candace's corner

Reluctantly Letting Go

2010-03-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Letting go of any friendship is difficult, even one that has become rancid.

An old friend of mine no longer sees me in a positive light. The sparkling eyes from the laughter that my friendship once brought is gone. My presence is no longer acknowledged or welcome. No smiles. No willingness to hug or be hugged. Decades ago, that was not the case. Decades.

To be condemned for my weaknesses while neglecting to recognize and embrace my strengths causes me pain. It angers me as well, since it has taken years for me to see myself as the good and loving person that I am, to see all the beauty that I bring to this world and to those whose lives I touch.

Given the circumstances, it is no wonder that we are no longer able to bring out the best in each other. I mourn the loss nonetheless.

How Salazar Stole Equus

2010-01-07T17:29:00.000-08:00

How The Grinch
(Interior Secretary Salazar)
Stole Equus

Stampede to Oblivion

2009-12-30T17:25:00.000-08:00

George Knapp Wild Horses Special:
The Stampede to Oblivion
Chief Investigative Eyewitness News 8 Reporter George Knapp
& Photo Journalist Matt Adams

Excerpt: Half of the country's wild horses are in Nevada and the BLM is gathering them off of public land in record numbers with increasingly thin justifications behind the roundups.

Stampede to Oblivion - Video Links

Current Events

Wild horse roundup to begin in Nevada amid protest

Excerpt: A two-month capture of about 2,500 wild horses
from public and private lands in northern Nevada
began Monday [December 28th] amid protests
that the roundups are unnecessary and inhumane.

For more information
on how to help the wild horses:

The Cloud Foundation

Dustin Black's Oscar Acceptance Speech

2009-02-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

Watch this inspiring speech and, if you are so inclined, sign the thank you note and invite your friends to watch the video as well.

Dustin Black's powerful and poignant Oscar acceptance speech
for Best Original Screenplay.

Send your thanks to
Dustin Lance Black, Sean Penn
and Cleve Jones for making "Milk" possible.
www.couragecampaign.org

I'm Only Four

2009-01-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

For years, I've been telling friends that "I'm only four." And, for years, many of my friends have nodded their heads, laughed, and not known the origin of my words.

At long last, my friends will be able to unravel the mystery behind my words.

I invite you to watch Munro, the 1961 Academy Award Winner for Best Animated Short Film.

Pssst. I'm still only four.

Mustangs - National Geographic Magazine

2009-01-22T17:28:00.000-08:00

The National Geographic Magazine feature article for February 2009 examines in detail the plight of our wild horses, including Cloud's Pryor Mountain herd. Although the article paints a disturbing picture regarding the future survival of an integral part and icon of the American West, the factual information, which it provides, warrants thoroughly reading it .

In this article, Ginger Kathrens, the Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation, contributes her long-term and first-hand observations, which point out the mismanagement of the wild horse herds along with its damaging side effects.

Excerpts:

Some herds are direct descendants of those brought by the conquistadores, notably the Pryor Mountain herd in Montana and northern Wyoming, whose centuries-old Spanish heritage was established through blood tests in 1992.

"In some cases," [Ginger] Kathrens said, "I've seen a stallion lose his mares in a BLM gather, and for that stallion, who has fought life-threatening battles for those mares, his life is over. He'll end up on his own, and I don't think it's too strong to say that some stallions succumb to a form of depression."

Contributions - Be It Large or Small - to The Cloud Foundation are always welcome.

President-Elect Obama: Our Democratic Tradition

2009-01-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

Our Democratic Tradition, President-Elect Barack Obama's weekly address, made on Saturday, January 17, 2009

Excerpt:

In his final weekly address before assuming office, President-elect Barack Obama speaks about the upcoming Inauguration activities, a tradition at the heart of our democracy.

Renew America Together On January 19, 2009

2009-01-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

Renew America Together: A National Call to Service from Michelle Obama for January 19, 2009

Your Call To Service

Find An Event

The Inaugural Schedule

2009-01-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

There have been a number of inquiries on Facebook regarding the Inaugural Schedule. What follows is the same link that I have posted there.

Event Schedule
for the Inauguration of
President-Elect Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden

Please keep in mind that all times listed are based on Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Ballerina Carla

2009-01-12T21:27:00.000-08:00

During my early college days in the mid-1970s, there were several young ladies who I was privileged enough to have as my friends. The one who most stands out in my memory, however, is Carla.

To me, Carla was magical. Humble, kind, supportive and loving, she quickly found a special place in my heart where she still resides. She treated me as if she were my big sister and helped me through a tumultuous period in my life.

Carla had been an aspiring dancer and understood loss. A car accident injured her back so severely that it ended her dreams of being a dancer. The physical injury also left lasting emotional scars along with it.

Little did I know --- or, perhaps more aptly put, what I failed to consider --- was that my birthday gift to her would open those scars to such a degree that her wounds would be made fresh again, causing her to recoil from me in a flood of tears and flee from the gaze of her other birthday guests. How could I have been so blind?

It was a poem that inflicted so much pain. My poem, a birthday poem, which I wrote for her and her alone. A special poem, a sonnet, each line starting with a letter that formed the words, "Ballerina Carla." So thoughtful, so personal --- too personal, and ultimately, thoughtless.

The poem is still in my possession, safely tucked away where it can cause no further damage. Only the last two lines echo clearly in my mind.

Life is her stage; her heart has prancing feet,
And dance, she will, until life's rivers meet.

My guess is that her grief prevented her from ever seeing those two lines.

The Perils of Poetry - first in a series.

My Selene

2009-01-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

At a distance, you would not think of her as miraculous with most of her body draped a drab, olive green. As you neared her, you might notice, if you cared to notice, the bright splashes of lemon yellow gracing the very top of her head and the tips of her shoulders, as if the very contrast beckoned you to take a closer look.

Certainly, if you were lucky enough to chance upon her as she awakened from her afternoon nap, stretching her body before you, there would be no doubt of her unique beauty. A stunning column of color, peeking from her back in a vivid, turquoise blue, would reveal itself, drawing you even nearer to her.

