tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26135567001163412932024-03-13T20:08:53.728-04:00AllfurrycrittersInside the mind of an earthy, aging country woman....Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-22865432604922836402020-02-25T10:37:00.001-05:002020-02-25T10:37:28.888-05:00Contemplating Woodpeckers <br />
"Woody Woodpecker". Size is about 16-19 inches for adults.<br />
This is a male Pileated woodpecker. He has a red cheek stripe,; the female looks the same but no red cheek stripe.<br />
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I love the 'laughing' sound of the Pileated when it's flying through the tree tops. That is how I usually spot them, or of course, by the jack hammer sound when they are drilling for bugs. They fly erratically with a swooping motion, much like "woody woodpecker", the cartoon bird. But recently I was putting a dish in the sink and spotted motion through the window from the corner of my eye. I stopped and stood like a statue using only my eyes to cut left and see a pair of pileated right there on the pink dogwood not 10 feet away, gobbling berries ! As you can see from my photo, they are large heavy birds about crow size and the berries that were left after the song birds gorged were far out on flimsy branches. I cautiously slid back from the window and rushed for my camera. I set it up then slid slowly into view hoping to capture both together, but the female was very skittish and flew, while the male was focused on the prize. That's the one you see here. </div>
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I had seen them in the tree several days prior, but never managed to get the camera in time before they spooked. I would stand still with camera poised for so long that I'd cramp, and had to stop, and of course that's when they would appear again, and I never could get a picture. You really have to have perseverance if you want to get a good picture. I feel lucky to have captured these ! </div>
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We try to leave rotting and dead trees standing as long as they are not in danger of falling where they can hurt anything.They draw in so many birds and actually other creatures that find homes in the rotting wood. All the woodpeckers love these trees and the Pileated will actually make its home in a hollowed out tree top. Owls , squirrels and flying squirrels just to name a few use these trees. There is a whole food chain going on with them. Spring is coming, and the beginning of new life is evident all around me. We try to keep our land as natural as we can without it becoming an eye sore, trying to balance natural and esthetically pleasing areas. We do have beautiful birds, and another blog will showcase another species ! Bring on the birds!</div>
Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-35855195448811327572019-03-31T19:26:00.002-04:002019-03-31T19:26:32.911-04:00Spring ! exhausting...<br />
Why does the warming sun and bursting flowers of Spring make us feel the need to make changes in our homes ? Is it just me that starts to see that the walls needs painting...and the porch does too. The deck needs to be power washed... and the house does too. The yard needs raking and replanting and...and...and.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TispfyagKY0/XKEzSThl9rI/AAAAAAAACXg/jUSZT6UgmwgDmZYz3K5myhfQ9661U7rNgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC07968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b00000;"></span><br /></a> Is it just me ? Have my eyes been shaded by the lack of sun throughout the winters gloom?<br />
These windows need washing. The curtains certainly need to be cleaned, or maybe I just need new ones.<br />
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I guess it is natural<br />
because there are a ton of old branches down on the lawn that Mother nature discarded, and the healthy limbs have begun to sport bright green leaves. On the ground, the winds are trying to blow the crinkly brown ones away so that the new spikes of grass can pop up. The birds are sloughing off those old drab colors and eye-catching 'Crayola' feathers are emerging. The sun has discarded it's cataract and now shines with renewed intensity. All of nature is putting on a show that makes our breathing deeper and our hearts happier.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5iUz3KJt_8/XKE1VXZIHqI/AAAAAAAACYM/bOE3NSVl2ag_regdP45xwJLKO4WGF5P-wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC07979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5iUz3KJt_8/XKE1VXZIHqI/AAAAAAAACYM/bOE3NSVl2ag_regdP45xwJLKO4WGF5P-wCLcBGAs/s320/DSC07979.JPG" width="320" /> Weeping cherry</a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbOntuDByVc/XKE0spO8wsI/AAAAAAAACYA/ZnYMFSIXIbofpDBQ8jVXL0fiSb9VY3AfACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC07997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">Goldfinch starting new plumage <img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbOntuDByVc/XKE0spO8wsI/AAAAAAAACYA/ZnYMFSIXIbofpDBQ8jVXL0fiSb9VY3AfACLcBGAs/s320/DSC07997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyvxjPPwcs0/XKE2DexVtBI/AAAAAAAACYg/QbUCnXy9h6gc93rOPCKVJyiERo7dB0LVACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC08006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pyvxjPPwcs0/XKE2DexVtBI/AAAAAAAACYg/QbUCnXy9h6gc93rOPCKVJyiERo7dB0LVACLcBGAs/s320/DSC08006.JPG" width="320" /> Cardinal on weeping cherry</a></div>
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This Cardinal is in a Red Bud tree. I wonder why this purple bloom is called a red bud? It sure does make the cardinal look orange.</div>
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All of nature is doing its very best to show off. Easter is close now, and the colors I remember as a child of our painted eggs and our Easter Sunday clothes are reflected in what I see around me. Pinks, yellows, purples and pale blues. I remember one Easter my new dress was a robin's egg blue. I had a new white hat (kind of like the shape of a 'pringles' potato chip)… it clamped on the sides of my head. On the top in front were some pink and yellow flowers with a bright yellow and black bumble bee on one flower. I had a new pocketbook too, but I don't remember it. Probably black patent leather with matching shoes, and I'm sure I had white gloves as well.</div>
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I remember waking on Easter Sunday to our painted eggs and chocolates and other surprises in our hats that were turned upside down and filled by 'the bunny'. Then it was off to church and home to a huge Easter dinner. I remember a lot of preparations for that Sunday, which included cleaning and dusting, etc. </div>
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Yes. Now I do remember..Spring is exhausting !</div>
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Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-70119019414635661482019-03-26T15:41:00.000-04:002019-03-26T15:41:02.796-04:00Goodbye PennyThese are my last photos with Penny, our beautiful Australian Shepherd. She was a special girl.<br />
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It's almost April. I have been to Myrtle Beach with Bob in February and Florida this past week. I stayed with my cousins in their condo in Gulfport. They have a little dog named Abby, who is 10 years old, the same age as Penny when I had to make the decision to keep her going on needles and pills and things she hated or let her be free of pain. She hated all the pills to the point of hiding from us. I truly knew she was unhappy, in pain and sick, but she rallied again and again throughout the 2 years she was sick...for me.In the first part of November I said goodbye. I am finally able to write it all down.<br />
Penny is buried out under the magnolia and peach trees with her dog sister Belle, and our last 6 rescue cats. Each passing of a pet is traumatic for us, but Penny was the hardest for me. Maybe it was because she was our last. Like the last child that leaves home. I hope she's running and jumping with Belle and all my beautiful animals that have enriched my life and left me with an aching heart.<br />
Goodbye sweet Penny.Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-58024811335747247942018-10-26T15:32:00.000-04:002018-10-26T15:32:27.566-04:00Where's Fall?<br />
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These pictures are both of a typical Fall day. Some color in the trees and brown leaves down. But there's a brightness about them ! Oh, it must be sunshine ! Where the heck is our typical Fall ? We have morphed from sticky hot and rainy summer right into cold damp winter. I for one am disappointed. I love Fall. I love the bright blue skies and the crisp clean air. I love walking on the dry scrunchy leaves; love wearing my Ugg boots and jeans and a big 'ol sweater. I sooo enjoy hot coffee in the cool mornings on my porch, with the rays of sun heating my feet, then legs and body as the sun comes up. I'm missing Fall. I have my cinnamon and ginger and nutmeg and oranges simmering on the stove so it smells like Fall. I hung my Witch decoration, and put 2 pumpkins on the porch. I have done my part. I expect Mother Nature to play fair and give me my Fall. Everything is grey, including the hot tea I am sipping to try to warm up. October is almost over, and then November will be upon us with its bare tree limbs and grey skies, dead grass and lack of flowers.<br />
It's a good thing I have The Patriots, great books and good tv programs to send me into those dreary days ahead. I do like baking also, but when I bake , I eat more. I like my own baking. Need to get my stained glass and jewelry stuff out. That has no calories.<br />
Oh fickle winds of Autumn, blow our way and give us a few weeks of Happy Fall.<br />
<br />Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-840535328886436272018-08-06T17:04:00.000-04:002018-08-06T17:04:20.866-04:00Penny, pills and peanut butter Having a constant furry companion is one of the joys in my life. It's also one of the heartaches in my life. Pets, dogs especially, become a part of the family. Everyone says this. I think it's more than that.<br />
My dogs,(all the dogs I have had), know me better than family or friends. They sense my sadness, sickness or happiness and they adjust their own feelings accordingly. People allow us to feel however we do, but dogs and I say some cats as well, morph themselves to fit our emotions.<br />
Right now, my 10 year old Aussie is under the weather...she's pretty ill. She has been incontinent for 2 years now She fell back on her hind end while trying to jump into the truck and did spinal nerve damage. She is extremely arthritic in her spine. Being incontinent, she does not void her bladder all the way, so she has infection after infection....which means antibiotics quite often. I feel we have been lucky to have her these past 2 years. Aside from all the floor cleaning, and the p-p pads and the baths and grooming, it has been normal dog owning maintenance. But, she is over 10 years now, and the normal aging has increased her problems.<br />
