Saw a baltimore oriole at my feeder this morning. First time I have seen one in person. Doesn't to take much to make me happy. lol

May is the time to see Orioles around here. They usually hang out here until the end of May or early June before they head north to breed. We have a feeder built for Orioles that has a dish of grape jelly in the middle and halved oranges on each end. I need to put jelly and oranges on the shopping list for Friday's trip into town.

I am an hour or two north of you, @LoneJack Zn 6a, KC, and I have had orioles here for over a week. I fill their feeder with grape jelly twice a day. Sometimes they let me know when it’s empty - they are so loud!

Lucky you guys!

I’ve only seen an oriole twice at my place in 25 years. North-central Alberta. The first sighting, I was so excited that I bought on orange feeder, did the grape jelly and orange thing, and never saw one again. That was probably ten years ago. I think we’re just on the very north boundary of their migration. Not quite as far as the hummingbirds, which we get plenty of.

We did have have an oriole nest ( thought it was a wasp nest at first ) hanging from a very tall tree one summer, but I never saw the parents or the offspring.

I do see plenty of orioles in the winter when I’m holidaying in Mexico. They’re so colourful.

littlebug - they do make quite the racket don't they! I wish they would nest around here. We'll see them during their fall migration sometimes if we remember to put out the feeder in October. They don't hang out too long here in the fall.

The robin that sits over my head on a wreath on the porch hatched her babies. I was sitting there when a catbird with a holly berry in its mouth perched on a chair and looked at me. I love them. They come to my yard every year, and I know it's them because they whistle for the dogs we used to have.

Over the past 3 weeks I built a patio and 6 large raised bed to create an edible landscape. Today, I got to start planting!

I found the Tattooed Chef brand bags of frozen ”Mexican Style Street Corn” back in Costco today! @roxsolid this is the brand I mentioned when you got the PureVida brand to try. I love this stuff! It’s gone up - $13.69 a bag - I don’t recall what last year’s price was but just based on my bill total today, I’m sure it’s gone up. I got 2 bags. The store shelf label didn’t have a code indicating seasonal or discontinuing so don’t know why I couldn’t find it. Because Costco also is carrying more of the PureVida brand frozen veggies I was afraid Tattooed Chef was gone. Sorry about the huge picture 😬

ETA - I had a funny conversation with a woman standing next to me at the freezer section. She had a bag of plain frozen sweet corn. She looked at my bag & asked what it was & what the difference was between it & her bag. I showed her & she said - “Oh, yes, I see - but I get this corn to make that dish.” She did laugh when I explained that some of us are lazy and also do not have the fresh spices and the cheese on hand to make it.

I tasted that at Costco yesterday. They were giving samples, and that's the first time I've had it. It was very good, but my freezer is full, so I didn't buy it.

That's funny, KW. I'm happy you found it again.

Tomorrow is Big Trash Day here. In my little town, we can put anything out at the curb and then the men in trucks come and pick it up and take it away. People start putting things out early in the week and then all during the week, people will come and "shop" the stuff at the curb. Tonight is the prime night because that is when most stuff gets put out there.

So I was walking the dog and this family in a van pulled up and the guy jumped out and scooped up a box and he was so happy. It was a bouncy house!!! I know the people who live there and I am sure it is a nice one. I hope it didn't have a hole in it or something like that.

There also was a very big doll house and 4 kids decided to take it home. They were struggling to carry it down the street. The parents were sitting out on the driveway - it's kind of a tradition, a wine and cheese and watch the parade kind of thing - so they jumped up and brought it the rest of the way. I know the guy who put that out too and I know it was expensive but his daughter is in 4th grade now so has outgrown it.

But this guy, Blake, lives across the street from me. I saw the dollhouse and then I saw he had an old lawnmower out for pickup and I knew that actually at one time belonged to a friend of his so it probably had died. Well I just recently bought a battery operated lawnmower but still had the old gas one. I texted him and asked him if he wanted my gas one and he was thrilled to take it. I'm so glad he can use it. He came over to get it and he brought me a meatball sub from WaWa that he just bought. He had two and already ate one so he gave me the other one. I thought it was a pretty fair deal for both of us.