Only then would you see the glorious blanket of green, clothing her chest, a vision more striking than the young blades of grass in spring. Your eyes would follow that lush carpet down her full length where you could delight in yet another outburst of sunlight, as if she were adorned with a pair of matching golden anklets.

Closer still, you would stare, transfixed upon this living jewel. With the wonder of a child's eyes, you would linger, devouring every detail of her. Elaborate, ornate, you would savor the fine weave, her tapestry of color, the intricate, interlocking threads symmetrically displayed, lovingly joined together.

And, if you dared, with the curiosity of a toddler's touch, you would caress her delicate fabric, the soft sensation capturing the fascination of your fingertips. Spellbound, you would be.

Then, spontaneously, inexplicably, you would lift it, as if an individual strand of hair, almost weightless in your hand, and marvel at one, just one, of her multitude of treasures, and this, a single feather.

Mare's Tails

2009-01-10T00:36:00.000-08:00

The wind was howling in Malibu today. A eucalyptus tree toppled over and barely missed the house it once shaded. Down by the beach, consecutive gusts created rivers of blowing sand that swept over the ground and erased footprints within its path. Mare's tails were blown in long wisps atop the crest of each wave.

In the early afternoon, there was a low tide, a negative tide of close to two feet. Taking photographs of the tidepools and experimenting with my new camera seemed to be a great idea at the time. Of course, that was before the wind started showing some major attitude.

Although grains of sand sometimes ended up in my eyes and my skin was sometimes abraded by the relentless blasts, pictures were on my mind, and somehow or another I planned on taking those photos. And, I did. And, it was a lesson in futility, especially when attempting to take pictures of wildlife while being blown sideways, backward, forward, you name it.

Was it worth it? Well, it kept me busy for two hours, and it was good exercise. What struck me as odd was that a couple of guys on horseback would ride by the day after I published the post about Apollo. I'm unaccustomed to that sight. Maybe it's a sign. Ha!

Apollo

2009-01-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

It was rapture at first sight. Handsome, mesmerizing, radiant. He was all of this and more as he pranced around the paddock. His rump reflected the warm rays of the morning light with the metallic sheen of a newly minted copper penny. Surely, an Olympian; a Greek god with hooves.

"Apollo. That's what I'll call him."

A four-year-old strawberry roan Appaloosa gelding. He was one quarter Arabian with a blaze on his face in the shape of a broad dagger bearing a cross on its hilt.

Green broke and proud cut. That's what the man who sold him to us for $500.00 had said. Those terms were foreign to me, but not for long. Apollo had some lessons to teach me; and, he taught me well, often with very little warning.

Happy Birthday, My Brother

2009-01-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

Craig, the lost soldier…

You are the dead horse, which I’ve continued to beat to death over the years. I would like to say that I’ve run out of whips, but I haven’t. I find myself searching for bits and pieces about you and your family from time to time. Your boys are grown up; my nephews, but not my nephews; at least one of them is married. I saw the oldest when he was an infant and teething, but that was decades ago.

Do you remember that courtroom hearing long ago, which changed both of our lives? You were old enough to know what I was unable to comprehend, that I was not your “real” sister, that your dad, Arnold “Arnie”, had just adopted me at the tender age of 4, that your dad was not my “real” dad.

You and I were in the backseat of the car, when our argument started. You barked rebelliously. “He’s not your dad! I’m not your brother!”

“You are, too, my brother! He is, too, my dad!”

Again, you barked, “You’re not my sister! You’re not his daughter!”

“Liar! Mother, tell him to stop! Make him stop!”

Mom gave you a look that made your blood run cold, “Craig…”

You were in big trouble. She used your full name. I don’t remember what she said that made you stop dead in your tracks, but I remember the look in her eyes. The look said, “Don’t you dare cross me, or there’ll be hell to pay.”

Only vaguely do I remember that you were sworn to silence, that you were told never to bring up the topic of my paternal descent again. And, you didn’t. From that day forward, the subject of my adoption was locked safely away; referring to Arnie as my dad remained uncontested; and, you always referred to me as your sister. Not until my twenties would you put the word, step, in front of sister, a day that I remember well along with the shock and hurt.

You are now a Master Sergeant in the National Reserve. Your days of military school, of playing Combat on the lawn with your friends, of volunteering in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) have become a reality. It’s no surprise to me. I’m glad that you followed your heart, what belonged to you and no one else, what no one else could touch, what was sacred to you.

You might think that I've forgotten by now, that I've managed to let go of you and of my memories of you, but I haven't. My heart won't let me forget. Step-sister or not, there's a bond that I am unwilling to break, a love that I refuse to extinguish.

I love you, Craig, and I wish you on this birthday what I have always wished you, only the best and all the blessings that life has to offer you and your loved ones.

Happy birthday, my brother...

I Am A Marilyn

2008-12-16T22:37:00.001-08:00

I am a Marilyn. --- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

Be direct and clear
Listen to me carefully
Don't judge me for my anxiety
Work things through with me
Reassure me that everything is OK between us
Laugh and make jokes with me
Gently push me toward new experiences
Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

being committed and faithful to family and friends
being responsible and hardworking
being compassionate toward others
having intellect and wit
being a nonconformist
confronting danger bravely
being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often

are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents

are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
worry more than most that their children will get hurt
sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else?
Find out at HelloQuizzy.

Rising From The Ashes

2008-11-22T19:40:00.002-08:00

The majority of my time for the past two days has been spent at the Sylmar Recreation Center. This is where Saint Didacus Church has organized a tremendous donation effort for the Oakridge Mobile Home Park residents who lost their homes in this month's firestorm. Close to 500 homes (approximately 90 percent of the community) were destroyed or damaged.

A & L - 'Til Death Do Us Part
A and L are married. They are a young couple, perhaps in their mid-thirties. L has been diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer, which has spread to her ovaries. She has already lost weight. Her clothing disguises the significant weight loss. She knows that she is dying and candidly states that to me.

