Furry Friends & Posts of the Week

Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way. ~ John Muir

As seems to be the standard for me lately, the following photos are not current. Most date back to late early autumn. I hope you enjoy them.


Beautiful Oona belongs to Frank's sister Lisa. She a Great Bernese Mountain Dog.





Thanksgiving activities proved to be too much for adorable Darwin who coped by snoozing on the laundry room floor.




There aren't too many little creatures cuter than a chipmunk. This guy is one of the regular visitors to Frank's back yard. He usually helps himself to sunflower seeds and peanuts but on this day, we had a special treat for him - pomegranate seeds.





Nom, nom, nom, pom.





That chipper isn't much bigger than the peanut.





In the park, this little guy scored a peanut for himself.





It looks like he wasn't going to take any chances that I might want it back.





I wasn't lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the creature who recently felled this tree but there are a number of places along the creek which show signs of a thriving beaver population.





It's been a while since this nearby log was an upright tree but it looks like a beaver was making a snack of its bark.

That's it for my creature feature. I'll have more photos for you in a few days.

And now, without further delay, here are the Posts of the Week. The icon below is yours for the taking if if your blog post is named as a POTW.





FUNNY

Pee Standing or Sitting?
by Stephen
at The Chubby Chatterbox

A Little-Know Fact About Aging
by Linda
at To Behold the Beauty

Parentexting
by Lauren
at Mental Pause Mama
 
***

A GOOD READ

100 Years
by Michelle
at House of Lime

Stealing Coal
by Friko
at Friko's World

The Uncharted Journey
by Betty
at Bossy Betty

***

JUST PLAIN GOOD

Texting
by Linda
at From Roses to Rainbows

Ice Fishun
by Steve
at Out on the Prairie

Thunder on the Mountain
by Maddie
at The World From My Window

The Artist
by Barbara
at Long Hollow

Red Doubt
by Cloudia
at Comfort Spiral

***

PHINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Golden-crowned Kinglet
by Kerri
at A Little Piece of Me

Trust
by Stacey Dawn
at Dawning Inspiration

Empty Chair
by Sandy
at Writing in Faith

A Slow Day at the Winery
by Barbara
at Confessions of a Photography Addict

***

READERS' CHOICE

Recommended by: Daryl
He Didn't Know That I Was Behind Him...
by Roban
at Moments in Time

Recommended by: Mage
Departures 6
by JED
at Cumberland Soundings

Recommended by: Daryl
We Go Skiing
by Growing Wild
at Growing Wilde on Waverly Lane


Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them.

Thank you

To Win the Sky

"The tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber. The tree is a slow, enduring force straining to win the sky." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore




"A squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit." ~ Sarah Jessica Parker




"I don't ask for the meaning of the song of a bird or the rising of the sun on a misty morning. There they are, and they are beautiful."
~ Pete Hamill




"No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings."
~ William Blake




“Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.” ~ Victor Hugo




“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots.” ~ Frank A. Clark




"Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes." ~ Proverb




"I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn."
~Henry David Thoreau




"The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire."
~ Pamela Hansford Johnson

Ordinary Miracles

Ordinary Miracle was written by Glen Ballard and David A. Stewart, and performed by Sarah McLachlan at the 2010 Olympics opening ceremonies. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge.


It’s not that usual
When everything is beautiful.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.





The sky knows when its time to snow.
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.




Life is like a gift they say.
Wrapped up for you everyday.





Open up and find a way.
To give some of your own.




Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.




Birds in winter have their fling.
And always make it home by spring.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.






When you wake up everyday.
Please don’t throw your dreams away.





Hold them close to your heart.
Cause we are all a part.
Of the ordinary miracle.





Its seems so exceptional.
Things just work out after all.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.





The sun comes up and shines so bright.
It disappears again at night.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Scene of the Crime

Yesterday, we were hit with the season's first snow-rain-snow storm. High winds and wet conditions kept me from taking my camera along for an outing but the day before that was dry. I decided to head up to a park which is about a 15 to 20 minutes walk from home. To my utter shock and horror, I came upon a crime scene, and it wasn't pretty. Come join me as I retrace my steps.

It started off just fine. A cold but pleasant enough day. I filled my pockets with peanuts, grabbed a camera for each shoulder and headed out along the path.



My local pond was partially covered with a thin layer of ice, allowing these ducks to walk on water. (please click to enlarge)





Different in appearance and attitude from the Mallards, this Wood Duck opted to find the open water. Doesn't he have such beautiful colours? All still seemed peaceful on this morning. Nobody could know the carnage which lurked ahead... (please click to enlarge)





I arrived at my destination, happy to photograph some of the bare bones of the foliage which remained. (please click to enlarge)





The dock, with its welcoming benches is usually bustling in summer. Folks sit, bird-watch, fish and simply enjoy the day. Today, the cold air made these benches much less inviting, and I moved on. (please click to enlarge)





I liked how these dead, leafy stalks dipped elegantly toward the water. The day still felt so innocent and tranquil at this time... (please click to enlarge)





I continued along and noticed this tiny leaf clinging tenuously to these burrs. (please click to enlarge)





As I rounded a curve in the path, I realized how populated this park was compared to the one closer to home. Squirrels began approaching me from every direction. Either they were very used to folks feeding them in this location or they could smell the peanuts in my pocket. In any event, they were quite bold. I offered nuts to a few eager cuties and they fearlessly took them directly from my hand. As I continued along, a man called to me from behind, suggesting that I turn around. Apparently the little guy pictured above never got his peanut and had begun following me, remaining close to my heels with each step I took. I turned and rewarded him for his efforts. As I bent to give him his peanut and snap a photo, another squirrel began climbing my leg, intent upon finding the stash in my pocket. Did I mention that they were bold? I moved along tossing peanuts to demanding critters as I went. (please click to enlarge)





These "dolls' eyes" caught my own eye. They're quite bright and inviting against their russet background but don't be fooled by them. They're highly toxic for living creatures to ingest - but not as toxic as the scene I was about to happen upon.... (please click to enlarge)





My first hint of trouble ahead was the look of extreme terror on this craggy face*. He was completely frozen with fear. I wrestled with myself as to whether I should turn to look or just run. I followed his fixed and frightened stare, and saw the scene which will haunt me forever. (please click to enlarge)

If you have small children in the room with you, please send them away before you scroll down lest the image traumatize and scar them for life.

Please steel yourself for the image you are about to see.

It's heartbreaking.

Particularly at this time of year.

I warn you, it's ugly.

If you're ready though, hold on to a loved one's hand and scroll down to see this shocker...





THEY'VE KILLED SANTA! And his little penguin elves too. (please click to enlarge)

If anyone has any information that might help us learn who would do such a thing, please call your local police department where you might also be able to obtain information to help you to break this sad news to your children. Oh the humanity.

When you raise the next glass of eggnog to your lips, please remember our dear, chubby friend and say a silent "ho ho ho" for him.

May the holiday cheer be with you.

*A nod to Rain whose blog often shows us some wonderful tree faces. She's a master at finding them. And Frank whose recent post is full of wonderful tree photos, including one of my favourites.