I just got back from 8 days of bliss and still trying to hang on to the feeling. I know it’s been a while since I posted and there will probably be big gaps in posts from me for a while. I’m trying to take a summer break from news as much as I can.
Meanwhile, I am still posting duck, pups and kitteh adventures (and recipes) here. Have some fun watching Bixby enjoy his 7th birthday present here and the duckteens playing with the sprinkler here.
We had some big, but not unexpected news last night:
It’s official. Just before bed last night it was quite clear that Nick’s drake feather popped. Was 99% sure, because of his quack, he was a boy – but didn’t want to make assumptions. Not one of my ducks sounds the same, so figured no reason not to wait until we had a definitive answer.
Without further ado, here are Nick and his drake feather:
So it’s officially Nick and Nora. If they open their own detective agency, I’m sure it’ll make a good story….
If you’re wondering what that means? Not much, except that I’ll get fewer eggs. As long as he doesn’t start bullying Mabel and Maddie we’ll all be a happy flock. He’s been very respectful, so far, and he’s completely bonded to Nora, so I don’t actually expect that to change. My first duck was a drake and hen pair and when she died unexpectedly, he bonded to my Great Dane Shelby and to me – and killed any other ducks I tried to integrate. So I’ll keep a watchful eye.
And yes, this boy turned 7 on Wednesday:
That went by fast…
Respite open thread
cope
Duck and dog and drake feather…what could remove us further from the trying times in which we live?
Thanks.
TaMara (HFG)
Calling MomSense – do you make ascots?? ?
Yutsano
Pardon me. I would like to report a murder please.
CaseyL
Excellent stately pose by the Handsomest Boy! Happy Birthday to him!
Now that Nikki is officially Nick, isn’t the problem not so much “fewer eggs” as “more fertile eggs”? How can you discourage him from wanting to do The Wild Thing with his mini-harem of lady ducks?
TaMara (HFG)
@CaseyL: Fertile eggs aren’t really a problem…they all cook the same. ?
J R in WV
8 days of Bliss? Ft Bliss? OK probably not, probably just a nice time away from tension and stuff.
Welcome home, to the ducks and dawgs. ;~)
CaseyL
@TaMara (HFG): Only if you grab ’em right away. Otherwise, it’s…..
(Tune of “Undercover Angel”)
Embryonic omelet,
Breakfast fricasse,
Half-formed baby duck
On toast, for me!
Barbara
It’s been 7 years. Wow. Seems like yesterday but OTOH, it’s been a looooong 7 years.
MomSense
@TaMara (HFG):
Ha!! I had a plan for sisters’ scarves, but I can definitely switch it up!
Ken
May I suggest “still posting recipes, plus duck, pups, and kitteh adventures, here”? Just to avoid any misunderstanding about your ingredient list.
Baud
What a noble steed.
mrmoshpotato
So handsome!
Happy birthday old boy!
Mary G
Not a duck, but still:
Also, need help from the hive minds in California. Getting estimates for other projects to improve my house, one is for earthquake retrofitting by bolting the wooden house frame to the concrete foundation and piers. House is 1,259 square feet. Have two estimates, one for $16,500 and another for $12,370 knocked down from $14,500. It all has to be done in a 2-3 foot crawlspace, but that still seems high. I might be having sticker shock, or in “old broad in an extremely wealthy neighborhood, so here comes my second boat” territory?
Also, is $8,000 too much or right for refurbishing a tar and gravel roof? It’s 21 years old, and the internet says its lifespan to be replaced is 15-20 years, but the contractor who came out said it was well done in 2001, and the paper or membrane under the tar is intact, and though there are a few worn spots and a seam lifting, all that needs to be done is rake the gravel off, pour more tar, and add the old gravel back on top plus new to make up for what’s blown off over the years, plus resealing the bathroom and heater vents. It’s not leaking at all, but I am finally going to get the solar panels I’ve been talking about since forever and want the underlying roof to be in good shape.
JoyceH
Complete non sequitur here – I keep seeing this commercial for Medicare Advantage that features two old dudes sitting out in the yard squabbling – “we argue like it’s our jobs”. I don’t know who the old dudes are but I can’t escape the feeling that I’m supposed to, like they’re famous, retired athletes or something. Does anyone know who they are or are they just random guys?
