He is so unbelievably ticked right now. *Unauthorized photo.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Predator
Our cats enjoy spending their leisurely days looking out of our back window at the plethora of interesting objects - snow, the occasional bird, fence posts, rooftops, the mostly buried trampoline ring, etc. Winters are definitely not as fun for them as most interesting-ness is covered in snow.
Lately, Todd and I have concerns about a backyard neighbor who has a peculiar interest in our cats. He spies on our cats and is almost obsessed with their activities. When they nap - he knows. When they play, he knows. Our neighbor appears relentless in his quest to be seen by our cats and has become increasingly vocal. At times it borders on harrassment. It occurs to me that my cats have a stalker.
In the Summer, our neighbor peers through the slats in our back fence at the cats. But, since the snow levels are so deep, he now peers over our fence at them. Will he stop at nothing? What exactly are his intentions? I took a picture for proof of his obsession.
Here he is...
Keep scrolling to look in the eyes of fierceness.....
Not suitable for young viewers.
Last warning.......
EGADS! Will my cats ever feel completely safe with this beast stalking them??
Note his intimidating demeanor and snarling teeth..
I take great comfort in knowing that as the snow melts and decreases, so will this predator's splendid view of my furry friends.
Lately, Todd and I have concerns about a backyard neighbor who has a peculiar interest in our cats. He spies on our cats and is almost obsessed with their activities. When they nap - he knows. When they play, he knows. Our neighbor appears relentless in his quest to be seen by our cats and has become increasingly vocal. At times it borders on harrassment. It occurs to me that my cats have a stalker.
In the Summer, our neighbor peers through the slats in our back fence at the cats. But, since the snow levels are so deep, he now peers over our fence at them. Will he stop at nothing? What exactly are his intentions? I took a picture for proof of his obsession.
Here he is...
Keep scrolling to look in the eyes of fierceness.....
Not suitable for young viewers.
Last warning.......
EGADS! Will my cats ever feel completely safe with this beast stalking them??
Note his intimidating demeanor and snarling teeth..
I take great comfort in knowing that as the snow melts and decreases, so will this predator's splendid view of my furry friends.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
A Joyous Event
Suddenly, unexpectedly, Larissa cleaned her room. Although a clean and tidy girl, she is still, however, a teenager. The most satisfying aspect of this incident is that it was unprovoked and unrequested. After drying my tears, I took the following pictures. 
Note the clean floor.
Is it Mother's Day? My birthday? A full moon?
I think I'll take my gal to a movie!
Note the clean floor.
Is it Mother's Day? My birthday? A full moon?
I think I'll take my gal to a movie!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Kamikaze Deer
Driving at lunch heading for a bite to eat turned into an event today. I was in an industrial part of town and, oddly, noticed a deer stuck between two stiff fence poles. These things don’t happen to other people. I am drawn to weirdness and abnormality. Of course, I didn’t have my camera with me so you’re just going to have to trust me that this really happened.
The deer was in a frenzied panic attack of sorts, and my soothing “it’s okay, little deer” did very little to comfort him. His fur had been rubbed off and his skin raw. It was obvious he had been there for a while. I pulled on the fence to try and relieve pressure so he could get through and the deer just looked at me like I was an idiot. I think I saw him roll his eyes at me. Whatever.
Fortunately, another daring couple pulled up to the scene and rushed out of their car to help save the day. They ended up standing helplessly with me as there really wasn’t much we could do except call animal services – which the husband did. If I were alone, I would have sung a little song to the deer – one that calms Creature when he’s having a bad day. Alas, I refrained. Within about 2 minutes, ten or so vehicles full of macho, burly men leapt bravely from the safe haven of their trucks to stand and scratch their heads with us. We stood and stared and cooed at the poor deer. What to do?!
Finally someone had a smart idea. Some of us pulled on one side of the fence. Some pulled on the other side and a few pushed the girthy deer back the way it came from. Brilliant! Why didn’t I come up with this valiant plan? This blog entry could have been sooo much more entertaining! Whatever.
This little incident ended in victory. The traumatized deer looked at us and pranced off into the distance as all of us do-gooders suddenly felt very important and heroic.
Then I went for my sandwich.
A good Friday indeed.
The deer was in a frenzied panic attack of sorts, and my soothing “it’s okay, little deer” did very little to comfort him. His fur had been rubbed off and his skin raw. It was obvious he had been there for a while. I pulled on the fence to try and relieve pressure so he could get through and the deer just looked at me like I was an idiot. I think I saw him roll his eyes at me. Whatever.
Fortunately, another daring couple pulled up to the scene and rushed out of their car to help save the day. They ended up standing helplessly with me as there really wasn’t much we could do except call animal services – which the husband did. If I were alone, I would have sung a little song to the deer – one that calms Creature when he’s having a bad day. Alas, I refrained. Within about 2 minutes, ten or so vehicles full of macho, burly men leapt bravely from the safe haven of their trucks to stand and scratch their heads with us. We stood and stared and cooed at the poor deer. What to do?!
