Well, I found this little anole bedded down on my Norfolk Island Pine last night. I wouldn't take a picture last night because I didn't want to disturb it early in it's sleep cycle. It would have been mean. I might have pondered that all night if I did.
This morning, close to sun up, I thought it might be OK. This little fellow hasn't moved so I hope it's still alive and didn't just die on that branch. I will check after the sun comes up to make sure. Also I hope I didn't point out to some hungry owl that it was there.
Now it's way too early to come up with some cute poem about anoles like Ivy and Jan have about the critters they displayed in their posts, but you are welcome to try to find one. We have already discussed that most of us thought that these little critters were called chameleons but we were wrong.
Kids love anoles. I think every kid thats come around the camp has found one and played with it. Some even like to keep them as pets which is alright but they do require a lot of care. If kept out of harms way, they can live beyond seven years. There is a website devoted to proper care for your anole.
98 comments:
Anole update. It's alive. I touch it and it moved.
Is that my ins. Company, Geeko?
is that lunch? too small?
Is that a Christmas tree? How come its not decorated?
Carol, why don't you wear some gloves or something...It hurts me every time that you put a hook in you hand...
Chloe I left a message for you at tm: Thanks for the hyper links information,,lets see if I can follow directions a little later...
Going to change your name to Captina hook!
I would say Holy Anole is a complete poem.
If you haven't seen this commercial posted on Huff post, you need to check it out. Cute.
Sleepy Time
Ivy, I too think Holy Anole is a complete poem.
Carol, you are a genius when it comes to putting names to the introductions of your new topics. I can hardly wait for you to put up new pics and topics. They are so interesting. You could market that somehow.
I am not fond of commercials, but do like the ones with animals or those that have animal
animations like the Gecko.I used to like the Taco Bell commercial with the little dog. One commercial that turns me off is the one with the two babies that look like they are talking. For some reason I don't like that one.
"Jan, do you ever watch the Daily Show or Colbert Report? They are both very funny, political humor. You can watch both online the day after they air on TV. They both run Monday thru Thursday. Watching them is one of my bedtime rituals on Tuesday-Friday."
Carol, pasted this from previous post. Yes, I love John and Steve. Two of my favorite TV programs. I have not watched for a while- will check in with them. Jan
I guess it is getting close to your bedtime Ivy. Kids asking anything new?
Did you see your owl yet?
Solar, I don't do that hook thing on purpose, I guess I'm a clutz. I need to start carrying a shield. My friend who went fishing with me a couple of weeks ago said we needed to do a fishing video. It would certainly be entertaining but I doubt it would qualify for any outdoor channel.
My favorite series of commercials is the Ally Bank ads with the children who receive gifts or favors, then the big jerk banker-dude snatches the gifts away. The kids look at him like he has two heads. You can You Tube Ally Bank ads for replays if you haven't seen them. I love the boy with the cardboard truck: "This is a piece of JUNK!" he says!
I tagged along to pick the younger child up from his kindergarten today. It was much fun to be there when school let out, and be a part of the action. As much as we are different across the globe, there is as much or more that we share in common.
Older child only arrived home from school at 5pm, about the time we left to go out for dinner. He said, just as well, he was loaded down with too much homework to have time for visiting tonight!
Kids here wear school uniforms, I think it's the rule at most of the schools. I'm in favor of it, heads off a host of problems.
The kids' mom and I had some quality time today. When it comes to raising children, mothers everywhere have common values.
Tomorrow morning, I get to tramp around and look for the owl.
Later, we will go castle-hopping.
It is past time for beddie bye...'nite now.
Ivy, I sure hope you found a camera replacement. Remember your vacation is my vacation and I don't want to miss out on my half.
Carol,
That hasn't been solved yet. Remember, I turned it over to a higher power.
Was that the higher power who forgot to pack the recharger? Oh great!
Am I seeing your 'yellow' anole right (it's not green is it?) I couldn't find anything under yellow anole, except what I just pasted here:
"When an anole is stressed out, or nervous, they will begin to turn a dark brown. Green means that an anole is happy, healthy, or relaxed. Some anoles, when relaxed, on a hot day will turn a soft yellow-green in color. There are many shades of brown and green. The darker the shade of brown, the more stressed, cold, or possibly ill the lizard is." Carolina anole
Also, I never did find out how you got your main post to link now. What were we doing wrong before (I tried it, even though I didn't post).
Jan, Thanks, I didn't see your posts earlier. I don't know how that happened. I guess when I came back you had slipped in. I have to go back and check more carefully.
