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Note: I also added some exceptional photos [if I say so myself] of hummingbirds from our back yard on my photo blog, Colors of the Wind....HERE
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WEEKEND FUNNIES


A farmer, upset with his low yield of eggs, decided to go to town to buy a fresh rooster who could liven things up a bit with his hens. The man at the supply store told him he wished he could help, but all he had was this incredible randy rooster. "But that's just what I need!" the farmer said. The store owner said, "Not this rooster, he's trouble. I've never seen anything so horny." But the farmer insisted and eventually took the rooster home on the condition that he wouldn't ever return it. Once home, the rooster jumped into the hen house and nailed every hen repeatedly until they were all exhausted and nearly dead. Undaunted, the rooster hopped the fence and got in with the ducks, repeating the scene with the hens and wiping out all the ducks. He then leaped another fence and proceeding to nail all the geese. This continued for three days until all the farm birds that were left alive lay gasping. The farmer found the rooster prostrate in the middle the yard, with buzzards circling overhead. "Serves you right." said the farmer, at which point the rooster rose, pointed overhead, winked, and said, "Shhhhhhhhh."

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...and tying in to the joke above, I share this one:

A farmer with lots of chickens posted the following sign. "Free Chickens. Our Coop Runneth Over."

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When I found this one, the first person I thought of was Willie Nelson...didn't he promote 'natural gas'...methane? [maybe it was fuel made from corn] Oh what the heck...I still thought it was funny enough to share:

Once upon a time....

...ever since the presidential campaign back in '08 and seeing the future 1st lady come on stage wearing a beautiful and yet a simple cut dress, I've become obsessed with the color [of the dress]. Yes, I state my favorite colors are were dark forest green and royal purple...well, they still are favorites of mine, but the color of this dress...what I call magenta...it's quickly become a favorite of mine also. The color, when I wear it, brings out the silver in my graying hair. [the subject of gray hair will follow this] Not only that, I think it brings out a glow in ANY complexion. I never, ever, thought a certain color would accentuate any skin tone but this particular color, in my estimation...and I've seen it on many women since the campaign year only 'cause I've been paying attention more to the color...and as I say...the color is GOOD for ALL skin tones. All thanks to our 1st lady, well, at least through my eyes.... The color has been around forever of course. And being a jeans and t-shirt kinda gal that I am, I finally found a magenta T-Shirt. And I'm pleased as punch. Me? Dresses? Nah!! Now, the color...back to the color magenta:

"Magenta is a color of universal harmony and emotional balance. It is spiritual yet practical, encouraging common sense and a balanced outlook on life. The color magenta helps to create harmony and balance in every aspect of life; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. A combination of red and violet, magenta contains the passion, power and energy of red, restrained by the introspection and quiet energy of violet...."
read more on the color HERE

Michelle O photo courtesy of Access Hollywood dot com - no infringement intended.



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Then, returning to my thoughts on graying hair. My color of hair when a lot younger was a strawberry blond. Some days, especially in the summer when out in the sun a lot, it was quite near platinum blond...but with a very dingy yellow tinge to it. The redness returned in the Fall and Winter ...depending on the season. As the years passed and after I had my two children, it became quite dull and more a dish water blond. Darkening with age. Then, the five decades put a whole new scenario with my hair color. It was like it was overnight...but the dingy yellow blond became gray on top with a light ash blond at the nape of the neck. And being the outdoorsy person that I've always been, my face is sun-bleached and rather wrinkled. What am I saying? A WHOLE LOT WRINKLED!! Which is okay, no complaints here...but the hair...I'm not even contemplating coloring it...dying it back to blond ---it would look SO artificial with the skin condition. Now, I used to put a silver rinse in my mother's hair each time I'd fix up her 'do' for her. It was a gray rinse. Turning HER dingy Irish-strawberry-blond-turned-gray hair a vibrant shiny silver. More or less, a lot like what you see Paula Deen's hair color is on the Food Network. And, to be honest, I would like that color if only I were so lucky. The last time I had my hair trimmed off my neck for the season [bobbed short], my regular place I go to get my hair cut, she and I got to talking. I told her that I've looked and looked all over for a gray hair rinse --just a rinse; not dye. She said just get the expensive gray hair shampoos..."it'll work like the rinses of long ago did." I now have Pantene for Silver Hair. It DOES take the dingy yellow tones out. And I thank her for her advice. I would never have guessed that a shampoo could do 'the trick'. I asked Bud if he could see the difference in the gray tone...he said:
"What makes the difference anyhow? I'd love you if you were bald and toothless."