What she next relates to me, however, sends shock waves through me. She tells me that Medi-Cal either won't or doesn't cover the treatment that she believes would cure her. In essence, as a result of what Medi-Cal will or will not cover, Medi-Cal has signed her death sentence. I look at her in disbelief. Yet, she shows acceptance of her fate and displays no self-pity.

Soon after this, L asks timidly and politely if it's okay to take one of the donated items. I am in awe. I tell her that everything around her is there for her and for the other fire victims as well.

Her husband, A, is equally polite and thanks me for whatever assistance I provide him regardless of the task involved. He is not at all prideful and willingly sorts through various undergarments to find anything that might fit his ailing wife. It is apparent that A and L are full of love for one another.

It's pleasing to see that they are finding items that they need: a microwave, a coffee maker, a rice cooker/steamer, Christmas gifts for their nephew, and more. It takes quite some time, however, to sort through the plethora of donations. It becomes apparent to me that this visit is taking its toll, especially on L who is starting to feel tired and weak.

I bring both of them some cold, bottled water while they wait for one of the two giant wheelbarrows to become available so that they can take their goods to their car. When they leave, L is exhausted.

I cannot imagine what either of them is feeling. They have already suffered such loss, and it saddens me that there is more down the road.

T & M - A Mother And Daughter
T was exhausted and hungry when she crossed my path. One of the Red Cross volunteers had offered her some chips, which she had turned down. As chance would have it, I had been seeking takers for the other half of my turkey and cheese sandwich to no avail.

At first, T tried to turn my sandwich down, stating that she didn't think that she could eat. When I found out that she had hardly eaten at all since last Saturday, I was able to persuade her to sit down at a nearby picnic table where I would join her. We spoke as T munched on the sandwich.

T has been living with her mother, M, at the Oakridge Mobile Home Park since T's divorce five years ago. This is the second time that her mother's Oakridge residence has been lost to fire. The first time was in the Northridge earthquake, when gas mains erupted and caught fire.

As I listen to T, she removes her sunglasses, and it's easy to see that she has been crying; her right eye is glossed over with tears and is red on one side. But, the tears are for her mother; they are not for herself. Although T knows and admits that her mother is remarkably resilient and is actually dealing with the situation quite well, it pains T to see her mother having to start over yet again at 81 years of age.

As T continues to eat the turkey and cheese sandwich, subtle changes take place. Her face is less pale. She is able to hold her head erect. Her voice is vibrant. Her speech becomes more animated.

We sit and share until her mother approaches along with her brother, W. She introduces me to both of them. Her brother, W, is warm and friendly, but it is her mother who most impresses me. She is vivacious, and you would not guess that she is anywhere near 80. She is a charming woman who exudes positive energy.

My conversation with T has been lengthy and has covered several topics. T has allowed herself to open up, to emote, to see her situation in a different light, to understand her role, her brother's role and her mother's role during the days ahead. She has a better idea of what she can do to support her mother without creating more pain for herself.

As T says goodbye to me, we hug. She is smiling, even laughing. Her eyes are no longer glossy, but glistening instead. Some healing has taken place; it is a good start.

M - The Family Man
M has a household of seven, which includes his wife, his two teenage sons, his daughter who has two children of her own with another on the way.

M speaks calmly to me in Spanish with occasional references made in English. Everything that he shares with me comes from the heart. He is a gentleman, a man of character. He is not only thankful and gracious, he is humble. He is thankful for the assistance provided by the Red Cross and FEMA. He is gracious to all of the volunteers, to those who donated so generously and to the firefighters. He is positive and hopeful.

At times, I can sense the fear that he is repressing. I can understand the need to keep that fear in check. He has a lot on his mind, a lot of planning to do, and he needs to provide for his family at the same time.

I like speaking with him and practicing my Spanish. Our conversation is refreshing. Both of us are enjoying it. He has a need to share and to verbalize his plans. And, he is helpful when I have trouble with certain words in Spanish or with my vocabulary, and he readily corrects my errors without being condescending.

It is almost the end of the day for me as he says goodbye. He thanks me and tells me that I am an honorable person. As he leaves, I reflect on his words and on the day's events.

Hopefully, there was something that I said or something that I did, within the past two days, which made a positive difference in somebody's life. I would like to think that I did. I am certain that I made a difference in T's life, and perhaps that is enough.

Obama: Government With The People

2008-11-20T14:26:00.001-08:00

There are changes in motion, which have me excited about the incoming administration.

That President-Elect Obama is taking advantage of technology to communicate and interact with the public encourages me immensely: a website (appropriately named CHANGE.GOV), a blog, a weekly address in the form of a webcast and more.

That he demonstrates a willingness to share and disseminate information not only gives me a better understanding of the governmental process, it motivates me to get involved and offers methods for me to contribute to that process.

Just as importantly, President-Elect Obama's leadership and confidence have already helped to provide me with a positive outlook regarding the future of our country.

Below is an email that I received yesterday from the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team. It is an excellent example of being offered the chance to participate in resolving the issues that our government faces rather than simply being a spectator.

If you would like to stay updated on the transition process, this is where you can Join the Transition Team.

Dear Candace,

62 days. That's how much time we have left to prepare for the Obama-Biden Administration that will bring the change Americans demanded so strongly in this past election.

President-elect Obama has set a high bar for the Transition team: to execute the most efficient, organized, and transparent transfer of power in American history. As a co-Chair for the Transition, I want to tell you about a few steps we've already taken to achieve this goal.

First, we adopted the strictest ethics guidelines ever applied to any transition team. President-elect Obama pledged to change the way Washington works, and that begins with shifting influence away from special interests and restoring it to the everyday Americans who are passionate about fixing the problems facing our country.

Opening up the Transition means listening to your ideas and stories and providing a window into how the process works.

To give you a look at how we're approaching some of the nation's most pressing issues, we filmed this meeting of our Energy and Environment Policy Transition Team and interviewed team member Heather Zichal.

Watch the video and submit your ideas on energy and the environment:

President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden have set an ambitious agenda, and we are going to make Change.gov a source of information, as well as a place to participate in the decisions being made about your government.

