LINDA VILLA OWL SEES ALL - STORY RETOLD

The Owls are the order Strigiformes. Most are solitary, and nocturnal, with some exceptions.  The Linda Villa Owl must love us as it can be seen flying from one tree to another during the early morning hours, as well as watching over the complex during the night.  Though owls are typically solitary, the literary collective noun for a group of owls is a parliament., which suggest that MOI should try to get more to come here...


Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ear-holes, a hawk-like beak, a flat face, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers, a facial disc, around each eye. Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, as with other birds, and they must turn their entire head to change views. Most birds of prey sport eyes on the sides of their heads, but the stereoscopic nature of the owl's forward-facing eyes permits a greater sense of depth perception necessary for low-light hunting.


Owls are farsighted and are unable to see anything clearly within a few centimeters of their eyes. Caught prey can be felt by owls with the use of filoplumes, which are small hair-like feathers on the beak and feet that act as "feelers". Their far vision, particularly in low light, is exceptionally good.  It can turn its head 135 degrees in either direction; it can thus look behind its own shoulders, with a total 270-degree field of view.  With aid of more lamps in the night, our owl now sees much.

Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting for prey only under the cover of darkness. Several types of owl, however, are crepuscular, active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk; one example is the pygmy owl. A few owls are also active during the day; examples are the Burrowing Owl  and the Short-eared Owl.


Much of the owls' hunting strategy depends on stealth and surprise. Owls have at least two adaptations that aid them in achieving stealth. First, the dull coloration of owls' feathers can render them almost invisible under certain conditions. Secondly, serrated edges on the leading edge owls' remiges muffle an owl's wingbeats, allowing its flight to be practically silent.

The Linda Villa Owl sees it all.  The Palm trees add to the ability to view from on high the nightly activity that some would believe is un-noticed.  How wrong they be.

The Owl sees the endless traffic that passes through the patio gate of a soon to be departed tenant.  How odd that they do not know that the quick stop visits are very odd indeed.  The owl notes the large volume of traffic into the car park that the unit in question has all the day long , even notes small children playing in the vehicle with no supervision and just might set the motor to rolling and cause great harm.

The Linda Villa Owl never misses the endless flow of night time visitors to another flat.  Poor chap is clueless that 'friends' are using his flat as a 'hang out'.  Mind, the days are numbered as 'friends' have brought drugs onto the property and that will not be allowed.  The owl will see the departure of another tenant who thought that 'drug free' was a joke told to on move-in.

The good Linda Villa Owl also sees much to be right pleased by.  He sees tenants digging in the dirt and planting flowers to make the Linda Villa more brilliant AND to possibly capture the grand prize on May 8th.

Our owl also sees lovely tenants having a good time on patios, a little food and drink and chat with mates, all done with consideration to others.  No tossing of butts over rail or causing noise to drown out neighbour under flat.  How lovely that young blokes can be so considerate.

The Linda Villa Owl caught sight of this old geezer, Murray, Paul, James, Chandra invited to the patio of Della & Michael to partake in a cook-up with potables!  Fancy that.  All carried out with good grace. No riot of drink in the car park or loud noise.  Truth be told, even the wee ones were on best behaviour.

The Linda Villa Owl has seen another weekend come and go at the complex.  True, there be one day left, but it will be quiet, considering the amount of drink SOME had until the wee hours.

This morning as I watched OUR owl fly from tree to tree, I hoped that it would get comfy and take position again this night and watch over us.  What grand things folks miss when they write off a road, a community or complex based on what was and not was is at present.  More's the pity that...

"Flowers really do intoxicate me.

Robert - 2010 -  Lord, I was HUGE

Robert - 2010 - Playing in the dirt

Where did I get them shorts?

2010 STORY RE-VISITED

What a difference 4 years make.  Hard to believe I was so large back then........



"Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?" Maurice Maeterlinck

My dears, for far too long the path leading to the rental office at the Linda Villa was a patch of barren soil, devoid of life and colour.  The whole world saw in a tick that there was no life at the Linda Villa, save a hard mean existance, populated by folks who did not care and had no pride in selves.

