The One that Didn't Get Away

My oldest grandson loves to fish and he had the chance to go out on a big boat in a fishing tournament. He caught a big dolphin fish, almost as big as he is! Look at the size of this sucker!!

He also won this really cool trophy! And when they out on the boat the next day of the tournament, he got to eat his fish for dinner. He's a really good fisherman. Congratulations!! We're so proud of you!

Lucy B

This is little Lucy B. She was adopted by Kathryne who brought Lucy home to live with her forever after she lost Gillian. Welcome home, little girl. Doesn't she look like a sweet little thing? But don't be fooled by this sweet little face.


Are you talkin' to ME? Are ya, HUH? I'd watch who you were starin' at if I were you because. . . .


I KNOW KARATE!

OooooWaaah!


Wowww!


Let that be a lesson to ya!


Yeah!!

Oatlands Plantation

I took some time out today to do some exploring. I live in one of the nothernmost counties in Virginia, very near the foothills of the Blue Ridge and it's very beautiful here. I wish, wish, wish that I could afford to buy a small farm in the foothills. I love it there, and I'd be eternally happy. The weather was gorgeous, still a little warm for my taste; but the shade was perfect. I took these wonderful photos of the gardens at Oatlands. Some of the plants have gone by from the summer heat, but there was still plenty to enjoy and see.

This is a huge birdhouse leading up to the plantation house!

A small pool with a fish fountain. See the water spouting from his mouth?


Here's a beautiful pool with a fountain and a surprise!


Here's the surprise hanging out right at the corner of the pool! At first I thought they were garden statuary, but then they moved. They posed so prettily. See the little one peeking out between the rocks on the right?


Sweet peas!! They smelled heavenly. I had no idea they would bloom this far into the summer.

Guarding the entrance to the upper gardens.


Other residents at Oatlands. There were loads of butterflies.

Last but not least, this giant oak stood tall at the entrance to the path. I wish I could give you some idea of how massive this tree was. It must be hundreds of years old.

After leaving Oatlands, I found a wonderful little place to eat called "The South Street Deli" in Leesburg. I ordered a Reuben sandwich on homemade ciabatta and potato and leek soup to go. I came home and stuffed my little belly full. It was soooo good!! So many restaurants, so little time.

Gillian

Sweet Gillian
"When I play with my cat, how do I know that she is not passing time with me rather than I with her?"
- Montaigne

My friend Kathryne lost her sweet cat on August 9th. Gillian was beautiful as you can see and had a sweet and loving personality. Gilly had numerous medical problems but she couldn't have had a better home or a more loving owner. She was loved and loved Kathryne unconditionally.

"I wanted to let you know that after a year and a half of living with kidney disease, Gillian's weight dropped really low but she remained happy and playful until the couple of days. With that change, it became clear that it was time to let her go. Gillian was put to sleep yesterday morning. I know its only been a day, but I miss her tremendously. She was a constant source of entertainment and companionship for me, plus I'd like to think that she had a good home here."

Baby moose in sprinkler

Here's a wonderful video showing a mother moose and her twins who wandered into the backyard of a home in Anchorage, Alaska, where there is a sprinkler in the backyard. This reminded me of Peg when I saw it. Enjoy this sweet flick with two babies acting like any other babies, four-legged or two-legged. It will make you smile.

Baby moose in sprinkler

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Happy Birthday Boo

Where does the time go? I cannot believe my little Boo is a year old already. It seems like just yesterday, I was in the waiting room at the hospital anxiously looking forward to his appearance on this earth; and now he's a year old. Sometimes I want time to slow down so I can savor the best things in life, and Boo is definitely one of them.

Here he is on his birth day, being held by big brother. So new and so innocent, with all of our hopes and dreams for him.

And now, here is he is a year later, talking, trying to walk, eating real food, and looking up to his two mentors and partners in crime.

Happy Birthday, Boo!! Our only summer baby. May you always be happy.

Love Knows No Bounds

Rocky Mountain High

I just returned from a week long conference in Denver and had a chance to do some sightseeing while I was there. Denver was very brown and dry, and the temperatures were in the high 90s every day we were there, but the mountains were beautiful both from a distance and up close.

Here's a view from Lookout Mountain

Another view from a different angle

Buffalo Bill's (William Fredrick Cody) grave is up here on Lookout Mountain too. I got some great shots of his tombstone where he and his wife were buried next to one another.

A photo of the entire gravesite. People lay coins on the grave, which are collected and used to preserve the gravesite.

This view of Denver spread out below was dizzying. You can see the entire city.

I loved the mountains and wished I could have spent more time exploring. Maybe next time. I'd love to visit Montana someday and the Pacific northwest too! My list of places to see is growing.