A piano prodigy...

...Ethan Bortnick. He's amazing.

They're back...

The loss of the hummingbird chicks was heartbreaking. It was sad that they were devoured by a hungry blue jay, lurking in my backyard. However, a couple of days before the tragic end of the chicks, other birds have been building a nest nearby.

Click image to enlarge.

A few feet away this pigeon had scoured the area and had built a nest in this same basket they have occupied a few times before.



Yesterday I found this pigeon inside the basket, with some twigs for bedding.



And, lo and behold, I found two eggs. From what I remember they usually lay 2.

Last year I was about to throw away my old straw hat, then I though, maybe, I


should hang it in my pergola, for the birds to build their nest. And to my surprise, they did! I made sure it was away from the reach of cats or rats. Hopefully, the blue jay won't get to it.

I took a ladder to get to peer inside the hat and I found some baby finches. I don't know exactly how many they are, but I'm sure there are more than two. A few days more and they would be big enough to fly and be on their own. Right now they are being fed by both parents. I see them fly in to bring the food and take turns feeding the brood.

Here's crossing my fingers that they make it out of the nest and enjoy their adulthood, and come back next year.

My feathered friend

This hummingbird started refurbishing the old nest on this shell parol before spring officially began. The old nest had been battered by the elements and it needed patching up and retrofitting. So, when it was ready, little hummingbird sat in it and laid a couple of eggs. It sat there for about 2 weeks until the eggs hatched. I could see what was going on every time I'm in the kitchen, as the nest is right there smack in front of the window. Later on, she was feeding her little brood, flying out to find food and coming back to feed them, then sitting on them.

The mother feeding her chicks.

It was a delight to see this going on right before my eyes. And anytime I have a chance to take a picture, I drop whatever I was doing and grab my camera.

Yesterday morning I was in the kitchen watching her come and go, feeding her brood. Then after lunch as I was washing dishes I looked up and to my horror a big blue jay was right there on the parol. I screamed. The blue jay flew away. My husband hastily went outside to the patio to see if any damage had been done. I watched him, trying to read his face. Then he came in the kitchen and said, "They are gone, the blue jay ate them. I never thought those birds are predators."

Oh, no, not again. A year ago some predator did the same thing to this same nest. I felt so bad for the mother hummingbird. So sad.

Mother hummingbird came back and looked around then flew away. A few minutes later she came again; tried to land on the nest but couldn't, some parts of it came loose. It hovered for a while then flew away. She came back a few times more then finally realized that her brood are gone then flew away and never came back.

My husband and I were looking forward to the day the chicks are big enough to fly on their own. It is, however, not going to happen, not anymore.

One more time...

Every TV channel has featured that audition, which has turned her into an instant star. Someone has dug up an old cd recorded in 1999, where she was one of the singers. And here she proves that she can really sing; that she's not a one-trick pony.

Go Susan Boyle!

It's fun out there...

It was a very nice warm day out there. The sun was up, and no dark clouds hovering above. I, however, could not enjoy it; am confined to my bedroom feeling ill. All I could do was look out through the door, from my bed. It's not fun being sick.


The pilots are having fun, enjoying the beautiful day; making squiggles of contrails with their jet planes. What fun! Wish I could do that. That is, if I have the nerve to board a jet plane flying 600 miles per hour. It must be scary looking down with nothing below the feet except the earth way down 1,000's of feet. It is unlike being on board a jumbo jet where passengers are enclosed. There are walls, and a ceiling that make one feel more secure, like being in a house right on the ground. But, of course, when looking out the tiny window, one is reminded that the plane is above ground, up there thousands of feet high.


Now the pilots have made curly trails, that look like a loose crochet knot. They sure are having fun.

In the meantime, I lay in bed trying to pass the time away reading. And what happens when one reads a food magazine? One craves them, those mouth watering foods...

...like this lovely ham...


...and this delicious looking dessert.

Life sucks when one is ill. On the other hand, I'm still lucky to be able to eat whatever I wanted. My husband fried some fresh sardines. LOL And he grilled chicken thighs that I have marinated before getting bed ridden.

