I decided to take a day off from visiting Anthony so just texted Ming to visit after work and he texted “Sure” – brilliant!
Instead I have been catching up with laundry and housework and further decluttering. It’s astounding how making myself accountable to Dina is so effective!
The weather is winter warm so at one point I took off my jacket and …
Well at least it wasn’t a cockroach!
My feeding of wheat to the peafowl and guinnea fowl is deliberately haphazard because there is plenty of ‘food’ for them without the wheat and I don’t like them getting too dependent. Nevertheless as soon as they hear the back door open, they start running towards me – it’s so funny.
Then there is quite a bit of competition as to who gets to eat first.
Yes, I know she looks like Gutsy but she isn’t.
After they’ve eaten their fill, they bask in the winter sunshine.
I’m a bit rusty with the photography but wanted to take a few new photos to show the women I’m visiting in the nursing home, three of whom are not in the dementia cottage. Yesterday I visited Gertrude (not her real name) who has only recently become a resident. She has Parkinson’s disease too and she was commiserating with me about Anthony who she said was “so young!” I guess 79-year-old people do seem young to 90-year-old people! At one point we discussed the pros and cons of diseases:
Gertrude: Tell me, which do you think is worse – Parkinson’s disease or that other one? (She pointed to her head)
Me: You mean Alzheimer’s disease?
Gertrude: Yes.
Me: Well Anthony has both now so I’m not sure ….
Gertrude: Both? This isn’t fair for him.
Me: Well it’s not Alzheimer’s exactly; it’s dementia caused by his kind of Parkinson’s disease.
Gertrude: I don’t have that.
Me: No, I can see that! You don’t have the shaking thing either and Anthony is the same.
Gertrude: I’m improving and sitting in this chair is so much better than lying in that bed.
Me: Do you have pain?
Gertrude: Just a bit of arthritis. Nothing much.
Me: I’m so glad. Anthony doesn’t have pain either – such a blessing.
We exchanged a smile and a hug and I went back to Anthony’s room which is in a different section.
Well I better get back to finishing the jobs I need to list as “done” for my email to Dina tonight!
jmgoyder 
Your peacocks are so beautiful! Wow … the white ones too! I’ve never seen a white peacock. I was fascinated at how they lay on the grass … so relaxed … so beautiful, graceful.
We only have two of the white ones left. One disappeared mysterious – a fox I think. This is a male and female couple.
Do you know … that hurts my very Heart. There is a little pond near us … there were 2 ducks that always stayed together … a black duck and white duck … one day it got missing … and I know something happened to it. It hurts both Skip and I each time we drive by seeing that lone, white duck by itself. So sad … I know they loved each other just as your male and female couple peacocks. Life can be so sad in both animal/human world.
What was that in your jacket? I can’t quite make it out.
Spider!
Ugh!
Haha!
The peacocks are awesome. I have always loved birds and am envious of all of yours!
HOw lovely to see your photos of your peafowls again! Delightful!
And none of it is fair no matter what kind of disease it is.
I love your heart.
I dislike spiders even though I know that they do a lot of good, eating other pests, but the creepy crawly thing ick. It is amusing when 90 year olds refer to 70 year olds as youngins. lol Your winter doesn’t look anything like mine, not by a long shot. Wow
That spider does it. I’m not moving to Australia!
Loved reading your conversation with Gertrude, what a splendid lady, as you are too.
You needed this day off and feel free to take another one soon!!! big hugs
How adorable that all the birds come running when you open the door! I’ve always wanted something to gather round me like that every morning.
I really enjoy hearing about your visits with the people in the nursing home. You are such an inspiration!
Last Saturday I was at a party and came home about 11.00pm. It is still quite light here in Scotland at that time. I went into the house to make a cup of tea and heard the terrible squealing of foxes. I run outside and caught a number of them surrounding one of my terrified cats. The other one was perched on top of the garage.
These foxes were like rabid dogs and the cat was terrified. I had to grab a sweeping brush and chase the foxes away. The cat was okay but I got a cheap shower radio and I now place it in the garden at night to play BBC Radio 5 Live which is a speech only station. It can be on quite low as foxes have very good hearing.
This is supposed to stop foxes coming near the garden as they hate human voices. It certainly works and the foxes have never re-appeared.
With all your birds you should consider this as a way of keeping these foxes out of your area.
well done you – I need a burst of energy this hayfever is draining me!!1 Housework is being left alone
Good to see the birds again. I was wondering about them.
You have such a beautiful garden! And I love your birds.
Good luck with your to do list Julie! ❤
Diana xo
Julie, your posting of the birds makes me smile. I’m glad that you kept some of your lovelies there on the farm. On the other hand, that spider gives me the heebies, but I’m with you, “At least it wasn’t a cockroach!”
BTW: Is the spider capable of a poisonous bite or does it just look ferocious?
Great to see the birds again. That spider would be the end for me…I’d have to go and burn ALL my clothes after that. You sound good Jules…glad you took the day. xoxo
I am at the ‘de-cluttering’ stage and I wish you all the best as it can be overwhelming and yet a release at the same time.