family and friends and doctors and meds to make life better or sometimes worse...so I tried to think about the little things that make my day a little better... I am thankful ...on making my trip out to the paper box in the cold morning..opening the door again and that hug of warm air... I am thankful... that today my old masto body is not as bloated and my jeans are not as tight. I am thankful... that the insurance company send me a letter stating that my med was available and covered thru the year of 2013...after telling me a couple of days ago they did not cover it at all...period..end of conversation...I am framing it for future use... I am thankful... for the pretty leaves falling from my backyard trees even if they are clogging up the rain gutters... I am thankful... for my library and the wonderful people who work there...always putting my name at the top of the list for the latest book and having it ready when I get there... I guess this list could go on and on but I am "thankful" for all of you who ready my ramblings it makes my days brighter... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 11/22/12 at 18:22:02 And I'm thankful for you writing your words on this forum!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/25/12 at 06:24:23 THANK YOU Ms. Joan...I enjoy sharing my words with all of you redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/25/12 at 06:27:10 I am sitting in my chair this morning watching it rain...it is not raining at the neighbors house...nor  at my friend Mary's house "across the pasture"...it is not raining in town......it is only raining here at the farm...as I look out my window it is raining leaves...yes they are finally falling after giving us a glimpse of their color and beauty and some are even hanging on the clothes line where they landed in their fall.... so as I am sitting here I am wondering...what my purpose was when I was put here to live my life...and did I fill that purpose...certainly it was not to be a good homemaker...I never thought that was fun...was I here to have a career...well I have had a few in my lifetime...hummm was it to be a good parent..well guess that will be left up to the children.. so you know...just kinda having a wondering day... I can tell you that for once my house is squeaky clean...all but son's room and that is his project that he is working on next week...other projects are all done except for a few things..little things...that might slip by unless someone looks really hard... and another thing..the library printed out my "checked out books" for me since 2009 and it was lots of pages...so maybe I was suppose to be a book reader...and I love research...was I suppose to be a detective...maybe I was suppose to be a great basketball player ...I love the game...or just maybe I was just suppose to be me...at almost 79 I am not sure exactly what "me" is... so guess I will just sit in the sun in my bird watching chair and wonder about this for awhile...maybe there is an answer and maybe not... redbird the word writer  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 11/26/12 at 18:43:03 Word writer, Mom, bird watcher, career person, basketball fan, etc.  I think you have it figured out! I'm wondering why we aren't getting any rain (or snow) at all....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/27/12 at 03:38:17 does someone want to tell me WHEN....women showing their bra straps and especially in bright colors became a fashion statement... you know I think it is really really dumb!! redbird   >:(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/27/12 at 03:45:18 Ms. Joan...we hear all kinds of reasons why we have no rain nor snow...but I really think that no one knows for sure... I do know that in the summer our yard grass turns yellow and dies and in the winter it is green and son has to mow...go figure I sometimes think that mother nature has her season books all confused and refuses to take any help with the problem.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 11/27/12 at 05:39:54 Well Red; Maybe Mother Nature is too busy pulling up her bra straps, heehee ! :D ;D :D I have a thought on that, seriously tho: Mine seem to fall down no matter how much I tighten them sometimes, sooo that is my excuse to buy colors that match my tank tops. My winter staple is tank tops with "sweat" jackets. That way, when I get one of those "tropical feelings", I can take the jacket off & be cool again. ;) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 11/27/12 at 18:21:17 I don't know the answer about the bra straps, but I think it was when my daughter was in early high school.  Skirts had to be knee-length and sandals weren't allowed, but no one made any rules about bra straps or cleavage!  And it might have been around the time when underwear ads appeared on primetime TV.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/28/12 at 03:46:50 in the police logs listed today in the next town where we all go to shop... trespassing at Wal-Mart.... I am thinking on this one... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/02/12 at 05:35:20 this is about a cattail...no not that... they grow in the water......a cats tail....no now really think...it is a cat's tale...that's better just to refresh your memory.... our house sits on an acre of land on the last street of our little town...and I call it "The Farm" simply because ...humm I am not sure why but it has gone by that name forever..now if you remember behind us is a 3 acre pasture...and that is where my friend Mary lives..."across the pasture"...I can see her house but to really look close I have to get out the "big glasses"   in front of our house and across the street is a "really big pasture"  acres and acres...got the scene...so now for the story.... thursday here was another one of those windy days...worse than a skirt alert day...not sure exactly what I did that day...must not have been important...but since I was now only on afternoon "farm duty" ...I made the cat's evening meal and got it out to them right on time...son has pretty much assumed the full job again...he has the early morning shift... so I sit in my chair and watched the cats run around and in the arbor and drinking out of their favorite water dish...it is green...everything is normal and finally I retired to the bedroom to watch a little TV... Friday morning I got up and met son in the kitchen as I needed my wake up coffee...and I said...how's the cats...son said...they did not come out to eat breakfast that I fixed...so I rushed to the window to check out this statement...but no cats nor a sign of a cat...hummm  so all day breakfast sit in it's spot...son and I took turns looking out the window for some clue...no cats...son came and got the big glasses and said I think I see them out in the pasture behind the house...I instantly looked and tried to see...and he then said..now mom I don't want you upset...it would mean a trip to the ER...and by now...WHAT DO YOU SEE...comes out of my mouth...well he said...I think that one is laying dead and the other is sitting beside it...he is out the door to get a better view with the big glasses...and I am close behind and finally see what he is seeing something white laying on the ground...after looking carefully he says...it is 2 white grocery bags blowing in the wind...now this would have been funny another time... now all thru the night son was up looking and no cats... saturday came with no cats...son trying to make me feel better with...now mom you must remember these are "wild cats" they come and go...and I am thinking...I was just about ready to give them names...I had decided on Levi for the smaller one that is sometimes shy... now mom don't get upset...you know what that will mean...so I sit in my chair and watched...mom cat did come in the yard for a meal that we did not fix that morning...she got some water and left...but we could not see where she was going... now mom... son says...I think she has taken the little ones out  somewhere and left them...that's the way wild animals do... now mom...we just have to get over it... now mom... I will not fix anything else for mom  cat...she has to understand that without the little cats...she does not get a thing here... now mom ...we just have to accept that they are gone... and finally I said...maybe she has taken them on hunting training...of course they could hunt that $%#@ mole who lives in the back yard...but maybe she took them out of the yard for further training...in the really big pasture... no cats Sunday morning I am awake laying in bed...you know that place that you are just trying to tell your self that morning is here and you might want to get up and you really have not made your mind up.....WHAT...I hear the big skillet hit the top of the stove and I am out of bed like a shot...that is the skillett that we cook the cats eggs...I rush to the kitchen and say...did the cats come...son says...look out the window which I did and there they all are...eating breakfast that son has cooked for them... getting my coffee and sitting down to watch this scene....I am wondering...where have you been...they seem tired...not frisky and running and jumping...finally after walking around and sniffing the yard they ramble to the barn for I am guessing a long nap.. now I could or would tell you that son had lots of choice words to say in regard to mom cat...like...next time you leave ..... leave the little ones...you need not think that I am feeding you without the little ones...and lots of other things that mom cat would not want to hear.... where have they been the last two days...on a hunting trip...or as son said...mom took them way out to make them hunt...or maybe she felt bad and went to get them...what ever they are home...but son's words are still ringing in my ears...mom they are wild cats redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/03/12 at 06:52:18 in the book I am reading....... what you see depends on what you look for.  you can enjoy the postives or seek out the negatives.  it's your choice redbird "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by iamnotalone on 12/04/12 at 06:01:26 Red; I am reminded of a song from when my boys were little; "The Cat Came Back". It says "The cat came back the very next day, the cat came back, we thought he was a goner, but the cat came back, the very next day, the cat came back, he just couldn't stay awaaay..."  :D Our beloved Spanky left home once for several scary days, & when he came back, he didn't venture far for a long time, like he had had not so good of an experience. I still miss him - but yes- he was a wild cat, & we couldn't keep him safe forever. I swear I still see his shadow in his favorite spots sometimes... He was a sweet boy who gave as much love as he got, and we were lucky to have him while we did. I am glad your kitties are back Red  :) lori

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/04/12 at 07:37:19 Christmas is coming ....and I am listening to Christmas music...I love it...and some of the old songs I can sing along with...I really am very good ...or else I sound good to my old ears... Mary my friend "across the pasture" and I were talking about our growing up Christmas...both of us were poor...like in poor...and one of the memories we were talking about was.....Christmas at our church.... now see this would be a time that families of the community  would gather and there would be a big big tree all lit up and oh so pretty...and all the children got a little brown paper bag of goodies...and for some of us it was all we had ..... I remember in the bag was a orange...an apple...candy canes...and some of that...remember it was called...I think...ribbon candy...it was hard and in a wavy form...to us that was really a treat and we were so glad to get it. today my friend Mary called and said I am bringing you something..it seemed that she and husband Ron had helped at their church fill Christmas bags for lots of different people...oldie folks...nursing home ...shut in etc....so she brought me a bag of goodies from the church for Christmas...was it a brown bag...no it was a BIG red plastic bag...and oh does it have lots and lots of goodies...we laughed as she said... I remembered our conversation about Christmas bags and thought you would enjoy this...and I did and do..... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/04/12 at 11:50:01 do you ever wonder why we have more hair on one side of our head than the other.... wonder if anyone has figured this out... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/12/12 at 07:44:57 when I got out of the warm bed Monday morning...I looked out and the ground was covered in white stuff ID as snow...now it was not deep but covered...some called it a dusting...it had fallen  sometime during the night.. now this did cause some concern as the cats had again been "somewhere" not known to us and did not check in Sunday at all... now I am not sure that I have told you that husband was Choctaw Indian...making children that as well...now you realize that I am the paleface one in the group... so son decided that he would use his "indian tracking" skills to try to solve the "missing cats"...so out he went in the ...snow dusting....tracking...for signs of cats...he found the tracks of one cat that had come to the feeding area and he was sure that by the size etc it had to be mom cat...no other tracks..and then he followed them to the fence where they disappeared meaning she had gone over the fence...but no tracks of the other kittens..so he was sure that they had not made it back from ....somewhere...to eat... now.... back in the house....gosh such ranting ....mom cat has taken them off and left them...she need not think that I will feed her without the others...she is the meanest mom I have seen....and the list went on and on...and I am quietly thinking...not out loud...but son they are wild cats..remember... well of course the kittens did come back...from ....somewhere....and are showing up for eating .... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/17/12 at 03:57:16 just asking.... are any of you folks missing your wind....because if so I am sure that I can tell you where it is...here at the farm...I will gladly return it to you if so... wind has been the word of the day for several here...the wind chimes are working overtime and though I enjoy they ...it is getting to be a little much... well I have to tell you some other news...seems The Farm has turned into a "drive in"...you know the kind where you just drive up and they bring out your order and you leave.... well the cats ...I guess being all grown up have started using the farm as a drive thru...seems they now have decided they are ready for the real world and hanging around this dull place is just not much fun...all that training mom cat has done is now being tested...sometimes they come with mom cat or sometimes alone and as soon as they eat...over the  fence they go into the world beyond...it was lots of fun to watch them grow up but guess they are just like us people....they must try other things...son and I talked about the fact that also sometimes things get pretty rough and they may have to return to rest and recharge their energy..we will see...we will keep some food out for the cold spell that is expected but  we now know they have moved on...with son's words ringing in my ears...mom they are wild cats..however we did a good job with all those eggs and cat food..they are so pretty..shiny and fat.. now the crows are sorta glad to reclaim their territory..they swoop in and out picking up crumbs etc...they are a loud group and if you go outside they will immediately give the alarm to others regardless of where they are..kinda think they have some kind of radar system set up to watch us.. I have been doing lots of sitting in my bird watching chair...it sits in the sun and I find that old body enjoys it...sitting reading a little and listening to my music...don't have to go anywhere...BUT son is going to drive me over to see Mary's and Ron's ....you know my friend  who lives across the pasture...and their next door neighbor's Christmas lights this evening when it gets dark...each year both put up lots...and it has become catching..the neighbors now the block have put up some as well... other than the sewer stopping up...that caused a stir..things are pretty quiet.. redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/17/12 at 07:41:44 Christmas bring back "childhood memories".... I remember as a kid a great treat was taking a peppermint stick...cutting a end out of a lemon and sucking the lemon juice up thru the peppermint stick...kinda like a lemonade??? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 12/17/12 at 19:39:26 We used oranges!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/18/12 at 04:07:03 as I have told you before...smells are a really big thing for me..and I told you that I used Johnson's baby lotion but also use the baby powder...now since .lots of us like that smoothing feeling of body powder..I have discovered that if you stand in the bath tub while using it...none on the floor....my tip of the day.. :) redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/19/12 at 04:13:46 we are sitting here ON ALERT....weather man says that we are going to get WINDS AND DUST today and our visibility will be less than 1/2 mile and winds up to 60 per...need to get all outdoor things in etc...so he says.. if this happens we are likely to lose electric power..so I hurried and got a cake in the oven... cats have been sitting looking over the fence...they maybe are looking for it as it is suppose to come out of the south to us.. if this happens I will not be able to see my friend Mary "across the pasture" house and worried about all the Christmas decorations they have out redbird the word writer "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/20/12 at 03:54:26 well Christmas is just around the corner and of course we are all wishing each other Merry Christmas... a couple of days ago as I read  my big paper ... in an article written by Walker Moore he was talking about the perfect gift ...and how it was becoming a daunting task (his words)... he then told about reading a small piece written by Oren Arnold..and he paraphrase his words ....and how to give the perfect gift.... "To your enemy, give forgiveness.  To your opponent, give tolerance.  To your friends give your heart.  To your customers give service.  To all, give charity.  To every child give a good example.  To yourself, give respect. so to you my friends...I give you love from my heart...and wish you each a MERRY CHRISTMAS...AND THAT IT MIGHT BE MASTO FREE... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/21/12 at 08:18:09 I usually would not do this BUT my internet provider sent this to me so I know the site is safe...it is amazine to see and hear..hoping this works..you may have to copy and paste in a search engine but it is worth the trouble...it is a rain and thunder storm without music :) redbird http://www.enewsletterhome.com:80/_eNewsletter/2012/12/VIDEO_B.htm

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/25/12 at 03:21:17 watching news on TV  showing airport arrivals in different cities this Christmas morning...seems that HUGS are the fashion statement of the day.... wonder who invented "the hug"???? do you ever wonder things like this... redbird CHRISTMAS HUGS TO YOU THIS DAY

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 12/25/12 at 10:37:43 Merry Christmas Redbird!! May you have a wonderful holiday!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/29/12 at 03:49:29 Yanni came by last evening...I had not seen him in awhile...he wanted me to go with him to El Morro in Puerto Rico where he was playing a concert..and so I went... now I had a chair right by the piano so I had a wonderful spot...I noticed some things as I sat there...members of the orchestra did not have on wedding bands etc...wonder if that is a require or... I also noted that Yanni is beginning to look older like the rest of us...and I think he must have dyed his hair... but regardless of all the above...it was a wonderful time and I so enjoyed it...I did invite Yanni by the house for coffee anytime....he would be welcome..and it reminded me that I needed to get out my Yanni CDs redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/30/12 at 06:05:33 I don't know if you have watched any of a new show on the History channel called "doomday preppers"....now these are people that believe that something bad is going to happen and they will need food, supplies etc...they prepare a "dash bag" a bag that they can just grab and dash if necessary now I have no problem with this group...they can believe and do as they please...but I do have one problem...in all the showing of their supplies and their "grab bags" I don't see any clean underwear...and I have to have my clean undies every day...guess I cannot join this group redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/30/12 at 06:26:22 ooops...it is the National Geographic channel... ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/31/12 at 06:23:47 HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!     from a grumpy old lady.... I really am having a hard time feeling not grumpy so I just decided to let it happen... Christmas for us was different this year....first "white Christmas" in eight years and to add to that...during the day we were in one of those ..."white out" that you just could not see across the pasture to my friends Mary for the blowing snow......and of course that mean that daughter could not come for the day...so it was just a day...all the Christmas music in the world did not help...and then I had a couple of days that I was just not sure I was going to make it...but I did...such is the life of this old masto person... THEN we now have New Years coming up when you are suppose to make all those promises to the world about how wonderful you are going to be...and how much weight you are going to lose and all that good stuff...so I have been thinking and this year I am not going to do any of that... thinking that my big promises are going to be different...like trying to have some happiness...not have nightmares...a more positive attitude...and simply meeting each day with...I will try.....that is the best I can do... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 12/31/12 at 07:33:22 Happy New Year Redbird! With this new year, we can look forward to more of your lovely tales and thoughts. You brighten our day every time that you write to us!  [smiley=kiss.gif]

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/03/13 at 07:53:54 some people have ask...where do the things I write about come from....gee I don't know...it is just things that come to mind that I wonder about or think about or the old brain just rolls them around until it spits it out...I sometimes wonder about things..don't you...for instance why did someone invent the turn signals on the car...for lots and lots of years we just stuck our arm out the window to show the car behind us what we were going to do...the only thing that I can figure out is that someone was tired of their arm getting wet from the rain...or cold or something ??? and you see also some of us are going to have to make some big adjustments in life...the word cheap has now gone to frugal it seems to be a nicer word...however I am thinking that it might be coming back to cheaper soon with all the changes being made...so....I was talking to Mary "my friend across the pasture"...about how to cut back some more on our budgets...now Mary says that when she shops she makes her list and does not go down ANY AISLES IN THE STORE...unless it contains something on her list... now this sounded pretty good so today I decided to try it....first bad thing was I had to put on clothes...and a bra that requires that I use cotton between me and it ....but taking off my "stay at home" clothes and putting on "my going to town" clothes is the first ...I don't want to do this... but I have my list...and even though my friend Mary told me about the store have denims shirts with redbirds all over it...I promised myself..I will not go down that aisle..even though I love denim shirts and one with redbirds....OH.. but I kept to my list and it was not on the list.. so..... on my list is Vicks salve...you remember vicks...my mom use to rub it on my chest and throat if I even thought about coughing...and lots of us old folks like the smell... so here I am in the store looking for it..as I gave myself permission to go down this aisle...finally had to ask the clerk standing there...oh there it is by this lady...standing there in the way...so lady hands me a generic brand for Vicks..yup they make one..so ok I will try it.... getting home open the bottle and ...what no vicks smell...well close that jar back up for taking back...just can see it now explaining to "take back clerk"...it does not smell right I have to tell you that I have thought about that shirt and at certain times if I were to go back to this store...I might have to peek and maybe have to purchase...so I will just stay at home.. redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by cutty sark on 01/04/13 at 09:43:00 Hah! I enjoyed that, Redbird. You have a way with words. :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/06/13 at 03:55:48 Hey cutty sark...thanks for dropping by...glad that you enjoy my word writing..it makes me feel good to give others a smile :) redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/10/13 at 04:43:36 some time ago my daughter ask me how I was....and after the usual reply of...just fine...she then ask me ...how are you really...and that set me to thinking..... you ask how I was and I thought about that...my best answer currently is in the last six months I am really feeling old...walking is becoming more difficult and just getting around in general..I look old like in old and the voice is sometimes here and sometimes not..it has been hard to understand that suddenly the body is going to $#*..not sure there is an answer to that...think it is just called getting old now getting old is not a pleasant experience..seems "old" robs you of many things.."old" likes to whack your body and just slam you around..."old" requires a different mind set from your earlier years as "old" sometimes requires additional help such as canes..walkers etc..."old" insist that you rest more...none of that jumping up to complete a chore "old" in general is just a pain in the b*tt...one of the worst things is "old" takes away some of your independence.."old" is tough..sometimes "old" makes you wonder if getting out of the bed is really worth the effort...yeah "Old" is the pits... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/15/13 at 06:23:03 well today I am dealing with "nothing"...... as I lay in my warm bed peeking out from under my fuzzy blanket with redbirds on it...I thought...I don't have to get up or hurry and get my day started...I am "nothing"... now before you decide my thought is wrong hear me out...I looked "nothing" up in the old Webster and it says..... no thing, not anything...a thing that does not exist...a person or thing of little or no importance...a nought, zero etc etc... so is there "nothing" in my life...hummm gee gosh...so if "nothing" lays in bed...cats will miss me and who will cook for them.....if "nothing" is done...birds and the crows will have to find another home..and who will they scream at each time ""nothing"goes outside.. so maybe I should change it to "something"...I can be "something"... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/18/13 at 06:27:37 I have recently tried to stay out of the stores because of the flu stuff...so when I looked for paper towels in the pantry...oops we are out...oops we are out of napkins as well... so guess I will just have to look at this as a challenge..I use a lot of paper towels..can I live without a roll... now I just cook one meal a day...breakfast is whatever you  choose...but I cook lunch and this is our biggie meal of the day...dinner or you may say supper is again either a lunch left over or whatever you can find.. so... son likes a hamburger patty so yesterday decided to fix him some and since my "old George Forman" has long departed...I usually cook them in the skillet and drain on a PAPER TOWEL... ok so now I am thinking how to solve this problem...cooking hamburger patty..no paper towel to drain it...of course....a thought... silly me...I will put one of my cookie cooling wire racks on a plate..hamburger patty on top and ....it worked great...a done deal... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/21/13 at 04:18:09 Yoo hoo, redbird! Looking for more stories from you....

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/21/13 at 06:28:37 well Ms. Deb...let me tell you about my town..and the next town etc.. I have told you about my little town..it only has one red light..and recently they have started tearing down buildings that were bad and sad...and that in itself was certainly not good...and just this week the corner stone or whatever you might call it of our town...our big furniture store is closing it doors...the owner died...it covers one block and several buildings in the other block as well...you see our town is only four blocks long... so.... to do much else you have to go up the road to the bigger town...it has lots of red lights and that is where people in our area go to shop, work and just hang out...so you see going  to the biggy town is really important... now... a few years ago someone in government decided that there needed to be a new road built to our little town from the big town...and they did...now us oldies that have lived, worked and shop the big town for years started calling it the new road and the old road. now... the new road is a faster road...it is sterile..not much to see except this road is where the horse stays in the pasture and I need to check to see if he has food and water...but otherwise..nothing much to see... now..... on the old road...yes it is just a narrow 2 lane one but it has carried many of us for ages up to big town...it sorta makes you feel good...it has trees and houses and you know if your car decided that it no longer wants to go..you can knock on a door right away...and it has personality.... now that brick house there...not sure of their name...but his wife had a bad stroke and he cared for her until the end right in that house... that place use to be a grocery store...but now has flooring...and see that spot..it is the school...still open...  I went to grade school there..and several churches..the old skating rink that many of our children made a few rounds... and oh...there is a house that my dad built...and on down the road is where we lived when I was a kid and walked to school..and the pond where we skated when it iced over...and the old drive-in theater..closed and fell to pieces.. now that house...the lady played the piano and her hubby played the fiddle..and they were good...oh we are coming up on the airport..but not before we come to Bob's ...a restaurant that has some wonderful ...catfish on it's menu..and ok now the airport..yes the big town has a small airport... so... as you can see the old road holds many memories...but today if you ask for directions ....people will say...on the new road...or others might say...take the old road..myself..I like the comfort and sights along the old road..who has planted their garden...who's house needs a coat of paint..and there is a new dog running in that yard...and the old refinery..they are tearing it down..and on and on and on.... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/26/13 at 06:29:30 did you ever have something that stretched as you wore it...usually this might be a sweater or mine was ...it stretched and stretched until it was almost to my knees... I also have a pair of sheets that do the same ...the longer it is on the bed the longer it gets and has to be tucked in now on the other side of that coin is shrink...I have noticed that my arms are shrinking...I am 5'6 but as I have gotten older my arms are just not reaching the second shelf in the kitchen cabinet..unless I stand on tip toes and really put out effort...sometimes I ask son to hand me something..I am tempted to measure my arms against his to just see if mine are really that short.. now one wonders just what might cause that masto?? really think it is called getting older.. redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/26/13 at 08:23:31 did you ever go to the place called "nowhere"....lots of people come and go...some stay and some just visit.. "nowhere" does not have street lights nor red lights nor a police force..or stores or churches...it is just.... "nowhere" is not a friendly place...no one offers you a smile and a welcome...they just turn their back and do not look you in the face... as you look out across the "nowhere" place...the land seems barren..no sun..no birds...the sidewalks  are uneven...and the people you see are bent and broken...the tress are bare of leaves and the bare branches seem to want to show you their souls...there are no children with their giggles or running to play tag ...or dogs running after them ..just nothing good in "nowhere".. how does one get there...it is not on a map...but if you sit in a chair and hopelessly look out the window...there it is just outside..and you turn away.. you panic and  look around for a bus or a train or just anything to help you out to "somewhere"... and suddenly out of the corner of your eye...you see movement..a small tiny bird flies by the window..follow me he says...I am on the way to "somewhere"..and you do redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/30/13 at 03:50:29 SURVEY..... do you cross your legs when you sneeze?? redbird ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/01/13 at 04:21:41 WARNING.... if you are thinking about a visit to The Farm you need to know several things... we are under tight security...both on the ground and in the air....yes we have sentries walking the fence and on the ground and flying black spy drones flying over head... I did not realize that we were expecting an invasion but seems that word is out .... now I am not sure how all of this has happened...BUT...shy cat ...who use to be a kitten ....is walking the area on top of the fence just waiting for something or someone to pop up...black and white cat..keeps the ground patrolled for anything moving including the ^%$#$%^ mole...and several times I have seen both cats moving along atop the mole tunnels that has been made listening for activity..however shy cat seems to nod off sometimes.. now from above the crows have us spotted and even if son or I come outside they alert all the other crows that someone has emerged from the compound.. not sure how long this will last but knowing we are secure from "whatever" is a big comfort and we have a pantry of food and clean undies so guess we are set for "whoever" is coming... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/07/13 at 03:35:43 son wanted you to know ...that we are aware that some of you are dealing with snow and ice and winter below freezing weather... however today he is mowing the lawn redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/20/13 at 03:48:30 we have not talked in awhile...as I have been feeling lousy..in fact *&^% lousy....a couple of days I was thinking that my time might be up...not sure if it was masto or  "a spell" that older folks talk about....sometimes they say...I had a spell...so who knows which it was.... HOWEVER....yesterday I went into total shock...weather man said we had a "super" bad spell coming and since I did believe him....that meant a trip up to the big town...so I planned it ...library and my most un-favorite store that I call Wally World..better known as Wal-Mart..now you have been there...since Mr. Sam died it has sort become a "no-mans land"...cannot find something...those invisible people who could help you...remain invisible... now I wanted to get son a t-shirt..he likes that simple pull over ones but it has to have a pocket and grey..so I am stumbling around in the men's dept and suddenly a lady person walked up to me and nicely said...."CAN I HELP YOU FIND SOMETHING??"...now I can tell you I went into total shock..and held onto my buggy to keep from falling in the floor...now as I told her ...she directed and WALKED with me to the area that I needed...so now here I am looking at t-shirts and the size and SHE CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID...which size do you want and I told her and she said...it is right here... I could tell you that at the point of my shopping I was so stunned that I almost did not remember what else I needed.... I wish I knew that ladies name as I would write to the store and tell them what a wonderful employee she was redbird the word writer "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/23/13 at 05:02:18 it is snowing brown snow flakes at my house redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 02/23/13 at 19:44:39 Why??  Dust in the air??

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/25/13 at 03:57:02 sitting here waiting this morning so thought we might have a talk...yes I am waiting for the weather to change...we are suppose to have thunderstorms, and a blizzard dumping several inches of snow...it is still a little north of me but have noted the temp is dropping AND Joan.. son thinks the brown snow is from all the dust in the air..it was just strange... I also wanted to give you an update on the cats...we have now given them names...of course mom cat...shy cat for the cat that seems to spook so easy and then we have ...black and white cat... now mom cat is expecting and shy cat wants to be expecting and the other..black and white cat wants nothing to do with any of this..so that pretty much tell you how things are here. shy cat has a boy friend...what a scuzzy bum..in a real life situation he would be long gone and son has chased him off several times but he just keeps hanging around...I have wanted to have one of those "come to Jesus" talks with her but she just rushes off when approached...now sometimes she will walk the ledge outside the window where I sit and looks in at me but I don't think she is looking for advice...just wants to know when the next meal will be served...the closes to taming is ...son goes out to feed and calls...Kitty kitty..come on and she does come out sometimes.. seems that we are just sorta a home base...mom cat only comes to eat and usually the others follow her off...my greatest fear at the moment is seeing her come over the fence with her new family...we think she is in the neighbors barn.. Birdville is open and busy busy..we have lots of yellow finches and that is early for their arrival here..and read in my big paper that humming birds are also arriving early so guess I need to get my feeders dusted off.  now Birdville is  fenced off so it is not easy for cats to hunt... that is about it for THE FARM NEWS.. and on the personal side of news...seems that I am getting around lots slower..who knows ...I still manage to do a little something.. AND I also need to "thank you" for your support and reading of my little writings..if you remember how excited I was to reach 10,000 reads and now we are up to over 30,000...makes me feel very humble..I have always said how I just wanted to make you smile...however it makes me smile to write for you redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/25/13 at 04:08:43 remember when I wrote to you and told you how I used my cookie rack for draining son's hamburger patty...I was out of paper towels.. well a couple of weeks ago son went out to the mail box and discovered a box on the porch..puzzle...no nothing I could think of... so in the house for a look and getting it open inside was a SHINNING RED GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL...my dear friend Olive decided that ...it seem that I could use one since mine had died ... she is a wonderful friend to me...always there to listen to my moans and groans...and tells me that I really am going to get better and supports me when I am so low that it seems there is no way up.. I am hoping that you have a dear friend..that loves you much redbird the word writer "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/25/13 at 04:14:27 in a book I am reading...it is taken from a letter to a friend..written by Golda Meir... do not be concerned, for it is not the end.  It is not even the beginning of the end.  It is merely the end of the beginning. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/26/13 at 03:50:22 remember when I told you about  buying some generic Vicks salve and how it did not smell like my old jar and I was taking it back... well I did and got a regular jar...got home and opened it up and it does not smell like the old jar either...so I am wondering if it has to age like wine or something??? needless to say my old jar was like in old... or maybe I should just stand there in the store and open jars and smell them until I got the right one I wanted I could tell them I am the smell police redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/26/13 at 03:52:02 do you ever stand in the library and say....a b c d e f etc...because you cannot remember what comes next so you start and say them all until you reach the right letter I do..wonder why..is this part of old redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by BlueSkies on 02/26/13 at 16:12:38 I do, redbird.   And with the dictionary, too!   I think it is called     b..r..a..i..n.......f..o..g :) And, your writings make me smile, too! BlueSkies