I stayed mostly upstairs as it's warmer up here. From time to time, I would sneak in that room where my pc is. But when I start to get cold again, being attacked by whatever bug bit me, I crawl back in bed. I wish this bug would get tired of me and leave me alone. I wish it would get tired of my smell, since I haven't bathed for the last few days. What if I gas it? It might leave, or might not. It's known that yucky things like yucky smell.

I'll miss the fun at the Easter Picnic at the park. Oh, well. I'm getting a little better now; have spent a longer time here on my pc. And, there will be another day...

Happy Easter, all!

Redondo Beach once again

The Getty Museum on the hill.
Click image to enlarge

We headed down south once more hitting the Freeway 405; and we passed the Getty Museum which was sitting atop a hill, making a commanding view of most of the valley below it. I remember once when I went there with a couple of friends from New York. The painting I remember most during that visit was that of Van Gogh's Irises. There, of course, are other paintings and sculptures done by the masters.

Before heading to Redondo Beach, we swung by a computer show in Manhattan Beach. This show is a must for my husband, him being a computer fanatic. It's held on the last Saturday of each month, and March 28th was the date. Just a couple of miles away is Redondo Beach where we usually have lunch.

We had for lunch our usual fill of a Korean hot and spicy soup at a restaurant on the pier. Then we took a leisurely walk. There were the usual people fishing, strolling, kissing, sunning and whatever.

Down the ramp to the marina we spotted this lone young mallard floating by itself. The first time I've seen one on this water.


On one of the boats, this man had a big container of catch. He was dumping them in a pail hanging in the water to keep the fish alive and fresh.

A spider crab at the fish store. Tastes like crab, not spider; though, I have not eaten a spider, yet.

Down at the boardwalk I bought ice-cream at the parlor. We sat right by the walk, licking our dessert when this young boy started having a tantrum.

He laid on the ground demanding ice-cream from his mother.

He sat up still whining. His mother tried to coax him out of there...

...but no deal. He stood...er...sat his ground.

He moved away from the entrance...

...then stood still whining.

Finally, mother couldn't wait, and she took him away.

The show is over. We decided to head home.

Follow...

.....the......

.....d o t s....

..............

Journey back home

Someone sent me the link to this video and I got so emotional listening to the song, and viewing the sights of Manila and its surrounding cities. These places were my old stumping ground and they will always have a soft spot in my heart. There were a lot of fond memories, and some sad ones, that I've spent there. Although, I've been away for a long time, and the landscape has changed a lot, I still feel a lump in my throat every time I see a picture of the old country.

Perhaps others who spent some time back home feel the same way as I do. The video here was put together by lancerpntgrd; and he had given me permission to post it. The music is by the band Journey who had a concert back there in March with our very own Arnel Pineda.



I'm so homesick...

I got myself...

...a freebie.
Click
right
here.

Photo tag...tag...tag

I was tagged by Nona, muy bonita. LOL This one is easy. The rules are: pluck the sixth picture from your photo file and post in your blog. And then tag as many as you want. That's it. As for me, I'll toss it and whoever wants to catch and do it, may do so.

Here’s mine.

I have 8 photo files. Each of which contains a certain kind of photo, so it would be easy for me to look for a picture. The one above was from the Gallery, the first file.

That is an image of a yellow Canna Lilly. I bought that plant about 3 years ago. The vendor who sold it to me didn't know the name and told me the color of the flower was white. I stumbled on a plant just like this one at a nursery, and that's how I got to know its name. And the flower came out to be yellow. Yey...I like it more than a white one. It, however, took a long time to bloom.

There it is Nona. I'm done with the tag.

Thanks, but no thanks!

I have some interesting emails in my spam box. They came from out of the country; and some are, supposedly, Asians as indicated by their names. They have very tempting propositions, which would make me a very wealthy person, if I snatch their baits. Here below is one of those emails:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dearest Friend,

My name is Mrs. Rosie Chook, I am married to (Eng Mr.Pee Chook) from United Kingdom (U.K) who has an appointment in Tokyo, Japan as the chief Managing director to(ABC Uzuki Association Tokyo-Japan) under Engineering project/contract awarding section.

