My Little Chickadee

Yesterday was momentous, to say the least, wasn't it folks!? We are elated to say the least. Remember, there's more about that here if you're looking for the politics.

Another happy event is the little birdie's have taken over our yard this year. Our large Southern Cedars produced so many berries that we have more than enough for the migrating Cedar Waxwings and Robins.

The year-round resident Chickadees are having a feast too. They had been sharing the thistle seeds we put out with the Gold Finches but now they are dining on the Sycamore tree seeds. One Chickadee got carried away and flew into our 6' x 6' plane glass windows. Hubby and I rushed outside and began reviving the little guy.


Come on little fellow,
you can make it!
Isn't he pretty?

After a few moments of cradling and gentle caressing (and me whispering a prayer), he flew off into the Confederate Jasmine along the front walk. That made me feel so good to see the little guy make it. I love our big picture windows but they are deadly for the birds.


Cleared For Take Off!


Hummingbird Nest
Oh, and a few days ago, while strolling around the property, I found my first Hummingbird nest! This one is nestled almost at the very top in the other Sycramore down by the gate. I have a habit of looking up into the trees each day to see who's visiting, and lo and behold there was an abandoned nest. I was so thrilled! The hummingbird's we have here every year are Ruby Throated Hummingbirds.

I hope y'all have an exciting and happy day too! Thanks for stopping by.

Our Day In Pictures

It was a rainy day in paradise today in Southeast Georgia. Even as I "pen" these late night musings, it's still coming down. So, Steve and I hopped in Ye Ol' Jeep and went exploring.

Wanna come with? Here's our day in pictures. [click on photos to enlarge]

Altamaha Apiaries
Gardi, Wayne County, Georgia
Built circa 1900, this structure originally served the community as a post office and general store. I found this message posted at another blog: "The Altamaha Apiary [sic], in Gardi, was started by my wife's family around the turn of the century (circa 1903) ... it was sold and left the family. The building is currently owned by a close family friend." Signed "Co A". I don't know who the family was!

Look at all the old bee hives
stored behind the building.
I'll bet they were all once busy as little bees.

Altamaha Waterfowl Wildlife Management Area
Then we skeedaddled over to the coast, north of Brunswick, and drove around in the Altamaha WWMA. We saw several small birds but no waterfowl. I wonder if it was even too wet for them?!

No problem!!
I think I'll stay in the truck, thank you. I've had my lunch, don't want to risk feeding them too. :)

Champney Island Road

Opps! We drove off the map!

The Church Of The Good Shepard (Episcopal)
There's a lady buried in their front lawn. It's the only marked grave there. It states, "Deaconess Anna E. B. Alexander, Founder, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 1894, Parochical School 1902, First Black Deaconess Ordained 1907, 18?? - 1947, Rest In Peace". There's a newer church building right next to the original.

Saint Cyprians Episcopal Church
There was another neat old black church in Darien (McIntosh county) just across the way. Crossing the Butler River north of Brunswick on into Darien. The Episcopals must have had a lot of missionaries in this area. The historical sign states the church was established in 1876.

Neat Old House
These two photos (above and below) were taken on Highway 99 leading out of Darien towards Ludowici.

Another interesting old house

Rain, rain, go away ...
Finally headed home down historical Hwy 57 towards Ludowici. Had to stop at the IGA to get a 'secret ingredient' for Steve's super venison meatballs.

Venison Meatballs
These are ABSOLUTELY HEAVENLY!!! Want the recipe? Maybe another post.

I'm too pooped to pop and too old to stroll after all this 'work'. [ha ha]

Hope y'all enjoyed the photos! (More here if interested)

Oh Deer!

Our feeder has been attracting some interesting nocturnal visitors. It's mostly been 'coons but we've had a few rabbits and possums.


"Maybe if I shake this thing
it'll give me more."
During the day the squirrels have a free feast too. The woodland floor is littered with the little shaky tailed critters. However, finally, a few nights ago, deer have been approaching the feeder.

Take a load at this nice looking 6 point.


"Did you get my good side?"
There is also a 4 point and several does with yearlings. Of course, this is all just in time for the end of hunting season. [sigh] Oh well. We both just enjoy looking at our woodland critters anyway.

I would like to construct a tower stand near the feeder just for viewing. It could also double as our observation post for our amateur astronomy. Many of our neighbors have made it a point not to add to already too much light pollution in our country, so, our area stays wonderfully dark.

I sure appreciate living here.

The Thermometer Says Winter But It's Dog Days Around Here

Sam is having such terrible skin and coat problems. He can no longer be sent to the groomers for this reason. After a grooming, it would sometimes take me a week to get his skin to look normal. He would turn beet red and just about scratch himself silly. The Vet suggested "Universal Medicated Shampoo" that he must be bathed in religiously. Plus he's on daily oral medication called "Catalyst" (soft chewables). All this seems to be working. At least I know how to groom miniature schnauzers but I had quit when my neck was in such bad shape. Fortunately, I no longer suffer from neck pain! So, using the nice new grooming table and area hubby made for me, I've been caring for the little guy myself. I'm afraid to clip any further back than his head, though, so now this is what Sam looks like.

Doesn't he look like a rat?
I've nicknamed him "Rat Boy". All he needs is a long hairless tail. Ewwww!

