This is my first blog and I enjoy writing each and every post immensely. I started a walking regimen in 2011 and decided to create a blog as a means of memorializing the people, places and things I see on my daily walks. I have always enjoyed people watching, and so my blog is peppered with folks I meet, or reflections of characters I have known through the years. Often something piques my interest, or evokes a pleasant memory from my memory bank, so this becomes a “slice o’ life” blog post that day. I respect and appreciate nature and my interaction with Mother Nature’s gifts is also a common theme. Sometimes the most-ordinary items become fodder for points to ponder over and touch upon. My career has been in the legal field and I have been a legal secretary for four decades, primarily working in downtown Detroit, and now working from my home. I graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in print journalism in 1978, though I’ve never worked in that field. I like to think this blog is the writer in me finally emerging!! Walking and writing have met and shaken hands and the creative juices are flowing once again in Walkin’, Writin’, Wit & Whimsy – hope you think so too. - Linda Schaub
I was surprised he stayed there long enough to let me get a photo. The only time I see swallows stop from their swooping and diving, is when they sit on a nesting box to guard their mate and youngsters.
I’m just seeing this now Laurie, but I’m laughing as you must subscribe by e-mail, because I put “Barn Swallow” (which still shows up in the link for this blog), but I was thinking about the post and realized I called it a “Barn” Swallow not a “Tree Swallow” so when I got online I came over and changed it. Yes, the white chest should have told me … good thing you are observant. 🙂 The Barn Swallows have peach-colored chests and don’t sit on boxes. I scheduled this post a while ago and next week’s post as well.
Laurie – that Swallow looked down at that mess, then right at me as if to defiantly tell me that was not his doing … I knew I had a quirky title then and there (provided the picture came out)!
I thought I saved myself making that “swallow” mix-up again … oh well. Yes, studying the furry and feathered critters almost every day at Council Point Park does give me some insight as to how they tick. Birds are very intelligent – we had pet birds for years. I always wonder how they got the moniker of “bird brain”?
They don’t land too much Diane. I was lucky to see that group of swallows sitting on a branch this Summer – a rare thing as they swoop and dive around the overlooks at they make nests underneath. They are pretty and their feathers look iridescent.
I love to see the little swallows. I saw a mockingbird do the same thing on the side mirror of our car today, and by the looks of it, it had been there several times before.
Me too – swallows so rarely perch, but this one did make me laugh when it looked down, then looked at me. Funny you seeing the mockingbird do the same thing. Birds have their favorite spots to sit. I deal with that with Robins on my split-rail fence. They are mad because I stuff something in the coach light to keep them from making nests in the “elbow”.
What a pretty bird! Its head tilt is suspicious, like pretending nothing happened.
You crack me up with your titles. It’s a gift! My mind just doesn’t work like that. lol
I always like when birds and animals do the head tilt – it is as if you can hear their brain gears clicking. Glad you liked the title Esther … it had a guilty look on its face and I took the photo and picked the title then and there (if the photo came out okay).
I agree Barbara – he looked surprised to find it there and almost defiantly looked at me as I took the photo. I was glad the photo came out okay as I figured it would give a few smiles.
Glad you clarified that! Sorry I haven’t responded to your gmail. I had hair color apptment today, wrote yesterday all day, and tomorrow the gas meter change….it’s always something. Very cold tonight so I suspect it will be snow by morning.
Yes, the cute bird did not want to be associated with the mess. Don’t worry about the gmail at all Joni. Consider we are even after I deleted yours – I am still shaking my head over that. Really – don’t worry about it. I know you are busy and I hope your gas meter change got done without issue. We never got the snow though they talked about it all week. Today was Friday the 13th – not much made of that on the news except to say to buy the big Mega Millions lottery ticket because there were four big lottery jackpots won by Michiganders on Friday the 13th over the years. Interesting. I started a new book last night … although I don’t think I will make it to 25 books for 2023, I am going to try. I have to leave here earlier though, which puts me more behind, a real Catch-22. “Spare” hoopla seems to be dying down a little. I’d like to read it, but may wait until paperback. as they’ve had so many excerpts I’ve read and I watchd the “60 Minutes interview.
