Shadows

During these dark, uncertain, economic times in our country, Zack reminds us of Helen Keller's advice:

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."

What does Zack see in the distant, brillant sunshine?

Reality Bites, huh?

Black Monday?

From Reuters:

I hope I don't have to go back to work...

I will not go back to the classroom...

Hmmm...

"Would you like fries with that?"

or better yet:

"WELCOME TO WALMART!"

thanks,G

Good Grape Crop

Grape growers have found the rolling north Georgia hills perfect for growing grapes. A region once known for brewing great 'shine is now producing some fine wine. We live within a 5 mile radius of 3 vineyards: Blackstock, Frogtown, and Three Sisters.

One hundred percent of last year's grape crop was lost to a devastating freeze in April.

This year's crop looks great.

For more information on local vineyards:http://www.georgiawinecountry.com/main.asp

To My "Sistas"

Chain of Friends

All of us girls.

Old and young... Near and far...

Hold special memories of good times we've shared.

We've had our share of hard times when our

friends were there to make us feel better.

We've shared...

Our hearts, our time, our secrets, our fears, our hopes, and our dreams.

Let us never break the chain of friends!

Friends are the Family You Choose...

North Hall beats Creekview 34-24

Sounds like we missed one heck of a game at The Brickyard last night!!!

North Hall scored 3 touchdowns in 4 plays!

As stated in the Times:
"Trojans senior kicker Jake Dunn did a good job pinning Creekview deep with a 48-yard punt in the fourth quarter. He averaged 40 yards on his five punts on the night."

For the complete article: http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/9250/

Panda Cub Update

From Zoo Atlanta Panda Update website:


Check out live video of Lun Lun and cub: http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_panda_cam.php4

GO DAWGS!!!!

My New Toy

I know what you're thinking...does she really think that thing is going to work? But, as my ever- skeptical husband put it, "I guess it's better than doing nothing!"

My abs are sore after using it twice, so I am hopeful.

I've already found several good uses for my Ab Lounger 2, other than the obvious (exercising). It holds all the bed pillows nicely. Sista N said it looks like a good beach chair. It is very comfortable for stretching out and watching TV.

Last Pool Date

We had our last pool date of the season yesterday. D says, "Thanks, Sista S".

What a wonderful way to spend an early fall day. Pleasant temperatures, gentle breeze, crystal blue, cloudless skies...

but what's that I see?

Snoopy and the Met Life blimp floating over the pool...

Wordless Wednesday

Grand Canyon

Fall 2005

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Did you realize that just like state birds, flowers, and trees, there are also designated state butterflies?
The state butterfly of Georgia is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Georgia shares its state butterfly with Virgina, Alabama, South Carolina, and Delaware.

I found a cool site with information about butterflies and moths seen in White County.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/map?si=11&x=135&y=25
Enjoy these beautiful creatures during these warm early fall days. They, like the hummers, will be gone soon.

A Year Ago

Cape Blanco, Oregon

Welcome Back, ~C

Our good friend, C, lives in Houston. Saying this past week has been "inconvenient" for him is putting it mildly. He, like nearly 5 million others in the Houston-Galveston area, was without power for several days courtesy of Hurricane Ike.

C works for The City of Houston in a management position and was required to work the night Ike made landfall. We emailed each other frantically, C keeping me abreast of the changing weather conditions. It was quite a rush for this weather freak, I must say.

C said that the power had started flashing on and off and that he would probably "go dark" soon.
A couple minutes later, he was gone.
We weren't able to make contact for 24-48 hours, until we were finally able to reach him by phone at work. The back-up generators were operating , so he was in better shape than most.

Fortunately, C's power was restored Thursday and he and the cats are having a wonderful weekend. I hope Houston and Galveston can return to some form of normalcy in the weeks and months ahead.

Goodbye Summer

Enjoy this last weekend of summer.

Fall officially begins Monday, Sept. 22, 2008; 11:44:18 A.M. EDT.

At the autumnal equinox the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south. This marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

Friday Night Lights

We're going to a high school football game tonight. Not just any high school football game-THE GAME OF THE SEASON (if you live in Hall County).

GAINESVILLE HIGH vs NORTH HALL

We'll be among the thousands of fans (last year's crowd =7000) headed to The Brickyard to watch the Trojans host the Red Elephants. I've heard tonight's game likened to the GA/FLA game on the excitement scale.

