Farewells and New Beginnings

Goodbye 2009, and hello 2010!!!

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!

Snowy Big Falls

It was a bright and lovely day, today, but very cold, as well. So why did hubby and I venture out into the cold? To see the beautiful sights at Big Falls! One section of the fallsA hole in the ice

No picnicking today!!!A fallen log

These sights, and many more, were worth the trek through the woods! --LKR

Rescued Raccoons

Young Raccoons Saved from Pepsi Machine @ Yahoo! Video

Merry Christmas!!!

What Child Is This

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

--William Chatterton Dix, 1865

Twelve Days of Christmas

Straight No Chaser is a truly talented group of young men! Enjoy! --LKR

Holiday Humor

I love the Muppets, and I love this piece. Enjoy! --LKR

Cool Moon

At 5am on his way out the door to work, hubby ran back in the house. "Wanna see something cool?" he whispered. "Take a look outside!"

It was awesome, worth crawling out from under warm blankets and into the freezing air. Hubby was talking about the ring around the moon you see here.

I don't have a wide angle for the camera that does super in low-light, and forget the tripod. As it was, by the time I grabbed my camera, the scene had changed. Thought it still was worth sharing. --LKR

Happy Thanksgiving!

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" The stock boy answered, "No ma'am, they're dead."

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Ode To Forgetfulness

Hum. This has been happening to me since middle school. I wonder what that means? Many thanks to Mack Dryden for his humor! Enjoy! --LKR

Einstein Entertains...

Now only if my sister's bird would ever perform in front of an audience... . Enjoy!!! --LKR

Sunday's Song--How Deep The Father's Love To Us

How Deep The Father's Love To Us

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son,
To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there,
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life,
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.

--Stuart Townend

A Wonderfully Warm Day

Wow, what a difference from last Friday! Today has been wonderfully warm--in the 50's--with the sun peaking in and out all afternoon. It's been very windy, though, with gusts up to 28mph! A perfect day for wrapping up yard work before we get any more snow, and enjoying being out in the warm, fresh air without a jacket! --LKR

Another H1N1 Vaccine Warning

Here's yet another video warning us against the dangers of the H1N1 vaccine. Lots of people have been getting the swine flu in our area and are recovering just fine, so don't believe the hype!

Here We Go Again...

What started out as rain turned into heavy, wet snow by noon.Reports of cars in ditches were abundant, as were of branches snapping under the burdening pressure of a winter come too soon.By 6:30, plows rumbled through our country subdivision, ridding our road of a slushy mess. What will tomorrow bring? --LKR

It Had To Be Snakes

On a walk with my neighbor, we counted over a dozen baby snakes all over the road. Dead. Talk about depressing! The sight was reminiscent of a warm spring day after a shower where you'd expect to see earth worms all over the pavement. They all had come out to bask in the sun and move about in the warm 60 degrees before the cold weather sets in. We saw two live babies in the woods on trails, and I gently scooted them off to safety. Unfortunately, a beautiful smooth green snake we found was half dead. Thankfully, this little hognose snake did not get run over when earlier, I pulled our van into the driveway! --LKR

Vaccination Complications

I'm not posting this to spread hysteria. Desiree Jennings wanted to share her story of what can happen even with the ordinary flu shot, and I'm just helping her do so. Dystonia is a rare neurological disorder that was triggered from this vaccine.

The swine flu vaccination contains 25,000 times the amount of thimerosal, a known neurotoxin, than would even be considered toxic in food and water. This vaccine can trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome, another neurological disorder. As I cautioned in a recent post, if you have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or other neurological illnesses, you especially should steer clear from this vaccine. --LKR

Early Morning Sky

Shortly after the bus picked the kids up for school, dawn started breaking. Thought this was worth sharing with you all. --LKR

Prayers, Please

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is a bit of a tear jerker but worth it. Please pray for Zach and his family. Thanks! --LKR

Yesterday...

The snow kept coming down, yesterday, so I ventured out into the woods to check it out.

The trails were both mud and snowFall color everywhere!!! This year, at least in our neck of the woods, fall has been less than spectacular. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of leaves that haven't even begun to change color. And lately, we're having temps in the 30's which is unseasonably cold for this time of year! While this may not harm the trees, it's dampened many a hope for a warmer autumn! --LKR

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow???

We woke up, and the kids ran out into this to wait for the bus, this morning!!! It's only October 12th, and we've already had snow twice in the past two days!!! Thankfully this will melt--once the snow stops flying--before the day is over! --LKR

Swine Flu

We all need to stop worrying and stressing out about the swine flu. Stress lowers our immune system which weakens our bodies, making us more susceptible to illnesses. Laughter, on the other hand, is the best medicine, so go rent some funny movies, read some good-humored books, or hang around with fun friends. Oh, and don't forget to eat healthy foods and take vitamin D.

Here's to a less stressful flu season!!! --LKR

Snow!!!

