§ In the Merry Month of May...

TUESDAY:

Just spending a couple hours along the beach...




WEDNESDAY:

Our 54th Wedding Anniversary
Out to lunch.

THURSDAY:
Our grandson's 33rd birthday today!
[ps]our youngest grandson had his college graduation Law School Hooding ceremony this past Saturday. Will share photos soon.

§ Silent, Broken, yet....Finding Inner Strengths

Monday morning, early.  DENSE FOG.  I'm not going anywhere for now, so at the computer I sit...



All these sketches I share today are drawn from memory...or what was on my mind at the time. No photo guides on either....

This first one, is a copied one of the original...our daughter, Irene, has the pencil sketch from my work...I sketched on the back of a magazine during our grandson's open heart surgery.  He was born with Downs and at 5 months of age he went through a multiple hour operation to repair his defective heart.  I also wrote a poem during the waiting period.   There will be more on this sketch below all drawings shared... The 2nd sketch is of my parents...circa late 1970s-early 1980s.

This first one was a work of what I was feeling when I found out [1969] that my high school sweetheart had been KIA in Viet Nam [it's a conglomeration of many...a map of Viet Nam, a tearful friend, a  soldier, a flag of each country, helicopter, tank, military foot garb - and the brick wall is to depict that when I found out it was like being hit with a ton of bricks!!].  I was truly war-torn at the loss of a sweet guy...He was 21.  The 2nd one I titled Crown of Thorns.

This last one was during the Obama Inauguration Ceremony...When the TV camera panned through the crowd, this lady was so calm, yet the lone tear falling from her cheek hit my heart strings.  I had to try and draw her from memory.  I still, to this day, can see her face...it was a day of history that will live on forever.  With this woman and her in mind,  I titled this one "Thank God Almighty..."


* * *

Coming back to my sketch of Clint, my grandson...
first, this is a screen shot [70%] of a blog post from long ago:



...and the poem I composed during his operation:


[this was written in the hospital waiting room, on a magazine cover, during our grandson's open heart surgery - at 5 months of age. And the image above is my own graphic. The face in the clouds is actually Clint! Superimposed from a pencil sketch of mine of him.]

...and the poetry written that day:


CLINT'S SKY
© Hootin' Anni

I think the sky ends in your heart
so you've captured mine.
With twilight's purples, pinks, and gold...
The knowledge now that which I cast
what tokens I hold.

As the sun, you're glowing, alive and fresh.
Stars, you sparkle and shine.
Like the moon, you're stately, powerful, bright.
Clouds, you're tender and fine.
Your dark storms' furies: Natural passion is God's will.

The mystical horizon, the inner light...our existences entwine.
I think the sky ends in your heart Clint,
And so, you've captured mine.


One more note: After the successful operation was over, the pediatricians and surgery specialists gave Irene, and us...a 5 year life span expectancy for Clint. He is now 31 years of age, in May.

§ In the Frosty AirakaEverything's Better with Bluebonnet On It...

It was a very COLD, blustery, morning when I ventured out to get an item I forgot at the store previously. I had plans of oiling all the cupboards and then the cathedral ceiling on such a morning that I would have to remain indoors. The item was Scott's Liquid Gold. It cleans the wood and really makes the finish "come alive" again. The hutch doors in the dining room needed a touch of gold too. Outside, the wind was blowing, the real time temperature was 36 degrees, and the feel-like temp had to have been in the mid to upper 20s. I got the oil, and then a few other items to make us a lunch later in the day and left, getting back in the car, I cranked up the heater to full blast and headed home. A few days prior to this outing, I saw a small corner lot that had a lot of bluebonnets in bloom, so this particular morning, I pulled off and got out in the wind, and walked the field with my cell phone in hand, which by the way,  my digits were numb from the cold by the time I was finished walking around taking pictures. This is some of what I saw:

...Once again, back in the car out of the frigid outdoors, I was truly enjoying the hot blast of air coming from the heater vents, blowing directly onto the steering wheel, and my frosty fingers!!!! All the way home.

Today, the 6th, is my youngest grandson's 23rd birthday!!  Happy Birthday Dillon.

§ Like PoTAYto, Pahtahto...There's ROOSTING & ROASTING.

March 6th afternoon:
My youngest Grandson, Dillon, turned 22 yesterday.  Just call me Ancient Anni!!


Weather sure puts a damper on plans. In our area of town, rains have been pouring out of the sky for hours. I guess I shouldn't complain comparing our storms with those in the Northeast USA. So, I won't. But, I'm bored and really not prepared to do much in blogging with any series of events or anything of the kind. This will be an eclectic conglomeration of photos that are recent. Oh, and one screenshot from my smartphone that just made me laugh. I'll save that 'til the end of this post.

This following photo was taken of the sky as I was driving home from the grocery store. And, it's not even football season, but first thing I saw in the cloud formation was the Houston Texans [NFL] logo. Do you see it too? Well, come on....it has to be CLOSE to the logo...

here's the real logo to check out


- - - -


While it's been too wet to work outdoors as planned, and too wet and muddy to go for any walking today, I finished a jigsaw puzzle that has been on the workbench a couple of weeks, finding pieces now and then; every once in a while...




