Computer Illiterate?

I've decided to open a shop on Etsy to feature and sell some of the art projects I've been working on. Ask me how many hours I spent just trying to put up a banner. Thousands, I'm sure. Even with coaching I failed. I have about 3 photo software programs to use and each of them had the required information missing. What the hell do they want? So I finally downloaded Photo Elements 5 and managed to find a language that Etsy likes and so it's been uploaded. I don't even like it but it's a start. This morning I started puttin a few things up and I've made spelling mistakes and missed crucial boxes. This I started at 10:00 and it's now after 1:00. Must go for my walk before I gain another 10 lbs from sitting in front of the computer. Not sure if I'll be able to make a link but I'll try.http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5110043

Where have all the birds gone?

There have been no visitations to the bird seed cup in a week now. Are they sick of the menu? Have I killed them off by changing their diet? Have they been threatened by their flockmates? I'm deeply distressed by there absence.

On a brighter note, I had today the most delightful coffee meeting with Colette. She's such a darling and so easy to talk to. You can tell that she is sensitive and has a wonderful way of expressing herself in the written word. Go see her blog (linked in the sidebar). She has given me invaluable advice on how to set up an Etsy shop and I will let you know when I'm in the groove. Does any one know what Etsy stands for?

New Computer

Well, I received my new computer Monday afternoon. I spent the equivalent of 1 days worth of hours trying to set up my email programme. I called Rogers for help - they did help me configure 2 programs but I still couldn't mail out. Next I called Dell thinking that they would know what was going on having sold me the computer. They only deal in hardware at this point and they told me to call Rogers. By now I'm in tears - what a baby. So I phoned Rogers again and now my email is working better than ever. I guess it depends on which technician you get. I'm also trying to figure out this Vista business. The layout is different. So is accessing other drives or folders. And then there's the constant nagging windows asking if I really want to do something or asking for my name and password. Is this carrying security too far?

Tayoh went to the vet yesterday to have that tooth (see below) examined. She has a condition only seen in cats and is untreatable. It's called FORL - feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion. Whatever. As long as she's not in pain. Otherwise her teeth are perfect - not one bit of plaque which is unusual in that breed. The night before, she couldn't open her eye and was diagnose to have an infection which required a shot of antibiotic. And since we were there and she's coughed 3 times since her last visit 6 weeks ago, she had her shot of cortisone (for asthma). She seemed a bit terrorized for having 2 injections but her vet is so wonderful. This is just like having a kid (I'm guessing) and also loved the same way.

Where's the tooth fairy

So, last night as I'm on my hands and knees plucking up the day's clumps of cat hair, paper shards and random beads what do I find? A tiny tooth. Must be a cat tooth since all of mine are still intact. At first I thought it must be Amber since she's older and has gum disease. And I managed to peek inside her mouth for verification. No evidence of a recently missing tooth. That leaves Tayoh. Somehow I managed to open her mouth and found that her lower left fang had been replaced by a healed over gum. I felt so terrible that I hadn't noticed any clues and wondered if she was in terrible pain. It looks like the root was left behind. I must phone the vet to see if this warrants a shot of antibiotic. My poor little Tayoh. Not so fierce as she pretends to be...

Birds of a feather

Well, now that it's early summer, I had a hankering to bring some birds to my balcony. Since most of the birds around here are finches (even the main drag up the street is called Finch), I picked up finch seed. The very finest recommended by breeders - only fresh ingredients. So I proceded to pour some seeds in shallow plastic containers. Originally I had thought of china cups but then it occurred to me that if they blew off the 20th floor, someone below could sustain a concussion or worse.

Immediately upon placing the containers on the outer ledge of the balcony 2 little birds came to dine and chatter up a storm. I don't know if it's the same two birds who keep on visiting several times a day. After all, they all look the same. But my 2 cats are now actively viewing the wildlife show instead of sleeping 20 hours a day. A few minutes ago I heard Amber squak which she usually does when annoyed with Tayoh. I went to investigate and what do I find but the 2 of them on the balcony. They managed to slide the screen door open by themselves. What next. Now I have to keep the glass door closed unless I'm in the room with them.

But I do love to hear the chatter the little birds make announcing their arrival. I sneak to the window to watch them enjoying the feast. I'm sure there must be some condo rule against bird feeders but my makeshift buffet doesn't really constitute a feeder. So I'm delighted while the cats are tortured. Such is life...

Is it fall or spring?

As a true Canadian I am always obsessed with the weather. Of course it's important to know what to wear before leaving the house. Yesterday started off cloudy but soon the sun emerged in all its glory whereupon one was lured into thinking a light sweater would suffice. Not so! A strong northerly wind kept gusting and I know that if it was wintertime, the meteorologists would be talking windchill factor. But it was great for the blossoms. I think the cold preserves them.

I went to Edwards Gardens with my parents to wander about and taking in the various plantings of trees and flowers and attempting to learn what species we were drawn too by reading the little signs shoved into the soil. There was never a sign for the ones we truly were drawn to. Bah! How frustrating. Lilac trees were bursting forth in residential areas but there were no such trees at the gardens. What a disappointment.

Two weeks ago when at the gardens, we saw a Canada goose nesting in the fork of a huge tree well beyond the reach of human hand. Yesterday this goose was strutting with her 4 chicks by the stream. One parent led the way, four chicks in the middle ( all fuzzy with their baby coats) and the other parent at the back. They are so protective of their little ones which is a good thing since the human parents let their little hellions run wild, screaming and throwing stones at the geese. What ever happened to good behaviour....

Semi-Industrious

What lovely weather we're having. Good thing since the power keeps going off in this area. I think that too many condos have been built and are overloading one of the grids. And I see that construction is about to start on a 30-story building directly across from me. This will mean an additional strain on the power system and no sunlight to my balcony. I'm not particularly distressed by the lack of sunlight since I face west and the sun makes the apartment far too hot. I'm going to experiment with growing hostas since they are shade-loving. I also have a trough to plant with alpine ground covers. I have let the hundred pound wonder sit unplanted for the past 2-3 years and I'm just hoping that my new plants take off. I have a black thumb when it comes to plants as well as sewing.

I've made 2 fabric boxes since my last post and each one has it's own problems. I've yet to figure out what it is that I'm doing wrong. I keep trying different kinds of batting and different measurements. Oh well, here's a peak.