This week and night are like Halloween for adults. It's always fun to see what treasures can be had. Although at this stage I am putting out a lot more than I am bringing home. :)

@lily316 - I have a counter depth frig so I also have in my garage an upright just for garage freezer! I like to keep it full & I do a great job of rotating things. We buy frozen organic blueberries 3 bags at a time & lots of frozen veg too.

@murraysmom Zone 6a OH - Big Trash Day! What a great idea & sounds like your neighborhood makes it such a nice neighborly event! We don’t have that service here & I’m sorry we don’t after reading your experience. Your exchange of lawnmower for great sandwich is a such a nice neighbor experience. I have to ask you though - what the heck is WaWa? I’ve seen it mentioned by others here & am assuming it’s a local or small chain grocery. But that name? I laugh every time I hear it. Piggly Wiggly or whatever that other one is used to make me roll my eyes but WaWa makes me think of Barbara Walters. 😁

KW, looks like you're in the PNW like I am. I just returned from visiting family outside of Philadelphia. I had never heard of WaWa before either. I googled and found this description:

"Wawa is a popular East Coast chain of over 1,100 convenience stores and gas stations, known for its cult following, fresh built-to-order hoagies, and high-quality coffee. Originating in Pennsylvania, they offer a wide range of food, beverages, and fuel services across the Mid-Atlantic, Florida, and expanding regions, with many stores operating 24/7."

I'm trying to think of what to compare it to around here 🤔 The WaWa's I saw were huge. They're bigger and fancier than 7-11's and AM/PM mini marts.

Yes, Wawa has only just recently moved into our area. I think there are maybe 3 of them. One is very close to me though I haven't been to any of them just yet. I was just on the phone with another neighbor and told her about Blake giving me the meatball sub and she told me how she had gone to the one that's east of us a bit. She has family out that way. She went in to see what they were all about and some stranger started giving her his reviews of the sandwiches. It's like a food disneyland of sorts. My friend didn't buy anything. Her gut does not permit her to have much culinary fun. :)

It was very tasty. Good to have another alternative to the usual fast food places.

I am so lucky to be in such a large friendly neighborhood. I got to know almost everyone from walking my various dogs.

@sephia_wa - I’m south of you I assume - you- Seattle? Me - Vancouver. We moved from Seattle area when we retired a few years ago. We wanted to stay in WA but specifically in West of Cascades WA. Eastern WA not my cup of tea climate or politic wise. Thanks for the info on WaWa. I thought it was a grocery not a gas station type convenience store. I can’t think I am their typical customer - I only frequent the fuel stop stores on road trips. WaWa sounds like an exception— better coffee? I’m in!

@murraysmom Zone 6a OH - we who walk our dogs know everything that’s going on in the hood don’t we? 🤣 I know all of my neighbors & if they have a dog I do know the dog’s name but not the name of the person who’s the actual neighbor. Both my current pup, Whisper, and my last pup, Ginger, were people magnets. Everyone is drawn in by the soulful and beautiful eyes so they all stop to admire.

@KW PNW- I'm north of you in Des Moines. I hear you about eastern WA. I lived in Spokane for a couple years - I went to Gonzaga. Hated living there. Did I mention that I hated living there? Lol! Didn't like the weather- too cold and snowy in the winter and too hot in the summer. And yes, that side of the state isn't my politics either. I actually had people tell me I should go back to my side of the state and spend my money there. Took their advice and left as soon as I graduated. The west side weather suits me better.

Murraysmom...We used to have big trash days that went on for several days. What fun, and I picked up great objects for the yard, including a huge concrete heron with glass eyes. A little beat up with a small chunk out of his neck, but he guards my small goldfish pond.

In this part of PA. Sheetz rules, and the competition between them and Wawa is crazy, and Wawa is coming west from Philly to invade. I have no experience with either, but it's a battle. I think I read Wawa was picked as the best in the country of this type of grocery store/ gas station/ restaurant.

