Before I begin my incredibly interesting and unbearably entertaining blog post, I have a question:
If you disliked someone intensely and disagreed with all their points of view, would you continue to read their blog for years?
No reason for this question. I was just wondering (he says with a wry smile).
That person would have to be a certified masochist.
I secretly think it has something to do with my charm. It's irresistible - even to certified masochists.
Change of subject
Well, Jon, you haven't written a genuine blog post in awhile. You've been too busy writing brilliantly apt political essays.
Tell us how you're doing.
I'm glad you asked.
My health issues are getting so serious that I'm usually scared witless. The weather is bitterly cold and I'm having trouble with the furnace and water heater. There's a mouse infestation. Squirrels and racoons are ripping my roof apart. The mud is so deep around here that I'm afraid to go outside. Half of the time I'm so cold, nervous, depressed, and sick that I simply crawl into bed (with the cats) and give thanks for the electric blanket.
Those are only the minor things. I won't mention the major ones.
In general, my life is filled with a never-ending banquet of unmitigated joy.
Yesterday I looked out the kitchen window and was startled to see a red-tailed hawk sitting three feet from the back porch. He (she?) was eating one of the pumpkins that I had left over from Halloween (they were preserved by the cold weather).
I grabbed my El Cheapo digital camera - - and when I tried to photograph the hawk, the batteries went dead! Incredibly ironic since I use lithium batteries, which last for months.
Fortunately the hawk was in no hurry, so I quickly put in new batteries.
Unfortunately, I had to take photos through the dirty kitchen window and the quality is blurry and horrible.
The hawk is difficult to see because he blended in with the surrounding background. There were traces of snow on the ground, and the weird winter sunlight seemed to distort everything.
I lifted a picture of a red-tailed hawk from the internet, so you can clearly see what one looks like.
Here are photos that I took.
Back view
Hawks fly around here very often but I never saw one that close before. When he finally took off his wing-span was incredible.
I'm admittedly worried now that I saw how close to the porch he was - since I occasionally let the cats out on the porch for air and a change of scene.
A hawk could easily turn them into Hors d'oeuvres.
More frigid weather and ice is predicted for next week. Don't know when the heck I'll be able to drive to town.
I'm still disenchanted with blogging. It's a complete waste of valuable time. And certain interlopers make it torture.
I'm grateful for the kind, rational people who read my blog.
I'm extremely disgusted with the occasional certified masochists (antagonists) who lurk in the shadows.....eager to do devious things......
I don't read blogs written by people I don't like. I used to agree with many of your political posts, maybe even most of them. You haven't changed, probably, but I have. My heart is still conservative, but my head wants a normal, crooked president. I believe I got that, this year. :D
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your posts. Political as well as personal. Speak truth to power.
ReplyDeleteAnd hang in there. Spring is around the proverbial corner.
Well I, for one, am very glad that you are still continuing to blog with us. It seems that some people are not able to feel "good" about themselves unless they are degrading someone else - especially when it comes to two subjects: religion and politics - VERY SICK indeed! (I should know about the religion part as well as I have had my share of lunatics since blogging).
ReplyDeleteThe hawk is very stricking - I have never seen one here in my area of PA. But, I have heard nightmares about them going after and killing cats and small dogs. Our major problem where I live is red fox - after seeing one up close I have to say that they are extremely creepy looking to say the least - scared the living crap out of me lol.
Please take care - my dad used to always say that "growing old is not for the weak of heart" and I am beginning to find that out for myself. So we carry on - after all my cats need me. lol
What a neat surprise! Admittedly, I'm not that 'into' birds -- particularly the predatory variety. Yet, your narrative makes for an entertaining read. (As always.) If you can, please postpone trying to navigate those roads. I'd hate to learn of a repeat of your near-death experience during your move.
ReplyDeleteRed tailed hawks are prolific where my MIL lives. They perch on top of telephone poles to scan the landscape. Here I worry more about eagles and owls going after pets. I think I've read that eagles can kill a small calf. Today's Pearls Before Swine comic addresses Facebook and how it's like crack - you try to give it up but keep going back. Perhaps blogging is similar. I believe everyone is entitled to their beliefs. Discussing religion and politics used to be off limits when socializing but as with so many other niceties, has gone by the wayside. (Not that I'm objecting to yours)
ReplyDeleteI have the same trouble with the eagle pictures here in Iowa. I always want to capture them, but the pic is always blurry or very VERY small. Yet, I continue the exercise...hoping I will, someday, be successful and win a coveted NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC contest. Or the lottery. I'll take either one. Plus! I love reading your blog because old age is catching up to me as well, and I want to have a glimpse of what to expect... so I'm not surprised when it happens to me. ( it IS happening.... I'm just in the early stages so far.) Happy Trials... I mean, trails.
