Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
4:00 A.M.*





OSO BAY and Suter Park Bird Sanctuary

As you walk along the path, and toward the bay, you would come upon a boardwalk that juts out into the marshlands before hitting the water. Lots and lots of waterfowl you'll see if you're lucky. This photo, of course, is the walkway. As you walk along, every so often, you can stop and sit...the wooden structure has a few bird blinds where you're nearly hidden from the view of the birds. Field glasses are a good thing to take with you....but the day Bud and I walked along the shores and over the boardwalk, we carried with us nothing except for the cellphone. We happened upon several ducks in the marsh, an unknown species at the time, before I got home and looked them up on wikipedia, of black web-footed huge birds that were grouped together along the water outlet that runs into the bay, and a beautiful white one that was hidden [or so he thought] in the reed.

Off to our left, near the stream was a group of nine black web-footed birds. From our bird book that I have here in our library, I find that they could possibly be immature Cormorants. Look closely at the photo [embiggen it...it will open in a new window] and you can see all the black along the banks and perched on the wood. Those are birds. Sorry, the cellphone camera has no zoom!! Wish it did! The birds above, flying, are seagulls of course and a couple of ducks. The buildings you see over the marshland and on the horizon are part of Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. Way to the right, out of the lens viewing is part of the Naval Air Station where they have a test landing strip for Navy Pilot Training.

Along the way to the bird blinds at the end, near the opening of the bay's shore, I spotted a Great White Heron hiding in the reed, patiently waiting, hunting. As I stopped to photograph it, his eyes followed my every movement. Altho, he stayed put. These birds can become quite large at maturity. Some 50 inches or more. Oftentimes they are confused with the egret. The color of the legs usually can help you recognize which. They eat fish, snakes, frogs, and small mammals such as rodents. The image here shows you the view from the boardwalk...the 2nd one I cropped to get you a closer view....tho somewhat blurred from the actual enlargement.

The cropped photo:


...more to come on Tuesday for my Heads or Tails "Case" post. Stay tuned.


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...and the Oscars.

Erik told me over the phone Friday that when he is here for the weekend he'll have to leave about 5 PM in order to get back to H-town before late hours, so again, tonight, I'll be glued to the TV for 3 to 4 hours watching the annual program that I have not missed in decades. But, this year it's a bit different. I've not seen many of the nominated films. The only ones on the list of nominees/nominated pictures are WALL*E, The Black Knight, Kung Fu Panda. I would have really liked seeing a favorite actor of mine, Sean Penn, in "Milk"...but it never ceases to amaze me, our town...so much protesting about the fact too. The fact: Seems there was a lot of censorship by the theater managers here and not too many people were happy with the outcome of it all. They [the managers] finally got the movie to show here, but when it was here, we were unable to get to the theater for its shortened run. I'll be sure to see it when it comes on DVD tho. We've purchased Changeling [DVD] last week at Wal Mart, starring Ms. Jolie which she has been nominated for best actress I believe, but have yet to sit down and watch it. Maybe Erik would like to see it with us if he hasn't seen it at the theather [both our kids are avid movie goers ...wonder where they picked that trait up?] In fact, I tend to think that will be the way I see movies mostly any more, on DVDs. Of course, when I go to the movies, even if it's the discounted matinee prices, the snack counter prices are so outrageous....and I need my junk food [popcorn, soda and Jr. Mints] when I see a film, I just can't see spending $30 for a movie, popcorn and soda. So, I'll save hundreds of dollars by buying the previewed movies that are 4 for $20 from Blockbuster, and buy the snacks for home at the grocery store instead!!

I'm still a fan of the movies!!! And I'm also a fan of watching all the glitz and glamour of the celebrities on this occasion tonight. I love to see the gowns, and be the fashion judge [LOL] of the color choices, the jewels, the amount of cleavage...etc. etc. etc. Not to mention this year....we have ummmmmmm, Hugh Jackman emceeing? Whoa!!! I'm predicting it will be quite political once again with Slumdog taking home the movie of the year trophy. If not, I will be totally, completely surprised. Seems these days Hollywood becomes involved in the politics keeping it more 'correctness' than fairness. We'll see. I do hope that they open their eyes and make Heath Ledger the winner for his role as "The Joker". He did one marvelous job of it. Otherwise, this year, will be just for the gowns and the ravishment of design of it all for me.

*this blog was composed Saturday morning & presceduled

Sunday, February 15th, 2009
4:45 A.M.



Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Be mine ::....won't you?
2. Ecstatic :: Happy
3. Orderly :: Systematic
4. Sebastian :: Cabot [actor]
5. Sore :: Canker
6. Don’t need :: Help
7. Rockstar :: Lyrics -Hey now..."you're a rockstar"

Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
(And all that glitters is gold)
Only shooting stars break the mold

8. Tinfoil :: Reynold's Wrap
9. Addiction :: Dependency
10. Where? :: "X" marks the spot!!


~...End Unconscious Mutterings
[comment HERE if you'd like to skip my 2nd meme & Sunday Blog on Economy below]


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Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Q & A Meme

1. where is your significant other? In bed, sleeping
2. your favorite thing? Too many to list.
3. your dream last night? Can't remember if I even had one.
4. your goal? Right now, to get dressed and out of my p j's.
5. your hobby? Crocheting
6. where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive!!
7. where were you last night? Why? Do I need an alibi?'!! In the living room, reading. That's my final answer, and I'm sticking to it!!
8. what you're not? A man.
9. one of your wish list items? To get me another piano. Wish I'd never sold mine.
10. your pet? Two cats.
11. missing someone? Nah....phone calls help
12. your car? Red...with gold cloth interior.
13. something you're not wearing? Makeup
14. love someone? Of course, don't you?
15. when is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
16. last time you cried? During a sad movie.
17. favorite past time? Walking on the beach!
18. are you a hater or a lover? 99% Lover.
19. any vices? Of course, we all have vices.
20. favorite meme other than Sunday Stealing? Photo Hunt


~...end Sunday Stealing Meme
[comment HERE if you'd like to skip the continuation of my Sunday Blog on Economy below]