Giving her the necessary meds, usually pill form, has become a nightmare. She figures out what foods have the hidden nastiness and she refuses to eat the pill caddy, no matter how tempting. She is devilishly smart. I have tried all the suggestions and then some, but it has come down to either sticking them down her throat...hence the bites on knuckles and fingers...or crushing them up in peanut butter, and often having to mash the peanut butter ball of crushed pills against her teeth, so she has to get it in. I'm at my wits end. She is so leery of my advances, I can hardly pat her without her look of, "Oh crap, here she comes again".<br />
But we will persist, and we hope that she will once again rally. For how long, we never know. Meanwhile, I will love to look at her, and talk to her and pat her soft furriness. She seems to enjoy her elder dog year naps, walks and talks we have together, and for now, that is enough.<br />
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Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-41718617989145156682018-06-30T21:12:00.000-04:002018-06-30T21:12:32.579-04:00Running Cows and day lillies<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtUzDd_pa4A/WzgDIeNlsvI/AAAAAAAACTY/xoHqCKsVt28_3iAtvlXGa9dtYf-4MyJpwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC07106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><br />
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This day lily farm is in Floyd on 221 south.<br />
It is called "Wildwood Farm", and it's a good day trip. They have live Bluegrass music on Saturday nights, ( I guess 'live' as opposed to 'dead' ?) and on Sunday (tomorrow) they will have a classic car show...(1st and 3rd Sunday of the months during Spring and Summer.) They are on Facebook, so you can preview there. A general store with sundry items...I love that word...gifts, and even a "Kitchen" serving some foods. Worth the pretty ride , especially if you go up the Parkway as we always do.<br />
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We purchased some elderberry jelly, my favorite and some strawberry preserves for Bob. There were lots of pretty things in the gift part, and there are rockers outside for setting in. You can meander the flower beds although today was hot even in the mountains, so we walked several rows, then 'set' in one of the covered sheds, and finally opted to wait for a cooler day to finish my wish list of lilies.Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-51165939410495243152018-06-29T11:54:00.000-04:002018-06-29T11:54:00.263-04:00The moon was full last night. I enjoyed the bubbly, soothing heat of my new spa while pondering all that it encompasses.<br />
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Today I received my copy of Sharyn McCrumbs book, "The Songcatcher". I will add it to my collection of Appalachian writers...Becky Mushko;Carolyn Tyree Feagans; Leisha Kelly; Jan Karon; Peggy Shifflett; Karen Smith; Keister Greer; Rodger Doss;Silas House; Dan Smith; Richard Davids and probably some others hidden back on my shelf. That's another chore ahead of me, clearing out old papers and magazines. The books will stay.</div>
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I am wondering if the McCourry family in this new book is an offshoot of my family, also originating in Scotland, the MacQuarrie clan. </div>
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That brings me to yet another thing I want to do, have my DNA tested through ancestry and see what I can find out about my roots. Maybe that's an age related desire, or maybe I know I will have more time to explore family history now in retirement. I have always felt it's important to know my background.</div>
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Daily life has sewn me up today, I need to finish laundry and do all the other domestic goddess chores as well as pop into town to bring a urine sample to the vet. Penny is starting into another bladder infection, I think, so I need to get her started on meds if it is. </div>
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So many things I want to do. I am excited for life !</div>
Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-50864336893962736352018-06-26T22:15:00.000-04:002018-06-26T22:15:47.671-04:00<br />
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It' now 2018, five years have passed since my last blog entry. Seems like yesterday when I reread it. I am newly retired from my paraprofessional job having spent 8 years with my little buddy Kris, who is now entering 7th grade this coming school year..<br />
My grandson Caine is now a big boy, he's 10. Bob and I are married 20 years,( how did that happen so quick?). My mother and Bob's mother are both passed, within a year of each other. Bob had kidney cancer and lost one kidney. He is doing quite well in spite of this. I have an artificial knee as well as the hip. I'm working at becoming bionic, or at the least adding years to my life with new parts.<br />
I am still an avid birder and train rider and animal/nature lover. I love to take photographs, and hope to be able to write again. Time will be available now that retirement is here, as long as all my time isn't spent at doctors. That is another goal, to get fit and stay healthy.<br />
So here's to more ME time ! I hope to share my adventures with you all here on my blogsite. That being said, maybe I should rename my blog ?<br />
I will sleep on the idea.<br />
It's good to talk to you all again !<br />
<br />Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-40228392167570959892013-12-09T15:23:00.002-05:002013-12-09T15:23:48.652-05:00Stinky vents, cruddy veins and iceThis is week 4 since my new hip was put in. Today was regular blood work at Drs. and this was the 2nd try for the nurse at my Drs. No go, and this time I stopped her after she blew the vein in my arm and was happily going to 'try' in my hand...all my nice was used up, so I insisted going to the hospital where the lab got the first stick (mind you it was where I told her to try )...I am shaky and exhausted still...in 2 weeks I see the Dr to go over labs, and I will tell him then I do not want his nurse ever again!<br />
Icy out today, and really feels like winter.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nq2UhvZX_JU/UqYlTMdwF8I/AAAAAAAACPQ/MKyWnHb5MK4/s1600/christmas+plant+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nq2UhvZX_JU/UqYlTMdwF8I/AAAAAAAACPQ/MKyWnHb5MK4/s1600/christmas+plant+002.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a> The inside of my house is still green which makes me happy, however the smell in the whole house is most definably dead mouse in the ductwork. UGH !!! No way to get rid of it , other than mask it with candles and wait it out. Country living has its good and bad times. Not loving this. December 24th is the date I have x-rays to see if I can jettison this walker. Probably be replaced with a cane, but even that will seem so free. Looking forward to the New Year, back to work with the kids and walking without pain. If I don't get back to this before the New Year, Merry Christmas to all, with so much love, Claudia </div>
Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-66348127529602619952013-01-20T12:26:00.000-05:002013-01-20T12:26:06.447-05:00snow...is it winter?It finally happened. Winter arrived after a brief weekend of summer. Caine was visiting for an overnight and we all were in our t-shirts with the warm sun and balmy 70 degree weather. Next thing you know, we are getting a snow storm ! School was called on Friday with a 2 hour early release on Thursday, and Martin Luther King Day is Monday, so I had 4 days in a row ! Tuesday and Wednesday are teacher work days, and the kids return on Thursday. Tuesdays high will be in the low 20's. I may be a Yankee, but that is cold by anyones standards. We had a blast 4-wheeling with Caine. He brought his little battery operated wheeler and rode all day! I was hoping the battery would wear down, but no luck. My battery wore out before his.<br />
For some reason unknown to me, I cannot attach my pictures anymore, so until I can figure this out, I am going pictureless! I'll come back when I can show you my photos..Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-70646604674650509222013-01-02T20:48:00.001-05:002013-01-02T20:48:06.049-05:00A new yearOne thing I want to do for myself in this new year of 2013 is write more often. It's one thing I always enjoyed doing, and something I seem to do less and less. Another thing I want to accomplish in this year is to learn to speak Spanish. I used to be fluent in French, but as with all things, if you don't use it you lose it.<br />
Seems to me that is what happens with all things, both mental and physical.<br />
As with all three of my brothers, I am reaping the benefits of getting older. Arthritis, joint replacements, forgetfulness,failing eyesight, forgetfulness...oh wait, did I say that already?<br />
We have 5 aging cats who are also experiencing the benefits. One is forgetting where the cat box's are. I am not delighted with this.Here are some pictures associated with the old year.<br />
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Family and friends ... my lifeblood...<br />
I am hoping for another year rich with visits from my family and friends..Here's hoping for health for us all in this new year..A prayer for peace and love and brotherhood for all in this new year..<br />
happy new year, with love, Claudia<br />
<br />Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-9114575703358432732012-09-30T08:40:00.001-04:002012-09-30T08:40:11.508-04:00SILHOUETTES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1z0dINzpmv4/UGg8PrlzAdI/AAAAAAAACLs/lNJh_wi4gJ8/s1600/220px-Pileated_Woodpecker_in_a_Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1z0dINzpmv4/UGg8PrlzAdI/AAAAAAAACLs/lNJh_wi4gJ8/s1600/220px-Pileated_Woodpecker_in_a_Tree.jpg" /></a></div>
