There has been a bluebird trying to fly into my office window for nearly a week now. She spent more than 20 minutes repeatedly flying into it this morning, chirping at it, and flying into it some more. I finally had to ask Google wtf she was doing and it told me that she was attacking her reflection in the window, defending a nesting site nearby. Which makes sense since we have two nesting boxes hanging on either side of my office window. Google went on to tell me that bluebirds are notorious for this behavior and will continue for hours a day and for weeks on end if left without intervention. It told me to do something to break up the reflection, so I soaped the outside of the window to leave a film over it and she immediately relaxed. I’m so relieved, because her anxiety was causing me anxiety. And, who knows, maybe in a couple months we’ll see some baby bluebirds out there.
Tag: bird
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November 26
I spent six hours making an apple pie salted caramel cheesecake for dinner tomorrow. Each of the components tastes good on its own, so hopefully when it all comes together tomorrow it’ll be awesome. I had fun making it, but now I’m tired. I have to get up at 5:30 tomorrow morning for my 5k and I am not looking forward to it. Even birds don’t wake up at 5:30am. It’s for a good cause, though. I know I’ll come home pumped up and ready for some apple pie salted caramel cheesecake.
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March 20
I have had such a great time with my family this week. Today we rode the St. Charles streetcar to Audubon Park. The kids – Robin – ran to the playground and played there for half an hour. I had honestly thought the playground days were over a long time ago, but they proved me wrong today. We walked around the Garden District, bought some candy and baked goods, and came back for an amazing meal at House of Blues. This town has SOUL. I love it.
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February 17
We went to the zoo today for the first time in years. It was a little chilly, but otherwise a beautiful day to walk around outside. A lot of the exhibits have closed since the last time we were there, but they’re building a new manatee exhibit that looks like it will be pretty cool. The food definitely improved. The prices did not.
You know it’s a good day when Robin enjoys it too. I saw her smile. It happened.
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December 28
This guy showed up in our driveway when we were leaving to see the gingerbread house show downtown. Crossed the road to get here, too.
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September 28
This dove took me half a day to make because apparently I suck at embroidery. I had to make six or seven wings before I finally got these two. I didn’t hate the effort, but it did take forever. Nine ornaments left to do and two months to do it.
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September 15
I needed to get out of the house today, rain or no rain. And it rained, but also there was the ocean. We brought Pinot with us, who didn’t love it, but also didn’t hate it. I sincerely miss being outside.
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August 27
I just sang “Goodnight, My Angel” to Robin because she couldn’t sleep. It’s the first song I’ve sung to her in months. I hope it brings her peace the way it did for me at her age.
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July 30
I am so proud of Robin, who spent seven solid hours at a cheer practice in a gym that is not air conditioned on a 95-degree day and then went to a tumbling class immediately afterwards and still put in a solid effort involving many sets of back handsprings without anyone around her, all with a huge smile on her face. Her coach had to come to me and suggest that we cut the tumbling practice short because she didn’t want to overwork her. I am so proud of her effort and determination and success. Yay Robin!
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March 3
A day off! I know I should have gone to the beach or done some sewing, but instead I sat around. Sue me. But Christina and I did make this Marge bird for her school project. She created the species and here it is in Lego form. Pretty spot on, if I say so myself.
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December 27
Christina got a clay kit for Christmas and this is her first creation. We guessed it was a robin, but not surprised it isn’t. I particularly like the worm, which was a late addition.
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July 24
Billy finally got his car back today after hydroplaning over a month ago on June 17. We have gotten so used to living with just one car. It helps that I work at home and he works overnights. I am so glad I won’t have to drive the same car he did right after going to the gym (god that man sweats a lot when he works out, yuck). Or drive around with millions of water bottles and sunglasses all over the place, or change the radio station every time I get in the car, or close the windows and turn on the a/c (really, no a/c in 99-degree weather with 97% humidity?), or adjust the mirrors or the seat. In short, Billy’s not the only one happy he has his own car again. P.S. I sort of feel like these geese could be on their own Abbey Road album cover.
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June 10
The kids really needed to get out of the house after a week trapped inside while I had to work, so off to the beach it was. We gave Hanna Park a try. It wasn’t bad! Shaded parking, bathrooms, not too crowded, and it’s even a dollar less than the state parks nearby with beaches. The access point we used didn’t actually have a bathroom – the one that did looked a lot more crowded – but it’s nice to know the option was there. And so I continue the search for the perfect Jacksonville beach. 12 years in.
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March 17
After more than ten years, we finally made it to the Catty Shack Ranch. And instead of any of the beautiful cats, bears, and foxes they’ve rescued, I took a photo of one of the wandering roosters. I was promised that while the tigers do mostly get fed chicken, they do not eat THESE chickens. Once an animal comes to live at the ranch, they are safe. No discrimination.
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February 19
I took Christina to the zoo today and on the way home we drove on the highway with all the windows open. It was so loud, but I could still hear Christina singing at the top of her lungs out the window. I absolutely love the little girl in her. I hope that innocence and creative spirit never dies.
Year in Photos 