in my backyard

the wake up dance

2010-05-14T10:43:00.000-05:00

These crazy little guys do the funniest head bobbing dance when they are waking up. Chris is convinced that when he bobs his head they answer him. And check out those big wings when he stretches. This one is already leaving the yard at night.

thanks for wishing..even if you picked the wrong star...

2010-05-13T21:43:00.020-05:00

...because I got my family photo but someone is missing. Mr. Spock keeps a close watch, and can you pick out Missus with two of the owlets? She's keeping them close and now I know why. It turns out that three Eastern Screech Owlets is what we have this time around. There were four, but since Monday I've only seen three. Then today I found pieces of number four in the yard. I'm trying not to be too upset about it. It's what happens to wild animals. Somebody had to eat. If I think about it long enough I could grieve the little songbirds that have become owl supper. These little guys are so funny. I'm leaning towards names, so if you want to contribute speak now. There is one that is very independent, and two that are inseparable. I'll give you a hint on what names I'm thinking of. They made me laugh for all of the 90's, and still do on occasion when I really need a dose.

Two babies, no wait..three...what? Four?

2010-05-10T22:02:00.013-05:00

How many owlets can she fit in there any way?

And how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?

(that one was for free folks)

Last night I had the privilege of witnessing the first owlet leave the nest. Later in the night two more must have jumped because when I got up this morning I counted three. Two of them stuck together like glue while the other was hiding way up high with the Missus. Mister stayed in his usual spot watching guard. Remember when I said in the last post that sometimes their posture is round and stubby when they relax? This is NOT one of those times. This is the round and huffy and gonna scratch your eyeballs out if you get any closer to my babies posture.

So I'm out there tonight just beaming and bragging to my pal Renate when owlet number four pokes a head out of the nest box. I did a quick head count just to be sure and yep...I counted to four and that's when all hell broke loose. It's been one of the windiest days of the season and there were lots of owlet hanging on for dear life moments. One of them got brave around dusk going from one branch to another. He got picked up by the wind and next thing you know he's in the grass. Then his pal panicked and followed. Next thing we know one is climbing the fence and the other is doing the flappy dance in the yard. Missus isn't sure if she should stay with they one about to leave the nest or watch the only one still perched on the branch. Mister is flying from grass boy to fence boy and back again. I wouldn't want to be Missus owl tonight for nothin. I hope they can keep them corralled and safe. I chose that moment to give them privacy and say a little prayer. As usual it was too dark for photos or video.

It's too tired, and I'm too late, or something like that. I had video to share but its just not happening tonight.

Now, if you'll all wish upon a star that all four owlets will gather on one branch tomorrow for a family photo op I'd greatly appreciate it.

hoo's hoo...the science that is Val's method

2010-05-08T14:04:00.009-05:00

My friend and fellow Eastern Screech Owl lover Vicki asked a very good question. With both my adult owls being the red phase, how have I determined who is Missus and who is Mister? These little owls occur in two color phases or "morphs", red and gray. Often there will be one of each in a pair making it easy to tell them apart. There is little recognizable difference in the male and female ESO. The female is slightly, I mean a TINY BIT larger and the males voice is a little lower in pitch. When I decided to hang the nest box and dive in to the ESO watching I searched for literature on this particular species. So far I've only found one book dedicated solely to them by Frederick Gehlbach. I did my best to read it cover to cover. It's definitely a technical writing with lots of scientific terms and graphs.

So, Vicki, here's your answer. Our adult owls roost in our big pine tree that houses the nest box. From what I've learned through reading, the female remains in the nest almost all of the time during laying and incubating and I have observed this. Once the owlets hatch she will leave the nest more often and help the male with hunting and feeding. From the beginning of breeding season, the one I refer to as Mr. Spock roosts in the very same branch every day while Missus stays in the nest box often sticking her head out for a little fresh air. Later in the season I observe the Missus leaving the nest and roosting in a branch opposite of Mr. Spock. I've observed her coming and going from the nest to the exact spot on the same branch time after time. The only time I've seen one of them roost in that spot is after the eggs would have hatched. Because of this I'm fairly certain that as long as they are at their roosting spots I know hoo's hoo. Usually, when I take a photo and refer to the subject as Missus or Mister, they are at their roosting spot or I've observed them moving to or from their roosts. Here is an example of how hard it is. I took the pictures in this post at the same time. I snapped her in her spot, then turned and snapped him. Had they been side by side I would not have been able to tell!

The ESO will assume different postures making them appear different depending on the circumstance. When confronted by an intruder they will stretch tall and thin like this in order to appear more like a tree branch.

When resting they appear to be more stubby and round like this.

Both of these photos are of the same owl, Mr. Spock. I think. According to my scientific method! I had to come to some sort of conclusion to keep from losing my mind and now you know.

I am not a real ornithologist but I play on on TV. The TV inside my head that is.

downy goodness

2010-05-07T23:20:00.008-05:00

This evening I got the special gift of quality time with the owlets. Lot's of great video, not so many good photos. They come out at dusk when the light is so difficult.

Here's a little treat from tonight's show. More to come as soon as I can get the edit and clean up done. I managed to capture two of them shoving for a spot peeking out of the nest box. So we know once again there are two. Might there be three? Want to help me name them? Last year we had Elvis and Costello. Who are these little guys?

there she is...

2010-05-02T11:28:00.008-05:00

Missus Owl has started roosting outside the nest on a branch opposite Mr. Spock. She thinks she's clever, hiding behind that wing. Since we've started hearing lots of owlet noise in the box, I'm betting she's spending time outside the box due to all the crying and pooping going on in there. Just kidding. That would be why I'd be out of the nest. I'm sure Missus Owl is just doing what her DNA tells her to, guarding the nest and giving the owlets room. She has to be tired. Every time I go out there her eyes are wide open and her stare follows me everywhere I go. When does she sleep? When she doesn't have me to stare down, the robins and blue jays are screaming at her and dive bombing her head.

Just like a man, Mr. Spock gets plenty of shut eye on the next branch without a care in the world.

I'm trying to guess how many are in there. I know there are at least 2, and maybe 3. I'm also trying to figure when they will fledge. April 18th was the 1st time I heard them, so by May 18th at the very latest, but likely a week or so before that. I'm gonna camp out evenings with my night vision monocular and wait. Wish I had a night vision camera and video camera. And a nest cam. If you'll excuse me, I need to go and buy a lottery ticket.

spring, sprang, sprung and a ramble

2010-04-03T13:35:00.015-05:00

It's here, and never soon enough. Warm enough to sit in my rocker on the back porch for more than a minute and I couldn't be happier. Really. The Eastern Screech Owls are back, despite a squirrels best effort to oust them. It is with glee that I tell you that the missus is in the nest box making noise and laying eggs. Naturally Mr. Spock is busy standing guard and giving me the stink eye.

I mean...serious stink eye.

Not to worry though, my friend Renate has gifted me a special gnome that stands guard under the owl tree. His name is Boudreaux and he's come straight from the bayou to keep watch over the owls and my happy place.

Things are starting to green up and flower.

And we have the special treat of what is shaping up to be a bumper crop of dewberries thanks to our birds...I think. They weren't there before and I can only imagine that the birds were enjoying them somewhere else and deposited the seeds here when they were finished with them.

When we were kids my Dad used to take us to a field in our neighborhood to pick dewberries. That was always a treat and a memory that I love. That makes having them in my yard even more special.

Last but not at all least, Mavis Pearl wants you all to know that she's ok. Almost fully recovered from the meningitis, and nursing her collapsing trachea like a champ. She's a spunky young dog again and for that I'm very grateful.

Welcome back to my happy place.

read in a fortune cookie

2010-03-06T19:02:00.002-06:00

To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose is the next best.

read in a fortune cookie

2010-03-03T13:17:00.000-06:00

Your smile is a curve that can get a lot of things straight.

What this isn't.....

2010-02-12T11:55:00.018-06:00

It isn't an Eastern Screech Owl in a nest box provided specifically for the Eastern Screech Owls.

This isn't the view we typically have from our back porch, even in the most wintry of winters. We got twelve inches of snow in one day when we're usually lucky to get a dusting all winter. This one's for Kimberly out on the East coast. I promised her I'd do the "stop snowing dance" for them. It backfired. I've never been much of a dancer.

What this is...it's a beautiful diversion from the hurry I've been in lately.

Perhaps I'm back. We'll see. It's been good here, but priorities have shifted.

read in a fortune cookie

2010-02-11T16:22:00.001-06:00

Treasure what you have.

Snap!

2009-10-01T20:52:00.010-05:00

A whole month? Really has it been that long? I've been very busy taking care of the doglet (she's doing very well) and taking care of myself too. Between the 2 of us it's a whole lot of high maintenance. First, the doglet. We've been at this treating the disease thing for a little over a month. The doggy neurologist was very impressed when we went in last week. I got a little optimistic and asked how soon we could taper down the meds. He said not any time soon. Boooo. She's taking prednisone which makes her CRAZY. And hungry. Bad combo for a doglet. No sleepy sleep for me. Over all it's good and I'm grateful to still have her here.

The biggest reason I've been MIA is this new thing/life/journey I've started. I've dubbed it "operation truth in love". You know, from where it talks in the Bible about speaking the truth in love? Ephesians 4:15-16. I like the "Message" translation best. My friend Renate TWICE spoke some truth in love to me regarding my health. I'm dense like that. It took 2 heart to hearts and one more trip to the urgent care clinic with a crushing migraine for me to snap out of it - or in to it. I've committed to making a life change for the sake of my health, which frees up my energy to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. It's totally Biblical. I'm not always certain of what the will of God is for me, but I'm pretty sure He would like for me to take good care of myself so I can be a better me. I'll just say that the first step was seeking the help of a nutritionist, and making some radical changes in my diet. I'm saving most of those details for my next post. It deserves one all it's own. I'm just sayin' it's taken a lot of focus and I'm all in. So the blog, Twitter, and Facebook have all gone by the wayside, till now.

