Why this season will be special for me

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Bulldog1
Posts: 700
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:33 am
Location: Mississippi/Hamilton

When I was taking my gourds down in July last year, I was facing a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. On July 27th, 2 excellent surgeons in Memphis removed 1/3 of my stomach and 1/2 of my esophagus. So in July of last year I was not sure that I would see another season.

Good news I am cancer free, no chemo, no radiation. So this season I cannot wait for this: Image

Never take a day for granted. And be thankful for every blessing.[/img]
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged

Bulldog1 --- So glad to hear about you being Cancer Free..

"Our life here is a Gift, that is why they call it the Present"

Hope you have many martins to enjoy this year and more in the future. :lol:

Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Waydog
Posts: 188
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:08 pm
Location: Alexandria, La.

You deserve a big salute. And you got it. Im wishing you the best in health and martins!
2012 -first year landlord.... 2 pair, 9 fledged.... 2013- 5 pair 20 fledged..
2014- 8 pair 32 fledged
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LoneOakMartins
Posts: 166
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:05 pm
Location: Lone Oak, TX

Congratulations! That's fantastic news. Hope you have all your houses full of martins!
2014 - 50 pair, 206 eggs, 179 fledge
2013 - 36 pair, 176 eggs, 148 fledge
2012 - 8 pair, 21 eggs, 15 fledge
2011 - 6 pair, 15 eggs, 11 fledge
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Bronek
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:12 pm
Location: GA, Guyton

Congratulations! This season going to be ever more enjoyable knowing that all is well.
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JL Murray

Congratulations !!!
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

Fear not, for I am with you...saw me through alot last year too! Oh, and laughter. That beautiful martin sound is so uplifting. I knew this morning my odds were very good. But, there can be that little what if. So when I was wasting time between appointments I was overjoyed to play Joe's video. That music is my heaven on earth.

I am so happy for you, your family, and all those birds! This forum is also a blessing.

Deb
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AidanRois
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:19 am
Location: Mississippi/Horn Lake
Martin Colony History: Since 2012

Fantastic!! Such good news!
Tiffeny N. - Horn Lake, MS - PMCA member
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Since 2012
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Ed Pace
Posts: 680
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:31 pm
Location: NY/Jamestown

Glad to hear of your good news , I am sure that it must be load off your mind. I am sure that when your martins come it lift your spirts even higher, good luck.
Ed
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tonyg
Posts: 1520
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Olpe, KS
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..

Great news for you!!! I hope you stay cancer free and enjoy and take care of your colony for years to come!! :)
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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Bulldog1
Posts: 700
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:33 am
Location: Mississippi/Hamilton

Thanks for all the kind words.
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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James Strickland FL
Posts: 2249
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
Location: Reidsville NC
Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair

:grin: 8) Bulldog that is great news and I hope you have a great martin season for a long time.
PMCA MEMBER
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DAVE
Posts: 288
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 10:03 am
Location: Winchester, VA

Bulldog! Great news.I to am a surviver for 2 years. I know how you feel about all this. To have someone to do for you is no Picnic. I feel God has given us another chance and we will make the best of it. It seems things are alot Brighter and more positive for having gone through this.

Good Luck and behave your self :grin:
Dave
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Peggy Riley
Posts: 885
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:21 pm
Location: TX/Tolar

Bulldog that is wonderful news! I hope this is your best season ever!!!

Peggy
PMCA Member
2017 101 pair
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Connie
Posts: 441
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm
Location: WALKER, LOUISIANA
Martin Colony History: Had my site up to 22 gourds of which most (+/-3) stayed occupied.
Downsized to 17 gourds due to back surgeries. Had 14 families in 2017 but did not do nest checks due to health. Feeling better in 2018 and hoping for a good year.

Wow...that is fantastic news. If anything can make you appreciate martins even more...that would be it. Congrats on beating back the big bad C. Hope you have a great martin season!
Connie
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Gary W
Posts: 431
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 7:29 am
Location: Florida/Pinellas Park

Congratulations, Bulldog, on overcoming a very difficult situation! May you have a great future, along with many successful years as a Martin Landlord!

Gary
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2145
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

Excellent news to hear you are cancer free. I have a friend whose wife had a massive stroke and he and his wife have found martins to be a great therapy. He immerses himself in improving his colony and doing modifications on the housing while his wife is able to watch the beautiful flight and songs of the martin.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
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AvianStewardess
Posts: 342
Joined: Wed May 09, 2012 3:10 pm
Location: Maryland/Cambridge

Stay strong!!! Congratulations! Enjoy the martins!
~Michelle
PMCA Member
Heritage Farm Quad Pod Systems
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