Critter Question

Does anyone know what kind of bird this is? I've been through my bird book, but can't decide.

Linking to Saturday's Critters

A Reflection and A Sky

Linking to Weekend Reflections

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Hornswoggled

Saturday, Hubs had to work until closing, so I took Fergus for his first walk around Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site. Just after we saw the Swallow in the post below, we started down a hill, rounded a curve, and saw the hog pen. He was enjoying some new scents and walked along with his nose to the ground, sniffing every blade of grass along the way. He seemed to like the delicious stench of hogs as we walked closer and closer to the pen.

Fergus looked up briefly, and then resumed sniffing as he moseyed along. His nose was within inches of the fence (Why oh why did I not have my camera on video setting?) when a massive hog snorted a thunderous snort mere inches from a Fergus' ear.  My brave little fella let out a sound that can only be described as a scream and immediately reversed until he was back on the path. All the while he was reversing at the speed of light, he was making a strange noise, something between a squeal and a bark. I've never heard anything quite like it before. He was running backward so fast I'm sure he broke the sound barrier. I don't recall hearing the boom, but then I was laughing so hard I probably wouldn't have heard it anyway. Poor baby. I bet next time we visit he will take the long way around the hog pen.

A Fergusless view of the same fence and gate.

This fence was farther down the path. Fergus didn't get to see the sheep, they were all inside the barn for the night. Fergus is a Border Collie, supposedly a sheep herder. I wonder if he would be as afraid of sheep as he was the hog.

Linking to Good Fences

Swallow

This must be my year for Swallows. First a Tree Swallow and now a Barn Swallow. He was way across the sheep lot, where he thought he was safe.

 Mr. Gorgeous tried to give me a moon shot, but I was too quick for him.

He finally turned around and allowed me to get a shot of his front side.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


1. It's still May, right? When were you last in the middle of something that might be described as mayhem? Mardi Gras!

2. When did you last feel dismayed? When a co-worker gave notice.

3. What's a food combination you like, but other people may find strange? Peas and cottage cheese.

4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Do you think that's true? Why or why not? It depends on what 'you might have been'. I wanted to be a hand model back in the day. Don't think I would find much work now that my hands are aged, wrinkled. 

5. US News and World Report listed the best historic destinations in the US as follows-Washington D.C, Philadelphia PA, Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Boston MA, Richmnd VA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, Yellowstone, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, New Orleans LA, and Charlottesville VA.

Of those listed how many have you seen in person? Which two sites on the list would you most like to see in person? I've been to 9 of these locations. Of those I haven't seen, I would pick Yellowstone and Savanah, GA to visit.

6. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you had to participate in a single fitness activity for the next half hour, which activity would you choose? Hiking in the woods.

7. What did you like best about the city, town, or neighborhood where you grew up? I grew up on a farm. I liked that we had a pond and woods to spend time exploring.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. Thursday marks the beginning of our Spring Festival. I got the call to schedule my time to be incarcerated in the ticket booth. I usually get an early slot, but this year I'm stuck with 7-9 pm. Two hours is a long time! But I enjoy seeing all the happy little ones looking forward to their turn on the kiddie rides.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Rubbish Tuesday #3

It's that time again. For those of you who wonder why Rubbish Tuesday is posting on Monday, I've decided to leave the link open for 3 days so everyone who wants can participate.

The idea is to post a photograph of anything old and/or deteriorating, i.e. house, barn, outbuilding, something rusty, antiques, interesting junk, or something in pristine condition, but just plain old.

 I saw this old house during last weekend's ramble through the country. It is old, abandoned—one of those houses that makes you want to know its story. As I drove by, I thought the house looked familiar, but couldn't figure out why. About a quarter mile farther down the road, on the opposite side, I recognized the yard where my Aunt Edna's house used to be. Aunt Edna was my dad's sister. Then I remembered.

We affectionately called the resident of this house, Old Man Pruitt. He was a very nice man and he may not have been as old as I thought he was when I was 10, but he looked older than Methuselah to me. My aunt was a widow and Mr. Pruitt was a widower. The neighbors met, fell in love, and married.

The one thing I remember most was their wedding reception which was held at their house. The couple planned to leave the next day for a honeymoon and my cousin had some mischief planned. She found Aunt Edna's packed suitcase, pulled out her shoes, and filled them with the contents of an entire box of salt. I was blameless although I did watch her do it and thought it was a nifty idea.

Saturday I took Fergus for a walk around Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site. As we were walking past the recently planted garden, I saw this old broomcorn knife stuck in a post. Odd, but old.

Bird Bird Bird Bird Dog?

Some people have exotic birds flitting to and fro in their back yard. Me? I have sparrows. Hubs built this birdhouse originally for blue birds. Sadly, they moved in to a posh penthouse next door. After the sparrows moved in, Hubs gave up and added a perch.

Looks like Mama found something good.

Num num num num num.....