The pileated woodpecker rat-a-tat-tatting on the dead tops of the paradise tree woke me. With coffee in mug and fuzzy socks and jacket I went to the porch with my binoculars to investigate. I could see the chips of the bark flying even before I could focus on the big bird. The sun was coming up behind the trees, making the tree limbs and the birds seem like a black and white photo. Silhouetted against the morning sky I watched a mated pair of the huge woodpeckers work the tree.As the sun got higher and the crows and smaller birds became active the pair worked their way down the field line and headed for more cover in the deeper parts of the woods by the creek. Smaller woodpeckers appeared and worked the same area the Pileateds' had been, apparently enjoying the smaller bugs left exposed. Bob and I love to hear the monkey jungle sounds these birds make as they call to each other. We seem to have several mated pairs and are lucky to see them on a regular basis. Most people never get the chance to see them but they might have heard them and not known what was making the loud rapping , jack-hammer sounds on the dead limbs and the jungle noises. Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-80212531829893341882012-04-22T17:09:00.003-04:002012-04-22T17:29:26.650-04:00After the visit...rainEven Quarrie is sad..The family is all gone, back to New England and routine has set back in here...well, partly. The rain is dismal and cold...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr01ubx44Jc/T5R0ybiBmjI/AAAAAAAACLg/wedgcIqIp4c/s1600/April%2B21st%2B016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336635282233906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gr01ubx44Jc/T5R0ybiBmjI/AAAAAAAACLg/wedgcIqIp4c/s320/April%2B21st%2B016.JPG" /></a> But we had sunny days to ride, and ride we did! Adam put over 110 miles on his machine this trip!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HC2sedTVErc/T5R0x89KALI/AAAAAAAACLY/d0tQQrg1NHE/s1600/April%2B21st%2B001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336627074531506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HC2sedTVErc/T5R0x89KALI/AAAAAAAACLY/d0tQQrg1NHE/s320/April%2B21st%2B001.JPG" /></a><br />Papa, Adam and Dad John.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSiuMhruNx0/T5R0xbufyPI/AAAAAAAACLI/nw76aPV13Gs/s1600/April%2B21st%2B002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336618154674418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSiuMhruNx0/T5R0xbufyPI/AAAAAAAACLI/nw76aPV13Gs/s320/April%2B21st%2B002.JPG" /></a><br />Heres the back of Mom Keri, Adam in orange, Dad John in the green cap, Papa Clayton and Grandma Janet in the background...three generations of Bemis's.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn_3AhIB4tg/T5R0xOYSgSI/AAAAAAAACLA/ulLizCWvqu0/s1600/April%2B21st%2B003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336614571868450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn_3AhIB4tg/T5R0xOYSgSI/AAAAAAAACLA/ulLizCWvqu0/s320/April%2B21st%2B003.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Heres Clay coming down the hill to "ice bottom".</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kGqkHhKhh2c/T5R0dP60y7I/AAAAAAAACKw/-Kf38wDyzd4/s1600/April%2B21st%2B004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336271387773874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kGqkHhKhh2c/T5R0dP60y7I/AAAAAAAACKw/-Kf38wDyzd4/s320/April%2B21st%2B004.JPG" /></a><br />Heres Adam all smiles !</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DnQmihUmcFE/T5R0c8Mns0I/AAAAAAAACKo/NouYJhahxTQ/s1600/April%2B21st%2B006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336266093704002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DnQmihUmcFE/T5R0c8Mns0I/AAAAAAAACKo/NouYJhahxTQ/s320/April%2B21st%2B006.JPG" /></a> Heres Grandma Janet in her 'Gator'.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DAXRDWTQ-E/T5R0cQvHcjI/AAAAAAAACKc/ZcxvnNe01iI/s1600/April%2B21st%2B007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336254427230770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DAXRDWTQ-E/T5R0cQvHcjI/AAAAAAAACKc/ZcxvnNe01iI/s320/April%2B21st%2B007.JPG" /></a> John and Adam were crawfish catchers!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--nt_Oiq_H8o/T5R0b1eDcOI/AAAAAAAACKM/niHDmnpfpP0/s1600/April%2B21st%2B008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336247107907810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--nt_Oiq_H8o/T5R0b1eDcOI/AAAAAAAACKM/niHDmnpfpP0/s320/April%2B21st%2B008.JPG" /></a> Crawfish hanging on to the stick...</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_g3uZvWgU0/T5R0buvLc5I/AAAAAAAACKE/v2GAT9h2XsY/s1600/April%2B21st%2B009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734336245300687762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_g3uZvWgU0/T5R0buvLc5I/AAAAAAAACKE/v2GAT9h2XsY/s320/April%2B21st%2B009.JPG" /></a><br />Janet's taking a picture of John holding the crawfish.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQUZWU1rA84/T5R0BF9QerI/AAAAAAAACJ4/CecMcEv0t04/s1600/April%2B21st%2B010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734335787677285042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQUZWU1rA84/T5R0BF9QerI/AAAAAAAACJ4/CecMcEv0t04/s320/April%2B21st%2B010.JPG" /></a> Adam is posing in a tree over the creek on the trail ...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgTQWeoc_Pc/T5R0At6k0dI/AAAAAAAACJs/vIRo0DGZOPM/s1600/April%2B21st%2B011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734335781223584210" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgTQWeoc_Pc/T5R0At6k0dI/AAAAAAAACJs/vIRo0DGZOPM/s320/April%2B21st%2B011.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Adam is riding Papa's lawn mower...he loves to mow, and even has his own mowing business! Not bad for 11 years old!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEwKRJbB_OA/T5R0ANIItNI/AAAAAAAACJg/_4JPDnH6bzE/s1600/April%2B21st%2B013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734335772422091986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEwKRJbB_OA/T5R0ANIItNI/AAAAAAAACJg/_4JPDnH6bzE/s320/April%2B21st%2B013.JPG" /></a><br />He mowed all our property and Papa's field on Bob's John Deere! Thanks Adam!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wufnad5UjvI/T5Rz_zG_Z2I/AAAAAAAACJQ/gjWkRXhI_vg/s1600/April%2B21st%2B014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734335765437966178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wufnad5UjvI/T5Rz_zG_Z2I/AAAAAAAACJQ/gjWkRXhI_vg/s320/April%2B21st%2B014.JPG" /></a><br />Penny loves to sit on Adam and be petted, but break out the camera, and her Amish nature shows up!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8SU4g-9DUo/T5Rz_uTmXyI/AAAAAAAACJI/CvvNhvaf42s/s1600/April%2B21st%2B015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5734335764148674338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8SU4g-9DUo/T5Rz_uTmXyI/AAAAAAAACJI/CvvNhvaf42s/s320/April%2B21st%2B015.JPG" /></a><br />We had a great visit and thankfully I was able to ride since the shots I had in my hip. I did get in one ride to West VaCo, but the gang did several trips...</div><br /><div>Can't believe another year til we ride again...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-10521627834060411592012-03-17T14:56:00.004-04:002012-03-17T15:24:33.893-04:00The wearing of the "green"Happy St. Patricks Day!!! Belle is all smiles.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCKqeMbVSeQ/T2TghNEgA4I/AAAAAAAACI8/RX993xtRQv0/s1600/smile%2BBelle.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720944287716213634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCKqeMbVSeQ/T2TghNEgA4I/AAAAAAAACI8/RX993xtRQv0/s320/smile%2BBelle.JPG" /></a> The earth is wearing green...and pink and purple and yellow...Can you see why we are called the Blue Ridge Mountains?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBU4s4t_piY/T2Tgg4Pnm0I/AAAAAAAACIw/NSSB6ECV1XQ/s1600/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720944282125704002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBU4s4t_piY/T2Tgg4Pnm0I/AAAAAAAACIw/NSSB6ECV1XQ/s320/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B023.JPG" /></a><br />We visited the mini's today, so good to see them all fat and happy!This is their new home and some of their new friends.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtMT4llRYvI/T2TgNIfDV2I/AAAAAAAACIg/Z91T0Wmc5CU/s1600/Red%2Band%2BI.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943942888019810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DtMT4llRYvI/T2TgNIfDV2I/AAAAAAAACIg/Z91T0Wmc5CU/s320/Red%2Band%2BI.JPG" /></a> Endeavor, aka 'Norman', is here with Skye,aka 'Lucy'. The background shows the big barn and the Lorton's pretty home.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ_oMYemTOQ/T2TgMi054MI/AAAAAAAACIU/l-QBYR2UBH4/s1600/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943932779126978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ_oMYemTOQ/T2TgMi054MI/AAAAAAAACIU/l-QBYR2UBH4/s320/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B041.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMsk2e-HWKQ/T2TgMT9nPUI/AAAAAAAACII/vxzzlD5QZc8/s1600/little%2BSkye.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943928789122370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMsk2e-HWKQ/T2TgMT9nPUI/AAAAAAAACII/vxzzlD5QZc8/s320/little%2BSkye.JPG" /></a> Apple cookies make your tongue flop out of your mouth...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heX8QcchvTo/T2TgMGht_LI/AAAAAAAACH8/YtmNGBhFVCI/s1600/little%2Bred.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943925182463154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heX8QcchvTo/T2TgMGht_LI/AAAAAAAACH8/YtmNGBhFVCI/s320/little%2Bred.JPG" /></a> I am remembered ! (ok, maybe its the cookies.)<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlUXUOi0w58/T2TgLXNcYiI/AAAAAAAACH0/6YX7LYyXhSk/s1600/feeding%2BSkye.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943912480956962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlUXUOi0w58/T2TgLXNcYiI/AAAAAAAACH0/6YX7LYyXhSk/s320/feeding%2BSkye.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Wgu7gYHZE/T2TftIH_p_I/AAAAAAAACHk/AQ_tdJPNotw/s1600/lortons.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943393035495410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Wgu7gYHZE/T2TftIH_p_I/AAAAAAAACHk/AQ_tdJPNotw/s320/lortons.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We drove the back way home and stopped on Ramsey Memorial Rd. in Penhook to take this pastoral shot of a pony lying down. I covet these fences....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1PRO659l1RA/T2Tfs1xGTpI/AAAAAAAACHc/zIZwvhTrtHY/s1600/Ramsey%2BRd.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943388107624082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1PRO659l1RA/T2Tfs1xGTpI/AAAAAAAACHc/zIZwvhTrtHY/s320/Ramsey%2BRd.JPG" /></a> On this same road, we stopped to watch the new lambs. The one alone on the right was crying pitifully, so Bob cryed back and it started heading for our truck! Then Mom emerged from the rusted back side of the farm implement...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uU48L2XqYUU/T2TfspeUhyI/AAAAAAAACHM/U_ibw6FIRGk/s1600/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943384807638818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uU48L2XqYUU/T2TfspeUhyI/AAAAAAAACHM/U_ibw6FIRGk/s320/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B052.JPG" /></a><br />The road sides are so pretty in their purple fringe. Red bud trees are one of my favorites.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kefp2zzqs4c/T2TfsdMQbDI/AAAAAAAACHE/D7JPqgIr-4k/s1600/Red%2BBuds%2B3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943381510646834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kefp2zzqs4c/T2TfsdMQbDI/AAAAAAAACHE/D7JPqgIr-4k/s320/Red%2BBuds%2B3.JPG" /></a> Forsythia is another favorite of mine, especially when it is allowed to grow naturally.