There's a program that comes on early in my morning (6 am). I am usually up to go to the bathroom somewhere close to that time without having to set an alarm clock. It's call Big Cat Diary. It's all about the big cats (lions, cheetahs and leopards) that live year 'round in the Masai Mara. It's part of the Serengeti reserve and it's where the wildebeests, zebra and all the different antelope travel to every year on their migration from the south to the north. The place where all the crocodiles are waiting is where they cross the Mara River into the grassy plains beyond. Yes, they have shown even that part of the migration and it's awful and awesome at the same time.
Anyway, one of the things that has always made me wonder was how different the cheetahs and leopards are. I love the looks of the cheetah with the black *tear marks* that run from their eyes down around their muzzles. They are so elegant looking and are amazing when they are running at full speed. They are the fastest land animals going from zero to 60 in just three seconds! I kid you not. My mouth dropped open when the people who are observing these various cats in the wild gave that statistic. They have some cats that they have been observing for over six years. They give each cat a name and that is how they refer to them during the program. After a while, you (the person watching) get to know them, too.
But there are some things I didn't know about the big cats that I have learned. First of all, cheetahs do not climb trees. It's the leopards that drag their kills up into the trees to keep them from predators that might steal their kill. Cheetahs must eat their fill as quickly as possible and everything intimidates them into abandoning their kills from hyenas to lions. Heck, it looked like a huge flock of vultures could also chase them away if they are persistent enough (and very hungry).
All of the cats keep their cubs in isolation for five or six weeks while they bond with them. It also protects them from predators or, as in the case with lions, from their older cousins that treat them like they are toys and just want to play with them. However, just the weight difference can injure them so the mothers keep the little ones safe and form a strong bond with their attention. In that way, the babies learn their mothers smell and *voice* and so does she.
One of the observers on the program has been doing this for over 20 years, just not always in the Mara. He is the most informative person and brings up some of the more interesting things about the different cats. He's also a talented artist. You sometimes get to see the pictures he makes of each of the cats they observe along with any tell-tale markings so he can check to make sure any new cats are properly identified when they are new to the area. By that, I mean the cubs or kittens that have been born. The identifying markings never change during their whole lives.
I've learned about the small sounds the mothers make to call their babies to them if they have hidden for any reason. Even the desperate ones when the babies have hidden out of fear because of the presence of a predator. I had no idea that the male lions usually only manage to keep their *families* for an average of three years. It takes a lion hitting a certain age and strength before they can replace a lion no longer in his prime and take over the females. They also seem to only kill off babies, not the so-called *teenagers* in the pride. Those are the ones that are older than a year and a half. How they can tell, I have no clue.
I was also surprised to find out that most prides have TWO males or more. These are usually brothers or buddies that have teamed up and are out looking for a pride to take over. When one dies for any reason, it is usually only a short time before they end up without their females due to the lions that are looking for females. MEN! They are all the same.....LOL
Anyway, if you get a chance to watch the program, please do so. They aren't looking for donations or any such thing. It's just a very interesting program. If you can't be awake, record it to watch later and do so regularly. I think you will find it interesting, too. ***Hugs***
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Today Was Not Too Bad.....
I actually managed to get some crocheting done today. I also stayed up almost the whole day. I took a short (2 hour) nap but that won't interfere with my getting to sleep tonight....I hope. Last night was not great but I managed to actually get about four hours STRAIGHT sleeping time. When I woke up, I had to make a run to the bathroom because my bladder was having a fit! LOL
The Beast was in a cooking mood again today. I think it's because he plans on being gone most of the daylight hours tomorrow. He's going out with a few church people in the morning but in the afternoon, he's taking a young kid out and his cousin (who is older and has graduated from high school) to teach them a few things they need to learn about using their cameras. The gal took photography in high school but we know how those classes go. She needs to learn how/when to use her flash and how to use auxiliary lighting. Oh, and also WHEN to use it.
