My oak tree

This snow storm turned into more of a sleet and ice storm as we moved from Sunday night into Monday morning.  My favorite oak tree didn’t get the heavy coating of snow like it did last Feb. 2010 {see those photos in blog date Feb. 12, 2010 and Feb. 15, 2010}.  The tree has been coated in ice.  Try as I might I just couldn’t get a photo to show just how much ice has accumulated….. no matter I’m glad I was able to make it down the front steps {just before the snow set in…this time I listened to the news weather man} and moved my car out from under that tree.  Just one of its limbs could indeed turn my car into a compact and not in a good way.  So that is a quick look out the front door or as much as I could show without having to go outside….that wouldn’t be a safe thing for me to do given my current health. Now for the back view…. you know the one with a view….

Part of the back patio feeding and water area "refreshments".

Now this is the view before the party animals showed up.  In case you might be wondering why are there wooden 2x4s propped against the fence….the critters enjoy climbing up them to get to the top of the fence then either run along the fence top or the critters will slide down the 2x4s onto the patio.  They still climb up and down the fence too but they really like to slide down the 2x4s. 

Patio with a view.

   A view after the party animals.  You can see their tracks as they did the happy, happy, joy, joy dance!  Also note the 2x4s no longer have a coating of snow….. but the wild things found that the ice was still there and proved to be a fast and slick ride!  Now no one fret the water and food may look like it is covered with snow and ice….and it is but there are others that are under a shelter and the critters have no problem getting to the “refreshments”.  So this is how we spent our time during the snow and ice storm of Jan. 2011….. Well will ya look at that….oh yeah you can’t see can you…lol…. them critters are sneaking in now over the fence …..looking for a good time.  I think I will stay warm and enjoy a hot cup of apple cider with cinnamon and watch them wild things.  Pull up a rockin’ chair and join me.  The fire is going strong and the glass double doors give a perfect view….if you can’t join me right now that’s OK…. I’m not going anywhere….so come back when you can stay a spell.  I’ll keep a chair warm for ya until our paths cross again……. Lila

Love night-time snow!

  Well folks we got us some snow and at night-time too!  My favorite kind.  My critters are lovin’ it too but have gone in to hiding for some reason…. hope to be better soon and up to full posting but seems like every time I say that I end up back into the hospital so keep your fingers….and toes crossed.  I’ll try to keep posting new snow photos as I can…ice may put me in the dark….if the power goes out I won’t be on-line for very long…until my battery dies…lol…if you don’t have snow I’ll take my inner child with me and play in the snow on your behalf until our paths cross again……. Lila

Do do do lookin' out my back door....yes my patio.....come out critters!

                                   The verity of events in our life are like waterfalls.

                         Their waters not only help to shape us but they also give us

                            strength and infuse our spirit with beauty and character.

          I have spent my days of late taking in the view of many such waterfalls of life.

Being shaped, weathered and worn by the cool waters.  Sharp edges smoothed.  Some areas thinned

to near breaking while others strengthened and made firm.  Never knowing what direction the rushing

water will take as it pushes over the cracks and crevices and filling swirling eddies with newly created sand.

No need to fight it for this is the way of life……as it has always been and will be until our paths cross again…..Lila

I want to thank Rich for allowing me the use of his photos on my blogs.  Rich’s photos are stunning examples of  nature and why we must protect and preserve our environment.  More of his work can be found on his link to North Carolina Waterfalls @   http://www.ncwaterfalls.com   and to contact him for use or purchase of his work @  waterfallrich@yahoo.com    

          So many times we rush about doing all the “right” things and working to keep on the path less traveled.  The path we are told is the path that will lead us to a better place or our spiritual reward when our time comes to leave this world.   Yet we still tend to lose out on some of the benefits of that least traveled path.  We focus on following all the rules and that’s not a bad thing.  It’s rewarding to serve others, to be kind and to teach our family to do the same.  I know it might sound like the old cliché to “…take time to stop and smell the flowers…” but it’s more than that, as we don’t have to wait to receive some of our reward….well for those that believe in an after life the best is yet to come and for those that don’t believe in an after life they can enjoy along with the rest of us the many wonders and beauty all a long the path less traveled.  We all should slow down and enjoy what is around us right now!  Lift our eyes up and side to side, under a few leaves and around the next curve. Enjoy and nurture the graceful beauty all around our path.  But don’t take it for granted either.  Be thankful and respectful of what has been intrusted to our care along the path less traveled…..for we will have to give an accounting of our deeds while traveling this path.  So slow down…..look around and create some of those soon to be memories long ago lost and unknown awaiting to be rediscover in another time and place…..be at peace with all around you and let grace be your companion until our paths cross again…… Lila

Feathered friends always there for each other....