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqqY9DdfyaI/T2TfsFOt6ZI/AAAAAAAACG4/YYl-DGi-KUA/s1600/forsythia.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720943375078517138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqqY9DdfyaI/T2TfsFOt6ZI/AAAAAAAACG4/YYl-DGi-KUA/s320/forsythia.JPG" /></a><br />With this nice weather, we spend more time on the porch, as you can see we play cribbage outside in good weather, and the girls are having some cheese. They miss their "uncle Cookie".</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHntIbBut4o/T2TfCMWKdQI/AAAAAAAACGk/7GFR4Q2kUoo/s1600/dogs%2Bcookies.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720942655434290434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHntIbBut4o/T2TfCMWKdQI/AAAAAAAACGk/7GFR4Q2kUoo/s320/dogs%2Bcookies.JPG" /></a><br />Mac is awaiting anything in the food family during a break from birdie hunting under the weeping cherry.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROAISKxJPQc/T2TfCIpqFWI/AAAAAAAACGc/hi4R8u0OkO0/s1600/Mac%2Band%2Bshoe.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720942654442313058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROAISKxJPQc/T2TfCIpqFWI/AAAAAAAACGc/hi4R8u0OkO0/s320/Mac%2Band%2Bshoe.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dl5doxPoxRE/T2TfBgwMKfI/AAAAAAAACGU/foUpLGKkdL0/s1600/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720942643732294130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dl5doxPoxRE/T2TfBgwMKfI/AAAAAAAACGU/foUpLGKkdL0/s320/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B015.JPG" /></a><br />Can you spot the bees? Click on the picture to enlarge it...</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoGH0WbMP8o/T2TfBH6aaFI/AAAAAAAACGI/gBT6PC1mIyQ/s1600/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720942637064284242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoGH0WbMP8o/T2TfBH6aaFI/AAAAAAAACGI/gBT6PC1mIyQ/s320/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXY28yFV3O8/T2TfA8RqmwI/AAAAAAAACF8/0q_pFfbuEeE/s1600/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720942633940589314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXY28yFV3O8/T2TfA8RqmwI/AAAAAAAACF8/0q_pFfbuEeE/s320/weeping%2Bcherry%2BSt.Pats%2Bday%2B004.JPG" /></a><br />Springtime in the Blue Ridge is very colorful and sweet smelling, except for the beautiful Bradford Pear trees that look like big white gumdrops. Who knew they would smell like dead fish!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-24178334457994201322012-02-20T08:39:00.003-05:002012-02-20T08:49:39.883-05:00Snow or no snow, the dogs runI don't think this needs alot of words..The Blue Ridge area of Virginia in snow, and particularly,<br />Little Jacks Creek in the snow...that says it all...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HtZRLBdlkg/T0JOQwKiWnI/AAAAAAAACFw/LMlBoLcMA00/s1600/DCP_7019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711213327173180018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8HtZRLBdlkg/T0JOQwKiWnI/AAAAAAAACFw/LMlBoLcMA00/s320/DCP_7019.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVrfhO102K8/T0JOQHWSoYI/AAAAAAAACFo/Yf1hmY-f1zg/s1600/DCP_7018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711213316216627586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FVrfhO102K8/T0JOQHWSoYI/AAAAAAAACFo/Yf1hmY-f1zg/s320/DCP_7018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4HZd4s2Jog/T0JOOkDt-0I/AAAAAAAACFY/l6oiI9ZbFo4/s1600/DCP_7017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711213289563618114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4HZd4s2Jog/T0JOOkDt-0I/AAAAAAAACFY/l6oiI9ZbFo4/s320/DCP_7017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui-fpkJ0Qpg/T0JOLAmXt3I/AAAAAAAACFQ/WDEYZgkcFEM/s1600/DCP_7016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711213228505675634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui-fpkJ0Qpg/T0JOLAmXt3I/AAAAAAAACFQ/WDEYZgkcFEM/s320/DCP_7016.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWzFF0gl2ww/T0JOKnO7VxI/AAAAAAAACFA/lmFzUxNkPCw/s1600/DCP_7015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711213221696460562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWzFF0gl2ww/T0JOKnO7VxI/AAAAAAAACFA/lmFzUxNkPCw/s320/DCP_7015.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MkGf9nkA2w/T0JN0ZSlbiI/AAAAAAAACEw/UxdE4LELmVg/s1600/DCP_7014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711212839996583458" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MkGf9nkA2w/T0JN0ZSlbiI/AAAAAAAACEw/UxdE4LELmVg/s320/DCP_7014.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVFbj_t8sjg/T0JNzkHbikI/AAAAAAAACEo/3B4yE-ZtT6E/s1600/DCP_7013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711212825722718786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVFbj_t8sjg/T0JNzkHbikI/AAAAAAAACEo/3B4yE-ZtT6E/s320/DCP_7013.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PEnXFHH39cs/T0JNzISCXsI/AAAAAAAACEY/P2GVQMtNCjo/s1600/DCP_7012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711212818251013826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PEnXFHH39cs/T0JNzISCXsI/AAAAAAAACEY/P2GVQMtNCjo/s320/DCP_7012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Can you see Belle??<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZA23KpGRkw/T0JNyc838BI/AAAAAAAACEQ/DdZqxxnC1mw/s1600/DCP_7011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711212806619525138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZA23KpGRkw/T0JNyc838BI/AAAAAAAACEQ/DdZqxxnC1mw/s320/DCP_7011.JPG" /></a> Harry lauder is packing on charm.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DjcIQHVTvg/T0JNyBOB_7I/AAAAAAAACEA/sB5xmcXOFDo/s1600/DCP_7009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711212799175294898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DjcIQHVTvg/T0JNyBOB_7I/AAAAAAAACEA/sB5xmcXOFDo/s320/DCP_7009.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />These were taken during the snow fall yesterday..today is sunny and incredibly beautiful...the dog run today will be a photo shoot to beat all!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-74230399292703222682012-02-20T08:17:00.005-05:002012-02-20T08:28:48.029-05:00snowman arrived!February 20th, at 8 am . We were wakened earlier with the sound of raucous birds...our feeders were full of black birds. Grackles I beleive. Boat tailed Grackles. I got up to make some coffee and proceeded to shoot pictures of the surrounding trees filled with black birds .<br />The snowman cometh in good fashion. Actually he gained a couple of pounds overnight. My snowman picture made it to channel 27 news at 10 last night and again on the channel 10 11 o'clock news cast...<br />the rest of these are self explanitory...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwGYYUIahE0/T0JIup7SPKI/AAAAAAAACD0/BklmiKh9qBE/s1600/DCP_7051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711207243824905378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwGYYUIahE0/T0JIup7SPKI/AAAAAAAACD0/BklmiKh9qBE/s320/DCP_7051.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zJ_9BN11C4/T0JItqGR2VI/AAAAAAAACDs/hr6-RJPWYWI/s1600/DCP_7053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711207226691148114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zJ_9BN11C4/T0JItqGR2VI/AAAAAAAACDs/hr6-RJPWYWI/s320/DCP_7053.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PlTNx2e5tM/T0JIsypmNDI/AAAAAAAACDc/AQ6ZUFDBcb8/s1600/DCP_7052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711207211806897202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PlTNx2e5tM/T0JIsypmNDI/AAAAAAAACDc/AQ6ZUFDBcb8/s320/DCP_7052.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHXq1zq7Qhg/T0JIsS0eUKI/AAAAAAAACDQ/p_WhDaMDnyo/s1600/DCP_7049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711207203262582946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHXq1zq7Qhg/T0JIsS0eUKI/AAAAAAAACDQ/p_WhDaMDnyo/s320/DCP_7049.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1lB_AfvbQOM/T0JIsC2nutI/AAAAAAAACDE/v4Nu580gKWc/s1600/DCP_7048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711207198976621266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1lB_AfvbQOM/T0JIsC2nutI/AAAAAAAACDE/v4Nu580gKWc/s320/DCP_7048.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfDUu3gsPJM/T0JISqx0VEI/AAAAAAAACC0/IVfMYX1wwrk/s1600/DCP_7047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711206763017294914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfDUu3gsPJM/T0JISqx0VEI/AAAAAAAACC0/IVfMYX1wwrk/s320/DCP_7047.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1E74sSWe70/T0JISYd059I/AAAAAAAACCk/9TsXcGBrZ_Q/s1600/DCP_7043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711206758101608402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1E74sSWe70/T0JISYd059I/AAAAAAAACCk/9TsXcGBrZ_Q/s320/DCP_7043.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1bKkm4ow0Q/T0JIRtPIghI/AAAAAAAACCc/_K96aIpok4k/s1600/DCP_7044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711206746497253906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1bKkm4ow0Q/T0JIRtPIghI/AAAAAAAACCc/_K96aIpok4k/s320/DCP_7044.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9z9wUsT5tjU/T0JIRQxYyXI/AAAAAAAACCM/xmnXZvLk64w/s1600/DCP_7045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711206738856298866" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9z9wUsT5tjU/T0JIRQxYyXI/AAAAAAAACCM/xmnXZvLk64w/s320/DCP_7045.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8SZShisR2Xs/T0JIRCohwXI/AAAAAAAACCE/doDbKel7PRc/s1600/DCP_7046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711206735061041522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8SZShisR2Xs/T0JIRCohwXI/AAAAAAAACCE/doDbKel7PRc/s320/DCP_7046.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Another blog with creek pictures from yesterday will come next...</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Winter in Appalachia..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-71503733656377360722012-02-18T20:34:00.004-05:002012-02-18T20:50:01.123-05:00snowman comethMac's in his favorite spot...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdhnwPDB1E0/T0BTB9dGMhI/AAAAAAAACB4/LmG25H4ituE/s1600/DCP_6975.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710655620647367186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdhnwPDB1E0/T0BTB9dGMhI/AAAAAAAACB4/LmG25H4ituE/s320/DCP_6975.JPG" /></a> Quarrie is staring at me typing...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myxdGI4v1bs/T0BSkVHIIUI/AAAAAAAACBs/iEgSOP7G7nc/s1600/DCP_6953.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710655111601594690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myxdGI4v1bs/T0BSkVHIIUI/AAAAAAAACBs/iEgSOP7G7nc/s320/DCP_6953.JPG" /></a><br />Neither seems very concerned about getting the snow they say we will. There is no reason for my cats to be concerned, they always have lots of food, plenty of water and warm humans to sit upon. Even the dogs don't upset them. They know whos boss.