Finally

After two evenings of hiding in the thick clouds the moon graced the sky with its glow last night. Monte said he felt a diet was in order and asked what I thought. I told him he looked great and I wouldn’t change a thing. You can almost see him smiling in the picture above.

This post would have gotten out earlier but it was one of those days that I got up early yet didn’t get much done. Our phone, internet, and TV have been switching off and on like a string of Christmas lights all morning. But critters got fed, I had my coffee, and the wife worked late which meant the cruise to the grocery store was pushed back.

We didn’t get there until after 8:30 am and watched other shoppers to see what they bought during banking hours. We did notice that those who shop later were prone to wearing shorts and athletic attire. I’ll keep my jeans and work clothes thank you.

Getting older means we look at things we’d normally walk by. We got in the aisle that had fruit juices and such and had to stop at a display of energy drinks. Made by the company that brinds us V-8 juice I felt perhaps the name justified the price. Once home I tried one but was not impressed.

I was not energized, the different fruits in the blend were alright, and said drinks didn’t have the caffeine of a cup of coffee. We’re not going to fall for that one again. We did splurge for some Pepperidge Farm cookies and are quite happy with those. I’ll end this here as the energy drink may be time delayed and I’ll have to get busy.

Enjoy our Friday as the weekend is here.
Comments are always welcome.

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Turtles?

Saw this guy first thing yesterday morning and thought it would be a great day. And it was. The moon went missing behind the clouds and the cheese on my pizza didn’t melt, but it was still a good day.

Then I fell asleep. After I nodded off I was transported back to a time when I was in the Navy and stationed in San Diego. A time when if off duty freedom was only as far away as my motorcycle. But this dream wasn’t about leaning into the curves and tearing up the highways, I had gotten a part time job.

How I ended up an employee of the San Diego Zoo I have no idea but as the dream progressed I found out my official title was ‘Turtle Waxer’. Being a car nut I had heard of Turtle Wax but have never heard of anyone Waxing turtles. I had to learn as I went.

Imagine my surprise when led to a long, but short, steel building and being told it was the automatic turtle wash. Much like a car wash but a lot slower. I was then told that as the cleaned and dried turtles came out the chute at the end my job began.

I was told to grab a can of paste wax and wax the top shell before tipping the turtle to get the bottom part of the shell. Then it was flip the turtle back over to buff the wax out then flip and repeat. And things went fine until one of those 300 year old giant buggers came down the line and I couldn’t flip it.

That was when I got on the bike and rode away. I guess you had to be there. Enjoy our Thursday as it means the weekend is only a dream away.
Comments are always welcome.

Best intentions

Yesterday morning this little guy was enjoying his picnic on the lawn as the sun shined and the day warmed. I thought for sure this was a sign that the moon would pose for a great picture. It wasn’t going to happen. The sky got cloudier all day until by sunset the sky looked more like tear gas training in boot camp than a clear spring night.

Then the rain came and while I did see the moon it was just a blurry orb in the eastern sky. Forecasts for tonight call for more of the same but we’ll make an effort to at least try to get a shot of the full moon. I saw two cardinals yesterday as I was cruising around and since I didn’t have a camera with me there are not pictures.

There was a crow in a nearby tree who thought his job was to annoy everyone with his cawing. The crow shut his mouth long enough to get the picture above. His constant calling didn’t bring any friends and he flew away shortly after the shot.

These two were seen at around the same time and looked to be co-conspirators. Not as colorful as cardinals or blue jays, but interesting birds just the same. This morning there were no birds out and about as I put out some bird seed. When I came back in there were about a half dozen birds and one squirrel seen through the door glass. Guess they’re shy eaters.

Enjoy our Wednesday and the pictures as we’ll try to get more later. Now I need some more coffee before grabbing the camera.
Comments are always welcome.

Just a couple things

The moon was out in its glory last night so here’s a picture in case you missed it. The full moon is supposed to be tomorrow and will be rare one. A full moon on the spring equinox and that only happens 3 times every 100 years. It is also the last super moon of the year so should be worth a look. Also the sun and moon both rise due east and will set due west.

And I had a visit with Dad this morning. I hadn’t even set the bag of donuts down on the table and he was grabbing for one. Don’t know if he was just hungry or needed something to do with his hands but he was enjoying it. He got half the toppings on his shirt and when offered a towel claimed he saving the crumbs for later.

