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On to other things. We've had a owl hanging around our yard for a couple of days. Heard it late yesterday afternoon, at about 4pm, and we went out back to see if we could catch a glimpse of it. Nope. Went into the front yard, and our sweet Mexican neighbors had heard it too. Unfortunately my Spanish fled when I wanted to speak to Francesca, who had gotten so excited, pointing over to our huge Oak. She could see the owl, we couldn't, and her English is as spiffy as my Spanish, so she was busy chattering up a storm, and I'm trying to work up my courage to say, "Donde esta?," or whatever I needed to say. Didn't have a clue as to what owl was in Spanish, so Woodboy was saying to her, "Where is it? Can you see it?" and we were getting nowhere. She had to go, then we saw it fly away a few minutes later. Huge wingspan. Failed conversation.
Well, late this afternoon, I could hear it again from our bedroom, and went out to see if I'd have better luck. Nothing. Sat out and held Milk while the other chickens finished a dish of greens and tomatoes. The owl all of a sudden sounded closer, and up I looked and there it was, right over my head. A Great Horned Owl. Gorgeous. But not what I wanted to see looking at my chickens. It was impressive, though. Hollered at the kids to come and see, which they did, and I stayed out until the chickens went in to roost. But at one point, the owl flew from one branch to another, and the chickens saw it, froze and craned their little necks to look up. Then the other 3 made tracks into the coop, while head chicken, Milk, waited around. Then she began to make lots of racket before she went into the coop. So cool. And, yeah, I have an appointment with the backyard tomorrow just before sundown. No animal sacrifices at this house.
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On I blether...And, at the library used bookstore, found some treasures today. The Caxley Chronicles by Miss Read, and a reader's copy of Jan Karon's newest, Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, in perfect condition. And that one was unmarked so the clerk, who we're getting to know---sweet guy, let me have it for dollar. Got an unusual oversized Alice in Wonderland with the classic John Tenniel illustrations, for youngest son (who loves that book), and a Dava Sobel for Woodboy, who was just saying the other day he'd like a new one from her. I'm thinking Christmas.
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Anything else? Nope, I think that's about it. And please disregard the books in the background in the photo. No addiction problem with me, no ma'am.