My husband died as a result of brief illness called heart attack, while he was coming back from (ASA) new location area on project inspection on Saturday 10th December 2006.

Before his death as a result of our joint account venture we have $7.3 million (US) dollars in our fixed deposit account.

Dear one I was brought up as an orphan and was married to my late husband for twenty years without a child and am of age, I am 68 years now and am suffering from kidney infection and a long time cancer of the lungs, which has partially affected my brain, and from all indication my condition is really deteriorating. According to my doctors, my health is very poor because of the cancer ailment, I can not stay to live up three months ahead, and I am having serious problem with my husband's family members.

I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my course and I shall hold my peace. Therefore I need a God fearing person who will assure me that he/she will use this fund to help the Motherless babies, Orphanage, Charity organization and less privileged once, and using for word of God.

I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank.

I want you to always pray for me because I don't have many days to live.

Thanks
Yours in the lord Mrs. Rosie Chook.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

She's not a friend. I have never met her; never interacted with her before - not in person, not through emails nor through message boards. Why would she ask me for help? Why would she trust me? That's a lot of money - $7.3 M - to give to a total stranger. I assumed that's what she wanted.

Now if I get that money, what would I do with it? Would I give it to charity? Keep it? MY GOODNESS it is so much. I could probably keep some...or most...of it to myself. What would I do with it? Gosh...ngatog na ang tumbong ko sa dami. Di na ako mapakali niyan. (My derriere would be shaking with all that money. I wouldn't be able to keep still.) Okay, relax! Here's what I would do, if ever:

I would build myself a big house. Not a mansion, just one big house for me and my family. A mansion would be too overwhelming for me. Buy a fancy car - hmmm...maybe a Rolls Royce, to replace my old rusty Ford Escort. Then I can brag that all I do is drive around in my Rolls. I'll hire a live-in housekeeper, so I won't have to do all the chores at home. I'll have more time to myself and paint all day...my nails, that is. Oh, wait, I'll summon a manicurist to do that for me. I forgot I'm already loaded (with money). My relatives will multiply. Some I've never known nor seen will come out of the woodwork and claim to be related to me. All of them will be forming a line at my door. I'll share some with them. Why not? Baka isumpa nila ako. (They might curse me.) I'll go on a tour twice or thrice a year; visit my friends out there. I'll buy a yatch; build a vacation house in Baguio. Sus, bagyo na ang panaginip ko. (Big dreams with a vengeance, just like a hurricane.)

But, wait! Hold on! I am not going to fall prey to this scam. I know it's a lot of money, but in the end I will lose whatever little money I have in the bank. I am not a rich person. No! I have very little means.

Her bank contact could be anybody. For all I know, it could be herself, not a bank official. And when the money is to be transferred to me, she or the bank will need my account number. Once I give it...wham! they got me. Yeah, they will get me, if I am stupid enough to fall for this scam. I don't think so. I may not be the smartest person around, but I'm not a sucker. Nope, I wouldn't let Ms. Chook go to the bank laughing. I will instead forward her email to the proper authorities, and let them deal with her...or him.

So there! :-p

Walk don't run...

To the other side.

Click here to view

The amateur show.


;-)

Brrrr...it's freezing

It rained last Sunday night, and, brrr, it was freezing. I was tired from walking that day and I slept like a log.

Next morning I woke up rather late, but refreshed. I went down to the kitchen and had breakfast; then back upstairs to make my rumpled bed. I walked in the bedroom and the curtains were already pulled to let the sun in. I looked out to see if there's more rain. There was none, but the top of the hill beyond was covered with snow. I gasped, "Whoooaaa!"

"Come, come," I said excitedly to my husband as I strutted to the room next to the bedroom where he was. "There's snow out there!" I was like a kid seeing snow for the first time. He came in big strides and with a glow in his face looked out beyond to the snow covered hilltop. "Oh, wow. Take pictures of it," he murmured.

