An Entertaining Heron

After I moved into my apartment almost five years ago, I soon discovered the birds that frequented the retaining pond. It's just across the drive from me and I sit, three floors up, and watch all the goings on. 

This heron (or maybe it's more than one but I like to think it's the same one) has entertained me numerous times. I particularly like this photo with the wildflowers 🎕blooming at the pond's edge. 

I hope you have something from nature to keep you entertained. It gives your hours of enjoyment. 

                                                                                                             

Falls

                           There are five of us girls that hang out together here at the apartments. 
                                                        Here I am with three of them.

The housekeeper came to clean and found S. lying on her kitchen floor. 

She had been there about 12 hours.  

She couldn't get up and the emergency pull cords are in the bedroom and bath. 

Well, that doesn't help if you fall in the kitchen.

So, we girls are rethinking our commitment to each other. 

We are thinking about each sending a quick text

to our group text

each morning upon arising and before we go to bed.

That way we all will know we all are alright!! 

Growing old has it's ups and downs. Frequent falls is one such down. 

A Cup of Sugar

               Do you remember the days when neighbors visited each other? 

     They actually would feel like they could borrow a cup of sugar from any of their friends.

                                       Where have those days gone? 

                   I have a lot of neighbors!! There are over 100 apartments here.

A lot I've never seen....

           Some are friends. 

                          Would I borrow a cup of sugar from them? 

                                                                   NO!

                  Oh, they would gladly loan me one but it's just not done these days.

                                                         How about you? 

                              Anyone you would borrow a cup of sugar from? 

Likes and Dislikes

For Willy Nilly Friday Five I decided to do a LIKES and DISLIKES post. 

                    1. I like fried green tomatoes especially with Green Goddess aioli. 

2. I dislike wasps. They hurt when they sting. 

3. I like bird watching. I get lots of beautiful photos that way.

4. I dislike workers who climb the cell tower and destroy the osprey nest there. 

5. I like (well, I love) dancing with my grandson. His 27th birthday is today. 

Linking with Willy Nilly Friday

Hunting Toads

                        There's nothing much sweeter than when two great-grandsons come to visit!! 

It was a very pleasant afternoon, a stiff breeze blowing. Guess you can tell from the way it was ruffling my hair!! That wind didn't bother the boys hair one bit!

                            I played second-fiddle to some tiny toads hopping about in the grass! 

    Those boys had a blast, running, yelling, turning over things to search for the 'little hoppy toads'. 

And, they'd run back to where their grandmother and I were sitting so they could put them in a drink cup. Poor little toads!

                                         The largest one (the toad, not the boy) got pretty smart.

 He hopped up so high he grabbed hold of the hole in the cup lid and out he came. We adults were silently cheering him on! But, when he leaped out of the cup and landed on the bench next to me, I wasn't so sure I didn't want him back in that cup!

The boys played and played ... til finally it was time for them to leave. Aw, sad to see them go. Wish I had a tiny portion of their energy. Maybe I once did...

linking with Thankful Thursday and Little Things.

Celebrating My 1000th Post

                                                                                                        It's time to 

                                                               This is Post # 1000 for me on Living Life On Main Street. 

                          So happy I have had this incredible experience with all of you lovely bloggers. It just can't be beat! 
                                                                   So, thank you for all your support, 
                                                                                     Your love
                                                                                  Your comments
                                                                                 You are the best!

Now, onward we go. 
Today I am feeling very springy! I am so tired of cold, wet weather and yet here I sit, listening to a thunderstorm on my Echo. But, that's dry wet! (grin)

My daughter decided I needed a picker-upper and bought me a beautiful new planter filled with geraniums, zinnas and some sort of little white flowering vine. I never can remember the name of it. The planter went out on my balcony and since my balcony is just off my living room, if the weather is bad I can see that lovely thing from my recliner! Loving it. 

Monday Morning Sunrise

After being 'under the weather' or 'spinning around like a top', whichever title you want to give a bout of vertigo, I woke up this morning to this stunning sunrise. I never see the sun 'come up' as a copse of trees are in my view but just look at this! What a way to start your day, right? 

Joining other great photography at Through My Lens

The Pond's Edge

I love being able to look out my window and see the retaining pond across the driveway. So many things change from day to day. This scene, I thought, was very beautiful and peaceful. I hope you like it, too. Linking to Through My Lens this Sunday morning. You all have a good one. 

Snow Time

                                           I always look forward to Fridays!!

It's not because it's the end of a work week for me... at my age, I scarely know which day is what! 

                             But, on Fridays I get to join Tanya's Willy Nilly Friday

Since we have just survived a very bad cold spell with bitterly cold temps and snow, I thought I'd share some pictures of that with you. I am also going to link up with Eileen's Saturday Critters. 

#1. We will start with first things, first. First the pond started freezing over. I'd never seen that before.

#2. Then came the snow

#3. It collected on my balcony

#4. Mallard ducks huddled together to stay warm

#5. Even the heron was looking for food.

Snow Blizzard 2018

                           Kiddos, are we ready to go outside and play in the snow?

                                                No,? Well, me neither.

I'll just watch that white, peaceful world out my window and thank God for such beauty.

I have a lot to share with you this morning but since I am linking to the Friday Five meme, I guess I had better keep it in rein. Right? Here are five of my favorite pictures of our 2018 snow blizzard.

