Snow Geese Morning

Just got back from my VA doctor on this rainy Monday morning.  It was a good visit.  I went over my prostate situation with my VA doctor.  He confirmed what I had already come to the conclusion, that even if I did have prostate cancer (which I will find out this Friday when I see my urologist doctor), it might not be necessary to undergo any of the radical treatments that so often leave the patient worse off than before the cancer was detected.  He advised a "watch and wait."  We will see how I feel about this when I receive the news this Friday about my prostate biopsy.  

Georgetown, DE VA Outpatient Clinic

The reason I keep seeing my VA doctor is that he is coming from a different perspective.  He's not in this to make money by getting in as many patients as possible and running (sometimes) unnecessary tests (for liability reasons).  My VA doctor is there for my well being without any other ulterior motives or pressures, not that my other doctors are "bad guys", which they aren't.  But it always pays to have an objective opinion and that is what I got today.

On the way back from the Georgetown VA Outpatient facility this rain drenched morning (so glad it's not snow), we passed a field covered with Canadian snow geese. From a distance they look like snow in the field. 

The snow geese migrate down here to eastern coastal plains of southern Delaware to spend the winter.  The farmers complain that they eat the roots of their plantings but I love seeing them.  

By the time we got home, I noticed that the field next to our acre lot was also covered with the snow white geese.  I snuck up on them and took this video.  I was afraid they would all fly away but they didn't.  Aren't they beautiful?  

I do love living here in southern Delaware!

Snow geese in my backyard this morning (near actually)

A Nice Day For A Walk

Two snow geese

Today was one of those surprisingly mild, sunny days that we are often blessed with here in southern Delaware.  A good day to resume my daily walk.  

Since I injured my right left a few weeks ago, I haven't taken my daily walk.  I wanted to give my leg time to heal. The leg is healed.  Walking is resumed.

During my walk I heard a welcome and familiar sound, the squawking of Canadian snow geese.  Oh what a good sound that is.  

Today is the first day of the winter's solstice.  A perfect day first day of winter; sunny, brisk and a gentle wind.  This is why I love living in southern Delaware.  

We enjoy all the seasonal changes here in southern Delaware, but the changes aren't as extreme as they are in other parts of the nation.  The winters are milder, the summers aren't oppressively hot.  I like to call southern Delaware's weather "Goldie Locks Weather"; not too hot, not too cold, just right.

Snow geese at Bombay Hook, DE

Snow Geese Settle In For The Evening at Prime Hook

A few miles up the road from where we live is the Prime Hook National Refuge.  Snow geese winter over here on the East coast of southern Delaware where we live.  In a few weeks (or days) they will be leaving for Canada to spend the summer in cooler climes.  Before they left I wanted to get a video record of them settling in their nighttime quarters after a busy day of feeding on our Sussex County fields.

I love where I live!

Bird Migration in Southern Delaware

Southern coastal Delaware, where I live, is a major bird fly way.  Last week as I took my evening walk in the Oyster Rocks development behind me I took this short video of a flock of brown birds trying to rustle up an afternoon meal before settling in trees for the evening roost.  Look closely, they're hard to see.  Hundreds of small brown birds swirling around the vacant lawns of my neighbors in Oyster Rocks.

This is one of the many reasons why I like living in the Big Sky country of coastal Delaware.  Earlier today Bill and I were making our rounds (Walmart, thrift stores), the cold February skies above us were filled with the chatter of the Arctic Snow Geese discussing their impending departure for points North.

When we lived in the crowded suburban sprawl of southeastern Pennsylvania, we rarely if ever witnessed these centuries old seasonal activities of nature.

Just another reason I love living where I live, southern Delaware.

Migrating Snow Geese at Oyster Rocks

Bill and I just returned from our sunset drive down Oyster Rocks Road.  Now that the days are longer, I occasionally take Bill for a ride down Oyster Rocks Road, which is right outside of our development.

The road is a dead end, ending at the Broadkill River.  As the sun sets for the day, we find this a peaceful way to end the day.  No fighting traffic on the six lane Route 1.  No fighting for a parking place to go to an overpriced restaurant serving mediocre food.  Not for us that stress and aggravation.  For these Two Old Men, a relaxing three mile ride down Oyster Rocks Road to the Broadkill River to listen to the migrating snow geese, who are returning to Canada, is what we like to do.  Doesn't cost anything either.

I work tomorrow night and the next night at hotel.  I just got a text message from my co-worker.  He tells me everyone is sick.  I don't want to hear that.  I just got over a three week cold.   I don't want another one!

Watching those migrating snow geese this late afternoon with my Bill (even though they're hard to see on the video) was just the thing I needed today.