We talked of many things from the fire in the gas terminal in Texas to tattoos and body piercings and about everything in between. I raised the height on his walker last week and asked how it was working for him. He said it was OK. I noticed he didn’t have as many canes as usual sitting by his chair and was told he moved the extras to his bedroom to give them a break.

I stayed until it was time for his bath and figured he’d need a break anyway so left to return home. Shortly the wife and I are going out to eat and then the car needs some cleaning. So it looks like I have a full day ahead of me before the moon comes out tonight.

Enjoy our Tuesday as we will. Now I need to get ready to go lunch.
Comments are always welcome.

Things change

This past Saturday started great and warmed up nicely before things cooled down and later the snow came. Those who tell us what our weather will be predicted a dusting to an inch or two of white fluffy love from above but it wasn’t a problem as these same people told us it would get back in the 40s Sunday.

We awoke yesterday to discover a winter wonderland and were amazed at the beauty of all we surveyed. Since we knew the sight would only be around for a short time we got some pictures. Everything was covered with around 3 inches of snow by early morning.

By mornings end the snow was all but gone and the critters out an about. Not sure what of bird this is, but it was soaring over the neighborhood looking for something. Whatever it is the sight of this creature circling in the clear sky was something to see.

Somehow that was perfect ending to the snow arriving, then melting quickly once the sun came up. The bird hung in the sky for quite a while yet I didn’t have a great lens to get more pictures as he got further away each time each time he looped around.

So I decided to put the camera up, get some chores done, and the pics uploaded to the computer. By the time all was said and done I remembered it was St. Patrick’s Day. There are worse ways to spend the holiday and we were reminded that when it comes to the weather, things change.

Enjoy our Monday as it’s the first day of the rest of our lives.
Comments are always welcome.

Enjoying it while we can

As the moon peeked out from behind the clouds this picture was taken and a chat began with the man in the moon. Monte, said man in the moon, was not up to full speed yet but getting there. He made quite a sight posing against the darkening sky and was in a good mood.

Monte claimed blue was favorite color and evening was the time he liked to chat. He also claimed to have his acne under control and was trying to get more sun to give him a little color. He did look pale.

Then we talked of the upcoming spring equinox and how that would affect the weather on our blue planet. He started laughing when told that here on the east coast of Iowa we may get up to 2 inches of snow tonight. Yeah, we’re not over winter yet.

The flood, which will crest on the Mississippi river on Monday, is supposed to be about 3 feet over flood stage. Many other rivers and creeks are also up but not my favorite creek where I go to take pictures and get away from the stress of living in the city. I’m sure it will flood at some point and hope the erosion is minimal.

Then the clouds started to return so his end of the conversation became muffled and hard to understand. Said clouds soon swept the moon away and covered him in a blanket of white. Oh well, we enjoy it while we can and bring back the memories when the moon can’t be seen.

Enjoy our Saturday as we get ready for another round of snow. Now for some coffee with a side of bacon.

Needing a nap

I made the mistake of going to bed early last night and am now paying the price. For some odd reason by 10 o’clock my body was horizontal and nodding off fast. Usually I don’t even lay down until around midnight.

So thinking of a good nights rest with possible 4 or 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, Imagine my surprise when I woke every hour once I put my body to bed. After 4 hours and 3 wake ups I decided that was all the sleep to be had.

Every time sleep overtook me I had the same dream. I was on the table in a hospital operating room and a doctor with a huge metal mirror over his head was working on the back of my neck while telling me to just relax. That was a bit strange to this redneck as I don’t like hospitals or operations.

When I mention this fact to others most act surprised and state that hospitals and operations keep us alive. But when I’m at home strange infections are never mentioned and medical mistakes are far from my mind. Actually, I don’t like the rehab after the operation either. But I digress.

So in the dream this surgeon keeps digging for what ever he believes is in my neck that doesn’t belong and telling me to relax. In the last dream I tell him that if I could get up I’d slap him silly. He chuckles at that but since I can’t move I can’t slap him silly.

Never did learn why he was operating on my neck or how it turned out but cannot afford to lose any sleep over it. Lost enough sleep last night. It wouldn’t have bothered except for the sitting up, wide awake, once an hour trying to figure out why I woke up.

Enjoy our Friday as it means we’re that much closer to St. Patrick’s Day. Now for some coffee, I really need it today.
Comments are always welcome.