The hardware store had a hummingbird feeder like we have… Yesterday. Got a different one, but there was nowhere to hook the heater. So I made a ring out of a zip-tie and hooked it to that. This one has purple flowers. I hope the birds recognise they can get nectar there. The old one is inside, thawing. I may put a can cozy on it tomorrow.
I feel like a wimp complaining about the weather when flyboy has it so much worse, but will that stop me? Nope. It’s cold low (20’s, feels like Too Damned Cold), with snow and ice abounding. I had a doctor appt. today, which I postponed. I also postponed two appointments set for tomorrow morning. It’s ugly out there. Nobody shovels sidewalks here, and it’s very icy beneath the snow. Since I had a difficult slog home yesterday, I’m not doing it again today.
It’s supposed to stay cold all week, and on Thursday, we get more snow. Since I’m not driving anyway, I’d choose swampy’s unintelligent fog.
Nothing else to report since yesterday’s adventures. I think all my outdoor plants are dead, including the humongous geranium. 
flyboy, hope you get propane soonest!
Last week I ordered an oil filled space heater from Amazon and it arrived two days later. Two days from now isn’t going to help you much tonight, but it’s going to snow again…
After taking a grand tour of AZ, CA and NM, my calendar finally arrived today. The jungle started offering a refund on it a couple of days ago, but I had faith. Besides, watching the tracking was pretty entertaining.
Our hummingbird feeders rarely freeze and we only have one over-wintering this year. A praying mantis got his mate 
Sometimes I’ll see two out there, but all the smart birds fly to Phoenix for the winter.
This made me laugh because I call GG our jerkface kitty cat when he’s in a mood. I told hubs what you said and he laughed as well.
Our friend called me and asked a lot of questions about meals on wheels, so tomorrow we are going to take him to the community center for lunch and he can ask them all of his questions. This is both hopeful and sad because it means he’s pretty much given up.
Community center lunches are pretty standard cafeteria food, they do one main dish, a couple of hot vegetables, a nice salad bar and cupcakes and drinks (soda, water, ice tea and coffee). Not bad for 6 bucks AND you can go back for seconds if you want. I never do, I always argue with the serving lady: “Not so much please, just a small spoon full please, pretend like I’m a two year old please” cause she always gives me way too much if I don’t watch her like a hawk.
The delivery fee is a dollar but they make up for it by packing the box as full as possible. Our friend doesn’t like rabbit food so they will give him enough more of the other stuff that he can have it for dinner too.
It’s now 1725 and my computer says its 44F outside. We should probably bring the feeder in tonight just in case. At least it’s still light. When the days start getting longer, they do it fast enough to be noticeable day by day. I’m really looking forward to having at least 14 hours of daylight again.
We saw our biggest herd of hummers ever just now: seven of them. Typically they come in ones and twos; until now the biggest collection was four. Loving it!
I found a space heater that used to be in the bathroom. I don’t remember why I retired it. ‘Fizzing’ sound? I don’t remember. Anyway, I put it back in the bathroom and it’s keeping it much warmer. I may have to order a heater to put under the house near the water pipes.
A praying mantis ate a hummingbird?! Now I’m wondering about my own place on the food chain. And googling for “DDT, overnight delivery”
The propane truck came. 101 gallons, $233. I checked an hour or so ago, and the tank was down to 5%. We feel better now.
Also, I ordered a couple of 1,500 W ceramic space heaters.
It didn’t eat it, it’s mouth parts were too small. We think it struck without knowing that hummers aren’t prey for AZ mantis. There are mantis in South America that do actually eat hummers but they are much bigger than the ones here.
It was pretty impressive, I glanced out the window and saw the mantis holding the bird, had time to gasp and point for hubs and then go out and take pic before the mantis startled and dropped the hummer. The strength, speed and endurance displayed was amazing.
I have a pic if you would like me to pm it to you. It’s not gory or bloody or anything, but seeing the dead hummer is distressing.
By the biggest herd (charm) of hummers ever, do you mean in the winter or even in the summer? At the height of hummer season we go through a gallon of syrup a day. During their evening tank up the noise is so loud I can’t stand on the porch and talk on the phone. I like to put a big hat on and stand under a feeder so I’m in a constantly moving cloud of color. It’s magical.
It doesn’t get nearly as cold here as there, but hubs had someone wrap the pipes under our place with heat tape and programed a temp thing so that if it got under 35F by the pipes the heat tape would turn on. Is that something that might be workable for you? We probably didn’t need to do it, it doesn’t get and stay that cold but it didn’t cost that much and gave us peace of mind.
I’m glad you got your propane. The across the street neighbors let their tank get totally empty and the propane people made them pay to have another tank delivered because the old one needed to be inspected.