A person from his church is surprising his parents with a 50th wedding anniversary party next month and asked the Beast how much he would charge to take pictures of the event. I don't know what the Beast told him but he's not doing this one for free. He does plan, however, to make any corrections on the pictures then download them onto a CD and let the person that asked him take it to Walgreens or Walmart...wherever they want....and have pictures made up at their expense. It makes more sense for him to do it that way. He pays a high price for the papers that are used to print up pictures and it will actually be cheaper for the person to get them made at someplace that gets theirs at a reduced cost. They DO pass that on to the people using their service.
Anyway, the Beast cooked us up some really good tasting beef shreds with onions and green peppers. He even had crusty rolls to serve it on. Yum! We also had our choice of cole slaw or potato salad. The beans are gone....LOL. They were tasty. For dinner, he added Italian beef gravy to the mix for dipping our sandwiches in. I didn't say he was imaginative but at least the two WERE different.
He made a trip over to the Princess' house to give her one of his spare camera bags. He's got several including a hard metal one that he uses for these special flashes he owns. They are on the large size and were very costly. He takes good care of them because we no longer have the spendable income to replace them when they finally die.
Tomorrow I may venture out. It's supposed to be in the mid-to-upper 50's and sunny. Since the Beast will be gone, I figure it's time for my KFC hot wings. *Grin* I only have Baron to worry about but he won't be here by himself for long. I can run out and get them then come home and feed Baron so he won't have to eat alone. He can get weird at times when the Beast is gone for long periods of time. I'll let him out before I go so I don't have to worry about THAT. He's got a strong bladder but you don't want to push it if it's not necessary.
Love you all. Have a great Saturday. Drive carefully. You won't be alone on the road, especially if you have grocery shopping to do. ***Hugs***
The Beast was in a cooking mood again today. I think it's because he plans on being gone most of the daylight hours tomorrow. He's going out with a few church people in the morning but in the afternoon, he's taking a young kid out and his cousin (who is older and has graduated from high school) to teach them a few things they need to learn about using their cameras. The gal took photography in high school but we know how those classes go. She needs to learn how/when to use her flash and how to use auxiliary lighting. Oh, and also WHEN to use it.
A person from his church is surprising his parents with a 50th wedding anniversary party next month and asked the Beast how much he would charge to take pictures of the event. I don't know what the Beast told him but he's not doing this one for free. He does plan, however, to make any corrections on the pictures then download them onto a CD and let the person that asked him take it to Walgreens or Walmart...wherever they want....and have pictures made up at their expense. It makes more sense for him to do it that way. He pays a high price for the papers that are used to print up pictures and it will actually be cheaper for the person to get them made at someplace that gets theirs at a reduced cost. They DO pass that on to the people using their service.
Anyway, the Beast cooked us up some really good tasting beef shreds with onions and green peppers. He even had crusty rolls to serve it on. Yum! We also had our choice of cole slaw or potato salad. The beans are gone....LOL. They were tasty. For dinner, he added Italian beef gravy to the mix for dipping our sandwiches in. I didn't say he was imaginative but at least the two WERE different.
He made a trip over to the Princess' house to give her one of his spare camera bags. He's got several including a hard metal one that he uses for these special flashes he owns. They are on the large size and were very costly. He takes good care of them because we no longer have the spendable income to replace them when they finally die.
Tomorrow I may venture out. It's supposed to be in the mid-to-upper 50's and sunny. Since the Beast will be gone, I figure it's time for my KFC hot wings. *Grin* I only have Baron to worry about but he won't be here by himself for long. I can run out and get them then come home and feed Baron so he won't have to eat alone. He can get weird at times when the Beast is gone for long periods of time. I'll let him out before I go so I don't have to worry about THAT. He's got a strong bladder but you don't want to push it if it's not necessary.
Love you all. Have a great Saturday. Drive carefully. You won't be alone on the road, especially if you have grocery shopping to do. ***Hugs***
I Sometimes Wonder.....
