Today I had a WOW! moment which started with a little confusion.
I've had a horrid headache since last night, so I had the perfect excuse to gulp down an iced mocha. (For the caffeine, which aided the other perfect excuse to eat some powdered donuts. I can't exactly have an iced mocha without powdered donuts, now can I?)
So after enjoying my morning cup of mocha, I went downstairs to the kitchen and on the back patio I saw a rather large bird perched on one of the chairs. I never wear my contacts, and so... very stupidly... I initially thought to myself -
But then the vision center of my brain *clicked* and I realized I was looking at a hawk.
I called for my mother to see it, which in turn had my little pommie pup announcing to everyone in our zip code that, by way of my voice being raised a pitch, that something very exciting was in progress. To roughly quote Peter Pan, an adventure was happening!
Luckily, the hawk wasn't scared off by Izzy's tattle-telling so I ran up the stairs to get the camera. (Well, I walked actually. If I ran, Izzy would have gone even more ballistic. In this house, if we have no desire to have our ears assaulted by a high-pitched yappy bark followed by the other two dogs barking joining in, we can't make any sudden movements).
Isn't it creepy how it seems to SENSE us watching from just one room away?
I wish I had gotten video of it flying off, but luck was no longer on my side. The first time it flew towards the fence, the camera was literally one second away from recording. The second time, the camera refused to focus because of the tree branches in the foreground.
And what do you think Wendy Kitty was doing when all this was happening?
Sigh...
I'm a little disappointed in her lack of enthusiasm, but in her defense she is a vintage gal of 18. I suppose climbing out of her catnip-perfumed cozy bed, just to have a quick lookie loo at a bird of prey, does seem a little senseless. Her priorities have changed.
First, my brother sees a fox behind his house and today we see a hawk. And have you ever heard of animal totems? If not, click HERE to read a quick description of them.
If there are totems, I'm pretty sure my main one is the lion. I'm obsessed with them!
This is what I found online about the Hawk:
Hawk’s Message:
The hawk is a messenger of insight, adaptability and openness, it is also about visionary power and guardianship. Hawk’s meaning teaches us to be observant and to pay attention to what we may overlook. This could mean a talent we don’t use, a blessing for which we haven’t expressed gratitude, or a message from the universe. The hawk has keen eyesight, it is about opening our eyes and seeing that which is there to guide us. Hawk awakens vision and inspires us to a creative life purpose. Look to the world around you for there are symbols buried in everything.
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Hawk is the messenger, the protector and the visionaries of the Air. It holds the key to higher levels of consciousness.
This totem awakens vision and inspires a creative life purpose.
A Hawk totem is filled with responsibility because Hawk people seek the overall view.
They are aware of omens and spirit messages.
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A Red-Tailed Hawk Totem is special.
It has direct ties to the Kundalini, the seat of primal life force. It is associated with the base chakra. If you have this Totem, you will be aware of and work towards fulfilling your soul's purpose.
It reflects a greater intensity of energy within your life: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual forces will all be strong within you.
The Red-Tail Hawk is a permanent totem -- it will always be with you.
It is associated with the number "14" with the Tarot card Temperance. This card represents the teaching of higher expressions of psychic ability and vision.
I don't know if that was a red-tail/chickenhawk, but if so it's odd that the above passage mentions the #14... seeing how my birthday is May 14th.
I just hope this rare visitor didn't get to any of our birds. I've seen sparrowhawks around here before - only once, perched on our fence - but never this close. I think it was because we had taken down the tarp over the patio due to high winds a few days ago.
But no worries... we've since put the tarp back up and the birdseed we now place on the far side of the patio, where the curtains are. I think we've made it pretty difficult for the hawk to make a return trip.
Even our dogs we're keeping a close eye on whenever they go outside. I doubt this hawk could pick up Izzy or Abby, but we'd rather play it safe.
My niece got her very own article in the school newspaper! She was the Student Feature. Neat, huh?
I did edit snippets of the article, for privacy's sake.
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October 9, 2012
Sophomore Autumn **** knows everyone is watching her. One wrong move and she could ruin a performance; the intricate motion of her fingers direct the elite army of green and black suits known as the T------ Band. They are commanded by Autumn, the Drum Major.
When Autumn was selected to be one of the three drum majors she was shocked. A coveted spot usually reserved for juniors and seniors was now hers. At first she couldn’t understand why they chose her, but since then she’s transformed herself into the leader her directors know she is. She is no longer just a shy freshman.
