Hi Julia, That looks as if it might be a juvenile Turkey Vulture...its tail is longer in proportion to the body than a black vulture's would be, but the color on the beak is like a juvenile, not an adult's color. Vultures are ugly, but I always smile when I see one since it brings back the memory of my son (the father of five) as a twelve year old with a quirly, pre-teen sense of humor describing the vulture as his "buddy". (This was on the last family trip before he bagan the natural sdistancing that teens do.) And I really love both of your daylilies. kay

I don't care what they say I won't stay in a world without love Please lock me away And don't allow the day Here inside, where I hide with my loneliness I don't care what they say, I won't stay In a world without love Birds sing out of tune And rain clouds hide the moon I'm OK, here I stay with my loneliness I don't care what they say, I won't stay In a world without love So I wait, and in a while I will see my true love smile She may come, I know not when When she does, I'll lose So baby until then Lock me away And don't allow the day Here inside, where I hide with my loneliness I don't care what they say, I won't stay In a world without love (Please lock me away) (And don't allow the day) (Here inside, where I hide with my loneliness) I don't care what they say, I won't stay In a world without love So I wait, and in a while I will see my true love smile She may come, I know not when When she does, I'll lose So baby until then Lock me away And don't allow the day Here inside, where I hide with my loneliness I don't care what they say, I won't stay In a world without love I don't care what they say, I won't stay In a world without love (forget him) Peter and Gordon

Wow! Thanks Amj, Ttodd and HIWTHI! Haven't been over here in a while...missed your lovely posts. I'm researching bathroom items (tubs, toilets, etc.) & went to the bath forum today. So glad I did, & checked over here while I was at it! Amj, Jasmine is doing really well. About the same as before the dramatic incident! True, the ear situation continues as before as well, but she is eating, drinking & "using her box" regularly. She moves with agility and is steady on her feet. Feel I've been given a second chance with her...who knows how long it will last? However much longer she's with us, I appreciate her presence in my life more than ever! As for my sister, she will soon begin radiation & chemo. This time, she must have both therapies simultaneously. Last year she had them separately, with a short break between the two. Having them together sounds brutal, but her doc thinks she's tough enough to endure it, and this will be the most effective treatment for her particular cancer, which metasized from her lung. I feel so sorry that she must go through such a grueling treatment, but am elated that there is a way to address what she is diagnosed with. Her doctor is optimistic for the short term and the long term using this therapy. Thanks for asking, & for thinking about us, Amj. You are really a sweetheart! Ttodd, thank you SO much for sharing your cat's ear history! I've never met anyone with a cat who had such severe ear issues either! Amazing. Glad your kitty lived on to enjoy a long, happy life! 18 years is really a long time for a kitty to live! I appreciate your good wishes, & send you a hug back! HIWTHI, thank you for sharing your story too. We are currently using Prednisone, an oral steroid, for itch relief, and I have some drops that she sometimes lets me put in. She's a tough customer these days as far as letting me touch the ear...I'm not pushing it either. Just glad she's doing the basics again! Never thought I'd be so thrilled to see a kitty eat, drink & potty. I'm so grateful for this time with my little fur-baby! Thanks again for your thoughtful reply. I believe my sister will do well, but has a rough patch to go through with her treatment first. Now that her house is sold, she's living in a tiny, three-room apt. until her house on the water is finished being renovated in October. At first I thought this whole house sale/house purchase/reno thing was miserable timing, but now I think re-doing a house gives her a lot to look forward to. I think that's really important, & now see it, even with all the chaos it's introduced, as a blessing!

The Graduation Song Hoping for a new beginning To take me away from my surroundings So I can finally say goodbye Wondering what'll become of us When we are all old and gray And this time that we've spent together Was well worth our wait Think of the fun that we had Not caring until the next morning It feels so good to go through life With your eyes half open We are all one and the same We are lovers, and brothers, and sisters And most of all friends These years have passed us by so fast It seems like we never got the chance To realize how good life really was And let the moment last And it feels like it was only yesterday When we walked into this place And said I can't wait till I get out of here And now as we walk down this aisle With four years all rolled up in a scroll, you can't help but think Hey, Where did the time go We are all one and the same We are lovers, and brothers, and sisters And most of all friends Hold on to your memories Hold on to those little things And I hope you receive as much as you get Cause when you die they're the only things That you can take to your grave These are the days of your life And don't let them pass you by Cause you never know when you might take your last breath And so take a deep one tonight Good friends we had along the way And good friends that didn't make it to where we stand today But we all know that they're looking down on us And even though their lives were cut short We still remember the little thing that made us laugh about them And do you remember when and where did you meet them? We are all one and the same We are lovers, and brothers, and sisters And most of all friends Hold on to your memories Hold on to those little things And I hope you receive as much as you get Cause when you die they're the only things That you can take to your grave And as we approach this final day Where we all will go our separate ways So go hug and kiss your friends And say goodbye to them