Jim and Jeff jammin' in Yuba City

Maiden voyage for TG......

So, Jim got a new (read used) kayak just recently. I've had a kayak for over 4 years and I love to just go out in the middle of any body of water and just paddle and listen. It is sooo serene to be out in the middle of a lake. It is just beautiful and has such a calming affect.

Anyway, back to TG (dog) and her maiden voyage. She really wasn't too sure of this 'thing' out on the not so stable wet surface. I think it might take a few outings to get her used to the bobbing on the water feel. But over all she did quite well for her first time out. I stayed on shore so that she understood she just couldn't jump out anytime she saw land in her immediate sight. It took a few tries in and out of the kayak before she knew it wasn't going to eat her alive. And I hope Jim never tips the kayak over or I am sure there will be more learning lessons for the poor dog before she will get comfortable again. All in all it is a great thing to kayak with your faithful dog!




à la prochaine

Amazing sky......

I always have this sense of wonderment when I see a sky like this. This is our morning sky. It's just gorgeous and sets the tone for the whole day. This month has been momentous in so many somber ways but this too shall pass. The weather has been on the cool side of summer, very odd. The evenings are cool enough to don warmer garments - NOT the way August is supposed to be. Isn't there something about 'Hot August nights'? Just saying...... Haven't looked at the Farmer's Almanac to see what they are predicting for our winter this year. Should be interesting. If we continue on with this weather autumn will come sooner than normal. I can't complain, I love autumn colors. Although, if it's a really cold winter I might want to be reminded of that last sentence at the halfway point of the winter months!

à la prochaine

Ha, didn't quite make it to a year of non posting.....

To say I've neglected my blog would be an understatement. Have had quite a year but not documented any of it. What does that say about me? Lazy....uninterested....boring? None of those apply. Just busy in life and all it's aspects.

*Sigh* So sorry I've not paid attention to you dear blog but now you will get the busiest catch up posts all.at.one.time. so you don't feel so neglected.

I have lived in northern California for over ten years now and have never been to the local cardboard boat races that have been held in the little man-made lake nearby. And, yes you read that correctly...cardboard boat races in WATER. I had my doubts but after witnessing said races it was to say the least, a riot! They cart in the cardboard, tape, clear plastic and cutting utensils and you have everything you need to build your cardboard 'boat'. These races by the way are held only for kids. There are three classes divided by ages. Some made it to the water, some didn't quite make it off the starting line, some didn't finish and some sank. But a fun time was had by all rest assured. It was soooo hot so the dunking in the water was an instant relief from the heat. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

Broken Bones

Well, in August Seattle broke her leg. Poor thing. It took her awhile to figure out the crutches but she did. Here she is getting comfy for a movie we were going to watch on the computer. Click here for more pictures.

Stuff around home

I am so enjoying taking photos recently. So many textures... Here a few taken around the house! See album here.

Quail are everywhere.....

It is so neat to watch these birds as they search for food in huge groups. There is always one or two birds that are the 'watch dogs' and they take their job very seriously! And drive the cats crazy....

Nesting Boxes

The spring/summer process has begun. The two nesting boxes we have already have babies! We have bluebirds and tree swallows. The birds have been feeding their little ones all day long....bugs, bugs and more bugs. That's protein all the time. Yum!

Bluebird - male

Tree Swallow

{to view album click here}

Oops, he did it again..................

Okay, here we are again...... Bradley got bit and it turned into an abscess. Blah, I wish the merry-go-round of cat fights would stop. Poor guy, he does look really pathetic doesn't he? While he was 'under' we had the vet clip his hair as well. Now he looks like a sheared lamb! It was pretty matted and had a few fox tails attached to the hair, ahhhh summer! He's going to be couped up in the front porch for awhile and he is not pleased.

His new "summer" do!

This is pretty much how he has acted towards me since he came home from the vet.

Ouch....the drain.

He looks like he has "spats" on, doesn't he?

Nefer Graduated!!!

Well, she finally did it!! I'm soooo proud of my niece. Graduated from California State University Sacramento with a degree in Psychology - WOW! It was a lot of hard work. We all got together at the graduation and I had soooo much fun taking pictures, too! Here are a few of the pictures taken. (and I do mean a FEW)

The Graduate!

The 'bunny slippers' she wore during the ceremony! Too, cute.

Siblings

But they DO really love each other.

The Group

Oops!

Forgot one.....

Wow!

I can't believe I haven't blogged for almost a year! No excuses, just lazy I guess. I just had an urge to go out and take a bunch of pictures (don't you just love digital cameras). So here are a few of my favorite shots on this beautiful spring day. Enjoy.....and no I won't wait a whole year to post again....sheesh!

Cough - Hack - Sputter!

And I'm not kidding. Last Saturday we had a few thunderstorms roll through the area which started over 800+ wildfires. Consequently this whole week has been horribly smokey! The following pictures tell the whole story....

Our normal view across the street

Our view for the past week

Can you say......YUCK!

2008 Bay to Breakers - This years pictures

When I completed 2008 Bay to Breakers on May 19, 2008 post, the only pictures I had available were the 2007 race pictures. I now have the '2008' pictures, Yay! Everyone looks like they had such fun. There are a few runners running nude in this race that I will not post as this is more of a 'family' blog. All in all it is an interesting race, quite colorful. This was the 97th year for this race. I have lived here for most of my life and I can't believe I have NEVER heard of this race before. Enjoy the pictures......

Yes, that IS a toilet she is sitting on.