The Adventures of Momcat!

2011-09-23T09:24:00.000-05:00

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One Year Later - 8/27/2011

2011-08-27T12:32:00.022-05:00

What a difference a year can make!!!

WoW!!! i just accidentally found my way back to this blog on THIS particular Saturday morning!
the last time that i posted on this blog was . . . EXACTLY one year ago!!!

so i got to take the time to document what all has happened since last year. Cool!!

ya know - i was just surfing around on the web this morning - watching funny youtubes - it's been a nice relaxing beautiful morning with fresh cool temperatures . . . windows open, breeze softly blowing . . . in LATE AUGUST!!!! Sorry folks back home in the South - but it's true - when yall moving out here?

Sooo . . .

Besides being the Year of Mom Independence!!! it has also been one WHACK wEaTHeR year - 2011.

There is so much information & disinformation about the big picture meaning of this year 2011 - that i don't know yet how to assimilate it all so i will refrain from making any more comments about it except to document what all has happened since this time last year.

Last year - at about this time, "they" finally plugged the ocean floor, stopping the BP Gulf oil spill in the Gulf Coast - 200 millions gallons of oil spewed from April 19, 2010 to August, 2010. David profited greatly from this awful man-made natural disaster by cleaning oil off of thousands of sea & shore birds, working at the southern most tip of Louisiana. And amazingly, I got to actually watch him working through a webcam!! That was sooo cool!!

In December, i become aware of the possibility of the New Madrid fault zone being triggered and the effect it would have on the nation.

Then on New Year's Day, 2011 - hundreds of thousands of birds die off in Arkansas & Louisiana (New Madrid fault zone) and then in the coming days more reports of massive bird & fish die-offs - all over the world. Weird.

By February - major snowstorms & arctic temperatures throughout the nation. Unusual sub-zero temps experienced here in Northern New Mexico and the whole eastern part of the state!! lost access to natural gas, shutting off the heat to whole towns, thousands of people - in extreme cold weather conditions . . . and yet - this event barely reported to the rest of the nation - totally ignored! Weird.

March 3, 2011 - 9.0 Earthquake in Japan followed by a tsunami of historical proportions - documented in real time by the citizens of Japan with their hi-tech video possibilities .- for all the world to watch and see. This was the 2nd massive earthquake in the past year that has knocked the earth off it's axis a few degrees. The first was in Chili in April 2010.

April 2011 - two massive F5 tornadoes wipe off whole towns from the map - Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Joplin, Missouri - about 2 weeks apart- in the New Madrid fault zone.

May 2011 - the Mississippi River floods to such a degree that levees are dynamited to control the flow (in yet again - the New Madrid fault zone) and eventually the Morganza Spillway in South Louisiana is opened to keep Baton Rouge & New Orleans from being catastrophically flooded.

June 2011 - Unprecedented snow melt off in the Northwestern states causes the Missouri River to completely flood Minot, North Dakota - which is flooding in an unheard of area of the nation.

July 2011 - From Oklahoma & Texas across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi & Tennessee, a high ridge pressure systems settles causing unprecedented triple-digit heat for the next 60 some days. (in New Madrid fault zone)

August 2011 - a 5.5 earthquake in southeastern Colorado and the very next day, a 6.0 in Virginia - rocking New York & Washington D.C. - guess what's in the middle of these 2 two areas - the New Madrid fault zone.

And now - Hurricane Irene is shredding north, up the whole East Coast - from North Carolina through New England . . .Wall Street in New York is supposed to be flooded.

which brings me to this moment - i got the Weather Channel running in the background - watching how this hurricane actually turns out . . .

Like i said - some really weird weather this year and i'm sure more to come.

But in and amongst all these crazy happenings, I have experienced a very happy and satisfying year.

David graduated from college as a 2nd Lt. and nurse for the Air Force - his goals since he was in 9th grade!

and Evan married her beloved Matt - who proposed to her last August - the minute she got back from that trip she & David took last year to visit me out here in New Mexico.
Their wedding was just a month ago and it was wonderful, elegant and lots of fun for the whole Jennings clan. So yes it's been a good year for me, ol' Momcat.

Some other highlights:

i got my braces off
and love my fabulous new smile!

my flower garden in the back yard is spectacular.

i still love my job and the beginning of Fall semester this past week went so smoothly - i think i actually know what i'm doing now!

i've gone on lots of exploring trips throughout central northern New Mexico - Jemez Mts, Abiquiu, Los Alamos, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos - always Taos.

Flown - not drove - 2 times back to Louisiana with another flight coming up in December
Here's what the Rio Grande Gorge looks like from overhead

Drove to my niece's wedding in Estes Park, Colorado in the northern Rockies.

and drove thru extreme weather snow conditions when David helped me haul back the stuff i still had stored back in Tennessee (what relief to close that chapter of my life finally).
Snow!!! stayed on the ground from the end of December to the first of February!!

But in the early spring, I was really bummed when the electric company came out and cut the 2 trees down in my back yard . . . . but now i have tons of free firewood!!

Danny came down and visited me and split it just right for burning in my fire ring.
and i had plenty of wood to make new walkways - which gives me new ideas for my garden next year!
so all in all - been having a good time, loving my life in northwestern New Mexico.

Now i'll just keep on keeping on . . . watch summer turn to Fall and the cold weather setting in. Then ill fly back to Louisiana one more time this year to see Evan graduate from college in December and then hope & wait for her & Matt to move out to Colorado next summer after he graduates pharmacy school!!!! What fun!!

and in the meantime, i'll be watching how the rest of 2011 turns out weather-wise and if any of the stuff that is supposed to come to pass - comes to past - hopefully not - cuz i'm already looking forward to 2016 when i can visit David in Tokoyo!!
Oh yeah! I turned 50 this year!
me & my little kittens from back in the day

(almost) Labor Day 2010. 8/27/10

2010-08-27T23:19:00.009-05:00

I have really enjoyed my summer time in the Four Corners!

However, I spent most of my adventures in beautiful COLORADO!!!!
i LOVE love LOVE this place!!

I took a quick history class through the college and we explored the late 1890's mining camps of the southwestern Colorado mountains. This is Silverton.
This is the group that I went with on the day-long field trip. Awesome time!
I also had the opportunity to go with some gardening friends into the La Plata Mountains looking for wildflowers.

Columbine
Spent the 4th of july . . .

River rafting down the Animas River out of Durango, CO

Took a few days off work and went to Pagosa Springs to soak in the natural hot springs.

Oh! Did i say how much i LoVe LOve loVE Colorado!?!?!?

One of the biggest developments to happen to me is that i started volunteering a couple of times a week at a local equine rescue facility!!! and through being a volunteer at the Four Corners Equine Rescue, I have been able to attend several training clinics at the Parelli Ranch outside of Pagosa Springs. This training is being given to the volunteers of FCER so that we can use our skills to bring trust and confidence back into the minds and spirits of the horses we receive at the rescue. Pat Parelli's techniques allows you to communicate with the horse thorough hand signals, almost like MAGIC!!! I have taken this really to heart and think it would be great if I could one day foster some of the horses from FCER with some one-on-one care and time. Only time will tell . . .
Parelli me

Scenes from the Four Corners Equine Rescue

Then the best thing in the world happened!!!
The kids came out to see me and explore the Four Corners!!!

