maison rustique

This morning's greeters: 7:42 am Gladstone, MO Gray Catbird Brown-headed Cowbird Eastern Kingbird* Northern House Wren Baltimore Oriole House Sparrow Red-shouldered Hawk Eastern Bluebird Carolina Wren Tufted Titmouse American Robin Blue Jay Northern MockingbirdNorthern Cardinal Red-bellied Woodpecker Whew!

I am laughing so hard I'm crying! I had an issue with the trash service and was getting nowhere with it. Yesterday afternoon I finally asked to be bumped up to a supervisor and he took care of it immediately. He just called to confirm that all was OK and I was on another call, so it went to voice. His name is Xavier (He has an accent but is easy to understand.) with the service desk at Republic Services, but this is the beginning of the VM transcript I got from iPhone: "Hello there, Rob. This is a good savior from the relationship death of Republic Services."

Not familiar with knotweed. Is it used for flavoring like an herb or as a vegetable/green?

It finally stopped raining and warmed up enough to open one of the doors to the deck. I noticed how chatty the birds were, so turned on Merlin. At 3:45 pm in Gladstone in 60 seconds: American Crow Brown-headed Cowbird Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay House Sparrow Cedar Waxwing Northern Cardinal House Finch American Robin Northern Mockingbird And I don't even have a feeder out.

I just spent my second night in my "new" house. Still total chaos and still tons to do at the other house before I can get it sold, but it is a major step. The move on Monday went amazingly well. The lovely scalloped mirror on the antique dressing table was cracked and an outdoor chair has gone missing (might still be somewhere), but that's not bad. And it came in about $1,000 under estimate. A great moving crew. My sister and BIL were here for the move and spent Monday night here. We sat on the deck and had a bottle of bubbly and marveled at all the birds. Then had coffee out there yesterday morning. It is so peaceful!

Oh, my. I'd forgotten about him, but can see him clear as day in my mind. RIP.

Yeah, not many Missourians are into NBA. Drives me nuts.

How about my Celtics!

@small h, I am so very sorry for your loss. Hold fast to the memories and that warm, sweet place he held in your heart.

May not look like much, but it is a piece of my dear sister's eggplant Parm that I froze for a night just like this. Best of all, I have another for tomorrow. Heated in the toaster oven which isn't always the best way for things, but it worked and my stomach is a happy stomach.

Golden-crowned Kinglet and Eastern Phoebe joined the regulars. The Eastern Phoebe's song was very distinctive! In addition at 5:56 pm in Liberty: House Sparrow American Crow Red-bellied Woodpecker Black-capped Chickadee American Robin Eastern Bluebird Eastern Phoebe Northern Cardinal Golden-crowned Kinglet

Going through stuff in my late husband's office yesterday, there was a lot of junk and a lot of photos along with the negatives. He worked for United press International in the early 60s. Covered politics, sports, riots, etc. Here's one from 1964. There are pix of Nixon, Rockefeller, HH Humphrey, and lots more. I suppose I'll just put them in the estate sale. Second photo is us at the Hollywood Bowl in 1994. We had a dear friend who had a box in a prime location and we were invited to go every year. It was great fun and we saw a lot of wonderful performances there. And watching the audience was nearly as much fun. I remember the night we saw Victor Borge. Ray Charles was in the box across the aisle and up one. He was laughing so hard he had tears running down his face. Good memories!

RIP

5:21 pm Liberty, MO Eastern Bluebird Downy Woodpecker American Robin House Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Cardinal Black-capped Chickadee

Yes--I lump the starlings, grackles and red-winged blackbirds into that category.

5:04-5:06 pm Liberty, MO House Finch American Crow Eastern Towhee White-throated Sparrow Black-capped Chickadee Northern Mockingbird Northern Cardinal

Not pretty, but it was tasty. And too filling. I'm stuffed!!

Taxes done, submitted and accepted. And I'm getting money back, which is a blessing, but I made some estimated payments and now sorry I did.

I bought this pizza kit at Sprouts a few days ago for $5. I will buy this kit any time they have it for $5. I did doctor it. I felt it needed a touch more sauce so added a bit from a jar I had. Also, it came with mozzarella. I had some provolone to use up so added that and topped with a sprinkle of parm. I also added kalamatas. Also had to grab 4 slices of pepperoni out of the freezer to fill in. And some onion. Gave it a drizzle of pesto olive oil and a good grind of s/p and sprinkle of herbes de Provence. Because I am the only one eating it and I can put whatever I want on it. I did the same thing I always do when I make pizza. I did not want the crust so thick but I always think I have it too thin and will tear a hole in it so end up with thick crust.

@MitchW, the old days I was referring to, in retrospect, were when I lived in So. Calif. so 45 or so years ago from early 1980s to 2009 or so. And I know very well that smoking was already taboo, since I still smoked back in the 80s and 90s. I suppose I based that on the chefs I knew back then when I felt like the only person in SoCal who did smoke. Ha!

I am a salt-aholic. I swear I should just put a salt lick on my plate. I keep thinking there is some medical reason for this craving, but my doctor says I'm fine. And my sodium levels are very low. Low enough that he's keeping an eye on it. Very odd. Anyway, I, too, have noticed restaurants increasing the salt in things. I used to automatically salt my food because I knew there wouldn't be enough, but I have stopped that practice and now taste first. And I know a lot of chefs and a lot of them smoke--not sure when that started happening, but I don't recall that many chefs smoking back in the old days.

A beautiful day! Lots of birdies waiting around (or mating!) despite kids playing and screaming and a neighbor talking on the phone outside. If you put the food out, they will thank you even if from afar! In 2 minutes at 5:41 pm: Downy Woodpecker Black-capped Chickadee White-throated Sparrow American Robin Common Grackle (Grrrr!) Barred Owl (pretty sure mating season!) Red-bellied Wood pecker Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird

Throwing this out there to hold myself accountable. My goal is to fully move into the other house the beginning of May. Of this year. I need to crack the whip on myself and get stuff done.

Not an annoyance for me, but just throwing out good wishes for the many of you in New York/the northeast. I hope you have power, are safe and warm.

Caesar Salads without anchovies. Bah! Why even call them Caesar Salad!