Spring

crabapples
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Have I mentioned how I REALLY REALLY R E A L L Y love spring?

Happy Mothers' Day!

waterworks
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Take a bow, y'all!
This is my niece Kea and her daughter CJ. A first Mothers' Day for them. I was lucky to do a studio session with them yesterday.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Track :: and Field.
Snake :: in the grass. This seems to be the year for them. The worst one was the snake in the birdhouse!!! Yes! I could not believe it.
Assignment :: Class
Blockbuster :: Movie
Bombastic :: Politician
Adventure :: Indiana Jones
First time :: for everything!
Aged :: Elderly
Grip :: Grasp
Shortcut:: Desktop

Am I Blue?

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

I have become addicted.

Fonts fascinate me.

Procrastination, thy name is Shirl

hand
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Em's 16th birthday is tomorrow. I usually make scrapbooks for the nieces 16th birthday. I'm working on it!!

See ya!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

State :: of the Union, Michigan
Lively :: Zesty
Valet :: Parking
Traction :: Broken bones, need on ice
Official :: Referee, Umpire
Red hot :: Chili Peppers
Powder :: snow
Replies :: answers
Flagrant :: flaunting
Tweet:: bird

I Love You, Mom......

I Love You, Mom......
Originally uploaded by smiles7

Smiles7 lives in the upper lower peninsula of Michigan. She has the most wonderful photos of a fox family that I have EVER seen! This is a nice one for a week before mother's day.

Churchill Downs

kentucky derby
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

circa 1942.

Happy Derby Day!

Simple

tulips
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

70% Compatible

I'm a generally unf***witted, moderate, not-too-generous, not-too-selfish, seizure-inducingly boring spod!
What are you?
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

Well, it appears I'm 70% compatible with Susan!

A Different choice

gobble
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Franklin's Letter to His Daughter (excerpt)

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country . . .

"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

Question of the Week!

How do you get into bed?

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Thug :: Brute
Slurp :: ee
Alley :: Dingy, drab
Sweater vest :: warm
Targeted :: Chosen
Snazzy :: Sharp
Oy! :: Vey!
Jury duty :: citizen's responsibility
Low fat :: diet
Responsibility :: adult behaviour

attention

attention
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Happy Spring!

From Great-Grandma Alta!

dream

dream
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

They're on their way

70
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Have to get my feeders out. They are at Susan's, heading this way.

Happy Birthday, Julie!

I believe I'm a day early here, but should be just about time for your bday over on the other side of the world!

Been awhile since we did a quiz

Found at kwizgivers:

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You

You are sweet, mellow, and easily satisfied. You don't like anything too intense and dramatic. Deep down, you're a kid at heart... and you're nostalgic for the past. You are passionate and full of life. You fall in love easily, and you tend to have whirlwind relationships. Your passion sometimes does get the better of you. You have a crazy temper! You love being around people. Friendships are important to you. You feel lost when you're by yourself... so you tend to avoid being alone.

The Chocolate Oracle

Fly Away Home

ohsusan copy
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Yup. It's spring

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Questioning :: Searching
Immunity :: Survivor, Idol
Online dating :: the wave of the future
Calcium :: Milk
Dressing :: Salad
Bucket :: Brigade
Stain :: Laundry
Advanced :: Mathematics
Dramatic :: my nieces. Ah teenagers
Self-medication :: Vodka

Spring Truly is Here

chuckie
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

The woodchucks are out.
The spring peepers are peeping.
Saw the first convertible . . . with its TOP DOWN!

I wish . . .

that Jimtown artwork could be purchased at a store. Beautiful work!

not just a bunch of stones

notjustabunchofstones
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

oh the joys of spring! Last year I transplanted peonies from my mom's house. They acted like they didn't like the transplant very well. I watered and watered, but wasn't sure they would survive.

Well, they did! They are those little red buds!

*sigh*

So now reality hits. I've been faithfully exercising and going to PT. I've been off the "arthur-itis" medicine for a couple of weeks. But yesterday, I had to think everything was back to normal. I ventured up into our company's archives, in the back of the upstairs of the warehouse, accessible only by a long column of steps, steep steps. And my knee didn't care for that treatment. It has protested, and I'm back on the meds. At least now I do know the meds work, but I'm really having to accept a reality here that distresses me no end. Thanks for listening.