Now, especially for Vicki, I will leave you will some delicious video of my juvie owls. This one is of a goofy, wobbly juvie. It was a great rainy evening with lots of thunder and lightning.

If you don't have 4 minutes left, then don't click the next video. If you do, enjoy the visit to my backyard with the lightning and thunder. Listen close to the owls trilling and whinnying, and the bill clacking. All three (the 2 juvies and adult female) were in attendance. I'm pretty sure at the point the bill clacking started mom was trying to break up a sibling spat. Priceless.

Today my adult female Eastern Screech Owl returned to her old roost. Same branch, same spot on the branch. I've missed her while she's been out rearing those younguns.

read in a fortune cookie

2009-09-03T10:28:00.002-05:00

Nothing. Nada. Zip. I got an empty fortune cookie today. First time ever (a shocker considering all the fortune cookies I consume). It may not seem like I'm eating them all the time...but I'll share a secret with you...there are at least a dozen that I don't post for every one I do post.

wonderful distractions part 3

2009-08-28T22:28:00.006-05:00

I hurried back from Tampa and wonderful distraction number 2 so that I could chicken sit. My friend Renate has 4 hens that free range in her yard, and she needed sitter while she was on vacation. Every day for a week I let them out in the mornings, and put them up in the hen house every evening.

I loved it. And by the time Renate came home, my desperate need for distraction was over. It was perfect timing, and I made some new friends...Chiquita, Geeba, Jemima, and Matilda. Great girls all of them.

Flashback Friday

2009-08-28T10:31:00.007-05:00

Seven years ago this month I married the man. My friend Kimberly over at Petroville had me thinking about it this week when she asked "where did you go on your honeymoon, and how much did you spend on the wedding?". After digging through some old files I found the wedding budget spreadsheet, and some snapshots from what seems like a lifetime ago. We spent $2,620, and that included EVERYTHING. Even the wonderful honeymoon to Cozumel. Thrifty me!

The kids were our wedding party. Brannon the best man, and April the maid of honor. They're all grown up and out of the nest now. Seems like just yesterday we were talking about drivers licenses and curfews.

*wonders...is that piece of frozen cake still in Mother's freezer?*

Who is the skinny girl? WHO? And with the bare feet. Some things never change. The curled toes give away the giddiness over all the presents. I love presents!

Cake, presents, unconditional love. What more could a girl ask for? It was perfect.

wonderful distractions part 2

2009-08-23T08:59:00.002-05:00

Right on the heels of wonderful distraction number 1, I left on a business trip to Tampa. It was a lonely boring business trip, and I was pretty blue, but I had at least two things to look forward to. Dinner with my cousin Lindsey...who I adore, and almost never get to see...and special plans with my bloggy friend Vicki.

I had some free time one afternoon, so Vicki picked me up at the hotel and graciously spent her whole afternoon showing me the best of St. Petersburg. It was great to meet another bloggy friend face to face, and I felt like I'd known her forever. To quote Vicki, "you meet the neatest people here in the neighborhood". Ditto Vicki!

I got the behind the scenes tour of the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve where Vicki is a volunteer. Lucky me to have an up close and personal introduction to Stretch and Wheezer, the resident Eastern Screech Owls at Boyd. Stretch was the only one to grant me a REALLY up close hello. Wheezer was busy protecting the last owlet in rehab as all good mothers would. They made great foster parents I hear.

Another new friend made was Spirit, a magnificent Bald Eagle. I'm pretty sure I will never get this close to another Bald Eagle without a fence between the two of us. I really was that close, almost no zoom used for these photos.
It was really sweet the way Spirit recognized Vicki as we approached. They had quite the conversation. She volunteers regularly with the raptors, but had been out for a few weeks with Mohs surgery on her nose. I think Spirit really missed her.

Here's a shot of Vicki at Boyd Hill showing me a Red Rat Snake, who had just shed his skin and was unbelievably soft.

We also took in a quick tour of the fabulous Salvador Dali museum in St. Pete, and dinner at the 4th Street Shrimp Store...which was satisfied my craving for some good ole Florida seafood...with Vicki's daughter Abby and her husband. A rather enjoyable dinner, really.

On my last night in town, Lindsey and I had dinner at my now favorite place to eat in Tampa, Datz Deli. I had an egg salad and smoked salmon sandwich for which there are not words. And the wine? Oh man the wines. I chose an incredible French Rose (it was sweltering after all). Also no words.

So thank you Vicki and Lindsey, for the wonderful distractions from my blues regarding a sickly doglet. Vicki, I am better for knowing you. And Lindsey, I am proud to call you family.

she's home with her little chicken leg...

2009-08-22T12:34:00.004-05:00

...and her bald neck. Her little leg was shaved where the IV was, and they had to shave a patch on her neck to do the spinal tap. I know from past experience that IV's hurt, and can't imagine how uncomfortable it was in her little bony leg for 3 days. Her legs already look like chicken legs, but with the hair shaved off, wow, naked chicken leg. She has to feel like crap just from the IV and spinal tap alone.

It was so good to pick up our little doglet and get those sweet kisses and tail wags. It quickly became apparent though that we have a long road ahead. She is better, by just a little. Her balance seems better but she is really weak. We'll give her 2 meds daily for months (an possibly life), and she will go back to the vet once a month for an injection.

I am hopeful.

read in a fortune cookie

2009-08-20T10:39:00.001-05:00

A single kind word can keep one warm for years.

inflammation of the meninges

2009-08-19T20:56:00.004-05:00

Meningitis that is. The doglet has Meningitis. This is good news because it's treatable. The doggie neurologist says that about 2/3 of the dogs that have it get better, and some even recover completely. Apparently dogs get a type of the disease called Steroid Responsive Meningitis. It's an auto-immune illness that is highly treatable with steroids - umm - hence the name.

She is at the hospital tonight, and tomorrow night. It's very strange being here without her. I don't know how I'll sleep without her giant 5lb presence in the bed. I'm hoping she's resting ok. I left her with her big pink stuffed FiFi dog and her 2 favorite binkies. And a tiny pink backpack with cookies and treats and some other stuff.

I'll say it for you, I win crazy dog lady of the year I'm sure.

That's ok cause I love my little girl named Mavis Pearl.

update on the doglet

2009-08-18T17:42:00.002-05:00

The visit with the doggie neurologist went well today. I really love the doctor. She was compassionate, and thorough, and gentle. It's too soon for me to tell if she's a genius, but I have high hopes.

Her hunch is that this may be something like meningitis. Not bacterial like us humans get, but something auto-immune. Or hydrocephalus. I will take her back for an MRI tomorrow morning. They will also draw spinal fluid and test that. On a normal day I would be upset that she had to endure all this. But today, I am hopeful because it may be something treatable. The doc didn't think it could be a brain tumor since the symptoms were multiple (affecting more than one part of the brain).

Thanks for all your caring, my bloggy friends. I will keep you posted.

ps.. if it wasn't wrong to rip off cool stuff from other bloggers, I would call her Dr. Nerve. Isn't imitation the highest form of flattery? One of my favorite bloggers names all of her doctors that way. I won't call her Dr. Nerve. Not here anyway, but in my head I will. That's not wrong is it?

read in a fortune cookie

2009-08-17T13:47:00.001-05:00

Do not mistake temptation for opportunity.

wonderful distractions part 1...a gratuitous photo essay

2009-08-16T11:34:00.010-05:00

Last weekend we had our 2nd annual family bash at Lake Grapevine. It was the first of several wonderful distractions from what's been ailin' me. In my family we keep each other close. They mean the world to me.

The Muscovy Duck. Ugly duck, or rare beauty?

she's not even 3 years old

2009-08-15T09:55:00.006-05:00

I've put off having this conversation for days. My heart is broken. I am so very sad, seriously depressed I think. The doglet is slipping away from us and I feel powerless to help her.

It started a couple of months ago when she appeared to be suddenly going blind. The vet looked at her eyes and couldn't see anything other than very dilated pupils. We were having a bumper crop of mushrooms in the backyard, and he assumed it was mushroom consumption. He said to watch her, and if it didn't improve soon to take her to the doggy opthamologist. It didn't get better so we did, and he agreed, no eye disease. Perfectly healthy eyes, but blindness in her left eye. After some expensive, extensive tests the eye specialist said "it's neurological in nature, you have to see a doggy neurologist". I put off making the appointment for a few days. I just couldn't wrap my brain around it, and it didn't seem to be any worse than some vision trouble. Then, in just a matter of days Mavis began to have trouble walking. She could no longer make it up and down her little stairs by the bed. No hopping up on the couch with her foot stool. In just a few more days she merely stumbles around, her legs often just going right out from under her causing her to fall. She wants to play but can't function. I just don't understand. There are moments when she seems to be better, giving me hope that we might get her back. But just moments. One good thing though is that her appetite is great. She really perks up for her scrambled egg, and as recently as 2 days ago still enjoyed the trip to her favorite restaurant for plain grilled chicken.

I feel really guilty getting so upset and sad about this. I have friends whose children have serious diseases. Potentially life threatening diseases. I know they feel like life is over some days. I also have friends who have lost their children too soon. I can't begin to imagine that pain. I wasn't able to have children. I just can't imagine how hard having a sick baby would be. Or, oh my God, to lose one. Mavis is the closest thing I've had but I feel ridiculous loving her this much. But I do.

