Friday, June 11, 2010

Come see the Louisiana Wetlands.















































149 comments:

jan said...

The pictures are great. I love the gators. You sisters look fabulous!

jan said...

We just came from Caddo Gap area in Ark. My son and DIL and children live there. They are all safe. My DIL has a lot of family and good friends in the area. Twenty people, so far, are known to have died in the flash flood that swept through camp ground there. My son and DIL live in a little community, Manchester, just outside of Arkadelphia. We drive through Caddo Gap when traveling to and from Arkadelphia.

jan said...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100611/ap_on_re_us/us_arkansas_flooding

above is a link to the disaster.

Carol said...

Hey guys, when I saw that alligator right at the outset of our nature walk, I turned to my sister and asked her if she really wanted to take it. "Oh, hell yeah" she said. I was thinking back to some of episodes of misadventure over the years. They were quite a while back and we have both cleared a lot of bad karma since then.

The day turned out wonderful. It was actually wonderful that those alli-guys showed up to get their pics taken. It was warm but there was a cloud cover off and on and a nice stiff breeze blowing.

We found a little throw it together, open air diner. We ordered some burgers, beef and chicken, and sat on rocking chairs, visiting with these two little kids hanging out for the day. Daddy brought them to work with him. They were perfect entertainment. It was like I had my own grandkids for an hour. Just long enough.

Solar said...

Carol,

Very nice pics of U and your sister (the third one right?) but who were/are those blonds.??

Ps. wasn't complaining when I said my harem was growing....but a guy can get exhausted around here........and if some other guy does show up....he better know his place......im the jealous type......and no-one dances with any pink, without prior permission.........thats in the rule book...the book of winkle.....I just don't make this stuff up as I go along U know....

jan said...

Carol, good story about the alli's. That was without a doubt, "the road less traveled" ha ha. How old were the kids - boys or girls" I always find kids the best entertainment.

jan said...

Ivy, I have started Geraldine Brooks' book, The Year of Wonders. I am hooked. She is an excellent writer - although I need an old English dictionary in the worst way.

jan said...

Hi Solar, what are you up to lately? I didn't know you were a jealous guy. I liked your picture on the TM video. Was that your son with you?

jan said...

Hi Chloe, are you staying cool enough. We are supposed to have a "cold spell" that will get our temps down into the hi 80's. Our poor AC is running most of the day. We kick the temp up to 78 at night and sleep downstairs in the basement rooms where it is about 68.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Beautiful pictures! Gorgeous, clear day - that sky looks bluer than blue. The whole time I lived on the west coast, I never saw a sky as blue and clear as we get them here. A lot more stars than I ever knew existed too.

I have to admit, seeing those gators right off would have probably scared me away. I'm glad you guys are braver than me, because it looks like it turned out to be a wonderful day - food, company and all.

Carol, You figured out how to get more than 5 pics - do you have to add them 'after' you publish your post the first time?

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan! I'm always cool enough, because I stay inside where the AC is keeping things real comfortable. Same in my car - I just don't spend long enough in the heat for it to bother me.

Anonymous said...

Jan, I'm glad to hear your family in Arkansas are doing fine. I didn't even know about the flash flood, until I went to your link.

Anonymous said...

Coreen, I just went back to catch up on the end of the last thread, and when I was here this morning I didn't see you for some reason.

Reg. that 16 yrs old sailor, I'd still be on pins and needles if I was either of her parents. I think it said the rescue boat would take about 24 hours to reach her (although I'm not sure exactly when that started). Her father said he just wants her back safe, and he realizes that the record setting trip is unimportant at this point.

I figure they may be about 12 hours in by now? We may know by morning.

Anonymous said...

It's so nice to see that all was well on your nature trail Carol. Good to see all those beautiful pictures, after the horrifying ones that have been popping up on my screen whenever I check the news.

Great way to start the weekend.
(... you going swimming tomorrow?)

The sites acting a little weird, loading real slow and giving me errors. I'll check in the morning.

Solar said...

Hey where are U going? every time that I feel like dancing...u exit...Carol, do U feel like dancing.....I have my alligator dancing shoes on.....

Jan,

Yes that was my son Tom....I found a few pics..when I was in the Marines, and not as old....time changes things a little...no?

No Im not, and have (maybe a little) been the jealous type, I alwlays had a good cry over some old Patsy Cline songs at the juke box...(just one night) and forgot it all; when I lost a gal, to anther guy...figured it wasn't meant to be, the best one was when I was engaged toa girl Named Sue....when I got back from boot camp...she was married to another person...he thought that I was going to beat the hell outta him....coulda kissed him...that was a close one.....thanks

Carol said...

Jan, that is a horrible story about what happened at that campground in Arkansas. I remember when I took Lynn and her kids camping at the Guadaloupe in Texas one year. We had to evacuate the campground around midnight one night because they were expecting the water to come over the dam.

Anytime you travel or even hang around Lynn, you better expect and prepare for disaster.

jan said...

Carol, OMG what kind of snake is that?

Solar, when I was younger and inclined toward "falling in love" -- music always reminded me of a current or past love. I love Patsy Cline's songs, especially Crazy.

jan said...

Carol, how very true about Lynn. She simply invited disaster wherever she was. She was also a hoot. She kept us entertained with stories.

Coreen said...

Are you insane!!!

Here I thought what great pics of a nice place
to visit...& then you go and spoil it!!!....

I REALLY HATE S****S!....

Have a fun weekend....Will have to check in when its gone....

jan said...

Chloe, you are smart to stay out of the heat. I try to do that too. The heat here is not too oppressive until it gets into and above hi 90's.

Coreen, I too wonder where the parents of kids are that allow them to go off on these adventures - but hey I guess that is what youth is all about. I was scared s---less when my 47 year old son rode a motorcycle home from Michigan to NM.

jan said...

