Important Information

I can't begin to guess why you would ever be chained to a bunkbed with a velociraptor - perhaps someone's sick idea of a joke or terrible retribution. Who knows. Let me know how you do. As for me, 38 seconds of sheer terror, coupled with excruciating pain, is more than I'd care for!


I could survive for 38 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

We Ran Away....

We were scheduled to make a four hour drive this weekend for my older daughter's soccer tournament, but due to a rough couple of weeks we dropped our original plans and ran away. Well, drove away, to a much closer and relaxing destination. It takes about an hour and a half to get to St. George Island and escape to another world.

We arrived late in the afternoon and immediately went for a long walk while the sun was setting. The minute we stepped out on the sand we ran into this little guy. We chased him out of hiding for a better look but these crabs are fast! There were lots of them all over - some as small as half an inch, though this guy was about the size of my hand.

My daughter's walked ahead of me down the beach creating a nice photo op for me.

Right next to the hotel where we stayed is a restaurant with outdoor seating where we had a leisurely dinner. When we stepped off of the lighted deck onto the beach we looked up and saw the most amazing night sky I've seen in a long while. As luck would have it we had a moonless, cloudless night and the view of the Milky Way directly overhead was really stunning. We got our beach towels and stared up into the sky for about an hour and a half. I wish I could have captured it in a picture.


Early saturday morning my younger daughter and I got up for the sunrise and took another walk. We saw the slightest sliver of moon not far above the horizon. It looks like a speck next to the clouds in this picture. Please ignore the water spots on my camera lens...I guess I'm not a photographer for a reason!

I meant to get more pictures as the sun came up but we came across a gentleman walking his dogs and that led to lots of conversation and ball throwing. Then we spotted the dolphins making their rounds. Again, no photos because they were not very close in and I am notoriously bad about capturing them. Usually we only see their back fins arching out of the water, but later in the day they were jumping up out of the water - a real treat.

There are a variety of birds,including my favorites, the pelicans. The pelicans fly by like squadrons, patrolling for fish. In the winter you can get great shots of them on the beach but they were further out on the water and they look speckish in the pics I took. I did manage to get several shots of seagulls.



The sky wasn't the only clear view we had. Due to the lack of any storms recently the water was really clear and calm. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever seen it so clear and calm and we've been coming here for about nine years. I heard other people saying the same so I guess it wasn't just my imagination. My oldest had some fun taking shadow pictures in the shallow water.






What's a trip to the beach without seashells? The girls collect them and embed them in the sandcastles that they make.







It's nice that no matter how big and grown up the girls become they still play like children when they get to the beach. They dig holes, catch critters, build castles and moats and play, play, play.






Last, but never least, is Gerbil Thingy. Gerbil Thingy has been a part of our family since my twelve year old was about four. He's had many adventures...I'll have to tell you about them sometime. He jumped up on the rail of our balcony to remind me to get a shot from our room.

The Farmer and His Wife Take a Vacation

Suzanne, from

athomewiththefarmerswife

took a vacation recently, along with the Farmer, and I received this postcard from her. She gave out hints before the trip, but kept the destination a secret, so it was fun to get this card and see if I had guessed correctly. I have visited caverns in other states before but never Blanchard Springs Caverns. You might think that I would have, since I lived in Arkansas for nearly eight years! I did, however, make several trips to Hot Springs, Arkansas, which was the destination of our traveling farmers.

Arkansas is known as The Natural State, so it's not hard to see why the Farmer and His Wife have property there. Between the Ozarks, the lakes, the hunting and fishing, the diamond mining in Murfreesboro, and the baths at Hot Springs - well, there's a lot for them to enjoy!

Hot Springs has a main street known as bath house row. Way back in the day you could go and get a bath in water from the natural hot springs, at any number of these places. You can visit there now and take a tour to learn all about the healing qualities and history of the bath houses. They still have one open for bathing and I tried it out a few years back. The experience consisted of several bath/shower/massage stages after which I felt quite relaxed. My eldest daughter went about a year ago, while visiting there, and partook of the ritual. She later exclaimed to me about the 'butt bath' that she had! I explained to her that she might appreciate something like that someday when she's had children of her own.

The main street now has all sorts of shops to visit as well as a wax museum. On the visit when my eldest had her bath experience, she and her sister also visited the wax museum. On their way out of the building, Eldest was apparently overcome with curiosity and touched a wax replica of a fireman that was in the window display. As luck would have it, said fireman immediately toppled over and she let out a scream. Thankfully no harm was done and the folks who run the place thought it had just fallen on it's own - which my daughter did not dispute. I wonder if he had a history of falling?

Anyway, I hope that The Farmer and His Wife didn't tip over any firemen, and I'm betting they had a terrific time all along their journey to Hot Springs and back.

Chimps Prefer Cooked Food

Well, it had to happen. Some curious researchers did a study to determine whether chimps prefer their food cooked or raw. I know this is something I've been wondering about nearly my entire life! You too? I know, right??? I can die at peace knowing that chimps prefer cooked food. Those lucky chimps probably thought they hit the jackpot. There they were, minding their own monkey business, when along came some friendly people with food.