Aww I miss ‘em too.  I’m still having a rough time with a new treatment regimen. Having a hard time keeping my focus and at times just plain old silly.  My critters are having to adjust to my current level of activity and they are not happy but they understand and I hope my readers will too! Thank you for your patience and patronage as my critters and I enjoy the visits and sharing of their many critter tales.  I know that our environment will not wait for me to feel better and for this I deeply regret and I hope you will spend a few minutes to visit the links on my blog roll for the environmental groups I support and work with as they have a wealth of information both helpful and fun too!  I am going to let you enjoy a little of the lighter side now….. 

Never trust a cat and never leave them alone....

         Always keep your eyes on a cat, never let it walk behind you as the only reason it would do so would be to talk or do something behind your back….may you walk in joy with the sun lighting your way until our paths cross again…. Lila 

NEVER LET YOUR DOG HAVE PLAY DATES WITH A CAT!

     Folks just like you never want to play poker with a cat…..never, never let your dog have an unsupervised play date with a cat either.  Nothing good can come of such an occasion.  Those good-hearted pups just don’t stand a chance against a wily, sneaky cat.  So, if you have seen one of those crafty feline critters that has lurked around trying to play nice with your dog…. you might want to keep your dog inside and sleep with one eye open! Double check your windows and doggy door to make sure all is locked up tight.  We are entering the season cats love the most…….Boooo!   Me too….{if here you would see a small smile forming}…. I hope I’m feeling better soon as I like fall and winter.  Hope to be all perky and posting full posts in a couple of days! In the mean time, there are tons of great critter tales of days gone by…..just pull up that rockin’ chair over yonder and prop your feet up…..have a hot cup of cinnamon apple cider…..I always stir in a few of those mini red hots shaped like hearts into each cup….hmmm sooo gooood!  And snuggle into a good long read…..maybe from the very beginning…..lol…..enjoy and let your inner child take you by the hand and remind you how to skip instead of walk through this changing of seasons until our paths cross again………. Lila

Double Trouble the Super Squirrel....aka "DT"

          Yes,  folks he has been at it again.  He has found a way in somewhere and went on-line and read some of my critter tales.  He left me a note again stuck to my patio door with a glob of tree sap.  He has gotten together with both the outside day and night crew and read them my post “I want to rest my weary feet in the cold Merced River……” and now they want to skip the Friday Night Poker games and instead get together for me to tell them some of my “human” tales.  He even said please!  I almost fell out of bed when I read that part of his note…..lol….shocking!  How can I turn that down?    

          So on Friday night all the critters came to the patio ready to settle in for the beginning of that for which was to become the telling of the tale.  There were the squirrels, raccoons, opossums, rabbits and even all of my feathered friends were camping out for the event.  Also many other smaller four or more legged critters tucked into the dark corners a round the patio.  I asked what sort of tale did they want?  DT jumped up and down on the corner fence post he was sitting on and said with wonder “Oh please, tell us about that place up in those mountains!”.  Very good pick!  That just happens to be one of my favorite spots too.  Once everyone is comfy and got all the wiggles out and ready, I’ll begin the tale of “Lovely Mountain Cabin”……    

There once was a lovely cabin in the Great Smokey Mountains just a stones throw from the Blue Ridge Parkway and covered with more trees than you could count!       

View Great Smokey Mountains/Blue Ridge Parkway

 

The log cabin had a great view too! And there was my perfect rocking chair on the perfect porch…. I had spent many hours there…..just watching all the mountain critters for there were many….maybe even some that all of you might be related to!       

