Running late

Last night the sky was clear as a bell so the moon and stars put on quite a show here on the east coast of Iowa. So Monte, the man in the moon, and I had a long talk. We talked of the crazy weather, the rare clear night, and rather or not we should start building an Ark. As you can see in the picture he was smiling as wide as I was.

This morning I went over to Dads for a visit and we had a great time while he ate some of the donuts I bought then later in the living room. Of course talk of the farm came up and different smells that went with that.

The barn with the hay in the loft and the leather of the rigging for the horses, even the livestock pens. Of walking the beans and corn, the huge country suppers, and family both here and gone. He got a gleam in his eye as he mentioned the old Johnny Pepper 2-cylinder tractor and again mentioned he thought the Model T was best car ever built.

He lives up to his self-proclaimed nickname of Antique Farmer. He again told me he liked the picture of a white barn that we got him for his birthday and had it hung on the wall by his TV.

As I was headed home a glance at the clock in the car told me I’d spent a lot longer than usual visiting. And even knowing that I’m still smiling. Enjoy our Tuesday as it’s the only one we get this week. Now for some coffee and leftover pizza.
Comments are always welcome.

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Cute critters

I don’t get many pictures of cute critters but when I found where Mama cat hid her miniature brood the chance was there. We noticed Mama went from pregnant to skinny again and couldn’t find where she stashed the kittens. Until I went to get into the garage and noticed something moving behind the security door.

The orange object I saw moving was this kitten sitting on Mamas back and in a playful mood. Mama cat didn’t seem to mind so I put off going into the garage. When the kittens notice they’re being watched they scatter.

After all the playing the kitten took a nap. I just had to get this shot if I didn’t get any others. As luck would have it I got lucky and snapped a few more.

This little one seemed curious and was looking at everything. It makes me wish the glass was cleaner so it would be a better shot. With the rain everyday it’s not easy to keep the glass clear.

Finally, this one looks a little green but that is just a reflection in the glass. The green lawn gave the critter a different look. There is one other kitten and I’m working on getting his picture. He looks a lot like the famous Grumpy Cat and doesn’t resemble his siblings much.
Sooner or later I’ll get a shot of him.

Enjoy our Wednesday and enjoy the pictures as we have. Now for some more coffee.
Comments are always welcome.

Trying times

Yesterday I went out to move more of the white fluffy love from
above that wasn’t moved before and when finished I went back out
to look to the skies.

In the snow laden clouds I spied a hawk circling around for
something to eat. The hawk was probably 200 yards away and a
ways up. So I did what any other half-crazy skinny oldfart would
do on a cold day and zoomed in.

It was a magnificent creature and I watched in awe at the
graceful predator searching for the next meal. The white sky
made this creature stand out even more than on a clear day. Not
sure what the neighbors thought and didn’t care.

Doesn’t everybody go outside and look up to the sky when they
finish shoveling snow to see what’s there? It was up to about
-3 degrees so weather wasn’t a deterrent. I even tried to get a
picture of mama cat but she wouldn’t move far enough away from
me so I could focus.

It seems mama cat doesn’t realize I’m a dog person at heart. So
after taking the pictures and playing with the cat for a while I
decided my fingers were trying to tell me it was time to go
inside, and I did as I’ve had frostbite before.

Some days when you think you’re having a trying day things like
this happen and change your way of thinking. I know the smile
on my face is still here this morning. Enjoy our Monday as I go
out to remove the white fluffy love from above we received last
night. But first I’m having some coffee with my bacon.
Comments are always welcome.

Almost forgot

Been so busy today I almost forgot to remember to do a post.
After running errands and getting some more snow shoveled it was
time to get this edition out. Then I saw this squirrel dig a hole
to extract the cracked corn I’d put on the ground before the
last snow.

So I had to grab the camera and get a few pictures of this
industrious critter working for his lunch. He seemed happy once
he uncovered the snow covered meal. So I came on the porch and
thought this post would be out in no time. And it almost
happened that way.

I noticed the icicles melting and what appeared to be small
red dots in the icicles. After taking a couple pictures and
uploading them on the computer I realized the red dots were not
some sort of weird run off from the roof but the tail lights of
the wife’s car! You may have to enlarge the picture, but they
are there.

Now the chores are done, the distractions are still outside, and
this post is almost done. I think it was worth it. Enjoy our
Friday as here on the east coast of Iowa we’re getting ready for
another round of white fluffy love from above. Now for some more
coffee and leftover pizza.
Comments are always welcome.

Merry Christmas

Watched a little of the sunset last night and even with the
trees in the way found it amazing yet a bit chilly to behold.
The sun is at its southernmost point now, hence the trees.

Last night we went to a steak house for supper and learned a
few things. Their cheeseburgers have a half-pound of meat on
them and even with lettuce, tomato, and an onion slice come in
at 1,010 calories! Good thing I’m skinny.

The staff did a line dance in the middle of the aisle and when
that happened the noise level was off the charts. Our youngest
and family will be heading back to Oklahoma about now as they
couldn’t stay longer.

At least we had some time together around Christmas for the
first time in 6 years and everyone had a good time. We even had
a visit with my oldest and his lovely wife, my Dad, the wifes’
Mom and my sole surviving brother and his wife.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas on this Christmas Eve.
May you feel as blessed as we do.
Comments are always welcome.

Sailors’ night before

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming,
Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming.
They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small,
In a 80-man berthing, cramped one and all.

I had come down the stack with presents to give,
And to see inside just who might perhaps live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.
They had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sober thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, so dark and so dreary,
I had found the house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.
A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the room squared away,
This was the United States Sailor today.
This was the hero I saw on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.

I realized the families that I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors lay willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year,
Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice.”

“Defending the seas all days of the year,
So others may live and be free with no fear.”
I thought for a moment, what a difficult road,
To live a life guided by honor and code.

After all it’s Christmas Eve and the ship’s underway!
But freedom isn’t free and it’s sailors who pay.
The Sailor say’s to our country “be free and sleep tight,
No harm will come, not on my watch and not on this night.

The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
I watched as the Sailor shivered from the night’s cold chill.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure,
Commanded, “Carry on Santa, It’s Christmas, and All is Secure!”

We’re feeling the love

The predictions are in and it is raining at the moment. At some
point today a good portion of Iowa will get between 2 and 12+
inches of white fluffy love from above while here locally we’re
supposed to be on the receiving end of 40-50 mph winds to boot.

This won’t be a record breaker by any stretch of the
imagination, but it could get interesting. We’re told travelers
headed home from a Thanksgiving meal could get caught up in this
storm while driving I-80. We hope they have experience driving
under these conditions.

And our little portion of Iowa is supposed to get the 8-12+
inches of snow and the high wind gusts. Originally I had planned
to take it easy today and move just often enough that no one
called the coroner. Guess I be busier than planned.

The snow blower is ready as are the shovels and there are
enough pizzas in the freezer to last until Friday. Winter gear
has been checked, glove liners added to the pile, and I have
enough Snicker’s to last until Friday. As for coffee, we have
enough to last until Spring gets here.

Hang in there and we’re all get through this. Remember, with a
snow like this don’t park on a posted snow route or your ride
might get towed. Enjoy our Sunday as we here in Iowa get ready
to shovel. Now I need coffee and bacon.
Comments are always welcome.