This week, it's been most of my waking hours being on the phone! Planning, getting our health insurance to work with me for the upcoming June [I will go into more detail later], house insurance, car insurance, and oh so much more ...all on the phone. It seems from the time my breakfast is over, I get on the phone, talk or use the company's phone menu to connect with someone, then, talk more, get transferred to another...put on hold, walk around or sit for minutes what seem like hours, waiting and listening to some gawd-awful music. One time, I played solitaire with real cards while my phone was put on speaker, and played an entire game before being connected with a 'human'. If I hear "Your call is important to us, please remain on the line" one more time I'll scream. But, I do believe I have only ONE more to deal with then I'm done!! So, I really haven't gone on many long walks. I did on Thursday, just to get out of the house and away...I did NOT take my cellphone with me on purpose! lol
I went to the Wetlands at Oso Bay...the area that has miles of trails. The cool front that came through the night before was terrific...the temperature at mid-day was only 69° and the humidity was LOW!!!---10%. It was like living in Colorado again with such dry air. Anyway, I of course took photos. I'll share a few here with the third photo from the beginning the entrance to the park grounds. Then...
I'll begin at the fountain across from the Learning Center-
From there I walked to the Learning Center and stepped around the Pond. The water lilies were just beginning to open, so I made a note to stop by on the way back to the car when done with my step count. I walked the trails to the observation tower. The trees were absolutely radiant, all over, with the new Spring lime-green foliage!! I met a fellow birder [seen in 2nd photo, in the series below, on trail ahead of me] along the way, and he told me what birds he had seen, only 3. And all common coastal year 'round residents...
Upon my return after tallying up a mile or two, it was beginning to feel too hot, so I headed back to the playground, sat under the shade of the trees at a park bench, watched the kids play a bit [a really cute girl [2 1/2 year old] was being read to at a nearby bench]. I walked back over to the fountain/waterfall [saw a dove and a cardinal making use of the crystal clear water]. Walked around the fountain boardwalk, took a few more photos [one is where I spotted a rabbit on the bench and thought it was a good one for the Easter Week coming up]. Then, back over to check one of my favorite photo op areas; the water lilies, before leaving for the day. A couple hours away from the phone and home refreshed me somewhat...
Notice the similar hair styles?
Your Water Lily photos are gorgeous! And in the third collage, bottom left, it sure looks like a large bird in the shadows! Over on the right. I DO see the hair similarities, how funny! What are the pretty red flowers in the first photo? I am well acquainted with how important my call is to those answering robots...NOT!
ReplyDeleteThe red & white flower at the top is a salvia. They come in many colors.
DeleteI always hated that recording about my call being important. If it's so important why am I waiting forever to talk to someone.
ReplyDeleteYou had a nice get-a-way from the phone. I like the bench with the rabbit. Those water lillies are pretty.
Cute little girl at the end.
😊
DeleteYou needed a break after waiting all that time on the phone! Your photos are beautiful, especially the waterlilies!
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Deletethe water lilies are amazing, gorgeous photos and just those were worth the going there. that baby is precious. I like to watch small children unles they are screaming. glad you could get away from the taking care of business stress. I do mine on chat because it is faster.. most of the time, those recordings make me crazy... the funny thing is, I never talk on my cell phone. everyone that knows me knows I hate talking on it and call me on house phone.. as much as I like to talk, on the phone is not my thing.. hope all your buisness works out well
ReplyDeleteI don't like screamers either!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI love all the flowers, especially the waterlilies. Cute photo of the little girl and her mom.
The bench and bunny is cute. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.
Hope you are having a terrific week too Eileen
DeleteAnni, I remember going through something very similar when I changed my health insurance and had to choose a new provider. OMG, it was torture going through the "phone process." That seems to be something that is getting more and more common with so many companies. It's literally impossible to speak to a "human."
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures! Especially love the water lily shots.
And yes, like mother, like daughter! LOL!
Have a terrific Sunday, my friend!
Phones!!! Ugh.
DeleteOh Anni first of all what beautiful photos. You made me feel as if I were walking with you and frankly I wish I had been. LOL
ReplyDeleteMy week started off very much like yours...mine was with AT&T. Friday April 1 after our 11am to 2pm window of time for a service man came and went w/o a service call. I picked up the phone to call. There was no dial tone. We had a strong wind and rain storm on March 31 which I suspect was the culprit. At the end of the robo call to AT&T, I was given a repair time of 6pm on 4/4. We were w/o a land line all weekend. (I have a cell but STILL). Stir and repeat the call of 4/1 on 4/5. This time I somehow magically got a real person. I happened to mention that our home security is tied to the land line. Who knew that automatically put me to the front of the repair line. From now on I will talk to a real person. My call being most important..HA. Also when I spoke to a person I gently told her I expected a rebate on my AT&T bill for 5 days w/o a landline. All the above made me realize I need to get a better cell (mine is 5 year old Smart TracPhone. Before long land lines will be as obsolete and phone booths. I ordered my first big girl cell phone. Next week will be all about getting that set up.