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....talking about the world state of economy, I think we are probably just as guilty as the country's government and ceo's of banks or large corporations. Don't you? Can we put all the blame on them? No, I think not. Tho, probably some would disagree. Ya, I'm still biting at the bit to know that these huge banks and companies would even think of celebrating Bush's stimulus back when, and then go and celebrate the bail out with mega-bucks parties. WITH THE BAIL OUT monies. But think about this if you will. Years and years ago I told Bud that this will all come to a screeching halt someday and we'll [as a country] be in a deep depression! The average consumer doesn't understand it....buying is not prestige it's contributing to the global economy crisis if you have to buy on CREDIT!!! How many times have you read or listened to a part of the news when a new Play Station came out on the market? Or X-Box? Tivo, Wii, Blue Ray, HDTV, flat panel TVs? And the lines of consumers would actually camp out in front of the stores so they made sure they got the newest and just released game player? Thousands across the nation would do just that. And how did they pay for this? No doubt on 'plastic'. Yes, charged it. Then, buy buy buy more items on the same card. Paying interest, huge amounts of interest, each and every blessed month with making just the minimum payment. And eventually 'maxing out' the amount of credit allowed on a particular card...then, if the consumer is crazy enough...they start using another one from a different creditor!!
I really don't know what the maximum credit is these days, 'cause I don't use them. If I don't have the money that is needed for an item, I don't buy it!! It's that simple. Think of this. Say your maximum on just one card is $10,000.00. And you make the minimal payment each month, plus the interest of say 21%.....the shortest allotted time to pay it off would be approximately 119 months!!! Yes....Nearly 10 years. And of course, once one would get it down so far as to lower the minimum required payment, they go and purchase the NEWEST version of something else...so it's a lose lose situation. The consumer, if they had a good head on their shoulders, would look at the Playstations [or any other 'hot' new item] and say to themselves "We don't really need this"....or "What will tomorrow bring? Maybe we should wait and see if there is a huge medical expense in our future, or get laid off our jobs." And stop and think about this...if you were to take say, $20 each month to save for something that would cost $500...to pay cash for it....it would take you approximately TWO years!!! You wouldn't have the debt and high interest...and it'd not contribute to the bank's exorbitant, consumer cost of their high interest rates....think about it, two years and it's all yours by cash...or TEN years trying to pay off more on the credit card that you maxed out charging your purchases that grew and grew and grew because of the 'minimum' payments.

Now there are job layoffs galore!!! Banks are hurting...credit card companies. Why? 'Cause they allowed those consumers to do just what they're doing...buying on credit that neither has the money to keep the economy going strong.

I remember 8 track tapes. And how everyone needed 'em. Heck, I can go back as far as a television set first coming to the markets. Everyone wanted one...all because the "Jones's" had one. I also remember when a car was built in the 50's....and it would LAST forever. Now it seems the cars go strong for the warranted time, then break down. All the engines and all the components of a vehicle these days are controlled by computer chips....there is no way an owner can actually get under the hood to fix them like the 'good ol' days'. Okay...so buying a TV set back in the 50's - that was the 'in' thing to do. 8 tracks. Then, cassette players, then CD's. For movies, it was first beta...then, VHS...then DVD's. Now it's a new thing again...Blue Ray. Have you considered this too? Have you seen the cost of the players? Ranging from about $500.00 for them, on the average? And to top that off, even at Wal Mart...the Blue Ray Discs are averaging $30 comparing to $15 for the simpler DVDs? It's like....the one that dies with the most toys is the winner mentality. Oh yes, and the 'gas hogs'...everyone wanted an SUV. Then, the stock market and the oil speculators jacked up the price of a barrel of oil...and gas cost went 'out of this world'...SUVs are not even selling on the dealership lots anymore...

And I read the stock reports that Wal Mart is enjoying a great comeback because the smaller businesses are going belly up....it's sad that smaller companies can no longer afford to stay around, but hey....if you see one item in a store selling for $100, and the very same item is going for $85 at Wal Mart...would you pay the $100 or would you buy at Wal Mart? The smaller businesses have to bite the bullet and lower prices or they're outta here.

What I'm trying to say is, it's not all the market, and the CEOs...it is also partly to blame by the consumer who allowed themselves to be 'hornswaggled' into keeping up with the "Jones's" and buying way beyond their limits! "Needing" all the latest and up to date --gadgets. In the past two decades or so....the term 'budget' went out the window and it was buy, buy, buy....on credit!!! It's all about NOT overspending...beyond your budget. What happened to the days when people paid cash for an item...and if they didn't have the money for it then, saved for it....or didn't buy it at all. This goes for the typical consumer AND the government.

- - -

It's just not only the American soil either...I wince every time I see news and starving people dressed in rags...and the countries' government or leaders of the 3rd world live in palaces and immense communes. It's all wrong...what's wrong with this picture?

Blue Ray Players....I can't understand why anyone would waste good hard earned money on another 'gimmick'...when the DVD players aren't even broken!

Sunday, February 8th, 2009
5:05 A.M.

We've been very busy this week. Once again. Now that Spring weather has been here for the last couple of weeks, it's time for Bud and me to start working outdoors before it gets too hot to be out there. Our patio has been covered with lathe...lattice work. And with the subtropical weather during the summer months mostly, it doesn't take long for wood rot to appear...and mildew. This was on our list of 'to do' this year. Tear out the old and replace it all. Well, once Bud started by the corner of the dining room and took his claw hammer and a can to toss the nails into - he worked on it for about 4 hours the first day. What he got torn out that day made the dining room all the more brighter...not a dingy darkened room with the shade of the patio cover! I like it! I like it a lot!!! I'll have some photos up from the 'during' and after when it's done. But we're now thinking to not even put up any new stuff. We're thinking to leave it uncovered. The difference in the interior of the house is just too amazing. We'll see what we decide.

After he worked on it a couple of hours yesterday, I came in after cleaning up outdoors, and I peeled some apples that needed to be used up. I made four humongous apple dumplings...here they are, hot out of the oven and still all bubbly with the hot cinnamon syrup I made for basting them while they cooked!.....



