For Your Entertainment...

Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did! --LKR

Eagle Research

Ever wonder how little birdies are banded when living high up in a nest? This clip shows how! It also explains what they did with the eaglets I had in an earlier post, and why they do it. Interesting! --LKR

Best Buds!

Suryia the orangutan and her best bud, Roscoe! Enjoy! --LKR

Soaring Like Eagles!

Like good company, the Blue Angels never seem to stick around long enough, so I set out to see them one last time.

On the way to higher ground, an eagle flew into view. It wasn't exactly soaring at the time because it was being chased by two smaller birds..., but, oh, the freedom to be able to fly.... !The words to Steve Miller's song came to mind:

"...I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free... ."

The Angels did circle around my destination (a lofty parking garage), and even soared directly above me, a few times. But it just wasn't quite the same as being at the show. Don't get me wrong, I was absolutely thrilled to see them any way I could!This audience endured two brief thunderstorms, but most of the show was under partly cloudy skies and thankfully otherwise dry.

I hope the Blue Angels will be free to fly here, again, in the very near future!!! --LKR

Sunday's Song--Once to Every Man and Nation

Once to Every Man and Nation

Once to every man and nation,
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with false-hood,
For the good or evil side;

Some great cause, some great decision,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever,
'Twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And 'tis prosperous to be just;

Then it is the brave man chooses,
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue,
Of the faith they had denied.

Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet the truth alone is strong:
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong,

Yet that scaffold sways the future,
AND, BEHIND THE DIM UNKNOWN,
STANDETH GOD WITHIN THE SHADOW,
KEEPING WATCH ABOVE HIS OWN.

--James Russell Lowell

Chippewa Valley Air Show

The Chippewa Valley Air Show was, as expected, awesome!

Thanks to the Boy Scouts for undertaking such an enormous event!The Golden Knights started off the show while the Star Spangled Banner was sung.

Comedy and aerobaticsFat Albert--he is one big bird!

Viper West taking off--way cool!The Blue Angels finished off the show!We sat--and stood--in almost four hours of cold, drizzling rain. Thankfully, we donned rain gear and, um, chair covers! (Someone left their umbrella in the van!) At least we weren't rained out like the first show was two years ago!

We're already looking forward to the next time this show's in town! --LKR

Air Show Reception

It was a real pleasure meeting the men and women who put on the air show!

Thanks to the Blue Angels, Golden Knights, Vipers (West), the very important "No Names" (as they called themselves), Chippewa Valley area Boy Scouts, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, and many others who helped get this show back to Western Wisconsin! You all rock!!! --LKR

They're Here!!!

For two years, I've patiently waited for the return of my beloved blue and gold birds. So imagine my frustration when I could hear them loudly calling to me, but not being able to see them!

Okay, so I'm not talking about my brightly colored bluebirds or goldfinches. I'm referring to the Navy's awesome Blue Angels that are once again gracing us with their presence here in the Chippewa Valley.

My hubby, not trusting me to keep my eyes on the road if I were searching for them on my own, offered to take me into town to see them flying overhead. The above are the Blue Angels flying over the west side of Eau Claire.We were also rewarded with a sighting of Fat Albert on the northeast side of Eau Claire. The Airshow is this Saturday and Sunday at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Tickets can still be purchased at the gate for $25. We can't wait to see them!!! --LKR

Raccoon in the Road!

Look at this little darling! Poor little girl was seen in the middle of the road, late one night, and then cowering in a damp ditch the next. I'm happy to say I've learned this three week old little sweetheart now is in good hands (literally!), and getting the proper nutrition, shelter, and love any coon would crave! --LKR

Excuse Me???

A Song For Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day, Ladies!

This is Anita Renfroe singing "I'm the Mom" to the tune of William Tell's Overture. It's been around for several years, but I recently found a version with the words below. and thought I would share it with you all. Enjoy! --LKR

Frost and Snow Flurries!!!

Unbelievable, but on the 8th day of May, we were anticipating 1-3" of snow!!! Fortunately we only got flurries!!!

