Trout TV

Here's some Footage of Trout playing around. If you can hear somewhere in the middle he hits his head on the camera which made me laugh. He hit it again at the very end. He kept trying to get in my lap!! I'll have to work on being a better videographer :)

Hey You!

Wordless Wednesday

So Anyway....

Spent part of Tuesday waiting for the phone man. Phone is fixed.
Spent part of the day waiting for the Schwans man. I have food.
Spent part of the afternoon planting, I finally had some sun and nice weather :)

I finally got some garden pics for you, will post them slowly. With all the rain I've had lately things are a little soggy, but they were happy today.
I feel like I've been slacking in the posting department. I've gotten so into doing things around the house and outside. When it's not raining, of course. Hubs has hardly been home in 2 weeks, so when he's here I've been trying to stay off this thing :P

We're still with the veggie diet mostly. We've been eating alot of veggies, fish and fruit. Saturday night we had Grilled Salmon, Grilled Corn-on-the-cob and Grilled Shrimp. It was awesome. I am really getting into this food. So many new tastes and variety. With that diet and the Shaklee vitamins and shakes, I've been feeling really good. Maybe that's where the energy is coming from and why I haven't been here as much!

I also realized I was slacking in the photo department, especially my pics at Flickr. I spent alot of last night joining some groups, tagging pics and playing in photoshop.
Oh and I resumed my online school courses. As some of you might remember I had signed up for Clayton College of Natural Health in the Holistic Care for Companion Animals program. I have all the books, etc. but had put everything on hold for a bit. Well, I'm going to resume that this week :)

So, I think that's my update. Trout is blending right in and Critter has started playing with him now. The Kitty 500 is totally out of control :)

Red Gazania

Visitor

Again, not one of my best but I still wanted to share:)
Pileated Woodpecker

Last Night

Best shot I could get with the lighting outside :(
Once I turned on the flash he was gone.

**Just so ya'll know...I do NOT feed these bear intentionally. Yes there is seed block in front of him, something I usually bring in at night but didn't get a chance. He showed up before I could. He also finished it off.
We have clover that grows naturally around here and the bear would be in my yard whether I had food out or not. They will probably be around daily until hibernation. **

Get The Ark

So first things first....we decided to stick with the wildlife theme, AND...since hubs is a fly-fishing addict, we decided to name the little goofball "Trout". As you know, I already have a Grizzly, Moose, Wolf, River and Tuna! So Trout seemed fitting.

So...it's still raining. I get a few peeks here and there of sun, enough for a rainbow or a few flower pics and that's it. I actually gardened in the rain yesterday, just so I could get a few more things planted.
I went to a nursery yesterday that was having a big Memorial Day sale on trees. My neighbor and I drove down, about an hour or so from here.
I bought six trees, 2 crabapple, 2 willows, 1 lilac and 1 maple. I've really been working on getting color out here, everything is SO green! Withthis rain lately, we're going to be a jungle soon.

Had a bear in the yard last night. He came on the porch and I quickly shooshed him off, to where he headed for the front yard to chew on a seed block. I got a few pics and he just sat there and ate.
I did, however, find something that scares them away. The FLASH.
He bolted when I used the flash.
Guess he's camera shy :)

Sparkles

Fuschia

Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? *21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? *21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet? *His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not? *He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about faceand moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed? *Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? *For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

**In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

Sun Peeks Through...

Rainy Days

It's stilllllll raining. Cold rain. We got a few flakes of snow, but most of it was above us. The mountains are all white again.
I decided to garden in the rain this morning. I had to get some things planted and needed hubs help. So, we gardened in the rain. Yay.

I planted two Lilac Bushes today, I'm really excited to get these going. The two dogwoods I planted last year are coming up nicely. The sugar maple not as well, but I might purchase a couple more. We also have a plum tree that is filling in nicely :)
I have your jam packed up in boxes and ready to go--I'll hit the post office on Tuesday!

I haven't had much internet access last couple of days. Since hubs is home, we really need the phone for vet emergencies, so I've had to plug the phone in on the porch (lol) and that kills my internet. He actually had three emergency calls this weekend. Figures since we didn't have phone access in the house.
I guess I'll be calling the phone company on Tuesday.

