Category Archives: Aging

Now for a little bit of Red

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I have been taking photos out my casita window with my iphone. I don’t feel up to using my Nikon with my heavy telephoto lens. So, the photos may not be as crisp and clear as they could be. But I’m happy to spot Red and take his photo any way I can.

Today, I have my first post op appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. There was a hint that at two weeks post surgery she would take off the cast and I’d be in a boot. I sure am hoping for that. I’m feeling confined and restricted in my cast. It itches under there! Plus, I am bound to a knee scooter and getting around is not that easy. I discovered something that I never noticed before. Every single doorway or sliding glass door we have, has a step or a barrier to entry to the outside world. With two good feet, I completely missed that. Now it’s quite a challenge, for example, to get to the car for a ride from hubby to a doctor’s appointment.

Red on a barrel cactus next to my pink flamingo.

I learned from new friends who live two doors away that our casita was an add on. They’ve lived here since our development was built close to 20 years ago. Our husbands were chatting at a neighborhood social night in our neighborhood park. They discovered they had a friend in common. The neighbor went to the Naval Academy and my husband’s best friend went there, too. The neighbor was friends with my husband’s best friend’s older brother — who also went to the Naval Academy. Isn’t that a small world?

I veered off track for a moment. Back to the casita — it was built for the prior owner’s mother, who must have been old and needed her space, but also something suitable for someone needing a secure and safe space. I’ve found it to be ideal for me while I’m recovering. For example, the shower is made for handicapped — which I am right now. It has a bench and bars strategically placed for me to hang onto for dear life.

I’m hoping for the best in my healing adventure. I’ll give an update next week after visiting the doctor this morning.

What are your plans for the weekend?

The babies are here!

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Gambel Quail babies that is. Monday afternoon, I had my first sighting of baby quail for 2025. There were four babies with one mother and two dads. I wonder where the other mother is? Maybe she’s at the nest with more eggs or fledglings? Four babies is a small brood. I have read that adult quail sometimes co-parent babies with others.

I found a nest last year in a planter with 20 eggs, which made me believe there was more than one mother. Unfortunately, that nest was abandoned because it was next to our garage. The adult quail flew away whenever we drove in or out of the garage. They built the nest while we were out of town.

Fun Quail Facts:

Mating Habits

Gambel’s quails are monogamous birds, meaning that they form pair bonds with a single mate for the duration of the breeding season.

The breeding season typically lasts from March to June, with mating occurring in the early spring. During this time, males engage in courtship displays to attract females.

These displays include a variety of behaviors, such as puffing up their feathers, bobbing their heads, and emitting a distinctive call.

The males may also engage in “tidbitting,” where the male offers foraged food to the female.

Once a female has chosen a mate, the pair will remain together for the duration of the breeding season.

They will engage in preening behavior to reinforce their bond and may engage in duets, where they call back and forth to each other.

The female will then begin to prepare a nest for the eggs, while the male will defend their territory and provide food for both himself and his mate.

Nesting Habits

Gambel’s quails build their nests on the ground, typically in dense brush or vegetation.

The nest is a shallow depression lined with grasses and other plant material and is often hidden from view to protect it from predators.

Gambel’s Quail Nesting Stats
Eggs10 – 14
Incubation21 days
Nestling PhaseFollow Adults after Hatching
Broods1 most common / sometimes 2

Females typically lay between 10 and 14 eggs, which are incubated for approximately 21 days.

During this time, both the male and female will take turns incubating the eggs and protecting the nest from predators.

After the eggs hatch, the chicks begin following the adults, who will continue to brood the chicks.

https://www.wild-bird-watching.com/gambel’s-quail-habits.html

Here’s a video of the babies with a parent:

What signs of Spring are you enjoying in your neighborhood?

Life in Limbo

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Red is staring at me through the window. I took this sitting down at the casita table with my iphone, because my Nikon with the telephoto is too much for me to handle a few days after surgery.

Life is taking on a new rhythm post surgery last Friday. I feel like I’m in a time of waiting. Now that my pain is less and I have a knee scooter, I am pretty much self-sufficient. Except for going to the grocery store, cooking, doing laundry — all the things that fall under my jobs. Now my husband is taking on those tasks, along with work. To be fair, hubby often does those, but now it’s all on him.

Once I got the knee scooter, which came four days late from Amazon, I was able to do most little things myself. Before that, I had a walker the surgery center sent home with me. I had to hop on my left leg with right leg in the air. Talk about a work out! Also, that left no hands free to pick up or carry anything. I had to rely on my husband for everything, which after a few days, wasn’t easy for either one of us. My handy dandy knee scooter has a basket and I can zip around the house like a free bird.

I’m passing time watching my birds out the window, reading “Writing Down the Bones,” reading blogs and beginning a new manuscript. There are a few TV shows and movies I’m enjoying, too. I’m waiting for the momentous day of my first pre op appointment a week from Friday. Sometime after that, I’ll start PT. It’s a quiet time of waiting, but to be honest — “hey it’s not that bad!”

P.S. “Hey, it’s not that bad,” I’d tell my coach after my Masters swim practices in Palm Springs. My coach joked about what an endorsement that was for his program. He said that we should make t-shirts, which a friend and I did!

How would use spend a stretch of quiet time ahead of you? Keep in mind you couldn’t leave the house or be weight bearing?

A Memorial Day Poem

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This is the entrance to our neighborhood. I love that we have the flag flying.

In honor of Memorial Day I’m sharing an iconic poem written by a Canadian doctor who served in WWI. A little history of the poem is linked at the end.

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae

1872 –1918

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie

        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: 

To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high. 

    If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

        In Flanders fields.

This poem is in the public domain.

John McCrae was born on November 30, 1872. A Canadian doctor and teacher who served in World War I, he is best known for his memorial poem “In Flanders Fields.” He died on January 28, 1918.

