No Facilities

Random thoughts, life lessons, hopes and dreams.

Buny

Think Before You Ask—1LinerWeds

Dan Antion
3 minutes
,
,

Today is what is becoming a typical Wednesday. I need to tell you about someone who is helping Willow and myself promote our recently released book, and I have a one-liner Wednesday post, and I have a video. This week, the video is for you bunny lovers. But, hang on before scrolling down…

Too late, the bunny lovers have left the building.

Our promotion host this week is Nancy Richy at her blog, The Elephant’s Trunk. You can skip over to Nancy’s place and learn a little more about this project that has Willow and me so excited.

Now for the one-liner which, of course, requires a little backstory. Last week, I decided to spend some time in my workshop. The workshop is attached to the back of the garage, so I usually enter by opening the garage door. I close that quickly, especially in the heat we’ve been having and exit through one of two other doors. None of that is important, except for the part about opening the garage door. As I stepped toward the door, a large black bird (probably a grackle) flew in.

The problem with having a bird in the shop is knowing whether or not they ever leave. I decided to call for reinforcements. I called my wife:

Wife: Hello

Me: Can you help me..

Apparently, I took a little to long getting to the “…get a bird out of my garage” part.

She arrived quickly. I explained I needed help getting a bird out.

“Don’t EVER begin a conversation with ‘Can you help me’.”

The much better half of this relationship for One-Liner Wednesday by Linda G. Hill

She was able to find the bird and coax it out the shop door unharmed.

We have some construction going on in our little town. the town and a group of volunteers are slowly restoring our old train station. It’s been empty and inactive for over 40 years—we’ve been using a simple little siding ever since. The State, the town, AMTRAK and the feds are building a new train station at the other end of town. Meanwhile, across town, we’re building a new police station and a new senior center. These are on the same lot, and there’s quite a bit of controversy around them. You know, simple little town political crap, but they’re being built just the same. So, I took some pictures.

Bees on milkweed
The bees love the milkweed
The bees love the milkweed
The bees love the milkweed
Crow
Jinx?
Pineapple
Her name is Pineapple and she doesn’t belong here.
Woodchuck
This guy showed up one day a few weeks ago but we haven’t seen him since.
Woodchuck
He doesn’t look as cute in this photo
Police Station
Our new police station. Under construction next to the new senior center
New Senior Center
Our new senior center might be open next month.
Historic Train Station
The old train station is slowly being renovated.
old train station
The old train station is slowly being renovated.
new train station construction
The new train station is nearing completion.
new train station construction
The new train station is nearing completion.
Bunny
One of our bunnies
Flags at sunrise
Flags at sunrise
Promo banner for Poetic justice
Kindle and Paperback available on Amazon

69 responses to “Think Before You Ask—1LinerWeds”

  1. bushboy Avatar
    bushboy

    Now you know the secret to get the wifes attention 😂
    The old station looks fabulous and will look even better once it’s finished.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I can’t wait for that project to be complete. The town bought it for $1 but with the condition that it never again be used as a train station. I don’t know AMTRAK’s reasoning for that, but they did finally agree to build us a new station where we won’t feel like cattle when we board a train.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. bushboy Avatar
        bushboy

        I hope it can be used as a railway museum. What you have to do if they didn’t guild a new station?

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Our current station is a small platform, more like a cattle siding. It works, but the conductor has to lower the stairs ans only one door of the train platforms. So, if you’re getting off, you have to walk to the car that will platform. It’s fine, I’ve been using it for over 20 years, but the new one will be nice, also nice to have a roof.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. bushboy Avatar
            bushboy

            That was crazy situation before. You will have a better place now 👍🏼😀

            Like

            Reply
  2. Dan Hen Avatar
    Dan Hen

    Sounds like lots of activity in your town these days . Time doesn’t stand still .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It doesn’t stand still, Dan. This is a tiny little town, but there’s so much going on right now.

      Like

      Reply
  3. restlessjo Avatar
    restlessjo

    Best thing to do, take pictures! I’m not good when birds flap and flutter about xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      That bird scared me when it flew in, and flew into me on his way out. Next time, I’ll try to say “Bird!”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Sheree Avatar
    Sheree

    Lovely gingerbread trim on the last photo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Sherry! I’m so glad they are preserving that station.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. willowdot21 Avatar
    willowdot21

    Goodness what a lot of building activity in your town at least it all useful things in our town the build more and more houses but do nothing about the infrastructure or amenities!

    Good job Mrs Antion is a calm and sensible lady and the bird is now free!

    Lovely photos and videos 💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      We’ve built almost all the houses we can build here. We are stuck between the river and the airport, but using up almost every square foot in between. Still, these are things that we need.