We have an appointment on Tuesday to see a neurology specialist. We have health insurance for her. Doglet health insurance. I'm so grateful I made that crazy decision. I don't know what he diagnosis will be, and I of course have been googling like crazy. Until Tuesday my imagination will be cranking overtime. I've had little energy to think, write, or talk at all about other things. So if you haven't heard from me, that's partly why. To you it may seem crazy. She's a little dog. How did I get so wrapped up?

I've been busy with some other things, wonderful distractions and very busy days. I'll write about that soon, maybe even later today. I just had to get all of this off my chest. There, I feel a little better already. Thanks for being here.

7 years

2009-08-02T22:31:00.005-05:00

Seven years ago tonight I married my one true love. Tonight we sat hand in hand to watch the sun set on one of our favorite places. A place we visit often to sit and enjoy each other.

Christopher, I love you.

why I can't sleep

2009-07-25T23:33:00.004-05:00

It's nearly midnight. I've been sick as a dog and I'm exhausted. But, steroid shots = wide awake. I've had a monster case of Strep Throat, and visit #2 to the doctor today resulted in 3 shots. 2 steroid and 1 antibiotic.

So here I sit on the back porch with half a watermelon and a spoon in my lap. It's a yellow meat watermelon. Had one? I grew up on these things. It's comforting. I'm also yearning for ice cream or a Venti iced decaf extra shot skinny latte. Anyone? I'll wait for you to get here.

I could sit out here and rock for hours. I've got all the citronella buckets lit and the new rocker/glider chair is like a drug in itself. There are lots of tree frogs and one very confused Cicada. No owls, just me, the watermelon, and the cicada. Still that's ok. I'm happy here. If I have to be up there's no place I'd rather be.

humming a new tune

2009-07-21T22:13:00.006-05:00

The humming birds are keeping me company since the owl family departure.

Now that I'm not glued to the owl watching chair in the back yard, I can get back to the business of..well..everything else that isn't owl watching. I've been a terribly neglectful Godmother. I missed Madeleine's 3rd birthday, which is borderline criminal since they are living in Turkey where there IS NO shopping mall. Gifts in the mail from Aunt Val are important. I failed. So, I dutifully went shopping today and loaded up on goodies for Madeleine and her brother Lanegan.

In addition to the usual haul of DVDs, tiaras, and clothes, Madeleine is getting ridiculous pink and purple rubber shoes that she will undoubtedly love, and my dearest friend Pamela, her mother, will despise. Muaaahhahhaa. Evil me.

Speaking of tiaras, I have doglet stories. The doglet stories have been on hiatus way too long. She's ready for a come back.

so long, farewell...

2009-07-21T21:35:00.005-05:00

Our owlets have taken up roost somewhere beyond where I can see during the day. I hear them at night, and have seen one hunting after dark, but the day watching is definitely over. This may end up being my favorite photo of the whole season. A very satisfying end result to the long season of watching and waiting.

And here's a little video clip of one of the owlets trying out his wings. So sweet and wobbly! It wasn't long after this before they both flew clean out of the yard.

read in a fortune cookie

2009-07-16T11:07:00.001-05:00

Love is a present that can be given every single day you live.

Elvis has left the building.

2009-07-12T09:32:00.009-05:00

That's what I'm calling him. Elvis, the larger owlet, and I'll think I'll call the other Costello. They left the nest box sometime between dusk Thursday and dusk Friday. I'm betting it was late Thursday since I was out watching them till around 10pm.

They are roosting way up in the top of our Cypress, so It's been tough to get good pictures during the day. Last night a little after dusk mama owl coaxed them down with food but it was too dark by then to get any pictures. I did enjoy sharing the whole feeding experience with Fred and Joanne, and especially little Elise. She calls them the Portuguese name for owl "mocho" (Fred is Portuguese). Over and over she would say "mocho, whoo whoo". It was very sweet!

I'm a little sad that my nest watching days are over, but very glad they made it.

Credit for the photos in this post go to April. She has been great with her 21 year old eyes in helping me spot the owlets so high up in the tree.

yes there are two

2009-07-08T22:22:00.005-05:00

Tonight I witnessed a shoving match when not one but two heads appeared at one time in the nest box opening. Good to know that sibling rivalry happens in the owl family too. Although I didn't get it in a photo, I can confirm that the owlet has at least one sibling! I got it on video, but I'm having some technical (read amateur) difficulties. Hoping to share that (the video not the difficulty) at some point.

I was able to snap some better pictures this evening. The little ones don't show themselves till right at dusk making it difficult to get a good shot. I don't want to use a flash. Not sure that would be the ethical thing to do since they are fighting off predators for their very lives and all.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the evenings this week watching the young-uns peer from the nest box. I've had to become a little less obtrusive as mother owl has gotten very protective. Up until this week I could walk out and sit right under the branch she was perched on. Now, if I so much as near the edge of our porch she barks at me and makes a close pass swooping in my direction. I'll keep my eyeballs thank you very much. I'm pretty sure she wants to claw them out.

rainy day backyard bird

2009-07-05T23:05:00.003-05:00

owl babies

2009-07-05T22:32:00.006-05:00

First sight of our Eastern Screech Owlet! I'm not sure if there is just one or maybe two. Fledging can't be too far away now. I'm thinking in the next day or so.

Flashback Friday

2009-06-26T08:05:00.003-05:00

1985, sophomore year, LSU...check

ridiculous 80's hairstyle...check

Converse All Star High Tops...check

hanging in the ghetto at band practice with my rock star boyfriend...check

Volkswagen Scirocco that my parents paid for which said boyfriend later wrecked...check

soon to be seriously disillusioned adult in the real world...check

and now for something completely different

2009-06-20T19:42:00.007-05:00

Just kidding. Check out today's Spock mug shots. I couldn't pick a favorite so I'm giving you the whole bunch. And did I mention? WE HAVE OWLETS IN THE NEST BOX!

that's Mr. Cardinal to you

2009-06-20T19:32:00.004-05:00

The Northern Cardinal was the first bird we ever watched in our backyard, and we've had nests almost every year for the last 6 years. This one is hanging out in our pine tree. The very same tree that houses our Eastern Screech Owl family.

my what big claws you have

2009-06-18T21:17:00.009-05:00

Spock has been spending evenings out of the nest box before dusk. She still spends the good part of the day in there though. Last night I watched and she is still in and out of the box as she hunts after dark as well. I'm still wondering and second guessing whether or not we have owlets on the way or here already. Too chicken to climb up and look inside. **update June 19th 9pm - we have just heard owlets making noise in the nest box as the adults come in with food!! WE HAVE OWLETS!!**

I love to watch her as she gets ready to head out for the evening. She has the routine of stretching each wing one at a time, and checking out the action in the yard pre-dusk. We just sit quietly in each others company. It makes me so happy. Who needs TV?

Tribute to Sasha

2009-06-17T17:15:00.008-05:00

My friend Susan and her husband Harry lost their little dog-child Sasha on Monday. She went in her sleep while they were at work. Susan and I spent Tuesday morning being all weepy in my office.

This picture was taken at Mavis Pearl's 1st birthday party (you heard me right). Sasha was the reason there even is a Mavis Pearl in our life. We went to a Super Bowl party at Susan and Harry's in 2007. There we met darling little Sasha for the first time. Prior to that Chris was sticking to his "in 5 years you can have a dog" guns. We were still getting over losing our 2 cats Beaux and Pee-Wee in 2006. Sasha won him right over. The little princess will be missed so very much.

she's still here

2009-06-10T09:11:00.007-05:00

Spock is still here cooking her clutch, figuratively I hope and not literally. It's getting hot out, and she has been coming out for a breath of fresh air in the middle of the day. I'm still hoping that she won't have a lost cause. Either way I'm honored that she picked my backyard.

A year ago today when I started this blog, I could have only dreamed that we'd have nesting owls in our backyard. Just one more reason it's my happy place.

I think for my 1 year blogiversary I'll spend some time learning more about how to actually make my blog design more purdy. I'm lazy and ignorant when it comes to the technical stuff, so don't hold your breath. It'll probably be 6 months closer to the next year mark before I actually get around to it.

over the river and through the woods....

2009-06-07T12:25:00.006-05:00

to Grandmothers house...where someday I hope to call this my backyard...

where cousins make memories....

and the wild roses bloom....

where the land gently rolls...

and dusk walks to the creek have random beauty.

Flashback Friday

2009-06-05T10:28:00.006-05:00

"The first time, ever I saw your face..."

reading by moonlight

2009-06-04T22:14:00.005-05:00

Spent a few hours this evening out with a bright moon, a legion of lightning bugs, and a zillion tree frogs.

not so free food

2009-06-04T13:24:00.006-05:00

(gratuitous doglet picture somewhat unrelated to this post)

I dragged the sleepy doglet to Sonic last night for a free float. Like they advertised. I wanted to stick to my plan for losing a little weight this summer and asked for a Diet Coke float. They said no, the special was root beer only. So out of my mouth flies "then give me a chocolate hot fudge caramel pecan mini bundt cake". I didn't want to sound wishy washy so I didn't retract the order. And so I wouldn't appear wasteful, I ate the whole thing. Stupid Sonic people.

Cactus Tales

2009-06-04T09:15:00.004-05:00

Apparently the talent for cultivating a blooming cactus runs in the family. My brother who lives in San Antonio dug this one up at a friends ranch in South Texas and planted it in his yard. Where we might have lilies and tulips in the flower beds further North, they often have cactus beds. They are so beautiful, and xeriscape landscaping is so smart. Smart runs in the family too.