     

         

  

No phone or cell phones, No TV

 

        

     

      

The spa tucked away in the woods and a nice view from the hot tub

 

The birds would sing all day long and even wake us up each morning.  To wake up and step out the cabin door with a fresh cup of my dark brew of coffee aroma lingering around me and to sit in my rocking chair for as long as I liked, just taking it all in…..well….  was like living in my own kind of heaven!  On the other hand the first time my two leg critter were there some adjustments were needed…lol…no Internet, phones of any kind and no TV.  But they soon found things to do.  Fishing for rainbow trout {I see you licking your lips Rocco!}, hiking trails and mining for gem stones.  My younger son even found enough raw gem stones to make me three pendents: one oval and one pear shaped Blue Topaz and one emerald cut Amethyst!  I know how many of my critters love shinny stuff!  While they were engaged in some of those adventures I had one of my own….lol…Rocco, Tater, Tot, Little Momma, Benny, June and Bebe all of you raccoons would love my adventure.  A hot tub and spa….. oh yes…. very nice….and the crystal clear splashing water of the mountain brook next to the spa would surely draw all critters to come play and I saw all kinds enjoying those waters while we spent our days at the lovely cabin’s spa.    

        

     

Night time falls on our little log cabin.

 

Oh how I wish I could be there now!  And Peanut there were tons of trees that you and your opossum tail could dangle from to your little opossum heart’s delight.  Same would apply to all you squirrels…lol….I know all of my feathered friends would have enjoyed the variety of seeds and plants.  Everyone would have loved the many brooks that tumbled or meandered down the mountain side a round the cabin.  After long days of discovery and fun we would fire up the grill and cook the fresh fish {great on the grill}.  My younger son caught his first fish while at the cabin when he was very young and while removing the hook ….. well part of the eye came out…and my son promptly lost his lunch….yes all down the front of his shirt….one of those moments that every mom waits for…just so that when he is older we can tell everyone about the big event.  Just after dark we would pop some pop corn and go out side and sit on the porch in the rocking chairs and try to throw pop corn in to each others mouth… that would turn into an all out pop corn throwing war… let’s just say all the local critters had a nice pop corn snack the next morning.    

The night-time was not silent….but filled with the sounds of the rushing, tumbling and splashing mountain  brooks as they pass by the cabin….crickets, frogs, even some fire flies and other night loving things of which I had no clue…..but they were loud!  We always found it hard to leave that cabin.  Although we did have some wild adventures while on the way home…..but that will have to be at an other time as it is late and all of you critters need to scamper on home now…..YES, DT we will do this again….. NOW scoot!  And now for me…..I too should scoot…..but no need for you to go….. stay as long as you like, the views are free, as are the rocking chairs…..go a head and take some of the Great Smokey Mountains and the little lovely cabin with you in your mind, heart and soul….. feel its serenity until our paths cross again…….. Lila    

]]>

OIL COVERED SPECKLED CRAB AND AMERICAN FLAG ON FLOOR OF GULF OF MEXICO

                Like most I was glad to know that a cap on the leaking oil  well below the Deepwater Horizon site has been successful and the gushing of oil and natural gas has stopped, but I was shocked to hear Carol Browner’s take on the status of the environment of the Gulf of Mexico while she was on” Meet The Press” this past Sunday. Carol Browner was appointed by President Obama as a “climate czar” and to over see the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. She stated that about 75% of all the oil spilled has been reclaimed, burned off or been dissolved by chemicals. That a great job had been done and all was left was to make the beaches clean and the areas of the marsh and estuaries. She said that the fisheries should soon be OK-ed to reopen and that to even prove how safe the seafood from the Gulf is President Obama will be serving some at the White House. I just can not believe that by all reports the largest oil spill in US history is 75% contained and that her other claim that the chemical dispersants haven’t effected the aquatic food chain. None of that makes sense to me. If the people working with these chemicals are instructed by the EPA to ware protective gear head to toe protective gear then how can it not be harmful and have long-lasting effects on the aquatic food chain? I felt I must know more, so I went looking for more information on this topic and found many conflicting views and I’ll share that with you but let me say this now almost every source I found ended with a similar statement but in varying degrees…..we really don’t have enough information about these chemicals to know just what the long-term effect will be on the environment, aquatic food chain or on the humans that have all in varying amounts and durations been exposed. I have selected to present information from one source from each side {non-harmful and harmful} and my link to the EPA site that has a ship load of down to the meat and bones of this issue including instructions to BP. That site is a must read if you really want to see the EPA at work, but you will need to pack a lunch there is a lot of information to read. Here is the EPA link:  http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants.html         