      Mrs. Antion has always been the sensible one here, and she’s responded to more than a few calls for help.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 Avatar
        willowdot21

        Thats what wives are for 💜💜💜

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  6. Oddment Avatar
    Oddment

    Ah, what warm memories your story brings back! In the early years in our house when I was little, every once in a while a bird would get down our chimney. Instant mayhem! Applause to your wife. That was one sneaky bird, just watching for that door to open. I do love the moral of the story: don’t start with “can you help me?” That too can be instant mayhem, if only mental! As for Pineapple, SHE thinks she belongs and seems to be quite comfy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      We’ve had birds in the house before, but usually smaller guys. This one was quite large, and very scared. My wife calmly ushered it over to the door, after a few attempts by him to hide. Maybe he thought that was where we keep the food.

      In my mind, that was going to be, “can you help me get a bird out of my garage?” I’m not sure why I stopped at that point. Pineapple does look comfy. I wish she’d nap at her house.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Oddment Avatar
        Oddment

        Pineapple is on that bench you built, yes? She knows first class when she has it. Good luck convincing her to nap any place else.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Yes, she’s on my bench. It’s cool in that spot until about 2:00 pm on even the hottest days. At least she appears to be leaving enough room for me.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Oddment Avatar
            Oddment

            Smart cat!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  7. Ritva Sillanmäki Photography Avatar
    Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

    Active town, I like the restoring effort of old buildings

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Ritva. It took so many years to get that project started. When multiple government entities are involved, the pace can get very slow.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  8. Rivergirl Avatar
    Rivergirl

    Aww .. you have a chucker!
    Good bunny photos today, but a bunny video?
    That’s a great start to my day!
    👍

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It looks like the chucker moved on. We only saw him that one day. I told him it’s cooler in Maine and the food is better.

      My wife took the bunny video and told me, “get this to River.” Sheesh

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Sherry Felix Avatar
    Sherry Felix

    I’m glad the old train stations is being renovated. We need our history. I wish the world paid more attention to it. We all need to learn from it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I am so glad, Sherry. We came very close to losing it, and they are struggling to raise the money needed for the restoration. I don’t know what AMTRAK’s problem with it was, but the condition of the sale to the town is that the build is never to be used as a train station again.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Sherry Felix Avatar
        Sherry Felix

        Many towns turn them into RR museums. More funding needed…

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I think a museum, either railroad or about the canal (it sits on the Windsor Locks Canal) would be a great idea. I’m not sure what they’re thinking.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  10. Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread Avatar
    Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

    That’s a lot of construction. Hope the train station is beautifully restored, and your senior center looks like a school campus. Happy seniors. I like birds, but not a bird inside person so glad yours got out safely. Our local HD and Lowes have birds flying around all over inside, and it kind of creeps me out. :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I don’t like anything in my shop that might startle me while I’m working. I also was worried that it wouldn’t survive without food and water. We’ve had little birds in the house before, but this was the first time one went in the shop. The senior center is a big improvement, and the police station is long overdue. That should have been replaced over 10 years ago, but the bond issue did not pass. Of course, not it’s costing twice as much, but at least we’re building it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
    Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Dan, Dan… You’re in the place that’s full of power tools and sharp objects, and you start a call with “Can you help me?” I’m surprised your wife didn’t call 911. 😉😂. That’s great about the train station. I need to come back and look at the gallery from my computer. It looks like a fun collection.
    Okay, you have me curious about this project. Clicking over. Hugs.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I was planning on a much longer opening sentence, Teagan. I just stopped for some stupid reason. All is well here.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    Bunny butts! Gotta smile whenever you can.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      They are the cutest little things.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Frank Hubeny Avatar
    Frank Hubeny

    Your place seems to attract all kinds of animals. I think they know you like them being around.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Everybody comes here, Frank. We have food and water.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  14. Dave Astor Avatar
    Dave Astor

    Welcome bird news and construction news! (My town has been trying to open a senior center since around 2008!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      These projects have been in the works for years and years, Dave. The senior center and police station are almost done and there are still people opposed to them. It’s so hard to move projects forward these days.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dave Astor Avatar
        Dave Astor

        So true, Dan, about the glacial pace of many projects.

        Like

        Reply
  15. Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶 Avatar
    Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶

    Thanks for the nod, Dan; hosting today’s interview with you and Willow for Poetic Justice was a real pleasure.

    It seems like there’s construction of one sort or another always underway. While the end result is great to see, the process is a royal inconvenience. BTW …. as a wife, mother and grandmother, I must agree with your wife: never begin a conversation with “Can you help me?“! All our internal alarms go off at once!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Nancy. I’ve been following the comments at your place. Thank you so much for hosting us.

      The construction in town has been disruptive, they started several projects at once. My wife appreciates your support

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. John W. Howell Avatar
    John W. Howell

    I think it is good to have a police station next to the senior center. You know how those seniors can get. Great photos, Dan.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      You make a good point, John. A rough game of pickle ball and who knows what might happen.

      The logic was sound. Building them at the same time on a combined site saved a lot of money.

