A Parasite, Without a Vote

One must know how to "duck"
when you stumble onto a shoulder high robins nest.

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Good Morning Everyone!
In reference to the above picture... As Punk and I were coming around the corner of the house 3 days ago, I very nearly had my face taken off by a robin hellbent on flying out of her nest. As I had my camera, so I have the picture!

I mowed the back yard on the 30th for the first time this year. Hard to believe how badly it needed it already. But so my grass grows quickly after those rains we had, especially in the lower back lawn.
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Looks much nicer too!
(Sorry, no "before" picture).
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There is new "life" in my weeds too! hehehe
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Sue me.
I never did clear out the old flowerbed last Fall. hehehe

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There pretty, and delicate, flowers are growing in the pines out front.
Not sure what they are?
(Nor do I recall seeing them there before)?
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Might these have been "imports", maybe, Beep?

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My garden needs tilling, (but my little Simplicity tiller tractor never did get picked up for those repairs)-

That said there is no way that I can do the whole thing by hand, so maybe no big garden this year.

Even after tilling it last Fall I have almost a whole row of onions! hehehe

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And even one gypsy onion growing about 20 feet away from the rest!

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Maybe it's just an outcast- or a nonsocial variety.
Hey, I know people like that!
hehehe

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So much for being a "shut-in" (her words, not mine), Casey took a drive out yesterday.
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Punk is always so happy to see 'her' Casey!

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While she was here I had to show her my Robins nest.
(And dang, if that mama bird didn't try to remove my face again)!
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What a shock to see another egg!
Damnable cowbirds-
Yes they are parasites, and no they do not get a vote..
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Blasted birds.
Cowbirds practice what is known at "brood parasitism" and is an example of an "obligate parasite" because it is locked into victimizing other birds which hatch and then raise its young. It is the cowbird’s only strategy, one it is "obliged" to use.

Cowbirds build no nest of their own and lay their eggs in at least 200 different species’ nests instead. It is a North American variation on the European cuckoo’s behavior—the root word for the word "cuckold."

To read more about these parasitical birds, please click here.

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There is another parasite, (a REALLY new one), down in Texas.
hehehe
Please CLICK HERE and offer any advice you can possibly come up with. It's only 6 little sentences, with one little request.

(BTW, "congrats, SD").
Going to be 19 years before THAT parasite will get to vote. hehehe
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Randy was out on Friday. Granted a rare photo op, I snapped this picture.

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OK, so really, he cannot control my camera...
Hell, I can't even control it half the time!
hehehe

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He did not come inside.
Nor did he pet the dog. (Punk is reserved for Casey's hands).

Understanding our uneasiness, respectful that his own profession puts him in a more compromising position than most of the general public, he brought out some supplies and put in a few hours of yard work too. (He is, and has been, a Sheriff Deputy for Brown County for 30+ years).

I have not yet panicked over this H1N1 Swine Flu virus...
We will wait to see how it plays out over the next few days/weeks.

As I have repeated to you, Casey does not have a spleen- This leaves her unable to fight this virus (or any others for that matter). Knowing that a vaccine for this "new" strain is 4-6 months out yet, brings us more cause to be ever so respectful of what could potentially develop.
She already has been told that she cannot receive the antiviral meds that help others that have this strain.

I have read many news articles (and yes, even your own, and others, blogs) that are pertinent to this s(h)ituation.
What I find so alarming is the obvious lack of compassion and utter disregard for many people like my daughter.

On one blog, & after I had posted about Casey's medical history and current special susceptibility, one gal even responded with "LMAO".
Stupidity at its finest if you ask me.

So go ahead and laugh at this if you must. Know that we will be erring on the side of caution.
Incidentally, this cruel and repugnant person (that replied "lmao") was on my friends list on 360 at one point. (She even has kids). She dropped "me" after Casey had told her off, big~time, way back when. hehehe No great loss there.
Hmmm... Wonder who's LMAO now?


For those of you in the area, my home is reserved for Casey to visit. You will be asked to remain outside, or to save your gas. Any/Everyone.

(Should you choose to come and remain outside, please pick up a rake and remove any gravel that is still in the yard and the lawns and return it to my driveway). You may pee in the woods or hold it til you leave.

My sister, nephew, and niece found this out yesterday. At least they were coming home from up north, and hadn't made a special trip up from Appleton to visit.
We talked, through the window, for over an hour.
All the while my niece having to use the bathroom... They finally stopped at the gas station on the way home for her. Poor kid.
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Brandon, Janet, and Brit.
Through the window!

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So, enough of my prattling on and on...

My love to all. Have a Sun(ny)day!

XOXO
Me

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posted to Y! 360, Sunday May 3, 2009 - 09:00am