Bummed

Abert's towhee and curve-billed thrasher in the back yard this evening. The towhee is the one I thought might be a female cowbird the other day. Today I saw the rufous patch under their tails (two of them).

Another trip to escape bug-killing spray, this time Grumpy's DIY, and the destination was Flagstaff. I looked forward to at least a peek at Kachina trail, but fire had closed down the National Forest altogether. Bummer. At least we got to feel cool air. We stayed at the Motel 6 (West Woodland Village). The room was oddly redecorated -- no carpet, weird raised sink, hard mattresses. On the drive home, I started scratching at itchy bumps on the back of my neck. I had checked for bed bug sign, but maybe that's what it is? Meanwhile, a scratchy throat developed into a full-blown cold. Today I'm slightly better than yesterday, but feeling very beaten down in general. Took Grumpy for a mall walk this afternoon; he did two laps while I punked out after lap 1. I hate mall walking. Then he had a bad dizzy spell after we got home & his blood pressure was low (over-medicated?). I'm supposed to take off for a week-long writers' conference in Port Townsend, Washington, in less than two weeks. If I have to cancel that after paying a thousand bucks, I'm going to be livid and deeply resentful. Maybe I can hire somebody to check on Grumpy while I'm gone. I'm a pity party tonight.