Gas meter exchange went okay – guy was only here for half an hour. It was bitterly cold and snowy, but he said they work in much colder weather. It was too cold to walk though not too much snow.
That’s good – they did not have to dig anything then Joni? I remember when I got home from walking that day they dug up my garden for Marge’s (Jeff’s) gas meter, I saw some small backhoes in the neighborhood. I figure they are going to move the river rocks and hope they don’t leave them in a big pile or crack them. I walked this morning – it was cold, 28 when I left the house, but when I was driving home my “service tire pressure monitor system” came on … I hope it is just because it was so cold and not another problem. The sun was out today – that was nice for a change.
No, they didn’t have to dig. He was done in 30 minutes or less, he told me that’s all it would take, and then came in and relit the furnace and hot water heater. I had him turn off the gas to the gas fireplace as mom hasn’t used it in 20 years, and gas fireplaces make me nervous, plus it doesn’t throw any heat, it’s just for show. The sun’s out now, so I’d better get out for my walk before it disappears. The week ahead doesn’t look too bad. We’re already half through January!
That’s a good thing Joni. I hope mine is that quick, but I think maybe not. I would worry about a gas fireplace also, but our neighbors had one many years ago in their den and it was so cozy. There is an electric fireplace here, but it is not plugged in … it is heavy to move and when we had it painted/papered they put the cord behind and nowhere near the plug. It was a beautiful day to walk both days (a little too cold yesterday though) and I’m happy we’re halfway through January too. Now signing off here to watch ACG&S.
Hmm – I hope PBS does a recap so I can find out what was in the calves’ water that was killing them. The accents. And was that an olive in the Dalmation’s windpipe? I need subtitles.
Thanks for the recap article Joni – it was very interesting! When I watched Mad Men, I always read the recap article in “The Guardian” along with the comments. Since I didn’t have anyone to discuss it with and the show had aired originally from 2007-2015, I enjoyed the recaps and reading the comments as I finished each episode. So, I wasn’t sure if it was a marble or an olive as to Daisy. And I had no clue about the antimony nor the horn buds, so I’m glad you explained the poison and the recap explained the horn buds. I saw how they showed the front of the bottle and I think there was a skull and crossbones on it, so I knew it was poison, but I had no clue what they were talking about. In the comments, some people agreed with my thinking that Helen cooked at the family farm all the time and no one mentioned burnt or inedible food. Thanks again for clarifying and I kept that link for the remaining four episodes in case I need a translation since there aren’t subtitles.
That’s true she did cook on her own farm….but they mentioned the stove went out so they had to join the crew downstairs for breakfast one day, so I wondered if it was a temperamental stove. I found the first two episodes better than last year, or maybe the characters a bit less irritating. The writing is no where near as good as other British dramas like Doc Martin (now in Season 10 which we are watching now), Downtown Abbey, Poldark or Grantchester. Thank god for the scenery. I couldn’t figure out why Mrs. Pumfrey’s dog was at their wedding but not her?
I do remember that happening with the stove – was it a real stove to cook then? I was thinking it was a wood-burning stove to keep warm and she was just cooking with it. That makes sense. They don’t have a whole lot of room in that attic bedroom. I keep waiting for him to hit his head on the slanted ceiling; she is short so it won’t be a problem for her. I have heard of that Doc Martin series but never seen it – ACG&S is the only TV I’m watching now – I still want to see “Yellowstone” on the Peacock Network which is free with Comcast. I don’t know if I recall seeing the “new” Mrs. Pumfrey last year (the one who replaced Diane Rigg after she died). I wondered about that too – dog was being carried on a cushion. I can’t remember that dog from the books. I still have one, maybe two, paperback books from years ago I have not yet read.
Doc Martin premiered in 2005 I think, 18 years ago anyway, and is a quirky British medical show…..hard to describe, but it’s very good. It’s probably run it’s course though as they’ve runout of story lines. You could watch it when you retire.