The chimps in the study were given cooked and uncooked versions of carrots, sweet potatoes and beef. Said chimps showed a preference for the cooked foods. Well dang, I prefer cooked food too - especially if somebody else cooks it for me! I wonder if they got Banana's Foster for dessert? I suppose the next step is to teach them sign language so they can order up their food. You know, from the 'Zoo' Chef...

In an attempt to duplicate the researcher's results I did an independent study of my own. My study involved asking Sock Monkey what he thought. Since he can't talk, (he is a monkey after all) he ran out to the kitchen and showed me via monkey display just what sort of cooked food he prefers. That's right. Even monkeys prefer pepperoni pizza!

Miniature Men!

"And that means FUN! They can tumble, juggle, sing close harmony, perform countless difficult household chores, execute pranks and mischief, and generally make life more frolicsome. Millions of people use them regularly, just thing what they can do for you!"

Back around 1980 or so I was shopping for a birthday card and, as so often happens, I found an unrelated card that I couldn't resist. I didn't buy it with any particular recipient in mind but I was sure I could think of someone who would appreciate it. Two or three times I pulled it out of my desk drawer, intending to send it to a sister or friend, but I just couldn't part with it. Finally, I found a clear frame for it and I've had it hanging around ever since. During the early 80's it hung around my dorm. In the early 90's this picture was hanging in my office. These days it lives in my kitchen. How about those little guys!

I have a collection of cards in my desk drawer that I still add to. I have something to suit most occasions. Sometimes I actually mail one out! How about you? Anyone else collect cards? Or are you all sensible people who purchase only what you need and then send it out?

The Ballad O' Anne Rackham

Ahoy, me hearties! Shiver me timbers, but a fine, good day fer sailin' this be! The briny deep's a-callin', so come join me Brethren O' the Coast, set the sails and sharpen yer cutlasses fer plunderin' (and killin' bilge rats)! T'is a bit of a journey, so pour some grog and listen up as I regale ye with the Ballad O' Anne Rackham, me namesake:



THE BALLAD O' ANNE RACKHAM


Draw nigh me hearties and I'll tell ye the tale
o' plunder and love, o' fortune and fame.
This be the tale o' the pirate Anne Rackham.
This be the woman whence comes me name.

In the county o' Cork, in Ireland fair,
to a man and his mistress a young lass was born.
Away to America, these illicit young lovers,
went with wee Anne to escape spite and scorn.

At the tender, young age of only thirteen
t'is said our dear Anne first wielded the blade.
A servant displeased her with unkind remark
and was stabbed in the gut, the unfortunate maid!

A scurrilous rogue, the sailor James Bonny,
met and married dear Anne when she was sixteen.
But Calico Jack Rackham, a true buccaneer,
soon caught Anne's eye and they departed the scene.

Now, wenches were barred from sailin' the deep-
considered bad luck by a true buccaneer.
So Anne dressed like a man, and swore like one too
and her fightin' and plunderin' filled hearts with fear!

As luck would have it, one fellow discovered
Anne's true identity, and threatened to tell.
So she ran the rogue through without hesitation
and sent the man down to a watery hell.

Many a year did Anne and Jack sail,
pillagin' and livin' a life on the deep.
Their exploits were legend, their treasures were many
then fate took a twist, one to make a man weep!

Our lovers crossed paths with one Captain John Barnet
they crossed swords as well and fought a brave fight.
Alas, sweet victory was not theirs this battle
and their ship, crew and pride were lost on that night.

When Anne had been captured, her belly she pled -
for she was carryin' the babe of Calico Jack.
The courts would not hang a woman with child
and so to the jail, Anne was sent back.

Before he was hung Jack was privileged to see
his beloved wench Anne who had this to say,
"If ye'd fought like a man, you'd not hang like a dog!"
Fine parting words on a man's dying day!

Some say Anne went back to her home in Carolina,
and married again, bearin' many a child.
Some say she ran off and found a new ship
and continued her pillagin' and livin' so wild.

Methinks at the end of her hail, hearty life,
somewhere down below in the briny, blue deep
she cast off her life, and all of her treasures,
and in Davy Jones locker does Anne Rackham sleep.

- Red Anne, aka Significant Snail-

(This fine portrait o' Anne Rackham was reproduced from an early woodblock, edited and colorized by BlindKat Publishers)

Avast Me Hearties...

Beware, me Buccaneers and Wenches! The day fer talkin' like pirates draws nigh! Ye have but another day after this one to get yerself shipshape! Move along handsomely now, hoist yer Jolly Roger and prepare to weigh anchor! Tis nearly time for leavin' behind yer land-lubbin ways!

As ye can see, me Brethren o' the Coast are prepared to help ye walk the plank, get a floggin' with me Cat-O-Nine Tails, or learn the meanin' o' keel-haulin' should ye fail to consider me warnin'!

Godspeed!
Red Anne Rackham