Today, it's clear blue skies, and the temperature is already in the upper 60s - we're expecting a high in the low 90s. I've taken care of Sasquatch and Tugger, and Brandi, and have fed, watered and medicated Rosie and Remy, plus walking them. I delivered half a loaf of German rye (organic) bread and half of an apple strudel to Kathy and Jim... As it's Father's Day, the plan was (as of yesterday evening) that Kathy, Jim, Sarah and Michael would go hiking in the Indian Peaks' Wilderness area and stop at Kathmandu in Nederland for a bite before returning to Boulder. As of 8:30 this morning, Michael had yet to return home from a work-sponsored shin-dig that he departed for yesterday morning... Don't know if the hiking plans will be followed or not...
I had a blast at the Erie Farmer's Market yesterday - I ended up being the "roadie" for the trio. I had most of the instruments, mic stands, and electric connector plugs in the vehicle I was driving (not to mention Nancy, and her suitcase full of percussion items). It was a small but appreciative audience in Erie - probably about 150 people, over a span of two hours, and I knew almost all of the words to all of the songs. Ricky and Mags (and Nancy) performed some old-time gospels, and songs made famous by the Beatles, Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Willy Nelson, and Johnny Cash. They also performed several of their own songs. Maggie Moore plays the accordion, mandolin, and glockenspiel; Ricky Fox plays the electric bass and an acoustic Gibson guitar; Nancy Jordan does all the percussion. They all sing - normally Nancy sings harmony and background, while Maggie and Ricky share the lead vocals. It was great. The group is performing again Thursday evening in Lafayette.
My kits have given me frantic loving this morning, and I have hugged and snuggled them. 'Course I have also fed and watered them, and cleaned their litter boxes, too. Both are outside right now, taking in the sunshine. I'll be home with them tomorrow night, and we'll have the next 10 days together, before I go stay with Maggie May at the end of the month. It will be wonderful to be home with my kits again, and only be "gone" when I'm walking the dogs in the mornings.
When I was younger, I have to admit that Mom and Dad and I watched the CBS TV show Dallas regularly for the first several seasons - I think we stopped watching after it was confirmed that I had picked out "who shot JR?" correctly, and after Jim Davis passed away. This past Friday night, I watched the first and second episode of the new Dallas, being broadcast on TNT. What surprised me was how easily I slipped back into recognizing all of the family, and figuring out a few of the twists in the story - I have to admit that Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Linda Grey, Charlene Tilton and Steve Kanaly were great, and I read that Ken Kercheval will be making a few appearances, as well. The Ewing family of Southfork Ranch has returned, just as scheming and back-stabbing as ever!
The High Park fire is continuing to spread, with over 55,000 acres (or 85 square miles) burned. The fire is about 45% contained, and has now burned 181 homes. Over 1600 fire fighters are working daily on containing the blaze. However, with temperatures in the 90s, extremely low humidity, and high winds predicted for today, it looks like the outlook up there in Larimer County is pretty bleak....
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Toby, Ocean City's Blue Lobster
Toby is a blue lobster that was caught Thursday morning, and taken in to the Martin Fish Company. He was part of the catch of the boat Pot Luck, and is shown with Martin Fish Co.'s assistant manager, Ginger Nappi. He's being kept in a special tank, since he is such an unusual specimen.
A Grey Morning
It's grey and overcast outside at the moment - and we have a better than 50% chance of rain this afternoon. I hope the rain happens, but without any lightning. My kits are out playing in the back yard; and I'm getting ready to go to the Erie Farmer's Market. My friend Nancy is the percissionist in a folk/rock band and they are on stage from 10 until noon today - I can't wait to hear them. I've already fed and walked Rosie and Remy, and Barndi; I've fed and watered and cleaned potty boxes for Patches and Phoenix, and Sasquatch and Tugger. This afternoon I have to check on Twister and Tinkerbell and gather the hens' eggs...
With the dampness in the air, I don't smell smoke for the first time in a week. The High Park fire has spread to 54,230 acres, and is now about 20% contained. It has cost over $9.1 million to fight this fire and protecet homes so far. And the homes lost count has now been revised - back to above 100 homes; 112 to be exact.
With the dampness in the air, I don't smell smoke for the first time in a week. The High Park fire has spread to 54,230 acres, and is now about 20% contained. It has cost over $9.1 million to fight this fire and protecet homes so far. And the homes lost count has now been revised - back to above 100 homes; 112 to be exact.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Crazy Mix of Photos
Fly fishing in the Cache la Poudre River 2010 - this is close to where the High Park fire has jumped the river and canyon this year.