Pfffft....gimme a break. I know he just wants me around to cook his meals and clean up hair balls. The CATS' hairballs that is.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?!!? [answer it now], then click here to see what it tells you about your personality. [being that my color WAS green I feel reading about the color MAGENTA fits me better]. rofl

Stone hearts...ya, I need one sometimes...don't you?

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...a meme where you match photos to song lyrics

SONG title: STONE HEARTS by Cher
Listen to the song at this link


I ask the river for a sign


In a dream, we go on together
How long is love supposed to shine
In a dream, diamonds are forever
But you and I, hurt together, hurt alone
Don't you sometimes
Wish your heart was a heart of stone


Mercy, mercy, wish your heart was a heart of stone
With a heart of stone, you'll be well protected
Don't you sometimes
Wish your heart was made of stone



PHOTO CREDIT: River - Nueces River near 1-37 LaBonte park [where the fresh water ends and salt water from the bay begins...supposedly. For me it's far far from the 'delta' and that would be where I'd say it ends/begins; what do I know?]
Rock photos are two small stones I turned over while cleaning out the landscaping rock in the back yard some weeks ago, and the song came to mind because of the 'heart shapes' in the stones.

...along the path---

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Wordless Outdoor Wordful Watery to Join





Between the bay [along the marina and Shoreline Blvd., downtown] and the city buildings there's a grassy median with sculptures along the way...hidden in one area, in a grassy knoll, is a pond and the bronze work of kids, skipping rocks. I've actually shared this area before, but this time when we were walking there, the pond was actually cleaned of debris from leaves and trash and the fountain was running!!!

A mermaid she's not...

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Look closely....



...closer





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Okay, I figure if you're still viewing and trying to figure out what this all is about....ZOOM OUT for full view---

Ta da!! Full view!!






Gotta love it, right? The imagination of some astounds me at times. While walking along Whitecap Beach the other day, we came up on this lovey-dovey. The abundance of seaweed during the height of its season washing ashore, in the rusty red colors, made GREAT hair!! I don't know if she's sunbathing or beached face down. None the less...it's a work of art. I loved how her toes were partially buried in the cool sand!! [top photo] Trust me, the body's natural curves were nearly perfect. Even the hips around the bikini lines [2nd photo] Oh....and she WAS life-sized.

Intoxicating!

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'Tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes!
~William Wordsworth, "Lines Written in Early Spring," Lyrical Ballads, 1798

I mentioned in my post yesterday that I purchased three small geranium plants at the nursery. I took all three [two white with a dusting of pink, and the 3rd a hot pink] and added them to one large pot and put in a hanging basket; hanging from the eave off the patio. One of my favorite scents is the smell of geraniums. I haven't had them much the past two decades 'cause they don't do well in extreme heat...AZ and south TX in the summer equals EXTREME heat. But I bought 'em anyway, and I'm happy I bought 'em, even if they'll only do good up until the temps remain near 100 during the days of summer...





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MONDAY MORSELS
[expanding on my macro photos]

Eavesdrop on Your Soul


As the fresh, clean fragrance of geraniums drifts through the air
I begin to read the day.
On this early morn, I unravel all that surrounds...
Hidden from view, a mourning dove sings its lullaby...
The gentle sea breeze whistles a soft melodic tune...
Nearby, faint chirps from fledglings heard;
momma mockingbird scolds them...
From the distant horizon the sun rises...
Shadows dance a game of hide and seek...
Soft hues of gold and peach tint the hour...
Dispersing all hints of night's indigo blue...
A new dawn, a new day, a new beginning...
My world, I'm with peace of mind...
Impel your senses; begin the day as I do; if only....
You, I dare!