Coreen,LOL at your above comment. I too hate snakes. But they are God's creatures. Why do we hate snakes and not turtles?

Coreen said...

Jan

I would probably not make a good parent, since
I would have difficulty letting go...it must
be very hard for a parent to watch their
child grow up & away... but luckily that is
something I never did want to be....

No clue but I really, really hate them....No bugs, animals bother me but s****s....

Saw a fox run down my driveway yesterday, but
too fast to even think of getting a pic...my
friend saw one here last week...not sure if there is a family in the woods....

Solar would probably say it comes from shh!...the bible...Eve & all that...

And we had another really nice day after some
rain...no complaints only a couple of muggy
humid days so far...but expecting the heat & muggys to be here late tomorrow & Sunday...but
for the most part so far...great spring & start of the summer....

Carol said...

We had our own semi crisis this evening. You may not even believe it because I'm still shaking my head. My sister should be shaking all over.

We went to the pool to relax and cool off after our adventure today. I got out of the pool and was sitting in a chair. Sis was still swimming. All of the sudden this frog came tearing out of the grass and on it's butt was this long black snake, chasing it. The frog made a sharp left hand turn and jumped in the pool. The snake came flying in after it. Only problem was, Sis was swimming in the very same area. I screamed snake and she had seen it about the same time. Never seen anything like it.

That long black snake was right on top of her and she was yelling and backpaddling as fast as she could and making no progress. I'm sure that snake was as frightened as she was but his well being was not my concern. She did get back to the shallow end and out of the pool and snake was swimming wildly around the pool. She said she was bitten. I saw a little mark on her leg that looked more like small little abrasions rather than punctures.

I got the pool net to try and catch the snake to get a good identification of it. I chased that snake all around the pool. It could have gotten out of the shallow end but I didn't want it to get out and get away without knowing exactly what kind of snake it was.

I finally caught it in a deep pool net and put it in a tall trash can, one tall enough that it couldn't crawl out of it. We did check it out carefully. It looks to be a non-venomous water snake, but long and scary anyway. We did show it to Randal and he concurred.

We brought it back up the camp road and let it out in a swampy area. Then we came home and made a big, nice salad and boiled some fresh Gulf shrimp. We did go to the store to get Sis a beer. I think she really needed a beer.

I told you we often have misadventures when Sis and I get together. Last year it was the catfish hook that I put thru my little finger. I hope we have cleared all the misadventure out of our schedule and we can enjoy the rest of our vacation. Tomorrow roomies, other sis and rr Randal are coming over for a BBQ.

You will see the evidence of the snake up at the bottom of the post pics.

Carol said...

The chances of that kind of thing happening is probably less than one in a couple of million. Because of that I went and bought a couple of lottery tickets. I want to take full advantage of those kind of odds.

Carol said...

And I was afraid of those alligators....

Coreen said...

Just reading the re-cap made my heart start pounding...quick thinking on your part...I have
no clue what I would have been able to do under
those circumstances...

What a home coming welcome for sis....

Solar said...

Carol,

Please don't hate me....sure glad that everything is ok with U and big sis.....but im firkin laughing over here....it is in your story telling....at first I was very concerned...then I went a re-read it......I also hope that all misadventures are all over with.....

Coreen,

Im with U about the weather, has been great so far.! The only thing that I don't like about snakes and all other crawly things....is all of it...don't like none of it....I like horse tho.!

Carol said...

Oh, and the frog...it's safe and very grateful to my Sis for providing a distraction. I got it out of the pool also. It was still a little catatonic.

Coreen, those boys down the road would have probably died of a heart attack if it happened to them. I could tell by their reaction to our story.

I asked Sis if she still wanted to swim and she said yes!

Carol said...

And Coreen, there was not much quick thinking on my part. I was just screaming. There was not much I could do until she got out of the water. Then I went after the snake. I was high and dry when I did that.

I don't think there would be too many people who wouldn't be scared to death swimming in a pool with a snake except the Crododile Hunter.

By catching and safely releasing the snake, I think I cleared some old, bad snake karma I had from my past. Sis earned her owl feather.

Carol said...

We took several long nature walks on very nice trails thru the wetlands today and not once did we pass another human soul. Lots of birds, so any that we lost count, but not another human.

Carol said...

And Solar, don't feel a bit bad about laughing. I did quite a few times, that is, after it was all over and we still had a pulse and all of our parts.

jan said...

Carol and Carol's sis, I can't help it but your story is so vivid that I almost wet my pants laughing. Carol's sis, I am glad you are ok. You are braver than me. I probably would not get back in the pool.

I may not sleep tonight thinking of snakes. However, dreaming of snakes is supposed to mean something good - wish I could think of what it is - but can't right now.

Good night all.

Carol said...

Jan, I dunno about the meaning of snakes in dreams but I wonder if my Sis is dreaming about them now. I'm up early.

It's still so weird. It was almost like a cartoon. I can still see it all in slow motion even though it happened in a flash. I even feel like I could hear that dang frog talking to me. That frog was one of long legged bull frog types. He had it is high gear, legs flying in all directions. Snake was going after him so fast that it was airborne.

The frog would have been history if he hadn't made the sharp left and hit the pool. Even though I was clear across the pool, I think I saw a look of, oh shit, on the snake's face when he made that sharp left and saw it was diving into traffic, sis traffic. I wonder if it could see the same look on my face? Or on her face?

I didn't ask my sis if she pooped her swim suit but if she didn't, she missed a good chance to. Whew!

We have had a lot of rain lately and that got me a little behind in my mowing at the house. That tall grass gives those critters more hiding space, more, jumping outta hiding, space. Tomorrow I have mowing over there on my schedule.

There will be no swimming while I mow either. I suggested to my Sis that she get started on my house while I mow. I think she even thought that was a good idea. He, he.