Lily, I think Buccee's is in the mix too. I think there may be only 1 in Ohio but they are more south I think. People must be desperate if these places are their entertainment.

KW, I have to laugh. Yes, I am the "Go to" on my end of the street and a friend is my deputy on the other end. We know everything that is going on. And I, too, know the dogs better than the people. I just met a new one, Bernie, and I don't know his person's name. lol

A woman who was driving through, looking for treasures, stopped her car to look at Lacey. She asked if she was real. lol Lacey is very tiny and even though she is 7 years old, she looks like a puppy. Too funny. Lacey comes from a background of wearing dresses every day but I put a stop to that immediately. She does have some winter wear for going outside, but I draw the line at that.

The Big Trash Day truck came through this morning. Almost everything is gone and it is eerily quiet. One big aquarium remains but I suspect they will send a different truck for that. It must be plexiglass because the guy was able to lift it pretty easily. And today the sun is shining and life is good.

I first encountered Wawa awhile ago when I had reason to go to Philadelphia a few times a year, for a number of years. My only experiences were with stores in and around the urbanized center, not out in the burbs. They're quite a phenomenon and if for no other reason, they deserve their loyal following for serving reasonably good food at fair prices.

I’m now enlightened about what a great alternative to fast food place WaWa is for OH, PA & other states south of there. But, that name? Do people really say it out loud without laughing?

KW, an AI supplemental response to a Google search says this. Whether it's right or wrong I don't know:

+++++++++++++++++++

Wawa gets its name from the site of its original dairy farm in Wawa, Pennsylvania, located in Delaware County. The town, in turn, is named after the Ojibwe word for the Canada goose ("wawa" or "we'we"), which is why a goose appears in the company's logo. [1, 2, 3]

• Geographical Origin: Founder George Wood set up his dairy processing plant in 1902 in the town of Wawa, PA. The town was named based on the many geese that frequented the area's water, notes.
• The "Goose" Connection: While sometimes cited as a Lenni Lenape term, the company associates the name with the Ojibwe word for the bird.
• Corporate Symbolism: The Canada goose logo represents the company’s values of teamwork and collaboration. As former CEO Richard D. Wood explained, the "V" formation of flying geese echoes the company’s belief that working together increases their, and their employees', "flying range," according to.
• Evolution: When the company transitioned from dairy delivery to convenience stores in 1964, they kept the name because of its strong, distinct recognition,

Thank you Elmer, for finding the history behind the name for me. It’s interesting, and now, learning about the roots and the meaning of the business name, I feel a bit embarrassed for poking fun at it. There are many towns here in my PNW bearing names that are from or based on indigenous languages. They are mostly very long names and it’s easy to identify newcomers to the area by their often humorous sounding mispronunciations of those names of towns and rivers.

Just want to wish everyone who celebrates it, a very happy Mother’s Day. I’m not at home right now, so keeping up with everyone’s posts is not the best.

KW, my husband made a meal using the frozen corn and it was very good. It was sort of like a tortilla. Very tasty! He is a way better cook than I am. If I see your brand of corn at the store, I’ll give that a try. Thank you.

Murraysmom, our county has a large item pickup twice a year. It’s funny to see the folks slowly driving by to see what has been put out. One year we put out an old office chair, thought it had been picked up by the county, only to see it set out at a neighbour’s home the next year. LOL, they must have salvaged it from our driveway and then discovered why we discarded it.

Wawa? Isn’t that the last name of a famous woman news reporter/interviewer? 😄

Actually, there is a place in Ontario, Canada that has that name. It’s about at the halfway point of the Trans Canada Highway. They have a huge goose attraction there.

Hoping everyone has a great day.

"Wawa? Isn’t that the last name of a famous woman news reporter/interviewer? 😄"

Barbara WaWa! 😂

roxsolid, always a pleasure to hear from you. :)

Yes, Big Trash Day can bring treasures or trash and the good news is that if it turns out to be trash, there's always next year!!