"Hey! What 'cha lookin' at?"

"Can't you take a hint? Go! Get out of here!"

Okay, so this isn't a bird, but he's so cute I couldn't resist.

Linking to the Bird D'pot

Mom and me...

Happy Mother's Day!

Small Town Critters and a Flower or Two

I've always heard of a town named Trowbridge and knew it was west of Neoga, so on our ramble last weekend, Fergus and I checked it out.

I thought we might be lost, but this sign pointed us in the right direction.

What we found wasn't necessarily what you would call a town, more like a few houses on both sides of the road...

 ...an old barn with a rusty roof...

...and this barn. Sadly a drive-by shooting only gained me an obscured view. There were people staring at me so didn't want to hang around too long. :)

On the edge of town Fergus alerted me to this donkey critter. He was happily munching on that fresh spring grass...

...until he tired of Fergus barking and showed his disdain by turning his back.

Mr. Donkey had a horse friend who didn't seem to mind Fergus hanging his head out the window.

Linking to Saturday's Critters

Hubs has planted and hung our window boxes, which actually are hanging just below our screened in porch and not a window at all.

This is a pink clematis, which is really lavender and pink, but it's hard to tell in these shots. Our house is on a major street, so Hubs added a trellis for them to climb on, which will keep passerbys from staring at us when we are sitting on the porch.

He added some pink petunias...

...and Snapdragons. 

Linking to Today's Flowers

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. We are supposed to have a nice day today, but rain the next 3 or 4 days. I hope the farmers are all finished planting.

W is for...

The Whitling Whimsy Cafe!
Last weekend, daughter and granddaughter came down to take me out to dinner for my birthday. They wanted to know where I wanted to go. "This isn't Dallas," I said. "The choices are extremely limited." Here in town we have a Subway and The Fillin' Station. Subway is open reasonable hours, but The Fillin' Station is only open during the evening on Wednesday and Friday and this was Saturday.

Then I remembered the Whitling Whimsy Cafe from my post about Casey, Illinois. If you have an interest this is the LINK. So, even though it was a bit of a drive, I suggested we give it a try.

 This isn't a sit down and the waitress takes your order kind of restaurant, this is an order at the counter and then choose your seat while you wait for your food to arrive at the table. The employees were congenial and gave excellent suggestions as to what to try. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich which came with chips and a drink. The iced tea was tasty. Daughter and Granddaughter chose 1/2 a chicken salad sandwich and soup. Daughter ordered tomato basil and Granddaughter ordered cheesey rice (I think). It was my birthday dinner and I am getting up there in years. So, it's alright if I forget that one tiny detail, right?

Anyway, the food was delectable!

As we were waiting on our food, we looked around. Granddaughter pointed out a sign. Hmm...the game was on. What items could we find beginning with the letter W.

Believe me, there were lots, beginning with the 2 huge Ws hanging from the ceiling. I probably could have gotten both of them in had I sprawled out in the middle of the floor on my back. Didn't!

And there were tons of items decorating the ledge around the room, beginning with W, starting with the wheel on the far side. and ending with...

 ...the Guinness World Records Certificate. What is the world record for?

Well, it's the massive wind chime outside. Daughter is admiring the view. Granddaughter is taking pictures like her Grandma. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

So, if you are ever in Casey, Illinois stop in for a bite at the Whitling Whimsy Cafe and enjoy listening to the wind chime.

And while you are in Casey, don't forget to see the world's largest crochet hook, the world's largest knitting needles, the world's largest golf tee, and coming soon! the world's largest rocking chair.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Linking to Weekend Reflections

Happy Friday!!!

Good Fences

On the way to Neoga, I decided to take a side trip down a road where my family lived for a summer. We had sold the house we were living in and Dad was building another, so we needed a temporary home. My dad's sister had a rental house that was vacant, so we moved in. This was the summer between 2nd and 3rd grade.

I was a little disappointed in what I found. The road was blocked and the house appears to be vacant. The barn wasn't there back in the day. I learned to ride my bicycle on this lane. It was a fun summer. I was happy to find a fence to post, though. There are cows and horses inside the fence, but they were back between the barn and the house so I couldn't get a good shot.

 This isn't really a fence, it is a grape arbor, but it looks like a fence.

On the way back home, I found this freshly painted fence down an old country road.

It was a beautiful day for a ramble. I hope next weekend is as nice so I can take another drive.

Linking to Good Fences

A Bird, a Barn, a Grain Bin, and Hodge Podge

Yay, it's Wednesday. The worst part of my week is over. From here on out it is merely finishing up what Monday and Tuesday left undone. Life is good.

This European Starling was enjoying leftovers on the ground.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

This is one of the most unique barns around here, but the picture turned otu blurry so I had to tweak it. Looks better in black and white. I'll have to drive by and take another picture next time I'm in the area.

Linking to Black and White Wednesday

The farmers are out in force, trying to get the fields planted while the weather holds out. This is a familiar site in my neck-of-the-woods. 

