August 24, 2015

Bird Migration Time

August 24, 2015

Immature Hooded Warbler

Have I mentioned that I love the bird migration times?  This is just the very front edge of the migrations of these tiny winged wonders.  For the next couple of months we should be able to enjoy them in our area, and some will stop here for the winter.  Every morning when I open the curtains in the sewing room, I have no idea which birds will be there to greet me.

My guess is an American Goldfinch, 

but as always, I am open to correction.

This morning,  Ron let me sleep late.  I woke up about 7:45 and asked if he had tried to wake me.  He said he he had not and was going to wait until he was leaving for the office.  I got up and opened the curtains.  It was not long before I saw a new visitor on the birdbath. (the photo above)

Immature Hooded Warbler

I had gotten a load of laundry done and baked some biscuits, and gotten ready for work when I looked out and the little visitor from yesterday, the young Hood Warbler (at top of page) was playing on the birdbath in the spray from the fountain.  He was really having a good time and was hard to photograph because he was hoping for one spot to another rapidly.

 Immature Hooded Warbler

Heading to the office was not my first choice.  I wanted to stay home and take bird photos, but that wasn't really an option. I put away the camera and finished getting things in the car.  It was well after 10:30 before I got there.  Before long, I left to take some things by the church.  One of the people I needed to see was not going to be available for a bit so I went by Mom's to check on her.  She had not gotten up and so I encouraged her to get up and eat.

After chatting with Mom for a little bit I returned to the church and was able to talk to the lady I needed to see.  She is one of the women going on the Nepal team trip next week and I had some shirts I thought she could use.  They need to wear long shirts and I had some that I think will work.  From there I went to pay the shop utility bill.

Hooded Warbler

When I got back to the office I ate my lunch before Ron left for an appointment.  He was gone about an hour.  I had spent time running off copies for him and got a lot done.  After he had been back for a while, I did some sewing, working on the borders for the string pieced scrap quilt.  I did not make much progress, but enjoyed sewing for a while.

After work, Ron and I met a couple from our Sunday School class for supper at Luby's.  We were to meet at the one at the mall, but I guess I put my brain on auto-pilot and went to the one we usually go to.  After waiting for a few minutes, I remembered we were to be at the other one.  It had even been my suggestion.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

We sat and talked for almost 3 hours!  We had a good time getting to know each other a little better.  They are a nice couple and we are glad to have them in our class.  It was hard to hear in the cafeteria.  John had lots of interesting stories to share and we enjoyed hearing their travel adventures.

Goldfnch

Leaving the mall, I told Ron I would go by Mom's house and check on her.  She was sorting papers when I got there and was feeling much better, but is coughing some.  We were trying to figure out the cause for both of us battling allergies right now and her vote is the ebony trees that have been blooming the last few days.  She may be right; I usually have trouble when they bloom.

The little Goldfinch is hard to see in this photo

At home I discovered that food in my freezer was thawing out!  I set it to Quick Freeze and the temperature in the freezer has dropped about 20 degrees in the last 45 minutes.  Hope it is OK.  Don't have any desire to see the appliance repairman this week.

Hooded Warbler

August 23, 2015

Great Lesson in Sunday School

Great Message in Worship Service

August 23, 2015

Great Kiskadee

This morning I was up just before my 5:00 alarm and took my medications.  At 6:00 I took my allergy shots.  Between those two events, I spent time on the computer and in the kitchen.  After the shots I got another hour of sleep before getting ready for church and Sunday School.  We were running late and I am not sure why. 

White-winged Dove

Currently we are about to finish up a study in Revelation in our Sunday School class.  We had a very good attendance and have had all through this study.  Almost everyone was there.  We have 27 on roll (I think) and 23 there today.  There is usually good discussion, but it was even better today.

Great Kiskadee

The worship service was very good.  My husband even sat with me!  He usually helps in the vestibule during the service, but sat with me and it was a nice change.  The son of one of our class members will be baptized next Sunday and we are so happy about that.  They are a new family in our church and are such a joy to be around.  The church has had over 30 baptisms over the summer.  That is such a blessing.  God is working at First Baptist Church, Brownsville.  A lot of people are also working hard to help others and reach out to the community.