...if the world has gone totally nuts. When a kid gets caught with marijuana, a relatively minor offense these days, and the law allows the sheriff's department to take the parents house and cars and throws them out in the street, isn't that nuts? The kid owned nothing. He was also 18, legal age as far as I knew but who knows these days. But, because he owned nothing and the parents did, they were the losers. I'm sorry but that does not seem like it should be legal to do. Punish the kid, of course. But the parents usually don't know for sure when a kid is smoking marijuana even if they suspect it's going on.
Then you have Isis. I mean, how does the nation that spawned the group put up with the crap they are doing? Kidnapping children, selling them into slavery, beheading people for just being NOT of their sect? That's what it amounts to. And the kidnapping of children....these are the children that live in their country. Not foreigners. Not really strangers. Of course, they are girls that are being given an education and...good heavens! That's such a sin! Where are the parents of these children? Why aren't they after the Isis members, demanding reparations and the return of their children? Are they nuts? I am sure there are more of them than Isis members. Why aren't they going after these people and stop the atrocities.
I also think I am on a different life cycle these days. If I am up during the night, I spend the day mostly sleeping. Which, of course, leads to a vicious cycle of up all night, sleep during the day. Even when I make myself stay up, I end up with leg twitchings or some other nonsense that prevents me from resting for any length of time. It's maddening.
The Beast saw the retina doctor today and I gather that his blood vessels at the back of his eyes are severely restricted. He can't have the surgery on his eyes until/unless that resolves itself. I gather it's quite common in people who have had strokes and it can come and go. He wants to give it six weeks and see him again to see if it's any better. He has to double up on his aspirin to help the flow (not low dose either). So now it's wait and see again.
More cold tomorrow. In case you couldn't tell, I never made it outside today. I wanted to get a few errands done while the Beast was gone but just couldn't face the cold. It's going to be cold again tomorrow so I will probably stay in...again. At least my cold is better. Small consolation, I know. I also had a hard time staying online today. More dumb stuff to make my day just perfect! That was sarcasm, just in case you couldn't tell. LOL
Love you all. Have a fantastic Friday. ***Hugs***
Then you have Isis. I mean, how does the nation that spawned the group put up with the crap they are doing? Kidnapping children, selling them into slavery, beheading people for just being NOT of their sect? That's what it amounts to. And the kidnapping of children....these are the children that live in their country. Not foreigners. Not really strangers. Of course, they are girls that are being given an education and...good heavens! That's such a sin! Where are the parents of these children? Why aren't they after the Isis members, demanding reparations and the return of their children? Are they nuts? I am sure there are more of them than Isis members. Why aren't they going after these people and stop the atrocities.
I also think I am on a different life cycle these days. If I am up during the night, I spend the day mostly sleeping. Which, of course, leads to a vicious cycle of up all night, sleep during the day. Even when I make myself stay up, I end up with leg twitchings or some other nonsense that prevents me from resting for any length of time. It's maddening.
The Beast saw the retina doctor today and I gather that his blood vessels at the back of his eyes are severely restricted. He can't have the surgery on his eyes until/unless that resolves itself. I gather it's quite common in people who have had strokes and it can come and go. He wants to give it six weeks and see him again to see if it's any better. He has to double up on his aspirin to help the flow (not low dose either). So now it's wait and see again.
More cold tomorrow. In case you couldn't tell, I never made it outside today. I wanted to get a few errands done while the Beast was gone but just couldn't face the cold. It's going to be cold again tomorrow so I will probably stay in...again. At least my cold is better. Small consolation, I know. I also had a hard time staying online today. More dumb stuff to make my day just perfect! That was sarcasm, just in case you couldn't tell. LOL
Love you all. Have a fantastic Friday. ***Hugs***
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Post It Notes
I love those post it notes. Especially since I tend to forget about doing some things until it's either too late in the day or someone gets mad at me....LOL. I'm only kidding about that last part. I do, however, need them to remember to do some things in a timely manner. Like not forgetting to call my sister, Cee and/or making sure I don't *remember* it too late at night to call. THAT I have done a time or two.