ReplyDeleteJon, when I gardened public places, 35 years on a dare, one densely landscaped campus of 44 acres had a brick fieldhouse in which I stored my vehicles and tools; behind which were irrigation control boxes in a fenced yard --and a hawk who'd perch on the fence to disapprove of me. I know it's just how their faces go but I asked what was bothering him. He said nothing. I said nothing in agreement. Later I found the property was worked by athletes who ran around raising gophers. Then I understood my hawk friend and realized we were Earthlings of equal depth. I've listened to too many politicians. What was the question again?
ReplyDeleteHi Jon
ReplyDeleteGreetings,Anonymous
DeleteMost remarkable to have a red tailed hawk land there, I wonder if it was sick or old, because I would think it would more usually be out catching more carnivorous stuff than a dead pumpkin. Often think it wouldn't be any fun to be a wild creature, when you think of the weather they have to put up with !
ReplyDeleteHi Jon, after reading this post and then the ensuing comments, it was interesting that most, but not all, bypassed the question you asked: "If you disliked someone intensely and disagreed with all their points of view, would you continue to read their blog for years?"
ReplyDeletePersonally speaking it depends because everyone is entitled to his/her opinions even if not the most popularly held at any given time. It goes back to an observation you made in a previous post about not hating someone you don't know. A blog is your own personal space and if you want to rant on about your personal opinions and beliefs, so be it, I am not offended. By choice, I avoid many controversial topics which is not to say I am not aware of what's going on, but choose not to post about my views, which is not to say that you (and others) should not, so rant on, Jon, you may not change any opinions but you maybe will feel better for having done so.
About that hawk coming so scarily close to your home, I would make sure to keep the cats inside least they wind up on its menu plan.
Many smaller animals eat pumpkin, especially after it is broken apart so they can easily get to the mildly sweet insides of it. There may have been mice, chipmunks, or a squirrel at the pumpkin that the hawk was stalking before you looked out the window.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about 13 years old my Dad came in the door with something wrapped in his jacket. It was a big red tailed hawk that had hit the windshield of the car in front of my Dad's car on a country road. The hawk was laying at the side of the road moving just a little. My Dad pulled over and put his jacket over the hawk and wrapped it and put it in the back seat for the trip home. We had Big Boy the hawk for about 2 weeks. Within two days of having him, my Dad made falconry equipment for him. He had a big steel round jingle bell on his ankle on a leather strip briefly. He was able to bend the jingle bell metal and open it and take the metal ball out of the middle of it, so it no longer jingled. Big Boy was very tame within two days. He ate raw meat. He would sit on my Dad's or my arm near the wrist (It was winter we wore coats and gloves). My Dad could hold him up, but Big Boy was so heavy that I couldn't hold him up, and as my wrist dropped lower he climbed up my arm more until he was wanting to sit on my shoulder. His beak was amazingly strong, and his talons were huge. I didn't let him sit on my shoulder, I didn't know him well enough to trust him with my eye or ear, but he never did bite me or Dad. When he fully regained his strength we drove him back to the country road where Dad found him and set him free. We were all sad to let him go, I was crying. He flew up to the top of a telephone pole and sat there watching us as we drove away. Dad went up the road a ways and went back the way we came and there was Big Boy still up on the pole looking down at us as we drove by him again. Hawks are so smart, and to touch one and look into its eyes and interact with it was unforgettable. I think that a squirrel or rabbit is about as much as a big hawk could fly a distance with, but if they tried to pick up a cat or small dog their talons would wound them. We have red tailed hawks around here occasionally, and I wouldn't let my 8 lb Pomeranian out if I saw one anywhere around. I wouldn't risk those talons piercing into Fuzzy.
What a fascinating story, Susie - thanks for sharing it!
DeleteI've been trying to catch up with you but alot of your posts had the comments disabled so i couldn't say hi. glad this one doesn't. you have been on my mind. i know your health issues are problematic like mine. and we both know it's no way to live, but have little control over it. just hang tough, all you can do. seeing that hawk so close was a gift. they are magnificent. but you are right they are also fierce. one took my neighbors tiny puppy when it was going potty outside. never to be seen again. You take care. Stay safe. We got 6 inches of snow here. while it's pretty to look at, its a pain in the ass to shovel. PS) stay away from the mud. you could get stuck and end up breakibng something trying to get undone. take care dear blog buddy.
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