“In Flanders Fields” is one of the most iconic and important poems to emerge from World War I. Written by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915, the poem has come to symbolize the sacrifices made by soldiers during the war and has played a significant role in shaping the way the conflict is remembered. Its influence extends beyond literature, becoming a central part of remembrance ceremonies and serving as a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the enduring hope for peace. This article explores the significance of “In Flanders Fields,” examining its historical context, literary qualities, cultural impact, and ongoing relevance.
https://www.poemshubs.com/archives/5554

Have a wonderful Memorial Day with your families and friends, and take a moment to remember those who sacrificed for us and freedom.

Surgery Day

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This chipmunk stood on his hind legs for a long, long time. I thought it was interesting as here I am sitting, laying down, trying to pass time with a broken ankle. By the time you read this, I could be done with my surgery today and headed home! The doctor said it’s a four to six-week recovery. We shall see! I’ll take all your positive thoughts and prayers for the next bit of time.

Unfortunately, I had to cancel our trip for next weekend to the Bay Area to see my kids, and attend a wedding of one of my close friend’s daughters. My daughter is a bridesmaid. I hated calling and telling of my unfortunate walk where I fell and broke my fibula. But it had to be done. On the bright side, I was able to get a refund for the entire price of our airline tickets and hotel. Thank goodness for a bit of good news. I booked the trip in January and was so looking forward to it.

I can’t believe I got this shot. It’s of Mrs. mid flight to meet up with her sweetheart.

Here’s Mrs. with another friend.

As I sit and sit and sit, I watched another bright red cardinal enter the backyard. Mrs. and Red were hanging out together. Red took off like a bullet chasing the other guy. Mrs. stayed close by where I got took photos of her.

Who is that other guy? And is there jealousy between the cardinals? Do they have territories and not welcome competition? It appears so. Red came back a few hours later.

I’m so thrilled I’m in for surgery two days after my diagnosis. The doctor was extremely worried about how unstable my ankle is. Also, that the bone could totally break and the tendons go. I’m trying my best to stay still and off my feet.

Any predictions on how long my recovery will be?

Shower or Bath?

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This was our bathtub in our Palm Springs home of 28 years. To the left, behind the mirrored door, was the shower. I loved the bathtub faucet because the water flowed like a waterfall. Also, I could lay back and stare out the window at trees against a blue sky. When we lived in Palm Springs, I did take mostly showers, but also indulged in baths.

The other day, I used our bathtub in our new home for the first time in four years! It felt so luxurious and decadent to soak and take my time. I bought epsom salts to help my poor foot, hands and knee that are hurting lately. I wondered why I never pampered myself like this since moving? After my soak in the hot tub, I fell asleep for an afternoon nap. I never can nap, so I think I found the secret.

My normal routine is speeding through a shower and getting dressed and ready for the day early in the morning. Mother’s Day weekend was the perfect time to change it up and indulge myself.

Another view of our bathtub in the Master Bedroom of Casa de Wickham.

Friday, I went with a few friends to our local culinary cooking school. We signed up for “Lunch and Learn” where we watch the meal being prepared and then enjoy a delicious lunch.

The menu was Balsamic-Glazed Steak, Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad, and Individual Lemon Cheesecakes (topped with Lemon Curd.)

Everything was delicious and nothing looked too time consuming or difficult.

Balsamic-Glazed Steak and Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad prepared by the chefs at our cooking school.

Here’s the recipe for Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad:

12 oz eggplant, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved

1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1 small red onion, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

5 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil, divided

3 TBSP balsamic vinegar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup orzo

2 TBSP chopped fresh chives (you can use basil, mint, etc.)

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss eggplant, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, 1/4 oil, vinegar, teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together and spread into even layer. Roast until vegetables are slightly softened and charred in sports, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through roasting.
  3. Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts of water to boil in a large saucepan. Add orzo and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Drain orzo and transfer to large bowl. Stir in remaining tablespoon oil, and more vinegar if desired, chives and roasted vegetables and any accumulated juices. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold. 

I made this during the weekend. I added a dash more balsamic vinegar to the orzo and veggies and topped it with Feta cheese crumbles. I thought about adding Kalmata Olives or chicken.

Are you a bath or a shower person and why?
What would you add to the Orzo Salad?

Time remaining: estimating….

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Mrs. sitting in a tree.

While I’m writing this post, the words from my headline are staring at me from my new phone. There’s a gray bar above those words that hasn’t made one iota of progress. It should tell me how much time I have left. But it’s estimating…

I’m not one to get new phones. But, I cracked my screen two haircuts ago getting out of the car at my hair dressers. I could live with it.

Then my husband completely killed his phone. It would ring, but nothing on the screen worked. He couldn’t slide the bar to open the phone. I ordered a new phone for him and set it up. He wanted me to get a new phone, too. I finally agreed, after I bought him the wrong size protective case by mistake. I agreed to buy the phone that would fit the case, so I didn’t have to drive 45 minutes to the Apple store and exchange it!

I went through our phone carrier to order my husband’s phone online. They asked for my ID to verify who I was. I had to sit with my driver’s license in my hand and show it to a camera on the screen. It said it successfully verified me.

Then I got a series of emails and texts telling me the order was going to be cancelled unless I verified myself with an ID. I clicked on the link and it said verification successful! But the website with my order said they were cancelling unless I verified my ID. Such is the new world.

I called a human being at the phone company and told them of my dilemma. While I was explaining the continual loop I was stuck in, I got a text and an email that my husband’s phone order had been cancelled! While I was on the phone with the phone company!

Now I’m patiently waiting. And waiting. And waiting while watching nothing happen on my new phone.

What recent technological or company snafus have you experienced lately?