      Like

      Reply
      1. John W. Howell Avatar
        John W. Howell

        Does make sense.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  17. lois Avatar
    lois

    Pineapple is adorable! And such a cute name, too. Personally, I think she should stay. 😸

    There is controversy with the Amtrak route that just opened from Mobile AL to New Orleans. The mayor of Mobile had it stipulated in his contract that the line would not run east or north of Mobile. Such a shame because years ago, it ran all the way to Jacksonville FL.

    Oh, and your wife is right about the wrong way to start a conversation!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Pineapple is adorable, Lois. she belongs to a neighbor who lives behinds us but lets the cat roam. She comes here looking for birds.

      I’m not sure what the story with Amtrak and these train stations but they must have their reasons. We were close to turning the Vermonter back into the Montrealer until Covid. And then we got closer again during the last administration, but things between us and Canada aren’t so good right now.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    2. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      And thanks for lining up behind the Mrs. ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    People can create controversy about anything. Our neighborhood paper is famous for its argumentative comments about every single story it prints. A restaurant closes? Even that creates arguments about its merits, the good the bad and the irrelevant.

    I’m glad they are restoring the train station.

    I’ve had pigeons in my apartment several times. But one of my neighbors once had a bat. She had to call the fire department. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It seems these arguments have all gotten worse since Covid, Kerfe. I know that sounds like a cliche, but I think it’s true. We’ve needed both of these buildings for well over 10 years. There’s an element in town that doesn’t want to spend money on anything.

      The old train station will take time to restore. The new one will be done before the old one, but the old one will get done.

      We’ve had birds in the house, and in the garage before, but sparrows, not large birds.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. memadtwo Avatar
        memadtwo

        I agree. People have become both more argumentative and more entrenched. Since becoming more reliant on technology, the idea of working together for the common good seems to have been lost.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  19. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    As a woman I had to laugh about the admonishment “Don’t EVER begin a conversation with ‘Can you help me’.” I laughed out loud and then I thoroughly enjoyed the gallery and of course the bunnie vid. On the plus side, but at least you didn’t shriek when you called her. ;)
    Charming as always, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Monika. I didn’t shriek but she says I sounded pretty agitated. In any case, I should have started with the bird.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. circadianreflections Avatar
    circadianreflections

    You probably scarred your wife with that opening line. I had the side garage door open a couple of days ago while pruning and weeding and when I was on my out of the garage with a small ladder a squirrel ran out the door or behind a rack of shelves! I don’t know if it got out for sure. I hope so! I’m glad your wife was able to coax the bird out.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I did scare her, Deborah. I felt bad, I was planning to add that a bird had gotten in the garage. We had a squirrel in there once. We trapped him and set him free in the yard and then I patched the hole he crawled in through. I think they all get scare when they get inside. I was glad the bird wasn’t hurt.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. circadianreflections Avatar
        circadianreflections

        Me too!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  21. Author Jan Sikes Avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    I had to laugh at you calling your wife to help get the bird out. :) Too funny! Love the photos. But what the heck is that one animal that looks like a giant sized rat without a tail?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Jan. I certainly messed up that call. That animal is a woodchuck sometimes called a groundhog. They’re pretty harmless, but they eat everything. I’m kinda glad he decided to move on.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Sir, the amount of restraint it took not to scroll immediately to the bunny video…

    Had a bird fly into our family room through the sliding door once. I panicked — never had that one happen before and I had a young kiddo with me — and called my husband’s office. His administrators walked me through what to do. Advising re: rogue birds was surely not on their bingo card for that day. ;)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks for not scrolling too fast.

      I’m guessing the birds are more scared than we are, but it’s hard to tell at the time. I’m glad someone could help you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Darlene Avatar
    Darlene

    I love the bunny video and Pineapple sleeping on your bench. I’m pleased to hear that your wife was not harmed removing the bird from the garage!! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Darlene. I’m pleased that I wasn’t hurt after she got the bird out. She was pretty steamed about the way I called. Pineapple does look comfy on that bench, but it doesn’t mean she’s welcome. My wife took the bunny video, too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Darlene Avatar
        Darlene

        I would have reacted exactly the same way she did. You are lucky you weren’t hurt! 😁

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Haha – She said the same thing, Darlene.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  24. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
    Liz Gauffreau

    I hope you’ll share photos of the old train station when the renovations are complete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I certainly will, Liz.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    What will the renovated old train station be used for? As much as I like animals, groundhogs are not my favorite. The one that unfortunately likes our house is named Chunky. Yours looks like his cousin. He tears up the yard and more. I’ll stick to bunnies and birds.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The town wants some retail in the old train station. The historical society wants something museum like. That is a groundhog. Fortunately, he seems to have moved on.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        Town vs historical society…oh boy. Lucky you that your groundhog moved on. Chunky needs to follow his cousin. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Everything lately in this town is an argument…:(

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Jennie Avatar
            Jennie

            Your town is not alone.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

Add your thoughts or join the discussion. One relevant link is OK, more require moderation.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Trending