To blog or not to blog

I'm not blogging much anymore.  I'm just not in the mood for it these days.  I touch base with old friends from time to time and that feels like it's enough. Funny how my dedication to blogging has changed in the last six years. In 2006 when I first started, it helped me keep my sanity because I was still working. Now? Not so much.

Isn't it amazing how social media has changed?  I remember when we didn't even have pagers.   Now, with blogging and Google+ and Pinterest and Facebook, there are lots of ways to stay in touch with friends. 

Today is quiet.  Kris is at work and then spending the evening with her boyfriend and his family.  Don is working at the polls and I don't expect to see him until late tonight.  So I'm at home wearing my "I Voted" sticker and catching up on blogging and perusing FB and all the last minute thoughts being posted.

Nature gave us a random sunflower this year.  Just as I'm seeing the wild sunflowers dying back and yards cleared of blooms past their peak, I am gifted with this little lovely.  Like a foal born out of season, this pretty little sunflower brought the charm of summer back to my fading garden.  Delaware tried to blend into the rock cover but a little editing and a pinch of fairy dust enhanced him just enough to pop out and compete with the sunflower for attention.

I changed my chrysanthemum location last year and it went crazy.  It's finally blooming again but is very leggy, almost spindley.  I think I'll enjoy these blossoms for a few days and then go out and cut it back in anticipation of a springtime recovery.

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Took a break from writing this and now picking it up again.   Wish I had someone to share this day with but not going to happen.  I'm feeling very pathetic .  BooHoo.  Of course it's all about the election today.  Feeling so  on edge.  I'm watching FOX News and the commentating now as the polls close.  I've been paying attention on and off throughout the day and apparently there has been no drama to speak of.  Lots of lines though.  People are really engaged.  I like that.

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Distracted myself with making my first picture to post on Pinterest.  I didn't know I could do that.  If you enjoy Pinterest, look for this little guy.

 

My mommy told me so.

This and That. Critter Central

We spent Sunday at the annual  Harvest Festival in Hughson.  Fun times.  There was all the usual festival stuff and vendors and food and rides but the Cruzin' Critters display was really outstanding.

This is George, the Burmese Python.   George is 60 lbs, which actually surprised me.  I thought he would weigh much more.

The Gentleman to the right was very intrigued by George and approached with great caution.  It took a moment but then he bravely reached out and touched him.  He got nervous again and left but then he returned.  George lured him back for another try.  This time I got a picture of George and his new friend.  George is cool and soft.  His belly is so smooth, it felt like silk.  I've been around a few snakes but George was the biggest ever.  Way cool.

This is Paco the Iguana.  I was surprised at how rough his hide was.  Not only is he fast, but the rough hide must be an adaptation to living in a desert environment and the myriad harsh encounters he would have living as a ground dweller, rock climber, and cactus burrower.  Paco and Don are checking each other out but Don was warned that Paco's tongue could do some damage so he kept a healthy distance back.

Sadly, I didn't get this alligator's name but he was so exciting to see.  He was about 4 feet long from nose tip to tail tip.  He was found in the American River somewhere in the delta.  He had probably been tossed  there by someone who had him as a cute little baby and then when the baby was too big, got dumped in the delta.  Once  HE got big enough to be noticed by the fishing and swimming locals, wildlife management stepped in.  Now he lives in Turlock thrilling folks like me.  Like the python, I was amazed at how soft his underbelly was.  He was cool and hard but didn't feel like sandpaper the way Paca the Iguana did.  I asked if I could hold him but alas, no luck.  Hey, nothing asked, nothing gained.

 

There was, of course, the usual compliment of feathered friends.  The blue and gold Macaw, Cabo, is dusting it up with Mr. Red Boy.  They are all rescued birds that were illegally smuggled in from South America.  One of the birds (not pictured) was so badly injured in the smuggling process that its wing was broken.  Efforts to save the wing failed and he had to lose it but he is happily living at Wisdom thru Wildlife and doing just fine.

Igor, the Sulcata Tortoise, makes a liar out of Aesop.  Whoever told Aesop a tortoise was slow had never met Igor.  He weighs 75 lbs (more than Kaa!!!) and scoots along like he's fueled by high octane gas.

 

 

And I can't end any post about animals without giving you a glimpse of Delaware.  Little Mister, our rescue Chihuahua mix, weighs 6 lbs now.  He's doubled his weight since we got him ten weeks ago.  His new hiding place is under the chair.  He's too big to go under the sofa anymore so when he wants to tease Tanner, he slips under the chair and stays just out of reach.

Looks are Deceiving

This isn't as gross as it looks.  Little Mister has a talent for dragging dirt in from outside.  Rocks, potting debris, dry foliage.  It has all found it's way into the house this month.  When it started to escalate I set up the vacuum cleaner and it hasn't been put away for over a week.

So what is this?  We have a tree stump in the backyard.  Little Mister has turned it into a chew toy, evidently.  He must have dragged in a big chunk of bark.  After a thorough chewing, this is what was left.  I hope the little guy doesn't start throwing up again.

And here is Little Mister looking over his handiwork.  No shame spiral for him.  His look says it all. 

"Hey.  I'm a baby.  This is what I do."