This old rivalry is what high school football is all about. These young men (and fans) don't play (and cheer) for money, endorsements, pictures on Sports Illustrated. They play for the right to say they are this year's winners, bragging rights, school pride, and often family pride. They play for the thrill and love of the game.

PS... I'm sorry to report North Hall lost to the GHS 27-0. This was the first shut out for the Trojans since 2001.

However, #12 played a great game!!!

Way to kick the ball!!!

My Family

We live in a small community where not only does everyone know everyone else, it seems that most people are also related to one another. My friend's, (MB's) family portrait includes more people than I know! It's amazing!I have no children, I am an only child, my parents are deceased. I HAVE NO FAMILY!

Honestly, the only blood relative I know is my first cousin, J.

J's father was my mother's younger brother, Jack, and I adored him. When Uncle Jack married Aunt Lucy, she had a daughter L.M., exactly my age. Uncle Jack adopted L.M., ...YAY!! I finally had a cousin. Although, now I had to share the attention w/ someone else, I was happy to have a cousin.

However, when Aunt Lucy got pregnant and had an "adorable" baby girl (J), I was less than thrilled. Instead of sharing the attention, I was getting NONE! I'm happy to say that I got over those feelings of jealousy and consider myself lucky to know both J and L.M.

J and I are definitely from the same family. We have so many things in common: married, no children (by choice) except critters, loves animals (especially dogs), hummers, gardening, living in small town, reading (works in library).

I'm very proud of my family-be it ever so small...

Cousin Jackie napping w/ her critters,

Sydney dog and Mitten (Gone but not forgotten)

Wordless Wednesday

Zack and Sassy

June 2005

Praying Mantis

Yes, it's "praying", not "preying" mantis. They are named for the typical "prayer-like" stance. Kids are fascinated by these carnivorous insects and always excited to take a captured specimen to school for show and tell.

One interesting fact I never shared with my students is the notorious mating behavior of the adult female praying mantis, who sometimes eats her mate just after, or even during, mating. One explanation states that sexual cannibalism occurs most often if the female is hungry. But eating the head does causes the body to ejaculate faster. Surprisingly, (or maybe not) this behavior seems not to deter males from reproduction. Now all that praying makes sense, doesn't it?

*Note: This picture was taken w/ my new (soon to be returned) camera. I bought a cheaper version of the Nikon CoolPix-you get what you pay for.

Ella's Run-Oct. 25

As anyone living in North Georgia remembers, Meredith Emerson was kidnapped and murdered in January. That tragedy had an enormous impact on my life. I try to live my life fully, knowing that each day could be the last.

The Times is reporting that a 5K and one-mile fun run, honoring Meredith, is scheduled for Oct. 25. The event is being called "Ella's Run", after Meredith's black lab.

For more information: http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/8739/

Last Picture

I am not a photographer. A photographer worries about settings, focus, lighting, etc. I take pictures-period!
I also don't take good care of my camera. I carry it in my pocket all the time, ready to whip it out and capture the moment. D says I should wear it around my neck so I won't drop it!!!

This is the last picture taken before the camera hit the cement.
This was not the first time my Cool Pix had taken a fall. It isn't "totally" broken now. It will come on, take one picture, then nothing else....I guess that's as good as dead, huh?

I'm lost w/out my camera...what if something happens and I miss the picture?
I'm headed to WalMart for a new, cheap, "pocketsize" camera.

Yum, Pancakes

Yuck, Shrooms

Got'cha!

GO DAWGS!!!

It's Good to be Home

Although we've been retired 3 years, this will be our first Fall at home. For the past 3 years we ( D, the dogs, and I) have left the day after Labor Day for our annual cross-country RV treks. You haven't traveled until you spend 11 weeks in a 31 foot RV with 2 adults and 3 Labradors. Our dogs have been swimming in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Gulf of Mexico and every river, lake, pond and mud puddle in between.

While I wouldn't give anything for those trips, it's wonderful being home (and stationary) this year. This time of the year the air is refreshingly crisp and clear, the changes in nature's beauty surround you. The shorter days and cooler nights offer an excitement and anticipation of things to come.

Our house is the white speck on the right side of the these 2 pictures put together, in a sad attempt at a panoramic view. D took these pictures several years ago in the winter, while our house would be visible.
I can't think of a better place to embrace the Atumnal Equinox, than in the middle of our woods.

