Friday, December 29, 2006

What I Did Thursday....

Jessica surprised me Thursday morning when she called and asked if I wanted to spend the day with her. What did she have in mind? I asked. Oh, I don't know....Maybe ride around a little, meet Jason somewhere for some *cheap* lunch, go buy some bread at the past-the-date bread store and feed the ducks and geese on the lake at the local park, she said. Sounds like a plan to me, I said.

Did I take pictures? You bet I did. At the lake, anyway. I forgot to take my camera in
when we ate, dang it. I just know y'all would have been thrilled, nay, overjoyed, to see pictures of us eating our fries and chicken nuggets at the local Mickey D's. I did say *cheap* if you'll remember. After Christmas and it being the end of the month, that's about all I could afford. It was good, though, and it served the purpose.

On to the pictures...Half of Jessica's rear view and some of our dinner guests.
There were mallard ducks, white ducks, Canada geese,
a few ducks I couldn't readily identify, and some
hybrid ducks and geese who've interbred.
If you look closely, about a third of the way up from
the bottom, almost dead center between the two white
ducks, there's a black coot. They are fairly new to

this area. In fact, until last year, I'd never seen any
of them outside of birding books. There were about
two dozen or so of them on the lake today where

Jessica and I were feeding them.There are a couple more of the coots in this shot,
top left and fourth from the left, top. There are
also several Canada geese, and near the bottom is
one of the ducks I'm not sure about. I don't know
what breed he is, but he's gorgeous!
My picture doesn't do him justice.

His head is a vibrant emerald green.Here's a wider shot across the lake.
Notice the wake behind the white duck in the
left middleground? Some of them were pretty
agressive and moving fairly fast in an
effort to get to the bread before any of
the other birds.
As you can see from the pictures, it was a
beautiful day here in Northeast Arkansas.
A little windy, as you can also tell by looking
at my hair blowing in the breeze. But it was
almost 60 degrees and the sun was shining.
I was comfortable in my sweatshirt, and
Jessica had on a T-shirt and a light jacket.
Not our typical December weather at all.

We took a little drive over to Weiner, Arkansas, about 30 minutes from here, and Jason's hometown, incidentally. We were looking for the BIG flocks of ducks and geese that winter over here, feeding on the rice, corn and soybeans left in the fields after harvest.

Duck and goose hunting is a big deal around here, and a lot of people guide duck hunts when hunting season is in. Lots of celebrities and rich folks come here to hunt, and there're opportunities to make a lot of money guiding if you're in the business, not to mention the money the hunters spend on food, lodging and supplies while
they're here.

But I digress. This year the mild temperatures so far this winter have let the waterfowl stay farther north. We have some ducks and geese here, but not nearly the numbers we usually see by this time. In the past I have seen snow geese, mallard ducks and Canada geese so thick that you literally couldn't see the ground or the water around them. The birds we did see were so far off the road that my camera couldn't bring them into close enough focus to make good pictures.


Still, we enjoyed the ride and just being together as Mom and daughter. We had a blast just riding around and enjoying the mild winter's day and each other's company.

This next picture was taken Tuesday afternoon and has nothing whatsoever to do with the rest of this post. I just like the picture. :-)

This is my sister Cecil and Dolly, my cat. We had gone to Cracker Barrel for lunch and while I was working on some tedious computer chores after we got home, Cecil was dozing through some shows on the Food Network and Dolly helped by keeping her lap from getting cold. Dolly is a good lap warmer, and Candy, my almost 14-year old cat, is a good foot warmer. She sleeps on my feet every night.

Barb and Bev, notice some of my books to read stacked on the table beside the chair? I've already read 2 of them since Tuesday. I'm already having withdrawals because I don't have much left to read. If I don't come across something soon, I'll start rereading some of my favorites. I also need to start on a couple of baby afghans. I have to get the yarn before I can start crocheting them, though. The one for my grandbaby, Peanut, is one of them, of course, and my nephew and his wife will be making me a great-aunt again sometime in March if all goes well, so I'll be crocheting an afghan for a baby boy. He is to be named "Seth".