Murray Kay's dream for the Linda Villa was as moribound as that patch of earth.  The only thing of note were the rocks placed to keep the dead soil contained there.  Mind, the rocks could have been handy missiles to be hurled at windows of the office by tenants who had been sold a horrid place to live as well.  You pick the purpose.

No more!  After much think on, this old geezer did what had to be done.

Getting down and dirty, MOI, with paid help, dug up soil, added plant food, and started placing plants in front of and round office.  Being full of the spirit, MOI did much to bring life back to the area in front of.

Where there was once dearth, now gathers a plethora of God's smile to man.  Plants!

There be Verbena, Pansies, Marigolds and soon to be added stock.  Bags and bangs of brilliant bark set off the majestic Magnolia tree in the middle of the newly planted gadren.  On both sides of, there is more brilliant bark.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance."
William Wordsworth

You, the dear reader, may well feel that this old geezer has gone 'gooey' over a few plants.  You be right.

The Linda Villa is leading by example.  Sponsoring a "Tenant Garden Contest", to be judged by Supervisor Vasquez and Sheriff Durfor on May 8th, the day of the "LINDA DRUG OUT BLOCK PARTY", this old geezer is passionate in belief that what speaks louder than the actions of.

Evil folks who do drugs, cheat benefits and lazy layabout scroungers are no longer welcome at the Linda Villa.  Planting life in the soil tells one and all that a new day has dawned at the Linda Villa.  The evil creatures of the past need to pack and move on.

My dears, there always be the risk that some evil creature will destroy the lovely garden planted.  Why allow a few evil folks rob one of the joy of beauty?  Why allow yobs to dictate how one will live?  What is life lived in fear and in a prison built by fear?

I will go to me grave believing that one must place one's self at risk to fully appreciate the freedoms placed about.

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." Terri Guillemets

CHANGE

Truth be told, I am as guilty as the next man when it comes to NOT making changes.  The old is tried and true and one knows what to expect.  More's the pity that...

Change is a good thing.  Took a lifetime to get it right, but I always was a quick study.

The biggest single problem in me life was my feeling sorry for meself.  Playing the victim suited me.

Right, so I got shat on.  Who has not?  Change is hard.  Change does bring improvement, not as swiftly as one would like, but improvement nevertheless.

I wish I could report that I am perfect.  I still harbour ill feelings toward my birth mother.  I still resent my half brother and sister.  The hate is gone but the bad taste in me mouth refuses to go away.

I appreciate all of the lovely people who are in my life.  I take no one for granted.

Daily, I face each and every day with a positive attitude.  Right proud I am of the weight loss and the coping with going deaf.  Daily I sail forth from my home and seek out adventure.  New people.

CHANGE IS A GOOD THING

There have been many who call the old geezer a 'vagabond'.  Must have something to do with me trainers having so many miles on them.

I am in the process of making a change.  AGAIN....

Change is a good thing.  Keeps things fresh.  Have no doubt that new adventures await.

I take with me all of the things that matter most.  Memories and friends.

I will have to fill in me avid readers when the dust has settled...

ADULT NAPPIES

There will come a time when the conversation about 'adult nappies' will take place for all.  For me, that conversation took place yesterday.

The old geezer has an older male friend who has a problem controlling his poo and pee.  Night time is the worst.  No longer can the friend trust that a 'fart' will not be a spray in his underpants.

My older friend is not the first person known who has to depend on protection but he certainly was not keen on making the move to protection.  Rather think it is a major 'male' embarrassment moment.

Gently, MOI talked about using nappies and used the example of another older male friend who uses adult nappies.  Told how the protection would give peace of mind during the night.  To my surprise, the friend took the suggestion so well that he sent me to the market to get a package of nappies.

The old geezer has no shame and whilst standing in the queue with the nappies, was chatted up by another gent standing in the queue.  He told of how he wears nappies and was mildly surprised to see MOI being so open with the purchase of.  Seems this chappie buys online to spare self the shame of being seen as in need of.  What rubbish.  Whilst I do not need nappies, if I did, there would be no shame in purchasing the protection.

The nappies looked like underpants.  Even had a very colourful waist band on them.  There is loads of padding in front and back to catch a leak.

I am quite pleased that I had the nerve to bring up the subject to me friend, and quite pleased that he took to the idea so well.  No doubt he will feel more in control now.