We Remember

It's hard to believe that it's been 7 years since the unimaginable tragedy that left our nation in shock and grief. As I watch the memorial ceremonies today to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, I feel that it is equally as important to remember the men and women who continue to protect our freedoms. My dear friends at http://www.foursillysisters.blogspot.com/ understand this all to well, as "Daddy" is being deployed to Iraq this week. Thank you, Scott, for your service to this great country.

This is an authentic picture (checked w/ Snopes), taken in Iraq on 9 September 2003 by the Baker Company, with the 7th Marines, 1st Battalion, to honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

Wordless Wednesday

Cousin Kennedy

Mole Rat???

This is the latest picture of the baby Giant Panda. Ugly little fellow, isn't he?

Panda keepers say the skin on his ears, the “saddle” on his back and the areas around his eyes are all starting to turn black. The pigmentation is still very faint, but it will grow darker over the next few days and weeks.

Thanks to the excellent care he is receiving from both zookeepers and Lun Lun, the baby continues to thrive.

I Hate Yellowjackets!!!

Hold on!!! Before all you Tech fans get your buzzers bent out of shape, I'm referring to the flying nuisance. This time of year they are swarming everywhere, making outside activities miserable.

Sweet Sassy can't even chew her stick in peace...(check out her tongue).

"Yuck, jackets!"

Happy (belated) 2nd Birthday, Mei Lan

I didn't forget Mei Lan's birthday. I was waiting until I could add pictures from her celebration:

http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/mei-lan-birthday/

Surf's Up, Dude

My dad, Tybee Island, 1970

AJC is reporting that surfers on Tybee Island are ignoring warnings to stay out of the water and grabbing their surfboards instead.
Tropical Storm Hanna is churning up the waters, bringing 6-7 foot waves and making local surfers very happy.
Having grown up in Savannah, I know first-hand, waves that size are rare.
Despite riptides and strong winds, as one surfer said, "You gotta surf!"

Enjoy the waves from Hanna because I'm afraid Ike is going to be ugly wherever he decides to make landfall next week.
Good site for tracking 'canes: http://www.stormpulse.com/hurricane-ike-2008

September Light

There's no denying it, fall is just around the corner.

Bring it on!

Butterfly Magnet

Joe Pye Weed is blooming and the butterflies are loving it. The tall, erect, vanilla-scented, dull pinkish-purple headed perennial is named after the native American who used the plant to cure fever.
This time of year when many plants are starting to look a little rough, Joe Pye Weed is at its peak. Although seen primarily on the roadside, JPW makes a wonderful addition to a fall perennial garden. It will grow almost anywhere, but it thrives in sun and a moist, rich soil. The plant is known botanically as Eupatorium and is a relative of the chrysanthemum.
I've seen JPW for sale in nurseries, (yes, I've even bought some), but I find the best (free) plants on the side of the road. So, if you see me pulled over with my shovel and bucket, toot your horn and wave.

Wordless Wednesday

August 2005

Panda Love

Apparently, I was destined to be a Panda Lover.

I'm waiting (impatiently) for an update on the cub.

No news is good news, right?

UPDATED 10:50am

The cub continues to be monitored in incubator.

Read update:

http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_giant_panda_cub_updates.htm

UPDATED 5:50 Lun Lun and her cub (it's a boy!) have been successfully reunited.
http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_giant_panda_cub_updates.htm

Cub Update

The following comes from Zoo Atlanta Panda Website:


Monday, September 1, 2008, 6:30 PM
Based upon the behavior of giant panda Lun Lun and her new born cub, Zoo Atlanta's colleague from China and the Zoo's Animal Management and Veterinary Teams jointly decided to place the new-born cub in an incubator for closer monitoring and observation.
Zoo Atlanta's Veterinary and Animal Management teams will continue working diligently to ensure that Lun Lun and cub receive the best care and treatment possible.
Zoo officials will provide updates as they are available.

Keisha Hines-DavisDirector of Public Relations & Communications

Panda Cub

I am hesitant to make this post...I have waited 2 hours before doing so. I was watching Panda Cam this evening (approx. 6pm) when I noticed Lun Lun standing over her motionless cub, pawing at it. A few minutes later, the Panda Cam changed to an outside scene of a log and now it is displaying Yang Yang, the adult male Giant Panda.

No news has been posted on the Zoo Atlanta webpage.

I snipped this picture from Panda Cam around 3pm and all was well.