Outdoor Honey-Do Project

Yes.... It seems like forever since I have updated my blog. I have many reasons for no updates so I guess I should start to share them.
Here is one of the joint "Honey-Do" projects that I have been helping with.


The "easel" that we are working with...


Here is some of the "paint" that we are using...
We have been splitting the above stone like you would see in one of those old time "jail scenes"...



This is the start of the project...


..and here are a few more of where we have gotten....

Watering Can Update...

The granddaughter enjoyed her first experience with the Tin Watering Can.  Here is a photo of her with it. 

The can is pretty big - as you can see in the picture!

The Watering Can

I have some special memories of my Mom...One of them is with a tin watering can.
There were many times when I would visit her and she would say..."ooooh...I need to water those plants."  We would go out on her patio where she would proceed to fill the watering can with water and then wander around the patio watering her potted plants.

Today...I am the proud caretaker of Mom's tin Watering Can. There will be more memories made with that can. My granddaughter and I will now water my potted plants on the patio...
I will share the story of the times I spent with her Great-Grandmother when she used that same watering can as she lovingly watered her plants. 
There is one more thing that is special....You see my Mom and my Granddaughter share the same birthday.

There will be always be a special moment that Grace and I will share on her birthday in memory of her Great-Grandmother. We love & miss you Mom...

Smiles...Giggles...Silliness

Can you guess why I enjoy my Thursdays off? I will give you a couple of hints.

1. I can count a walk with the MinPins every other Thursday morning...
2. I know I will get a little more exercise
3. ..and I can count on many "Smiles, Giggles and Silliness.

And here is the reason why........

Crater Lake 2002

I came across a photo album on the computer this weekend that had some wonderful pictures of Crater Lake, so I decided to share some information about this wonderful lake. You can find all sorts of facts about Crater Lake on the web - including the amount of snow fall!

You should definitely plan your trip including possibly taking one of the tours that is offered.  It is an amazing place to see...

These may be some old photographs - but they are still decent enough to share..Enjoy!

Full Moon Rising..

I happened to notice the moon last night as I was closing up the house. I had to grab my camera and shoot the following slideshow freehand and with one of the smaller telephotos. I plan to go out tonight and shoot on the tripod and with my biggest lens. These photos are untoched except for cropping on a few. Tiy can see what a difference some of the camera settings make.

VBG Gardens

I apologize for not having the slide-show in the blog before now.
Here are some photos I took at the VBG Garden. It is a private "by invitation only" garden in Clovis, California. I want to thank the owners for the lovely time we had there!

2012 ‘Garden of Eagles®’ Calendar Available for Pre-Order

2012 ‘Garden of Eagles®’ Calendar

Dedicated to the memory of the

Mother Eagle at Norfolk Botanical Garden

and the Legacy she leaves behind.

Photo Courtesy of JR Deal (copyrighted)

Once again, through the generosity of the photographers, WCV is extremely proud to offer the 2012 ‘Garden of Eagles®’ Calendar, benefiting the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Last year was an overwhelming success thanks to supporters all over the world. The 2011 calendar raised over $30,000 for the Wildlife Center of Virginia's work with eagles and will be used to build a permanent flight enclosure for Buddy, the 2008 Norfolk Botanical Garden eagle who was removed from the nest due to contracting avian pox. This would not have been possible without the support of so many wonderful people who care about wildlife.
2011 will be a year remembered by so many viewers. The entire world was devastated when the mother eagle at Norfolk Botanical Garden lost her life on April 26th, 2011 when she was hit by a landing airplane. In light of the events this year, the 2012 ‘Garden of Eagles®’ calendar will be dedicated to the memory of the Norfolk Botanical Garden mother eagle - and will include photos not only of this year, but will include photos of her from past years. The photos for 2012 will include the 2011 nesting season - both in the nest, growing up at the Wildlife Center of Virginia and their fledging/release. The photography is a visual feast for the eyes and the subject matter is dear to all of our hearts. This is such a wonderful way to remember the 2011 nesting season of the eagles from Norfolk Botanical Garden - both at the Garden and at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
You can now pre-order your copy of the 2012 “Garden of Eagles” Calendar by clicking here. This 11"x17", 12 month wall calendar will include at least 18 large color photographs and over 50 smaller photographs. Special 'highlighted' dates pertaining to the 2011 nesting season will be imprinted in the appropriate calendar date blocks. Also included in the calendar are photos and information concerning the 2008 eagle, Buddy, who is now a permanent resident of The Wildlife Center of Virginia and will become a member of the Center’s corps of non-releasable education animals. Information and websites concerning the different wildlife organizations will be included, along with some general information about the bald eagle.
The calendar is priced at $24.00 for each calendar and will benefit The Wildlife Center of Virginia. The cost includes shipping/handling. Orders for one calendar will be sent first class mail. Two or more will be mailed USPS Priority with tracking and insurance. (If you prefer having your single calendar sent USPS Priority, please add $2.00) Proceeds will be used to help the Center’s work with eagles and other wildlife. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ non-game fund and the Center for Conservation Biology’s satellite tracking program.
There is also an option on the order form for those who would like to donate an additional amount in honor of 'Buddy'. Simply write in the amount that you are donating in the area listed as 'Buddy Bucks' on the order form.
The calendars make wonderful gifts and will be available in time for holiday shopping, so please plan accordingly. Calendars can be mailed to other addresses and can include a card from the sender. There will be a limited number printed due to shelf life and the cost of printing. It would be helpful if you can pre-order as soon as possible so we can get an accurate count for printing. A word of caution, both the 2010 and 2011 were complete sellouts. As soon as they are printed, the calendars will be mailed out to the address(s) you supply. Expected delivery date is around mid-September.