Jan, if you can watch videos on your laptop, you can go back and see some of Steve and John's stuff. You can watch their entire previous episodes.
Ivy, I am so glad to be hearing how much you're enjoying your vacation. It didn't sound like you were looking forward to it that much, but things seem to have come out for the best.
This is so weird... Just as I'm sitting here writing to Ivy, I look over my desk at the window, and I see a spider weaving the beginning to the web, hanging down from the rafter. It felt symbolic (again), because there was just enough light and I just happen to look out the window just then.
Wouldn't you know that the batteries are out on the camera (that I never use, and replaced them several days ago). I snapped one with my phone camera, but it's blurry, probably because the dang window is so dirty, plus not much light and no flash. I'm on the second floor, so that dirty window is the only shot I could get. But still, I got the picture.
Anyway, the timing was strange.
Chloe, that anole was green but the dark and flash made it look yellow up against the pine branch. I have seen another anole on a branch before so they must like to sleep there. I will check tonight to see if this one comes back. It might still be a little pissed about my disturbing it early this morning.
Jan, I agree that Carol does make very clever headlines on her posts, and also has a very interesting way of writing her little stories.
Did you see that they will turn a soft yellow green when relaxed like that though. I did find a picture on some site or other, that showed a yellow one. But I figured the color might be off with the flash or for whatever reason.
Chloe, when you hit hyperlink on the New Post a little window comes up and then you just copy your link there. It uses the same formula you gave us.
Synchronicity Chloe.
Oh, I remember something popping up. I see, you can't just type the link with your post, it has to go separately into the little window. OK.
Yes, synchronicity, it must be. Normally, I'm sure I wouldn't have given it a second thought. But Ivy and the rest of you have made me more aware of the little things.
Here's that site, where they were all proud of themselves for getting a picture of a yellow anole. Originally, I thought you might have a 'rare' one in your post. Yellow anole site
Last year I took this sequence of four pictures of two male anoles fighting. It looked brutal. I got close up pics and they looked like two dragons fighting.
I printed a pic of the four pictures I took and have it around here somewhere. The little memory card I had those pics on crashed and I lost many pics. I need to start downloading the pics I take more often since those cards do go bad.
Carol, Flatus said that Lard needed comments on his post today, and once he did, I see TM'rs went over there Lard sounded kinda down, if you feel like taking a look. Maybe down is the wrong word though. Lards Blog
I hate seeing anything fighting.
I already read it Chloe. I liked your comment. I check in with him frequently. It does make me sad though. I still think that his being sick may be a mission he is on. A writer can put into words what so many other experiencing similar feelings may not be able to.
Carol, More synchronicity.
I went back and finished looking at the comments on that yellow Anole site that I linked, and one of the guys in the comments says he's in the UK: "can i mix a green anole wid the yellow one? i live in the uk can i get a yellow anole from here?"
Ok, now I'm getting a little nuts. I'm finding signs everywhere.
When a person is in severe grief, a serious illness or depression, it is emotionally draining to be around them for long.
I've been that person in grief and I had a hard time being around myself. I felt others running from me.
I think writing about it is helping him through it. Did you think he sounded down? Or just tired.
"I felt others running from me."
Maybe that's why he seemed to think that society has a problem with ill people.
I had a hard time finding the anole in some of those photos. They blend in so well. I have never seen a yellow one but I have lots of them around here. They are my friends.
I think of them as part of my pest control system and it is one reason I do not use pesticide around here. I'm sure I have lots of termites around here also. I hope they like to eat them.
I didn't feel he was really that down in his writing today. Maybe Flatus was feeling that he was. He has lots of medical problems also. I think many who hang out on the Trail have some serious medical problems. I thought that Brian probably did and that was why he was so angry all the time. I think he may have been experiencing a lot of pain.
I don't think so Carol. But they eat termites in Africa, so I guess you could eat them.
Well, I've had a busy day, so I'm going to read and relax. See you tomorrow.
I just went out to check for my anole and nada. There was a little dragonfly sitting on a branch though.
Brian had the same thing as Flatus: Ulcerative Colitis.
Now that dragonfly was more meaningful to you, wasn't it?
That can be a very debilitating disease.
Have a good evening.
Yes, when I see one up close and personal, I think that maybe mom has dropped in for a visit.
You too Carol.
I have been following comments but have nothing to add tonight. I have family with serious illness and its difficult to think and talk about. They live at a distance - and that way I don't have to think about it. I guess that says something about how I deal with people with serious illness.
Carol, I think it is lovely when you see a dragonfly "up close and personal - it seems your mom has "dropped in for a visit."