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sC3Ow1n30Y/T0BSkd-MNtI/AAAAAAAACBc/2DbyW7Edndc/s1600/DCP_6951.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710655113980032722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sC3Ow1n30Y/T0BSkd-MNtI/AAAAAAAACBc/2DbyW7Edndc/s320/DCP_6951.JPG" /></a> We are prepared in case of snow, and with this warm soil, I don't think snow will last too long.</div><br /><div>I'm sure many people are looking forward to some snow. I'm not. The joy of snow left me along time ago, back when my parents worried about heating and food and shoveling and all the stuff that goes with snow. Cold doesn't feel good to me anymore. It hurts my bones. </div><br /><div>Still, I always enjoy the little snowman my husband makes for me. He usually sets it on the back porch railing..<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l7rvEt3WKY/T0BSizTqBuI/AAAAAAAACBU/6pCQ37h4mYQ/s1600/DCP_6950.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710655085347473122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l7rvEt3WKY/T0BSizTqBuI/AAAAAAAACBU/6pCQ37h4mYQ/s320/DCP_6950.JPG" /></a><br />In the winter of my life I'd really prefer summer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-2464480198255868412012-02-11T20:28:00.005-05:002012-02-11T20:53:02.638-05:00Winter weather~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Winter has arrived... for a few days. The wind is actually howling outside, the trees are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">creaking</span> and rubbing together making an ungodly noise. We are warm inside with the fireplace going to help the heat pump that seems to be in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hyper drive</span> trying to keep this place warm. The cats are draped about the furniture and the dogs are peacefully stretched out in their kennels with the doors still open. We'll close them when we retire.<br />Earlier today the dogs were 'sharing' the egg pan. Belle had control and Penny helplessly looked on until Belle tired and gave up the pan.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaxRoCscqXU/TzcW6aRZqTI/AAAAAAAACBI/1dQiYlZk2A4/s1600/DCP_6982.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708056245455923506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaxRoCscqXU/TzcW6aRZqTI/AAAAAAAACBI/1dQiYlZk2A4/s320/DCP_6982.JPG" /></a> The evenings have brought some great sunsets. This was another night, but is representative of most lately. Today brought sun and rain and sleet and snow squalls all while we were heading to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caines</span> 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> birthday party. I find it so amazing whenever I see him and he talks to me using his big raspy voice and his big words. He's very smart and a loving child...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbXayoJe3LI/TzcWkHbx8cI/AAAAAAAACA8/NxI6WjnYL5E/s1600/DCP_6978.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708055862442062274" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbXayoJe3LI/TzcWkHbx8cI/AAAAAAAACA8/NxI6WjnYL5E/s320/DCP_6978.JPG" /></a><br />Mac is sprawled in one of the recliners. He's huge, very fluffy, blue-eyed and often cross-eyed! My nephew Matt calls him the Buick..he's about the same size...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtcC17UgZ5o/TzcWji-M-jI/AAAAAAAACAw/7RYuo7mfN4k/s1600/DCP_6975.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708055852654328370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtcC17UgZ5o/TzcWji-M-jI/AAAAAAAACAw/7RYuo7mfN4k/s320/DCP_6975.JPG" /></a> I have no more mini horses, I gave the last 2 away to the same people who took the first 2, so they are all together again, and are doing really well. Horses are communal animals anyway, and I am glad they are with the people who have them. they're well cared for and enjoyed. Gotta say I do miss them being in the field though.</div><br /><br /><div>Changes..change is good, sometimes hard to do and tough to make the adjustments, but overall, a good thing.</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br />I'm watching a stink bug walk across the chair rail behind my computer..</div><br /><br /><div>some things never change.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MiIpsJTy5o/TzcWjV5434I/AAAAAAAACAk/Xb_mMksmWa4/s1600/DCP_6975.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-64046998496037267882012-01-01T12:46:00.006-05:002012-01-01T13:51:52.955-05:00Parking lot eggsIt is now 2012.<br />We are back from our Christmas in the Keys, and I am happy to come home and so are the dogs. Bob would rather be in the Keys <em>IF </em>the winds would stay down so he could fish! I love the Keys, love my wonderful friends and the fast paced life and get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">together's</span> that are almost daily. People in the Keys are living life to the fullest, and although I do love that, I have to say I missed my nest. Lonny is our good friend who graciously allowed us and the dogs to feel very comfortable and at home in his cozy Big Pine Key house that has an awesome view of the Key Deer refuge and a canal in the back yard.Thank you so much Lon.<br />The water and sky seem bluer( is that a word?) in the Keys...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qozIWj93jbc/TwCfICW9CkI/AAAAAAAACAY/uUPLMDICZIs/s1600/DCP_6847.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724889417222722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qozIWj93jbc/TwCfICW9CkI/AAAAAAAACAY/uUPLMDICZIs/s320/DCP_6847.JPG" /></a> Belle rode very well, but was awfully nosy, and although the wind would make her head-out-the-window time short, she was frequently testing the air for familiar scents.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaRSL3QraBw/TwCfHXx8ybI/AAAAAAAACAQ/MyVP-cS1msI/s1600/DCP_6849.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724877987727794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LaRSL3QraBw/TwCfHXx8ybI/AAAAAAAACAQ/MyVP-cS1msI/s320/DCP_6849.JPG" /></a><br />Penny sleeps very nicely in the truck. She is a great rider...just feed her and give her water and a walk occasionally, and shes a happy pup.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5kh3-BOP08/TwCfHOQP-dI/AAAAAAAACAA/kd_pkyv_u3Y/s1600/DCP_6850.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724875430459858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5kh3-BOP08/TwCfHOQP-dI/AAAAAAAACAA/kd_pkyv_u3Y/s320/DCP_6850.JPG" /></a> The scenery is so different that I have to keep looking...no books for me, I might miss something like this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bougainvillea</span> tree...so pretty !<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwjLvIDhQ1c/TwCeqckG9vI/AAAAAAAAB_w/f1m-6rDSNqM/s1600/DCP_6858.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724381055645426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwjLvIDhQ1c/TwCeqckG9vI/AAAAAAAAB_w/f1m-6rDSNqM/s320/DCP_6858.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Bahia</span> Honda State Park is so beautiful and picturesque, we always take the time to go there and this time it was only once. We were married at the beach there in 1998...wow, time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">flies</span>.</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ydr_CCK2sk/TwCep5wYWRI/AAAAAAAAB_g/0GBdpSYAgKQ/s1600/DCP_6827.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724371711875346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ydr_CCK2sk/TwCep5wYWRI/AAAAAAAAB_g/0GBdpSYAgKQ/s320/DCP_6827.JPG" /></a> The winds blew the whole time we were there, about 15-25 knots, enough to keep a small craft warning up and keep Bob from going out in the boat to fish. This hawk was on a speed limit sign, facing the 15 knot winds. Seemed appropriate to me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u1WuW9FJyTo/TwCepF51y-I/AAAAAAAAB_Y/nPPSiRbocnY/s1600/DCP_6826.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724357792910306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u1WuW9FJyTo/TwCepF51y-I/AAAAAAAAB_Y/nPPSiRbocnY/s320/DCP_6826.JPG" /></a> I did get to the pool almost every day for water aerobics with my friends, here's Diane our illustrious leader setting up the boom box to get started. The pool water was 87 degrees.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4mWp5wreJg/TwCeoOJC5iI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Cg5n42Dq1eY/s1600/DCP_6831.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724342824298018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4mWp5wreJg/TwCeoOJC5iI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Cg5n42Dq1eY/s320/DCP_6831.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XntYSyVYkRg/TwCenj0Np9I/AAAAAAAAB-8/pcVaSBM2M5A/s1600/DCP_6832.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692724331462633426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XntYSyVYkRg/TwCenj0Np9I/AAAAAAAAB-8/pcVaSBM2M5A/s320/DCP_6832.JPG" /></a> The beach was very busy,as is normal for what the locals call 'hell week' due to the traffic and over crowded hotels,restaurants and areas like this beach at Bahia Honda. Even with the jelly fish alert, people crowded the sand and beach houses.</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22w2m75JVxM/TwCdm87tu9I/AAAAAAAAB-w/bsiMiWt4arE/s1600/DCP_6813.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692723221513485266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22w2m75JVxM/TwCdm87tu9I/AAAAAAAAB-w/bsiMiWt4arE/s320/DCP_6813.JPG" /></a> Our friend Jim and his lady Carol are cooking up Christmas night snacks and dinner.Jim was our best man at our wedding and was Bob's partner in tile in the Keys early on. Still good friends .</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqtVcwAYWs8/TwCdmQKBJDI/AAAAAAAAB-k/ib_d341Kdbw/s1600/DCP_6810.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692723209493881906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqtVcwAYWs8/TwCdmQKBJDI/AAAAAAAAB-k/ib_d341Kdbw/s320/DCP_6810.JPG" /></a> We played our first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bacchi</span> games at friends Linda and Glenn <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cummins</span> on Big Pine. They have a get together every Thursday for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bacchi</span>, food and drinks. Here is Bob(R) and Jim middle and one of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bacchi</span> crew.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqZUbjBh0xI/TwCdlqFyNII/AAAAAAAAB-Y/70xstWl4LAM/s1600/DCP_6802.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692723199275578498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqZUbjBh0xI/TwCdlqFyNII/AAAAAAAAB-Y/70xstWl4LAM/s320/DCP_6802.JPG" /></a><br />Here's Glenn on his usual perch at his bar under their stilt house. Notice the sign in back of him? Full-fledged BAH...yes they are transplanted Yankees!