Owl Pellet

I've posted a picture of this before but it was quite awhile ago. I hope nobody is too grossed out by this tiny artifact, but I think it's really fascinating. Owls have the ability to bundle all the indigestible bits of their meal into one of these pellets which they then regurgitate. This one contains fur, feathers and, I believe, mouse bones and teeth.

It's been a pleasant but fairly uneventful day today and I like those. I left my phone and camera at home when Spike and I headed out for a walk this morning so we could concentrate on walking in a straight line, not crossing back and forth in front of me and not getting too distracted by the barking dog street. There is a pair of border collies who come blasting through their dog door barking and snarling whenever we walk past and they get every other dog on the street going. Spike did very well.

Today the state of California relaxed most of the covid rules and restrictions including masking and social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated, but it appears that most people  are not ready to give up their masks. The unvaccinated have given a lot of people little reason to believe that they will continue to wear masks. And indeed,  the Alpha (India) and Delta (Britain) variants seem further reason for most people to keep their masks on in places where they are in contact with people they don't know

It appears that the fully vaccinated are still well protected but far less so against the variants if they have had only one shot. The variants are said to be more infectious and more severe for the infected....all excellent arguments for getting out and getting vaccinated, but there seem to be a lot of people around who won't do it even though vaccine supplies are plentiful.

Those of us who are fully vaccinated, rather than feeling smug, can't help remembering how frustrating and time consuming it was to obtain an appointment for a shot. And now people are being offered everything from lottery prizes to free ice cream and beer if they would only get a shot.  One would have to live under a rock to not have heard all the explanations  pleas and arguments. I don't think people should be rewarded for being a**holes.

Spike got a bath.
John took a nap.
Dana came by for a cup of coffee. 
We are going to the neighbors' for a glass of wine, leaving Spike at home this time so that John can make his way down the stairs unimpeded.