A bit of this and that

"Lynn, are we just doing a picture bloggy today?"

I think that would be a nice change of pace for us, Precious

Snapping turtle who must have walked up about 1/8 mile from

the bridge you see far down the lane, to lay her eggs.

 pink iris.

"rootbeer" iris.

 Astilbe.

Pink lilies

 Butterfly Weed, in the milk weed family.

Just a few of the flowers I have around my home.

A barn I see along the highway occasionally, and from the bike

path further southwest of my usual ride.

The barns in Ohio were chosen one per county in 2002 and 

painted for 1803/2003 celebration.  This one has held up

well in the weather.  It looks more bleached out from my

angle and direct sun while on the path.

"And me, your grey kitty."

Yep, my favorite of all, Precious.

And we are back to the incredibly uncomfortable heat.

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Too Hot to Tango, (or leg sit)

"Sorry Lynn.  I just can't do it.  It's too hot.

"You'll just have to look at me on the floor

during movie time this week."

I know Precious.  This 95 and more heat

we keep having each week in June is unheard of.

I'm wilting, so I'm kinda glad you chose the floor 

this evening.

We don't even get this kind of heat in July or August.

Maybe a day or 2 then of just 90.

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It is much appreciated. 

 

Fat Lip

 "Lynn, I ain't comin' out and give you a sniff and a kiss til you get some kinda lip-lippo.  Whad ya run into, a Mack truck?"

No truck involved Precious, just a flying stinging

venomous insect.

I've been stung many times over my long life by

bees, wood bores, yellow jackets and ground hornets.

But never on my lip!

I was starting out on a nice quiet cool morning bike ride.

It was about 2 miles out when I collided with this insect,

at my speed of 12 mile an hour and whatever he was buzzing at.

Let me tell you, when we met he sank that stinger right into

my top lip. And started pumping venom over and over.

I wanted to scream un-lady like words, but was afraid to

open my mouth. And it was instantly starting to hurt like heck.

Here I was trying to grab the bike breaks and put my feet down

without wrecking all the while.  Seconds later I then tried

deciding if I should just slap the thing off, swipe it softly or what.

I smacked and hoped it would not sting my hand, but it was so

glad to be off me it flew off I guess.

I finished my 20 mile ride, while swelling up and hurting

too much to smile at anyone or speak.

No one got a good look at me until I got home, thank goodness.

"You can try to pull that story off with humans,

but I think you went for lip inserts gone bad."

On a more pleasant note, here are photos of Giant Angelica

along the bike path.

These plants are native and grow 3 to 4 feet tall.

And the blossoms are similar in look to the tiny

(by comparison) Queen Anne's Lace.

But you can see the difference immediately.

The bee may have been headed here if I had

not interfered with it's flight.

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It is much appreciated.

What a Spring we've had

 "Lynn, did you really see these giant frogs? For sale!? I thought

you said frogs were small and fun to watch."

Early in May I had to drive to one of the large cities 50 miles from here.

Business, otherwise I try not to have to go too often.

Years ago when I lived quite close to this plant nursery, I would buy

my seeds and bulbs and plants from them.

Back then the huge 2 story barn store was mostly where they kept

the large sacks and boxes of fertilizers, seeds and insecticides.

To keep them dry.

I had not been in the barn for a few years, and it was a cold wet

(when has it not been cold and wet this Spring) day.

I was so amazed by the array of fun yard ornaments and home

decorations they now offer.

After a fun walk through here.  I then went for a quick damp run

past the thousands of blooming annuals and perennials for sale 

outside.  I contained myself and did not purchase anything.

Just enjoyed the walk about and hope for better weather.

"I am grateful you did not kiss one of those huge

frogs and turn it into a cat to bring home. 

That's how the story goes in my world.

It would have been as big as a lion."

By the way, Precious, thank you for hocking up those

2 large furballs directly onto you lovely expensive

blue bag.  Only wish I could share the process with the

cable company.

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It is much appreciated.

Hissy Fits

 "Lynn, you always come up with the most scary pictures and 

stories to tell when I'm trying to sleep."