We went to ShipRock and over into Arizona, then to the 4 Corners Monument and then to several interesting things in Utah. Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck State Park and the Moki Dugway . . .

and to the look out point of Muley Point.
Now summer is winding down. The weather is nippy in the evenings and early mornings. Fall is definitely in the air . . .

Monsoon rainstorms in the afternoons . . .
makes it the ideal time to start doing a little yardwork. Planted some beautiful irises by the back patio!
who said i live in the desert?
School has started at the college and my job has gotten real busy again. But it's fun and lively with all kinds of great personalities to interact with - plus i am taking a beginner Math class. If i just take a few classes, i can wrap up the college hours that i already have into a Bachelor's degree. Who would have thought it at 50 years old? Speaking of which . . .

LOL - since i have orthodontic insurance as a job benefit - well? WHY NOT!?!

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-29T23:16:00.006-05:00

Last Memorial Day I sat on my porch and pondered "Should I do it?" After many hours of mental debate, pros and cons, I looked up and saw this - the Burning Bush and knew i should go.
It's been a whirlwind year with many changes as this blog will attest.

This post is to memorialize the process that took this Southern Lady circa December 2008, who could only sit in her cubicle and day dream out the internet window about other places and adventurous living . . . .
to this Western Raft-Riding Mountain-Hiking Adventure Woman that a year and a half later I've become!!!! Yeeee-Haw!!!!
i'm sorry i have not continued posting blogs here but with all the outdoor things to do around this place, i have very little time to blog . . . which was the whole purpose of those daydreams i dreamed way back at the beginning of this blog, trapped in a windowless cubicle . . . visionary thoughts do become real. Be careful. Dream Big. Dream Pure.

So much has happened in the last month . . .

2009-12-09T21:45:00.006-06:00

The very best thing to happen was that I was hired by San Juan College as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Science!!! I've been there 3 weeks and I LOVE IT!!!
This hangs in one of the hallways at the college. I like to think it's a portrait of me in 20 years!
We made another trip over to Taos. What a magical place it is!
I found a fantastic consignment store where I can buy all the warm clothes and boots and jackets that I could ever want for pennies on the dollar!
I finally got a photograph of a Magpie. Very beautiful and mischievous birds!
Coming back from Taos, going through the Chama Pass was treacherous driving.
But so very beautiful.
Back in Farmington, when it's not so cold I've been walking at the Riverwalk.
I saw a lot of deer on my last walk there.
and cute ducks doing tricks!!!
For Thanksgiving, we drove up to Durango, Colorado and had Thanksgiving dinner at this fancy-smancy hotel.

Monica had the traditional turkey and dressing.

I could not resist the prime rib!!
This shows how close Durango is to where we live. Only about an hour north.
Got a photo of a European Starling. Look at his iridescent colors!!!
San Juan College put on a gigantic Luminaria display last weekend.
And I decorated the Aspen tree outside our house.

One of the best things about working for the college is that I will have 2 weeks off at Christmas!!!! I'm going to drive back to Monroe to spend Christmas with my kids and my mom and then I will come back to Farmington for the 2nd week off to get ready to ring in 2010!!!! What a year it has been!!!

My Constant Prayer of Gratitude

2009-11-02T22:37:00.002-06:00

Snow !!

2009-11-01T21:54:00.003-06:00

Snowstorm Coming - New Mexican Praise
this is a Polyvore I made out of a photo i took when we were leaving the Taos area and a snow storm was coming in. Little did I know that the next week, a snow storm would come through out area too!!! 5 inches worth . . . before Halloween!My cats didn't know what to think!

A little weekend trip to Taos!

2009-10-24T22:42:00.005-05:00

What I woke up to this morning:

and Gorgeous Indian Summer Colors!!!

and EARTHSHIPS!!! Back in 2003 I discovered Earthships for the first time online. I could not get enough information about them after that. and now I'm walking around them taking photos!!!

A dog I met today that I instantly loved. She is a combination of my 3 most favorite dogs - Daisy, Maya and King!!!
My hostess also owns this Ossie Cat . . . a very interesting breed . . . looked liked a little jacquar.

Taos

3 weeks post MOVE . . .

2009-10-16T23:06:00.005-05:00

A successful 3 weeks have gone by since we drove cross-country and landed in this unique northwestern New Mexican town three long Friday nites ago. Much has been attempted AND much has been accomplished . . . we are so THANKFUL!!!!

The great news to report for now is . . . I got a JOB!!!!! HIP HOP HURRAY!!! Which means I can actually put down roots and get to know this place!!! So again, I am so very thankful to God for his promise keeping to me!

Here is a place I can eat lunch at . . .
The view from my office building windows . . .
More of the Fall magic to be seen . . .
and who would have thought!?! Me, the Louisianian . . . I had to come all the way to northern New Mexico before I could actually get that photo of a Great Blue Heron!!!
More photos to follow real soon!

I'm here now. Just gotta get that job.

2009-10-03T14:36:00.004-05:00

Farmington, New Mexico. That's where we landed - not Albuquerque. I am thankful for that. It's a cute little town in the northwestern corner of the state with a very interesting history. And it is the hub from which I can go exploring all the wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Durango, Colorado train rides! On and on the list goes. Now all I got to do is find a job so I can stay here.
The Shiprock on the Navajo Reservation.
Panoramic view looking out over Farmington.
At the Navajo flea market
Mutton on frybread.
The Fall colors are beautiful here!
There's this one business center complex that is soooo beautiful with all the adobe colors.
Roses grow so well here that they have a walking rose garden that lines one of the main streets here.

At the riverwalk park.

It's Starting to Make Sense Now . . .

2009-09-11T21:13:00.009-05:00

Well as I've said before: the job piece of the puzzle hasn't exactly fallen into place here in Clarksville, TN. Yes . . . for a brief minute there I thought I had the most fabulous and perfect new job EVER!!! I even made it Facebook official. But for some reason I just couldn't DECLARE it on this blog.

Fast forward a week later - that job is long forgotten and another couple ones have been surrendered to not meant to happen. AND ALL FOR GOOD REASON!!!! I am about 95% sure that by October 4, which will be exactly ten years to the day that I first touched New Mexican soil - i will be waking up in whatever our new temporary digs will be - making out the day's plan for the next level of my life in Albuquerque, New Mexico!!! Which is where Monica has just gotten an awesome new job and where she lived for 10 years before going to Taos. I always said I was going to move there when the time came and it seems that Tennessee was just the washing machine cycle of life to get me to the point where I could really let go and be ready for such a move.

Oh yes. On one hand - it's hard to believe. But on the other it all makes perfect sense.