I usually don't see many snakes around here even though I do live in a quite snakey area. And I swear it looked like the same snake I saw over here at the camp, a little while back, the one I told ya'll about, stretched out in the duck feeding area. Maybe it's following me???

I was thinking that if I had this all on a video, I could have made a fortune. It just might be worth my while to have someone follow and film my sis and I, when she visits. There is usually always something that happens worth having on film.

And Jan, do you remember who was with us when we took that wrong turn off the ski lift and almost fell off the side of that mountain? The one where we had to side step over the 3 ft deep tracks we made? Yep, it was big Sis. That one would also be worth having on video.

jan said...

Carol, LOL, It is too bad your's and Sis's adventure with the snake was not filmed. You could have made some money on it. Your description should be worth some money though - I could just picture you and sis and the frog and the snake. You earned some points with the frog. You also earned some with the snake too for finding a safe place to let it go- all he lost was dinner.

I do remember it was the 3 of us who tried to make our own trail down that mountain. I remember I was the furtherest down and the last one to safety. That was one of my closest calls with my maker. Steve wants to bring his 2 daughters here to ski next winter. I will be sure they get lessons before skiing. Can you imagine what would have happened to us without instruction beforehand?? :))

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that snake adventure had a happy ending Carol. I figure you saved that frogs life, and that's a good thing. Also good that the snake is happily relocated.

Good to know you and your sis will be able to laugh about it, as time goes on. All's well that ends well.

ps Hate to admit this, but somewhere along the line I missed out on who rr Randel is. Can you fill me in?

Anonymous said...

Solar, Maybe our timing will be right sooner or later.

Carol said...

We identified our serpent as the blotched water snake in the dark phase.

You can find it on this page.

http://biology.uta.edu/herpetology/watersnakes.htm

And the little scratches on my sister's leg could very well be the little bite of that snake. Not dangerous. She was doing a lot of kicking. It was trying to protect itself.

Carol said...

Well I may have lost a roommate. I had that little BBQ yesterday and we were supposed to keep the snake story hush hush in front of Ms Roomie but when rr Randal and another friend brought it up, both had several beers, the cat was out of the bag. A story like that, people are going to talk about it. Hey, she might even read the blog, I dunno.

The chances of that ever happening again are slim to nada. I've had that pool for over 20 years and have only seen about 3 snakes in it, maybe 4, and never a poisonous one, never.

The young nephews of a friend of mine used to love to put fake snakes in the skimmer basket just to scare ole Carol. I usually was on to them though. If they asked me to check out that basket and I noticed a little smile come over their little devious faces, I knew something was coming. But even knowing it was going to be there and it was fake, it would scare me.

I have friends who lived in the middle of town who had more snakes in their yards than I have ever seen in mine. In fact I've heard of at least a couple of people who found snakes in their houses, in a drawer. Now, that would really rattle me.

When my dad moved mom out to a paper shack on our farm land, shortly after they were married, she found a snake in her closet. I think it was a chicken snake. She took my older sister, who was quite young then, and headed back to Chicago. Dad had to give up his dream of being a farmer to get her back. Mom loved telling her story of living in a paper shack with two rooms and a path. They had an outhouse and they had to go to the well to collect water to take a bath. They heated the water, put it in a large wash tub and took a bath in the middle of the kitchen/living room. It wouldn't take me long to get over the adventure of that living arrangement either. Some of her relatives loved to come down for a short vacation, to share that adventure, but they didn't have to live it.

Mary said...

Good Morning and Buenos Dias Everyone,

Happy Sunday. My DIL went to the doctor Friday and he said she was 1 cm. dilated and 100% effaced. That means her cervix is totally thinned out. He said she would probably go early. They just called me and told me they are going to the hospital because she is leaking and they are not sure if it is the amniotic fluid or baby pressing on bladder. They are going to call as soon as they find out so I'll be keeping yall informed. Any prayers will certainly be welcomed. She is 37 wks. now so everything should be OK.

jan said...

Carol, I grew up on a farm in rural OK. We did have hot running water and a bathroom inside from a plentiful well, but I had a great aunt who lived about 2 miles "down the gravel road" who had no running water and an outdoor privy. They had to haul their water in. I think their land did not have a well. They had a very nice rock house. Her granddaughter (my cousin) used to vist her every summer for a month when I was a child. My cousin was a year younger than me. My sister and cousin and I were inseparable for that month. We had wonderful adventures on my aunt's farm and it was not a problem for us children to not have running water or an indoor bathroom. I remember there was always a cool bucket of water with a dipper for drinking in the kitchen. We all drank from the same dipper.

jan said...

Carol, sounds like your BBQ was lots of fun. I hope your roomie is not scared off from living in your house because of a little snake.

jan said...

Living on a farm in rural OK, we saw lots of snakes. I have seen my mother kill copperheads with a garden hoe. I am still afraid of snakes.

jan said...

Hi Mary, thanks for keeping us informed. It sure sounds like the baby might be ready to make an appearance. Will you wait to go on July 13 or will you try to go earlier if the baby comes early? Expect prayers from here.

Mary said...

Jan,
I'm still planning on going July 13th unless they need me sooner or there is any problems. I just talked to Jeremy again and they are still at home but she is still leaking and it sounds like she just passed the mucus plug. They were supposed to call the doctor back in an hour and they did so they are waiting for him to return their call. I told them to go to the hospital even if they didn't hear from him.

Solar said...

Mary,

I hope that everything turns out ok for you.!

Will be heading out for a graduation party for an 8th grader, and a high school grad......love these get together where most the kids are around.....

ps, If anyone know how to force a 37 year old to get married...and give me a grandchild, let me know....hell he doesn't even have to get married, at this point HA.!

jan said...