Since the decisions we're making affect all Americans, we're counting on citizens from every walk of life to get involved. You can help us right now by making sure your friends and neighbors know about Change.gov and give their input, too.

We're continuing to develop new ways to open up the process, and we'll keep you posted along the way.

Thanks,

John

John Podesta
Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team

Bush's Push: Dodging The People

2008-11-20T11:52:00.001-08:00

The two articles posted here illustrate, only in part, why it is that I am so anxious for Bush to get the heck out of dodge.

For me, January 20th, 2009 won't come soon enough.

Bush moves may endanger Endangered Species Act
From Scientific American, Thursday, November 20, 2008
By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent

Excerpts:

"In the next 24 hours, the Bush is expected to relax requirements for federal environmental officials to sign off on building projects that pose a threat to species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Publishing the rules by tomorrow means they would take effect before President-elect Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration. Otherwise, Obama could simply decide not to put them into practice.

The rules would allow each federal agency to determine for itself whether its own projects (such as building a highway or dam) present an environmental threat, rather than getting clearance from wildlife biologists who sometimes order modifications, according to the Associated Press, which obtained a copy of the new watered-down regulations."

"The Department of the Interior is racing to finalize the rules, part of a series of 'midnight regulations' the administration is rushing to push through in President Bush’s last days. In recent weeks, his team tried to remove gray wolves from the list of endangered species, and proposed loosening controls on factory farm waste and letting power plants operate near national parks as well as let mining companies remove mountaintops to get at coal underneath."

Bush team rushes environment policy changes
From Scientific American, Tuesday, November 20, 2008
By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent

Excerpts:

"'The Bush administration has had eight years in office and has issued more regulations than any administration in history,' said Eli Lehrer of the Competitive Enterprise Institute. 'At this point, in the current economic climate, it would be especially harmful to push through ill-considered regulations in the final days of the administration.'

John Kostyack of the National Wildlife Federation, which joined Lehrer's group to call for a ban on these last-minute rules, said citizens are cut out of the process, allowing changes in U.S. law that the public opposes, such as rolling back protections under the Endangered Species Act."

"There is at least one Bush administration environmental proposal that conservation groups welcome: a plan to create what would be the world's largest marine wildlife sanctuary in the Pacific Ocean. That could go into effect January 20."

The Naked Eye Of The Needle

2008-11-17T18:54:00.001-08:00

Willard Wigan continues to amaze me, not only his art, but his journey as well. His artwork and his life have a common thread . . . creating a masterpiece from what others might consider to be nothing at all.

The Microscopic Sculptures of Willard Wigan
(from Amazing Planet - includes video from ABC's June 20, 2007 Newscast)
Photo © CBBC Newsround

It's All Happening At The Zoo

2008-11-08T12:01:00.001-08:00

It's been quite some time since I've shared some of my photography in one of my posts.

On Sunday, November 2nd, I had the opportunity to participate in the Los Angeles Zoo's 19th Annual Photo Day. Although I was operating a camera system, which was completely foreign to me, and dealing with a substantial learning curve, I did manage to get some relatively decent shots. What you'll see here are a few of my best shots from that day.

All of the pictures were taken with a Nikon D90 and a Nikkor 70mm-300mm zoom lens. The gorilla picture, however, was taken with a Nikkor 500mm zoom lens at one of the telephoto stations, which was set up in advance for the photographers.

I loaned all of the camera equipment from various participating vendors, including my tripod. Being able to test drive this equipment was included in the registration fee as well as a continental breakfast, a box lunch, a nifty t-shirt (used to identify participants), and more.

This was the first photo day for me, and I was absolutely amazed at the extent of organization that was required to pull off this event. It required the involvement of Mark Comon and his staff from Paul's Photo, the staff and docents from the Los Angeles Zoo, the vendors from companies such as Nikon, Sony and Olympus (Canon was a no show...::mutter::) and the participants themselves, not to mention others who are unbeknownst to me.

Since participants, numbering about 200, were allowed entrance to the zoo early, zookeepers actually brought out reptiles and insects for the photographers to use in close up shots: snakes, a tortoise, a blue-tongued skink, a hissing cockroach, a rather big millipede, a large walking stick and more.

Each hour was packed with options. Frequently, those options were on opposite ends of the zoo, and yours truly wanted to take it all in. Needless to say, I covered a lot of ground, hiking from one end of the zoo and uphill to the other end several times throughout the day while lugging my backpack, camera equipment and tripod.

All in all, it was a pretty remarkable day. I had no idea exactly how active I had been until the next day. I was so caught up in taking pictures that I was somewhat oblivious about the weight of carrying my daypack and transporting the tripod on my shoulders, of hiking up and down the zoo paths, of stepping up and squatting down for certain camera angles. My arms had a workout from setting up the tripod and packing up the tripod ad infinitum.

When I woke up the next morning, stiff doesn't even describe the state of various body parts. I was certain that had turned to stone or that someone had injected concrete into my neck and shoulders.

Yet, I can tell you this. I plan on doing it all over again next year.

Palisades Rat Pack

2008-08-04T21:03:00.001-07:00

Two old ladies lovingly fed rats,
turning a home in one of the nation's priciest enclaves
into Willard. Health officials let them.

Rathouse of the Palisades
by Max Taves
LA Weekly - July 30, 2008

Fur & Feathers - A Friendship

2008-07-27T13:11:00.001-07:00

Evolution Of Dance

2007-10-31T17:05:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of video links,
which are certain to put smiles on your faces!

Evolution of Dance

Song List

Evolution of Dance (only smaller)

Just A Click...

2007-10-16T23:11:00.001-07:00

Raptors Rehabilitated & Released

2007-09-15T17:22:00.001-07:00

Rehabilitated Raptors
Successfully Released Back Into The Wild

Our thanks to the California Wildlife Center for allowing us to participate in the successful release of two red-shouldered hawks back into the wild, which included the hawk that we brought to them two months ago with a broken wing.