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/01/13 at 04:04:21 to tell a lie...there must be some one to listen redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/03/13 at 06:55:07 in coversation with daughter last evening... she reminded me that getting old is not for "wimps" hummm think she is right redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/04/13 at 03:27:40 sure that you saw on  TV the story in regard to this rich man who lives in N. Mex who thought he was going to die from some disease... so he decided that he would fill a treasure chest...it is small one...with gold and gold coins...bury it and tell the public that if they could find it ...it belonged to them...now this would make you rich...like in rich so he then wrote out some stuff that contained clues to it's location...and the paper published it etc etc... now the man recovered from whatever he had...but the chest of gold was still out there and he now was giving clues in person ... the interview I saw was him at his house in New Mexico...(which by the way I love this state)...and it showed HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of indian relics and old west relics hanging on his walls of his house... and it made me wonder a couple of things... who dusted all of this stuff on the wall and how many hungry people the chest would have fed.. redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/04/13 at 03:42:34 well today's wind has arrived right on time...not a gentle breeze but blowing..it comes every day around 9:00 a m last week after the rain, snow etc we had things are being to get greener and son mowed again yesterday. the wind has done some damage to the farm...while I was sitting in my chair watching...a large tree blew down in the yard...and needless to say my mouth dropped open.. the only good thing that happened with this is....son cut several limbs from the tree and put them up in Birdville..some of the old ones needed to be replaced..made the birds happy.. in my BIG STATE PAPER today there was an article that someone went on this man's 5 acres of land and cut down 122 trees..oh that makes my heart hurt..122 trees....I cannot print what I would say to that bunch and do you know how long it takes to grow a tree...someone should be punished big time for this.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/07/13 at 02:24:57 from my BIG STATE PAPER today............... "if you think you are too small to make a difference, you've  never had a mosquito in your bedroom." redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/07/13 at 02:41:53 I am not sure about our weather man....when he says breezy...you better batter down the hatches... and don't know where you were Monday night but at The Farm...wind was howling for hours...not just a little wind but for a very long time... son heard an explosion and a flash of bright lights as winds must have been blowing electric lines together... and he also was out in the yard picking up shingles from our new roof and putting them back down and the patio roof cracked and popped until finally I fell to sleep... went to the post office yesterday and saw trees uprooted as well.. wonder if there is just a thing as a ...mini-hurricane our big tree that blew down last week has become a new look-out station for the cats....and ...shy cat...has now become the keeper of the yard and boy is she bossy...she had a show down with the crows and they had to fly up on a tree branch and just look at her...it is fun to watch her and ...black and white cat play hide & seek... well going to check the house for dust this morning and try to decide if that is a "thing" for the day...called dusting.. redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/07/13 at 06:42:22 ATTENTION...ALERT.... those of you who have followed my ramblings and stories will remember my long defeat of making biscuits...even after I found that my baking powder was expired in 2004... well today I was looking at some bakery mix and this little voice came into my head...you can make biscuits...look at others who just make them each day...you can do it... the other little voice said....yeah remember how you make hockey pucks for the NHL...forget it.. so again this other little voice said...just give it a try..if you fail I will ...shut up.. so................. I get me out a nice size bowl...and carefully read the instructions...3 1/3 cups of mix...and 1 cup COLD water...ok so I get cold water out of the fridge..as it is cold..like in cold..mix it will be sticky...sticky like to your fingers etc..now turn it out on a board or something and knead it 8-10 times no more...ok 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8  still sticky so 9 10...ok got it..now gentle roll or pat it out and cut and place in oven... so now I am feeling pretty good about this..they don't look bad...so I brush a little butter on the top and pop them in the oven... now the light is on in the oven so I place cup towels on the handle so son cannot see in the oven..just in case it's bad now they are rising nicely and I watch...finally I am pretty sure that they are done..so I take them out and they are nicely brown on bottom but the top is still not brown...but I open one up and wallaaaaaaaaa...it looks like eating... so I put them on the table for lunch...and son ate 3...he assured me that did not have to be golden brown on top... this makes me feel just like Suzy Homemaker...I might get to cancel my contract with the hockey league... WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/09/13 at 01:53:51 shy cat did not come home last night....think they had a baby shower for mom cat... must have been a wild party redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/15/13 at 03:28:26 BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT !!! mom cat gave birth last weekend...we are not sure of the date.  we just know that Monday she came to eat late afternoon and it was apparent that she no longer was expecting. we are not sure where they are but suspect the neighbor's barn.   redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/15/13 at 03:32:22 reading my big paper yesterday it said....that this is the "year of the snake".  OK but as you know I am soooo afraid of snakes and I realize that this is just words... BUT it went on to tell about the new fashions for this "snake of the year" trend...now this will not bother me because fashion trends for me are all about comfort.. BUT when it told about new nail polish that was like snake skin...I turned the page redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/15/13 at 03:46:44 well I have been feeling pretty crummy lately so been sorta slow in thoughts..creeping along..hoping for a break...ran the vacuum cleaner and had to spend the rest of the day in bed.. so my week has been on the down hill side..however for the last 3 days I have been treated to a wonderful "pick me up".   as I was sitting in my bird watching chair I notice several dozens of birds drinking from our water bowls..and as I watched more and more came..they did not eat just drank..in fact suddenly everything including the bird bath were empty...I could not ID them as my eye sight is waiting a visit to the doctor next week ...but then for the next 2 days they came ...and we put out extra water etc...finally yesterday I got out the "big glasses" and was able to see them closely and discovered that they were "cedar waxwings"..and I could not tell you how much I enjoyed them..reading in my bird book one mystery was solved as it says they are fruit eaters.. and the old saying of ....when the robins come it is a sign of spring...well I had six in my yard yesterday...now if you folks up north with all the snow would like to help you "spring coming" along...I cannot send robins but could send pictures.. redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/18/13 at 06:40:06 have you ever noticed how many book titles start with the word....The...it is lots redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/23/13 at 04:42:50 just wanted to chat a minute with you today.... I was sitting in my "bird watching chair"...and was thinking....how do birds know that a cat is the enemy???? now cats come in all sizes and colors..but birds immediately know when one is sitting close to the feeders and the birds know when the mean hawk is lurking in the trees and hide and scream for help.. now this requires much thought..... so how do animals know who and what the enemy is??? well we could say "natural instinct" but is that really the reason..does the animal or bird brains come with that installed.. any suggestion that you might have would be nice redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/23/13 at 04:54:51 a couple of years ago I found the author Jodi Picoult...now she was not lost it was just that I had not read anything written by her...but when I did I now have read all of her books.  I also found that some of her books became movies and just plain old ..she is good... now her latest book "The Story Teller" has just came out and I was privileged to get the first copy that my library had gotten...if you are into reading about things in "everyday life " you would find her books .... I would like to share a couple of lines out of the new book that I found so great.. sometimes words are not big enough to contain all the feelings you are trying to pour into them... and history is not about dates and places and wars. It's about the people who fill the spaces between them Jodi Picoult The Story Teller I hope she does not mind my sharing this with you redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/23/13 at 05:19:12 Paula Dean says... if you don't have enough batter to fill all the muffins places in your pan..fill the empty ones with water so that your paper does not burn... thanks Paula redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/23/13 at 06:11:32 son just brought me some exciting news.. on the state news station they just told about...how we are in the middle of the bird migration this year for both birds coming and going.. I am hoping so..this means a trip to the feed mill for lots of seeds..don't want to run out redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/24/13 at 03:34:39 I have been "putting off"  telling you this story as it is not a pretty one..... for a few weeks I have noticed that my vision is just not up to par..especially the old left eye... the one that had such an infection...yup that is the one... so I had a eye checkup coming up with the kind gentle eye doctor..the one that lifts and hands you your purse...and who I gave a oral questionnaire and he passed... so here I am with my little tale of ...something is just not right...and sure enough there is a problem...after much looking and testing and all of that stuff he gives me the news...you have glaucoma...now I am not sure exactly how to take this news other than to just have a break down cry :'(...as I realize this is serious... now I am giving you some drops to put in your eye at night..and I ask him if this will make my vision better...not sure he says..we will just have to wait and see...I am sending by fax the script to your drug store for filling. . humm so now am at home telling daughter what he said and told her...just what does night time mean...8:00 pm-10:00 pm...and she says to me..this means just before you close your eyes for sleep..OK says I...I can do that.. now the next challenge (you are suppose to say that instead of problem) is the tiny bottle that must be kept in fridge..yes I have a spot for it but when the sleep time comes I take it out and it is a tiny tiny bottle with a tiny little bit of med..humm one drop each eye..gosh will this last a month.. OK usually I close my eyes to listen to the late news..and sometimes doze off that way..but in the eye these drops must go first.. OK drops in and eyes shut..as I feel along for the TV tuner..settle on my pillow..eyes shut..wonder if I could peek.. I have explained to this gentle doctor before that I really have lots of new books to read and reporting of the cats doings and Birdville reporter falls to me..and who is going to write my little blog and stories.. ..just lots of eye stuff... we will just have to wait and see ...says this gentle doctor redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 03/25/13 at 01:53:44 As I tell everyone, it won't help to start worrying about it now. And it definitely won't help your mast cells. Worry is wasted energy, so take that energy and put it into positive thinking.  Hopefully your eye medication will work. If your eyesight does deteriorate, there are many wonderful technological advancements that can help you to read. My friend has severe myopia and is losing her eyesight. She has been deteriorating vision wise for years and has used all sorts of advanced computer screens and a special phone to see caller id. Now with electronic books, you can enlarge the text to super large sizes so that you can see. Ebooks are wonderful. Many people are hesitant to try, but once you get one you just fall in love with it. We have a variety of them, but I love my Kindle Paperwhite. It is very light to hold, the screen is illuminated and I can control the brightness, and I can set the text at whatever font and size I choose. Every book imaginable is available because you just buy it on the kindle by connecting to amazon. Then it downloads straight to your kindle. So, keep your chin up and stay positive Redbird! Keep us posted on how your eyes are doing, too!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/26/13 at 04:08:29 today the sun is out saying..."come on out" but the sneaky old dude does not reveal that it is cold cold cold... and Mr. Windy is hiding just around the corner waiting for it's grand entrance to blow us into misery...even the crows have to hold on to tree branches... now my friend Mary "across the pasture" called me yesterday all excited ..I have told you how Mary loves to shop...well she got a new walking cane..bright blue...now Mary is not near as old as I but she has a couple of those bad knees..and was amazed at how much it helped her knee pain.. my book bag is down to the very last book so that means a trip up to the big town to see what the library has put back for my reading..seems like all my favorite authors are between books so searching each nook for authors that I have not read.. I know that lots of you here have snow and ice etc but as I look out my window my back yard is green like in spring green..mowing is already being done so does anyone have a clue as to what mother nature is doing or games she is playing Mom cat comes by each day for her food ration and I am sooo hoping that she shares that new bunch of children in someone elses yard..I am sure that someone needs them.. well a dull day here...hope yours is better redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/28/13 at 04:34:12 BIG STATE PAPER -STRANGE WORDS SAY...... There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger neither is there apple nor pine in pineapple and you pare a pair of pears... and you press start to turn my computer off redbird ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/08/13 at 01:58:14 someone wrote....it is not the years in your life that count but the life in your years... Now I am not sure about that as some of us have put in some pretty tough years..the hill seems to get steeper and steeper to climb now this weekend I finally got to the top of the 79th year of my life...and today will now start the journey for 80.  and as I said the last three months the journey has been especially hard..it was almost like a "test"  something hard that I must pass to make the next step. I have found that I now require more rest...those afternoon naps that I have not wanted to take are now nice..I nap some in my nest and enjoy chatting with my friend Mary "from across the pasture"... hoping for the next year to be brighter and lighter redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/14/13 at 06:45:40 son would like to ask you...would you join him in a petition to the judge that pardoned....the ground hog (name ?) and have his pardon revoked and arrest immediately...we think the ground hog that said the spring was coming early ...lied?? and then there was daughter gave me a Birthday gift of money and a couple of gift cards to Amazon...so I went over the hill to our local store who had strawberries on sale 2 box for 4.00 and I bought 2...my mouth watered all the way home...so now my breakfast of little Debbie's oatmeal cookie has the added bonus of fresh strawberries.. now the gift cards have created a little problem..you see give me choices is kinda hard on this old soul..what should I get...some new music...not a book because I get those from the library.. so I am shopping trying to make a decision... and then this happened I told you about my eyes and the "kind eye doctor" giving me bad news..well I see him this coming week...but I am not taking in my purse so that he does not have to lift it and hand it to me...I thought of a couple of things like  put in a brick...and then decided to not take it in with me...and let him look for it to hand it back...naughty ..I know but when you are "going on 80" ...you can AND THEN!!! I told you that shy cat was wanting to be expecting...well she is...and getting so fat...regardless of all the training the mom cat gave them growing up...it was not in "birds"...son noticed her in creep mode making it's way toward a dove sitting and eating on the ground...closer and closer she got and suddenly the dove turned and ran at shy cat...and the cat ran..mom cat is still somewhere we think at the neighbors with her new kittens...and we are hoping they are staying there.. also I think our weather man is in big trouble...what he is calling "breezy" are winds that nearly blow you down outside...he either needs a new weather computer or go back to school or see a doctor... excitement I heard that school is out here now until the end of the year every Friday..this should cause some "watchful eyes" as the boys were out in the yard shooting off a gun and running in the house..hummm guess that is about it for this time around other that...MY THUNDER TEAM IS IN THE PLAY OFFS AND THE nw DIVISION CHAMPS...now it really is a job for me as I have to coach via blog or phone or simple voice as son says you can hear me yelling from afar... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/18/13 at 06:39:49 been thinking... so if a father and son are named the same...the son has a Jr. after his name...so how about a mother and daughter having the same name...what comes after the daughters name??? thinking on this redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/21/13 at 06:43:04 Hello from Sooner land...... the past week has been a busy week here in Oklahoma...where I live...on Monday there was 54 earthquakes(according to experts) now they were shallow and not real big but they registered on the scale... then on Wednesday we had 15 tornados...now one was headed directly to my house but turned just as it reached within 10 miles...my friend Mary "across the pasture" had her garage door up with lights on for those who wanted to use the safe room... Thursday we had temps in the 80's but then flood of rain in certain spots of the state... and Friday we woke to 39 degrees with the heater coming on as it was cold..just another week with things to suit everyone. now during the lull in all of this I finally made it up to get my hair cut..and boy I needed it...now I have told you before that I have some list of un-favorite words..the top one being "you know" that people use ..well my new one is...I listened to this woman talk and she ended every sentence with..."you know what I am saying",,,drove me crazy and I just wanted to tell her to shut up.. then the little local dept store sent me a gift card for my birthday...now going on 80...so I am thinking I would use it to buy a couple of pair of undies...I have discussed before the all kinds of and styles they now have...but I wanted just plain old undies..so I thought I would just get an idea on line..as you can pull the store up on the internet...oh my heavens...I refuse to pay 17. for a pair of undies...you know it makes me wonder what the pioneer woman did back in the old days...they did not have store bought stuff...guess they just had sagging b*oobs and hoped the wind did not blow up their dress...I may be forced to do this myself... now for those of you who are watching your diet...I read in my big state paper about a "vibrating fork"...this is a wonder fork..it can tell you many things...how fast you are eating...how many mouth full you have eaten...and vibrates with flashing lights if you are eating to fast...I swear this is true...I looked it up...and of course it will help you control your eating plus your weight..think I will pass on this one ... Birdville news ...it has been pretty busy...new tenants coming in...old ones moving to bigger houses...lots of hugging and kissing going on as it get closer time to building nest..male birds fighting to keep their girl..lots of confusion..we have some new residents...white crown sparrows..and Mary "from across the pasture" called to tell me to get out my humming bird feeders as they had arrived..so quickly got them full and out..almost before getting back in the house..they came in...so far I know that we have at lest 3...son put one feeder just right outside the window so I could see it better..I need to do some research on humming birds as one of them has decided to sit on a little branch and sit and sit and sit..now I have never seen one sit like this...so research needed... and then bird watching brings up my visit to the eye doctor..the gentle eye doctor ..and a very wise man...the pressure was down good but it seems eye drops are the thing of the day and I need them for all time to come...we then discussed removal of the cataracts..he said....they are there and they are cloudy and when you decide that you can no longer deal with the vision that you now have...we will take them off...hummm now he is not saying ...like some...oh they have to come off right away...he  knows that I am smart enough to decide...I like that...and he is right..it becomes more apparent when I can no longer see the birds that son is saying...mom there is a new one...what is it...and I cannot see it... now just wanted to end with the thought of how "awful" the Boston incident was...those of us here in Oklahoma...even though it has been 18 years still remember well the bombing of the Murrah building in Ok City that took 160 lives...so we need to keep them in our special thoughts... OH GOSH...how could I forget to brag on my NBA Thunder team who are playing their first game tonight in the playoffs...GO THUNDER!! redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/23/13 at 04:57:34 a couple of days ago son and I were having lunch and someway your conversation turned to the "old days" It started a long conversation in regard to my remembers... I remember the old tin tub that I took a bath in because we had no indoor bathroom... I remember my mom washing my hair that was so long as in never cut...and rinsing it with vinegar water.. by this time son is rolling his eyes... and we had no phone and we had no newspaper to read.. and by this time son has left the table...but I continue on... we had no TV...but we did have a radio to listen... now mom was really into "Stella Dallas" which was a soap box show... I remember Amos & Andy...The Green Hornet and Captain Midnight...then there was.....one of my favorites.....Only The Shadow Knows...what lurks in the heart of man... my very favorite was ....The Creaking Door....I would listen to that just to hear the door open... by this time son has left the room...and I am left with "my remembers" well that is ok as it was a fun walk back in time redbird the word writer  :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/23/13 at 06:17:06 and my dad always butchered a hog in the late fall...he would have someone to help him and they would hang it up.... he would rub the hams with some kind of stuff and hang them in the smoke house.. now mom and I would "render lard"....in a big big old iron pot outside over a fire..we stirred it with a paddle with a long handle...and I would get to eat the cracklings..now called pork rinds... and we would make soap as well... I churned butter in an large jar...and mom would take it out and put it into a butter press to get all the milk out of it..and dad would love the butter milk...the cream came to the top of your bottle/jar of milk and it was a treat to have it over your cereal instead of just milk...and of course we had our own cows and milked them.. I have told you that we had a large garden...and we canned vegs and had a large cellar full of food..kinda like the "doomsday preppers" do now and we did not even know that word back then WOW..I need to get off the "memory train"...where is the next train stop redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/29/13 at 04:54:34 Franklin Roosevelt said..... "We may not be able to prepare the future for our children, but we can at least prepare our children for the future

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/29/13 at 05:02:13 I have told you many times how I love to read my BIG STATE newspaper...it keeps me up to date on the happenings of our state of Oklahoma. now it also includes ad mailing for different stores and I ALWAYS read the grocery ads to see just what bargains might be on sale ... a couple of days ago I was reading an ad for my local Homeland store and it said......on sale....."teen spinach"..... now I have heard of baby spinach and then just plain old spinach but never a pkg of "teen spinach"... now I am not sure if I am that far out of the loop but this is something I have never heard before....I am saving the ad to ask the store mgr for an answer...may just have to make a trip to look... ANYONE???? redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/01/13 at 03:28:21 I read..... Time is a way of preventing all things from happening at once.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/01/13 at 03:30:14 BIG FIGHT AT THE FARM... if anyone tells you that skunks, raccoons and opossums do not eat bird seed they are wrong wrong... now son has filled all the "dug under the fence" holes around the yard....BUT... round 1...son put in rocks, wire etc in the hole skunk was using to get under the fence...but skunk just dug around them...skunk won this round round 2...son came up with a brilliant idea...he sprinkled CHILI POWDER on top of the filled in hole...skunk would not dig around the spot...son won... round 3....got to get more chili powder... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/01/13 at 04:36:08 sometimes when things are at the place that we struggle for words...and we feel there is no way up....God sends a rainbow.... now rainbows can come in all kind of shapes..it does not have to be in the sky...you can find a dollar in your pocket you forgot about...or a phone call from a friend...or just something unexpected... Yesterday God sent a rainbow to my house.... now I was in my usual "resting mode" which actually means I was watching Jeopardy... when son came to the bedroom and said...mom we have a new bird...I don't know what it is..now son would never admit that he also "bird watches" but he does and of course this brought me up and to the window fast...like in fast...and there in all its glory was a beautiful bright yellow bird with a little black... what could this bird be... so out comes the bird book and turning page by page ...looking....and finally I found it...American Golden Finch....what??? this was not what I could remember our golden finches looked like...but as I kept reading it talked about how dull these birds were when that had on their "winter clothes"....but this one had on his "spring clothes" and it was gorgeous... it also said that they stayed in flocks...we are hoping that this one is a scout for the coming group... we are waiting thank you God for this rainbow... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/06/13 at 03:48:40 some time ago I wrote to you in regard to "The Hanky"...and if you did not read it you might turn back some pages and find it... I am finding that "my hankies" are becoming more and more important to me...in fact I now go and look for one if needed... seems that I need one to hold the soft material next to my face or to simply hold it in my hand...I think that it anchors me in the worst times that come my way... I wish I knew why this was.. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/06/13 at 03:52:51 well mother nature is being sure that she has the last word.... we now have record highs for the month of April and the record lows...people are scrambling to either cover up their plants or take the cover off...and the wind...gosh if something is not anchored down...you can look for it in the pasture. same with your bed and pj's...our with summer and in with winter again...keeps you busy ...if you live in Oklahoma it is a new adventure each day redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/06/13 at 04:02:18 WELL..... this is a crime story....    this is the way it went D-O-W-N I have told you about shy cat....she is sorta a laid back cat...in fact very laid back...she likes to sit and sorta doze...eyes closed...and in her own dream world... now I did not see this but a witness my son told me..... he was in his chair looking out into the back yard when he noticed that shy cat had moved to the ^%$#$%^ mole area...tunnels...and she seems to be listening to some activity coming from below ground...and then she started putting her arm in a hole...and then the other arm in another hole...she hunched her back up like in attack mode...this went on for some time and SUDDENLY.....that &^%$ mole popped its head up and boom she had it....and she did not let go... she took her prize out into the yard...and smashed that dude like in dead...I would have never thought it...she now has a patrol duty each evening sitting on the tunnels and showing signs of the next kill... if I could pin a badge on her I would...something like a medal.... so we are one %$#^%$ mole down and lots to go...I think redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/11/13 at 06:43:40 tomorrow is Mother's Day...according to the experts we need to think about our moms...however we really need to think about them everyday... if we look close we can see something each day that makes you think...my mom did that or said that or would like that... when I think of my mom...I always think about the fact that she was a good cook...she was one of those "dab of this and dab of that"...she made the very best rice pudding I have ever eaten...and on asking her how she made it..a dab of this and a dab of that.... now my mom could make the greatest biscuits ..but as you know that ability did not past down to me...must have been in her hand work...the way she worked the dough... and she could bake pies..again I did not get that either now mom could make a stick grow into a beautiful plant..in her little yard she had so much red clay soil...but she could get a bucket and gather up some dirt and maybe a cutting from a neighbors...and suddenly you had a wonderful green plant...this ability she gave to her granddaughter...passing me right on by mom had limited eye sight...something she had deal with as long as I could remember..but she still managed to make me a "broom skirt" that all the girls in school wanted one like it and she did make several for some others..a broom skirt back then was...rows and rows of gathered material ..sewn together and no pattern...she made it up as she went.. mom must have been a patience person...as I am pretty sure that I was a brat..and she kept me not turning me in for a better model... mom believed in God and all his blessings and I always felt comfort when mom got on the "red phone" to him with my needed request... I am not sure that we realize some things until later in life...however I found that as my children were growing up I passed along sayings and advice that she had given to me as a young girl trying to find her way in the world.. thanks mom...don't think I said that enough redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/13/13 at 04:27:16 SHY CAT CAUGHT ANOTHER &^%$# MOLE.... 40 MORE TO GO....HURRAH SHY CAT!!!!!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/14/13 at 06:05:54 most of us masto folks have a special relationship with the "white throne" that stands in the bathroom...some of us spend  lots of  time there with either BIG D or BIG C....but one thing for sure ...that if you get caught in there without something to read...you can read the labels on jars and tubes... ;D redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/14/13 at 06:38:21 yesterday.....was Monday...I don't like this day much...it seems like a hurry day..people rushing to get somewhere after the weekend.... but  I had received a letter from my ..."long time" bank...it came in the mail...and they were telling me they were giving me a new password number...if I did not like this number I was to mail another number  back to them in an envelope with no return address on it because it was a secret... well this did not please me...not at all...I had my set of numbers for as long as I could remember... so this required a trip to the "walk in" bank...none of that drive in stuff... I decided to take the old route to the big town...one that I had traveled for years and years to work and back...I have told you about it being a pleasant road...trees and grass and farms and schools etc...but I did not tell you about the "bump" in the road... as long as I can remember there has been this bump in the old  road...it is in the same place..road workers have smoothed it down but it always reappears..same place and you can count on it being there..and get ready  to hit it...and if you worked in the big town...you were well aware of the "bump" yesterday when I got to the spot I realized that this "bump in the road" was just like life...things go smooth for awhile and suddenly  bumps shows up..how we handle that "bump" sometimes is good and sometimes it really just stinks.. I made it on into the "walk in" bank for my secret meeting..we did not have to speak in code or have a certain hand shake...I just told them I wanted my same old numbers...I did not care what  had to be done to the computer.....just do it...and they did... bump smoothed out for Monday redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/21/13 at 04:52:53 this morning as I write this to you....many of you are going about your daily routines...working and some of you maybe watching the news...and if you are watching nation wide or even world wide you know what has happened here in Oklahoma my state.. as I write it is very hard to keep the tears from our faces and try to understand the tragedy that has happened here in Oklahoma... a big ugly tornado came thru and nearly wiped the town of Moore off the map...hundreds and hundreds of homes and business ...some are saying it was a F5 with winds over 200 miles per hr...Moore is a suburb of Oklahoma City which is the largest city in our state as I sat in front of my TV and watch it approach these people I could only watch with prayers for those people.. it was the time of day that people were at work but the worst ...children were in school..it happen so quickly that many people did not have time to get to safety and the two schools that were hit..used their safety plan...but did not help some of the children..one of the school's children were all pulled to safety but the other school ...didn't...they have pulled the bodies of 7 children..out and are now looking for at lest 24 to 30 more..the rubble was so great that large debris covered and hindered the rescue.. now if you can understand...homes were simply blown away..nothing left but the drive-way and maybe a sidewalk up to a house that no longer stood..piles and piles of wood, bricks and cars...it looks like a war zone...hospital and medical centers had cars piled up next to them like a flood at washed them there.. rescue efforts continued thru the night...however my understand is that the school effort is now about search and recovery.. as I watched the news this morning...calls for what is needed are going out over the air...there is no water there...as well as other things that babies and families need...they recently showed one of the drop off centers for people to bring supplies and as far as you could see are cars and trucks etc..lined up just to drop off items...people coming from hundreds of miles just to bring things that are needed...this is what people in Oklahoma do.. police and rescue ..firemen and others from everywhere are pouring into my state...in times like this we here in Oklahoma join together for anything that is needed... daughter lives about 20 miles from this area and it is about 100 miles north of me... if you could and would please say prayers for these folks and especially the parents who have lost their little ones.. thank you redbird the word writer :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/21/13 at 07:25:45 some of you might have read the strange things that a tornado can do...we have seen pictures of 2X4 sticks of lumber being driven thru a cement wall..we have seen a house completely blown away when the house right next door unharmed...pictures of a house blown away but the kitchen cabinet standing with dishes that have not been disturbed... a couple of stories I would share with you being told today about yesterday's storm are... a house there in  yesterday's storm completely blown away...the fireplace is still standing and a folded American flag in it's official shape within a protect covering..laying on the hearth... a tornado will pick up debris from buildings..homes it damages as it goes thru and will carry it sometimes for several hundred miles before it will fall..people will find bills, bank statement etc... this morning a family who lost everything in their house...all pictures etc.. this lady had lost her mom 7 years ago...and those pictures of her were gone... her sister in Tulsa which is about 100 miles away...found their mom's picture on her fence this morning.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/22/13 at 00:59:56 yesterday I sat in my nest and watch the coverage of the tornado here in Oklahoma...one of the major state TV station covered it all day....and several national stations as well... I saw many things...and it reminded me that I live in Oklahoma and I AM PROUD TO BE A OKLAHOMAN!!! outside the studio they had set up a place that you could drop of things that the victims needed and also the workers going thru the rubble and the rescue workers..water was a big item as there was none because of the damage to one of the local pump stations. as far as you could see cars and trucks of all kinds were lined up to drop off the things they had brought...diapers, baby food and water etc etc...pickups with the bed of their vehicle loaded...BUT the most touching thing was.... now people also dropped off checks and cash...but Little boys and girls had brought their piggy banks ...pennies and dimes and nickels...one little boy had a bag of pennies...$1.45 he told them now many many of the big companies were giving checks for a million dollars but these little children said....this is for the children... yes I AM PROUD TO BE AN OKLAHOMAN... now the big news outlets from everywhere are here...they are all numbed by what they are seeing...I also understand and they showed a copy...the big ugly thing is on the cover of TIME..along with the story... I am just going to share a couple of things I heard about yesterday... when a child care center realized that they would be hit..they gathered the children and took them into a bathroom..and the children were scared and as the workers tried to comfort them...they told them...let's sing...YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE....and they did...and they will sing again... an elderly lady stood by the rubble of her house that was flatten...and the re porter ask her...is this your house..yes she said...I was laying right there when they found me...I needed help to get out..the house was a big pile of boards...she said my dog and I sat right there..I never lost conscious but my dog is gone...it should be right here under all of this stuff... suddenly the reporter said...look there is a puppy...and the dog on hearing it's beloved master's voice began poking it's head out trying to reach her...as they began to move the boards and while the lady rejoiced..the dog came out of all that ...and was with it's beloved friend again... The National Guard came with special equipment Monday night and flew over the wreckage with a camera that would show the heat of a person and they were able to pull many more people out...and rescuer workers..have now gone thru each building..car etc...so we are hopeful... I am not sure in regard to the school..I know they found 7 little ones but big equipment has been brought in and that area is off limits for everyone but workers.. I AM PROUD OF WHERE I LIVE...AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE... I AM PROUD TO BE AN OKLAHOMAN redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/26/13 at 06:42:31 just to update you on the tornado that occurred here in  Moore Oklahoma... 24 people dead...10 children among this total 1,300 homes leveled or damaged beyond repair... over 300 injured some serious requiring surgery care and hospital stays they say that you cannot understand even seeing pictures on TV until you see the damage in person..some say it looks like a war zone with bombs going off... people from all over the world are giving to help these people rebuild their lives..some famous people and some just like you and I...just folks that care.. I have told you about how Oklahomans care..many large companies here in Oklahoma are giving millions of dollars going directly to the Moore victims.. people are showing up in parking lots towing big grills and setting up and cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for any that stop by... truck loads of supplies are pouring in as well as heavy equipment to start the clean up.. I AM PROUD TO BE AN OKLAHOMAN :) redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/26/13 at 06:55:52 BIG NEW FROM THE FARM... we have talked before about how the raccoons and opossums and skunks make a journey thru the farms ...at night...lots of times... a couple of nights ago son saw the cats down at the back by the barn..so he started out the door to check on them...it was dark...like in dark dark...so he got the flashlight..and started out the back door.. and guess who was just outside the door..a skunk who blew all his stuff in full force on being interrupted in whatever he was doing.. now son was lucky that he was able to get back in without the new perfume...] however the unlucky was that we had a couple of back windows open for the fresh air that was no longer fresh..so before he could get those closed..yup got some in the house.. so we have sprayed and spayed and had on the fans..the high fans and the low fans..and then sprayed some more... so things are better in the house but just not quite right yet...so I thought and thought...TODAY I COOKED FISH!!! house smell ok now but the backyard is still...smelly even though we had heavy rain... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/27/13 at 06:20:00 as I have told you that my computer is so old that it thinks blog is a mis-spelled word... so I thought I would do a little research this morning to see exactly what is the definition of a blog... gee..hummm in reading about the ten most greatest  blogs some about self improvement...making money...changing the world ..fitness and health..made me stop and wonder...and most seem to be written by either famous people or really really smart ones...and all have periods and commas in the right places... so am I really writing a blog ?? not famous or the smartest ...none of my writing falls in the categories listed above... so should I change my stuff from blog to like thoughts...or ideas...hummm none of that seems to fit me...so I will continue to use blog and tell the spell check to ignore it when it say....misspelled redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/27/13 at 06:37:44 today son told me that he spent some time reading some scientific studies (internet) ;D in regard to keeping skunks, raccoons out of the yard... according to his reading the following was suggested.... put some chocolate bars in the yard for these animals...so that they will eat them...it will not kill them but make them ill...and that will make them know that coming here is a bad thing... humm we are going to try this...wonder if I should get Hershey bars or Mars  bars...

