You'll Love These Winter Photos

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Photos: Minnesota's bitterly cold, brightly beautiful winter | Minnesota in Photos | Minnesota Public Radio News

Been There?

 

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not!

(Thanks to Marilyn for this e-mail).

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

Sign over a Gynecologist's Office: "Dr. Jones, at your cervix." ************************** In a Podiatrist's office: "Time wounds all heels." ************************** On a Septic Tank Truck: Yesterday's Meals on Wheels ************************** On a Plumber's truck: "We repair what your husband fixed.." ************************** On another Plumber's truck: "Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber." ************************** On a Church's Bill board: "7 days without God makes one weak." ************************** At a Tyre Store "Invite us to your next blowout." ************************** On an Electrician's truck: "Let us remove your shorts." ************************** In a Non-smoking Area: "If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action." ************************** On a Maternity Room door: "Push. Push. Push." ************************** At an Optometrist's Office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place." ************************** On a Taxidermist's window: "We really know our stuff." ************************** On a Fence: "Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!" ************************** At a Car Dealership: "The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment." ************************** Outside a Car Exhaust Store: "No appointment necessary. We hear you coming." ************************** In a Vets waiting room: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!" ************************** In a Restaurant window: "Don't stand there and be hungry; come on in and get fed up." ************************** In the front yard of a Funeral Home: "Drive carefully. We'll wait." ************************** And don't forget the sign at a RADIATOR SHOP: "Best place in town to take a leak." ********************** Sign on the back of yet another Septic Tank Truck: "Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises"

Red-Tailed Hawk

This Red-Tailed Hawk perched on our neighbor's fence last weekend.  As usual, Lon was the one who spotted it.  I'd been sitting with my laptop near the window for a long time, frequently looking out at the backyard.  I'd been entertained by our usual gathering of fine feathered friends.  Lon walked in after a trip to Janesville and within a few seconds he was pointing out the window, momentarily speechless.

Wow!  I grabbed my camera and focused in on this awesome hawk.  I didn't know what kind it was but it made no difference.  I kept snapping pictures in hopes that I'd get a photo as he flew away but that didn't work out. 

After the hawk left, I looked in the index of my Birds of Wisconsin book.  It didn't take long at all to identify our backyard visitor as a Red-Tailed Hawk.

In the above photo, you can see a tiny bit of his rust red tail.

 

 

I wonder what else we'll see in our backyard this winter!  With Lon's observation skills, I'm optimistic there will be more excitement to come. 

 

Gone With the Wind: Book and Movie

I finished reading GONE WITH THE WIND on Sunday and watched the movie last night.  I enjoyed both more than I can say.

In order to enjoy the book and movie, one must be able to tolerate endless frustration.  The happy moments  when Scarlett and Rhett see eye to eye and enjoy each other's company are rare.  In my opinion, those times were the jewels hidden in this immense Pulitzer Prize winning novel.      

Coyote "Not-So-Ugly"

Lon and I have seen this coyote in our backyard several times recently.  It's so exciting to know he's in our neighborhood. 

I hope he comes around again when we're home so I can get some better photos.

He looks a lot like a German Shepherd.

Here he's jumping across a stack of wood into our neighbor's backyard.

I'll keep an eye out for him and hopefully I'll have some close-up photos to share next time. 

A Pool Party in Our Backyard Birdbath

Our 44 degree temperatures have afforded our backyard birds the opportunity to have a pool party in our birdbath.  I first noticed a grackle splashing water and before I knew it, three or four other birds had joined in the fun.  Water was flying in every direction nearly nonstop for quite some time. 

The harder the big grackle splashed, the more the others seemed to like it.  I'd never seen anything quite like this before.   



It wasn't until the birdbath was nearly empty that the activities settled down so I could get a clear picture.  What a unique photo it turned out to be!!!!!



Are You A Bird Too?

I bought one of those cell phones that tell you if any of your family members are birds.  I entered the necessary information such as how each member would react in certain situations and other similar details.  To my dismay, I'm the only one who is a bird.

 

 

A Ruffed Grouse

 

That's me!  No wonder I can never do anything with my hair.

 

Saving Money?

I spent:  $9.99; I saved $15.00 off the original price 

I spent $1.99; I saved $11.00

I spent $14.99; I saved $25.00

I spent $2.99; I saved $.70

I've found a few bargains at Shopko as a by product of walking the aisles for exercise.  I saved a lot of money on the items shown above. 

As always, the reality of the spending I did is that I didn't save money.  I came away with $31.61 less than I had when I woke up this  morning. 

Reality is such a drag.  It's much more fun to believe that I saved $51.70 this morning.  Fortunately, Lon focused on my savings and was impressed with me.  I love him for that.

Drew & Tracy

Meet my nephew, Drew, and his fiance, Tracy.

This cute photo is on the "Save the Date" postcard we received from Drew and Tracy yesterday.  This pre-formal wedding invitation announces their wedding date of June 1st, this year.

Best wishes to Drew and Tracy as they plan their special day!!

What Are You Reading?

I'm reading Gone With the Wind.  I'd like to know what you're reading and if you're enjoying it.  Any book recommendations would be appreciated.  

Gone With the Wind

Many novels have been written about the Civil War and its aftermath.  None take us into the burning fields and cities of the American South as Gone With The Wind does, creating haunting scenes and thrilling portraits of characters so vivid that we remember their words and feel their fear and hunger for the rest of our lives.  In the inimitable Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler, Margaret Mitchell not only conveyed a timeless story of survival under the harshest of circumstances, she also created the two most famous lovers in the English-speaking world since Romeo and Juliet.  --Pat Conroy 

I'm working my way through GONE WITH THE WIND.  I've reached page 840 of the 1448 page book. 

Every evening, it's a treat for me to read about Scarlett and her self-centered approach to life.  

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.     

Lucky Me!

I was lucky today.  I was offered a complimentary manicure at the salon and spa I recently began using for my hair care.  An employee-in-training provided the service for me this afternoon.  I knew I'd get a better job than I can do myself no matter how inexperienced she might be.  

Of course, all of my nails were manicured and polished but in order to show off all of them, I would have to photograph more of my hands.  Trust me, my hands aren't as pretty as my nails.

Ahh, an afternoon at the spa.  Life is good!!!!!      

Winter Birds Here On 1/6/13

Where did he go?

Darn...I'm not very quick on the draw today.

I was unable to photograph several other birds I noticed at our feeders.  By the time I picked up my camera and focused in, they would fly away. 

I'll try again ASAP.

Drink, Drink and Be Jolly, By Golly!

I'm never thirsty enough to drink the recommended eight glasses of water each day.  I'm not even planning to try to hit that number.  I'm only hoping this cute beverage container will entice me to drink more than I habitually take in.  

Extreme Makeover Results

Previously, the cabinets were the same color as the door to the right of the refrigerator.

Lon's kitchen cabinet makeover is complete.  Cream-colored cabinets are now black.

My first reaction to Lon's makeover suggestion was NOT "Oh sure, I love that idea."  As usual, I hesitated at the idea of change and this promised to be a major one.  I decided to just get out of the way and to let him go ahead with his plan.  (Should I be concerned that I gave in so easily?)           

It will take some getting used to but so far so good.  Since Lon is a professional painter and decorator, if we decide we aren't happy with black, he can repaint.

These are the same cabinets that were put in when we built our home in 1972.  The cabinets themselves are nothing to brag about but changing the color frequently keeps us happy.

Hmmm...if we decide to stay with the black cabinets, I'm not sure I like the floor anymore.  Uh oh!!