I don’t think I heard of it before and just went on Amazon to see if it is available for free on “Prime Video” and it is not – it is $1.99/episode or $19.99/season. It is not available free on the Peacock Network either, just on Pluto which I don’t have. When I Googled to see where I could watch it, the article said it concluded with the Christmas Special in December 2022. I have all these things to do when I’m retired … I hope I get to do half of them! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
We watch it on Zoomer TV Channel 24, a Canadian station, but it is probably also available on BritBox. I missed the first five seasons so I borrowed the DVD sets of each season from the library and we watched them all one winter. I remember catching bits of it before and thinking it was very different, but it’s better to start back at the beginning for the storyline.
There is a new streaming service that is supposed to be fairly cheap with a good selection of shows/movies. Like everything else, I will wait until I am retired to get that. I’m still trying to fit “Yellowstone” into my agenda. After ACG&S is done, I’ll try to start it. It looks Winter might finally be rearing its ugly head next week with plowable snow.
The composition is wonderful with the way the sign has the triangle and the shape and texture of the wood and the softness and color of the bird and their pose!
Such a beautiful photo Linda
Thank you Yvette – to me it was comical to watch this Swallow. It was as if it had a guilty conscience about the mess on the post. I almost didn’t include the second picture as the first seemed to get the message across.
I love the little barn swallows. I see them flying now and then.
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This little guy was so funny Peggy. First, he sat on the box, then looked down, then up at me. 🙂
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Ah, how cute that must have been. A somewhat inquisitive swallow.
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I was surprised he stayed there long enough to let me get a photo. The only time I see swallows stop from their swooping and diving, is when they sit on a nesting box to guard their mate and youngsters.
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Wonderful Swallow. The best photography. It’s sit on the wall. So nice his sound. Beautiful his head colour.
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Glad you liked this Swallow rajkkhoja. They are pretty birds.
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Thanks, Linda!
So pretty!
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Cute pic, Linda!
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Thanks Terri – a little funny to break up our week. That bird looked down, then straight at me and I knew I had my title then and there!
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Hmmm…I don’t think a barn swallow and snow go together! I’m questioning that bird’s story! 🙂
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Wait…TREE swallow, not barn swallow!
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I’m just seeing this now Laurie, but I’m laughing as you must subscribe by e-mail, because I put “Barn Swallow” (which still shows up in the link for this blog), but I was thinking about the post and realized I called it a “Barn” Swallow not a “Tree Swallow” so when I got online I came over and changed it. Yes, the white chest should have told me … good thing you are observant. 🙂 The Barn Swallows have peach-colored chests and don’t sit on boxes. I scheduled this post a while ago and next week’s post as well.
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Laurie – that Swallow looked down at that mess, then right at me as if to defiantly tell me that was not his doing … I knew I had a quirky title then and there (provided the picture came out)!
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You are right, Linda. I do subscribe through email.
It seems so funny when animals exhibit human-like mannerisms!
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I thought I saved myself making that “swallow” mix-up again … oh well. Yes, studying the furry and feathered critters almost every day at Council Point Park does give me some insight as to how they tick. Birds are very intelligent – we had pet birds for years. I always wonder how they got the moniker of “bird brain”?
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How fortunate you are to have found one willing to sit still for you!
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Yes Anne – it was funny as he looked down at the mess, then looked up at me as if to defiantly say “I didn’t do that mess – I dare you to say I did!”
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Clever. What a sneaky little bird!
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Yes, he looked down at the mess, then defiantly looked at me as if to say “I dare you to take my picture lady and pin this on me!”
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they are so fast ! He’s a cute one
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I thought so too Susan – he looked down, then looked up at me as if daring me to take his/her picture. Made me smile.
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What a beautiful swallow, they never land where we can see them. Nice to see what they actually look like Linda.
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They don’t land too much Diane. I was lucky to see that group of swallows sitting on a branch this Summer – a rare thing as they swoop and dive around the overlooks at they make nests underneath. They are pretty and their feathers look iridescent.
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I love to see the little swallows. I saw a mockingbird do the same thing on the side mirror of our car today, and by the looks of it, it had been there several times before.
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Me too – swallows so rarely perch, but this one did make me laugh when it looked down, then looked at me. Funny you seeing the mockingbird do the same thing. Birds have their favorite spots to sit. I deal with that with Robins on my split-rail fence. They are mad because I stuff something in the coach light to keep them from making nests in the “elbow”.
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What a pretty bird! Its head tilt is suspicious, like pretending nothing happened.