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Just the other day, I was conversing with a neighborhood acquaintance [between the fences] ...He told me that he misses his kids and would love the fact to have his family 'whole' again. Even with his grown up kids and grandkids in HIS home...Now, today, at his age of 64. [to me, he has a whole lotta livin' yet to do in his lifetime --it's not like he's in his late 80s or early 90s and wants his youth back] I shook my head in disagreement and he blatantly called me selfish. Only in jest of course; still it got me wondering after we parted our ways for the day. AM I the one that truly is selfish wanting a life of my own at my age.....

- - -
Let me take a stand here. I love my kids. Very Much!! I am very happy 'just being a mother' to them. And a grandmother to my grandchildren. But, most importantly, to me....I love being ME! And I find nothing wrong with wanting my 'golden years' being with Bud only. I hear from others many times how they wish their children, even adult children, would still be home with them. Then, I think...am I being selfish with my kids' lives and still think it's too early for them to 'fly the coop'...and be on their own; staying home with mom and dad instead after they're showing signs of wanting to be on their own, even at an early age of 18, 19 or 20? I mentioned one time how I envied the life of a bird. And since the term empty nester and kids leaving the nest is always the terminology used when your own children grow to adulthood and leave home for good [or at least try to experience living on their own] is so apropos! Hey, that is YOUR JOB as a parent!!! Nurture your kids from their birth up until they are ready to spread their wings and fly away!! It's nature!!

Most all the time, I find myself smiling inwardly at all the cute children around me. Y'know? You never stop being a parent!! And if you have a healthy lifestyle, you would more than welcome your kids back with open arms...but! ---and that's a big 'but' --- you must set your standards. And I think the adult child SHOULD experience the rough times along with the good times of being out on their own. In other words, just don't say to them...'Awwww, poor child of mine...you'd be better off back at home, with us taking care of you." I say "No deal". Another expression comes to mind. "You make your bed, you lie in it". There comes a time in your life when tough love is very prominent in your child's life. Allow them the opportunity to realize that life is what they make of it. Through the good times AND the bad times.

Yes, I do envy the bird's life. For the only fact that within weeks, their offspring leaves the nest. Now don't get me wrong....I have glorious memories of being a mother of an infant, a toddler, an adolescent, a teenager, a worker outside the home, them leaving my home for good-with tears in my eyes...only of pride not selfishness on my part wishing the day hadn't come so quickly. I wanted two children. I wanted to raise them. I wanted the responsibility. I wanted to nurture them to being strong adults. I wanted them to feel good about coming home....to visit!! I wanted them to procreate and give me grandchildren to love. I wanted all that that is normal for the human species. The thing is, I also wanted them to have the opportunity to give me the satisfaction of knowing I did the right thing!!! Both my children are adult now...37 and 40 this year. Believe me, I still hurt inside the gut when they suffer relapses of finances or life's rough situations, I still cry with them when they hurt, I still giggle with them during the good, happy times, I still become elated with them in their pride and accomplishments --tho that has changed from finger painting to now degrees in law, business and ministry. I still am and always will be their mother!

Now, again, some may call this selfish with my views about having young adults that are perfectly capable of being out on their own. Let me now point out the fact that I had my first child at 20. No, I was not too young. I was much more mature than most twenty year old friends of mine. I was ready to have children! I looked forward to it.....BUT, again the 'but'. I also looked forward to being retired one day...alone again with my husband and no kids at home. I worked outside the home after our children were older and going to school. I had the foresight to save my income for....retirement! Of course, I was fortunate enough to be married to a man that supported me on his income so I was able to save my extra income and earn interest for those 'golden years' ahead of us. Personally, I think those that don't want their own kids to be out living their lives as nature intended, as being more selfish! They're still clinging to the fact that 'it's my kids' and 'I still want them home with me to make ME happy'.

Which brings me to an article I read just recently....

Adult Kids who Stay Home As I read this article, I found myself nodding in agreement with most of the scenario. This is what I picture for those that tell me "I LOVE having my kids at home, I don't want them to leave, ever!" One particular item really stands out for me:

"The real problem

There are reasons why birds kick their youngsters out of the nest and make them fly. It’s because the baby birds are too afraid to do it on their own, and if the baby isn’t kicked out, it will never develop the wing strength to fly later when they are heavier. Substitute humans into this idea and the same holds true.

As long as Mike has a comfort zone he can go back to, he will never evolve beyond where he is now. If Mike should get married, it will be a disaster. Chances are that Mike's parents will have Mike, his wife, and the kids living with them when they come along (while they "get their feet on the ground" of course). This because he cannot support himself now, and therefore won't be able to support his family later.

At this point, getting married doesn’t seem to be a real threat because Mike doesn’t represent the kind of man that most young women would want to hitch their wagon to permanently. Mike is too self-centered, egotistical (without reason), rude, arrogant, and few women choose a husband they will have to financially support.

Without intending to, Mom is teaching her son that it’s okay to verbally abuse people, there is always a safety net, and she is reinforcing bad behaviors that simply cannot exist later in life. In attempting to help Mike, she is actually setting him up for disaster.

Mike’s problem has now become his mother’s problem, ......"

- - -

Bottom line, in my opinion - I'm NOT being selfish in wanting a life of my own after my kids became adults!! I'm doing good!!! It's an interesting article for sure, even tho it's one case in a million...well, maybe these days -one case in a thousand since the 'trend' seems to being going the wrong way. And if you think clearly as a parent, YOU'RE being quite childish yourself wanting to have your kids [grown, adult kids] with you too much for the one reason, self-centeredness! Or maybe MY thinking is on the selfish line....just guess it depends on your 'motive' behind your thinking. Who knows, guess it's all individual, right?

Sunday, February 1st, 2009
4:45 A.M.



Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Take :: Two
2. 350 :: divided by 7 is 50
3. Stand :: By Your Man
4. Raspberry :: Pie
5. Turnstile :: Airport, bank, stadium, subway
6. Infomercial :: Where's the remote?
7. Dejected :: Low, depression
8. What’s the word? :: I forget. It's on the tip of my tongue.
9. Awestruck :: Admiration!
10. Smashed :: Crashed


~...end Unconscious Mutterings
[comment HERE if you'd like to skip the other memes below]









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SLAM BOOK MEME..

