Thursday, July 23, 2009

Day Two Hundred Four


Ever feel like life is a bubble and we're all sitting on it? I
blew some bubbles today. It was fun.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Day Two Hundred Three

These mushrooms have been growing on the front lawn of Jefferson Avenue church of Christ for
probably years now. I especially noticed them tonight because they're so large! The grass has
grown up around them and they'll most likely be mowed over at some point this weekend. I've
heard something like this is called a Fairy Ring or Fairy Circle, so I looked it up. Pretty cool stuff.
By stepping into the ring to take the close up picture (cell phone camera), I may have brought bad luck upon myself. Or I could have made a wish. Either way, who knew? Now I know.


A "fairy ring" is a circle found in a lawn or pasture land thought to have been caused by dancing fairies. Scientific explanations for this widespread phenomenon are less poetic; the must usual is that it is caused by the spreading mycelia of a fungus (Marasmius oreades). The fairy ring may appear only as a depression in the grass but may also include sprouting mushrooms. If a human steps into the ring he or she is compelled to join the fairies in their wild dancing, which would seem to occur in a few minutes but in fact lasts for seven years or more. The unfortunate mortal dancer can be rescued by having someone outside the ring grab hold of his or her coat-tails. The concept is widely discussed in Celtic languages.
When circles of lush, dark green grass were seen in meadows, they were said to mark the place where fairies had danced, and anybody who set foot in one risked being carried off. Such rings are caused by underground fungi, which at times produce visible toadstools; they persist for years, getting steadily larger, and grazing animals avoid them. No serious belief now attaches to them; at most, a vague idea that it is unlucky to step into one, or, contrariwise, that one can make a wish.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Day Two Hundred Two

Random pictures from today...


Shelby's trampoline action this morning...

Elijah's jumping high...

The flower and the bee...

Forever blowing bubbles...


Monday, July 20, 2009

Day Two Hundred One

It's A Boy!

After two weeks of thinking this kitty cat is a girl, it turns out
that she is actually a HE. Took him to the vet this afternoon
to have him checked out. The vet nurse turned him over and
said "Boy!" So Sally will have to be renamed something else
more manly, I suppose. I imagine Shelby will want to
call him Sammy after an identical cat she had when she was a
toddler. I'm thinking Sandy is a cute name. Stay tuned. His
little leg was shaved and the doc drew blood to test for feline
leukemia and heart worms--both negative, thank God! And he
got some worm medicine and orders to return in twelve weeks
to begin vaccinations and later on neutering. (ouch!)


Buddy cat did not want to leave the safety of his carrier. He knows
what's coming--shots in the bottom. But he took it well. He also got
worm medicine--this gel stuff they put on the top of his head. The
doc says it covers every kind of worm infestation. That's very cool.
Buddy is mad at me anyway, I think, because of the new kitty at the
house. On the way home from the vet, he was riding next to me in
the front seat in his carrier, and I looked at him and asked, "Buddy,
are you mad at me?" He just closed his eyes and turned his head
away. I think I got my answer. Like a knife right through the heart!
And now he's got another male to compete with. Bad karma all the
way around.


And last but not least, the installers made their final appearance
at the house this afternoon and finished off the siding along the
back porch and trimmed around the new door. We're so happy
with the results. Still got to paint some stuff. Neil put up a new
motion sensor front porch light and a new back porch light by
the kitchen door. Things are shaping up!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Day Two Hundred

My Big Backyard
Sunday Afternoon
Felt Like Fall Today
Sat On The Back Porch With Kelly
Played With Sally Cat
Snapped Some Pictures
One Of Those Afternoons You Wish
Would Never End