In case you have never experienced the wrath of a goose,

I tell you, leave them wide berth when passing on the bike

path or else where.

Years ago I thought Canada Geese were a lovely bird,

not realizing back then we have millions of them now

living rather domestic lives. And they are so very very

protective of their young.

I actually was bitten through a very warm wool winter

coat sleeve.  The bruise lasted for weeks!

So, every day for 2 weeks that I have been back to bike

riding close to home this family of six is in the same spot.

The path is now poop covered and the parents come out

hissing and spitting. I peddle as fast as I can without causing

a wreck for me or them.  If I were to land on the pavement,

I imagine they'd eat my face off!

Now on the other hand, this 4 foot Milk Snake is just fine by me.

It was sunny but still very cool.  The snake was trying to warm up.

I wanted to move him to the side of the path he was headed,

so I picked him up.  He was still cold enough to be stiff, but not

cold enough to let me do this. All of a sudden he flipped around on

me and I dropped the poor thing.  He would not have bitten, he

is not poisonous.  Just wrong of me to drop him.  So then he was

awake but not really wanting to move to safety.  I encouraged him

with my foot.  

I much prefer holding a harmless snake who may pee on me and

make me smell like a garbage truck than have a goose

attack me.

"Just how am I supposed to not have nightmares?

Eaten by birds, my natural instinct is to EAT birds.

And twisty hissy tongue lashing snakes slithering

around under the bed with me!"

Sorry Precious.  I get quite excited about wildlife.

I just hope other humans get a laugh and not be scared like you.

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Talk about Hills!

"Lynn, you deserted me!  You are lucky I am a forgiving kitty."

Above is the Cleveland skyline and a bit of Lake Erie.

All of these photos were taken while having a bike ride up north.

I had no idea Cleveland was steep and hilly.  I did a good job

of riding my bike up all the hills headed north and 1/2 of

them headed south.  However, I admit I did have to walk a few

on the return.

Me.

My bike path here, which is a section of where I was,

is flat.  So I do not have the legs for much hill climbing.

This is a 640 foot long Great Lakes ship that hauls ore, gravel,

sand in and out of port.  It was incredible to be feet away and

watch it manueaver the narrow and extremely curvy Cuyahoga

River. 

This is a Russian Orthodox Cathedral.  I love the spires, all

copper turned blue and so ornate in style.

I had planned on spending the night after biking the inter urban

32 mile round trip in Cleveland so I could then go south on the

Cuyahoga National Park tow path along the old Erie Canal.

However as the day got up to 90 degrees on the paved trail

through homes, and industrial areas and the river route,

by 4 PM and back to the car, I decided to come home instead.

So Precious was not home alone for the night, which in 9 1/2 years

I have never let her be.  She even gave me late leg time, 6:30 PM

instead of 5:30!

"You ever try to pull a stunt like that again, Lynn, and you

will find out how sharp my claws are fur sure."

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A Ride on the Wild Side

 "Lynn, tell me it ain't so, you did not SIT on a cat!"

Recently I drove to Mansfield, Ohio. This is my

large city 45 miles away for shopping.

I went to the Richland County Carrousel Park.

This carrousel is fully restored from the very early 1900's.

Any repair and painting that was needed, was done right there

in Mansfield.  There is a wood carving shop that makes new

full size replacements for other carrousels around the country 

and for people who just want one for home decorating.

I think that would be a pretty big knick-knack.

I took two very expensive rides.  At $1 each, it

is a fun way to spend a few minutes.

The first ride was on one of the 4 cats.  And my

second go-round was on a jack rabbit with the largest

ears ever.

"Me, I'll just take a ride on your legs, Lynn.

In hopes for a nap while I'm at it."

I won't charge you for the ride or the nap, Precious.

I was so excited to actually see the Eastern Blue Bird

babies fly out of the nest box on May 7.  Mom built

the nest in March with all the ice and sleet and snow.

Laid her eggs and kept them warm during April with

bitter cold nights and sleet and rain storms.

Then the poor things flew out while it was a cold

rainy day.  Now I see them about in the trees and

mom and dad are feeding them meal worms I put

out as fast as they can.

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It is much appreciated.