Oh and I was at the feed store yesterday and came upon a tank of baby ducks.
OMG were they cute! Hubs didn't go for it :(
Still haven't named jigger-beavis-stinker-trouble-butthead yet.
I'm taking suggestions again :P

My Favorite :)

You Are Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Creative. Expressive. Unique.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Sunday Mutter

Unconscious Mutterings

I say....and you think?

1.Bounce :: Hop
2.Wasting time :: Me
3.Utility :: Room
4.London :: Clock
5.Pregnant :: No, no, no, no
6.Cranberry :: Juice
7.International :: Pancakes
8.Disappointment :: Let Down
9.Sponsor :: Promote
10.Second :: Chances

Smile :)

No Way

Get this...

We're under a heavy snow warning until 2am. Yep. Snow.
And I just planted an entire garden and two trees.

Ugh.

I Have No Name

Well, he's nameless. Hubs wasn't crazy about Beavis. Which is funny since he usually doesn't care what I name the cats. So the hunt is still on.
I still might go with a "CATS" name, and just shorten it. Darn Shephard has all the cute names!! I love Gollywompus :)


I really don't have much to tell today. It's finally not raining. I still don't have phones. The real only big deal with that is if the Hubs gets an emergency call.
I learned that I can take my phone out to the phone box outside and plug it in, and it works. So, if we have to make a phone call, we just have to sit out on the porch :) Wild, eh?

We're headed to the big city today for some grocery shopping. With him being gone so long this time, and about to be gone a long time again............my cupboards are bare!!
I'm drinking my last diet coke this morning. That is very scary.

Oh and still working on the video thing. Laura gave me some advice, so I'm working with that now. Ya'll have a great Saturday :)

Scavenger Hunt : Red, White & Blue

Call Me Silly

Well...he's a big help :)
I haven't been calling him Jigger except when I type his name. Not sure if it will stick. I've been calling him Beavis alot. Oh, and Squirtus.
If any of you know me, I name them one thing and call them another. But Jigger isn't working for me.
Beavis fits, because I sure have alot of Buttheads in the house to pair him with.

Finally...

Here's the pregnant doe and young buck from the other day. It was getting dark so this is the best I could get. Aren't they sweet??

Rambling...

Still no phone this morning. I can use my cell if I stand WAY out on the deck but the signal is very low. Not that I care too much about having a phone, but it's nice to have if I had an emergency.
The internet comes and goes. I must have little aliens running through the wires.

It's cold here today, 45..rainy. The sprinkler guys can't finish when it's raining, and they are starting to get on my nerves.. :P
I'm spoiled by the silence outside and I'm tired of hearing machines and my dogs barking at them.

I've been working on the Jigger video, not sure why YouTube isn't accepting it..but if I can stay online long enough, I'll figure it out.
Not much else happenin' around here today. The bear must be bugging someone else the last couple of days, I've had no problems. I do have a preggo doe pic for ya...just keep forgetting to download. Maybe I'll do that now :P

Photo Friday : Home

Houston....

We have a problem...blah.
My phones and my internet have been screwing up all day today.
I made a video of Jigger but can't figure out how to get it into my blog.
My water has been off for part of the day because of the sprinker man....


Ummm..I guess that's it.
I'll stop whining now :P

Flowerbud

Sweet :)

I was so excited to see Laura's post today of her moth! Go check them out, they are awesome. Especially when still in caterpillar form!! I had remembered today that I had also seen this moth last year and just had to share. There's another included in here also, but I can't remember what kind he was....will have to look it up now.

Very cool, Laura. Your PICS ROCK :)

Thursday Theme: Ground

Silly Purchase

Want to know one silly purchase I made?? A desk lamp that turns on by touch.
Do you know how many times a day the cats turn this lamp on and off??
Sometimes at night it looks like a disco ball is in the living room. Jigger alone is going to wear out the light bulb.


Mental note: no more "touch" lamps.

Refreshment

Breaking News

Jigger has decided he likes sleeping on my shoulder. I sure hope he doesn't try to do this when he's full grown.
Yes my house is messy behind me...ignore that. I'm not known for my housecleaning. Hmm..Actually what am I known for??

The sprinkler guys should be done today..finally. They are totally ruining my gardening ambiance.

