from the porches

lifting my spirits

I found the perfect way to get out of a funky, gray, drizzly day mood.  I found the perfect way to lift my spirits.

Go to a pet store. 

Not only will the parakeets and canaries add color to your life, they're fun to watch and listen to.  I think they were twittering rain rain go away, come again another day.

Now, just look at that that pile of ferrets snuggling to keep warm.  

Cute little ears.  sweet little mouths.  Precious little ferrets.

  
 I had just watched this little brown short-eared bunny drink water before he nuzzled a larger black one.

That's my secret to lifting my spirits on a dreary rainy day.  

mezmerising

This evening Truett and I decided to build a fire in the fire pit and cook steaks because it was chilly outside.

It's been a long week full of uncertanies. 

Our grandchildren have been sick with vomiting and fevers, and we needed to relax and unwind and talk about important things.

We discussed the real parts of life.. .family.

We caught up on things that mattered.

And then I watched the fire. . . .and listened.

Hissss!   Pop!     Snap!   Crackkkkle!

 
 The fire was mesmerizing. . . and it calmed me down.

low, gutteral growl

There are many kinds of drivers.  There are those who keep their eyes peeled on the road in front of them at all times. 

Yet, there are other drivers who glance at the scenery as they drive.  Especially, drivers who are always on the lookout for a photograph or a story to post on their blog site.  I happen to be one of the latter types of drivers.  I don't drive this way on the Interstate, though, just in case you're wondering. . .  only around small towns.

Well, I was driving to my mother's house this afternoon and I saw Christmas wreaths attached to light poles in High Springs.  Lovely Christmas wreaths.  Christmas wreaths that transported me back to old-fashioned Christmases.

So with two hands on the steering wheel, one eye on the road, and the other eye on the wreath, I spotted birds soaring in the sky.

Then, as I passed the wreaths, I saw the old peanut packing building with tons of birds roosting on the top.  So being a good driver, I whipped to the side of the road to get a close up photograph of the birds...vultures.  After all, I didn't want to get rammed in the rear of my car.

 
  

I got out of my car and took a few photographs; but then I heard a low growl.  Grrrrrr!  And I froze in place.

The first thing I spot is a sign for Archie's Welding Service.  And a mental connection flashes like spark plugs in my mind:  Guard Dogs!

Sure enough.  Not just one guard dog...(I'm not that lucky.)

There were two guard dogs, pacing at the bit, following my every move; and they were not wagging their tails, either.

"Dang!  I'm just taking pictures,"  I said.  "I don't want your old iron and metal."

I don't think these dogs cared one iota about my photographs; so,needless to say, I did not tarry.  I hopped in my car and continued my journey to my mother's. 

You just never know when a photographic opportunity can be ruined by a low, gutteral growl.

fox grape vines

While driving to Mom's this morning I saw fox grape vines lacing the trees.

 

The leaves on fox grape vines change colors in late November and December.  They always remind me of Chistmas lights or golden garlands stringing their way through the trees.

 Sometimes I wait for them to blink off and on.

did you know-betty crocker

To continue my story about being a testing representative for Proctor & Gamble, I was also a testing representative for Betty Crocker.

You have to go back to St. Ann's Catholic Church basement in Louisville, Kentucky in the late 60's.  Betty Crocker was testing out new brownie mix.  Brownies with nuts. Brownies with chocolate chips, and chewy brownies.

Anyway, these housewives, who had no "outside the house" job, came and picked up their brownie mixes. 

A week later, they reported to representatives who asked various questions about the brownies.  Did you like the flavor?  Rate the taste 0-10.  Should the mix be darker?  Lighter? etc.

So a woman came in and stated she was ready to fill out the questionnaire. 

"Fine," I thought and I led her to a private table.  Then the interview began:

Me: Did you like the brownies?

Her:  Yes.

Me:  Was it light and fluffy enough?

Her:  Well, I actually didn't eat them.  I'm on a diet.

People..I went balistic. 

What?  You never tested the brownies, yet you promised to cook them exactly as printed on the box and taste them.

The conversation went further:

Her:  My brother ate them.

By now I knew something was fishy in Denmark.  So I proceeded to tattle on this lady for falsifying information.

Needless to say, a couple of days later, Betty Crocker didn't need me anymore.

Does it always pay to have a moral and ethical conviction?