This unedited video footage documents the event, which took place on Saturday, September 15, 2007 in the early afternoon.

Please note: The red-shouldered hawk that initially landed on the railing by the side of the road did fly off to a better and safer location in a nearby tree.

No animals or humans were harmed during the making of this video.

Game Over

2007-07-26T13:05:00.001-07:00

Not many people call our house after 10 PM on a weeknight. Understandably, Rusty will sometimes get work-related calls that late. Family and friends hesitate to even call us after 9 PM. So, when Rusty and I received a phone call on Tuesday just after 10 PM, we were already wondering who it could be.

Rusty happened to be the one to answer the phone. When he told me that it was a friend's wife asking to speak with me, we knew it was bad news. Bad, bad, bad. As he handed the phone to me, I knew that this was not gonna be good.

Sure enough, Raj, a friend of mine who I had met in the mid-70s at San Diego State University, had died last Thursday of a heart attack. He would have been 53 on September 7th. He would have been. No extra innings. No overtime. Game over.

From what I could ascertain, the ER really dropped the ball. It seems that he could have been saved if the proper protocol had been followed. To make matters worse for his wife, she is having difficulty accessing personal information stored on his business computer, which is passworded. If I understood her correctly, some of the personal documents have password security as well, passwords that she doesn't know --- at least, that was my impression. She doesn't even have the access that she needs to pay their bills online. Additionally, the two of them were in the process of preparing their living trust.

So... you might say that I'm somewhat in a state of shock, limbo, whatever. I'm feeling a bit lost, a bit numb, a bit introspective.

Raj was always a kindred spirit. He always will be. It's quite likely that his smile and his laughter contributed considerably to global warming on this planet. His smile alone could have easily illuminated every black hole in the universe.

While his death certainly disturbs me, it's also a wake up call, a reminder, a prod, which proclaims in a clear voice, "Hey, everybody, pay attention to your health and get your ducks in a row, 'cuz ain't no one safe!"

The Hummingbird & The Flower - A Love Story

2007-07-25T15:35:00.001-07:00

This is another* wonderful dance routine choreographed by Wade Robson. Wade and his wife, Amanda, blend this magical choreography with a haunting choice of music, simple costume design, inventive hair styling and iridescent makeup to create another* memorable, mesmerizing and superbly entertaining dance number.

The Hummingbird & The Flower

A Love Story

Dancers:
Hokuto "Hok" Konishi and Jaimie Goodwin

*See prior Wade Robson post, Macabre Satisfaction, dated August 19, 2006.

James Kim, 1971-2006

2006-12-08T11:04:00.001-08:00

From CNET TV
Video Tribute to James Kim

From CNET News
In Memoriam: James Kim, CNET Senior Editor

A World In A Grain Of Sand

2006-10-23T15:59:00.001-07:00

the art of Willard Wigan

the world's smallest and most wondrous works of art

appeteaser: man versus ant

"Willard can create a masterpiece within the eye of a tiny sewing needle, on the head of a pin, the tip of an eyelash or a grain of sand. Some are many times smaller than the full-stop at the end of this sentence. Many are even smaller still, with some being completely invisible to the naked eye yet, when viewed through high power magnification, the effect on the viewer is truly mesmerising."

Macabre Satisfaction

2006-08-19T16:37:00.001-07:00

This dance routine was choreographed by Wade Robson. Between his macabre choreography, the sepulchral makeup, the freakish costuming and the bizarre music of Roisin Murphy, I found the whole dance number to be incredibly mesmerizing and thoroughly, albeit oddly, entertaining.

Ramalama

No Bravery

2006-08-16T18:51:00.001-07:00

James Blunt performs
No Bravery

Excerpt from a review on James Blunt's website:

No Bravery, the song that closes James Blunt's debut album, Back to Bedlam was written in Kosovo in 1999, while James was a reconnaissance officer in the British army. On patrol around Pristina, he kept his guitar bolted to the outside of his tank. But in quieter moments, it came out, as he wrote about life as a 22-year-old peacekeeper in the aftermath of one of the decade's bloodiest civil wars. The rest of his unit ordered him to keep the noise down as he wrote and sang in the post-midnight stillness. He didn't keep the noise down.

James says, "No Bravery is the only complete song I wrote in Kosovo. I wrote it lying by my tank in my sleeping bag with my boots on. You had to sleep with your boots on. The song is pretty fatalistic. The rest of the album is fatalistic."

Press the Play button to begin the music video.

This music video really hit home today. I watched part of a James Blunt concert earlier in the day and the words to this song kept resonating in my head. I'm certain that my recent viewing of 4 episodes of Band of Brothers contributed to my thoughts and feelings.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to imagine if we could all experience even one day without war, without rape, without torture, without murder, without any violence whatsoever throughout this world of ours.

One day. Perhaps someday.

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein

It is only the dead who have seen the end of war.
Plato

Man is the only animal that deals in that atrocity of atrocities, War. He is the only one that gathers his brethren about him and goes forth in cold blood and calm pulse to exterminate his kind. He is the only animal that for sordid wages will march out and help to slaughter strangers of his own species who have done him no harm and with whom he has no quarrel . . . And in the intervals between campaigns he washes the blood off his hands and works for "the universal brotherhood of man" - with his mouth.
Mark Twain

Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
John F. Kennedy

Bolero On The Rocks

2006-07-22T14:31:00.001-07:00

The legendary Torvill and Dean performed this consummate ice dance during the 1984 Olympics. It won the gold medal; it was the only performance to score a perfect 6.0 from all the judges.

Bolero On Ice

Dogs & Cats - One Owner's Perspective

2006-07-18T14:23:00.001-07:00

When I opened my email-box today, this little tidbit was in it. When I read it, it brought a smile to my face. I know that other dog and/or cat owners will appreciate these light-hearted notions regarding our furry friends.

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

PET RULES

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king-sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --- canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

They live here. You don't.

If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it fur-niture.)

