Summer (?) is Here!

Where has the year gone? We are already into the second half of May! Summer is rapidly approaching. But if you listen to the media, Summer arrives this weekend here in the U.S. Seems that Summer now runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Not from the Summer Solstice to the Autumn Equinox. Hhhhmmm....somehow I missed that memo.....

hail - not snow - from a brief shower earlier this month

But if I were to base my opinion of Summer being right around the corner on the weather, I would have to say that we have a month or two to go. There has been a fair amount of precipitation here in Colorado - rain, snow & hail. But I'm not complaining! At least we're getting moisture.

Over the course of the next few months, I am going to be posting some of the articles I have been writing for various publications. (one of these days, maybe I'll get paid to write....) I'll post links to the publications so you can read some of the other contributions. I'll check in periodically, just to make sure everyone is behaving themselves. I know how rowdy y'all can get ....

Enjoy your Summer!

Roadtrip - Odds-n-Ends

Rocky Mountains in May

Interesting Tree Root

Vine covered Telephone Pole

Recommendations and Observations

Hubby and I like to watch movies that are a bit out of the norm. Sometimes these movies are duds and sometimes we are pleasantly surprised. The following movies were pleasant surprises. I think y'all would enjoy them as well.

The first movie is entitled, Cloudburst. A fun, touching movie of the journey of two aging lesbians on their way to Canada to get married. This one will definitely be added to our library!



The next movie recommendation is The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. This movie was made in 2001 but it has the look and feel of a cheesy sci-fi movie from the 50's. In it a scientist and his wife try to save the world from a radioactive monster, space aliens, a talking skeleton with attitude and an evil scientist. Grab some popcorn and settle in for some fun.



And now my third recommendation, Irina Palm. A 50+ widowed Grandmother seeks and finds (somewhat unorthodox) work to help pay for medical treatment for her grandson. I really can't go into much detail without spoiling the movie. And this film won't be for everyone as there is sexual content. But the story is very moving and thought provoking.




Now for an observation. There is a commercial on tv for Kindle Paperwhite that just doesn't sit real well with me. I can fully appreciate this electronic gadget. Both Hubby & my daughter each have a Kindle and on more than one occasion the Kindle has saved the day by amusing a bored child at a delayed doctor's appointment or providing entertainment for a weary traveler. This electronic device has proved its worth to me. What bothers me about this commercial is the fact that all these people are at the beach and they're all absorbed with their Kindles. None seem to be partaking of the natural wonder around them. Don't get me wrong, I can fully appreciate reading in a relaxing location, I've done it quite often myself. But I can't help but wonder if the younger generation isn't losing touch with the world around them. And with each other. They always seem to be so absorbed with their phone/tablet/laptop/etc.




Now for the 'answers' to the animals that are hiding in plain sight in yesterdays post.

• Photo #1 - Leopard to the right of the tree in the grass
• Photo #2 - White bird just to the left of center
• Photo #3 - Grey Wolf standing behind Aspen tree left of center
• Photo #4 - Green Parrot on left side of far left tree trunk
• Photo #5 - Eyeball of Gator on far left side of photo
• Photo #6 - Giraffe on far right side
• Photo #7 - Buck deer, with antlers in velvet, standing behind brush in center of photo

Indoor Kite Flying!

Who would've thought to fly a kite indoors!

Simple Solutions and Practical Ideas

Blogus Interuptus

Some roadblocks have appeared on this journey called Life.

I'll be back when I can.

Cleaning, Recycling, Penny-pinching Link Dump

A few links for handy tips on cleaning, recycling & even some penny-pinching...

Use Coffee Grounds to Clean Sticky Tools

Clean Inside Irregular Bottles With Rice

How to Recycle or Reuse Anything

Make Microwave Popcorn With a Brown Paper Bag

Make Edible Cups Out of Jello

A trip to the 'Big City' and what we found there.....

We currently live in a very rural part of Arkansas. We are able to get the basics here but all too often, we are not able to find what we are looking for. So, when it came time to get some of those much needed school items, we headed for the "Big City" of Ft. Smith, the home of Mr. Peanut. Yes, there is a peanut processing plant in Ft. Smith. (as well as a Hiram Walker plant)

We spent the whole day soaking up civilization. And had fun seeing what bargains we could find... Hubby found the most awesome pair of Halloween colored shoes.

And I found some really neat paper-mache skulls and wooden caskets at Michael's. And we both got a bit of a Halloween fix since Michael's and Hobby Lobby are just beginning to put out items. We're going back in about a month for more Halloween goodness!

Must run... Hubby got some new patches for his school backpack and I need to sew them on. Hard to tell he's an Honor Student (Dean's List, Phi Theta Kappa, Algebra Tutor & Computer Mentor) by looking at those patches.....

My Summer Vacation ~ Part 2

I know how you've been hanging on, waiting for me to finish my exciting story about my Summer vacation. And I'm just getting to the good part - the one about all the insects I have viewed in my garden over the summer. 


Bees on my Black-eyed Susans.

A host of Monarch caterpillars consuming my Fennel.

A squadron of Dragonflies practicing aerial acrobatics.

And several of these quick, little Bumblebee (or Clearwing) Moths .

And I gave Hubby a lot of moral support while he hit the books with his summer classes. 
He got straight A's, too.  I'm so proud of you Dear!  ♥

CONGRATS!!!
The Fall Semester starts soon.... Guess I need to take Hubby school shopping! I think he needs a new backpack!