My niece, Tara, reminded me on her FB page that it is almost that time for my sister, Cee, and Baby Brat to be moving here. I was all excited about making the trip down to FL so I could see my sisters and never thought about the fact that they just might be thinking or actually DOING the move around the same time that Mustachio and I were planning on driving down. I MUST call her tomorrow to find out what their plans are for the move. Who knows? Maybe I will be able to help her pack. LOL She's helped me do that more than once. I kind of feel like I owe her one or two.
Mustachio is making some contacts with old friends. He's definitely getting excited about the trip. This could end up being a fun trip for us both. I will be happy to see my sisters move here, regardless. I know Tara is excited and it will be nice for both Chance and Keith to have one of their grandmothers living nearby.
Tomorrow the Beast goes to see the retinologist and I am glad I asked him about it because it occurred to me that he was going to have to have his eyes dilated. I thought I might have to drive him but he told me that the Princess is going to take him. I wondered if he wanted me to do it or, perhaps, that Dennis had volunteered to take him. But, knowing the Beast, he wouldn't have asked Dennis to take him. He wouldn't mind asking the Princess since she's family and not working but Dennis is just a friend. Oh, a good friend but he and Dianne are still working on the finishing touches to their house. It's one thing if he volunteers but he hadn't. I know they discussed it because Dennis stopped over the same day the Beast got his appointment and it was mentioned.
I'm thinking seriously about making a run to KFC for some hot wings tomorrow. I love their hot wings and can always eat them at any time. Last time the Beast bought them for me, he forgot to get me any sides although I hadn't mentioned it. I assumed that he would think of it himself but...alas...he can be good about a lot of things but it didn't occur to him for some reason.
Well, I am exhausted tonight. I could NOT get to sleep last night for more than a few minutes at a time. My legs kept twitching for some reason and that's maddening. I have no idea why but I want to get some sleep before I get my second wind. I got up in frustration last night and took a pain pill in an effort to stop the twitching (and it was aggravating my sciatica). But, by the time the pill kicked in, it was light outside and that was the end of my attempts at sleep. I took a short nap earlier but not nearly enough sleep to compensate. So, I will end this with a simple *Love you all* ***Hugs***
My niece, Tara, reminded me on her FB page that it is almost that time for my sister, Cee, and Baby Brat to be moving here. I was all excited about making the trip down to FL so I could see my sisters and never thought about the fact that they just might be thinking or actually DOING the move around the same time that Mustachio and I were planning on driving down. I MUST call her tomorrow to find out what their plans are for the move. Who knows? Maybe I will be able to help her pack. LOL She's helped me do that more than once. I kind of feel like I owe her one or two.
Mustachio is making some contacts with old friends. He's definitely getting excited about the trip. This could end up being a fun trip for us both. I will be happy to see my sisters move here, regardless. I know Tara is excited and it will be nice for both Chance and Keith to have one of their grandmothers living nearby.
Tomorrow the Beast goes to see the retinologist and I am glad I asked him about it because it occurred to me that he was going to have to have his eyes dilated. I thought I might have to drive him but he told me that the Princess is going to take him. I wondered if he wanted me to do it or, perhaps, that Dennis had volunteered to take him. But, knowing the Beast, he wouldn't have asked Dennis to take him. He wouldn't mind asking the Princess since she's family and not working but Dennis is just a friend. Oh, a good friend but he and Dianne are still working on the finishing touches to their house. It's one thing if he volunteers but he hadn't. I know they discussed it because Dennis stopped over the same day the Beast got his appointment and it was mentioned.
I'm thinking seriously about making a run to KFC for some hot wings tomorrow. I love their hot wings and can always eat them at any time. Last time the Beast bought them for me, he forgot to get me any sides although I hadn't mentioned it. I assumed that he would think of it himself but...alas...he can be good about a lot of things but it didn't occur to him for some reason.
