Are there more out there?

Sometimes I forget when people tag me with MeMes. Sometimes I forget to put the half-n-half back in the fridge before I leave for work.

Eventually I spit out both. Like today. (Yes, it was sour.)

Back in time Burnett's Urban Etiquette tagged me to write my memoirs in six words or less. I've waited so long to respond that James has moved away... to a blog that is a more "formal" part of the newspaper. He writes for The Miami Herald. (He's a great writer, too!)

So -- my life story in six words. "I think I can do it." Not really. That was my response when he handed me this assignment. Here is the real one:

"I want to do it over."

Everything.

This stems from a lifelong dissatisfaction with all my first attempts. Possibly originating with my order of birth.

As the youngest of eight, I always knew someone older and wiser would respond to my pleas for help or advice. My older siblings came along and cleaned up my messes or took over my half finished projects.

It is tough to enter the family chain of command at the bottom. Everything has already been done, and done better than you can do it (at least in the eyes of the youngest.)

So...no...I'm never happy with the first product of my efforts. I also admit to rejecting many of the redoes.

This admission leads to a second MeMe handed to be my Karina. She is an entertaining writer that juggles three blogs, Candid, Cafe, and Creative, and works full time. I bet she does everything right the first time.

Here is her request: Six Random Things About You. (Me, actually)

Obviously the first one we just covered.

(1) I never get things right the first time. But I digress.

(2) I buy the more expensive soft toilet tissue. Believe me (refer to #1) when I say I have tried all the others.

(3) I balance my checkbook to the penny and I straighten out the edges of all my paper money and turn the faces all the same direction. BUT,

(4) I don't where I set my glasses or took off my shoes.

(5) Yellow roses. (No red, thank you very much)

(6) I do not watch horror movies. I get anxious, my palms become clammy, and my stomach churns to the point of nausea. So if you insist on my presence - bring a bucket.

You may think this post is tame. Argh. Maybe I didn't get it right. Or, I already wrote all the juicy stuff during the past two years. The random meme just keeps showing up like a bad penny. (If you are interested in my previous confessions, you may find them in my side bar labels under TAGS.)

If you haven't already posted this meme - take a few minutes and write your memoir or some egotistical random trivia. (Then, Email me when your post is up. )

Wordless Wednesday - Pollen Jock

Canon Rebel XTI

Wordless Wednesday Universal Headquarters right HERE

Fun Monday -- Collections

Mariposa is todays Fun Monday hostess with the mostest (collections.) Visit her HERE.
Canon Rebel May 18, 2008

What I would LIKE to collect.

Future Hedwig

Squeaky noises emitted from the huge maple trees that shade our back yard. I knew early last week that it was the same sounds heard three years ago when two screech owls raised their tiny duo in the tree tops.

One parent appeared at dusk in recent weeks. My neighbor, Myrna, joined me on Friday night to watch the small owl glide between the branches, calling in muted tooo-tooo-tooo-toots. We saw a dead rodent dangle from its beak, and heard the delighted response of a little one as it received an evening meal.


Saturday afternoon the distressed cries of the baby drew me to the fence. It may have fallen from the protection of its nest. (I put up an owl box last year - but it was claimed early on by the rascally starlings.)


There it was - the baby--at the base of the 100 plus year old maple tree.

I ran for my camera and hoped that there were no cats, crows, or magpies also attracted by its distress.

When I returned, the fledgling was climbing the tree. I appointed myself photography and protector and stood by.

Several times it flapped wings - but always held tightly to the bark with its talons.



A curious magpie lighted nearby as the owlet rested from a hard-struggled 20 feet of trunk. The long tailed black and white birds have a reputation for stealing and eating eggs and fledglings.

My flailing arms distracted the hunter. As did my shrieking and yelling "YOU GO AWAY YOU NASTY OLD MAGPIE!" (Even though I know their babies have to eat, too.)

Suddenly, the parent owl swooped between trees and made its presence known.

The magpie retreated.



After dark I cooled off in the hammock by the pond.

Soon, the sounds of the owls discussing their nightly details echoed over the quiet music of our little waterfall. I was relieved.

Round Robin Photo Challenge - Wooden

The Round Robin Photo Challenge this week is Wooden.

Kiva, who authors the blog, "Eclectic Granny" chose the subject. She said: Merriam Webster defines the word "wooden" as: 1. made or consisting of wood. 2. lacking ease or flexibility, awkwardly stiff (e.g., wooden performer, a wooden speech). A picture of John Wooden or anyone named Wooden qualifies.

Our White Birch Tree, which is very much wooden, intrigues us with the designs in its bark. They are made by the natural peeling and striping that is peculiar to the beautiful birch family.

I see two wooden penguins frolicking on an icy wooden skid to a wooden sea in this etching. Wooden you?


All the participants are listed at Round Robin. Visit each one for a great Saturday morning visual delight.