Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today June 8, 2009

Outside my window ... the sun is shining brightly. Looks like another hot day!

I am thinking ... how happy I am that the city has finally finished putting in the new water lines, repaired the sidewalks, and put sod down. Now, if they’d get the street lights working again, the *mess* would be back to normal!

I am thankful for ... another beautiful day on Mother Earth.

From the Kitchen ... I think a nice salad is in order for today -- with some strawberries.

I am wearing ... navy blue capris (I know. I’m too short. It’s summertime and its hot and I don’t wear shorts when I’m going out. Ptuiiii!), light green v-neck T, no shoes (yet).

I am reading ... Happiness is an Inside Job by Sylvia Boorstein, Ph.D and The Hell Screen: A Mystery of 11th Century Japan by I.J. Parker. An upstairs book and a downstairs book! How many books do you read at the same time?

I am hoping ... Anthony Rendon’s injury isn’t too serious.

I am creating ... a counted cross-stitch, working in my art journal

I am praying ... for Anne Marie and Cydney Marie, Debbie

Around the house ... it’s quiet. I've been to the gym. I’ve watered the garden. The kitties are all sleeping. I hear Mr. Dragon in the shower.

One of my favorite things ... icy cold cherry limeade

A few plans for the rest of the week ... hair cut today, Astros game this week, zoo this week with our god-daughter. Mr. Dragon’s art workshops start this week.

Here's a picture thought I'm sharing with you:

Isn't this lovely? This is a giclee print that Karen Harvey Cox at A Scrapbook of Inspiration sent to me. It arrived the day after my birthday. Wonderful birthday present isn't it?!!! Karen does such beautiful work. Thanks again, Karen. And, by the way, the print is called The Cottage of Abundance. The original painting is an oil on canvas of a little cottage in Kennebunkport, Maine.

I've met some of the nicest, most generous folks blogging. Thanks to all of you and I wish, for all of you, that your home is a Cottage of Abundance!

Joy to You!

Camera Critters 61

Do cheetahs purr?

Back to the zoo and the cheetah cubs, Kito and Kiburi.
These shots were taken almost a year ago.
The cubs were getting used to being on view.

These big cats have a powerful purr. Listen to Kiburi, one of the Houston Zoo's cheetah pair. He's in his habitat in the first half of the video, then moves inside to the building so we could hear his purr even better.

Kito and Kiburi share their Zoo home with Tusker and Taji, two Anatolian shepherd dogs. A Turkish breed, Anatolians are revered for their shepherding abilities, most recently in Africa where they guard livestock against predators, including leopards and cheetahs.

Kito and Kiburi arrived at the Houston zoo in October 2007 when they were just five days old. "They fit in the palm of my hand, and their eyes weren't even open", said Carnivore Supervisor, surrogate cheetah mom and one of the brothers main trainers, Sara Riger.

Enjoy the video.

Potpourri

It's Friday and it's Potpourri time with a little Journal Friday
and a book review thrown in.
This is the By The Sea page I've been working on from Pam's class.
I've added the words.

The words will be familiar to some of you *wise* folks.
I took the chorus from "By The Beautiful Sea" to journal.
(Words by Harold Atteridge in 1914)
In many ways I'm not happy with the page,
however, it makes me smile so not all is bad.

I finished reading The Celtic Riddle: An Archaeological Mystery by Lyn Hamilton. I have a good friend in California who I call my Saurian Sister. We both were book pages on AOL back when chat rooms were just getting started (Lzrd and Dragn) and we've stayed friends through the years. She sent me a box of books with other goodies for my birthday. This is one of the books she sent along with several more Archaeological Mysteries by Canadian, Lyn Hamilton.

Lara McClintoch is the co-owner of a Toronto antiques store. Her travels take her all over the world. In The Celtic Riddle, Lara accompanies her employee, Alex, to County Kerry, Ireland for the reading of an old friend's will. Eamon Byrne left each of his quarreling heirs a clue - a piece of a puzzle that would lead to a mysterious treasure - but the family would have to work together to find the treasure and that's not likely with this group! An ancient Celtic poem serves as the key. Lara and Alex are fascinated by the intricate riddle and come closer and closer to the secret. Murder and mayhem and long lost treasure. Sounds like the perfect summer read to me!

(Photo by Tommy LaVergne)

Lastly, a snapshot of Rice Owl third baseman Anthony Rendon in action.

He has been named the 2009 Collegiate Baseball National Freshman of the Year.
Owls are off to Baton Rouge to play LSU in the Super-Regionals.
Good luck OWLS!

Wednesday Morning

I couldn't resist!
See more LOL cats at icanhascheezburger.com.
We are adventuring today.
Enjoy your day.
Joy To You!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... June 1, 2009
The Merry Month of May is over!

Outside my window... the sun is shinning brightly. There’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s going to be hotter than hades today.

I am thinking... how exciting last nights baseball game was. What fun we had. Our section sang Happy Birthday to me and at the end of the inning, after announcing no runs, one hit and no one left on base the announcer said “Happy Birthday Snap”! They certainly didn’t have to do that, but I guess they got into the ‘mood’ since we sit just below the press box! The NCAA can be such a stickler about things during tournament time so we were surprised they said something that wasn’t tournament related! One of our section mates made brownies and I passed them around. I didn't have one until after the game -- too busy chewing Double-Bubble.

I am thankful for...another day on Mother Earth.

From the kitchen...I’m not cooking today! We will use a coupon for lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen. A nice salad is calling my name!

I am wearing... I’ve just returned from the gym and from watering the garden. Grubby best describes red shorts, gray Planet Hollywood Paris t-shirt and tennis shoes.

I am reading... The Celtic Riddle: An Archaeological Mystery by Lyn Hamilton one in a box of books sent to me by Saurian (dragon/lizard -- get it?!) sister in California.

I am hoping...our Owls move on to the Super-regionals. It’s fun being “grandparents” to a baseball team!

I am creating... finishing a knit shawl and working on a counted cross-stitch

I am praying... for Anne Marie and Cydney Marie

Around the house...I hear Mr. Dragon mumbling/grumbling about the house taxes.

One of my favorite things...college baseball!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Rice baseball tonight, Astros baseball on Wednesday, work/play in the garden, be crafty/arty

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

(Taylor Wall from the Rice baseball web site.)

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