Great Kiskadee

There was a report this morning from the team in Nepal.  It is the monsoon season there and as the team trekked up the mountain to a distant village they were delayed by mudslides and spent a couple of days in a village not on their schedule, but it was on God's schedule.  They were stuck there because down from the village, mudslides occurred after they had passed, so they could not go either way.  After a couple of days they were able to continue the trek up the mountain to do the intended work.  They have another week there and a week from tomorrow the third team with leave. 

Great Kiskadee

One of the stores where the team was shopping for good hiking boots, donated $50 in supplies for the people there.  Many want to help these hurting people in Nepal in any way they can.  In another helping ministry, many of the young adults helped in a neighborhood cleanup project for several hours yesterday.  The city maintenance crews are working with these groups to haul away the debris they accumulate in their cleaning of the alleyways.  

Buff-bellied Hummingbird

After church Ron and I picked up lunch and came home to eat.  Ron napped all afternoon while I worked on the things Carmen took out of my closet yesterday.  I have about 75% of the job done to get everything cleaned up.  Then I spent a couple of hours cleaning in the sewing room.  The sewing room is a constant challenge to keep clean and organized.  When working on a project I may get out stacks of  fabric to select the exact thing I think I need and then all the other things need to be put up.  Or sometimes I leave out 10 or 12 pieces while I make my final decision.  I just don't keep up well with returning things to the shelves.  As soon as I do, I want something out of the stack I just put away. I fixed supper for us and then returned to the sewing room to work.  It is almost clean enough to sew in now! 

Golden-fronted Woodpecker that thinks he is a hummingbird

While in Sunday School this morning I got a text from Mom's helper telling me not to come pick Mom up for worship service.  I exchanged a few texts and she said Mom was not feeling well.  I went to check on her and I think she is tired from getting so much done while my sister was here.  They were on the go every day.  It was all things Mom had on her list to accomplish but it was so hot during that time that just being in the heat was exhausting besides all they accomplished.  Hopefully a day or two of rest will have her up and about again quickly.

Probably an immature Hooded Warbler

Starting yesterday afternoon while Ron was working in the yard, I have started seeing the migrating birds.  Yesterday there was an oriole and a couple of hummingbirds.  This morning the birds were out early, but it was only the regulars.  This afternoon, I saw the oriole again and a warbler, stopping by on their way south, along with a Lesser Goldfinch (who would not pose for a photo).  I was able to get some photos today and hope you are enjoying them throughout the blog posting. 

 Probably an immature Hooded Warbler

The Great Kiskadee and the White-winged Dove, as well as the Golden-fronted Woodpecker live in our neighborhood all year long.  The same is true of the Buff-bellied Hummingbird.  It is good to see the colorful birds for a few weeks.  Ron had been working on the fountains recently and got one of the waterfalls running this afternoon since the warblers love the waterfalls.  He has been extra helpful the last week or so.

Probably an immature Hooded Warbler

August 22, 2015

Airport Good-Bye to My Sister

August 22, 2015

My sister from Idaho had been visiting Mom for about 10 days and this morning it was time to say good-bye as she returned to the far northwest again.  I know Mom loved having her at her house for a nice long visit.  They got a lot done: some medical tests for Mom, new glasses ordered for Mom, hearing aids checked, hair appointment, trip to McAllen, two trips to the beach, shopping, shopping, grocery shopping, and several more activities.  My sister helped her get things done that I have just not had the time to do with Mom. 

Then our youngest sister from north Texas came for a couple of days and the two sisters who are close in age, spent time laughing and catching up.  There were good visits all around.  Our youngest sister is coming back to the area soon and I am sure Mom will get to spend time with her again.

My day started about 6:00 and I worked in the kitchen for a while, showered and dried my hair and went to Mom's to pick up Carmen, my sister and Mom.  We brought Carmen here to work and visited a bit before going to the airport.  I asked Carmen to take everything out of my closet except the hanging clothes so I could sort through the things.  Then she helped me move a bookcase into that room so I could have more room for the books waiting to be read.  She did everything I asked, but I didn't finish going through the things, so I need to finish that in the next couple of days.

After we left the airport, I took Mom home and then worked on the things out of the closet,  Even in the air-conditioned house, my hair was soaking wet from sweat while I was working.  After taking Carmen home I had a snack and took a nap.  It was early evening when I woke up.  Ron had been taking out a couple of trees in the back yard.  I pulled grass and weeds out of a section of the backyard where ivy is covering the ground.

