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

School's Out!!! Part One

Yesterday was the first day of summer vacation for our three cherubs. We celebrated by visiting Willow River State Park, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and friends in Bloomington. This was our relaxing time at the falls:

My youngest found several of these caterpillars that had fallen into the water and asked if I'd rescue them. About a dozen were scooped out of pools of water and revived.

Two of these Mourning Cloak butterflies greeted us, but my (older) camera wasn't quick enough to capture them fluttering around until one finally landed.

A Garter snake was sunning itself on the side of the path, but quickly slithered away when it became the center of attention! --LKR

Mr. Bluebird

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Sigh. Mr. Bluebird sees his reflection in our patio door and keeps banging into the glass while his lovely wife admirably looks on. This, more than likely, is the same couple that likes to feed their young on our deck. The last time I saw him by the window, Mister Poochie and Kitten Poo were watching him go at it. I think he saw them 'cuz after that, he stopped slamming into his reflection.

Hopefully he continues to refrain from this potentially destructive practice!!! --LKR

Yeay! Summer!!!

I love it! Summer and nature once again influence advertising:

These "Monarchs" were spotted on a window at Caribou Coffee. Enjoy! --LKR

Hanging Out In The Rain

Well, last night, my oldest daughter and I were coming up with songs she could use for an English project to show rhythms, rhymes, and patterns (or lack of!). One song we both came up with was "Stand in the Rain" by Superchick. So this morning when I found myself still listening to this song in my head..., while watching the hummingbirds braving the rain out our patio door..., I just had to post!!!

This is the first in the almost five years we've lived here that our hummers have learned to "play nice" and actually share. I'm glad we've (finally!) "accomplished" comradery!!! --LKR

Freedom For All

Happy Memorial Day, Everyone! And many thanks to those of you who have served to defend the freedoms of our country!

Every Memorial Day, my Mom would bring my sister and me up town for the Memorial Day service held on the corner lot of the public library in Chatham, NJ. Both of my parents were immigrants from Hungary, and so appreciated the freedoms they now enjoyed in the states. Mom came over at the age of seven with her mother; Dad in his late twenties after serving in WWII.

There were many memories both my parents shared of how life was in Hungary. One phrase my Dad repeated often describing society in his native country was: "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine also," adding, "You don't know how fortunate you are to be living in a country like this. Never forget that." Dad would also relay how the poor stayed poor while the rich stayed rich. And if the authorities didn't like you, for whatever the reason, false accusations could be charged against you without further questioning in your defense made.

Though Dad apprenticed as a tailor, he miraculously passed a virtually impassable test to work for the Hungarian National Railroad the third time he took it. This meant he also moved up a notch in the social realm, something that was seldom accomplished. Jealousy and hatred by a couple commanders clashed with admiration and praise from many others.

This, I fear, is what we are heading for with the change sought after by this new administration. Our veterans have sacrificed their lives for the original, authentic American dream held so dear by our Founding Fathers and the many individuals that sought, and are still seeking, to escape dictating, controlling societies.

After being injured and finding himself in Paris, Dad never saw his parents, family, or homeland again. Tearfully, through letters, his parents urged their only child never to attempt to return home. They all feared for his life if he ever set foot into the country since he had been employed by the government, and the political climate had changed.

Again I will express gratitude to those who have--and will--continue to defend the authentic American dream! May God bless America! --LKR

Sunday's Song--We Live

Yesterday, we visited a friend of mine who is in hospice in Kenosha. Julie is only in her early 50’s.

When we got back to Eau Claire, my oldest daughter heard that a classmate in her culinary class had died in a freak accident. He was only 15!!!

Another really good friend who was like a mother to me and my sister while growing up is taking the last breaths of her life. Her children and grandchildren will not be the only ones missing her when she's gone.

But none of us really knows when our time here on Earth will be over, do we? If we did, I'm sure we'd all do things differently!

Life’s too short. Too short to hold grudges. Too short to hold back on the things we really want to do with our lives. Too short to put off making the right choices when we can do them right now.

In the Psalms, Moses asks the Lord to, “Teach us to number our days.” Here's a song that may help put life in perspective.The video has been made by a school for a project, using some footage from Superchick's website. --LKR

Sunday's Song--Pass It On

Pass It On

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

What a wonderous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it.
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you're bound,
I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

--Kurt Kaiser

A Way Of Escape!

Aren't they adorable? Ever since I knew these creatures existed, I've wanted one--or two!--for a pet. My daughter and I stopped in at Petco and were delighted to find 12 very friendly, playful ferrets! They climbed up our arms as a means of escape, but they enjoyed being held, too! --LKR

Cat & Deer Video

Not Quite Full...

I was out testing my camera when I captured this shot. It's not quite a full moon, but pretty close. The date for this month's full moon, according to Moon Phase, is Saturday, May 9th. --LKR

Please, Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Okay, so has this picture of my back yard made you very glad I'm not your neighbor? Well, I'll have you know that my yard is incredibly popular with the insect population! Various bees, butterflies, and ants are flocking on over for a feast. Yup, so that means these dandelions will be pollinated and their seeds viable. ...Um, a note to my neighbors: I will make every effort to get these flowers picked before they go to seed!!! --LKR

The Long Anticipation Has Finally Ended!

I've been waiting for this day to come since they last appeared at our feeders. This made for a very long winter! But, finally, as I was sitting near the window cuddling a kitty, a beautiful male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird flew up to our feeder!!! It was 12:26 pm. Our feeders have been up for three whole weeks. Just in case. :-)

Reported the siting to Journey North. I always forget, but this is our location: Latitude: 44.74 Longitude: -91.51

--LKR