I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Dogs and cats are better than kids because:

They eat less;

They don't ask for money all the time;

They are easier to train;

They normally come when called;

They never ask to drive the car;

They don't hang out with drug-using friends;

They don't smoke or drink;

They don't have to buy the latest fashions;

They don't want to wear your clothes;

They don't need a gazillion dollars for college;

They provide unconditional love; and,

If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Tim Burton's Vincent

2006-07-17T20:08:00.001-07:00

Vincent is a 6 minute stop-motion film written, designed and directed by Tim Burton. It portrays the macabre fantasy world of Vincent Malloy, a young boy obsessed with being "just like" Vincent Price.

The film's narrative consists of a poem written by Tim Burton and narrated by none other than Vincent Price himself.

Getting The Word Out: Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

2006-07-11T15:09:00.001-07:00

Just a few days ago, a friend of mine sent me an email having to do with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). Prior to this time, I had never heard of this type of breast cancer. My friend and I are wondering how many other people haven't heard of this type of breast cancer, which is the reason for this post.

From the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation:

INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER (IBC) is an advanced and accelerated form of breast cancer usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds. Inflammatory breast cancer requires immediate aggressive treatment with chemotherapy prior to surgery and is treated differently than more common types of breast cancer. "African Americans have a higher incidence of IBC than do Caucasians and other ethnic groups (10.1%, 6.2%, and 5.1%, respectively)."

The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the ONLY cancer research organization which specifically targets Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) and the research to find its cause.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation - IBC VIDEO and AUDIO REPORTS

Silent Killer: Inflammatory Breast Cancer - Windows Media Video
My friend and I strongly encourage you to watch this recent and extremely informative video. The above link will allow you to watch the video without having to download it.

KOMO 4 News Special Report: Inflammatory Breast Cancer - May 7, 2006

The Squeeze

2006-07-01T13:53:00.001-07:00

Excerpt from Advanced Aquarists Online Magazine:

"With very few exceptions octopuses are phenomenal escape artists, and even a large octopus (some of mine have had a head the size of a large grapefruit and been nearly 3 feet in diameter when spread out) can easily make a home out of a long-neck beer bottle! For a simple rule-of-thumb to suggest to hobbyists, I generally say that if you can stick your pinky finger into a hole, your octopus will be able to crawl through it."

Video by www.pbs.org.

For more information and videos regarding this amazing animal,
visit NATURE - The Octopus Show - A Legend of the Deep - PBS

Get RealPlayer

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2006-06-30T15:18:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite experiences happened years ago while my husband, Rusty, and I were scuba diving. We both spotted an octopus at about the same time. It was safely tucked into one of the cavities of a small reef outcropping.

As I approached it for a better view, I could see its smooth, velvety flesh, which was rolled loosely into a ball and had a lovely rose-colored hue to it. A few minutes later, having grown tired of me staring at it, it darted out of its cubbyhole in Rusty's direction. As I swam toward Rusty, I lost sight of it. The octopus seemed to have vanished.

I indicated to Rusty that I had no idea where our eight-armed friend had gone. Meanwhile, Rusty pointed emphatically at part of a long reef about three feet away from me. Using my impressive body language, I shrugged my shoulders and lifted my hands, which clearly translated to, "What the heck are you pointing at?"

Rusty did his best octopus impression and pointed again. There, right in front of my eyes, was our tentacled friend, but it wasn't rose-colored anymore. For that matter, only a small ripple of smooth flesh remained underneath as it stretched itself thinly over the reef and disappeared.

Poof! No bells, no whistles, no clouds of dust. Just poof. Color, shape, texture, all transformed within less than a minute. What was smooth became gritty, coarse and bumpy. What was rose-colored was now reef-colored, mostly a shade of white with flecks of gray, brown and green. Its whole body blended seamlessly into the reef and became invisible.

This video gives you the unique opportunity to observe an octopus as it completely changes its color, texture and shape. They're awesome creatures!

Sting & Rings United

2006-06-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

Lord of the Rings

Eternal Souls

A Fan-Made Video by AJ Johnson

AJ Johnson: "I had this particular song stuck in my head for nearly 2 years. Everytime I heard the lyrics I always thought of specific scenes in the LOTR trilogy and I've wanted to do a tribute for it ever since. I also love the hypnotic rhythm of the song and thought it was perfect."

To download a higher quality version of this video,
visit AJ's Music Videos.

In addition to video downloads,

AJ graciously provides video links
to his work through YouTube.

Please do not hotlink to his site!

The Superb Sir David Attenborough & A Superb Lyrebird

2006-06-25T12:35:00.001-07:00

Naturalist Sir David Attenborough celebated his 80th birthday on May 8, 2006. Prior to his birthday, UKTV viewers were asked to vote for their favorite of the naturalist's television moments. Of the 20 candidates, the Superb Lyrebird clip, which was taken in Australia while filming the 1998 series The Life Of Birds, was voted number one.

The Superb Lyrebird is one of two species of Lyrebird found in Australia and gets its name from its colourful tailfeathers. which fan out into the shape of a lyre. It is a ground-dwelling bird, which has an extraordinary ability to mimic both natural and artificial sounds from its environment.

The Superb Lyrebird on this clip performs an accurate imitation of a chainsaw, an excellent rendition of a camera shutter (one camera has a motor drive), the crew's car engine and a car alarm along with a dozen other birds including the Kookaburra.

Superb Lyrebird

from YouTube

Superb Lyrebird

Windows Media Player Version from UK Daily Mail

For More Information On Sir David Attenborough

David Attenborough - Life On Air

Sir David Attenborough - Biography

Wild Times - David Attenborough at 80

Wild Times - David Attenborough at 80 (Audio)

On The Road Again

2006-06-20T14:08:00.001-07:00

This is how one very tired --- but very happy --- pup dealt with Memorial Day weekend traffic. For clarification purposes, the pup is not driving the car.

Ripple Effect - Dedicated to Judith

2006-06-07T16:34:00.002-07:00

"When I become judge, I have no doubt that my presence on the bench will somehow affect you, as my ripple of water breaks upon your feet."

