Friday, April 3, 2009
Critters for Friday
A buffalo - or, more correctly, an American bison - no, it's not Ralphie, the CU mascot (Ralphie is a girl!)
European red squirrel (in France)
Black-bellied whistling ducks
Home again
Yesterday and today had beautiful sunrises - the sky was blue and the sun painted the clouds with various shades of orange. The sun shone most of yesterday, and it's supposed to do so up until noon today, when the out-lying bits of a snow storm start to appear. The forecasters are still not sure how the storm will hit us, so they're saying we'll get between 6 and 16 inches of snow this evening and through tomorrow. Currently, there are no birds visiting what's left of the seed on the patio - and the squirrels cleaned up the peanuts long ago. After this snow, I'll break down and go out and sweep the leftover seed off the patio and out into the yard... I miss the sound of the birds.
The Ward Churchill trial is over. Here are the first four sentences from today's Boulder Daily Camera about it: "The University of Colorado unlawfully fired Ward Churchill for expressing his political beliefs, a Denver jury decided Thursday. But in what legal experts labeled a “compromise verdict,” the four women and two men on the jury only awarded the former ethnic studies professor $1 in damages. Chief Denver District Judge Larry Naves will decide at a separate hearing whether Churchill, 61, gets his job back at CU or is given a lump sum of money instead. CU will also have to pay Churchill’s legal costs. " The accompanying photo shows Churchill standing in the court room, smiling and holding a one dollar bill above his head.
The kits were ecstatic to have me back home yesterday afternoon. They stuck to me like glue, until I opened the patio door and let them go play in the back yard. Then Lovey kept running back inside, leaping onto my chest, and generally coating my bright yellow shirt with lots of black muddy paw prints. After playing in the yard for about 45 minutes, they both curled up in my lap and were very unhappy to be dislodged when I had to answer the telephone. Both kits slept with me - Lovey on my legs and Banichi on my chest - all night long. It was nice to be so loved and comforted... More grass has sprouted in the back yard, and, hopefully, the snow we get this weekend will also help the green stuff grow. We're also looking at another snow storm about Wednesday - so our winter was mild and dry, and our spring is very snowy. There is one lone robin seeking worms in the back yard right now.... And I'm about to head out to walk the Irish kids; they always make me feel good!
The Ward Churchill trial is over. Here are the first four sentences from today's Boulder Daily Camera about it: "The University of Colorado unlawfully fired Ward Churchill for expressing his political beliefs, a Denver jury decided Thursday. But in what legal experts labeled a “compromise verdict,” the four women and two men on the jury only awarded the former ethnic studies professor $1 in damages. Chief Denver District Judge Larry Naves will decide at a separate hearing whether Churchill, 61, gets his job back at CU or is given a lump sum of money instead. CU will also have to pay Churchill’s legal costs. " The accompanying photo shows Churchill standing in the court room, smiling and holding a one dollar bill above his head.
The kits were ecstatic to have me back home yesterday afternoon. They stuck to me like glue, until I opened the patio door and let them go play in the back yard. Then Lovey kept running back inside, leaping onto my chest, and generally coating my bright yellow shirt with lots of black muddy paw prints. After playing in the yard for about 45 minutes, they both curled up in my lap and were very unhappy to be dislodged when I had to answer the telephone. Both kits slept with me - Lovey on my legs and Banichi on my chest - all night long. It was nice to be so loved and comforted... More grass has sprouted in the back yard, and, hopefully, the snow we get this weekend will also help the green stuff grow. We're also looking at another snow storm about Wednesday - so our winter was mild and dry, and our spring is very snowy. There is one lone robin seeking worms in the back yard right now.... And I'm about to head out to walk the Irish kids; they always make me feel good!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Snow Photos
Artefakt - at the 2007 Quebec International Snow Sculpture Contest
Dragon - at the 2005 Prince Edward Island Snow Sculpture Contest
Moose and yearling calf in the snow
Thunder Snow!
I don't know if this should be considered an early or a late posting... It's close to 3 in the morning, and Max and Ginger are barking at the snow that's falling... The TV reported that Boulder got 3.6 inches in the afternoon, and that Canyon Blvd., which goes up to Nederland, was closed because vehicles couldn't get any traction in the snow and ice. Here in Longmont, we've only had a light dusting of snow, but it's started up again - which is why I'm awake. I'm not quite sure what's going on with Ginger and Max - I've taken care of them off and on for over 3 years... and I took care of their mother, as well. I know that they are getting elderly. This afternoon, before it snowed, Ginger tripped herself (or her legs gave out on her) on the way down the stairs to the yard; she rolled and bounced about half-way down and then didn't move when she hit the bottom. I ran down to check on her, and she seemed to be stunned, but otherwise was OK - no broken bones, no sore spots. After they came back inside, both dogs went to their beds in the laundry room and slept, instead of sitting with me or lying in front of the fireplace... I do realize that they miss their owner, and want her back - but they snubbed me quite well today! Luckily Vickie is due back today - and I'll be able to sleep with my kits tonight.