Hugs Cecilia
I dislike A T&T.
DeleteThank goodness I don't have issues like yours at the moment. Hate the "music" playing while waiting for a real person. Persistence has paid off for you at least! Your pictures are giving me thoughts of being outdoors soon and enjoying nicer weather. Great photos of the lilies, especially the opening bud.
ReplyDeleteI like the fully opened lilies better. 😊
DeleteI hope your walk helped you forget about those miserable phone calls. Only one place I have to call every now and then plays a lovely tune, one that almost puts you to sleep. I often wonder if this is deliberate.
ReplyDeleteThe music on the phone make me grind my teeth most often!!
DeleteI hear you. I spent HOURS on the phone last week trying to tie up some loose ends. Twice I got transferred (after waiting several minutes) and the person answering just hung up before I could get a work out. SO frustrating.
ReplyDeleteLove that you were able to get a nice walk in and that girl and her mom have matching hairstyles for sure. xo Diana
Oh I have had those disconnections too. So frustrating!
DeleteMy blood pressure goes up just listening to the phone tales...I told Roger a person couldn't work and take care of things. I spent two days trying to get 'someone.'
ReplyDeleteI am glad you could get away from it to refresh your mind. It really is needed at times like that.
Yep, BP rising!!
DeleteI'm with you on that Hold remark. IS my call important to you; is it really?! UGH.
ReplyDeleteLove that sundial. Its pedestal is unusual.
The pedestal is a turtle.
DeleteThese fabulous photographs of your walk even left ME feeling refreshed!
ReplyDeleteHope your busy days yield positive results and you'll soon be able to relax!
Thanks. I need a vacation. lol
DeleteThat is the one thing I like about the speakerphone. I can do other things while waiting forever to talk to a human...and one that I understand. What an enjoyable walk after spending so much time on the telephone! The first photo of the flower really radiate! And I love fountains that evoke a sense of tranquility with the trickling sound.
ReplyDeleteYep, eventually, speaker phone is the only option!
DeleteThat was indeed a very fun walk. And I too get so frustrated when hanging on the phone with my "important" call. :-(
ReplyDeleteImportant, my arse! lol
DeleteIt sounds like this time spent surrounded by nature was just what you needed.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the sundial means I should put our out.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
I would like to have one!
DeleteI was expecting to see a real rabbit and wondered what it would be doing on a bench. smile.
ReplyDeleteThe water lilies are lovely. None on the lake here as yet. I like to reach over edge of the board walk and pick one to bring home but in the past couple of years getting back up from a crouch is getting nearly impossible.
They survive once picked?!?!!
DeleteYou have such pretty places to walk! The water lily flowers are just gorgeous. I love the sun dial.
ReplyDelete😊
Deletecool shots,
ReplyDeleteand a cutie little girl
She WAS cute!!
DeleteAfter years of a profession that required much phone time, the last thing I want to do is be on the phone....and nothing sets me seething as much as the phone torture you described. Hope you get all resolved quickly. Those photos of the lilies are incredible! ~Robin~
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying. All day, phone. Once home gimme peace and quiet!
DeleteI'm so sorry you have been stick on the phone! I hate that, too! LOVED your getaway though!!! You surely needed it!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos of those few hours!
Hope all is well and this phone business doesn't last too long!
I am taking a long break from phone calls!
DeleteI am right there with you on that being on hold and being told how important my call is...yada yada yada...
ReplyDeleteHope all your paperwork gets straightened out and you can get back to really enjoying your great outdoors.
Love the photos of the water lilies especially.
Today its cold 48F and it is trying so hard to actually rain. We need it so badly, but I don't think it will be enough to help our drought situation.
Sue
It's 74° at 5 am!! No rain in sight here either!!
DeleteLovely Photos All Around - Sending Positive Vibes - OxoxoxO
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thanks Travis
DeleteThese were fun to read and go through each photo, thanks Anni. I'm with you on waiting for those people on the phone.
ReplyDeleteMakes me feel miserable for hours afterward!
DeleteI'm glad you had a chance to escape for a little bit. Beautiful photos. ❤️
ReplyDelete😊
DeletePhone calls are so time consuming. My mother and my aunt Ang use to play Solitaire. It was sweet to watch them. They sat across from each other and chatted while they played. I hope you have everything set up that needs to be. Insurance is another pain in the neck. I love the photos you share. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since I actually played the game physically!! My games are now "apps". lol
DeleteBeautiful photos. You seem to have so many nice places to go walking with your camera. How many steps do you aim for each day?
ReplyDeleteOh how I hate-hate-hate talking on the phone, especially for things like you described. I "hate" very little in my life but that's one of them, for sure. Now what is this about June?!! Do I have a need to worry? ~Andrea xoxo
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