Mary, I just know you are on pins and needles waiting to hear what is happening with your son and DIL. Please let us know each time you hear something. What do you do to help ease your own stress when you are waiting to hear news like this?

jan said...

Chloe, I really like my little laptop mac. I bought the lessons that go with it for $99. The lessons are one-on-one help with one of the techs at the Apple store and they last for a year. I had a one-on-one yesterday for almost an hour and I learned so much about the computer and what it will do. I went with a lot of questions so we only covered some of my questions yesterday. The one-on-one's will last a year and I have another scheduled for next week. $99. is a real bargain.

jan said...

I had lots of fun with granddaughters yesterday. John and I took the 8 y/o and 12 y/o to the zoo yesterday afternoon. They had a great time, but walking for 2 hours in the hot sun was not my favorite thing to do. John and I both almost wilted. Last night I took them to see The Karate Kid. That was fun for me. 8 y/o GD spent the night and they played until 11 pm and I finally told them it was time to sleep.

Mary said...

Solar, If it helps any, Stephanie (my DIL) is 37 y/o and this is her first baby. My son will be 34 next month. Don't give up. More and more people are choosing to have children later in life.

Jan, I'm getting ready to go to Carol's. I haven't even seen my sister since she's been here because I've been working. Hopefully they can ease my stress.
I'll keep you UTD on what's happening.

jan said...

Carol, Mary just wrote that she is coming to your house. Please post some pics of the 3 of you. We would all love to see them. Have a great time all you sisters. It is wonderful that all 3 of you can be together.

jan said...

Mary, I hope that spending time with your sisters will ease your stress.

Mary said...

News Update:
I talked to Jeremy a little while ago and Steph is 4 cm. and getting her epidural. Her membranes are ruptured. I bet it's not going to be too long especially already being effaced. I'm soooooooo excited. He said camera and computer are ready.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Mary!!
And, please, continue to keep us updated.

(I bet it's going to be tough for you to wait 'til July 13)

Anonymous said...

"... it was not a problem for us children to not have running water"

Jan, How did you bathe?
We used to have copperheads on our property, for the first few years we lived here, but I don't see any anymore, except occasionally a tiny one that the cats or dog have killed. I don't think they ever get a chance to grow up here, close to the house.

... and I am so happy to hear that you love your new little laptop. That one on one with a tech is worth it's weight in gold - $99 is a great bargain, unheard of. That means when yo have little problems with your programs or anything else, they can help you solve them, and that alone would cost a hundred bucks for one time. You made a good decision on that purchase Jan.

Also, very good to hear that you're having a good time with your granddaughters! It's a lot of work, but will leave you with a lot of good memories.

Anonymous said...

Emma should be about old enough to go to the zoo this winter - it would be real rough here too, in the summer.

Anonymous said...

Man, Louisiana can't catch a break, and Texas is not far behind. Our weather is so similar, and that oil is so close.

"Five of the 16 victims identified, including three young children, were from a single Louisiana town, Gloster. Three other victims also were from Louisiana, and seven were from Texas.

The only Arkansas victim identified was Leslie Jez, a 23-year-old mother and wife from Foreman whose husband, Adam Jez, was listed among the flood's survivors. " Police narrow Ark. flood search to 3 missing

jan said...

Chloe, I just talked to my DIL in ARK and she said the same thing, that most of the deaths were people from TX and LA. You are so right, the people of LA just can't catch a break. Some people are still missing and I suspect some of those are dead.

Chloe, we children took baths at our house in the country. We would spend the night at my aunts but always went home for baths. She only lived a couple of miles away. I guess that is where I got my love of walking. We walked a lot between the two homes during those years.

jan said...

I recommend going to the zoo in the morning hours. Emma will love it when she is older. All my grandkids have loved the zoo.

jan said...

Mary, I am so excited for you. It won't be long now.

Anonymous said...

"We walked a lot between the two homes during those years."

Oh Jan, that sounds like such a good time in your life - what a great experience. Do you still keep in touch with that cousin?

Anonymous said...

You're right, I know she will love the zoo - and I will too! It's been a while. She's still a little to young. Almost 17 months, but a young 17 months, I think.

We took her to the mall play area again this morning, and she had so much fun (as always). She less interested in the other kids, and more interested in doing what she wants to do. A very independent young lady, although still somewhat careful.

She was running around that place squealing (loudly) and waving her arms around, have a ball. She has the cutest, bouncy little walk, and is soooooo animated. She loves to walk through the mall too (we went before it was even open, so it wasn't very crowded, except for the play area). I think she already likes the idea of shopping - Ha!

Anonymous said...

... and Jan, she loves to dance. She's a 'very' happy baby.

Anonymous said...

... I'm really sorry for all the typos - hope you can figure out what I was 'trying' to say. I tend to get in a hurry, leave off the ends of my words, and misspell words. As you can maybe tell, I'm a very fast talker. I even have trouble keeping up with myself sometimes.


Solar, I'm sending out some of my special magic vibes into the Universe, to hurry up that grandbaby of yours to get here a little sooner.

Mary's right, people are having babies later and later. We have a nephew that didn't get married until he was 40 (a couple of years ago), and now they have twins. It's never too late. You'd probably be pretty darn happy if he married someone with kids too, then you'd have instant grandkids. I'll put the word out when I send out the magic.

jan said...

Chloe, the mall play area sounds like a great place to take Emma to play. If I had a little one, I would be looking for a cool place to take her to play. Emma sounds so cute bouncing around. She does sound like the happiest baby. What fun you have with her.

jan said...

It is true that people are having children later and later. I had my 1st at age 19. My oldest son and DIL had their 1st at age 25 and my granddaughter had her 1st at age 28. This is very typical of the changes in age at first birth in this country - although I was a little on the young side. I think the average age for a woman to have a first child in the late 1950's and early 1960's was about 21 years. Demographics are bearing this out.

jan said...

