Photo Hunt - Space

This is the space behind us. It is subdivided for modular homes. When this development happened, we were totally flummoxed, as it totally took away our view. You see, in order
to see the space behind us, I am standing on the retaining way, approximately 6' off the ground, and I still can't see over the fence! I took the picture by holding my camera over my head. I'm 5'6".



Otherwise, this is what we see! I've gussied it up with some shrubbery but I'd much rather be able to see the hills and the clouds. (For those of you who have heard me gripe about this, sorry for the repeat!)

Be sure and peek in on Photo Hunt and TN Chick!

Family - It's Truly a Blessing!

We got to see our darling great-granddaughter and great-grandson today! Will post photos later - but they are so adorable. Am I gushing just a little?
Tomorrow, my oldest and her husband and our Marine will join us. Our Marine leaves for Iraq in a couple of weeks. He's been in Okinawa training and learning all the stuff they need to know to keep us safe. I can hardly wait to see him...
I'll post photos of the tribe when I can!

~~~Blessings~~~

Looking at the Sky on Friday

I took this from the car as my daughter was driving through the Oklahoma countryside. It was hot and the clouds were banked up in the sky.

Please drop in and visit Crazy Working Mom!

Thursday Nonsense

Gary Brookins, Virginia -- The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Is anyone else sick and tired of the crap going on in Washington with our elected officials? I'm beginning to wonder if my migraines haven't been brought on by the idiocy taking place, such as signing a gazillion dollar stimulus/spending bill that couldn't be read in time for the signing?

I heard a terrific line today: "The last time I was in a hurry I wound up with 4 cases of ShamWow." (Penn, of Penn & Teller fame, talking about the spending package) I think we've just been handed a whole wad of ShamWow...

Wordless Wednesday - Blazing Roses

Some of last summer's roses...

Run over to Wordless Wednesday, please?

The Chicken Pie That Bit Me!

Little Jack Horner
Sat in a corner,
Eating a mincemeat pie.
He stuck in his thumb
And pulled out a plum,
And said, "What a good boy am I!"

The day started off on a rough note. I needed to reheat my coffee in the microwave and in so doing, I bumped my cup and spilled the whole cup inside the mic! Cleaned up that mess...
Made another cup of coffee - spilled the cup all over the counter top. I would've quit at that point, but darn, did I need that coffee! Coffee quest completed.

For dinner, I threw a Marie Calendar's chicken pie in the microwave. (I fixed hubman burritos but my stomach wasn't up to that). When the buzzer went off, I opened the door and reached for the box (you leave the pie in the box), it slipped, I grabbed the box, only to have the chicken pie slide out of the box! I grabbed it without thinking, and my pinkie finger went smack-dab into the boiling hot pie! OUCH!!! I stuck it under cold water immediately and then kept ice on it. I still have huge blisters on my finger.

I bet when Little Jack Horner stuck his thumb in the pie and pulled out a plum, it hadn't been in a bloomin' microwave!

I'm so much fun...

Why on Earth???

Lee Redmond shows off her fingernails, which are about 30 inches long, in Salt Lake City, Aug. 8, 2006. Redmonds fingernails were broken off in a traffic accident Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. Her injuries were serious but not life threatening, according to Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. (AP Photo/

First of all, this chick's about 80 years old and trying to look like a, what , teenager? And what about the obvious - personal hygiene! Things like this gross me out.

Manic Monday - Waffle

1: equivocate , vacillate <waffled on the important issues> ; also : yo-yo , flip-flop
2: to talk or write foolishly : blather waffle…tiresomely off the point

Sadly, Burris is just one of many that I could have chosen - both sides of the political fence. If people could just learn to tell the truth... But our politicians have become such "wafflers" that we can no longer believe them.

Please visit our host Mo, of Manic Monday fame.
He doesn't ever waffle!!!

Sunday Scenery

This is a magnificent California Oak, outside of Tehachapi, CA. We had hoped to purchase this lot but things didn't work out. The rocks under the tree are approximately 12-20 feet, so that gives you a better idea as to how huge this tree is!

Tehachapi is about 30 minutes east of Bakersfield; continuing east, you'll find yourself on Hwy 395, which will take you to Mammoth Mountain - about a 4 hour trip, north. Tehachapi is a small community but up in the mountains. They see snow several times per year and have a wonderful apple crop in the fall. The famous Tehachapi Loop (for all of you train buffs!) is located here, too. One day I'll do a post about the "Loop!"

Happy Sunday!

Please stop by Tarheel Ramblings
There are some fantastic photos over there. I know you'll enjoy...

Camera Critters - Spanky

Say "hi" to my buddy, Spanky. He's a 18 year-old Nanday Conure. This picture doesn't do him justice. His flight feathers are a beautiful cobalt blue. The feathers on his breast are a soft turquoise. And I love his red socks!

I've had him since '92 when his owner's wife said, "It's me or him!" Nanday's are very possessive, very possessive! He will not let my husband touch him or hubman will be minus a finger or two. When he was going through his equivilent of teen angst, he would bite me on the face with out a reason! I was ready to show him the door but bought a book onConures. It seems when he feels threatened or frightened, he wants me to get to safety, since I'm his mate (in his world!). Biting is his way of getting attention - believe me, it does! I've had my lip pierced more than once...

But thankfully, most of the time he loves to sit and cuddle, nestling up agains my neck. He loves to give kisses - literally beak to lips! He makes little cooing noises. And that's the only time he's quiet. Nandays are like geese. They sound the alarm when danger approaches and my ear drums have been shattered more than once. They're known to be one of the loudest small parrots. I'll attest to that!

Nandays can live 30-40 years and my kids have told me to make arrangments, because they don't want him. They'd like to keep their digits!

Please visit Camera Critters!