Most of this white stuff had melted by the time I got this picture, but here's what we woke up to this morning. I am so not ready for snow or winter! It's 29F as of 9am... . --LKR

Swine Flu And Vitamin D

There are a lot of doctors out there trying to spread the word about the use of vitamin D as a safe, natural alternative we all can use. Even if you already have the flu, it's never too late to start using it, and actually is recommended at higher doses.
Eat healthy, stay away from processed and junk foods, take good quality natural supplements like thymus, and you're on your way to strengthening your immune system and having a healthier life! --LKR

Swine Flu Vaccine

This doctor is not alone having angst over this vaccine. Many other doctors, do, too, as do other people as shown in the second clip who have carefully looked into this.

If you have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or other neurological illnesses, you especially should steer clear from this vaccine. [Yes, fibromyalgia is neurological, while chronic myofascial pain syndrome, often diagnosed as fibromyalgia but often occuring with it, is muscular.]

This flu shot contains a known neurotoxin, and contains 25,000 times the amount that would be considered toxic in water or food levels!!!

There are much safer things you can do to avoid the flu! Be smart, not scared! --LKR

Air Bud For Real!

Thought this was too cute!

Slam Dunk Dog @ Yahoo! Video

Graceful Lippizaner Stallions

These Lippizaner Stallions are awesome! Recently, 12 of these handsome boys were boarded at Trinity Equestrian Center right outside of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for two days, enjoying the hospitality and fun that only Trinity can offer!

The history in this is fascinating, as well. Enjoy!!! --LKR

(The long version, followed by a short version if you don't have the time or are not as interested in it's history):

~First Frost~

Ugh! It came too soon!!! I guess it always does! ~Frost!~ Next thing you know, the snow will be flying!!! --LKR

Cold Front Blowing In...

The sick and twisted side of me laughed each time one of my three children ran out the door to wait at the bus stop.

"Burrrr!"

"Ah! It's COLD out there!"

"Ugh!"

If they weren't totally awake before they reached for the door knob at 6:44 am, they sure were by the time they stepped out through the door!

Don't worry, I had my moment too while running out to bring poochie back inside. "Ahhhh!" I shrieked as unexpected freezing pellet raindrops blew at me horizontally in the fiercely blowing wind.

How I long for warmer days after this cold front blows through, but I don't think we'll get it. If only we could migrate along with the birds and butterflies to warmer winter dwellings!!! --LKR

Need A Laugh?

Need a laugh? Watch this short clip!

Retracing Steps For A Worthy Cause

This is a baby hognose snake playing dead. Two hours earlier, my friend and I found him in the middle of a narrow bike path. Something compelled me to go back and check for it. You know how it is when you get that nagging feeling. So after picking my son up from soccer two hours later, we drove on over to Lowes Creek County Park. Carefully, I retraced my steps.

The snake was almost in the same spot I had left him after moving him off of the narrow pine trail. I could tell now it had been bleeding as I carefully placed his tiny body onto a paper towel and brought him back to the van.

Sadly, every year we find several young snakes that have perished in their youth. Thankfully, this one has a fighting chance! --LKR

Update: This morning, he's all curled up and looks pretty normal. White Pine Wildlife Rehab Center is still going to take him in.

Update 9/26/09: White Pine called to tell us the snake didn't make it. :-{

Raspberries

Got bit up big time by mosquitoes while bees of all sorts flew all about us. But it was well worth it! These sweet, juicy, delectable berries were devoured in no time at all!

Soon, frost will be ruining any remaining, ripening fruit. I'm just hoping for a good loooong Indian summer to make up for the lack of usual warmth we normally have in June, July, and August! --LKR

Why Did They...?

A few days ago, in the middle of the road, a pancaked turkey lay sprawled out, feathers fanned out which covered up what must have been a gory scene beneath. The next day, a tiny snapping turtle lay at the side of the road, flattened.

Why did they cross that road? What made them do it? Obviously, the grass was not greener on the other side of the road--for either of them, at least!

Later, while walking with my neighbor that same afternoon, I spied two little wooly bears as they took off in a mad crawl across the hot, black pavement. Since these were not yet road kill..., I scooped them up and brought them home. Since then, these two have been eating my yard out of dandelion leaves--there just aren't that many left to pick due to the lack of rain in our area. Everything, including weeds, are drying up!

Maybe it was a lack or food, curiousity, or the search for a winter home that caused these critters to trek over treacherous turf. Who'll ever know? They aren't telling! --LKR

Quiche, Anyone?

It's been ages since I've made quiche, and since I couldn't think of anything else to make, decided on this for dinner. Okay, so maybe it was the two giant zucchinis and three tomatoes that needed to be used up that helped necessitate this meal.

Duplicating a dish I've made isn't easy since I improvise, often using recipes only as guidelines. By the way, this is a crustless version, so it is gluten-free.