Chloe, I do keep in touch with my cousin, although it is not often. She was born in TX and lives in the hill country now. She and her husb. have lived all over the world. He is now retired.

jan said...

Mary, you must be at Carol's. We have not had an update in a while.

jan said...

Chloe, I did not even notice the typos.

Carol said...

Lauren Elizabeth has arrived. She weighs 8 lbs. and is 20 inches long. Mom and Dad are doing well.

Carol said...

She was three weeks early and grandma was 2 days late getting over here.

Anonymous said...

Wooo-eeeeee! Gramma Mary!

8lbs!?
Doesn't sound like a preemie to me (Emma was 7.4lbs and she was a little late. Wow! Can't wait for the pics.

Congratulations Gramma and Carol, doesn't that make you an auntie again? Congrats to all of you!!

Anonymous said...

Lauren Elizabeth... That is a beautiful name Mary.

Anonymous said...

... and great timing. Couldn't have been better, with you three sisters there to celebrate together.

Anonymous said...

Jan, Sounds like you and your cousin both had a similar destiny - you both traveled a lot.

Wasn't that saying (from way back): You've come a long way baby!

Solar said...

Lauren Elizabeth

Oh no.! not another pink.!!

Just kidding Maria.....so glad that all is ok with everyone, and now you can relax.....and a happy reason for all the sisters to celebrate even more so.!!

Carol said...

Happy Birthday Lauren

Carol said...

Pic and baby, both hot off the press!

Solar said...

she winked at me....awwwwww

Ivy Green said...

Congrats to Mary, Carol, Big Sis, and all the family on the arrival of Lauren Elizabeth. She's a beauty...

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
Thank you for that link to the Dutch names of old New York. It was a very interesting site, and I booked it for future reference.

I just ordered another novel in the series by Beverly Swerling about historic Manhattan. The first one, City of Dreams, is enthralling. Set in the Colonial and Revolutionary times. I probably have mentioned it previously as being of possible interest to those of you in the medical field. This newest one, titled City of God, is set during the Civil War. It's not "new" exactly, but I've had it sitting in my Wish List for a while.

Jan,
I hope you're still enjoying "Year of Wonders."

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
You and Big Sis are obviously enjoying your time together. How's it going with SF?

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
I'm sure there were entire summers as kids that we never took an actual bath. Jumping in the pool or running through the sprinklers seemed to take care of it. At my grandmother's in the country, she made us hose off at the end of the day, even after swimming in the crick. Especially after swimming in the crick. lol

jan said...

Ivy, funny that you mention baths. I am sure we took some in the summer but I don't remember. I know we did not take one the the aunt's house that did not have running water. We went swimming in the lakes nearby a lot.

jan said...

Congratulations grandmother Mary and aunties Carol and sis. Lauren is a beauty. I think she was ready. Lauren Elizabeth is a beautiful name. Eight lbs is a good size for a 37 weeker.

Carol said...

I'm no baby expert but doesn't that baby look like she's a couple of months old? She just doesn't look brand spanking new. I bet she's already been online.

jan said...

Ivy, I love the book. I save it to read at night before going to sleep. GD and I are going to the library tomorrow and I want to see if her book, "March" is there. I like her writing style.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
I was reading Year of Wonders while in the UK. I almost wanted to stay in my hotel to read instead of being a tourist. I think it put me into a "mystical" state of mind that I carried with me to all the historic places I visited during that trip. I finished it on the plane during the return trip.

jan said...

Chloe, my cousin and I both have done our share of moving. Her husb wasan engineer with a big company that took them to Venezuela, China, Ireland, Alaska and a couple of other places I don't remember. My Cuz is a dyed-in-the-wool Texan and does not want to leave TX again. When we were kids, she lived in a small town close to San Angelo. When I was 15 I stayed with them about 2 weeks and we went to Mexico to a bullfight. I will never forget that experience.

jan said...

Carol, Lauren certainly looks older than a newborn.

Mary, your DIL didn't have Gest. diabetes, did she?

Carol said...

Oh, BTW, Sis and I went swimming today. I went to mow and then Sis met me later to swim. I mowed the yard and all around the pool.

I did carefully check out the pool and did look in the skimmer basket. I was startled when I opened to look in the skimmer basket because big Rowdy bull frog was hanging out in there.

I didn't feel particularly anxious while swimming and if big sis did, she didn't show it.

After I finished my chores we went up to the hospital to see SF. He was bored. Said he's been there two days and hadn't seen his Shrink, who put him in there. I talked to him about going into some type of assisted living place. He didn't act too resistant to the idea.

jan said...

Ivy, I used to love to read a book in a short period of time. Lately, if it's a book that I really enjoy, I like to "spread" out my time with the book, and have more time to think about the story.

jan said...

Carol, it would be wonderful if SF would be willing to go into assisted living.

Yeaay, glad to hear you and your sis got back in the pool. Mr bullfrog thought he had found himself a new home LOL.

jan said...

Solar, you poor thing - now a baby pink! I don't know where all the guys go that check in here. I would say there is too much estrogen but based on some of our ages, I don't think that is the case.

Carol said...

Jan, Mr Bullfrog does live in the pool when no one is home. It's not the same frog we rescued the other day, probably his daddy. This one is almost as big as Maggie and could have eaten that snake.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Tell SF he might meet a new love interest at the home...that happened to Bear Woman's dad...caused a little problem at the place...they don't like it when the old folks start acting like teenagers again...lol

Ivy Green said...

Nitey nite, y'all. Hubs and MCG fly out to Portland at the chink of dawn...

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Baby! Thanks for posting the pic.

Anonymous said...

Uh, doesn't it seem odd we're just now hearing about this. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Report: US finds mineral riches in Afghanistan
"A team of U.S. geologists and Pentagon officials has discovered vast mineral wealth in Afghanistan, conceivably enough to turn the scarred and impoverished country into one of the world's most lucrative mining centers, The New York Times reports.

