Hootin' Anni's Day Trippin' : yardart

Apparently, I had a screw loose. Good thing my older brother wasn't here when I noticed after I cleaned out the laptop and was picking it up to put it away in its proper place, he'd never let me down on that one. He always thought I was one watt short of a light bulb. Not to mention Bud! I won't go into detail, but just picture an arthritic man, rolling on the floor laughing and between gulps for air, he was stuttering "I wish Butch were here!" [Butch, being my brother -he and Bud were always cahootin' over something devilish]. And picture me just walking away, leaving him stranded and having to maneuver himself up to standing position. Serves him right!!!! I'm all fixed now tho, and everything is locked in with no brain matter loss. At least for now, I've had no ill side-effects other than a mild headache after all the screwing I did.

The last four days I've been AWOB [absent without blogging]... working on the yard pelican statue. I couldn't work on it too long at a time since the morning sun was in my eyes and I couldn't see Didley Squat to paint very well. And by the time afternoon rolled around, it was too hot for me with no shade had. So, I painted about half an hour before sunrise [at first light] until it peaked over the neighbor's roof into my eyeballs. And I finished it. I wanted to get it done once I started on it 'cause rain is predicted this weekend. I did go ahead and attempt making it look like the more commonly seen brown pelican. I forgot to take a before photo before beginning, so I searched my blog for the white pelican..

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And I still haven't seen nor heard from Didley Squat.

Ms. G at Connections More shared a recipe for Sunshine Cake. Saturday, the day before Easter, we had some special-made mini cakes. They were called Egg White Cake...in the shape of an egg of course, white cake, candy coated and colored, with an egg white meringue center and sprinkles. Pretty good. But I couldn't wait to try her recipe. Everything in it was everything Bud and I like. Especially pineapple. Now to be truthful, I tweaked her recipe some for a bit more heart healthy dessert. I used only egg whites since I hafta watch my cholesterol intake, sugar free cake mix, and no sugar added cool whip, plus crushed pineapple in its own juice instead of heavy syrup. And I must say it was an Easter favorite for us! I made baked ham, buttered yams, and tossed salad along with steamed broccoli. We both had to go back and get a 2nd opinion on the cake tho!! Thanks. Ms. G!!!! I may add halved pecans on top of the cool whip topping next time...it was so close to pineapple upside down cake without the mess.

The special Egg White Cakes ... an Easter gift to us...

And, the Sunshine Cake....

We cleaned our plates:

As I mentioned in my previous post, the day began partly cloudy and I was elated to see the sunshine and blue sky [it's been overcast, and rainy for months on end!]. Anyway, the sunlight didn't last long before the clouds moved in and the temperature dropped from a balmy 77 degrees at mid morning, to 45 degrees overnight!!! Another cold front blanketed our tropical setting. I left Blucher Park and headed up the interstate to Rand Morgan exit to Up River Road and pulled into a vast, hilly, park. West Guth Park. Here, there are paved walkways, paved roads, a swimming pool, many picnic areas with BBQ pits, and a disc golf course. There is also a large senior center within the park's grounds. Plus an oak tree shaded man-made pond for ducks and waterfowl.

By the way there are 190 parks within Corpus Christi...source, here. West Guth is one of the largest.

When I parked the car on the pull-out along the park road, I got out and was preparing to don my camera, pocket my phone, and grab my lensball and glass mounting....the ruckus from the trees over my shoulder alerted me to the area right off...the high pitched squawking was coming from Monk Parakeets. I walked up the hill and snapped some photos. I will share the 'distant photos' here, and in time will resize the other, close-up photos I took, and share at my bird photo blog.

I must add that all over the state of Texas, Texas Pride shows up everywhere!! And, tho this was a startling discovery nearby where the parakeets were...I could only say to myself..."Anni, you're in Texas...this shouldn't surprise you in the least!" It, being "Texan" and for the birds...[no pun intended]. After all, Corpus has been voted the birdiest city in America for many years straight... A drip system/birdbath in the shape of the state itself. Plus, look closer....the Texas Longhorns are embossed along the bowl's edges!!! Original, I'll grant them that, but really....Texas? I must admit tho, that this is better than the porta-pottys with Texas Throne on the door!!!!!! [yes, they're here...Ive seen 'em]