Yesterday we started out clear then it got real windy and the clouds moved in.....
We had a few sprinkles of rain. We topped at 70º and then with the wind it temps dropped into the 60ºs.
Picture of the Day
Interesting about Oregon's State Bird.....
The western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) is a medium-sized icterid bird, about 8.5 in (22 cm) in length. It nests on the ground in open grasslands across western and central North America. It feeds mostly on bugs, but will also feed on seeds and berries. The western meadowlark has distinctive calls described as watery or flute-like, which distinguish it from the closely related eastern meadowlark. The western meadowlark is the state bird of six states: Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming.
Western meadowlark adults have yellow underparts with a black "V" on the breast and white flanks streaked with black. Their upper parts are mostly brown, but also have black streaks. These birds have long, pointed bills and their heads are striped with light brown and black bands.
Measurements:
- Length: 6.3-10.2 in
- Weight: 3.1-4.1 oz
- Wingspan: 16.1 in
These birds have a flute-like warbled song. These calls contrast with the simple, whistled call of the eastern meadowlark.
The breeding habitats of western meadowlarks are grasslands, prairies, pastures, and abandoned fields, all of which may be found across western and central North America, as far south as northern Mexico. In regions where their range overlaps with the eastern species, these birds prefer thinner, drier vegetation; the two type of birds generally do not interbreed but do defend territory against one another. Their nests are situated on the ground and are covered with a roof woven from grass. There may be more than one nesting female in a male's territory. Nests are sometimes destroyed by mowing operations with eggs and young in them.
Western meadowlarks are permanent residents throughout much of their range. Northern birds may migrate to the southern parts of their range; some birds also move east in the southern United States.
These birds forage on the ground or in low to semi-low vegetation. They sometimes search for food by probing with their bills. They mainly eat insects, although they will consume seeds and berries. In winter, these birds often feed in flocks.
The western meadowlark is the state bird of six states: Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. The northern cardinal, which represents seven states, is the only bird to hold the status of state bird in more states.
During the 2017 regular session of the Oregon Legislature, there was a short-lived controversy over the western meadowlark's status as state bird versus the osprey. The sometimes-spirited debate included a legislator playing the meadowlark's song on his smartphone over the House microphone. A compromise was reached in SCR 18, which was passed on the last day of the session, designating the western meadowlark as the state songbird and the osprey as the state raptor.
Creamy Noodle Casserole
1 pkg (12oz) egg noodles
- 1 package (16 ounces) frozen broccoli cuts
- 3 cups cubed fully cooked ham or shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
- 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, salt and pepper
- In a Dutch oven, cook noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes. Add broccoli and ham; cook until noodles are tender, 5-10 minutes longer.
- Drain; return to pan. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until butter is melted and mixture is heated through.
Freeze option: Freeze cooled noodle mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, gently stirring; add broth or milk if necessary.
Historically this date........
1960 – Cold War: U-2 Crisis of 1960 – Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announces that his nation is holding American U-2 pilot Gary Powers.
1964 – Pacific Air Lines Flight 773, a Fairchild F-27 airliner, crashes near San Ramon, California, killing all 44 aboard; the FBI later reports that a cockpit recorder tape indicates that the pilot and co-pilot had been shot by a suicidal passenger.
1998 – Mercedes-Benz buys Chrysler for $40 billion USD and forms DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history.
2004 – American businessman Nick Berg is beheaded by Islamic militants. The act is recorded on videotape and released on the Internet.
And births this date include....
1885 – George 'Gabby' Hayes, American actor (d. 1969)
1901 – Gary Cooper, American actor (d. 1961)
1922 – Darren McGavin, American actor (d. 2006)
All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Friday. Ciao.
xo Sue Mom Bobo
On May 7 we are charged with breaking down obstacles on National Barrier Awareness Day. We are responsible for dissolving stigmas that keep people with disabilities from advancing in education. It’s an opportunity to tear down walls and build ramps that will help provide access. Where there are misunderstandings, there is potential for the development of new technology that may bridge the gap. Policies that are antiquated and are preventing those with disabilities from accessing their full potential can be re-assessed. If there was ever a time to speak up about questionable treatment of a human being, National Barrier Awareness Day encourages us to do so now.
“Today some 36 million Americans suffer from some form of handicap. Eighty percent of Americans will experience some disability in their lifetime. That makes it necessary for all of us to understand and appreciate both the barriers they must surmount and the contributions that they can make to our society.Many disabled people face financial, cultural, and physical barriers because of a lack of public understanding of their needs. We must become more aware of the barriers that prevent or inhibit so many of our fellow Americans from participating fully in the life of our society, and how much more they could contribute if those obstacles were removed….”
Visible and invisible barriers are equally difficult to overcome. With advocacy, education and awareness these obstacles can be lifted, empowering people with disabilities to live more independent fulfilled lives.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Break the barriers and work toward eliminating all of the cultural, employment, legal, and physical obstacles that confront individuals with disabilities! Share your support using #BarrierAwarenessDay.
HISTORY
Proclamation 5472, signed by United States President Ronald Reagan, was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 8, 1986, declaring May 7 of 1986 as National Barrier Awareness Day. Since that day, many people across the country have continued to observe National Barrier Awareness Day each year on May 7.
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