§ #46...

Bud was napping after lunch on Sunday. So, I played a little with my sketch pad and pencil. It started out with a rough sketch. Then, shading and detailing a bit. I tried to make it as simple as I could, and yet kept it fun. I was finished with it in about a half hour after the initial outlining. Years ago, I did #45 and liked how it came out, but this one is a bit different. All I can say is "I tried". So, now, I introduce you to my caricature of #46 [which in my opinion looks a bit too young]. But oh well, as far as caricatures go, they don't have to be accurate, right? I think his eyes are too wide open. Our Pres has squinty eyes. lol But, here he is...

Speaking of #45 & #46, I was out on Amazon a few days back, and found a gem.  I just had to order it.  I could NOT not resist.  When it arrives, I will definitely show y'all.  I have a collection of these [which I'll get out of storage and share them too at the same time]...just to show them off and then, you can understand why I "had to have it".  This  paragraph is a bit of hint as to what I ordered.  I can't wait for it to arrive.  I hope it's close to what it looked like on the website.  

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§ Afghan Update...

In the News for Friday, August 21st, around 8 a.m. in the morning a barge that was in the Port Ship Channel supposedly dredged and hit a propane gas line causing a massive explosion and tremendous amount of black smoke and huge ball of fire [nearly 150 feet high] jutting into the sky. As of this typing up my post, the smoke and flames and cause was of no human hazardous fallout. That remains to be seen, what with the way media cover up stories some times. I never throw caution to the wind these days. Here are three photos I found online depicting the recent explosion [time frame shortly after occurrence] - - -
several severely burned & still 4 crew members missing.

images courtesy of KIII-tv


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I finished the pansies! 88 of them....440 square knots tied, enumerable stitches totaled [I guess I could add the stitches for one pansy [from the pattern instructions] and multiply that by 88 to get total stitches, but lazy]. I had to lay them individually out on the carpet to make sure I got them in a combination that no color is repeated together; then stack them and wrap them in order with row numbers attached to the top pansy. Now, I have to crochet each pansy to the next [8 to 11 rows].

I'm taking a break from it for a week before I begin the ending of the project....

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And, last for the day, we are watching the tropics [those of us living on the Gulf of Mexico shores], there are TWO storms heading our way.  One looks like it is projected to hit around or near Mobile, Alabama as a CAT-1 [named Laura], and the other's path is heading toward Houston, Texas area right now.  Both may change course in the meantime, so #14 [not named as of this posting] Bud and I will be watching this one closely...if Houston, Erik lives there...if it turns westward, we may get hit...again!!
addendum: 2nd storm named Marco

§ This and That...

Back in mid November I ordered a shirt [knit, long, to wear with leggins] with a tiger print. I ordered it through Amazon. That very hour I placed the order, I received a confirmation email that the order went through. Next morning, I opened my emails and saw that it was shipped. But the delivery date was November 28th through December 18th!!! I went back online and logged into Amazon since my email told me that there was no tracking with the seller. I wondered why on earth it was going to take so long?!!! Well, to find out it was being shipped from Taiwan. That explains the delay. Now the other afternoon I again received an email...this time from the seller. It advised me that they changed carriers and this will have a tracking on it!!! Good to know. I couldn't wait for it to arrive as I love anything and everything with tigers,

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And again, I get bored sitting at home. I can only read so long before I feel the need to get up and move around. I have a small stash of driftwood pieces I have from walking along the shore. So, I thought I'd start a new wood carving. Driftwood is usually a very soft, porous, wood that I can take a knife to with just a minimal chance of stabbing myself or slicing some skin off my fingers. lol Naturally, I go with ideas of birds...any kinda bird.   I wanted to use this small, thin, piece of root for a fallen tree and then choose a thicker piece for the 'bird'. I started out with the concept of a wader...preferably a heron or egret. But, as I carved, more and more it resembled a flamingo. So, that is what I stuck with; continuing chiseling away....



Once I get it stained and painted and glued onto the 'tree', I'll post photos.  That is....IF IT TURNS OUT DECENT.


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Now, personally, I have never liked Google Plus. It's way too cliquish, and 99% of the time those that have a blog through this, a 'regular' blogger can't view or comment on their plus 'cause you can't see their posts unless you too are a 'member' of Google Plus. What is the use of having a blog when so many can't view it?!! Anyway, I read this online with our national news via my smartphone, that I am not the ONLY ONE who dislikes it. Google has now decided that Google Plus will be discontinued. And, with that news, they are going to do away with it earlier than was first announced. Yay. Whole thing is, I hope the ones that have blogs through this medium, that they won't lose their blogs!!!!!


