Saturday, June 11, 2016

Friends :: One Hundred Sixty Two

Alex J, Eric, Max, Eira, Corey, Bambi, Lucas

Graduation is over, and we are still celebrating! The house was perfectly filled up, and overflowing with dear friends, and family, and pitch-perfect felicity. All through the night, and straight on into breakfast. We feel really good right now. Thank you, friends.

Every senior turns in about a twenty word message, quote, or song of their choosing, to be read by the counselors when they walk up to receive their diplomas. Nothing is more personal to the students themselves than an SDA graduation. Max's counselor read these words...

"Echoes of past events nudge the tiller on my present course. I await its reflection in the future."
The Scorcher's last message to the Ice King.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Thursday, June 09, 2016

Chicken Gifts :: One Hundred Sixty

We love our chicas. We love their eggs. We love running chickens, dust bathing chickens, chatting chickens. And we love-love-love Carol for sharing the hilarious, real, and daring saga of "Voyage d'Yvinec - Guirec Soudée"... that is, Guirec and his little red hen, Monique!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

I wish I could find a link for the subtitled version of this that plays on FB. I could watch this again, and again, and again. But from the start, even I, chicken lover extreme, knew that chicken adventures, and highlight reels of this fantastic voyage, were only half the story... where's the poop deck?? I wondered aloud. Chickens are cute, darling, and clever, even making dear companions, but no chicken story is whole without some feather brained antics and mess... lol.

Then I found this... and my appreciation for Guirec and Monique was increased and sealed. They're the real deal.
Oh, Carol. You've given me a terrific chicken gift! Thank you!

Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Now We Are Those People Who Have All Those Cats

Chango Biddy Bongo, El Cubano. I've also taken to calling him Our Grandpa, because he is old, kindly, wise, a bit curmudgeonly, and has a lot to say about stuff he thinks is important, and we like that about him. In fact, many of his stories begin with Well, when I was boy... and then we know he's going to talk about his battles, and the good old days. He's a great grandpa. He likes to whittle, too.

Mister Washburn Foo. Buttflopps. Ninja. The Fooster. Foovius Maximus. He has his own album on the FB, and people seem to think it's because he's "so cute" or "so sweet." But really it's because he is so weird, and essentially anti-social, unless he decides to bestow his awesomeness on you. I've often mistaken his attention for affection, but objectively I need to understand that my thighs are simply ample, warm places for napping or perching. Foo is a practical cat.

And this... this is Neo Cairo Nepenthes. Couscous. Jon Snownothing. Chupi Cat. Tribble Kitty. Our baby Boo. And now, once again, we are those people, who have all those cats. It's wildly entertaining, fun, silly, hilarious, and has been making us laugh and gather regularly to see what the wee one is up to, now! Naturally, I have not limited our obsession with Cairo-Nepenthes to our home, but have celebrated his cuteness all over the Internet, frequently, mercilessly. I will continue in this vein for quite some time, because I want to. (insert maniacal laugh here)

June 1... waiting on Max's lap while I dash into the market for more cans of tuna-something-paté.

June 2... Another nap with a circle of admirers cooing over him.

We know he misses his kitty mommy, because he does this. A lot.

June 4...

The first week he was with us he mostly slept and ate, and teetered with tiny, uncertain feet on bowed legs. But with lots of kisses, and snuggles and cans of tuna-something-paté, he plays more and more everyday. He has even coordinated his pounce.

It's great to be around the moment the play has worn him out, because suddenly the very thing that made him romp and tumble, puts him out, like a light. It happens suddenly.

William stands by his original assessment: This is a bushbaby. (Just go to Google images. I think William is correct.) The bushbaby has been playing hard... he might just be worn out...

Naps!

Both Foo and Chango have been respectably cool about this newcomer. Yes, they've hissed, grumbled, even booped Cairo on the tush. But, overall, we're witnessing a peaceful integration. It's a welcome attitude to observe.

He really is a small wonder, right, Grandpa Chango?

Neo... Greek, new
Cairo... Arabic, meaning "the victorious"
Nepenthes... Greek, figuratively "that which chases away sorrow"

He is definitely a happy tonic for us.




Welcome to our Bird House, and hearts, Neo Cairo Nepenthes~

They Come Running :: One Hundred Fifty Eight

When I call, they come running. Even captured in a dashing blur, I can tell you this is Lady Thompson, Pepper the Pecker, Mako, trying to catch up, and on the far right is Pele. Mako will find her way to my lap, so I can adore her up close, Pele and Thompson will mill around, until they see I have no treats. And that gorgeous one, the Silver Laced Wyandotte? She will eyeball me with death glares, adeptly scanning me for soft vulnerable spots where she can peck. She pecks for blood. She's accurate, swift, sharp, and intent. It's true, I want chickens for the experience, but Pepper's beak is one experience I've had my fill of!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Monday, June 06, 2016

Our Neighbor Totoro :: One Hundred Fifty Seven

As the date for the next Mini Maker Faire draws near, we are very busy making... Making repairs, making updates, making progress, making new things, making plans, making friends. It's been a couple of years since we made Totoro, and the chibis, and during our El Niño winter, he took a beating. William has been diligently repairing our stand-up friend, even giving him newer, stronger whiskers, and a whole new painting. Totoro is looking terrific, again!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Would you like to see the rest of the story? Please, visit us at Benevolent Order of Makers!

Sunday, June 05, 2016

Tasha and Ada :: One Hundred Fifty Six

The almost summer sun, in the early evening, making long shadows, and our goats foraging and noshing on crisp leaves and dry pine needles.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.