White-winged Dove

The grocery store was next on my list.  It was 7:00 when I left and 9:00 by the time I got home and unloaded the groceries.  That made it 10:00 before I ate supper and Ron was already asleep.  He had probably worked in the heat too long.  Where he was working is completely shady and we had a strong wind, but I know he was tired.

Around 12:00 to 1:00 (mid day) when I was getting so hot working inside the air conditioned house, the heat index was about 106 degrees.  Even at 7:00 as I headed to the grocery store, the heat index was 95 degrees.  All day I kept getting so sweaty that I would take off the Cochlear Sound Processor  because my hair was getting so wet. 

I had really hoped to sew today, but that didn't happen and I doubt it will happen tomorrow.  Oh, well, that is why it takes me so long to finish a quilt. 

August 21, 2015

A Little More Frustration

August 21, 2015

White-winged Dove

This morning I was up at 5:00 and stayed up, finishing the blog from yesterday and then after my allergy shots, doing some sewing.  There were several birds out enjoying the beautiful morning and I took a few photos.  I got several things done and then went by Mom's on the way to the office and visited with my youngest sister who is leaving this afternoon and the other one who will leave tomorrow morning, as well as with Mom.

Male Golden-Fronted Woodpecker on the hummingbird feeder

I made it to the office about 10:30 and spent the morning on a little paper work.  Then took care of a few unfinished chores on my desk.  Ron left to see why his car tire had a slow leak in it and found that there were two nails in it.  He got that fixed and brought my lunch from the house that I had forgotten to bring.

This morning, looking out the sewing room window

Mid-afternoon, I had to come to the house to get the phone number of the dental specialist who did my root canal yesterday.  When I had arrived at the office this morning, Ron said my dentist had called and that they could not see me for 3 1/2 weeks!  The specialist had emphasized that I needed to see the regular dentist as soon as possible.  I wanted Ron to check and see if that 3 1/2 weeks of waiting was alright.  She said to avoid chewing on that side.  I think a lifetime of habit will be hard to overcome.

The backyard when I got home from work.  

Ron had been watering it, but the rain helped a lot, too.

It looks like it won't get done with the dental work by the time we leave on our short vacation the end of September and that frustrates me.  I tend to lose temporary caps.  At this time I don't even have a temporary cap and so the area is very unprotected.  I was hoping that I would be through with the temporary cap by the time we leave.  I can only hope for a cancellation sooner.

I think this plant is know as Mother-in-law's tongue.

I have heard other names.

I ended up taking a nap with my head on my desk at the office for a while. It was quiet, as it often is on Friday afternoons and Ron was working at his desk.  As long as my snoring didn't get too loud, I guess it was OK.

Clouds on my way home. 

 Probably off the coast, out over the Gulf of Mexico.

After work we came home.  We usually do supper with Mom on Friday nights but she and my sisters went to McAllen to see if one could get on a flight out of there this afternoon.  The Brownsville flight seemed to be full.

Ron mowing the backyard late this evening

This evening, my kind husband mowed the backyard for me for the third time in a row.  Usually I do it, but lately he has been doing it and I appreciate it.  I think he is feeling better and I am not feeling as well as usual.  Nothing major, just all of these little things that have piled up lately.  Just eating soft things and going light on food following yesterday's root canal, have taken a toll on me.  Ready to feel good and get back to accomplishing things.

Beautiful early evening sky

The air is so clean and the sky is beautiful this evening.  It is a nice change and my car even got rinsed off yesterday in the rain.  It still needs washing but it is much better than it has been lately.

This year, the Royal Poinciana trees have continued blooming longer than usual.  There are still a few blooms on mine and I have seen a few trees in town in full bloom.

Royal Poinciana tree

Supper was a variety of vegetables.  It really turned out to be pretty good.  Ron often orders a veggie plate when we eat out but I prefer a little meat with my veggies.  Anyhow, it was good.

I spent time figuring the amount of fabric I need to finish a quilt I am working on.  I have a couple of pieces of fabric I can use, if I have enough.  It looks like I need a little more and the only quilt shop south of Corpus closed recently.  Guess I will have to order it on line.

