Blended Families

We visited Austin Nichols and his family last evening for our Friday night get-together.

He's quite the bird, living the good life as a housepet. My little friend has the patience of a saint. It's all I can do to pull the leaves and small branches out of Blue's hair after he's had a good run outdoors.

I can't imagine what daily life would be like with a turkey perched atop your china cabinet.

But I guess we all make allowances for the animals (and people) in our life. We adjust.
We share our space. We readjust so everyone's comfortable.

We do this for the GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER.

Mr. Haji-Mo is a good example. He's the one with the little-dog complex that JB and I took in some 4 years ago, because we couldn't bear the thought of what his fate might be if we didn't.

He looks like Blue, but isn't at all like Blue, but he and Blue have learned to live with each other. Blue wasn't happy at all when Haji first came on the scene.

But then, I don't imagine Thomas was too happy when Blue came either.

So how do do think Haji feels about Lina?

All Creatures Great And Small

This picture of my new study partner, Lina, is a prime example of how I've been doing here of late. Life has been in a constant trot since August. I'm really looking forward to mid-term break in two weeks.

Since the temps have gotten cooler, the deer can be seen more frequently as you travel up or down this back road where we live. My city-girl daughter has expressed great apprehension about the number she sees them on the edge of the road while driving home from work at night. Pop has taken care of her--easing her fears somewhat--by installing two small devices on the front bumper of her car. They are designed to emit a sound only deer can hear. These small devices should alert the deer to her passing car.

Doesn't work on skunks, though. She managed to end one's life the other night. Now her pretty baby blue Mustang has a very unattractive scent. The driver side window was cracked ever so slightly when the incident occurred, so she's getting quite the education from friends and family.


I haven't been down to visit my little friend for about a month now (since school started), but I understand Austin Nichols has grown quite a bit. During their last visit, I listened to tales of how they are of trying to introduce him to the outside. She walks the bird in an effort to make him more comfortable with life outside the house. Her husband even built him an elaborate pen--complete with a sitting area to accommodate company--but Austin was not impressed. I believe he's comfortable living inside like everyone else.
And who could blame him? When my neighbors visit, they make a pit stop on the kitchen porch with Ziploc bag in hand, to catch candleflies to take home to Austin.

And by the way--you really missed out if you didn't catch the spider video! Geez! It's only a minute and a half.