Rocky: December 6, 2000 - March 18, 2014

My little buddy crossed over the Rainbow Bridge today.  I miss him so much. I am so sad.

Now THIS is snow!

I thought I would find some of my pictures from the mid 1980's when I lived in Kotzebue, AK.   I recalled digging Lynne out of her apartment in the mornings and then continuing on to work on her 4-wheeler.

Lynne called me when it looked like this on the inside....

 

Because she knew it would look like this on the outside and who wants all the snow falling in their home?

 

Shovel thoughtfully at the ready, I would walk over to dig her out...

 

The wind blows so hard and long up there that the snow packs into huge drifts - very solid.  We would just climb up the drift, slide down the other side and Lynne would take us to work!

 

 

We get by with a little help from our friends!   And I was so happy to not have to walk to work.  Thanks, Lynne!

 

Meanwhile - here is an arial of Kotz that I took from a bush plane when flying back in one time.

 

So - nah - this snow isn't bad!  But I do miss Lynne!!!

 





ENOUGH!!!!!!! Enough snow! Enough cold! Go back from where you came!

 

Snow snow go away!   But, first - thank you, Shawn, for your kindness and time in keeping the street and driveways safer! 

 



But the best was when you taught Nick to operate the Bobcat.  I think he has found a new career path! 
Nick and the Bobcat - you *go*!

 

 

Nick and new mentor....conferring on strategy.

 





New avocation...happy Nick, heavy equipment operator! 



Looking good!   Now just get that snow right on out of here and go bring us back some warm weather.

Merry Christmas! Cookies....!!!!

 

 

 Would it really have been Christmas without Patty's Christmas cookies?   I know Christmas is past but given the sub-zero temps and the snow....and ice, can't forget the ice....the pictures just seem timely!

Below is the finished product.  I have to admit to eating my share. 

 

A picture of the executive planning session...

 

 Patty has able assistants in myself, Rose, and....

 

 Boo and Daisy (Boo hiding....thus, the name) and...

 

 Tootie...

 

Patty leads the way, providing guidance and advice

Rose provides the grunt work...


Boo continues to hide....

And we have cookie decoration lift-off!

The Executive Director of Chez Anderson was satisfied with our work!

Thank you, Patty!  It was fun, cookies were excellent, and the company was just wonderful.  See you next year!

By the way - would my friends in Alaska PLEASE close the door?   We have had enough of your sub-zero weather! 

It is winter!

Cold, ice, snow....and then more cold, ice, and snow.  And more to come here in the Midwest in the next 24 hours.  I thought I would post this for those of you in Florida and Arizona and California (you know who you are!).  Count your blessings....

Dreary backyard....

Cold birdy bottoms - sitting on cold metal!   I wonder how I can get those heated.

 

Mr. red bellied Woodpecker wasn't having it too bad yesterday.  He hasn't made an appearance today!

 

 

That is all for now - that is enough!  I am just hoping we keep electricity and a warm house when the wind starts picking up in the next couple of hours!

 

Woodina came back!

 

 

Back to Backyard Birds!

 

Woodina came back again!  She posed on the suet and spent quite a bit of time looking at me through the window in my office.

What a thrill to see her so still...and big, she is really big!

 

 

I just barely captured her flying back to the woods - at the very bottom of the picture below.  She has quite the wingspan!

 

Downy performs the death-defying one-toed-hang

 

Chickadee keeps an eye on the sky for Downy.  I think they are buddies.   They put the rotten mean doves to shame.  Everyone else gets along....the doves try to peck everyone's head and make them fall off.  Darn doves.

 

 

 I hope everyone stays warm and safe in the winter weather!

 

And.....back to beads! We have a lost bracelet returned to home!

THIS is the bracelet I thought I had lost at the grocery store!  The first little Ndebele in this pattern I did a couple of months ago.   Amazingly, I found it with its silly magnetic closure attached to the little metal bar underneath the car seat that can be used to move the seat forward and backward.   Magnetic closures - not my friends!

 

The next time you see this piece there will be an artfully designed safety catch...as yet to be artfully designed.

 

Next up.....more of the Bobble design!  It is another one of those very soothing and simple designs but I believe I am almost to the end of my interest for awhile.  Meanwhile, this one will make its debut at the staff Christmas Party this week.  I hope it finds its forever home!

