She looks so sweet, adorable, and precious, don't ya think?
Oh yes, a critter that sweet looking certainly could never do any wrong... right?
She just makes you wanna say "Awwwww!", doesn't she?
How could you ever get angry at such an adorable critter? Well, truth is, I can't ever get angry with her, and she know this and takes full advantage of it.
Like when I come home from work and walk in the door to discover this... Welcome home from work Mom. I missed you...
(c) Misty DawnS You never really liked this end table, did you?
(c) Misty DawnS
Puppy teeth RULE! There is nothing I cannot destroy! I will eat clothes... I will eat shoes and boots... I prefer and can locate your BEST shoes (like your Merrell shoes) and clothes... I will eat ink pens... I will make Mommy sick when I eat Cicadas... Or when I try to eat baby snapping turtles or moles... I will demolish any cardboard, plastic, or other container I can find... I will chew a 2x2 board in half... I will pull the insulation out of the wall that Daddy just put in - and, yep, try to eat it... And, Mommy, when you come home from work, and you're tired, and you see that your wooden end table has become a pile of wood splinters all over the kitchen floor... Well, you can't get mad... You can only shake your head (AGAIN)... For, I am the mighty... I am the great... I canNOT be stopped... I am the adorable... the one and only... I AM Puppy-Super-Teeth!
Forgive me for posting so early, but I am exhausted and getting ready to attempt to go to sleep. I'd like to apologize for not visiting blogs like I used to, but it seems that all I've been doing lately in my posts is apologizing. My work load is not going to change, so I am just going to have to accept the fact that I am not going to be able to visit blogs as much as I used to. I will probably have to set certain days to visit. I'm still trying to figure out what will work out best and what I can handle.
Corny Captions to Consider for this Camera-Critters Capture...
"This getting up early to get the worm business is for the birds!"
"Did you hear the one about the drunk Blue Jay?"
"Just turn your back to her and maybe she'll go away."
"Ever since she started this Camera-Critters thing, she has been chasing us birds around with that camera!"
"She's going to put us on her blog... we'll be famous. Yeah, sure, sing me another song."
"Can you believe I was turned down by American Idol? They obviously don't know true singing talent! So, I left that Simon guy a present on his windshield."
"Ya ever accidentally land on one of these barb thingies? It's a real pain in the butt!"
"Don't get your feathers in a ruffle - I'm just stopping by to say hi!"
"So, you come here often?"
"What's your sign?"
"Wanna see my worm?"
OK, OK, with that one, I'll stop. Come on, you gotta admit - you giggled at least once... didn't you?
You all know that I am addicted to photography, which means I take an excessive amount of photos. Well, I am beginning to get concerned that I am taking too much space on my new laptop to store all the photos I take.
So, I started asking my photography friends how they store their photos. One option is to burn my photos to CDs or DVDs for storage. However, with the amount of photos I take, that would take forever, and it would also become very expensive, because I would use up a lot of discs.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot bring myself to delete the cute photos, such as this...
(c) Misty DawnS
Also, I can't bring myself to delete the beautiful ones, such as this...
(c) Misty DawnS
Just imagine how many photos I will have once I get that dream camera!
So, one of my very dear friends gave me a better option for storing my photos. He said I should purchase an external hard drive for storing my photo and music files. That sounds like the best solution, and I found an awesome one!
Just look at this beauty... You know the most beautiful part about this hard drive? Yeah, the blue LED strip is pretty awesome. However, the most beautiful thing about it, in my opinion, is the fact that it has 750 GB of storage! Oh yeah! I could store ALL of my current photos, in addition to all my future photos, and still have room for all of our music files too!
It would be so great to have everything stored in one place and free up the space on my computer.
Yep, I definitely think this LaCie USB 2.0 7200RPM Desktop External Hard Drive, complete with 1-click backup software, would be absolutely perfect for my needs. Especially now that I see what a great price it is, and the fact that I can get free shipping through buy.com.
Ya know, my birthday is coming up, and a couple of months after that is our anniversary. I better start making my lists. ;-)
Heads or Tails has its very own home now! If you click on the graphic above, it will take you to the awesome new HoT blog where you can sign up and start participating in this fun and popular meme!
