Swan Lake

Anyone who lives in the Orlando area is well aware that the fountain at Lake Eola has crapped out, due to lovely lightening bolt. Not is the fountain a lovely thing to look at, but it also help aerate the lake to keep the fish and other wildlife in the lake healthy. Since the fountain has been broken, some of the swans have become sick. Dr. Brown brought this female black swan in on my day off. Erin educated me in the fact that swans, unlike other bird, are easy to sex. Male swans have a definitely obvious penis. A fun fact to know.

New Kitten, Wasps, New Plantings, Bad Blogger.

I didn't realize how true the new magazine on technology was until I couldn't log onto my Facebook for a whole day. I was completely lost. I had not realized how dependent I was on my news feeds and my CafeWorld. I have to say I am a little pathetic. I was mostly upset that most of my virtual food spoiled because I couldn't log on to serve it. Dommage. The time away from the online world helped me to read more and work in my garden. The important stuff.

I have seen a total of 3 snakes in the past week. Blackfoot brought the tiniest ring-neck snake dangling from his mouth much like a cigarette. I took a picture of it just to prove how small he was. Only 5 inches at the most. Wednesday, while taking out the trash, a red rat snake lay on my trashcan. It gave me quite a scare. Today Jason and I saw a rattle snake crossing the road by our old house in service. It must be the time of year for snakes to pop out of the wood work.

I planted so many new things. Irises line the beds of my courtyard next to my spare bedroom and office. I just laid some mulch in the beds today. I unfortunately could not save the violets that Peggy gave me. Not enough water, I'm afraid. I will have to beg her for some more. It was good to get good and dirty during this nice weather.

The new kitten I've been fostering has been real fun. He's quirky. His tail is all bent up like someone has snapped it like a twig. He has a double dewclaw on one front paw, and it missing an entire toe on each of his front paws. I say he's a little retarded, although, that isn't entirely nice. He's so sweet and I'm going to hate to see him go. If I can't find him an ideal home, I guess Jason and I will have to make room for one more in our cat family.>^..^<

I've always been a fan of the book Why Paint Cats. I got a wild hair yesterday and bought some non-toxic face paint to paint my kitties. I practice on Winston, our office cat. He didn't appreciate my artistic sensibilities. I want to paint a skunk stripe on Harlem and do bumblebee stripes in yellow on Bronxie. I am sure that would please them just as much. Unfortunately, I learned that the painted felines in the book are the crafty works of a photo shop and that they really aren't painted. Oh well, I'm still going to paint my cats. At least I'll try to paint Harlem. We would mind it less. I think it's no more cruel to paint a cat than to groom a dog. That's my humble opinion.

I wish I could do something to annoy the wasps in my yard without them coming after me. I've have 3 stings in 3 weeks. Not cool.

I Know I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

She's a rainbow and she loves the peaceful life
Knows I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
There's a part of me in the chaos that's quiet
And there's a part of you that wants me to riot

Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?

A change of heart comes slow

It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me, or are you doubting
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight

Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won't listen to your boys and girls
'Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven't heard
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?
The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but a change of heart comes slow

It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Listen for me, I'll be shouting
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight

Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone
Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone

It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As we start out the climb
Listen for me, I'll be shouting
Shouting to the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light

You know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy if we don't go crazy tonight

Oh oh
Slowly now
Oh oh

It All Comes Down to This

Sixteen years ago, on this day, I was baptized. What a crazy life has followed. I can't believe it has been that long. I can seriously remember most of the day as it happened. We were waiting for my grandma to come over to our house so we could ride with her to Lakeland to the assembly hall. She shows up and complains that she couldn't go because she felt sick. My mom was understandably annoyed, since the car we had was held together with duct tape. My mom hates to drive on the interstate and she was disappointed that she had to make the trip with us 3 kids by herself. Looking back, I can't imagine how she did it. She faithfully took us to the meetings and conventions all by herself mostly. A lot of times she did so with us kicking and screaming. I am glad she did. Something must have stuck, because here I am. Still serving Jehovah.

Anyway, back to the story at hand. So we get to the assembly hall. A half an hour after we get there, we see my grandma. She was miraculously healed. My mom was miffed and thought she just didn't want to ride with us or pay for the hotel. Either way, she showed up. So the program starts, and I sit by myself in the baptismal section. I am wearing my wire rim glasses and a electric blue dress with a huge bow in the front. I was sporting bangs at this time. I was such an nerd. Anyway, I thought I looked pretty darn good.

After the program, we go to Shoney's for dinner. We stay at the Red Carpet Inn in Lakeland and get a roll away bed for grandma. The following morning, my grandma complains of sickness and leaves as we are getting ready for the Sunday session. Sigh. Those were the times. My grandma always complained about some sort of sickness, which we always thought it was her excuse to get out of something she didn't want to do. There is probably a lot truth in that. But I do miss her. She died a few months before my wedding.

So, sixteen years later, I am celebrating by seeing U2 for the 3rd time. It will be the first time seeing them with Jason. I am so excited. I've been watching old U2 footage and posting it on Facebook. I am a little bit of a fanatic.

I rescued an orphan kitten this week. It was found at Goodwill next to a dumpster. I thought it would die. He is so sweet and I think someone dumped him there and left him for dead. After I fixed him up, so to speak, he would not quit purring. I think it was his little way of saying thank-you. Looks like my neighbor, Brandy, will be taking him. I am so glad.