What's All that Noise?

It's that time of year again when we get woken up by what sounds like a jackhammer on our house. That is the sound of drumming by our most common woodpecker, the Northern Flicker. In spring, this bird needs to let the other Flickers know where his territory is, so he drums on objects at the perimeter of the area. If you take the time to listen for a few minutes you will hear the map and understand that this is his domain, including your house. These birds are partial to objects that produce a lot of noise, metal flashing, vent pipes and gutters. The louder the better, good for the bird bad for us. Not to worry, this behavior only lasts a few weeks and then he and his mate will be busy with a new family. Spring has sprung in Colorado...enjoy!

www.calliebowdish.com flicker photo.

Do not Disturb!

I’m sure all of you have used the “Do Not Disturb” sign on a door at a hotel a time or two but what do you do when on a ship? Well, the following explains, at least with a Cruise West ship, how that works. Enjoy!

Nautical Knock Knot

I would like to tell you about the No Knock Knot. Now the No Knock Knot is not only Nautical, but it’s a notice to the crew not to knock. So, if you’re nodding off, put your No Knock Knot on the knob and we won’t knock. But if you’re not nodding and you leave you’re No Knock Knot on the knob, are you going to get service…? NOT!!! because we’re not knocking. So if you’ve forgotten, and we haven’t knocked, just come up to a crew member and say, “I know I’m not to leave my No Knock Knot on the knob, but I was naughty, and no one knocked and now my nook is not neat.” Our knowledgeable crew will go and neaten your nook nicely. So only use your No Knock Knot when you don’t want anyone to come a knockin’!

Written by David Knotts – go figure – and Sue Rooney, Spirit of Discovery, 1996