...and began on another. This one I may glue and frame if it's not too big.




- - - -

Okay... now for the 'funny'. 1st thing each morning I go out on the 'net to Ebird [TX] and check for birds seen in my area. Just in case there's one listed I have yet to see [a lifer] or photograph. Well, I opened up this post to read about the parrots south of us, thinking perhaps I'd drive to the Brownsville area. I haven't been there, birding, in over a year. Now, enlarge this by clicking on it [expand with two fingers on your phone once it's open] and read it. See the typos [3 of them]....and the typos make the reporting so funny...changing the whole meaning of it all!!! Need a hint?

change the typo 'roasting' to what it's meant to be...ROOSTING. The best line is near the end where the parrots are 'roasting' on an electrical wire!!! Guess their talons aren't grounded....cooked parrot.

§ They Call Me Mom...[and grandma]

With mother's day fast approaching, next Sunday, the 14th, I thought I'd share this, and a few thoughts that go along with the photos. 4 generations of the mothers -[5 generations with grandsons]

This is my mother's mother. My maternal grandmother:

age 18

This is my mother:


age 18

This is me:


age 18


This is my daughter:


age 18

And this is my son, also age 18. This was tougher and rougher on me than his 1st day of school when he was 6!! This photo I chose from my treasure box is of Erik when he left home for the first time...after joining the Marine Corps. Before we got to the terminal, I snapped this photo of him in the Stapelton International Airport [in Denver at the time...it's now no longer used, the airport in Denver is now a newer one...Denver International Airport.] He was on his way to Okinawa. I wouldn't see him again for another 4 years!! This was before the tears flowed!!!

The fifth generation is no females. Two grandsons.  A precious mother's day gift from Irene!!.

1st photo is of Clint [not Clinton - Just Clint] and the 2nd photo is of Dillon

Clint is now 28, born with Down Syndrome. Dillon, Clint's younger brother is 21 and will soon be married [May 27th]  Dillon's betrothed, Devin, will soon be graduating from college, Devin to be a registered nurse and Dillon will continue with his education in law with aspirations of becoming a state judge in the near future. Clint, of course, having a handicap, will continue with his state placed job and live with Irene.

- - -


With my blog followers, you know that I have two adult children. Recently, while sorting through some prized possessions of motherhood, I came across these two that I have put back in my box of treasures. They pertain to mother's day.  Hopefully, if you enlarge them you can read them...




The first one is from Irene...a mother's day card made in class. The 2nd one from Erik, also made in school. Both cards are priceless. They're over 30 years old and the best I've ever received...from my kids, of course!!

§ I Can't Hold Back Any Longer...

Happy Moments Prevail...

The day was New Year's Eve...the night was filled with fireworks, the romance was there all along. As the fireworks lit up the sky in celebration, my grandson got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend of 2 1/2 years. She said YES!!


Wedding plans are in full swing...but the two plan on waiting for college graduation, in 2018 for the vows. He is majoring in law, and she is working on a nursing degree.

§ Whazzzup?

...well, I'll tellya what's up! This:

This fence line is at a birding area on Mustang Island....the parks department, lately, has been working on improving the area, and adding a bit of color here and there along with new viewing areas along the path...this is a new trumpet vine addition...

linking to Good Fences

1] The FOS - in birder lingo this means First of the Season - a single, female ruby throated hummingbird showed up at our feeder. That means ol' Anni needs to get busy and fill the other three feeders for our yard/sanctuary in anticipation that dozens will begin to show up throughout April and into early summer!! I know last year I was filling all four of our small feeders every morning!! And they'd be empty the following day. Only time will tell as to how many will be here this Spring.

2] Speaking of last week...we had one freakishly hot day...the temperature soared up to the mid 90s [ya, you read that right!!] Early in the morning, misty and hazy sky...we expected a scorcher!! The power went off shortly after 5PM that very day. I'm sure it was the influx of workers arriving home and turning on the A/C. Too much sourcing all at the same time. A power surge!! It did cool back down to the more 'normal' temperatures by nightfall tho, and remained in the normal range for the remaining days of the week. I hope this isn't something that will occur often. At least until June...with Summer temperatures, not in late March. We could use more rain too!! Bring it on.

linking to: Skywatch Friday

3] In my last post I mentioned the generosity of city residents from long ago who donated land to the city; making them wildlife preserves for us to enjoy today. In the middle of downtown, the Blucher Park is one. I also mentioned that one of the Blucher Family historical homes is now a Nature Conservatory. I've walked into the back yard a few times in hopes of seeing some chimney swifts soaring and diving around their man-made chimney that is on the property. Anyway, this house, now the conservatory, stands directly across from the Blucher Park where Bud and I go birding a lot during the Spring Migration, and it's nestled between two other historical homes from the Blucher family....one on the corner lot, now a bed and breakfast, and on the other side of the conservatory is a law firm - also a renovated historical home of the Blucher family heritage.  The park itself and Bed and Breakfast of the patriarchial Blucher is on the Texas register of historic value.  The following is of the conservatory:

...and the back yard is also like a park in its own right. Here there are bricked walkways, benches under massive oak trees, native plants and flowers along with a man made chimney for chimney swifts that are on the endangered list. Plus a koi pond with gigantic koi [fish] and small trickling, relaxing waterfall, and water lilies...

