Weekend wrap up

Over the weekend this family of feral cats were playing in our
neighbors yard. The Mama cat, lower right in the picture, has the
biggest eyes for her head size we’ve ever seen. Thought it was odd to
see so many black cats at one place, five, but they were having fun.

This little critter is getting ready for winter in a big way. Not sure
what he had in his mouth and we gave him credit for this enthusiasm.
Surprised this one didn’t wear a rut into the alley.

This small flock of geese were headed east in the early morning hours
and looked to be in a hurry to get somewhere. Before long they’ll be
headed south and won’t be seen for a while.

On a bluff overlooking our downtown area the old bank building with
its clock tower still stands tall. I remember our first visit to the
place in the mid 60s and being amazed by the murals, marble, and
brass fixtures.

A favorite nearby creek brought memories of ice skating here long
before it started silting up. A lot of good times occurred on this
stretch of water and the memories are priceless.

And finally, a barge was tied off on Arsenal Island probably just
waiting for the locks to get freed up before it continues its journey
downstream. If the last 3 pictures seem a little blurry it’s because I
used a little point and shoot pocket camera and you never know how
things will turn out until you upload the files.

Enjoy our Monday because it’s here anyway. Now for more coffee.
Comments are always welcome.

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Moon babble

Went out to see the man in the moon last night and with everything
else going on forgot the Full Harvest Moon occurs Friday. Wish it would
have come in clearer but without a bigger lens, and with my tired old
eyes, this is as good as it gets.

The Harvest Moon will be full at around twilight on Friday, September 13th. On Saturday night the night sky will still have a full moon. But on Sunday the moon will appear as an almost full moon. Why does this happen with the Harvest Moon you ask?

A full moon near to the autumn equinox rises closer to sunset which leaves little time between sunset and moon rise which makes the moon seem brighter. And the Harvest Moon rises between 20-25 minutes later each night instead of the hour later that is the norm. All this makes the moon appear brighter and hand around longer than other full moons.

Then, for those who worry about such things, tomorrow is Friday the
13th. To most just another day, but some start hearing the music of
the movie by the same name and have a tough time of it. To those we
say be careful and extra cautious until the day passes.

To all we say, enjoy our Thursday as we’re really close to a neat full moon and the beginning of a potentially great weekend. Now I need more coffee as I ponder breakfast.
Comments are always welcome.

The day

Eighteen years ago today we were attacked on our own soil and as a result 2,996 were killed and over 6,000 were injured. It was a day when America reacted as one and we banded together as a nation to offer comfort and aid to those who needed it.

The terrorist group al-Queda was behind the attacks and if they thought these attacks would leave us running scared, they were wrong. Most of us old enough to remember the event also remember where we were when we heard.

I was at a shop hanging a quarter panel on a ’54 Chevy when the news came through. Needless to say the shop didn’t get much done after the= news. We watched the tragedy unfold, the towers fall, and heard the stories of the heroism of first responders and those about to die.

The attack started at 8:46 am (EDT) and the second tower fell at 10:28 am (EDT) but the news coverage continued. Now we know that first responders who weren’t killed during the attack succome to terrible illnesses and are having issues still.

So we are going to have a moment of silence to show we haven’t forgot and will never forget. Enjoy our Wednesday even though it falls on the day of these terrible attacks now 18 years in the past. Now for some coffee.
Comments are always welcome.

Don’t know what was going on but some of the birds were trying to
hide. Must be the kittens running all over that have them worried.
I just got back from Dads after another good visit as he was looking
like he needed a nap.

We talked of time in the Navy, traveling done, family, and a little bit of everything. For some reason he told the caregiver he wanted satin sheets on the sofa. When she asked why he said before he would lie down. Then he mentioned that he probably couldn’t fit on the couch anyway.

Of course the Ford Model T and the John Deere Model A came up. His
opinion was they were best car and tractor ever. I’m not a big fan of
all the gadgets on newer cars even though some of them are alright.
I still can’t get used to the back-up cameras and use the mirrors. And
can’t understand why car makers put an interactive computer monitor
in the center of the dash.