G'nite all
Jan
You are very intuitive, Chloe. I dragged myself to this trip because I was tired from too much traveling already. Not enough rest in between. Like Jan, I have an ill family member, but the truth is, there is nothing I can do, and hanging around the phone waiting for sad news is no way to live.
London was interesting, but these few days in Scotland has been restorative, experiencing the countryside, nature, and the joys of a happy young family. I even forgot to mention that last night during dinner it rained and we had a double rainbow! Do you know, we also had a double rainbow in Estes Park in August!
Carol,
I think your anole is just hiding.
Chloe,
I'm glad I'm not the only one with camera-battery issues. It will be interesting to see if your spider returns. If so, you will have to name her for us.
I'm very sorry Jan and Ivy about your family with serious illnesses. Distance can be a blessing and a curse. We're all here if you need or want to talk about it.
When I was going through all I was going through when mom was dying and my career was on the line because that fool Doc I worked for was arrested, and the Nursing Board decided I must have been up to something. I wrote to keep my sanity. Couldn't take strong drugs, which I really needed, because I had to take care of mom and I still had to work.
I was writing like my hands were on fire. I have more than a book in my computer. It helped me keep my sanity. It was so ironic that the career, that my mother wanted me so much to have, might have been dying right along with her. There certainly was some meaning there.
She was so sick at that stage, that when I would talk to her about it, she would only smile. She had no clue, which was a blessing because if she would have had a clue what was going on, she would have gotten out of that bed and kicked some State Board of Nursing ass for what they were doing to me.
I was actually jealous of her dementia at that time. I wished I could have some of it for myself for a little while.
It was the worst of times but there were small miracles going on all throughout the experience that I wasn't always seeing at the time. The writing helped me to recognize them. It helped me to learn from all the pain. I even found things to laugh about. Some of them, not until later.
One thing that is funny now but wasn't funny then was, one night I just wanted to know how it would all turn out. Praying to know. I spent a lot of time, while mom was sleeping, on my laptop. I went to this Tarot site. A friend at that time was into Tarot. It looked like a sweet little site with butterflies and flowers.
I saw this past, present and future card game. I clicked on it. I shuffled the cards. I picked the first card, the past card, and it was so weird how it described exactly what I was going through. Then I picked the present card, and that was also right on. Then I picked the future card and it said...."you are going to jail".
I threw my computer up into the air. I turned it off and never looked at that program again. How am I going to jail with this, I thought? And why would this little Tarot site have a card that said that? I never told a soul what had happened then.
Well, a little over a year later, after mom died and the idiots at the State Board realized they were idiots even though they wouldn't actually admit it, I get a call with an offer for the best job I ever had, at the jail...I was going to jail. Weird huh?
There are times in our lives when we must take a painful journey alone. It's all part of our evolution.
It's interesting Jan, that you called me during that time. I went by my house and there was a message on my phone from you, that you were in town, staying close by, and would love to see me.
I sat, with my head in my hands, and couldn't pick up the phone to call you. I couldn't even share with you what all was going on. It was just too long a story, too painful, and I had no energy for it.
Carol, I had no idea you were going through all that stuff a few years ago. I am so glad you came through it. It is so strange about the Tarot "go to jail" card. Talk about synchronicity. It is so true when something like that comes along and we think it relates to one thing and after time passes, we realize it relates to something totally different. I remember when I called you and didn't hear from you. I just thought you wanted to not have any contact with me. Thank you so much for telling what was going on with you at that time. I feel so bad that you had to go through so much alone. I would have loved to have suffered through it with you. When I have been going through grief and depression I have journaled too - and it has helped me to get through it.
I have some crazy stuff going on this morning with students and another faculty and felt so stressed a few minutes ago, I thought my head was going to blow off. I don't have the time, but was drawn to go onto your blog and see what was going on here. After reading what you went through, my little troubles with students seem like "knats." I can't hang around long but just want to tell you how much I care about you and hope you never have to go through anything like that again - and above all, not alone. I gotta sign off now and attend to my "needy" students.
Jan
Jan, I agree with you. Coming here is both a great outlet and a way to escape things for a while, and enjoyable, all at the same time.
Ivy and Jan, I'm so sorry to hear that you have loved ones who are ill. Ivy, that trip you are on is probably the best way to cope with everything that's going on, and I'm sure you'll look back on it as very meaningful in the future. I firmly believe that we usually don't understand the full meaning of things until later.
