Good deeds

Paul lived with his mom Martha. Neither drove and always took the bus down from PA. They had not yet been down and the grass was getting high. Thinking something may have happened with Martha and not wanting the code enforcement officer to send a letter, I mowed the lawn for them. When they finally did come down, there was a knock on my door. There stood Paul and Martha with three beautiful rose bushes. The rose bushes were for me for cutting their grass. I asked how they knew it was me. The neighbor behind ratted me out.

Because of this, I now try to be stealthy.

Several years ago, my friend lost her husband. She was having a hard times making ends meet. We knew she would not accept money, so we had to figure out ways to help her without her knowing.

Her car was in the shop for repairs. I found out the repair shop and went and paid the bill. Someone then put money toward her dentist bill. Someone paid her property taxes. She would come home to find her lawn mowed. Her walkway shoveled when it snowed. Cable and Internet paid. She couldn't believe that people would actually do this for her.

She passed away earlier this year at way too young an age. It was such a good feeling helping her and listening to the other stories of kindness she received.

Today while laying on the couch having a lazy day, there is a knock on my door. My neighbor's wife had locked the keys in the car at Wal-Mart and he needed a ride over with the spare keys. When we got there, he tried to give me money. I refused. It was my pleasure helping him out.

I understand why people feel the need to reimburse someone, but the thing is, it's not about getting money. It's not about getting a pat on the back. It's about helping someone.

My hope is that they pay it forward to someone else.

Rescue mission

An amazing thing happened to me today.

Something that I have been wanting to do for many years.

I wish the circumstances were different, but a very happy ending just the same.

Okay here it is.

I went out for a smoke at work, and heard some buzzing. I looked up to see a hummingbird clinging to the wall of the portico. It seems confused and couldn't find her way out. I went inside to find something to use to guide her out. No go. I called my friend in the next building. She's an animal loving nut like me. She came over, but we couldn't figure out how to get her out.

We ended up calling a friend with a pool and ask him to bring the extension rod and net. He came. Now we have four people involved. We were able to get her down to reaching distance and I gently grabbed her.

Oh she was sooo small, weak and crying. Broke our hearts. I asked my friend to drive me to my house. When we got there, I thought she had died. She just fell over in my hand, but she was still breathing.

I took the lid off the feeder and stuck her little beak in. I pulled her out and her little tongue was licking the nectar. We kept this up until she was strong enough to put her little beak in herself.

I was able to put her in my other hand. She was able to stand up on her own. I had the feeder there if she wanted more, but she was strong enough to fly away.

I cannot tell you the high I felt. What a wonderful experience this was.

With the help from my friends, we were able to save a baby hummingbird.

Unfortunately, I have no pictures. What I can tell you is how light they are. Almost like holding a leaf. Their feathers are a beautiful green and fan shaped. They have the tiniest eyes I have ever since. Their feet are sooo small, but they have sharp nails.

I would love to be able to hand fed another hummingbird again, but I really would like better circumstances. There was a fear that this little jewel was going to die in my hand. Luckily, this story had a happy ending.

I miss my friend

I lost my friend and second mom.

As many know, Bobbie (Barb) passed on Saturday. Bobbie has been my good friend for 16 years. My neighbor for about ten and second mom even before my own mom passed away several years ago.

I sit here hearing thunder in the distance and think of her. This is when I would be calling her, both of us wishing for a good storm.

On the rare occasion I see a humming bird, I think about her. Think about calling and asking if she had many visits today.

Today at work, I was out smoking and looked up at the swallows nests. Both nest have babies. I think, I have to call Barb and tell her about the babies. Tell her about how mom and dad swoop if I get too near the nest. How the little chirps from the nest brings a smile to my face.

I miss coming home from work and calling to see how she is doing. What she did today. Who's blog she visited and what they had to say. I miss when having a bad day, ranting to her. I miss that we are not going to be able to go exploring Beaver Dam. Leamings Run. The Point. The osprey nests.

Her daughter Kitty wrote a beautiful entry on Barb's blog. Please go over and read it. Some wrote comments about seeing butterflies and such.

Here's what happened to me.

Saturday I was weed whacking thinking about Barb and how surgery was going. I stopped as a dragonfly flew near. It landed on the fence right in front of me. We stared at one another for several minutes. It flew and came back to the same spot for only a couple seconded before it flew away. Was this a sign? I don't know, but I think it was.

I would rather my friend be here.

But I do hope the signs continue. Maybe a Bald Eagle :o)

I have nothing more to say right now. Maybe later. But for right now, I miss my friend.

More on the Osprey

My friend called me this morning about 6:30 and said, 'guess what is sitting outside my office window?' The Osprey. She wanted to let me know before it took off.

So in the shower and out the door I went.

Here they are refueling the Osprey.

Then the waiting began.

What do crew members do while waiting?

Sit and wait. And chew on your finger nails in anticipation.

What else to crew members do while waiting to take off.

Sit and look at all the people standing watching them.

Here she is with props tilted a bit forward.

Here she is with props straight up.

Here she is making a lot of smoke.

Here she is flying away.

I do have video of her taking off, but I can't seem to load it. I'll try later.

From what I understand about her stay here is, she was bringing in a part for a cobra helicopter yesterday.

They had forecasted storms yesterday which arrived last night. Nothing spectacular, but enough to ground the Osprey.

Lucky us. She is now on her way to Titterboro(hope I spelled that right) airport in New York.

It's been a while

Friday at 3:30 P.M. started my vacation. First order of business was take shoe and socks off. No shoes and socks for ten glorious days. Next. Take off pants and put on shorts. No pants for ten glorious days.

I can't say that I've done anything special. Or gone anywhere special.

What I can say is, 'this has been one of my best vacations.' I've read two books. Lounged on the couch. Spent time outside in my flower gardens. Spoke with some neighbors. Taken some pictures. Lounged around in the morning. I've walked around with a smile from ear to ear. Yup! Definitely the best vacation. Just what I needed.

Anyway.

This evening after dinner and clean up I sat on the couch and heard a loud rumble of a helicopter. I ran out the front door to see. The little girl across the street was out front looking too. I went to the end of the porch and this plane/helicopter flew over. Mouth wide open and could only say 'cool. Very cool.' I didn't have time to run in and get the camera.

I did the second time.

Isn't it cool?

I called my friend on the street behind and asked her if she seen this helicopter/plane fly over. Yup she did. She told me it's called an Osprey. It has been over at the airport for a couple of days. It looks like a plane, but can take off, land and fly like a helicopter.

Guess who's going to the airport tomorrow?