Six Word Saturday

          Not Enough Hours in a Day

Friendship Friday

To be honest rain doesn't really change much of my routine.  I still have to walk the dog and, if she has her way, play Frisbee.  I have played Frisbee in  pouring rain,  blinding snow and  scorching heat.  Izzi doesn't think her day is complete if she doesn't get at least one game in.

I spend a lot of time driving people to doctors and dentist appointments and that happens even on a rainy day.

 
I still do Infusion Nursing and that happens rain or shine.


I grocery shop in the rain if I need something for that days meal and I go out to coffee with my friend no matter what the weather is.  But I have to say that I would love to do all of the things you listed on your Rainy Day list except cleaning the closet.  I would look for something else to do if that was my only option, rain or shine.

Friday Four Fill-in

This week’s statements:

1. I loved sports as a kid and still do.  In fact I always said I was the son my father never had because I played every sport with the boys in the neighborhood and went to the football games, basketball games, baseball games, wresting meets and fencing meets at the University with my father.  Now, unfortunately, I live in a place where the teams rarely do well, because the owners are more interested in making more money than in paying for good players.  So, I have become, sad to say, a fair weather fan. :(

2. I drive my family crazy with my picture taking.  Most of my family pictures of late have had someone sticking their tongue out or putting horns over each other head.  They hate it when I whip out my camera to record a family moment.  They all say "ENOUGH!"

3. I am currently reading My Ruby Slippers by Tracy Seely.  And, I have been reading it for about three weeks.  My life is so hectic that it is hard to sit down and devour a book.  What ends up happening is, I start it, get interrupted and don't get back to it for several days.  I then  have to peruse what I have already read so I can make sense out of what I am reading.  This is a slow laborious process, but if I love the book I will get through it.

4. I wish I could instantly have a body just like the one I used to have, way back when ...  I'm not greedy, I don't have to have a voluptuous body to be happy.  I am happy with slim and firm and you could throw in a few curves for good measure. 

Cat Thursday

Curious Cat

Week Number 316

1) If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? 

I would want to run a wildlife rehab and education facility.  I worked in one for four years and loved every minute of it. 

 2) Do you regift the items you receive that you don’t like?

I have never regifted.   I may give something away after a time, if I find I can't make use of it.  A gift is more than an object, it embodies the feelings and generosity of the giver.  You can't give that away.

3) Would you rather eat a stick of butter or snort a tablespoon of salt?

Good Grief ... neither!  But if I must, like if my life depended on it, I would rather eat a stick of butter.  We actually do snort salt when we spray saline up our nose (sound gross, doesn't it), but a whole tablespoon ... my nose would be raw for a month.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

This picture reminds me of my In-laws basement pantry.  They had stored hundreds of cans of food in it ... saving for a rainy (or worse) day.  But when we

went to clean it out, all of the canned goods had long passed their expiration date.   That could have been tragic.  Weather the storm and then die of Ptomaine poisoning ... I don't think so.  I know there is a lot of talk today of preparing for the worst and that is fine if that is what you want to do.  But, you need a system of rotating out the old and replacing it with the new.  First in/first out.  Otherwise you have defeated your purpose ... that being survival, I presume.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

World Bird Wednesday

On a trip to Texas, we took a paddle boat into the channels off of Lake Livingston to see what we could see ... Imagine our joy when we came across a group of Snow Egrets.  Because the paddle boat is quiet, we were able to get fairly close and stay for a short time before they left.

Preening seemed to be the priority for this Egret ... getting ready to meet his lady, maybe?

Aaaaaah ... How Handsome am I?

Off to safer Havens ...

                        As we were leaving we realized we were not alone among the reeds ...

(water moccasin)

Manly Monday

Well, it was a given that Johnny Depp would show up as my Manly Man sooner or later.  Anyone who knows me would know that Johnny is a favorite of mine.

Of course, because I think he is gorgeous, but more for who he is.  As an actor he has always been true to himself.  He has never succumbed to the Hollywood pressure and Hollywood, in turn, ignored him for years until the Pirates of the Caribbean movies came out. He stayed with directors and producers he respected and , on the side, pursued some of his music ambitions. His movies were never block busters, but they were good and his portrayal of his different characters was impeccable.  So Hat's off to you Johnny.

