Waiting for the Stork

The week has been a flurry of doctor visits and trips to Portland. I realize how lucky we are to have a hospital as close as Miles Memorial, where some tests and procedures may be done. More serious concerns may lead you all the way to Portland for health care needs. A 120 mile round trip is a serious endeavor in both time and gas however.

I was astonished to find out that the closest radiation facility is located in Bath! That is a 45 minute drive - on a good day with little traffic - and another 40 miles from here. With a treatment schedule that can be 5 days a week for 6 weeks, that is 30 visits to Bath. I think that is 3,200 miles and 45 hours. I wonder if there is such a thing as frequent driver miles?

Olivia and Joey await the hatchlings arrival with the diligence of new parents. They guard the nest relentlessly and hiss and growl over any percieved threat. I haven't viewed the inside of the box in the last few days, but last week there were 8 eggs. Today is day 21 for the first egg that was laid, but I don't think she was actually nesting for a few days after this.

Lucy even laid her own little egg after 'nesting' in her own little cardboard box. I found the egg punctured and empty, but mostly intact, shoved to the back of the box and partly hidden under the paper towel lining. I took it out when I cleaned the box and she has hardly left her sanctuary since. She may be working on another one.