Mother Nature

I'm just about through talking
I've said all I have to say
And if you think I'm bluffing
Go ahead and make my day

I'll be on you like a lightning
I've got thunder in my hand
I'll do whatever it takes
But I'm being the best I can

Don't mess with Mother Nature
You'll be sorry if you do
I'll rain on your parade
And I'll stomp all over you

Songwriters
Dino George Fekaris; Zesses Nickolas E

Sung by Koko Taylor

No surprise that Mother Nature is on my mind. Flood water and tornadoes have been bombarding our area. We're fine-still in the process of cleaning up. Being careful about where and when we travel. All of our news stations sign off with "Turn around don't drown" and yet there are crews out there looking for people that have been in vehicles washed away. I cross the Buffalo River every day and it's amazing how quickly the water level can go up. 

Families

I know not every family is perfect. I also know that most of them have a little weirdness to them-and some like ours have a lot of weirdness. Our pets are considered family. Those pets belonging to my adult offspring are considered my grand dogs. We have birthday parties for them. My sisters have traveled long distances with their animals. One nameless sister even smuggled hers into a motel. My brother is no better-he rescues squirrels giving them names or finding people that can nurse them into adult hood. My dad is at the legal limit for dogs-and has been for quite a while. So we love animals. We also love to have a good time. We joke around. My vegetarian daughter still eats at my house. Some of us are political opposites. We disagree on religion, child rearing, how to drive, whether to hunt, and the death penalty. But we love each other. Really love each other. I know if I ever need any thing I can call any one of my siblings and they will be there for me. Maybe distance will prevent them from actually physically being by my side, but they are not above finding someone else to peak in on me. I can't count the number of times I've called Robyn, Lee, or Patrick at some off the wall time to bend their ears about something. My dad and step parents too. My kids offer me emotional support too. All this and I have a kick-ass husband to boot.
I've been thinking about all this since I read a post from a very special person. Her dad has heart troubles, her hubby has just beat cancer, her daughter has some mysterious illness, her mom isn't as strong as she once was, and her one sibling isn't there for her. No one to call, No one to be at the hospital with her. No jokes or stories to cheer her up. No amazing nieces or nephews to brighten her day. My heart just breaks for her. She's one of the sweetest people to every walk the earth.
So I'll pray for her and call in a little bit and send all the best wishes I can.
Then, I'll thank God for sisters mean enough to take pictures of me hugging a toilet or going through labor. And a brother that'll call at four am to see if I'm ready to go hunting. People that laugh about Chicken Fest and snow on Easter picnics.

Six Finger Falls

If you venture in the Richland Creek Area you could find Six Finger Falls:

Be prepared-there are no markers off the gravel road. No road signs and very, very little cell phone service.

Floating from Steele to Kyle's Landing

Sometimes when you take a picture-nothing seems to do nature justice. These were taken on April 15th as we canoed from Steele Creek to Kyle's landing.

 If you look real close in the picture below you can see the remnants of an old house place and chimney.

Morning coffee in my rocker..

A while back, I was lucky enough to purchase two over sized rocking chairs with a table at a yard sale at an incredible price. I say this because I love these rocking chairs and they were a steal. So, I use them every chance I can.
Today, I actually got out of bed when the alarm went off-which meant I had time for breakfast and a really large cup of coffee. It was nice and warm outside with a soft breeze blowing so I decided to use the rocking chairs and eat outside while the dogs irritated the cats. It was a wonderful morning with a Whip or will bird calling in the distance. I love the sound that they make. It wasn't long when I heard another bird. An owl started making noises too. I haven't heard an owl in a long, long time and I wonder if it meant something. Enter the internet and google and according to that:
When the owl shows up in your life, pay attention to the winds of change. Perhaps you are about to leave some old habits, a situation that no longer serve you or bring something new in your life.

A different view point...arguing with a four year old

Today has led to many unusual conversations. I believe in talking to children as young adults-and sometimes this comes back to bite me.
Xander wanted to know what the nobby things were on Dixie's belly and I told him those were teats. Eventually, when Dixie gets ready to have puppies. Milk will come out of those teats and that's how the puppies will get their milk. He wanted to know if it was like a mama and her baby and I told him yes because to me it is. Hours later he told me that Dixie liked it when he rubbed her belly and the pink nobby things.
At breakfast we were discussing honey (we had it over toast). He decided he liked honey and was pretty excited when I told him that Poppy's bees were honey bees and someday we'll have more honey just right outside. That's good he told me because he could eat a lot of it if I'd let him. Then he wanted to know which orifice the honey came out of? Wtf, I told him I'd have to get back to him on that one but I was pretty sure it didn't come out of their butt. Poppy confirmed it. Honey comes out of a bees mouth.
He learned that people that drive airplanes are pilots.
Generally, he's a pretty smart little cookie.
But I don't care what he says-this wooden creature is not a slug:

For You

It hurts to see someone you love hurting. Even more so when there's nothing in the world you can do about it, but I ran across this today and it reminded me of you. I hope things get better.