Big Saggy... Nevermind What I See, What Do You See?

We lost some trees during hurricane Ike (see pics from post 9/16, 'Hurricane Ike... from the hill'). Some of the trees that we lost had goodly size trunks on them, so my creative other half cut a couple of ??I don't know what the term is?? .... flat pieces from the trunk~ we can make a clock if we so choose someday. Anyway, pics of the flat trunk slices are below.

Have a look at them and tell me what you see. Perhaps it's sort of like the Rorschach Inkblot test that is supposed to give insight into a person's thinking (being a licensed psychotherapist~ I think, 'geeees, what does this say about me!?!').

The slices were leaning on the shelf in our shop whereas one could view their shape. I walked in and made mention of what I saw in both trunk pieces to my creative half standing there. Needless to say, he could 'see' more things than me.

Well, before I go on and name what I see, have a look for yourself and leave a 'comment' and let me know what you see (it can be done anonymously). I don't want to 'taint' anyone's perspective, so I'll post what I see in a few days. Remember, pics can be clicked on for a larger, more detailed image.

Here they are:



Let me know what you think (comment button below!).

Bigfoot Sighting!

So I had the camera on me when our daughter picked up our pup's back foot. While looking closely at it, she very emphatically said, "BIG Foooot!"

This was not prompted and I was able to snap the pic.

Now that's a Horsefly!

I went Google Image searching for some pics for the book I'm making that I talked about in the "More Time Please"- Sept. 25 posting. Anyway, one of the songs makes a reference to a horsefly, so I thought I'd see what I could find for that. Among many others is the one below that I found.


As is obvious, it's been Photoshopped ~no, it's not some new breed of nefarious insect originating in Asia erroneously imported on some vessel carrying tainted fruit stock. Okay, I digress...

Anyway, I happened upon a site that was posting winning Photoshopped photos of "Mammals and Insects; Crossbred". Below are just a few more from that site.

I was impressed. To see more, you can go here: http://www.worth1000.com/cache/gallery/contestcache.asp?contest_id=3041&display=photoshop

Speaking of Windmills...

Here's one more windmill shot (courtesy of J. Davis). He took this pic out in Big Springs, Texas and so appropriately titled it:

"Now and Then".

Our Fabulous Windmill

Our old windmill broke. It was old and tired and needed to be replaced ...and it also got hit with the sprayer boom attached to the tractor I was driving.
This is an event quite unlike those usually precipitated by me... I am typically very cautious and exacting (sometimes to a fault). My excuse... it was late, the sun was setting, the pasture was past due for spaying, our daughter needed to be fed, I was in a hurry ~ and the small windmill standing before me (well, to the side) was old and tired and needed to be replaced.
This is not to say that I clipped it on purpose, I guess my care/caution meter was running low.

So, we have a new windmill. While our old windmill's tower was made of narrow metal flat-bar, it had a small head, and was considerably shorter. Our new windmill is much taller, it has a larger head, and it's tower is constructed out of lumber.

Thank you to my vastly talented husband as the possessor of such fine skills for craftsmanship.

More Time Please

Sighhhhh... oh, how I wish there were more hours in the day or we humans didn't require about a third of the day in sleep.... well, at least I think I wish this. The fact of the matter is, if any of the above were true, our world would definitely be different. If we didn't need but a couple of hours sleep a day, everything would be open 24/7. Beds wouldn't be so expensive... and I doubt there would be a 'just jammies' section in department stores. Shoot, I wonder if the average house would have individual bedrooms...

Okay, I waxed enough on this thought.. the thing is, I have things to do and not enough time to do them. Does one ever feel 'caught up'? ...cause, I can't remember the last time I just lazed back in a chair and thought, "Gees, I'm bored, there's nothing to do." Maybe I was 7 when that thought occurred.

Anyway, in my limited free time, when I am not on this blog thing, I am currently working on making a book for our daughter. I am making it via a wonderful site: www.shutterfly.com . I have made a book on their site before. It is so cool. If you can upload pics and work a computer at all, you can make fabulous things there (cards too).

The book I'm doing is a compilation of songs that I sing to our daughter. I am including pictures to to go with each song. The songs range from Winnie the Pooh movie songs to Willie Nelson to The Mamas & the Papas. I sing to her when she takes her bath, or in the car, or changing her diaper, & lots of other times.

I have always sung to her ... probably because I have this ability to remember words to songs (yeah, but I can't remember to take my vitamins). One of her current favorite bath songs is "The Cowboy Song"~ that's what she calls it when she ask me to sing it. The song is really called "My Heroes have Always been Cowboys- Willie Nelson... I think she likes it because it takes so long to finish, thus giving her more play time in the tub. I have changed up a couple of the words to make it more appropriate. After all, she is starting to sing parts of many of the songs I sing.

