§ Oh Deer, What Can the Matter Be?

For nearly a week I haven't felt 'up to par' and didn't want to even get online much. Saturday past it was a gloomy day and I actually had Bud start a fire in the fireplace...sat by the heat and enjoyed the warmth, finished one book and began reading another. Still, on Saturday, In less than a couple hours' time, we received close to four inches of rain and the neighborhood streets were flooded..clear up from the street to half of our front yard was under water! Made me feel even more lethargic. lol

The last couple of days I have felt better along with the bright sunshine, I even got out of the house and did some walking, tho there is standing water around town...

...when I entered the park I saw two deer right away, running across the small picnic area...into the bushes. I didn't have my camera on and by the time I got parked, they were long gone, hidden in the outcroppings beyond the grassy edges. I drove around the pond to park in the section near the newer boardwalk and walked into the silence of the morning. Only to scare up five more deer!! One buck, one doe and three yearlings!! They were far away from the boardwalk...I watched 'em run and they stopped to watch me. Several yards away, I utilized my zoom on the camera and tried to get some clear photos of the beautiful ones.........

look in the outlined [in black] section...see it watching me?

§ More Babbling....

Just what home would you choose if you had to? Out of 50 most expensive homes for sale [1 from each state in the union], it was difficult. But I narrowed my choices to two. My ultimate dream home has always been on the Pacific Ocean. Ocean views with all glass walls...high on a bluff, with so many acres called mine, my nearest neighbor would be MILES away!!  Anyway, just for fun one morning while perusing the web so as not to wake up Bud in the quiet hours, I scanned the most expensive homes up for grabs.  I was astonished that the 'expensive homes' were so LESS expensive in some states...location, location, location!!  And I definitely wasn't impressed with the one in Texas - of all places, Dallas?  No way.  I'd prefer the Texas HILL Country!   Note to self: "I must start playing the lottery; and win!!!"

Here is my top choice: Michigan

[19.5 million]

Known as Granot Loma, this 26,000-square-foot log cabin comes with an enormous hot tub, a private harbor, an apple orchard - and of course, a private island.

The fact it's on a private island appeals to me greatly. Besides I like the rustic home AND its wooded surroundings.

Here is my runner-up: New Mexico

[13.65 million]

Nestled in the foothills of Santa Fe, this manor offers phenomenal views of the Sangre de Cristos from many of its rooms, which include a formal living room, a grand dining room, and a library.

Oh, oh...did someone say a library? Of my own? Yep, that would be a selling point for me.

So, if you have about 10 minutes of spare time, try and pick YOUR ideal dream home from the most expensive homes for sale by state.  Awwww, come on, dream a little.  It's cheap entertainment!!  Check 'em out by using the arrows at the top of the listed pages!!  HERE  I'd be most interested in your choice[s].

no copyright infringement intended

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I did a little bit of holiday decorating again. This time I strung the lights on the sleigh and reindeer garland. I was hoping it resemble the reins from the hands of Santa, but it didn't.  They're up and lighted!!

When that was done I finished with the fireplace. Of course, living here in South Texas it rarely gets below 40 degrees at night, so there really isn't any need for a fire in the fireplace [we do have some firewood, only for cold nights/mornings when the power is out for some reason]. Anyway, I decided to add some candle glow...

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Reading our local news online via my phone, I was all smiles when I read this report!! I'm gonna share the photo that was linked from Facebook...

It made me feel good to read something positive, and the patrolman also felt the need to show that there ARE good people out there!! Someone wrote on his patrol car "Thank You"! In lieu of all the negative cop stories etc. these days...well, did I say I liked reading this?!!

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One more thing; I have a question: In all my years, I have NEVER eaten a scone. I found a holiday recipe for cranberry scones with maple butter. Erik, our son, LOVES cranberries!!! Now my question is...are scones tasty? Your input is invaluable to me.

§ Pedernales State Park

Another side trip on our three day holiday weekend over Thanksgiving was a special excursion to go into the heart of the Hill Country of Texas to see the Autumn foliage and the color change. It was to the Pedernales State Park/Pedernales River. Because of the drought the last two years, the water was scarce, but still some running water...usually quite some waterfalls. Not so, this season; but still beautiful area. Pedernales Falls State Park is located 10 miles (16 km) east of Johnson City. The park is on the Pedernales River, 14 miles (23 km) southwest of the river's mouth at Lake Travis. Before 1970, the area that is now Pedernales Falls State Park was a working ranch, known as the Circle Bar Ranch. The state of Texas purchased the land for the park in 1970, and the park opened in 1973....

you can click on image #1 here and then get a slide show of them with a larger view...















Connecting to:
Outdoor Wednesday
Watery Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday



HODGEPODGE
Joyce has these questions for us this week...


1. Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking. The tradition is just hanging our stockings by the 'chimney with care'. When our kids were home and young, Santa would fill their stockings with small toys, etc. Now that they're gone, we have two mini stockings for our kitties and one large one for Bud and medium for me. And ONE TINY one in case Santa decides to give us only coal [far left]...he knows if we've been bad or good y'know!! They're all the fuzzy furry type....

2. How many hours of sleep do you average at night? Is it enough? Between 6 and 7 hours probably. I never pay that much attention to the time...I go to sleep when I'm tired, and wake up when I wake up.

3. If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be? Housework!

4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals? I did read about this event. And got a kick out of the media trying to name the child/children - rumor has it the Duchess's illness is usually caused by carrying twins?!!!

5. For me, the sound of childhood is laughter/giggles.

6. Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit? Fruitcake is okay. I can eat it, and I like it...but it's not something I'd miss if it were not around. My favorite fruit dessert is pie....always pie!!! Apple, blackberry, cherry....

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end? Nuttin' Honey!!! If I force myself to set a goal and not accomplish it, I'd then be  disappointed...

8. Insert your own random thought here. The weather here is unbelievable!! By now it's usually in the mid 60s low 70s at the peak of the day....the last three days it's been high 80s!! And the A/c is still running. Where's South Texas Winter?

CONNECTING TO:

Wednesday Hodgepodge

§ Be wary then; best safety lies in fear. [Hamlet]

CLICK EITHER BUTTON to join

Flash Fiction 55 below my....



SHOW N TELL



FIREPLACE






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COFFEE TABLE




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FLASH FICTION 55

Stepping over the threshold
Floorboards creaking and crackling
Leaving the moonlight behind; darkness enfolds.
A faint moan, a distant scream....
Going towards something alarming.
Your daring soul reaches onward,
Continuing in the ebony folds of the
unknown; walls that consume you.
Every step feeling pounding, terrifying heartbeats...
Fright turns to bravery
Courage now becomes unharming.





note: I've had this haunted house image in my graphic folder for years---I do not know from where it came. If anyone who visits knows the credits to the artist, please let me know so I can add it here...thanks.
55 Poem, Alarming, © by Hootin' Anni 2010