Camera Critters 52

It's Camera Critters time!

We went to the zoo to meet Miles, the new baby giraffe.

Isn't he a doll?!!!

Here he is making his UTUBE debut!

Potpourri

Okay. You readers out there. 'Fes up!

How many of you have read the Miss Julia books?

Why didn't you tell me about them? !!!

Miss Julia is quite a card.
I was wondering around Half Price Books looking for another book
when I spied the Miss Julia books.
For some reason my hand went out and grabbed the first in the series.
I figured it was a sign from the reading goddess.
I took it home and was entertained all the way through.
There are nine more for me to read.

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross is the first in the Miss Julia series. Miss Julia is recently widowed. She lives in a small Southern community. Shortly after her husband's death, she finds herself the center of attention -- not only for the wealth her husband has left her, but for the surprise that she found at her front door -- a youngster the mother says is her dead husband's child.

Perhaps it is because I'm *Southern* (well, Texan, but it's close to Southern), but the characters in this book really did remind me of people I know. It is Southern funny, witty, fast-paced, charming. There's a kidnapping, a robbery and some other "disgraceful events" in the story. I'm collecting the rest of the series. I think they'd be great for summer reading.

Here's a UTUBE I found about the author Ann B. Ross:

And a little something to make you smile!

Tuesday's Tribute

I first saw Tuesday's Tribute on Christina's Blog. She has a way with words and I always enjoy reading whatever she has to say. I finally *clicked* and visited Jay's blog and the Tuesday Tribute. Today I'm going to join. I have something to say! When don't I? But, today, it is important.

It's the time of year when you start seeing walks or runs being organized as fund raisers for various organizations. I want to talk a little about the March of Dimes. Much of the following was taken directly from the March of Dimes web site.

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. They carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birth weight.

Premature Birth
Each year, more than 460,000 babies are born too soon, some so small they can fit in the palm of a hand. Many of these babies must fight just to survive; others will struggle with lifelong health problems. No one knows what causes half of all premature births. No one is working harder than the March of Dimes to find out.

Genetic Research
Genetic birth defects leave our children unable to walk, to hear, to think, or even to fight off disease. March of Dimes investments in genetic research already are starting to yield results. Two March of Dimes-funded grantees have used gene therapy successfully in treating hemophilia and retinitis pigmentosa in the lab, giving hope that we are closer to a cure for these genetic birth defects.

Health Care
No parents should have to choose between feeding their child and buying the medicines he or she needs. Yet, this happens every day in America because more than 9 million children have no health coverage. For many of these children, this means they can't get preventive checkups, immunizations, or treatment for common childhood illnesses. The March of Dimes is fighting so that all babies, children and pregnant women get health insurance.

Has any of the above affected me or mine? No. We've been lucky. I'd like to tell you about a family who has dealt with premature birth -- the Kolkhorst family. Coy was born December 3, 2007 at 23 weeks gestation -- a micro premie. One of those babies that fit in the palm of your hand. Thankfully, today he is thriving. A miracle. A reason for Coy's early birth was never found.
Ann Marie is pregnant again and on bed rest. That doesn't keep Ann Marie or her family for preparing for the upcoming March of Dimes walk.

From the Kolkhorst blog:
In honor of our precious miracle, Coy Christopher Kolkhorst, the Kolkhorst family is participating in the annual March of Dimes March for Babies on April 26, 2009. Coy is the reason we have joined together to raise money and participate in this event. We are praying that it will soon be discovered why babies are born prematurely or with birth defects so that other families will never experience this. All of you have played a special part in supporting Coy through the last fifteen months, and we would appreciate any additional support you can offer to help March of Dimes.

Please think about supporting the March of Dimes in your area. If you have a moment, go visit Ann Marie, Chris and Coy. Read Coy's story. Keep them in your thoughts.

Thank you.

Bayou City Art Festival

If you missed us on Friday, sorry! We went to the Bayou City Art Festival. The festival is held twice each year. In October it is held downtown and in the spring, it is held in Memorial Park.

It's really very pleasant ... out under the trees. It had rained the night before and if you walked off the path you were in deep muck.

These wild and crazy critters were the first things we saw as we entered the grounds.
There is no public parking at the festival. Everyone drives to a mall where the buses pick you up and deliver you to the festival.

Aren't they fun? Mr. Dragon and I talked awhile about liking things in bright colors.
We wondered if, as we grow older, with older eyes, we just prefer the brighter, wilder colors.
Do old eyes have something to do with color preference?
Then again, why have a reason? The critters are just cool!
Unfortunately, (or fortunately) we have a postage sized yard and the critters won't fit.

Frederick Prescott is the artist and I didn't find a web site for him.

Aren't these grand? I laugh every time I see them.
The artist is Kimber Flebiger.
She is usually at both festivals and I love her work.

Love Humpty!

These nice folks are the Bailey's from Dripping Springs, Tx.
I love their jewelry. I love bracelets and I have several that they have made.
Easy to wear and they don't break the bank!

I think I need a pair of earrings.
Good to make the shopping list and have it ready for October!

Lot's of sculpture.
Anyone need a giant ant?

We've reached the end. I guess we could start over!

Here are a few more artists that we both were taken with.
You might want to check out their web sites.

Lisa Kristine is a photographer. I wanted Eightfold Path from Laos (I may still order it) and also loved Arches from Morocco. There wasn't much I didn't like!

Nancy Eaves' thing is making jewelry from found objects. She had a wonderful dog necklace at the Festival made from dog tags and found *doggy* charms. Her web site (Conceits) doesn't do her things justice.

Ping's art work is just fun, bright, cheerful and full of meaning.

We missed seeing several artists. I guess the economy kept them at home.
I need to add art festivals/fairs to my list of favorite things.
Already looking forward to October!


Have a good week everyone!

Monday Morning

You Are Sunset

Even though you still may be young, you already feel like you've accomplished a lot in life. And you feel free to pave your own path now, and you're not even sure where it will take you. Maybe you'll pursue higher education in a subject you enjoy - or travel the world for a few years. Either way, you approach life with a relaxed, open attitude. And that will take you far!

What Time Of Day Are You?