"There is stunning potential here," Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the United States Central Command, told the paper in a report published Monday. "There are a lot of ifs, of course, but I think potentially it is hugely significant."

Americans discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, including iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium, according to the report. The Times quoted a Pentagon memo as saying Afghanistan could become the "Saudi Arabia of lithium," a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries for laptops and cell phones.

The report said the U.S. Geological Survey began aerial surveys of Afghanistan's mineral resources in 2006, using data that had been collected by Soviet mining experts during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Promising results led to a more sophisticated study the next year." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100614/ap_on_bi_ge/us_afghanistan_mineral_treasures

Carol said...

We are excited about the new young un. Her dad was the only young un that we, down here, all got to help raise and it does take a Village to raise a kid. I wish we were closer to the other family young uns.

It is not so bad Solar to wait until one is older to have kids. It takes longer for people to grow up themselves. Too many kids having kids these days.

Carol said...

Ivy, I'm afraid my SF is only interested in the really young, 20-30 year old, women.

Big sis came down with info that is counter to all that we have been led to believe about fats, saturated fats and cholesteral. I don't know what to believe anymore. We certainly don't have anyone we can trust. That has been ground into our faces lately. I think we need to just do whatever we want to do, as far as our diets to, and believe that it is the right thing. Just try to avoid poisons, I really don't think they can ever come up with anything good that poison can do for you.

My intuition tells me that we should consume as many sources of vitamins and minerals as you can and limit total intake to a reasonable amount. Also exercise as much as possible.

Carol said...

Chloe, that info you linked about the minerals in Afghanistan does have a certain stench about it.

Our lust for oil has certainly resulted in some really bad karma. Even the most intellectually challenged should be able to see that now but many still can't see the handwritting on the wall.

Anonymous said...

"My intuition tells me that we should consume as many sources of vitamins and minerals as you can and limit total intake to a reasonable amount."

Well said Carol.
Also eat those foods as close to their natural state as possible (when possible) - and 'try' to eat the whole food also, when possible.

Anonymous said...

"It is not so bad Solar to wait until one is older to have kids."

I'd go so far as to say it's often 'preferable' - or at least beneficial.

Anonymous said...

Again (I can't say it enough): Congratulations on the beautiful new baby!

Anonymous said...

... Mary, I was thinking about it, and maybe it's good that you're going on the 13th - gives things time to settle down a little.

Coreen said...

A great weekend for you guys...

Congratulations on the birth of your
family's baby girl...she has a beautiful name.....

Coreen said...

And about the teen at sea story....

Heard this on the morning radio...seems the family may be getting its own 'reality' show...
surprise, surprise....'Adventures in Sunderland'....

7 kids, pregnant wife,family is broke, father signed a contract for a reality show about his family of daredevil kids....

Abby Sunderland's dad had TV deal for a reality show

Anonymous said...

Carol, regarding that story about finding mineral riches in Afghanistan - my brain automatically connected it to the story that I had read earlier in the day (conspiracy theorist that I am). That mineral riches story was put out in the middle of the night, and like a lot of the stories, is close to missing in the morning.

Julian Assange, Wikileaks Founder, Hunted By Pentagon
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-06-13/pentagon-seizes-adrian-lamo-computer-files-in-bradley-manning-case/

Anonymous said...

I think maybe the fact that they've known about those mines since 2006 may be known by this Wikileaks founder (and his accomplice, whom they talk about in the article, and link to another story), and it purposely leaked out just now, because they're afraid he will be publishing this 'secret' they've know for what? - about 4 years now.

A lot of people have been wondering what we're doing there (including me)

Anonymous said...

I guess that Abby Sunderland follow-up story shouldn't be a surprise, Coreen - but I never saw it coming. I should have.

Anonymous said...

... 'everyone' is always looking for the profit.

jan said...

Enjoying reading all the comments this morning since I was on last night.

Ivy, I wish safe travel for hubs and MCG. What a beautiful state they are traveling to. We rode through there on a tour bus 2 years ago and I was struck by the beauty of the area.

Interesting info about Afghanistan. We rented the movie, Avatar last week. If you guys have not seen it, I recommend it. I am not a sci fi person but I believe there some very interesting comparisons in the movie to what people do when they/we invade other countries. While watching the movie John and I thought of what happened to the Native Americans when Europeans came to America. It is true that when something like the rich minerals are discovered in another country many people begin to think of how they can make themselves rich.

jan said...

I too wonder what we are doing in Afghanistan. I don't like the way women and girl children are treated there, but I feel they should be given the right to make the changes that need to be made in their own time and according to their culture.

jan said...

Also eat those foods as close to their natural state as possible (when possible) - and 'try' to eat the whole food also, when possible.

Chloe, as to the above, I agree and we are doing our best to do this. My entire family that lives here is eating much healthier and exercising regularly. A big change in our family get-togethers is we are serving cut up veggies and veggie dips now instead of chips and dip for appetizers.

Solar said...

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/asia/index.html


Chloe, thanks for the minerals story......

Here we go again.!!

"Afghanistan has a national mining law, written with the help of advisers from the World Bank, but it has never faced a serious challenge. "

U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan:

"The vast scale of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth was discovered by a small team of Pentagon officials and American geologists. The Afghan government and President Hamid Karzai were recently briefed, American officials said. "

Who just happened to be in the neighborhood.!!!

........wonder if the ole " They are heathens that need to be saved from themselves" and not quite human yet.........GO WEST young man.!!