Chris passed on this little diddy to Squawmama, and I grabbed it with joy. They were fun back then, and I thought it looked fun again. You know... you do remember those "Slam Books" of our youthful days? Here goes:

1. Sport: BASEBALL

2. Color: FOREST GREEN & Deep rich purples.

3. Movie: 1969...Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. I've watched this so many times, I can mouth the script by heart, and when the music begins for each scene...the fade to black..."Dos Hombres?" "Fuego!!!". [I love movies, period!]

4. Song: Too many...Amazing Grace, Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, Impossible Dream...I could go on and on.

5. American City: DENVER!! Of course

6. Foreign City : London [no, never been there, but love to go there someday]

7. Book: Yep...love 'em. Once again, way too many. GWTW, Thorn Birds, Poe's poetry, Dickens' Works, Steinbeck, Shakespeare [Julius Caesar is my favorite and Hamlet] etc. etc. etc.

8. TV: Baseball Season, Movie Channels

9. Actor: Johnny Depp, hands down

10. Actress: Merle Streep

11. Perfume: Last time I wore perfume was way back...Avon's Rose Geranium. Would love it if I could find something just like it!

12. Food: Italian

13. Car: Pontiac [Zoom, Zoom!]

14. Condiment: Dill Pickles!!! Oh, and olives. Well, maybe mustard. Awww, heck, most all of them. Onions too.

15. Kitchen appliance: Microwave

16. Beauty product: Lotion

17. Piece of clothing: Jeans

18. Male songwriter: Billy Joel

19. Female songwriter: Dolly Parton

20. Holiday: Halloween

21. Disney character: Jimminy Cricket[cartoon] and ♥Donkey♥ from SHREK [animated]

22. Flower: Rose

23. Alcoholic drink: Beer

24. Non-alcoholic drink: Water with Lemon

25. Magazine: Time

26. Male vocalist: Josh Groban

27. Female vocalist: Whitney Houston

28. Day of the week: You mean there are days in the week? I've been retired...they're all one to me these days.

29. Household chore: Making sure my voice is heard...."Bud? I need you to do this for me, willya? Purdy Please?!!"

30. Ice cream: Vanilla...with hot fudge and pecans

31. Candy: Pecan Turtles

32. Quote: From the Book...Atlas Shrugged, and I thought it was a powerful quote, moreso that you'll not understand the gist unless you read the entire book to come to realization that within the powers of success, it is a strong revelation - "I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine." and I decipher this as individuals have an inalienable right to pursue their own happiness based on their own values and that they must be free to pursue their own self-interest as they choose; people have no obligations to each other beyond the obligation to respect the freedom and rights of other self-interested people. [tho at some points in time it's not always viable, there are times you must put yourself second and another before you but, in the novel, it's all about striving and surviving and boycotting and striking against the 'looters' of the world]




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The Letter/Name Game

Patsy had this on her blog when I visited with her Friday. And it looked like a great challenge to accept. I'm gonna try it now:

Rules: It's harder than it looks! Copy to your own site, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag 10 people. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real. . .nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question. HaveFun!

1. What is your name: Anni
2. A four Letter Word: Aloe
3. A boy's Name: Anthony
4. A girl's Name: Angela
5. An occupation: Air Traffic Controller
6. A color: Aqua [boy howdy, that almost was a 'no go']
7. Something you wear: Antique earrings
8. A food: Angel Food Cake
9. Something found in the bathroom: Aftershave
10. A place: Anteroom
11. A reason for being late: Alternate Route [detour]
12. Something you shout: Ahhhhhhh, heck!!
13. A movie title: African Queen
14. Something you drink: Ale
15. A musical group: Aerosmith! [a favorite]
16. An animal: Antelope
17. A street name: Ash Street [that's intersected with Ambrose Avenue]
18. A type of car: Audi
19. The title of a song: America the Beautiful


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Jill @ Sneaky Momma presented me with this special award. I love it! And I love the fact that she thought of me when she presented it on her blog!! Thank you so much. Jill posted:

This fun award is meant to encourage and uplift others in the blogging world. Here's how it works: Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand, then "Pay it Forward" by extending your "Helping Hand" to 5 additional new bloggers, in support and encouragement for their efforts.

I chose to award this one to 5 ladies who have helped my blog either in the technical sense or who offered tons of comment love when I was a brand new blogger.

Francesca at 3 Bay B Chicks
Amanda at A Proud Mommy of Four
Liz at Loving Mom Boys
Heidi at Sacred and Profane
Hootin Anni

Milet, Mary, Shadow, Rosemary, Gattina, Myra, "Tookie", Angel, The Social Frog, Susan [no this isn't a 'tag' it's an award!!

Sunday, January 25th, 2009
5:55 A.M.



Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?


1. Unwanted :: pregnancy [that's the 1st thing that came to my mind!]
2. You’d better :: watch out, you'd better not pout!
3. Woman :: izer
4. Weighed :: in
5. Upright :: piano
6. I feel :: pretty, oh so pretty.
7. Ill :: sick
8. It’s like ::, y'know? [I sound like a Valley Girl!]
9. Poor man :: Rich man...actually it's Rich Man Poor Man [book]
10. Great :: balls of fire!



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We're back. We didn't get home 'til early this morning. Neither one of us wanted to stay overnight, so we drove home from Houston just before 10 PM and it takes about 3 hours to drive the distance. And being that it was dark, and neither one of us likes to drive at night, well, you get the picture. LOL You know the scenario...a couple of old geezers driving like we didn't belong on the highway, and all are passing us and flipping us off? Ya, that was the two of us last night. By the time we got home, I just dropped everything on the kitchen counter, fed the cats and fell into bed! Clothes and all.

It was a good day. We had breakfast when we got there, and then when the art gallery opened, I believe it was called William Reaves Art Center, [there are a gazillion art centers and museums in Houston, I had my choice and I liked the sound of 'western Texas artists' ---but the names of all that I had to choose from, I am not sure this is the right name...LOL---besides, I'm still not fully awake]...we perused all the exhibits of the Texan Local artists from the early 1900s up to more modern Texan artists. I think my favorite was Moonlight Caller 'cause it has always been the way I pictured Texas when I was a small girl...the old adobe construction and the Mexican flair before 'civilization' took over the state and you have cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antoinio. LOL All in all the gallery was a great way to spend a Saturday.