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A new close-up






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Tarjay [Target] Sale!!!

§ South Bay Park...

Checking the Texas Bird Association for birds seen in my area, I noticed one listing that is NOT considered a 'hot spot' for birding. Yet, the 4 birds reported there, instigated me to search just where this was in town. It was a new park listed, which I had not known existed. But I got out my trusty Google maps and located it. Not far to drive, tho it was through a residential area for the most part, and ended at the park on the bay!! It was a small park! Very small. A neighborhood park. Perhaps only a block long and a block wide. But near the shore, looking out on the bay waters, I can see why the particular bird sighted would be in this vicinity. Piers, lots of water, and probably good fishing for them to find! The bird, tho I didn't see any, is the Magnificent Frigatebird. I have seen them during the summer months at Port Aransas, but none have ever been reported so close to home. I've been trying to avoid the island travel anyway because of road construction and narrow lanes and gawd-awful drivers! lol This was an opportunity to find another birding spot for me.

I scouted out the bay and walked the trail around the circumference three times, noting some early birds out. I found some young fledgling Loggerhead Shrikes, pigeons, egrets in the water, curlews, inca doves, flycatchers, sea gulls of course, and a few grackles. The sea breeze, and the early morning hour made for a delightful, tho way too short of a walk.



A Loggerhead Shrike in Silhouette
...Since it was such a small area to walk, I hopped in the car and drove to a nearby wildlife refuge, Hans Suter along Oso Bay. There I made up for the lack of steps/distance in the 'new' park. After walking the trail there, I again drove some more to the Army/Navy Base Road along the shore of the bay and finished out my walk there. More photos to come at a later day...

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When I got home, I got back on my phone and sat to catch up on the local news....

THIS STORY BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES!! A must read. There IS GOOD in this world!!!

§ I'm Being Postively Negative Today...

Oftentimes when Bud and I are in Barnes and Noble I peruse the sale books of the previous best sellers. This one, after I read the inside of the dust jacket, I thought would be a good read. Something of a different genre for me. I must say, tho, it was a bit disappointing. Yet, I had to continue reading it through its entirety to see how it ended. The book's cover artwork throws you off a bit. The story is about the early 1900s in Texas, yet the cover depicts [at least for me] a saga of the 'old west', circa 1800s. It wraps around an ex-Texas Ranger that dwells in the past, his kidnapped son [an injured WWI veteran], STRONG women in his life and a unusual twist...he has stolen the holy grail! Ya, you read that right! A bit far fetched, I know. See what I mean? How on earth this novel got on New York Times Best Seller List, I'll never understand. Within the pages, there is deceit, flashbacks of war times, references to many historical figures of the west, arms dealers out for revenge, women of virtue, and women not so virtuous if you get my meaning.  It was like the author was trying his heart out to make the book worth reading by both sexes...sweet and loving one minute while in the blink of an eye, crude, rough and murderous the next.  Not very consistent, yet, I guess...such is life.   I can't honestly say I would recommend this to read...but, once the story begins, it's hard to put down 'til the end.

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I added a new news app to my phone, called News 360. I must say I am enjoying this app quite a lot. You see, I got very tired of reading the news on CNN, Fox, and Yahoo where it was the same over and over and over. Biased reporting, poor grammar, mudslinging comments, a bickering war between news and who hates whom [and loathing articles I might add]...all to the point of actually wanting to pull my hair out. I searched high and low for something that can keep me updated on world news, and also have some articles of interest. Interest to ME without searching through and having to scroll over all the 'bad' news of the world before I get to some articles worth while.  It's an app [works on Windows 10 also] that allows you to choose the subjects of interest, individually,  from literally 100s of items. Go through the enormous listings, click the plus [+] sign to add to your reading. For instance, National Geographic, Birdwatching News, Humor, Medicine, Science, Planets, Cats/Dogs, Celebrity, [if you wish...virtually ALL news coverage, local, national, world], Politics, individual states, Art, etc. etc. I highly recommend this app.  There really IS more to life than being right or left in the world ... politicking seems to rule the media, and I'm sick of it....everything else is put on the back burner.  I want MORE than Liberals and Conservatives.

image source= site's header
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Speaking of media...social media is another thing. This, I really liked. I don't do Twitter, I don't do Facebook, and I rarely do Youtube, except for watching music videos from my youth [or animal videos that make me smile]. So, picture this.  Ya, I realize it's a bit on the verge of mudslinging, and contradictory to what I stated above,  but, what the heck.  With social media, I think this hits the spot for me these days.....

image source= shared from News 360 - humor sectioned articles
I swear I'll be more positive soon....
lol

§ Let's Go Shopping...It Helps Lighten the Day Some

It's been something else, news wise, these days...SO DEPRESSING!  I've been a bit low because of it all in England, France, Bill Cosby,  suicides, shootings, drought, floods, USA...the world. So....

