Thursday, January 31, 2019

Thursday Jan 31, 2019 Birds


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Please see more of my artworks for sale at my websites:  http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/
******
Thursday Jan 31, 2019
OMG, where has January gone?
I downloaded a new Firefox update as I always do yesterday and, for the first time, regretted it instantly.  I had been using Firefox as my main Browser for the better part of 14 years, vowing to stay away from anything Microsoft if possible.  However, once I did the new update I could not access even my GMail accounts because of some Certificate nonsense.  I tried to revert back to the old version without success, everything defaults to the new version.  So I am temporarily using Google Chrome.
I almost finished reading that old WW1 espionage book but got bored with it and couldn't complete it.  Eventually I might tackle Tom Sawyer and the like.
I laid myself on the swing out back for a while and spotted a nice red-headed bird, then a dark blue bird and decided to dig out the Canon.  As I laid there I tried to get some decent shots of whatever was happening in the back.  I did see the hummingbird very briefly, but he left too quickly for me to get set for him.  The blue bird never came back...
Today, I fought over online Chat with my Canadian Bank.  They have put a $35 Annual Fee charge on my credit card for another card that they issued without my consent.  I do not have the card here and therefore have never activated it.  They apparently could not take instructions from me via Chat (no records kept) or even via Online banking's message system.  They want a phone call but my only phones here are my Colombian landline and cel.  The last time I used a landline to fight with my bank, it cost me $60 USD!  They take collect calls apparently but it sounds like they may phone me....  I am still waiting.
While waiting I cleaned up a lot of Bookmarks on my Google Chrome and came across my Flickr account.  They have restricted the Free accounts to 1,000 photos so I busied myself to get below that number.  How many of these online "free" services are only free for a while until they find ways to frustrate you into paying for part of the services.
I wanted to go out and trim the long grass using my electric drill, long bit and long zip tie... but the sun came out...  That can wait until later.
I had a kind reader send me concerns about Cristina's lethargy, etc.  A large part of the reason, she says, is the tranquilizer medicine she continues to take.  The loss of her only son is still very much in the forefront of her thoughts and there are many, many reminders everywhere of him.  She is coping well.  Even though we had a very spotty sleep last night because of different issues with the dogs, she has been up and around all day.  Thank you everyone for your concern.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.
Al
******
© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 
If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.
NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

 
Is Princesa watching for mice or geckos?

Turi has the perch to watch for that darn cat

Saffron Finch

NeNe enjoys himself alone outside

Nina, the brat, is always looking for something to play with

Nina settles down in the tall, cool grass

Saffron Finch 2

Saffron Finch 3

Vermilion Flycatcher

Vermilion Flycatcher 2

Kiskadee

Saffron Finch 4



Monday, January 28, 2019

Tuesday Jan 29, 2019 BBQ


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Please see more of my artworks for sale at my websites:  http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/
******
Tuesday Jan 29, 2019  Update....
Sunday afternoon at 3pm Cristina laid down, then got up at 5pm to help me feed the dogs, then went back to bed.  
Monday:  This morning she got up for an hour then went back to bed until noon.  I did join her for some of that sack time, but certainly not 19 hours.
I killed some time setting up Skype again both on Microsoft Edge/Explorer and Google Chrome since it does not work with my Firefox.  I have pretty much resolved myself that I won't successfully get another Canadian phone number here, but I won't stop checking things out.
We had a quick lunch then went in to LA14 for groceries.  We spent almost $150 this time, but almost $40 of that was on a smaller 3L pressure cooker for small meals for just the 2 of us.  I tried to use my Banco Pichincha debit card to access my Coopera money without success at 3 different machines.
Then we stopped off for a Coke and cookies at David and Irma's.  We solve a lot of the world's problems that way.
When I got home I had an email from Banco Pichincha urging me to use the internet banking for bank transfers....  Hmmmm....  So I tried...  They obviously only transfer to Ecuadorian banks, .. nothing internationally....  Gosh I hate to have to bother someone like my ex to get this money sent to me....  Latin America can be SO exasperating...
I accidentally came upon an old book about German spies in England in txt format and have been glued to the screen reading it.
Tuesday:
We invited over Dave & Irma for BBQ'd sausages and beer.  The BBQ flared up so quickly that the chorizos were ready in almost 2 minutes!  The beer sure tasted good in this heat too.  Cristina made crispy french fries as an accompaniment and it was actually a pretty nice lunch.
The dogs behaved themselves as we discussed world problems and travel.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.
Al
******
© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 
If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.
NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Great guests

Between us 4, we have all the answers


Sunday, January 27, 2019

Sunday Jan 27, 2019 Lago Chilicote


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Please see more of my artworks for sale at my websites:  http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/
******
Sunday Jan 27, 2019
The usual, then a nap before lunch!  We are both feeling the heat, Cristina doubled with hot flashes.  She spends more than 50% of her days in bed.
We had to return the eye-patched Nina back to Carlos because Negrita was always wanting to fight with her and that would excite the other dogs.  I didn't want to risk damage to any dog over a free-for-all fight where they might gang up on one or two.
Oldies But Goodies Dance Club will officially be moving to Common Grounds in Cuenca after unreasonable upped rent requests from Villa San Carlos.  CG can provide food, drinks, and have moved things around to get a decent dance floor, at NO rent...  Best of luck to George and Rene with this change.
We took Ana Julia to Mega Chuleta for lunch however I just noticed that the awning reads Mr. Chuleta...  We ordered, then I took the Canon for a quick walk around the adjacent Lago Chilicote, where we lived from January until September.  It was eerie that there were virtually no birds around lake, significantly no Egret nor Ibis.  Very strange indeed.  However the lake with the huge "egret" tree in the middle is still worth shooting when a person has the opportunity.
I needn't have hurried.  Mr. Chuleta gets huge crowds on Sundays and their service drops significantly.  It was almost an hour before we got our order, however it was always mouth-watering as usual.
Then we dropped off Ana Julia at Adiela's after 4 days here.  Adiela was under the weather but showed us their latest good deed, getting a huge tumor removed off the back leg of a dog.  Her group did an online request for help to pay for the operation, which I am sure she said was 120,000 pesos, or only $40.  However, this dog had owners who were going to toss it in the street because of the infirmity... A pox on those irresponsible owners.
An ice cream was in the cards upon our return to Andalucia and Cristina went straight back to bed.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.
Al
******
© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 
If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.
NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

 
Lizzie likes going to Mr Chuleta for a pork meal
Going around Lago Chilicote #1

Going around Lago Chilicote #2

Going around Lago Chilicote #3

Going around Lago Chilicote #4

Going around Lago Chilicote #5

Going around Lago Chilicote #6

Going around Lago Chilicote #7

Going around Lago Chilicote #8

Going around Lago Chilicote #9

Going around Lago Chilicote #10

Ice cream sundae, under $1