My phoebes had skipped a year of nesting in their usual place (above the porch light fixture near my office door). My mirror set-up had scared them away. I should have realized that birds do not "like" mirrors -- but I didn't think about it at the time. I did see a bird pecking all day at the mirror, looking behind it, then pecking angrily at it when seeing the "intruder" again. That bird came back the next day to peck at the mirror again. I felt sorry for him wasting his time. But, I didn't think about the phoebes reaction being the same. So, they never nested there last year. I removed the mirror, but they still did not return to nest there this spring. Instead, they nested on another side of the house -- under our raised deck (same as last year). But, after the 1st brood was fledged -- THEY MOVED BACK TO THEIR OLD NESTING SPOT! So, the phoebes apparently got fed up with the disturbances created by our toy poodle (who is let out onto our raised deck several times a day.) The poodle would be walking directly over their nest, and possibly pissing over their nest. The nest building started May 25, 2021 and completed on the 30th or 31st. The mother was sitting on the nest on May 31, and there were 2 eggs in the nest. So, the first egg was likely delivered on May 30. By June 3, there were 5 eggs. All the eggs hatched on June 17 -- so, exactly 2 weeks after the last egg was laid. Interesting that all eggs hatched on the same day, even though each egg was laid a day apart. When I peeked, all the shells were gone. So, even tho I didn't see it, I assume that the parents removed all the egg shells. I also see the parents flying away with baby-bird poop. The poop looks like worms, and the parents carry it away from the nest. They either drop it or eat it (it is undigested food). Today is June 23, and the parents are often very busy bringing food. The bay birds are still too small to see without using a mirror over the nest. Here is a link to a very interesting article from 1937, detailing the observations of nesting habits of phoebes as studied over a 3-yr period. A few interesting details: Female does all the nest building. Incubation starts at varying times - sometimes after 3rd egg, sometimes after 4th, sometimes after 5th. The male apparently does none of the incubation. After fledging, the young birds remain close to the nest, getting farther way as the days pass. Both parents still feed the young after they fledge -- feeding them for periods of up to 18 days. Reliance on the parents gradually decreases. The parents may eventually show harsh treatment of the young to get them to go out on their own. Interesting. https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v059n03/p0410-p0417.pdf

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/permits/plants-and-plant-products-permits/plants-for-planting/ct_plants4planting_faqs Q. Do I need a permit to bring back plants from my travels abroad? A. If you bring back 12 or fewer articles of admissible plants that have no special restrictions, you do not need a permit. However, you do need a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. Q. How much does a permit cost? A. PPQ currently charges no fees for permits, except for the General Permit to Engage in the Business of Importing, Exporting, or Re-Exporting Terrestrial Plants listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The fee is for this permit $70.00. User fees for other types of permits will be implemented sometime in the future.

sjerin, you won't know until you're on the ship or not if the motion will affect you. Be sure to bring some Dramamine, ginger capsules or motion sickness patches with you and take/use them if you encounter rough seas before you start to feel queasy. We took a cruise through the Panama Canal in January and for most of the trip it was so smooth it felt like we were on land, but after we left the canal's east end and entered the Atlantic Ocean we hit some pretty rough seas. The waves were big enough to make the ship pitch back and forth despite the stabilizers and many of the passengers got sick. I took Dramamine as soon as I felt it start rocking and did not get sick. Hubby waited until he was feeling sick to take any medication and it was too late. He had one miserable night. I think if you're prepared you'll be fine. Have fun - cruises are a fabulous way to travel!

A lot of schools have Dec commencement in addition to the traditional May one. Cornell, Penn, U of Michigan, USC, Purdue all do - sure there are many more. Some graduate then, having done Jan admittance, some due to having a huge number of AP credits. My grandson has 27 hrs of college credits from his AP’s, 8 of which count toward his major in the College of Engineering. Many of his classmates entering our local university will enter with full Sophomore standing, and enter med school after 3 years. Saves a ton of money. And with tuition prices these days, that’s huge.