The calm strength of the hands holding those birds is just amazing.  You know they've communicated that calm to the birds.

Patti. thank you for taking us along on another wonderful trip!

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of the beautiful Cali.  I was a cat breeder for many years, and none of my babies went outside -- bred to be too trusting of humans. 

But I believe there is a place for outside cats, as rodent control officers.  Society would be worse off without them.  I would be overrun with chipmunks if it were not for Ginger from next door, and though her life may be cut short at any time, she is a useful, working cat.

So keep on feeding your ferals, and if you can, practice TNR.

Mary

Happy birthday from me, too, and many thanks for all you do for all of us.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

All good wishes for your birthday and the year to come!

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Thanks for sharing, Annie.  You brought back a fond recollection of my Mike (who retired after 20 years in the Navy) when his ship came into port and Wayne and I, along with Mike's wife Jane and his stepson and stepdaughter and his father-in-law went to meet him.  First off the ship were the fathers of babies born while they were at sea, and there was hardly a dry eye on the dock.

It was almost as incredible a high as when he came home from Saudi Arabia in 1991 and we went to Westover AFB to meet his plane at 3 in the morning.  Life for military families is full of very high highs and very low lows.  I think Skype makes a huge difference for those families nowadays, and I bless its invention.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Thanks, Big Frank.  That was really fun -- I loved seeing the monster machines all decked out for the parade.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Hope all continues to go well, and that she can look forward to being able to walk without pain.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Welcome back, Aafke; you've been missed.  I am drooling at your tomatoes.  Our home gardens have produced very little this year, due to the excessive heat -- so many days when the temperature has been over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (that's 32 C) that the plants have had few flowers and set almost no fruit.  Now that the weather is a little cooler we're seeing a small recovery.

Your flowers are beautiful.  What refreshment for the eyes.

Mary in Charlotte (NC) - which escaped the wrath of Irene

I read in our local Charlotte paper this morning that the Ocracoke dunes are gone.  So sorry, Paul.  Coastal Carolina has been severely affected.  But the wild horses of Assateague are OK.

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. — The Chincoteague ponies are safe after Hurricane Irene tore past their island.

Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company spokeswoman Denise Bowden said Sunday that the herd of wild horses owned by the fire company since the 1920s made it through the storm without any nicks or scratches.

The company owns more than 100 of the wild ponies that graze on nearby Assateague Island. The ponies made famous by the novel "Misty of Chincoteague" and a subsequent movie are now visited by hundreds of thousands of people a year.

Bowden says pony committee members opened gates to let the ponies reach higher ground on Friday and put out extra hay. She says when committee members returned Sunday morning the ponies "looked fantastic," as docile and complacent as usual, as if nothing had happened.

Sorry I missed your birthday, when you're so good about remembering mine.  Glad to hear you're healing well.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

I wish you a happy day and a happy year, too.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

So sorry to hear of your mother's passing.  May your memories of the good times and the love of your family and friends carry you through the rough days ahead.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Sounds like your birthday, and especially your dinner, were really fun.  Hope the rest of your year is fun, too.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)

Get  better soon, Nora.  Think of this time as an opportunity for Joe and Billy Bob to take care of YOU.

Mary in Charlotte (NC)