Osprey Link

This is a must see video for anyone who loves and respects raptors.  This is an Osprey fishing ... amazing!  It just takes a few minutes and you won't be sorry you took the time ... Their role in nature is difficult and demanding, but they are blessed with God given strength, tenacity and courage. 

http://www.arkive.org/osprey/pandion-haliaetus/video-00.html

Pelican Dance

Just for Fun ...

Pondering

Communication ... something that everyone takes for granted, but is the most difficult to accomplish.  Whether using phone, e-mail, Face Book or writing a letter, your wording has to take into account not only what you want to say, but how the recipient is going to hear or read it.  I can say one thing and you may hear something else because your life experience has led you to hear and believe in different ways then me.  So how is it we communicate so much and so well without getting into confrontations or disagreements? Well, we don't.  In fact many disagreements are caused by misinterpreting what someone has said.


I think we develop a filter in our mind that takes into account who is saying something or, if you are actually hearing them speak, how they are saying it.  If I know the person well enough, I can probably interpret what they are saying in exactly the way they are meaning it ... so that is a key.  You will choose your words differently for someone who knows you than you would for someone who is just an acquaintance or a co-worker.  I know this all sounds like rambling confusion, but communication is complicated ... this is a simplistic discussion that only scratches the surface.  The truth is that our brains do most of the sorting and picking of words without our even being aware of having made a choice.  It's that wonderful, ever present subconscious that keeps you in the communication game.


Means of communication is ever changing, and the generation that grows up with the new technologies, will be most successful at using them. They won't, however, have an advantage over the basic means of communication that takes place in your head.   You learn your communication skills throughout your entire life by experience and teaching.   There are courses that teach all different means of communication, but you own the ability to use it.  So think about how blessed we are to be able to accomplish most of what we set out to do by being able to communicate ... It is a gift which we should cherish.  Our success in life may vary based on how well we are able to hone our communication skills.    Food for thought ... 

Now let me tell you about a whole new level of communication I have become familiar with.  This happens when two people have lived together for so long that they can  communicate with highly abbreviated sentences.  It goes like this ... "Remember, what's his name?  He's is going to ... Oh you know the place?" Now, most people wouldn't call that communicating, but my husband would know exactly who what's his name is and  exactly where he is going  just by the context of the conversation.  Pretty spooky, huh?  And that goes for most of the conversations that go on in my house.  It is compensation for the "Old Poop Memory malfunction syndrome" .  So there you are, just when you think you know everything there is to know about communication, you find a new method.  Life is good that way.

Six Word Saturday

                        Glad to Have My Friend Back

Friendship Friday

Friendship Friday 11 – Day Tripping

Published by Create With Joy on March 22, 2012 ·

Question Of The WeekWhere are some of your favorite places to spend the day?
Let’s share our ideas and plan some exciting day trips this spring!

My interests are many so there are a lot of places I would go.  I love the outdoors and I live in an area where there are many Forest Preserves and State Parks.  Walking with my dog and my camera in any of the areas is an adventure, especially now when the spring migrations are going on.  We have a park near by that has a population of Norther Harriers by day and long eared owls at night.  If you go at dusk you may see both as they change up.  Unfortunately because it is getting dark and because you have to stay a distance away from the area so you don't frighten the birds away, I have never been able to capture either in a picture.

My next place of interest is to the home of a friend who houses raptors on her property for the Northern Illinois Raptor Center.  We have been friends for a long time and worked together at the Raptor Rehab center that , sadly, was closed because the municipality stopped funding it.  Anyway, I digress.  When I go to my friends she is kind enough to allow me to walk with her Barred Owl and her male American Kestrel.  What a joy ... they think I am taking them for a walk, but really, they are taking me for a walk into their world were few have the opportunity to tread.