So again I am packing. Shaving down my possessions to one more lighter level of travel. Thankfully it won't be as hard as the last time. I just got to take what's absolutely necessary and put the rest in storage for the time being. I started today and my bedroom is already done. and I have a TO DO LIST for the rest all mapped out. Next week I will pack it all up again. To head to the Land of Enchantment full of art, sky, light and every camping opportunity and experience known! I am one BIG step closer to that fantasy of working seasonally in resorts and lodges. Who would have believed it when I was daydreaming so much about this one year ago that it could all fall into place like this!!!

Well . . . last weekend I got the chance to go to Monroe to see my kids and family and welcome my brother & sister-in-law back to the States as they are now retired from the Air Force. We got to have a Labor Day Jennings Reunion Shindig as only we can have them!!!! Soooooo much fun and I will treasure the memory of those 4 days as I travel forward.

Here's a few pics of us down through the years:

The early 1970's
High School Seniors - 1979, 1982, 1984 and 1989
Labor Day 2009
For more great pics from the Jennings Labor Day Reunion Shindig:

Louisiana Labor Day:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=305947&id=612625133&l=71b298e355

Various and Sundry Things:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=305149&id=612625133&l=8445cf390c

Brothers & Sisters:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=305108&id=612625133&l=48ca6423ce

Cutie Pies:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=305085&id=612625133&l=daa6df1910

David's Bayou Club triathlon:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=305642&id=612625133&l=179ef968db

Closer than I think

2009-08-25T20:44:00.003-05:00

I went exploring some more of where the roads lead around here and it is always a surprise to realize I am only about 10 miles from Kentucky! I also finally figured out the layout of this city in relationship to two rivers and a huge bluff. So that was really fun! and once the leaves fall, I will be able to see it even more clearly.

On a different note, here is a very cool pic of a FaceBook friend, Hong Loan and her friends at Stonehenge.

Patterns of Time

2009-08-23T20:39:00.007-05:00

So yeah . . . went to the house concert last night and it was a great great time . . . and it was made all the more special by remembering that three months ago during the Memorial Day weekend, I spent three days wrestling with the idea of whether I should take the plunge and reverse everything in my life and leave Louisiana and move to Tennessee. and NOW! on the weekend of August 22, 23, 24 . . . exactly three months later . . . i was sitting in that house with all those nice grown up people who love to create and be successful and were easy to talk to and wanted to talk to me and had big smiles on their faces. YaY!

So it's been 3 months since that weekend at the end of May. On the evening of that third day after going over and over the pros and cons of such a drastic move, I was sitting on the porch and looked up and saw this: The Burning Bush. and then I read how this had been a sign to Moses "to go!" even when he felt like he was incapable of being what God wanted him to be.

And guess what the second song that was sang at the house concert mentioned? Yep. Moses and The Burning Bush. So I know it's all got to be more than a coincidence, don't you?

In these past three months, I've gone thru so many changes. First the horrendous month of getting ready to move with all the mad crazy To Do Lists. Then the actual heave ho of moving day! with the rest of July being spent unpacking all the boxes I had just spent a month packing up! Wheeww! It's hard to believe when I look back over the past weeks what was accomplished.

And now this third month, August - it's winding down with next week the beginning of September. It's actually coooolddd here tonight!!!! It is hard to believe. But I am so excited for Fall to begin and now I only have to wait a few weeks!!!!

Well, for now the job thing is still a puzzlement, but at least I am learning to relax into God's timing on this issue and just keep showing up each day doing my best. Thank goodness the packing/unpacking issues are finally over!

Now I feel like I can settle into enjoying the things I came here for! Here's some random shots of what I've been seeing.

Oh yeah! Here is the fountain I've been building on for a little while. It has been an exercise in balance, sound and CORRECT DRAINAGE!!! If the water starts to trickle anywhere down this driftwood and then touches the vessel, it becomes a portal for water to start pouring over the side and onto the floor!!!! NOT GOOD! But I think I have finally fined tuned it . . . I think.

House Concert in Mt. Juliet, TN

2009-08-23T11:38:00.005-05:00

We had a GREAT time!!! Lots of creative energy. Nice interesting people. Lots of Laughs! A perfect evening. Thanks Celeste Krenz, Sally Barris and Rebecca Folsom. And a big thanks to Karen & Kevin who opened their house to all of us for this fine time.
For more info on the artists: http://www.creationsofbeauty.net/House_Concerts.html

The house where the concert was held.

Preparing for Promotion

2009-08-19T10:41:00.000-05:00

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"
(John 16:33 NIV)

Are you going through a season of difficulty? Does it seem like for every step you take forward, you take two steps back? The Bible tells us that hard times and difficulty will come in this life, but we can rejoice because God promises us victory!

Whatever you may be facing today, make the decision that you are going to shake off negative thinking and trust that God is working behind the scenes. The more we trust Him and exercise our faith in Him, the more we are preparing ourselves for promotion. Focus on the fact that brighter days are just ahead. Weeping may endure for a night, but when you fight the good fight of faith, God promises that joy is coming in the morning! If you'll work with God, He'll take that adversity, turn it around, and use it for your good. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you've got to know that you are growing. God is maturing you. He is building character in you, and he is preparing you for the promotion and increase He has in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Heavenly Father, today I release all of my cares on You. I choose to focus on the blessings that You have given me. Search my heart today and remove anything that is displeasing to You. I bless You and honor You alone. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Good Day Today!

2009-08-15T22:06:00.004-05:00

Well I'm happy to report that my melancholy mood the other day was only the result of those stupid hormones! If there is ever a time when I think the world is ending, it's THAT week . . .

so with that being said, i can now say that I've had a string of good productive days. I've gotten pretty good at recognizing the SPAM jobs on Craigslist. And thankfully, there have been several REAL job postings on there in the last few days plus in the local paper online as well. So I got resumes and applications out to all of those, plus i got plugged in with all the employment agencies. So I'm hoping to be setting a few interviews this next week!

In the meantime, I am enjoying my work at the store. Today was super easy - just shelf maintenance and taking care of the boxes and trash that were stacked up from the guys building furniture and bikes. Totally fun - hardly any contact with customers! Although working the register isn't that bad either. It's fun to watch the locals and think about stuff and every now and then, one of them is easy to talk to and I have a "single serving friend" moment.

Oh and I've lost 3 more pounds! What a fabulous side effect of this physical job. Sometimes I think why not just stay with this job and work up - cuz they are wanting me to take on more hours, especially as we move into the retail holiday season . . . AND THAT IS WHEN I REMEMBER WHY I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT: I don't want to work retail at Christmas!!!!!

YUK!!!! it's been my policy for quite some time to stay away from stores during the holidays. So yeah . . . i want that office job and those office job hours: weekends, federal holidays, you know.

so it's up to God what happens next . . . since my Melancholy Madness Meltdown last week, I have been able to reaffirm and relax into that knowledge. And to also remember don't waste away all this free time I've got by worrying. So in between dropping off resumes yesterday, I went and hung at the Dunbar Caves Natural History Park which is only a few miles from here. Very interesting. I will be back to explore more! It was a nice break to revel in the natural habitat of this area plus I got to see some photographs of what it looks like here in the FALL and WINTER!!!!!! I'm going to go crazy with my camera!!!! So like I said - good times!

and with that I leave with this . . . which is also the Wallpaper on my computer:

2009-08-14T12:32:00.003-05:00

Well I am still submitting applications here and there and everywhere and have been feeling a little down about not getting instant responses. But a good friend emailed me this morning and said:

u will probably second and third guess urself many times before ur niche becomes apparent… but u really did urself (as a human being) a true favor… if u are ever to discover any useful information about urself,,, it wont happen in a cubicle at work in a hot and boring place where u have always lived . . . after going through the metamorphosis u have described in ur writing… u got a peek at “the light”….. so after that, it's hard to go back under the blanket and work.