As most of you know, I was raised by my paternal grandparents. They are the two greatest influences in my life. Although they are physically gone now, I still feel them with me every day. My grandmother was my 'mother' in every sense of the word. Some of the moments when I very strongly feel my grandmother with me is when I am out taking photos of birds. She loved birds, and some of my favorite memories involve watching the birds with her. We even had a male Cardinal who would come to the windowsill at the same time every day to peck on the window. He would visit during my snack time. I'd be dipping my chocolate chip cookies in my tea cup filled with milk, and we would hear "peck" "peck" "peck. Grandma would say, "Our visitor has come for his daily visit." We then would go into the kitchen and say our hellos to the Cardinal. If we did not go into the kitchen to acknowledge him, he would continue to peck at the window until we came into the room.
Grandma also collected bird figurines and knick knacks. The kitchen windowsill was lined with those bird figurines that play that bird's song when you touch them. I loved being a rotten little girl and setting them all off at the same time. ;-)
So, when I am here in the new state going on my photo walks, and I get photos of birds that we didn't have in the old state, I find myself wishing that my grandmother were there to see this beautiful critter. Then, I am overcome with the sense that she is there seeing it with me. Or, possibly, she is the one who brings those birds to me to photograph.
Yesterday, she was definitely with me, and she was definitely smiling as I took these photographs and thought of her...
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
(c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS
A Brown Thrasher
(c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS(c) Misty DawnS
A Cat Bird. The Cat Bird was my grandfather's favorite bird. They really do 'mew' like a cat. So, of course, Misty was standing in the woods meowing to this bird. I sure hope no one was around with a video camera. (c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS
I wish the photos were bigger, because you really need to see them full size to truly appreciate them.
*Special thanks for my buddy Bear for always taking the time to ID and teach me the real names of the critters I get photos of*
I talked to her (online) until just a couple of minutes ago. So, no, I'm not pouting. You see, my BBFF's ONE YEAR Blogoversary is TODAY!!! So, I decided to re-post a poem I wrote for her (a totally silly and goofy poem) when she was having computer problems and I couldn't 'chat' with her all night like I've grown accustomed to (and dependent upon). She's awesome - I love her - It was 'intended' and 'arranged' for us to find this friendship (I believe that with no doubt) - Go tell her Happy Blogoversary... it will make her day and she totally deserves it! You'll be a better person for knowing her!
Ode to my BBFF Here I sit Oh so sad I miss the best BBFF that I ever had.
We usually talk for hours on end and if someone is rude to one the other is quick to defend.
We're experts on data, reboot, and a good ol' hard drive clean And we laugh like a dork and moron when people don't know what we mean.
My BBFF, well we thought it was a worm she had turns out that it was just her components gone bad.
Maybe it was the fault of her 'girls' with which she's been blessed the computer took one look and it's data became all a mess!
Whatever the cause, it has got me outta whack I miss my BBFF and I want our nightly chat back!
You see this poem I should really stop For, I've got so many blogs I should hop.
But I'm finding no matter how hard I try It's just not the same and I know exactly why.
I don't have that box at the bottom of my screen that blinks when she sends me a new message or tells me to go check out a link.
So here I sit like a sad bump on a log without my BBFF to talk with I don't want to hop blogs
How did I ever do it before I met her? I'm sure I did OK, but how? I'm just not sure.
A lasting effect on me this friendship has had Daily, I think of 'moments' and I start giggling like mad.
She's also been there when I've needed her most. We may physically be miles apart but she always seems close.
But now she's not here and I miss her so and it sure makes me realize I love her more than she'll ever know.
This post is dedicated to the 'critter' who has been the main subject of my prayers since Monday night...
He's not a dog (I can't tell you how many times I've reminded my dad of this)...
(c) Misty DawnS
See those yellow eyes? A young boy was out for a walk with his mom and sister one day. They passed my dad and his 'dog' out for a walk. The little boy looked at my dad and said "You can see the evil in his eyes!" My dad just laughed, because Matouk is definitely not evil. But, there is definitely something about those eyes... I can just sit and stare into Matouk's eyes for hours. Through those eyes, you can 'see' him thinking and planning.
No, he's definitely not a 'dog'... But, he's also not 'completely' a wolf...
(c) Misty DawnS
I don't know of many wolves who own Beanie Baby stuffed animals, have their own couch, have ice cream for dessert at night, or take inventory of the fridge contents whenever it is opened. Nope, I don't know many wolves like that. However, Matouk is more wolf than he is dog, in my opinion.