August 20, 2015

Oh, What a Day!

August 20, 2015

Sunrise as I head to Harlingen

Ron faithfully got me up at 5:30 so I could shower, wash and dry my hair and get ready to leave by 7:00 to be at the dental specialist by 8:00 in Harlingen.  Traffic to Harlingen a little later can be heavy but was not bad at 7:00.  While I was getting ready I had the television on and checked some Facebook postings.  One was from a friend in the McAllen area who commented on how bad the storms were all night with lots of lightening, thunder, and rain.  So I switched to the local news and found out some parts of McAllen had 6.5 inches of rain overnight!  We had nothing here.

That heavy rainfall up the valley didn't make me happy about driving to Harlingen this morning.  Above you see our sunrise to the east.  Looking west, clouds were all we could see.

Morning clouds in Brownsville

I only had a very light shower on the way to Harlingen and it was very brief, accompanied by some beautiful lightening.  I had just glanced at the map the dentist's office gave me to help find the specialist.  The map showed it was next door to What-a-Burger.  I didn't pay much more attention to the map.  I should have.  There are two What-A-Burgers in town.  I went first to the wrong one.  I made it to the right one with a few minutes to spare.

This appointment was for the specialist to see if she thought that I needed a Root Canal done, and if so on which tooth.  The pain seemed to be in two teeth.  The specialist turned out to be a tiny lady, Dr. Kayla Tavares, and I liked her right away.  After an assortment of tests and x-rays, she decided one tooth needed the root canal.  She spotted infection at the tip of the root and major decay at the top of the cap/crown.

After the exam and the discussion she offered to show me a video of what was involved in a root canal.  I told her I would like to see it.  I asked the helper if the video had closed captions.  She looked and found that they did and it made it much easier for me to follow the video.  Watching television, I do not get all of the dialog and appreciate when closed captioning is available.

Talking to the receptionist afterwards to schedule the procedure, she said they could do it today at 1:00 or next week.  I had a 1:30 appointment at my doctor in Brownsville, so I called Ron and asked him to call and see if I could change that appointment and they said yes, so I accepted the 1:00 appointment with Dr. Tavares.  That gave me time to go to Brownsville, see my doctor, get lunch as directed by the specialist, and return to Harlingen for the root canal - all in one very busy day.  I don't think I mentioned that my pain level was very low today compared to yesterday.

The time at the doctor's office back in Brownsville was quick, I picked up lunch on the way to our office, and shared it with Ron.  He offered to go with me.  The dentist here had said they would knock me out, but they said they would not, so I was not necessary for him to go, but with the weather being unpredictable, I accepted his offer and we headed to Harlingen.

This office in Harlingen has at least 4 specialists who do root canals.  

They also have an office in McAllen. 

At first, Dr. Tavares had said it should take about an hour, but a more detailed look at all that was going to have to be done, she said it would be longer.  The cap had to be removed because of decay at the top of the tooth.  The root canal was very narrow and was closing off, so it was going to take extra time to drill through the area.  In all, it took about 2 hours, but there was no pain and I did fine.  I think I actually fell asleep at one point.

We drove home, stopped for prescriptions at Walgreen's, stopped at my dentist's office to talk to them about when to start on a new cap which is going to be involved since so little tooth is left and will involve gum work, too, and went to our office so Ron could get his car.  We went home.  Tired, broke (not really, but it was not cheap and the future work is going to be pricey), but very pleased with the specialist and the fact that we were able to get it done so fast.

We met our friends for supper and I just ate some refried beans for supper while they all ate yummy Mexican food.  Later at home I made some tapioca for myself.  The visit was good.  I really feel like my life has become centered around doctors, and yet in general, I am in good health and active.  God is meeting the needs.

At home after supper I read for a while and talked to our daughter-in-law in New Mexico.  Then I started this blog entry, but when I fell asleep at the computer, I decided it was time for bed, so it is being finished when I got up at 5:00 Friday morning for my allergy medication and now it is time for my shots.  That reminds me, the allergist was at the doctor's office when I went in and I was able to tell her about the strong reaction to the shot that I had on last Saturday.  She gave me some suggestions and it was helpful to be able to just talk to her about the situation.