The 1215 Magna Carta, signed by King John and his Lords, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage document.
The island of Sventi Ivan (Saint John) in Bulgaria, where the reliquary conatining the reputed bones of St. John the Baptist were found.
Sunset clouds at Lake Atlan, Guatemala
Bad News; Pet News; History
The bad news first.... Giant Ryan, a beautiful colt, was pulled up during the running of the True North Handicap at Belmont on June 9. His jockey was able to stop him soon after he felt the colt take a mis-step. Two sesamoid bones in Giant Ryan's left foreleg had broken. He was taken back to his stall, placed in an inflatable cast, and then shipped to a veterinary hospital in Pennsylvania for surgery. Giant Ryan developed laminitis is his right fore the day before surgery was scheduled; he was put down Thursday morning. ... The other bad news is that the High Park fire managed to "jump" the Cache le Poudre River yesterday, and is now burning on both sides of Poudre Canyon. There are more than 1300 fire-fighters working the fire; more home evacuations were ordered; the winds up in the Poudre Canyon area are blowing at about 30 mph, with gusts up to 50; the fire has now consumed over 53,000 acres. We were told on Monday that 120 homes had been destroyed. That number has been greatly reduced: about 30 homes are reported burned, with the other buildings being garages, barns, sheds, and out-buildings. It's scary to watch the reporters near the fire line have their hair whipped around their faces, and occasionally, almost get knocked down by the blustery wind.
I sat with Rosie and Remy last night and watched numerous - more than 20 - lightning strikes hit behind the ridge to the west of the den... and I hoped that they didn't cause another fire in Left Hand Canyon or up on Sugar Loaf. Remy got upset with the storm and electricity in the air, so I ended up giving him a Valium, to get him to stop pacing and panting. Rosie wanted to stay out in the storm, sitting under the roof eave. ... Bret has always told me that Patches is shy. Every time I've visited his kits, Patches has been asleep on his bed pillow, and has been anxious to get love and attention. Phoenix, on the other hand, just wants more fresh water. Tugger and Sasquatch are doing well, but I was surprised to find the garage door at their house open, and the door to the inside unlocked. I checked through the house, then was able to contact the owners and let them know about it. Apparently, they just left for their trip without closing the garage door...
Lovey has been rubbing all over me, and talking loudly, since I arrived this morning. She has just gone outside. I wrote too soon, she just came back in, crying, and is rubbing all over my face, while I try to type. She has now decided to eat her crunchies; Nedi is outside, having eaten his breakfast, and run out as a black streak.
And, having my love of history, I can't help but note that on this date, the Lords of England persuaded King John of England to sign the Magna Carta; and in 1752, Benjamin Franklin performed his now famous kite and key experiment. ... A year or so ago, a group of archaeologists working on the island of Saint John in Bulgaria, found an ancient reliquary in an extremely old church. The reliquary, of white marble, had an inscription in Greek, and included the date of St. John the Baptist's birth day, as well as his name. The reliquary contained several pieces of human bone. DNA tests and radio-carbon dating have confirmed that the bones belonged to a man of Middle Eastern descent, who lived in the first century. So there is a definite possibility that these bones just might be those of John the Baptist; however, proving that is impossible at this time.
I hope you have a great Friday and a super weekend!
I sat with Rosie and Remy last night and watched numerous - more than 20 - lightning strikes hit behind the ridge to the west of the den... and I hoped that they didn't cause another fire in Left Hand Canyon or up on Sugar Loaf. Remy got upset with the storm and electricity in the air, so I ended up giving him a Valium, to get him to stop pacing and panting. Rosie wanted to stay out in the storm, sitting under the roof eave. ... Bret has always told me that Patches is shy. Every time I've visited his kits, Patches has been asleep on his bed pillow, and has been anxious to get love and attention. Phoenix, on the other hand, just wants more fresh water. Tugger and Sasquatch are doing well, but I was surprised to find the garage door at their house open, and the door to the inside unlocked. I checked through the house, then was able to contact the owners and let them know about it. Apparently, they just left for their trip without closing the garage door...
Lovey has been rubbing all over me, and talking loudly, since I arrived this morning. She has just gone outside. I wrote too soon, she just came back in, crying, and is rubbing all over my face, while I try to type. She has now decided to eat her crunchies; Nedi is outside, having eaten his breakfast, and run out as a black streak.
