Great story! 
Bird squabbles are like car wrecks, I think. You’d rather not look, but it’s hard not to!
I’ve got imperious blue jays that like to annoy all the other birds, though they give the ravens a wide berth.
There’s also a mated pair of birds, I have no idea what they are, who can’t seem to get enough of their reflections in the sliding glass door that goes outside from my bedroom. Every morning for about the past month, I’ve caught them flying at the glass until I get up and shoo them away. I wouldn’t mind except for all the bird crap that accumulates beneath the slider. They also perch on the hot tub and make a mess of that, too. Idiots.
hippie, that was a very touching story. What a wonderful relationship you and your mother had. No surprise you miss her so.
metal mouse, I promise bun updates when there are some to share.
Lily, hooray for a bath at last! It must have been heavenly! Best wishes for your lovely wife’s surgery today!
swampy, geckos are so fun! We don’t have them here, but I’ve enjoyed them when I’ve encountered them in various places. They’d always be welcome. Love the silly joke, too. 
rocky, I would be fine with beavers, too, if I could persuade them to stay where I need them. Unfortunately, they’re far more interested in building a dam in the creek below the pond that the pond spills into. Have had to have them removed before so my driveway wouldn’t end up underwater. 
But I do appreciate the good they do in wetland revitalization.
taters, happy gardening!
mollie, you can find the link to the recipes here: The MMP FAQ, about two thirds of the way down that page.
Ok, errands must be run. I’m off!