And Jan, when you said you thought your head was going to blow off, that sounded so much like something Carol would say (at least that's how it sounded to me). (LOL, I often say under a lot of stress that mine feels like it may explode). No wonder I felt like I knew you almost immediately. I think I knew you through Carol somehow.
I was really moved by that story you just told, about the bad times you went through Carol, and the way you coped with them. I also think it's amazing that Jan unknowingly became part of the story. She must be a very important person in your life, maybe even in ways unseen.
Your site here is like a journal for all of us. An interactive journal, which is even better than a private one.
My beloved rain is here today, and that makes me very on balance. All's well and there's more harmony in my world when it's raining. A feeling of contentment and well being.
Well, out and about.
Carol,
I think that you are a very realistic person, and except things as they come: This is why you are a strong person, and sharing them with us, is also a sign of strength. Thanks.
. "I firmly believe that we usually don't understand the full meaning of things until later."
This is what it is about Chlo. This is what I try to do...understand the past, the people in it..and what, why they did things that got them to the point that they are now...especially family...when we do understand:
We can understand ourselves much better. In our family, they hardly ever talked about the past and themselves. All of my friends (most) families loved to sit around and talk about old family me members.
It has been said about me (not bragging) that I give a lot more than I receive. I think that it comes from understanding what the other person needs to be happy...which is what makes me happy...this is what Carol does..she gives more than she gets...and is why she is so happy most of the time...the rough parts in our lives are to be thought of as part of the process of understanding human nature and our universe...just little parts of it..that shares pleasure, and pain with the rest, "synergy"...sorry for the length...
It always comes back to you Solar. All of it. I'm sure, in a faith sort of way, that when we're kind to others, that we are being kind to ourselves, in doing so.
In that way, I don't think it's possible to give more than we receive. I also don't think it's healthy to do for others, unless we also do for ourselves.
... and don't apologize for the length Paul. We like long posts over here. Bring 'em on.
No apologies are necessary for anything here at the Swamp. I'm sure that's what Carol would say.
... oh boy, I'm supposed to be long gone.
...outa here again.
Thanks, Hey Chlo, did you ever have the feeling of being two places at the same time....its going to be confusing here at the swamp...or at least im going to try to make it...if we are both on at the same time, here and at tm...ready?
oops I didn't see that your are short on time...see U later
Sorry I had to take off so quickly this morning Solar. I would have liked to try that being in two places at the same time thing. (The more confusing, the better)
I just wanted to slip back in and say hi to you. You're usually not around at the same time.
Chlo,
I just had a post for you that you would have loved...and lost it. I guess that we can't refresh like we do at tm.
Oh yeah, I've done that too Paul. If you're going to refresh, make sure you copy first. Hope you decide to repost it later (unless you're joking, that is).
Carol I forgot to tell U that I have a new e-mail:
pnsolarcreteatgmail.com
Chlo,
I did have a post, but can't remember how it went..I did re send the e-mail to you that I thought was giving me a hard time..
Be careful to check after you hit submit guys. I usually have to do it twice for it to go through.
Very busy and frustrating day today. I guess I shouldn't have started it with a somewhat negative thought process. It seemed to suck negative to me all day. I started by having to put a guys face back together. He was jumped by three other inmates.
Just above and involving his upper lip was this laceration that looked like a crooked table with two legs and a potted plant on top. Do you get the picture? I took my time and pieced all the edges together but it set me back a good bit for the day. He also had just a run of the mill laceration on his cheek.
I didn't finish that until 10 and then my nurses, considering only their day plans, stuffed 17 more patients in my schedule before lunch. I got cranky.
And Anna Anole is back. She's straddled across the same branch. Must have a short memory.
Here's hoping she's smarter than Anna Nicole.
Carol, I know you love your job, but it's got to be hard at times, seeing what you have to see.
No wonder that name rang a bell Chloe.
Today, by the end of the day, I wanted to cold cock a few of them.
It's not seeing what I have to see Chloe, it's hearing what I have to hear. Some are total smart asses. They tell me what I'm going to do for them and how fast I'm going to do it.
They do nothing at all when out of jail and then come in and want everything they have neglected fixed within a week. I have asked them, do you think you just checked into the Mayo Clinic? Some really do.
Hope Ivy didn't get lost in a castle.
Well, you're normally dealing with the 'gimme, gimme' mentality, with those guys you're taking care of in jail. I know the type so well. It's always about what you can do for them. And gratitude is a feeling they've never heard of.
And manners, you can forget about them. They don't care about anyone but themselves. Like I said, I know the type. I know what makes them tick. I don't know why, but I think it's because if you've met one, you've met them all.