TaMara (HFG)
@Ken: OMG, that’s too funny
TaMara (HFG)
@Mary G: The replies to that post are epic.
TaMara (HFG)
I was unaware moose could fly:
TaMara (HFG)
@MomSense: Maybe a slip-on tie or bowtie?
Dorothy A. Winsor
Seven years? It doesn’t seem that long.
Barbara
@Mary G: A bird in Gare du Nord relieved me of a chocolate croissant while I waited for the train. Took it right out of my hand with its beak.
PS: Anytime you mess with a foundation you probably charge extra. Around 10 years ago we paid $7000 to sister up a termite damaged beam, which requires jacking up the house.
dexwood
@TaMara (HFG): let Nick Drake rock a cool scarf.
rikyrah
Nick and Nora????
rikyrah
Happy birthday to the beautiful boy????????
sab
@TaMara (HFG): I love that fruitbat, especially the way his eyes swivel around to always face the camera.
WaterGirl
@TaMara (HFG): hahahahaha
I bet she does.
Steve in the ATL
@cope:
You must have done The New Yorker crossword puzzle today
@Barbara: and in the back of your mind you heard your torts professor talking about assumption of risk when you take a croissant into a sketchy train station
Quiltingfool
Quilt sales have really slowed down in my Etsy store. I think folks are now able to get out, go places, vacation, etc. and are spending money doing that; and I’m glad that’s happening. So, I’ve been thinking about making custom quilts an option in my Etsy store, just need to research it a bit. What I’m struggling with is how to present the option. Most quilt stores on Etsy (ones that do custom) have one standard quilt pattern – the customer can choose size and colors. Me, I really don’t want to do the same quilt over and over again. I like making different quilts, and I really enjoy designing. What I really enjoy is making cat-themed quilts (I probably should branch out and do dog-themed quilts, because we love dogs, too!). Might cat-themed quilts be a good start in the custom quilt field? I’m not looking to make big bucks, mind you – I just love making quilts and they have to go somewhere! I’ve got about 30 of them stacked in the spare room, lol!
Here is a cat-themed quilt I made for a customer. She wanted some cat blocks that would represent a beloved kitty that passed away, and the two cats she has now. I also added in some other cat blocks and, well, it is very colorful!
pin.it/1vLwuMj
J R in WV
@Mary G:
I think the roof estimate is OK, I would rather visit hell than work with hot tar, my dad’s house had tar and gravel roof, they redid it every few years, when it started leaking. We do get a lot more rain in WV than you do in So CA.
For the foundation work, I would go with the high bidder. My thinking is that they would be able to afford to do the job right, and the low bid would have to squeeze to get anything done.
I would also have a building inspector meet the contractor when the job started, so the contractor would know he has to do the job to spec. I wouldn’t mess around with earthquake protection!!
Steeplejack (phone)
@Quiltingfool:
Great cat quilt!
trollhattan
@Mary G:
Roof rehab idea sound solid since the roofer says it’s still in decent shape, and is an excellent idea. Leaking roofs suck.
Can’t comment on the seismic retrofit estimates but having done crawlspace sill plate replacement (beetle damage) when we moved in I can well believe the labor is considerable and know first-hand it’s a miserable job.
Like hurricane clips on Florida roofs, seismic foundations in fault country are a good investment in peace of mind.
debbie
@Mary G:
Having had Canada geese nest less than 2 feet from my apartment door, I know the terror that awaits those commuters. Longest two weeks of my life!
debbie
Happy Day to you, Bixby!
WaterGirl
@Quiltingfool: I have been wanting to ask you if you would like to have a post about your quilt-making.
Quiltingfool
@WaterGirl: I’d be glad to! I think posts from other fiber artists (combined with quilt stuff) would be great. I enjoy seeing fiber/fabric work outside of quilting…but quilting is my joy!
WaterGirl
@Quiltingfool: Great! Please start thinking about what photos you will want in the post. And write something up about yourself, your quilting, your quilting business… whatever you would like us to know.
Then send me an email message with your text and your photos (as attachments). thanks!