Wordless Wednesday

This is Norma Jean...one of my "granddogs."
She's a Shiba Inu, a smaller version of an
Akita. That ball goes everywhere with her!

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This is Scary!

I know it's hard for anyone under 40 to remember the days when the doctor would come in the examining room reeking of cigarette smoke! My doc always had a pack in his doc frock.
I'm an ex-smoker but I'm not rabid about it. It's just that we have so much more info now...
I would imagine today's docs only smoke pot. (Just kidding....?)

Manic Monday - Doodle

Mo chose the word "Doodle" for today. I haven't learned to doodle digitally so I'm opting to introduce you to a rooster from Kaua'i. You find these guys running amok all over the island and they're really quite attractive! So my input for Monday is:

COCKADOODLE DOO

Check out "Manic Monday" - I'm sure you all can come up with
something a lot more original!

Okay, my stupid cat looks like a fox and I spelled Buddha wrong.
Whaddya want? It's almost midnight and I'm sleepy...

Photo Hunters

This is the view from our backyard - or it was, until a huge 10-12' concrete block fence went up. I can no longer see the foothills...thank goodness for all of the birds that visit our yard. It helps make up for losing our view.

Please visit our host TNChick

Wordless Wednesday

As seen on the Fox Channel: When Pigeons Attack!
(Empress Bee, I do humbly apologize in advance...)

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MY COMPUTER DIED!

I had finally been able to do some catching up with everyone and then my computer shivered, rolled over and said, "Okay, I'm done." I finally got it doctored and am back at it. Please bear with me as I try to catch up again...Argggghhhhhhhhh.

Manic Monday - Rip

The Tide That Ripped!

I was sixteen and in the ocean at Corona del Mar, one of my favorite locales during the summer. Living in such close proximity to the beach I was never afraid of the water. I've never been a real strong swimmer but I make do.

My cousin and I had been lying on the beach and had decided to go in the water to cool off. We were enjoying ourselves when all of a sudden, we weren't where we should have been! We'd gotten caught in one of those darned riptides! It's something you hear about from friends but had never believed it could happen to you.

My cousin was a strong swimmer, having lived in Manhattan Beach, and she also spent a summer with her aunt in Hawai'i. But here I was, way out over my head and in trouble! She stayed right by my side, encouraging me to hang in there when I noticed some older guys on rafts. I paddled over to one and grabbed on. I tried to explain what had happened but I was out of breath. My hero pushed me away and took off.

Next thing I know, there's a lifeguard coming my way with a tow rope in hand. I became horribly embarrassed (shoot, dying is less important to a 16 year old, I guess!) so I told him I was okay.
I floated awhile, then swam, until we finally made it to shore. I remember my knees knocking together like crazy! We flopped down on our beach towels none the worse for wear...

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Photo Hunt - Signs

(Bottom photo not mine)

Nene Goose, State Bird of Hawai'i

Physical Description: Scientists believe these birds were once nearly identical to the Canada goose, but after thousands of years of evolution, they are now quite different. They seldom swim and were not bothered by predators or cold temperatures, so they did not fly as much. Today the Nene has feet that are only half as webbed as other geese, with longer toes for climbing on the rocky lava flows. Their wings are weak, compared to other geese.

Feeding: Because there is little fresh water in their environment, the Nene relies on the moisture from fog and dew, and that contained in the plants it eats.

Status and Conservation: In 1778 when Captain Cooke arrived in the Hawaiian islands, there were probably 25,000 Nene. By the 1950's there were only 30 geese left. Like many island animals, the Nene could not stand up to the introduced animals that colonists brought with them and the changes they made to the environment for agriculture. Today there are about 500 wild Nene and successful captive breeding programs in the United States and Europe with fledglings introduced every year.

For Mo and all of My Kitty Loving Friends...

My 500th Post!

And nobody thought it would last!
Thanks, everyone - for reading
and commenting! You're the best~