He even 'sings' like a wolf...
Low Pitch - (c) Misty DawnS
High Pitch - (c) Misty DawnS
So, he's not a 'dog', and he's not a 'wolf'. He's my boyfriend - but don't get too jealous ladies, because he LOVES ALL ladies, especially if you talk to him, because he loves women's voices. But, honestly, the best and only way to describe him is "He's Matouk." He has his own ideas; his own way of thinking; his own plan of how life should be lived. He is smarter than any creature I have ever met, and I must admit that includes humans. That may sound like a rather crazy remark, but if you met him and got to know him, you would understand. "He's Matouk", and he's truly one of a kind.
Why has he been the subject of my prayers? Because he had been missing since Monday night. I prayed, and I prayed. You see, last year, he went for a walk by himself, and when he came back, he had been shot three times with a 22 caliber gun. So, you can understand my worry, especially when you add in the fact that my dad lives by a very busy interstate. Yesterday, on my way home from work, my dad called. He has spent the entire week walking the woods, hanging up posters, talking to people, looking... hoping... praying. Yesterday, Dad had been at the pound and the APL, just to check for himself, even though he had already called them. When he got home, he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Matouk in his dog house!
Matouk is VERY sore, exhausted, and has an injured foot. However, he's BACK and he's alive! Now, in my prayers, I just keep repeating "Thank you!" over and over again.
There are SO many entertaining, funny, and thought-provoking stories I could share with you about Matouk. Some of the stories, you probably wouldn't even believe, because, sometimes, you can be there watching and seeing it for yourself, yet you still can't believe what you are seeing. I cannot accurately describe the depth of his thought processes, reasoning, premeditating, and logic. It may sound corny, but I say with complete conviction that I am thankful and honored to have had the opportunity to have Matouk in my life, and I'm a better person as a result of getting to know (and love) him.
My sweet and beautiful girls own my heart. They know it too, and are not afraid to take advantage of it.
(c) Misty DawnS
Molly always gets bored when I've got my camera, but Maggie (the puppy) eagerly waits for me to end the photo session so she can go running and exploring (and chewing on stuff).
(c) Misty DawnS
Molly (right) is always happier when Tag isn't around. Heck, most people and animals are happier when Tag isn't around *snicker*.
(c) Misty DawnS
I just realized something... all three of these photos were taken on different days. However, in each photo, Maggie is on the left, and Molly is on the right. They must be creatures of habit like their Mommy ;-)
* * * I edited this post to add a picture of Tag. I have three Border Collies - Tag (the male), Molly (the adult female), and Maggie (the female puppy). The pics above are of my girls, Maggie and Molly. Tag was working with Dad (Hubs) - that's why Molly was so happy (Tag is not her favorite).
This is Tag - he's not a sociable dog... only likes his dad... and sometimes me (c) Misty DawnS
I just wanted to thank the people who have taken the time to still visit and comment on my blog even though I have not been visiting other blogs much at all this past week. It has been a very rough week with being sick and the depression. I'm hoping that I'm on the road to recovery from the flu or whatever I have. So, I'll do my best to visit your blogs today and tomorrow.
For my second Camera-Critters post, I'm going to share a few pictures I took last week, and... a story :-) Yes, yes, I've always got a story. I figure you like my stories, otherwise, you wouldn't read my blog. hehe
So, as many of you know, Hubs was very ill for well over a week. He was so ill for so long that we were beginning to think he had something worse than the flu. One day, I had prepared a breathing treatment for him in a breathing machine we had borrowed. While he was doing the treatment, I was standing in front of him daydreaming (I don't know about what... probably dogs, or fishing, or Bon Jovi). My daydreams were interrupted when I saw this big black movement out the window. I looked up, my jaw dropped, and I just pointed out the window at our barn. Hubs turned around and looked and started to say "Go get your...", but I was already running out the door with my camera.
(c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS
There were two turkey buzzards sitting on our barn roof, which is right on the other side of our driveway. I was able to get two pictures before they flew off and joined, yet another buzzard to circle over our pond. (The pictures really are much better when viewed full-size.)