 

 A bracelet and matching necklace - in colors I don't usually use.  A nice change.

 

More Bobble ..... but a very nice bead.  These pieces are made with 4 mm Czech Fire Polish beads.

The necklace isn't quite finished but it was picture taking time so...here it is.  Just imagine silver findings for a clasp!



And....of course, a bracelet to match.   I need to work on some earrings for these pieces some day.

A special set for a special friend....already making its snowy way to its new home!

 





 

Yes - there is a theme here - I seem to have gotten stuck on silver and black!   Here is another one - not sure how that happened.  More Czech Fire Polished in 4 mm but this time it is silver on jet.

And......this is the last pictures of the Bobble pieces!  I will let that pattern rest for awhile.  But - if ever you wanted to learn an easy pattern - I think this is it!

 

 

Next - what else?  Birds!  Yes - Woodina (it isn't a Woody, it is a Woodina) returned!

 

Woody Woodpecker!!!!!!!

Yes!   He came back!  I saw him about 2 years ago and not since that time.  These pictures are not clear at all - I was pretty darned excited.   I looked up from my work and there he was!  Hanging with Downy Woodpecker! I didn't have my camera set up, it wasn't on a tri-pod, no remote cable.....it wasn't even in the room.  

 

I very carefully and very slowly and very quietly crept from the room.....snatched up my camera and took these pictures about 3 feet from the window - free hand!   I was so excited I am amazed they aren't just one big black, red, and white blur.

 

Maybe I will get another chance this week - I am ready!  Camera set up, tripod, remote trigger.....check!

Here he is showing his backside - that is a big bird for a little suet cake.   I think there might be bigger suet cakes in my/his future!

Thanks, Patty.   You started all of this and now I am upgrading my suet cakes....will it never end?

Meanwhile, Woody is showing 'her' other side here....

 

 

Meanwhile....Mr. Cardinal and his sidekick, Tufted Titmouse, said they weren't impressed and just kept spitting out those millet seed hulls!

My new mission?  Get a clear shot of Woody in all of his prehistoric glory! 

Back to Beading! New design....or two....

I think it is something about this time of year...lots of new beading designs coming out.  Very simple and 'quick' ones, too!  Well...'quick' in beading terms can mean it only takes a week to make a piece.  These bracelets worked up pretty quickly once I learned the design and made about 4 of them. 

 

The designer, Deborah Roberti, calls them Bobble Bangles. 

 

 

 

With the holidays around the corner.....

 

 

And a straggler - I had forgotten about this guy.  This is 1/2 of a full St. Petersburg stitch - you can probably guess it is a Russian stitch.   I haven't mastered the full St. Petersburg yet and am still trying to figure out the darned pathway of the thread.   A bit complicated, those Russians.  This is the only one I have made so far.

 

 

If this was a full St. Petersburg it would have a repeat of the blue and the red on the other side of the crystal beads....I just don't know how......yet.

 

Finally, a picture that reminds me of the Princess and the Pea.......Mini, Warrior Princess, has been waiting very patiently but now wishes I would cease hunching over a beading tray and go with her to survey her kingdom and bark at squirrels.  So I am off to obey the Royal command.....but I will let her do the barking at squirrels.

 

Happy Beading!

 

Birthday

A big birthday, too.   I made my way to Chicago to spend some time with Steve and Cecily....who kept welcoming me to my 'Seventh Decade'.   Wow - really?  That seems like a lot and it really couldn't apply to me.  Or - could it?

 

In one of the most delightful kitchens anywhere - there was a Happy Birthday banner!  How cool!  How kind!  How thoughtful!

 

Ellie the Dog (ETD) tucks herself neatly out of the way under the windows but has instant view of everyone, especially the Love of her Life, Cecily!

 

 

Ellie does have some.....confidence...issues....

I don't know....are you sure it is ok if I am here?  Absolutely sure?

 

Thank you but I don't want to look over there....at the scary lady with the camera....I will just look at you with adoration.

 

TA DA!!!  

Everyone is smiling

 

 

Thank you, Steve and Cecily!  I endlessly treasure your friendship and your kindness!!!!

See you at the Olive Festival next year!

XXOX!

 

The End