Our Resident Red Shouldered Hawk

Our resident Red Shouldered Hawk watching a little Kinglet. Cold and hungry!

SNOW IN OLD RIVER

Thanksgiving with Family

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. I ate with my Family. Nancy, Jimmy, Haley, Linsi, Matt, Allyson, Kahner, Chris, and Mother and Daddy. Mother fixed her really good cornbread dressing with all the fixings. I baked a spice pumpkin cake. Jimmy fixed the most yummy Turkey on the planet. It was soooo good. We all had a good time talking and catching up.

Gary had Thanksgiving with his Family. Me and the kids went back and forth from Sheppard's to Holmes's. I was pretty tired by the end of the day. Holmes's had ribs and fixings. I fixed lemon bars for their feast with a salad. Gary's Dad was very weak and did not feel well. Kahner really enjoyed playing with his little cousin Gracie. She is just a few months older. All of Gary's brothers came and their wives and children. The only one missing was Maggie.

I am very Thankful for my family. All of my Family. I am especially thankful for my loving husband and my children and grandchildren. God is good.

Lisa

Fall on Champion Lake

Cattleya Orchid

Fall

NCBS Bird Show, Lansing, MI

I went to the NCBS Bird Show with Debbie E. this past week. It was a lot of fun and always learn alot when I go to the National. The area was beautiful and too cold. Debbie and I traveled by car from Detroit to Lansing, MI. There were beautiful barns and pretty houses all the way there and back. I'm glad to be home but it is always nice to get away.

I bought 5 birds at the National and they are all doing well. Hopefully, they will produce nice little ones for next year shows. I will post pictures later.

Lisa

LTVBC Trophies for outgoing officers

Here are the trophies done for members of LTVB. Gary and I sandblasted them yesterday.

Kahner with his new Great Dane (Arnie)

Kahner loves his new puppy, Arnie. Kahner lost both his old Great Danes this Fall and last Summer. Cletus was 9 years old. Marley was 7 year old.

Alligators in the back yard!

Since Hurricane Ike, we have had lots of alligators on the bank behind the house. Champion Lake had serge water in it. That means that Salty water is in the fresh water. The Refuge officers call it "Black Water". It is not good for the wildlike but kills the bad weed in the lake. We are lucky the lake was dry so the serge did not come up the bank.

I rode to Plano with Debbie and we had a terrific time. It nice to share with someone on such a long drive. I planned to go to Tulsa to the bird show but my allergies and my body was tired. I am going to Temple.

Lone Star Canary Club puts on a good show. Cindy Crow and I tried to sale a few little birds. Cindy sold enough to pay for her side of the table but I sold no timbrados. Neither did Debbie. I believe that we are being black listed by the other women club members. I'm sorry that sort of thing goes on. Cindy and I had a great time sitting there talking and laughing. Debbie had to work the show area and was having a really hard time trying to keep the judge straight and the stewards kept leaving her to do it all. By the end of the day our birds had no water but a few ribbons.

I don't think I will try and sale birds there next year. If we even go next year? Have a good week!

Bird Shows

I'm currently getting ready to go to Bird Shows. I love the birds. Especially the canaries. The Canary and Finch Society was suppose to host their 13th show this weekend. We worked hard (canary board) to get the show as for as we did but Hurricane Ike shut the hotel down until repairs are done. I'm planning on going to Lone Star Canary Show, Tulsa, Temple, and National.

I hope everything works out Okay. The weather is so nice and the temperature is a relief from the hot and humid days we have had this summer. Please keep Bill and Mary in your prayers. They are still out of their home and so is Charlene Saunders. I don't know if Bill and Mary will go back after their house is fixed. It is such a shame that people have gone through such horrific changes. Over and out......

Hurricane Ike

Well, we got hit hard by Hurricane Ike. We have trees down but no damage to our house. Thank goodness! We have no utilities and we do not know how long it will take to get them back. We have been living with Ally for the past 6 days and with Gary's brother 5 days before coming back to the Houston area. We hope that our friends are doing Okay and did not suffer terrible damage to their homes and lives. I wish all my friends hope and comfort during this time. My prayers go out to Bill and Mary Hearn as they rebuild their lives and home. Also, to Charlene Saunders.