Guadalupe River Part 2

2009-05-31T21:08:00.007-05:00

I've been a no good terrible lazy Aunt Val for not posting on my trip to the Guadalupe with my niece Ryan. I was down to visit earlier this month and got the chance to take my nephew Harris on a Sunday, and then to go back with her later in the week. We spent 5 hours that Wednesday just floating and relaxing. We decided to play hooky. Ryan called it a mental health day. Really? At 10, a mental health day? Sweetie, glad you are getting in the habit early. Take them on a regular basis and you will do just fine in life. So here are some pictures on how to take a mental health day. Take note:

Step 1: find a cool tree stump to stash your stuff at the river.

Step 2: Get your feet wet.

Step 3: Find fish eggs and mark them with a stick (technically this should have qualified us for a field trip, I'm just sayin')

Step 4: Catch a dragonfly....and so on. You get the idea.

We had a perfect day at the river. Because of that we both pouted all the way home. Leaving a perfect day at the river is torture.

Geeky Owl Stuff

2009-05-30T23:31:00.004-05:00

I've been sitting out most nights for at least a little while with the owls. Since I've gotten the night vision monocular it's been really exciting for the nature geek in me. They really don't mind me sitting so close ogling. I've watched the missus hang her head from the nest box while Spock brings her a small mouse or bird. Even with the night vision it's tough for me to tell exactly what he's delivered, but it often seems to be the size of a small mouse or bird. Tonight they sat on the branch together just outside the box and just hung out for a little while. Eastern Screech Owls mate for life. I just love it.

Speaking of geeky, I've been trying to think of a way to use a camera through the monocular lens. My camera lenses are too big. Then I got the idea to use my iPhone since the lens is so small on it. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the iPhone night vision camera. Also my arm is about to fall off for trying to hold the monocular and camera at just the right angle. Small sacrifice. Next time you see me if I can't lift my arm to welcome you it's because I've been juggling devices in the backyard at midnight just so I can share with you. Feel special. You are.

Saturday Morning Shout Out

2009-05-30T10:39:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to share with you what's new with my friend Bernie in Tennessee. She has become a special friend who I'm blessed to know and support. Amazing artist, lover of all God's creatures, and all around great chic. Check out her blog here, and follow her on Twitter here. Not only does Bernie provide second chances for dogs and cats who would otherwise be euthanized, she does an amazing job spreading the word of humane treatment for animals worldwide. Love you Bernie. Keep up the great job and don't lose faith.

Read in a Fortune Cookie....

2009-05-28T11:39:00.003-05:00

Be both a speaker of words and a doer of deeds.

*and I was hungry so I ate 2 more*

To be mature is to accept imperfections.

and....

If you put up with small annoyances, you will gain great results.

*Dangit. The cookies are ganging up on me today. Seriously, I wouldn't make this stuff up. That was my last fortune cookie for a while. I can't take any more honest advice.*

Doglet's Day

2009-05-25T11:12:00.011-05:00

Angel Doglet, loved Doglet, Doglet spoiled by Grandma, busy Doglet, and finally done Doglet. A rough life she has.

As Promised...

2009-05-21T19:23:00.004-05:00

The rest of the blooming cactus story. I was out of town lolling around the Guadalupe River and Chris had to finish the photo-documentation. Good job and thank you honey!

Saturday Morning Surprise

2009-05-16T09:01:00.002-05:00

My Eastern Screech Owls have been very busy at night, but this is the first time I've seen either of them in daylight since nesting began.

Brown Thrasher

2009-05-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

In bird watching terms this Brown Thrasher is a life bird for me - meaning this is the first time I've ever seen one. Love my backyard.

Guadalupe River on a Sunday

2009-05-11T07:58:00.005-05:00

While my brother and nephew fished, I enjoyed poking aroud the flowers.

8 Things

2009-05-08T15:46:00.002-05:00

Ok, Joanne tagged me. And because I LOVE Joanne:) I will tell you 8 things x 3. I'm not a tagger, so no victim list. And I just didn't have the energy to list the 8 things I wish I could do. So, here you go:

8 things I’m looking forward to:

1. Growing old with my husband
2. Spending this Christmas in Germany with my best-est friend and God Children
3. Retirement – looking WAY down the road when we’ll be vagabonds in an RV
4. Living in the country again someday
5. Getting organized
6. Getting out of debt
7. Having grandchildren
8. World Peace (ha!) or at least community peace, or clan peace (hey we have to start somewhere)

8 things I did yesterday:

1. Stayed out of the drama at the office
2. Had a milk and honey pedicure
3. Watched the nesting Screech Owls in our back yard
4. Laundry
5. 30 minute telephone survey for fifty bucks
6. Was a good listener
7. Played with the dog
8. Took some pictures

8 shows I like to watch:

1. Lost
2. The Office
3. 30 Rock
4. The Dog Whisperer
5. It’s Me or the Dog
6. Fox and Friends Morning News Show
7. College Football (Geaux Tigers!!)
8. Chowder

Hello May

2009-05-03T13:20:00.003-05:00

My favorite cactus is preparing to bloom. I'm going to try to journal it's progress for you. It makes the most beautiful blooms, but they only last a day.

Owl Sighting After All

2009-05-03T13:04:00.004-05:00

I'm REALLY happy to report that we finally spotted our Eastern Screech Owl in the yard last night. Not only one, but two! One of them in the Owl house - I'm going to assume it was a female. We'll call her "the missus".

We were sitting out under the porch during a rain storm and saw one fly to a branch nearby. I heard him trilling, and alternately a trilling I had not heard before - kind of a more excited form (and not the B song - I know that one to be very different). It was difficult to tell where the alternate trilling was coming from until I saw a head poke out of the house for a minute or so. When she retreated into the house, it sounded like the excited call was coming from inside it again.

Now I'm wondering if Mr. Spock was really a mister since he's no longer roosting in his spot. Was that the missus all along? Is she inside the house now and not roosting in the old spot? Is he roosting in spot just out of sight? Man, this is driving me crazy. I got out my copy of "The Eastern Screech Owl" by Frederick Gehlbach. I'm skimming pages to look for any information to give me a clue. Also for anything that will help me know how to accommodate them so that they won't abandon the nest.

Stay tuned! I'm hoping I'll have more good news to report. Maybe even owlets!

Visit to Fossil Rim

2009-05-02T18:02:00.000-05:00

With Chris working for a radio station, we sometimes have great opportunities to do fun stuff. Today we got to visit Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and get a guided tour from one of the Docents who is also a donating Power FM listener. He hooked up the staff and families for a special tour early in the day.

They offer overnight stays in tent cabins at the overlook area of the preserve. The cabins sit above one of the big watering holes and would be an excellent place to sit and watch the sunset with animals coming to water. Putting that on my to do list for sure.

Owl Update

2009-04-26T00:34:00.005-05:00

An update on our resident Eastern Screech Owl - he seems to have moved on to the neighbors yard. I have to say this has made me a bit blue, but I believe he's chosen a mate and nest in the next yard, which would be a good thing. Because of this he is no longer roosting in our yard, but likely just a few feet from the nest. I've watched the owl house that we placed in our back yard closely at dusk, and later in the evening for a few weeks now. I got excited last week after seeing shavings on the grass below the house (we placed wood shavings in the bottom of the house for nesting material). I assumed that because the shavings were in the grass, that the owl had taken up residence. However, seeing no activity at all I'm pretty sure that the house wasn't chosen this mating season. Although I'm discouraged, I have hope that it will still be used, perhaps next year.

The reason I believe that a nest has been chosen in the next yard is the regular calling from a tree in the evenings after dark. Several times in the last couple of weeks I've sat in the back yard late at night listening to an Eastern Screech Owl calling with the A-Song. It seems to stay in one spot - a tree in the next yard - without moving. Tonight it was almost an hour that I sat and listened. The owl never moved from the spot, and called every minute or two. It would make sense that a female is calling from the nest. Probably to her mate asking him to hurry up and bring back some dinner. I've never witnessed our Mr. Spock calling from one place for so long. He would usually go from limb to limb calling no more than 2 or 3 times from the same spot. Last Friday night (Sat morning early) about 1am I sat out while one of the owls called from our Cypress and Pine trees, and even landed in the grass about 10 feet in front of me to pick something up. So Spock seems to still frequent our yard, just not roosting during the day. I should also mention that I'm still finding pellets in the yard - roughly 1 inch grey ovals composed of fur, feathers, bones, and other things that the owl doesn't digest. A sure sign that they are still spending some time in our yard.

I suppose my having shared all of this qualifies me as an owl geek. How else would you explain my sitting for hours in the dark listening to them talk, and picking up regurgitated owl pellets to examine. Hey, I'm even considering getting some night vision goggles for after dark watching.

**Disclaimer: I'm assuming that our owl - Mr. Spock - is a "he". It's difficult to tell the female from the male (at least for me). So for now, until I learn otherwise, our owl will be Mr. Spock**

Spring Evening Texas Style

2009-04-19T17:43:00.006-05:00

This is one of the things I love about spring in Texas. The thunderstorms and cloud watching in the evenings are superb. Shortly after I took these pictures we enjoyed a brief, ferocious downpour from the back porch.

Lovin' this Weather

2009-04-03T21:12:00.005-05:00

This evening we took a long walk with our nephews Seth and Chase.

We have a great park in our neighborhood that has a pond with a dock for fishing, and ducks to watch. It's pretty wooded in places too. I'm betting that's what helps our owl and hawk population flourish like it does. The boys were excited to go through the "forest" while Mavis and I stuck to the path.

