Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Favorite cities.

How could I possibly have forgotten Copenhagen? And having mentioned Copenhagen - one of my very favorite cities because that is where I proposed to Julia - it follows that I should also mention Stockholm, what a lovely city that is, and of course Oslo, Helsinki, Vienna, Bratislava and almost any city in Switzerland. Returning to the US I have to mention San Antonio. Are there any more recommendations?

Monday, June 1, 2009

Drama on The Lake.

I awoke at 5.30 this morning to the sound of a mosquito buzzing around my head. Looking out the windows at The Lake I saw the most amazing sight - pink water! The entire lake was the most beautiful shade of pink. I got up and looked out at my most favorite view (Except for julia). Harry The Heron was stationed strategically by the pier searching the water for an early breakfast morsel. There, he got one. Suddenly, I saw and heard the most terrifying sight and sound on The lake - the male swan. He was running across the water, his neck stretched straight out in front of him and his huge 7 or 8 foot span wings smashing into the water on either side of him. He was in attack mode! And what was he attacking? Two Canada Geese that he apparently perceived as a threat to his future family and who were at least a quarter of a mile from his mate and their nest. He continued across the water closing the distance to the two Geese fast, when he got about 50 feet away from them the Geese took off and flew away. The swan stopped and settled onto the water, his work done, for the moment. Other "threats" would arise throughout the day and he would be ready to face them all. It is remarkable to me that the Geese, Ducks and other birds return after his scary behaviour. But return they do, only to be seen off again and again.