Gary and I are blessed to have come out of this with only minor damages. Thanks to Bob and Glenda who opened their home to us, our birds, and animals. Hannah gave up her bed for us to sleep in. Thanks Hannah! Special thanks to Allyson and Kevin as they have rescued us once again.

Summer is winding down!

Well, we have had a good summer. Gary has worked most all this summer except for the few days in Washington state. He has been gone most of time either in his car or looking at the computer screen grading papers. I don't know what to do with him now that he has a few days off before school.

Gary brought home a summer cold over 4 weeks ago. He got over it fairly quickly but Ally and I have really had a time getting rid of this bugger. It has settled in my lungs and head. It is absolutely miserable. I went to the Dr. today to get meds so maybe I will be better soon.

We have been counting Chimney Swifts on Thursday evening at the Rice Dryers in Dayton, TX. They are such amazing creatures. Last night a coon climbed down and sit in the window were the swifts go in. I think he wanted a snack. We counted over 400 last night.

Well, wish me luck getting rid of this cold. I'm ready to get rid of it!

Trip to Seattle, Washington

Gary and I made a trip to Washington to go birding and see whales. We saw a lot more than birds and whales and had a wonderful time. The trees are just magnificant and the forest is glorious. Gary got to see a banana slug. He has wanted to see one since he found out about them in college. I was just amazed at the beauty that was everywhere. Ferns, trees, birds, old logs with new life on them, eagles, sea shore, and everything was so clean. I loved it but it was a little too cool for this native Texan. I like it hot.

We topped it off with a trip to the Glass Museum in Tacoma, WA. It was a great trip!

Friday Harbor, WA

Father's Day weekend!

I had a wonderful weekend. We had our bird club over for a planning meeting on Saturday. The Lower Trinity Valley Bird Club. We had about 20 or more members here to plan what we are going to do for this coming Bird Club year. Lots of food and friends. Very nice group of people. We all enjoyed the evening very much.

Sunday, we went to Buna to be with our Dads for Fathers Day. Mother fixed a wonderful meal and Daddy grilled some very good steaks. I had a very nice visit with my folks but I missed my sister Nancy. She is in Austin shopping. I know she is having a good time with her kids. Hope to see you soon, Sister.

It is getting very hot here in Old River. Yesterday evening we had Ally, Kevin, and Kahner over for Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. Gary really loves and enjoys Kahner.

I've attached a picture of a Mississippi Kite that was eating a bull frog. Oh Yum!

Lisa

Tagged

I've been tagged by Nancy's Creations. Here are the rules:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. Post 6 unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag people at the end of your entry.

Well here it goes about the unimportant things about myself.

1. I love flowers and the smell of flowers.

2. I love the hot summer time.

3. I love the smell of bacon and coffee in the morning.

4. I love to have a good time with friends and family.

5. I love the green colors after a spring and summer rain.

6. I love baby birds that have just hatched.

Lisa

Birds In Our Backyard: Picture of Back Yard#links

http://www.nwalkerscreations.blogspot.com/

Picture of Back Yard

It's very beautiful this time of year when the weather gets very hot and humid!

New Cages for the Avairy and Prothonotary Warbler

Well today I put together 1 box of new cages for the avairy. It was hot work but got it done. I have another box of cages to put together but I will wait until next week. Gary got pictures of the prothonotary warbler going in and out of his nest box feeding his young. He is so quick and active that Gary had a hard time getting a good picture.

Canary Breeding Season 2008

Well my canaries have not done as well this season as I had hoped for. We made a lot of changes to the avairy and I thought that I might have a really good breeding season. I think the weather was a little too cool and damp for the birds. I had a lot of clear eggs and dead chicks. I learned alot this year and hope to have a better season 2009.