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/31/13 at 06:00:49 this morning I settled in my "bird watching chair"....I also had my first cup of coffee and my big state paper...ready for my morning ritual..oh yes I also had my little Debbie oatmeal cookie...got the picture??? 'now I have told you about my eyesight really getting bad and I have decided that the time has come for that to be fixed..really cannot see the details on the birds and driving has become a little "not good"..so will talk to the doctor next week to make those arrangements.. suddenly I saw little specks moving in the yard..what in the world is that...I said to myself...so out came the big glasses for looking and look I did....oh no...oh no...as I see three little tiny kittens ...and I see shy cat sitting guard...this cannot be correct..shy cat did not have kittens...and she spends most of her day in the yard...and we have seen no signs that she did or has...BUT there they are in black and white...2 little black and white and one gray stripes... I suddenly see dollar signs going off in my head...and will mom cat bring her kittens...that will make a lot of cats to feed.... as I sat in my chair...moaning..son comes in and says...oh I see that you have discovered the new residents... well we will either have the most rat and mice free house and yard or I will be adding another sack of cat food to the budget...I wonder if they know they are wild cats and they are suppose to find food.. redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/05/13 at 04:05:53 guess you have now heard about the latest storm here in Oklahoma last Friday..the largest tornado in history... it was 2.6 miles wide at the base and winds up to 250-300 miles per...it was what they call a EF5 which is the strongest this one was on a course to hit daughter's house but veered to a different route..lots of damage and lives lost... that makes 2 EF5 here within 11 days..then we had floods because of the amounts of rain.. not sure why or has anyone been able to tell us why...but we are ready for this to stop.. it's hard to be funny when all around you is destruction..and wataching people suffer...so my funny is sorta broken for now... redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/10/13 at 05:01:23 recently I discussed the time lots of us masto folks spent in our bathrooms...sometimes unexpected and time passes slowly... I would suggest that you keep an old phone book in this special place...yellow pages...and you can thumb thru them as you sit on your throne...interesting what services are available redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/13/13 at 06:46:31 been awhile since we talked  and seems lots to talk about....so where to begin... well first...I needed to run errands on Wednesday... so ...I made my list...shopping...library and then to see the gentle eye doctor I went to my un-favorite store Walmart..went early and found a parking right at the front door...and while inside I saw this young lady..maybe in her 20"s shopping with a man..maybe her hubby and an older lady...now I am telling you this because she had on her PJ's  ...I swear this is true..you could tell and to top it off her house shoes booties....now I am thinking this is great and wishing I had this kind of nerve...and I so wanted to go and ask her if she had to get a "special permit" to wear it to town...as I wanted to apply right away... and then...my neighbor Mary "across the pasture" and her hubby Ron went to Vegas to see their granddaughter graduate..and on the return trip by the Grand Canyon...now Mary likes to take pictures...and she has a list of places that she wants to go...and take pictures...so the grand canyon being one of those...they found one of those observe places where you can walk up to the railing and look down...now you see hubby Ron is afraid of heights..even though he was a "cross country truck driver" for many years...looking down in the canyon was not for him...but Mary must have her picture..so Ron being a dear hubby backed out to the railing for pictures... good sport Ron... we have had a death at the farm...my old "wet/dry barrel vacuum" said good bye ...it had been a good old soul...now sure how old in vacuum runs...but in human years it was around 25 and held together with duct tape... some time ago daughter visited and as we sat down at the table she ask...mom is there a reason that the table cloth in my spot has a clothespin on it...so I told her that this cloth was hard to get on the table straight so I marked it with clothespins..but after that I took them off and put safety pens...they are harder to see.. do you remember when candy bars were 5 cents or maybe a dime...however now they are more like a dollar...that can cure your craving for chocolate quickly... and you ladies out on the east coast...some stores are now charging $25 to try on clothes...makes you like that internet shopping more and more... now on this day out I needed to see my "gentle eye doctor"...I have told you about him..but it has become apparent that the time has come to have these cataracts taken off..my left eye is becoming worse each day..so like he said...I will decide the time for removal...and I have..I had made a list of questions that I wanted to ask other than the usual...I had read online all about some of this... one question was...do not bend over...just what does this mean...don't bend over and touch the floor...or don't bend over to spit after brushing teeth...or simply spit in a glass and wash the glass... reading..yes can do...watch TV (however this was not as important since my Thunder team is not in the finals)...but answer was...yes saved one of the IMPORTANT ones for last...will you be going on vacation during this time of my surgery and recovery...now gentle doctors ...lips slightly lifted at the corners...and he said NO to vacation... so I am all set...after his explanation of "latest"" equipment at the hospital..sedate and recovery..I am not as nervous..the "put to sleep person" will call me to chat..and will remind him to pull my record at the hospital to see my chart for that anaphylaxis I have and to also tell him that hitting a vein for IV would be harder than hard..but July 8 will be the date for first eye and two weeks later will do the other one... now gentle doctor's nurse has a bird feeder that she enjoys so we talk a little bird talk but she says she does not know what birds are what...so I am digging out one of my "backyard" bird books to give her..a simple book to start..I really like her..she is very nice.. guess that is about it for this time...going to fix "hamburger helper" my version for lunch..I like those "one pot" stuff... I am going to try tomorrow...to write to you and tell you a "cat's tail(tale) because you are going to be in that "I don't believe it" place when I tell you about the cats and kittens in the back yard...I have ask Lynn at the library to try to find me a book on the "behavior" of wild cats... I just have not had the energy to write it but hopefully tomorrow redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/23/13 at 05:08:20 good morning from the farm....this is a cat's tail a little background for this story to set the scene... over 1 1/2 years ago a wild cat mom...better known as feral cat came to our yard and with her were her two kittens....now they were not little kittens they could come and go over the fence....we watched her go thru training  teaching them to climb trees ....hide and run fast...then mom cat weaned them and started leaving them for periods of time...when they did not do what she wanted she would slap them with her paw and son became very outraged with this behavior....calling it abuse..but it was  interesting to watch them grow... THE.. mom cat left completely..we knew that she was expecting again and had gone to a neighbor's barn but came back some to eat food that was put out for the kittens...now she would not allow the kittens near her but they would follow her over the fence trailing along behind..but would come back to the yard ... we really did not give names to the kittens who were now pretty much grown..we called them "black & white cat" because of color and "shy cat" as she seem to be the baby...she would even sit in the yard and cry when everyone left her alone in the yard...but despite  everything the kittens/cats were close staying close to each other and seem to be good friends.. then time went on... the cats came and went..over the fence and wandered the fields and neighborhoods...would stop by for a drink or a bite of cat chow...and by this time it was apparent that shy cat was expecting...and as she got bigger and bigger she stayed closer in...and black & white cat seem to have motherhood in her future as well..but she never stayed in the yard for any long period of time... suddenly one day ...it became apparent that shy cat and her sister both had their kittens..but it was strange because shy cat seem to spend so much time in the yard we thought that her little ones must have died..but we were wrong... On May 31 we woke to little specks in the back yard..now you must remember that our back yard is like hugh.. to see I have to get out the big glasses because of my eyesight...with the old tin barn set back in the back..and sure enough there were little kittens barely able to walk.. NOW ....the rest of this story you may not believe...and that is OK...I am only telling you what I have seen and watched from that day forward...I have no knowledge of feral cats or their behavior...only what I have been able to find online etc.. we saw three little ones...following shy cat...then there was four...seems that she was moving them..SUDDENLY black & white cat appeared..with a little one and that made 5...as we watched the mom cats seem to be on alert running to the fence...ears up listening..one went over the fence..and suddenly we had 6....the next morning mom cats got the last one over the fence and we had 7...mom cats settled down so by this time we breathed a sigh of relieve..that's all...by this time I was very stressed out... for some reason mom cats did not take the kittens into the barn..instead hid them under an old trailer trailer...BUT the interesting part is that they take turns caring for the cats..nursing each others kittens etc..one seems to work the day shift and one the night..keeping watch...so then it made sense why shy cat had spent time in the yard alone...they must have had their kittens together in the same place and one watched why the other spent time away from the litter as I watched a few days ago shy cat was hidden behind the apple tree ...sacked out so asleep that you wondered if she was dead...not moving a hair...now black  & white cat was out watching the kittens run and play...and suddenly she walked straight up to shy cat's hiding place and nudged her with her nose waking her up..guess it was black & white cat's break..and shy cat got up and made her way back to the kittens... now I don't know if this behavior is normal..but it is interesting.. and then... the old mom cat still comes over the fence some for a snack...however the shy cat and black & white cat have made it clear she is not welcome..when they know it is about time for her to come they will lay on the food so that she cannot get it..they hiss and raise their tails...I think they are still upset over her abandonment I have spoke to several people in regard to this and even checked the library for info..I would love to hear from anyone who would know if this is normal or strange or what.. what is going to happen...we don't have any kind of rescue place etc where we live...my only hope at this point is they all grow up...fall in love...marry and move out of town.. redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/23/13 at 07:12:14 I know that you have all heard of zones...we have ..no parking zone...tow zone..war zone..time zone..and the list could go on...but I have been parked in a special zone...sick zone....old masto has reared it's nasty head and slapped me down like in down...in fact I am pretty sure that I heard the Archangel Gabriel blowing his horn a couple of times..but I did not want to join his group...and the old saying or whoever...man can live on bread alone..well I did for several days ... toast and water was all that I could tolerate...and smells...things that never bothered me before...deadly for the stomach...I am now keeping a daily log to see of I can find some clues.. another thing that I need to talk to you about is a new TV show that I have become very involved in....UNDER THE DOME...Monday night finds me glued to my chair....so that got me to thinking...according to stats Stephen King wrote this book..one of daughter's favorite authors..hummm ok I am going to cheat and read the book and I will know what is going to happen next..so off to the library I go to check it out...me and 100 other people with the same idea..but finally I get a copy....are you kidding me..this book is about 3 inches thick...and heavy...son had to carry in the book bag..but for one thing ...if you try this same idea...save your breathe..book and show is different..but I am going to read this book...moving it from room to room requires my little racing walker..you know the one I told you about...it is bright blue...with spoke wheels...hand brakes..a seat and a little basket for carrying stuff...now this little thing is good for lots of other things as well...sit in it to clean out the bottom of the fridge...haul stuff from room to room..well this could go on forever...but I have pledged to finish this book even though it is pass due and the library police may show up... and I want to THANK YOU...it makes me feel humble that my blog now has over 50,000 hits...I would never have thought it...again ...thank you..I hope it makes you have a little laugh and I am sure that you have seen what is happening in our world..not just in our country...Mother Nature has really lost her "something"...her manuals or her fingers have hit the wrong keys on her computer...after many hot days here she sent in cold air...from the direction of east...now our fronts all come from the west...but this one came in and for several days we slept under a quilt...and boom back to baking...should we hold an intervention...she needs help and let me start this by saying...I am not here to blast the Brits about anything..their way of life suits them...and I thought that Princess Dinah was one beautiful lady and Kate is as well...and I am sure that she and William will make good parents..but I do have one question...will the new royal baby's crying sound like all other babies?? NOW IF YOU BLUSH EASY...STOP NOW...DO NOT READ MORE.... you know I have been shopping undies for some time now...and today received a "new fat lady catalog" in the mail...so I sit down to undie shop... yes I have decided that I am going to get right in the fashion scene with one of those new "loud bras"...I am going to get one with zebra stripes and won't the ER doctor be shocked when the nurse peels off my shirt and zebras show up... and now this is serious...I promise this is what the ad says... Exclusive innovation Cooling Panty it goes on to say...with management technology that attracts moisture from the skin to cool you.  transports moisture to the air to keep you dry. you never feel heat  moisture or cold....welllll this is certainly going to require some thought..hummm that it for this time.... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/25/13 at 04:37:34 I know several facts this morning to share with you...... Mother Nature reads my blog...if you check back I had mentioned that I thought that she was totally our of control and needed an intervention...Tuesday here in Oklahoma where I live the heat index was 110....son did some yard work and got to hot... after my posting yesterday morning I woke up to rain and cool breeze...sat in front of my "watching window" for some time and just breathed in the cool air...now weather man...says...another cool day with rain and cool breeze... AND some time back I wrote about "The Hanky"...was wondering if we used the hanky for comfort etc...yesterday after several days in bed I thought it was time to "straighten " the covers...as I  pull the sheets back I just had to chuckle...hankies everywhere...under the pillows...under the pull up sheet and some even down close to the end...yup ...comfort hankies everywhere AND did receive a "courtesy notice from the library police...about my  book...Under the Dome....but I finished it and it goes back tomorrow...now I am pretty sure that the TV show could not??? be like the book...if so we will be watching until the end of time.. AND my friend Mary "across the pasture" is going to have knee surgery ...she has decided that before the start of the new year and whatever the insurance confusion might be...she should get it done..not sure how this will work for her...she is one of those who still irons...but I need to get better so that I can make her a peach cobbler...she like the ones I make.. guess that is it for the day...hope things are good with you redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/03/13 at 07:08:14 I was sitting on the porch this morning before the scorching heat came flying in...pondering.(my grandmother word for thinking).  what important words did I need to share with you.. now as I sat there I noticed a couple of dragon flies..I had heard that they eat mosquitoes...100 a day..so this would mean 200 mosquitoes gone...I don't know if this is true but it makes me feel better to believe it...also my understanding is that each creature was created for a reason..think mosquitoes fell thru the cracks... so I am thinking..... wellll this is sorta important...you know how we bake potatoes..we use to put them in the oven..but the new quick way is the microwave...yeah just throw them dudes and bingo.. now you see I turn mine over for the last cooking..and so now if you are thinking that ...you are quick enough to flip them over..without a mitt...you are likely to burn your thumb..and then you get to sit at the table with a hanky wrapped around your thumb with chunks of ice inside...and if you are right handed..you now can try to eat your soup with the left hand...gosh it is hard..sorta makes one remember to get that mitt next time..and I did we also need to discuss socks..I like socks...daughter gave me some white fuzzy ones to wear with my tennys...but I also have some regular ones ...navy blue...that I wear with my other slip on shoes...you might notice as you get older and the knees kinda begin to go...socks become more of a problem to get on the feet correctly....if you hold it up...notice there is a place for you toes and one for your heels..I never have any trouble getting my right one on...but that left one...you have to aim...get the toes in...and aim that heel right back to the place it needs to be...wrong..so off and try again..wrong..now the important part is that you if don't get it right you have to either have help or just wear it rumpled up..mine is usually rumpled up...and don't forget that if you are wearing jeans or long pants..you don't even have to wear a pair that matches...no one will notice... went up to the big town..wanted to stop at Homeland grocery..they had an ad...blue bell moo bars on sale half price...yup you guessed it..I am addicted to their moo bars...my friend Wanda lives where they make these things...I am sure that if I lived there I would weight 829 lbs...so I am just putting along..when zoom a white pickup passes me...zoom zoom another one and then a couple of more passed me just like I was sitting still...gosh I am hoping they are not going to the sale..SAFE SOME FOR ME GUYS... now my friend Mary...who lives across the pasture...called me...you see her house sits up in a kinda hill and she can see over the fence into my back yard...she told me how pretty my crepe myrtles were as they are now blooming..I thought about walking back there to see...I can see those close to the house ..out my window..but son mentioned that it was 110 out there and I might want to think that over...and I did...and I didn't go.. hoping that you are all masto well...talk to you later redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/06/13 at 04:23:08 PONDERINGS FROM THE PORCH SITTING.... now as I sat briefly on the porch this morning...as the sun was beating down on not only me but every living creature...it made me wonder something.... what is summer good for??? you know it is just kinda like some things...it has to happen just because..but I am thinking what is just because.....let me be the first here to declare...I am ready for fall.. then I had to make a trip down to the local post office to get those monthly bills out and gone...and I can just hear you now...pay your bills online or let them automatic out of you account...and my answer to you is.....I am old..I think old..I walk old...and that is it period. but as I went in to get my stamps...I got stamps with flowers on them..now I can't help but wonder ...the post office says they are losing money each year..lots and lots of money...so instead of having all these different stamps...flowers or animals or people on the stamp...why not just make one kind..flowers or animals really don't care and the people are dead and gone so they don't know...wonder who I could send this idea to?? then... I stopped by our little city hall to pay the electric bill and pulling into the lot I noticed that we have this army vehicle..hummm wonder why...I would think that our little town would not come under attack...but I ask...got all kind of answers..but not any that made any sense...maybe they would paint it and use it in a parade...what???by then I knew to just shuffle on out the door... then... I took the back route home..so that I could see the crepe myrtles that are blooming in the back yard...yes they are...and in the driveway and after three tries at getting into the garage..I got out and told son..I cannot do it straight..you see you have to angle into my part of the garage and some days..I cannot angle.. and... yesterday son got us a watermelon...I love watermelon and here in Oklahoma we have two towns that claim they are the "watermelon capitol of the world"...maybe it is a joint account..but son cut it up in bites and in the fridge...oh it is good...now you see I am having to raise my water drinking content to high because of a health problem...but I have always heard that melons contain ...WATER LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER....so that gives me a good excuse to have second and thirds and more that I am ashamed to tell... well that is it for the day..it is suppose to be the hottest day here for the summer so guess who is sitting inside and looking outside... redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/16/13 at 04:09:54 you may remember sometime ago I broke a tooth..right down to the gum..hurt like in hurt... now our local dentist seem to not want to work on my teeth...so I got out the phone book to see if a oral surgeon was still in practice...one I had used before and he was and call him I did...he is in a bigger town...so I called and made an appt. and son took me there... now you should know that I am very afraid of going to the dentist..like in .... I have read that some of you pre-medicate before making your trip to this kind of office and I did as well...sorta...I was sending up little special thoughts and prayers...help me to be calm...be brave...don't have a melt down...and since I knew several others were doing the same...off I went... now on reaching his office...I had of course fill out the paper work...but I have all the info in my little plastic bag in my purse...along with the local anesthesia that Dr. Castell has recommended for us masto folks...no problem the lady said we do have that...so I am now sitting waiting my turn... and soon the nurse type person came for me..I was taken to the welcoming room..every thing was spotless clean..not a bit of dust anywhere..vents and ceilings and windows..clean clean clean....inviting etc..they came in to x-ray tooth and the lady came with that stuff that makes you numb in regard to that awful shots they were going to do later.. then the nurse person came for me to take me to the back to the "screaming room"...here is where they do the deed...there is a radio blaring country music...so no one can hear you scream??? but that is alright I like that kind of music...hard to find anyone in Okla. or Texas that does not... so in comes the dentist...ready to give me that kind of shot...however before that can happen...you know me...I am just a little weird..I want to know something about this man... so I say to him....I am really impressed....impressed he says back with lots of ??? in his voice...well yes I am so impressed about how clean your rooms are...nothing in the vents and ceilings clean and not a speck of dust anywhere...as he smiles he says...better not be or I will had to speak to my cleaning crew... so I ask him...do you sing...sing he says??? yes your radio is playing and thought maybe you might sing..however you do not look like the country western type...oh yes he replies....to me he says are you in the choir...no and then since I cannot sing and he doesn't sing....I decide to hum...yes you can hum even with the dentist fingers in your mouth..so humming I am doing.. then tooth out ....went great..nurse and dentist talking to me while I hum... so out of the chair...on the way out and the nurse person has a list for me and goes over it very carefully...yes I understand..I promise I will follow instructions... so we are home and son goes for the meds...an antibiotic and pain pills...my little pharmacy person says...these are ok for you and pain pill you have had before..in bed for a nap... and about 6:30 pm the phone rings..and answering machine records this message...dentist office calling just to be sure that you are ok...please remember the instructions...if you need us..call..dentist home phone listed on paperwork..please call us and let us know how you are... so I am thinking....they must have been working late..and they care about me and how I am to call... I am thinking that I like this office they really care about you redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for whimps

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/20/13 at 04:29:35 knew it was going to be a bad day ..when while getting dressed for the day..tried to put both arms in the same arm hole of my t-shirt redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/29/13 at 07:11:52 as you look around you and see your shining clean bathroom that you just finished...and the white throne(commode) is sparking clean..and it makes you feel proud ... so you go on to other chores...and some time passes and you finally get this little urge to go.... and you say...in a minute... a stronger  urge comes along and you say...let me finish this... then a really strong urge says...now and  you say OK... and you do this little cross leg dance moving along... and at the bedroom door you unzip the jeans..and a bigger dance takes over... you are now at the bathroom door and the jeans are on the way down... and you look and the lid to the throne is closed... well.................. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/09/13 at 06:08:58 Hey......good to see you again...been in the sick hole where there is not a lot of sunshine nor birds or strawberries or none of that good stuff..... I have been in a struggle since the first week of July and I can tell you that ...enough is enough.. major masto attack...infection..med allergy...wisdom tooth pulled..and now am dealing with a viral infection..cannot get well long enough to get the eye surgery..currently am hoping for first part of Oct... the only good thing that I can tell you about my current situation is....if your nose is stopped up you cannot smell those smells that send you into that place of .... hope you are good redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/24/13 at 07:06:01 I would think that there is nothing left for me to have...and as soon as I think that WHAM  another one comes along..last week had a round of acute pancreatitis...you know how they always ask you ...what is your pain level between 1-10...told them mine was a 10 +...I rated it right under child birth or maybe a little more..only thing to do is rest the pancreas..like no food or drink..and in hospital..now along with a bad cough...our pollens here are sky high..I just have been ill..home for resting and continue to have some problems  but I can check that one off my list..been there and done that.. so just called the library(talked to Rich who is one of my favorites) to tell them I could not come in to pick up my books they were saving for me today...he wanted to know how I was and told me he was making taco soup..I told him that I had never eaten that but heard how good it was he is saving me a bowl and I will pick it up with my books that he insisted he would hold for me.. what library do you know that you can check out a bowl of soup and books LOL LOL redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 09/24/13 at 16:11:21 Well, that is not good! I do hope that you are all better now and that this doesn't happen again for you. Many good wishes and hugs coming your way!!!! Deborah

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/25/13 at 02:55:21 just a couple of wonderings this morning.... for the first time in my life I am trying to GAIN weight...have LOST so much during this round of illness.. and does it make you wonder...if you receive a letter in the mail...that you need to come to a certain office IN PERSON.. and they enclose a return envelope with the letter??? redbird the word writer :D "win the next five minutes"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/06/13 at 04:05:40 morning... in case you do not know...I live in Oklahoma...cowboy country...we wear lots of jeans here...and Texas is just next door and you will see lots of blue jeans there as well...now you will not find many closets that don't contain several pair both men's and ladies and even kids and of course teens too... when I traveled and worked all over the USA I saw lots of different types of pants..the company I worked for flew me home from wherever once a month and I always knew I was almost home when I hit that Dallas airport and saw men in their Wranglers and cowboy boots...hurrah ...back to God's country...sometimes you might see some of those cowboys in their tennis shoes but when it came time to ride into town..out came those cowboy boots now in my closet I have lots of pairs of jeans...starting from about size 10 up to the twenties...now my friend Mary "from across the pasture" has this theory that if you have not worn it in a year ...get rid of it... not my jeans...they are like part of the family...I might need them..even though I have one current pair that I am wearing...worn in all the right places and the knees bend just right..and they feel good....THEY DO FEEL GOOD... HOWEVER a jean problem has come up...see I have lost so much weight with this last round of "sick" that my jeans are just....well let me put it this way...I was in the store last week and I thought they were going to fall down to my knees...in fact the crotch did...please tell me how today's teens wear their pants down like this.. SO  I stumbled around looking for a belt or string or just something to hold these jeans in place...give it up girl...hang these up and pull out another pair...let me see...yup here is another pair...sorta worn...soft and just right... seems like I am still a member of...cowboy country... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by kesasur on 10/08/13 at 06:15:08 ah there is nothing like a worn, good fitting pair of jeans. Agreed! And like you all my jeans are too big!  And, can I just say, I detest jean shopping.  But I did find 3 acceptable pairs and by the time they are well worn in, I'm sure they won't fit. And, like you, I have kept all my jeans- because one never knows what size she will be next month never mind next year! Kelley

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/09/13 at 04:31:31 oh Kelley...you are a girl after my own heart....jeans are a special item and should be treated as such...it is just a comfort to know they are there redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/09/13 at 04:33:27 LOOKING FOR INFO.... does anyone know where there is a "can opener school"....now I am going on 80 years old and I have been opening cans since I was around 16 so that lets you know how much experience I have BUT............................... recently I have had a terrible time trying to get cans opened...in my tool drawer I had 3 can openers and a knife which was what was being require for this operation... so I decided that I needed a new one...off to Wally world to shop...ok here is a nice looking one an electric ...it says...open tall cans...take apart for cleaning..so in the basket it goes... well got it home and son got it all put together and within a few days it broke....now I did have lots of nasty words to say regarding this...so back to Wally world and decided that I would just get a manuel one... now................... son decided that he would go to Ace hardware and shop for another electric one...sure ok with me...so off he went...and since we are long time knowing the mgr he stopped to ask him about getting one...good luck the mgr said..they just don't make them well anymore...we have to take a lot of them back...broken....but son thinks he will just try it..and he gets a nice one...home and a couple of days....broken... so.............................. I am deciding that I will just use the manuel one...which I cannot work well either.... son says...mom if you cannot get the can opened just call me and I will do it for you.... so.................. now that is what I am doing....surely I have not lost this skill...maybe if I can find a "can opener school" I can get a refresher course.... SON...would you open this can.... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/18/13 at 04:33:35 hello from a dreary rainy day in Oklahoma.... we have had a drop in temps here and we even had to drag out some long sleeves and winter pjs...it is nice weather for this old masto lady... well recently as I told you I have lost lots of weight...did not try to it seem to have just fell of...now as you know I have to look for humor is bad things so that I can cope with it...so I am thinking...and suddenly it hit me...now no longer can they write on my record ...obese 79 year old lady admitted to the ER...and you can cross your leg easier for cutting of the toe nails.. yesterday I had to make a trip up to see my ....gentle eye doctor...was pretty sure that maybe a eye infection was coming on in my eye.. now this required my looking in the jean closet for another pair of pants...did not want to wear a pair that was in danger of falling down...so I found a pair that I thought would do and got them out....now here I would tell you that if you are in this situation you need to use caution..these jeans have been with me for some time..like lots of pounds thinner long time..so I am thinking I just need to put these on and wear them around the house this morning...bend over and stretch to see if they are going to hold ...don't want them ripping out with age in the sitting area...but they passed the test..so I am comfortable getting out in public with them...but just in case...I am wearing a long tail shirt that comes down past the butt area.. gentle eye doctor and I   had a serious talk in regard to my cataracts..and he said until you are well and stronger no surgery and left me to think...recently I have not known well ...wonder what well is??...drops for the infection...and hands me my purse for leaving... now his nurse and I always have to do some bird talking...she has feeders and birds but does not know what they are...so I am thinking...I can do without my beginning bird book...it has pictures of back yard birds and info..so I took it to her..just so she can ID some of those who will be hanging out with her this winter...I got a hug...make me feel good to see the smile on her face... well basketball is almost here and my Thunder team seems to be in big trouble...not sure if all my cheering is going to help but will let you know later.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps" .

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/19/13 at 05:46:11 have you ever decided to have some honey....put it on a hot biscuit or muffin or even a piece of toast...just a tab...boy it is good.... BUT SUDDENLY...the honey is out of control... you have a little spot on your fingers...so you wash it off but then some has moved to your arm...and getting that taken care of you see some on your shirt...this honey has a mind of its own... now in the hospital they have a couple of special diets for us sick folks...one is a "clear liquid" diet..on this yummy one you get broth....and some green jello...then you get to move up to the "semi clear diet" and on that you also get some oatmeal... I never was much of a oatmeal person but after that clear liquid stuff..it was really good.. so... when I got home...I got out a little pan...just the right size for a serving of oatmeal..and am noticing that I am now making a little bowl several times a day... can you get an oatmeal addiction??? redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/23/13 at 04:25:42 my thoughts have been wandering around for a few days... I have been trying to remember growing up ...reading...that is just a pleasure for me now I wonder when it started...I don't remember having books etc..but I do remember a little newspaper that my dad bought...it came out once a week and it was called....The Grit...it cost a dime...and I do remember how much I looked forward to it because it had stories that were continued from week to week...so yesterday I decided to look and see if it still was around..and on the net it was...started in 1882 and it had changed...now it offers growing, raising and that kind of stuff...but I was glad to see it and spent some time..scrolling thru it.. then this morning I was looking at the dirty floor and decided to get myself out of the chair to do something about it...and I remembered that we all use to have....dust mops...remember....over the floor and then out the door to give it a good shake...now we have this stick like thing with a miracle piece of clothe that wiggles and jiggles when you push it along..hummmm and with Halloween coming and kids out in the neighbor..we use to feel safe with them getting candy from the neighbors..BUT now you cannot safely know what has been dumped in their sacks... but cooler weather has come to the farm...waiting for the leaves to start to change colors..maybe it is time to just sit in my "watching chair" and look out my window to see what might be strolling thru the yard.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/24/13 at 03:52:38 have you ever wondered how animals can tell time.... dogs know when it is time for you to come home from your day... cats know when it is time to eat... and even horses and large outdoor animals know when it is time for the grub to be set on the table. so are animals wearing an inside clock that we humans cannot see...hummm now animals are really smart...daughter told me yesterday about her long time dog ellie who is very old ...she needed to go to the vet and she made it very known that she did not want to go...now ellie is such a good and smart dog..she always likes going...she gets to the vets and immediately goes to the weight in scales...but yesterday was a "no deal" day...daughter said there was not a good vib at the vets..and ellie knew right away something was just not right.. and recently we saw on the national news a child who had mastocytosis and she had a service dog who knew when she was going to have an attack.. there is probably a big study on all of this...but in the mean time I will hummm redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/30/13 at 05:25:10 not much on my mind today...things are kinda slow.... Mother Nature is in a twit...we have thunder storms with thunder so loud it will raise you right up out of your chair..and we have warnings out..hail, high winds and maybe a tornado...if you have her phone number I will call and let her know it is almost Christmas... and don't you just hate those "easy to open" containers..after using a knife, scissors and a lot of nasty words...you get it open...I wish someone would check on this as I think it is a crime.. drove myself up to the library today...went the old route...you know about that one...the leaves have begun to change..it upsets me greatly to lose my independence ...I was always a "do it myself" kinda girl.. guess that is about it for today...later redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/02/13 at 06:32:42 ONE OF THESE DAYS one of these days...I'll be free To do everything that pleases me! I'll eat popcorn with a spoon Or lie down to rest at half-past noon. I'll start my car with  no place to go And instead of fast,,I'll drive slow. I'll keep my life simple and learn not to fret And toss out old papers I used to collect. I'll smile at myself when I look in the glass And say, "Hey sweetie, you've really got class!" I'll wear my best clothes, the ones I've been saving And eat all the candy I've so long been craving. I'll bake some fresh cookies instead of a dinner And I won't give a darn if I don't get thinner! I won't care if I'm fit, fancy or fat There won't be time to worry about that. And soon all my friends will easily see The brand new person who has always been me! But don't be surprised if it takes me some time I can't do it yet I'm still in my prime! copied  ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/09/13 at 04:54:34 there is a famous musical..OKLAHOMA...and in the story is a song that includes the lines..."where the wind comes sweeping down the plains"...let me tell you that my part of Oklahoma is one clean spot...mother nature has had her really big broom out doing some serious sweeping for several days ..now we have had HIGH winds..if you need to get out for an errand you try to manage between big puffs.. now I am still on my "can opener rant"...so this morning I decided to look on eBay just to see what is out there...and under vintage can openers there was a lot...and as I scrolled down the screen..I found my self saying...I had one of those several times...and as I looked and thought...wonder what happened to it..hummm I am planning on writing to some of the big CEOs next week to see if I can get an answer to some of my problems... and that made me think of another little wrinkle that is like a "thorn under my saddle"  LOL ;D that is an old western term that cowboys used when they got thrown off their horse...bet you are glad that I told you that...but moving on I am having a super bad time with the loss of being able to do for myself or worse..WANTING to do for myself...some days I just want to sit in my "watching chair" in the sun with my book and dozing off a few times..man this is not good..I did finally dust the entry hall table...it had so much dust on it you could have written a message ..and that made me remember the time a few months ago that I cleaned EVERYTHING in my house  and that was good but I know deep down it will not happen again.. my big pecan tree in the front of the house is loaded with BIG pecans this year..last year they were small..so as soon as they fall will get out the "pecan picker upper" and try to gather a few..not sure why..still have some from last year.. wondering how your time is going...are you "up and around" doing those things you love..might help if you let us know...seems that we here have lots of problems...including myself and sometimes it is hard just to find a spark of good...some of the younger people that I have contact with are busy and makes me wonder if that was ever me...what in my life did I do that was good...what made a difference...and how hard it is to accept some  things that did not make you proud ...you have to realize that it is in the past and cannot be changed...and try to move on in your mind..boy that is hard.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/10/13 at 04:08:33 shhhh ....I think the saturated fat police are looking for me....I bought cookies and some of those little cakes without reading the label...I have the drapes drawn and am hiding out.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/11/13 at 04:19:32 well yesterday was one of those days....where you put one leg in your jeans and you wonder where the energy will come to raise the other leg and finally get to pull your pants up....yup one of those days...you have had one of those I am sure sooooo,,,,, I decided to make a stew...surely I could master throwing stuff in one pot and making lunch...since that is the one meal a day that I try to cook...I can do this... so out comes the stew pot and I start my meat...finally it is ready for adding...well here is a dab of corn left from yesterday..in it goes...and some potatoes..looking good...a few carrots..oh and some onion...I love onion...let me see what else can I find...son opens a can of tomatoes for me...and there is that tomato juice..will use it instead of water...wow it is coming all together...and SUDDENLY I realize that this pot is not big enough..now there is only two of us and how did I manage to make such a big pot of stew...I know... it just multiplied itself..that has got to be it..so out comes the really big stew pot..finally get everything in it...and on the stove to simmer..well I certainly have enough for the neighbors and my friend Mary "from across the pasture" and anyone else who wants to drop by.. as I think back I am pretty sure that I have done this before..same thing BIG STEW... now what we will have for lunch today....something simple..but did get my jeans on despite much pain in my legs... weather man says get ready tomorrow mother nature is going to maybe spit some snow flakes here..that would be just like her after a couple of days of nice sunshine.. hang in all you masto folks...and may the sun shine on your day redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/24/13 at 06:50:52 key word for today.....WARM... see mom nature is dancing around in our state...we have sleet at my house but just up the road is snow..and the temp is looooow...makes me more thankful we have house and heat... so that got me thinking...and I have a few suggestions for you ...as I watched the roads grow hazard to drive...and know that myself never knows when something is going to hit me requiring me that trip to the ER...how could I stay OK... first....I will not try any new med or tablet until roads are clear... will eat nothing new and only things that are old time for me and safe try to keep stress at the bottom of my day...watch birds or read or something that comforts me get my ...Charlie Brown pillow and REST in my nest and watch my ballgame and last but not lest..I learned several things from my last 2 hospital stays...I will and have a "bug out bag" just like the preppers do...one stay I was 125 miles from home in the middle of the night with nothing...and the last stay..the hospital did not have my meds... so I have a packed bag hanging on my bedroom door with pjs..meds..now here be careful..hospital must have them in original bottle..so I have some in an old bottle left over from whenever..but clearly shows doctor and pharmacy etc..so thanks you preppers for this idea.. guess that is my words for the day...stay safe.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not foor wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/27/13 at 02:30:40 JUST WANTED TO WISH EVERYONE.... A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING AND HOPING YOU ALL STAY WELL redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 12/01/13 at 14:26:34 Thanks for your practical ideas about winter safety, Redbird! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/07/13 at 05:00:04 Thanksgiving has come and gone...at our house it was a little unusual...I did not cook or serve or make anything to cause stress...and you know it was just fine...we had a nice everyday meal...enjoyed being together and the visit ....and found that turkey and dressing and pecan pie was not necessary...and I did not have an attack or anything...HURRAH FOR US!! and now that day is over as I sit here and I look outside as many of you...I find more things to be thankful about... even though there is ice and snow outside and we are having the coldest weather in years... and the roads are the ...stay home kind...I am inside and warm and my tummy is full...and my library book bag contains some good books ...waiting for my reading..still holding to my ...be careful stuff...no new foods..resting and all of that...I seem to be OK.. and I must tell you about the book I just finished reading...I was sitting in my chair laughing out loud..and giggling and laughing until tears rolled down my cheeks..oh yes...if son had found me he would certainly have thought ...mom has lost it...now for those of you have seen and read ...Fried Green Tomatoes...by Fanny Flagg...you would understand..and though I have seen the movie several times...I still find it so laughing good... well Fanny Flagg has a new book out...The All-girl Filing Station's Last Reunion...if you need a lift to your day...please read it...but even though you will spend lots of time laughing...at the end the tears of fun will change to sadness....BUT you will close the book saying...boy that was good.. well guess that is about it for now...hoping that you are well...and warm and tummy full...and having a good masto day redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps".