The Bluebonnets are out too. Having been a life long Texan they always make me smile.

Mavis was also in attendance. She's in between hair styles and feeling very awkward. No pictures to see this time. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Home

2009-03-24T19:32:00.014-05:00

I made a trip to Northwest Oklahoma this weekend with my Mom. A trip back "home". Really it's her home town, but when I go it feels like coming home for me too. The occasion was a sad one, we buried a very special loved one. Still it was good to be there.

We spent a good bit of time at the cemetery, visiting the graves of loved ones gone. Mom will be buried there one day. The trip had me thinking about that day. What I'll need to know and do. I was reminded that I'm getting a little older. A little closer to the time in my life that used to seem an eternity away.

Spring has sprung, I think.

2009-03-15T19:19:00.006-05:00

(Japanese something or another in our backyard)

We've had crazy up and down weather. I like having a winter, and we've barely had one. It's been in the 80's for weeks, then we had highs in the 30's and rain all this last week. The plants, trees, and grass are really confused. I'm confused. Would it be too much to ask for just a few straight weeks of winter? I'm getting exhausted with switching out the summer clothes, no wait the winter clothes, no it's the summer clothes again. If it's gonna be spring, then I'm ok with it. Let's stick with it. Alrighty? I'll get over the lack of winter if it means my backyard will green up and Mavis can run around in lush grass and I can hang with her out there.

(Bradford Pear blossoms out front)

The spring also brings mating season for the Eastern Screech Owl. That means that Mr. Spock should find a mate and move into the house we hung for them. Owlets! That's what I want. Okey dokie? Got that?

Now that I'm done being bossy and airing my grievances with the seasons, I'll leave you with today's Mavis pic. I know the internets have been missing her. She's been busy with an obedience class. We're getting all prepped to try for Therapy Dog Certification. Maybe. We'll see.

Oh yeah, and I still have my Christmas Tree up. Could be the lack of winter. I may be in denial, or just crazy. I kind of like having it there.

Read in a Fortune Cookie....

2009-02-26T17:23:00.000-06:00

If you continually give, you will continually have.

JUST SO YOU KNOW

2009-02-20T21:58:00.005-06:00

So I was shopping today, and as usual I had my reusable shopping tote. At the register I told the cashier "I have a bag here, you can save that one for the next person". In her best self righteous tone she says (practically yells) "JUST SO YOU KNOW, OUR BAGS ARE MADE OF RECYCLED PLASTIC. SEE? IT SAYS SO RIGHT HERE." I politely informed her that I'm sure that they were, but that my choice was to save the bag. And then she says "BUT YOU CAN PUT THESE IN YOUR RECYCLE BIN, IT SAYS SO RIGHT HERE." She seemed really irritated. I really wanted to say "JUST SO YOU KNOW, if given the choice, the best option is to prevent or reduce the amount of waste that is generated in the first place. While recycling is an important component of the overall waste management hierarchy, it is still the least preferred option because you first have to generate the waste in order to recycle it. Reuse falls in the middle in that if an item can be reused, either by the original user or by someone else before it is disposed to the trash or recycled, then the waste of that item is prevented or at least delayed." But then I might have lost her, it was a complicated thought. Or, I could have said "JUST SO YOU KNOW, I found that when I started living in a more environmentally conscious way, it felt good. It made me feel like a better person. Give it a try and see if it works for you." I first heard these words from Roz Savage. It does feel good. Every time I do it. It all adds up, JUST SO YOU KNOW.

Read in a Fortune Cookie....

2009-02-17T10:20:00.000-06:00

Success is a journey, not a destination.

Fun in My Backyard

2009-02-08T20:05:00.006-06:00

This weekend we invited our nephews Seth and Chase over for a slumber party. We had a blast, and we are looking forward to doing it again. In the morning after breakfast, the boys and I went out to check on Mr. Spock. I offered them the garden hose to help me water the plants on the porch. That was all they needed to entertain themselves pretty much until their mom came to pick them up. Plus the Pine Tree got watered.

I love sharing my backyard with the people I love. It is my favorite place to be.

Spock.....I..Can... See you.

2009-02-01T20:45:00.007-06:00

I spent a little time in the backyard at dusk capturing these pictures of Mr. Spock. I'm still trying to learn how to use my new camera, and this was my first successful attempt at low light no flash photos with the zoom.

I have so much to tell you...

2009-01-27T21:25:00.003-06:00

But SOMEONE is pitching the biggest hissy fit so I'll have to take care of HER instead of telling you all about my trip to the opera, the fabulous dinner, and our right up close AC/DC rock star sighting. Excuse me while I go and detach a small dog from my big toe now.

We like the new Vet!

2009-01-24T13:45:00.007-06:00

Today Mavis went to check out the new Vet. We LOVE this guy! He spent about 45 minutes with us going over every little thing. He even had a book with pictures to explain everything she has going on. It also turns out that her health might not be as bad as we thought. Go figure, the medically obsessed mother of the dog (that's me) had made up her mind that the doglet was already an invalid at 2 years of age. She does have a little bit of a collapsed trachea, but a lot of her problem is likely allergies. Duh. We live 5 minutes from a ginormous airport and 3 major freeways. Who wouldn't have allergies. He personally trimmed her nails, and plucked the hair from her ear canals. Yorkies grow crazy amounts of hair down in their ears. Old men got nothin' on them.

We also talked extensively about her diet. He actually gave me a high five on my choice of dog food. It's all natural, grain free, and mostly raw meat. Dogs are carnivores! We talked about the horrors of commercial dog food. It's mostly filler and grains, and even if you buy the big name brands at he grocery store, you'd be horrified to know where some of these ingredients come from. If it takes you more than a couple of seconds to read the ingredient list, it's probably not healthy for your dog. Unless you are brave and really interested, don't read this article. It will freak you out I promise. The whole website is helpful and full of information, and echos what I read in other places as I did my research, and the Vet agreed. He even feeds his dog raw meat and bones for the most part. We discussed how even the often Veterinary prescribed Hills Prescription Diet is full of filler and additives. Many Vets push Hills foods because they are a big contributor in Vet school text books etc. While I didn't obsessively research cat food like I did dog food, I did run across similar information about it. Cat's are carnivores too. I get sad thinking about Beaux Kitty and Pee Wee, and how I might have helped them live a longer and healthier life had I known then what I know now. They both had kidney failure in the end. Hallmark illness for animals fed a sub-par diet.

My hope is that I will keep Mavis healthy, and prolong her life by feeding her the good stuff. It makes sense. You wouldn't stay healthy eating only Cheetos and Ding Dongs every day now would you? The same goes for your furry friends.

**If you live in the DFW area, Metro Pet will deliver for free, and that's where we get our food**

Mr. Spock and My New Camera

2009-01-20T18:34:00.005-06:00

We took advantage of the Circuit City going out of business sale this weekend, and I finally got a camera that would take close up shots of the birds that inhabit my backyard. Here are a few that I took of Mr. Spock, our resident Eastern Screech Owl.

I still have much to learn about shutter speed, etc. I took lots of other shots of Chickadees and Gold Finches that just didn't work. I'll read up and keep trying. You can be sure I'll share when the shots get better.

One more thing.....

2009-01-16T16:39:00.002-06:00

My friend Joanne just helped jar me back into reality with her post today. It's not Christmas any more. Our tree is still up, and the stockings still hung. Maybe it's denial, I love Christmas so much. Or maybe it's the hope that Saint Nick is still looking for my house.

The year that could be.

2009-01-16T13:39:00.022-06:00

I'm one prone to phases, and I'm wondering, am I a big flake? (don't answer that) Or can we call it spontaneous living? (I like that better) For instance I've put on my life list that I'd like to live in a small historic town, like Stars Hollow. And then other days I decide I'd like to live in the big city within walking distance to everything I need, like Pittsburgh. And there is my proverbial "van down by the river". My constant back up plan. The odds are there I tell you, as I am sure we have a relative somewhere that will let us park our van down by the river when the time comes.

I think the core of who I am doesn't waver, but my favorite things seem to come and go in season. Like, this month I've been on a peanut butter and banana kick. I have it every day for breakfast. A couple months ago it was egg white breakfast tacos on whole wheat tortillas, and then the next month oatmeal from scratch. Every day. I mean, I don't stop liking egg white tacos on whole wheat tortillas, I just become taken with the next one, the oatmeal for instance. I read a magazine article and decided I would eat oatmeal to save my life, and loved it. I'll get back to the tacos eventually. This habit of not having a habit makes for a very cluttered kitchen, pantry, and refrigerator. It also causes me to wander through the grocery store, sometimes going down the same aisle 3 times before I'm done. I do some of my best thinking there. But that is another discussion for another day all together. It makes my husband CRAZY.

Music is another area that I wander in and out of. Jazz, Miles Davis for days. Or I get on a Billie Holiday groove. I once listened to the same Superchick CD for over a month straight every day. I've been craving opera lately. Chris is taking me to see Roberto Devereux next weekend. I have referred to the variety I have bookmarked in Pandora in this post, so I bet you get how far my taste in music varies. And I have to be in the MOOD to listen. Can't mix it all up. I have music phases.

Maybe all of these are symptoms of the clutter disorder I seem to have. I think I thrive on it. I'm constantly zooming through the clutter in my mind, and in my immediate world. So I ask you, might this be the year that I get on one track and stay there? Get organized for once and stay focused? I don't know if I would be me if I did. I'm not sure that life would have the same zest without my clutter.

And here Chris, April and Mavis are on New Years Eve. I began this year surrounded with love, one of the things in my life that does not waver. No phases in the love I have for my family.

