Stinky Pooch

Stinky Pooch caught in the act using mobile bathing facilities ! She certainly needed it. I wonder how her flees enjoyed it. She took it pretty well, even the blow dry. Indeed it was a big improvement. This may not work as well in the winter. We haven't tried this yet with a cat. I would imagine that could get painful. But then cats bathe themselves, if you can call licking yourself bathing. Yiech. I probably could use a bath myself.

This is one of the freaky things one can find in our kitchen. It seems to have something to do with the lighting, which actually sucks. But it does cast strange shadows at times. This is apparently the head of one of those weird Celtic dragon things. Or maybe Viking dragon things. But how did it get in our kitchen ? The beverage of the moment was mere tea. Green tea, but still, tea. It seems harmless enough but yet those eyes are somewhat disquieting. I will admit this is not a normal kitchen in a normal house, but are there really weird invisible creatures that are only seen as shadows ? I'm sure many would seek a logical, rational, scientifical explanation for the presence of our friend, but shouldn't life keep a few mysteries to spark our imaginations ?
I suppose some may think I have too much time on my hands, but then why does it seem to pass so quickly ? Certainly not too much. But I will take some time to contemplate this visitor from our past.

Lit

We had our first cool weather and lit the heater. Not cold enough for a big fire, just a slow smoldering thing. I couldn't resist it. I had to try for a picture. I must be some kind of a pyromainiac or something. But I just trip on the colors I guess.
Soon it will be back to working up wood and all that. Chainsaws and all. Loading the truck. (If it will run.) Maybe a few hours in the woods.

Sports Fans

Greetings sports fans.

Notice the enthusiastic display of school sprit as the boys cheer the girl's cross country runners. They had already made their own run for glory and honor. Cross country meets do tend to be a little more laid back than say, football, at least for the spectators. And they let you in for free. The runners do tend to work up a sweat. We have a nice course here. It runs though the football field and winds though the woods. There is even a water hazard. And if that's not enough, we even got fire ants. I seem to get in them every time. I used to think we didn't have then this far north, but things change. I suppose the runners don't slow down enough to get bit. But maybe that would help them pick up the pace.

Boyz finished 2nd
Girlz finished 1st

Finally Gone.
This relic from the past graced our front yard for many days. In the early summer' or perhaps it was the late springtime it was an important part of our lives here in this peaceful paradise. But as sometimes happens in life, unbeknownst to us, dark forces were at work. To successfully bake bread, enchiladas and other necessities it included an oven, a simple device consisting of a thermostatical switch and a heating element. Now this thermostatical began to behave in an erratical manner. Thermostaticus-erraticus as it were. No longer content with subservience to the cook, it began to assert itself by turning on the oven at odd times and without supervision. At this point it was realized that this rebellious switch could no longer remain in control of the situation.
This would be in reality a simple operation in fact one successfully completed on more than one occasion in the past in similar situations. However, when a replacement was sought it became evident that this replacement was shockingly expensive. In fact for a modest addition in cost, one could become the satisfied owner of a brand new, slightly dented, but greatly superior cook stove complete with a totally reliable oven. So out with the old and in with the new, as they say.
At this point fate again steps in and this truck (see Sometimes things....) comes in to the picture. In order to remove this relic of past feasts it was necessary to be able to use this truck with some confidence of successfully returning to the point of origin. This was a problem. And so the grass grew around, the leaves fell and it became a part of our daily existence, always there yet unnoticed for the most part.
And now, on this wondrous day, it is gone. Truck is on it's mysterious "Truck Go" cycle and relic was successfully removed and truck returned home on it's own power. I am very happy as write this and enjoy delicious crackers baked with love in almost brand new, slightly dented, most superior cook stove.

This is an empty wine bottle. Once it was full. Someone liked the bottle very much and bought it. Unfortunately this person did not care for the contents. There are times when a man has to step in and do what a man has to do. Heroic stuff.

But even empty, this bottle could accomplish great things. It could safeguard important papers on a breezy day. It could support a candle and spread light in a time of darkness. It could even serve as a weapon and perhaps foil a terrorist plot. It could be a colorful addition to someone's home decor. The possibilities are endless.

And in my own humble way, I am very glad I was able to play a part in all of this.

Sunrise

I always enjoy watching the sun make it's way over the mountain and into the woods. Something about the light and shadows, I think. Of course one has to get put of the bed to get the full effect. But a pot of coffee brewed on a campfire is an added incentive. This is a favorite spot near Mt. Mitchell. Looks peaceful but the night before we had a bear scare. They say they won't bother you, but it's hard to feel that way when the critter is rummaging around in a dumpster about 50 ft. away and you're in a tent. We all had just read a story about Grizzely Bears killing people in Alaska which didn't help. But we didn't die that night. That was all last year and in the past. I still like the woods.

We have lots of trees arround our house. Is less grass to cut and cooler in the summer that way.

Car Seats

Car seats. Not real high class, but quite comfy. We have one on our front porch along with a couple freezers. An excellent place to sit in the evening and have a little nip. Strictly speaking it's not a car seat but a truck seat. Our son took it out of his old Ford truck and we scarfed it up. We lived in an old bus for a while, it was pretty nice. When you wanted to move on you could just crank 'er up and go. I'd hate to pay for the gas now though. We had a bunch of extra seats then. Back in the days, we used to sit on an old car seat on the side of the road and watch the tourists. I have a lot of good memories associated with car seats without the cars. A city near here passed a law outlawing car seats and freezers and stuff like that on porches. I think they just don't want folks to have any fun any more.

The Morning Glories are on the back porch, it's a nice place to eat breakfast.