Thanks Sue! I needed that!

views from the front porch

2009-08-06T22:07:00.002-05:00

This is the Whitebreasted Nuthatch - the one in Louisiana had a lot of brown on it and is called the Brown-headed Nuthatch. Isn't he cute!

It's not just a job . . . it's an ADVENTURE!!!

2009-08-05T22:02:00.002-05:00

Well . . . i got the job before the real job appears and it is highly interesting. And by a strange turn of events could actually become the real job. It's a jeans & t-shirt job, heavy on physical labor, which is something that I had yearned for as I sat in my fancy secretary clothes trapped in a cube. so that's cool! and it utilizes my old Merchandising skills, which those are from some of my most fun job days back in the past. So I will see what happens next. In the meantime, I will enjoy being able to work out my body while I'm working and being able to take mental note of the funny strange characters I see at the store and work with. Plus totally enjoy not going in until noon! Ok . . . more later as I know it.

The Job Search is on!

2009-08-03T09:05:00.005-05:00

Ok - I've been here 3 weeks now and have just about everything unpacked and put away. I have enjoyed this time not thinking about work but last night I finally plugged in my alarm clock radio so I can get back into the habit of waking up at a reasonable time.

Today I plan to go by 6 employment agencies and 4 other ones tomorrow. I have an interview at 11:00 this morning for a part-time job which if they hire me will provide funds until the real job appears. And i applied for a Librarian assistant job at one of the schools that Monica works at - she knows the principal and will be working behind the scenes on my behalf. THIS is the job that I dearly want!!!

In the meantime, here are some pics from yesterday morning:
nibble nibble
Aha! So this is who is knocking my bird feeders down!
Caught ya!
I'm going to get a big bag of deer corn to scatter around for these guys!

Second Friday here

2009-07-24T22:22:00.000-05:00

Rainy Day = Progress

2009-07-22T20:22:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I ran around town doing various things like opening a bank account, finding the Dollar Store and seeing which roads lead to which roads.

Today it was a constant gentle rain which made me stay inside and work on emptying boxes. I made a lot of progress.

Click here for the pics:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=282172&id=612625133&l=c513dc2d1d

The Fence is Up!

2009-07-20T12:14:00.003-05:00

Boooo Hissss Kennel
The area BEFORE:
The Yard! now AFTER:
Run little dogs! Explore your new world!
We did a lot of work on Saturday to make this happen. Thankfully we had some help!! Monica and I layed out the landscape ties to mark off the space and then 2 workmen stretched and nailed the fencing wire all around. And while they were doing that, we chopped down all the little trees and brush using a Sawzall. The work guy's 2 little kids helped us clear the area and drag away all the cut down stuff so that was extra GREAT! Then we raked it up and stuck rocks in the little open spaces and TA DA!! a great yard for the 2 little dogs to run around in and have fun!!!

Sunday morning

2009-07-19T21:45:00.002-05:00

My Bedroom window now.Hawaiian Memories

Good Energy

2009-07-18T10:50:00.001-05:00

Friday was Work Outside Day!!!

2009-07-17T19:35:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I stayed inside and worked on unpacking boxes. So today was the day to work outside! Here's what I did:

My Constant Prayer made a little pathway

Oh yeah!!!
Tomorrow we are putting up a small fence for Monica's dogs. The weather here is delightful!! That cold front has made good fence building weather!

Everybody is getting comfy.

2009-07-16T23:07:00.003-05:00

Pics of the outside of my new home

2009-07-16T00:15:00.001-05:00

My nephew wanted to know what the outside of the house looked like. So this afternoon I walked all around the house snapping photos. Check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=279023&id=612625133&l=c8ab6039eb

A Good First Day

2009-07-13T22:56:00.003-05:00

Things are taking shape!
Here is the potential view outside my garage door patio once I get all this stuff moved to it's rightful places:

For more shots, click:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=278102&id=612625133&l=91649f3576

Photos of the move

2009-07-13T15:07:00.009-05:00

A few pics of my old house all cleaned out and ready for it's new family.
My old bedroom

Such happy colors!!!
an Easter egg cat in an eggcrate
Ok - all packed up and on the road - checking coordinates.
This was all my outside stuff that I took:
Poor kitties!!!

Once we were there, the ceiling was the perfect place for everyone to hide!!!
CHAPPA HEAD!!!!! THERE YOU ARE!!!!! I'm so glad you didn't run away!!
Once the cats saw and smelled my furniture and stuff they seemed to relax a little and come out of their hiding places.

Now I got to go through all these boxes and re-assemble a comfortable living space.

I made a small start yesterday.
and got everything in place in my bedroom.

and I got an interview at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning at a law office. So I guess we'll see what happens next!

WOW!!!! MOVING IS SO HARD!!!

2009-07-12T20:22:00.003-05:00

Well here it is Sunday nite and I'm sitting here at the new house in Tennessee. I am so tired I can hardly see straight. Waiting on a load of towels to dry so I can take a shower and go to bed. Tomorrow I hope to make a dent in the mountain of boxes that are stacked all over my living space. I'm so mad at myself for not taking a BEFORE photo of the area before all those boxes and furniture was moved in but I was too tired this morning before we unloaded the van to hunt around and find my camera.

Also I wish I could have stopped during the moving process to take pictures of everyone sweating and schlepping furniture into the van, but there was no time to stop. We had to get that stuff in and get on the road and there was no time to stop and take photos. It was one hot tiring job. My brother and his wife really did a fantastic job of getting me moved, plus my 2 nephews, Aaron and Joey were there to lend a big helping hand as we moved stuff from my old house into the van. And guess what?! I underestimated how much stuff I had going and ordered a 14' foot van which proved to be too small. But my brother took it all in stride and the next morning we were at the UHAUL place bright and early and got a little trailer to hook on to the UHAUL. It looked a little silly but it worked - they got all my stuff packed in.

Then we took off heading north for about 9 hours and got to Clarksville around 9:15 last night. Today, after unloading the UHAUL, I was then kinda in a daze for the rest of the day, not really knowing what to do first - working on one thing one minute but then stopping to work on something totally different the next minute. Hopefully tomorrow I will be more organized. And hope all my cats come out of their hiding places. I consistently see 3 of them, but I haven't seen the orange one since sometime this morning. I'm afraid that he might have squeezed past me as I was bringing something in the door. One minute he was there behind me and the next he wasn't. He could have run back into the inside and hidden or he could have sprung out into the outside world and then he's out there in the woods all freaked out and not wanting to come back to a house he doesn't know. I hope he hasn't struck out for Louisiana . . . I hope when he gets hungry he will come back around. : (

Well, tomorrow when I am not too tired to get up and go find my camera, I will post the photos that I DID take of the past couple of days. Surely those towels are dry by now. Shower and bed here I come.