#1. I made me a bowl of snow cream and I ate the whole thing! Man, was my mouth cold! Have you ever had snow cream? Just mix snow (good clean stuff), sugar, vanilla and milk. Try it sometime.

#2. Looking out my dining room window are the parking lot. It will be awhile before I get out in that mess. But, it sure is pretty to look at. 

#3. The flower pots on my balcony are all decorated for winter now. Poor ole geraniums. Guess they are gone!

#4. It is so cold here. I know... I am going to get flack from those people up north where it really gets cold but for here... it's cold. At 9 this morning it was 15 degrees. going down to 6 degrees tonight with wind chill factor below zero. Those water pipes in my apartment have been dripping for several nights now. 

#5. I've saved the best for last. I am so proud of this picture and so you will probably see it again when I link with the bird memes later on. My heron flew in for a bit of fishing! 

Believe me, I was not out in that snow when I took this... it is from my balcony! 

I am linking with Willy Nilly Friday Five

A Winter Wonderland

It's a winter wonderland out there, folks. I am loving it, 'cause I don't have to get out in it. I feel so for those who do or the homeless who are caught in this horrible cold. God bless them.

                             I don't know, but there is something magical about snow.
                                                 You either love it or hate it!

First of all, I want to share some things (graphics and poems) that are not mine. But, they fit very well.

Like I said, these first two are not my pictures. I am not going to be getting out and building a snowman today or any day. But, isn't he grand!! I love him.

And, now for a picture from MY snow. 

That is the first sight I had this morning when I awoke however it has snowed for hours since. 

Be sure to check back in tomorrow as I plan on posting a bunch of snow stuff for some memes. 

You don't want to miss that! 

Not A Good Week.

#1. I've been sick this week with a wild tummy bug. Feeling some better but it just won't go away.

#2. I find that as I age, I catch more illnesses, they stick around longer and I seem to visit the doctor more than I used to. What's up with that!!

#3. Had a lovely visit with daughter Marie. Any of you who follow this blog and hers, too, have been reading about all the fun things and the catching up we did. 

#4. I am upset this morning. The pond across the road from me has been a huge source of enjoyment for me since I moved into my apartment. At 7:30 this morning I heard this awful grinding noise. A truck was grinding up pieces of a tree (or group of trees) that had just been cut down. They sat at the edge of the pond and birds loved to rest there, or hunt for fish underneath it. I don't think they are finished. Half of it is gone... I'll let you know if the rest goes.

and here's a bird playing in the water underneath that tree.

#5. For those of you who are my friends on facebook.... I have decided to start a 'Memory Monday', sort of like Throw Back Thursday but more about the stories rather than the pictures. So, if you are a friend of mine on facebook, look for it soon. 

Joining with Willy Nilly Friday and Five on Friday 

Pics of five things (or maybe six)

How is everyone this morning?

Me... I am fine. It's time for some of my favorite memes. 

Reflections  and Five On Friday

Here is my entry for Five on Friday.

1. I went out on my balcony early this morning and there was a hummingbird wait for me to fill the feeder.  They are so cute. 

2. Yesterday my daughter and I went out to lunch and then got a pedicure. I have sparkly pink toes!!

3. With 132 apartments in our 55+ complex, we see the fire trucks and ambulances more often that we'd like. There was one there this morning. I always wonder if they are picking up someone I know.

4. Watermelon season will soon be over. I am so happy that I can buy melon that is cut in cubes and packaged ready to eat anytime of the year. And, I don't have a mess to clean up.

5. My sweetie, Leslie, had watched every John Wayne movie ever made and more than once on some of them. So, when the family asked me if I'd like something of his (after he passed) one of the things I chose was a statue of John Wayne that he had sitting on his tv. Just a sweet reminder of 2 wonderful guys (Leslie Wilson and John Wayne)

Now for a reflection to link to REFLECTIONS

The reflection of clouds in a restaurant window in Carrolton, Virginia.

My Balcony

                                                                   My getaway is my balcony. 

I don't know what I would do without it. I see the world go by (well, whatever part of the world that does this cul-de-sac). 
                                                                            I watch wild life. 

                                                                           I sit and meditate

                                                                   write in my journal and read

                                                                  watch the hummingbirds

                                             Oh, yes, my balcony is definately my getaway. 
                                                  Joining Mersad at My Town Shootout. 
                                                      What is your favorite getaway?

Goose Missing In Action

I have had a bit of excitement here at the apartment this morning. As you who follow me know I love watching the wildlife around the retaining pond. Got a pretty clear view from my balcony (well, except for one tree near the corner of the building and a bunch of willows at the edge of the water). 

Two geese live here. For weeks I have been watching Papa Goose float aimlessly about in the pond.

while Mama was sitting on the nest. 
           

But, this morning I had my camera in hand (I use it for binoculars) to check on Gladys. She was up pecking at the grass behind her nest.

Then, she jumped into the water and began swimming across the pond, calling with every stroke. Something had to be wrong! 

She swam all the way across the pond, calling for him with every paddle. Finally she went back to her nest.

There's a flattened coffee cup from Hardees in front of the nest. 



So, I said to myself that Papa had just gone out to get wifey a cup of coffee and was too slow coming back. 

linking with Outdoor Wednesday