The Eastern Bluebirds of Oklahoma

Who doesn't love the Eastern Bluebird? They are full of energy and are not shy. The great thing about the Bluebird is that they're here in Oklahoma year round...Rain, heat, or snow you can see them.

 

Barnum's Animal Crackers, ahhhhhh

Growing up I loved these animal crackers. Even now just seeing the box brings a smile to my face. Way back when you could cut the box and make the box have wheels. On one side of the box you could cut out the animals. I love the handle on the box as well.

They have changed the cookie in the last 10 years or so... They are now fluffy. I have to say I do not like what they did to the cookies. The taste is basically the same...BUT the rheology is soooooo not what it was. Rheology is a big deal! It is the way the food feels in your mouth when you are biting, chewing, and basically eating a food. By making this cracker(cookie) more fluffy it changes the rheology/ the way you experience the product. I still like the animal cracker packaging, that string that transforms it into a purse like product, and tearing open that wax paper inner wrapping. The crackers themselves, well I could just take 'em or leave them. Would I buy the again...yes...duh.

Feeding frenzy

 

There was a bit of a feeding frenzy at my house this past weekend.

 

It was more like a ballet

 

 

They were here and they were there.

 

It was a beautiful dance.

Ghost walk on the University of Oklahoma campus

Yesterday we went on a ghost walk on the University of Oklahoma. It was really great walk. I learned a lot about the history of the university. 75 minutes of walking on a cool October evening was perfection. The best part of the evening was sitting in the spoon holder, on the north oval, and visiting with the small group we were with. If you get a chance to talk the tour you should go for it.

 

A room with a view

VLA- The Very Large Array

While in NM last week I realized that the VLA was just outside Socorro. So on our last day in NM we dropped by the VLA. I'll tell you what...It is pretty exciting. They have a small, but cool, museum and a great little gift shop. They are open everyday...even the gift shop. If I lived there I would totally want to work in the gift shop. People from all over the world go there for a quick tour.

Of course technology is most awesome.

So if you find yourself with some extra time drop by the VLA...If nothing else you will have some really cool photos!

 

Western Scub-Jays

Here is a Western Scrub-Jay taking off with a pine cone in it's mouth. I watched as many came and plucked them off the trees and went to bury them. These are amazing birds. Living in Oklahoma, we do not see these birds. While vacationing in New Mexico we got a great chance to enjoy them.

Try to be alive

I ran across this and thought it was pretty cool.

Jason Silva...if you don't know, you don't know!

So who is Jason Silva?

FILMMAKER • FUTURIST • EPIPHANY ADDICT

He's more than that...so much more.

Artist, philosopher, television personality, inspiring, mind blowing

believer, dreamer, imaginer, poet, and totally adorable!

 

One of his projects is Shots of Awe

The videos he (and of course an awesome creative team) makes are under three minutes. It's actually the best three minutes you will spend during your day. Give it a 'shot'. The link below is one of my favorite....But I love them all!

 

Nonconformity and the Creative Life

"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music"
-Nietzsche

http://youtu.be/NA_tjY8osGE

 

 

Midsummer Nights' Festival

The Midsummer Nights' Fair was this past weekend. It is held in Norman, OK and is sponsored by The Firehouse Art Center. There is always. lots of music, art and food. The temps during the day hit 100 degree but quickly cooled down once the sun dropped behind the trees. The fair (festival) is from 6pm-11pm Friday and Saturday evening.

If you are ever in the state during this time you should drop by. It's a people watcher dream come true.

Oklahoma Watermelon

When they say it takes a lot of room to grow watermelon, they're not kidding.

I planted a hand full of watermelon seeds and they grew. Pictured here is the second melon of the season. It is sometimes hard to tell when they are ripe. This melons had yellow flesh. It was actually sweeter the the red variety I picked a week ago. I think next year I'll try some cantaloupe. 

The Hundred-Foot Journey...Oh yes they did!

Soooo... I took my mom to a movie for her birthday. The Hundred-Foot Journey, I knew, was going to be good. But wait, hold the phone, this movie was AWESOME! It was soooo much better than I thought it would be. Well done!

A little night music

Out for a little show....

Eggplant, cabbage, and Banana, oh my...

James Garner...One cool Dude!

James Garner passed away last night. To me, James was like an uncle you know you had but never got to see much. I have never met him, but I think people here felt a connection with him. Who wouldn’t want to claim him as their own, he seemed like an awesome guy. He was born here in Norman, OK., part of Main Street is named James Garner Corridor. There is a great statue of him, from the Rockford Files days, that stands near the RR tracks.
He will be missed and remembered by all as one cool dude!

Perfect imperfection

Lots and lots of tomatoes...I have 5 pints in the freezer already. These will be ripe in a day or so...I have to pick them a bit early so the squirrels and birds don't get them. So far I have only lost two.

Sandhill Cranes

I took a quick trip up to Illinois and Wisconsin. While in Wisconsin we saw Sandhill Cranes....beautiful birds. We see them here in Oklahoma during spring and fall migration.

We were at Horicon Marsh when we saw these awesome birds. I love visiting Horicon Marsh. The birds that you can see are amazing...Plus it was a nice 72 degrees. You can't beat that when it is 90 degrees at home.

Hello July!

Well, June is gone and here we stand in July. This year is flying by me.

So much that needs to be done before the end of this year comes. It's time for me to focus on what's really important.

Wordless Wednesday

Wild Parsnip...it ain't for wimps

One thing you go not want to mess with is Wild Parsnip! It will burn your skin and leave scars! Yowza! It is everywhere here at Horicon Marsh in WI. They do post signs which help to I'd the plant.

Sooooo....Can I pick you some pretty flowers?

Painted Buntings, Cardinals, and snakes

Here is a Painted Bunting I saw while watching a snake in a Cardinal nest.

The Bunting came in, as well as a Mockingbird and an Oriole...As if they wanted to help. The poor Cardinal pair we really going crazy. I felt really bad for the Cardinals.

 

Here is the snake. The upper 1/4th of the snake was in the nest. The snake was a bit lumpy so I am assuming it was full of chicks.

Poor Cardinals.

 

 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is our state bird. Oklahoma is lucky to have this spring migrating bird. It is so awesome to  watch them build their nests and raise their young. For the past few years we have been seeing more and more of them. They are an amazing bird! Come to Oklahoma in the spring and I'll make sure you get to see one of them....If not a dozen of dozens!

They're back, the hummers are back

It's really spring when the hummers arrive. They came in mid- April. i've seen a few at the feeders. hopefully we will see more after nesting... between broods. 

I

When Lilac last in dooryard bloom'd

I always think of Walt when the Lilacs are in bloom.

Whoppers

Whoppers...Oh you malted milk balls...The way you crunch and melt like silk in my mouth! Argh!

This ain't your run of the mill Goldfinch

I haven't seen any Goldfinch, but, I have this great Red-bellied Woodpecker eating on my Goldfinch feeder.

Not too bad!

A perfect place to sit

While out birding one time I came across this perfect bench. I see it every time I'm out....It's a great tree.