Monday afternoon, I really dreaded going to the scheduled appointment with my cardiologist. Well, it turned out a bit as I had pictured for a few weeks after I set up the appointment at his office. First off, I haven't been there in one year. He told me the last time I saw him to see him in 6 months. Well, obviously 6 months and then some have passed. Reason for me is that I have never felt better. No heart palpitations, no dizziness, blood pressure at home and heart rate is excellent. [I have a BP monitor that checks the pressure and records heart rate]. Had a cholesterol and glucose blood test in May and all was very good. I figured, 'what's the use of paying the co-pay and get told everything looks good'? He was a bit upset with me. But I think I know enough to schedule an appointment or even go to ER if need be. I think I know my body better than he does...after all I've lived with it a lot longer than he has. Y'know? LOL Of course I also requested a full blood panel which I have to do when I remember to NOT eat breakfast before, and I also requested a test called a carotid ultrasound. The last time I had it done was back in 1997...wow, 20 years ago. And since my father had heart problems, and my mother has several mini-strokes, I think I would be at an advantage to see some GOOD results. I hope so. That's on the 16th of this month. Then, I'll go back and get chewed out some more probably and discuss results of the ultrasound.

I was in there for 3 hours [1 hour waiting time]. I left a bit stressed. The sun was shining when I arrived, and when I left the medical complex, this is what I saw on the way home...

...like it was nighttime at 3PM

I must admit I didn't sleep well Monday night. I was wide awake, still, at 12:45 a.m. finally falling asleep and had a fitful rest for 6 hours. After I ate some blueberry oatmeal I went out on the patio to get a couple of photos of my plants, the night blooming epiphylum. They've been blooming profusely the last couple of weeks! And, the blooms are HUGE!!

Once the stores opened at the strip mall, I was there! I was in need of getting some walking in [where it's air conditioned] and just shopping for some fun things. Yep, I probably wasted money, but it felt good. I dropped Bud off at the book store, parked the car and perused many o' stores. Target was a 'target' store to shop. I wanted the newly released DVD on recommendation of Irene, our daughter...

...a live adaptation of Disney's cartoon version. Hope to watch it real soon.

Just walked around the store some, picked up some cat food for Tahoe. I dumped this off at the car, and then Hobby Lobby was open so I went in there. It's been months since I've gone in that store. They had all the Spring stuff 50% off. Oh oh!! Red Alert!! One item I found, I was wanting to buy it for the hummingbirds...but it was 20 dollars then, and I thought 'too much' for a glass feeder when the wind could topple it off the hanger outdoors and then I'd have to get another. LOL That was my excuse back then, and I stuck too it. But in the back of my mind I still wanted it. It's real glass, etched and ruby red!! Got it. Still continuing through the Spring Sale and I found another item I wanted...a pinwheel! Got it. Then, I can rarely resist anything having to do with lady bugs...found a cute stuffed sock monkey lady bug. Got it! Oh then...I spied one for my sister. I will ship it to her for Sister's Day most likely...with a note that says something like Thanks for BEEing my sister!  [her's is the bee monkey shown below] I was tempted to get some 4th of July decorations, but ... talked myself out of it. More clutter, which I don't need. I checked out, put those goodies into the trunk and went to Pet Smart for more Tahoe food. Then, off to the book store to meet Bud and go home. It felt good after a grueling day yesterday. Hope I can sleep better tonight.

I have a 'thing' for bookmarks. While Bud was purchasing his books, I picked out the bookmark you see about 'shadows and light'.  Also, I spent money on a pair of shorts, a T-shirt, a pair of red sandals and a new belt for Bud [Since we've been eating healthier, he too is losing weight and all his belts are too big!]

§ Rambling...

As you may have guessed from my previous post, the last weekend we lost our little Winston. It was sudden, and we all miss him terribly. Right now, it's just too quiet without him and I'm having a difficult time adjusting. So many tears. I know that won't bring him back, but I do know eventually I will be able to smile at the memory of his gracing our lives with humor, cuddling, purring, and just being our friend who trusted us completely.