She needs a mirror so she can see
what a little bad dawg looks like?!
Maxie is still doing well. Except for the incident with the kidney stones, she's the healthiest little dog I've ever had. The kidney stones were caused by buying cheap Wal-Mart dog food. I'll never do that again!

Lucy
Lucy is enjoying the sub-zero Antartic (just kidding) weather of late. It has been so cold here, I'm weary of barren trees and cold weather. I am so ready for this winter to be over. Anyway, I caught her laying on the leaward side of the big cedar tree in the sunshine. It was about 38 degrees and she was just a-soakin' up Ye 'Ol Sun. She's probably waiting for some hapless squirrel to come along. Such a funny dog. Our doggies have a pet door, with access to our fenced in and gated property, so, they can come and go as they please. Lately I've learned that she's spending most of the night outside too! She must be chasing rabbits again. I just hope she doesn't bring me a "gift" (dead animal) like she has done in the past.

Ick.

Shhhh ... Secret Project
And, we have a Secret Project in the works. No, you have to wait to hear about it! The project is scheduled to start Monday. Wanna take a guess what it is? Dollars to donuts you'll never figure it out. [giggle]

A Shoutout ~ Please Welcome The Reluctant Patriot

I have decided to start another blog titled The Reluctant Patriot that is dedicated to keeping our American Judeo-Christian ideals and culture alive. As I've told many of my friends already, this blog (My Thoughts Exactly) will be my "foo foo fluffy" blog and mostly deal with my life in 'wiregrass' Georgia.

Why the title "Reluctant Patriot"? Because, for the most part, I'm really not very political at all. I would much rather be riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, knitting booties, attending a real tea party or some other non-taxing event. You get the picture. Things that don't strain my blonde brain. But, thanks to REAL taxes and intrusion on our personal freedoms, many of us have been forced into fighting a war to protect these rights and God given freedoms. So, at The Reluctant Patriot I will report on almost strictly politics. No PC talk there (or here either)!

Well, I hope you'll join me!? And as my ancestors in the First American Revolution said, 'Victoria vel nex' (Victory Or Death)!

Thank you dear ones. Your wanting to read any of my blogs is so very appreciated. God bless! :)

International Motorcycle Show, Greenville, SC

We have returned from our annual trip to the International Motorcycle Show. This is the second year it's been held in the lovely town of Greenville, South Carolina. Boy, was it cold this weekend! It's still cold out. Obviously, there were no demo rides at this event. That was a bit of a disappointment.

Ducati Multistrada 1200
Hubby thinks he was born to ride the Multristrada. I told him may have been born to ride one but he wasn't born to buy one. The Multristrada's price is $14,995 MSRP, adding the optional ABS systems will raise the cost to $16,495.

You again?!
Ducati is so classy. They were handing out free expresso for all event attendees. "Hey Sweetie, ya sure you just don't like lookin' at the pretty Ducati models??" [giggle] He kept going back for more coffee and I caught him in the act.

Triumph Bonneville T100
Now I was born to ride the Bonneville ... and it has to be in green and cream. I have yet to ride one though. We are going to try and attend the event in Daytona Beach, Florida this coming March. I'll probably regret riding the Bonneville because then I'll have to buy one. [sigh] The MSRP on the 2010 Bonneville is $8,799. Not bad. Wish we didn't have to replace the roof on the house ... maybe it can go another 3 or so years? Nahhh ....

Scooter
Hey, Pappy, they even had a cop motorcycle if you should chose to return to active duty! I would suggest keeping it under 30 mph, though. [lol] This one was used at a mental hospital. Hmmm ....



Well, I'm still weary from the journey. That's enough for now. Thanks for stopping by! I hope y'all have a great day!

There Are More Photos To Enjoy Here

Another Piece Of The Puzzle: Rowe's Carbon Footprint

One of my favorite things is when the new Forbes Magazine arrives. I really recommend a subscription to the magazine for anyone wanting to keep up with Who Owns What And How Are "They" Going To Screw Us Next.

I worked for many years for Fortune 500 companies and many small businesses. I always "knew" that the Big Guys at the top where either evil or incompetent (sometimes both are true). I enjoyed my job, though, in spite of the ineptness at the top. I always gave 100% with a cheerful attitude and was thankful for a paycheck. That said, since I have started reading Forbes and watching Fox News, I now have had many of my fears confirmed about how bad these people really are! There’s so much dirt on these people you could grow potatoes on their souls.

Case in point.

An article in this week's Forbes titled "The Carbon Windfall" by Jonathan Fahey (Jan. 18, 2010, pages 70-74) makes yet another connection between a big business, Comrade Zero, and our pocketbooks.

John W. Rowe [friend, buddy, co-whore of Comrade Zero], 64, is the chairman and chief executive officer of Exelon Corporation, a utility holding company headquartered in Chicago ... oh. Chicago, yet again. [gulp] Another evil entity out of the Windy City.

You can see where this is leading, I guess.

Exelon Corporation is one of the big noises behind, wait for it, Cap And Trade! [ding, ding, ding] They are perched on the precipice to make literally BILLIONS if this bill is passed. Billions of OUR money, I must add (as if I had to). We’ll lose all our freedoms and money, while they laugh all the way to the bank.

Just sharing the wealth ... of knowledge.