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Saturday, October 31, 2015

Slapdash Saturday


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Wordy Wednesday


It was a cold, windy and rainy day at the track, Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas. We were attending the Formula 1 (F1) race. With that said, I am thankful that remnants from Patricia the hurricane spared us Texans from destruction other than flash flooding.

Since I knew that it was going to be a bad weather day, I opted to take just our water camera. There is a selfie picture of Dan and I; but, his face got plastered with the date time stamp. (I need to remember to disable this feature.)

Better than nothing, correct?

The day cleared up somewhat by the time the race began at 2:00pm. Both of us were hurting about halfway through the race and decided to call it quits. My poor husband was violently shivering. The jacket he wore failed to be a rain coat; so, he was soaked through to the skin. I vowed to purchase a new rain jacket for us both soon.

As for me, I was damp all over, the poncho I wore failed due to the wind. I also wore boots that were supposed to be snakebite and water proof. I think my jeans just acted like a wick and my feet were eventually wet. Fortunately, because I decided to wear layers including long john pants underneath my jeans, I was not too cold in spite of being wet.

On a different subject, I am taking a blogging break. I dealt with sickness last week and barely have the energy to do stuff I want to do let alone blog. I have a Saturday post that I will schedule. But, other than that one post, I have absolutely nothing planned.

And, to be honest, I do not feel like preparing pictures and writing up posts at the moment. I know that it most likely will be a little while before the desire to blog returns. It usually does after being down with a sickness like I had last week. It took all I had within me to go to that race last Sunday and I am glad I went with my Dan. All I want and desire to do is my usual chores and cross stitch. Yes, I am still plugging away at that huge UFO (Unfinished Object). Did I ever mention that I despise back stitching? Well, I do.

So, until I blog again, I wish you all happiness and health!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Wordy Wednesday {Sulking Cats}


On this day (July 17, 2015), I had two sulking cats. For the life of me, I cannot remember why all the rooms were shut. But, both of them were NOT happy cats.

I have not seen them like this before or since this day. Gracie (bottom picture) had never got up on the coffee table before nor has she since this terrible (to them) day. If looks could kill.

Abby Gail rarely gets inside the bottom "tunnel" of the tree house. {She prefer higher places.} I have not seen her in that space since this particular day.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Macro Monday {Checkered}

Vesta Crescent or Vesta Crescentspot (Phyciodes vesta)

Shot at Garner State Park on June 1, 2015

Note: One of my field guides, copyright 2012, lists "Phyciodes vesta" and has this exact butterfly pattern pictured. However, upon further research with another butterfly I snapped (and had difficulty identifying), I believe the correct classification is "Phyciodes graphica". The common name (Vesta Crescent) is still the same. Yes, I wasted bandwidth. But, at least, I feel better about the identification of this butterfly.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Feline Friday {A Word from Gracie}


Hi, my name is Gracie and I'm taking over this spot for the day because my human mother is too busy celebrating her birthday. Yes, the crazy lady takes a whole week and even a month to celebrate.

Anyway, I'm hijacking this blog. My human mother rarely gives me the time of the day on her precious corner of the interwebs. But then, I hate it when she focuses that camera on me. So, I guess it's my own fault that I don't get the spotlight as often as Abby Gail does. Well, I'm changing that now. Today is all about me!

Speaking of the crazy lady, my humans think I'm weird. Why? Because I don't have a regular or a favorite sleeping spot. I may choose to sleep in my human dad's office on top of a box filled with jeans that human mother claims she will use to turn into blankets some day. I'll believe that when I see it.

Other times, I'll sleep on one of the steps on the elliptical machine that my humans rarely use. Sometimes, I'll choose to sleep with them at night and other times, I choose to sleep elsewhere. I may sleep on the small cat tree my human mother purchased for her room to keep us happy. I once discovered a blanket tossed on my human mother's crafting table and made a bed out of that. She wasn't too happy with me; but, she let me sleep after disturbing me with taking of pictures. *sigh*

I surprised my humans and caused them a lot of worry several days ago. Why? Because I chose to climb to the top of the huge cat tree house in the den and I did it while they were present in the room. I sure showed them!

They were so worried about me getting down. They dragged the smaller cat tree out of their bedroom placing it in front of the big one. Pfffhhhhttt! I don't need that thing. But, don't tell them this, it sure does makes it easier for me to get up and down the big tree.

They thought I was a bush dweller because I liked to sleep in low places. Well, I proved them wrong. I love the variety of perches. I've been sleeping on the highest perch lately. It makes my humans both sad and glad -- sad because the highest perches were where my sister, Chessie, slept all the time and glad the tree is being used once again.

The only thing that I do regularly without fail is holler to go outside in the mornings and again when my human Dad gets home for the day. I absolutely love to be outdoors. And, I adore laying and snoozing in an abandoned red chair. Oh, I do let my sister, Abby Gail, use it from time to time albeit grudgingly. My humans have a hard time getting me to go back indoors. If I could, I would stay out there all day.

Well, my human is about to show up and I better get off before she discover that I hijacked her blog. And besides, I'm getting tired. I need to bathe myself and take a nap. So, I'll bid y'all a good day and lots of happy meows.

PS. I'm going to use one of her signatures in hopes of making her think she blogged this even though I did. Do you think that would work?

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Today I Am...



