That Blows Chunks!

Travis and I were taking the long way home from the grocery store the other day and as we drove past the library I did a double take..."TRAVIS, turn around, I'm sorry but you have GOT to see this." He did what I asked and as we came back by the library he looked on in astonishment to see a car high centered over some rocks in the library parking lot.

Oh MAN!! That really does blow. Here is the sorry truth of the matter...Travis looked at me and said, "That seems like something you would do." Gee Thanks! The only problem is I was thinking the same thing. Truthfully though, I think I am actually a pretty good driver even though I lose my temper easy enough. We probably all think we are good drivers.

I'm trying to think back at any less than brilliant things I have done while behind the wheel...I backed into a pole in a parking garage a year or so ago. I closed the garage door while the hatch was open and scratched it. Travis actually backed out of the garage before the door was open all the way and broke out the red reverse light at the top of the hatch within 1 week after I got the car fixed, so he is not perfect. I remember coming home all upset from the grocery store complaining about how irresponsible and rude people are who break things on your car and don't at least leave a note - at which time he confessed to the incident.

Several days ago I was driving home from work and there was a Semi that had caught on fire. Just yesterday I passed ANOTHER vehicle on fire - this time a camper. It is times like these that I wonder what happened? What went down? How could this have been avoided? I will never know if the gentleman driving the car above was on the phone, had bad eyesight or was just not paying attention, but I'm glad it wasn't me this time.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quotes: "Never take a solemn oath. People think you mean it." Norman Douglas

Magpie High

The other day Travis was telling me about the aggressive Magpies that were surrounding Bart when he was trying to discretely do his business in the yard. He said he got so mad that they were getting so close to him and making all kinds of noise so he had to go down to the yard and run them off. I told Travis that they did the same thing to my brother's cat that was in the yard slinking around a week or two ago. I couldn't believe the daring of those birds and it put me in mind of the terrifying yet thrilling Alfred Hitchcock movie.

When we had this conversation we were sitting on the deck after a long day of work and it hit me that they must have been protecting a nest or something. Just as I told Travis this I happened to look over the railing and there, right on the ground, was a baby magpie...WHAT? We both got up and looked more closely at it. The darling little thing was just sitting there and then would stumble around a bit.

I am always quite astonished and awed by nature. I can't help it. We continued to watch over the little guy for a few hours and saw the parents come around to feed it now and then. Eventually it stumbled into some tall weeds and we went in for the night. Poor Bart didn't even have a clue there was a tasty little morsel out there (I don't think he would really hurt it, but you never know).

Just last night my sister Keri, her husband Golden and daughter Seerie, came up to share some ribs Travis cooked up for us (so good) and we were telling them the story about the baby magpie and Keri looks over the railing and says "OH, there it is" then "OH, there are two of them"...sure enough there were two of them hanging out this time.

This morning I went out to water my flowers and we saw yet another one out front...how many are there? Who knows, but I took a photo of the one I saw today:

Not the sharpest photos, but you can see how cute they are. I just looked up some information on the magpie to find out more about them. Here is what I copied from the site (I thought it was interesting):

"Pairs form during the fall and winter, and some will mate for life. The pair will engage in a lengthy courtship centered around the male providing food for the female. Both the male and the female will help build the nest, which takes approximately six weeks. The nests of black-billed magpies are sturdy domed structures that are often used in later years by mammals or other birds. The nest consists of a mud anchor in which twigs and sticks are inserted to create a dome-like structure. Then, a mud bowl is constructed atop the mud anchor and lined with grass. The number of eggs incubated varies greatly (between one and nine). The female sits on the eggs for the approximately eighteen day incubation period. The male provides food for the female while she is sitting on the nest. Young are born without down, and their eyes will remain closed for the first week. Both parents feed the young until the young leave the nest at about three to four weeks of age. The young are still dependent on their parents for food for up to two months after leaving the nest."

I am glad to know they didn't just fall out of their nest, but that this seems to be a normal thing for them to wonder around for a bit after they leave as semi-independent 4 week olds. Once everyone seems to have moved on I plan to go nest hunting - it has to be somewhere close by and I bet it is pretty cool. Maybe by then Bart will be able to do his business with some dignity again. 

I Am Grateful,

HB

Diva Quote: "Excuse me, I have to use the toilet. Actually, I have to use the telephone, but I'm too embarrassed to say so." Another great Dorothy Parker quote

My Darling Dad

How is it I didn't manage to take ONE photo of my Father today? Very disappointing. Travis and I joined the siblings that could be there to have dinner with the parents today. Mom made Dad's favorite - hamburger patties cooked in a mushroom gravy served over potatoes. Everything was delicious, including Mel's amazing roles.

After dinner Dad took the grand kids and Amy and I on a trip around the yard, which I thoroughly enjoyed, other than I felt like I was roasting and my newly washed hair was sopping wet with my own dirty sweat by the time we were finished. My Dad is just so enterprising. He was teaching us about the Law of the Harvest - plant a seed, nourish it and it will grow. This principle or law can be related to many things, but my Dad seemed super pleased with the abundance of the harvest that is possible from only one small seed. I am pleased for both my parents, they seem to really be living in that house lately - making it their own over the time they have been there.

Yesterday, Travis and I were home relaxing when we noticed there was some water leaking out from the dishwasher. Travis pulled it out a bit and water just started to spurt everywhere. I was freaking out yelling "more towels, get more towels". Travis tried to turn the water off under the sink, I ran across the street to the neighbor's house, he wasn't home. I ran back to the dishwasher and it was just pouring out water everywhere. My mind was a blank, I didn't know what to do, I could only think how much damage was  being done to our home with every minute that clicked by...

I called my Dad. Even though I KNEW he was no where nearby that he could help me, I just HAD to call him to find out what I needed to do. Mom answered, "Mom, I need Dad" she proceeded to tell me he was across the street helping the neighbors move into their home and said she would run over to get him. ACK - I remembered in that moment that Mom has Vertigo and was just praying she wouldn't fall over in her hustle to help me. Dad got on the line and by then I was pretty hysterical - not kidding, sobbing with big gulping pants, unable to take a deep breath - that is how dramatic it was. Dad was saying, "shut off the main water line" just as Travis had done it already.

This lovely experience just made me realize how much I still need my parents in my life. I love them both so much. I don't have any new photos to post, but here are a few I like:

Dad can be serious, but he has an amazing sense of humor as well. I LOVE YOU DAD! Thanks for everything!

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: : "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years" -- Mark Twain 

Photos Just for Fun

FINALLY - with the help of my wonderful husband I was able to save my photos off my phone. Here is the sibling photo I wanted to post at Easter, etc.

Fun Family

THE Drakes

Too cute! Growing up so fast. 

Spring riding - my hot husband!

I know, GROSS, but how else do those legs get smoother than mine? 

Nice tan line!

I just wanted to post a few photos this evening to celebrate my new victory; I hope I am able to duplicate it again.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "I don't know much about being a millionaire, but I'll bet I'd be darling at it." Dorothy Parker