I'm packed and ready to go!!!!

2009-07-09T18:57:00.001-05:00

I'm packed and ready to go! by Yukicat on Polyvore.com

Tennessee here I come!!!!!!

Some Flowers & Birds

2009-07-01T10:54:00.006-05:00

I feel bad that I have not posted any flower and bird pics while I've been doing this big move thing.

But that doesn't mean I've stopped taking photos.

Enjoy!

COUNTDOWN: 11 DAYS

2009-07-01T10:38:00.004-05:00

I've been a busy little bee!!
BEFORE:

AFTER:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Got the driveway fixed!!!! It's so nice and smooooooth now!
Here's all the stuff that I put in the Yard Sale.

Got it all out the house!!!! plus about 20 big garbage bags of trash!!!!

I've just about conquered this moving & packing thing!!!! Next Saturday, July 11th I pull out that nice smooth driveway in a U-HAUL headed north to Tennesseeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Getting the TO DO LIST Done!!

2009-06-17T19:27:00.003-05:00

Ok - so I decided it was the right thing at the right time for me to move up to Clarksville, TN. But that meant coming home and wrapping up my life here in Louisiana in a very short time - which seemed virtually impossible when you looked at the TO DO LIST:

1. Make sure daughter is happy about having her own place.
2. Sell the extra car for moving money.
3. Sell the house.
4. Empty a big family home of 6 years of accumulated stuff.

Well, with God everything is possible.

When I returned home, Evan was well on her way to having all her stuff moved out and over to her new place with a big SMILE on her face. So that took care of No. 1, plus created a big hole in the stuff that needed to be decided upon in the house. YAY!!!

Then it turned out that my co-worker and her husband had been looking for a house out in my area and came out and looked at my house and fell in love with it! No. 3 on the list - CHECK - DONE.

And yesterday, my car sold. HIP HOP HURRAY!!!

Three down and one to go!

Last weekend with the help of my Mom, I got started on the sorting, organizing, packing and trashing of the stuff in the house, but as you will see from these photos, I got a long way to go!!!! Thankfully, my move date is three weeks away so I think it's not going to be a problem!!! and then Tennesseee - here I come!

for more pics of the hideous horrible move, click

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=266733&id=612625133&l=96a0cc9f30

Clarksville, Tennessee

2009-05-31T20:31:00.010-05:00

Dorothy . . . you're not in Louisiana any more.
Nashville, Tennessee
Just keep driving north a little bit further
And take this exit.

Then drive through this really nice neighborhood and look for this:

Come on in!!

Into the dining room
The kitchen
The sunroom
which opens out onto this upper deck.
Monica's bedroom
and awesome bathroom!!!!!
Now go upstairs
To my bedroom. Look at the cool railing where little things can be displayed
An alcove for a media creation station
lots of closet space
out in the hallway is my bathroom and more closet space.
a quick peek into the bath
and then here is the guest room.

Then, go down down down to the basement, which is going to be my own chillin TV hang out room. The man hasn't moved out all his stuff but on this side of the stairway is a very cozy area and then . . .
on the other side of the stairwell, it goes on for miles and there won't be any cars parked in here. I can have an art studio on this side. There is also a full bath down here and heat. The checkered floor is only a year old and Monica plans to finish out the ceiling so it has a loft like feel.
Now go back outside to the back of the house. Hike down this stone steps . . .
and we will have this awesome deck to sit on!!!!
which overlooks the seven springs tumbling down the hillside
a glance back up the hill from the deck and you can see some of the back of the house.
This little area can make a nice potting shed and art creation center
That upper deck
around one of the back corners
all surrounded by serene woods!!!!

Birds I've seen recently

2009-05-21T15:08:00.004-05:00

I saw this male Baltimore Oriole sippin out of the hummingbird feeder on the afternoon I came back from Natchez with Mama (5/09). I was sooo tired from our extravanganza that I flopped right on the bed, but in a bit, something orange outside the window caught my eye. I wasn't tired anymore! I grabbed my camera and through the window got this shot. A day or two later, I saw the female Baltimore Oriole:
Here's a cute little Killdeer. I love these cutie pies. I got to get a shot of them walking/running one day soon.

A Great Blue Heron in flight:
And when I was at the State Park in Texarkana for David's latest triathlon (5/18), we saw lots of these Scissortail Flycatchers!!!!

They were so fascinating and so beautiful when they were in flight. Here's a few attempts at catching them flying with their long tail spread open:

Look at how straight this little dude is!!!

The Colors of Thailand

2009-05-13T11:35:00.010-05:00

One of the lasting legacies that I have from my long-ago friend, Tabatha, (whose mother was from Thailand) is the love for the colors of Thailand. I think this Spring I have achieved in bringing that color scheme to life!

Shade Seekers

2009-05-07T10:40:00.001-05:00

It's really starting to get hot around here now.

And speaking of Bluebirds . . .

2009-05-06T11:15:00.005-05:00

Here's what is in their nest box! The first time I saw this, I thought "OH NO!! A SNAKE has gotten into the nest box!" but of course, it wasn't.

and Look who has now made their Spring appearance at the feeder.
Mr. Rosebreasted Grosbeak

and the bluest of the blues - INDIGO BUNTING!

Bluebird Fight!!

2009-05-06T10:54:00.004-05:00

The other morning before going to work, I noticed there was all kinds of squabbling going on by one of the chickadee nest boxes.

Of course, I had to see too what was inside and wonder what these blue birds were fighting over.
Whaaaa! One little chickadee chick up against the corner of the house, who promptly flew out and onto a branch. Good luck little one!
and then I see 2 more chicks hunkered down into the nest.

I had to close the box up and get to work so I 'm not sure what happened to these chicks. I did notice before I left that the bluebirds were not coming back to the box and fighting so maybe I scared them off by being there and maybe these other two chicks got the chance to get out and fly away to adulthood . . .

There was another chickadee box that I had been watching the parents go to with food . . . >

and so a few days after the above traumatizing episode . . . the orange cat comes into the house with a bird - a baby chickadee!!! Fortunately I was able to get it away from the cat. Evan and I held the little bird while it calmed down and then took it outside, away from the house and put it up high in a tree. I hope it was able to become a real bird.

So now a week later, I looked into the two nest boxes. The one where the fight took place now has two speckled eggs . . . maybe leftover eggs that didn't hatch from the last brood or maybe they are new? The other box was empty of eggs & chicks, so I pulled out the nest in case they want to use the box again for another batch of eggs.

a puzzlement all away around . . .

What I saw when I went to work tonight

2009-05-02T21:21:00.005-05:00

RUN LITTLE CHICKS!!!

click here for the rest of this story:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=247599&id=612625133&l=c8ade2d0ba

Migrating Pelicans

2009-05-01T09:53:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, April 30, 2009, while standing on my back deck before getting ready for work (7:15 a.m.) I noticed from afar a LARGE flock of birds coming from the southeastern sky. They were in a big wide V and there were 20 to 30 of them.