No bear mess that I can see from last night. The raccoons did make a little mess, but they always do. I have a few pregnant does wandering around, so cute :) More little bucks too. I did get a few pics yesterday but haven't downloaded them yet.

Hubs informed me we're going to Washington D.C. in October for a surgeons convention....I get to go to a zoo!! Laura, don't you live near there??? I really love zoo's and the photographs I can get there, but none close to me. To think I used to live 5 minutes from the Fort Worth Zoo :(

This is all really just ramble...I just had to show you Jigger sleeping on my shoulder :P
You can go on with your day now............

Wordless Wednesday

Constant Motion

Requested

"Preparing to Attack"

Jonesin'

I've decided to submit more photos to Jones Soda :)

I submitted some a year or so ago, but decided to try again.
Which anyone can do, by the way.
You can vote, or not. Just type in Leesa in the search box. I'll be slowly adding them during the day.

No pressure :P

Can You See Me?

Pooh & Friends

Did I mention it's been raining?
Did I mention I have bear running around?

Yes, I have. You know my story. But....

I found out last night why I have had so much more bear destruction than usual.
I heard the usual ruckus outside and went to investigate. I usually just turn on the lights, and maybe slam the door or bang on the glass and they run.
But tonight, it was different.
I had a momma bear and two babies. Ugh. This is actually the first time I've seen babies in person. One red, one black, one BIG red momma. They were really so cute. The babies were everywhere. Just like babies. In the trees, in the feeder, on the porch. Just everywhere.
But...
I don't dare do much. Not with that set. I watched through the window for a bit and then scared them away. I would have loved pics of babies, but that's not going to happen at night and with them so close to my front door.

We also had some major stormy weather. I lost power several times and we even had lightening and thunder. I even had to give Brock a little sedation. I love storms and it was kind of cool to see a real storm again, but it sure makes a mess. I guess the way we sit in between these mountains, we get some major wind. Oh and of course it was cooler, and we all know I like that :)

Oh and I received some very cute (kittens) mail and some very scary mail from GreekChickie. Some of you know what was on it. I'm almost afraid to post it, might get a bunch of Rhinestone Cowboy fans. :P

Elements

Your element is water.
On the surface you are calm and relaxed like a still lake or small pond. However, appearances can be deceiving, because underneath you are powerful and emotional. You are creative and instrospective though not completely solitary.
You like the company of others as much as you like the peace of solitude. You are well-liked and easy to get along with unless your temper is unleashed. Kind and nurturing you love helping others and cannot stand seeing pain. You would be best matched with Earth or Light.

Take this quiz!

Rare Moment

He's standing still....

Weekend Ramble

Alot of rain and storms this weekend.

I managed to get one flower garden done, also got green beans and cucumbers planted yesterday before I was rained on.

Ol' Big Red caused quite the mess on Saturday night. He once again woke me as he tried to drag a bucket off the porch. It was empty, but I guess it still smelled like seed. He managed to break anything that I had attached to trees. Once again, they were empty, but I guess the smell alone had his interest.
So, no squirrel feeders again until the bear slow down. :(
Good thing I have 50# of peanuts!

I know they are especially troublesome as they wake up, and will eventually slow down and move back up higher once the berries start growing, but....geez.
It's been too dark for photos, but I'm sure I'll have some soon. It's not getting dark until almost ten now.

Jigger is adjusting just fine, and isn't even afraid of Brock anymore.
He already qualifies for the Kitty 500.

Trouble & Trouble Jr.

Lazy Sunday

Me, Me, Me

I stole this from that "other" Leesa :)

I dream ... very strange dreams sometimes.

I cannot stand ... hate.

I stopped ... worrying if others like me.

I'm sorry ... I come off as insensitive sometimes.

I could ... go for a frappaccino right now.

I would ... do anything for someone who's loyal to me.

I don't understand ... prejudice.

I yell ... rarely.

I get aggravated ... when my computer acts up.

I'm shocked ... at the compliments I receive sometimes.

I dislike ... selfish people.

I can't wait ... to be able to travel again.

I sense ... the bear are going to be more trouble this year.

Sunday Mutter

I say and you think??