Read in a Fortune Cookie....

2009-01-16T13:37:00.003-06:00

Be careful! Bees with honey in their mouths have stings in their tails.

*Whaaaa? I thought all bees had stings in their tails?*

Read in a Fortune Cookie....

2008-12-17T17:53:00.000-06:00

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

The full moon and a dozen other things that have been on my mind...

2008-12-12T22:18:00.012-06:00

The moon was a beautiful full one tonight. And as I read here, the closest to us it has been all year. Had it not been so cold, we would have done some moon and star gazing from the back yard tonight after the nice little dinner date we had. This is the time of year that I miss spending time out in the back yard. If I had a pile of money, I would build a gas fire pit like the one we sat around in San Diego. Nice, that would be real nice. I miss Bernie Mac. I digress.

Speaking of cold, did you hear about the snow in New Orleans this week? Crazy. Have you ever said "when hell freezes over"? You should be careful saying that from now on. I'm not saying the NOLA is hell, I'm just saying that if there is lake effect snow and the lake is Pontchartrain, then hell could be next. I have family in NOLA. They hollered about the snow on Facebook. It sounded like fun.

Speaking of Facebook, I've gone now and done something foolish..got a Facebook page. I barely keep up with this blog, Twitter, and my 2 email addresses. My plan is to manage it all from the iPhone. I will go blind trying to read the tiny screen for extended periods of time, but I'll look cool.

Speaking of the iPhone, I love my iPhone. I have an addiction to the App Store on iTunes. I have 4 pages of Apps on my phone, and 5 of them are weather apps. 4 Twitter Apps, 3 for restaurants and points of interest. I have Ebay, Amazon, and of course the voice activated Google - for when I'm driving down the road and need to Google. I love Google. I've got a novel by E.M. Forster that I'm reading in drive thru lanes. I only have 2 games, but they are my favorites - Ms. Pacman and Crash Bandicoot. There is the virtual Zippo lighter, just in case I'm at a concert and feel so inclined. Ooh, and Shazam. I've never used it but I might need it some day, at a concert. And then there are the Apps I use to listen to radio stations, and Pandora. I love Pandora. I have a Mazzy Star station on Pandora and that's just the best. I also have a KC and the Sunshine Band station, a Family Force 5 station, and a Mozart station. My neighbors at the office hate me. Chris says that Pandora and Satellite Radio are going to kill his career. Why can't they all just get along?

I have achieved electronic clutter. And I'm OK with that.

There were a few other things on my mind, but Mavis has chewed off one of my toes and is starting on a second. Jealous dog. It's probably for the best, the rest was going to be a rant. Nobody likes a rant.

The month that got away.

2008-12-01T20:32:00.010-06:00

I let November get away. It just flat went. I have to say that since I've gotten an iPhone, and use it to keep up on Twitter, I've really neglected the blog. It's not that I don't have anything to say, I just am saying it on Twitter more. Shame on lazy, lazy me. I go days without cranking up the laptop too.

I've enjoyed the changing of the season - and everything that goes with it. A couple of weeks ago we spent the weekend up at Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Chris, Mavis and I rented a cabin along with our good friends Johnny and Kellie. Since they moved to Tulsa we don't get to see them nearly enough. It was a good time to unplug and just relax. They are avid game players and taught us a new game - Settlers of Catan. You usually have to drag me kicking and screaming to play games. I have a huge allergy to competition. But I really had fun playing this game. The good company certainly didn't hurt. See Chris and Mavis totally focused on the "rock for wood, no I mean sheep for brick" strategy? Yeah, that didn't work. Johnny beat the crap out of us.

We (I)also spent quite a bit of time eating marshmallows by the fire.

So there you have it, I spent November playing games and eating marshmallows. Or so I wouldn't mind remembering it that way. It's been a tough November. Maybe someday I'll feel like writing about the rest of it. Here's to a better December.

PS.. I did go to see the new James Bond movie this month. I have decided that I want Dame Judi Dench to play me in the movie of our lives, the later years. Also went to see "The secret life of bees". Loved the book, and it was a great movie. From that movie I've decided that Dakota Fanning will play April as a young teen. So really I didn't lolly-gag all of November. I also did some casting for the movie of our lives.

Read in a Fortune Cookie....

2008-11-08T20:30:00.002-06:00

Now is a good time for a new collection or hobby.

*this is timely since I will embark on the Artist Trading Card project tomorrow*

Saturday Afternoon Multi-Tasking..My Way

2008-11-08T16:11:00.015-06:00

I'm spending my Saturday the way I like it. Just enough lounging, but not so much I feel I've wasted the day. It's a beautiful fall day and I've enjoyed coffee on the back porch, and now letting the afternoon sun come in the windows. I'm home alone with Mavis - Chris is working this afternoon. We're watching LSU play Alabama. That's the most stress I'm gonna let in today :)

I gave the doglet an overdue bath today. For those of you with human kids, you're gonna shrug off my despair when it comes to just how hard it is to keep up with this furry kid of mine. For ME, it's like keeping up with a toddler. I've struggled with her at bathtime from the beginning. We've tried double teaming her, me bathing her alone, in the tub with her, sitting on the edge, the kitchen sink, space heater to keep her warm, no space heater... No matter what, she fights bigtime. This time, I tried something a trainer recently told me. I was completely silent the whole time. No "it's ok baby, shhhh, BE STILL!!!". Non of that. I was silent from the time we went into the bathroom. Even the times that I have used a soothing voice all the way through and not yelled it hasn't made a difference. This time, I was shocked to find that Mavis was completely relaxed. So much so that she laid in my arms hanging her legs down while I lathered her head. I have no scratch marks. I'm a believer. This may be the start of a beautiful thing. I also tried a new shampoo. My pooch had an Aveda Shampure spa treatment today. I think she's worth the money. She's a calm submissive silky smooth :) I've tried several shampoos especially for dogs, baby shampoo (which I always still use on her face) and this one made her the most beautiful. It's the little things that make me happy. Now my doglet smells amazing!

I've also managed to hang some pictures that have been stacked and waiting on me. I have a small collection of antique postcards. I've had a few framed and hung them today. I also framed (myself thank you!) a print we got in New Orleans. That goes up today too. This is my most recent postcard find, "Bon Voyage".
I think the last energy I will exert will be gathering together some supplies to work on something artistic tomorrow. Georgianna is coming over and we are going to take a first stab at Artist Trading Cards. I am eager to get my hands working on art again, this is the perfect project. Small and easy to finish. I do think it's gonna be hard for me to let go of what I've created - that's always been difficult to me. I don't think I could ever make money as an artist. Once I'm satisfied with a painting I get so attached to it. We'll see how this goes :)

Yeah, what they said.

2008-11-05T10:31:00.013-06:00

A couple of people that I read daily summed it up nicely for me. Jade says trust in God here, and Anne says stop whining here.

Yeah, what they said. Now if you'll excuse me I have some things to get involved in.

Pain Management

2008-11-04T20:22:00.001-06:00

Update 11/5 I am cautiously optimistic today that these injections may have hit most of the right spots. Even if the pain relief is short lived, we may have found the source of the pain. Long term relief may be in sight with the next step!

I don't like to talk about it much, but I battle chronic pain every day and have for years. Mostly in my neck, it is my constant keeper it seems. I've tried almost every treatment there is, and yesterday I went back for more of the same. Injections under anesthesia directly to the nerves affected. In the past this has been somewhat effective but not 100%, but this time they hit more spots at one time. I look like I've been visited by aliens after this round of injections - sometimes I feel like it too. I just had to take a picture for the XFiles factor :)

Anyone have any miracle cures for arthritis and chronic pain of the cervical facet joints? I'm all ears. Really I am. I'm getting desperate and am not much good for anyone or anything when I hurt this much. I've tried so many things, but science moves fast. Maybe you've tried something I haven't. Here's a list.

Cortisone injections
Meds (neuro drugs, pain meds. Etc)
Yoga
Bio Feedback
Acupuncture (not going back for more of that)
Traction
Decompression Therapy
Chiropractic (still do regularly)

Besides the stress of constant pain, the stress of spending a pile of money on remedies that don't fix me is a killer. There is a surgical procedure that has been recommended, but we're talking about such a scary place to be screwing with. My doctor says they can destroy the nerve endings (rhizotomy) in the arthritic joints giving semi-permanent relief. I don't know, I'm just throwing it out there. Anyone had this done? Know anyone that has had it done?

Ok, enough said on this subject. Thanks for letting me share.

A Visit to Music City

2008-10-30T13:09:00.015-05:00

This week we paid a visit to Nashville to see April in her new hometown. We had the best time doing mostly nothing, our favorite pastime. As long as we eat and laugh it's all good. There was movie watching in the hotel room, several visits to really great coffee shops (Nashville has the best coffee shops), and of course a trip to Guitar Center in Nashville. I thought we would miss our flight - Chris and April were just lost in there. It goes without sayin, Mavis went with us. It was her 2nd trip on an airplane. She's a pro! I just have to stick a foot into her carrier under the seat and she's happy.

Chris, Mavis and I also got the chance to visit with Bernie at A Place to Bark. The folks at my office all pitched in to take a donation for her ongoing building project, which gave me a good excuse to visit. I really appreciated her taking time out of a very busy schedule to visit with us. I got the VIP tour of her shelter, and some always welcome puppy love from the adorable schnauzer pups! (it was FREEEZING - we had to tuck them in our jackets)

In a addition to her obvious passion for animals, Bernie is an artist. She is active in the ATC (Artist Trading Card) movement, having written a book and teaching others how to create in workshops. Bernie gave me a copy of her book, and now I'm getting motivated. I may have to start a shoe box of supplies and get started creating my own cards. I majored in Fine Art/Painting and Drawing in college. I've just let it go over the years. This would be a great way to get back in the swing of things. I've still got some of the old tools, just need to dust them off.