    ::celebrating:: 51 years (young)


    ::watching:: the sun rise (while the cats explore


    ::lighting:: candles – the ordinary Yankee Candle kind


    ::determined:: to keep plugging away on the cross-stitch project


    ::eating:: Pizza (homemade gluten free) for dinner


    ::looking forward:: to attending Formula 1 Racing with Dan in Austin, Texas


Friday, October 9, 2015

Feathered Friday: Scissortails


A flock of Scissortails came through in the afternoon of April 9, 2015. They always make me so happy whenever I spy one. They are noisy which I had not realized with my old hearing aid. I grabbed my camera (with long lens) and shot quite a few pictures hoping to get at least one decent picture. I ended up with two. Enjoy.

{To see a larger image, go here.}

Thursday, October 8, 2015

What I've Been Doing Lately IV


It has been awhile since I last did a "What I've Been Doing Lately" post. I have procrastinated long enough and since I am feeling poorly, I thought I write up the latest update.

  • Finshed the DIY Foldable Craft Table. I am pleased with the end result in spite of the terrible plans we used. I have already started using it by cutting up a brand new t-shirt to covert into canvas art. I need to do more soon and take pictures of the process.

  • My oldest grand niece was in a major accident late in August pursuing a passion of hers. When I first heard the news, I cried and was so scared for her and the family. I cannot imagine what went through the Momma's heart. I cannot imagine what my grand niece went through when the accident occurred. By all reports, she (my grand niece) is recovering nicely even though she is going crazy not being able to be active. Her mother is keeping her distracted by fostering animals. First, it was a baby goat. Currently, it is a sweet dog. I think they are fostering animals until she can go back to actively pursuing her passion which will be for several months. Yes, she wants to return in spite of what occurred. She is one brave girl and honestly, I am thrilled she wants to return. I just don't want any more accidents to happen!

  • We took a short vacation (9/17 - 918) to Padre Island. I took a few pictures and I will post them soon if they are good enough to post. We also went to Fredericksburg Trade Days (9/19) and the San Antonio Home and Garden Show (9/20) where I finally got a telescoping flag pole I have been wanting for several years. It was a nice long weekend and I think Dan was glad to return to work to get a vacation from a vacation. Ha!
  • I discovered I lost a 30+ year old filling in one of my back molars back in August. I knew I was going to need a crown and went to see a dentist. While at the dentist, it was discovered that my wisdom tooth, over the years, cut into the tooth that lost the filling. As a result, it is impossible to put a crown onto the tooth. Due to the fact that the roots extend into the sinus cavity, I will need to see an oral surgeon to extract the teeth. Speaking of which, this is probably why I kept having recurring pain in my lower sinus cavities. Anyway, I have yet to schedule an appointment. They are not bothering me at the moment; but, I know it will need to be taken care of in the future. I am just scared to death of the process.
  • We took a long weekend (9/25 - 9/27) and helped with my folk's estate sale. Two of my brothers and their wives were there. One of them did the vast majority of the work and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. All in all, it was a successful sale (and weekend). The house was officially put on the market this past Tuesday (10/6).

  • I am still working on the UFO (Unfinished Object) Cross Stitch project. I am so thrilled that I am on the final leg – the tedious back stitching. I was hoping to be done with it by my birthday – October 13. But, I think it will be finished later than I planned. {You can see the progress via past "What I've been Doing Lately" posts.}

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Wordy Wednesday

{Snapped on March 28, 2015}

I could not locate Abby Gail for a few minutes and finally discovered her laying amongst the Bluebonnets. I called her by name and she looked at me and gave a slow blink. For this reason, this is not the greatest picture; but, I liked it very much simply due to the love she showed me. Her slow blinks are kind of like a kitty kisses.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Macro Monday {Phyciodes}

Vesta Crescent or Vesta Crescentspot (Phyciodes graphica)

Shot at Garner State Park on June 2, 2015

Note: This is the butterfly I had difficulty identifying and in the course of research, found what I believe is the "correct" classification.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Garner State Park, June 2, 2015

Garner State Park, June 1, 2015

A striped (possibly whiptail) lizard.

I was shocked I managed to snap one lone picture of one as they are lightning quick. I was doubly shocked that it came out okay.

Checkered White {Pontia protodice}

A white butterfly in a field of (lazy?) daisies

Checkered White {Pontia protodice}

A Pipevine Swallowtail {Battus philenor} on Horsemint

The "Wascally Wabbit", Jack Rabbit

Unidentified

Texas Bindweed {Convolvulus equitans}.

This is part of the Morning Glory family!

I snapped this one to identify later. I still have not been able to identify this flower.

Brown-eyed Susan {Rudbeckia hirta}

Checkered White {Pontia protodice}

Unidentified Moth

For more information on the differences between butterflies and months, go here.

Heavy Laden with Pollen

I believe this is a bee fly {Bombyliidae}.

A Pipevine Swallowtail {Battus philenor} on Horsemint

Vesta Crescent or Vesta Crescentspot (Phyciodes vesta)

Note: One of my field guides, copyright 2012, lists "Phyciodes vesta" and has this exact butterfly pattern pictured. However, upon further research with another butterfly I snapped (and had difficulty identifying), I believe the correct classification is "Phyciodes graphica". The common name (Vesta Crescent) is still the same. Yes, I wasted bandwidth. But, at least, I feel better about the identification of this butterfly.