We went to a late lunch at Carrabba's Italian...but, I had grilled salmon...DEEEEEElish!!!! We played a newer version of Trivial Pursuit..."The Americana" version, which was something different. I learned something with the brown category when I landed on it...the category PLACES....did y'all know about the lake called
Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg?
Ya, you read that right!! Well, that was one of the questions I got stuck with. And I was supposed to actually KNOW[?] where this was? Ya right...and I can't even remember where I put my eyeglasses from one step to the next? I think not!!

First thing this morning I had to look it all up. By the way, it was --or IS-- in Massachusetts. And today, they call it Lake Webster. Well, dang...if I'da known that was THE lake, I coulda answered Massachusetts! I knew that!!! [insert wink here] But the part of the game that made me...all of us....laugh so hard our sides ached, was where Bud had to pronounce the lake!! You shoulda been there. Why, lordy, I am good at spelling, but....hey...I couldn't even begin to spell it, and I was given the card and tried to spell it--and I was READING it off the card...too funny. You had to be there with us sitting at the table. Trust me. It was a natural high...we laughed and laughed so hard. I'm wondering just why the locals changed the name to Webster?!! hehehehehe

We had pizza delivered while all the chatting was going on in the evening...we waited to get the beer that we consumed with the pizza to get 'peed' out of our system and left late. All in all it was a very fun day. [For Erik, it was to be my February birthday celebration, early]

I received these from him---

A hardcover edition of Ayn Rand's "Fountainhead" and also "Capitalism" by the same author and a pink glass candy dish. It was filled with hard candies, but they disappeared during the game of pursuit! I love the rose lid!!!

I'll be taking a nap today for sure! We got to sleep around 1 a.m. and only four hours of sleep...that is not good for my system. roflmao

Sunday, January 18th, 2009
5:35 A.M.

* *UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERINGS at end of my SUNDAY'S ENTRY.




If this statement in the graphic to the right piques your interest in just a tiny way, you may want to watch this 5 minute video on facts and figures that will astound you. VERY interesting. Erik sent me this link to watch and I was startled by most all of what I read; all compiled in 2008 and published for us to view. The link coming up will open in a new window for you. YOU TUBE 'Did You Know?'



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I finished the book about DEWEY the Library Cat of Spencer, Iowa. It's been on the New York Best Seller's list* for months. [I noticed this past weekend in the newspaper book reviews it's continuing on the top 10 list as #2 now!!] If you follow my blog, you'll remember the little entry I made a couple of weeks ago about the book I found and was going to read here. Anyway, the inside section of the dust cover states the ending is a 5 kleenex ending. Well, whoever did the critiquing of the book; they were so right!!! It's a marvelous, non-fiction, down to earth book about how an abandoned kitty turns into a celebrity...world wide! Sections have been aired on television about him. On talk show radio such as Paul Harvey's "And now you know the rest of the story"...local news, national news, and world wide broadcasts. In magazines...you name it. People from all over the world made it a special trip to meet Dewey. Even a small girl from Texas, with a "Make a Wish" request, received funds for her and her parents to travel to Iowa to meet him...the story connected to this special girl in the book will make you weep with joy and wonderment of such an animal with his prime instincts of the human heart!!

There are chapters where the author began to turn away from Dewey a bit and gave the reader a smidgen of her own life's biography, but in some way, I didn't mind a bit...it was all part of how she became the mother of Dewey and how she cared for and loved him as a part of her own family. You'll laugh at some of the actions the staff does...all for the love of Dewey. Especially if you're a cat owner...or should I say especially if a cat owns YOU!?!!

It's a warm, caring, loving story. But, if you ever read it, be warned...it IS a tear jerker at times. Not always, but if you're heart is set for a bit of sadness with the joyful times...you'll love reading the book. [Dewey lives to be nearly two decades old...all within the compounds of the library!]


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I was given this beautiful award this last Thursday and wanted to share it. RoseAnn, at The Social Frog received it as her very first award then, passed it on to me. You've made me feel very special and gave me a bit of sunshine today!! Thank you so much.

The Award States:
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

I consider all blog visitors as friends...so take with you this award if you wish.


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Yesterday afternoon Bud and I finished the Spring Cleaning of the inside of the house! We're done...from ceilings, to closets, to floors and cupboards. Everything is gutted out, scrubbed and polished, every room. Now, Spring can come when it wants, and bring on the gardening. There are a lot of things that have been added to our 'to do' list for the housework outside too. It's all part of being an owner. Sometimes I've wished that we rented. But then, I figure it's like throwing money away on rent where you have nothing to show for your money. But, there have been days that I think to myself....if we were renters all we would have to do is call the landlord and have THEM fix it.

When it begins to warm up [with sun!] in a week or two, we want to start tearing down the old dilapidated patio covering. Wood rots quickly around this part of the country...being the moisture and humidity. And I think it'll let a little more light in the house if it's all taken off. But that'll be after a couple week's break from cleaning indoors.

The other day, when we had to 'use the facilities' we turned the light on [It's a 6 light vanity light above the mirrored wall], one of the six lights burned out. I replaced it....turned on the light again and the same thing happened. So the light fixture now has to be replaced; the one light socket shorted out and burned out completely. Of course they're all of one unit, so the whole contraption has to be torn off the wall and then a new one put up. Thank goodness this is Bud's Navy Days specialty...electrical. That'll save us some mulah!!! See? ...."If we were renters instead of owners, the labor would be in the landlord's hands." LOLOLOL


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Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Arrival :: Time
2. Vomit :: Ewwwww!
3. Fit :: as a fiddle
4. Stutter :: Stammer
5. Lifestream :: Building your own...fantasy
6. Tread :: Don't Tread on Me
7. Desire :: Yearn
8. Freezing :: Temps
9. Permit :: Learner's
10. Crinkle :: Cut French Fries [in the frozen foods aisle]



*As of January 18th, the book, DEWEY, is #3

Sunday, January 11th, 2009
6:20 A.M.

