Indestructible

See my chipmunk? He's lucky to be alive. He jumped from the deck railing trying to land on one of my bird feeders in the trees. Once he jumped, he was only able to grasp the very ends of the perch with his front paws, did a somersault and then fell 2 stories to the ground. SPLAT! Horrified and half crying (yeah, you all know what a softie I am)- I go running down and find him. Here he is looking around. He chirped at me and went on his merry way. Yep, he's indestructible!

P.S. I had several essays to write for school this week and a job interview that I think went well. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'll be over to visit you soon!

Chipmunk in Charge

This red squirrel waited patiently for the chipmunk to finish eating at one of our deck feeders. Usually they are aggressive so I was surprised this one was being so polite.


It's going to be a busy week. I have 2 birthdays, a baby shower and sadly a funeral (one of my best friend's father passed away.) I'll be by to visit you soon my friends!

Signs of Winter

I think my first snowflakes are on their way to the cabin soon. How do I know? Well my squirrels have been gorging themselves on my suet feeders and I had a little junco visit me too. I do love snow (like you Betsy!)

I'm getting excited for the Christmas festival that's coming to our town - that's when they'll light the Christmas tree. And of course I'm ready to break out my skis and snowshoes. I think the reason I love winter is because of all the activities I find to do. (Though check w/ me in February, at that point I'm ready to go to Florida.)








School is going well - I have a test to take this Saturday and then another test next week. Then I can enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend. School has changed so much since I last attended. I can't tell you how many students wear PAJAMA pants to class. Really - Pjs are appropriate school wear?? Must be a fad....

Time to breathe

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson



If you're one of the few people who read all my 50 million blogs (Betsy, Leedra, Mildred, Benny & Patsy) - then you know that I've been posting my Loon chick all over the place. The photo above was taken last weekend on my kayak. I was so happy to see this Loon baby grow up successfully in spite of all the dangers it encountered this summer (as do many other loons.)

This Loon was born on a stormy night and its' sibling did not make it. There were predators (eagles, turtles, pikes) and people to avoid and survive. I can't tell you how many jet skiers I yelled at from my kayak to "slow the !@#$ down" - because the baby Loon has a hard time diving down into the water to avoid them. Sometimes in my cabin I would hear the loon's tremolo call and start worrying that he was in trouble. Then I would have Greg launch me in my kayak so I could go check.

But in spite of all of this he made it. I feel like a proud parent that is now able to let their baby go (April, your post on letting your daughter go to college made me think of this!) Until next year when the next set of Loon babies hatch....then the worries start all over again!

Nature's Beauty from a kayak

Greg and I spent the morning of 4th of July on our kayaks. It was such a memorable day - the weather was breezy and in the 70's, the lake a calm sheet of glass. The only sounds were the birds singing, the squirrels chattering, the chipmunks rustling in the woods and the soft sounds of our kayak paddles lapping the water.









I love to wonder what's lurking beneath the lily pads.







A sleepy turtle sunning himself on a fallen log in the lake.








2 baby racoons taking a little swim from shore.








Fresh air, blue skies dotted with fluffy white clouds and spending the day with my husband - I can't think of anything better than this.

Butterfly friend

Can you see the butterfly's friend behind the window screen? :-)







May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.

~Irish Blessing

Juvenile Robin

We are young only once, after that we need some other excuse.

~Author Unknown



We made it to Kentucky and will finish the rest of our journey to Tennessee tomorrow morning. I hope I can sleep tonight - we pigged out on Mongolian Barbecue and my stomach feels so full. I may have to go run around the hotel several times! The drive down has been nice and we are looking forward to exploring Chattanooga. I will check in with you soon!