You crack me up with your titles. It’s a gift! My mind just doesn’t work like that. lol
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I always like when birds and animals do the head tilt – it is as if you can hear their brain gears clicking. Glad you liked the title Esther … it had a guilty look on its face and I took the photo and picked the title then and there (if the photo came out okay).
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Wonder what they’re thinking about us humans!
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It makes you wonder doesn’t it Esther? Especially when they give us “the head tilt”.
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Little imp! Such a pretty bird couldn’t possibly have anything to do with that poo!
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I agree Barbara – he looked surprised to find it there and almost defiantly looked at me as I took the photo. I was glad the photo came out okay as I figured it would give a few smiles.
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Miss Linda…………………………………….I didn’t do that !!……………………….
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Ann Marie – perhaps “Yahooty” did it?
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Glad you clarified that! Sorry I haven’t responded to your gmail. I had hair color apptment today, wrote yesterday all day, and tomorrow the gas meter change….it’s always something. Very cold tonight so I suspect it will be snow by morning.
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Yes, the cute bird did not want to be associated with the mess. Don’t worry about the gmail at all Joni. Consider we are even after I deleted yours – I am still shaking my head over that. Really – don’t worry about it. I know you are busy and I hope your gas meter change got done without issue. We never got the snow though they talked about it all week. Today was Friday the 13th – not much made of that on the news except to say to buy the big Mega Millions lottery ticket because there were four big lottery jackpots won by Michiganders on Friday the 13th over the years. Interesting. I started a new book last night … although I don’t think I will make it to 25 books for 2023, I am going to try. I have to leave here earlier though, which puts me more behind, a real Catch-22. “Spare” hoopla seems to be dying down a little. I’d like to read it, but may wait until paperback. as they’ve had so many excerpts I’ve read and I watchd the “60 Minutes interview.
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Gas meter exchange went okay – guy was only here for half an hour. It was bitterly cold and snowy, but he said they work in much colder weather. It was too cold to walk though not too much snow.
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That’s good – they did not have to dig anything then Joni? I remember when I got home from walking that day they dug up my garden for Marge’s (Jeff’s) gas meter, I saw some small backhoes in the neighborhood. I figure they are going to move the river rocks and hope they don’t leave them in a big pile or crack them. I walked this morning – it was cold, 28 when I left the house, but when I was driving home my “service tire pressure monitor system” came on … I hope it is just because it was so cold and not another problem. The sun was out today – that was nice for a change.
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No, they didn’t have to dig. He was done in 30 minutes or less, he told me that’s all it would take, and then came in and relit the furnace and hot water heater. I had him turn off the gas to the gas fireplace as mom hasn’t used it in 20 years, and gas fireplaces make me nervous, plus it doesn’t throw any heat, it’s just for show. The sun’s out now, so I’d better get out for my walk before it disappears. The week ahead doesn’t look too bad. We’re already half through January!
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That’s a good thing Joni. I hope mine is that quick, but I think maybe not. I would worry about a gas fireplace also, but our neighbors had one many years ago in their den and it was so cozy. There is an electric fireplace here, but it is not plugged in … it is heavy to move and when we had it painted/papered they put the cord behind and nowhere near the plug. It was a beautiful day to walk both days (a little too cold yesterday though) and I’m happy we’re halfway through January too. Now signing off here to watch ACG&S.
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Hmm – I hope PBS does a recap so I can find out what was in the calves’ water that was killing them. The accents. And was that an olive in the Dalmation’s windpipe? I need subtitles.
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I think it was a pebble. The poison was antimony, which I recognized from a Agatha Christie novel, but I didn’t know how it got in the pail. This recap link explains….I guess….it was painted on the horn buds? I remember her showing him the bottle. Never heard of such a thing myself. https://www.vulture.com/article/all-creatures-great-and-small-season-3-episode-2-recap-honeymoons-over.html
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Thanks for the recap article Joni – it was very interesting! When I watched Mad Men, I always read the recap article in “The Guardian” along with the comments. Since I didn’t have anyone to discuss it with and the show had aired originally from 2007-2015, I enjoyed the recaps and reading the comments as I finished each episode. So, I wasn’t sure if it was a marble or an olive as to Daisy. And I had no clue about the antimony nor the horn buds, so I’m glad you explained the poison and the recap explained the horn buds. I saw how they showed the front of the bottle and I think there was a skull and crossbones on it, so I knew it was poison, but I had no clue what they were talking about. In the comments, some people agreed with my thinking that Helen cooked at the family farm all the time and no one mentioned burnt or inedible food. Thanks again for clarifying and I kept that link for the remaining four episodes in case I need a translation since there aren’t subtitles.
