Brief Update

Hello, everyone. Long time no post on my part. Things have been going on and keeping me busier than I intended. A case of bronchitis kept me dragging for a while and I didn't do much more than messing with Facebook with my iPhone because it is always at hand and convenient to use to waste time on the Internet. Then my husband left for a business trip for Germany and my two youngest kids and I left for a trip west. It was a open-ended as to duration and destinations. Our first goal was Carlsbad Caverns. If we got that far, we'd see what happened next. Our ultimate goal was the Grand Canyon with a possible helicopter tour. After that, if we weren't exhausted from all the driving around out in that part of the country and still had time to do even more driving, we thought we might drive over to Lake Mead and see Hoover Dam. Heck, that close to California, might as well drive over to Death Valley. Well, then why not on up to Yosemite, then across to the coast? We could come back by way of Utah and the Great Salt Lake. Hmm. We decided just to see how things progressed and what we felt like doing. Our only constraint was that we had to be back here by the last day of May. We intended to leave on the 12th after dropping my husband off at the airport for his Germany trip, but the bronchitis set me back several days and we did not get away until the 15th. After meeting our main goals of Carlsbad Caverns and the Grand Canyon (and the helicopter tour plus), seeing several sights and sites in Albuquerque and Flagstaff and surrounding areas, we figured we'd head on back to give ourselves time to rest up for the stuff going on the 31st and beyond. Well, eleven days and 3905 miles later, I'm home. I'll try to get some photos and tales of the trip posted when I get around to it.

It was a wonderful trip. We could have stayed longer and done more, but we didn't. It is good to be back. I missed the cats and the rabbits a much as I knew I would. I missed the dogs, too, but not as much as the other little folk at the Lehman Bunstead. It is also nice to be able to get back to reading everyone's blogs, something I could have done, but did not try to keep up with on the iPhone. Small screen, mobile versions of websites, and all that.

One last thing: I think I would move to New Mexico or Arizona in a heartbeat.

Spring at Last?

The weather was finally decent enough to let the buns out to play while I worked on finishing touches on drop spindles. I forgot about making photos until I had already put Yogi back inside, so just the girls in these pics.

Matilda is snoozing in the warm sunshine. They were so glad to finally get to go outside.

Gabby was intrigued by this dry leaf and nudged it around a bit. The violet didn't really interest her.

I hope we have more beautiful weather so that they can get outside more, but I think rain is in the forecast for midweek. Oh, well. Better some rain than drought-unless it floods! In the meantime, we'll enjoy these lovely days while we can.

Dreams of Beaches Past

Spring Break for both Calhoun Community College and the University of Alabama Huntsville, the two institutions of higher learning that our kids attend, began today. Since we made no travel plans, do not usually trek off to the student infested beaches during spring break, and I find myself stuck in weather-related doldrums, I thought I would post a few photos of times spent in warmer, sunnier places. (As always, click to enlarge or view full frame--maybe one of these days I'll get the size right)

Hmm. I think I was in this one's favorite spot.

Totally relaxing

A little beachcomber

They're talking about me.

 Wish I was there. Definitely.

Odds and Ends

Working with the iPhone app again to try to get something posted. No way to know how this will turn out.

Here are some old and new photos I thought I'd share. I tried resizing so that the photos would fit into the blog margins, but some didn't work, so click when necessary for full photo.

Top to bottom: Number 2 Son clowning in gift shop at Ruby Falls. Daughter painting in friend's workshop. Spindle and yarns. Curly locks from an angora goat. Pants in daughter's chair being mesmerized by something. Great blue heron fishing/wishing at Ditto Landing.  Sunset photo taken by Number 2 Son.  A bag of Pants. Rabbits a la Pink Floyd sent to me by Number 2 Son, don't know the source.

Uh Oh

Twinkie caught in the act

(you know you want to click on the photos to enlarge and see the whole Twink)

photos by Number One Son

Still here

Boy! I just cannot seem to get myself together and get any posts completed. I have several drafts that are getting moldy. One of these days...one of these days...The worst part of being behind is that I'm missing out on everyone's posts. Lots of catching up to do on my end. The short version of it is that we are all well, the weather, despite all the rain, hasn't done anything totally ridiculous here in Huntsville--yet--and we manage to get from one day to the next, but sometimes it is a bit of a challenge. Trying to get long-forgotten projects finished. Thinking about spring. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers. Oh, we did get a new canoe for the daughter...and the rest of us. Now just waiting until we can get out on the water and try it out. With all the rain we've had, I might be able to use it to get to the end of the street. A kayak is still to come before it's officially spring.  Here's a sticker with the canoe company logo that I just had to put on the van. Love it!           (what is this crazy computer/Blogger doing with the format??!!)                                                                                                               

 

Let's see. What is it all those good folks say? Stay well. Do good work. Keep in touch. Keep looking up. We'll keep the light on for you.

Dog

I don't give the dogs enough coverage on the blog. Dixie is a sweetie and Bo is too smart for his own good.

Dixie with her favorite old toy

Bo relaxing after being hard at work playing

Bo definitely has the tongue-rolling gene

Hmm...been into something