~ Judith L. Meyer from Reflections on Being a Judge ~

Ripple Effect

Performed by
Rebeat

To the Honorable Judge Judith L. Meyer of the Los Angeles County Superior Court
Thank you most sincerely for having such an incredibly positive influence in my life, for bringing an uplifting ripple to my existence and for contributing significantly to my world.
Equally important, my infinite gratitude for taking a chance on me and allowing my own unique ripple to break upon your feet.
With my deepest respect and considerable love,
Candace

The Devil Went Down To Georgia - Claymation Style

2006-06-06T11:23:00.001-07:00

The Devil Went Down To Georgia

This hilarious version of the Charlie Daniels classic is performed by Primus with a little help from their friends under the pseudonym Festus Clamrod and the El Sobrante Twangers.

The Joy of Barking

2006-06-04T12:07:00.001-07:00

Labradors [are] lousy watchdogs.
They usually bark when there is a stranger about,
but it is an expression of unmitigated joy
at the chance to meet somebody new, not a warning.
~Norman Strung~

Sometimes teaching your canine companion a few tricks can be truly rewarding!

Yesterday, Tess, my 2-year-old female Labrador retriever, courageously took center stage at the Big Dog Parade & Canine Festival in Santa Barbara. After I asked her to warm up with a couple of whispers for everyone, she joyously produced three well-enunciated barks on command with her usual bright-eyed enthusiasm.

When it was announced that Tess was the winner of this year's Best Barker contest, she was invited to take center stage again and receive her award.

Not that Tess took note, but I was certainly more than a bit shocked to discover that her award was packaged in a rather large (much, much bigger than a breadbox) carton. It was definitely cumbersome and heavier than I could easily carry back to the car, especially if I had any intention of simultaneously walking Tess safely back to the car with me.

Add to the equation that I was already hauling my --- correction, make that our --- day pack, which was now overloaded with our allotted free Big Dog Parade goodies bag, my Big Dog Parade t-shirt and our other Big Dog Parade freebies along with the essential items in our pack.

Thankfully, it turned out that a very nice couple, Steve and Linda, looked kindly upon Tess and me. They helped haul Tess's prize back to my car in the bed of their pick-up truck, while Tess and I rode in the back seat in air-conditioned comfort.

In case you're wondering, there was a reason why the mystery carton weighed what it did. This is what Tess and I found inside:

Limited Edition Big Dogs leather bomber jacket
Limited Edition Cowboy Big Dogs plush
100.00 gift certificate from Big Dogs
Custom Big Dog Parade & Canine Festival treats jar
Dogswell Mellow Mut, Happy Heart, & Vitality Dog Treats
9 - 1 lb. bags of 100% Chicken Breast or 100% Beef Liver
One-year subscription to Wag Magazine
One-year membership to Fido Friendly Travel Club, including a one-year subscription to Fido Friendly Magazine

Seven Deadly Sins - Photoshop Style

2006-05-18T18:18:00.001-07:00

Seven Deadly Sins

Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, Sloth

Excerpt:

"The Seven Deadly Sins are those transgressions fatal to spiritual progress. You probably commit some of them every day without thinking about the rich tradition of eternal damnation in which you're participating."

Compliments of www.worth1000.com

Spare Keys And Missing Socks

2006-05-02T11:08:00.001-07:00

How many of you have a collection of spare keys, which you never use, but dare not throw away, because you have no idea what lock they might open?

Do you sometimes wonder how it is that you came to own so many of them?

Well, wonder no longer. I have the answer. Well, I, at least, have a theory.

It begins with your laundry. You carefully sort it (some of you do), put a load in the wash, then, dry it. And, at some point, you might even fold it. 'Lo and behold, as you're matching up the socks with their mates, there's at least one... maybe two or three, sometimes even four... with no mate that matches it.

What happened to those missing socks? Yes! I know it's hard to believe. They've become spare keys!

The mystery of mate-less Tupperware lids and mate-less Tupperware bottoms, however, continues to elude me.

The Social Security Number Of The Beast

2006-05-02T10:05:00.001-07:00

In the King James Version of the Bible, Revelation 13:18 reads:

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

The popular reference to this number in its written format is 666. Considering, however, that "it is the number of a man," mightn't the format be that of a social security number instead?

Thus, 600, 60, and 6 would produce a social security number of 600-60-0006.

As it is, there's some doubt regarding the accuracy of the translation as indicated in this article, "666 Wrong Number of Prophetic Beast?," which argues that the number of the beast is actually 616 not 666.

In which case, the social security number of the beast might be 600-60-0006.

It is interesting to note that, according to Wikipedia.com, there are special numbers, which will never be allocated, such as:

"Numbers of the form 666-xx-xxxx, probably due to the potential controversy (see Number of the Beast). Though the omission of this area number is not acknowledged by the SSA, it remains unassigned."

Speculation and interpretation.

Regardless, I pray that none of us ever meet the beast with the correct number.

Corrected: Monday, November 17, 2008

Getting Away With Murder?

2006-04-25T18:50:00.001-07:00

After receiving a forwarded email today warning women about a serial killer and a ruse involving a dropped five dollar bill, a troublesome topic came to my mind. It's not the first time. It concerns mass media, including forwarded email, and the increased exposure to violent material, which can sometimes accompany it.

There are probably websites describing violent acts against others for those who seek them out. What's definite, however, is the existence of some rather graphic TV shows such as Criminal Minds, CSI and Bones, to name a few, which contain violent content and often present the methodology involved in carrying out criminal acts. They provide much broader exposure to the general populace. They are readily available; you don't have to seek them out.

At times, it makes me wonder and gives me pause. Are we giving individuals already prone to violent acts more ideas --- more sophisticated ideas at that --- and, worse yet, showing them how to get away with rape, torture, murder, serial killing and other crimes against humanity?

Pedal, Spot! Pedal!

2006-04-20T14:51:00.001-07:00

Seeing spots in front of your eyes?

No, it's a Dalmation riding a bicycle in Japan.

Le Tour Du Japon

Unless you understand Japanese,

you might prefer to turn down your volume controls.