Most of all I'm encouraged by the hearts of others who strive to do the right thing, and give selflessly. Not just Bernie, but my April too. It was a good visit.

A House for Mr. Spock

2008-10-12T16:19:00.004-05:00

We got Mr. Spock's house up today! Now we wait and hopefully Mrs. Spock with love the house and we'll have little owlets come spring!

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-12T13:11:00.003-05:00

We made our annual trip to the local pumpkin patch this weekend. It always has that small town feel and really gets me going for the holiday season. Sometimes I imagine that I live in Stars Hollow while we're there (one of the things on my life list..live in a town like it). There's fresh roasted corn on the cob and made fresh kettle corn right there in a big kettle while you watch.

The corn maze is pretty spooky at night - they hand out flashlights and you can always count on someone to lurk and scare the bajeebas out of you. I've gotten lost in there during the day, which is precisely why I let everyone else go while I stand by ready to call in the choppers to search for them if they don't come back :) I was perfectly happy to sit with Mom on a bench and people watch. Kids running wild with excitement. I love it.

Mavis tagged along and was tortured by wearing her costume for this year, compliments of Aunt Pamela:) She wears these things to make me happy you know. She'll have to wear it again to my office on Oct 31st. So this was a good practice run. She was the cutest pumpkin in the patch.

Of course we went on the hay ride. Half the fun is waiting for your turn, and then spotting the rabbits and foxes in the field at night. My niece Sadie commented that they went way slower this year. I'm pretty sure that was because she is a year older and it just seemed slower. Pretty soon there won't be any kids in the family that still want to do the hayride. What will my excuse be then :)

Sadie made a great Tiger, but sadly, her wild getup didn't help my LSU Tigers at all. While we were at the Patch, they had their first loss of the season. Ironically to Sadie's favorite team, the Florida Gators.

At the end of the night, we all got to pick out a pumpkin or two to take home. I'm grateful for a Mom that insists we all still do these things, and who will always treat us to it.

PS.. April and McKenna, we really missed having you here this year.

The Dog Whisperer

2008-10-11T14:23:00.003-05:00

I'm a HUGE fan of the Dog Whisperer. Cesar Millan is hosting a live seminar and I wish I could go (with Mavis of course)

Cesar's ONLY 2008 Live Seminar!
Saturday, December 6th, at 2 PM
Atlanta, GA - John A. Williams Theatre
at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Click here for details. Anyone want to donate a ticket to get us there :) We could really use some Dog Whisperin'!

My Hawaiian Vacation

2008-10-02T14:34:00.003-05:00

This is as close as I'm going to get to a vacation in Hawaii any time soon. My sweet friend Marilyn brought me back a fresh flower lei, and some seashells and sand from a business trip to one our Hawaiian offices.

Ya think I should arrange for something to go terribly wrong in my area of expertise so I'll get sent over? No, that would be very wrong. Hmmmmmm.

Update on "The Ugly"

2008-10-01T17:28:00.002-05:00

Well the city says that it's not just them but also a state and fed thing or something - if the dish is less than 10 feet - 10 FEET people - it can go where ever Mr. Neighbor wants to put it. I guess I should be grateful that it's not a 9 foot dish. Maybe I should plant a tree to block the view. What kind of tree should I plant?

Mocking Bird at Dusk

2008-09-30T19:40:00.003-05:00

Took this dusk shot with my iPhone this evening - not bad. I'm still figuring out how it all works!

Now I'm just sitting with Chris and Mavis enjoying the lightning bugs, some deserved R&R for all 3 of us.

Mr. Spock

2008-09-30T18:33:00.001-05:00

I think it's unanimous that our little Eastern Screech Owl will be named Mr. Spock (thank you Joanne!) Here is some audio (and mostly dark video) I got around dusk Sunday night. You can hear him "whinny", which I understand is usually used in territorial defense. I also think I might have heard another one over in the next yard. Hopefully he will get used to me hanging around and I'll get to hear the "trilling" that is not so defensive(owl lingo you know).

Chris called me at the office yesterday to tell me that he was there in the same place in the afternoon. I didn't get home until well after dark, so I wasn't able to visit with him (Mr. Spock that is). Come to think of it I was so late that Mavis was the only one I could visit with. Chris is an early bird, while I'm more of a night owl...GaaaaHaaaaHaaaa! Couldn't resist the lame joke.

Clutter

2008-09-28T17:02:00.003-05:00

I needed nail polish remover today so I looked under the sink where it normally is. We've been trying to tackle the clutter so there have been a few things tossed out from beneath the sink revealing what is in the way back. Here is what I found for nail polish remover down there. Do you think it will cause a chemical explosion if I pour them all into the same bottle? I'm going to do it outside just in case.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2008-09-28T13:29:00.017-05:00

I'm sitting in the backyard, enjoying a cafe au lait made in the french press with some authentic Cafe Du Monde coffee. Oh so sweet. My intention was to come out and write about whats been going on with Mavis. I'll get to that in a minute. Here are some recent Mavis pics. I know you have missed her so.

I haven't been very motivated to write lately since nothing extraordinarily good has happened. This is the "In my backyard good things happen" blog after all. There have been extraordinarily BAD things going on, but I just don't feel like writing about those things, don't ask. So I haven't. But today, as I got settled to sit and write about Mavis and her health, since so many of you have asked, a good thing happened in my backyard. So it preempts my not so good news story about Mavis. Just by a paragraph though, so again, I'll get to her in a minute.

The Good
Like I said, I'm getting settled on the porch, coffee in hand. The squirrels are running rampant and Mavis is having a ball chasing them. It's funny because she isn't much bigger than they are. I think I see one crouching in the pine tree (I'm not wearing my glasses) so I go closer to check it out. I don't want her to get into a boxing match with a squirrel. Then I get goosebumps. There sits my Eastern Screech Owl. In the pine tree, on the lowest branch, in the middle of the day. We stare at each other and he appears to snooze off and on. Chris comes out to look and the owl just blinks. That was an hour ago and he still sits in the same spot cleaning himself, snoozing, and I'm guessing hunting too. I'm irritated at this moment that I haven't bought that upgraded camera that I've been dreaming of. I have a pretty nice one, a Sony Cybershot, but what I really want is one that can super zoom and take rapid shots. Here's the best shot I could get.

I think we should name him, since he's decided to keep us company. Let me know what you think, I'd like for you to help me pick a name.

The Bad
Ok, now on to the rest of my story. Now don't get me wrong, it hasn't been all bad lately, I've just felt all doom and gloom and stuff. Mavis has had trouble breathing for a year now. She snores LOUD all the time. When she gets really excited she snorts and kind of gasps. I've asked our regular vet before if it's all ok. Dogs like her are prone to "collapsing trachea", and I've always worried that was the case. Our vet has always said that it's probably just allergies. I've known and trusted this vet for a long time. She used to take care of Beaux Kittie and Pee Wee before they went to kitty heaven. Fast forward to Friday. Mavis was going in to have her teeth cleaned, and 2 baby teeth that never came out pulled. The regular vet is out on leave, so we had a sub, Dr. Long. By the way, I REALLY like Dr. Long, and he has little ones like Mavis too. I was going to have routine blood work done since she'd already be under. You know kidney, liver, blood sugar. Just to be sure everything was working right. I mentioned to him that she had trouble breathing a lot, and he said he would take a good look while she was under for the cleaning. A couple of hours later he called and asked if he could do some X Rays. Said he didn't see anything in her mouth or throat that would cause labored breathing and just wanted to check her trachea. Of course, it turns out she has a collapsing trachea in the worst spot, down in her chest right next to the chest wall. This means that she wouldn't be a candidate for the surgery they do now to correct this - a metal or plastic stint much like a tube that is permanently implanted. I'm not sure I would want that for her anyway. How could that be comfortable? I cried a little, sucked it up and went to pick her up. Did I say how much I like Dr. Long. He's older, rough and worn hands, and reminds me of a favorite grandfather. He also reminded me of a vet we had when I was in high school that would come out to our place and treat the horses. Dr. Long assured me that she would be able to deal with this on her own. She knows her limits and will calm herself most of the time. Eventually she may sometimes faint when she over exerts, or gets too excited. I now have the doggie CPR instructions posted where I can find them. *deep sigh* Worst case the collapse gets so bad it will be fatal. Not all dogs but some die from this, and usually when they are older. I was counting on getting a good 18 years with Mavis like Joan Rivers did with Spike. I'm trying not to be a pessimist, but I tend to err on the dramatic side. I'm currently resisting the urge to buy an oxygen tank and tiny mask just in case she keels over.

And the Ugly
Ok, now a complaint about the ugly. Dear Mr. Neighbor, could you please remove the ugly satellite dish from my nice view. Every time I sit in my favorite chair out here now this is what I see.

I've already emailed the city. There has to be an ordinance regarding the placement of these hideous things.

It's been at least 2 hours now since I spotted the owl. He's still there, hasn't moved. The Blue Jays have been totally harassing him. They have a nest nearby. I wonder if this little owl has been hanging out in my backyard every afternoon? I need to spend more time out here. I miss it.

2008-09-22T21:40:00.004-05:00

Out in the backyard enjoying the tree frogs, and I'm trying out the iPhone for blogging. No novel gonna be written here but it's do-able. Also, Mavis hasn't figured out it's a computer yet. So no tantrum.