The Line of Beauty

Monday, February 2, 2009. The morning sun steams through my home office window. I like working in this little bedroom that I converted in a home office. The early morning sun is a welcome friend as I begin my day checking my e-mail. That is the one constant in my life; my home, my computer, and light. I thrive on natural light.

I don’t like working on my computer at night, when all is dark. My home office in Pennsylvania was in a basement room. I couldn't work there. Bill took out the lone window when he put up the paneling in that room. The lack of natural light depressed me. I moved my computer to a corner of my 2nd floor bedroom, next to the window. Filtered light came through the trees that surrounded our house. It was better than no light in the basement office but not as good as the early morning sunlight which I have now. I love my home office in this house. It is my retreat.

The past weekend was quiet. Bill is still shunning me. That’s his choice. Apparently that’s the way he wants to live his life. I’ll adjust my life accordingly. I tried to talk to him after “the incident” but he told me to leave him alone. I will honor his request. I'm here if he wants to resume a normal relationship. However, if he want to add me to the list of people he isn't talking too, then that is his choice. I can only live my life. I'm at the point in my life now where I don't want to and probably can't change my life to please someone else. I can only be who I am. If that isn't good enough, then so be it.

Early in the morning yesterday I took more food from my freezer to feed the sea gulls in the Wal-Mart parking lot. They were waiting for me. I quickly threw the food on the ground and tossed my Zip-Lock bags in the dumpster behind Friendly’s and got out of there fast. I didn’t want any more sea gull guacamole on my car. Now I have a new worry. A friend of mine told me that I could be arrested and led away in handcuffs for tossing ANYTHING into a dumpster. This was a crime I wasn’t aware that I was breaking. Pardon me, but I assumed that our law enforcement had more important things to worry about like, oh I don’t know, maybe robberies and murders. We have a couple unsolved murders down here in our own little Peyton Place. The two that come to mind are the Grosso murder and the Gold Gym murder. But I will take the advice of my friend and NOT toss anything in a dumpster. I have been forewarned.

Yesterday afternoon I did my taxes for last year. I was surprised to find out that I owed $638. I also owed money last year, so I increased the taxes taken out of my pay from my part-time job. I was expecting to get a refund this year. That was not to be. It’s not like I make a lot of money. I receive Social Security and have a couple of small pensions and a part time job. I now have a mortgage because of the nightmare of selling my Pennsylvania house in 2006. I’m not one of these rich gay guys, in spite of the myth that the new media likes to perpetuate. Under the law I am considered single even though I’ve been in a relationship for 45 years. In this country, if you’re single, gay or straight, you’re taxed to death. Another year and I missed out on the Bush tax cuts. And I'm not holding by breath for the tax cuts Obama promised during the election. Once these politicians get in office all they seem to care about is the very rich (Republicans) or the very poor (Democrats.) I'm just one of those schlubs who worked their whole life, trying to save for a secure retirement only to see it slowly disappear as a result of the corruption of greedy Wall Street financiers and their hand maidens, the equally corrupt politicians whose only interest is to pay off their political benefactors to stay in power.

Last night I saw a good movie that I rented from Netflix, “The Line of Beauty.” I love these BBC dramas. This one was about a working-class guy (gay) who moves in with a rich family in the 80’s during his sexual awaking and England’s political awakening. The main character was unappealing and much of the acting was uneven, but it was an interesting story nonetheless because it showed the utter depravity that some people can sink to even in surrounds of opulence and luxury. Maybe it’s better being poor. If this movie was anywhere near reality, then the rich don’t have it any better than the rest of us poor blokes.

I am watching more movies these days since I’m living here alone. Movies perform the function for which they were invented. They take me away from my everyday sadness. I hope my next movie is a comedy. I need to laugh.

I go to work today at the Inn. That will take my mind off of things a bit. Wednesday I take my Census worker qualification test. My friend Ed, who was a census worker in 2000 told me “Any idiot can pass that test.” He proved it. He passed it. Coincidentally I take the test at my workplace. That’s convenient.

Saturday and Sunday I took a walk in the development behind me. Watching the snow geese fly above me and hearing the busy chirping of the birds in the brush is very soothing. I’m like a wound up knot. Seeing the Canada geese on the retention pond relaxes me like no pill can. During these bad times I find a walk is the best medicine. I need to take one everyday.

For dinner last night I made Chicken Marabella. The aroma of the dish baking in the oven filled the house with warmth and comfort. I made enough to last me all week. I also made my signature Tarragon Potato Salad with red potatoes, red onions, celery, lime mayonnaise and LOTS of tarragon. This is a recipe I adapted from a Nage potato salad that was leftover from an Inn function. The Chicken Marabella is a recipe I discovered when a friend brought a covered dish to a house party recently. Just goes to show you it is good to get out and experience the world. When you least expect it, something good happens. That’s what keeps me going.