On Thursday night I shut the back door, which because of its weak hinges, scrapes the tile floor when it's moved, and it screeched. Immediately I heard an answering screech from the back yard. I assumed it was an owl and listened as it continued screeching. I got a flashlight and dh got one too, and we went out back to see if we could see it. Dh went in after a bit, but I continued on toward the back of our property, shining the light from time to time, to see if I could see the screeching owl. I saw nothing, so decided to come in.
I started looking up the tawny owl on the internet, as I assumed that that was what it was. I read that they do attack humans occasionally when disturbed. I thought, well, good thing I didn't disturb it. I found a page with sound (Owl Calls and Sounds - go about halfway down to find the section for Eurasian Tawny Owl) on it, and listened to a call. My husband agreed that that was the sound we had heard. I became very thankful that I did not have an encounter with the owl, as the call we heard apparently displayed aggression!
On Saturday ds1 went to play paintball with some men and their sons from church. They were split up and put into teams with other people who were playing that day. When Ds told us about it all over lunch today, I was impressed at how the paintballing was run. They organize things so that the risk of injury is minimalized, fair play is observed, and enmity is not formed between the various groups who come to play (a church group will be divided and put with another group, which is also divided, for example). I was glad ds had a good time.
The rest of us, in the afternoon, went to a couple of pet stores to learn about various reptiles that Ds2 is interested in for a birthday present (it was back in Sept!). I am putting my foot down about snakes, spiders, and other insects (I could have conceded over stick insects, perhaps). So many of the reptiles are so expensive! I encouraged ds to think of a caged pet because I thought our home is too small for a dog (and I'm not too fond of cats, and they make me sneeze).
I tried not to influence him too much as he looked around. At the second pet shop, for which we had driven a long way by English standards, a man spent quite a little while with us talking to us about axolotls and chameleons. As we held a chameleon, ds decided that that is what he wanted. They are my favorite reptile too. They are extremely interesting little creatures (although they won't stay little!) and if we can keep one healthy it should be a fascinating pet. We did not buy one then, though I did buy a book (a bit too advanced for ds, but I will direct him to sections he will be able to understand). We need to think about sorting out the finances for this venture. It's not so much the chameleon, as the kit for it that will cost so much.
I'd like to get some chickens too. I found a place with prices much more in line with our budget, even though they sell purebreds. I was and still am thinking about getting hybrids again, as they are much less expensive. The problem is that they produce eggs like mad for about a year and a half, and then stop and my last lot was not all that thrifty, dying earlier than I felt they should have. Purebreds would lay fewer eggs, but for longer (in theory). I still need to think about this all. I wonder if we can sell the eggs.
On Friday Ds3 turned 6. I loved the whole year when he was five, he was inquisitive, and cuddly, and so bright in how he noticed and learned things, so I was sad a bit to see it end! Of course he is still the same boy, but I know this year will bring many changes and I was just nostalgic already about when he was five! I made him a "worm" cake for his birthday, which he liked.