Click image to enlarge.

Late last year there was fire right on that hill and beyond. It was a scary sight. All through that night, I kept getting up to see if the fire would come down from the hill. It did not. The firefighters were keeping watch and were ready to douse it, if it got out of control.

This was not the first time we had snow here in our town. Sometime back in the late 80's we had a flurry of the white stuff right here in our town. My backyard, front yard and all over our neighborhood was covered with snow. It didn't last long, though. By noon time it had melted. The neighborhood kids had fun. School was closed due to snow. Rarely does this happen and it was the news of the day. I called the office to let them know I couldn't come to work. Vehicles here are not equipped with snow tires and it's dangerous driving in slick roads.

This time, however, we didn't have a lot. Mother Nature gave us a sprinkling of it on the hill, but it was a sight to behold.

Click image to enlarge.
The shot above was taken a little before noon time. Some of the snow had melted by then, but it was still a beautiful scene.

*********************************************

And the award goes to ME...again!

This award was tossed to me by Ghee, the lovely. Thank you so much. Although my blog is crappy as can be, you and all my blog friends are very supportive. You all come and read my drivel; my nonsense which others can't stand. They read and leave in a huff. But...but...they leave their trail...their droppings. How do I know? Herlock Sholmes, my private eye, told me. Just kidding folks. Let's not be too serious. Let's laugh, sing, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we d - i - e.

That said, let me show off the awardz shown here below:

Now the rules:

List 5 addictions and pass this tag to your friends.

• Of course, I am addicted to blogging! Why would I be here in the first place? I would be napping, snacking or day dreaming, if I'm not. I have made friends from all over the world. Good people, different races, tall and short, men and women...and I like them all. Pautang nga sa inyo. (Can you loan me some money? It's a joke, please don't take it seriously.)
  

• I am addicted to playing computer games. This is a good way to exercise my brain cells. Inactive brain cells will deteriorate in time and that will result in amnesia, fever, blurred vision, hearing impairment, chocolate cravings, lechon cravings, ice-cream cravings, arthritis and so forth. This is another one of those drivels, if you don't know, yet. But it's true I'm a game addict. If I'm out there, away from my computer, I have my cellphone to play with...it has games in it. Hooray for cellphones.

• This is not an addiction, it's more of a hobby. I like collecting bird houses and mini-houses. I find them cute. I have quite a collection and they come in different sizes, shapes, and color. Hmm...it doesn't sound right for this category. Eh, just a fill in.
  

• Addiction number 4. Hmmm...I guess, I would have to say sleeping. But this one doesn't sound like an addiction. It should be called a hobby.
  

• I don't seem to have any for number 5. I must be a good kid not to have a lot of addictions. Cigarette, tobacco, alcohol...not one of these. Nada, wala na, awanen and no more. The end.
  

Now, I'll toss this into cyberspace and whoever wants to catch it, do so at your own risk. LOL

The Birds

The spring-like temperature was good while it lasted. It rained Wednesday night and when I awoke the next morning the ground was wet. There was a gray pall over my town that day. The sun peeked for a while during the morning hours and most of the afternoon it was behind the clouds. The rains came intermittently most of the day. It was good for the plants. Weeds? No! Well, maybe in the hills beyond.

The temperature dipped to the low 60's. I stayed indoors and worked on some of my sketches in my study room. I was so engrossed in it when I heard loud harsh "caw, caw, caw." It was a flock of crows cawing. They landed on my neighbor's backyard tree. These birds give me the shivers. I don't know what it is about them, but that is how I feel when I see them hovering about. They specially like to roost in groups and make a lot of noise.

The crows on my neighbor's tree.
(click image to enlarge)

I padded to the front bedroom, the master bedroom, and there I saw another flock right on my tree which was so close to my house. They scampered off as soon as they saw me spying on them. Then they landed on a birch tree across the street. There were about 20 of them. Eeewww! They reminded me of that movie The Birds, with Suzanne Pleshette. That must be why they give me the creeps.

The flock across the street.

