Need a Break?

On a recent fishing trip in southern Missouri, a cloudy afternoon brought several hours of rain, and by rain I mean a monsoon, which left deep puddles of water everywhere on the ground while raindrops the size of teacups dripped from leaves.

I picked my way across the ground to avoid any ankle deep mini-ponds, before looking up to notice the above pictured sight. An enormous tree was filled with turkey buzzards (several flew away before I could snap this picture). Each big old bird sat on a branch, motionless and silent, with wings spread wide to dry.

Can't you just totally relate to these guys? After being pummeled by a storm, when clouds clear, they shake off the whirlwind to welcome back the sun.

If you're like me you've been doing way too much in the dog days of summer, forever trying to cram in just one more thing. Maybe it's time to take a lesson from our feathered friends.

Sit back for a moment. Relax and recharge.

Even the most powerful wings need a break to stay strong.

And It Just Keeps Coming...

Snow, sub-zero temperatures, more snow, and a little sleet just for good measure. We are NOT having weather fun around here this week. Blogger Buddies in Alaska and Canada, I feel like we somehow got transplanted right next door to you. Fortunately, though, there's a glimmer of light for us at the end of this snowy tunnel. Tomorrow we're getting more precipitation, but in liquid form...and apparently lots of it.

With all this snow and all this rain, the moisture will have to go somewhere. I won't be a bit surprised if the next weather warning is for floods. Oh, it's been a very satisfying week for the weather peeps.

Despite the possibilities, you may ask who wouldn't be thrilled over getting rain rather than more snow? Well, I can tell you that one of my household members does not see the latest weather prediction as much of an improvement...

I think it's just about time somebody builds somebody an indoor toilet.

Lazy Day

The sound of rain pattering on the roof is more soothing than any lullaby.

This 'N That

Yesterday our brown crunchy grass and fading flowers most gratefully received a long absent precious commodity...rain. It's been weeks since we've had any to speak of. Though not near what we need, it still made me feel like doing my best Gene Kelly routine, sans umbrella.

Rain, glorious rain. Please come back again!

Meanwhile, I don't know about anyone else, but I've been having tons of trouble the last few weeks with spam on Blogger. Nowhere else...just on Blogger. And unfortunately it's not just annoying spam. Some of it is annoying X-rated spam. Let me tell you, there's no greater thrill than having an explicit adult image creep onto the screen as I try to write a blog post or comment. Although the pictures could potentially be a weird sort of conversation piece (judging by some of the photos), they certainly don't do much for my concentration.
I've had my computer checked for viruses (none found) and installed a new security device. Yet a few not-so-nice anonymous comments have still sneaked through Blogger's spam filter, straight on to Critter Alley.

Indy, Bogey and I are appalled and pretty much completely grossed out. Long story short...we are now viewing all comments before posting them. Seriously, don't some people have anything better to do than send porn to critters and old ladies? If there's a presidential candidate who is willing to take on spammers, they will certainly get my vote.

Is anyone else having problems with spam on Blogger?

Rainy Days...

It isn't that I don't love a beautiful sun-filled weekend, but sometimes it's nice to have a rain-out. My plants were thirsty because I'm not one to get out and water. They appreciated Mother Nature correcting my negligence. I appreciated it, too.

Rainy weekends are the perfect excuse to stay inside and get things done. I actually cleaned out the refrigerator (what WERE all those science experiments?), made some edits to a story that's been sitting for a while (months), and read a good book (one of those guilty pleasure kinds). Had the sun been beaming, it would have seemed a sin to stay inside. End result? I'd be growling today about how the weekend went by so quickly without me getting a single thing accomplished.

I'm feeling good, not in small measure due to the number one favorite rainy day activity at our house...



Rainy Days

We continue to have gray heavy clouds overhead that periodically pelt the already saturated earth with rain.

The grass is lush and tall and the flowers are brilliant with color, while people scurry from car to building and back covered by umbrellas or racing to dodge more raindrops. Another soggy weekend.

How do you handle a rainy weekend?

 At our house, there's one certain and much-loved way to spend the time.

Drizzley Days-Point of View

It's been raining...

and raining...

and raining...

and raining.  When will it stop? I hate getting my feet wet.

Ahhhh, rain! How we love getting our feet wet!

May the weekend bring your favorite things.