Denver was treated to a wonderful phenomenon called "Thunder Snow" in the afternoon - first the clouds drew in, then they got rain, then thunder accompanied by falling snow - all just in time for the evening rush hour. I'm definitely happy I don't commute to Denver! Now, don't get me wrong - a lot of the drive is pretty scenic, but then it turns into what could be nearly any metropolitan area around a big city - like Washington, DC. There are a few trees and bushes and teeny spots of grass, but otherwise, it's all asphalt, concrete and metal. Yuck. I guess you can tell that I'm not impressed by that type of appearance - I keep finding that I really am a country girl! Hopefully I'll blog more at a later time today... the dogs have gotten quiet, so I'll try to sleep again.
Denver was treated to a wonderful phenomenon called "Thunder Snow" in the afternoon - first the clouds drew in, then they got rain, then thunder accompanied by falling snow - all just in time for the evening rush hour. I'm definitely happy I don't commute to Denver! Now, don't get me wrong - a lot of the drive is pretty scenic, but then it turns into what could be nearly any metropolitan area around a big city - like Washington, DC. There are a few trees and bushes and teeny spots of grass, but otherwise, it's all asphalt, concrete and metal. Yuck. I guess you can tell that I'm not impressed by that type of appearance - I keep finding that I really am a country girl! Hopefully I'll blog more at a later time today... the dogs have gotten quiet, so I'll try to sleep again.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
No more birds or squirrels
I had a second restless night - didn't sleep well at all. I arrived home this morning and found a note under my door that was from the apartment management - after 4 years, I have now been officially told that I "must cease and desist feeding birds and squirrels and any other creatures on my patio because it draws pigeons and rodents." Well, squirrels are rodents, so, yeah, duh... I am feeding the rodents and drawing them here by having food for them - the pigeons have only started visiting recently, and I agree they are messy. The bottom line is that my bird feeders are no longer hanging - as we are expecting 2 to 6 inches of snow this afternoon and evening, I dumped what was left of the sunflower seeds and "no-waste" bird seed, and the last pound of dry-roasted unsalted peanuts onto my patio floor. - My last nose-thumbing gesture for the birds and squirrels....
Poor little Max drove me crazy last night - he's the dog with no hope of climbing the stairs, and he's the guy who drinks copious amounts of water and then has to get rid of it... About 10 minutes after he went downstairs yesterday afternoon, I brought him back up; 10 minutes later he wanted out... this went on for 7 hours... I let him and Ginger out at midnight, and went down at 12:15 to get them in: Ginger ran and I had to corner her and pick her up to get her inside, then Max pulled the same stunt, and as soon as I got him inside, he wandered all over the kitchen and living room, urinating everywhere as he walked.... I had to wash and mop both floors before I could go to bed. I think it was meant as a revenge on his Mom, who left him with me - but I was the one left with all the clean-up.
My kits will be deprived of the fun of watching the birds and squirrels... as will I. One thing I can do is see how long the birds continue to return in hopes of getting fed; and also keep an eye on the squirrels as well. I will need to remove the iron hooks that the feeders were hanging on; a lot of birds have already landed on them and looked around for their food... I will miss the cheery sound of the sparrows and finches fussing about who gets to eat first; and I will miss seeing the male birds feed " special treats" to their mates. And I will also miss seeing the young birds visiting the feeders for the first times, and trying to figure out how to feed themselves. I guess I'll have to leave either the radio or the TV on to entertain the kits from now on...
Poor little Max drove me crazy last night - he's the dog with no hope of climbing the stairs, and he's the guy who drinks copious amounts of water and then has to get rid of it... About 10 minutes after he went downstairs yesterday afternoon, I brought him back up; 10 minutes later he wanted out... this went on for 7 hours... I let him and Ginger out at midnight, and went down at 12:15 to get them in: Ginger ran and I had to corner her and pick her up to get her inside, then Max pulled the same stunt, and as soon as I got him inside, he wandered all over the kitchen and living room, urinating everywhere as he walked.... I had to wash and mop both floors before I could go to bed. I think it was meant as a revenge on his Mom, who left him with me - but I was the one left with all the clean-up.
My kits will be deprived of the fun of watching the birds and squirrels... as will I. One thing I can do is see how long the birds continue to return in hopes of getting fed; and also keep an eye on the squirrels as well. I will need to remove the iron hooks that the feeders were hanging on; a lot of birds have already landed on them and looked around for their food... I will miss the cheery sound of the sparrows and finches fussing about who gets to eat first; and I will miss seeing the male birds feed " special treats" to their mates. And I will also miss seeing the young birds visiting the feeders for the first times, and trying to figure out how to feed themselves. I guess I'll have to leave either the radio or the TV on to entertain the kits from now on...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)