I posted about this last year, although it was in Pakistan area( where China is heavily invested/investing).....their is not anything about anywhere in the whole world that we don't know about minerals, or energy deposits.!! Just have to figure out how to get to them:

The best way that we do this, is to club the leaders of other countries over the head with their debt to us....and force them to make deals against their own benefits.....or get some hit squads to convince them......will see if I can find that show on the LINK station about....an ex agent that gave details of how we influence world leader, bend them into doing things our way.....sometimes even a little deadly force is use...no a lot of deadly force is used..........

Solar said...

Jan,

Just saw that U posted about the Minerals in Afghanistan....the new west is all....

I have been paying attention to want China does over there.and they have the upper hand so far...they have been in the pak areas making deals for many things...including financing Pakistan for rights...

Solar said...

World Bank says it all to me.!!


Oh.... buenos dias senorita L. E.

jan said...

Solar, I think it was Chloe or Coreen who posted the stuff on Afghanistan - but hey I will be happy to be creditied for it.

Solar said...

Jan,

We all share here...thats what I like the most.....but don't tell, give any news at all to the new pink tho...it does take a village, and we will not want any negative vibes going thru the little one just yet...plenty of time for her......

Maybe she will be one of the ones that can straighten some of this bs in the world??

I was referring to this:

"While watching the movie John and I thought of what happened to the Native Americans when Europeans came to America. It is true that when something like the rich minerals are discovered in another country many people begin to think of how they can make themselves rich."....

Anonymous said...

Carol, If you have some time to listen to this video, see if it's what your sisters' info. on fat says... (make sure you hear the end about hydrogenated fats being illegal in some countries) Truth about Fat, Trans Fat, Saturated

Her site: http://www.youtube.com/ahiproductions

Anonymous said...

"..the mall play area sounds like a great place to take Emma to play"

Jan, I find kids of all ages love going to this mall. It's not only beautiful and, of course, temperature controlled, but it's in a nice area and is very secure. They have horse mounted police officers that patrol the parking lot, which circles the whole mall, and they stop and talk to anyone who wants to talk or pet their horses.

The play area is big, so they can run around in it all they want (it's for children under 6 yrs old) and it's completely open, except for a short retainer wall. It has seating all the way around it for the parents and caregivers. It's on the lower level, so we always come into the mall on the upper level, because the kids just love to take the big glass elevator down to the bottom floor, and it comes out right at the play area. They can see everything from inside there. I can't tell you how much she loves the routine, then we take her to the food area for french fries afterward.

There's a very nice, large lounge over there too, with sofas and easy chairs where she can run around and look at pictures, etc. (and we can take a load off :).

We hate crowds, so we always get there before the mall actually opens, because they let you come in with the kids, or some people come in there early mornings to speed walk. Not long after the stores open, we leave. In Houston, you almost have to be somewhere where the temperature is controlled (at least I do). (.. now when the kids get a little bigger, they want to be there when everyone else is, so someday I'll probably have no choice. Ha)

Anonymous said...

Jan, I think I heard you mention you had gone to the Galleria once, and our mall is no where near as crowded as that place is. It's not downtown, but up north here closer to where we are, and the area around it is wooded, even though everything is there.

jan said...

Chloe, your mall sounds great for lots of people especially for the very young and the older (walking). I had always wanted to learn to ice skate, so while I was in Houston working on my Masters, I took ice skating lessons at the Galleria. It was a lot of fun and I did something I had always wanted to do. Almost every city has an ice skating rink now, but back in the 1970's none of the cities and towns I lived in had one - until Houston. I seldom ice skate any longer. We have places to ice skate here, but it is not longer a burning desire. I just walk and swim now. I am going to take some yoga lessons after my GD goes home.

jan said...

I too like temp controlled blgds. I don't like extremes of heat or cold. I don't mind being a little cold when I start swimming. Its surprising how fast you heat up. I don't mind being a little cold walking either. I dress for it. I love walking outside and alone. It is like meditating for me.

Ivy Green said...

Now that brings back some memories. The ice skating rink at the Galleria in Houston...is it still there?? The first time we ever walked into that mall, we felt like the Beverly Hillbillies. We'd never seen anything like it. I ended up working there for six months at one of the big department stores.

Carol said...

They let Ellie Mae work at one of the big department stores in the Galleria?

Carol said...

Jan, my swimming pool thermometer says 92 already. I'm sure it must be broken but sis thinks it's right. It's never that warm until August. When it's that warm, it's not even refreshing to go swimming.

Carol said...

I went to bed tonight with C2C and woke up in a sweat, listening to some guy talking about this oil spill crisis. Too much to try to even begin to report. If this guy is right, we may not have to wait until 2012, we may want to start preparing a little sooner. I pray that he is a nut case.

If Obama knows any of this, it could explain that strange, we're all f---ed, look I keep thinking that I see on his face.

Carol said...

It would also explain why there is security trying to keep the news media off many of those beaches.

Carol said...

Oh, and they were drilling at depths of 30,000 feet, like looking down from a jet airplane. And they hit pressures of somewhere between 20,000-70,000 psi....never been heard of before. Even if all the safety mechanisms were functioning, which they were not, they may not have even been able to contain that pressure. May take a nuclear device to stop it, if that even could, which could also end us, all of us.

There are fractures in the sea floor many miles from the blow out, gushing oil. May not be any real way to stop those....

Kinda hard to sleep after that.

I wonder if C-Bob has caught wind of any of this stuff???

Sorry for sharing this with you guys.

Carol said...

I was hoping, this morning, that what I thought I heard last night was just a bad nightmare but I see that I did write about it.... Do any of you think that any of that is possible????

Another scary thing is that this guy reported that that well is blowing out some seriously bad gases, benzene, and two others, and in thousands of parts per million. It is highly toxic.

People who are in the area of where that oil is coming on shore are complaining of the smell and feeling very sick. The guy said it is horrible that these people are allowed to work without any respiratory protection.

Carol said...

I found this from another radio show. This is some of what this guy said.

