Last Friday I was reading a forwarded joke when suddenly my computer was attacked by several viruses and trojan horses. After several attempts by my resident computer expert [Dan] to fix it, I ended up being unable to get on the internet. Naturally, it was Friday and no one could fix it until Monday. We took it in and the guy did whatever he needed to do and I am back on line. That was frustrating not to be able to be on line. It did not get Dan's computer fortunately.

When Dan got his new computer, the operating system that was available at the time was Vista. Ever since he bought it, he has had trouble getting things done that were easy on the old XP system. As a result, yesterday he took his computer in and had Vista uninstalled and Windows 7 installed. While things are not a bed of roses at the moment, once he figures it out things should be better.

When we are at Costco I always buy mangos that I acquired a taste for in south Texas. Last time they also had papaya and while I like the mango better, the papaya was from Belize. Since we probably passed by the place where they grow the papaya and since the Belize economy needs all the help it can get, I have been buying the papaya. These exotic fruits go well in the meals where I eat cottage cheese and fresh fruit [Dan is not that much of a fruit eater but I sure enjoy it.]

As I mentioned in a previous posting, once I got into my 60's things started to fall apart. My back injection improved for a few days, then went back to almost where it had been before. Now the doctor is going to try a nerve block in June. Hope this does better. Also, had a problem with one eye that was a possible detached retina. After 2 different checkups 2 weeks apart they found the eye had several changes that indicated detachment, but one key element was missing. As a result, this will be watched for additional changes. I want to be 25 again!!!

On my way home from church last Sunday I stopped at a garage sale and bought 2 new wren houses for 50 cents each [I love a bargain!] I put one out this morning along the creek where I had heard a wren sing. We did some additional things outside and when I came in I went to the window to look at the wren house. Lo and behold, there was already a little guy who had laid claim to it. He was bringing little sticks in to make his nest and in between he was singing his heart out telling the girls what a great house he had found.

The tree swallows have claimed their house as well. However, this morning a pair of house sparrows were trying to move in [fortunately they would not fit]. The swallows were giving them fits and attacking them at every approach. Go swallows!!

While I was putting up the wren house, a pair of red-naped sapsuckers were in the willow tree beside the wren tree. We also had a black headed grosbeak and a western tanager around the feeders and water today which were new birds for our yard. We sure are having a lot of bird activity.

Our women's group at church is collecting items and money for a mission project so I have been helping them with the shopping. It has been kind of fun although my experience in buying baby clothes is limited, to say the least.

Last weekend we went looking for birds. While we only went about 60 miles, we saw totally different birds from home because the terrain and vegetation was much different. Lots of different choices around here although the total number of species is less than Oklahoma. Never a dull moment.

After waiting forever to decide to get the cortisone shots in my back, I finally took the big step. I had the MRI which showed herniation in 4 discs with L5 being the worst. Yesterday I had the injection at L5. They told me that my back may feel better on injection day due to the numbing medicine they used [it actually did feel better] but that it could feel worse on day 2 and then slowly improve for up to 14 days. Today did feel better and I actually felt like doing some light activities that I had not felt like doing previously. However, they said not to bail off and start chopping wood or anything, and I am being careful. I am cautiously optimistic, and if things continue to improve like they have done today, I will be very pleased.

On April 24 I officially became a senior citizen. That really is a mixed blessing because although there are some advantages [I can officially get senior discounts at restaurants without lying about it] there seem to be more disadvantages. I have never been sick during my life, but in the past year or so, things have been taking a rapid turn for the worse which really annoys me. I want to be back where I can do what I want and when I want. However, aches and pains as well as energy levels seem to put a halt to all that. Oh well, I guess I will be like everyone else and just do the best I can. Through all this, Dan has been a huge help and does so much for me that it would hurt my back to do. I am really very fortunate.

I broke the corner off a tooth while I was in Texas and got it fixed last week. While that is never my favorite thing to do, I do like the results.

I have wanted to have a garden up here but deer are a huge problem. We don't have an area with a high fence, and many of the things we have tried have been eaten. A friend who does not have deer suggested a community garden with him. Last weekend we helped him plant a bunch of seeds with the hopes of a bumper crop. It will also be convenient for when one of us is away or busy and the others can water and share garden tasks. Looking forward to a nice green salad.

Dan is still working on his "to do" list. He is getting lots done, but his shop has still not warmed up so has to limit his time in there.



Our bird feeders are still getting lots of activity with the sunflower seeds and suet being devoured at a rapid rate. These are our California Quail