After a little while they were gone. Good. I'd rather have the smaller birds around, the sparrows, pigeons, and hummingbirds. It won't be long though, and I'd see them in my backyard. In the meantime, I'd have to put up with these blackbirds.

Winter, or Spring?

While some parts of the nation are buried in snow, we here in Southern California are enjoying a warm and sunny weather. This is the crazy weather California is known for.


I dressed light today. I wore my big grey T-shirt and my maroon sweat pants and a pair of old sandals. I drove down the hill to the park to see what folks were up to.

(click images to enlarge)

There were a handful of people enjoying the nice spring-like temperature.

Ah! What a view! Dem thar hills have no snow. No need to bundle up tonight.

Hello down there! Down there is our postage stamp downtown. A little community. It is really a small part of a city, but we call it our downtown.


I got "down there" and there was the time.


And look at that temperature! Perfect day to wear a bikini. LOL Like I'm going to dare wear one. I don't even own a one-piece bathing suit. I did have a couple a long time ago, but...never mind.

Some people sat at an outdoor coffee shop to have a snack and chat.


A lady had done some shopping early in the day.


At a nearby junior high the girls' soccer team were on practice. At this time school was already out for the day.

A young man was taking his dog for a walk.

It was a little bit windy, and Old Glory was flying high. The blue sky as background was perfect. Truly a nice day.

She purred her last.

A quick sketch in pencil on paper.

Miss Eartha Kitt, a legendary singer had passed on Dec. 25, 2008. She left grieving fans from all over the world. Miss Kitt performed on Broadway, starred in movies, tv, and performed in night clubs as well. Her most memorable performance on tv was as Catwoman in the Batman series.

One of her most popular songs that I remember was C'est si bon. I, however, was surprised to hear her sing the Tagalog song Waray Waray. This was originally sang in Tagalog by the late Nida Blanca.




I love listening to her sing this song. It suited her voice and her style; it seemed it was composed for her alone. And one thing I noticed, her pronunciations of the Tagalog words were perfect.

The world will miss Eartha Kitt.

More about Ms. Kitt here and here.

Redondo Beach Revisited

On the last Saturday of the year 2008, my husband and I went to visit Redondo Beach. We had lunch at a restaurant on the boardwalk, then we took a leisurely walk up the pier.

(click images to enlarge)

It was a nice warm day, perfect for strolling, watching, reading, feeding the birds and whatever.

Walking up the ramp near the boat slips we spotted a seabird on its back trying so hard to get back upright. Its head was in the water and it struggled so hard to keep it up for a breath of air, while flailing its legs. Its wing or wings must have been broken. We were rooting for the bird. "Come on bird, come on. Get up. Go...go." But sadly, it lost the battle with the water, and...it died. We could do nothing but watch the little creature drown. The public is prohibited from going in the water on that side as there are big jagged rocks surrounding the railing.

A few yards away was this flock floating, basking in the sun.

Here another seabird lurking, looking for its meal. A small school of fish can be seen at 11:00 o'clock (upper left hand side).

Then the seabird dove in the water, and chased its meal.


Machine, bird and man. That's a sheriff's helicopter flying on a mission somewhere on the beach, where there was trouble. There were 4 of them. Bird was bird watching, looking for lovely chicks. Man ate too much.

A flock of pelicans on a restaurant's roof top.

These pelicans came down from the rooftop to wait for hand outs from a fisherman. Later on a beach police officer came over to stop the fisherman from feeding the birds. He didn't see the fisherman in the act, but his presence was enough to stop the violator.

A fish got lodged in this pelican's pouch. It was in the wrong angle and the pelican could not swallow it. After a lot of twisting, turning and shaking, it finally got it right and swallowed the fish.

And there were those people who could not care less as long as they have each other. Uuuuyyy, kissie...kissie.

On to more fishing for the day's meal.

They bring everything except the kitchen sink. I saw one bring a stove, mind you. Sink is provided for cleaning fish.

A boxful of mackerels, the catch of the day.


Finally, we headed home. And on the freeway we saw Will Smith. Hmmm...did he wink at me?