But the hi-lites of my summer were my two trips back to Denver and getting to play with all the Grandkids! (Sorry no picture - way too hard to get 6 kids all under the age of 6 to hold still for more than 2 seconds!) And while I was away, my little army of Jack O Lanterns (they are actually photo holders) kept a vigilante watch for my return.

And what does the future hold for me? 
Lots of these...
(empty boxes)

And this.
Packing those empty boxes with our stuff!

Because a move is in our not so distant future!
{when Hubby finishes school...}

Looks like Sylvester is already boxed and ready to go!

What I Did on Summer Vacation ~ Part 1

I am afraid I have been remiss in keeping you informed of all the FASCINATING things I've done this summer. I know how you have been lying awake at night pondering this!
(or not...)


It has been a terribly hot summer here - the only thing that has prevented us from spontaneously combusting was the high humidity!  (you think I'm joking!) 


And when we have a hot summer, then the DUST BUNNIES flourish! They breed like, well..... Dust Bunnies! And they get HUGE!!! (I even heard rumors of some of the Dust Bunnies forming gangs and threatening violence against the Cats!) 

Generally Dust Bunnies are only to be found inside our home (when you have three very large, hairy Alaskan Malamutes, Dust Bunnies are a common occurrence) - mainly hiding in corners or up against book shelves. 


But this year, they can even be found OUTSIDE!  YIKES!

But back to the story....... My summer began with me finding a stray kitten in the Walmart parking lot. A POX on whoever left the poor thing there! But she found a wonderful home with a lovely woman who named her Farah the very same day thanks to Hubby asking around at school.


And then, I watched my flowers grow.

And my peppers get big and red.

And I found a wonderful Crystal in the backyard.

And.....well, you'll have to stay tuned for the rest of the story! 


Until next time....

Happy Haunting!

A Milestone!

WOW!!

And double WOW!!

I am flabbergasted that there are 200 Wonderful Souls out there in the world that find my blog interesting! And that's not even counting the those of you who follow me via RSS Feed or email notification.

WOW!!!

I am honored and humbled. And totally amazed! How did you ever find me in this GINORMOUS world of Blogland??

I began this blog almost two years ago (my blog-o-versary is in September) as a way to promote my artistic creations and it has evolved into so much more. I have met so many, many wonderful people along the way. And traveled across the world to so many fantastical places all because of YOU! 

T*H*A*N*K   Y*O*U!

We will be celebrating this milestone along with my blog-o-versary in September with give-aways and special posts and spotlights on some of the wonderful people who follow my blog.
So stay tuned..... Same time......Same station.....

And in the mean time....

HAPPY HAUNTING!!!

A Summer Romance

    As I lay on my bed, thinking about you, I feel this strong urge to grab you and squeeze you, because I can't forget last night.  You came to me unexpectedly during the calm and balmy night, and what happened in my bed still leaves a tingling sensation in me.

You appeared from no where and shamelessly, without any reservations, you laid on my naked body...you sensed my  indifference, so you applied your hungry mouth to me without any guilt or humiliation, and you drove me near crazy while you drained me.  Finally, I drifted off to sleep.

Today when I awoke, you were gone, I searched for you but to no avail, only the sheets bore witness to last night's events.  My body still bears faint marks of your enthusiastic ravishing, making it all the more difficult to forget you.

Tonight, I will remain awake,  waiting for you.........you damn mosquito!

*** I received this as an email & just had to share!***

Vampire Causes Car Crash

Date : June 29, 2010
Location : Mesa County, Colorado

A woman told state troopers she was fleeing a vampire when she ran her sport-utility vehicle into a canal in Mesa County Sunday night, KKCO television station in Grand Junction reported.

The woman, whose name was not released, told a trooper she was traveling alone about 9:25 p.m. on a dirt road near Fruita when she came upon the vampire, threw her vehicle in reverse and ran off the road. The SUV came to rest on its passenger side.

She was not injured, and since neither drugs nor alcohol were suspected she was not charged, according to the State Patrol.

Craziness!

The last two weeks have been C*R*A*Z*Y! To say the least. 

I have been trying to get ready for a yard sale (which I had this past Fri/Sat & managed to sell a LOT - WooHoo!!! ), finish up some projects 'cause I didn't want the Kitties using Pumpkin Stems for hockey pucks (didn't get anywhere near finished...),

and prepare for a trip to Colorado to babysit for Grandson #1 (all the Grandkids are numbered according to age), Jameson, while his Mom, Tracy, & our youngest son, Jeremy, go to Vegas.

AND...I've been spending way too much time on the internet looking at dresses for our oldest son's wedding in June. I am not a dress person. I am a sweats and old comfy jeans person (and no matter what I wear, it usually has paint/cat hair/dog hair on it) Finding a dress for someone 50+  that is flattering and suits 'ME" is not so easy. Does anyone have any suggestions??

Anyhoo....I am leaving Tuesday for a week in Denver so everyone gets a break from my random babbling. And when I come back I shall finish those poor JOLs that are sitting on the windowsill faceless. So be good while I'm gone! And don't do anything I wouldn't do!

I shall leave you with a picture of a project I completed for Jameson. A new Super Hero cape! The "J" stands for J-Man. And here is Grandpa getting ready to take the cape for a test flight with his trusty side-kick, Super Gomez.

Until next time....
Happy Haunting!