Dr. Tavares was good about remembering to speak slowly and clearly for me.  It turned out she was from New Jersey and New York and I was amazed she talked slowly enough for me to understand her.  I did take off my Cochlear Sound Processor while she drilled and listened to the music in my head since ear phones with music would not be of any help for me.  

As I am finishing this up early Friday morning, I am not having any pain.  I would highly recommend the specialist, Dr. Kayla Tavares, for anyone needing a root canal.  That is all she does.  She says she loves doing them and I think she good at it.  God continues to provide just the help we need when we need it.

August 19, 2015

A Frustrating Start to My Day

August 19, 2015

Since I didn't take photos today, I thought I would throw in some for the island on this past Saturday evening.  I would much rather have been at the island than at the dentist.

Last night I had a couple of teeth that were very sensitive.  They were getting painful.  I went to sleep at a fairly early time but was awake by 4:00 with a very bad tooth (or teeth) ache.  I planned to get up at 5:00, but went ahead and took the antihistamine at 4:00 so I could do the shots at 5:00 when Ron woke me; but I never went back to sleep.  There are two capped teeth that have given me trouble for a long time - relatively minor trouble, but just nagging discomfort. 

Ron was surprised to find me ready to do the shots at 5:00 and after I did them, he went back to sleep, but I was in too much pain to do the same.  By 8:45 I was at the dentists' office to see if they could see me later in the day because Ron had a job in Los Fresnos at 10:00.  First the lady at the desk said it would be several days.  Then she pulled up my chart and said to have a seat; they would be right with me.  I don't know what my chart says, but it may have been something like: "This lady needs lots of expensive work and pays as soon as work is done.  Be nice to her."

Whatever it said, worked to my advantage because the father and son of the office saw me right away.  They decided that I needed at least one and maybe two root canals and that I needed to see a specialist in Harlingen for the work.  Cha-ching! or said another way, $$$$!  I was not pleased, but what can you do?  They also warned me the caps could have to be replaced or the teeth removed and new ones made.  By the time they finished, my tooth didn't hurt nearly as much.

A line of pelicans flying over.

Actually, it is true that the pain had diminished a lot.  For that I was thankful, but I will see the specialist and see what he suggests.  These capped teeth have been a problem for a long time.  Something is not right and I don't know if it is the root or if one may be loose.  We will see what I find out, at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow - in Harlingen.  In fact when the lady at the desk called for the appointment they said they could see me at 10:30 today and it was 9:45.  I said I couldn't do that because of Ron's promised job, but I am glad he can see me so soon.

The visit tomorrow will just be for him to evaluate the situation and let me know what he thinks we should do.  So that means I need to be up real early in the morning to be on the road just after 7:00 to find the place in Harlingen in the old downtown area. 

After all that I returned to the office and Ron left on his job and another one in the same area.  By noon the teeth were not bothering me.  I do not want unnecessary work, but I don't want to put off something that can flare up at a bad time later.

Mourning Dove

During the afternoon I got the last 5 blocks made for the string quilt project.  I still need to do some borders and find the fabrics I want for the sashings and corner squares.  I waited on lots of the customers, of course all of them while Ron was out and some when he got back while he worked on projects he needed to do for customers and a large order he needed to place.

I left the office a little early to pick up three prescriptions.  One, they had called about the previous day and the two the dentist gave me this morning; one an antibiotic and one a pain killer.  They had no record of any of them.  Eventually, it turned out I had the prescriptions from the dentist with me.  He had said they would call them in, but he ended up giving them to me with other paper work and I never looked at it again once I got to the office.  Red face.  Short term memory failure.  Thankfully the lady at the pharmacy just laughed and was very nice about it.

I came home, fixed some supper, napped, and am now heading to be to be able to get up early in the morning.  I hope the heavy rains predicted for tomorrow wait until I am back from Harlingen.  Oh, and late in the afternoon the doctor's office called to remind me of my appointment for tomorrow afternoon at 1:30.  This is a regular monthly check.  Ron was taking the call and I showed him my calendar which said it was Friday at 1:30.  He relayed that to them and they said, "Oh, yes, but we are closing early Friday."  So, just call and ask if I can come in on Thursday, don't make my crazy brain think I wrote it down wrong!