</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DixRQkOBgwI/TwCdlZc5JnI/AAAAAAAAB-I/dlYCi-K0eZU/s1600/DCP_6801.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692723194809099890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DixRQkOBgwI/TwCdlZc5JnI/AAAAAAAAB-I/dlYCi-K0eZU/s320/DCP_6801.JPG" /></a> This is Lonny <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">alias</span> Santa Lon taken on the Conch Train tour of the Christmas lights in Key West.Us Northerners think Christmas would be dull and spiritless in the Keys, but the absolute opposite is the truth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3W6r8VJAbv4/TwCdlVWOhvI/AAAAAAAAB-A/kUbCjdc_lp0/s1600/DCP_6792.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692723193707398898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3W6r8VJAbv4/TwCdlVWOhvI/AAAAAAAAB-A/kUbCjdc_lp0/s320/DCP_6792.JPG" /></a> We arrived home on Friday afternoon, and started the opening of mail, and the usual stuff going along with any vacation return. We were hungry for dinner, but lacked the energy to do anything, so our neighbors Melissa and daughter Sam joined us for a quick dinner at Carl's, a local spot, and then we stopped at the little market for eggs, bread and milk..staples we were out of... Now on the way home at various stops, we found 3 cents and a dime and I found a silver fairy charm, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">smooshed</span> from a tire, but still cute. I took it all as lucky signs, after all we needed money and luck is always helpful when traveling.I figured the fairy would help us get what we need, and sure enough...at the local market after buying our bread, milk and a dozen eggs, we stopped in the parking lot to keep from hitting a grocery bag like the one we just got our groceries in. Bob stopped and picked it up and guess what it held. A dozen eggs! We weren't sure if they were whole or not, although the egg box seemed pretty good, and when we got home, I salvaged 10 of those large brown fresh eggs, and put them up for tomorrows breakfast. The fairy was working.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>At home on New Years Day after a great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">evening</span> at the neighbors playing games, polka for the guys, dominoes(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Mexican</span> train style) for others, I awoke to sunshine and 50+ degrees, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Guinea</span> fowl in the yard as well as bees working the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Camellia</span> tree! </div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7WQHi5wEnE/TwCc7VGpiPI/AAAAAAAAB90/Vha3XW885bc/s1600/DCP_6883.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692722472087554290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7WQHi5wEnE/TwCc7VGpiPI/AAAAAAAAB90/Vha3XW885bc/s320/DCP_6883.JPG" /></a><br />A <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dandelion</span> is blooming!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8bikK_N_xM/TwCc6nrWeGI/AAAAAAAAB9s/knIpsRsF9-c/s1600/DCP_6879.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692722459893463138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8bikK_N_xM/TwCc6nrWeGI/AAAAAAAAB9s/knIpsRsF9-c/s320/DCP_6879.JPG" /></a> Then I noticed that there are clumps of daffodils exploding from the ground everywhere!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Iz9hCszpHQ/TwCc6WUD36I/AAAAAAAAB9c/WX_BZ_VBLt0/s1600/DCP_6869.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692722455232372642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Iz9hCszpHQ/TwCc6WUD36I/AAAAAAAAB9c/WX_BZ_VBLt0/s320/DCP_6869.JPG" /></a> Are you sure it's the first of January???</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYKrGXE8Qhw/TwCc565H4pI/AAAAAAAAB9U/d8OG4nMD2MI/s1600/DCP_6866.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692722447871632018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYKrGXE8Qhw/TwCc565H4pI/AAAAAAAAB9U/d8OG4nMD2MI/s320/DCP_6866.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcuFij01_CU/TwCc5lwdq-I/AAAAAAAAB9E/PwgaflER_g0/s1600/DCP_6877.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692722442198166498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcuFij01_CU/TwCc5lwdq-I/AAAAAAAAB9E/PwgaflER_g0/s320/DCP_6877.JPG" /></a> This bottle tree of mine is going to grow in 2012.</div><br /><br /><div>It's going to be a great New Year. I am an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">optimist</span>. I haven't made New Years resolutions, I have decided on actions for 2012. I plan to exercise more and eat healthy which should result in weight loss, that will ease the pain I have in my back, hips, and knees.</div><br /><br /><div>I will hug more people and tell them how much I love them.(is that possible? I am a hugger)</div><br /><br /><div>I will reward myself with simple pleasures, and love my wonderful husband more.</div><br /><br /><div>I will make more time for my grandson, and the kids and my family and friends. I will be gentler with my little guy at school, and be positive in all my actions with the kids, letting them know how great they are.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>In 2012 I wish for all my family, co-workers and friends.....</div><br /><br /><div>Parking Lot Eggs!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-86809767916811249102011-11-26T10:44:00.003-05:002011-11-26T11:16:41.172-05:00Giving ThanksThe day begins with breakfast, and then running the dogs. Belle blends beautifully with the leaves, and the creek is running with all the rain we have had.But today is sunny and the mercury is creeping up to the mid 60's. Perfect.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RZRYDnooF4/TtEKzr2pqJI/AAAAAAAAB8o/pgcXHd3sUfA/s1600/DCP_6756.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679332488152459410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RZRYDnooF4/TtEKzr2pqJI/AAAAAAAAB8o/pgcXHd3sUfA/s320/DCP_6756.JPG" /></a> Hard to believe that I still have flowers on Thanksgiving day. This is a winter blooming Camellia<br /><br /><div>and it is loaded with honey bees.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsB_Hcupc-Q/TtEKy-hRLJI/AAAAAAAAB8g/UtRvLz5fMlY/s1600/DCP_6762.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679332475983178898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsB_Hcupc-Q/TtEKy-hRLJI/AAAAAAAAB8g/UtRvLz5fMlY/s320/DCP_6762.JPG" /></a><br />The roses have such pretty new growth..to trim or not to trim...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCucBRAk-ws/TtEKyuvdCZI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/pDX6lYS3vv8/s1600/DCP_6761.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679332471747709330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCucBRAk-ws/TtEKyuvdCZI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/pDX6lYS3vv8/s320/DCP_6761.JPG" /></a> We headed to the Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, to our friends Ruth and Bob Eaken. They were instrumental in our coming here in the first place, as they are also Keys residents. They have a lovely place right on the water, and the day was picture perfect and so was the food. We were joined by Candy and Tony LaPerna, some other lake friends and long time friends of the Eakens.</div><br /><div>Candy broke her foot, and has been hobbling about on cast and crutches, so Ruth opted to host although technically it was Candy's year.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOwcBn0XMCg/TtEKyLk3ZjI/AAAAAAAAB8E/-Ud9zaPEtYA/s1600/DCP_6753.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679332462308058674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOwcBn0XMCg/TtEKyLk3ZjI/AAAAAAAAB8E/-Ud9zaPEtYA/s320/DCP_6753.JPG" /></a><br />Some Lake 'effects' from the back porch of the Eaken's.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJjK4_il9Lk/TtEKx0_MTBI/AAAAAAAAB74/-7u8nVg9v84/s1600/DCP_6752.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679332456244464658" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJjK4_il9Lk/TtEKx0_MTBI/AAAAAAAAB74/-7u8nVg9v84/s320/DCP_6752.JPG" /></a> The loons made their appearance and a few fish leaped out and gave the fisherman the raspberry.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QL9vEtwJbo/TtEKSq8rQxI/AAAAAAAAB7w/NFzlbtXoIoA/s1600/DCP_6751.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331920973611794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QL9vEtwJbo/TtEKSq8rQxI/AAAAAAAAB7w/NFzlbtXoIoA/s320/DCP_6751.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2t0PcRyA9U/TtEKSEAmDUI/AAAAAAAAB7k/8D0J2mKgXhs/s1600/DCP_6750.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331910521064770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2t0PcRyA9U/TtEKSEAmDUI/AAAAAAAAB7k/8D0J2mKgXhs/s320/DCP_6750.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIEw4_XEu-A/TtEKRpKoUrI/AAAAAAAAB7U/cqRAngHwG04/s1600/DCP_6749.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331903315399346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIEw4_XEu-A/TtEKRpKoUrI/AAAAAAAAB7U/cqRAngHwG04/s320/DCP_6749.JPG" /></a><br />You can tell the shadows are long, and the winter sun is low and thick.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JGZI4pdyBU/TtEKRCV_H7I/AAAAAAAAB7I/mLCmRk-7De0/s1600/DCP_6748.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331892894048178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JGZI4pdyBU/TtEKRCV_H7I/AAAAAAAAB7I/mLCmRk-7De0/s320/DCP_6748.JPG" /></a> The little titmice are quite tame and weren't put off by my presence.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4FBPk17iAw/TtEKQxsOu0I/AAAAAAAAB68/znrszK__0CY/s1600/DCP_6747.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331888423942978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4FBPk17iAw/TtEKQxsOu0I/AAAAAAAAB68/znrszK__0CY/s320/DCP_6747.JPG" /></a> The living room has this awesome view framed by a bank of windows from peak to floor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96jfvZLChA0/TtEJ_11MnVI/AAAAAAAAB6s/1KSGyg2OGog/s1600/DCP_6746.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331597477518674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96jfvZLChA0/TtEJ_11MnVI/AAAAAAAAB6s/1KSGyg2OGog/s320/DCP_6746.JPG" /></a> The weeping willow holds its golden leaves.<br /><br /><br />Last minute warming, wine and early Christmas gifts..Candy rests her wounded paw.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5PxPTJ5yRVo/TtEJ-x9qpzI/AAAAAAAAB6g/bssPybBIhF4/s1600/DCP_6745.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331579259430706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5PxPTJ5yRVo/TtEJ-x9qpzI/AAAAAAAAB6g/bssPybBIhF4/s320/DCP_6745.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Annie, the Eaken's yellow Lab, loved the attention and the company and showed off her toy. Shes very well mannered and a real social girl.