This is called the thunder moon

I have just 2 days left before I leave my mountain retreat and head back to the beach, family and work. My dog Zeke and I have enjoyed the past week walking and enjoying the scenery. I am looking forward to my bed and my bathroom back home both are cramped in a 19 foot camper but I cant wait for next year when I get to make a go at living up here year round.

In the past 7 days I have worked 82 hours. That’s a lot of hours but it’s ok because today starts my 2 week vacation. I will be spending 10 days in the VA mountains, ahhh cool nights and warm days (at least that is what I’m hoping for). Now I haven’t posted any beach photos recently so I thought that before I go I would post a few shots I took a couple of weeks ago.

the photos above are of skim boarders. Parents and grandparents don’t try to teach your kids how to skim board if you have never been on one yourself. I can’t tell you how many broken bones and sprained whatever's we have seen in the ED because of older folks trying to teach the younger ones to skim board. One grand parent recently had to schooch back to the car on their bumm accompanied by a gaggle of grand children after trying to “teach” the kids to use one. Notice the age of the skim boarders.

Now these are two activities we less agile older folks (and younger) can enjoy

Looks like rain today, much needed but I’m packing the trailer today in hopes of an early start tomorrow. Yaw be good.

Work was a bit less busy at 3am Monday morning so one of the ladies shared this with me and the others on that shift

I think its cute

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 10:44 AM

Subject: Minnesota Bird Feeder

To my friends who have to worry about their bird feeders. All of a sudden, squirrels don't seem so bad.

Minnesota Bird Feeder

Thats one determined bear and one strong rope
I wonder who took the photo?

I spent yesterday morning with the roses in my garden. They are not doing that well this year. I have put irrigation around, fertilized them, sprayed for every thing there is to spray for (I don't like chemicals in the garden but I used them) and I mulched them big time. They are starting to show some new growth but this is a very disappointing rose year for me.

I love roses but they are not as easy to grow as some would have you believe. They require a lot of care but the reward of the flower is worth the effort. Most of the important things in life are that way. A persons relationship with family and friends is one of the most important things in a persons life. These relationships require a lot of work to make them grow and regular maintenance to keep them healthy. I love going out with friends and family or simply talking to them on the phone. Talking to people who I have shared experiences with is very comforting. Next week I will be in the mountains visiting with one of my best friends . I look at this as a really great "maintenance" trip, one that will allow me to catch up with an old friend and may allow me to make new friends. I cant wait!

Yesterday was my boy dogs Zeke's yearly visit to the vet. This year I decided to have him chipped. What this means is that they insert a small chip that contains a number under the skin. This chip can be read by a scanner. The number that the scanner picks up is unique to that chip. That number is used to access information stored in data base somewhere. This information starts out with the vets information and for an additional fee can include the owners address and phone number. Its not cheep, it was $40 to have it inserted and another $18 to have it registered under my name and every time I move or have to change any information (phone #) its another $6, but I travel back and forth to the mountains often and its not inconceivable that one of my animals could get lost so to me its worth the price. Zeke was not bothered in any way by the procedure and today he is no worse for the wear.

Zeke waiting for the big moment

the chip is in this syringe

Dr. Bell inserting the chip

reading the chip (making sure it works)

Zeke no worse for wear

I do want to add that this is the same procedure that the government wants to force farmers to use on their farm animals. This procedure cost me nearly $60 for one animal. I have a friend with 50 cows. Even if it cost just $20 a head that's a $1000 and for a small farmer thats a lot of money. Support small farmers pay attention to the farm bill: Take Action: Support a Better Farm Bill / 2007 Farm Bill Proposals | Center for Rural Affairs / The Truth About the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

This photo is a little out of focus but this is the first cherry tomato of the season and I ate it right after I took this shot!

We are getting some much needed rain today. The plants in the garden are looking green and succulent. Rain does that, cleans the air making the color of the foliage seem more vibrant and the air smell fresh. Rain also gives me an excuse to stay inside and do nothing. Today I’m being lazy and watching the all day marathon of “Dead Like Me”. The dogs make me go outside from time to time but for the most part my butt has been planted in my big comfy recliner. I should really be reading. I have 2 Nat.-Geos. and a few publications I need to read but I just cant get into it today. I think it’s because I have been so busy lately. My psyche just needs a rest and it’s taking advantage of the cloudy skies. Well I’m back to the recliner, who knows I might even take a nap.

Well its summer on the outer banks. Temps near 90 with god awful humidity. I think my going to the beach days are over for now. The traffic is HORRIBLE. I hate this time of year here. I'm glad its time for my yearly sabbatical to the mountains. Two weeks from today I'm off for 10 days of peace and quiet. There is very little to do in Willis, I have very little TV reception, the cell phone only works when I'm on the road I don't have a washer and dryer and how messy can a 19 foot camper get. I will be forced to slow down. Allowed to read or just be lazy. Oh I cant wait.

I guess that's why we Americans so like our vacations. Weather we are going to the mountains or the sea we are going somewhere else. We hope that when we get there things will be different . Some hope things will be slower, others want to tie one on either way we hope to be rejuvenated.

I hope for a slower pace and I know after 10 days away I will be ready to come home and things wont seem so crazy here (I hope).

These photos were taken in Kill Devil Hills near the Avalon pier. The pier was on fire during some of this show.

I hope every one had a great 4th

for a not so good video of what the beach is like after the big fire works show visit:
YouTube - 4th of july 2007

It was a so so weekend on the Outer Banks. We had a good amount of rain with patches of sunshine but since for most visitors the weekend is change over time and my yard really needed it I don’t think the rain was a bad thing. It did put a little damper on my grand niece and nephews visit but they had fun riding around in the Jeep and getting wet. They wanted the side panels off and I obliged them. I don’t think they cared if the sun was out or not they all they wanted to do was play on the beach.