I stood amazed as they flew directly over me and my house. They were flying fairly low - it felt like Pterodactyls were flying over me. It really freaked out Fatty Cat as they flew over. She was puffed up so big and slinking around trying to get under something.

Anyway, of course, I was in shock at having seen such a sight. All I could remember to identify them with was the black wing tips. Looking through my field guide that night, I started looking for CRANES with black wing tips . . . which led me to Whooping Cranes. Boy, was I excited!! Did I actually see Whooping Cranes?!

Well, after doing some online searching I thought I really had and I posted this sighting here on my blog. But then I got a comment from OperationMigration that shot that idea right down. I then figured out how to email them and asked if they could give me some other ideas about a big crane-like bird with black wing tips. They emailed back: Wood Stork or maybe Sandhill Cranes.

So this morning on 5/13, I looked again at the field book, first at Wood Storks, which I thought maybe could be it, but then I came across the American White Pelican with its black wing tips Why I didn't see this the first time, I'll never know!!

. . . so that's what that was!!! Pelicans.

View from the Front Porch

2009-04-18T21:12:00.005-05:00

It was a front porch kind of day. Rainy rainy. But it didn't stop an exciting thing from happening!

I got to watch the Carolina Wrens feed their babies in the nest they built on the porch.

Last spring I put this plastic flower pot up for a nesting spot and this year, they claimed it (after I made a nice wooden one for them - go figure)

Made it!!!!
Uh oh! Watch out little birdies!
Some other pretty things I saw when it wasn't raining . . .

Natchez Getaway Trip

2009-04-15T14:31:00.005-05:00

Well, of course, when I finally strike out on my maiden voyage, a TREMENDOUS thunderstorm breaks out! And of course, I got pretty soggy getting in and out of the camper but once the clouds rolled away, I was good to go!

For more photos of what I saw at the most excellent Riverview RV Park in Vidalia, Louisiana, which is located right on the Mississippi River at the foot of the bridge, across from the Natchez Bluffs, click http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=239249&id=612625133&l=dac7286d96

After a good night's sleep in my little camper, I was ready to drive across the bridge into Natchez and take a tour of three of the antibellum mansions.

Melrose Plantation

Longwood - uncompleted and left as it was when the Civil War broke out.

And lunch at a Thai restaurant in downtown Natchez!!!!

For lots more photos of what I saw in Natchez: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240535&id=612625133&l=9084927929

That afternoon, I drove a little over an hour to Percy Quinn State Park. It is just south of McComb on I-55 and just a little ways from the Louisiana Border. This was a beautiful and well maintained park and I had soooo much fun exploring and taking bird photos.

This is my little pal who hung around my camper all morning - so much so that people thought he was my pet squirrel therefore giving me the name "The Squirrel Lady"!! Could I have been more proud!?
There were so many things to see and do here in this beautiful park!
For lots more photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240557&id=612625133&l=5ed5a30163

As I just love the rustic Art Deco style of CCC buildings in the State Parks, and my grandfather was in the Mississippi CCC, I decided to start taking photos of what is left of the original CCC buildings. With the passage of time, alot of the original stuff has fallen into disrepair or is being remodeled over so I thought this would be a cool endeavor.

For more photos of the CCC influence: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240599&id=612625133&l=bd67425b0a

For more photos of all the birds I saw and can now add to my Bird Photo collection:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240610&id=612625133&l=688d5d54f3

and for photos of the Little Camper that Could in action:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240612&id=612625133&l=3104065f9a

I can't wait to take the Lil Camper out again for another adventure!

David's IronMan Triathlon in New Orleans

2009-04-08T10:58:00.002-05:00

Had a fabulously fantastically fun time in New Orleans this past weekend and David did so well in this Ironman triathlon. For full coverage of what all happened, click this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=236849&id=612625133&l=fddb6b77d0

Next weekend: Natchez!!!!

Look what I saw in Memphis!!!!

2009-03-30T14:40:00.009-05:00

The famous Sky Room at the top of The Peabody Hotel where swanky events were held during the 1940's, 50's and 60's. Can't you just hear the music . . .

The famous Peabody lobby fountain.

and those famous ducks!

Cool dog statues in the lobby.
And then around the corner . . .
An awesome Asian arts and antique store!!!! However, it was closed, but here is the view from the glass door!! Look at all the stuff!!! It was probably good that it was closed or I would not have had gas money for the return trip home!
Here is a close up of the stuff that is fartherest from the door!!
I was going to have some of that famous Memphis BBQ for lunch but could not resist when I saw there was a sushi bar across the street from the Peabody. Aaahh - the perfect lunch!!!

While eating lunch, I saw that the Asian and Judiac Art Museum (what a combination - the perfect museum for me!!!) was just a couple of blocks away. So I decided to visit even though it was almost time for it to close. The lady at the musuem said instead of trying to see the whole musuem in a half an hour (not do-able) why not take a look at the "sample" Asian room and the Judaic art, which was just one room and try to come back another time to see the whole thing. Works for me! and she even gave me a free drink coupon for next door as a consolation prize. So very nice!!!

Here's some of what I saw!! It is outstanding and awesome!!!!!!

Fantastically carved Mammoth Tusks!
Here's a closeup of the detail. Each tusk was just covered with intricate carvings of all kinds of things!!!!
And this is one of the "handles" holding the tusk!
and a Fish-Dragon with Monkeys

and all kinds
of other stuff!!! Just imagine what I would have seen if I had gone through the whole exhibit!!!

And then here's some of the things in the Judaic Art room:

And to top it all off . . . when I went next door to get my free Expresso to go . . . this sign was in the window!!!! so an awesome experience all away around!!

David at the Military Ball

2009-03-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

Spring Birds - March 09

2009-03-16T13:13:00.006-05:00

Some birds I've seen lately:

the notorious Brown-headed Cowbird is back:
this is a Blue Bird jumping for a bug with the moon in the background:
an x-ray shot of a Blue Bird
Always watching for something yummy to eat:

That pic is really of BALD EAGLES!!!!!

2009-03-05T08:48:00.003-06:00

I emailed that photo of the birds I thought were Bald Eagles to a contact on the Louisiana Ornithological Society http://www.losbird.org/index.htm and guess what?!?!

Here's what they said: "Indeed, Bald Eagles are regularly seen along the River and also occasionally near LSU Lakes and Capital Lakes in and around Baton Rouge.
Your photos are certainly eagles."

HIP HOP HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at this!!!!!

2009-03-03T15:25:00.005-06:00

I think I got a photo of Bald Eagles flying up from the side of the Mississippi River. Click the photos so it gets larger and then look real close - white head & white tail and the way the wing tips are spread apart . . . my bird field guide says Eagles can be spotted along the Mississippi River in winter and my Louisiana Bird list has Bald Eagles listed. But who would have thought they would be right outside downtown Baton Rouge?
Also, here's a pic of an American White Pelican that was flying around the LSU campus, which is very close to the Mississippi River

And the Azaleas were blooming the 3rd week of February in Baton Rouge!
Back home, a threesome of birds waiting for more sunflower seeds:

An Afternoon of Kite Flying

2009-02-22T21:23:00.025-06:00

Me, David and Sarah went to the Parade Grounds at LSU to fly Sarah's Octopus Kite. We brought lots of covers to stay warm under because the wind made it very chilly.