Another place of interest is the Art Museum.  I have a friend who is a member and we take trips to see the new exhibits and browse through the permanent exhibits.  They have wonderful collections of all kind of paintings and sculptures.  Then I am drawn to the gift shop ... you know shopping will be in my list sooner or later so this is a good place for it.  Their gifts are unique and beautiful as you would imagine.  I try to think "Christmas" when I am there, no matter what the time of year.  That's how I justify spending the money :)

Another favorite, though it doesn't take all day, is Julie's Coffee shop.  I did a feature on her shop in my Blog.  It is the perfect place to go if you love art, photography, coffee and good conversation.  It is my destination whenever I can fit it into my usually hectic schedule.  Enough for now ... These are all of the things that would be my first choices and it has been fun writing about them. 

Friday Four Fill-in

1. I love music and a Carmel ice coffee when I need a pick me up

2. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t stay organized.  I know how to organize a job or project, but I never stick to it.  I take short cuts that usually bite me in the (never mind) in the long run or I run off on a tangent on something else that catches my eye.  I think this is another "old Poop" syndrome directly related to the going into a room and finding you don't remember why you are there, syndrome.  I would never say old age isn't fun ... in fact, every day is an adventure.

3. My family makes me feel all warm and fuzzy

4. I can’t resist a sale on shirts ... long sleeve, short sleeve, with a hoody, scoop neck, V-neck, turtle neck, every color in the rainbow.  My wardrobe is made up of blue jeans and shirts that go with blue jeans.   My husband says, "you have a million shirts in the closet, did you really need another one?"  My answer is: Yes, because it was on sale :)

Cat Thrusday

My Boyz have always taken the youngsters in our house  under their wing, so to speak.  This is Big Mac, a little Yorkie we used to dog sit for.  The Boyz played with him, gave him affection and even disciplined him when he got too wild. 

I love my Boyz ... of course :) 

Prayer

Today is McGuffy Ann's Surgery day ... A little prayer would be helpful.

Wordless Wednesday

                                      Wordless Wednesday

World Bird Wednesday

This is my first entry in the World Bird Wednesday.  I decided to focus on the American White Pelican because they migrate through our area every year in the spring.  This year they have already been here ... spring is very early.  I am not concerned for the water birds because, if they stay in the water, a later winter blast won't hurt them, but the land birds are at risk.  I will hope that the spring we are experiencing in March is the real thing. 

The American White Pelican are fascinating birds.  Their wingspan is from 8 to  10 feet second only to the California Condor.  The horn you will see on their upper bill appears only during mating season and then sheds off.  They eat primarily fish, crayfish and amphibians.  They are notorious for stealing food from other birds or small predator's. 
   
    

Week Number 315

Week Number 315

1) You're opening up a cafe. What songs do you have playing for your customers? List a few songs from your playlist.

I think I would go for Soft Rock ... a variety of singers like Doobie Brothers, River Band, Gary Wright, Carly Simon. James Taylor and of course Neil Diamond.  Then I might occasionally spice it up with David Garrett's "Rock Symphonies" or a little Dave Mathews.  Nothing loud, I wouldn't want to disturb conversation. 
 2) What is biggest regret in the past week?

I am taking care of my friend's little girl kitties (three of them) while their Mom is in Arizona (Mayo Clinic) for surgery.  Two of the kitties are fine and are tolerating their Mom's absence, but the third has been hiding since she left.  I talk to her every time I go, but she is not comfortable with me ... I regret that I can't help make her ordeal a little easier.  I know she is okay, because I see her in the window with the other two once in a while, but I also know she is scared and lonely.

3) If you were offered the perfect job in a place you absolutely did NOT want to live, would you take it?

There are a lot of issues that go into that decision, but I am going to say, No, I would not take the job.  My husband and I had to make that decision once when he was offered a job in California. We didn't go because all of our friends and family were here and our kids were just going into high school.  It just seemed like we had more to lose than to gain.  Perhaps financially we would have gained some ground, but it wasn't worth the trade off.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

A very cleverly designed Bird house.  It appears to have room for three nesting families, but most birds would not tolerate the close proximity of another bird nesting in their house.  So I am thinking it is a lot of wasted space in terms of it's actual use. It is however interesting and cute so I would put it out by my house.

Posted by Cat. on 3/19/2012 12:00:00 AM 0 curious comments