Unfortunately, frost hit our hostas..., but they should grow new leaves. I'm not sure which is worse, having the frost get to them, or the deer! --LKR

National Day of Prayer

Tom Olson performed patriotic songs before and after prayer

A group of about 100 met at the flag poleDan Anderson was one of several pastors who led us in prayer

We also broke into small groups to pray for our nation

Heal Our Land

Forgive oh Lord - and heal our land
And give us eyes to seek Your face - and hearts to understand
That You alone - make all things new
And the blessing of the land we love - are really gifts from You

If My people - Will humbly pray
And seek My face and turn away - From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them - And move My hand
And freely then will I forgive - and I will heal their land.

Unite our hearts - in one accord
And make us hungry for Your peace - and burdened for the poor
And grant us hope - that we might see
The future for the land we love - our life, our liberty

If my people - Will humbly pray
And seek My face and turn away - From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them - And move My hand
And freely then will I forgive - And I will heal their land
And I will heal their land
Heal their land

--Michael Card

Sunday's Song--Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature
O Thou of God and man the Son
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor
Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands
Robed in the blooming garb of spring
Jesus is Fairer, Jesus is purer
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight
And all the Twinkling starry host
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of all nations
Son of God and Son of Man
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
Now and forever more be Thine.

--Anon, 1677

A Rainy Soccer Day

Wild horses couldn't have dragged me out of the safety and shelter of my van! Instead, I cowardly pulled into a parking space nearest to the field my son was playing on.

Futile attempts were made in digitally documenting the 1 1/2 hour game that, by the way, continued in a downpour of much needed rain. Had the sun been shining, I would have carried my weary carcass to the soccer field and cheered both teams on at this early morning game. I honestly love watching kids play soccer! The above image is the best shot I got from this morning, which was made as the storm subsided. (Raindrops blurred many goal shots of younger teams playing, and my son's team was too far for a decent, recognizable image!) Those brave souls! --LKR

Bald Eagle Nest Cam

This won't be up all year long, but it's worth sharing! Come back often to watch this live viewing of a bald eagle's nest in central New Jersey.

After the eaglets have fledged, reading the observations of others in these comments will remain. You may also want to check out this post on the research done with eagles like these.

Enjoy!!! --LKR

Streaming .TV shows by Ustream

Thank Your Military!!!

Thanks to all the selfless men and women--and their families!--who serve and have served this country, protecting our freedoms! May God bless you all!!! --LKR

Letters to God

Simply hearing the theme song to "Lassie" has made me misty eyed since early childhood, and since then I avoid watching any tear jerker movies, especially if they involve children or animals.

But I am so very glad hubby and I went to see "Letters to God" at Carmike Cinemas at the Oakwood Mall in Eau Claire! We actually went to see it twice, and enjoyed it even more the second time around!

Should you go to see this entertaining movie, and I encourage you to do so, be prepared to laugh as well as cry. It's appealing to all ages, and a great flick to bring the whole family to see.

"Letters to God" is also a hope inspired movie. Several cancer survivors were part of this movie's production, and they make sure to fill you with hope at the very end. And, "hope is contagious", as the movie claims! --LKR

Brookfield Zoo

We just love Brookfield Zoo! We were members when we lived in Illinois, and came here often. It has changed a lot in the last four years with an added merry-go-round and playground, but the animals are still very well cared for and happy, so it's always a pleasure to come visit!

A seal happily swimming

I had to see the elephants. Though they're not my favorite animal, I love to see their huge smiles!

I wonder what he's squawking about!

We also saw penguins swimming with large fish in another exhibit in the Living Coast.

This giant starfish is part of the Living Coast exhibit. My sister and I, both beach bums, used to rescue small starfish; various crabs, including horseshoe crabs; sea horses (though they were usually in pretty rough shape if they washed up on shore); and other sea creatures after high tide. I don't know about any of you, but if I ever saw a starfish this big, I would have freaked!!!

Some sort of monitor

A beautiful bird

An interesting birdIsn't he sweet?!

Socrates (left) flirting with a female camel. A sign told us he is too young to breed and therefore has to be separated from the others 'til he's older.

A lovely couple!

This beautiful tiger put on a show for us all, playing with his toys in--and out--of the water.

I really miss not living close to this zoo. Hopefully the next time we're in the Chicago area, we'll be able to visit here, again! --LKR