Blacklidge

Suzi's New Cat

The Bee's Knees

 

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They say it is unnecessary to feed the wildlife in our area, just keep water available and they can find their own food. Certain times of the year, this is even more evident.

Jerry Hall's Metal Art

Jerry Hall had a yard like no other. Eventually succombing to colon cancer, he continued to decorate his space with more folk art, even during the chemotherapy.There are more than 60 pieces of this incredible metal art on this inner city lot. Hall passed away in October 2010; I drove by the other day to show another visitor the yard-gallery and noticed the house was for sale. That makes me sad. His wife, Chris, had been maintaining the yard but evidently she wants to leave. Hopefully she will find a way to decorate another space with all of her late husband's art. I first saw this yard in 2001 or so and really, this is what made me want to make metal art. It blew me away.

 

The Bees

 Some bees stopped by our house for a nap a few days ago. My husband, who has experience with this through his old job, says the queen grew tired so all of her followers stopped with her to protect her. He said they'd go away when they were ready and so they did, after a couple of days. Because there wasn't a hole in tree, there wasn't much chance of them sticking around and forming a hive. We missed the big fly out but they were pretty cool anyway.

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Cooper Hawk, my new backyard pet

 

 

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Love to look at him, but of course, as a cat owner, he is mighty scary!

 We had to take Lola down to the vet on Wednesday, for the last time. She was so sweet and trusting, it was a heartbreaking thing. She was 13 1/2 and she wasn't doing well. All good and well to say that you did the best thing, still heartbreaking.

Losing your dog is hard, but the day it happens isn't the only painful day. For a long time afterwards, it's the thoughts that run through your head each day that cause such grief. Stepping wide around a spot in the floor where she always lay, waiting for you. The thought that, when you get the eggs out to make breakfast that you'll make an extra one for her. The way the cats sort of sit around, wondering what is going on. The worry of hurrying home to feed her, then realizing that that isn't really a problem.

Some people can't understand how much a pet affects your life, but those people may find out some day. Or not. I've known people who came into a pet late in life and cared even more for their pets, almost as if making up for years of lost love and affection. This was the fourth dog that I have had to "put to sleep" in my adult life and it just doesn't get any easier. It makes you wonder if it's worth it. For a while. Then some wriggly, little person shows up and steals your heart and makes you feel glad again. (Yes, person).

RIP, Lola. Keep an eye out for Iris and Ozzy. We miss you all.

So Where Is Jimmy Stewart When You Need Him?

On one of my afternoon walks last week, I ran across this guy. He's a big boy, eh? AKA, Black Tailed Jackrabbit. Also, some cactus shots.

 

 

 

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Baby Owls, May 2011

Several years ago I kept track of a bunch of Cooper's Hawks growing up in a nest by a nearby elementary school yard. Yesterday I saw some folks staring up that same tree. Sure enough, a new family had moved in, but owls instead of hawks. Here are a couple of the pictures I went back and took today.
 

Fish Dog!

Bailey the Unknown Reindeer