7 Jan., 2010 -- It's for the birds

Newbie flyer at the feeder... red wing blackbird.
The doves just hang around, picking up a little corn now and then.


The cardinals, on the other hand, aggressively compete with the
sparrows and juncos for those sunflower seeds.
They all are all fluffed up today, braving that cold wind.
Wind chill about 3 below, wind gusting to 30. Iowa's got it worse!


Inside, the jewel orchid is still blooming.

The air is so dry, this orchid has put out hundreds of aerial roots, looking for moisture.
And in the veggie cupboard, the turnips were sprouting, so I put them in the west window
where they could soak up some late afternoon sun.

5 Jan., 2010 -- Geocaching, bushwhacking. Before the (new) snow.

Larry had to dig around in the "boneyard" to find his two hidden treasures.
"Are you licensed to do this?"


Juanita's were easier, "it's a bird, but not Big Bird."
"Maybe you should take the bus."

They were learning the tricks of a new gps unit.
Touch screen, whooooo, very modern!

Tonight we got about 2 inches of snow. Don't know what it will be like in the morning.
Cold, too dry to make a snowman. Can't even pelt each other with a snowball!
Iowa has its share. And MORE.

4 January, 2010 -- Drip, drip drip

Wind and sum make winter bearable, once in awhile!
Embossed, it's hard to tell the low spots from the high spots.




Shotgun? Wormholes? Birdies on tiptoe?
Naa, just a little drippy today, even though it was cold.
But then, it's January, ya know.

2 Jan., 2010 -- Got the feeling you're being watched?

Bald eagle was circling the airport... looking for a landing zone?

Could have skidded in on our pond...
It's so cold out there, but the bamboo is still green.

How cold was it... these frost crystals lasted until noon.


Here are some classy landings! Found this on YouTube.

1 Jan., 2010 -- It's brand new!

It's a brand new year, and a brand new American Champion Aircraft. That's Ron and son Clint.

Ben, Zack and Luke got in some flying today, too.


I could have been shooting aerial photos today, such clear air is so rare.
However, there is still snow on the ground in Oklahoma and Kansas.
So, no go.

31 Dec., 2009 -- Have a great new year!

Lemon scented geranium reaching for some sunlight in the west window.
Snow's about gone today, but Iowa's still got troubles!

28 Dec., 2009 -- Happy Birthday, G'pa Allen

Born in 1941 (this would be some time in 1942, don'tcha think?) and March, 1981.

LAD's Gingerbread House became a Gingerbread Shed today.

Sugar blow-out!


Grant thumbed through an old photo album, his old baseball days, and then Ralph watched Grant and Devon get married! Well, back in 1993.

26 Dec., 2009 -- Some sharing, some trading...

Favorite food! Pepperoni!

I get the big half!

Whatcha got, Grampa? Huh, huh?

There's always gotta be an airplane (or two) in there somewhere!
And ALWAYS John Wayne!

Iowa State Fair booty. Only two hands between us.

I got a yellow one, you got a red one.... want to trade? (We'll discuss the pop-tarts later).

Yeah, a red ANYthing is better than
a yellow Lamborghini, any day.
100 dogs and a cat.
Puzzling, isn't it?


Recycling a racy airplane t-shirt from 1993. Now it's a shopping bag.
Don't ya love the pink and black? Those are the stylish colors from 1959.
I remember the Ford Thunderbirds!
(The thermal socks will fit nicely into my stylish felt-pack winter combat boots!)

Some tom-foolery; SOME Christmas, eh?

25 Dec., 2009 -- Jewels!

Jewels for Christmas! It's a jewel orchid.


Well, maybe not jewels... just a lot of glitter! Yeah, that's us, all right, glitter!