Unconscious Mutterings, Cleaning, Home, Football, and washing Bud's Balls today!



Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Resolution :: Declaration of Independence
2. Break :: rest period
3. Tied :: in knots
4. Suffering :: succotash [Sylvester cartoon]
5. Instead :: of
6. Divorce :: marriage
7. Slash :: From Guns N Roses [okay, so I LIKE him! sue me. lol]
8. Cough :: Phlem
9. Happy :: Dance
10. Sniffle :: Sob; wimper




~end Unconscious Mutterings
[comment HERE if you'd like to skip the rest of today's blogging]






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FOOTBALL: My second favorite sport is football. American football of course. And y'all know I'm a Denver Bronco fan. But a 2nd of three teams I follow, is the Arizona Cardinals! Why of course it's another state I lived in!! Thing is, they're not that super. But this year? Whoa Nelly! They're in the playoff games for a chance to go to the Super Bowl. And last night's game? Oh my goodness. They really stomped some major butt! I have a thing for the quarterback too. Since Elway has retired, Kurt Warner is now my favorite active quarterback. In fact, I've always liked him. Besides he's eye candy if you want my opinion. You don't think I watch football for the 'sport' do you? rofl!! Anyway, they won last night. 33-13! And they said it couldn't be done! Ha! Guess they showed them thar Panthers now, didn't they?

The Cardinals have never made a Super Bowl game. And they are the oldest franchise in America [football]. The last victory in a playoff championship was in 1947 -- years before the Super Bowl even existed! I think it's their time!!!


SPRING CLEANING: No...for us here it's not too early to do some Spring Cleaning. You see, by the end of next month, it's going to start getting hot and humid! We don't have much of a winter around here. We go from Christmas to spring like weather in a blink of an eye. While you all have snow days and blizzard conditions in the North, our winter is perhaps balmy to you. Our low temps at night rarely get below 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit. And the temperatures begin to climb to a nice warm comfortable 70-80 degrees by the end of January. Oh don't get me wrong, there CAN be some nasty winter storms...but it's more likely just heavy rains. No snow! [YAY!!]

Anyway, it all started with the cleaning of the coat closet. We've now finished the master bath and walk in closet. The master bedroom [except for new curtains...which I want to still do soon--but it's a long drug out process trying to find something that will go with the dark plum colored walls!] The day before, we both worked on the living room. Bud did the vaulted wood ceiling with English Wood oil, and the huge ceiling fan/light while I cleaned out the entertainment center and dusted each and every album [the old ones...33 1/3 rpms and 45s]....each cassette tape [yes, I still have them!!---100s], and CDs. On the other side of the entertainment center, I pulled out and liquidated some of the VHS and DVDs...dusted each individual one and arranged them alphabetically. We have 100s of those too! The walls were cleaned, the frames around the pictures were dusted and the glass cleaned...even down to the window sills...I refinished those...the cats scratch the wood and they needed a repair job...quick and easy with the Old English Wood Liquid!! Being that the living room was finished partly after Christmas when I took all the decorations down, that job was easily done in a day.

Yesterday, we moved to the dining room. Same thing here...Bud did the high work, scrubbing the light fixtures and the venetian blinds; while I cleaned the fish net curtains [the whole room is nautical], wall fixtures, tables and seashells...scrubbing them too...things like that. Both of us worked on the hutch...interior and exterior. We liquidated a lot there; getting rid of some glassware that hasn't been used in years. And the room sparkles!! I even washed Bud's Balls!!! [insert wink here!]

You see, as I mentioned above, the theme is nautical. We have fish net for curtains [see photo above]. I know, I know, it sounds odd, but it isn't all that bad. With everything being 'seaworthy', it really fits in with the decorum. The netting is swagged like any drapery...and I used for tie backs the nautical 'witch's balls'...the "bobbers" they use for nets/shrimpboats. I soaked them and I scrubbed them to a new shine! See?--------



Of course they have to be red and green...for port and starboard sides of the windows. Yep, I washed Bud's Balls. And had a blast!!!

Sunday, January 4th, 2009
4:00 A. M.


A Ghostly Tale on a foggy morn here in Texas....the Drawing of Winners for my 1st Blog Giveaway, and Sunday's Unconscious Mutterings.



Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Confirmation :: Catechism [church - school -manual of teaching the doctrine]
2. Verse :: Prose
3. Authorize :: Approve
4. Blog :: Mine
5. Thirty :: Something
6. Heir :: loom
7. What are you doing? :: Typing this answer
8. Complaint :: Department
9. Leave :: Vacation [military]
10. Tune :: Tommy


~...end Mutterings
[comment HERE to skip the rest of my Sunday Blog]








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Up close and personal....with Fog!!
No flash
Looking from the backyard
Over the fence
toward the front street light
[our home's chimney to the right]















Oh the bells, bells, bells!!
Macro setting of wind chime
Brass Bells
Flash setting...fog droplets seen













View from patio
Looking into the back yard
Faintly visible is the raised stone flower bed
Macro setting
Flash ON
Foggy dew visible!!








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Okay, so this was like, ummmmmmmm, getting the crap scared outta me!!! Yes indeedy.
You see, one morning this past week, it was beautiful.
Still dark...way before sunrise.
The lights of the city along the freeway in the distance could not been seen, except for an orange, eerie, glow.
It was foggy.
Not a dense fog, but still, none-the-less foggy!
I've attempted many times to photograph fog and it's beauty to no avail.
But that doesn't mean I give up.
I grabbed my trusty digital and ventured outdoors into the back yard and tried to get up close and personal with nature. The day was early. The silence was deafening...but oh so perfect to sneak around and try and capture the beauty of the dark. I had the camera on macro, and started from the patio edge. Snapped away. As I walked more into the dewy grass and around the stone flower wall, where a lot of shrubs and flowers are, I took some more photos. As I was by the pyracantha and duranta bushes, I heard a jet flying ....I could faintly see the lights of the aircraft and aimed the camera skyward. Nothing visible in the viewfinder. So I just started taking more photos. I turned off the flash, and got some fabulous photos, tho eerie. I'm gullible when it comes to spooky things. I actually get excited over such things like the idea of UFOs, the paranormal, etc. Still, I can find evidence for myself that most are hoaxes. At least I convince myself otherwise. Anyway. Like I said, as I view through the viewfinder and scan some of the photos that have already been saved to the camera's memory chip, I see one I took of the bushes...I stopped what I was doing, and went indoors to hook the camera up to the usb port and upload them so I could see them in the larger state.

