The Autumn wind swooshes
Roller-coaster fashion
Through,
Then up and over,
And through again,
Denuding trees of all
Save a few fiery displays.
The Autumn wind swooshes
Roller-coaster fashion
Through,
Then up and over,
And through again,
Denuding trees of all
Save a few fiery displays.
Here we are in Palm Bay waiting for Uncle Miltie, well, really Hurricane Milton. All the outside has been cleared of furniture that might blow away, flower pots are in safe places, water pump in readiness on the patio. News broadcasts show the path changing slightly as he nears the west coast, somewhat more to the south now, between Sarasota and Venice. Family over there say they are prepared as well as they can be, or have evacuated to safer territory. We should experience rain and wind as the force decreases between the west coast and here. Nothing to do now but wait.
Today, I let "the old man" in. I'm referring to that quote of Clint Eastwood's when asked how he keeps on doing the things he does. He answered, "When I get up in the morning, I don't let the old man in". Or words to that effect.
Yesterday I had the 4th of a series of 6 BCG treatments for bladder/kidney cancer. It hit me harder than any of the previous ones. In 2012 I was diagnosed with "carcinoma in situ" of my bladder. Fortunately, it was found early and the 6 treatments were successful. This time we won't know until 6 weeks after the final treatment. In the meantime, I try to keep the old man out, but he sure is persistent.
The Plumeria are in full bloom. Sandhill Cranes visit occasionally along with a pair of ducks. The feeders continue to attract Cardinals, Bluejays, Woodpeckers, Sparrows, Doves and Grackle.
The Feeding
Station on Gillmar Avenue
A Cosanti
Chime announces the breeze.
As
Woodpecker shrieks his way
To the suet.
Is it an
invitation to feast
Or warning a
solitary repast?
Shy Cardinal
flits cautiously,
Startled by
any movement,
Ready to shrink
into the nearest tree.
Bluejay
blathers in,
Elbows
flailing,
Finding the choicest
morsels.
Meanwhile,
Mourning Doves
Nonchalantly
Pick at
scattered seeds
Dropped from
the largess above,
Ready to
leave
At the
unseen, unheard signal
Erupting in
a whirr,
To flee
And whirl
And return
Acting fully
nonchalant again.
Hummingbird
helicopters through,
Ignoring
everyone.
Palm
Bay, Florida
April
2024
Hello from Florida
After 15 years at Westminster Village in Scottsdale, Arizona, I have moved to Palm Bay, Florida to live with my son and daughter-in-law. Last September, my bride of 46 years died of a cancer on the back of her tongue, a "smoker's cancer" according to her doctors - she never smoked, so figure that out.
After due consideration, the family and I agreed to move closer to family, so here I am, an official Floridian with a Florida ID card to prove it. So a new chapter begins.