I've been trying to keep busy. There have been times I just want to curl up in a big ball and sleep. Other times I want to get away from it all...walking extra long walks in solitude some mornings helps a lot. Reading, cooking, yard work, sketching in the silence of our home. I've tried concentrating on movies of humor. It all helps out for the time being, but afterwards, I'm back at heartbreak. Bud and I are truly trying to adjust to the loss. [Tahoe too!!]

Okay, I must slap myself in the face, get back to a more normal mode...

1- I mentioned I tried sketching one day...

2- Irene received her wreath last week and really "Loves it"!! For that I am happy! She texted me a photo. She has it, for now, hanging on her front porch. Notice the 'pig' behind it? Yep, I collect Santas...her forté is PIGS...

3- In the news this past week: I watched the first presidential debate. Did you? I can honestly say that THAT definitely got my mind off Winston! Omg...what a fiasco. In my opinion, the idea of a debate is to show the American voters what their 'plans' are from the moderators questions...NOT mudslinging. That's for campaigning!! I was shaking my head in disbelief. I'm like NYC's Gulliani..."Trump...don't participate in any more debates". Then, there is the pending divorce of the Pitt/Jolie marriage? Hmmmm, really not surprising to me. I call it Hollyweird. Thirdly, the fatal boating accident of Marlins' pitcher - wow...all I can say is, life is so fragile. And, I'm still learning to realize this more lately. I hafta be truthful and admit I do so often take it for granted, and I shouldn't. With my nature, it takes a blow to make me stop and think...y'know? One more thing...A judge decided to change the law for statute of limitations on the Cosby rape case?!! I am pleased to read this, but question the motive.  I can't help but think maybe a payoff? I'm all for justice but for some reason I can't help but wonder.  What gives with the American Justice System? Yet, on the other hand, I'm still liking the idea that Mr. Cosby will be judged on the so many allegations of raping so many women.  With this state law change the truth will come out from the 'closet' so to speak.

4- I love reading the mystery books written by Dan Brown. And yesterday I read that next fall there will be another Robert Langdon tale of intrigue, religion, symbology by Dan Brown. The three books I discuss here today are:

ORIGIN by Dan Brown [release date Sept 2017]

" 'Origin' thrusts Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon into the dangerous intersection of humankind’s two most enduring questions, and the earth-shaking discovery that will answer them," Doubleday writes.

GHOST BIRDS by Stephen Bales

This book, tho by critics' acclaims to be an exceptional read, I'm finding it mighty slow. The author gets a bit sidetracked many many times in regaling the story of Jim Tanner's 1930's work on research of the near/or extinct bird, the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. For instance, Mr. Bales takes pages and pages to tell us readers about the Model A Ford and its history. I say, 'who cares'? Just get on with the Tanner hunt for the elusive bird!!! Yet, Jim Tanner DOES find and records his research [also the first one to actually band an Ivory Billed Woodpecker]...those parts can increase the adrenaline. But all in all, it's a dry book! Even for an avid birder like me. I must admit I'm not finished with the book. It continues to create interest; ever so dull at times throughout the chapters.  The finding of a Ivory Billed family of three and spending weeks with them in a bird blind could and probably would be thrilling as it is, but again...the author should stick to the story telling/sharing of his information that Mr. Tanner's wife deemed it all should be a published work and aided Mr. Bales with the saga...she died at the age of 96 knowing that her husband's work is being retold for birding/ornithological history. 

One section deals with the revelation of perhaps cannibalistic Ivory Billed Woodpeckers with what they find in an abandoned nest...could it be possible that this has a lot to do with the birds' demise? I guess so. It really brings out a lot of 'what if's'? I know for a fact that the tribe of Native Americans in my area of Texas were cannibals, and they no longer exist, so perhaps it could be true with these birds? We'll never know.

ART INSPIRATION AND COUNTER CULTURE
"The Day of the Dead"

I have had this book for a while now, and just now have been thumbing through it. I bought it mostly for the 'art' of it. Still, the history and the culture world wide within the sections are intriguing, I will at least read parts of it before I shelf it in our library. While skimming the pages, I had my cellphone nearby and took a few photos...

Amazon: The beautiful rituals, the sugar skulls, the costumes and the festivities have grown into a massive counter culture across the western world. Art, movies, cartoons and literature have been consumed by the brilliant power of the Day of the Dead, tendered here in this lively new book...

