Popularity contest

I've been practicing with my new camera and spending a lot of time on Flickr.

I've experimented with different shapes.

I've tried artsy sepia.

I've taken shots of weird things to find in west Texas.

But what is getting the most action? The joke shot I took of my boot to send to Ken.

Bitter cold

Snow is highly overrated. Not a big fan of the cold. Asthmatic bronchitis not enjoying that either. I'm ready for a hot West Texas summer.

Is it wrong

that I kind of want one of these?

and then again

Ken holds my penguin hostage. Ransom note comes via e-mail.

He has his moments

Guess who spent all last night looking for a lost child after a full day of work and was awake for more than 24 hours? Yep, he's a pretty good guy.

The road goes on forever ...

And the party never ends.(Thanks, Robert Earl Keen)

Fun with pictures

Do you think he's beginning to regret his choice of my Christmas gift?

More Mason-Dixon knitting

I've made about a dozen of these ball-band washcloths. This colorway is for my Mom. The colors perfectly match her bathroom. Still on the needles: Bri's camo scarf and Ken's black afghan. Soon to be started: A camo log cabin afghan, Absorba bath mat and more washcloths.

Anti-Christmas past and present

Past: When I was about 9 or 10, our preacher convinced my parents Christmas and all its trapping had to go. No tree -- the preacher's family had a Thanksgiving tree, which seems just as pagan as a Christmas tree. No Santa -- although my little brother was convinced Santa wouldn't know we didn't believe anymore and come anyway. I like to refer to that year as the anti-Christmas. It was great. We got to open relatives presents as the came in the mail -- the only hitch is we couldn't tell them until Christmas day.
Present: This year I have to a work today, so it has been Christmas all week. We opened presents Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A good time was had by all -- especially the one who got more G.I. Joe stuff to add to his ever-growing collection.



Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Not a difficult question

From the Associated Press: SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Zoo has closed its Lion House, an exhibit where the public can watch the big cats eat a meal, while officials investigate the mauling of a keeper by a Siberian tiger. Could the answer be because it's a freaking tiger.

Coming soon: The anti-christmas.

Quote of the Day for Dec. 22

"I'm not scared, I'm a man." ~~Sweet child, age 9 1/2 years

New hobby grabs another one

Sweet child got his first taste of geocaching tonight on the way home from the exchange spot and he's hooked. He's been a big fan of our GPS for awhile, so combine that with treasure hunting -- a done deal. Unfortunately, I was at work so it was a Daddy/Son thing. He was positively breathless with excitement when he talked to me on the phone. I have a feeling there are many more caches in our near future.

He's addicted

Well, actually we both are. But sweet spouse has been geocaching without me! This must be remedied immediately. Sweet child will be here today. Unless there is a blizzard, we will ALL be hunting caches some time this week.


In other news: Christmas rapidly approaching, nothing ready.

Weekend update

A great time and a new hobby



Saturday was a day of exploring the site of a nuclear explosion and finding our first geocache with the family. A fantastic day that lead the sweet spouse and I to go out and find three more caches Sunday.


Explorers' Fuel



Coming soon: Sweet child will be here for Christmas and hopefully more geocaching. He's going to love it.


Good advice No. 2: From a package containing a grow-your-own alien: Not for human consumption. In other words, don't eat the alien.

Another reason to love living in West Texas

Friday's forecast: Abundant sunshine. Warm. High 74F. As for the snow that is expected to come our way next week: Bah humbug. Snow is highly overrated.

Bits and pieces

Good advice: From a sign at the Odessa Meteor Crater: Stay on the path. Watch for snakes.

Sad to see: I never really cared for "Everybody Loves Raymond," but Peter Boyle was in one of my favorite "X-Files."

On tap: More ghost-town hunting.

Weekend update

Remnants of the past: Badger, Texas


Glimpse of the future: He's going to climb mountains one day.

Self analysis

Patience is a virtue I don't have.

It may have been the fever

but these get-better presents were highly amusing.

It's much too quiet ...

when he isn't here.