“They saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. Band made me a lot more outgoing than I would’ve been.”
Her passion for marching band was inspired by her brother, senior trumpet player Luke ****. Watching her brother perform at Friday night football games pushed her to audition. She even ended up playing the same instrument.
“I wasn’t going to play the trumpet,” she said. “But I changed at the last minute because my brother played trumpet.”
She has played the trumpet since the sixth grade, but it wasn’t until last year after marching season that she fell in love with conducting.
“I started conducting at leadership camp after I took a conducting class,” she said.
However, being a drum major isn’t all fun and games. It’s a lot of hard work and an immense responsibility.
“I feel like I have no time trying to balance school, friends, and being a drum major,” **** said.
Although the Karate black belt had to give up training and cut back on some of her favorite pastimes like going to the animal shelter with her dad, scrapbooking or hanging out with friends, she knows it’s worth it.
“Being on the podium, you’re in control when they hit the impacts,” **** said. “It sounds amazing.”
For her first year on the podium she will be conducting the Latin circus inspired show “Celebracíon.” Autumn is excited and a little anxious about the challenge.
“It’s definitely a lot more challenging. Normally we go with classical music, but this year we are doing Latin which has much harder rhythms.”
Another added element is the choreography. According to ****, the high energy show means a lot more choreography than in previous years.
“What they’re doing on the field has never been done before,” she said. “It’s nerve-racking because if I mess up someone will be off.”
Even though she is under a lot of pressure, she’s confident that her and her fellow band mate’s talent and dedication will be enough for a great season.
“We do as well as we can in everything we do.”
1. In what ways do you indulge yourself?
Warm cups of cappuccino, and every once in a while a Milano or Geneva cookie to go with it. As a rule, I indulge in the latter during the holidays.
2. Have you ever taken a cooking class? Any interest? What type of class would you most like to try?
No... No way... The class of nothing.
3. What does it mean to be a good citizen?
Treat others the way you wish to be treated.
4. 'Tis the season of the political advert...do these ads influence your vote?
Not in the least. I find all politicians to be self-serving. It's a matter of picking the lesser of evils.
5. What's something you see today that makes you wish you were a kid again?
Can't think of anything I've seen today, but seeing those Disney classics on YouTube take me back.
6. What's your least favorite cliche?
"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."
7. What percentage of your Christmas shopping has been completed? How does that make you feel?
I've done absolutely no Christmas shopping yet, and it's something I dread.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
BEST CLASSIC EVER!
- It isn't cool outside... it's pretty dang hot and sticky actually, at 93 degrees with 96% humidity... so we thought we'd bring a little bit of fall into the house at least.
We borrowed the idea from something we saw in a magazine recently. I really want to put a little field mouse figurine or something like that in there. I think that would be such a cute little addition to a fall scene.
- This is really unusual and a strange coincidence. Yesterday my mother and I went to a few stores, and while standing in line at Hobby Lobby I started feeling bad.
My hip was killing me, as it always does when I'm out and about, and it was so hot and crowded in the store. The line was really slow, the cashier was waiting for a price check on some guy's purchases, and the store was really hot. (I don't know why, considering the climate around here, but in the stores and mall they never have the AC turned up). After I FINALLY was out the door I started going downhill so fast. My vision was going... everything looked pixelated and like bright white light... my legs could hardly move. I barely made it to the car in the knick of time. I've felt faint before, but never like this. It was very frightening. I felt awful for Mom because she was really worried, after what she went through herself last week... having to go to ER and everything for heat stroke and dehydration.
Thank goodness she had some water in the car, as well as some bottled water with electrolytes in it. I took a few slugs of that, and after a few minutes I was fine again. I think the problem was I barely ate or drank anything that day. I will NOT be doing that again! Still, it was an awfully strange coincidence after what happened to Mom.
On the way home we went to the McDonald's drive-thru for french fries. Which made the girls happy since I always share my fries with them.
- In the mornings there are always loads of little chickadees in the bush outside Mom's bedroom window. She tried getting video of them, but they're awfully camera shy and kept flying off.
- Isn't this AMAZING?! I can't stop watching it.
- Abby is the kisser and cuddler... Lady Isabelle Rosie Cotton(Izzy) is the sassy, bossy yapper... Maddie Kate Scarlett O'Hara is the smiler and whiner.
