Fairy tales and superstitions

[Betty]

If it weren't for the fact that so many people have become ill and died,
I would say the latest virus scare is good payback for those idiots who
hunt exotic animals to extinction, thinking they possess some magic
power. Where do they get those crazy ideas?
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Betty explained :

So far I have heard it came from bats or pangolins. Somebody mentioned
snakes, but that was not an official source. Pangolin scales and rhino
horns are just stupid traditional medicines which have no place in
modern society. Unfortunately, around 40 percent of us (as in US) are
also that stupid. They run for public office and get elected to them. I
used to have a much greater respect for those positions than I
currently do.

[Betty]

Pangolins and rhinos are the ones I had in mind. It's ridiculous to
think those animals have any medicinal properties. What will replace
their powers when they're gone? The poachers don't seem to have sense
enough to think about that aspect. As for politicians, they're a lost
cause. I think the current front runners are past their prime and should
retire, but I don't know who would replace them either. Looks like a
rough road ahead.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Betty presented the following explanation :

Yes, I hope we all come out the other end of it okay. Sis just did a
shopping trip at the grocery store, we're okay for a while. Too bad we
both have to go to the hospital within the next few weeks.

[Betty]

Having to go to the hospital during the rash of current events is not
something to look forward to. I hope you both do well and are not
exposed to the virus. It's good that you have food and whatever you
need. I bought several junk food snacks, since that's pretty much all
that was left at Walmart, then lost my appetite. I'm lucky that I don't
have to go anywhere for awhile either.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

I gave myself my latest dose of MTX wondering if it was a mistake to do
so. Sis wasn't taking the virus very seriously until it wiped out a
family she knows. We have one case here in Cheshire County now, so it
is here at the Keene Hospital now most likely. I'll be laying low for a
while I guess.

I saw another Brown Creeper yesterday, but it didn't stick around for
photos. The goldfinches are getting yellower and yellower.

[Betty]

Hopefully you did the right thing with your MTX. I've been reading about
the malaria medication as a possible treatment, but I don't think it's
known how to treat the virus, testing is the only way to discover a
viable solution. I read about the cases in your area, then hunted for
the number of cases in my area. I didn't find the information for here,
but the governor has finally taken the situation seriously. Laying low
is the best idea for now, I sure don't want to take a chance on
exposure. I hope you and your sis will be fine.

> I saw another Brown Creeper yesterday, but it didn't stick around for
> photos. The goldfinches are getting yellower and yellower.

It's nice that you have pretty yellow birds visiting, I'll have to look
up 'Brown Creeper'. I saw a forecast for more snow so you may be feeding
those visitors longer than planned.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Betty explained :

More snow? I'll have to check that out. I wonder what it will be like
with all those local goldfinches gathering here. Maybe I'll get some
interesting shots.

[Betty]

I saw the forecast on Accuweather, I think it said the next few days.
Probably not enough to call it fat snow. It was much cooler here this
morning, surprised me.

I looked up 'Brown Creeper' and saw that it's the bird that blends into
the tree bark. I hope you do get some interesting shots, of *all* the
visitors, but yellow is really pretty.

I hope you feel well, FTR.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Betty pretended :

They get more and more yellow each day - and there are so many of them
this year.

[Betty]

Sounds like a fun show.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Betty formulated the question :

It is, especially when they are competing.

[Betty]

Do they try to grab seeds away from each other? Or feed from the same
perch? I didn't even look outside yesterday, but I know it rained.
Didn't hear any birds, just barking dogs.
--
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[FromTheRafters]

on 3/23/2020, Betty supposed :

I hear barking dogs too, well, one barking dog.

It's snowing again. Then it will be around 50 degrees during the day.

[Betty]

I really hate the fence that contains that barking dog.

I saw snow flakes falling elsewhere, but not sticking. That sort of
takes the fun out of it, though I guess you might be ready to be rid of
snow for a few months. Maybe the salamanders and frogs will begin
migration soon.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Spoils the view doesn't it. I should get a discount on my view tax.

> I saw snow flakes falling elsewhere, but not sticking. That sort of takes the
> fun out of it, though I guess you might be ready to be rid of snow for a few
> months. Maybe the salamanders and frogs will begin migration soon.

I am looking forward to that, I hope I don't miss it completely.

[Betty]

FromTheRafters wrote:
> on 3/23/2020, Betty supposed :
>> FromTheRafters wrote:

[...]

>>> I hear barking dogs too, well, one barking dog.
>>>
>>> It's snowing again. Then it will be around 50 degrees during the day.
>>
>> I really hate the fence that contains that barking dog.
>
> Spoils the view doesn't it. I should get a discount on my view tax.
>

Yes, it's ugly. The view tax is ridiculous too, unbelievable.

>> I saw snow flakes falling elsewhere, but not sticking. That sort of
>> takes the fun out of it, though I guess you might be ready to be rid
>> of snow for a few months. Maybe the salamanders and frogs will begin
>> migration soon.
>
> I am looking forward to that, I hope I don't miss it completely.

It's good that you found the information you did. Seems as though you
would be notified before the street closure so you'd know when to check
out the activity. Perhaps you could contact someone who is involved to
find out when they will be at the crossing.
--
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[FromTheRafters]

Betty formulated the question :

It's snowing real good now. Goldfinches, juncos, titmice, mourning
doves and woodpeckers hanging around the last of the available seed. I
made another video of it. Still, not yellow enough.

[Betty]

That's a good mix of visitors, must be cleaning up the last of the seed
supply . I heard a song bird earlier, but I don't know what kind. I'll
go listen to a robin to hear their call. I heard a mourning dove several
days ago. There are plenty of trees around here for nest building, I'm
going to try to see one.
--
.

[Betty]

I see a lot of snow on the web cam and it's *still* snowing. I was
trying to finish my other post when my friend from Dallas called and
kept me on the phone. I went ahead and hit 'send' without finishing it.
I liked your video, thanks for uploading it. I saw a squirrel too, but
no chipmunks. I guess the snow will melt away and the birds will be able
to find food. Maybe the seed-bearing plants they like will soon be
available. There was a larger bird on one branch that I couldn't identify.
--
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[FromTheRafters]

Betty brought next idea :

It should be all covered now, except where the plow cleared it.

[Betty]

I was just watching the snow plow. Moving snow is quite a process.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

It's also a business, what will they do when very little snow falls? My
driveway got plowed, I'm guessing he needed this.

[Betty]

I guess depending on snowfall is not an easy way to make a living if
there is no snow. It's much better to have a job that pays a regular
salary. I've been reading about the economic situation and wondering how
a lot of people are going to be living in the near future.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Betty was thinking very hard :

Yes, the economic impact of the virus and the taking over of some jobs
by robotics and artificial intelligence which don't get sick and spread
germs and viruses.

[Betty]

It is unnerving to think of AI possibly taking over the world. You're
right about sickness and the spreading of disease, robots and AI won't
do that. I just don't think either will ever have human feelings and
ingenuity, so they can't take our place completely.
--
.

[FromTheRafters]

Betty expressed precisely :

No, at most it will change the nature of employment. Look how many
businesses had to shift to a 'work from home' scenario. They are even
sort of teleschooling if I can make up a new word.

[Betty]

Yes, the schools here are closed, and I think the parents I know are
both working from home. I need to call and check on them. I would be
very scared if I had a job that became obsolete, taken over by an
inanimate entity. I've started to wonder about the banks, hoping they
don't fail.

You can make up a new word if you want to. [g]
--
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