Finally someone had a smart idea. Some of us pulled on one side of the fence. Some pulled on the other side and a few pushed the girthy deer back the way it came from. Brilliant! Why didn’t I come up with this valiant plan? This blog entry could have been sooo much more entertaining! Whatever.
This little incident ended in victory. The traumatized deer looked at us and pranced off into the distance as all of us do-gooders suddenly felt very important and heroic.
Then I went for my sandwich.
A good Friday indeed.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Change and Pecking order
We realize that life as we have known it has changed and we are forging new territory. There has been a noticeable shift in rank among our kids at home - Elora now being the highest in pecking order and letting the others know it. She waited an appropriate amount of time (about three hours) before instigating her hostile takeover of Darren's bedroom. She is moving her bed into his room as we speak.
There is now more room in the bathrooms as I haven't heard any banging on the doors for Darren to hurry and get out!
Connor is now the 'grunt' of the kids and will be helping Todd with manly things.
Larissa has lost her Guitar Hero buddy and has reminded us that her status has not changed - she's still the baby of the family, and as such, should not require more chores.
The house seems quieter.Todd's eyes were red all last night. We wonder how Darren's doing. I haven't had a single phone call from him today. Sadly, I won't hear from him until Mother's Day and then Christmas.
I suppose change is always uncomfortable at first. Slowly, we will find new order and life will go on.
There is now more room in the bathrooms as I haven't heard any banging on the doors for Darren to hurry and get out!
Connor is now the 'grunt' of the kids and will be helping Todd with manly things.
Larissa has lost her Guitar Hero buddy and has reminded us that her status has not changed - she's still the baby of the family, and as such, should not require more chores.
The house seems quieter.
I suppose change is always uncomfortable at first. Slowly, we will find new order and life will go on.
MTC - "Mom's Torture Chamber"
Well, we did it. We said goodbye to Darren. It was harder than I thought it would be. Collectively, we shed enough tears to end Utah's drought.
We will miss our crazy "Raymond"!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Who are you boy?
A poem for a Russian Missionary.
By Michael Cox
Who are you boy? For a boy you are journeyed to this land of ours, this land where I've endured my days. And felt oppression kill my soul and force me into some tight mold. And teach me that I should not hope unless I care to smell the smoke of dreams that the Red Army tamed. Who are you boy, from this land of plenty, teaching of God if there is any. You have all; we have none. Do you know what that feels like son? And yet, you ask me to believe in something that I cannot see; some force you say will bring me joy. Do you know what that feels like boy? Where you're from, faith is free, but it has a price for me. When I have pain, I have a bottle. Hurt dies quick when you drowned it in Vodka. That's enough to warm my soul. I work, I sleep, the days go by---I'm waiting for the day I die. You don't understand this place. You say believe, obey, have faith, live life well, serve and give. Here in Russia we just live. Who are you boy? Why do you come? To save a soul who once was numb. To teach a wretched, hateful man who cursed your help, refused your hand. I thought that we were worlds apart. So how is it that you knew my heart? A fraction my age you calmed my rage; mercy paid my generous wage. I should have been left behind. It is hard to love my kind. Hope in your heart, power in your hands, why did you come to this distant land? I know now, it was for me. The Red Curtain fell, but I was not free. Until a boy from nations away brought me my Lord, I bless the day. He led me to weep at my Master's feet, the American boy I met on the street--new, naive, still in his teens, with a message to bring the world to its knees. I thought that the truth would come from another---I did not know this boy was my brother.
By Michael Cox
Who are you boy? For a boy you are journeyed to this land of ours, this land where I've endured my days. And felt oppression kill my soul and force me into some tight mold. And teach me that I should not hope unless I care to smell the smoke of dreams that the Red Army tamed. Who are you boy, from this land of plenty, teaching of God if there is any. You have all; we have none. Do you know what that feels like son? And yet, you ask me to believe in something that I cannot see; some force you say will bring me joy. Do you know what that feels like boy? Where you're from, faith is free, but it has a price for me. When I have pain, I have a bottle. Hurt dies quick when you drowned it in Vodka. That's enough to warm my soul. I work, I sleep, the days go by---I'm waiting for the day I die. You don't understand this place. You say believe, obey, have faith, live life well, serve and give. Here in Russia we just live. Who are you boy? Why do you come? To save a soul who once was numb. To teach a wretched, hateful man who cursed your help, refused your hand. I thought that we were worlds apart. So how is it that you knew my heart? A fraction my age you calmed my rage; mercy paid my generous wage. I should have been left behind. It is hard to love my kind. Hope in your heart, power in your hands, why did you come to this distant land? I know now, it was for me. The Red Curtain fell, but I was not free. Until a boy from nations away brought me my Lord, I bless the day. He led me to weep at my Master's feet, the American boy I met on the street--new, naive, still in his teens, with a message to bring the world to its knees. I thought that the truth would come from another---I did not know this boy was my brother.
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