Well, I am exhausted tonight. I could NOT get to sleep last night for more than a few minutes at a time. My legs kept twitching for some reason and that's maddening. I have no idea why but I want to get some sleep before I get my second wind. I got up in frustration last night and took a pain pill in an effort to stop the twitching (and it was aggravating my sciatica). But, by the time the pill kicked in, it was light outside and that was the end of my attempts at sleep. I took a short nap earlier but not nearly enough sleep to compensate. So, I will end this with a simple *Love you all* ***Hugs***
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
The Sun Peeked Out.....Briefly
I can't call the weatherman a complete liar but we sure didn't get a whole lot of sun today. Yes, we did get a couple hours of it but not what I would have liked to see. Baron was miserable once the sun got covered over by clouds although he did go out back to see if he could find some sun out there.
Remember the cat I told you about the other day? Well, I gather it's hanging around the house here. It actually came up to the front door. Baron heard it and started whining so I opened the door and there it was! It ran down the stairs as soon as the door opened. Poor thing acted like it was afraid I was going to hurt it or something. But I think I saw a collar around it's neck. That's not a good thing with a cat unless it's a break-away collar or you keep your cat indoors. Cats have this bad habit of getting into tight spots and a collar can get caught on something and no one seems to put a collar on a cat loosely. If they do, the collar can come off so a cat can get itself loose from anything it gets snagged on.
Dogs, if they get caught, can bark and yelp and get someone's attention so they can be gotten out of a ticklish situation. But not so cats. Oh some can yodel fairly loudly but they usually are far from help and so can either strangle themselves or even starve to death. It's really sad. So don't collar a cat unless it stays indoors all the time. This cat looked like it's collar was very tightly closed.
I spent the day treating my cold/almost cold and it seems much, much better now. Another day and I will probably be okay again. At least, I hope so.
The Beast has to see the retinologist on Thursday. I'm glad because he's been complaining more about the blank spot in his eye...or black spot I guess you could call it. Pretty soon it may cause him problems while he's driving and that won't be good. It could be out-right dangerous.
My son, Mustachio, got a hint today that he's actually been considered for a management position. At least, that's what was asked of him seems to indicate. He wouldn't mind training new people but he's not really sure that's the way he wants to go even though, with his hand, it might actually make better sense. He's got time to think about it and his options, though. Let's see him get through this winter.
Time to get this posted and my butt into bed. My back is just killing me for some reason so I have a pillow behind me right now. It helps but laying down will be better.
Love you all. Be good. Have a great Hump Day and say *Hi!* to Mike for me if he shows up....LOL ***Hugs***
Remember the cat I told you about the other day? Well, I gather it's hanging around the house here. It actually came up to the front door. Baron heard it and started whining so I opened the door and there it was! It ran down the stairs as soon as the door opened. Poor thing acted like it was afraid I was going to hurt it or something. But I think I saw a collar around it's neck. That's not a good thing with a cat unless it's a break-away collar or you keep your cat indoors. Cats have this bad habit of getting into tight spots and a collar can get caught on something and no one seems to put a collar on a cat loosely. If they do, the collar can come off so a cat can get itself loose from anything it gets snagged on.
Dogs, if they get caught, can bark and yelp and get someone's attention so they can be gotten out of a ticklish situation. But not so cats. Oh some can yodel fairly loudly but they usually are far from help and so can either strangle themselves or even starve to death. It's really sad. So don't collar a cat unless it stays indoors all the time. This cat looked like it's collar was very tightly closed.
I spent the day treating my cold/almost cold and it seems much, much better now. Another day and I will probably be okay again. At least, I hope so.
The Beast has to see the retinologist on Thursday. I'm glad because he's been complaining more about the blank spot in his eye...or black spot I guess you could call it. Pretty soon it may cause him problems while he's driving and that won't be good. It could be out-right dangerous.
My son, Mustachio, got a hint today that he's actually been considered for a management position. At least, that's what was asked of him seems to indicate. He wouldn't mind training new people but he's not really sure that's the way he wants to go even though, with his hand, it might actually make better sense. He's got time to think about it and his options, though. Let's see him get through this winter.