Air conditioning has spoiled me yet Dad noted the Model Ts had a
windshield that opened out to let air in and that was as good as
air conditioning. Been there, done that, and it’s not the same. We had
some laughs and when the visit was done I think we both felt better.

Now at home I noticed the humidity was up there and the high is going
to be around 90. Not much planned outside toady anyway so we’ll stay
in unless absolutely necessary. If something out there breaks, falls
off, or gets hit by a car, I’ll be inside.

Enjoy our Tuesday as times fly when you’re having fun. Now I’m going
to fry up some bacon and eggs, make more coffee, and enjoy what’s
left of the morning.
Comments are always welcome.

Another good one

Saturday the sky was an ever changing show of unmatched patterns
and varying colors. It was a great day but one kept eyes on the skies
just in case. The sun even tried to peek out a few times in the morning
when the clouds parted enough.

It was mentioned in an earlier post that the Monarch butterflies were
scarce here on our portion of the east coast of Iowa. We’ll share a
few pictures now that we’ve seen some.

These critters brighten the day but lately don’t sit still much.
We’ve seen many darting around almost like they were flying while
drunk, but finally saw a few that did sit still long enough.

Mama cat was acting needy and wouldn’t leave us alone whenever we
ventured outside. Don’t know if the nightly visits from the raccoons
have made her jumpy or the coming cooler temperatures but it brightens
our day anyway.

The cat birds haven’t been out much lately but saw this one in a
nearby tree and got a shot. They live in the bushes and we hear them
almost daily yet this one was quiet. Must not have felt threatened.

We’re still waiting for the pelicans to start their migration south
and may have missed it during one of the many cloudy days. We hope
not. They fill the sky when do leave.

A heat wave is supposed to hit today and last most of the week but
you hear us complaining. It’s been cool since we got back from our trip
so a few hotter days won’t spoil anything. Enjoy our Monday as we will
since we woke up breathing and our names weren’t in the obituaries.
Comments are always welcome.

Lucky days

After getting the running done yesterday I went outside with camera in hand to see this little guy on a retaining wall nearby. He flattened himself out like he was enjoying the sun. And other critters were out and about.

This hawk kept circling closer and closer riding the thermals and
waltzing through the clouds. No sure what the critter was looking for
but watched it until it was just a dot again against the white clouds.

These two cardinals were playing around like a couple of kids hyped up on candy and seemed to have just as much energy. They played or courted for quite a while before chasing each other out of sight. I had as much fun watching them as they must have had putting on a show for me.

And this little one, who looked to only have one antenna, was
bouncing all over the yard. A still shot wasn’t to be had but we did
this one halfway decent shot. Saw some Monarchs too but wasn’t fast
enough to focus and zoom to get a shot. Perhaps today.

Haven’t seen any pelicans lately but believe soon they will start
migrating south and if luck holds out will get shots of them in the
sky. That’s always something to see. Didn’t get any shots of the young
raccoons either. Guess we should keep the camera closer to the door.

Enjoy our Saturday as before we know it the weekend will be over.
Now I need more coffee and some toast slathered with peanut butter.
Comments are always welcome.

A good day

Yesterday started with me getting this look when I took food and water out to feed the outside bunch. Even though it was only 6:30 am I got the impression this little one thought I was late.

Later the same kitten looked like she had spent too much time on a
bar stool and was just getting in. Not sure what the problem was but
she was alright when I checked back.

Cinnamon appeared to having problems with fleas or another such pest while she was out enjoying the sunny day. She spent some time going after her itch then settled down for a nap.

The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a polar coaster winter and the old
pine tree agrees. The old tree has more pine cones this year than any
I can remember. I hope that just means cold with a little snow. I like
snow, but don’t like removing it from where we don’t want it.

That being said, most of the trees are still green. The trees are
relaxing to look at yet the view when they’re bare improves. Every
year the trees get taller and the steeple shrinks.

A starling came out to have a look around from his perch high up in an old oak tree nearby. He must have been impressed as he spent a long while just checking out the area.

Enjoy our Friday as it’s here anyway. Now I need some coffee to get
ready for unloading the groceries we’ll be getting later.
Comments are always welcome.