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/08/13 at 05:29:00 during the time I could sit on my porch and ...ponder...I would watch the cars go by in a hurry to get somewhere and the trucks with loads of something...and it made me wonder....I was sure they were on their way to a place of employment and work...and that brought on another thought...where did the word...work, labor come from....in fact.... WHERE DID WORDS COME FROM..... so I ask my son who simply said...they are words...but says I where did they come from...so of course I tried the internet and they had all kinds of answers...but who and what made the first words...maybe someone grunted a sound and it was call something???? or maybe someone said...hey lets try out this new sound and call it ...work...and someone else with a like mind said....car and the list went on and on... now I am sure the Greeks and all of those early day people had something to do with it....but where did they get the words...from early scrolls...well who knew the words to put them on the scroll... as you can see I am still not close to the answer for my mind...I just know that most of us know special words that mean a lot to us...hummm guess it is ok not to know who said it first redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by zippy890 on 12/08/13 at 15:27:38 Redbird, Interesting question.   :) As a hobbyist philosopher, I can say it is nearly certain that, people made up words as they went along.  And the meanings of words can change over time, the word "gay" for example.    There is a discipline... I forget the name, it calculates divergence of cultures using "language drift" as a measure of time, German and Dutch languages being examples there, as languages tend to diverge from their common root at a certain pace.   The German and Dutch languages are similar, but not quite the same.   For example, in German, the words Father and Mother are:  Vater und Mutter ;  in Dutch they are: Vader en Moeder.   As you see they are very similar, and even bear similarities to English.   I would also direct you to onomatopoeias.  I love onomatopoeias.   And you will notice how the various functions of the body, to which all our early ancestors would have had frequent access to hearing on a daily basis, typically have onomatopoeic origins, "Burp" for example (I will leave you free to explore the various functions of the human body on your own, in this regard).   Also notice how simple actions that make sounds also appear to have these same origins.   Words like:  Smack, Whack, Whip, Flip, Swish, Swirl, Clap, Scratch, Buzz, etc., etc.. Further, when your include writing in the concept of "words", then you will notice how early writing was in the form of pictograms (cave paintings), and hieroglyphics.    The Chinese language, which is very old, can then be seen as a bridge from a pictogram based language to a more advanced and purely phonetically based language, like English.   About 13% of the Chinese language is pictographic in nature.  The word for "man", for example, is a stick figure of a man.   The word for "tree", is like the outline of a pine tree.   The word for "rest" then is the pictograms of "man" + "tree" drawn together.       So, as beings of conceptual consciousness (it has been said), we require a series of phonetic sounds to represent various existents in reality, and also our concepts of consciousness itself.    In other words, we make up words when we need them.   And then we change them when we want to.   You know, there's only been a really good and functional dictionary of the English language for a little over 250 years (!)   I'll limit myself to that.   Like I said, "Interesting question".    ;) Todd in Tenn.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/10/13 at 06:37:33 hey Todd... :) thanks for the info in regard to words...very interesting and especially in regard to the figures used for words. here in Oklahoma we have several different tribes of Indians or as some say Native Americans...now my husband and children are of the Choctaw tribe..and so I have looked and read lots about Native Americans.. seems from who knows how early they had their own language..and in many places  ....you will see the stick drawing and some of those even bring wonder what exactly they represented another interesting fact in regard to words...during the War ...our country used our tribe of Indians as what they called....Code Talkers...The Choctaw being the first tribe that was used...since they spoke their native language the enemy was not able to ...break the code...as they called it no matter how hard they tried...the government recently brought attention to this great job that was done by the Indians.. the Choctaw language is now being taught to the younger generation and any others who might like to learn...so that it will not be lost and the "oldie" pass on... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/10/13 at 06:53:44 this morning I was in that...twilight zone...you know that spot where you really are awake but do not want to open your eyes...and your blanket is warm and fuzzy and so you just lay there.... suddenly I heard son yelling...mom ...mom...get up you must see this...what is this... so out of bed I jumped as quickly as my old bones would let me...did not even grab my robe...still in my pjs...I ran to see what could be happening that had him so concerned... look...look he said...pointing to outside the window...what is that in the sky...IS IT A UFO???? well says I...it could be...now I am one of those people who have always thought...I will have to see one to believe it...however I do read lots of stuff about it and area 51 and others...this thing is round...however some are shaped in a cigar shape and I have read that some or others come in all kinds of shapes...I can see the lights...some are beaming out on the ground... shhh... maybe whoever and whatever is listening to us..I sure do not want to be one of those....beam me up people... so I very quietly made my way to the computer to see if I could find an image that would match...scrolling scrolling....and FINALLY......... hold on folks...it's coming up.................... IT IS THE SUN....gosh we have not seen it in several days...in fact we have almost 200 hours of temps below freezing...so we did not recognize it...now of course I for one would have like to see a UFO but I will take the sun instead...however don't get excited...sun but no warm.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by zippy890 on 12/11/13 at 04:50:56 Thanks Redbird.  I was concern later that I had committed a Forum Faux Pas by posting on your blog.   Lots of folks in my part of Tenn. also have mixed European and Native American heritage.   It's good to preserve some of those old languages.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/11/13 at 11:14:24 OH Todd.... :) PLEASE KNOW....that I love your's and anyone else who would like to post on my blog...I like to hear from about all kinds of different things and really I am not sure that my blog is a blog..according to what I read in other places...I just don't fit in....you see I just write words that roll around in my head until I have to spit them out on paper.. I just  think about stuff and wonder and as you see there is no correct form...I just write words.. I love your state it is so beatiful..my daughter worked in KY for a college one time and I got to visit the area and meet lots of mountain people who I loved.. if you have anything rolling around in your head and want to say it...please do...or anyone else as well... redbird the word writer  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by zippy890 on 12/16/13 at 02:44:11 Thanks again, Redbird.  My area of Tenn. is quite nice with ridges, mountains, lakes, rivers, etc..   It is a paradise for the outdoorsman.   I think Kentucky is even more backwoods than here, however, and that's saying a lot.   Keep writing those words.   I likes your blog.   :) Todd in Tenn.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/16/13 at 07:28:18 today I want to tell you a "feel good story"...one that makes you tingly and shed a tear or two...IT IS TRUE STORY... from time to time I have told you how proud that I am to live in Oklahoma ...and be an Oklahoman...seems that when times are tough and we here in our state have had a lot of those times...we all seem to pull together and help those who need it...one that will never be lost in memory was the bombing of the federal building ...the Murrah building with a bomb going off killing and ruining the lives of many including children... more recently this past May we had a EF5 tornado that almost wiped the town of Moore Okla completely away...and that included 3 schools where children were huddled for safety and some of them did not make it...famous people came and went...giving help and money and raising money for those people...and we so appreciated their help...but as time went on they had to leave...Oklahomans are still helping... but the story I want to tell you today is....about my town...yup my little town...the main street is four blocks long and we have one red light..the total pop. of our town might stretch to 1200 people...and lots of those are elderly people.. now some years ago my daughter was working as a Social Worker at the Veterans hospital in Oklahoma City..it is a large place with both in patients and lots of outpatients coming and going...and as Christmas drew near I got to thinking...what could we do for those people who were going to be there for long term stay...so I ask her...what could we do...and she thought about it for a couple of minutes and told me...well these vets could use some Christmas cards to mail to their relatives and friends...and another thing ...eye glasses...now here you are saying...well those are provided...well no they are not..the usual way is for a vet to look thru a box and find a pair that they can see to  read...so those thoughts set in motion a plan..I called the local mgr of our only big grocery and ask if I could place a couple of boxes in the lobby area for the collection of Christmas cards and old eye glasses...SURE he said...and I did...now next I wrote a letter to our little weekly newspaper and told the readers what we wanted to do and where they could leave the items... and they did.... boxes and boxes and even loose xmas cards showed up and even stamps to mail them...the eye glasses box held several from people who could nor did any longer wear them..those came from the people of my town and the little surrounding area..we were so proud to sent them on to make someone happy..and we did but this months event is what I really want to tell you about.... the editor of our local newspaper was in his office talking to the director of the little food bank in our town..it serves the surrounding rural area as well...and as they talked the director made the remark...how it would be nice if they could offer ...sugar...as lots of the older people like to bake items for Christmas gifts... and so the plan for ...Sweet Thing To Do....was put into motion...Steve the editor placed a notice in his newspaper about the need for sugar for the food bank...letting people to be able to bake for Christmas...and he made the remark...wouldn't it be great to get a ton of sugar...and that stirred the town..and the rural area and maybe even other towns I am not sure... so you guessed it...sugar came pouring in...and in...and in...I wish I could post the picture of all this sugar piling up on the floor of the newspaper office...plastic bags everywhere...now the final count went as this...485- 4# bags of sugar, 22 - 5# bags, 23-10# bags of sugar making a total of 529 bags totaling over a ton of sugar with 2274 lbs.. It's great to live in Oklahoma and be called an Oklahoman..and I am so proud of my little town and area...going to be lots of baking going on...can smell those cookies and cakes and candy now!! redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/20/13 at 03:55:45 a cold yucky day here in Oklahoma....put some winter pjs in the "bug-out-bag... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/23/13 at 07:33:16 OFFICIAL REPORT ON CAN OPENER CRISIS WELL....here it is almost Christmas and I do have some can opener news for all of you.. . a fact finding discussion was held at our table on thanksgiving day  in regard to this problem..and a committee of one..daughter was appointed.....she has 3 dogs and 2 cats so she has lots of cans to open. now our family is a "table sitting" family..all important decision and discussion are held around the dining room table..we recently tried to think when this started but no one could remember ...it was just something we always did...maybe we are a little different I am not sure but when we visit we just sit and visit....you might see someone leave his or her place for a short trip to the throne room...but their place is always held for their return..we have been known to sit for a discussion for 3 hours..it's just the way we do things..we just like to talk to each other.. now since that time...daughter has filed a report and I will share it with you...she has also had the experience of several electric openers that broke quickly and manual ones that did not work either... but after much research she obtained a different and new electric one...and it seems to be working wonderful...she indicated that it holds the can and immediately on pressing the lever starts it's job... COULD THIS BE TRUE..COULD THIS BE THE ONE???? on receiving a call from her that we should watch for the man who delivers pkgs in the brown truck..we would receive a package..now watching was necessary because the "man in the brown truck" likes to not deliver all his days work and sometimes slips back to the terminal with the excuse ...could not find their house...so son was watching...and sure enough the brown truck pulled to the side of our road..son went out to meet him and said...and watched as the brown truck driver took a pkg from the dash of his truck and THREW IT ON THE ROAD...son said was that package for us...no says brown truck driver..for you neighbor.. so the next day..nice morning brown truck driver...left us a package on our porch...out to pick it up and since we knew daughter sent it but mystery was WHAT IS IT?? on opening the box...oh look...son...look it is a new electric can opener..daughter says...this is a great one...it opens cans and sits and looks pretty...HURRY son and get it out so that we can try it...and son did... people...let me tell you how wonderful this HAMILTON BEACH CAN OPENER is...I can even work it...son tried to get me to try it out on lots and lots of cans in the  pantry...but I resisted..IT WORKS..no longer do I have to ask son to open my cans.. now if you look for it...it is the one with the lever on the top that you just hold down and zzzzzzzzzzoom...around it goes..cuts the top from the can..no sharp edges... table conference is now filing their final report... problem solved redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/24/13 at 06:19:59 MERRY CHRISTMAS & A MASTO FREE NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!! REDBIRD :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/02/14 at 03:39:17 well Christmas came and went...and sticking to my stress free plan...made it fine..just a little tired but then that is not new..no new foods..cooking a nice meal instead of something giant..visited with family and it went well.. had watched on TV one of our big channels as to how the local EMS units had been out on 134 calls and most of those were in heart problems/stress..had on interview  last year a local man had a heart attack from the stress of preparing for Christmas and all the things but this year he had taken a different approach...same as me...good for us.. now we did have some visitors at the farm..we were up early so that I could shove a ham in the oven..but as people began to gather...I silently chuckled to myself...now I have told you about how our family are "table sitters"...well son was first to the table in his spot waiting for others to arrive...next came granddaughter ...husband and children..now granddaughter made her way immedately to the table for sitting...now husband is sorta new to the family so he took a seat..on the couch..but he will catch on in a few more trips...daughter made it and perched on a bar stool within 3 feet of the table and I took the other one just as close...so we all are now "close or at the table"... maybe I should tell you about the table...it is an oval oak table...with claw feet...and chairs that have no cushions which makes it a little hard for sitting...but we are not about to give up our places.. the children  great grandchildren are all over the living room and seem to be very content as long as the batteries hold out...they are fine... well conversation included lots of things...granddaughter's chickens and how they were laying..to the goose that bit her...and lots of other sorta important things... but finally we got around to the "can opener report"...after much discussion it was time for a demo...now lots of cans on the counter top for opening...granddaughter went first...with lots of instructions from daughter..she put the can in...push the lever...and waited...in a few seconds it was done...but it did not open the can she said...daughter gently said...lift the lid...she did and immediately...shouts of...I WANT ONE...NOW it was time for the sorta new member who had to try...and he did...it worked for him as well....lots of ohs and ahs...so we are sure that this research project is finished... in fact we are considering contacting the company to see if we could be a sales person...especially for us old folks..I am going to write them a letter.. I am hoping that your day was special redbird the word writer "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/02/14 at 03:40:41 WELL...today at the farm is a heavy socks with fuzzy house shoes and a drippy nose day.... you know in three months I will be 80 years old...and if you have noticed this past year has been...not so good year for me...seems I have run a long list of stuff just about everything you can think of  for this old masto body... BUT................ recently I have a very new problem...not sure I have had it before...but I have developed..."fly-away-hair"....sure enough I now have it...I get up in the mornings with hair flying everywhere... now son says that it is because it is winter with static elec in the air...and it may be correct but I know that when I comb it down... it stands straight up again...yes I looked it up on the net...and it gives all kinds of things to do...so guess I will try one of those...will let you know in case this becomes a problem for you and now for a fun "cat story" our cat named ...Shy Cat...had twin kittens...they look alike and are marked alike...we call them Tubby & Chubby...as they are so fat they waddle when they walk then... we have Ranger...he is the "yard dog"...meaning not a leaf turns that Ranger does not know about it...he watches everything and everybody...he walks the fence line...watching..now I really call him...The Lone Ranger...because of his black mask on his face... now... he does baby sitting for the twins when Shy Cat wants to have a day out doing whatever cats do... so a few days ago I noticed that Ranger was sitting between the twins..and they sat there for some time...maybe he had them in time out..not sure... but suddenly over the fence came Shy Cat with a hugh mouse in her mouth...she came directly to Ranger and dropped the mouse in front of him for baby sitting fees...and he grabbed it and was gone...I am pretty sure it had...paid in full written on it... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/22/14 at 04:50:44 have you ever wondered... that in TV shows or movies that no one ever has to go to the bathroom...even in a reality TV show that is suppose to be the real thing...just wondering redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/22/14 at 05:21:49 now as you get older...you do things a little different than younger folks do...you save those little round butter dishes as they are just right for some little left over maybe for a snack later... but as you reach to get on out of the cabinet..you have two containers and five lids...hummmm redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/29/14 at 03:46:44 we have not talked lately because I am on ALERT!!.....here where I live seems  there is always some kind of ALERT that we must be prepared for...wind alert...burn alert...winter alert...polar vortex alert(never heard of this one)...then we have fog alert..we have amber alert and we all know what that one is..and silver alert this one tells us one of us oldies is lost..heat advisory though not lately..clipper alert that we just finished...and I am sure that if I wanted to really tax the old brain there are others..it sure has kept me busy... BUT.... since I have not been feeling real shinny...son has driven me to my errands and I hate that even though he is very patient and willing BUT yesterday I decided unless the snow was falling I was going to go on my own for a couple of errands..FIRST GET A HAIRCUT...since not feeling well plus the weather WOW my hair is longer than it has been in I don't know when...also to the library AND... myself and I needed to have some serious discussion...I know some of you folks think that people talking to themselves is just not right and you giggle or just laugh right out loud...but you are WRONG!! important decisions are made with the help of myself... now there was three important things I needed to talk about... first...we talked about getting a dust mop...maybe an o'cedar dust mop..I am so tired of that little thingy stick with the little dingy on the end that is suppose to do the job...well let me tell you ...if you remember the little saying...O'cedar makes your  life easier..myself and I decided that we will be shopping for one shortly the next subject we needed to discuss was...why do people have "cowlicks" in their hair and why is there more hair on one side of your head...and why I am lucky enough to have 2 "cowlicks"..if you do not know about "cowlicks" are ask your beautician...so that subject was left unresolved.. then we talked about the fact and made the decision that I would never ride a ferris wheel...small, medium or large...we were totally in agreement that would never happen...done deal.. so as you see talking to yourself as some folks call it....is very important..this morning myself is trying to tell I that dusting might be nice but I is telling myself that ....remember that bag of books that you picked up yesterday from the library..that one on top looks really good... now my library visit was a little sad..one of my favorite people had lost her dog of many years so we had to talk about that a little...and the visit to the beauty shop filled my ears with some needed gossip...so my trip was a complete success.. oh oh oh...wind alert..hear the wind chimes ringing...another alert day redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/30/14 at 04:05:25 if you are out and about today....my wish for you is.... don't get stuck behind a stinky truck   ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/07/14 at 04:23:16 wellllll what can I say...at my house we have been having winter..like winter...with snow and wind chills...son keeps saying...mom it is winter...and the weatherman...bless his little heart says...coldest weather in years and even if I agree with him...I want to say...please keep you opinions to yourself..now I know that some of you have had it really worst than I ...and I keep saying to myself...I am thankful for house, warm and food.. so... I have been following all the suggested things they say...layer clothes..one, two, three..guess that should do it..heavy socks for feet and the really fuzzy house shoes...hanky for dripping nose... now having done all the above I now must try to fill my day with something and of course I turn to my reading... now I am reading this book and it says....they rub vicks vapor rub on race horses noses...well of course this caught my attention as you know that I am a vicks fan.. so... of course I go to the net to see if I can find out if this is true...hummm type in use of vicks and the following comes up...I am sure that there is somewhere in life you will need this knowledge.. 1..is one that my mom used my growing up life..rub on chest and throat for cough and congestion..course she added the wrapping of the neck with some kind of cloth.. 2.night time relief..rub your feet with lots of vicks and put on socks for cough relief and you will wake up with a wonderful morning.. 3...achy muscles..rub over those achy ones..but please warn all around you that you smell pretty ...stinky 4....get rid of nail fungus..yes it says so right here..rub your nails with vicks.. course my doctor says that you can spend thousands of dollars on remedies but none of them work ...she told me her secret and recommendation.. 5.rub vicks on any hard surface that your cat likes to scratch on..that will stop that as they hate the smell 6..use for potty train for your animals..set a jar where they like to go indoors .. 7...headaches..rub a little on the temple area..gone 8...in your vapor humidifier..and you can have smell everywhere 9..I am not sure about this one..rub on small cuts like paper cuts..humm I always thought you might use a ointment with antibodies on this 10.ticks and bugs do not like the smell either.. 11.HERE IT IS...THE BIG ONE...professional racers smooth vicks on their horses nose...as it does not let them smell the ladies that might be racing as well.. 12..wards off mosquitoes..gosh are you saying don't buy that high price bug off stuff..just a jar of the good old vicks will do the trick.. well that is what I found...and I would have to credit someone else for these ...but I have to say..that someone else likes vicks vapor rub..just like me.. please everyone stay warm redbird the cold word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/14/14 at 07:26:34 Hi good to talk to you again... some of you have had really bad weather and here it has been colder than in three years..a little snow.. but yesterday the sun came out and the old temp started up so son said.... mom let us go and do our errands today...and since I am always up for a trip to the library...sure says I... now let me set the scene for this trip.... just so you know I cook one meal a day...lunch and the rest you are on your own..and so usually at night I am thinking...what can I fix for lunch tomorrow..you see just son and I and I hate to cook anyway...so I am thinking...BINGO!!  we will have biscuits and gravy and some sausage...that will be easy and quick and while we are out I will pick up needed supplies for this meal..especially biscuits and sausage now just in case you have not read or followed my battle with making biscuits...just so you know I have tried every secret recipe sent to me to make biscuits..my mother made wonderful biscuits..and I sat and watched daughter make biscuits and came home and used the same exact bowl, fork for mixing etc...didn't work so in my great wisdom of 80 years I decided that for me since I could not even make them from a bakery mix...for me it would be canned biscuits... are we clear on that???? so in I go to my Homeland Grocery store...and get the needed stuff...canned biscuits, sausage and a few other little things...and home..now lunch time came and biscuits in oven...gravy made..sausage in little patties....and I looked in the oven to see how the biscuits were coming along............................. I could not believe my eyes...these canned biscuits are flat like in flat..like in really flat..NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO   this cannot be happening.... so they are done...and I take them out...I show son...I am upset..upset...UPSET....as I ate my gravy and sausage...I said lots and lots of $#*&^% words... so.... I decided right then and there I was calling the biscuit company..yes I was..so I dig out the can with label and exp date...and I called...had to leave a message for a call back and I say ... please call me with a message giving me your address so that I can MAIL YOU THESE BISCUITS.. so a very nice lady did call me and I told her..I have used this brand before..and I have never had a problem..I am sending them to you... I am too old for this kind of treatment..and I wanted biscuits and gravy for my lunch and it was ruined...along with some other words.. so nice lady said..please do not mail them...we will send you your money back..etc etc...so I told very nice lady...that's ok but if it happens again I am mailing these suckers to the company.. now my phone will take pictures etc but I don't know how to work it..I just use it for talking....I wish you could see them..I have saved one wrapped in foil to mail to my daughter so that she can take a picture and I will sent that to very nice lady at the biscuit company .... today I made muffins...yes they are great but don't think they will work for gravy.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/22/14 at 04:42:32 BISCUIT UPDATE.... just letting you know the latest from my CANNED BISCUIT failure... a couple of days ago received a letter from the nice biscuit lady at the company....several paragraphs long...it said how  nice I was ...how nice she was...and most important how nice the company was.... now here is where it gets a little ifffffffy... enclosed was a gift cert. for 2.00....WOW...and as I thought about it...this would not even pay for the gasoline to the only store that would take it...it would not pay for the cost of baking them...it would not even near pay for my stress... so now I did not expect them to send me lots and lots of money ..BUT...SURELY it was worth at lest a 20.00 one... HOWEVER maybe this is all the biscuit company could afford as they are in a financial crisis....I would not want to be the cause of a collapse by accepting this 2.00... SO I have decided to mail this back to them with a letter to the CEO letting him/her know ....I understand their lack of ability to supply my need for a reimburse that I think is fair..... hoping this 2.00 will help them get back on their feet and become a success.... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/04/14 at 03:40:57 REMEMBER THIS.... last summer when it was soooo hot and we masto folks were saying....can't wait for winter...remember that....and we said...I will not complain when it gets cold....remember that.... well summer and heat is gone....and most of us have had winter like in winter...some colder that others... mother nature is making us remember our words... just remember that... redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/04/14 at 04:04:57 you need to know before you read any further.......I believe in dreams...yup I do....lots of times when I have had problems...I would dream about it and I would work out a solution in my dreams...and sometimes I have or would dream about something that might happen in my families life...understand... well recently I had a dream about what I was doing wrong in my biscuit making...yes it came to me in a  dream...and it goes like this.... I need to sift my bakery mix...now the kind I have had little bumps in it ...so the next couple of days I thought about it...and finally I was just sure that was the problem... so I got out all the stuff and brought out my old trusty sifter..now it is one of the old kind...like my mom had...it is metal and big with a little handle that turns around...I store it in a plastic bag in my things that I do not use often... now it really makes my arms and hands tired using this sifter..but I was just sure that I could manage...I even used COLD WATER out of the fridge...just as it was written on the package.. so now here we are with this mixture for biscuits..and you know it is looking pretty good...so I pop them into the oven..and watch..........yes they are rising up ...watching some more and gee whiz..this is going to work...and they look good..a little brown on the top and I am saying to self...you did it...you really did it... so out of the oven and I proudly presented them to son for lunch...well there is where this wonderful story ends...even though they looked great..yes they were hard..like a puffed up hockey pucks ... so all of you out there who have followed my biscuit making...it is over...I have lost the race...It is the end....it's over... so there I was a sad soul...cleaning up and as I washed my old flour sifter I wanted to make sure that it was really dry before putting it away...did not want any rust spots ....so I got out the hair dryer to get down in all of those little cracks... THE END..... redbird the word writer "getting old is not for wimps" :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/10/14 at 19:15:41 ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhohhhhhhh ohhhho oh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, my doctor is moving awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy  I have been her masto patient since dirt......................................... ohhhhhhhho ohhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh redbird the weeping word writer :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 03/13/14 at 03:48:21 Yikes!! Oh that is the worst when the one doc who understands your condition moves away! Perhaps you can ask her to not just recommend a new doctor for you, but maybe to speak with that doc and explain how your mast cells work and what works best.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/13/14 at 05:04:11 morning...I wish I could say good morning...but this has been a simple awful awful week... as I told you my dear doctor is moving away...going to be closer to her grandchildren...I have mentioned before just how wonderful my doctor has been for me for over 25+ years...she has just a single doctor office...and a couple of employees...her nurse Barbara and Claudia who runs the desk and the office and welcomes you and answers the phone and gets you in to see the doctor no matter what.. ...doctor always listened .... so now I have to find another doctor and in our area it is not like you folks living into the big city with lots of choices...I find that in my smaller area...you MUST APPLY...to see if a doctor will take you as a patient..I did that yesterday..I entered this office with a really big waiting room..I never felt any love or interest in me as a person...however I filled out the paper work and will now wait to see if I AM ACCEPTED.. I thought of several things...that maybe doctor would be close enough that I could just drive to her office in the new place..but that is 7 hours away..and she is not sure she will have an office...another thought that I had was I could just move as well.... all of these thoughts has certainly put me in a really bad stress area... and if all of this was not bad enough...I have having purse trouble...now some people say...handbag...you see some of us older folks don't change purses every few days to match an outfit you wear...you find one nice one that is comfortable and matches ...kinda a fit all thing...and it has to be just right feeling to carry it when you are out and about... well it was very apparent that something had to be done ...so now understand that I have several handbags in the closet...some that I bought that just could not fill the requirement when I got it home...now the new fanny pack is not for me...my fanny does not need added bulk...so I open the closet to see what I can find... now here is a new one..hummm maybe it will work...it is sorta neutral..so out contents to place...all in ...and since I must return papers to doctor office out the door we go...not good.......it just does not feel right but make the trip and telling son...this purse will just not do.... back home and putting stuff back in the old one...thinking...maybe I could just go to the store and get something new...and maybe they would let me carry it around in the store for awhile just to get a feel to see if it would work...maybe they have some kind or rental ...it is just a big problem... however I will tell you there is some good news...I have told you how BIG FAN I AM OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER basketball team...I have loudly voiced my opinions both when things were good and when they have been bad...have considered applying for a coaching job.. now a friend has invited me to go to a game next week...in person...her seats are courtside...and her parking is underground so no weather problem...and someone will meet the car with a wheelchair so no walking...and she assures me that seats are close to bathroom...however I figure if I don't drink any liquid after lunch that part will be ok...so if things go well...I am going to visit daughter and spend a week and go to a live game...I am excited.. well the sun is out...wind blowing...but just maybe some sitting on the porch later today... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/27/14 at 02:57:37 Hey all you folks out there.... guess we need to talk this morning... one of the headlines in my BIG STATE PAPER...says ...wind industry invest in state...and let me tell you something...I have lived in Oklahoma all my life and I can not remember the winds like in the past two years and especially this year...as I sit here my wind chimes are working overtime..and it is cloudy and just yucky...so if one wonders why we have the big debate in having "wind farms" in our state just look out the window.. now some of my shrubs are blooming.. you know that yellow one that blooms early...that I cannot remember the name...it is standing right out loud in my back yard...brave soul.... and the yellow finches have passed thru on the way to somewhere...so I am thinking that Spring is coming sometime... a couple of weeks ago I was sitting on my bed...and heard this muttering sound coming from my big chest of drawers...now some might call it the bureau..anyway...I was wondering if it was safe to open the thing and see what was making noise...now since you know I don't do organize...it was a brave moment that came to me to just OPEN IT...and I did... well I have told you about my socks...I have lots and lots of socks...but they were really in a snit..wanting their mates..well shoot..so I took my arm load to the bed and sat ...for sometime and matched them up...only came up with about 6 spare parts...HURRAH FOR ME...and as I gently laid them back in their spot...they seemed please..well mark one for me ...I must have done good... then I told you that I was going to visit my daughter...my plans were for a week with a trip to watch my team...Thunder play...yes I went to the visit...but I learned a lesson during the trip...I am not much good being away from home...I managed 3 days ...you see her floor is different than mine...I know when mine is going to be different..like a spot I must watch for..and even though I had my cane...and her bed is great...but it is not my bed...and her bathroom throne...well it just was not my throne...so son came to meet daughter as she brought me to the exchange spot.. now I did want to go to the ballgame but I have not been feeling well so just could not make myself take the chance of having one of those attacks right in the middle of the game..however I have an extended invitation to go back for a play-off game next month... so... I want you all to know....in a few days I will be 80 years old...bring out the band...shoot those fireworks...and shout...I have almost made it..... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/27/14 at 03:14:04 well you read that my wonderful doctor is leaving my area and retiring... and I told you that I had to APPLY for a new doctor... well just wanted to let you know that I have been ACCEPTED...for a new doctor...we have a "meet and greet" appt ...she is a young doctor and the daughter of a doctor I saw loooooong ago...I am hoping for the best.. now on the application it did not ask lots of questions...like what ails you..so thinking that our first meet might really be interesting..so I am taking her the newest brochure for the Masto Society written for patients and doctors..don't want to over whelm her the first time.. crossing my fingers...wouldn't it be a hoot if she says...I know about masto..I have another masto patient...wishing redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 03/27/14 at 04:49:10 My doctor here supervises interns and residents, and she always sends them in to see me first so I can explain to them about SM and other MC disorders.  I've found the new docs are very interested to learn and open to what I have to say, much more than the older ones I've seen.  They don't seem threatened that they don't know anything about it, which is a good thing, in my opinion. So I am hoping she will be open to your educating her about MC disease!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/27/14 at 06:25:53 well I have a problem...maybe someone here can help.... now see...getting to the 80 yr birthday is sorta special...just making it there is an event... now daughter wants to know what I want for my birthday...now I am not good with choices...I can handle the choice of 2 maybe but then that is hard..but giving me choices of a lot of things.... I have thought about what I should ask for... she ask me what was in my bucket...like bucket list...now I looked and it was empty..so now I am required to think... what to do???????? redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/31/14 at 01:23:20 well yesterday read in my BIG STATE NEWSPAPER...that the actress Shirley Jones would soon be 80 years ....now according to the article she had decided to go sky diving...or really just jump out of an airiplane..like Pres Bush did.... so I looked in my bucket to check my bucket list...and that was not on it....thank goodness redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/06/14 at 02:22:42 TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!     I AM 80 YEARS OLD TOMORROW I START THE TRIP TO BECOMING 81 redbird the word writer :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by caormiston on 04/08/14 at 06:41:25 A late Happy Birthday to you!  80 years and still going strong!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/18/14 at 07:27:27 well I am still here...barely....seems that when you turn 80 special forces arrive to really mess up your life...so if some of you are close...don't tell anyone and for sure don't give out your address... so it has been a tough month...one of those...doctor says all lab test or normal...humm guess you have never heard that before..and you are trying to explain to "new doctor"...what and how can I say to new doctor...I am sick...old doctor would say...Joyce this is what I think is wrong and this is what I think we should do...but  my forever doctor is gone..moved away...I was thinking I might just go sit in front of her old office and maybe her spirit might come by... so things for me have been pretty slow at the farm...I have learned to take afternoon naps in my nest...but outside things are humming...doing some looking from my "watching chair"..and I can also tell you that I now am carrying 2 "comfort hankies" ...one in each pocket..that's how bad things have been.. remember when I told you that it was a "skirt alert day" which meant if you were wearing some type of dress or skirt you might be in danger of it blowing up...well we don't have those anymore...we now have...you know how in the three little pigs..one says...I will huff and puff and blow your house in...we now have "huff & puff" days everyday.. my neighbor Mary "from across the pasture" called yesterday to tell me that a turkey was wandering around my fence and in the pasture behind the house...she thinks it is a hen turkey...I wish it was a tom...and I could hear it gobble...other neighbor said she thought it was roosting in one of our big trees..the coyotes are running up and down the fence line now during the dark hours..and several other "things" seem to want to tunnel into the back yard as well...checking my supply of red pepper. son has been really busy in the yard..he has mowed and cleaned and trimmed...it really looks nice...he also has built a new "high rise" for the birds...I wish I could show you a picture...he made it cat proof because we still have 3 yard cats..one is his favorite Ranger....now Ranger has developed a friendship with son...son lets him in the garage for napping during the day after a wild night on the town...or it could be that he is hiding after some romp with a lady friend...who knows.. the last two mornings I have got to sit on the front porch for a little while..doing some pondering and listening to the birds sing..for years we have had mocking birds and they like the front area so sat and listened to him singing away..he might could win American Idol or at the lest The voice...and suddenly I heard this banging..what ...it sound like a woodpecker...this mixed up bird was finally spotted and he was on the telephone pole...banging away..I had seen him some days ago..a big redheaded one...on one of the trees in the back yard...I don't know..maybe his GPS was broke...but he banged away for some minutes until someone told him...hey you are in the wrong place...tree not pole.. the little black birds were gathering twigs for nest building..seems like lots of stirring going on with everyone but me..however daughter came yesterday and she wanted to go to the "rock place" here in our town..see it is not really new but finding it open is sometimes hard to do...so she ask if I wanted to go and I said yes..got out my cane for walking on uneven stuff and we went.. now let me tell you about the rock place...it is HUGH...tables and bins of rocks almost as far as you can see..you can just walk around forever and if you are a rock person you could spend some time there...like weeks..now as I watched daughter look and hold and pick rocks..I wondered just what she was looking for...see I am not a rock person..but she like rocks and feathers..go figure..I watch the holding and finally the older gentleman who runs the shop came out to talk...and though I am not into rocks..he was interesting as he had a story about each and every "special rock"...he was a rock picker upper from way back..and now even at his age he and his brother go out and pick up rocks...some far and some near..I looked at him and said..you picked up these rocks...yes he said..now that is a true rock lover..and as I listened to his conversation with daughter things that struck her eye...she would ask for a price and he would say...that one is not for sale and tell the story about it where and why it was there.. one of the wonderful things here in the house...you don't need pen and paper for jotting down a note...enough dust on things you can just write what you want.. as you can tell it seems to be a down time for me...just trying to make it "day to day" hope that all is good with all of you...until next time redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps..