I have to floor supervise at work. Why is that a good thing? All the customer and coworker love is nice... but my entire household works there too. Loads of wishes and I even get hugs. Daughter found an abandoned rose and we put it on a register. Bringing happiness to everyone

I had so much fun in my riding lesson today. I am getting my current horse ready to do "circus tricks". Today we worked on getting her to knock over the cones she has been trained all hr life to avoid. I say "circus tricks" but these types of things help me as a rider getting her to place her feet or nose where I ask. Next week we start having her push a large ball around. She and I had so much fun. Of course we get some really odd loks from others who observe us doing everything "wrong". I love that my mentor has faith and trust in me to work outside the box with this wonderful mare. I remember back when he said I would never ride her. Then when he said I could I was afraid I would ruin her. And here we are in wonderful horse/human relationship. She follows me around like a puppy.

As my daughter lives in Katy, Tx and I live in Kansas City she did not come for Mother's day. We still had a wonderful day together. We talked on phone for 1 1/2 hours this morning, including a tour of her flower gardens via face time. She called back in the afternoon and we visited again. Then we faced time and ate supper together and discussed the whole of our day. We are just that close and talk almost every day anyway. I am so thankful she always has time for me.

I had a tiny Mother's Day fete from my daughter. Her husband was flying off to Africa to do volunteer work at an elephant sanctuary, and my son was winding down his two-month vacation in Europe and called me from London to wish me Happy Mother's Day. Daughter gives great gifts. Some tiles with cats from her recent trip to Portugal, a gorgeous garden arrangement in a lovely urn, and a rotating picture frame. Her son gave her one, and we always admire the revolving pictures from her travel library, and of her son and us, so now I have my own. Plus, she wants to take a day trip to the Merriweather Post House and the DC zoo in the next week or two.

I didn't get the job, so far. I know things can change all the time. I received a declination email from the person with whom I spoke, not from HR, not a form letter. So I was definitely in the running. I know what it's like to hire somebody and it doesn't work out, or they quit, or anything can happen... I just wasn't the first they made the offer to, and it may not happen. It's still okay. I'm very honored I got a personal response. That's a good thing for me.

As you say, things can change all the time. I worked with a woman who interviewed for a job that she was very anxious to get. She wasn't hired, but when their first-choice candidate declined the position, my friend got the job and was thrilled.

Exactly. What will we will be!

@rob333 (zone 7b) Your attitude about your interview & the response you just received is perfect. There are lots of positives to focus on besides actually receiving an offer for the position. Your resume is now up to date, you’ve been able to practice your interviewing technique, hiring managers & other ’up the chain’ positions are reminded of you and the skills you offer as well as reminded that you are interested in other positions than the one you currently hold. All win-win things. So, good for you for stepping up & putting yourself out there!

I found new homes for an overabundance of Lizard Tails , Saururus cernuus today. We have a local Facebook garden lovers group and I'm so happy that they went to good homes!

I had a great customer service experience with King Arthur. I once bought a box of their focaccia bread mix because my grandson wanted to make bread and even tho I know it's easy from scratch, I thought he'd have good luck with a mix for his first try. It was really delicious and fast and easy, so I ordered a couple more boxes to have on hand. We went to bake one the other day and the yeast and herb packages were both missing from the box. We used the other box and I wrote to KA to see if they would send me the missing envelopes, so we could use the remainng box.

Yesterday, I received a package from them containing two boxes of the mix! They couldn't, for some reason, send just the missing ingredients. Very happy customer.

Good stuff, Olychick! And great customer service.

Many years ago when my children were small, we had a box of Popsicles and one of them tasted like salt. I wrote to the company, a nice representative phoned me for some info, and then they sent me a very nice letter, explaining that occasionally, the moulds will get a small hole or crack allowing the brine used for freezing to seep in. They sent me a bunch of coupons for free boxes of Popsicles. It was no big deal, but the customer service was excellent.

My good thing today was…well….it was just an all round pleasant day. 🤠

Okay, one good thing was I took my ebike out for the first time this year to get the mail.