Hahaha! I've been seeing this little poster everywhere.
I couldn't find the original source, so I just added "Owl" to one of them. It sounds like something he'd say.
The sweet furkid pictured above is my aunt's dog, Katie, and she had quite the little scare this past week.
So my aunt and her family were at Disney World this week, and after they said their sad farewell's to Mickey and Company, they drove down to their last vacation stop at the beach in Tampa. When they arrived, they whetted their appetites with some yummy seafood, and before my aunt even had time to stick one toe into Florida's waters.... she got a distressing call.
Katie-lass had run away. The pet sitter couldn't find the poor dog anywhere.
Frantic, and with the whole family in tears, they immediately changed their flight home. Finding Katie was more important than enjoying their last day of vacation.
So they fly home early, petrified of what might be happening to their little girl. When they get home, they find her! They didn't find her on the streets, but instead in one of the bedrooms.
Insert a chorus ofand huge sighs of relief.
I don't know the details, but for whatever reason I guess the pet sitter never thought of looking under the beds. She had been inside that room, and Katie must have followed her in without her knowing it. When she shut the door, she had no clue little Katie was in there.
So for close to 2 days that poor dog was locked inside that bedroom with no food or water. When my aunt and her family got home, and was so shocked when they found her, that dog was sure happy to see them... and vice versa, naturally.
Another happy ending!
I never did tell this story. I simply HAVE to share it because it's so incredibly bizarre.
A few weeks ago, when my Mom was in New Braunfels with my sister and niece, they stopped in Gruene for some ice cream. While they sat on a bench outside, with ice cream running down their arms before they even reached said-bench, my sister got a call from her hubby. She was told that Luke (their son/my nephew) kept getting these rude calls on his cell phone from a guitar center. They told him he had a guitar there that simply had to be paid for and picked up. They told him it'd been sitting there for repairs for 20 years!
20 years, they said. My nephew told them that they're terribly mistaken. He's only 17 years old, and he's never even been to their shop. Still, they insisted he come. They asked if his name was Luke _____, did he live at _______ address, and wasn't ______ his phone number?
Um.... yes. All that is correct, but again... he's only 17 years old so how on earth could he have visited that shop 20 years ago?! As far as we know, time travel is science fiction so erhm... stop calling!
Well, they would not let it drop. They told him he had no choice but to come into the store, pay for the guitar, and take it home. Tired of being harassed, either he or his Dad asked how much they were asking for this guitar which is NOT theirs. They answered that it was something like $31 dollars.
They go to this shop, and once my nephew sees this guitar that's been causing so much trouble, his mouth probably dropped down to his feet. My nephew has a rather large collection of guitars at home, but staring back at him is only THE guitar he's always wanted. It's an antique that's selling for $2,000 these days. It's from the 1980's, and with the guitar was a playlist of all the songs this band has played for all those years.
A $2,000 guitar... one he's always dreamed of owning.... and fate/what-have-you handed it to him for the meager price of just 3 ten dollar bills.
But wait, because there's more.
As my mother, back in New Braunfels with my sister and niece, was paying for their ice cream cones.... there, on a stool next to her and the cash register... is a guitar pick. Not just any guitar pic, but the ONLY brand of guitar pick that my nephew uses.
Strange, huh?
How can this be mere coincidence? What are the odds of everything coming into play like that? Actually, this seems more like synchronicity to me. They got all this correct: his first name, last name, address, cell phone number... and then it's for a guitar he's only been dreaming of owning his whole life. (And no one else knew about it, save his parents). And then, several miles away and right after my sister received the call about the guitar, my mother finds that guitar pick just sitting there on a stool right next to her.
Anyway, here are a couple videos I took of my nephew a couple years ago:
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We finally received rain this weekend, and the birds seemed to really enjoy it. They feasted like kings and queens.
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I think it's so cute how that one baby cardinal hops around with it's wings spread out, ready to fly at a moment's notice. Adorable!
In that last video, it looks like those birds are meditating. I think I envy them.
(Artwork by Angela Staehling)
Just a couple vids of Abby from a few weeks ago. The vids are short of course, since the camera batteries croaked on me again.
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Are my eyes deceiving me?
Are those HALLOWEEN decorations on sale already?
These pics I found on Thad's Facebook page. This is hands down my favorite store in Old Town Spring, and Halloween is my favorite holiday, but come on.... it's only July!
Cool Clicks Thursday 