In one area, [page 86-88 in the hard cover version] the words "laughing matters".  I stopped to read this before moving on.  I thought it may shine some lighter sense of the past week.  It did help: "Naturally there will be laughter on such occasions [deaths and funerals].  Levity and humor are essential human coping mechanisms."  Day of the Dead is not about this; the departed are remembered affectionately...it's not the dead that are being laughed at:  It's the living recounting the good memory.

5- When all this happened with Winston, I was in the middle of getting my Halloween decorations unpacked. It's a slow process this year...I just can't get in the mood much. Oh, I'll still do it to keep my mind occupied, but I just don't have my heart in it for now. Maybe that'll change with more time. In the meantime, I've decided to just put out a few witches and combine Halloween decor with Day of the Dead this year. I'll see what comes forth in my lackadaisical efforts. I just don't like where I'm at at this point. I MUST SNAP OUT OF IT!!  In lieu of this past week, I will not be handing out any trick or treats this year. 

§ Take a Hike!!

Saturday morning I took a hike to the bay...Oso Bay. I was curious to see how the construction is going on with the new nature learning center and the multiple trails that weave in and out of the shrub chaparral areas before ending at a small area that is covered with bay water. The area was teeming with cottontail rabbits and birds. Plus the wildflowers, which I look for when I'm out walking trails, were blooming just about everywhere!!





I only got up to 7400 steps that morning...HOT and very VERY sultry. Too hot for me, so I left for home in my car with AC on high in hopes Bud had the laundry folded and the AC on high at home too. [He had both done!! What a guy.]

Anyway, my tale for this past week or so goes like this: many different dove species reside year 'round in South Texas. I happen to capture them often 'on film', along with others such as pelicans and seagulls. Here are some doves [Inca Doves] perched on fences...one brown pelican that had 'gone fishing' along a fence line in the boat channel that separates Padre Island from Mustang Island. Then, the two seagulls were there to greet us one morning, early, perched as a couple of docents on a fence post, at the National Seashore Park to voluntarily guide us down the boardwalk incline to the beach:  One gull seems to be telling us to head "due South" while the other one on the right thinks "the trail to the left is better".

One day, while on Mustang Island, I sat on the jetty for a long time watching the brown pelicans feeding, diving, feeding, resting and diving, for fish.  The brown pelicans are definitely one of MY FAVORITE shore birds.  And right now, the males are really colorful in their breeding plumage.  I'll show you some photos at another time from the area....

I have more to chat about!!

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On to some more political satire and false claims during campaigning:

With presidential election coming all too soon I try to keep from being bothered by the nonsensical speeches....until either of the campaigning nut jobs come up with something that irks me. LOL...all too often. One of the candidates claimed this during a speech:  The firearms industry is “the only business in America” that’s protected by federal law from certain liability lawsuits" and changing this will certainly put them out of business; bankrupt them. 

I say: B.S. to that noise!! What about the cigarette companies? Sure they've had and lost lawsuits before, but the claim on the tobacco industry did NOT bankrupt them and the candidate states that a new law will bankrupt the rifle/gun manufacturing industry! Then, there is the automobile industry...are they not protected against the fault of neglectful drivers that kill the innocent? To me, it's the DRIVER not the automobile industry that is sued. Okay, then, what about the drug manufacturers? Are they not protected against unlawful distribution/selling....and the mishandling and overdoses we see/hear about? Not to mention the multiple disclaimers of side effects with the advertisements to help protect them against lawsuits. They ARE protected. And guns...no matter if another insipid law is passed, there is always the black market. People WILL BUY....look at the prohibition days. I think the easy solution for this claim would be that all gun manufactures should label their product with "The Surgeon General claims the use of firearms is not good for your health"!!!

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Now, how 'bout a media-ism? AKA a blooper...kinda sorta!!

View the video HERE [I hope it continues to be available for a while]....if it's a broken link because of the time frame, here's the 'scoop': TENNESSEE - (WRCB) Customers at a Checkers restaurant in Cleveland, Tennessee say they found a disturbing scene over the weekend: hundreds of buns, just feet away from a public toilet. Video confirms the buns were in the bathroom.

I say: What do you expect in a bathroom? Buns, either packaged or unwrapped is the norm, isn't it!!!

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IN THE NEWS...

A meteor shower will be seen around the world this coming week!! The Southern Hemisphere will see more activity, but we in the Northern parts will also be able to see a few meteors - just lest than those in the 'bottom' half of our globe! Clear skies permitting. Here you'll find the details!