Time to get this posted and my butt into bed. My back is just killing me for some reason so I have a pillow behind me right now. It helps but laying down will be better.
Love you all. Be good. Have a great Hump Day and say *Hi!* to Mike for me if he shows up....LOL ***Hugs***
A Cold Is Trying To Come Down With Me, I Think.......
We have had some of the crappiest few days. Not just cold but overcast and rainy, too. I don't mind the cold as much as long as it's sunny. I am definitely a sun person. Cold, overcast and rainy seems to wear down my immune system or some such thing. I've been having what seems to be the prequel to a cold. Enough so that I don't want to spread it to the kids but I do want to get out for a bit and see the Princess. I can watch Gunner from a distance....just in case. I know that I spent most of today down and out. I slept most of the day and wasn't even hungry until late in the afternoon. I was probably a bit depressed but who knows? Like I said, I think a cold might be trying to come down with me.
The Beast gave me some cold medication that he had from his last doctor's visit and it did seem to make me feel a bit better. I tried to do my blog earlier but it seems it was cloudy enough to screw up my internet. I had to try getting on YIM before I realized that was what was wrong. I kept getting this error message on one of my games and I couldn't get on Vegas World. I hate when that happens, especially when it doesn't interfere with my TV reception so it puzzles me until I start checking other things.
The Beast went back to Publix to try some more of their homemade soups out but this time he picked a loser as far as I was concerned. He tried their mushroom soup and thought I would like it but it was NOT good. I guess I am partial to my cream of mushroom soup. This stuff was really weird. Lots of chopped up mushrooms but no real flavor other than that. Not my *cup of soup*....LOL.
It's very cold (20 degrees and 100% humidity) outside but it's supposed to be sunny in the morning. We'll see. I take it all with a grain of salt these days. I sure hope your days are better and you are keeping warm and dry. Please drive carefully. ***Hugs***
The Beast gave me some cold medication that he had from his last doctor's visit and it did seem to make me feel a bit better. I tried to do my blog earlier but it seems it was cloudy enough to screw up my internet. I had to try getting on YIM before I realized that was what was wrong. I kept getting this error message on one of my games and I couldn't get on Vegas World. I hate when that happens, especially when it doesn't interfere with my TV reception so it puzzles me until I start checking other things.
The Beast went back to Publix to try some more of their homemade soups out but this time he picked a loser as far as I was concerned. He tried their mushroom soup and thought I would like it but it was NOT good. I guess I am partial to my cream of mushroom soup. This stuff was really weird. Lots of chopped up mushrooms but no real flavor other than that. Not my *cup of soup*....LOL.
It's very cold (20 degrees and 100% humidity) outside but it's supposed to be sunny in the morning. We'll see. I take it all with a grain of salt these days. I sure hope your days are better and you are keeping warm and dry. Please drive carefully. ***Hugs***
Monday, February 2, 2015
Cold And Rainy.....
Today was overcast, cold and rainy. Not a nice day at all. Add the fact that I haven't been interested in football for quite a few years and today was more boring than ever. I couldn't take the Puppy Bowl or the Kitten Bowl so I watch How It's Made and then some featured cartoon movies. All in all, a truly uninteresting day.
The most interesting parts were the New England clam chowder the Beast brought home from Publix and the baked chicken. We ate the chowder for our lunch (delish!) and then had chicken sandwiches for dinner. He had brought home cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans to go with the chicken but I was still kind of full from the chowder.
I'm not going to try to fill in any more of the day than that. It was bad enough without boring everyone else. Hope your day was more interesting. Love you all. Be good. Stay warm and dry. ***Hugs***
The most interesting parts were the New England clam chowder the Beast brought home from Publix and the baked chicken. We ate the chowder for our lunch (delish!) and then had chicken sandwiches for dinner. He had brought home cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans to go with the chicken but I was still kind of full from the chowder.
I'm not going to try to fill in any more of the day than that. It was bad enough without boring everyone else. Hope your day was more interesting. Love you all. Be good. Stay warm and dry. ***Hugs***
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