FRIDAY FLOWERES

I am already beginning to miss my flowers out in the flowerbeds. The beds are filled with so many different colors and now I look out there and there is nothing but brown looking back at me.
I especially miss my beautiful Hosta plants. There is something about their big beautiful leaves that I just can't resist.

And another favorite is the Lily. I have many colors and types and they all bring so much color to my garden. This pink/purple flower was a Easter Lily that my brother had given me a few Easter's ago. It's color always intrigues me! But my favorite Lily is the Tiger Lily. This is one Lily that produces it's seeds right on the flower stem of the plant. And of course, I always harvest the seeds so I can decide where I want them to grow. They have such a brilliant orange color that really stands out in any garden. Yes, I am already dreaming of spring and all it's glorious color!

THURSDAY IMAGE

I saw this site while on a walk with my group some time ago. I thought the tree's attempt to grow around his neighbor was rather interesting.

I JUST LOVE CRAIGS LIST!

AN ACTUAL CRAIG'S LIST PERSONALS AD

To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last. Date: 2009-05-27, 1 :43 a.m. E.S.T.

I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.

First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason. My girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ... isn't it?!

I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].

After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done.

Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]

I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.

Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what 's going on with that?

Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target. The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).

In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life.

Remember, next time you might not be so lucky. Have a good day!

Thoughtfully yours, Alex

P.S. Remember this motto ... An armed society makes for a more civil society!

TUESDAY TOONS

I am sorry I have been so absent the last few days. I have fallen into the Facebook adventure. I am enjoying 'seeing' so many people I went to school with...a lot of them from grade school clear through high school. It really is a fun and easy way to keep in touch with so many friends at once.

So below is a very cute email I received today and it is a great TUESDAY TOON.


WHERE TO SEND THE BILL

A man suffered a serious heart attack and had open heart bypass surgery.

He awakened from the surgery to find himself in the care of nuns at the Cabrini Catholic Hospital .

As he was recovering, a nun asked him questions regarding how he was going to pay for his treatment.

She asked if he had health insurance.

He replied, in a raspy voice, 'No health insurance.'

The nun asked if he had any money in the bank.

He replied. 'No money in the bank.'

The nun asked, 'Do you have a relative who could help you?'

He said, 'I only have a spinster sister, who is a nun..'

The nun became agitated and announced loudly, 'Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God.'

The patient replied, 'Send the bill to my Brother-in-Law.'

THURSDAY NATURE

These first two photos are what I should be seeing out my front window.

But no... This is what we awoke to this morning. This has been a year filled with a lot of very strange weather....A very long winter, a very short Spring..seemed like 2 weeks....a short summer....seemed like 2 days....and we have skipped fall completely!

WEDNESDAY WILDLIFE

This was a recent visitor to our yard. Don't you think that sooner or later these creatures would figure out that Thanksgiving is just around the corner?

This is the only time when these wild turkeys look like this. Most of the time their feathers are pulled in tight to their bodys and they look very similar to the females. I find it hard to think of them as cute during that time of the year.

MONDAY IMAGES

CULTURALLY SCARRED TREES OF MONTANA

This is a tree that has been scarred by the American Indian practice of peeling back the bark to obtain the rich nutrient cambian layer, which had been a good source of nutrients for tribes for thousands of years.

This practice was usually performed in the Spring when the cambian layer is sweetened from the sap which tastes similar to maple syrup. This practice did not kill the trees but left this elongated scar.

During the 1805 Expedition of Lewis and Clark, they noted seeing these trees that had their bark peeled off.
There are many of these "scarred trees" in this area of Montana as they say this was a popular Indian trail leading over the Bitterroot Mountains into Idaho and beyond.

We feel fortunate that these giant symbols of the past are still standing even in this subdivision just down the road from us. I have been fortunate enough to find several of these trees in the forest near several campgrounds near our home here in Montana.

SUNDAY WILDERNESS

Another pretty view on a hike near our home here in Montana. It seems that no matter how often I hike a particular trail, I always find an interesting view I hadn't noticed before.

We awoke to a bit of snow this morning but I didn't think to take a photo till the afternoon so some of it was already gone. But it was still pretty.

THIS WAS A STRANGE PART OF OUR ROAD TRIP

JW found a used book store in Aberdeen one day while he and Mistaya were on their walk. He was very happy to tell me about it when he returned to the hotel room. He said we need to take Mistaya for another walk and visit this book store. Of course I said 'Let's go!"

The below photo was taken through the front door of this establishment....is there a way to get inside this door???.....no.
There are so many books, DVD, videos and who knows what stacked everywhere that you can't possibly get into the store.

There was no longer a sign on the front showing the business hours so we assumed this store has been closed for some time. It does make you wonder if there are any bodies in here and does anyone know where the owners really are?

As we walked back around the store to go on our way I looked up and the second story window showed books stacked high way up there too. Amazing.

WE FOUND THE OCEAN!

What could be better...sunshine, sand, ocean and a puppy with a ball to chase. This is the life! We are in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, Washington and having a great time playing at the beautiful beach and house hunting, and playing some more.

I have missed the ocean and the sweet smell of the ocean breeze.....about the opposite of Montana! More updates later...