It's been a great day, but tiring, so Diane is looking forward to getting reacquainted with her bed. Hope your Friday is a great one, and Happy Weekend, y'all!!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just love it that you two get out have such quality time together. Sounds like a wonderful afternoon. Love your pictures.

Take care,
Connie

Anonymous said...

Those are the days to remember; lives simple pleasures.

The green headed beauty is a male Mallard duck. The female is a dull brown with flecks of darker brown.

I recall Mr Phil saying that the flooded rice fields are perfect for the ducks and geese. Many farmers will rent out their fields to hunters. Sometimes making more of a profit from the hunters than the crops.

Have a blessed day, Diane!

Jeana said...

Weiner. Of course. Where else would you take your day-old buns?

boomama said...

What a great day...and I love Jessica's new short hair. Alex and I have been spending a good bit of time watching the geese in our neck of the woods lately - they are so pretty, so much fun to watch. Hope you get lots of rest today!

Barb said...

I just love it when you do a post like this, Diane. What I really love is the way you and Jessica just drop everything and have days like this together.

All these beautiful ducks...it's been ages since I've seen anything but a huge flock of them flying overhead, probably out to Arkansas where you and Jessica are going to feed them and they know it.

I love Jessica's cute hairstyle. It really suits her. And the photo of your sis in the chair with your kitty is adorable. But. Could you do me a favor? Could you please just go over there and straighten that picture on the wall? The one right behind the lampshade? Cause something like that just drives me nuts. OK? LOL

Happy New Year my friend. What a treasure you've been to me this year.

Dawn said...

What a wonderful day! We had another snow storm, so the ducks and geese are probably heading your way! I did see a whole bunch on campus yesterday as I left during the latest snowstorm beginnings. I don't know why they were there, but they were picking up something from the little patches of bare ground. The university is closed again today - unprecedented!

My brother and his wife (Morning Glory, in case you read her), got to go to Heber Springs the other day. I may post about Heber in the near future and include their latest pictures. That would be fun, if they don't mind of course!

Have a wonderful day.

Big Mama said...

I love the relationship you and Jessica have. Y'all are so blessed to have each other!

Hope you get a little rest!

RennyBA said...

What a lovely way to spend time with friends. Thanks for sharing this wonderful moment and with those lovely pics! Looks quite for the season though - just like in Norway - still no snow:-(

Welcome over for more Christmas food - hope you don't leave hungry this time!

Susie said...

These everyday simple pleasures are what help us form beautiful memories..
You will love feeding the ducks and going to Mickey D's with that new grandbaby! It's one of the things we also love to do!!
hugs!!

Sister said...

Sounds like a fun day and I just love Jessica's new 'do! I hope you get plenty of rest and enjoy ringing in the New Year.
xo,

Anonymous said...

I went scouring google for the ID of that duck. It does not have the white band of a Mallard nor the black bill of a Shoveler. I can not find a duck that is an exact match.

Lyndy said...

Diane,

Thank you for sharing your day with us. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I am a Mamma's girl, so I love nothing more than a day with my Mother and sounds like you and Jessica enjoy those times too. How blessed you are.

So much you have to look forward too in 2007 with the new grandbaby coming and I look forward to reading all about it right here.

Blessings, Lyndy

Anonymous said...

Jessica sounds like such a nice person
pleased you had a wonderful time together
we took Daniel to see the ducks today :)

TJ said...

I thought I would drop by and wish you an early Happy New Years...are you going to do a post on traditional New Years food?
I can't wait...lol!!
:-D

Cheryl said...

We have a bucket load of geese and ducks which come in for the winter to sit on our playa lakes. It is fun to see a mama duck and her little ones walking across the street. It's fun to see them...such a tranquil scene...Happy New Year

Nancy said...

What a beautiful day to enjoy with your daughter... may you have many more in the new year.

Nashe^ said...

Yeah. Simple pleasures are sometimes the best, and those which matter the most.

Happy 2007, D!