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 05/29/14 at 14:51:34 Goodness! I missed your birthday! Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of my favorite online buddies! 80 is not that old -- it's all relative these days. Plus with your wit and writing talent, you are showing us all how young you really are. Keep writing to us! You are an inspiration and the heart of this forum! Hugs and Love! Deborah

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/08/14 at 01:09:10 so how are all of you??? a couple of days ago...early morning I decided to go to the Mocking Bird concert..have you ever been....you should look for one in your area..it is so amazing that God could give this little bird the ability to make the sound of every bird and in such a wonderful way... so I was off to the front porch...sat in my chair doing a little...pondering.. waiting for the curtain to rise.. I was lost in thoughts when I heard the first sounds ...coming from behind the curtain of leaves on the big pecan tree...sounds like he is warming up...I sat there an the music became louder and louder...so I am thinking today's performance is going to be in mystery..and in hiding.... SUDDENLY the music bird burst from the tree and landed on the telephone pole just in front of the house...and started with some "rock and roll"....he even did a little dance ...jumping up and down in time to his song...he was pretty good I must say... SUDDENLY...a dove landed near him...well I wondered did he have a new music partner..and as the dove gave out several notes I knew right away...he would not get the job... I went back yesterday morning but the mocking bird did not show..guess he moved to the next town... I want to share with you a new problem that I am having...you see I have lost so much weight that I cannot keep up my pants..now in the winter I wear my jeans but in the summer I have some light weight cotton knit pants..100 % cotton is the key word here.....gosh I cannot keep them up...so I thumbed thru my "fat lady" catalog to see what I could find and there...just what I need ...so I ordered a pair and they arrived..."cotton and polyester"...there they go again making the items appear as they are not..so back they went... BUT this does not leave me much choices...so I am doing a little pondering ...well surely there is something I can do..first to the pants..ok solution...use a jumbo paper clip...folded over and sure enough it works..so moving on..looking thru closet...hummm here are some mu-mu..that is what we use to call them..now they are called "loungers"..ok a couple of them look like they might work...so now I have some paper clipped pants and a couple of mumu...got it... THEN...my friend Mary "from across the pasture" and her hubby Ron went on a little trip..to Branson MO...now as you know Mary loves to make little trips almost as much as she loves shopping..so she is telling me that as she makes her way down this shopping aisle in Branson...she hears something calling my name...Joyce....but she just goes on by...but coming back up the aisle...someone is YELLING my name...Joyce...so she stops and gets me a gift..and she brings it over to me..in a little red sack(my favorite color is red)....she takes it out and gives me a lovely (Mary's favorite word) little fridge magnetic...with a lovely lovely redbird...I  put it on my fridge right next to my treasured Thunder basketball schedule...now I have not heard it talking but it seems happy... really having trouble sleeping..my pattern of sleep is sure gone to somewhere..and has not come back..around 4 AM my eyes pop open..and I am awake..no matter how still I lay...it will not come back..so that makes me want to take a nap during the day..and that makes me not sleep good at night...got the scene..SO...I devised a new sleep plan...when I get so sleepy during the day..I take my shower ...put on my pjs and just go to bed .. NOW a couple of days ago I did just that...around 6 PM I was so sleepy so I hurried into my plan..shower and bed...and around 8:30 I woke up and looked at the clock..gee I slept late..I need to get up and think about getting lunch...it was not dark and thought it must be cloudy this morning..in the kitchen making my morning coffee and toast..son is on computer..so I went in and ask him if the morning paper had arrived...he looked at me strangely and said...mom it is night not morning...says I..you mean it is not tomorrow it is still today...yes mom...so I drank my coffee and ate my toast and went back to bed...maybe this plan is not going to work.. we are having much needed rain..thank goodness..towns around us were having to come up with lots of different plans and some of them did not sound good.. I am so missing my "forever doctor"...new doctor and I have not seemed to have found a comfortable ground...she is insisting that I see a doctor concerning a problem I have...maybe.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/08/14 at 01:30:19 Ms. Deb....thank you for your kind words and my thanks to you for allowing me to post on your site my thoughts and words...and to all of you out there...a big thank you for continuing to read ... I have been meaning to share with you a little tidbit...remember a few months back when the site had a little hiccup...well at that time the reading count of the blog was 67,000 and some change...I was so excited that it was going to hit the 100,000 mark but the hiccup took away the number count...now talking to Ms. Deb to find a solution to put the count back it was decided not to as it might take away the entire blog...no no no..that could not happen...so now when I look at the count I add that 67,000 in my head and as you will see we are almost to the mark...that makes me feel so good that you are reading and hopefully having a good laugh.. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/08/14 at 06:06:53 these are some things you really need to know.... an egg will explode if boiled long enough... and 1 slice of cheese = 1/4 cup of shredded cheese just so you know ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/10/14 at 02:27:29 now I am not a tweet or twitter or whatever it is called person...but I do read... the first section in my morning paper for reading  is the sports page...and today a NBA player's tweet was posted there and I really thought it was good so here it is... Beno Udrih..... Do not let the shadows of your past darken the doorstep of your future... and Don't look back...you're not going that way... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/10/14 at 02:29:24 WOW AND WOW AND WOW.... you know the old song....where oh where has my little dog gone...where or where could he be.... looking today...where oh where has my blog count gone...again... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 06/11/14 at 17:32:30 I love that tweet!  It's so true.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/29/14 at 04:56:27 wellll here I am again.....somedays I wonder if that is going to happen...as being 80 has not be a bit of fun..some days breathing is a big event that I do look forward to...and all kinds of others things come out ...foot trouble..teeth problems..fight with spiders..and stumbles that just spring up out of nowhere..and people asking you ...how are you today...and you really want to tell them...but you just say "fine"..and you suddenly realize that it is almost July and half the time is gone until you turn 81... now sometimes in life you have to do things that you really don't like and a few days ago was one of those days...it became apparent that a trip to "wally-world"  was needed...now you know the place...my most un-favorite store...now I just don't understand their thinking...my thinking is that coffee filters should be on the shelf with coffee...and not all the way across the store with something else...and I find that when you are sure you know where items are...they move them and of course all the helpers are in hiding..but finally got my items...and out the door and as I was leaving I had a thought...now you know how sometimes a judge will give a person who has not acted nice  "community service"....why not make them do this service at "wally world"...I really think that would make a bigger...I will not do this again...than getting trash out of a ditch..you could just drive up to the store and hand those people your list and let them run all over the store..while you wait in comfort in a chair...laughing to yourself...and you could even say...good job when they returned with your items...and you could even have a "score card" to be turned in to the judge... now I have several internet sites that sent me some of their valuable info ..and a couple of days ago...came the news of a new wonderful thing called...get ready.....mason jars salad...seems that someone has invented or at lest made this new item and wanted everyone else to try it...now I read down thru the article and decided that it was not for me..I will just stick to the old fashion way of a bowl.. well my friend Mary...from across the pasture...called to tell me her neighbor killed 3 snakes in her yard and Mary was on her way to the store to buy some of that...keep snakes out of your yard spray...oh that story almost made my heart stop..you know how afraid of snakes I am.... have found a new game on the internet that I played with lots of fun...you might like it..."Call of the Ages"....boy I was just sailing along until I came to the 24th step...now after playing that step over and over at lest 20 times...I cheated...you can you know..just cheated right on by the step to 25..it's ok no one will know.. my state of Oklahoma is becoming known for something new other than tornados...earthquakes...yes we are making headlines on some of the larger papers ...seems we have dozens of them some days..nothing earth shattering..just scary..tornados you can see but those earthquakes..just come on ...right into the door ...and throws stuff in the floor.. well that is about it for me..nothing exciting going on here...just trying to meet each day ... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/04/14 at 04:34:39 ...I have told you that I have 5 children...4 sons and one daughter...now daughter is a beautiful and smart lady..she is my very favorite daughter...and also my best friend...she is one exceptional person..and as you can guess I love her very much... HOWEVER recently she created a "really big problem" for me...you see it went like this................ phone call conversation...hi daughter...what are you doing....mom I am working a jigsaw puzzle on my ipad(whatever it is called) and immedately  all kinds of pleasant thoughts and memories started going thru my old brain...remembering how when the children were at home and we nearly always had a jigsaw puzzle spread out on the puzzle board...that husband/father had made for us..crowded around..looking for that piece and always someone hiding the last piece so they could be the one to put it in.... so I am thinking..I have worked all kinds of computer games but never a jigsaw puzzle...so I am thinking ...WHAT FUN....so out on the net looking around and found this wonderful place to work these kind of puzzles and they add new ones each day... now the problem that daughter has given me is...I have become..... A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D...one of the first things I do each morning is out to see what new puzzle they have posted...and usually cannot start the day without working one and sometimes two...with my coffee in one hand and looking out for that piece that goes there..... so now I am sorta looking for a bigger monitor..one that I can work a really big puzzle..I will let you know how that works out... now my next door neighbor...the one right beside us...they moved there some years ago with twin boys and a small girl.....and during  their children growing up time we had many mischievous things happen...like shooting real arrows into our roof...chasing the ducks with golf clubs...and building fires in the dry grass and as they got older..shooting a gun outside...well they graduated high school this year and I think are going away to college.. BUT they also have a new dog...I cannot see it because of the fence but they could be heard taking it outside for it's duty...so I am not sure if this is something new in "dog training" or what...but upon sitting it on the ground they give the command..."relieve pressure"....I cannot see what happens upon this command so cannot tell you if it works are not.. we have had lots and lots of those "huff and puff" days I told you about ...but we also have had lots of rain...so many areas around us are going into a severe water crisis...and I am not sure this would work for them...but they might give it a try....son says...he has now sprayed the yard 5 times and each time he does it rains...I can just see mom nature hiding behind a cloud and snickering  when she sends water to wash it all away.. well the sun is out and I have been sitting in my "watching chair" trying to find the source of a new bird sound..son even went out to see if he could spot the bird but said that it was hidden well behind all the tree leaves... course the birds in the backyard are busy with the spring nesting process... and with both mom and dad watching out for those who might want to disturb them...one of the outdoor cats sometimes get stranded in the barn and is afraid to come up to the house for meal time..as "dive bombing birds" can be pretty dangerous..so son carries it's meal down to her... well that is about all the news from here...and today is "HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY" and if you don't have fireworks in your town I am sure that the TV will have lots and lots for you to .....ohhhh and ahhhhh... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/06/14 at 04:07:02 I have noticed that many things change as you get older...and one of the biggest things for me is TIME....I no longer measure anything in the amount of TIME that requires me to do something...I now measure it in STEPS...how many STEPS will it take to accomplish whatever it is that I must do... how many STEPS does it take to make the bed...or how many STEPS does it take to get to the front door...you got the picture ...right... another change for me is CONVERSATION....yup now I find that instead of CONVERSATION ...I spend time TALKING TO MYSELF...as you get older it takes lots of talking..need to get out of the chair...ok you tell self...on the count of three...put all the strength together..need to get into another room...you say to self..ok you are going to make this...just hang in there...almost done... you see as you get older and the body seems to want to leave before you are ready...you find that many things change...others might not understand but that is OK...just have a long talk with yourself and you will make it redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/11/14 at 03:09:00 well a couple of days ago I did something that I would never have thought about doing...must less doing it.... you see I found myself again at "Wally world"...now you have to understand that it is the only place that you can get certain items...and that makes it a have to go to place.... so there I am...looking for some "canned air"...we are making some adjustments to the computer stuff and it seemed that son thought it would be a good time for a "blowing out" of the computer...now you have to kinda baby it as it is a 2004 model and in computer years that is pretty old... so got my stuff heading out the door...and suddenly I heard my name called...and I looked over and there was an old friend...sitting on the "old folk watching bench"..you know the one..where people sit and say hello to folks walking by...and as I spoke to him...he said come over and sit down...and I did...I went and sat on the old folks bench at Wally world...how bad can you get... now my friend is someone who I went to school ...both he and his wife...and our area is so small that this makes us ....long time friends... now wife was out shopping in the store and he was doing his watching..now let me tell you about him...for as long as I can remember he was and still is the "chief crime investigator" for our county...he always has on a crisp white shirt and his non faded blue jeans and his big white cowboy hat and boots...got the picture...he always has been a person who like kids and did lots of things with them...all my boys played little league baseball with him as a coach..what ever he said was just the way it was...regardless... now as we talked about many things and had a couple of laughs..one is that when in what we now call junior high or something...I had gotten a new camera and took lots of pictures at school...he loved to look at them and I had always told him that when I die he could have the pictures.. one time when we had a house fire that took almost everything we had...he and his wife appeared on the door step where we were staying and the first thing out of his mouth...did you save the pictures.. and I did... now as time has gone on and we have all been thru many things with life's good and bads...this album of pictures has been there ... daughter has told me that when I am gone she wants my music CDs and my pictures...so I have boxed many pictures up for her...but if I could find that album I would give it now to my friend... he also told me how now after many years of crime fighting etc...he has learned and loves to cook...he watches the cooking shows and looks recipes up on the internet.... I can just see him now...in the kitchen cooking at the stove and his pistol on his hip... I can also tell you that I do not plan another sitting on the old folks bench at Wally world so don't look for me there... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/18/14 at 02:41:21 do you ever wonder when you are at the beauty shop for some service like a hair cut...if your ears are clean ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/21/14 at 03:46:03 today I had to apologize to my coffee maker..I am sure that you are just like me..thru the years you have had different ones and then they simply wear out and a new one comes to sit in its place...most are like  mine have been on the lower cost range..I always try to get one that automatic turns off after a period of time because I have been known to forget that chore.. now the last few weeks I have felt a little adventurous in thinking about the coffee I use...see I am a Folgers girl thru and thru..and I drink it black...none of the foamy stuff added etc...just black..and added to that I cannot afford any of the "big label" stuff sitting on the coffee shelves...however I had sorta toyed around with the thought of getting some of that in the blue pkg...called Maxw ell house...that says good to the last drop...you know the one..but just had not done it...but when I went to the next town grocery store..a few days ago...I was rushing down the aisle...turned the corner and BAM...sitting right there in the middle of the aisle was some of that blue container coffee..and ON SALE...so I picked up a container and put in my basket feeling really smug...and kept saying to myself...ON SALE... since I am one of those coffee drinker that have no problem with the caf. in coffee and can drink it all day if wanted...I waited until late in the afternoon to brew a batch of the blue container coffee...now I watch it seep thru the filter and fill the pot...finally it was finished...and I got out my favorite cup for that first taste... pouring.....................................................tasting....................... spitting out.............................and empty cup....tasted like burned ashes left in a ash tray............................ it reminded me of the time.....when we had that coffee shortage...back a while when my kids were younger...back at the time when the phone rang and someone said...come over for coffee...and because of the shortage...boy did you... now one morning I got one of those calls...from a lady just up the street...I just made coffee ...come on up...and I hurried out the door...for a coffee break... when I arrived and sat down at the table for the wonderful cup of coffee...as she was a Folgers girl too...she poured it...and I am looking and it looks like colored water..she was using the grounds the second time around ...oh oh..but I did get thru it... so I looked at my coffee maker and said..I truly am sorry that I put you thru that awful blue container coffee...I will not do that again...but softly under my breathe..I muttered...but I might try a different one... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/23/14 at 03:45:58 well it has been sometime since we have talked and I will tell you that a lot has happened... the short version is....I have been ill...plain and simple...finally after a painful afternoon...son took me to the ER where I was admitted... a wonderful doctor who cared for me...just would not give up...I can still see him standing and tapping my chart...saying something is just not right... now this doctor was able to get me to do several first for me...as a masto person...some meds that never before...and after a very careful session with the radiology dept...a CT with contrast etc... seems that from my 2012 gall bladder surgery a little something was left in my bile duct...yes a little something that had been causing me so much pain and ill... you guessed it...a gallstone was left in my bile duct when they took my nasty gall bladder..and it was left and left and grew and grew...now I am not sure it grew but after being sent to the really big hospital for removal...doctor said it was as big as a marble...so the big hospital took it out... and again another first...a different kind of "put you to sleep" stuff.. so I am still just a little on the ...yucky side but hoping for better things and a time and energy that I can tell you about this ....maybe it could help you sometime until later redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/01/14 at 02:11:57 BLOCK PARTY....... now my street has only four houses...and is a block long... just across the road is a very big pasture...as far as you can see....the pasture has a fence, trees...tall grass.... so a few nights ago someone decided we needed to  have a BLOCK PARTY...with LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.... now everyone was watching with flashlights and spot lights as the first sounds of the concert/music sounds came from the tall grass just across the road... people nudged their doors open to get a look  .....wondering just who was coming for the party...it seemed to be a mystery... just when everyone started thinking they should get out their lawn chairs.... the warm up sounds came from behind the tall grass right next to the fence...just a few feet away.... it was apparent that it was some unusual guest..and more than one...a regular choir...sounds of barking...howling and yapping  were hear..and it was LOUD....it was not singing of some soft love song....it sounded more like someone going to battle... son was among those wondering ....he hopped out of bed and to the front door...and like all the neighbors had the porch light on ...and looking... well by now you may have figured out that the choir was the pack of coyotes that live across in the pasture ...they have lived over there for years..we have seen them coming and going down our fence line into town ...after dark...but since we have a six ft wood fence around the back of our house...they have never decided to visit... now after much time like in a lone time the concert was over....HOW WAS IT YOU ASK????  I don't know see....I slept right thru it... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/24/14 at 10:27:12 from a book that I am reading by Sharon Sala......I wanted to share it with you as I thought it was good..... Grief is as much a part of life as breathing and comes to all of us, no matter out station in life. It must be felt to pass from us. We have to weep for what was lost before we are able to laugh again. And laugh we must, for there is nothing worse than quitting on life when there is still breath in our bodies. redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/29/14 at 04:47:36 welllllllllllllllll  here I am... in the famous words of my grandson...which I will always remember...when ask....Bradley what have you been doing??and his reply was...grandmother I have just been busy doing nothing...so folks I have just been busy doing nothin.... I have had an exciting last couple of weeks...I decided to go up to spent some time with my daughter...now just a few days..cannot be gone from the farm, my bed and the throne for long...so I packed my bag...and since daughter is busy right now in an art class I gathered up all of my old jewelry..my mom's and beads and feathers and you get the picture.....now I would tell you that there was lots of it...just junk that I was not sure why I would have ever worn them...bags and plastic tubs etc.... well after lugging it all in from the car...and doing some table sitting...remember we are table sitters....we opened up a box...and started the looking...and as daughter pulled out piece after piece...saying of mom...this is worth money...THIS I reply...yup... now seems that she was up on all of this...knowing which pieces could be sold and which needed to go into the art bag for using in projects... so we kept at the job...bags, jewelry and IPAD for looking...and sure enough there would be pictures on the net just like what we were holding in our hand....geez...who would want these ugly earrings...but there they were with a nice amount attached...and then more serious stuff started...and finally daughter looks me in the eye and says...mom there is some serious money here... now next morning found her back at the table with ipad in hand and laughing as she had to take more pieces out of the ...for art bag...and into the selling bag... excitement continues... then on arriving back at the farm...son had cleaned the garage while I was gone...really he did...then on into the house and the old answering machine was blinking... and folks I almost cannot believe the message that was left for me...it went something like this... I am looking for Joyce..(that is my real name LOL)...my name is Amira from a casting agent in LA...we are casting a program for Discovery Channel TV on unknown diseases..we read an article in The Oklahoman(my big state paper) .. now several years ago when we had the big masto yearly conference in Oklahoma...the paper wrote up a really big story on masto and on the front page ...we would like to talk to you in regard to this and interview ...for a part of the series...here is the contact information...please call as we are casting this week...OH MY I am almost in tears...we all have struggled for so long to make our disease something that people know about....gosh it is Thursday so that only gives me a short time to find .....so I am on the phone trying to find a ....masto person who can talk better than me etc...after many phone calls I finally reached Michelle who travels every where talking to doctors etc...and long story short...she makes the connection and a family in DC is being interviewed and has signed all necessary papers etc...then we wait to see if our part of the series will be accepted by Discovery... please everyone cross your fingers and send positive thoughts and anything else to hopefully make this happen..I will let you know when I hear  ...and hopefully it will be soon.... well I have more to tell you but going to take a break ....more later... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/29/14 at 07:01:26 author William Kruger writes about indians in the northern states....I like him...this is in his new book... Fear is who we are... his old indian friend told him.. in every human being, there are two wolves constantly fighting.  One is fear, and the other is love.  when ask which one won the battle...the answer was.... the one you feed the most, always the one you feed. redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 01/03/15 at 14:56:46 Happy New Year Redbird!!!   I hope your holidays were pleasant and that you are well and happy!!! Much love!!! Lisa

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/07/15 at 07:10:42 well gosh we have not had a chat in a looong time...so let's get right to it..... the holidays have come and gone..and I am hoping that for you it was a good time..sometimes that is hard with this old masto hanging over our heads as well as other problems that occurs in everyday life Thanksgiving was a snap..daughter brought everything and all I did was deviled eggs and made a fruit salad..granddaughter came with her family so we had a really nice time...and yes we did sit around the table...table sitters us... then Christmas came and it was quiet...... you see the first of the month of December I finally gave in to the fact...eye surgery was a must...now I know what you are saying...but I am a coward...plain and simple...coward redbird...regardless of all those...it is a snap..nothing to it...coward redbird... but gentle eye doctor assured me...he was going to take excellent care of me...so we did it...and it went well.. HOWEVER... gentle eye doctor did not tell me about the new exercise program that he had planned for me...now here is the deal..... put these eye drops in several times a day....OK says I.... don't drive car....OK says I don't lift anything heavy...OK says I don't bend over....instead you must SQUAT.....what says I...squat like in the exercise squat...squat??? yes says he... now keep in mind that this 80 yr old lady who will soon be 81 had no plans on learning to do squats..but I did now this is a new part of life for me..do you know how many times a day someone bends over...for all kind of things...well think about it... BUT I am trying to be a good patient (ha)...so I am sweeping the floor..squat to put the dust pan to sweep up dirt...no no no not me...I just lifted up the corner of the rug and sweep that dude right under it..works for me... but we have gotten thru it finally....my right eye seems just fine but the left one is sorta dragging it's feet but gentle doctor says it will catch up... THEN...gentle doctor says it is time for you to pick out some new glasses...so back to the glasses room he takes me...Now Ms. Willie is smiling ready for to help me...and she says...see anything you like...oh no..Ms. Willie does not know how hard it is for me to make a choice...(daughter calls them options)...I am the person who finally chooses one and then thinks I might should have chosen the other one..but finally we pick out a pair and I am pretty sure that I like them...or was it the other pair...no not those...that one...see what I mean.. now just so you know that J C Pennys reads our  blog....now you know how I have complained and moaned because the "fat lady catalog" uses size 3 models for their clothes trying to make us think that we will look just like them...well they announced that they now are using...larger models for fat ladies clothes..I have not seen that yet but that is what it says...right in my big paper... and another wonderful thing that was in my big paper....that an Indian tribe here in Oklahoma is involved in raising butterflies...we have I think something like lots of tribes in Oklahoma and it was one up in the northern part of our state...but who would not like to visit a butterfly farm.. and if you are a reader of my stuff...you know my long and defeat of making biscuits..from scratch ...from baking mix...people have sent me recipes from all over the world..BUT I am just so bad I have given it up...canned ones for this table...HOWEVER you might also know that I love watching cooking shows..and contest... one of the really neat ones is one for children...up to age 12....so I am watching this show and having so much fun...these kids are amazing...and one little boy is from Canada and he is eight...you read that correctly...8...so now this little boy is making some big dish...something with baking..and he forgets to put the baking powder in it....oh no he says..I forgot...hummm oh I know I will MAKE BISCUITS...8 yrs old and he did...and they looked great and I guess tasted good as he made it to the next round...NO I do not want his recipe...I was happy for him...canned ones for me.. and you know the story of the yard cats...Ranger and the twins...who are now all grown up...Ranger because it looks like he has on a mask...like the lone Ranger and the twins are Chubby and Tubby...now all of these cats are fat and shining pretty cats...BUT they are all tomcats and they have always gotten along regardless of that..you remember that Ranger raised the twins while their mom was out catting around... WELL...Ranger has decided that it is time for the twins to leave home...but they do not want to...so they have been having a few spats in regard to this..Ranger has been spending lots of nights OUT ..somewhere and since we are a small town we don't have a bar etc...but he sure come in daylight CRANKY...Chubby gets on top of the roof when he sees him dragging in home...and Tubby just wants in the house...so this dispute is still on going.. and another thing that happen since we talked...our 18 year old refrigerator went on the blink..nothing last any more..daughter says I will buy you a new one...look and see what you want...so son measures because the space is just so big...now we were not desperate we had a little "college dorm" one we could keep stuff crammed in...but we took all our information and went shopping.. now we have no appliance store in our town so that means up to the next one...and we go into the ONLY appliance store...wow...not friendly people here..no sales from me.. on to the next store and I will tell you it is a small sears store...kinda use to be an order store but they have appliances large ones... so we are strolling thru the fridges...and I am pretty upset as the prices are all so high...and THEN...we came to this fridge sorta sitting off to it's self..with a sale price on the door...new but the ice maker does not work..but for me that is not a problem..so after much discussion with son and daughter...we purchased this one...it's just the right size etc... now we are a happy bunch...really a bargain...everything great and the delivery man came left it and took away the old 18 yr old one... now after having this fridge now for about 3 weeks I can tell you that it is "possessed"  yup it is..it makes all kinds of strange noises...sometimes it hums...sometimes it clacks...sometimes it clatters...and for me..I am waiting and will not be surprised when it speaks..son mentioned to me that...mom have you noticed our new fridge has a personality...humm says I "possessed" I must tell you that I have turned over a new leaf for the new year....it is called ...Lazy...want to take a nap..go for it...want to work jigsaw puzzles all day...go for it..talk to my friend Mary from "across the pasture" do that too...and of course watch Ron Mary's hubby put up all this wonderful outdoor Christmas decorations..and if you want to sit in the nest and just look out the window...that is allowed..so as you can see...in the famous words of my grandson...."I have been busy doing nothing" so what have you been doing... redbird the word writer  :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/08/15 at 05:51:27 I thought that I needed to share this important info with you today!! you know how I have often  told you.... how talking to yourself is good even though many snigger on hearing this kind of action....well you see sometimes Dr. Phil calls me when he has a really hard problem to deal with on his show...and of course I am glad to help... recently he talked about "talking to yourself out loud"...and he says that he is called...."reproduction" and it is important..he got that out of one of his text books... and son told me this morning about some information he saw while watching ...swamp people....which could pertain to our current cat problem...now remembering that Ranger is the older tom cat that help raise the twins Tubby and Chubby...now got that straight... they said if you saw 2 bull alligators together in an area it was because they were brothers..others they would try to run off... so since Tub and Chub are brothers but tom cats...they is the reason they get along... so if you look out in your back yard and see 2 bull alligators it is ok because they are brothers just thought this was something you needed to know redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by sarahkay1111 on 01/08/15 at 17:51:54 HaHaHa--that's funny about the cats Redbird ;D  I wish you luck with your refrigerator!  --Sarah

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 01/08/15 at 23:49:25 You know, I've been wondering about this for like FOR E VER!    You see, I've got these two bull gators which have been hanging out .......!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!   Very funny Redbird!!!  Thanks for the laugh! ....and for  resolving that pesky question!  ;D ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/09/15 at 03:22:29 some time ago I told you about the TV show Discovery calling me about a tv series on unknown diseases...and they even interviewed a couple etc etc... when I ask one of the masto people to talk to them etc...we all waited for something to happen.. when I  wrote to her for any  news she sent me the following email.. Joyce, We found out last night they declined to do the show because Mastocytosis is “too complicated” We are all sad, but will keep trying. Mishele COMPLICATED!!!!! GEEZE TELL US SOMETHING WE DIDN'T KNOW >:( redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/10/15 at 04:21:06 BOY DO I HAVE A PROBLEM TODAY!!!!!  HELP PLEASE now at our house we look for bargains everywhere...fixed income will do that to you....SO....we go to the day old bread store and buy bread...we have to travel to another town so we must make it a worth while trip...and that means getting a car load of bread and stock it up in our big freezer..you can spend about 20$ and have bread for about 3-4 months.. a couple of days ago son went over to get bread and while he was there he noticed that muffin mix was on sale as well... now I make lots of muffins we like the ability to hold them in our hand for eating instead of the cake and plate ...you know the drill..but sometimes you can buy a mix cheaper than doing the home made thing...and this was a bargin..so son get several pkgs... so I take one of the pkgs out and start the muffin making process...reading the instructions...BUT WAIT....it says ...will make about 5 muffins... so here is where I am puzzled..I have several muffin pans..different sizes..but they are 6 small holes for batter and 12 holes for batter...like a small pan and a large pan...HAS THE WORLD INVENTED A NEW MUFFIN PAN???? and it has 5 holes and 10 holes... well I am going to make muffins whatever...and I fill up 5 holes with batter and put water in the other one...that's a Paula Dean trick....remember her...she said it would keep you pan from burning up... sure enough muffins baked and out of the oven and eating...BUT this requires a letter to the company for an explanation of these measurements.. HELP SOMEONE!! redbird the word writer "getting old is not for wimps" :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Lisa on 01/10/15 at 08:36:21 Uh.....well, sound´s like a 2nd grader wrote those instructions, which is why it requires a 2nd grader to translate them!   I´m afraid you´re out luck if you haven´t got a spare 2nd grader hanging about!    :-?

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/22/15 at 04:32:52 BREAKING NEWS.............. it was suppose to snow here at the farm...if it did it was while I was asleep...and on getting up it was gone... it really is kinda quiet here...people trying to dodge the flu..so I am staying pretty close to home base... I know that you have read about my purse problem...well it finally happened..straps broke on my old one so that meant rummaging around in the closet for another one and finally settled on one that is just OK...BUT it is PURPLE...have noticed people looking at me a little strange but that is OK too..I just have not gotten that lived in feeling with it yet but maybe it will happen... don't think I told you about my falling in love while at my daughters last visit..yes at 80 I did and even went as far as having an affair..it was fun...I looked forward to the visit each afternoon while I was there....you see my daughter and her friend introduced me to the Penera Store products..I fell madly in love with them..soups, salads and cookies etc with none of that bad things in them..but no stores close to me... However, you remember my friend Mary...who "lives across the pasture"...and you remember that Mary loves to shop and nothing stops her from her one day a week shopping..snow, rain or sleet..not sure about hail as she has a new car..that might slow her down....well yesterday she was out shopping all day..I knew she was gone as I can plainly see her house and her garage door down all day(that is another story I will tell you sometimes)...later in the afternoon she called me and said that she was bringing me a goodie if I was feeling ok...sure  and she did...in her shopping rounds she had found my favorite Penera broccoli and cheese soup at one of the stores(Sams) and decided to try it for  her and hubby and got me a container as well...OH JOY...oh it was so good...Mary is a good friend... my new glasses are here and on my face...yes I did manage to narrow down to one pair..well they are just not quite right yet...gentle doctor's office nurse said I need to wait a little longer for adjustment to finish up..so I am now in a holding pattern .... our outside wild cats are turning to inside spoiled cats..the twins have decided that being wild is not much fun it is certainly more fun to be inside getting your back scratched and sleeping in a favorite chair or hiding in some spot...but I must say that when the "going time" comes they are good about going outside...now Ranger is the ...hummm trying to figure out what...he got into some kind of fight a few days ago and if he was the winner I would not want to see the loser you know being old...like 80 gives you certain privileges...you can wear your underwear wrong side out if you want...I do sometimes.. well that is it from the farm this day...see you soon redbird the word writer "getting old is not for wimps" :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/26/15 at 06:46:20 Ranger the warrior cat finally came home today...he had been gone for over 2 days and on checking his clothes closet and finding that he had not even packed an overnight bag...we had begun to worry..we were getting ready to file a missing cat report when he showed up...no explanation just... feed me and I need a nap in the chair.. Now Tubby had gone out last night on a search and looked all night..it worries me when Tub or Chub are out of sight as they are just pretty and  fat and shining cats I think someone is trying to take over ownership.. so....everyone is home today and the sun is shining and we are safe and well fed as lunch for us humans is over... now the other news I want to warn you about is....you know I really have become addicted to the site on the web that offers jigsaw puzzles..remember I told you...so each day I work at least one and most times several a day..I really enjoy it...HOWEVER....recently I noticed that something was just not right..you could look for 30 minutes for this certain piece and it was no where THEN....suddenly it appeared.. so I am thinking...something is wrong here...so I set a trap...thinking that these people thought they were pretty sneaky...I moved all the pieces to one area leaving the other area completely empty...and I watched and sure enough suddenly a puzzle piece appeared...now I am not sure how to reach the jigsaw puzzle police but I want all of you to be prepared it you go there to work a puzzle....BE...A.W.ARE!! well the only large grocery store we have here in town was involved in a collision..yup someone just ran right into it and down fell the wall...don't know if it was one of those snatch and grabs we read about in the paper but there are several valuables things there...some high price etc..like coffee and potatoes and stuff like that...Mary my "neighbor across the pasture" went down to check it out but did not learn any info so guess we will wait for the little weekly paper we have redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/26/15 at 15:41:36 on Tubby's arrival home he immediately posted on his facebook page that he was taking a nap and please don't bother him... so OK we didn't redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/30/15 at 06:11:31 stuff you NEED to know.... address that envelope wrong but you have already stamped the envelope NO PROBLEM....just drop a couple of drops of water on the stamp and pop it into the micro wave...for about 20 seconds and pull that dude right off the envelope and try again.. I saw it... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/01/15 at 07:14:24 I think my new fridge has a cold....it is gargling ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/09/15 at 07:02:44 I have to tell you that things at the farm are....sad and mad and trauma and all other kind of things you might think of... YOU SEE..... one of our twin cats is missing...it is Chubby..he is the oh so pretty one...big and healthy and shiny and fat and loving for a wild cat... he wanted out that afternoon and the last he was seen was sitting on the wood fence..then he disappeared... he has been gone several days...and we all are so very upset...his brother Tubby is in mourning...yes animals do mourn...he goes out into the yard and looks in all the usual place for Chub....he looks under the boat where Chub likes to hide...and in the old tin barn where Chub sometimes curls up for a nap....Tubby  will eat a little but not much...he sleeps in my wheel chair...he wants to go outside and almost after sniffing around he wants back in.. son has driven all over the neighborhood looking to see if he could find him .... HOWEVER...I am thinking that maybe someone took him in because he was so big and pretty...he now has been gone so many days that son does not think he is coming back... now son thinks there may have been a "hot female" roaming the neighbor and he was chasing her...but this cat is not use to feeding himself...he get his food on a plate..and gets his back rubbed and his tummy...surely he would get hungry... it is dark days at the farm... redbird the word writer :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/02/15 at 04:21:03 DARK DAYS AT THE FARM..... yes things here at a very low level..seems that anything or everything is dark dark dark...misery everywhere.. this morning as I fumbled my way out of bed and to the kitchen it made me wonder when in life I have become such a "must have" coffee person...you see I was raised on a farm with lots of fresh stuff..fresh milk..fresh veggies..but when I married husband  his family were coffee drinkers and meat and gravy eaters..it really didn't matter anyway as I was a young lass and could not cook..but as time passed I sorta drifted to the other side..I still like my fresh vegs but that coffee came right over and sucked me in... my cat has not come home and my birthday is coming up next month and I will have reached the age of 81...it has been tough this year...the body is in protest of doing anything exciting or out of norm...I have never been one of those "good Morning how are you today" kind of persons..but lately I sorta need to find something steady to hold to...to make the rounds..my walker stands right in the middle of the floor saying...choose me.. and if that was not enough in regard to old...my computer this morning gave me a warning...you see I have had it for 11 years and I am not sure how old that is in the computer world..but I think old...it just decided to sit on a page that said "welcome" and would not move...I could not even turn it off...I think it was afraid if it turned off it would just die...after much pounding of keys and finally having to unplug everything...it moved on...so who knows this may be the last writing for awhile.. and remember how I finally got the courage to have that eye surgery done...remember it took out those nasty cataracts and you were suppose to see like in good...well the left eye still has a problem so they check and x-ray and said...you have...Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion" translated it means swelling behind the retina"...and we will need to treat it with ...avastin injections ...translated means "sticking a needle of med into you eye"...dark days at the farm....dark dark.. and son took me to town to do my list of things that I thought we needed...left the list on the bar..dumb dumb.as I am not allowed to drive being "one eyed" and we have had snow...several inches  but nothing like some of you are having and still have...this much snow for us is a little unusual ...as we are sorta south... and fridge is still making its sounds...daughter came and son told her it was haunted.. so as you can see my spirits are pretty low at this point.. however one of the bright things is watching the birds come to the feeders that son has kept full in spite of the snow...lots and lots of redbirds along with others...and the yellow finches are beginning to migrate thru redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/11/15 at 06:33:29 here I am.... I have decided that mother nature really "got her panties in a twist"....if she wanted to prove who was in control...."WE GIVE UP"...I try not to complain too much as here on the farm it is not as bad as some places..we have had a couple of days of sun and then right back to the freezer..now the weather man is saying that spring is almost here but until the little brave  plant in my back yard shows up....I know that it is not true...this brave plant with bright yellow flowers most of the times stands alone.. HOWEVER.... son had to mow the yard on one of those sunny days.. and daughter started her spring cleaning early...oh and she has a new dog...Gracie...I have not met her yet but sure that she will be just the right dog for us and I am so discouraged...my sight is no better if not a little worse..my gentle doctor and I are going to have one of those strong conversation my next visit.. and I started a scientific study last night...in my bed with my quilt and my favorite redbird blanket and I could not get warm...my feet were like ice not matter where I placed them...finally I said to myself...this is stupid..so I threw back my cover and got a pair of my heavy socks and put them on..... and almost immediately I started getting warm.... now says I ...to my self...I have always read that you should wear a head cap of some kind because heat escapes from your head....hummmm wonder if that study is not correct...maybe the heat escapes from the feet and that is what needs to stay covered..going to see if there is a grant available for me to continue with the study.. and my cat has not come home.. and warrior cat Ranger is still fighting with who ever or whatever...but Tubby has decided to become a  house cat..he can be found in unusual places like the bath tub ...in the wheel chair or just wherever he decides to take his day nap.. and Mary my friend "who lives across the pasture" is having surgery tomorrow..she recently send me some literature from the game warden as to how to live with the coyotes..now it says that we should be grateful as they keep dead animals cleaned up...however it is the live ones that I worry about.. and Birdville is sorta stirring..have noticed an unusual amount of redbirds at the feeder and the yellow finches are passing thru to somewhere...their little yellow bellies are getting brighter..have my "house for rent signs" out but so far not any business... so guess that is about it from the farm...if I told you that I am feeling crumby it would be an understatement..so moving to my watching chair... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/19/15 at 07:03:32 my 81 birthday is approaching...fast and it has caused me to really sit and wonder about things... getting old is scary...and if you have always been an independent person it just makes you want to cuss when you can no longer do and have to depend on others.. one of the biggest things for me...well along with some others is losing my driving ...I can no longer jump in the car and go to the store..and you hate to ask someone to take you when you just need a dozen eggs...BUT then you have to be reasonable noting that your eyes are certainly not back to some kind of normal..and the scary part is..will they ever get back to some kind of normal all my growing up I remember the limited eye sight that my mom had...and now I know a little about how it was for her..and it sucks.. in conversation with daughter recently I told her that I needed to look up a word to see if I was there yet...now we old people sometimes use words that you younger folks don't know or might think they are silly....but I needed to look up the word...."feeble".....I needed to see if I was there yet... Ok have the word book out looking....well here is "feeble minded"  it says mental subnormal.....hummm don't think I am there yet and if I was  sorta think I would just say..."forgetful"...that sounds better...ok still looking...oh here it is....get ready..... feeble..lacking strength..effectiveness (that's a big word) ..force (well for what)...weak... now it does not say stumble don't want to dust or run the vacuum..or rather read a book... just maybe I am not there exactly to "feeble"..... well the next word in this word book is "feed"...I like that one better so I will just keep hanging out...watching the birds and looking for spring to arrive in my yard redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/24/15 at 11:59:13 just wanted to share this little sign at my local pharmacy.. Don't be afraid of a few extra  pounds. Fat people  are harder to    Kidnap...   ;D  ;D redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by PamH on 03/26/15 at 03:31:25 Happy Birthday!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/06/15 at 02:07:01 TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! today is my birthday and I am 81  ...tomorrow I start my journey to 82.....I sure hope the road is smoother redbird the word writer     :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/06/15 at 02:52:12 well we have not talked in awhile so lets get right to it.... I decided this year that when time change came around I was just not going to do it...and I am old and I can do that if I want...so clocks in my bedroom..bathroom..coffee pot, the bird clock that makes bird sounds and my BODY CLOCK...did not get changed and will not..now son set the stove clock and the old wall clock that runs down without that winding..but unless it is something like a dr. appt..I am on my own time...and I like it fine... and have you noticed ladies that when you are on a diet and lose weight that the first place you notice weight loss is the boobs..now I am pretty sure that if the authorities need to get a confession for a wrong doing they should just make that person wear a "ill fitting bra"  I am telling you that would work.. and I think that spring is finally here at the farm...the little yellow bush has bloomed and son has mowed several times..trees leafing out and the birds are stirring..an interesting sight at one of the bird feeders was the red headed woodpecker at the hanging bird feeder just eating away..either it is a bad year for "bugs in tree trunks" or he is just being lazy...we have had our Easter spell...here we always have one..cannot turn off the heater nor wear white until after that.. and guess you have read that it is that time of the year when "mother nature" blows rather heavy handed around us..seems that for the last couple of years she has really not been happy...maybe she needs a new boyfriend or something...or maybe she needs to get rid of the one she has...but would someone check it out and make a suggestion.. and TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY...the one my mom assigned to me...and tomorrow the day the government assigned to me..I am 81...and as I have told you it has been a  really rough year...anything that could break both body and house wise did..so hoping the road to 82 is a smoother ride..son is fixing lunch for me tomorrow...he says something different..wondering.... and one of sons gaming buddies sent me a biscuit recipes that has never failed..hummmm..... am I going to try it...not sure you know how that usually goes.. hoping that all is good with all of you... redbird the word writer    :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by MGC on 04/06/15 at 10:48:57 Hey Redbird!  I found out why my b1scuits used to be as hard as hockey pucks...gonna share with you and find out if it is helpful to you.  It is the flour.  In the South where breakfast biscuits are common, a flour made from Soft Wheat is used.  Most flours sold north of the Mason-Dixon Line are made from hard winter wheat. The number one preferred brand in southern states is White Lily Self-rising.  The second is Martha White Self-rising. The soft flours are also lower in Gluten and so less likely to cause gastric distress. Here is an excellent 2 ingredient recipe.... Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups White Lily Self-Rising flour 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup melted butter (for tops of biscuits) Directions: Preheat oven to 500F degrees (yes, that is the correct temperature). Measure out flour into a large bowl. Gradually stir in cream, adding enough to moisten flour to a sticky dough. Mix gently then turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface (use the self-rising flour). If it is too sticky to handle, add just a sprinkling of self-rising flour to the top. Fold the dough two times to form a ball. Pat or roll dough gently to a 1/2 inch thickness. If you use a biscuit cutter, don't twist!  It can seal the edges and keep the biscuits from rising!  Place biscuits close to each other (with sides touching) for soft biscuit sides.  Separate biscuits if you want a biscuit with slightly crisper sides.  Brush tops with melted butter. Bake 8-10 minutes in middle of oven rack. Good Luck!!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by MGC on 04/06/15 at 10:49:24 And Happy Birthday!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/08/15 at 03:46:55 well my birthdays have come and gone and I am now on the journey to 82...it seems strange to say that...not sure why unless earlier in life that never occurs to you ...when you are younger you just live sorta for the moment or day but not thinking of how you will be at 82 now I can tell you as I often do..old is old and creepy...but we will see what the coming year brings my daughter came for the special lunch that son prepared for me..shrimp, fish, and even a tub of strawberries..and I can tell you it was good..they even did the dishes while I sat...I was blessed.. AND.... and since I had a spot behind one of my ears...go figure...daughter had a look see and she decided that it was mainly to the fact it was my favorite sleeping side and the skin looked very dry ...so she had some coconut oil with her and we are trying it out... NOW..... to get to the info from MGC in regard to biscuits....I was sooooo glad to get this info...what a miracle it would be if I made biscuits that you could eat...not  concerned with the looks because you could eat them with your eyes closed...I would have never thought of this cause.. SO..... in my small stores I have not seen these brands of flour but daughter has seen them in her big store..so next time we have a visit I will request a bag and will let you know..WOW....wouldn't it be neat if I could make biscuits at age 82... A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS HERE...in regard to recipe..what kind of pan is used..and how many biscuits does this make..and do you grease your pan with something???????? I am sorta encouraged...just maybe WELL have you ever lived in a household where a cat is the boss...our WILD CAT Tubby now has us all trained to his needs and wants...first and the most important ...do not make noise nor turn on the light if he is napping...he does not like the washer and dryer running..so laundry is done while he makes a short trip to the outside..and he also likes to sit in the window and patrol the yard..just in case something dangerous is OUT THERE...not IN THE HOUSE...I just sorta giggle the way he manages son.. GUESS.... everything else here is pretty normal...storms are maybe for today and tomorrow.. AND it looks like my basketball team THUNDER is not going to make the playoffs this year..surely we have gotten all the injuries this season and next year should be clear sailing..hoping.. be well and happy redbird the word writer    :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by MGC on 04/08/15 at 06:07:13 Redbird,  I use a cast iron pan for my biscuits.  I put the biscuits in the pan with the sides touching since I like the crispy outside edge with a soft center. You can also cook them on a cookie sheet without them touching.  You just have to find your favorite way...so try both! Yes, grease the pan with something....non-stick spray, solid shortening, or my favorite...real butter. You will get about 6 biscuits from this recipe f you use a biscuit cutter.  If you want the cat's head biscuits (BIG ONES) formed by hand, then you will get about 3. You can do it!  Go for it! Just don't handle the dough any more than is absolutely necessary.