On the bright side: Last Friday I had a couple of growths removed from my face. There's always a slight chance those things can be problematic, but I got the lab reports today and all is well.

There's always a bright side.

hollyhock

hollihock copy
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

oh wow! I'm beginning to understand the rush gardeners get. Last year I transplanted some hollyhock from my mother's garden to my place.

This year they are coming up again. Success!

a baby's skin

cj2
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

#90796b
squirrel
#9e7f78
almond frost
#151619
nero
#d9b5b3
pink flare
#b47f74
brandy rose
#d7b1a9
clam shell
#e5cbc6
dust storm
#eac6bc
dust storm
#dbaaaa
clam shell
#cfb1a9
clam shell
#e2bdb9
cavern pink
#be8f89
oriental pink
#685a4c
domino
#856a61
ferra
#1b1f1f
nero

Colors from bighugelabs.com

what did they give that baby to drink

what did they give that baby to drink
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 271

I say ... and you think ... ?

Silence :: is golden. Sounds of Silence.
Wall :: Great Wall of China. Garden Wall.
Killed :: snakes last sunday.
Wishful :: Thinking
Poodle :: Skirt. A relic from the past
Sullen :: Pouty
Do not disturb :: Hotel
Philadelphia :: Rocky!!!!
Anticipation :: Ketchup
Sidewalk :: Sale

hummer

hummer
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

The hummingbirds are coming!!!

Have you seen any yet?

PT report

Last month I started Physical therapy on my right knee for "arthur-itis". The goal is to build up the leg muscles both above and below the knee so that they support the knee and keep it from shifting too much. I PT three times a week, and do home exercises. Things are going well! I haven't had any "arthur-itis" medicine since last Wednesday, and I spent two hours in the yard Saturday and two on Sunday doing work. When I went to the doctor it was almost too painful to walk to the mailbox, let alone haul rocks from the field for my stone pile. I am grateful.

The one part of PT I'm not sure about is the EMS treatment. The VMO muscle is hard to exercise, so a current is run through part of the leg, stimulating that muscle. That was started last Friday, and yesterday's session left me in pain for most of the day, which I think is a bit excessive. I need to say something to the PT tomorrow, doncha think?

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 270
I say ... and you think ... ?

Nutritious :: Breakfast, healthy
Graduate :: Hannah
Tonight! :: Tonight, won't be just any night! Leonard Bernstein. West Side Story.
Located :: Situated
Weapon :: Armament
Jumper :: Cables
Collectibles :: Antiques
Dennis :: the Menace
Hostile :: Angry, dangerous
Vivid :: Colorful

Spring! I think maybe!

There are signs, oh yes there are!

• Signs of Green?!! Grass.
• Robins.
• Red-wing Blackbirds.
• Crocus.
• Motorcycles. (Though that may just be the high price of gas.)
• Potholes. (Remind me to tell you my sad April Fools pothole story.)
• Home Shows.
• And the best and most promising: six day forecast of temperatures reaching highs in the 50's and 60's! YES!

maybe a little real spring???

peekingthru copy
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

it's trying! Temps in the 50's and 60's next week.

Two of my brothers

me + 1 - Me + My Brother Gary
Originally uploaded by wash52121

Yep, they are as strange as I am.

One Eye Calendar

One Eye Calendar
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

for your amusement

More Fake Spring

pinkbucket
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

pushing spring

pushingspring
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

If we can't get it here via Mother Nature, we'll just force the issue!

Unconscious Mutterings

The mutterings have been found. I got the link from Roscoe.

I say ... and you think ... ?

Stuffed :: Animal, Turkey, me when I eat too much
Gills :: Fish
Distance :: Miles
Panties :: Cotton . . . oh how prosaic
Checkered :: flag
Fill in :: the blank
Taunting :: Picking on
Diner :: Omelets, good breakfast, Mel's
Pizza :: Dominos, Bacon-cheddar-cheeseburger
Best friend :: Soul Mate

Unconscious Mutterings

Can't seem to get to them today. Checked with Roscoe, and he couldn't either. Anyone else try?

This is the Sound

of one bracket cracking. Splat! Tennessee, I'm so sad!!!

