Bits And Pieces

Today's a bits and pieces day - little bits of left-over and follow-up news -
  If you haven't yet looked at the Kentucky Derby entries, there's a great article that touches on every runner at:  http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/84795/kentucky-derby-preview-bring-it-home-chrome
and, if you'd just like to look at photos, pedigrees, and racing or sales history, check out the main page of The Bloodhorse and scroll down to the listings of the 19 entries (I always look at the expanded 5 generation pedigree, myself) at:   http://www.bloodhorse.com/
   The two attacked ducklings here in Boulder are doing better, but must still get much stronger and heal well to actually recover.  Wildlife and police officers are seeking the two boys who threw stones at the babies.
   Denver is celebrating Cinco de Mayo today, with all kinds of activities.   Today is also the day of the Furry Scurry, a 5 or 10 kilometer walk/jog with your dog.  A small entry fee is requested; but all proceeds are divided between our local no-kill animal shelters,.
   Chincoteague is celebrating the first Saturday in May with their Chinco de Mayo festival.  Today is also the day of the annual  Chincoteague Seafood Festival.
   I can't conceive of tubing in Boulder Creek at the moment - with it being early May, and with the snow melt beginning, the water temperature in the Creek is at 43 degrees...  But Boulder Creek is now open for tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming between Boulder Falls (a couple of miles to the west in Boulder Canyon) to 38th Street (here in Boulder, just west of the new hospital).  I can understand wanting to jump in the water when the outside temperature is in the 90s, or 100s...  I just can't find enthusiasm to freeze on the first day with a temperature of 80 (hopefully).
   And I am very sleepy today.  I stopped reading and turned out my light at 10:30 last night, and fell asleep almost instantly.  I was awakened at 11:03 by neighbors coming home and, apparently, switching their party area to their apartment and balcony.  There was no loud music, but, just as I was about to drift off to sleep again (and again and again and again...), the folks would hoot and holler, or all the women would squeal - and that kept waking me up.  At 1 a.m., I dressed and stepped out onto my patio.  I ascertained which apartment was having a party above me, and then I called the non-emergency police number, and asked them to shut the party down.  They responded in less than 10 minutes, and, after a lot of loud cursing on the balcony, people became quiet (and, I assume, left).  But I awoke as usual at 5, and couldn't go back to sleep.  Rats.

Chinco de Mayo; Bits & Pieces

Another fire this morning in Accomack County, Virginia - this one in Melfa, on US 13 (aka the Lankford Highway). .... Queen Elizabeth II walked out of the London hospital she had been admitted to - in a bright red dress, and under her own power. She will begin her scheduled appearances again on Sunday. .... With all the hype about a huge, heavy and wet snow storm in Washington, DC, most Federal offices were closed down yesterday. The snow never appeared, but a light rain did. So much for the big "Snow-quester" event in the capitol. .... Nederland, however, is expecting 16 inches of snow on Saturday, during the second of three Frozen Dead Guy Days....

  My Mom was born and raised on Chincoteague Island. When I was growing up, the family usually shortened the name to "Chinco" and all concerned knew what we were referring to. Imagine my delight when I saw a headline in the Salisbury Daily Times, followed by the Chincoteague Beacon, that announced: "Chinco de Mayo Planned." Plans for the Museum of Chincoteague Island’s annual fundraiser are well underway. This year’s Chinco de Mayo Celebration and 5x5 Art Show and Sale will be held starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Admission will be $5. Food by Bill’s Restaurant will be available, as well as margaritas, beer, sangria and soft drinks. The art show and sale, where all works are 5”x5” and priced at $55, will start promptly at 5:55 p.m. More than 300 people attended last year’s event and purchased more than 80 remarkable original works generously donated by professional and amateur regional artists. Almost all were sold within 15 minutes of the show’s opening. Last year’s show included paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture and needlework. To be one of the contributing artists to this year’s event, call the museum at (757) 336-6117 and leave your name and number. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Choose any media and any subject matter — the only restriction is that the work must be 5 inches wide and 5 inches high. If you need a 5”x5” canvas, arrangements will be made to get one to you. Canvases are $5 each. All contributing artists will be admitted to the event at no charge.

  Silly as it sounds, I now find relaxation in coloring books. I use crayons, pastels, and/or colored pencils. There are a lot of challenging patterns and scenes for adults to use... One of my favorites, for both kids and adults, is found on-line: it's a series of English alphabet letters, filled with drawings of things that begin with that letter. If you, or any member of your family might enjoy this, the website is at: http://dailycoloringpages.com/alphabet-letters-to-print/challenging-animal-alphabet These can be down-loaded and printed separately, and are great for kids learning to spell their names...