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/19/15 at 04:32:22 hummm...this morning as I was putting on my socks I remembered watching my dad put on his....he worked in the outdoors so he had heavy  shoes..high tops just to the ankle..and he wore long white socks... now as I folded my tops down...I remembered that he rolled his long white socks down... hummm wonder when we changed that... my dad was such a good man...he worked hard to be sure that we were well cared for and had food to eat as he remembered how hard his growing up life was... I was a lucky kid :) redbird the word writer   :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/21/15 at 03:38:37 some of that important stuff you NEED TO KNOW!!! 4 tablespoons of ketchup have nutritional valve of a tomato and most American cars beep in the key of F redbird ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/11/15 at 06:27:54 if you have been watching the news the last few days you have seen the tornados dancing around our state and our areas my little town... it has been pretty bad... now our weather reporting people stay on TV over the regular programming to keep us updated..and they have all this fantastic equipment which tells you all movements of the storm... now they also have some interesting language like.....liquid gold is falling from the sky....and of course translated this means we like so many others are in a drought  and the hugh amount of rain that is falling is like money to the farmers and ranchers etc..however in some places...people are beginning to think in terms of building a "Noah's Ark" now if a storm is coming to your town they will start telling you what to do and you need to listen carefully...some times it will be "get in your safe place".....and sometimes it is "GET UNDERGROUND NOW !!!!" this one means get in your cellar but now they have updated that term to...get in your storm shelter..   when I was a kid we had a "dirt cellar"...and this was simple a deep hole dug in the ground with a dirt roof etc...and when we went down into the cellar dad always took an axe, pick and a shovel...and mom also kept her home canned jars of food and we had baskets of wrapped apples and other fruit there as well now a couple of nights ago we,, us...and my town was the target according to weather people...tornado coming and "get in your safe place" and for me that meant I would get in the hall...if it was "below ground" I had been instructed by my friend Mary ...from across the pasture .....to come to their storm shelter... AND THEN....the storm siren start blowing....we have one for our small town...and that meant it was serious..now we had not heard that blow in forever so we needed to pay attention...so I put my chair in the hall but where I could see TV and was ready....it's coming...it's coming...and suddenly the tornado put on it's turn signal light and made a right turn about 8 miles from us.. but we have not escaped these days and days of "liquid gold" falling from the sky..we are setting records for the amount of rain we are getting..and last Saturday...man it really came...we had hail the size of baseballs in places of our little town and at our house we had golf ball size and it fell and fell and fell...nearly stripped the trees bare and my pecan trees will not make them this year...it took all the making stuff...and blew it off...sorry little squirrel...no pecans this year.. boy was I glad that my car was in it's safe place and not like the neighbors.. we are in a couple of days of sunshine before it starts again for several more days..not sure what is happening all across out land...snow in the north ...even my friend Olive  had snow in Utah....one of those hurricanes off the Florida coast..I am thinking that someone has hacked into mother natures computer... so we went on errands today so we can stay in for the next while...today the wind is out of the north and it is pretty chilly..need a light jacket...and as we watched all the flags flying showing north wind...son ask me an interesting question...I told him I would ask all of you because I did not know.... why is there no wind chill factor given only for north wind...what about south, and east and west wind....answers anyone... well that is about it for now...will try to update the Birdville news soon and town is buzzing.. redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/13/15 at 06:37:30 ....I am very concerned about the safety of our nation...we read each day that someone is wanting to do something to us...we talk about raising the "alert" codes and I for one know that it needs to be at the highest level... we are wondering if there are things/people who wish to do us great harm..and where are they...I can tell you they are here and all around us... right next door..they are not hiding....we need to be very aware..we need to take preventive measures... I HAVE SEEN IT.....IT HAS A NAME DUST it is creeping in our homes...it comes silently no matter how you try to shut it out..it comes in like a giant cloud just lurking there waiting for you...you cannot ignore it... it comes no matter the weather...rain or sunshine or snow...it is powerful..it lands on tables...walls...lamps and everything else you have in your house..it seems to come in thru the glass panes in your windows..even double pane..maybe those triple pane ones as well...it is here... I often wonder why our government has not developed it for some kind of use ...it is cheap...like in free and it can go anywhere..even places where it is not welcome... my own DUST became apparent to me this week...daughter was coming to visit and son mopped and cleaned the floors...he even ran the vacuum..and dang it...there it was in plain sight..no getting around it...I had to dust...in case you are not familiar with those words...it means taking a cloth and wiping and wiping and wiping knowing that tomorrow it will come back...but for today you can enjoy...the gone.. I am not sure if getting a petition going would help..don't know who it should go to....so for now...just watch and be careful know that it is there... redbird the word writer  :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/15/15 at 15:51:03 shhhhhh!!!! the editor of our BIG STATE NEWSPAPER......is now reading my blog and stories... I am so honored    :) redbird the word writer 1

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/16/15 at 04:16:51 not to much rolling around in the head this morning but a couple of things I did want to comment on................ now since I am old ...like in old...when I was a kid I do not remember that we had a tooth fairy...when a tooth was pulled it was just a pulled tooth ... I am not sure when the tooth fairy came along...but I do remember when my kids pulled a tooth that  a coin had to be under the pillow..after they went to sleep...you very carefully put it there because that would be the first thing they looked for on waking up...we scrambled around being sure that we had some change available..usually it was a quarter.. now recently I read that the average amount left under the pillow had gone up to $3.70.....guess the tooth fairy got a raise at work....now this causes one to wonder...who decides the amount and how does one have the exact amount..to put under the pillow..and how does one get it under the pillow... well that is about all the I have to say about that...because I am not sure what one can buy with 3.70 wonder if that is before tax or after... now this part of my morning head wandering...is about animals...especially my daughters dogs..you see she has three...like in 3.... she has Mia who is a rescue dog and will let you know right away that she is the QUEEN...she is also the BOSS and you need to listen to her.. then there is Emma..she is the middle child..so she is kinda mellow..she watches after Gracie who is the youngest and....and...and...well Gracie gets in trouble a lot..so when she is somewhere she should not be...Emma will come for daughter or sit on her foot if daughter is sitting letting her know...Gracie is misbehaving...or in trouble or has climbed on top of the TV area...or has launched herself from the ledge or whatever else she might find interesting to explore.. Gracie does a lot of yard work..she digs holes faster than you can fill them up...and usually has to have a bath after a few minutes of work..lucky she is a little thing..sometimes she has to soak.. now since we have had so much rain here lots of us have mushrooms growing in our yards..and lucky for Gracie daughter had been on the net reading to see what was poison or not..and daughter had even started walking the yard and gathering them all up before letting the dogs out for a romp or bathroom etc..but a couple of days ago...Gracie found one..you see she has an excellent nose and even though daughter had made her search..or maybe the lawn man had run over one...Gracie found it...and ate it...and became very sick..and lucky for Gracie daughter knew from what she had read...what had happened..and rushed her to the vet who took her immediately in...and she is doing good... now daughter goes out for romp time ......SO if you are one of those who has them growing...be sure that you check to see what kind you have and what you should do... I had invited Gracie down to explore .....The Farm....but I have since taken the invite back..it is now for house time only redbird the word writer  :D "getting  old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/18/15 at 03:32:52 morning....wish I could say good morning but as I look out my window...lots of not fun stuff... here in my little town of one red light...and three blocks of main street...some of us old timers have heard an old saying...according to indian legend we will never be hit by a tornado...and last Saturday night put that to a test Saturday was a day that all across the nation weather people were watching..even the REALLY BIG weather TV channel..you see conditions were just right in our part of the states for some of those monsters to drop out of the sky..and they did here at the farm we were on alert..watching as the weather experts tracked and the trackers reported in some with pictures and just some with hail pounding on their car roofs...it was dark like in dark...so I was wearing my flashlight as I am not to into dark... now they are talking about a couple of those tornados coming our way...and finally they blew our storm whistle..and son insisted that I move to another part of the house..and I sorta did.. and then the electric went off and I was able to find my way ...with my trusty flashlight to our lamps..you know the kind...in my young days they were called "coal-oil lamps"don't know why...now they are called oil lamps and I have several of those....son really did not want me to light one as he says they smell..and they do but I don't like dark... and the storm hit  ...I will say it REALLY was blowing and rain..and some lightning thrown in..but we here in the house seemed fine...husband and sons built this house and since that was the profession of family it had  stood the elements for the 38 yrs that I have lived here..planted every tree on our  small acre farm.. finally the electric back on and the "all clear whistle blew"... now morning came and I admit I did sleep a little late..never could understand the phrase "sleeping in" that some people use..but that is OK.. as I made my way to the coffee pot...there sat son...putting on his serious shoes...like in serious work shoes.. and said..ARE YOU READY TO SEE YOUR STORM DAMAGE.. and since the house seem to be intact I was in my sleepy mode and said yes.... LOOK OUT THE WINDOW...and I did...and my sleep mode was gone and my OMG mode was in place.. laying in my back yard were some of our large trees and parts of my neighbors trees...my fence on one side was completely on the ground..and the fence on the other side was leaning over into the other neighbors yard...and parts of the neighbors trees were laying on some of the few places the upright fence stood a large limb was broken from the large pecan tree that shelters Birdville and hanging over the feeding station..and close to my "watchin chair"... I knew at that moment it was going to take lots of coffee to get me thru that day...and just maybe a "really good cry"... son went out and made a survey and did necessary things to sorta put things back in our yard instead of the neighbors..but with the storm came "herds and flocks and hundreds" of mosquitoes   well son has a plan to put us back together...with some changes... it is currently too wet for much work...and I will grief for the trees...and Ranger the cat is sad that part of his fence is gone... and for me I had a good cry and stressed out for this old masto person but thankful house seems fine and we are Ok... well was the old "indian legend" true...did a tornado brush the farm...or was it very hard strong winds...we are suppose to have another round this week...so hoping that it is true... a stressed out...redbird  :'( the word writer "getting old and stormed on is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/22/15 at 04:15:34 I have had lots of jobs in my lifetime but I am currently  working the hardest job of my long life ...getting old...I know I talk about it a lot but darn...it's tough.  I would give you youngsters a bit of advice...and most of you will not do it...but that BIG comfortable house that you are raising your kids in....well after they are gone...DOWN SIZE....oh how you will wish you did when you no longer are able to keep things nice and clean and all those other things that you feel are important...remember you will be thinking...she told me so.... now one of the biggest things for me is ....WHERE DID I PUT THAT....I have a slight plan for these events..first-if it is something super super important I mail it to daughter who is a good keeper of stuff...bless her heart she did not get that from me..and if it is some words or name...she puts it in her phone...sometimes I wonder how heavy that phone is because she has so much in it...what was that doctor's name or med...look in the phone.. now the next plan is...post it on the fridge...yeah that is a good place...but after losing my gas bill...and trying to talk to that gas company who does not answer their phone and does not have a walk in office in my state and required a phone call to someone important who called someone important..I get a phone call...so now I have one of those large brown envelopes standing on the bar area and soon as bills come in the mail..into it they go.. however sometimes all of the above just does not work...and that is my fault..becoming old means that there is a lot of stuff in your brain and it get pretty crowded..I have told you that I am a Folgers's classic coffee girl..and looking into my big coffee container I noticed that I am getting pretty lowwwwwww....now I remember that the nice Folgers's Co had sent me some coupons and I was going to use them...see I am not a big coupon clipper but do for things I use...so I am fumbling thru my coupon pile to make a trip to the store....hummm not here...I am just sure I put them somewhere...so I drag out the brown envelope of bills...not there..hummm ....asking son..no mom don't know...so I am becoming stressed...please brain spit out that info... and I could not close this without another weather/storm report...we have had another couple of run ins with tornados..just a few miles up the road...like in seven miles...they are trying really hard to make the road into town..and rain is the word of the day...we have been so dry in my state...you say under your breathe...shhhhh could we have a day of drying out...I now have a outdoor pool in my yard.. redbird the word writer   :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/31/15 at 04:35:41 someone sent me a note telling me that yesterday was     NATIONAL BISCUIT DAY!! gee no one called me for my hockey puck biscuit receipe... redbird  :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/28/15 at 06:00:14 well I am guessing that most of you think that I have passed...like in over...like in the great beyond...like in something worst...BUT I am still here BUT my old old computer is not.... you see it had this terrible disease call blue screen for which there is not cure...I sat in front of it and held it's hand singing soft songs of praise and weeping and saying how sorry that I must have done something wrong...that I knew it was old...like 10 yrs old  don't know what that is in computer years...but I loved you and you had XP and Outlook Express that they don't even make anymore...please come back....but it didn't.... THEN...and I must tell all of you that I am a "cry baby"....like in really.....so I went into the bathroom so that son could not hear me and cried....and I called my daughter...now daughter is my hero...and my best friend...and she evens loves me regardless of my winning the "bad mother of the year award" FIVE TIMES...and you see each of my children(5) expressing little terms of non-endearment at times of their growing up...you see having five children means lots of hearing...everybody else Is going...everybody else mothers lets them......boy am I glad that I GREW...out of that part of life... now daughter says in her stern voice....mom you did nothing wrong...it was not your fault...you know more about computers than most people your age!!  BUT I have no computer...I wailed...BY NOW...I am really feeling sorry for myself.....Mom I am coming down to your house....and she gets in her BIG FORD something...the very next day and she is here...so we gather up the old faithful computer and off to the computer shop where the man says I have one just for you...and he does...daughter  makes arrangements for him to transfer all old computer to newer one....and bring it to the house and hook it up etc etc...so that I don't have to do anything...daughter is my HERO......I gently pat the old one...and daughter says would you like for me to take a picture of you and it...no but I am sad.... a few days later the computer arrives...now it is sitting in the old ones place...well Ok I mutter under my breathe....maybe it will be all right...you see it has windows 7 because I have heard it is the closest to XP...well it isn't...don't believe that nasty rumor..the only good thing is that people tell me that windows 8 is worst...couldn't be I mutter....under my breathe.. but OK I sit in my chair...and see several things that man will have to come back for...and he tells me that I will have to have a new key board...it is like a baby key board...I do a lot of back spacing to fix stuff...maybe it will be OK...I am struggling to find my emails...thank you Lord that recently I printed out my address book so all of you are on the paper but not the computer...maybe soon I will figure out how to move all of you... well new computer and I are trying to learn to tolerate each other...this baby keyboard has to go and will check that out in another trip to big town up the road. another things I want to talk about is...... I was sitting in my watching chair...you know the one that looks out into the yard of THE FARM...and into the TOWN OF BIRDVILLE....and just thinking and you know that since I have arrived into the old group...we think a lot because sometimes that is all the body will allow but you know we the people of USA spent a lot of time with the letters of the alphabet ...like in C...first thing that comes to mind is CANCER...wow most of us just don't want to go there....and then there is the BIG A...like in ALZHEIMERS....this is especially troubling for us old folks...and I sit there and watch outside...it suddenly occurs to me...the researchers have it all wrong ...I am watching a squirrel dig up a pecan that he hid LAST YEAR...in the yard...so how does he know where to dig...does he have a map that he uses...don't see one...no notebook to tell him...he just remembers...so that is telling me that if we want to help find a cure for the BIG A....we need to talk to the squirrels I am hoping that we get to talk again soon...will talk to the computer and see what it thinks... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/05/15 at 04:52:34 In some of my stories to you in regard to THE FARM…I often talk about my “watchin chair”….so today I thought  I would tell you about it.... now it is a brown upholstered  cloth chair.. it has a cushion that comes out for checking loose change when you just need a dime or would take 2 Nichols.. now actually it is a rocker and after many years of use it just hugs your b*tt in the right way for that comfortable feeling that all is ...right with the world... Recently some bolts fell out of the bottom but son quickly repaired it for my "sitting"... so in doing research(LOL LOL) for this story meant a conversation with daughter....because you see most of the furniture in the house I remember the purchase or where it came from ...who gave it to us...but not the "watchin chair"...and more important WHEN...did it join the family ...OK so she says...I remember sitting in the chair when I had my knee surgery...with pictures to that fact...I was in high school.......and I remember all of us growing up wanted to sit in that chair..and we  kids even used deceptive methods to gain possession of the chair..they learned how to dial certain numbers to make the phone ring...and sure enough if you were sitting in the chair...phone would ring...and the whichever kid would answer and yell ...mom it's for you...now it did not take long to figure out that trick...because if you ever left the chair...your seat was gone... once I was so determined not to leave the chair ....I wanted a paper laying in the floor just beyond reach...and I pulled a muscle trying my best to reach it without getting up...and I am sure there are lots of more stories if I wanted to really work the old brain... so that sorta gives us a time line for the entry of the chair...but it does not tell all of the history...now the "watchin chair" is a well traveled chair....seems that daughter moved the chair with her as her job required a move...it went from Oklahoma to Victoria TX....where wild hogs ran free and was hunted for eating...like in yuck...however a neighbor brought some to daughter and they cooked it...glad I missed that...then it went up to Kentucky ....here it sat many conferences in the building of houses for the mountain people...then the chair traveled down to Florida...I visited it while it was there and did some sitting...gosh the sun was bright....after some time it went across country to Athens GA where daughter entered the doctoral program...but with drew to come home because of my health...and then chair was home to the sun room ...where it sits today....all of this tells us the chair is old like in 40s or so...it must have come into the family in late 70s or early 80s.... so this chair is now an important part of history and present day pleasure...it fits into the window of the sun room just right for that total look of the back yard and the town of Birdville...it's a "watchin chair"....and even sometimes will let you sit and read your morning paper...it does show a little wear but nothing that cannot be ignored... it is a proud chair as it has done it's job well... I have often told you how we are a "table sitting family" ...we spend hours at the dining table talking...but if we happen to decide to sit in the sun room....I have noticed that some people sorta kinda hurry to maybe sit in the chair...but they usually let me have it because I am mom and I am old... I hope you have some kind of " watchin chair"...everybody needs one...I do have another chair that I made into ....a nest...maybe we will talk about that later... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 08/08/15 at 01:15:10 So, I am a bit behind in reading here! Wow, your old computer died, huh? I do hope that you are getting used to the old one. Windows 10 is just making the rounds now, although I haven't installed it yet so that others can work out the kinks first. I just love your way with words! I still maintain that all of your journaling here would make a delightful book!! :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/09/15 at 06:28:28 well I am guessing that most of you are having some kind of weather that is not too pleasing...like here in Oklahoma we are under a heat dome...our weather man on the one big state TV channel that we are able to view has some really interesting language...according to him with our heat index being in the range of 110 and the wind is blowing...now my version of that is...confection oven...you know how when you use this kind of oven it blows air so that things will cook faster...so I am thinking...out in this heat...confection cooking so we are staying in...another term he used recently...he was talking about the size of hail...and he said...hail in the size of a small quarters. WHAT??? don't think I have ever seen a small quarter.. now this morning before I even got out of bed I knew it was going to be a bummer day...I woke with such pain in my foot...OMG it is broken...pain pain...how could I have broken my foot..laying in the bed...finally I got myself upright and slowly put my foot down to the floor...OK so it is not broken...maybe just one of those  foot muscle things....going to be a bummer of a day.... in my kitchen on the counter we have two toaster things...a little toaster oven...I love the toast it makes...and then son has one of those slice things where you put your bread in the slot and it pops up.. however his is faster than mine so this morning I wanted my toast faster so I put my slice of bread in the slot...a few minutes later IT THREW my bread out on the counter....REALLY says I...don't you think that is a little much..."testy"......going to be a really bummer of a day.... now tomorrow I am going up to the big town to see my doctor...well we have talked about this before...my really forever doctor moved out of state...remember and this is the new one ...who we really do not work together well...but my choices where I live are limited.. are you able to look behind your ear??...see that is one thing going on with me...I have a somthing behind my ear and  after lots of home remedies going to have to get serious...hope she doesn't tell me it is going to fall off...I have tried all the mirror tricks I know to see what is going on and I just give up...another thing we need to discuss is that I am really fatigued...have not had blood work in a year so hopefully we can check it for all of those little stupid things... then on Thursday I see "gentle eye doctor"...he and I are going to have one of those "come to Jesus conversation"...it has been 8 months now and several shots in the eyes later and my vision is not good...in fact it stinks...like in cannot see....so I am looking forward to that.... seeing that is.... so it sounds like a busy week to me...may have to have a little nest time to make it thru... OH yes...I must tell you about one of my new favorite TV shows....TINY HOUSE NATION,,,,,I love to see how they build and use the space in a little house with ...some 200 feet and some a little bigger 350 and a big one at 500 sq feet...every nook and cranny has some feature...and I have not looked at them  yet but I saw the also have "elderly little houses" and you can even use your wheelchair well guess that is about it for the day...hope to be able to share good news with you later... redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/09/15 at 06:35:55 well Ms. Deb a couple of things here... when new computer ..or new to me...the tech said...see this little window down at the bottom of the screen  DO NOT CLICK ON IT...it is for windows 10 which you do not want... now my old brain is thinking...so why did you put it there.. now the other thing... it is nice of you to say that I might have an interesting book however it would have to have a WARNING PAGE stating you are entering at your own risk...no periods, capitol letters are allowed...just words  ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/01/15 at 06:53:52 HEY----WHATCHA BEEN DOING…… I have been on a low road….it’s pretty crowded  with lots of bumps…pot holes…and road rage…lots of people passing me on to a better road of feelings…and lots of other goodies that are promised just down the road..I seem to have lost my way…my enthusiasm my everything…I even checked Craig’s list for anything that might help…BUT….. Now I usually have little notes scattered all around the house of little things I wanted to talk to you about so I gathered them all up…and here we go…. I think you will agree with me that mother nature has blown her “good will” all around the world..think she is on everyone’s stink page..I am wondering if she has become a “public company” that now has lots of franchise and that is not working…first I just thought she had her zip codes mixed up but now I just think she may be out of control…does anyone know the weather police phone number.. Now my gentle eye doctor and I are seeing each other..I would not call it exactly …dating…however he insist that I come by his office once a month so that he can perform his …stick a needle in your eye” treatment…and since he tells me how necessary it is..and hoping for maybe 60 percent vision back in the old left eye..I show up…he should know that he is really getting on my very last nerve…like in really… And You must have noticed how prices of EVERYTHING has gone up and up…how about eggs..who knew we needed to raise chickens at the farm…well let me tell you this story I saw on TV a few weeks ago and I swear it is true because you could see it on one of those surveillance cameras like in the store… Well this man came into the store..and you can see him plain as day…he went over and got a dozen eggs and then told the clerk..give me your money..the clerk did and the man walked out with money and A DOZEN EGGS… makes one wonder… And My computer…like in my new one got sick..and I called Mr. John at the shop and he said…bring that ..dude in…and I did and Mr. John says…no big deal…no charge..computer home…nice man Mr. John.. And Son and I went to wally world recently…he went in to shop for something and came out with a large box of the new kind of light blubs..88 cents a box of four…but the important part was…it only cost 1.08 to use these 3 hrs a day for a year…so if my bill is over 2.29 a month I am going to speak to someone… And Have you ever wondered why you itch in those “unmentionable places” more than in the “mentionable places”just wonder… And If you are a reader of long time ….you know we have had feral cats for several years..sometimes as many as 18 but they come and go…until last year we were down to 3…Tubby and Chubby who were marked the same and we called them…”the twins” …and Ranger who mostly raised them as their mom was a “cat around town”..she did not stay home much…now all three of these cats almost became “house cats”…but they were all tom cats so there was some pretty heavy disagreements  going on sometimes…they were fat and pretty and healthy boys..but one day suddenly we had no Chubby…son drove the nearby streets but no sight of him…THEN several weeks later…no Tubby….I am thinking that Ranger said to them….OUT….I was really sad…in fact I might have shed a tear or two…however on the way to town a couple of weeks ago…son said I am going to take you by to see where Tubby is now living..I saw him a few days ago…and there he was..still fat and healthy and shining laying on a big nice cushion under a carport about 12 blocks away from our house…I was so glad to see him…then the next time we went by there was a man sitting out with him and I wanted to stop and talk to him but son did not want me to…I cried..I was so sad…but it made me feel good to see him there but we are hoping that Chubby found a good place too…. And We haven’t talked much about the farm lately…but the season change has finally come to the farm…I sat in my “watching chair” at the crows taking turns  bathing in the large water bowl…they were very polite…did not hurry anyone And I watched them sitting up in the trees…they were watching Snarky the squirrel who brought a guest to gather pecans…now they were two busy squirrels…burying pecan for their winter….BUT as soon as they left the crows flew down to the ground and dug up the pecans and flew off with their “shopping bags” full And The holidays are coming..time to start thinking about Thanksgiving meals and Christmas shopping.. And Guess what…I am going to get on facebook…I know most of you have a page…but at almost 82 I had just not thought I needed to…BUT it seems that everyone else is there and if I want everybody’s news I have to ask daughter and niece what is going on…so WATCH FOR ME….as soon as daughter comes down she is going to get me on…now some of you are saying…it’s so easy…well not for me…but hoping to be there soon… And I have missed all of you…hope to hear from you soon… Redbird The word writer “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 01/16/16 at 01:30:43 Hello Redbird!! Like you, I have been quiet for months. My kids are teenagers, though, and apparently that means that we are super busy all the time. So, it's been nice. As usual, I just love your writing. Do you know what it reminds me of? It reminds me of the novel, Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson, that I studied when I did my Master's degree in English when I was younger. Have you read that? It's a book that is just about a slice of life in a small town. If I remembered correctly, I seemed to enjoy it and not detest it as much as the other works of literature that I had to read for my degree. Haa. One may wonder why I did a Bachelor's and Master's in English (literature based) if I disliked so many of the works that I had to read. Well, quite simply, I was good at both analyzing and writing about the various novels. By the time I began my Doctorate degree, though, I realized that when I read Shakespeare, I did not have that disdain and distaste of what I was reading! So, surprise, surprise, but I switched my focus from Amercian literature to English Renaissance Literature so that I could immerse myself in Shakespeare. However, I still remember that little novel, Winesburg, Ohio, with fondness. I will say, though, that although your journals here remind me of that novel...YOURS are much superior in my opinion. Perhaps those American Lit students should be studying the writings of Redbird to really experience the slice of life from you!  :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/25/16 at 03:08:23 If you are down and out…like no  road out or exit signs..go to youtube and listen to The Voice winner this year Jordan Smith sing….Somebody to love…I am so waiting for his CD to come out wherever or whatever it is…. It has been sometime since we have talked…we all spend Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years without speaking…I am hoping that you had a great time during the holidays..guess what I got for Christmas..BACON….NOW  I know that some of you are laughing but it was just the perfect gift for me..along with some of that sausage..and chicken..lots and lots..I am enjoying it very much..it came from daughter who knows my likes well.. Oh and I have to tell you this story about daughter..now you know what an animal lover she is..she volunteers a couple of days a week at a vets office in the city where she lives..and I must tell you she loves it..so we get to hear some stories about different kinds of pets that people bring in for care..the one that sticks in my mind the most is…this older couple brought in their pet chicken for treatment…there was a problem with his foot..now the chicken was named …BIG RED…and of course the vet made it well again..I thought that was so neat… Earlier in the year I had contacted the FBI about putting Mother Nature on their most wanted list..she seemed to be out of control and making trouble everywhere…well they called me to let me know they had removed her from that position and replaced her with “EL Nino”….however they do think that perhaps they are related..could be her cousin or nephew or something..I am hoping they put a stop to it’s action quickly…this is not the season for all the storms…here we have 80 degrees one day..the next wind in the range of 50 per ..and the next day snow…I personally think they need to do an audit of the books and manuels etc…to see who and what someone has managed to mess up.. Well if you have followed my stories thru the years you know that we have had feral cats for a longgggg time..the old tin barn that has stood on the farm for as many years as I have been here…38 years and even before that has seem to have become a haven for them…we have seen them come and go…little one and big ones…and yes we fed them…could not stand to see them starve..and during that period of time as I have told you some have become tame and loving.. Now Ranger the warrior cat has raised and trained many of them for living in the real world..the last couple was my favorite…they looked like twins..and we called them Tubby and Chubby..we watched as he took them out for tree climbing lessons..and over the fence for hunting..and finally one day they were gone…now Tubby is home down the street and it looks like a good place..we past it often and he is seen on his chair and in the window…I am happy for him but I miss him Recently a new little kitty came it is so pretty and since we do not know …he or she…I named it…”little bit” …Now Ranger the warrior cat SORTA …watched out for it..one day I noticed Ranger in his favorite spot chair on the porch ...laying for a nap and little bit was laying on top of him…as I watched little bit as most kids do started wiggling around and Ranger reached up and swatted him with his paw…be still…little bit has grown more now and wanders off for a few days..but does come back thru.. Now you must understand that Ranger is the total boss of this household…sometimes he goes on a trip for a couple of days and we worry about him..as he is getting older and battered from his battles with the other outdoor whatevers…he does not need to speak..if he wants the chair you are sitting in he simply stands in front of you and opens up his eyes big as if to say…time for you to get up as I want that chair…and we do.. Now from the “watching chair” I have seen Snarky the squirrel shopping for groceries…the pecan tree just outside the window …lost it’s leaves but some of the little pecans remained on the limbs…so when Snarky needs to shop he runs up the tree and out on a limb to pick one for eating..reminds me of shopping at the store…going down the aisles for picking up supplies and tossing them in your basket And Ms Kelly the state paper’s big person sent me a lovely Thunder schedule for this year season..I posted it right on the fridge where I can see who is coming and where we are going…this year I am in a kinda funk…the team is going thru lots of changes and are having a problem ..but I will not give up on them..GO THUNDER… On a personal level…gentle eye doctor and I are dating again…we had not seen each other for a couple of months..but my visit to his office…showed that again that stupid swelling was back and vision was really down and we would start the treatment….stick that needle in your eye….choices are not good…no treatment..no vision…I did tell him that he was almost off my favorite doctor list.. and I finally have joined the world on facebook…now I am still trying to figure it all out..daughter got my page started and niece Lisa has helped with a problem as well… for the current time  if you drop by you won’t see much…I don’t know how to post pictures…maybe next time daughter comes I can get her to take a picture of the …old tin barn…and post it… Well that is it for this time…hope you did not get bored…with all this stuff… Redbird The word writer :D Getting old is not for wimps