New Chocolate Treat

This year my favorite store, October Moon, carried Voges chocolate bunnies. Chocolate? Exotic? From my favorite store? All it took was putting it in the e-letter and I was there. I selected one for us to share on Easter. (At $12 each I couldn't afford six of them. Besides, they ARE solid chocolate.) I chose the Red Fire bunny, which is, and I quote:

This dark chocolate bunny charms at first bite with its flop-ears and petite pouf tail. A custom blend of dark chocolate charms your palate when juxtaposed to just the right amount of warming spice—Mexican ancho & chipotle chili peppers and Ceylon cinnamon.

It was a wonderful, unique experience. Next time I think I'll try the lemon zest and peppercorn one.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it!

That is all.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Money :: Can't buy me love
Unhappy :: Sad
Joking :: Joshing
Chipmunk :: Chip 'N Dale
Date :: 3/23/08
Slideshow :: Flickr!
Chicago :: Illinois, Lake Michigan
Lifetime :: Achievement
Skid row :: Bums
Edward :: the King

Spring for a Day

ispyafly
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

First day of spring was sunny and nice and we sat out on the porch and I read and the cats chased flies.

Second day of spring, we did get our snowstorm. Drove home (15 miles) on ice. Yikes!

This is why we love Michigan so much.

Do You

Stand up or sit down to put your pants/slacks on?

Notes from PT

Today was a milestone day. I started Physical Therapy. I've had a touch of "arthur-itis" for years. I've been able to stave it off with the OTC stuff and with warming stuff, but this last bout in my knee didn't want to mind very well, so I took it to the doctor. He suggested four weeks of PT, and you know, that sounded good. (Plus he gave me some arthur medicine which has helped.) So today I went for my evaluation.

A couple things I want to keep in mind:

Chairs: Make sure hips are slightly higher than knees. Makes sense, when you think about it.

Make sure hip, knee, and second toe stay in alignment. This one I have to think about.

Hurrah for MSU winning their game this afternoon, I got to see most of it. And I just saw Duke survive a very close one!

Go Green!

Happy Spring!

I asked for today off about three weeks ago, thinking I would do a little yard work, do a little Easter preparation. Well, I can do the Easter preparation just fine, but snow is in the forecast for tomorrow (perhaps 6 inches????

Dangerous Place

Seems like it would be too cold up here for Michigan to be the 10th most dangerous State. I'm going to blame it on Detroit and Flint.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Paranormal :: Ghostbusters
Alarm :: Fire
Operative :: Agent
Changing :: Seasons . . . come on, Spring!
Framed :: Photograph
Beer :: Green!
Referral :: Lead
Unmasked :: Sharpen. Good thing to use in PS.
Movie star :: Kevin Costner
Handbook :: Girl Scout

Brackets Time!

I do mine at Yahoo!!

Yikes! Not much better at countries!

47

Harder than it Seems

30

Spotted at Skittles.

Just so you Know

DSC_0145
Originally uploaded by jsorbieus

found this in jsorbieus photo stream

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Homicide :: Detective, Murder
Divisive :: Fraction
Flash :: of light
Steaming :: boiling
Crunch :: snow
Look out! :: below!!!
Anticipating :: tax refund
Slim :: chances
Navel :: orange
Help :: SOS

So HE said that!

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.

~~Henry David Thoreau

I love fonts

and here's another marker to myself to remind me where to go.

from March 2003 The Other Side

Want to try a Scruples question? Your 18-year-old finally introduces you to the person he/she has been dating for several months. The person is 36 years old. Do you express opposition?

practicing

Trust

Bingo!

I wish I had seen this about four months ago.

Believe It Gardening

From a 2003 Mandarin post. . .

Confessions of a Seed Freak
Notice the price. Ten cents. We do everything the free, cheap, and easy way. This year, with limited mobility, we found new ways to garden.

A conversation at work...

But you can't garden.
Ah, yes we can. We use seeds. With bargain-priced grass seed and plenty of flower seeds our garden is glowing in color today (we will step outside in a minute to get a picture).

How do you garden? You can't walk.
Easy. Empty the seed onto the ground and push the seeds down with my cane or a stick.

You can't plant seeds all year.
We did.

Step outside and take a picture.
It's fun to break the rules. We already have a yard full of flowers.

Our Garden
If we had followed the seed packet instructions we wouldn't even be planting the seeds yet. Today is Friday and we sprinkle seeds just about every Friday and some days in between. Today we are planting the 10 cent packet.

Sulcated

This word came up in the daily word quiz over in things to do. I haven't a clue as to what it means?