My heart was pounding. Bud was up by then, and he is a believer!!! I can get him going on and on about the paranormal and the possibility of ghost-like phenomenons. In fact, he swears he's witnessed some in some of the homes we've lived!!! I, personally, have never had the opportunity to actually see any with my own eyes...until Friday morning.....

I'll swear on a stack of Bibles or in a court that this photo was NOT in any way enhanced or that I did not do one thing to add any effects!!! This photo below was taken with the camera setting on macro, with flash, looking into the pyracantha and duranta bushes in the raised flower-bed:

The spots you see in the upper dark area is actually the fog...the circular misty balls of fog. But the white fuzzy looking twirly stuff? I was certain I had photographed ectoplasm!!! I called Bud into the room, showed him a 'normal' photo of the same area...with the dense droplets of the fog...nothing swirling around. All the photos I took of that area were all taken within seconds of each one...I still wasn't SURE about it all. I, in the back of my mind, was becoming a believer. Bud, after looking at all the photos from the computer that I downloaded off the camera, would hmmmmmmm, and say "spooky"!!! I asked him what he thought. We both were on the same wave length...I was becoming seriously tempted to get in contact with Ghost Hunters International. It was beginning to scare me. We were just outdoors the other day cleaning some of the autumn/winter debris of dried leaves and trimming some of the overgrowth from the past summer; I KNEW there were no webs!! That couldn't be webs! But, just what was it? Could it actually be ectoplasm?!!! What is your opinion?

About 30 minutes later, still quite dark but getting near to dawn, I just had to go back out and see if it was still there...outside I traipse with the digital and I positioned myself as close to where I thought I was standing previously. And took more photos, brought the camera back in and viewed those photos! Not ONE had anything remotely close to the 1st one I captured!! Not one! No special phenomenon seen anywhere. It WAS some sort of ghostly apparition then! It had to be!

Some of the first time out with photos of the area:
[can enlarge & open in a new window]



30 minutes have passed:




OH, AND JUST IN CASE YOU'RE REMOTELY INTERESTED!....
It dawned on me.
It wasn't any such thing as ectoplasm, apparition, phenomenon, ghost....
It was SMOKE from my cigarette!
At least 99.99% sure....

Phew!!!!!



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This past Friday, late afternoon, when we finally returned home from a long day out and about, I had Bud draw the names of four for my blog giveaway. As he drew out the name tags, I snapped photos of the action....






So, this was the drawing of names. The first two, from top left to right were the first to be drawn. And the bottom row, left to right is the last of the book thong winners [left] and the grand prize winner; the lavender crocheted winter scarf. [right]. Now, I bet you're all very curious as to who's names were drawn, right?

In order to see just who the winners were, you'll have to indulge me. I posted the drawing here...and then, I decided to make the excitement build a little bit and get the ol' adrenaline pumping for all those who participated. Yep, I'm ornery that way. But, fear not, the names and the very much awaited 'congratulations' go to these.

Follow me...
I'm taking you now to the Blog Giveaway blog and the revealing of the winners' names.

Remember once again, the winners must send me their email with the snail mail address where I'm to ship the gifts. So, are you ready?

Step through the magic of your computer screen and come with me.....

Sunday, November 30th, 2008
5:00 A. M.
Why is Christmas just like a day at the office ?
You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.





Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Sleepy :: Hollow
2. Thanksgiving :: Day
3. Fifteen :: going on 30
4. Authority :: Border Patrol [I haven't the foggiest either, so don't ask]
5. Bangs :: the drum slowly
6. Curled :: up in a ball [our cat of course!]
7. Young man :: Lad
8. Surprised :: Blown away
9. Mistake :: To err is human
10. Handle it :: Get over it!!!



~...end Mutterings
[comment link HERE if you'd like to skip the entire Sunday Blog Post]


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Recalling what I read in the Yah** News on Black Friday [American Retailers call the day after Thanksgiving 'Black Friday' because of the first day of the shopping season for Christmas.] I was shocked! Well, shocked, but really not so shocked that it could happen. You see, it was in New York state, [Upstate? To me, a Texan, if it's not New York City, every place else in the state is upstate New York]. Anyway, according to Yah**, at a Wal Mart mind you...the doors opened at 6 a.m. and there were people stampeding through the doors as the service counter dude unlocked...he was trampled to death, and several other shoppers [one pregnant woman] were trampled and injured and hospitalized! Crazy! People are crazy!! To me, it's just not worth it. I don't like it, I don't like it at all. That's why I stay home and get into the REAL spirit of the holiday season by decorating....safe, between my four walls. The New Y*rk Times had a more detailed regailing of the tragic event as some of the online news I read Friday morning wasn't exactly as the witnesses told the reporters. Here's the accurate story....

- - -

Also this morning a link from Yah** directed me to the top 20 HEARTBREAKING songs. I must admit, I like music, but what flabbergasted me was the fact I've not heard of half of them on the list. LOL And the ones I DID recognize, only one could half way be considered breaking-the-heart lyrics. I guess I have a life's vision through rose colored glasses far too often. I do consider that a song that is heart breaking is a sad song, but I guess in some minds; not necessarily so. Reading this, it got me to thinking just which song I would have to choose myself if asked. Trust me, it wouldn't be on the list that Yah** provided. I thought, and thought, and thought. It would have to be the instrumental composition along with lyrics; not just lyrics. The music definitely has to be considered also. I'm mean let's face it, I could hear the lyrics "I'm dying" or "You're leaving me" and it could be some heavy metal band that would just not get the feeling across. Speaking of hard rock, heavy metal, the song "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith comes to mind. The song lyrics are not 'sad' so to speak, but in the movie, Armageddon and the sequences of events makes me cry watching and listening to the song. The words are mighty powerful, and so unlike Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Guess then, afterall, the heartbreaker could be a good song! I stand corrected. That song just blows me away. Thinking: I came up with these 5 most sad songs personally, the MOST heartbreaking is number 1 of course---