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/14/16 at 04:45:16 As you know for several years …the farm…has been the site of lots of feral cats…the old tin barn housed many litters and watching them grow and leave has been an education …so I am writing this with much sorrow…in regard to the last resident Ranger the Warrior cat well this afternoon after six days of no sign of Ranger cat...son came to me and said MOM I don't want to panic you or make you ill but I don't feel that Ranger is  coming back...he has never been gone this long and even when he could not walk on his leg he made it home...so something really bad has happened...and I agreed... son said he thought he had seen him a couple of days ago…he had gone out to look for him… but now he said that it just could not have been him...and maybe he did that so that I would not be upset...I had been to the windows and front door many times in the last few days...looked in Ranger's front porch favorite chair...and all day today I just had that gut feeling....he isn't coming home...son spent many nights waiting for him to come in so that he could feed him and let him sit in his lap for awhile...for a good scratching... so in each of our minds we were writing his obit... he was a good cat and truly a warrior...he had come thru many battles with whatever...but he had made it....he had raised and trained several kittens and was a mother to some of them when their mom wanted to be a “cat around town” so Son put up all his dishes and water bowl...telling me...now the next time daughter comes she needs to take this food to the clinic it should not go to waste... so that was that... I was watching the Thunder ballgame and son was on the computer...when he yelled at me....you are not going to believe who is here...and there sat Ranger in the back yard mewing...loudly... so son goes to let him in and he would not come in...continued to mew...Now we think he was calling ...little bit the kitten who has been here...finally Son went out and picked him up and brought him in... while Son was fixing him a meal...I was talking to him asking him where he had been and he let me pet him while he waited.. now he had not one sign of any kind of trauma...he was not skin and bones...he just looked normal...Sam said he must have been shut up somewhere and could not get out but I thought no six days without food...he would be very thin... so Ranger the Warrior cat sat in Sam's lap for a good scratching...but insisted on going back out and sitting in the yard mewing again thinking he is looking for little bit Ranger was here and we cancelled the obit.. Redbird The word writer :D Getting old is not for wimps

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/25/16 at 07:32:23 Well…………………. if you are reading my stuff for the first time you will know right away I am not an author…authors use capitol letters, commas and periods…so you need to know that I am a word writer and I just write words and they fall wherever they fall and that is it… and if you see hummm it means I am thinking.. now that we have that all out of the way…boy do we have lots to talk about…first I will let you know if I am taken away to  somewhere dark and dreary place it is because that I  simple refuse to change my clock this time around…son has changed most of them in the house but mine I am not..so son has to see that his time is used when I must be somewhere.. and another thing…I love to play games on the computer I will start playing a series of a game and will sit for hours…and the damn computer will say…awesome job..great job..when you have not made a move…hummmm says I this is not a good plan…playing these games is great for the brain but sure not for the butt…hummm so I thought I really need to get out of this chair and walk around more..you know the stuff..legs are stiff and back sorta wants to act up….hummm so I came up with a plan…sure did…I am going to make myself walk more..ok so I am so afraid of falling so that lets the back yard out..the mole has done a number on it with his tunnel…and falling into a tunnel is not for me so hummm I will walk in the house..now here is the scene..my kitchen floor is tile..which goes into the dining room which goes to the hall which goes to the front door…got it??  So I get out my trusty walker…it is the Cadillac of walkers…when I was in Ok City hospital they gave it to me…it is bright blue..with chrome spoke wheels..and has a seat and basket for the carry of something…now here is what I am going to do and I have started the plan..I start in the kitchen..into the dining room ..down the hall..to the front door and then start all over again..I am up to 20 times…man I am proud of my self..son says I need to slow down in the hall as I almost ran over him.. and then I am hummm again…now I have seen and read on the net plus the good old TV on the med health section that adults are now coloring…there are special books for them and it is suppose to help with stress…been thinking about this as I could sit at the bar and color away…I can just see son’s face now..and I wonder if I colored daughter a picture if she would hang it on her fridge like I use to do hers… now my favorite person at the library has retired…she always kept me on the list for the coming in books that I wanted to read..and listened to my stupid stories and laughed and we talked about getting old and what we were going to do with our stuff as no one else wants it..and I would send her funny little jokes and just stuff like that..however the head lady there wrote me a note and ask me to put her in the lady's place on my list…she wanted to get my emails and especially my funny jokes…hummm wonder if she understands her offer…we will see… and now at our house we cook..like cook however on the day once a week when we go to the library we stop by the deli for fried chicken for lunch..now this is one of my favorite and Ranger the Warrior cat likes it as well…you know if you have never had wild cats you should get some…they will so teach you lots of things..when Ranger is angry at you he will sit with his back to you…I am allowed to talk to him and feed him if son is not available..and if you put him something down that he  does not like…he will sit and stare at you until you get it right..but for the fried chicken it is a winner…is it good for him..who knows.. well…. My eye doctor and I are dating again…we meet once a month in his office..we skipped a couple of months but that did not work out..the old eye..really went back to basic of bad..not good..cannot see much out of it…and lots of other things..so treatment is started again..”stick a needle in your eye”…I am trying really hard to be thankful about this…but it is not working..on my part…now they have official entered into my records there at my request…that I am a big cry baby… And Sitting in my watching chair I have noticed that Snarky the squirrel and his friend have been in the back yard digging up all the buried pecans…they have so much energy…running around and up the tree and down..you know if I thought those pecans would give me that kind of energy I would be out there digging them up for eating as well. and my aunt had a birthday this past week…she is 97 And herdaughter told me they are planning a really big party when she becomes that 100 and you know I really think she will make it… And My birthday is coming really quick now…I will have made the year to 82…HURRAH…now as some of you know..some days are really hard but I keep trying hard to find a little humor in something Redbird The word writer “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/28/16 at 06:09:45 a note from my local library person Ban Pre Shredded Cheese.  Make America Grate Again! ;D  ;D  ;D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/06/16 at 02:18:52 HURRAH HURRAH HURRAH I AM 82 TODAY TOMORROW I WILL START THE TRIP TO 83 redbird the word writer :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 04/06/16 at 19:38:09 Congratulations Redbird!  So glad you were born!  Hope it was a happy, low symptom day!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/08/16 at 06:35:09 Well I did it…I just finished my two birthdays..my regular birthday and my government one..I am now officially 82 and on the road to 83…I am hoping that it smooths out some. Now my walking is doing well…I told you about my route in the house as I am afraid of falling in the yard..so I am now up to 10 minutes..and for me that is good..I just have one slight problem…you see my loop takes me thru the kitchen…and sitting on the kitchen counter was a bowl of orange slices…which I do like..so every time I came thru the kitchen they called my name…so I just ate them…problem solved…now daughter said that I needed them for fuel…and I liked that.. I really thought that winter had come and gone…lawn is green and my honeysuckle has two blooms on it …birds are building nest…carrying twigs and strings and anything they could find..trees have green leafs coming out…however as I watched Snarky the squirrel and his family came…now Snarky has a wife and a teen age son..or so it looks…BUT I noticed that Snarky  was burying pecans…hummm says I wonder what is up with that…and as I watched he dug a hole around the base of the tree…just outside the “watchin window” and after he got down a little bit he got in the hole and wallowed around…hummm says I again..and suddenly the thought came to me..Snarky must have joined a dumbday prepper group and that is why he is burying pecans and  when he is down in the hole he is putting on his camouflaging suit…. Now son soon straighten me out with…mom he is putting on his flea and tick stuff…and I thought maybe winter was just not over….so guess you can take which ever of this stories and think about it… AND My humming birds are back…they flew right up to the window wanting to know where the groceries were…so I in a hurry got out the feeders and son got them up…well at least that worked. AND Other useful info you need to know…son was watching the medical tv channel and he said…so they said that if you are an allergy suffer person you should not make your bed…it hold stuff in when it is made…now I don’t exactly have allergies but am thinking …not making the bed is ok with me …I seldom do that anyway..but my reason has been that I might want to get in it… AND I got color books and coloring pens for my birthday…and I have started a picture but I am wondering if someone will laugh when they see my out of lines mess..you know it is hard to have a firm hand when you are old…it kinda looks like a first grader…will let you know how that goes. AND Ranger the warrior cat has been gone now starting the 8th day…I am worried and afraid AND The eye doctor and I meet next week..darn it AND Some one gave us some …blue cornmeal…now I have looked for a recipe for cornbread with this stuff …..have some of you  tried  one and it worked…please let me know…I have looked at some but they just don’t seem right.. Another problem I would like some help with…laughter…where does it come from and why do people have different kinds…this recently came to my attention..as I was watching the new tv show …little big shots…and found myself laughing so hard that I nearly fell out of my chair…thoughts anyone.. AND Last but not least…from my library person.. Ban Pre shredded cheese. Make America grate again! Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by CindyP on 04/08/16 at 09:18:56 Hello Redbird, I enjoyed reading your post today.  It was a lovely diversion from filtering through medical issues. I heard the same anti-bed making report.  I like that idea, too! I'm a Southern gal and I love my corn bread. But I've never tried Blue Corn Bread.  (I used to be quite the 'foodie' before I became intolerant to some many things.)  I've read that blue corn has a higher protein content than yellow corn, so that will change how your bread turns out.  One recipe suggested using cake flour rather than all purpose.  Maybe try that? I loved your question about laughter.  My favorite sound is hearing my kids laughing together.  I think a person's personality has a lot to do with how they laugh.  Introverts often are the quiet, snickering laughers, whereas extroverts are the hearty, belly-laughers.   Thanks for the much needed and entertaining diversion!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/01/16 at 06:30:31 THANK YOU CINDY FOR DROPPING BY with your comment...I always love to hear from anyone out there... redbird

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/01/16 at 06:36:31 THE WORD WRITER WRITES AND WHINES…… WELL TALK ABOUT CRAZY STUFF…after storms and hail and tornados this morning the heater popped on at 45 degrees and the north wind is blowing at a healthy clip…so go figure… After 18 ½ days Ranger the warrior cat finally came home…we gave up and we had worn holes in the rugs checking the doors and windows for signs of him..then suddenly there he was in the window…not sure what secret mission he was on but it was a long one… we were really glad to see him..we had given up and had started to give away his food to daughter to take to the vet clinic where she volunteers some.  Now we did not want that to go to waste as Ranger likes that expensive cat food..if you get some on sale he will turn his back to it…and of course then on Wednesday when we go to the library he gets his homeland deli fried chicken…WHICH HE LOVES….he has stuck pretty close to home since coming back…UNTIL….we noticed a mean looking tom in the yard and a dainty lady cat…his turf was invaded..so he had to straighten that out…outside to sniff and mark his territory again..and I am hoping that you remember that Ranger is a wild cat… Birdville is all abuzz… the tree that shelters their spot has leafed out…it’s that time of the year..apartments are going at a fast rate…and lots of those love/hate fusses..twigs being gathered and lots of courting going on…watched a dove do his mating dance and song…that was something to see ..not sure it impressed the lady but it was fun to watch..of course we have lots of sparrows but saw a new one..best I could tell it had some blue on it and according to my bird book..it may have been some kind of white crown sparrow..Snarky the squirrel comes by often to see what is happening and next time we are at the feed store will get him a small bag of corn…just because I like to watch him… Now for the whining part…you don’t have to feel sorry for me ….but you can if you want…I am sharing this with you as a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for that nasty masto attack that is going to slip right up on you and slap you down…like in down.. For those of you who might not know…masto for me means anaphylaxis…plan and simple…lots of you have tons of other things like food etc that causes you to get in trouble but not for me…I am one of the few I have ever found that ….my masto causes me to have a major anaphylaxis attack and have to be use my epi at home and be rushed to ER for more treatments… I have not had one of these attacks for a very very long time…maybe a couple of years…lots of getting old complaints but not these…but about 3 weeks ago when I got up in the morning..there they were just under the radar…so I took myself to a chair…breathed deep and coughed..and some Benadryl sitting quietly..and they would finally past around noon..the afternoons were ok…but a week ago they were not ok…I had to make that blasted trip to the ER…two blessing for me…I HAD ALL MY MEDS …NEEDED TREATMENT FROM MY DOCTOR..CURRENT MEDS AND OTHER INFO THEY NEEDED IN A PLASTIC BAG ALL TOGETHER.  The other blessing was that the doctor on call had seen me many times thru the years and knew what was going on…but the not blessing was…..after they got me under control I had two more in the ER….but I made it thru… Now this caused me great concern…and lots of thinking…foods no different..but ahhhhhhh STRESS had become a big part of my life…now you remember me telling you about this &^%$ eye thing…shots in the eye each month…could this be it…stress for me is a big thing…so what to do…a visit to regular doctor and a round of presidone calmed down the situation…but I need to do my part…. So I decided  that for now…I will not have my eye shot…I am visiting my gentle eye doctor to consult with him explain my situation and ask for advice or not…losing vision in my eye… Another thing I visited with my regular doctor asking her why this was occurring in the mornings..she could not answer that so my masto friend Olive and I talked about my evening histamine blocker which is Zyzal…was it not lasting thru the night..I could not find a time status for length but moved that med to my bedside and last thing before lights out..I take it…will see if that is help… Then my friend Larry sends encouragement telling me that my “funny” is not lost…just hiding out…that was good to know… THEN… Olive and my niece Lisa sent me color books for my birthday…I am now sitting in my “watchin chair” with my special music on and Ranger sometimes sitting by me in his chair and I color..calm..calm…calm…I cannot tell you how much I love love love this…who knew this could be so much fun…a little eye sight problem with seeing so am looking to get some sharpie coloring pens for the brightest…and I am so surprised at the things that are out for this healing..so I would just say to you…try it to see if it helps you…beats that ER visit… I do have one other stress that currently is pressing..my grandson is a trauma unit with a very serious brain injury..I would appreciate any special words that you might say for him… So if I have said anything here that might help you…good….it is important to have everything together in a known place for treatment.. Redbird The word writer  :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/24/16 at 02:54:54 Well here I am this morning…but something is bad wrong…I have lost my “funny”…now my friend Larry told me that I would find it again but Larry I have looked everywhere for it…I am telling you it is gone.  I have looked under the bed and only dust and that shoe that was missing…checked out the closet and see cobwebs …so as you see nothing going on here but the heat…mom nature took us from nice cool weather straight into the summer blast….I gently pat my air conditioner each morning thanking it for the cool it gives us.. You know I have often told you about my good friend Mary who …”lives across the pasture”… we are strange neighbors…I can see her house really good  but there is about a block of empty nothing between us….and if I went to visit I could not climb her steps to the door…so son and I keep a watch on their house for any strange activities…as it is a good view from the sun room where my watching chair sits and the computer. I get to watch Ron her husband put up his Christmas decorations and they call us to check out the latest addition ..and we get out the big glasses to check them out …when Mary does not close the garage door on time we call with a reminder…we call each other often…since Mary is out and around more...she loves to shop...I have told you about that..so she calls me with the latest “small town gossip”…and if I see something interesting or a good book I am reading …I let her know….I love to tell Mary funny stories as I like to hear her giggle…sorta of a high note going into a full laugh...I enjoy her a lot and glad that she is my friend Now Mary is one of those “cleaning people”…you know the kind that her house is spotless…she even irons…I have fussed at her so much for using that word “ironing” that now she calls it “pressing”...she loves to decorate for whatever holiday or season is coming…and she is a creature of habit…THURSDAY is her grocery day and not much gets in it’s place...she is has taught me a lot about shopping at Wally world…as you can see I like Mary…she is one good lady… Mary has cancer…you know that nasty word…she just recently found a lump in her breast…and when they did that body scan thing…three more spots under her arm...yeah all cancer...I am crushed…she called me with the news that she was going to see this specialist…and she was sounding so up...however she right away started going thru her house and getting out all of those things that we often talked about…”what will happen to our stuff” when we are gone…that was the first clue that she knew how serious things could be… What to do…ok so I can be there for her when and if she wants to talk…BUT after her doctor meeting and the plan they have laid out for her treatment I knew she was one BRAVE lady…the plan sounded past really bad to me…6 months of chemo treatment before surgery…oh goodness… So fast forward to the present…now as you know I have been coloring for some time..I will tell you more about that later...I think it has saved my life…but sitting with Mary on my mind and coloring I decided that I would sent Mary flowers to arrive just after her first treatment that was last Friday...over the weekend her son came to be with her for her first treatment.. Now I decided that I would color Mary flowers…and I did…I told her that real flowers would wilt and fade away but these would last for awhile until she got tired of looking at them…I dropped them in the mail and she called me right away on arrival…she was laughing...and she said….you do not know how much this meant to me as I have had a sh**ty day…I have put them on the fridge so that I can look at them… Now I plan to do other little things that might make her laugh…already she is beginning to lose her taste..her coffee does not taste right..now that is really cruel to take away the taste of coffee…so I will be on the lookout for something funny to send to her along… Now if you are in the need of flowers because life is just plain a “pain in the a**”  let me know and I will hustle you up some coloring flowers. Redbird The word writer  :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by CindyP on 06/24/16 at 04:12:36 What a lovely friendship you and Mary have, redbird.  You found your funny just in time for your dear friend.   Warm wishes for you both.... Cindy

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/06/16 at 04:34:11 A GOOD DAY TO EACH OF YOU!!!! Coloring is the topic of today and it may get long and boring..so if you want to pop out…that is ok…. Mastocytosis + stress + anaphylaxis  = EMERGENCY ROOM Mastocytosis + coloring – stress - anaphylaxis = life Yes I am telling you that coloring has saved my life…we won’t go back to the attack you all read about that…and it made me take a good look at my whatever life I had… NOW… For my birthday I received a couple of coloring books…my friend Olive sent me one as a joke..(we have laughed about this)…and my niece sent me one just because she liked me.. so after the attack sitting in my “watchin chair” one day I picked one up and thumbed thru it and thought..think I might try it…as you see I was so struggling with my mornings even after attack…I would get on the brink of another attack and we could not figure out why that happened each morning… So I picked up a colored pencil and started just in a small place…and then it just seem to catch me up and away I went coloring…. The more I colored the better I begin to feel ….each morning when that feeling was trying to take over…I would get to my chair and color.. So as time passed it got better… each day I spent lots of time…just coloring… NOW…. Since coloring became my thing..lots of new things made their way to my coloring box…I discovered gel pens…that I love love love… one night while laying in bed reviewing my coloring day…I was thinking about this…now when you make a mark with your gel pen…girl you are COMMITTED…if you put a purple next to green…you have it for all times..so suddenly I had a “brain alert” ( one of those why did you not think of this before)..of course…you have a printer that makes copies…just make a copy of the picture you are working on and if you want to see how colors look next to each other..use the copy…CHEAT SHEET…and so I did… NOW… I love to color flowers…and no matter how many coloring books you get…pictures of flowers are limited…so another “brain alert” …I will just make extra copies of the flowers on my copier and that solved some of that problem NOW…. Son says..mom what are you going to do with all of these pictures you have colored…and hummm…thinking I said…you know how much Mary enjoyed that I sent her a color picture of flowers..I think that I will use them to let people know that someone is thinking of them…but who to send them to…you know how much I love my library people…well there is this one little lady that is a bit snippy…but in conversation my last visit I learned that she had moved in with her parents to care for them…her mom was 88 and dad was 91…and things were going fine until younger brother who likes to nip at the bottle LOTS…moved in with them and the problems that created…oh gosh I would be snippy as well…so came home and started her a flower picture…as she is a brave and noble person who might just need a lift…it goes in the mail to her this week…and as I looked around I saw others that I know or even not know well that might need a color flowers picture…seems lots of people are struggling with SOMETHING…now on receiving them some will say….strange lady sent me picture??....but that is ok I will have done my part.. So most morning you will find me in my watching chair…coloring..hoping to make someone elses day a little brighter…and saving my own life…. YES I AM SURE THAT COLORING HAS SAVED MY LIFE…if you are having problems I urge you to give it a try…you will be glad you did… Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by DeborahW, Founder on 07/12/16 at 15:45:45 Oh how I just adore your writing and your stories and basically just you! :) If I ever need a pick me up or a smile on my face, Redbird, I know that all I need to do is check in here and see what you have written. It's pure brilliance. Now in regard to coloring, you are so right about that! Plus you have hit upon the latest craze with all the lovely adult coloring books everywhere. I'm so glad that you shared this tip, and how wonderful people will feel when they open that envelope and see that you were thinking of them by sending them one of your colored flowers! Keep writing, my friend! Deborah

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/19/16 at 04:42:12 HELLO TO ALL…. My friend Mary told me that I could bring you up to date on her latest…she now has completed 3 rounds of chemo…and she lost lots of stuff…. First went her hair…but being Mary she took herself down to her beauty shop and told them to shave her head…and they did.. Now Mary decided that she really did not want to wear a wig so she found for herself some little hats…she came by after church to show me her latest hairdo and I loved her church going hat…it just fit her style…she informed me that she had several in different colors…HURRAH FOR MARY!! Next went some pounds…yup the scales said 6 lbs…she was not surprised by that as her undies had suddenly become loose..now she is thinking that is ok as she has some extra Then she lost her taste…coffee taste right out the window…and she was sure that hubby Ron had made her sandwich out of cardboard…quoting her here….HOWEVER last evening she called me so excited…she had butterscotch pudding and she tasted ever last bite…so she ate it tiny little bites at a time..now we both tried to figure out what could be in that ….that enabled her to taste it and so enjoy it…I suggested that she buy up a big supply So I am still trying to bring some little “something” to her life…remember I colored her pictures for her first treatment..and talking to her later she told me she had a color book but things were to “little” for her to use so I rummaged thru my stack of color books and found one with big pictures..so I fixed it up with a note and son drove me over to leave it in her mail box for returning home..and she liked it..got out her pens and started coloring a picture… So now we are coming up to the next treatment..and I am wracking my brain for something to do…this is what I am going to do…I am going to make her a badge…a badge for courage…I found a pattern for a sheriff badge and I looked thru the school supplies that are out and found a heavy pink  stuff..and will have this in her mail box for next time… OK now her last treatment for this part will be the end of August…got it covered…going to fix a “party bag”…bright colored bag..with one of those party blow out things..and a handful of chocolate  kisses.. If any of you have suggestion please let me know..I can use all the help I can get to try to make Mary know that someone cares… Of course you could also include her on your positive/prayer list as well Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 07/19/16 at 08:24:28 Ms Debbie…thank you so much for your words…it makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy…in fact when any of you readers would like to post  a note  on the blog it would be good and I would appreciate it… Since I don’t get out much anymore…it sometimes get lonely… my eyesight is going away faster that I like but it seems that is just going to happen.. So if I can make someone’s world a little better with my words…good… redbird  :)

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 08/29/16 at 07:30:22 Well I am just going to get to it…plain and simple…it is hotter than hell where I live.  How hot is hell…don’t know for sure they say it is bad like really bad…but at my house it is hot…rain has been around us but it is like we are sitting in a box…and all four sides and we are just in the center saying….here we are…but guessing mom nature has on her shades…promises promises promises from the weather man..cold front on the way..will believe that when it happens So moving on….SINCE I have written the above we have had some very  nice cooler weather and with my fan on and the window open I have SLEPT UNDER A QUILT…I LOVE IT!!! Have you seen that commercial about the toilet paper that has no cardboard center…it is pretty interesting…however I am wondering how the arts and craft people are feeling about that…you know those people who can take a stick and make it something…I am sure they have dozens of things they make out of that cardboard center…they may put a stop to this right away..we may find petition signings going on at the side of the road and the mall and all sorts of little corners..BAN THE NEW TOILET PAPER….sign here to put it on the November ballot.. And do you remember a few years ago…that you could buy four rolls of toilet paper for 25 cents…and then along came colored paper and scented paper …well I am not sure what side I am on yet…thinking… Another thing that I am wondering about…when you put your underwear on wrong side out..do the seams show under your clothes…guess I need to be more careful.. And another thing …I sure am getting vexed with all those people who snigger and some laugh right out loud…when they see you talking to yourself…we have talked about this before…it is OK..you know you could say to one of those laughing…my friend whom I am speaking with think you are  really rude…that should get their attention right away… And another thing…you know when you sit down for that little break…with a cup of coffee or glass of milk or tea…you get the picture.. and you might also have in the other hand..a cookie or cracker or just something to go along with it…and sip and nip…sip and nip ..and finally you are down to the very end and you nip and there is no sip left …and you just need that little final sip to make it all perfect…no matter how careful you are…with the sipping…the last drop just does not work out..go figure Now my friend Mary …that lives across the pasture..remember she has cancer…well last Monday she got her “party bag” for the last treatment of that kind of chemo…I had put M&M inside the little glitter bag with blowing whistles etc…and she thought it was fun…she called me while crunching just to let me know she could taste them and they were great….now this second round of meds she will be going once a week…and knowing I could not keep up with a “something” once a week…I decided to make her a little hanging  calendar for the months of Sept, Oct, Nov and last one Dec…so I found a pretty left over Christmas card from who knows when…and I will hang each month on a little yarn thing from it and she can clip it off when she has finished that month…she is really doing good…a few little hiccups but over all…good Now my coloring is going full blast…as you know I am doing adult coloring for a couple of reasons…first for my health..and then to bring a little something to others who might need a smile or giggle or just a surprise in the mail…yes I mail out my coloring to people who might need any the above..now some think that it is strange but I have received more “thank you” than pictures being mailed back..now how many go to the trash bin I don’t know and really that is not important..it makes me feel good and hopefully the other person…Now I am aware that the pictures are not perfect…remember that I only have a little vision in one eye…I am 82 and shake…however son says I do not shake while coloring…so if you know someone who fits this …you can email me their name and address at coloring@pldi.net and I will get a picture out right away… So many people have been helpful with my project…I have gotten really neat pens in the mail along with color books…and I can tell you that I use them lovingly …thanks to you and you know who you are… The back yard and Birdville has been super busy…the crows have returned and do they have son trained…they will sit out in the tree or on the ground and loudly demand something be brought to them..and it does…the many young birds that just came this spring have began to get their feathers and colors…AND we have 3 really young squirrels boy their tails are going to have to hurry with the bushy or they are going to be a cold little one this winter in there nest.. I am sure that I am leaving out something..but will P.S. if the brain lets me know Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by CindyP on 09/04/16 at 07:35:53 You made me laugh, Redbird!  My husband and I used to take regular road trips and always snacked in the car.  He would tease me about how I liked to eat my peanut butter crackers.  A cracker and a sip, a cracker and a sip....  Now I can tell him it's not just me! Thanks for the musings!

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 09/18/16 at 03:46:59 CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY TO THE FARM….. And this is how the story goes… Recently I decided to sit in my nest…you remember the building of my nest …my really big chair in the living room…just when you needed a break from stress or a nap or just something…you could crawl in the nest and just do nothing… Now I had not been in the nest for awhile…as you know the “watchin chair” has held my attention …coloring and checking out Birdville..but I just needed to sit awhile in the nest Now since the weather heat has finally been on a down slide the drapes were drawn to let in some on the sunlit and as I sat there I looked around and said …OMG… piles of dust were everywhere…like in really OMG….so I set my mind as to what needed to be done… Next morning I was up and put on my heavy work socks…and moved in the heavy equipment..several of those dusters with handles …several cans of whatever..and dust rags..and anything else I could find to help with the process…. So I thought I would start with polishing the coffee table…I don’t know why people have these things..they just stick out  in the floor in the way..you have to walk around them and crunch your legs up if you sit on the couch..but I have one so this is a good place to start..now crunching up legs to reach and puffing some of the polish on the table and we are off…things looking pretty good and then I look down….and there is a mouse…a real mouse..not a toy a real mouse…laying right there by my shoe…ohohoh I am up and going quickly to the bedroom for son to come and handle this…but son is asleep and I don’t want to wake him…so I tell myself to be brave…the mouse is dead…I think..but I hate mice, rats and snakes...like in super hate…OK I can do this..I put on a glove…get a plastic bag and …..you guessed it…picked it up for disposal….if it had moved a whisker you would not be reading this…. Later when son woke up and we discussed this…son says …mom did you think about the fact that Ranger(the cat) brought this in for you a Christmas present and he just had not gotten it wrapped yet… Now at 82 I think that I am growing taller…I had always thought that at 5ft 6 it was pretty ok…however I have found that I have a problem with those chain thingys that hang down from the ceiling fans etc…I either have had to try to stand on tip toes or get the step stool or really stretch and try to grab on and sometimes this causes a couple of things…I might fall but most of the time it causes me to pull the chain out…son says…mom you have a problem with these chain pulls as he replaces them…BUT I have a new ceiling fan in my bedroom and it has a couple of chains..one for light and one to make the fan move…on it being installed I noticed that if I leaned on the bed and really reached I could manage it…however the last several times I have needed to pull…I simply reach up normal and there it was…does anyone know if you grow more as you get older. Just letting you know that I have had it with “gentle eye doctor”…I am removing the gentle part and simply going to call him “eye doctor” and if some things don’t get better..it may go down to simply “sir” I realize at 82 body parts just began to wear out and some do not carry a warranty Well the old bad eye developed an infection or so I thought …red ..sore…and a knot was coming on my eyelid..yup right on that dude…so that meant a  trip to his office…now sitting his chair…he got out the serious lights and looked and said…yes you have a chalazion...if you look it up it is a stopped up oil gland…my version is a “boil on your eye lid”….and the treatment is that it needs to be lanced..like in cut open and drained…like in hurt...like in hurt like h*ll…like in no other kind of treatment…and I looked over at the computer with my record on the screen and it said…she is a cry baby… So no need to go on with this…I did and he did…and I left with a big white patch…covering my eye...following treatment…getting better.. Coloring is still going good…pictures going out all over everywhere..keeps me busy and always looking for the next person who needs flowers… Mary my friend across the pasture…the one who has cancer… liked her calendar and we agreed that for the next 12 weeks I would not need to do something creative for her…but she says…save it for something “really big” at the end of that time…well this has set my brain in overdrive…something big…now I went thru my card pile and found some cards that I will mail to her along…but something big…she ends treatment the last part of November. And her surgery has been set for December…but a wonderful little thing came up on my facebook page…POP UP CARDS…I loved the look of them..so shopping for one for her to receive at the end of the next round…and after surgery I plan for a diploma of completion to give to her…whewwwww…..glad that is settled.. For now guess that is just about it from the farm…mom nature has sent rain..and some cooler weather…THANKS MOM!! Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 10/20/16 at 05:34:54 I am sure that most of you have heard of Dr. Phil…the man who is suppose to be able to fix anything…he says so…and recently he said that he had used 29 million dollars in resources  to help people…now I watch Dr. Phil as sometimes I think I will learn something but lots of times the people just scream and yell and I already know how to do that.  I would like to know if any of you know how to reach him…see we have trauma here at the farm. Ranger our cat is in trauma…big time…I am not sure how it started or exactly when …it could have been when he discovered that possums had invaded his turf…or it could have been when son picked him up and brought him in the house and he did not want to come as he was mouse watching and he slapped son’s leg several times saying …leave me alone…it could have been when he wanted fried chicken from the deli and I did not have any…it could have been when he wanted to sit in the “watchin chair” and I did not get up so he could have the chair…could be that Pinky the cat next door has a new boyfriend…last night son found him sitting in a yard some distance from the house…now Ranger is old and cranky…like me and he wants his way…so we need to get him back to happy…if any of you know Dr. Phil…please give him a call and tell him that his help is needed here at the farm..I have not seen or heard if he helps cats but Ranger would certainly be a “great first” Now We had a little excitement here at the farm…I was watching TV…having a little late afternoon snack…feet propped on the side of the bed…Watching the big TV… Large mug of coffee in one hand and a cracker in the other when suddenly my coffee missed my mouth and went into my lap…yup the whole mug… hot…now this 82 year old lady shucked those pants faster than a stripper in a night club.. Grabbed a pair of pj pants..RAN to the freezer for those cubes of ice thingys that I keep froze for when I get to hot..and those and I sat in the chair cuddling for about 3 hours..now you may be saying…that is not what you are suppose to do..do not put ice on it….however I did not want it to blister and have to tell doctor…what I did and where he needed to look…so I did ice…I can tell you  now unless I am sitting at a spot that my lap is under the table I use my sippy cup…actually it is one of those glasses that keep things hot or cold and has a very secure lid..my daughter gave it to me..it has a redbird on the side of it so it does not get mixed up with someone elses… And I have  given up on mom nature…everywhere you look it seems that she is doing her angry dance…here we have 95 or higher one day and 45 the next…guess this is a year that we just have to go with the flow…hers And I do have some important information foryou…. That buffalo you have in the back yard…they cannot see any color but orange so you need to use that orange tape on your fence so they do not try to trample thru it… And You need to know that cows can sleep standing up…but they can only dream laying down… I knew you need this info Until Next time please stay well and safe Redbird The word writer :D “Getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 11/07/16 at 09:10:39 I HAVE A QUESTION ...PLEASE I am experiencing a problem..you know I have had eye problems for some time...however this past week after an exam for ..... bleeding eye lids...yes there is such a thing . my eyes looked just like a racoon except instead of black...there was red...it was blood seeping down into my eyes and face from this bleeding I am reading that this is sometimes can be from a blood disorder.. regular doctor ordering blood test ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM..PLEASE LET ME KNOW redbird the word writer who may be in trouble getting old stinks...