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Chemical :: Fire
Poker :: 5-card Stud?
Federal :: Marshall
Mattress :: Bed
Who am I? :: a woman, an aunt, a photographer, a reader, a snowperson maker, a Christian, an MSU fan,
Investigation :: Crime
In good hands :: All-State? Is that the ad?
8:30 :: work or rest depending on am or pm
Creditors:: Don't want too many of those
Resource :: Natural

My 3 Nieces

My 3 daughters...
Originally uploaded by wash52121

My brother Boo's girls have all been in orchestra at various times through their high school careers. The two older ones dropped orchestra, due to conflicts with their schedules. The orchestra director asked them to return for the Festival performance, a competition where judges rate the orchestras. The Festival was last night. The girls agreed, so we were able to see all three girls perform together. A first and a last.

March 1st

Lamb or Lion?

Happy February 29!!

Happy February 29th!

After All These Years

I graduated from Michigan State University in 1973. After all these years, I get my name in the campus paper.

Moleskinerie

Be inspired.

Frozen

Frozen
Originally uploaded by smiles7

The Golden Gate Bridge has nothing on Michigan's Mackinac Bridge, and Smiles7 captures its winter beauty here. She has an awesome photostream of the real upNorth winter. Check it out!

So the Deer went South

from the south
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

I had been worried because I hadn't seen any deer this winter. No signs of them either, in the field or in the far backyard. At one point I was wondering if the abundance of turkeys in the area was forcing them out. Silly city girl.

The neighbor down the road, who also watched out for the farm, is in Florida for a couple months. I talked to him last week. He said his son had been back in to his place (which is set back of a woods) the other day, and there were 21 DEER beds running back there. They had been eating some corn that had been left standing, and some myrtle. Yesterday I walked down there myself, and couldn't believe all the deer sign. Plus, as I got to thinking, the fields around the farm were chisel plowed and limed this year. Didn't leave much flor the critters to graze on.

Whew.

Remembering Lynn

ice_2
Originally uploaded by Lynn R

Friends on the internet are no different than friends in 3-D. We laugh with them, we cry for them, and we've lost some good friends. Lynn Rockwell passed away last February. She was one of my oldest blogging buddies, and she was Always a Dreamer, right up until her passing. She loved her grandson, her daughters, and her photography. She is missed.

More links:
Mirror Project
Mirror Project - Coffee
Saying Good-Bye.
PhotoFocus.
Deviant Art.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Protocol :: Standards
Girlfriends :: Buddies
Shoulders :: White
Coming home :: A movie with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight
Let it in :: the sunshine
Honor :: Achievement
Tyler :: Tippecanoe &
Thriller :: Michael Jackson
Angela:: Cartwright
The winner is :: Academy Awards

Winter Movies: Vantage Point

Sarah: I know he wasn't happy. That doesn't tell you much. I'd no idea how bad it was. I think he purposely wanted to cut off from all of us because he was so unhappy with where he was at.
Nick: Hm.
Karen: Is that true, Chloe? Did you feel that?
Chloe: I don't know. We had some good times. I haven't met that many happy people in my life, how do they act?
Nick: Mm hm.

Actually, the quote is from The Big Chill. Not leaping that far: William Hurt plays the president in Vantage Point, a story told several times from several points of view. Reviews were dismissive but I liked it, I really liked it. Of course, with Hurt as President, Dennis Quaid as Secret Service, how would I not like it? These are actors I've watched for over twenty-five years now.

Rating: 3/4

Winter Movies: Definitely, Maybe

Saw Definitely, Maybe, last night. It was definitely, well maybe, a good movie. It was a treatise on love, guised in the tale a father wove for his daughter of the three women he had been in love with as a younger man. Maya, the daughter, played by the perfect Amy Breslin, had to guess which one was her mother. Along the way, the father realizes that true love is about liking someone.

Score: 2/4

Winter Movies: Mad Money

Mad Money . . . a perfect heist committed by women. Interesting set of women carrying it off: Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, and Mrs. Cruise. I saw this with my friend Deb. She leaned over and whispered, "why, Katie Holmes can act!"

It was a cute movie, good to see with a friend, probably will adapt well to a television near you.

Rating: 2/4

winter horses

winter horses
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Probably in another couple of months I'll be whining that "i miss snow". Yeah, right.

Sort of right . . .