Lindsey Williams Talks with Alex Jones About Deadly Gases Leaking from BP Spill

Carol said...

I'm wanting you guys to tell me this is all BS.

Carol said...

And another insane thought I had this morning, blame it on sleep deprivation, is..... was our very black snake in the pool, what I consider a very, very, unusual occurance, some sort of small prophecy...

Carol said...

My sister did ask that day....what do you think was the meaning of that event???

Anonymous said...

Carol, I don't think that snake was any kind of sign - things happen.

But this oil catastrophe - well, it's felt worse than anything I can remember for a long time (if ever). What makes it worse - and so scary - is that we rarely hear the truth. But I think we have to work hard not to focus on it too much of the time, because there's not a thing we 'personally' can do at this point (except maybe make ourselves sick - which I often manage to do).

Enjoy your sisters visit, and focus on the things you 'can do' for the time being.

Anonymous said...

I can't tell from your picture, but could it have been one of these? Rat Snakes in Louisiana http://www.squidoo.com/rat-snakes-in-louisiana

Anonymous said...

Rat Snakes in Louisiana
"The black rat snake is very common in many areas. As with many of the Elaphe obsoleta species, the black rat snakes undergo changes in color and pattern. In the case of the black rat snake, they are born a grayish color with dark blotches dorsally. By the time they are around 3 feet long, they are near their adult coloration. Adult coloration ranges from jet black to a deep chestnut brown. One easy distinguishing feature on these snakes is the ivory white chin and throat.

Black rat snakes are found in a variety of settings including farm areas, upland wooded areas, swampy areas, and near human habitation. The well patterned young are often mistaken for other snakes, including pygmy rattlesnakes. "

Anonymous said...

"I love walking outside and alone. It is like meditating for me."

Jan, I know exactly what you mean. I used to love to run alone. Although I often listened to music while doing it, it had the same affect on me, one of having mediated. I never felt better than I did after a good run. Unfortunate, when we moved hear, I stopped and never started again. I have such great respect for you and all the exercise you do. I just can't seem to get into it.

Anonymous said...

"The first time we ever walked into that mall, we felt like the Beverly Hillbillies"

LOL Ivy. Yeah, that skating rink is still there, but I never even go to that mall. We've lived here 17 years, and I think I've been there twice. As a matter of fact I never even go into Houston, unless absolutely necessary.

I've never been a big mall person anyway, except for the entertainment it offers little ones and teenagers. Otherwise, you'd rarely ever catch me at one.

Anonymous said...

Jan, I haven't exercised, but I have lost the weight I wanted to lose. I started eating more protein (usually chicken) and things went faster, for whatever reason. Now I have to spend quite a while stabilizing it. It's so easy to gain weight back soon after you've lost it. My eating habits have improved drastically.

I am impressed that your whole family is into eating healthy foods. That's one of the best things we can do for our kids - teach them how to eat properly. I've had to work on it my whole life. As long as I'm not eating junk food, I don't crave it either.

Anonymous said...

We need to get a new post going, so the snake doesn't keep scaring Coreen away. Coreen, we miss you! You too Mary.

Ivy Green said...

I didn't realize author Geneen Roth has a new book out until I saw it listed on the best-seller list. Title seemed intriguing, so I went looking for it at Books-a-Million.

Women, Food and God

"The way you eat is inseparable from your core beliefs about being alive. No matter how sophisticated or wise or enlightened you believe you are, how you eat tells all. The world is on your plate. When you begin to understand what prompts you to use food as a way to numb or distract yourself, the process takes you deeper into realms of spirit and to the bright center of your own life. Rather than getting rid of or instantly changing your conflicted relationship with food, Women Food and God is about welcoming what is already here, and contacting the part of yourself that is already whole—divinity itself."

Ivy Green said...

I also purchased an earlier title of Roth's, "Breaking Free from Emotional Eating." It had been published years ago as "Breaking Free from Compulsive Eating" and now retitled. I've started reading it first. However, I'm not sure I can follow her prescription in this book which appears to be "eat whatever you want." But I'll keep reading. Maybe my one-track brain can figure out another message.

The only other book of Roth's I'd read previously was "When Food Is Love."

jan said...

Ivy, I have been hearing and reading about this book. I think I may have to get the book also. John and I did participate in a program in January titled, Mindful Eating. It worked well for John. He has lost 20+ lbs and is keeping it off although he watches it closely and he also exercises regularly. It didn't work that well for me. I think I am more of an emotional eater. I lose and gain the same 5 lbs over and over. I need to get back to 120-125 as that is a healthy weight for me - which means I need to lose about 25 lbs.

Anonymous said...

"Women Food and God is about welcoming what is already here, and contacting the part of yourself that is already whole—divinity itself."

Ivy, What you said here is exactly what I've been thinking about lately - the part of us that is 'already' whole. Everything we're looking for and want, is already right there for the taking. It has more to do with 'awareness' (enlightenment?) than anything else. We just need to get rid of things that are blocking it.

The way you analyzed that book and it's meaning says it all Ivy.

Mary said...

G0od Morning,

I've been looking at all the pictures of my beautiful little (I mean big) Lauren lately. She's so precious. I'm probably going to try and go see her before July 13th if I can get off work.
I wish I knew how to do posts and I would do one of Lauren but I don't have a clue. I'm completely comp. illiterate.

Anonymous said...

Mary, If you want to email me Lauren pics and the post, I will be glad to do the post for you (unless you want me to show you how to do it yourself - then you'll need Carol to send you an invitation, if she hasn't already).

If you decide you want me to, then you can send me the pics by forwarding the original email that you received them on - or - if the pic is on your computer somewhere, you can right click it and their should then be a 'send to' to click on, and then click 'mail recipient'.

Mary said...

Chloe, They're on there way. Just pick the ones you think are the best. Thank You.