          The first source that I am using is from The Washington Post.com August 7, 2010  “Chemical dispersants in the Gulf of Mexico not hurting seafood, FDA says”   by Lyndsey Layton{http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080603185.html} This article lists the chemical dispersant used was “Corexit” {not noted in this article is that there are two forms and that can be found on the EPA link} manufactured by Nalco Holding and the formula had been a trade secret until the EPA mandated disclosure. The general contents are : propylene glycol {OK by the FDA for use in food, medications, cosmetics and even toothpaste}, 2-butoxyethanol {used in cleaners, liquid soaps,cosmetics and is to quickly degrade into the environment} and the rest is said to be of a proprietary formula of sulfonic acid salts {moderately toxic to fresh water fish and invertebrates but it too is supposed to degrade quickly}. Also volatile organic solvents made from crude oil…. all of which the FDA says that none of it poses a threat to public health as they feel there isn’t a significant accumulation in the tissues of the fish and shellfish. As a matter of fact the FDA believes this so strongly that they are not even testing the fish and shellfish for residuals of these chemicals instead they are only doing their “smell testing” {yes that is just what you think it is….people who have been trained to sniff the fish and shellfish} and lab testing for oil contamination. I am speaking for myself here but I don’t fully trust the FDA. They don’t have a stellar track record.          

          The second source was from the PROPUBLICA April 30, 2010 ”Chemical Meant To Break Up BP Oil Spill Presents New Environmental Concerns” by Abrahm Lustgarten {http://www.propublica.org/article/bp-gulf-oil-spill-dispersants-0430} This article does say that some forms of the chemical dispersants have been found in shellfish and fish and poses great risk to humans. That these same chemicals used in the Exxon Valdez was linked to respiratory illness, nervous system damage, liver, kidney and even blood disorders. To me this makes sense as the EPA mandates protective gear be used.    

          BP used 1.8 million gallons of Corexit in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. That is a large amount of chemicals. This is what BP is admitting to using. They say their last use was on July 19, 2010. If you read the reports on the link for the EPA you will find that BP hasn’t been as transparent as they claim to have been. It’s been like pulling teeth from a stubborn tight-lipped old mule.  But this isn’t news, big companies always do their best to keep bad publicity down. Usually by way of money…..money to look the other way…..money for experts to tow the company line that all is well…… and after long drawn out battles of denial of responsibility money to pay off people harmed, but they must agree to non-disclosure. We would know more about long-term effects from these chemicals if the many people who worked on the Exxon Valdez clean up in 1989 could share their health records, but not long ago those still alive reached a settlement for their injuries only they had to agree to a non-disclosure as part of the terms of that settlement.  The EPA has told BP that they must continue to do testing. Now that doesn’t sound right to me either. I can’t trust them… can you? Should we trust them? Have they earned our trust? What makes more sense to me is to have a third-party to monitor these operations for safety and compliance. Someone that has no investment in the operation. Oh wait, that sounds like the Minerals Management’s job…..wow…OK that’s a whole other story sorry!    

          Two other things that bothers me about the claim that 75% of the oil can be accounted for and that the beaches, marsh and estuaries are the areas now that need to be cleaned up and then back to business. And only thing left will be ”making BP be held accountable” and just what that means, I don’t know because everyone in the government that states this adds ”but it’s not my department’s decision.” hmm? Ms. Browner stated that there wasn’t oil left in the water ….collected, burned or chemically removed…. so why are “tar balls” still washing onto the beaches? Magic?    

          After all my reading, I tend to believe that the impact on our environment including human and aquatic food chain have been and will continue to be effected from this oil spill and the use of chemical dispersants. What stands out is that most everyone states they don’t have enough information to know or even project long-term effects. Oh yeah, except the FDA who states there isn’t any long-term effects to the aquatic food chain.          

           I’ll leave you to ponder these points and hope you will join me in keeping those great and small effected by this tragedy in our thoughts and prayers and that you feel a sweet cool breeze on your brow and the warm sunshine on your back until our paths cross again….. Lila 

WELCOME PEANUT!