1. Yours :: Memories


2. Charcoal :: Flames


3. Platitude :: Repeat


4. Graduation :: Accomplishment


5. Hungry :: Growl


6. Somewhere :: Out there


7. Nurse :: Care


8. Freak :: Show


9. Unbelievable :: Life


10. Walk :: for Cure

The Beast

This is the guy from this morning. I recognize the scar around his left eye.

Just A Peek...

It's been raining most of the day today, with small glimpses of sun, and small power outtages. It hasn't gotten over 60 today. Nice :)
I saw the beast last night, or this morning rather. As I was typing that 2am post, Brock started growling out the window. I got up, turned on the porch light and there he was. Big guy. He was just sitting there, probably wondering where the peanuts were.
I had to open and slam the door to get him to run off, and he did. No pics since it was so dark, but it was the big red bear I've posted before.

It's been a nice day. Quiet...not much to do with rain and no power. But still nice.
I was excited though to see what the sun provided for me in one peek....
First one of the season :)

Scavenger Hunt: Flower

Friday Follies

I went to bed at 10pm. That's early for me. Here I am at 2am, wide awake. Ugh.

Interesting day today. The bear took a 50# box of peanuts off the porch. I realize I had food on the porch, that's not the point. This was a sealed bag of peanuts in a taped up cardboard box, 50 pounds.
Usually, when they find a treasure like this, they break into it, drag it around a bit...you know. Not walk away with the ENTIRE box! Crazy.

I found it later down the hill abit. Seems he couldn't quite get the box open, so he chewed through a corner and had a little feast. I was able to save most of the bag. Of course then I had to carry an almost 50# bag uphill. Yeah, that was fun.

I tried to garden off and on between small rain storms. Seems I'm having one now and lost power once already. Also seems our weather is cooling back down. Thank you.

Lost Jigger for a small amount of time. Seems he can find the smallest spots to sleep and then not aknowledge me calling for him.

Oh and someone googled, "Leesa is the coolest" and found my blog.

Now that's cool :)

Bubbles

Cape Town Blue

Peaceful Now

The hubs mother passed away this morning.
It was not sudden. It was expected. She was sick, she was unhappy, and she was ready to go.
He has dealt with three deaths in his family since I've known him. As some of you know, his son died a year ago March. His son's mother died this year. And now his own Mother.

These are all very strange emotions for me. I have never lost anyone close to me. Considering I'm not close to many, this is not strange. I didn't know my grandparents well enough to feel that loss. I didn't know hubs family well enough either.
Being in this position is confusing to me. You feel the pain for the person, but you can't actually "feel" the pain. I am not close to my mother, I don't know my father. I don't have children. The loss of his son was an intense thing to go through and he still has pain. I'm sure he always will. He's a different man since that happened.

I think today he feels relief. Grief of course, but relief. She had been unhappy and sick for a few years. Her husband had died 20 years before her, something she never got over.

I talked to him this morning and he sounds good.

May she finally rest in peace :)

Kitty Yoga

You Probably Think This Blog is About You....

You Are 24% Vain

Okay, so you're slightly vain from time to time, but you're not superficial at all. You are realistic. You know that looks matter. You just try to make them matter less.

How Vain Are You?

Mr. Face

Already tired of the camera???

Babe Magnet

Want to pick up chicks, guys?
Just walk through 2 airports and ride 2 flights carrying a kitten. Did you know it was so easy??

Hubs brought home a kitten last night from California. He had women all over him! I assumed he meant little kids, children...but nope. Women in the airport, and the flight attendants all wanted to see and pet the kitty. Funny :P

I couldnt' get a better pic yet as he won't sit still, but here he is. We haven't decided on a name yet, but we kind of like Jigger.

Hubs was on a detour last night through Montana and on his way back to Texas. His mother is not doing well, so he will be down there for awhile. I think I saw him for about 4 hours. Fun.

We got up to 90 yesterday, so we hauled in the small airconditioner. They say it might hit 95 here today...ugh. What's up with that?? Supposedly next week we will be back into the 70/80's so this is short lived thank goodness.
The sprinkler guys still aren't done, but I hope to get some gardening done anyway. The hand is much happier this morning.

With the confusion, hubs dropping by, and the new kitten, I hadn't even thought of a Thursday Thirteen. I'll just have to skip this week.
Maybe later I'll post 13 things this kitten has gotten into??