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Swiped from Kim. Thanks!

yesterday

yesterday cropped
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Saturday was a bright cold day here in mid-Michigan, with rain predicted for Sunday. Aha, I thought to myself, I should visit Amish country in the winter, before the roads became mired in mud. Amazingly, the roads were much better than they were in Lansing, where I used to live. They were evenly plowed and well packed, without being icy.

There is a little Amish gift shop on one of the back roads. I stopped there and browsed for awhile. I ended up with a book and a bonnet for Marlene, my mother's childhood doll that lives with me now.

One of the books I perused as I shopped (okay, it's a very ingrained habit of mine) was about some of the Amish ways. One of the questions was about telephone usage. It turns out that while the Amish won't have phones in their homes, they will often band together to have one in the area, in a little phone shack that they all share.

Apparently, Amish dictates aren't decided by an "ask first" mentality. When phones first came in in the '20s, they were used by the Amish. However, according to lore, a woman heard other women gossiping about her on a party line, and brought the matter to the bishop. The bishops meet to decide where the line on modern conveniences should be drawn. They decided at that time that the phone was a detriment to family life, and that it threatened their way of meeting "face-to-face" and visiting with family. Hence, the ban for phones within homes.

Cell phones are now an issue. Howard Rheingold, gives us an interesting look into the structures and reasoning of this religious sect in this article.

Winter Movies: Ever Been a Maid-of-Honor?

The heroine of 27 Dresses has been just that, 27 times! I was maid three and bridesmaid once, and have never been married, so if I thought back I could relate a bit. The movie was definitely a chick flick. Katherine Heigl fielded the role of a perennial bridal attendant fairly believably, which surprised me. James Marsden is a little cutie, and I enjoyed him much more as a reporter than I did as the goofy prince in Enchanged. Let's see, a rating? 2/4

How many times were you an attendant at a wedding? Did you enjoy it?

Movies: Bucket List

Okay, so I'm a glutton for punishment. When I was in the throes of thinking I had two weeks to live, I went to The Bucket List. However, it was a fine, life-affirming movie. I like old Jack Nicholson (wasn't much of a fan when he was younger, but he does old so vibrantly), and Morgan Freeman is always just right for me.

So: what is in your Bucket List? What would you like to accomplish before you pass on?

My Poor Spartans

Michigan State University has always dominated in basketball. This year is an exception. The latest in our trials was a loss at Indiana University, which knocked us out of the race for Big 10 champs completely. *sigh*

Go Green!

snow creatures

snow creatures
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

they're growing in my backyard!!!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

Passport :: See the world
Small world :: It's a very
Radio :: Olden times
Marine :: Corps
Wall :: Garden
Wanna be :: Tribe
Pigtails :: Ponytail
Hyphen :: break in a word
9.99 :: Why don't you just say ten dollars?
Unrated :: utoh

Videophilia?

There is a trend to spend less time in nature in this country. Is it because of higher gas prices, or because we're spending more time on the internet and playing video games?

I'm back!

Phone line problems kept me off-line for a couple of days. Apparently a snowplow caught a phone box and kaput!

Also. Bryn is back!

Reasons I Love/Hate the Groundhog

Serena had tagged me last week to post 5 reasons why I love/hate the Groundhog. Groundhogs' Day is one of those American customs that don't translate very well to other cultures. Three years ago I had done a post on groundhogs, so I'm going to reprise that post now.

Here in the States February 2 is Groundhog Day. According to custom, if a groundhog peeks out of his home on the 2nd and sees his shadow, there will be six more LONG weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, then there will be an early spring. As you can see, it's still pretty cold in my neck of the woods.

I work in Lansing, the Capital City of Michigan, and approximately 1.5 miles from the beautiful State Capitol. Lansing is a great city, but well . . . we're kind of provincial. In the sticks. In the middle of a bunch of cornfields. And that means we have some great wildlife within the city environs.

Now, if you've stopped here from time to time, you may have seen deer pictures. These are taken over on the east side of town. Closer to where I work, in fact right in the vacant lot next door, we have a different kind of wildlife. We have woodchucks, which are in the same family as groundhogs. (Some would say they're the same critter. We can debate that in the comments.)

In the spring, summer and fall we have fun spotting the animals gathering weeds and chasing each other around. (The printer is located in the room that has windows looking out on that field. Really. We're working, not goofing off. Really.) There were three at last count. There are at least two large entrances to their burrows. One is right outside the shop window, the other is farther out in the field. The woodchuck families appeared to go into hibernation sometime before Thanksgiving. In November.

