This past weekend we headed down to Northerly Island in the city for Polar Adventure days. There was birds, snakes, dogs, hot chocolate, stories, and snacks! A small event but a lot of things to see and do and not too many people to get in the way.
Here is my highlight reel, courtesy of Google Auto-Awesome #ThroughGlass
This past weekend my sister and I attended the Raptor Workshop hosted by Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation. They are a fantastic organization dedicated to helping injured and orphaned wildlife. They treat all species of wild birds, reptiles and amphibians and treats all wild mammals excluding skunks, bats and raccoons. (although they can refer you to a wildlife organization who helps raccoons if you happen to find one). We have called them a couple times over the years for advice on various wildlife we have found and have even brought them a few injured creatures.
The raptor workshop is designed as an introduction to birds of prey and their care targeted for Nature Center and wildlife staff and volunteers, along with those just serious about birds of prey. Jackie and I learned about this class from the Flint Creek website and were immediately interested in taking it.
The workshop covers an amazing about of information for 1.5 days of work. Granted this is a high level view of raptors and their care and handling, but it was very detailed and interesting. It is meant to prepare students for the 10 week raptor internship (also through Flint Creek) where you go into further detail on raptor care and work more with the raptors.
The first day was spent on the legal bits of caring for raptors – there are a ton of laws and regulations at both the state and federal level that govern what and how Flint Creek must care for not only rescued wildlife but also its education birds. Flint Creek’s goal is to release every animal it rescues back to the wild so they have few education birds (compared to other centers). Flint Creek uses a variety of methods to make sure birds (and other animals) released get the best chance possible to survive and their numbers show that they are succeeding at their mission.
On Day 2 of the workshop, we got to handle 2 of the smaller raptors – an American Kestrel and a Screech Own. Now a kestrel is probably my favorite raptor so I was really excited and Jackie loves owls so she was equally as excited. The workshop size is kept small and the volunteers allot enough time they we were both able to handle both raptors.
Although we would both like to continue on to the raptor internship, we aren’t sure at this point if we have the time in our schedules. The internship is held once a year and only has spots for 8 people but you get hands-on training in all aspects of caring for captive birds of prey. Its a 10 week course but if you pass you can go for your raptor handler certification and even volunteer at Flint Creek to work in their raptor program. For Jackie and I, it would be a way to help any injured/orphaned raptors while also supporting a great organization in our area.
For more information on Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, please check out their website at http://www.flintcreekwildlife.org/
Today we picked up our new kitten, a 1 year old retired platinum Burmese.
Currently known as “Shalimar” (not sure if we are keeping it), she was born in Russia and brought to the States as a show cat/breeder.
When Shalimar wasn’t getting pregnant after a few trys, the breeder decided it was better to find her a forever home rather than pursuing any fertility b treatments (did you even know that was a thing for cats?!)
After talking with The Other, we felt that due to Brutus’ unending energy and the older cats general disdain of said energy, it was best to get him a playmate around his own age.
We were originally looking at another kitten but thought that since he is such a – well, brute – it might be better that the kitten was a bit older. Shalimar is only 1 month older than him.
She is a but shy right now adjusting to her new surroundings, and Brutus is a bit growly about not being the baby anymore. However both are curious so once everything settles down I’m sure they will be good friends.
Of the 3 time Brutus has barfed in his life, 2 of them have been directly on me.
Yes, one of those times was just now.
As far as cats go, 3 barfs in 1 year isn’t that bad, I just wish there was a better me-floor ratio.
Luckily, he is ultra-cute
Heading out to Seattle for PaizoCon but we left a few extra days for site seeing. I’m most excited about seeing the original Starbucks!! There is also a Starbucks concept store in the area too but its a bit hidden – I will sniff it out though. I’m sure there is other stuff to do as well (space needle, troll statue, yada yada yada)
A couple weeks ago a found a Reddit thread on what the Starbucks Baristas like to drink when they are working. This isn’t that “secret menu” bullshit (which doesn’t exist BTW) There were some good suggestions but my favorite was getting a Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher made with black tea instead of water. It cuts the sweetness a bit and makes the drink less “mouth coating”. It’s probably my #1 favorite drink right now.
One more week until the Mariano’s opens in Gurnee – yay! yay! yay! yay! I’m a litte sad I will be out of town for the opening day fun but its okay. I am already planning my list of stuff to purchase when I get back!
Today, The Other and I spent the day revamping kitty playland. It’s been a few years since we have done a complete overhaul and it needed it. I do not have any ‘before’ pictures but we took out all the old ground cover, laid new pea gravel, replaced their lounging rocks, tightened/repaired all the boards, and replaced the bricks under the walkway. We also laid a trail of mulch to both doors so we can go back there, if needed, without getting muddy.
I’m sure the kitties will like it, but they haven’t tried it yet because right after we finished a huge rainstorm (with tornado warnings) rolled through and soaked everything. Oh well, there is always tomorrow!
In other exciting news, Brutus finally figured out how to use the kitty door to go out! He has been coming in on his own for a couple weeks now but about 2 weeks ago I couldn’t find him anyway, started to get worried and then checked kitty playland and there he was lounging in the sun! I have seen him go out on his own several times now so I know he has got it down and I finally got a video – enjoy!
Lee spotted this on the drive home, so we stopped in to take a look. 🙂
During the recent thunderstorms my clock fell off the wall. It wasn’t damaged, but the pin holding it was tiny so rather then get the picture hanging hooks and hammer at 10:30pm we decided to wait until morning. I put the clock on the floor.
When I woke up I found that during the night someone had chewed the hands of the clock and bent them out of shape. The Other and I were sleeping so that leaves 4 suspects.
I don’t know which cat did it, but I have my suspicions…
Yup, I got a Google Glass – and I couldn’t be more excited about it!! I have so many ideas in my head of what I am going to do – and I won’t lie, most of them involve the kitties….
I just got it today but I have spent pretty much the whole day playing with it – so much so I ran out the battery! The obvious things are to take pictures and movies on it, but it can also send messages, make phone calls, play music, post to Facebook and YouTube and of course play games. It’s still technically in beta so there isn’t much “Glassware” (that’s what they call the apps) yet.
Taken #ThroughGlass !
One of the apps I got was a compass – now it will make sense when you give directions like “go west on Main St”! I also got an app that will translate signage by looking at it – no more confusion here:
I also got a field trip app that will tell you interesting information about the sites you are visiting. And another that will check your calendar for upcoming appointments then display an instant dossier about the people I am meeting. I’ll be like a spy! There are also fitness and food apps. I plan on trying to use this a lot more to post things here too. I can’t say enough how excited I am about this!!
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