When I returned to the house, I started to tell my ill husband about the buzzards and how neat it was watching them. He had a funny look on his face. So, I got concerned and asked, "Are you feeling really bad again? Are you OK?" He just shook his head, glanced out the window to where the buzzards had been, fell back on the couch, and said, "I sure hope that wasn't some sort of bad omen." Then, we both burst out laughing.
Just to update you and alleviate any worries - Hubs is getting better (finally), and I have now caught whatever he had (which is good, because now we know it was just the flu). With the way I'm feeling now though, I'm starting to understand why he was concerned about the vultures being a bad omen.
And, just so you don't start worrying that I've changed my ways or something - Here's a doggie pic ;-)
(c) Misty DawnS (Read: Maggie says "Mom, he's smashing my head!"; Tag says, "Hey Dad, you in there? Maggie Who?")
I'm sure you'd rather be packing your bags to go vacation at some Corpus Christi real estate, but since you aren't, do you want to join the Sunday meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.
Y'all tired of my cemetery gate in the sunset photos yet? I wouldn't be surprised if you were, but I just can't help myself. I love the ironwork of the arch and gate, and I love using it as a subject in front of the great sunsets we have here. This shot was taken Monday evening. There will certainly be many more cemetery-gate-sunset photos on my blog in the future - just to give you fair warning ;-)
I hope everyone has a great weekend! I'll do my best to visit everyone's Sky Watch posts tomorrow, but I've got the flu, which has caused the Fibromyalgia to flare, so I'm not sure how tomorrow will go.
For my first Camera-Critters submission on this blog, I decided to tell you the story of a critter-family, whom I had the opportunity to see on several occasions last Summer.
I would go out for a sunset-photo-walk a little before Dusk, and on several evenings, I would be blessed with a visit from this critter-family. You see the one in the back? Out of the five babies, that one seemed to be the one to give the mother headaches ;-) It was always wondering off and exploring, and Mom would have to turn around and go get the little mischief causer.
(c) Misty DawnS
I think this family actually became accustomed to seeing me, just as I often hoped to see them. Finally, one evening, Mom decided to check me out a little bit closer. (Notice in the first photo, you can only count four babies. Baby Mischief is not in the picture, because he/she had wandered off to check out other things, yet again.)
(c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS
I enjoyed our little meeting, until I thought I heard a car coming. So, I calmly told "Mom" to grab the young 'uns and get outta the road! She followed my advice, but made one last turn to say goodnight.
(c) Misty DawnS
I hope I'm blessed with the sightings of more critters and their families this Summer! Maybe I should put motion sensor lights out by the pond so I can tell when the deer are out there! OK, maybe that would be going a little overboard.
Y'all were expecting dog photos, weren't you? Come on, you can admit it. You'll just have to keep playing each week to see when I post some dog pics :-)
Want to join the Sunday meme all about animal/critter photos? Clicking on the post header graphic will take you to the blog where you can sign in if you have made a post, and you can visit other Camera-Critters Captures. Or, clicking HERE will take you to the rules.
So, what does Misty do when there are tornado watches and warnings being issued in and all around her area? Grab the camera and run outside, of course!
See, it doesn't look that bad... look at that pretty blue sky.
(c) Misty DawnS
Nah, it's not bad... you can even see the sun up there!
(c) Misty DawnS
Ummm, it's beginning to get a little dark and windy.(c) Misty DawnS
Yep, definitely getting kind of windy. (c) Misty DawnS
Thinking maybe I should go inside now, but this is SO cool! (c) Misty DawnS
Yeah, OK, I'm going inside. (c) Misty DawnS
Once I returned inside and told two of my best buddies, Tammy and Barb, about the photos I had just taken, I received a couple of lectures. In fact, Tammy told me that I should be wearing some religious jewelry, because I could pray to it as the tornado took me away to the land of Oz. Hmmm, do you catch a hint of sarcasm there?
By the way, everyone. The new Sunday meme, Camera Critters, will be ready this week! I will open the Mr. Linky sign in at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com sometime Saturday evening. In the meantime, hop on over there and grab yourself a badge and a post header, and leave me a comment if you would like to be put on the blog roll.
I've been accused of being obsessed with sunsets. Hmmmm, I can't imagine why people would think such a thing of me ;-) Now, with this photo, I think I've probably proven this statement to be true. I just thought it was so neat the way the reflection of the sunset was framed by the window on our steel equipment
(c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS
(c) Misty DawnS
