Way Deep in the Heart of Texas

Forget the office.....tonight we ride.

Headin' off to a Warner cousins reunion deep in the heart of Texas.  So Orange Slices, I'm signing off for a bit, I'll be back next week with stories and photos that will mesmerize you.  

Stages of a dogwood

Peony after spring rain

Friday at the Feeder

Parakeet Lost.

One day last week I was watching my very quiet feeder mourning the fact that hardly any birds have been by lately.  Then, I looked up and saw this gorgeous patch of turquoise in the tree.  It was a stunning sight with the sun streaming through the leaves on a distant tree.  I didn't move, I grabbed my phone and snapped away.  He didn't move.  Then I ran upstairs and got my good camera and he was eye to eye with me and still clinging to the branch.

Upon much consultation with books and a birder, we determined that this was someones parakeet that was on the loose.  I enlarged a couple of the other shots and could see the beak and sure enough, it's a parakeet.

Poor little guy I hope he'll make it.  As for the family who lost him, I'm sorry for your loss.  He then flew away and I haven't seen him since.

ABC Wednesday - The Letter O

Living in ORANGE, Connecticut really provides a lot of OPPORTUNITY for O entries for ABC Wednesday.  This ONE though really jumped out at me.  This tree (an OAK???) was just singing with color yesterday.  And the way in which the telephone company has manicured the tree to allow for the telephone wires made the perfect O entry.  Yeah autumn!!!

Have a look at other O entries HERE.

Now for something completely different

Interesting back stairwells in Black Rock, Bridgeport.  I really liked the painted but peeling doors with the ivy growing up the side of the building.

Global Village at Heifer Farm

Welcome to China!

 With prayer flags afly'in we see two types of housing that is found in the Tibetan regions of China.

Global Farm at Heifer Farm

Welcome to Peru!

Back to the Youth Group's trip to Heifer Farm in Rutland, MA.  At the farm they have recreated a global village that endeavors to show you how families all over the globe engage in sustainable living with what they have available to them.

Thank goodness for Heifer International that provides education and animals for families to make a living and have food in their tummies.  Over the next few days I'll post more photos from the Global Village.

A Moment of Personal Privilege

Last weekend my son who lives in CA was home with his fiancé.  We had a family get together which always brings out the cameras.

From left to right: John, my oldest, me, Tina, my youngest, and Dan, the middle child!

How in the world did I get to be so short?

This is one of my favorite photos of the kids when they were little.
c. 1987

Friday at the Feeder

I noticed this Mourning Dove at my feeder about a week ago.  He caught my eye as I caught his eye.  Somewhere along the way he lost one of his eyes and it looked to almost have a 'seed' stuck in it.

Here you can see the one good eye and the one blinded eye.

Didn't stop him from feasting at the feeder.  We aims to please, sighted or not!!!

Heifer Farm

Back to Heifer Farm in Rutland MA with the youth group and confirmation class from Orange Congregational.  On the way in to the Global Village there was a table where we were encouraged to think about ways in which we, individually, could help to alleviate hunger.  We wrote them on felt strips and tied them to the bamboo patch.

ABC Wednesday - N

N is for Nativity

The year that I lived in Jerusalem I was able to go to Christian services at different churches throughout the year.  It was really special and is dear to my heart.  On Epiphany I went to the Church of the Ascension, or Augusta Victoria on the Mount of Olives.  I wrote a reflection about the experience HERE.  This nativity scene was sitting on a table on our way out with little stars for us to take with Bible verses written on them.  I love this photo.

For more ABC Wednesday posts featuring the letter N CLICK HERE.

Downtime

 During the downtime at the face painting station, one youth really got into it.

Her face changed throughout the day.

Face Painting at Heifer Farm

Continuing the weekend of Orange Congregational Youth Group at Heifer Farm...here's another part of the group stationed at face painting.

 It was slow at first, very slow.

 Then it began to pick up.

Who doesn't love a heart on your cheek?

I had my children's names 'tattooed' on my forearm.  I sent it to them via text and Dan wanted to know why he was last.  (he's my middle child) Little did he know that his heart was painted first.  Tina said LOL, (youngest) and from John (oldest) there was no response.  Of course, they are 32, 30, and 28.  Some things never change.

The Worker Bee's at Heifer Farm

Our group (Orange Congregational Youth Group) was in charge of the children's activities.  

 Apple stamping

 Youth advisors and kids

 Kids and advisor

Advisors - funny how we all chose to wear our Orange Congregational tee shirts that day

 - not planned!

Heifer Farm in Rutland MA

The Youth Group took a trip to Heifer Farm in Rutland, MA last weekend for activities at their Harvest Festival.  I'll be posting photos over the next few days from Saturday.

Heifer International is a great organization that works to end hunger and poverty in the world.

Friday at the Feeder

Last couple of photos from the Raptor Tent at the Orange Country Fair.  Now, of course, I can't remember what kind of owl this is but I've always thought that there were very strange looking.  The heads especially are odd.  But, as the old song goes, "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir"!

Infused

An array of infused vinegars found up in MA.

ABC Wednesday - M

M is for the divine Mr. M - Milo!

I know I've shown Milo before and even this same pose but doctored up in Pixlr.  But, it's late, I'm tired and he is the best M ever.  Here he is sporting his Swiss collar from the Zurich Airport.  I know, cheesy, an airport gift for Milo, he deserves so much more. He turned 11 years old on Oct 1.

Well have some more fun at ABC Wednesday by clicking HERE!

Reptile Tent at the Orange Country Fair

Orange Country Fair - Women's Skillet Toss

 Looks like her skillet is heading south - release too soon.

 A little more potential here.

 Measuring the distance - well most.

The results.

Orange Country Fair - Off to the Races

Waiting patiently before the race, the crowds gathered.

 Getting a sneak look at his audience.  Yes, pig racing.

 A confetti popgun start and they are off..........

 and running!