David was able to fly Mr. Octopus 1,000 feet up!!!! While Sarah perfects the art of kite flying and napping.

A neighboring Butterfly kite . . . and a Pelican that was flying around the LSU campus!!

Sarah as the Human Burrito.

New Orleans Mardi Gras

2009-02-22T21:09:00.003-06:00

So, David, Sarah, one of her friends, Evan and Matt went to New Orleans for the parades down there. And the parade part was very fun and the floats were awesome to see, but once the parade was over, they made the mistake of thinking it would be fun to walk down Bourbon Street. BIG MISTAKE!!! The crowd was so massive and tightly packed that it was a nightmare for anyone short, like Sarah, or highly claustophobic, like Evan. They were trapped in the middle of this heaving, pushing mass of drunken humanity for a horrifyingly long time, trying to force their way back out of Bourbon Street, occasionally ducking into stores to breathe, only to be pushed back out into the crowd by the bouncers. So I was definitely glad I decided to stay home. Just hearing Evan tell what all happened made my palms sweat.

Here's the beginning of the big job of trash pickup to clear the streets for the next day's parade.

Midnight Madness!

2009-02-22T00:29:00.001-06:00

While all the younguns headed on down to New Orleans to catch some more parades, I opted to stay here, all cozy in bed to play around with my blogs and photographs and such.

About midnight, it was time for a run to Walmart and tofor some
Look at all that powdered sugar!!!
I texted Evan and she said they were having fun, or at least parts of it was fun. I asked her if I was going to be wishing that I had gone. She said NO!!! It was raining on them right then. Yep - glad I stayed here.

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras!!!!

2009-02-21T21:31:00.002-06:00

The Gang's all here! Are ya'll ready yet?!? Let's Go!So we parked our cars where David works and walked the rest of the way.

Here are some of the sights we saw as we walked . . .

and walked . . . and walked . . .

Hey David, are we there yet?
WHOOT!!!
Here comes the PARADE!!!

My original plan was to stay in the back and not catch - just take photos. But ALOT of stuff gets thrown to the back. I got bonked in the head several times!! By the time the parade was over, I had 3 times as many beads as this!One of our parade neighbors:There were beads, beads, and more beads for everyone!!!

David, on the other hand, only wanted to catch stuff with a cup!

And the best thing David caught in his cup was THIS!

CLICK TO THE 4TH PHOTO!! Midnight at the Memorial Tower

2009-02-20T15:04:00.001-06:00

Facebook Daily Reveille - Snapshot: Midnight at the Memorial Tower

Click to the 4th photo for a pic of David and Sarah. HOW CUTE!!!!!

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY DAVID!!!!
FEBRUARY 19, 2009

A beautiful view

2009-02-18T14:06:00.000-06:00

The pond at Restoration Park.

Latest Bird Sightings

2009-02-18T14:02:00.000-06:00

More Cute things from my yard!!!

2009-02-18T13:51:00.000-06:00

2009-02-12T14:31:00.000-06:00

Gift for Forest Cat (14. Innocence) - by Yukicat on Polyvore.com

Daffodils!!!!!

2009-02-11T15:50:00.000-06:00

The different variety of daffodils coming up in my yard right now! Wheeee! I have them on my desk so I can look at them ALL DAY!!!!!!!!!

Carolina Wren Update!

2009-02-06T19:58:00.000-06:00

This just in!!!

I was sitting in the yard this afternoon, when I heard a Carolina Wren a-fussin and a-fussin and realized "he" was staking out the birdhouse by the porch. I was some distance away and the light had gone out of the day, but I grabbed my camera anyway, hoping for some good shots.

That little dude just fussed and fussed as he hopped from different vantage points to look at the birdhouse, but he never did come real close to it.
and back down to the back of the bench.Then I heard another Wren across the yard start to fuss back. It was like they were discussing the pros and cons of this house. Next I heard her start making a sing-song type of call to the
other one, like it was encouraging him to get closer. "Come on you can do it, look close up at it" . . . until finally she flew over there and plopped right on top of the house, like it was saying "this is how you do it!"Before I could start to chuckle over the comedy before me, "she" flew over to a branch right next to me and just sat there...and stared at me...

And I stared back at her...

And then I thought waves of "yes, I made that house for you" vibes toward her . . .

After a couple of minutes of looking at each other, I decided to try to move my camera up and get a shot. Amazingly, the little bird continued to sit there and I was able to get this awesome photo of hopefully my new neighbor. . .

Birdhouse Update

2009-02-05T13:33:00.000-06:00

I made some Blue Bird Houses and put them up the week of New Year's. I can see each one in all four directions of my front porch.
I put this one up close to the porch in hopes that the silly little Carolina Wrens that are always investigating the porch will discover this house. And a couple of weeks ago, I got to observe just that! One Wren sat on the porch railing while the other one checked out the bird house. Last week, a Brownheaded Nuthatch discovered this birdhouse!

And a couple of days ago, I saw a male Bluebird fly over and sit on this one! I was heading out of the driveway on the way to work, so I didn't get to hang around to see if he explored his options in this house.Now the only one left is this one, just waiting for a Carolina Chickadee to check it out!

Cute Things in my Yard Right Now

2009-02-04T15:23:00.001-06:00

Good Day Sunshine!!

2009-01-30T09:09:00.001-06:00

Chappa Head LOLCats

2009-01-29T09:50:00.000-06:00

I made some LOL's featuring
CHAPPA HEAD!!!

Birds seen recently at my feeders

2009-01-27T14:05:00.001-06:00

Tufted Titmouse
Pine Warbler
Slate-colored Junco
Goldfinch and Pine SiskinBrown-headed NuthatchField SparrowPine WarblerPine SiskinAlmost caught in flight!!!

The REAL Yukicat - Please stand up!

2009-01-23T13:38:00.000-06:00

The REAL Yukicat - by Yukicat on Polyvore.com

2 New Polyvores Expressing My Mood

2009-01-23T11:35:00.000-06:00

POWER PONY!!!

POWER PONY!!!!!! - by Yukicat on Polyvore.com

and

PATIENCE

Patience - by Yukicat on Polyvore.com

Self-portrait

2009-01-17T19:53:00.000-06:00

Brrrrrrr! 21 degrees this morning!!

2009-01-16T13:23:00.001-06:00

What Time Is It?

2009-01-16T11:26:00.000-06:00

CUTE TIME!!!!! TGIF!!!!!

What Time Is It? CUTE TIME!!!! by Yukicat

Holiday Vacation Days

2009-01-15T15:02:00.000-06:00

I was lucky enough to make 4 vacation days stretch into a week and a half off of work by attaching those days between Christmas & New Year's holidays and it was a welcome relief just to stay home and grub around the house and yard (that is, after celebrating each holiday and then putting away all the decorations for said holidays - ha!) But that was the beauty of such a stretched out vacation - sufficient time to do EVERYTHING with leisure time to spare. Yay!

