It Was a Jay Bird!!!

I caught the culprit this morning! There was a bird at the bird feeder, just tearing up jack! He was jabbing at and scattering the seed like crazy! I'm wondering if I should somehow close the holes part of the way.

I tried to step outside on the deck to take pictures but he flew away and wouldn't come back while I was there, even being very still. So I retreated into the house and stood quietly by the door until he returned. I was able to get a few shots.


He was a very pretty bird, but one I'd not seen before. I didn't have time to look him up right then, but later when I was home again, I pulled out The Sibley Guide to Birds, and after several attempts to figure it out, I lucked into the right pages. He is a Western Scrub-Jay, in the family of "Jays, Crows and Their Allies." I suspected a connection with crows because of his size, but I didn't realize crows and jays were related. Huh. Learn something every day! Anyway, he was a beautiful thing. Here is a close up:


Isn't he beautiful? I wish he were less wasteful with the food, but I enjoyed watching him, none-the-less.

I went to "the city" and got more paint and paint supplies, light fixtures, some chicken wire (so Ali's toys won't fall off the deck so often), gorgeous Southwestern night lights and chain pulls, some temporary accordion shades for the windows (so I can quite taping up plastic bags!), and ordered window dressings for the windows (they won't be in for about 4 weeks). Boy, I was in Lowe's for two and a half hours! Do you have any idea how much money you can spend in that place in that period of time? Scary!!!

Tomorrow morning I'm taking a water sample to be analyzed so that a filtration system can be developed for my place. My water is bacteria-free, but it has rust from the holding tank and plain old silt from the natural reservoir. I can't wash dishes without having a gritty residue. I can't wash clothes or they will gradually turn pink. I can't bathe in it because it chaps the skin (my hands are already cracking around the nails from the harshness; and I've tried wearing gloves as much as possible. Plus, I'm running to Allan's everyday to shower. inconvenient with a capital I!)). A filtration system and new holding tank is essential. Hopefully it can be put in while I am in KC. It would be nice to come home to nice clean water. I hope they can do it quickly.

After the shopping, I stopped at Sonic and had a green chili cheese burger for me and a burger patty for the babies. They love it when I eat out like that, obviously! OK, OK, I also shared a couple tater tots with them also. I can't help it. I'm a weak, weak woman. What can I say?

Driving home was a pleasure. I just meandered. I stopped at a huge flea market that I've passed several times and browsed for a couple things I need. I didn't find them but bought a couple small items. It began to shower while I drove home. We didn't get much, but it was nice to have the dust settled.

Last night I stopped at an antique store I really like, and bought two matching pieces at a wonderful price. One is a wine rack stand and a stand that reminds me of a baker's rack. The owner was not sure exactly what it was, and neither was I, but I fell in love with them both. I'm picking them up on Tuesday. I'm also driving to Tularosa where I have a bench on hold. It is going on my porch. I'm so excited about how things are coming, and it will be good to get the basics in place, then I can just go crazy with the fun things I've bought here!

Reminder to everyone ... I'm leaving for KC on Wednesday, and I will be gone about a week. I will probably not take the computer, mostly because I'm not sure I'll have time to even check email or the blogs.

Have a good week, everyone!!

Hope