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6v86L84z0k/TtEJ-n0TmvI/AAAAAAAAB6U/c9tJ9arcEck/s1600/DCP_6744.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331576535816946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6v86L84z0k/TtEJ-n0TmvI/AAAAAAAAB6U/c9tJ9arcEck/s320/DCP_6744.JPG" /></a> Cheers!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boBrWNcyKdc/TtEJ9rcyGUI/AAAAAAAAB6I/6qLdn92VTS8/s1600/DCP_6743.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679331560331024706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-boBrWNcyKdc/TtEJ9rcyGUI/AAAAAAAAB6I/6qLdn92VTS8/s320/DCP_6743.JPG" /></a><br />Thank you Ruth and Bob, and Candy and Tony for a lovely Thanksgiving !<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-fAlHpoHfo/TtEJ9toAOoI/AAAAAAAAB58/rZXKLslMspM/s1600/DCP_6743.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-12762160701409877342011-11-18T14:42:00.003-05:002011-11-18T15:04:54.116-05:00Time is flying by,actually.The frost has come. Mornings are cold and windshields need scraping.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-He6064hDk-0/Tsa2kETJEsI/AAAAAAAAB5w/5Gfdl0wgGA8/s1600/DCP_6668.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676425111092662978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-He6064hDk-0/Tsa2kETJEsI/AAAAAAAAB5w/5Gfdl0wgGA8/s320/DCP_6668.JPG" /></a> The last of my roses have bloomed and been cut.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8BDkPaDu38/Tsa2jomDixI/AAAAAAAAB5o/41f9jlFx29g/s1600/DCP_6693.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676425103655799570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8BDkPaDu38/Tsa2jomDixI/AAAAAAAAB5o/41f9jlFx29g/s320/DCP_6693.JPG" /></a><br />The last of the tomatoes are picked and the vines pulled for mulch. Miss them already.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxxsBn00wgY/Tsa2i4Jvv7I/AAAAAAAAB5c/OatsWzIFqeY/s1600/DCP_6695.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676425090652159922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxxsBn00wgY/Tsa2i4Jvv7I/AAAAAAAAB5c/OatsWzIFqeY/s320/DCP_6695.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Caines visit last weekend was fun and tiring. He is easily amused at 3 1/2, and he still loves his wonder horse 'Tex'.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feC0KPdPlt4/Tsa2iSCdjwI/AAAAAAAAB5M/YxDxEC8389E/s1600/DCP_6701.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676425080421060354" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feC0KPdPlt4/Tsa2iSCdjwI/AAAAAAAAB5M/YxDxEC8389E/s320/DCP_6701.JPG" /></a> Bath time with nice fragrant bubbles and lots of cups and things to pour and repour. He was in bed at about 7:30 and asleep by 8 pm. Worn out from all the fresh air, belly full, warm bath and a sippy cup of milk. Life is good.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkJtn6XGnFM/Tsa2iN-kuSI/AAAAAAAAB5A/PfpuZnT9kCA/s1600/DCP_6704.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676425079331010850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkJtn6XGnFM/Tsa2iN-kuSI/AAAAAAAAB5A/PfpuZnT9kCA/s320/DCP_6704.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Granpa helps get him dressed in the morning..<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRcN4OUe5Tk/Tsa14hZqn3I/AAAAAAAAB40/gfndPIS1ZHc/s1600/DCP_6710.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676424362990411634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRcN4OUe5Tk/Tsa14hZqn3I/AAAAAAAAB40/gfndPIS1ZHc/s320/DCP_6710.JPG" /></a><br />Riding with Grandma..one of his favorite things to do..<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChBrS_T7Wn0/Tsa14GrnxvI/AAAAAAAAB4o/VcxHdLqIJ28/s1600/DCP_6711.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676424355817965298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChBrS_T7Wn0/Tsa14GrnxvI/AAAAAAAAB4o/VcxHdLqIJ28/s320/DCP_6711.JPG" /></a><br />Caine and Pop-pop watching the dogs swim in the little pond...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozB0eAnW3bQ/Tsa135K7rbI/AAAAAAAAB4c/fV0wd76Bq48/s1600/DCP_6719.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676424352191196594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ozB0eAnW3bQ/Tsa135K7rbI/AAAAAAAAB4c/fV0wd76Bq48/s320/DCP_6719.JPG" /></a><br />Helping to get hay down for the horses...could take a long time doing it this way..</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iad_umtWFVQ/Tsa13FRfZ3I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/4YMLIflvF1U/s1600/DCP_6733.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676424338260060018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iad_umtWFVQ/Tsa13FRfZ3I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/4YMLIflvF1U/s320/DCP_6733.JPG" /></a> Ok, this works much better..pretty heavy for a little guy, but his heart is in it!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaBWVb_h_Kg/Tsa1265Wk0I/AAAAAAAAB4E/VE4CSK4-WIw/s1600/DCP_6735.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676424335474463554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaBWVb_h_Kg/Tsa1265Wk0I/AAAAAAAAB4E/VE4CSK4-WIw/s320/DCP_6735.JPG" /></a><br />A busy weekend, and it sure sped by...</div><br /><div>He is growing so fast, and talks so plainly now. Actually is one of his new words he seems to use alot. He picks me flowers and tells me stories and loves his books. Love the little guy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-36496428282635159722011-11-06T21:27:00.003-05:002011-11-06T21:56:00.527-05:00No Mow<div>Today Bob mowed for about 5 hours to get the grass laid down for winter. We hope... Not for winter, but for the end of mowing, which <em>is </em>endless!<br />Caine will be coming to visit this weekend, and although he does love the tractor, he isn't much help with mowing. Its too hard to hold him and mow. He will pick up sticks with Pop-Pop and make more rabbitat..(habitat for the rabbits)<br />He really loves his tv shows, and thats always a good thing for Grandma, because I'm pooped after a week in Kindergarten, and now with Kris in a wheel chair, things are 3 times harder, and I'm getting older daily!<br /><br /></div><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672075932212953538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--gjEo50Sims/TrdDAiaYgcI/AAAAAAAAB3s/3A1ExM_3Fyc/s320/DCP_6568.JPG" /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKrK-BIRAhE/TrdDAmFIXjI/AAAAAAAAB3g/vs_Nv6MIUFM/s1600/DCP_6551.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672075933197557298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKrK-BIRAhE/TrdDAmFIXjI/AAAAAAAAB3g/vs_Nv6MIUFM/s320/DCP_6551.JPG" /></a> What we need is Adam, our<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 387px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672080095615199810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud64-dJy35Q/TrdGy4S1KkI/AAAAAAAAB34/tbR6YFTbKjs/s320/NH%2Btrip%2B7-11%2B076.JPG" /> great-nephew. He loves to mow and he's old enough now to do it by himself! Actually he has his own business up in Massachusetts, called,"Adam's Lawn Enforcement...In pursuit of keeping your Lawn in Line."<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>His Great -Grandfather would have been particularly proud of him...I know I am.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>But that will have to wait til spring when Adam gets to come visit Auntie and Uncle, and run the 4-wheelers and the tractor. I think Bob will save a few weeks mowing for him when he comes.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Right now I know Bobs' hoping to ,</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Mow no mow!!!<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-56611070280691738932011-10-29T21:11:00.004-04:002011-10-29T21:46:20.434-04:00An ice storm comethToday is October 29th. We awoke today to rain and cold, but by the time breakfast was over we found it had started to clear. We loaded up into Sandy and Drupeys van, and headed for a ride on the Parkway. We traveled our usual route through Ferrum, and over Shooting Creek road and hit the Parkway. In the distance I saw what I thought was snow on the far mountain peaks. As we travelled south...yes south, and climbed up to Rocky Knob, we found ourselves in an icy wonderland !<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppw2N-uYHrY/TqylDQW7zpI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/uciyIfmPE2I/s1600/DCP_6667.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087506301963922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppw2N-uYHrY/TqylDQW7zpI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/uciyIfmPE2I/s320/DCP_6667.JPG" /></a> The sky was brilliant, and it was melting fast with chunks of ice coming down in sporadic spots as we travelled along thinking that the windshield might crack!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gY_0u1FK4Lg/TqylDBiPGfI/AAAAAAAAB3I/DGRHlBigeAg/s1600/DCP_6664.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087502322833906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gY_0u1FK4Lg/TqylDBiPGfI/AAAAAAAAB3I/DGRHlBigeAg/s320/DCP_6664.JPG" /></a> Some spots would cloud over and dark freaky clouds would roll over us and then there would come splashes of sun. Very wierd !<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMBdmsWi_us/TqylCwYpzYI/AAAAAAAAB28/NoR0Sw47spU/s1600/DCP_6659.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087497719238018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMBdmsWi_us/TqylCwYpzYI/AAAAAAAAB28/NoR0Sw47spU/s320/DCP_6659.JPG" /></a> The distant mountains were frosted looking, with fields of green in the foreground, then areas of browned grass followed by spurts of color on the trees.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3k-0xEBC4IA/TqykwzMWMKI/AAAAAAAAB20/odandWpjmhc/s1600/DCP_6660.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087189235282082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3k-0xEBC4IA/TqykwzMWMKI/AAAAAAAAB20/odandWpjmhc/s320/DCP_6660.JPG" /></a><br />What an odd sight... this went on for miles.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DS-AHlp36nk/Tqykw-_80LI/AAAAAAAAB2k/_8DpKidNnBk/s1600/DCP_6658.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087192404512946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DS-AHlp36nk/Tqykw-_80LI/AAAAAAAAB2k/_8DpKidNnBk/s320/DCP_6658.JPG" /></a><br />At one point we stopped and used the wayside facilities, and it was blowing and cold. Bob posed in this ice pile that was like huge ice rigatoni pasta. It was loud and we didn't stay out near the trees long for fear of getting impaled!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKMqdOlgsOw/Tqykv8Y7ewI/AAAAAAAAB2c/vfLbJScx0NE/s1600/DCP_6653.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087174524107522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKMqdOlgsOw/Tqykv8Y7ewI/AAAAAAAAB2c/vfLbJScx0NE/s320/DCP_6653.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Sandy was back in the van waving...smart lady.