Neil Diamond's silly song... I think called, "You're so Sweet" is another that she likes, probably because I flock my arms like a chicken when I sing the part about being "the only rooster in the hen-house, I guess it shows". Amongst others, I'll have to download some rooster pictures to put in her book for that song. Below, are but a few of the pics that will go in her book for other songs. Have got some Photshopping to do yet- like taking the words off the Polar Express pic. Still have many pics to gather. I think I'll go start that now... with the little bit of time I have before it's my bedtime (which I haven't been minding lately).

The Power of the Dog

Well, since I posted a poem about horses, I thought I'd follow with my favorite one on Dogs~ as dogs and horses are my two favorite animals.

I will say that I have been fortunate enough to have grown up with dogs. I have been owned by dogs my whole life, with the exception of almost three years following putting down a German Shepherd I had for 13 & 1/2 years.
I remember walking into the house afterwards ~how strangely quite and still the house was. She, Dandy, was not a loud dog, but I could feel her presence missing.
If it is left up to me, I will always have a dog.

The Power of the Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,

Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But...you've given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling

These pics are of Smidgen and Smudge. They are mother (Smidgen) and daughter. Smidgen is so named for the smidgen of white on her chest. Smudge is... well, she is the one with 'smudge' marks all over.

Danes have been Great dogs (no pun intended). They have all the attributes that we wanted in a dog; gentle-temperament, yet with a guarding instinct, short-haired (since they are indoors & out) and large (so as to be imposing for guarding). Their size can be difficult with traveling and all, but the payoff is worth it for all the time we are at home feeling safe, knowing that there is a combined 322 pounds of snarl & teeth waiting for any trespasser stupid enough to try.

Creede, CO in September

Recently, my witty other half went to Colorado with my dad. They went to construct an overhang on the back porch of the cabin... and enjoy a bit of the surroundings. All went as planned.
The drive is a l-o-n-g one and I am not tough enough to spend it with a 2 y/o- so it was not even a question if I was going to go this time. So, I asked my husband to take lots of pics.
This is only a smattering... all with camera phone too. Quality is quite good considering.

Back Porch ~ BEFORE


My husband sent this and titled it:
"THINKING"...


During construction...


During construction...


Back Porch ~ AFTER


View from truck, driving into the little town of Creede, Colorado.


A familiar landmark...


This pic was taken while eating pizza on the balcony at M.O.M.s (Mack's Old Mine). I received it, via email, as they were being served. I immediately called and sounded a 'raspberry' in husband's ear.


Colorado is great for motorcycle riding. There are so many little roads, here and there, tucked away. Great for exploring.


Overlooking the town of Creede...


Sign on Bachelor Mountain~ up from the town of Creede...
(click on pic & you can read the history)


Dear Ole Dad...


One of those roads that if you had a backpack with food/water in it and gas in your tank, you could just keep going...


My dear other half and his funny sense of humor...
But really, who'd want to
go in THAT outhouse?!?

Here, my dad almost looks like one of those scary biker dudes...trust me, he's not.
He's too nerdy for that.
I can say this as I've been told that I have a bit of a nerdy-gene.

I could stop and have lunch here ~ on a nice blanket, followed by chocolate and milk, then a nap...
yup, I might think I've died and gone to Heaven... until a chipmunk crawls across me.
It happened before~was giving my rear a break from the motorcycle and dozed off... little critter 'bout made me wet my pants.


My other half...


It's beautiful country!

Equus Caballus

I have run on middle fingernail through Eolithic morning
And I’ve thundered down the coach road with Revolution’s warning
I have carried countless errant knights who never found the grail
I have strained before the caissons, I’ve moved the nation’s mail
I’ve made knights of lowly tribesmen, kings from ranks of peons
I’ve given pride and arrogance to riding men for eons
I’ve grazed among the lodges, teepees and the yurts
Felt the sting of driving whips, lashes, spurs and quirts

I am roguish- I am flighty, inbred and lowly
I’m a nightmare gone wild- I am
Gallant and exalted, stately and noble
I’m awesome- I am grand- I am
The Horse

I have suffered gross indignities from users and from winners
I’ve felt the touch of kindness from losers and from sinners
I have given for the cruel hand and given for the kind
Heaved a sigh at Appomattox when surrender had been signed
I can be as tough as hardened steel or fragile as a flower
I know not my endurance, I know not my own power
I have died with heart exploded beneath the cheering stands
Calmly stood below the hanging noose of vigilante bands

I am roguish- I am flighty, inbred and lowly
I’m a nightmare gone wild- I am
Gallant and exalted, stately and noble
I’m awesome- I am grand- I am
The Horse

So I’ll run on middle fingernail until the curtain closes
I’ll win for you your Triple Crown, I’ll wear for you your roses
Toward you, who took my freedom, I’ve no malice or remorse
I’ll endure, I’ll last forever, I am The Horse

(author unknown)

Haiku

Received a comment on the previous post that it had inspired a Haiku poem... here's what the person wrote:

She still loves her baths.
She still has beautiful eyes.
She still loves her pups.

A Step Back in Time

Time flies.
Just a few pics following to illustrate that point.

Still loves baths.
Still has beautiful eyes.
Still loves her pups.
Time flies, but it's nice that some things don't change with time.