The Crane

Earlier this week, we saw a Sandhill Crane! This was a huge surprise for me. I have always wanted to see one, but never have until now. There are no Sandhill Cranes in this area, so who knows where he came from. Maybe just to see me? He was in a field quite far away from the road, that is why my pictures aren't very sharp.

“Cranes carry this heavy mystical baggage. They’re icons of fidelity and happiness. The Vietnamese believe Cranes cart our souls up to heaven on their wings.

Mitchell Burgess

“Magic birds were dancing in the mystic marsh. The grass swayed with them, and the shallow waters, and the earth fluttered under them. The earth was dancing with the cranes, and the low sun, and the wind and sky.”

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Jupiter

Tonight was a kind of rare sight. Jupiter was very close to the moon. and close to earth too. And here they are taken from our car.

Jupiter kind of looks like a white pizza. I want a telescope!

But the moon, ahh... that is a different story. Beautiful as ever.

"Weather forecast for Jupiter's South Equatorial Belt: cloudy with a chance of ammonia."

 Heidi Hammel

Fabulous Fakes

The other day, we went to one of our favorite birdwatching ponds. There were two swans,where there had never been any before. Where did they come from? Wait, one was listing dangerously to the side. I began to wonder if he was sick, or even dead. Upon downloading the pictures and giving them a good look, I see they are FAKE!! Good grief!

“My husband gave me a necklace.  It's fake.  I requested fake.  Maybe I'm paranoid, but in this day and age, I don't want something around my neck that's worth more than my head.” 

 ~Rita Rudner

Things Are Looking Up

This is my third and last post on the service dogs. There is one thing they all did most of the time. It was looking up. Looking up at their person for the slightest move or word  to let them know what to do. Good advice for us, as well! The one who knows what we should do the best is the one who made us.

Sorrow looks back.

Worry looks around.

Faith looks up.

They've Got What It Takes!

Finally, the dogs came in! They are all Labs because this breed is the easiest to adapt to new situations, and they remain calm. They begin training at 3 days!

They went through the course calmly and well.

The swinging bridge was a bit frightening to them, but most handled it well.

Of course there were a few "nosy" ones that got quite off the course. One ran over to Phil and tried to jump in his lap! Everyone howled with laughter.

They dropped heavy objects behind the dogs, making a loud crash. The dogs did not react. 

They ate meat sandwiches in front of the dogs. They did not beg.They put a big scary doll in front of a dog. No reaction.

They ran a very loud vacuum in a dog's face. No reaction.

The dogs calmly let then put on large bulky harnesses.

They flew large rubber bats with flashing red eyes around in the air.  No reaction from the dogs.

They brought a scary person out, covered in creepy blankets. The dogs did not care.

This dog opened the fridge, got out the proper food, then closed the fridge.

Tomorrow I will show you the one thing that all the dogs did most of the time. Can you guess?

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.

 ~Author Unknown

Service Dogs Of Virginia - Part 1

Saturday, Phil & I went with a friend to a demonstration of the Service Dogs Of Virginia. These are also known as therapy dogs. They help people with challenges, whether it is getting them food from the fridge or just giving them a hug when needed. Here were some of the pictures on the walls.

This course was set up in the middle of the room.

This little bridge would swing when walked over, to teach the dogs how to handle uncertain ground.

Through a back entrance, I could see the dogs waiting with their trainers.

It was a long wait!

This adventure is in three parts, so stay tuned for the faithful dogs in part 2!

“My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99 cents a can. That's almost $7.00 in dog money.”

 ~Joe Weinstein

A Complex Creature

This bush was so soft and green. Notice anything?

A brown grasshopper!

I think he looks kind of mechanical, almost man-made, with a robotic look. So complex and wondrous!

Crowds of bees are giddy with clover 
Crowds of grasshoppers skip at our feet, 
Crowds of larks at their matins hang over, 
Thanking the Lord for a life so sweet.

Jean Ingelow