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_e_NJSwmtg/TqykvgXS3qI/AAAAAAAAB2M/UfzE9ZGWBac/s1600/DCP_6654.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087167001058978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_e_NJSwmtg/TqykvgXS3qI/AAAAAAAAB2M/UfzE9ZGWBac/s320/DCP_6654.JPG" /></a> We had wanted to travel North on the Parkway, but decided to go south and go to Meadows of Dan to the Poor Farmers market to have lunch, but THEY ARE NOT HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE. I was never aware of the places we love to go that I hadn't noticed that Sandy could never go and enjoy with us. Very dissappointed with Meadows of Dan stores. We went past to Nancys Candys, and THEY ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE. Kudos to Nancys Candys, and they got a chunk of our money. We also learned at Rocky Knob ranger station that the Parkway was closed above Roanoke, so we did the right thing by going south.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzljQbOg2cs/TqykvZxmNMI/AAAAAAAAB2A/iTuQ7f1u4ho/s1600/DCP_6657.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669087165232329922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzljQbOg2cs/TqykvZxmNMI/AAAAAAAAB2A/iTuQ7f1u4ho/s320/DCP_6657.JPG" /></a><br />We headed down 58 until we got to the first place that was accessible to Sandy and that was Wendys. Kudos to all the Wendys and shame on so many places for not making their businesses available to the handicapped people who love to travel and sightsee. For some, vehicle trips are their only way to get to do and see what we take for granted.</div><br /><div>The icestorm commeth and its not just weather related. I plan to check every place I go to frequently and make sure that they are handicapped accessible, and if they are not, my business will go elsewhere...after I let them know...and a blog will show which ones you are...</div><br /><div>the power of the pen, or computer can be very icy...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-63074206297553576122011-10-07T08:48:00.003-04:002011-10-07T09:24:17.195-04:00In the shadowsThis morning I arose early, for whatever reason. Probably because Bob is off fishing, and I am home alone, or maybe because I am still sick. I let the dogs out the back way and walked across the back deck to check on Belle and make sure she didn't 'chase' the horses. She just followed Penny towards the fruit trees out back to do her business, and as my eyes adjusted to the early light I saw my horses lying together under their favorite cedar tree. I looked up toward the rising light and saw the shadowy figure of a deer. They are hard to spot in the shadows, and they know they are. This deer just watched me, and didn't seem put off by the dogs or my presence. In a bit it bent its head to eat more of the sunflower seed that are dropped by birds shaking the feeders. I wished once more that I had a camera capable of taking those type of pictures, but since I don't, I went to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> to find something comparable to show just how lovely it was, but nothing compared. I did find these photos, and thought they might be of interest to some readers..<br />This first one was captured on a wildlife camera at about 1 am, according to the person who posted it. What is hard to explain is the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">child's</span> image in the photo...<br />Do you believe in... shadows?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4G0XGvrLF0/To71t3W10UI/AAAAAAAAB10/dAHRcxLp_pk/s1600/ghost_girl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660731949953962306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4G0XGvrLF0/To71t3W10UI/AAAAAAAAB10/dAHRcxLp_pk/s320/ghost_girl.jpg" /></a> This image is so typical of this area and reminds me of what I see almost daily, although this one was clearly shot in Autumn, if you changed the foliage to the different seasons, I see them all.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrihu3Sehw8/To71tk0LOKI/AAAAAAAAB1s/AjW4Odvk7N0/s1600/deer%2Bon%2Broad.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 107px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660731944976726178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrihu3Sehw8/To71tk0LOKI/AAAAAAAAB1s/AjW4Odvk7N0/s320/deer%2Bon%2Broad.jpg" /></a><br />This is what you see if you have 'Critter eyes'...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> what I have...I see deer and turkey and coyotes in bits and pieces through the woods and grasses. It's a big asset for hunters to be able to see animals like that, but I don't want to shoot them, except with a camera..<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afvAPBmDYso/To71tsu5IKI/AAAAAAAAB1k/KNApm43KOWI/s1600/shadow%2Bdeer.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660731947102052514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afvAPBmDYso/To71tsu5IKI/AAAAAAAAB1k/KNApm43KOWI/s320/shadow%2Bdeer.jpg" /></a><br />As the sun comes up or goes down, the deer will head to the hollows and then the woods for cover. Bob and I have ridden through our trails with the dogs running ahead of us, and we have seen deer lying down or standing just a few feet from where we pass by. The trick is being able to spot them. They will stay if they are secure in the shadows, knowing that they are hidden, not seen by the intruders.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5nuxG5WBWQ/To71tQ6s_YI/AAAAAAAAB1c/dMXKZixm0bU/s1600/deer%2Bin%2Bfield.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 128px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660731939635395970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5nuxG5WBWQ/To71tQ6s_YI/AAAAAAAAB1c/dMXKZixm0bU/s320/deer%2Bin%2Bfield.jpg" /></a> We all hide in the shadows, watching the world and hoping the intruders will pass on by. My cousin Laura passed away last week. She had cancer. She was only 68. She was a wife/mother/friend and writer. There are so many who will miss her, and think of her as I did this morning while watching that graceful deer in the morning shadows.</div><br /><div>But remember, there are also dangers hiding in the shadows. Cancers hide in shadows. Belle,my Aussie dog had a tumor removed last week. The vet called and said it was not malignant.Quarrie,our big grey cat-who-thinks-he's-a-dog,had a tooth removed and the swelling was questionable. It's gone, and he seems fine.</div><br /><div>Exhale.</div><br /><div>I have a breast exam every year, and I am overdue for one. Today I will make the appointment for my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mammogram</span>, and hope that the shadowy images will hide no cancer. </div><br /><div>Are you in the clear?</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2613556700116341293.post-90674511548534962612011-09-28T20:10:00.002-04:002011-09-28T20:44:33.212-04:00Why did you do that, Penny?We were really careful for the last week before Belle's surgery, because the tumor had grown so large we were afraid she might tear the transparent ugly thing open when she ran. So she sported a tee shirt and I added these glasses, they went so well with the purple shirt.<br />She loved them as you can tell.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GKlw4aaHDOc/ToO4MouiujI/AAAAAAAAB1U/yTWFkUO505U/s1600/DCP_6586.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657568084138048050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GKlw4aaHDOc/ToO4MouiujI/AAAAAAAAB1U/yTWFkUO505U/s320/DCP_6586.JPG" /></a> Today Belle had her tumor removed, and while Penny was "home alone", she redecorated Belle's sleeping kennel !<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvXLUBJe4fI/ToO4MtznxUI/AAAAAAAAB1M/xjlVN7Ujqig/s1600/DCP_6610.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657568085501527362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvXLUBJe4fI/ToO4MtznxUI/AAAAAAAAB1M/xjlVN7Ujqig/s320/DCP_6610.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyRa7xYygeo/ToO4MX6l7_I/AAAAAAAAB1E/M7gc3cG4zG0/s1600/DCP_6611.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657568079625187314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyRa7xYygeo/ToO4MX6l7_I/AAAAAAAAB1E/M7gc3cG4zG0/s320/DCP_6611.JPG" /></a> She tore the bedding to shreds! What was going through that dogs mind? Ok, I made up some answers I think might have come out of her smiling(toothy grin) she had when I exclaimed,</div><br /><div>"Penny, what have you done to Belle's kennel???"</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"<em>Mom, I was scared and alone so I went searching for Belle where I smelled her, and I dug and dug, but I couldn't find her!"</em></div><br /><div><em>or</em></div><br /><div><em>"That bitch went for a ride with Dad and I couldn't go, so I trashed her kennel".<br />or</em></div><br /><div><em>"Those cats made an awful mess even though I tryed to stop them."<br /></em></div><br /><div><br /><em>Bell</em>e is home and the D.r removed the large tumor and a small one that had started on her left shoulder. They are sending the mass in for a biopsy. The Dr. suggested this saying it was very 'funky' looking...his words. Apparently there was alot of blood going to it, so he suggested I keep a tee shirt on her tonight and possibly tomorrow...</div><br /><div>Poor Belle, she is drugged to the max, and doesn't seem to want to eat, although she drank half a bowl of water down and had a couple of treats.</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDnPFeaf7ic/ToO4MAA1rHI/AAAAAAAAB08/hsuIqnmEH78/s1600/DCP_6612.JPG"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657568073208933490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDnPFeaf7ic/ToO4MAA1rHI/AAAAAAAAB08/hsuIqnmEH78/s320/DCP_6612.JPG" /></a><br /><br />She's pathetic. I promised her no more t-shirts, and now she has to wear one again. She's such a good girl..</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DjTEq2wGc_M/ToO4L2wAkII/AAAAAAAAB00/Mgc2H4IQ7Tg/s1600/DCP_6614.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657568070722424962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DjTEq2wGc_M/ToO4L2wAkII/AAAAAAAAB00/Mgc2H4IQ7Tg/s320/DCP_6614.JPG" /></a><br />Meanwhile Quarrie, our cat that had surgery last week for swelling and an infected tooth, seems to be doing really great. He eats well and looks like his old self and is fighting more when he is given his 2x daily antibiotic pill.</div><br /><div>Belle will have 2 weeks of antibiotics, 3 days of pain pills and then another vet visit to remove the stitches, which I have not even looked at yet...maybe tomorrow I can stand to peek...makes my stomach flip just thinking about it...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hope these 2 furry critters will heal and that there is no cancer in either one...only time will tell.<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div>Claudia Condiffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06428880113459923927noreply@blogger.com7