It's a small world after all

January 19, 2026

I hate being stuck with an earworm that won't move on. For some reason I've been plagued by this inane ditty for the last several days. Reading up on it, I was surprised to see that it was written by the Sherman Brothers and is more or less the theme song at Disneyland and the other Disney theme parks. I've never heard of the Sherman Brothers or been to any of the Disney parks, and am surprised to learn that It's a Small World After All is claimed to be the most publicly performed song of all time. Whoopee, I guess. In any case, I'm quite ready for it to go find an ear to burrow into elsewhere. Yours, perhaps?

It came to mind though because I'm navigating a really small world myself at the moment. It's the result of the fact that I can't really walk more than a few blocks at a time, and those very slowly; and that our Bike Fridays are still in transit somewhere between Fair Wheel Bikes down in Tucson and our neighborhood Trek store. Because of this I Don't Get Around Much Anymore (now there's a song I'd happily swap in on the inner turntable for while). I'm spending a lot of time hanging out in our new apartment, with occasional forays to the coffee shops and restaurants plus a few outings with the car where I can get to birding spots within a very short distance of a parking spot.

If you're wondering whether this rubs salt in the wound I incurred when my surgery was unnecessarily postponed by four weeks, why yes it does. And if you're wondering whether I wouldn't really rather be spending this additional four weeks of wait time down in warm, sunny Tucson riding my bike, why yes I would. Hopefully our bikes will arrive soon, and hopefully we'll still get a few cold but sunny days afterwards when I can bike out at Sauvie Island or along the Columbia Slough for some proper birding.

In the meantime, there's this.

Really, things could be a lot worse. It's cold but gorgeous in Portland right now.

It's nice to see that the tariffs haven't shut down all shipping at least.

It's nice that Tanner Springs Park is right outside our door.

At Tanner Springs Park - not a great birding spot, but not completely devoid of interest either.

Force Lake makes a nice diversion, where I can sit on the still-warm hood of the car and see who's at home today.

#84: Common goldeneye, the female version.

Hayden Island is another good spot, but the four or five block loop around the point is pushing what's possible.

Ring-necked duck. It's surprising how similar they look to the lesser scaups shown above.

#86: Western grebe, a bird I'm happy to see today because I missed it completely last year. They're regulars in Portland in the winter, but not in the warmer months.

Another common goldeneye, the male this time.

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Bob DistelbergI can’t decide if I should complain about having that ear worm inserted, or just compliment you on having all your ducks in a row. I guess I just did both.
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1 week ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesDamn you for the earworm. Great bird shots in today's post by the way. If you can lay your hands on some trekking poles you might want to do it. I found the use of poles very helpful both pre and post op, especially for balance. Also really indispensable for me were elastic knee sleeves, available at most pharmacies. They help support the wrecked tendons and ligaments and offer a small, but meaningful, amount of pain relief. I am really feeling your pain in a totally empathetic way. Sending you good thoughts for the waiting time, the surgery and the post op period. Love, Dodie
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1 week ago

Scott AndersonTo Steve Miller/GrampiesYou're welcome for the tune. I have trekking poles, but not at hand. We bundled them up with the bicycles, so they're in transit somewhere too.
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1 week ago

Rich FrasierI've had "Estimated Prophet" on a tight loop in my head for the last couple of days. Thanks for kicking it out of there...I think.
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1 week ago

Karen Poret It’s a Small World ( after all) was written by Richard and Bobby Sherman, as you stated. If you think hearing this was annoying, imagine the Disneyland employees who work on the ride and have to endure it ( and still smile) to the guests who also try to figure out what the word “disembark” means when told to get out of the boat. 😆
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1 week ago

Scott AndersonTo Rich FrasierI'm embarrassed to say I didn't know this was a Dead song. The rhythm is too complex for it to get stuck in my head for long though.
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1 week ago

Scott AndersonTo Bob DistelbergOh, what a relief! Thanks, Bob! I owe you one.
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1 week ago

Scott AndersonTo Karen PoretThose poor folks. People in jobs like that should get hazardous duty pay.
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1 week ago

Karen PoretTo Scott AndersonBetter than being a Disney character when you are stuck inside those behemoth heads with poor ventilation, 95 degrees outside, and screaming kids pawing at your costume! ( FYI, these employees actually change character every 15 minutes)..or used to..
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1 week ago

Bob KoreisRobert Sherman, not to be confused with Bobby Sherman who starred in here Come the Brides and later became an EMT.
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1 week ago