Linking to Rurality


1. Share something you appreciate (or something you appreciated as you were growing up) about your mother.

My mother was one of the gentlest, kindest persons I have ever known. I don't remember her ever saying a bad word about anyone.

2.  A quote most commonly ascribed to Plato reads "Necessity is the mother of invention." When did this last play out in your own experience?

When my children were young, trying to entertain them on a shoestring budget. I was always on a quest to find free or cheap things to do. 

3. Share one of the earliest memories you have from childhood.

I remember running down the lane with my brother from our house to the main road, where the train tracks were. We waved to the engineer on the train and he would wave back and blow the whistle.

4. When did you last 'hit the mother lode'? What was it?

Mother lode makes me think of gold or money. I haven't won the lottery yet, but I occasionally buy a ticket.  My mother lode isn't monetary, it's my grandchildren. I have 5 and they are the joy in my life.

5. What is/was your favorite dish mom made? Do you make that dish for your family/friends now that you're all grown up?

My mom made the absolute best cobbler ever. Her cobblers were reallly a pie made in a 9 X 13 baking dish with both a bottom and top crust. Apple was my favorite, but she also made blackberry cobbler from berries we picked on our land. I occasionally make both, but haven't in a long time. Note to self, make one for the next holiday meal.

6. Mother May I? was at one time a popular children's game. It required no equipment or parts to play. What was your favorite childhood game where you could just turn up and play-no gear needed?

I remember playing Simon Says and Hide-and-Seek with my brother. My favorite game was pretend. We were always pretending to be or do something. Once my dad brought home a blackboard out of a school that was being torn down. My brother drew an airplane cockpit with chalk. We would sit in front of that blackboard for hours pretending we were flying an airplane. We travelled the world. 

7. Which TV mom (past or present) is your favorite, and why?

Beaver's mom, June Cleaver. Not sure why. She was the first TV mom that popped into my head. She was always in the kitchen cooking and was nice yet firm with her boys.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My random thought stems from this past weekend and really has nothing to do with a mom unless you would consider my actions mom-like. Last Saturday I drove down to The Rez to check on the geese family. When I drove up there were some people fishing in different spots on both sides of The Rez. The geese usually hang out on the west side on the dam that separates The Rez from some murky water on the other side. And as usual, they were there. But, there was also a boy of about 12 years of age, with a stick, running toward the geese. The gander took off after the boy and he ran away. I thought Mr. Gander scared him away, but the boy ran toward them again. The gander again chased him away. The boy then picked up some rocks and started throwing them. Although I'm sure the boys mom and dad were the couple fishing nearby, they didn't say or do anything, so I decided it was my responsibility. I drove my car down near where th boy was, rolled down my window and yelled in my meanest mom voice, " Hey! You! Leave the geese alone!" The boy wouldn't look at me, he hid behind a tree. I pulled the car where I could see him from the rear view mirror and watched until he left. I feel a little guilty about yelling at him. Perhaps I could have handled it better, but my instinct was to protect the wildlife.


Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Our World - Neoga

Sunday Fergus and I went for a ramble through the countryside and decided to stop in Neoga for a cold drink

My mother was born out in the country near here and lived in town as a child.

The population as of the 2000 census was 1,854. Neoga was incorporated in 1856. The name Neoga means "deer" in the Indian language Kickapoo.

The first thing I noticed when I drove into town was the huge grain bins. Upon closer inspection I saw one of my favorite things—a train.

So, of course, I had to take another picture or 10.

The vacant building to the left was once Kern's Manufacturing. My mother worked there as a young woman and went back to work when I was a preschooler. They made bras or what was then known as brassieres. I applied and was actually hired when I still lived in Illinois. I made it 2 1/2 days. Sewing all day was not my cup of tea. The factory is still in Neoga, but it is housed in a brand new building on the western edge of town. 

This mural is on the north side of the old Kerns building. Since it included a train, I had to take a picture.

I saw these brightly colored posts along the edge of a parking lot. They were uneven, seemingly placed willy-nilly between the sidewalk and parking area. 

I was sad to see Short Furniture had gone out of business. My mom and dad always bought furniture there and when I bought my house here in Illinois, Most of my furniture came from there also. My dining room table and hutch were being unloaded when I was there looking for dining room furniture. I bought it without ever even seeing it set up. The hutch was exactly what I had been looking for and the color was perfect. 

There are 3 restaurants on the main street. I've never tried any of them, but would be interested in trying them sometime when Hubs has a weekend off.

Sorry to end on a sad note. The doctor's office on the left, with the green roof, is hard for me to look at or talk about. My mother's doctor was there. She had an appointment and was in her car in the parking lot when she passed away. I always feel sad when I see that building. Yet there is some comfort in knowing she passed away in the same town where she was born. Her life had come full circle.

Linking to Our World Tuesday