...read more on the Blucher Immigants of the 1800s here

linking to: Camera Critters - Saturday Critters

4] Baseball Season began this week!! Sadly, for me, my favorite player, Derek Jeter, will call it quits at the end of this year. He announced many weeks ago that he plans to retire. And the Yankees opening game for 2014 was with Houston Astros, IN HOUSTON...and I didn't get tickets. Of course, I hate driving in Houston...even to a ball game. Nothing lost --but it would be nice to see him play in person. Oh well. By the way, Astros kicked Yankees butt in the opening game. Whooohooo!

5] Irene texted me a photo of my youngest grandson. In his tuxedo!!! In preparation of the Senior Prom. My goodness. Some days it's just way too difficult to picture him that age already. Why, I can remember Irene's prom photos like it was just yesterday!!  And on top of that....the doorway is just behind him...those are 7 foot openings!!!  And he's just inches below....I still have him pictured a newborn...and now look, he's grown into a full-grown adult!  Does this make me ancient, or what?!!!  Good grief.

linking to:  Saturday Photo Hunt -"Family" - Weekly Top Shot

§ - Rise and Shine -

...it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood!!

[photo of lonely, quiet beach after sunrirse- in another month, it's Spring Break for College Kids...you know what that means, right?  Bumper to Bumper Bikini-clad butts!!

linking to Skywatch Friday

_* _ * _

1]    I can hardly contain myself from revealing the two birds I photographed while in Brooks County this past week!! But, thing is, I had composed and pre-scheduled a post already for this weekend at "I'd Rather B Birdin'" with the InLinkz Tool set for Saturday, the 22nd at noon. I know I could've prepared the new post and copied and pasted the coding I have on my pre-scheduled post...this weekend's photo shoot is of a darling little   bird, so I'll go with that one as planned and construct a new post for next   weekend. I am so excited about showing the two off!! One, such a small bird that is 'lost' in Texas and can't find its way back to Old Mexico....the other is one I've mentioned to Bud I'd like to see here in this state,  and haven't until our nearly 100 mile drive. And such a sweet, funny, comical pose when I first spotted it!!! I hope I've piqued your interest. Stay tuned. A link will be posted here [on or after March 1st], so you won't miss it.

2]   Did I just type March? Golly, one more week and March will be here. That means for me and my sister; another Sister's Day Celebration! We've done this a little over a couple of decades now, on March 18th. I must start thinking seriously 'bout what to send her for her 'surprise', and then our synchronized champagne toast in matching fluted glasses to sisterhood at 8PM. Where does time go?

3]   As with everything in nature, when it comes to passion and love, everything tends to change color during this period in life of the living---as with Tri Colored Herons!! Now, this bird changes to its breeding colors dramatically!! They're beautiful year 'round, but during breeding season, the changes are phenomenal. Here is a photo I took on Christmas Day 2013 of the Tri Colored in its normal daily dress. Notice their legs and feet are pale green. Their beaks/bills are mostly drab yellow with the yellow getting darker the closer to the eye...

...and I have a photo of the Tri Colored Heron in its breeding cloak, but it's on one of my several bird photo disks, and to be honest, I'm too lazy to go searching for my own photo, so I searched Google to have a link to show you the dramatic changes that overcome the male heron during breeding season. Their beak/bill turns blue and their legs and feet change from green to pink/purple...

here's the link

And the reason I'm showing all this is to show off my newest watercolor work that I've been dabbling in for the past couple weeks; finishing it yesterday--

I think I'll title this painting either Times of Passion or That's Amoré! Which title do you like best?

4]    Boy howdy, did I ever find the most luscious tasting yogurt the other day!! The brand is Noosa Yoghurt!! I've tasted and sampled many kinds and brands of yogurt and even the Greek style. This by far is soooooo delicious. While at the store to pick up produce for our dinner salad, I went to the dairy section for milk. As I walked by I happened to spy a new packaged yogurt that has not been on the shelves before. And they were an introductory price: 3 for 5$. Walking over to have a closer look, the top label stated "Aussie made, Colorado fresh". Well, being from Colorado I had to take home just one...raspberry...and try it. I'm heading back to the store to get more!!!! Here is their site. I lived in Colorado for over 45 years, and never heard of this brand...the dairy, originating in 1894...I HAVE heard of. Grave's Dairy, in Northern Colorado. Trust me, if you find this brand in your dairy aisle, try it!!! It's delicious!!! By the way, Noosa is a town in Queensland Australia. The yogurt [yoghurt] is made from "Happy Cows"...or so the label goes.

5]   Dillon, my youngest grandson, has been accepted to enter College after graduating high school in May!!! Way to go Dillon!!

linking to:  Random 5 Friday, Camera Critters, Saturday Critters