"Eavesdrop on Your Soul"
copyrighted by
Hootin' Anni
© 2011

Shadows and Summaries

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SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY







A KOKOPELLI
(pronounced coke-ah-PELL-ee)
Bud made from
scrap fence lumber
and
1x2 pieces [for feathers]

Read more on Kokopelli HERE













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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY


This past week, it's been way too hot and humid to do much outdoors except for the early morning. And I think it's kinda odd that the air can be so filled with moisture, and the skies oftentimes show a threat of rain...but nothing, nada. We are once again in a drought!! By midday, it's too hot for this ol' lady and I'm in where the air conditioning is on. Anyway, one morning walking along the Shoreline Blvd, where the downtown yacht club and marina is, we timed it as two shrimp boats were coming in. [I'm only sharing the one boat tho. Will show the other one at another time.] I love the activity that surrounds the boats...the birds! The pelicans and the seagulls go absolutely berserk in anticipation of the shrimpers' castaway catch. So, I took some photos. We had gone out to breakfast, and we were walking off our meal. In the car was the camera. I grabbed it and we just stood on the boardwalk and watched it all. From the arrival to the seawall, to docking at the pier...







. . .to selling their catch. Large shrimp [as seen in the photo] were going for the price of $8.00 a pound. Trust me, it didn't take long to sell...people are always waiting for them to arrive daily. I ask, how can anything so ugly taste soooo good?!!! For me, personally, I'd much prefer they come off the boat, breaded, butterflied and deep fat fried to a rich golden brown with marinara sauce or tartar sauce...I'm not picky or choosy; as long as I have some dipping sauce. When I look at the closeup photo I've added, it reminds me of lungers with eyeballs staring at me. No way. Gimme cooked shrimp any ol' day.



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On another day this past week, we took a jaunt over the harbor bridge on the north part of town and drove over to Portland, Texas. While perusing the aisles at one store Bud found a treasure. Something we've been tempted to order online before, but we both are sticklers on keeping the local economy going if at all possible and buy locally. He found me in the clothes section and came up to me and said "I found the DVD package we've been wanting!". He was thrilled. It was the 1st mini series of all the episodes of ROOTS! It was fairly inexpensive, considering all the episodes from Kunta Kinte to the Civil War breaking out...so, we bought it. So far we've only watched episodes one and two, but we finally have it. We're still looking for two others and will find 'em....Rich Man Poor Man and Backstairs at the White House. Some day. Let's see, what else this week? Took Bud to Blackbeard's Seafood for his birthday. And believe it or not, he ordered a burger of all things! Me? I ordered those delicious COOKED shrimp in a basket. I also made a favorite dish for him that he asked for...goulash. And a blueberry pie. Neither one of us is much on birthday cakes, so pie it was. And blueberry is his favorite. We also have waited patiently for some of our hibiscus to return from the ice storm back in Winter. Most are now coming up from the root systems, but two just broke off and we figured they were not going to come back, so Bud dug 'em up [shown in the Kokopelli shadow photo - on each side of him, above, and since the legend is a native American fertility god...guess the 'fertility' of it all isn't working! LOL] and I planted "Hot Lips" Sage to take their place. As I read the tags on the pots at the plant nursery, they will withstand down to ZERO degrees and are also drought resistant. And a big plus is they attract hummingbirds. The photo on the container shows some dainty white flowers with red 'lips'. Oh, and to conclude my week, I purchased three small geranium plants the same day and put all three together in a large hanging pot that is now hanging from the eave of the house in the back yard off the patio. One more thing, then, I'll let you go....while spending so much time during the afternoon indoors, I finished putting the edging and the closures for our lightweight binoculars' crocheted case! It took me only a few weeks to actually get it completed. LOL It's very nifty...especially being able to carry our bird book in the same case. That, alone, is a brain fart I had that paid off!!


