Owls heard my computer

We've seen the screech owls on and off this spring, even thru July 4th bombs and explosions - nothing seems to faze them!  If we sit outside at dusk and listen to the robins screeching and hollering and dive bombing, we know the Eastern Screech Owls are somewhere nearby.  We live in western Nebraska, in town.

Tonight, I had the bright idea of taking the computer outside on the deck, and playing YouTube sounds of Screech Owls, wondering what might happen -  I kinda hoped one owl might land on my computer - however, we ALL remember "The Birds"! 

I heard the robins making a ruckus, so played an Eastern Screech owl's sounds and calls,  and in a matter of 5 minutes there was one little guy sitting on the deck rail, looking back at us.  DH  and I sat there mesmerized.  Soon the robins found this little owl and did their pestering and dive bombing, so he fluttered to a nearby spruce for safety.  I continued to replay the Youtube video and I could see him listening (I think) and also he replied with his little trill.  Soon a second owl arrived in the area, sitting on a cable.  Eventually both of them took off, without a sound.   

I didn't have my camera so will repost 2 photos from a few years back when they roosted in our backyard spruce.  We feel blessed they shared a few moments with us.

 

New and Improved

Warning - NQR -- ranting!!!

I used to think I had some "smarts", using computer office applications. I have recently 'upgraded' to Windows 7, and installed Office 2010 on a new office computer. Well, I didn't actually install it, because that was too complicated, too frustrating, too unmanageable, too non-understandable. And as usual, I'm thinking, "It's my fault", "I'm too decrepit to learn", "maybe I have Alzeimers", "it's time I really retire"! We've all been there, so my words are the same as you all have said, each time you get computer equipment that is "new and improved." Let me tell you, this it taking all my energy, sleepless nights, nightmares, to learn even the basics, all over again.

My instruction book is 1297 pages, much too heavy to read in bed, for gosh sakes! Where do I even start? Because it's "Not like it used to be", maybe I should start on Page 1?

Then, just when I thought I was gaining some proficiency back for my day's work, something wierd started happening. I wasted 6 work days trying the usual System Restore, Repair, Uninstall, reinstall, uninstall weather program, additional virus scans, etc., etc., etc. All to no avail. I called in our "computer" geek-member helpers and it took THEM several days, frustrations, hair-pulling, downloading a new program from Microsoft, going through the uninstalling, reinstalling, activating, re-activating, product keys, licensing, and again, same problems. Finally, after much trepidation, an important file was deleted on the REGISTRY -- always a NO-NO! but voila!!! I'm up and running, again.

Some kind soul had donated the computer and programs, so I am so very grateful for their gift -- just NOT grateful to Microsoft. But am extremely grateful for our diligent computer helpers!

Maybe I can get back to quilting now.

... I feel a little better!