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That’s true she did cook on her own farm….but they mentioned the stove went out so they had to join the crew downstairs for breakfast one day, so I wondered if it was a temperamental stove. I found the first two episodes better than last year, or maybe the characters a bit less irritating. The writing is no where near as good as other British dramas like Doc Martin (now in Season 10 which we are watching now), Downtown Abbey, Poldark or Grantchester. Thank god for the scenery. I couldn’t figure out why Mrs. Pumfrey’s dog was at their wedding but not her?
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I do remember that happening with the stove – was it a real stove to cook then? I was thinking it was a wood-burning stove to keep warm and she was just cooking with it. That makes sense. They don’t have a whole lot of room in that attic bedroom. I keep waiting for him to hit his head on the slanted ceiling; she is short so it won’t be a problem for her. I have heard of that Doc Martin series but never seen it – ACG&S is the only TV I’m watching now – I still want to see “Yellowstone” on the Peacock Network which is free with Comcast. I don’t know if I recall seeing the “new” Mrs. Pumfrey last year (the one who replaced Diane Rigg after she died). I wondered about that too – dog was being carried on a cushion. I can’t remember that dog from the books. I still have one, maybe two, paperback books from years ago I have not yet read.
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Doc Martin premiered in 2005 I think, 18 years ago anyway, and is a quirky British medical show…..hard to describe, but it’s very good. It’s probably run it’s course though as they’ve runout of story lines. You could watch it when you retire.
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I don’t think I heard of it before and just went on Amazon to see if it is available for free on “Prime Video” and it is not – it is $1.99/episode or $19.99/season. It is not available free on the Peacock Network either, just on Pluto which I don’t have. When I Googled to see where I could watch it, the article said it concluded with the Christmas Special in December 2022. I have all these things to do when I’m retired … I hope I get to do half of them! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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We watch it on Zoomer TV Channel 24, a Canadian station, but it is probably also available on BritBox. I missed the first five seasons so I borrowed the DVD sets of each season from the library and we watched them all one winter. I remember catching bits of it before and thinking it was very different, but it’s better to start back at the beginning for the storyline.
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There is a new streaming service that is supposed to be fairly cheap with a good selection of shows/movies. Like everything else, I will wait until I am retired to get that. I’m still trying to fit “Yellowstone” into my agenda. After ACG&S is done, I’ll try to start it. It looks Winter might finally be rearing its ugly head next week with plowable snow.
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That swallow is gorgeous! And American politics consists of way more crap. 🙂
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I was happy that head tilt came out Tom. You make a valid point! 🙂
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That swallow has the most amazing colours on it. He/she is a cutie.
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They are very pretty Hugh and their feathers are so glossy that they look iridescent.
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🤣😂🥰 Aw, that’s an adorable photo and a very clever title, Linda!
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Thanks Shelley – he/she was pretty funny looking down as if on cue. 🙂
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😁🤩 He/she is a star!!
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The composition is wonderful with the way the sign has the triangle and the shape and texture of the wood and the softness and color of the bird and their pose!
Such a beautiful photo Linda
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Thank you Yvette – to me it was comical to watch this Swallow. It was as if it had a guilty conscience about the mess on the post. I almost didn’t include the second picture as the first seemed to get the message across.
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Both pictures worked well
☀️😊
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As long as the poo (I mean snow 😉 ) doesn’t land on my head, I’m good.
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I’m with you Janis – as much time as I spend outside in big parks, I always look up (and duck) if a flock of geese get too close overhead. 🙂
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I guess the owner of the fence post can put off painting it for a few more years.
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Ha ha – yes, if he waits long enough, it will look “whitewashed” and no paint job will be needed. 🙂
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