Let's see, the zucchinis, tomatoes, and onion were sauteed; side pork (cooked) was "crumbled"; cheddar, havarti, and muenster were added to milk and eggs and mixed together. Oh, yes, some basil and oregano were also tossed in. Normally I like to use fresh herbs, but our basil is recovering from when we were away on our (2,827 mile) "road trip", and we haven't had oregano in our garden since we've lived here. Guess this was the only part of the recipe I actually followed: Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.

The kids were fighting over who would get the largest pieces. None of them asked what they were eating until after all crumbs were consumed. The smiles quickly turned to shock and disbelief. I'm not exactly sure what they've heard about quiche, before, but it must not have measured up! --LKR

What Day Is It?

090909

I love dates like this!!! --LKR

Health Care Reform

Early Mornings, Once Again!

It's that time of the year, once again. Back to (very early) mornings! I'm not a morning person, so this can be quite an ordeal. Fortunately, the sun is up by the time the bus arrives at the beginning (and end) of the school year. Not true for the rest of the year!

The bus was early, today, which was expected since they are only picking up middle schoolers. Tomorrow, high schoolers will be joining them on their early morning journey.

One nice thing about getting up before dawn is the chance to witness beauty in early morning light.

Dew, mist, and fog are awesome, too!

There's something really cool about dew that can't quite compare with rain. If the kids didn't have to get up so early, this is something I would have missed! --LKR

Manasquan

Never before had we ever found sand dollars at the Jersey shore. The regulars at Manasquan all agreed. The tides, quite literally, have changed. Riptides are more frequent and more powerful than they were when we were growing up. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you try to change the "landscape" of the sea.

Little clams that had washed ashore that I revived in water before releasing.

A little girl caught an interesting fish and showed it to us.

Sand crab!

We used to body surf. Not any more! --LKR

Mom's Virág (Flowers)

Cabbage White with Cleome

When I think of flowers, my earliest memories are of my Grandmother, aunts, and cousins' colorful gardens. Like Hungarian needlepoint, vibrant colors were essential. I learned gardening through both of my parents when we moved to Chatham, New Jersey from a New York apartment and was taught how to put rose slips down. Some of those rose bushes still grow in my mother's yard and are nearly 40 years old!

Hydrangia

Red Hibiscus

Mom with Purple Coneflower

Tiger Swallowtail (and bee!) on Butterfly Bush

Pink Marsh Mallows

Because we didn't stay with my Mom, there was not much time to explore her gardens which are magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies. And shortly after these pictures were taken, it began to rain, thus ending the photo shoot! --LKR

Moscow Cats Theater

Sunday's Song--Battle Hymn of the Republic

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

--Julia Howe, 1861

He's a Jolly Good Fellow!

Scary looking, isn't he? That's what I thought when I almost stepped on him with bare feet while out in our yard! Out of desperation, I called 911 when I realized it was too late to call the nature center for an ID on this creature. We have lots of young children in our neighborhood, and I wanted to make sure it wasn't an exotic snake escapee!

He didn't seem threatening at all when he deflated his head and body. He and I soon came to realize neither one of us was going to hurt the other. Later, he let me follow him to his underground den in our yard.

Satisfied I knew where he hung his hat when he wasn't out hunting, I ran back inside. Looking him up on the internet, the kids and I learned that he's a harmless eastern hognose snake, so named for his upturned nose.
We learned these snakes are one of the best animal actors around. If puffing up its body doesn't scare you and he continues to feel threatened, he may strike at you--with his mouth closed. In spite of his appearance, this snake's species is known to be the least likely to bite! While working out in my gardens, I've often felt a "tap" at one of my legs and now wonder if we've ever encountered each other before!
Another trick he will perform is to roll over onto his back and play dead. He'll open his mouth and hang his forked tongue out to try and convince you of his death. The dead giveaway (pun intended!) is if you pick up his limp body and place him on his belly, he'll roll onto his back, again!
This beneficial fellow has rid of us mice, moles, and sadly frogs, toads, and crickets. They may also eat birds, bird eggs, smaller snakes, and dead animals. He has become an honored guest taking up residence in our yard. --LKR

Keepin' Cool!

Sunday's Song--Faith Of Our Fathers

Happy Father's Day!!!

Faith Of Our Fathers

Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children's fate,
If they, like them should die for thee:
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

--Frederick W. Faber, 1849

Artistic Elephant

Animals are amazing, as is their Creator!

School's Out!!! Part Two

This is our time at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

The past few times we've been here, they've all spent most of their time on the bottom floor playing with light and weather-related hands-on activities.

Eldest child doing a non-museum techie thing--texting!!!

Not many people were there, so it was easier for the kids to do what they wanted to do, and much easier to find them!!!

A creative way of advertising for the movie coming out, later this month! We came to see the Titanic, but saw the Grand Canyon, again, which was worth it!

Spherical Lens--you look through it with a friend--or sibling--and observe the magnification.

This is my son magnified. Step away from the sphere, and images turn upside down.

The cherubs sometimes drag their feet about the hour long trip, but once there, it's hard to drag them away! --LKR