Sunset at the island

All that adds up to me getting very little done tomorrow at the office.  Another note: I was exchanging postings with a friend about my new restrictive meal plan while my stomach heals for the next few months.  The discussion was on what I can drink.  She mentioned powdered mixes to add to water and I said I was doing some weak Kool-Aid, but she had mentioned checking the labels, so I did and it turns out grape Kool-Aid has citric acid in it (to add tartness, it says) and that tosses that choice out.  She also encouraged me to not do Crystal Lite due to high sodium levels in it.  Back to the drawing board, as they say.

After a week on the new diet with these restrictions on the foods, it is not bad.  There are some things I will miss like spaghetti, pizza, Dr. Peppers, chocolate, etc., but they really are minor.  I am doing fine so far on the food, it is just finding something I like to drink.  I will manage.  As the doctor said, "There is always peanut butter and jelly."  (As long as the jelly isn't too acidic.)  It is only for 6 to 9 months!

I hope you all had a great day.

August 17 & 18, 2015

Two Slow Days

August 17 & 18, 2015

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker enjoying the hummingbird feeder

Monday and Tuesday have been slow days for me; partly because it was a little slow at the office.  Ron had lots of counter work to do (things people brought in to the office to have fixed) so he stayed busy, but I was not very busy.

Monday was allergy shot day.  That went better than the ones Saturday.  I had the strongest skin reaction yet on Saturday with a very large red area.  Monday was mild.  I did end up going back to sleep after Ron left for work and didn't wake up until about 10:00, so it was 11:00 when I got to the office and I was not feeling great.  Ron took care of most of the customers, allowing me to stay in my office.  By mid-afternoon I was feeling better and helped with some of the customers.  Also, I sewed, completing 4 more of the string quilt blocks, leaving only 5 to my goal of 154.  I still have more border sections to complete.

After work I came home and had a light supper and Ron stayed and worked late at the office.  Eventually I went to bed early and slept a good long time.  Even so, I hit the snooze alarm many times this morning.  When I went back to the gastroenterologist last week, I was given a new eating plan - no citrus, no tomato products, nothing with vinegar, no chocolate, and no sodas.  No caffeine.   The lack of caffeine is a factor in my being sleepy all of the time.  When I am off caffeine, I don't get much done.  People sometimes say I am like the Energizer Bunny.  Well, without caffeine, this Energizer Bunny is like a bunny with no batteries!

My headaches were very mild this time when I stopped the caffeine compared to previous times, but I am sleepy.  Bummer.  I will adjust in a few more days, but this transition time is the pits.  I am doing fine without the things I am cutting out.  I miss Dr. Peppers, but the main problem is finding something I like to drink.  So far it is VERY weak decaf tea and Kool-Aid, but I can only take the Kool-Aid in small amounts. 

Tuesday morning I got up and had breakfast and worked some in the kitchen.  It was about 10:00 when I got to the office.  I spent time in the morning on the computer and in the afternoon, I paid a couple of bills and did a little searching for a piece of fabric I am wanting.  At just after 4:00 I left the office and picked up Carmen to bring her to our house to do some cleaning.  Then I met Mom and my sister Debbie for supper at Luby's. 

While I was waiting, a customer of ours at the office came to talk to me.  He and I had discussed my bird photos before when he had come in (only once that I know of that he came in).  We talked a bit and then it came out his wife was just diagnosed with cancer and he is really focused on that and having a little trouble focusing on things he needs to at work.  I told him I would pray for his wife and he thanked me.  I don't know his name (I will try to get it next time he comes in which he said would be soon).  God knows her name and it doesn't matter if I don't.  That is one of the many amazing things about God; if I just think of this couple, God knows who they are and what they need.

Mom had not gotten my email and didn't know she was to meet me there at 5:30 so after I called to see where they were, she and my sister hurried and got ready to join me.  Then they came to visit at our house and they took Carmen with them when they left.  While we visited in the sewing/bird viewing room, we watched the woodpecker help himself to supper at the hummingbird feeder.  I had put out a new feeder this morning and noticed how far it was down when I got home.  Then I saw the woodpecker on it and knew why so much of the food was gone.

Woodpecker on hummingbird feeder

There was a hummingbird flitting around the backyard at the same time as the woodpecker was eating (or rather drinking) his supper.  The hummingbird was busy with the hibiscus bushes.  It is fun to watch what goes on out in the backyard.