5] I Will Always Love You [Whitney Houston]
4] My Heart Will Go On [Celine Dion]
3] Only Time [Enya]
2] Hero [Mariah Carey]
1] How Am I Supposed to Live Without You [Michael Bolton]

News Banner© copyrighted
No infringement intended


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For Merle: Mostly it's warm to HOT here year 'round. Remember, I live on the coast. The temperature zone here is sub-tropical! Rarely does a winter day go by without the high temperature being at least 60[F] 15.5[Celsius] Very few days [about February] around here does it get and stay cold. And, just for you dear friend, here is a photo I posted a little over a week ago. This is a Don Juan Climbing rose trailing around the Bird of Paradise and Lady Banks rose vine in the background, along our privacy fence in the back yard. Here is the post with some of the flowers in bloom in our yard for the month of November again, if you'd like to see them all.
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7:42 A. M.
addendum

I just updated my sidebar to show when my 1st Blog Giveaway will begin.
I'm excited, I hope it will succeed.
If it does, this may happen often around here!
Hope it will be fun for all.

Unconscious Mutterings follows below---




KING'S RANCH PART I


We had a fantastic time at the Ranch Breakfast yesterday. It was almost perfect. Tho, it would have been better if the sun would have been shining! It was overcast all day, and quite cool. I went dressed for a chilly morning; even took a jacket with me, tho it was in the high 40's. ALL day, cloudy and cool. We got rain once we arrived back home, but at the breakfast, we stayed dry. We left home shortly after 6:30 a.m. It was early, I know, but I don't like driving at night much, so I tend to drive much slower. And we took the highway to Alice and Robstown before hitting the highway to Kingsville because it's lighted much more. The back way would have been way too dark for me. LOL

Once we got to Robstown, we hit highway 77 and headed southwest into Kingsville. Luckily, after we hit the ranch land, the gates were opened and they were welcoming only a few. [By the time we left around 10:30 or so, it was still jammed packed, and where we parked at the time we got there --four rows of cars, but as we were getting in the car to leave, the entire field was filled with cars...no doubt about 100 rows of cars and people still driving in!!!

Bud and I have gone to the ranch's museum on the land itself a few times. And we've taken the bus tour that they have available at a cost where they take you into the more 'secret' areas, like the cotton wagon rutted road where Richard King smuggled cotton to the waiting Mexican ships on the Gulf during the Civil War. Of course the tour guide tells you a lot more of the local area of the ranch and stuff like that, that you don't read in history books. Things you don't see when you're invited into the ranch for the annual cowboy breakfast.

Okay, so once we arrived, they had shuttles [wagons on tractors] to take you to the area where the place is set up outdoors. [And by the way Pea, yes the cowboys were SO CUTE directing traffic in the field where we had to park...the one especially showing me where to park the car...cowboy hat, sitting tall in the saddle...and calling me Ma'am!!! Whoa, boy...so virle, so handsome....so YOUNG! LOL] Bud and I walked the distance so we could 'scout out the place'. While walking, we saw for what the ranch is famous! The Texas Longhorns. I love this breed!!!! I was hoping the brindle marked steer behind the spotted one would have paid attention to me and looked toward me....his horns were MUCH longer. He was not at all cooperative.

I would so love to have a tanned hide from one of these beautiful creatures!! Have you ever felt their hair under your bare feet? Trust me, it's smooth, silky and oh so nice and cool! Some day, Anni....some day! We actually HAD one that we had tanned and made into a rug, but believe it or not, it was stolen from our home!!! [I have a photo of it with Irene...I'll have to scan that some day]

With our tickets in our hands, we got in line...as I said there weren't that many there yet, maybe about 300 or so people meandering around, along with some girls with coffee pots! That pleased Bud. He's the coffee drinker. We got up to the 'chow line' and they dished up the grub!!! Sausages, beans, eggs, biscuits with sausage/cream gravy, and tortillas. There was orange juice served also. [The only thing that wasn't more or less 'authentic' was the plastic dinnerware and the paper plates.] There were upright 'tables' at which you stand, just like the ranch workers do...OR straw bales!! So rustic, and so fun actually.

By the way, the cost of the meal is all donated to a children's charity. Food is either raised on the ranch or donated by the local grocery chain.

See what was beside me on one of the straw bales? LOL...meet "Freckles". No, it's not mine. A cute little girl had this with her while she was eating her breakfast. She introduced me to her best friend. Her mother told me that her daughter got that at the ranch's visitor's center a while back and has never parted with it. I just had to add this photo.

While I was taking a photo of Freckles the young girl was so interested in seeing her pony on my cellphone that she asked if she could try it. Of course, I had to show her how and let her take a photo of me while she was standing on a stack of straw bales...she was thrilled and all giggly from being allowed to use the camera. I think she was probably about 5 or 6 years old. She followed my directions well. Such a sweetie!! [the little girl, not the old hag on the straw bale]

Now, to keep the post from getting out of hand...way too long, I will break this up into three posts. [I took about 30 photos!]. Tomorrow or real soon, I'll post the 'entertainment' part in part two. Part three will be some of the ranch itself that I stopped and took pictures of as we drove out. So, stay tuned to the next installment....


RANCH HAND BREAKFAST FACTS

People served: Typically more than 4,000

Food served:
15,000 eggs
550 pounds sausage
5,000 biscuits
100 gallons of cream gravy
4,000 flour tortillas
350 pounds refried beans
25 gallons of hot sauce
185 gallons orange juice
150 gallons of coffee

Source: King Ranch


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Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?


1. Spit it out :: Talk to me!!!
2. Shadow :: of your Smile [song]
3. Database :: computer info
4. Expression :: feeling - emoticons
5. Boss :: Hogg [TV - Dukes of Hazard]
6. Baby :: face Nelson [famous criminal]
7. Mystic :: River [good book, good movie!]
8. Kate :: biography [about Katherine Hepburn]
9. Boobies :: LOLOLOL ---titties I guess.
10. Raid :: Kills bugs dead! [an old commercial]