If you haven't been keeping up with the eagles this year, please be sure to visit WVEC.com's EagleCam. The Wildlife Center has provided a camera for viewers to watch the trio from Norfolk Botanical Garden while they are in residence. WVEC has added many informational links. Tthere is the Moderated Blog to answer questions concerning the eagles. Please visit the website here.
Again, a huge thank you goes out from WCV to everyone for their generous support of this project. If you know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing the calendar, please feel free to forward this blog page to them or  please contact Debbi at this link you have any questions.

Photo courtesy of JR Deal

Sacramento Valley National Cemetery

I spent some time at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery this week. It is one of the newer national cemeteries maintained by the Dept of Veterans Affairs. (It is listed at the 124th cemetery out of a total of 131 cemeteries.)

I found the cemetery to be a peaceful spot to be when there was not a memorial service in process.

The VA provides an online grave site locator if you would like to visit a burial site of a veteran.

 You can find that service at this link.  

I want to thank all of the Veterans who may already be at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery along with those who have the option to be placed there.  Your service to the country means a lot to me.

Mom's Garden

My Mom loved to garden and she enjoyed the birds that came to visit her in her garden.
Here are a few pictures that I took today while in Mom's Garden.

Some Sights You Will Find...

all at one location...


"Wall o' Wheels"

Hummingbirds...

Funnel Clouds forming..

Pretty weeds...


..and here is a slideshow of many other things you can see when you visit Folsom Chevrolet!

Experimenting....

Yep..I am experimenting...with my camera!  
Here is a few photos I took today. I hope you enjoy!

Now You See It....

I was doing a bit of "backyard bird-watching" today when I happen to catch this starling.
He will grab one of the berries...

...and fly to the rooftop...






..and then it is gone with one quick toss of his head!

A Day of Joy & a Day of Sorrow...

Last Wednesday was one of my "Best ever" and "worst ever" days that I have had.
Best Ever... Spending the day with both boys and all the grandchildren playing together! 

...and you ask what in the world could make you sad on a day like that??
My Canon EOS 300D camera died after almost a decade of loyal service.

A Tribute To Mom

My Mom left us just a few short weeks ago and joined my Dad in Heaven...so I thought I would dedicate this Mother's Day Blog  in her memory...

You can see that our Mom had determination and style - even at a young age.  (I have that same walk...people I work with call it my "power walk".  )

Mom always had a sense of adventure. I can remember one time when she went deer-hunting with Dad.

Mom always  had a sense of humor and loved to make people smile and laugh.  She passed that on to me. (I feel my day is not complete unless I make someone else smile.)

Mom lived for her ever-growing family. She always seemed to be in her element when there was family around her.

Mom loved her siblings. She called and talked to each of them all the time. The physical distance did not keep them apart.

 ...But there is one thing she loved more than anything  else - Our Dad.  I am at peace knowing she is now with Dad.

  

I love and miss you Mom.  You have taught me so much during "your dash" ... you will be with me forever in my heart.

Mary Lou: September 13, 1927 - April 16, 2011

Another Mother Has Been Found...

I thought I would share another "Mother Story"...but this one is a bit more cheerful!
Folsom Chevrolet has some mother geese around who are raising their goslings in the neighborhood so I did grab the camera so I could share.

From Work Geese

There was a few times when one "Mom" chased another goose away so that the 2 sets of "kids' could eat. You can see her "carrying on" as she chased the other goose away from the grass near the tree...


Here is a slide-show that you can enjoy also!

Another Mother Has Been Lost...

..but this is a mother of a different kind...

I have been following the Eagle Nest at Norfolk Botanical Garden for a few seasons now.  This nest has brought me much joy and many friendships along the way - so I am saddened to inform some of you that the "Norfolk Mom" has joined my own Mom in the heavens exactly 10 days after my Mom's death.   You can read the news story here.  


This pair of Bald Eagle Parents have successfully had multiple seasons with 3 eaglets...
 
    ..and this year started out in similar fashion.  The eaglets were removed on Wednesday with some controversy.  Ed Clark of WCV conducted an online discussion today providing information that should help calm many. You can read a transcript here.  Please read it if you have any doubts about the eaglets being removed.


I would now like to recommend that many of us should donate to WCV to help raise and support the "2011 Garden of Eagle Nest Kids"  This is definitely a "family" in need.


Both photos are copyrighted and are the property of JRDeal. You may not copy or otherwise reproduce either without written permission from JR Deal

In Loving Memory...

Mom -You were right - You do have a hummingbird nest in your front tree...





 I have named the Hummingbird who is building the nest after you.
I miss you so much...but I know you are enjoying Daddy's kisses...
.

Lil' Miss Princess

There is a Princess amongst us - and I don't have to go to the United Kingdom to see her!
Princess Grace enjoyed showing off her "Princess Room" when I took her home after our day together last week.  You can see how much she enjoys it when you look at the photos below.

I Must Have a Twin....

...because there could be no other reason that I could get a close-up like this...

This fella followed me around the lake today.  I met up with him three different times...and it would have been more if the dog that I went past had not been along the lake edge which kept my new beau away.

One of my "Eagle Chat Friends" thinks that someone who looks like me feeds him -so I must have a twin!

The only other explanation is that he has a crush on me...