And one of the things I had the leisure time to do was, on the spur of the moment, turn into the parking lot of the wetlands walking park that I am always saying I want to explore but just never have the time to do! And it turned out to be a delight!
While sitting out on one of the observation pavillions that stretch out into the wetlands, I saw a white crane-like bird poking around the shoreline and then . . . wow! What's that?! A black crane sitting in a tree!!! A black crane?!! Now this is something new! So I studied the bird as he sat there stretching out his long snake-like neck and spreading his wings. And I got lucky enough to see him fly across to another tree and lo and behold, there were patches of white on the back of his wings!!! Now I knew I had enough information to go back home and look through my field guide and see who this guy was! Of course, a few hours later, I did just that and now I know that I had a first sighting of an Anhinga!!! What a cool bird!

Here is a photo of a female Anhinga. I didn't take this pic, but got it off the Bird Feeder Friends blogsite. Shelly took this photo. http://www.birdfeederfriends.com/photo/a-very-proud-anhinga?context=userDavid and I returned on New Year’s Day, with guide and camera in hand, hoping to catch sight of that black male Anhinga. We had a lot of fun exploring the park and of course, David had to do a little extreme park walking. Alas, we did not see Mr. Anhinga but we did see this crane.Well, now that I know Restoration Park is such a great place to safely view all kinds of water birds, not to mention other woodlands birds, I will continue as many times as I can find the opportunity to go out there and take photos. Hopefully one day I will have my own photo of Mr. Anhinga to post here on this blog.

The Gate of the New Year

2009-01-08T10:21:00.000-06:00

Here's a pic of the arbor gate I built over the New Year's holidays. There is a Lady Banks Rose bush on the right hand side of it that will eventually grow over the top of it and the bed on the right side has all those daylilies that I planted back in September. They are doing well and will be so pretty this summer.

Ok, I figured it out.

2009-01-08T10:14:00.000-06:00

Well, I had to delete my Birthday Polyvore from the tutors at the Baan Suan English Club in Thailand. It was sooo cool, but it had a freaky Juku girl in it and I guess it or some other image in the set had a bug in it that messed up my blog. You can still go look at it by checking this link:

http://www.polyvore.com/to_yukicat_happy_birthday/set?id=5597819

The conji means "Dreams Come True" which is a beautiful birthday wish!

What's Happening Here!?!?!?!

2009-01-06T19:11:00.001-06:00

why do I keep getting that stupid window that says Internet Explorer cannot access this page - Abort Operation - ok??????????????????????????? STOP IT!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-01-02T02:01:00.000-06:00

New Year's Day 2009

2009-01-01T14:11:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year to all ya'll

I stayed up super late New Year's Eve nite making Polyvores - dialup was unusually fast last night - and emailing back and forth with my friend Monica (from New Mexico but living in Nashville at the moment). She was making Polyvores too, so that was alot of fun - it was like we were spending New Year's Eve together!!

While I was doing that, Ernesto was flipping back & forth between several Mexican New Year's Eve specials on the TV with the volume up SUPER HIGH - of course - but the music was festive and we got up and danced a few times all around the living room, which was great fun and when the clock struck 12:00 I went outside to hear all the fireworks going off across the countryside, all the while looking at the clock on my cellphone, pondering the image of 2009 on the dateline. Then David and Evan got home about 1:00 a.m. with tales of their New Year's Eve gatherings so everyone in West Monroe had a good New Year's Eve.

Today, I'm catching up on email rite now - can't believe the dial-up is still cooperating. Evan is sewing, Ernesto went to pick up his two Mexican friends who work at the Chinese restaurant - it's rare they all have the same day off together and so they are heading to the lake and David ran over to Sarah's house and in about an hour we are gonna meet at a wildlife wetlands walking park in just outside the city so I can try to get some photos of different cranes & egrets that I saw there the other day.

good fun

Christmas Morning: My turn - my turn - me next!!

2008-12-24T21:05:00.000-06:00

Can You Imagine?!?!

2008-12-23T14:08:00.000-06:00

Being born in a HELLO KITTY Hospital!!!!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!!

Louisiana Weather Phenomenon

2008-12-18T10:11:00.000-06:00

We woke up to very YELLOW skies . . . that is always an ominous sign. Before the day was out, several tornadoes had been spotted throughout the area.

The very next day, Baton Rouge and the rest of South Louisiana had an early white Christmas!!!

And then the next night on December 12, the largest full moon ever was seen!!! A week of EXTREMES!!

And God said . . . LET THERE BE COLOR

2008-12-18T09:51:00.001-06:00

And God said . . . LET THERE BE COLOR by Yukicat

Cute Gray Wooly Shoes!!!

2008-12-17T11:53:00.000-06:00

I need this done to my house!!!

2008-12-12T09:11:00.000-06:00

I want these "cat walks" installed at the top of my walls!!! Especially that cute stairway!! Wheeeeee!!!

Someone made a POLYVORE for me!!!!

2008-12-11T14:26:00.000-06:00

For Yukicat by safsaf

A woman in England made this set for me. I'd say she got me down pretty good!!

Living in a World of Purple

2008-12-10T15:21:00.000-06:00

In the World of Purple by Yukicat

Birds I've seen recently

2008-12-09T16:21:00.000-06:00

Working on ID'ing this hawk. Whitethroated Sparrow - the one with the haunting winter song. Eastern Phoebe
Turkey Vulture

Christmas Decorations

2008-12-08T14:44:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving Photo Album

2008-12-04T13:39:00.000-06:00

Link to my Thanksgiving photo album:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EcOXDVs2bsWG5

Hydra Comes Alive!!!

2008-11-27T19:55:00.000-06:00

Hydra by Yukicat

Giving Thanks

2008-11-25T10:18:00.001-06:00

Yukicat

So much on my plate to be thankful for this year!

Evan sings with the ULM Choir

2008-11-25T10:07:00.000-06:00

So proud of you, baby!!

Some strange things

2008-11-24T11:14:00.001-06:00

A few oddities that I saw working in the yard:

I made a Tumbleweed!!

A puppy-dog worm

a Hydra

Frosty Weekend!

2008-11-24T10:59:00.001-06:00

Enuff relaxin!

Time to get to work and clear out some of the dead stuff!

Somewhat better.

Dragonfly

2008-11-21T10:03:00.000-06:00

Dragonfly by Yukicat

Butterfly Haus

2008-11-19T15:49:00.000-06:00

Butterfly Haus by Yukicat

Something to be proud of

2008-11-13T11:42:00.001-06:00

Ernesto won "Best Student - Most Improved" in his Reading Class!

Is this a Rabbit or a Cat?

2008-11-13T11:31:00.000-06:00

Bunny Paws!!!!

hmmmmm . . . rabbit?

CAT-TASTIC!!!

2008-11-11T14:02:00.001-06:00

House hunting Blue Bird-style

2008-11-11T13:34:00.000-06:00

Bluebirds are out shopping for houses right now.