Someone's Up

We had a heavy snow over a week ago, which hasn't melted. I've been keeping an eye on the woodchuck burrow, and imagine my surprise this morning when I looked out and saw what looked like an indentation in the burrow and tracks around it. Could it be? Do the groundhogs, other than Punxsutawney Phil, celebrate this day? I had to explore, of course.

We were very busy this morning as one of our staff was sick and two were at a conference, but things calmed down in the afternoon. At 3:00 p.m. I put on my boots and went out tromping in the snow.

As I neared the burrow I could see the hole that had been opened in the woodchuck home. There were many tracks around it. I became a little anxious. Would a cranky, sleepy woodchuck jump out at me?





I'm a real sissy girl sometimes, and I began to envision a snarling, bug-eyed, rabid groundhog chasing me back to the door. Bud, one of our salesmen, was watching. "Maybe it's a Wolverine," he hollered. Well, that got my back up. As we all know, I'm a true-green Spartan, and I'd never let a little old wolverine intimidate me! I plunged ahead.



My fears were all for naught though. As I approached the hole, I could see a gentle little creature standing near it, with a jaunty cap atop his head. It was our own Lansing Larry, and he decidedly DID NOT SEE his shadow! So winter, begone!

Our Hero

Lansing Larry looked a little worse for wear, and his teeth were chattering from the cold. Because he had done such a fine job of weather forecasting, we brought him inside and let him play under Dee's plant. He brought great joy and happiness to us on this, Groundhogs Day 2005.

faded heart

faded heart
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Remember your sweetie on Valentine's Day!

You have been reminded!

out to get the paper

out to get the paper
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Even going out to get the paper (that red box in the distance) can be an adventure in 40-mile-an-hour winds at 0 degrees. Ah well, I survived!

And how are you this fine Monday morning?

Sunday Report

Just saw the sun for a few minutes. That's the one good thing about bitterly cold (8F) temperatures: often the sun shows up.

Has anyone thought that Paris Hilton looks like Martha Stewart?

For anyone who plays free cell, my friend Deb is having trouble with game 617.

That's all for now!

Unconscious Mutterings

Week 262

I say ... and you think ... ?

Score :: Touchdown!
Luxurious :: Swanky
Party :: Animal
Limited edition :: Collector's Item
Security :: Social
Betty :: Apple
Under construction :: All of us
Pest :: Control, D-Con
Director :: Movie
Express :: Lane, Yourself

Oh yeah?

What obsolete skill are you?

You are 'regularly metric verse'. This can take many forms, including heroic couplets, blank verse, and other iambic pentameters, for example. It has not been used much since the nineteenth century; modern poets tend to prefer rhyme without meter, or even poetry with neither rhyme nor meter.You appreciate the beautiful things in life--the joy of music, the color of leaves falling, the rhythm of a heartbeat. You see life itself as a series of little poems. The result (or is it the cause?) is that you are pensive and often melancholy. You enjoy the company of other people, but they find you unexcitable and depressing. Your problem is that regularly metric verse has been obsolete for a long time.
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

I'm In the Mood

discover what candy you are @ quiz me

Captions Game

Scott at Edge Curve is still hosting his captions game.

Do you Suffer from . . .

Disposaphobia?

shuffleboard anyone

shuffleboard anyone
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Been busy this morning, building me a shuffleboard partner. Problem is, I just looked out the window, and I think his head fell off. *sigh*

snowblown

snowblown
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Mighty snowy in these parts lately.

This was taken Wednesday evening, and we had had about 8 and a half inches of snow. A field is across from me, so there is nothing to block the wind. Everything got a good coating of white.

For Valentine's Day

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Back Warmer

Snuzzles, my black cat, has taken to sitting behind me on my office chair. It's a win win situation. He's warm, my back is warm, and he's NOT ON THE KEYBOARD, which seems to be his other favorite place in the office.

Which team?

Pats or Giants?

Unconscious Mutterings!

I say ... and you think ... ?

What women want :: Love and Respect
Epidemic :: Flu
Taxes :: Death and . . . the 2 sure things
Hello :: Greet
Confidential :: For your eyes only
Lights :: Camera, Action
Summation :: Drawing together
Hard feelings :: Resentment
Electric :: Charged
Fresh start :: Possibilites