Up from naptime, making burgers, fires, and corn with chillies and black beans for dinner.
[quote=“Kropotkin, post:20, topic:956724”]
When I take a feeder inside, they fly right up to me and start beaking off, chivvying me to hurry up. It’s great!
[/quote}
And welcome back!
Flyboy, hope you can defrost before the propane wears out.
I prefer Waffle House. Food tastes so much better when you’re watching a knife fight between a furry and a drag queen at the register. 
Yes, I’d much rather have heat tape than a space heater; but I’m going to have to wait for a plumber. Hard-wired (or an under-house outlet) would be better, but we have a socket on the floodlight under the roof and above the side door.
Mantis pic with broken link so you have to click. I don’t know how to do the double click thing so this is your warning. Take the “Look” at the end of the link out and off you go. https://www.flickr.com/photos/191587192@N04/51516046961/in/dateposted-public/Look at the feeder and you will see the silhouette of mantis and bird.
Evening all. Shopping and sammich was accomplished this morning, while afternoon was consumed by watching English soccer, both Sunday game highlights on You Tube and the Monday game on the TeeVee. The Red-haired girl provided the evening’s repast, and as it is still over 60F outside here in N. Ali-Bama, I sympathize with you cold-weather folks (I was one for my first 44 years).
Finally figured out how to get on Discord and communicate with some of the folks for my May trip. The cruise line is offering cheaper airfare to fly out there, but you can’t click to buy your choice…we’ll see if it works out.
Unknown, that’s one big Mantis. You be careful… 
Flyboy, glad you’ve got a full tank and not so glad about the empty wallet. How long you figure the 110 gallons will last?
Bumba, for me it’s Applebee’s, the one nearest me made the mistake of not only letting me sit for 20 minutes, but serving some folks who got seating after me was the final straw. Haven’t been back (to any Applebees) in 15 years. Also have a permanent grudge with Alamo Rent-a-Car.
OK, watch a little tackleball and do some readin’, then look to turn in. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow night and Wednesday. Oh joy.
Take care all.
I hope it will last a month, but with below-normal temperatures, I don’t know…
13º out. I thought I should try to start the generator, just in case. Couldn’t start it an hour ago. Just tried again and it ran for a couple/few seconds. I’ll try again in a bit.
We got here just before 7. I’m about to sleep. Catch up tomorrow…
I have ordered Bojangles Seasoning. Life is good.
Glad y’all made it, FCM.
I loved me some bo-hongles when I was living in Noth Cackalacky. Used to go the one on Waughtown St in WS while in grad school. Their chicken biscuit sammie was an awesome breakfast. Did I read that site wrong or is that the only food stuff on there. I might have ordered some biscuit mix if’n they had it.
ETA Poking around the menu, I coulda sworn I got a chix, egg, chez biscuit sammich, but I don’t see it there.
Howdy y’all!
Settled into my motel room for the night. I took an unplanned nap, then walked Nelson. Read most but retained little. Home tomorrow.
Stay safe and healthy y’all!
We had a little bit of hail and a lot of rain. The peaks around the Bay Area all have snow.
I’m the same. When my son has days off I have so much less to do.
You’re not missing all that much. I like that I can get grits there, even here in CA. I also have a favorite sandwich. I guess I would put them above fast food, but below a good local diner.
boofae enjoy Vegas! Are you going over to the Grand Canyon?
I spent a week anxiously feeding a few hummingbirds when the temps were hovering at 10 or less. It turns out that they enter torpor when they’re resting and are more resilient than we think. That said, keeping the nectar warm is better for them than letting it get too cold. I used a heat lamp rigged over the feeder and it seemed to work.
GMTA?
@ShelliBean welcome back! I’m sorry I don’t know your Mumper name.
VanGo I think your sister and my mom must be psychically connected. Very similar MO.
I enjoy them. We have one here that flies up to the windows and hovers right at head level and chatters at us. They’re so pretty and so obnoxious. I wonder if they’re the inspiration for Tinkerbell.
Grab any bits that seem to have any life, and stick them in water. They root really easily.
I did not know that this could happen 
moommm glad you made it safely.
Today has been sort of mixed. Last night when I went to bed I thought that Pixel would die by morning. I spent a good chunk of the night crying instead of sleeping. I think it’s likely that tomorrow will be his last day, but he’ll have some blood tests and we’ll see what can be done. I’ve had a while to mentally prepare for his but it’s hard.
Hugs to all.
Hugs and more hugs. Give Pixel a pet or scritch if it would be welcome. I am so sorry.
Hugs, many, many hugs to you and a peaceful journey to Pixel. I will be holding you both in the light 
and lastly, a good night’s rest.