I didn’t fall off.

The good thing that happened a couple of days ago is that I've resumed my long walks outdoors again, which is by far my preference vs. indoors. The walks are so refreshing and I also have the opportunity to watch the neighbors' gardens emerging.

On my daily hike on the AT, I saw two tiny baby groundhogs in the middle of the path. Mom had seen me coming and took off, leaving these two little guys who just looked at me. Cuties.

A good thing that happened to me today was waking up and finding out that the referendum question result about separation from Canada was a resounding NO.

My province just held a 10 question referendum and one of the questions was “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”

It was sort of a referendum on whether to have a referendum or not🙄

I’ve lived in Alberta most of my life and there has always been a rumbling from a small group about leaving Canada and forming a new country. I know, it sounds crazy. Anyhow, things got very real this past year when our Premier put the question out there.

The Alberta separatists have said that Ottawa doesn’t work for us. They feel that we put in more than we receive. That may be. All that I know is that I have done well living in Alberta, my family has done well, and my friends have done well. Canada is a fantastic country and the thought of not being part of it makes me feel ill. The vote did not surprise me.

So, this morning it was great to wake up to the news that Alberta will not be holding a binding referendum on separation.

I think it was the most important thing that I have ever voted on.🇨🇦

Im happy to be home from a fantastic 15 day trip to Scotland! Everything about it was wonderful. So beautiful it hurts. Even perfect weather. But, Im glad to be home. (Total trip was 20 days) Got home very late Saturday night. Pooky is purring on my lap as I write, so happy that Im home.

Welcome home, hobbitmom!

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.

sure did, thanks, rox

Well I am happy to see this thread 💜

This week I am happy I can work in my yard again! What we like to say in South Florida is that it feels like the heat broke. Yay! Now I will go play and the rider mower will be fun 😎

JoanM, cutting grass is one of my favourite pastimes. I love my riding mower.

Well, I'm just hoping for a really good thing two weeks from today.

Both my older sisters and my mother had significant height loss and significant bone density loss by the time they were 65. I just got my bone density test results and I am doing really well - technically have osteopenia, but just over the benchmark (-1.0 is considered normal, -1.1 was my lowest reading, -2.5 is considered osteoporosis). I am also the same height as I was when I graduated from high school. FRAX risk assessment for hip fracture in the next 10 years was rated 0.6%.

Hobbitmom, we were in Scotland, too! for a moment, anyway. We are just back from 10 days in Yorkshire, and DH had never been to Scotland though I had, so we took the train to Gretna Green, took his picture standing on the grass below the platform, and took the return train back.

All along, beautiful scenery, met some relatives I had never met and that DH hadn’t seen in yeqrs. And we all got along! One cousin's wife, it turns out, is a tour guide in Liverpool eo when we innocently said we'd like to see some sites, we really got to see some sites with great background info! Some other delightful encounters with people, just out of the blue, all so kind.

Nicw to be home, though, with familiar light switches, and the cat is very happy to have his routine back.

We went to Ballater, near Balmoral Castle, then Edinburgh, then The Isle of Skye. All were lovely.

Thank you so much, Roxsolid and all those who voted to stay in Canada. It was pretty clear that it would be very costly for Alberta to be on its own, not to mention that being "oil-rich" as noted on CNN, it would not take long for it to become absorbed into the country to the south.

Great pictures, hobbitmom!

Stacey, without a doubt about being absorbed. The separatists are very hard to follow.

Some carry USA flags, some carry Alberta flags, some carry N azi flags, some say we will be our own country, some say that Canada will help us transition, some say the USA will help in the transition., they’re not really very united. I see how the USA looks after its own citizens and think that we would we very low on the totem pole. ( I’d think that no USA state would want to be absorbed by Canada)

The rest of Canada would just shrug their shoulders and say we made our choice. Well,…..I’d be living in Canada then, not Alberta.

Actually, the transition would take years and years and years to happen.

This won’t be the end of it. They’re free to do their own thing, though.

It was such a waste of money.