Now I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule at your little bed and breakfast club there Carol, but you know which ones I'm talking about.
Don't worry about Ivy. She's having a good time and will check in when she can.
It's just good to know she's being well taken care of and will be back with us (and her pups) in not too long.
I hope Jan's little problem worked out. How was your day Chloe? Was there something in the air today?
I didn't enjoy the rain as much as you did Chloe. I put on Maggie's little rain coat for her to go out to poddy. She doesn't like the rain and doesn't like the rain coat either. I needed her to hurry up and do her business because I had to go get my hair cut. The little hood was over her eyes so she couldn't see what she was doing. I was dragging her blindly around the yard. Nothing happened.
Wouldn't it have been better to just put an umbrella over her?
The air in my neck of the woods was really good today. I had an excellent day, but you know they're not all like that.
Things will be better tomorrow Carol.
Jan sounded in good spirits in her last post Carol. And very appreciative to have you as a friend. She sounded relieved and happy to find out there was a reason when you didn't take her call that time.
Yes Chloe, there are many more very appreciative ones than there are jerky ones. I have many who have been there for years and never been to medical. There are those also who come every week.
I ended the day with a real jerky one. I went out to apoligize that I couldn't give this inmate an early dose of a medication I ordered because the Feds changed the pharmacy we have to use and they provide no stock doses. I even checked to see if we had any stash we could use but there were none.
He told me, I know, you just found out I have no money and won't be here long so you are going to let me suffer. When I heard that, my secretary/security had to hold me back. I did give him a good tongue lashing. One thing about where I work, I don't care if they like me or not.
Carol, Just keep reminding yourself that whats important, everything you need, is right there at your river. Your job is your job, and needs to be left behind you when you leave at the end of the day. Just keep picturing that door closing behind you, and when it does, everything changes. Because then you enter the world you've created, the one you've created for you and Maggie.
Sometimes, it's my only salvation. But I do love my job!
I know you do Carol. It's just that you have to keep it in a separate compartment from the rest of your life.
Those guys are lucky to have, and you're good at what you do. If you didn't love your job, you wouldn't be doing it well.
My little umbrella wouldn't cover Maggie unless I held it only on her. I thought I would try Maggie's little slicker but she just wasn't into it.
I had stopped raining when I got home from the hair place.
It's supposed to rain all week.
I hope it rains all week here Carol.
A rainy day is a good day to me.
.. see you tomorrow.
Nite.
I walk the line at san quentin
nite again
Chloe,
You should start saying, night-night. cos it has been awhile since you left after just one nite.....
Carol, tomorrow is another day, and will be a good one for you...yur just too positive of a person to have two in a row...night and sleep well.
Oh, and I like it when you come back again, and have something else to say, and we get another nite....
Now that one time that you said it three times,and a fourth? U went to far...enough already. GO to BED. I didn't say it...but almost did..nite again..HA!
Ha, ha, ha.
_____ ___
I guess everyone has gone to bed now. That is what I get for watching some TV tonight. Got home from work and took a nap before that - the students wore me out today. Things were better - I had student-whiner today - she didn't like her assignment so I told her to "stay home then" - really I did!
Thanks Chloe, my problem did work itself out.
Am much better now. The first 1-3 weeks of the new semester are the worst for me - after that, things settle down. This is the 2nd week so things are looking better.
Carol, we need to put your inmates and my students togther - maybe they would straighten each other out.
Hey Carol, your description of putting that guy's face back together reminds me of making a patchwork quilt and trying to get those little pieces of fabric to fit together.
What a job you have. I bet you were worn out yourself tonight. Hope you get a good night's sleep.
Paul, I agree. "I firmly believe that we usually don't understand the full meaning of things until later."
Carol, I LOL'd hearing about your taking little Maggie out in the rain with her little rain-gear to go poddy.
Today, I was sitting in an office - I thought I was all by myself and I was talking up a storm to myself and then the director poked her head in the office and I realized I had been talking to myself very loudly and emphatically - busted! She just laughed. All I could do was laugh too. Well, I realize I am still doing it - talking to myself - so guess I'll go to bed. g'nite.
Jan
Happy Birthday to somebody...oh wait! It's ME!
I should be able to stretch out the celebrating across all the time zones between here and you guys, right?
Oh Ivy, Happy Birthday young lady. What are you going to do fun to celebrate your birthday today? Dang, I wish I wouldn't have slept so late this morning.
And yes Jan, I tell my peeps here that it was my experience dealing with nursing students all those years that helped prepare me for dealing with the inmates. Any of you who took care of your teenagers would do well also. No real difference.
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