Creative protest

Earth Hour

Earth Hour has come for people who have already seen the sun set today. I plan to turn off everything for an hour at 8:30 pm. IF I remember.

Father Christian Troll has an interesting aspect here.

Update: I remembered

Friday shuffle

1. Up on Cripple Creek - The Band
2. 26 Miles - The Four Preps
3. The Way We Get By - Spoon
4. Cry - Johnnie Ray
5. Oj Mischpoche - Jowel Klezmorim
6. Manz: God of Grace - Roger Nyquist
7. Till You Love Me - Reba McEntire
8. Heart of Glass - Blondie
9. Fissinger: Lux Aeterna - Cathedral Choral Society
10. Verdi: Quattro Pezzi Sacri: Ave Maria - Westminster Choir

Who needs big government?

HT to Dan Sloan and Jan Nunley on Facebook

Teabaggers Untie

HT to Grandmère Mimi.

The oldest crocus

When I bought my house, there was a, well, shack next door which I eventually bought and demolished. The people who owned it had planted various flowers here and there but most were destroyed when the place was torn down. Several croci remained and bloomed faithfully every spring. When the barn was built and the yard bulldozed, I assumed the old bulbs were gone. After all they had been around for more than 40 years. Last spring I was very happy when the two purple flowers appeared. Meanwhile I had the area scraped for large rocks and debris last fall and assumed that would do the bulbs in. Obviously it didn't and I'm very happy! The other one is 10 feet or so from this. I have planted snow croci but never the large ones so I have reason to believe that these are offspring of the original ones if not that old themselves. They are not the sort that birds and animals propagate.

The poinsettias are late

This is not the old huge 40+ year old poinsettia but it is in the same pot. It is one given to Mom and brought home after her death. It has always been straggly probably because it was behind the big one for a couple of years. I need to give it some attention. The old plant hasn't put out any red bracts this year so far.

Yes!

Friday cat blogging on Saturday

I love the way the cats avoid looking at each other. PuddyTat really wants to get up to her place on the kitchen windowsill but she faces the three grey boys. Little One is in the way.

Meanwhile Jellico has returned and is on the cathouse roof for the first time. Dude isn't happy about that.

Earlier PuddyTat wanted her place but Dudie was there. I opened the window which caused Dude to move away. PuddyTat immediately came thru the other box. There was a tense standoff with Dude obviously unhappy and PuddyTat stubbornly staying in place. Paws were raised but no fight. Then Jellico jumped up and PuddyTat left. The girls don't want anything to do with him. Eventually Jellico left and PT was on the windowsill with Dude and Little One in the two boxes. Now Dudie is in the box but the others are probably stalking the night creatures for protein supplements. Fun to watch while doing dishes.

A spring walk

I went for a walk this afternoon to check the progress of spring. I actually heard peepers but couldn't get the movie mode to work on the camera. It has been too cold for peepers or so I thought. Maybe they know something we don't?

Every year the turtles in the pond get a little larger.

The geese know me and head for the water when they see me. So far I haven't had to chase them off the yard this year.

The oak trees aren't willing to surrender last year's leaves yet.

I wish I could have caught on camera the little beaver who swam up to here then dived under.

S/he appeared just the other side of this dam but you can't see it.

A welcome bit of color in a mostly tan and grey world.

The Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is growing new leaves already.

A ground squirrel watches me nervously.

A daffy will bloom tomorrow?

Meanwhile, Tim just enjoyed the sun.

Jesus said, "Love..."

No longer waiting

Scene today. Same places as yesterday's post.

The daffys in the sun in front of the house are getting tall.

Even the daylilies are showing signs of life.

Spring iz sprung.
The grass iz riz.
I wonder where
Da flowers iz.

Da boid is on da wing.
Oh my woid.
How absoid.
I thot da wing wuz on da boid.

Many thanks to a 4th grade English teacher in New Castle, PA.

Waiting for sun

Clicking will embiggen.

Done, mostly

All but the livingroom clock are ready for tomorrow. Will you miss church?

The world's cutest grandniece and grandnephew

We had an adventure at the Children's Museum today.

You can see the rest of them here.

Friday shuffle

1. City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
2. Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man - Bernstein, NY Phil
3. We Three Kings - Straight No Chaser (sorry I usually skip Christmas)
4. Mellow Yellow - Donovan
5. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head - B.J. Thomas
6. Krakowiak Polka
7. Vierne: Symphonie VI, Finale - Michael Farris
8. Everybody's Talkin' - Nilsson
9. Send in the Clowns - Judy Collins
10. The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant

More Friday cat blogging

Besita was the first to greet me this morning.

She sniffed my coat.

Then she took possession.

Cats are such funny people.

Friday cat blogging

A couple of days ago, PuddyTat forgave me for abandoning her for a week and sought attention at the kitchen window. As far as I know there had been no cats on the cathouse roof for a couple of weeks as all were either in the garage or on the second level. I was able to wash all the blankets. PT liked that apparently and has been sleeping in her box. This morning, Little One decided there must be something interesting going on and joined PT. After eating, LO took over the box but PT wanted the box and rather violently in her way pushed Little One toward the window. No big deal however as there is a blanket there too. Love my cats!

Prayers, please

A year ago I attended a birthday party in Hickory, NC. Lutheran pastor, conductor and composer Paul D Weber had arranged it for himself. Yesterday I learned that Paul has suddenly been diagnosed with cancer – not sure what kind yet, but blood-borne (leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma). He has had two major spinal surgeries to remove a tumor and reconstruct his spine.

Paul's wife Florence Jowers is one of my most favorite friends and Paul is probably my favorite Lutheran pastor. They open their home to me every time I'm in the neighborhood. I carry them and their three kids close to my heart.

Several years ago Paul and I went to Golden Corral for supper as Florence was busy. He has had grey hair for years while I have few. I mentioned senior discount which the gal immediately applied. Paul was conflicted as he was not yet old enough to qualify. He looked at me but said nothing and paid the lower amount. I'm such a terrible influence.

Please pray for Paul, Florence, Amanda, Erin, Jeffrey and their farflung family as well as the medical people who are treating him.

How does the truth overcome lies when the only TV watched only repeats the lies?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

If only they would watch Rachel!