“Eye of newt and toe of frog…”

While in Strawberry, we saw what at first we thought was a snake, but turned out to be a skink. 

Here’s a little information about skinks….

“Typically, skinks have smooth, shiny, overlapping scales and elongate, cylindrical bodies. Their heads are cone shaped. Femoral pores are absent. The pupil is round, and many species have a large, transparent scale on the lower eyelid that enables them to see even when the lid is closed. In most species the tapering tail is easily broken but can be regenerated. Skinks are generally alert and active diurnal lizards but tend to be secretive, spending much time foraging under leaf litter.

Most skinks are small, usually not exceeding 200 mm (8 in) in total length, but a few species are larger, and the Solomon Islands giant skink, Corucia zebrata, may exceed 600 mm (24 in). This species is unusual in that it is arboreal and has a prehensile tail. Skinks are most frequently striped but may be banded, spotted, or uniformly colored. Males of many species develop broad heads, presumably used in fighting during the breeding season.”

It was cool enough up there that this fellow wasn’t moving very fast, but he moves just like a snake…almost not using his legs at all.  It was creepy to watch him crawl under the rocks.

QUOTES:

“You've got to get out and pray to the sky to appreciate the sunshine; otherwise you're just a lizard standing there with the sun shining on you.”  Ken Kesey

"Precisely the least, the softest, lightest, a lizard's
rustling, a breath, a flash, a moment - a little makes the
way of the best happiness."  Friedrich Nietzsche

Northern treasures…

Nicole and I spent three days up in Strawberry with my friend Annie this past week.  We squeezed as much into Nicole’s week off as we could.

 

We had lovely, cool weather.  We built a fire in the fireplace every morning and evening.  We cooked smores and sipped hot chocolate….watched scary movies and made jewelry.

 

 

We fed the birds, squirrels and javelina peanuts. We read and relaxed.

 

  

There were these two little babies.  It seems kinda late in the year for guys this little.  They were so cute, but smelled  just as bad as the big ones.  They’re so young, they were still nursing.

 

This is a horrible shot.  I had to do lots of messing around to be able to see it, but I wanted you to understand why these guys can be so dangerous. I was shooting from way up on the porch where it was safe.  Every so often they would get in a fight over a peanut…nasty, mean sounding critters.

 

Only a few of the trees were starting to change.

It rained the last day and a half we were there.  Just gentle, easy rain. Didn’t see the lightning, but heard the thunder!  It was awesome.  I was really getting homesick by this time what with having been at the lake then right out again to Strawberry.  But it was so gorgeous up there, I hated to pack up and leave. 

 

We were sad to leave, but look forward to getting to visit there again soon….maybe I can talk Annie into one more time before the snow gets too deep.

Gone Fishing….

I should have left a post BEFORE I went fishing to let you know I wasn’t abandoning you.  I have been gone since last Sunday to Bartlett Lake fishing with my family.  The couple of days before that were rather busy getting ready and all packed.  I apologize for not letting everyone know ahead of time.

We had a wonderful time, except we did expect the weather to be cooler up there.  Not so much.  But as long as we stayed sitting in the shade in the heat of the day and if there was a breeze, it was bearable. 

As a matter of fact one afternoon while we were doing just that, across the lake we watched some young people having a little fun.

These three young men were just at the lake for the day with their young lady friend (the smart one down by the raft in the water).  They borrowed the raft from some  campers, swam and paddled across the lake to the yellow cliffs.  The climb up took quite awhile and we were wondering if the third guy was even going to make it up.  One of them was ambitious enough to take a beer up in his back pocket which was shared around the group while a great deal of debate went on as to where the best place to jump from was. 

We could hear them quite plainly across the lake, but they couldn’t hear us - which was probably a good thing.  There was one attempt where the young man stopped before actually jumping.  At that point another one pointed out since climbing back down wasn’t feasible, they just “needed to commit”….so they did….

After his head popped up above water, the next guy went….

The the third guy jumped after the second one popped up.  Unfortunately, I was looking at a boat that was going by to see if it was the ranger and I didn’t get his picture. Then they all had to swim back across the lake….not a short distance by any means.  As we headed out for the afternoon fishing, my brother and sister-in-law went by them and let them know if they went to the camp with the flag, he had some pictures he took to show them.   They showed up later and wrote their little tale in the journal my oldest brother keeps of all the fishing trips and had their picture taken.

Turns out they’re all from Michigan originally.  The two on the left live in Arizona now, the other two are driving through from California headed back to Michigan.  We’re glad they lived to tell the tale and continue on their journey.

Notice how young they all are….explains some things doesn’t it.

They did recommend jumping with shoes next time.  Guess it really burns the bottom of your feet when you hit that water….

You really do meet some interesting people at the lake….

Rain, rain – wonderful rain….

 

The clouds have finally brought forth the rain instead of just teasing us.

 

What a wonderful afternoon this was.

 

 

I know in some parts of the state things weren’t so pleasant, but here we had two afternoons of wonderful, sweet smelling rain….now if the power just wouldn’t go out every time the wind blows.

This is my life….

 

Things have been so busy this past week.  It was homecoming week for Nicole and it was important to us that she be able to participate in as much as possible.  That means a lot of extra time on the road for Greg or me. 

She got to work a couple of nights on the float and then she got to ride on the float in the parade.  She and Kayla wrote a short play for the Drama Club to do at the pep rally.  They not only wrote it, but performed in it and did wonderful!  She played in the band at the pep rally also.  Then after school, they went to the Tail Gate Party before the game.  She played at the game also, which they sadly lost to Parker High School.  She met the kids from the Parker band and had a good time making them feel welcome.  It was a late night and she was exhausted by the time she got home.

