Small mysteries

First off, the bird in the photos on Wednesday is a Cedar waxwing. I was sitting with Saku in the living room, and we both jumped when we heard a loud thud coming from the sun room. I was afraid when I walked out to the sun room that I'd find a dead or dying bird. Dead I can deal with, dying bothers the heck out of me because I know there is nothing I can do for it and I'm too squeamish to put any wild animal out of its misery. So I was somewhat happy to see the bird was sitting (if not completely upright) with its tail feathers splayed out (the first shot). It appeared to be gasping for air as its beak was open and its chest was heaving. 

I know enough from previous bird strikes to know that if I leave the bird alone, it will often eventually heal itself and be able to fly off.  I checked on it several times through the afternoon, and was a bit worried when afternoon turned into evening and the bird was still there. However, it had moved along the deck and was at least two feet from where it had fallen. I checked again just before dark and it had disappeared. All I was left with were a couple of photos and some bird poop.

To be honest, I had no idea what kind of bird it was at first. I did a quick Google search and identified it based on the yellow fan on the tail and the red on the wings. I've never seen a waxwing in my yard before; obviously they don't eat what I put out in the feeder or I'm sure I would have. In any event, as always I'm amazed at the ability of our bird friends to heal themselves so quickly. I'm certain it had quite the concussion!

I had been hanging out on the couch with the cat most of Monday because I wasn't feeling well. Sunday evening I felt a fever coming on, I felt chilled, a little disoriented, and even in bed I couldn't seem to warm up. Eventually I did fall asleep.  But the weirdest thing was my dreams, or perhaps lack of dreams. I had been working on Ancestry on Sunday and I had gone to bed thinking about a certain individual. I woke several times during the night and every time I was stuck on the same thought about the same person that was in my mind at the end of the evening. It seemed like my brain had frozen in place. Thankfully the fever broke before morning, and though I was tired and felt like I'd been hit by a truck I was feeling much better. I still haven't figured out the puzzle in reference to the ancestor.  He seemingly disappeared.

Since I had no idea what brought on the fever, and I needed to get groceries, I decided to do a rapid test for Covid, just in case. It was negative thankfully, and I headed off to the stores to get what I needed that morning. Curling was scheduled for the afternoon or I might have waited. I know I've mentioned this before - shopping only ever 10 days or so for groceries has made had a positive impact on my budget. I replace what needs replacing and pick up a few sale items, but my impulse purchases have been cut way back. I still get a treat - Easter jelly beans this time. :) 

As for the curling, our Canadian had a slow start with two wins, two losses, but then got a roll and won the next three games, before losing a squeaker to Korea on Thursday. They came back and won their two games on Friday putting them in the play-offs. There were three teams with the same record of 9 wins, 3 losses, so the ranking was done by the total of the measurements of  draw to the button that occurs at the beginning of each game. Canada was .20 of a centimeter (.07 of an inch) being award second place ahead of Korea. So they play this afternoon in a qualifier against Denmark. Their last game with Denmark was close, but I'm positive they'll be able to win again. The next game would be this evening for the semi-finals.

There has been a lot of melting here this week, finally. However, a cold front moved through on Thursday and brought rain and a bit of snow. My brother and I were chatting and of course, this is the weekend he and friend are heading north to go winter camping. The daytime temps will be around -10C (14F), but at least one night will see the temperature drop to -25C (-13F). He has a wood stove they'll use to heat the tent, and with their -40 rated sleeping bags, and layers of clothing they'll be fine. They'll be out ice fishing during the day for trout, and he's taken the ingredients for chili in case the fish are smarter than they are. I'm sure he'll send a photo or two of his adventures that I can share next week.

Thankfully it won't nearly be as cold here. I've been going out every day and chipping away at the ice and tossing snow around to help it melt a little faster. The snow that Eli lost his boot in last week is gone, with a small pond remaining. Of course that doesn't meant there won't be more snow, but at least it won't last for very long.

We did have some lovely temperatures in the afternoon and I was able to open the sun room most days (even on Friday when it was quite cool outdoors). Saku enjoys his naps out there, and likes to tuck himself under the towel. On Friday I took the vacuum out there and rearranged the furniture, and then settled in to read my book, The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion, by Fannie Flagg. A very enjoyable read.

I'm off to do a little thrift store browsing this morning, after I fill the car with gasoline.  At $1.689 per litre (about $6.39 US gallon), I know the fill-up will make a dent. But I'm grateful I don't drive a whole lot and this tank of gas should last me several weeks.  Then it is home to watch the curling. And my son has told me he's ordering in pizza this evening so I'm having a good day.

Have a great week ahead everyone!