It tries to guess the words I'll type. Sometimes it's right, and then there's the time it wanted to turn boss into Bono. Funny.

Upgrade Me

2008-09-18T20:53:00.008-05:00

I have made some changes in the last month that you could call upgrades. I'm thinking my brain is going to explode from trying to remember all the things that come with these upgrades. I got a new car, really just an upgrade of the same car I had, but with all the extras I didn't have before. All those different places for switches, gadgets and new features I've never had. Satellite radio..I have like 20 favorite channels. I don't have 20 buttons. I've got a cheat sheet but then that's not too safe when you're cruising down the freeway. Then I decided that I would get an iPhone. I LOVE my iPhone, but oh man are there are so many things to see and do. I lay in bed at night just looking at all the different things there are to do when I should be sleeping. I downloaded an app for virtual fortune cookies that deliver the "fortune" to you..to be shared here later. In the office I put the iPhone on the credenza behind my desk and I can feel it staring at me, asking me to stop what I'm doing and use it to do something incredibly worthwhile. There will probably be a need for a lockbox to put it in just so I can stay focused on my job. I'm sure this is just the honeymoon, I'll get over it...or I'll say "how did I ever live without my iPhone".
I've never been the one to have the cool new gadget. I decided that it was time for me to treat myself. It feels really good.

In totally unrelated news, I have inadvertently turned my husband into a Fox News junkie:) I leave it on for Mavis every day when I go to work. I think she likes the regular reporters and anchors, you know familiar voices and faces to keep her company. Chris comes home every day and it's on and he can't stop watching. I think it's kind of funny. From Star Trek and the History Channel to Fox News. I'd say he's well rounded.

Oh, and Mavis is speaking to me again. All I had to do was cook for her and give her treats for breakfast (the equivalent of giving your kids Chocolate Cake for breakfast). We're old pals again. She still hates it when I read or use my computer. She was throwing a huge fit, but is now curled up beside me. Proof that Chocolate Cake for breakfast is a very good idea.

One more thing - I talked to April for the longest time today. She is doing so very well and is really stretching herself. I am proud of her. She has also changed her major to Social Entrepreneurship. I really think it fits her.

I think that about covers it. Me and the doglet are going to bed.

Excuse #52

2008-09-10T17:13:00.005-05:00

I have been a terrible blogger the last few weeks. Neglectful etc etc. You could probably say I've also been lacking in the wife, mother, sister, daughter (well maybe not so much that one), employee, and friend department. Mavis even seems to be telling me in her way that even she prefers to be around her daddy more than me. THAT's an all time low. I'm so out of whack even my dog won't give me the time of day. I'm gonna have to find my bootstraps, then start pulling. I'm in a terrible slump! Just look at my office!

I had to get up, stand at the door and just look at it earlier today. It's time to burn some of this stuff in the trashcan and make everyone believe I never saw it when they ask "where's that copy of the soandso agreement"..and so on (naw, I'd never do that, really I wouldn't.) That copy of Treasury and Risk magazine is months old. I should at least get rid of that. I do think I have a good excuse for the old mags and piles of paper though. I do. The management here at the office has decided that recycling costs too much. I'm not kidding. I haul stuff home to recycle. So there, it's the companies fault that my office is such a mess.

I have one 5lb dog that eats a quarter cup of food a day, how hard can it be to keep up with that? The kids are in college, out of the house. I do however have to keep up with that sweet man I'm married to. That is A WHOLE LOT like having a little kid at home sometimes. But I'm not raising 5 kids while in command of the State of Alaska, and at the same time running for Vice President of the USA. I'm pretty sure I don't have a good excuse for such a messy existence.

Seriously (finger now pointed at my face) you've got to grab ahold of yourself woman! People need you. You need you. You have a life list to accomplish. You have a life list that you haven't even blogged about yet.

Major slacker I am, and I had such high hopes for myself.

I shall start taking my vitamins again, pay attention to all the sticky notes I've left myself, and I will find those bootstraps.

San Diego

2008-08-27T13:20:00.012-05:00

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to go on a business trip to San Diego and I brought Chris and Mavis along. I took an extra couple of days and we had a great time seeing a few sights despite the fact that I got so sick with a sinus infection I had to find a doctor while I was there. I wasn't about to miss San Diego so towards the end Chris just propped me up in the convertible we rented and we kept going. I took tons of pictures except for the day we went to Coronado Island. We forgot the camera that day. I was too tired to throw fit for Chris to go back and get it.

Mavis had her first trip on an airplane. She was so good, nobody even knew that we had her with us.

We went sailing in the Bay at sunset. Mavis even had her own little life jacket (it's under the fuzzy blanket - got a little chilly for a doglet out on the water). She loved sailing - even fell asleep towards the end and snored.

Chris got to steer the boat.

We went to the dog beach at Ocean Beach. Mavis is NOT a fan. I made her go anyway.
Can you see the pout?

We stayed at the marina on Harbor Island. This was our backyard for 5 days. Mavis got spoiled with the regular walks and the yachts and all. She will tell you that she deserves better than our ho-hum life. I will tell you that she lives better than lots of kids do. Oh but we love her though. We made lots of good memories.

Read in a Fortune Cookie...

2008-08-26T23:28:00.000-05:00

You will soon witness a miracle. (in Renate's cookie)

You will make a change for the better within the year. (in my cookie)

Hmmm. Good news, and they seem to go together. Heads up.

Finally saw the owl I've been hearing.

2008-08-22T21:51:00.006-05:00

I was having a glass of wine in the back yard this evening (a lovely Syrah/Grenache Rose to be exact) when I was surprised by the treat of seeing the little owl that I've been hearing lately. It was just dusk so I still had light to see. He's an Eastern Screech-Owl, the reddish brown variety. As he was first perched in our pine tree about 20 feet up, I went under the branch and we just looked at each other for about 3 minutes of pure wonder on my part. Then he flew to a higher branch for a moment, then over to the cypress tree, and on out for the evening hunt. I wish I could turn back time and have my camera at the ready. It was nice though to just have the moment and not be distracted with trying to get a good picture.

I love my backyard. I'm grateful for the escape it provides.

Excuse number 47, plus I'm just weird about death.

2008-08-21T20:00:00.012-05:00

Warning, this post is full of run on sentences, poor punctuation, and a disclaimer about my psychological condition. Also, I am very tired.

....another reason I've been focused on other things besides writing, we buried a loved one on Monday. I wasn't going to write about it, but now that it has opened a very large can of emotional worms (that still sits open in the middle of the living room floor) I feel compelled. Unbelievable behavior by someone on the day of the funeral (this is me not writing about that either) has been a recurring topic which has led to Chris and me discussing our wishes for what will happen to us and how that day will go. Chris has entertained the thought that he wants to be cremated, I want to be buried in my favorite comfy clothes and a soft quilt. I KNOW that I'll be gone. I have serious beliefs about what will happen when I die, and in my brain I know that I won't give a rip about the box or the outfit or the blanket. I'm just WEIRD that way. I have a vivid imagination, and it is the biggest tool I have in the box when I go to deal with stress. I can sit on a patio and pretend that I'm on vacation when escape is impossible. I have imagined at funerals that the one I'm saying goodbye to is really just having a nice long sleep until we all see each other again in heaven. (here is where I'm going to give you the disclaimer..I am in therapy, I know I need it, please don't tell me that I do. We're working on it) Ok, so I don't deal with death very well. As Chris and I have discussed this over the last couple of days I've let him know that my vivid imagination plan at his funeral (if he goes first, we're placing bets) will be shot to hell if he is cremated. What, what on earth tell me, will work for the image of him being all burned up in a furnace? It's hard to sleep when you are jumping around in the fire and are reduced to a pile of ashes. I can't begin to imagine a pile of ashes waiting for me to get there so it can wake up from a long sleep. So, Chris has promised not to be cremated, but only if he can be buried in his Capt Kirk outfit. We deserve each other. (in therapy together by the way, we're working on it). AND he is has this thing about being buried under dirt. He wants to be put in a drawer, above ground. I guess we should be shopping for side by side spots at a mausoleum somewhere...unless therapy is extremely successful, and then we might shop for matching urns (that would be REALLY good counseling, I'll tell you what). I will draw the line on outfits though. He hasn't asked yet, but I can hear it coming. I won't be wearing a Lt. Uhura outfit. Sorry honey.

April is Home!

2008-08-20T14:19:00.004-05:00

April is home and I couldn't be happier! Thanks to all of you who have kept her in your prayers while she traveled India and Malaysia. She's had so many stories to tell - there's just not enough time for all of them. We've had some good chats over coffee and are now packing her up to move off to Tennessee later this week. I guess I'll just have to spend some quality time in Nashville soon so we can finish catching up. Darn the luck.

I have not forgotten you.

2008-08-20T13:55:00.005-05:00

I've been on vacation (kind of), and on a business trip (kind of), and camping with the whole family (kind of). I'm dying to get down to business and share all of it here - but the laptop has been on the fritz, along with my head (which has a serious cold). I'll be back soon to tell you more about this

and this.

I promise.

Update from April

2008-08-12T07:45:00.000-05:00

Got a phone call from April this morning. After more than 2 months she's back in the USofA. Even though she's not HOME yet, good to know she's back on the home soil. We'll get hugs and all the stories on Thursday. Just can't wait!!

Read in a Fortune Cookie....

2008-08-08T13:03:00.002-05:00

Live, think, and act for today. Tomorrow might be too late.

The fortune cookie speaks! Reminds me of something I've read in the Bible..."Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

I'm sitting up and paying attention to this one.