If you're one to celebrate Easter...have a super, wonderful and very peaceful holiday. Egg salad tomorrow?

Peanuts anyone? LOL

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Just like the story of Noah, the flood, and the Ark....they come two by two---


two herons, two ducks, and two gulls



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WEEKEND FUNNIES


Dear Noah,
We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5:00.
Sincerely,
Unicorns

Dear Twilight fans,
Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection.
Enjoy fantasizing about that.
Sincerely,
Logic

Dear Icebergs,
Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma's a bitch.
Sincerely,
The Titanic

Dear J.K. Rowling,
Your books are entirely unrealistic.. I mean, a red-headed kid with two friends?
Sincerely,
Anonymous

Dear America,
You produced Miley Cyrus. Bieber is your punishment.
Sincerely,
Canada

Dear Yahoo,
I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo! it..." just saying...
Sincerely,
Google

Dear 2010,
So I hear the best rapper is white and the president is black? What the heck happened?!
Sincerely,
1985

Dear Windshield Wipers,
Can't touch this.
Sincerely,
That Little Triangle

Dear Rose,
There was definitely room on that door for the both of us.
Sincerely,
Jack
P.S. You let go.

Dear White People,
Don't you just hate immigrants?
Sincerely,
Native Americans

Dear iPhone,
Please stop spell checking all of my rude words into nice words. You
piece of shut.
Sincerely,
Every iPhone User

Dear Giant Spider on the Wall,
Please die. Please die. Please die. Please die. CRAP! Where did you go?
Sincerely,
Terrified

Dear girls who have been dumped,
There are plenty of fish in the sea... Just kidding! They're all dead.
Sincerely,
BP

Dear Saturn,
I liked it, so I put a ring on it.
Sincerely,
God

Dear Fox News,
So far, no news about foxes.
Sincerely,
Unimpressed

Dear Nickleback,
That's enough.
Sincerely,
The World

Dear Skin-Colored Band Aids,
Please make one for every skin color.
Sincerely,
Black people

Dear Scissors,
I feel your pain.....no one wants to run with me either.
Sincerely,
Sarah Palin

Dear Osama Bin Laden,
Marco....
Sincerely,
United States

Dear World of Warcraft,
Thank you for ensuring my son's virginity.
Sincerely,
Parents Everywhere

Dear Anne Frank,
Two can play this game....
Sincerely,
Waldo

Dear Batman,
What was your power again?
Sincerely,
Superman

Dear Customers,
Yes, we ARE making fun of you in Vietnamese.
Sincerely,
Nail Salon Ladies

Dear Global Warming,
You're the best imaginary friend ever!
Sincerely,
Al Gore

Dear Ugly People,
You're welcome.
Sincerely,
Alcohol

Dear Mr. Gump
What are you talking about? There's a little diagram on the lid that tells you EXACTLY what you're gonna get....
Sincerely,
Jenny

Dear Katy Perry,
I liked the kiss too.
Sincerely,
Justin Beiber

Dear Haiti,
Is it too early to ask what's shakin'?
Sincerely,
Seriously Going To Hell

Dear Martin Luther King Jr.,
I have a dream within a dream within a dream within another dream.... What now?
Sincerely,
Leonardo Di Caprio

Dear World,
Please stop freaking out about 2012. Our calendars ends there because some
Spanish d-bags invaded our country and we got a little busy ok?
Sincerely,
The Mayans

Dear Snooki,
GET BACK TO WORK!
Sincerely,
Willy Wonka

Dear Trash,
At least you get picked up...
Sincerely,
The Girls of Jersey Shore

Dear Man,
It's cute, but can you pick up peanuts with it?
Sincerely,
Elephant

Dear Dr. Phil,
Look man, there's only room for one fake doctor in this world and I
was here first.
Sincerely,
Dr Pepper