Putting The Cart Under The Horse

2006-04-20T13:43:00.001-07:00

Patches is a horse that acts more human than equine. Owned by brothers, Robert and Herbert Thompson, Patches lives a charmed life in Florida. Indeed, his preferred method of travel is cruising in a specially modified convertible accompanied by his owners while he sightsees and enjoys the wind blowing through his mane.

Patches can even be seen at the fast food drive-thru as he not only orders a cheese burger, but consumes it as well. Want a beer? Need your phone answered? Patches has the horse sense to do it. And, at the end of such an exhausting day, he simply retires to bed and gently tucks himself in for the night.

Tall tale? Decide for yourself.

Patches The Horse

It's All In The Packaging

2006-04-19T13:05:00.001-07:00

What If Microsoft Had Designed The iPod?

Animusic®

2006-04-19T10:26:00.001-07:00

Pipe Dream
Metal balls fly out of pipes,
land on percussion and string instruments,
and sound out an instrumental piece of music.
From the first Animusic® DVD.

Future Retro
The 1st piece on the Animusic® 1 DVD.

Drum Machine
The 4th piece on the Animusic® 1 DVD.

Acoustic Curves
The 6th piece on the Animusic® 1 DVD.

Harmonic Voltage
The 7th piece on the Animusic® 1 DVD.

Starship Groove

A robot band kicks out an odd-time,
laser-infused techno-rock tune
while riding on top of their musical starship.
From the Animusic® 2 DVD.

More Bells & Whistles
Wayne Lytle's first full music animation.
Animusic®

Battle Of The Balls

2006-04-05T19:06:00.001-07:00

Who Is Best At Juggling His Balls?

Original performance by Chris Bliss
using three balls

Parody by Jason Garfield
using five balls

Music by The Beatles

Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End

Put A Monkey In Your Trunk

2006-04-04T18:59:00.001-07:00

Trunk Monkey Videos

Chaperone Director's Cut

Trunk Monkey Radio Commercial

OnCall Radio Commercial

www.trunkmonkey.com
Bringing you the latest Trunk Monkey videos, news, and buzz!

The Biggest Fish

2006-04-03T15:04:00.001-07:00

Natural History Magazine's
Featured Story for April 2006

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Whale Shark
by Steven G. Wilson

A whale shark cruises waters off Australia's outback coast.
Photo by Steven G. Wilson

Synthetic Seas

2006-04-03T13:55:00.001-07:00

While walking Tess along the L.A. River this March, I observed what the rain had washed in from the streets. Floating in the water were plastic bags, plastic cups, plastic lids and plastic bottles to name a few items. As a diver, I am keenly aware that all of this debris heads out to sea and into our ocean environment.

In this feature article, Trashed, from the November 2003 edition of Natural History Magazine, Captain Charles Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation gives a great deal of insight into the bigger problem of plastics in our ocean environment.

In the photo below, bottle caps and other plastic objects are visible inside the decomposed carcass of this Laysan albatross on Kure Atoll, which lies in a remote and virtually uninhabited region of the North Pacific. The bird probably mistook the plastics for food and ingested them while foraging.

Photo by Cynthia Vanderlip

Here are some additional links for those who are interested:
Sailing The Seas Of Trash Article, CBS News (includes video link)
Midway Journey Clips: Trash-A-Thon, Discovery Channel Video
An Ocean Of Plastic, Discovery Channel Pictorial

See A Secret, Share A Secret, Post Secret

2006-04-02T16:50:00.001-07:00

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project
where people mail in their secrets anonymously
on one side of a homemade postcard.

From National Public Radio
Listen: Postcards Feature Secret Messages from Strangers

USA Today PostSecret Article

PostSecret does not maintain an archive of their postcards.
You can view more postcards via these Google Search results.

California Condors In The News

2006-04-01T11:58:00.001-08:00

Rare Condors Found Nesting In Redwood

Lenscrafters Eat Your Heart Out

2006-04-01T11:48:00.001-08:00

The Fleyes Have It

Love Your Pharmaceutical Company

2006-03-10T16:31:00.001-08:00

PharmAmorin

Wonder Drug Inspires Deep, Unwavering Love Of Pharmaceutical Companies

From The Onion, America's Finest News Source

Morning Sun

2006-03-08T16:28:00.001-08:00

Tess In The Morning Sun
A Flickr Photo Set

Tess In The Morning Sun
A Flickr Slideshow

Just For The Fun Of It

2006-03-01T11:37:00.001-08:00

Dynamic Images

Ha! Ha!

Dictionary

MPs vs Towelguy

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam

Einstein

Dumbledore

Einstein

There's A New Lab In Town

2006-01-24T19:35:00.001-08:00

Meet Tess

A PhotoShow Slideshow

Our Beloved Raven

2005-10-12T13:05:00.001-07:00

Our beloved Raven passed away unexpectedly from cancer at the end of September 2005. A wonderful and unique companion, she was blessed with a loving temperament along with her remarkable spirit. She is forever imprinted on our hearts and will always be part of our fondest and happiest memories.

Our beloved Raven, may you forever play in peace.

Ice Is Nice

2005-08-11T21:39:00.001-07:00

My dear parrot has never done this before and I've had her for over 11 years. Out of nowhere, she decided that a taste of my husband's fruit juice was not enough, so she reached into his glass and pulled out an ice cube. She licked it and played with it until it was almost completely melted. What a riot!

Happy Hummer

2005-08-11T21:31:00.001-07:00

Featherhead

2005-07-09T15:40:00.001-07:00

Parrot Goddess

She's an 11 1/2 year old Meyer's parrot with the emotions of a 2 1/2 year old and the intelligence of a 4 or 5 year old. My husband sometimes refers to her tantrums as the equivalent of having a 2 1/2 year old with a can-opener. No, she doesn't talk, although she thinks that she does. She does rule the roost, so to speak.

Lake Powell

2005-07-01T15:00:00.001-07:00

Anasazi Canyon - Double Arch

Lake Powell Slideshow