And, having my love of history, I can't help but note that on this date, the Lords of England persuaded King John of England to sign the Magna Carta; and in 1752, Benjamin Franklin performed his now famous kite and key experiment. ... A year or so ago, a group of archaeologists working on the island of Saint John in Bulgaria, found an ancient reliquary in an extremely old church. The reliquary, of white marble, had an inscription in Greek, and included the date of St. John the Baptist's birth day, as well as his name. The reliquary contained several pieces of human bone. DNA tests and radio-carbon dating have confirmed that the bones belonged to a man of Middle Eastern descent, who lived in the first century. So there is a definite possibility that these bones just might be those of John the Baptist; however, proving that is impossible at this time.
I hope you have a great Friday and a super weekend!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
My Favorite Volcanoes
Chimborazo in Ecuador
Popocatepetl in Mexico
Cotopaxi, overlooking Quito, Ecuador
Smokey Air
I awoke to the smell of smoke again this morning... I had all the bedroom windows, facing east open. There is no visible smoke, but the odor is certainly prevalent. I feel for the people and animals who made/make the current fire zone their home. There was an appealing photo taken by one of the more than 1200 fire-fighters yesterday - a water pumper from Boulder was up at the fire line, when a large dark bay horse with four socks and a blaze casually appeared and asked for water. They filled a couple of buckets for him, and radioed their site to the Animal Rescue personnel, so the horse could be trailered out of the evacuation zone. Some residents have been allowed back into their homes, but another whole residential area is now on the alert, or stand-by, on the northwest edge of the fire. It is beautiful country.
My kits were very happy to see me this morning - I've already fed and walked Rosie and Remy, and have visited Patches and Phoenix, as well. Lovey insisted on getting her love first this morning, and then Nedi decided to nurse on my right arm for a half-hour. Then they both went out and played. Both have been back twice more for individual love and cosseting. Rosie and Remy are nearly out of their Omega 3 food additive, so I'll need to grab some today, as well as some of their dry food - thank goodness the family left me extra money to purchase "needed" things. The dogs are allergic to wheat and corn, so their food is somewhat expensive... And it makes buying doggie treats interesting, too.
With all the reports of illnesses and kidney failure from owners that have been feeding "Waggin Train" products, from China, I am happy to say that I haven't used any treats made in China for over two years now. As soon as I saw the first report stating that the chicken jerky was the only link between two very ill dogs (in different parts of the country), I have made certain to only buy items made in the US or Canada. I also read all the labels to be certain that the ingredients are all natural - I had to laugh yesterday. I read the ingredients of Rachel Ray's Just 6 Ingredients dog food, and was amazed at how long the list was.... it certainly surpassed six....
Oh, well.... I hope the rest of your week goes well, and I just found out that the 87th Annual Chincoteague Fireman's Carnival will be adding a new ride this year. (I wonder what it is?) The Carnival will open on June 29th at 7 p.m., and will run through the weekend of August 4.
Head 'em up; move 'em out!
My kits were very happy to see me this morning - I've already fed and walked Rosie and Remy, and have visited Patches and Phoenix, as well. Lovey insisted on getting her love first this morning, and then Nedi decided to nurse on my right arm for a half-hour. Then they both went out and played. Both have been back twice more for individual love and cosseting. Rosie and Remy are nearly out of their Omega 3 food additive, so I'll need to grab some today, as well as some of their dry food - thank goodness the family left me extra money to purchase "needed" things. The dogs are allergic to wheat and corn, so their food is somewhat expensive... And it makes buying doggie treats interesting, too.
With all the reports of illnesses and kidney failure from owners that have been feeding "Waggin Train" products, from China, I am happy to say that I haven't used any treats made in China for over two years now. As soon as I saw the first report stating that the chicken jerky was the only link between two very ill dogs (in different parts of the country), I have made certain to only buy items made in the US or Canada. I also read all the labels to be certain that the ingredients are all natural - I had to laugh yesterday. I read the ingredients of Rachel Ray's Just 6 Ingredients dog food, and was amazed at how long the list was.... it certainly surpassed six....
Oh, well.... I hope the rest of your week goes well, and I just found out that the 87th Annual Chincoteague Fireman's Carnival will be adding a new ride this year. (I wonder what it is?) The Carnival will open on June 29th at 7 p.m., and will run through the weekend of August 4.
Head 'em up; move 'em out!
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