Welcome Peanut to our humble little urban wildlife habitat! About this time of year we usually get a few new critters to join our current cast of characters….ahh…I mean critters. I try to keep an eye out for these newbies as there are some around here that have a slightly DIFFERENT way of saying welcome. Only problem is that I can’t stay a wake 24/7…..and the little mischievous critters know that…..even depend on that fact…..especially Double Trouble the Super Squirrel…..now he lives for that fact! I think he might even have his own type of “bucket list”.  Only it’s full of things to do that will drive me nuts. Just like he did today for example. If I could have gotten my hands on that squirrel he would still be sitting in the corner and he may not be allowed to the next patio party…and we will be having one very soon too. We need a party! But back to the point…..lol…..I was enjoying a nice cup of my favorite coffee and trying to catch up on some of my reading when I heard yelling and crying out for help and some laughing…… no couldn’t be laughing….not mixed with such terrified screams for help…..wait…why yes there was laughter! Oh no that sounds like Peanut yelling for help and DT laughing…….NOW what is was he doing?

HELP! HELP! SOME ONE HELP ME! HELP! I'M STUCK!

So I got up and went out to the patio to see what was going on and well there was little Peanut hanging upside down from a tree limb and screaming for help. Yep, I was right about Peanut and I too was right about DT…..he was there also up in another tree not far a way just laughing and laughing. DT called out to Peanut to say “well you are the one who said all opossums can hang by their tails….so why are you screaming like a baby…..cry baby?”  As I stood there waiting for DT to take note that I was there watching, he went on to say “so you little Peanut you can get up but  not down? Oh just let go why don’t ya?” I decided it was time to let my presence be known and step in and get things under control before Peanut got hurt and DT got a way. As soon as I did DT turned to run but took time to say he didn’t do anything…lol….I knew that was coming!

DT ....."I DIDN'T DO IT! I DIDN'T DO IT!"

I yelled at him “So why are you running away then?”  But my concern right then was for Peanut…..we would have time to talk later. Poor Peanut….I instructed to calm down and relax and just to let go, the drop wasn’t far but Peanut said “NO!”  OK I said “Fine wait a minute and do not to go anywhere {he he he} I’d be right back.” Peanut’s response was “NOT FUNNY! Not funny at all!” “Hey I’m not the one hanging upside down off a tree limb and can’t get down” I replied. I went in and grabbed a pillow and brought it out and placed it perfectly under Peanut and said to let go and drop onto the pillow……with out any more encouragement Peanut let go and went plop onto the pillow and bounced off the pillow! All safe and sound and back on the ground……and a very happy little opossum ran to my feet and hugged my ankle all the while sniffling out thank you, thank you, thank you! I had Peanut come back to the patio with me to talk. After getting a fresh cup of joe for me and a small plate with dried apricots and nuts for Peanut I went out to sit on the patio in my rocking chair and Peanut climbed onto the small table next to my chair. Oh Peanut squealed with delight at the fine meal and started to much a way….too busy to tell me what happened. I guess I should have remembered that adventures can work up an appetite! I used that time to tell Peanut about some of the rules and who and what to watch out for in “our little piece of haven” ….critters are safe within the boundaries of this habitat but not once outside of these boundaries. Most of all to watch out for DT as he is just what his name says “double trouble”. Well after eating every little morsel and getting a long drink from the ground level water station, Peanut gave me the skinny of the hanging by the tail stunt……seems DT had said that he had heard opossums could do the “hang by your tail” trick but he didn’t believe it…..then Peanut said it was true and let DT push the issue to the point that Peanut felt the need to prove it….only problem was Peanut had never done it……but had seen mom do it several times…..and it was really easy too…..fun even…..but then came the time to get down…..and Peanut didn’t remember how mom did it….and DT started to laugh….and DT wasn’t gonna help and then DT said he was gonna leave! Classic DT behaviour…..hit and run! I told Peanut not to forget this lesson. Peanut did say that it was kind of fun falling onto the pillow and bouncing…..maybe can we do it again? I just shook my head and thought this might be the start of trouble…..maybe double trouble….am I looking at another dare-devil in the making….time will tell I guess….I need another cup of joe and I think I will try to think about quiet times….like when the only thing I hear would be the sweet songs of my feathered friends….love the songs of Mr. and Mrs. Brown Thrasher….truly romantic love songs he sings to his mate…..I hope you have enjoyed your visit….remember you can stay as long as you want….go ahead and put your feet up…..no one will complain…we aren’t formal around  here that way….heck kick off your shoes if you want but do keep an eye on them as they have a way of going missing….enjoy the soft breeze and sun on your shoulders while sipping on some sweet ice tea…… take a little of the sunshine and gentle breeze with you as you go about your life and feel contented with all you do until our paths cross again…… Lila