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by Joan on 12/12/16 at 19:22:11 I wonder if the cause is heparin or inflammation?  Have you tried increasing mast cell meds to see if that helps?

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/16/16 at 06:05:05 hey Joan..thanks for the thought..my dr. has run lots of blood test some I have never heard of and they are all normal...someone did write to me and tell me that masto can thin the blood?? bleeding seems to be better so eye dr. says and never has any of the blood been INSIDE of the eye..of course the better or good sight in my left eye is not going to return..and some days vision is stinky...recently tried to eat sweet peas with a fork..you know those little round green peas...well that was something to see..thinking of an invention of a spoon with side boards...you see I have to laugh with things are so bad or I will spend lots and lots of time crying HOWEVER....my coloring is still on track...anyone need flowers...contact me at coloring@pldi.net redbird :D

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/28/16 at 03:31:58 Have you ever been to la-la land???  Sure you have it is that place where you struggle to wake up and the bed is nice and comfortable and you open one eye and look at the clock…and realize that you can lay there for a little longer..so you kinda drift off..your thoughts are not really on anything..you just enjoy la-la land and if you are retired you can linger there longer than some…but then the eye opener shows the clock is ticking and the phone is ringing and the dog is barking and it is time to climb on the bus and travel out of the la-la land…and start your day…knowing that perhaps tomorrow you can travel there again… Well we have now all been through the holidays..some were great and some sorta ok and some were just some..at our house things were a little different…we decided that food this year would be whatever I fixed that did not cause STRESS to my life and you know it went pretty well…no turkey for the BIG T day…we had ham out of the crock pot..and for Christmas…we had fish and you know we all ate like it was our last meal..and it was good…then we enjoyed a time of visiting … Think winter has finally arrived…leaves are gone off the trees and cold comes and goes…we had 70 on Christmas day..then a cold came and it got down to 8 with wind chills…I give up on mom nature…I am pretty sure that if she went up to the northern USA she might find it pretty difficult….folks up there are sure p*ssed at her…however here the sun is coming thru the windows today in my room which means that I can sit in my chair and just enjoy the warmth… You know I talk often about my birds..however I am needing a little help here..now I am sure that you remember the Alfred’s movie…the Birds..remember that and you saw lots and lots of birds sitting on the lines right next to each other..hundreds just waiting for you to come out…well we are having a similar problem..but it is doves..yup dozens flying in and sitting in my trees..I have never seen anything just like it…however looking closer I noticed that they had little scraps of paper in their becks…and looking again I see that they are numbers on the paper showing their place in line for bathing in the water pan sitting on the ground.. Then we are noticing that we have DOZENS of robins..they come in all together like in a flock..guess we could say …we have a flock of robins..now usually we seen them in early spring but only a couple at a time..I wonder if someone has posted something about our Birdville on craig’s list..I am told you can find anything there.. Well guess I could tell you that….I sure am tired of this getting older thing…who knew how worrisome that could be…not me…I spent my earlier life running around doing my thing in the world..whatever it was never thinking that my “old time” would be spent thinking about early times…you learn a lot in “old times” …you learn that some things are not important as you thought..you learn that if you are not careful the new “fast world” will past you by…  so I have started my house walking again..and I hate it… my walker and me are up and down the hall…thru the kitchen and back again…not much to look at there but the dust..and we will not talk about dust as you know how I feel about that.. I talk to people about my age and they are just like me…we talk about the past a lot…lots of that…you remember when you did this…..and the conversation sorta runs out…so don’t have much advice on this…it is what it is… Wish I could tell you that the eyesight has improved but it just as bad as before…guess it is something that I will try to live with..however I am still coloring and finding more people in pain and I am sending out flowers to lots of them…that is something that being old cannot keep you from doing… That’s about it from the farm this morning..son is filling up the watering pans while the birds sit on the tree branches watching and checking their number to see who is next… Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 12/31/16 at 06:07:45 WISH ALL OF YOU A ....HAPPY NEW YEAR...MAY IT BE A GOOD YEAR redbird the word writer

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 01/25/17 at 07:25:49 good to day all…. God bless plumbers…and if you did not hear me let me say it loudly…GOD BLESS  PLUMBERS!! You know those guys who come after you have poured $$$$$ down the drain believing what the bottle says….USE ME…I will do the job..but DON’T…so finally at your wits end you make that call to the plumbing shop…now Ms. Kate answers the phone and tells me…gee weather has caused so many frozen lines to break…and it is Friday …and I have a list but will put your name on it and we will get there as soon as we can…so I put on my best granny voice and say..but please we have a stopped up sewer..I will try she says… So next morning EARLY Ms. Kate calls and says..we can send a truck to you right away…YES YES..please do…now get this picture..the temp is 17 and a little windy so don’t know what that makes the cold…but here they are with their little roto-rooter tool ready to go to work and they did and we are good to go…God bless plumbers and Ms. Kate for taking care of us…Ms. Kate is getting colored flowers.. Now here at the farm we are on HIGH ALERT!!...now that is a pretty busy job for us…WATCHING….for some reason the air force base a few hundred miles away from us decided to use our little airport about 10 miles up the road for practice runs..you know take off and landing and touch down..don’t know how we were so lucky to get picked but we did..and they use regular planes and little jets etc…and since the farm is close to airport we can get noise like a lot..so we have been busy watching to see if maybe today is the day..someone misses…there did you hear it..one just came over the house AND Then the big announcement on TV that Amazon is going to launch a big blimp in the sky to fill orders from… to make delivery faster..and drones will pick packages up there and off into our skies to get that package to you in PRIME TIME…now you regular amazon customers know about PRIME…for the rest of us it means…fast like next day delivery..or something… NOW… Son cleaned the windows in the sun room…not sure it is legally a sun room but it is the room that we use for “watchin” and it has windows all across the back wall..several…this is the most used room in the house..it contains the computer…and the coloring area…and the “watchin” chair..here is where I sit in the sun coming in the windows…sometimes checking my eyes for cracks…which really means that I have my eyes closed sitting in the sun for a little snooze..I also do most of my reading here…so it is a “good place”… HOWEVER… Now son cleaned the windows using newspapers instead of paper towels…you know..you have read that household hint..how clean with newspapers and shining they make your windows…well I cannot say for sure this is true but our windows  are so clean I have to wear my sunglasses to look out…I really appreciate him doing that because the “sun room” brings me much pleasure… NOW … If you are a person with masto  you understand that we have lots of stuff that  no one including doctors ever heard about…or sometimes the doctor will say..I have heard of this but never seen it…like bleeding eyelids..and there you sit with it happening to you…or maybe they will simply say….maybe your masto caused this… HOWEVER… I now have a problem…totally not masto realted and I will tell you that you may have it as well…ok so hold your hand up…palm turned up so that you can see the tips of your fingers…look at your index finger..it could be right hand or left…and see that little  spot on the tip..and it get kinda sore sometimes…well I know for sure this is caused from turning that little wheel on your computer mouse..yup sure is…it took me a little time to figure it out..after much lotion and other stuff..I suddenly realized…goodness..but it did make me feel good to know that masto was not the cause WELL… Winter has finally come to the farm..and some of our days have been in the 60s and some of them down in the low low..20 or below..and those days I do spend some time in La La land..you know we talked about that place..it is between really asleep and thinking about getting up..usually I lay in this place thinking of my day..and if you are old and retired..this sometimes is necessary because you might not know exactly what day it is..so you just think about it for awhile..and then you think..is there something special I need to do today..is this grocery shopping day..and what is coming on TV..any ballgames..so you just spend time thinking about it all…then you finally make that decision..I will get up and face the day..covers back..trying to open the eyes..and you slip into the necessary place that contains the throne..you know that big white thing..and suddenly you sit on that cold seat and that opens your eyes wide open..yup that toilet seat is an “cold eye opener”… AND,, I cannot close this without giving you a Mary report..you know “that lives across the pasture” who has finally almost finished her cancer treatment..she has done so good…and she is getting a little hair growth and trying to put mascara on the little bit of eye lashes that are coming in…I am so thankful that she has been blessed…we talk almost every day..mostly about nothing..but I am glad that she is still here… ONE LAST THING… It is a question for you…you know we have all talked about dusting and how we hate it…but could you tell me….WHERE DOES THE DUST GO WHEN YOU DUST AND IT APPEARS TO BE GONE..let me know Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/18/17 at 07:11:55 HEY THERE… So here we are…you and me and the world…what a mess…I don’t usually talk about politics…BUT I just cannot figure all of this out..a recent story in regard to some college…the students said they were so stressed out they could not study BECAUSE THERE WAS WEIGHTING SCALES IN SOME OF THE DORMS AND CLASSES …don’t remember the name but it was back east somewhere.  Son and I decided since stress was a big thing for me…we just tore of a sheet of toilet paper and placed it over the little window..works for us.. Now Just so you know I had my birthday last week  GOLLY GEE I AM 83..so am now on the road to 84..I have been certified as old…see just a few days ago I went to town with my shirt buttoned wrong…not a big deal you say…now for those of you who live in a large city and you may never see those people in the store again… it’s no big thing but for me who lives in just a small town..one red light and one grocery store the results is…did you see redbird..her shirt was all wrong she must be losing it…and that talk will continue for some time…so it is important where I live that you are all together when you go to the store… and hair combed and that no bra thing will just not work either.. Another thing Son cooked my birthday lunch..we had fish and chips and daughter came with her new dog Kevin who is a loving person..really enjoyed the day…I bought myself a birthday present…FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND LITTLE DEBBIE OATMEAL COOKIES I had them the whole week..for breakfast and snack and just whenever.. Now… Just a cooking note for you…I have cooked lots in my life but recently either saw a video clip or something about bacon..you know that thing we all love so much…BACON..ok so this told about BAKING BACON….now I watched this lady who of course did it perfect…so now I am thinking..my big oven is broken but I have one of those little ones that sit on the counter…I bake cakes in it and muffins and just anything that big one does…so thinking I got out my little pan and put a rack in it and put that bacon on it and popped it right into the oven..at 400..lady did not say that..I made that up…now I am watching carefully..as it cooked right along..now if you worry about popping you could lay a small sheet of foil on the top..I did…and finally it was done…beautiful..now folks I have cooked bacon in the skillet and micro but never again..I will do BAKING BACON…I just cannot tell you how great it is.. Now Another thing I learned is that I have been slicing ham the wrong way for years and years..see after you get it cooked lay it with the flat side down..and start slicing from the ends…and golly …that is all the cooking tips I have for you today. Now… I wish I could tell you that my vision is improving but not…left eye just barely there but the right is still good…so my coloring goes on and flowers going out to people everywhere..son went thru the house and cleaned and changed light bulbs in all the lights and that has helped some..my bathroom is so bright YOU would have to wear sunglasses …but will continue my coloring and have almost gone to “large print books” for reading Another thing… Mary my friend across the pasture has now finished “cancer treatments”  she got a grade of A and I fixed her a diploma ….it says…Mary  has kicked cancer’s ass…she is one brave lady… Now The farm is in a terrible mess…we have new tenants…and there is just lots of fussing and …you cannot talk to my girlfriend …I saw her first..you get the idea..and we have a lone old cranky bossy crow who comes and sits in the yard and caws until you just want to …well you know…he tries to run off the others and he and the squirrels have had several stand-offs..I say he he is just a bossy old crow and son says I don’t understand…he is trying to lure a lady crow but I say who would want him..hope that gets settled soon.. One new tenant is a rabbit..son says he is a cotton tail but  I cannot see him well enough to know however I have named him Jack and he does not seem to be in a hurry to leave..will offer him a reduced rent..then we now have a or should say 3 roadrunners  a big one and a couple of smaller younger ones…now listen folks these are “tough hombres” anyone much less a bird that eats snakes..like rattlesnakes and bad lizards is not one to fool around with..you should read about them..from my watchin chair..I saw the papa one jump up on the bird bath and then to the top of the bird area and hid in the branches…and yes he caught something..I am trying to make myself believe that it was a mouse..but sadly I am not sure..we may have to have one of those “come to Jesus” talks… recently at the feed store to purchase bird seed son said there was a book by the register…how to attrach birds to your yard $12.95…well we have the answer that I will share for zero..zip dollars…it is W-A-T-E-R….we have several water dishes out and it brings birds more than you could want.. WELL… I wrote to my favorite author John Hart...as he has been very quiet..I reminded him that at 83 he needed to get moving on his next book..so that I would be around to read it..his answer was…Joyce I am writing a book…title will be The Hush….but not out until next  march..gosh that is a long time..maybe if he would stop all this running around signing books it would happen sooner.. We could talk a long time about mom nature and the weather..I have just decided to keep my thoughts to myself..as they are not nice and she seems to want us to know she is in control and will change her mind whenever.. Redbird The word writer :D Getting old is not for wimps

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/09/17 at 05:36:22 I was talking to my good friend Olive…I told her I was going on a trip or some would call it a journey…she kinda chuckled..and I said no really I am going on a search…for “THE GOLDEN YEARS”..I have heard of them all of forever and I watched the “GOLDEN GIRLS TV SHOW”…but they never mentioned how to find the GOLDEN YEARS…it has become very important to me to find them as I advance thru my final years…I have not seen them.  I am sure they are just around the corner…however I cannot get around THAT corner..now friend olive said…redbird I don’t think you are going on a trip and I said..well dear olive maybe in my imagination …so I looked to see if I had one of those little carry -on bags…stuffed it with clean underwear and I am ready to go..if someone will just give me the directions…I will borrow one of  those GPS thingys and take off… I have worked lots of different jobs in my life…delivered newspapers…baby sat…and office clerk and construction clerk but currently I am working the hardest job I have ever had….getting old.  Who would have thought ..and see that is why I am looking for those GOLDEN YEARS…SURELY it would make things easier..you know I never thought about getting old until I became old..and I can tell you now you better get ready..it is worse than climbing mount something. AND Another thing I am upset about is the THUNDER NBA BASKETBALL TEAM…those of us basketball fans here in Oklahoma have just finished a bad year…now I have these beautiful Thunder ball schedule from a couple of years or so ago posted on my fridge…nice lady from the big state paper Ms. Kelly sent them to me and they have held this place of honor since then..I mentioned to son that I might take them down and his reply was…you will never do it…and guess he is right… THEN… Did you ever wonder who decided that we needed to read all writings “left to right”  instead of “right to left”…just a thought… AND… When I was a young girl around 11 or 12…yup I remember…see then you could walk down to main street in our little town to the “picture show”  now it is the theater…it was safe and if you were lucky your mom would give you a dime or quarter for the Saturday matinee…lots of times mom came up with that dime just to have a quiet afternoon and you would sit glued to your seat and watch the cowboys race across the screen or maybe a musical which was my favorite and lucky you…they would show the film twice…a real bargain for your dime JUST SO YOU KNOW… I recently read a study…that talking out loud to your self was good…it said to remember better if you said the words aloud you would be able to remember them better..so I am trying that out.. THE FARM… WELL…. I told you about the new move in the rabbit..and I named it Jack..like in Jackrabbit..well suddenly there was Jack with 2 little ones…so I changed the name to Jackie…then I had a brain alert.. Jack rabbits do not have cotton tails…it’s peter cottontail....so just   named it Bonnie..that should take care of that..AND we are having all kinds of creatures/birds at the farm…wonder if the fires and floods have sent them our way…couple of new birds have shown up…and I had to look them up in the old bird book…we have a “fox sparrow” and also a “brown thrasher”…and a couple of days ago the older redbird came right up to the window and looked in at me… the humming birds have arrived…we have four squirrels running around the farm like crazy and I must tell you about “cranky crow”  …wheeee he is something else…when he arrives he struts around letting everyone know this is his place…he caws and invites the other crows in for a snack and when they arrive he jumps up and down and shouts until they leave….it is a full time job just watchin …. Guess that is about it form here for now…I am sure something will come up…I am watchin for the flying cars they say are ready now for use…and I will continue with my “flower mission” and have upgraded from adult coloring to…”painting with pencil”…. Hope you are safe and well…\ Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/11/17 at 04:18:15 today when I stood on my “OWN” front porch ….looking at my “OWN” front yard…I realized that I was no longer in control of the farm…now I thought it was ok for me to look after all I thought that it belonged to us…HOWEVER I was very wrong… first thing I noticed was that the front yard had been taken over… it was now declared mocking bird territory..they even had a scout on look out on the electrical line crossing the front …and I stood there very still just doing my looking…I knew I was being watched.. now suddenly the scout flew down to the pecan tree that stood right in front of me..and he made several branches looking me over..but I stood my ground..after all it belonged to me…then suddenly the scout was gone..but I remained in my spot..and then right in front of me the mocking bird scout came at me with  a dive bomb approach….it made a couple of swoops and when I did not move it went back to it’s perch on the wire and suddenly it was calling …alert, alert …and would you believe it..a couple of other birds arrived on the wire ready to do battle if necessary.. I watched as a little squirrel also heard the alert and ran fast up the pine tree..well by this time I knew that it was time for me to return indoors…and I did… Yesterday my friend Michelle who lives in CA who has woodsy stuff as well…had a little chat in regard as do “animals think”….now I am sure that we could go into a long long detailed science study here but it is not necessary…you see from my “watchin chair” I see lots of different birds..and other things..this morning I watched a mom cottontail rabbit chase her little little child around in the back yard…no it was not Bonnie however I think she sent a text to her sister lou lou telling her to come for a visit… lots of room to have fun and pretty safe.. Then I watch the birds decide who wants to eat seed or insects..how do they know..and another thing is ….how do they know who to make love to…is there a little voice whispering in their head saying…no no not this one…hummm And the humming birds..we have their feeder bottles hanging just outside my window…and am noticing that we may have to put up a …traffic light as several have found our spot…wonder if they ever shop and realize how much sugar cost for making their feeding water… And another thing..I watched “cranky crow” being totally put in his place by a lone mocking bird..now cranky crow was actually dodging as the bird made several attempts to put him out of the yard…now the crow never raised his wing at the bird…his mother must have taught him…not to hit a lady…as I am sure this mocking bird must have been… And another thing… Ranger the cat has now been missing for several days..I am thinking he has a government job…offering his services to all the female cats in our area…I am missing him and hoping for his safety… Now I have realized that I am one lucky person…the animals and birds let me live here… Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 05/20/17 at 03:33:16 So you are asking…did you get blown away with all the storms..in your area…NO but we did get winds like I have never seen in all the years that I have lived here..like in 40 yrs..and of course the rain and hail..rained so hard that you could not see my friend Mary’s house…across the pasture..morning brought light and viewing the farm…oh that is one of the big trees laying down in the yard…and that spot has limbs that are twisted and tore from the  oak tree and placed in the clothes line..humm…BUT THE FENCE REMAINED UP…HURRAH!!..the town about 25 miles away from us had winds up to 104…and we are just straight down the highway..so have not heard what arrived at our place..and of course we lost power..right at the start of my once a week TV show and I currently do not know if they escaped the fire …so later this week will have to check out the computer for looking.. Now my rain gauge in the front yard is showing 5 inches of rain but we are sure that more than that fell because at 5 it is full..but don’t worry..we sit up on a little rise and too we have a boat in the back yard…if we can just figure out how to plug the hole we should be good..aon has just informed me that the expected COLD FRONT has hit and the winds are now out of the north..that blanket you took off your bed..well back on Well Ranger the warrior cat has been very very ill…for 3 or more days he would not eat and finally just a couple of bites…since this was before the storms..he slept in the yard…in the open so that you could certainly watch and check on him..he would not stay in the house…no amount of coaxing …if you got him in he would come in the back door and straight out the front door..finally one morning he was waiting for me to get up and as soon as I saw him I went to the door  to see if he would come in…and he did…as I was fixing his breakfast he sat in the kitchen in a new spot from his usual eating area..finally as I got his meal ready I put it down and he just looked at me…ok ranger here is your breakfast…and he looked at me and then down at the floor in front of him…several times before I got the hint…I WANT IT HERE…and I put it there and he ate…so we have moved his eating area per his request…and  he is almost back to eating..normal…I just happened to get him some of his favorite fried chicken from the deli..and boy I was a hero..so we are hoping for the best..BUT his new thing is…wherever he plops down for his nap…you do not disturb him..if you past his area too much..he will raise his head and scold you loudly or if you speak loudly..you get the same treatment…so as you can see…we are all walking in our sock feet and whispering or not talking at all..we have not gotten to the writing of ..passing notes but if need we can do that as well.. Well my coloring has entered a new phase …no longer am I doing adult coloring..I am now doing “Painting by Pencil” and I am now doing my “Flower Mission Series”….LOL LOL thought that would give you a good laugh..and heard about a lady that is sending out hand written notes  to breat cancer patients..I am going to email her and see if I could send flowers pictures and also want to see if my friend Mary would like to do this as well…as she loves to hand write letters … well not much else going on here at the farm…so until next time please stay safe and well… redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 06/04/17 at 05:26:16 WONDERFUL NEWS…. A new medical journal out with a report that CHOCOLATE CAN PREVENT HEART ATTACKS…now I did not read any further about moderation or amounts or how often I just let the headline make me feel good. Now you have read about …I am a coffee drinker...now here in our town we do not have a starbucks...we barely have a red light..but I still manage to deal with my coffee drinking..I don’t have one of those fancy one cup things nor do I want one..this week I decide to be a “FOLGERS BLACK SILK” drinker… my coffee container was down really low..and have you noticed that the size of those things have gotten smaller as the price has gotten higher…those folks know that we drinkers will pay the price and we do…home and made that first cup…hum yumm and darn it just was good. Well lots of stuff going on at my house and the farm… First I will tell you that our fridge…you know the one daughter bought for us a little over two years ago..you know the one that was POSSESSED…we were sure of that with all the strange sounds it made …we were so use to the sounds that we forget to notice however visitors made comments in regard to them and we just nodded and said..it’s possessed…we just said it is the spirits… So one day last week the fridge started acting sick…yes sometimes the top would freeze and the bottom would not cool and sometimes it was the other way around..son who has his cert of a/c refrigeration worked on it and it would improve for a day but the interesting thing is…IT STOPPED MAKING NOISE… yes it would run but no noise..we both commented on that as it sat silently   in it’s spot…BUT in a couple of days I heard this noise in the son’s bathroom..it sounded just like a smoke alarm…so I am in there searching everywhere for this noise…finally I mentioned it to son…oh mom he said..you will have to flush the commode for it to stop and I did and it stopped…has the spirit moved to the bathroom??...well on further examination son decided that it needed new insides…so he did and the noise stopped…where will it move next?? Now… We still have the fridge problem… just so you know SEARS appliances are only guaranteed   for a year…unless you buy the expensive extended warranty…so son is thinking we have this old fridge in the garage…I have tried to think how old it is..and I am past 25 years..we had bought it for a replacement in the travel trailer when that one stopped running… we could use it as a replacement until he can look over the newer one… So…son is out in the garage with the bleach stuff and scrubbing…now you have to think small..like in small… and would it run?  Well all cleaned up and plugged up that little fridge said (just like the little train…remember that) I think I can…I think I can…and it did and is…it is now sitting small in the big space in the kitchen and running like …it should..now stuff is pretty crowded and we will have to think more on stuff like…well this could go in the cabinet…BUT I am proud of this little brave fridge…son says it is not a fridge it is an ice box…just the next step up from the old ice block and drip pan…but I am grateful…got to get my important papers stuck on the outside…that’s where I keep things I need… Then Son got into a fight….yup he did…with the vacuum cleaner and son lost..big time…he keeps the floors in the house clean, mopped etc and the vacuum sits in his bedroom..now he had used it as a door prop and coming from the bathroom in the wee hours of the morning…he forgot it was there and the vacuum landed a deadly punch to his foot…more than an ouch..it was a real blow… now I thought his foot was broken..he could not walk on it… so I loaned him my walker for getting around …he thinks it is just bruised bad…but it is better…round 1 vacuum.. Now…. The farm is getting more visitors …we now have 4 cottontail rabbits…one is a little little one…watched as the mom rabbit herded it around the yard…she would nudge him to turn etc…it was fun to watch… And the roadrunner is back…now he likes to fly up to the top of the big bird enclosure and hide and he blends right in with all the branches on the top…waiting for a breakfast bird..so I took my  yard walking stick which is a old mop handle…and went out for a chat…he noticed me right away and raised up from his hiding place…I shook my stick and he got the message…breakfast bar is closed.. Well I am still doing …”Painting by Pencils”…and my Flower Mission Series is going out to people..if you need one please email me at  coloring@pldi.net Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps"

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/19/18 at 05:56:41 Oh goodness…I looked and did not realize that it had been so long since we talked.. I decided to get off my lazy backside and write a few lines. Summer came and went and no thanks to someone out there….our address was leaked to the mosquito community..and they came…not only did y sent the children but aunts, uncles etc…you get the picture.  If you had stock in the mosquito spray company you did well. And We also spent lots of time staying cool.  Seems the summers are getting lots and lots hotter where I live or maybe just me Then Septermber came…sadly…and my best friend Olive Clayson passed…I cried and cried and then cried some more.  She was an important person for so many of us mastocytosis people.  Not only was she a founder of the Mastocytosis society but her knowledge of our disease was so important…she encouraged many when they seem not to have a bright day.  She researched and kept up her data base of knowledge to share not only with us patients but lots of doctors as well.  I cried and I miss her phone calls and her emails and her jokes she played on me and I cried.   And Then we had Thanksgiving…and I had to really think about something to be thankful about…hummmm  oh I know…I am thankful that I have a small bathroom.  Now I know many of you have this big beautiful one but mine is small BUT I can always hold on to something or if I need to climb in the tub there are my hand bars…and if I need to bend over..no problem there is a …something…to hold on to…yes I am thankful for my small bathroom… Then Well Christmas rolled right up on the calendar… and since daughter was going  of state on a dog sitting assignment we had it early…she was going to be gone for some weeks so we decided that was best…and guess what I got for Christmas….BACON…BACON…BACON…as well as sausage and chicken tenders…but the big prize was BACON…did you ever wonder why bacon is so good but maybe not good for you and who cares and I learned how to …BAKE BACON…now I urge you to go to youtube or somewhere and read how…it is wonderful and this house may never fry bacon again… THEN I looked at the calendar again and realized….I WILL SOON BE 84 AND HOPING FOR MANY MORE…that’s right my birthday is coming up soon.  And here we need to talk a little about getting older… FIRST Getting older means lots of things..it means that I am starting a petition to all companies that make plastic storage and freezer bags..that they no longer put those little slot things to close the bags that they go to the zipper type only. That ALL bottles  including ketchup  have easy to open lids. And am looking for a fork that has sideboards so that you can eat peas without them falling off into your lap…lots of important things to tend to when you get old. Now Mary “my neighbor who lives across the pasture” have been doing some humming lately…now Mary is doing great after her big cancer bout I am so proud of her..I truly believe that her attitude brought her thru this bad time…but back to humming…well see I read this article that says when you forget the word you want to use…you just hum…works for us. REMEMBER I wish I could tell you that my sight is not getting worse but I cannot…REMEMBER “gentle eye doctor” telling me that I was not going blind…however he did not say ALMOST…I am still able to color for which I am so thankful…it does require me to use bright light and closer to my eyes and that is ok because it brings me great joy to color and share with others… HOWEVER Not being able to see to cut your toenails is a bummer…I remember going to see my dad in his last years…dad was a proud man..but he did ask me to take my big clippers and cut his toenails as he could not…I remember that and how hard it must have been for him. Here at the farm we are getting ready for spring and the stormy season to arrive.  This year we have a rather large group of “meadow larks” had not see any of those in a couple of years…lots of cardinals or redbirds …and we have a new kitten/cat…she is a wild cat but she likes son and they are trying to get friendly..he calls her …sweet pea…Ranger gave her several life lessons while she was still very small…how to climb the tree and stalk a mouse…he is still going off for days and days on some secret assignment…and he may have recruited Sweet Pea into the service as she is not here this morning as she never leaves the yard…we are hoping that she is not in trouble.. Oh oh oh..how could I forget..I have a gentleman friend online..he is a sweetheart…he sent me a “scarlet pink Moster Minky throw” for Christmas …we talk every day…and he is my friend Olive’s son Steve…he is such fun…we talk about the weather and the snow he sometimes wants to send over the mountains to me…and his wonderful sister Mary Ann who I love dearly make days fun. Well think that is about it for catching up…I will try to do a better job… Love to you all Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps”

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/19/18 at 07:50:47 I WROTE THIS FOR THE MASTOCYTOSIS SOCIETY NEWSLETTER HOWEVER I AM NOT SURE THEY ARE PUBLISHING ANYMORE SO JUST WANTED YOU TO READ ABOUT MY DEAR FRIEND With the passing of Olive I was ask to write something about her.  I really had to stop and think of how I could do that. Olive was a special person to many not only as a source of information regarding Mastocytosis but a friend to many of us who struggled each day with this disease. I first met Olive in 1984 and we have been friends since that time.  Over 33 years. We met in the Mastocytosis online chat room.  You could log into the room and there was always someone to lift your spirits or just tell you that you were not alone. I miss that. We talked on the phone a lot and emails flew between us several times a week.  We supported each other…we laughed together…and we cried together and most of all we hated Mastocytosis together.  If I was ill she was on her vast data base of Masto to see if she had information to help. Our last projects together started as a joke.  Olive sent me a color book for my 83th birthday as I  had been  very stressed.  She had read that it was good for stress and it worked.  It was the start of “Pencil Paintings” and a series of Flower Missions pictures that I color and sent to people who just needed to know someone cares. Thank you for that Olive. Thank you Olive for being my friend…I will miss you…and I cried. Joyce “redbird” McEntire   :'( :'(   :'( :'(

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 02/22/18 at 05:09:26 just a gentile reminder.... if you know someone who needs "FLOWERS"  or needs to know someone cares please send their name and address to the email address listed here and I will be sure that they go out right away coloring@pldi.net FLOWERS ARE NATURE'S SMILES

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/06/18 at 03:16:44 Today is the day…yup today we change the reading material in the bathroom….you know the book or magazine that is there for you to look at or read while performing your duty. Currently and for many months mine has been a recipe book ….telling you all these fancy things that you can make and if you are honest with yourself …realize that you will never make one… Now some of the pages you have memorized…you could recall that recipe from the depth of your memory…just see it on your table for dinner...and then again you are honest…it will never happen… So what is next for this scared spot…hummm maybe a travel picture book…nope will not happen as going to the local market is a really big event… How about how to decorate the house…nope that will not happen…you do not even have the energy to dust… You could read how to invest your money and see how the stock market is doing…nope you do not  need to read that… money is tight and the wallet is thin… Maybe a picture book of flowers as your coloring is going strong and it is good to see all the wonderful colors…. So what is the answer…I am not sure but will let you know what lands in my bathroom spot…         WHAT IS IN YOUR BATHROOM?? Redbird The word writer Getting old is not for wimps Flowers are nature's smiles

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 03/16/18 at 03:58:27 WORD WRITER WINS THE LOTTERY!! Oh come on… all of you have wished and dream of winning the lottery.  We think about what we would do…pay of all debts…send the kids to college…a new car one of those that runs down the road faster than you can drive and does not use gas…you just plug it in to the electric and you are set to go…maybe a new house…give money to some good charities…and the list could go on and on….. We also know how hard it is to win…next to impossible…the odds are sure against you…and you know there are all kinds of lotteries….some for money or cars or pizzas or vacation or a life time of chocolate candy…BUT WE WON A LOTTERY…. One of the interesting things about our win was….we did not know we won….we did not get a letter in the mail nor a phone call….it just came… Our award came in the silence of the night…no balloons…or a knock on the door…just silence…in fact we did not know we won until  son went  outside… saw the prize laying right there on the ground…not wrapped with a bow it just lay there on the ground… Mom he called….come and look at the yard…and I did…and there lay the prize….someone had rototilled our front yard…sure enough there it was…none of the neighbor’s yard seem to have this event..just us…so am thinking this is a lottery prize that we won…another yard around the corner had a few places so guess they won second place… So now I am out carefully looking and suddenly it hit me…and being an old farm raised gal…I instantly knew…hogs had dug in the yard…not in a small place a biggggg one. We had heard about feral/wild hogs in our area but  never thought about a visit from them delivering such a prize…now in front of our house is a large pasture…and behind us a small pasture and how lucky we were that they found us to deliver our prize…nothing for the neighbor to the left or the right…just us…it was done so well that neighbors ask us if we were going to plant a garden… So I am looking and trying to understand why we won this prize…I found that a group of wild hogs are called “sounders” and they can smell for 5-7 miles and 25 feet underground…so the only thing that I can think of is….we have a dirty smelly lawn. So be careful what you wish and dream for…winning the lottery can not always be fun.. Redbird The word writer :D “getting old is not for wimps” Flowers are natures smiles

Title: Re: redbird's blog and stories Post by redbird on 04/06/18 at 04:58:06 TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY AND I AM NOW 84 AND HOPING FOR MANY MORE ON THE ROAD TO 85 redbird the word writer :D "getting old is not for wimps" "flowers are nature's smiles"

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