Leave it to the Japanese

Convenient looking, isn't it...

Kinetic Sculpture

To Bribe...

Travis is learning the art of bribery with our horses. And after being chased down relentlessly as a result, he has also learned that bribery is generally not all that profitable, at least when it comes to 3 year old 'nerd' geldings. The seagulls from 'Finding Nemo" come to mind. Mine mine mine mine mine

Yes, IT happened...

Well it happened. We went to let the dogs out, and Kenya, the big cow who never listens (don't ask, wasn't our problem until now) ran after a skunk. And completely contrary to all of our shouted protests, chased a skunk under the trailer and tried to bite it, even though it had sprayed her, all over her neck and chin, and then finally, into her mouth. Needless to say, the whole place, house, yard, garage, everything.... REEKS! I have never really had anything against skunks, even found them mildly interesting and I daresay cute-ish. Never more. If I have power over the situation, their certain death will be my only pleasure... Ughh, after staying up nearly all night and much washing, scrubbing and deoderizing, I still can't get the smell out of my soft palate. Poor Lynn and Anne and Travis...

Autumnal Voyage

This last Friday, Lynn and Anne took us on a trip to Medford to shop for Brad and Molly's reception, to get out of town and to see if we could see some of the Autumn scenery. We of course became sidetracked, gloriously and discovered a wonderland of Aspen. It was absolutley beautiful. I love that Lynn discribed it as "a flower... except 30 feet tall!" Travis took the camera and was able to take some pictures, like the one of us guys. I only was able to snap a couple, but it was all worth it. Too bad the photos don't do the real thing justice. The crisp air, the smell of damp leaves, the breeze whispering through the trees. Good golly I love Autumn!

The Crossroads of Sark

Sark, the smallest of the Channel Islands, in Great Britain is the last bastion of feudalism in Europe. Rob Crossan of the Guardian writes:
Nobody has tried to change things on Sark for some time. Its arcane system dates back to Elizabethan times, with the head of the feudal government, or seigneur, owning everything, including anything that gets washed up on the island's shores. The present incumbent, Michael Beaumont, has held the position for more than 30 years. Sark's tenants are required to own a musket - a relic of the time Elizabeth I sent 40 Jersey men there to quell debauchery and piracy in the 16th century. There are no paved roads or cars, and bucolic harmony has reigned pretty much unchallenged (bar occupation by the Nazis) for more than 500 years.

Now Sark has fallen afoul of the EU because, as Seigneur Beaumont so disarmingly puts it, "Nothing much is human-rights compliant here." So, the tenants have three options. They can vote to retain the status quo and risk the wrath of Strasbourg, decide to bring in democracy straight away, or adopt a transition phase, which would mean a parliament of 28 people, of whom 16 would be elected.

And now, very probably, we will have to bid godspeed to Elizabethan Sark. The ruffs, the stomachers, and even the codpieces will have to go into mothballs, all for the sake of modernization.

Rent a Potty Pony!!!

Well the story is that Brynlie is going through that wonderful time of Potty Training. She has a motivational chart that gives her a reward when she fills the squares with a sticker. She gets a sticker every time that she goes to the bathroom. Her reward this time was a pony ride furnished by our wonderfully sweet horse Dante. Needless to say that she had gone like 16 times a day.

So this last Saturday, the whole family turned out to watch Brynlie on her Potty Pony Ride. We walked into the field to grab Dante and the other horses, and tied him up to tack him out. Ty was just beginning to brush Dante down when Brynlie let out a scream and started to cry. We all jumped thinking that maybe the horses had scared her, or that one had nibbled on her looking for treats. When asked what had happened, she stuck out her bottom lip and cried, " I want to ride the pony, RIGHT NOW!!" She is too cute. When she was on, and walking around she was so happy, it was adorable. She ended up having so much fun, that Travis had to have a ride too. Which of course Dante was glad to oblige with.

Beautiful Views

So I just wanted to share with you all some beautiful pictures of what the view looks like from Lynn and Anne's deck. Their house sits on a hill over-looking the Klamath Valley, with the Lost River meandering below. The other day there were some beautiful cloud formations over the valley, there were high winds and they just created some stunning views.

This whole job hunting thing stinks...

Well as you all know, we moved to Klamath Falls, at the last minute, though we were intending to be in Portland really. Ty took a less than satisfactory job at a local elementary, when NOTHING else was available, and I am looking for a job in order for us to move out of his parents home. Then comes yesterdays paper, confirming what I already knew through trial and error. THE JOB MARKET IS NON-EXISTENT. Klamath has less than half of the living wage jobs necessary for its trained workforce. And everything else doesn't pay half. Real fun, let me tell you. Anyways, I am still trying to remain positive... But it is wearing thin...

But at least I don't have to do this... ST

What a Pony Ride looks like in Louisiana

Fun while it lasts...

A new theme.

Along with all of the standard, everyday, family things, I thought that I would display some of the strange things I find while looking for more random knowledge. I will try to do this periodically, so as not to overwhelm, but hopefully it will also give you something to call your significant other over to look at in wonder/ astonishment/ suprise/ chagrin. To start with, I found this photo of a mushroom. And an intersting one at that.


It is a 'Bleeding Tooth Mushroom." Looks more like a crime scene to me. ST

Anne will be so proud ;)

I thought I would share with you some pictures of some of our favorite squash varieties that we have grown in Anne's garden this year. For Christmas last year, Ty and I gave Anne a book entitled, 'The Compleat Squash' by Amy Goldman. Basically it is Martha Stewart + Heirloom Squash = Fun! It inspired Anne to plant ALOT of squash, with some pretty interesting ones tossed in the mix. I was just the Johnny-Come-Lately who horned in at the end of the season and am enjoying the fruits of her labor. Anyways here are some pictures, maybe it will pique someone's interest and then I can blab a whole bunch to you about my passion for heirloom squash.

This one's for all the horse crazy girls...

I thought that I would share some pictures of our pretty ponies for those who haven't seen them yet. Especially Miss Meysa. Anyone would be welcome to come and see them, they are all actually a little bit too lovey-dovey sometimes and would love an apple or two from somebody's little hands. Thats you too, Brynlie :)

Hewp I am Twapped!

This is my little niece Lauryn. Out of all the cute pictures, I think that this one is pretty darn funny. And that smile is her mothers to an absolute 'T' or I am the Pope! Don't believe me, look at any of our old school pictures, K-3. Love ya sis. :)