A stunned bird and other short stories

There was a loud thud on the conservatory window. This poor bird hadn't seen the glass, smashed into it and fell stunned straight on top of a pot of pansies. He sat there for a long time. In fact long enough for me to get my camera, screw in the zoom lens that I'd been keen to try out, and open the back door. I tiptoed outside and the bird still remained in the pot.  Stunned but seemed uninjured.

You'll be pleased to know that eventually he flew away, but he gave me a nice photo opportunity. Does anyone know what kind of bird he is?

Meanwhile back in Arizona. As you can see from the sky, it's not always clear blue skies and sunshine, but it was still warm. This weather would be considered a bad day, but not to us Brits! I took this shot at one of my favourite shopping areas. It has a Michael's and Hobby Lobby for arty stuff, a Home Depot for diy and gardening, a Sports Authority for my elder daughter and partner and a diner that serves wicked milk shakes that we all love. Don't the cacti look cool?

Back at the house I love to sit with a beer down by the lake. Can you believe this green background is actually water?

I've never been a gardener, most things I touch die, so I was delighted to see that the flower pot I planted the last time I was in AZ had survived. I had to do all new irrigation tubes to it but it looks like it was getting enough water to survive, but by the time I return next time I doubt anything with still be alive, well apart from the fake birds.

And finally, Kelly and other jigsaw fans, I did three, 500 piece jigsaws whilst I was in the States. They all came from Dollar Tree. I've found another Dollar Tree store that is bigger than the one closest to our house and they had a large selection of jigsaws and at that price you just can't go wrong! I have another 6 still to do. The Air Balloons and Candy were much harder than I imagined, but the Door jigsaw was much easier and was a nice change after the candy one that really was quite tough!

I was reading an article written by a woman called Kathryn Brenne who is a fashion journalist and teacher and she was talking about her love of knitting and she said:

"For me it's so relaxing. My hands are busy, but my mind is free to think, sort out problems and dream. I take knitting wherever I go. I am never without a project."

That's just how I feel about doing jigsaws.