I let her sleep in Saturday morning, but we had to get around in the early afternoon to do some last minute shopping for the dance that night.  We also were having a birthday party that afternoon for her Grandma Jan that she wanted to spend some time at.  Checked that off the list, got her back home to get ready for the dance, took pictures of her and Kayla, and sent them off with Kayla’s mom.  It was almost midnight when she made it home – or so I was told by her father – I had been in bed for a couple of hours.  But she had a wonderful time and was happy she was able to do everything she did.

Now this week is mid-terms and then she gets a week vacation.  I’m pretty sure we’re all going to need it.  :)

Bad Moon Rising…

 

 

 

 

I met Tracy and her cousin, Kathy, at Star Tower the night after the full moon.  Because, of course, the night of the full moon we had too many clouds to take photos.  We had such a good time and really didn’t want to leave.

 

I really enjoyed playing with the camera’s settings and Tracy (as always) is such a wealth of information.

Make way for Baldwin….

 

My friend, Annie, who lives in Buckeye is in the process of adopting a basset hound from the Basset Hound Rescue.   Before her home could be certified as  safe, the fence around her pool had to be completed across the end of her patio.  It seems that basset hounds can’t swim.

Saturday, Annie, and I worked really hard, but didn’t make the headway we wanted to.  So Sunday Greg came to help.  Having upper body strength sure is a plus when drilling in concrete.

 

 

Of course, while working at Annie’s one must accept the help of Trixie.  She’s quite excited about her new brother, Baldwin, coming to live with them.  The inspection should happen this weekend and Annie will get to hear the pitter patter of four new little feet.

Flashes of Flagstaff….

 

Stoneman Lake…

 

 

Stoneman Lake lies in a depression that  was formed by volcanic activity 8 million years ago.  It is a “sealed system” lake with no outlet.  It is fed by runoff from rain and snow.  So at certain times of the year, there is very little water there, but it is still a refuge for wildlife.

 

Flagstaff is home to many beautiful, old, well-crafted buildings.

 

This is the Monte Vista Hotel where we stayed while in Flagstaff.  It is reported to be haunted.  We didn’t hear any bumps in the night except late-night partiers “bouncing” down the hallway in the wee hours of the morning.

 

This is the early morning view from our hotel room.

 

 

But for me, the main draw to Flagstaff is still the forest…the pine trees…the sound the wind makes blowing through them.

And, of course, the flowers. :)

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes….

 

Nicole’s Drama Club recently had a Blood Drive.

 

 

David is one of her classmates who is an everyday hero.  

  

I know sometimes there is a lot of talk about where our world is headed, but with young people like these….I think we’re going to be just fine.

Play date….

 

Monday afternoon my nephew, Dustin, stopped by with his dog, Daisy, to have a play date with Star. 

Daisy is Star’s sister.  They spent a few months living together when they were younger and they lost no time in picking right back up where they left off.

 

 

It amazes me how different they are built.  Daisy has more of the Rottweiler traits and Star has more of the American Bull Dog features.

 

It’s a shame  someone didn’t have a video camera going because at one point Star was roughing around with Daisy and headed straight for me, went up into the air, turned broadside and knocked me tea pot over tea kettle.  Then it was literally “dog pile”.   After Dustin stopped laughing he helped his old Aunt Nancy up.  I do believe we re-broke my little toe that I thought was almost healed.  We’ll have to get them together again soon, when the weather decides to behave like autumn.

The Love Bug…

On our way up north this last weekend, this little guy went zipping by us.

I didn’t have my camera out and ready, so I asked Greg to try and catch up with Herbie.  That was a challenge…he had to be doing at least 85 mph.

He was pulling away quickly.  I think he must have seen a vehicle trying to catch up, because he slowed down and dropped behind us….

 

then he zipped around us again flashing the peace sign all the way.

Pondering petals….

 

We’re off this weekend to celebrate our anniversary up north in Flagstaff.  I’m really busy (so, what else is new?) and thought I would post some of my favorite flower photos.  When I get back, I’m hoping to have some really nice pictures from our trip.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my study in orange.  I’ll see you after the weekend.

QUOTES: 

    “There is no blue without yellow and without orange.”  Vincent van Gogh

"Orange is red brought nearer to humanity by yellow."  Kandinsky

Learner’s Permit!!

I forgot to tell you, Nicole passed her test and got her learner’s permit!  Last Friday after she and Kayla got home from school, we headed to the local MVD. I think I was more nervous than Nicole.  She passed and we headed to Baskin Robbins to celebrate!  She and Kayla both had a single scoop of  Cookies and Cream in a waffle cone.

She’s driven twice since Friday and done a really great job. We need to be sure she has at least 30 hours of daytime driving and 10 hours of nighttime driving before she goes back to get her license in December.

We’re also looking for a nice, used, yellow VW Bug.  :)

Out-of-town company….

 

                                                                has kept me very busy lately.

We’ve had company here from Georgia and we’ve spent every spare moment we can with them.  They headed home today and we’ll miss them, but need to get back into our regular routine.

Stroll down memory lane…

 

As I told you earlier this month, I’ve been going through old pictures and reorganizing things.  Here are a couple of pictures that made me smile.

                                     She’s always had a little flare and attitude!!

 

 

Tomorrow, I’m taking her to get her learner’s permit…time is just flying.