Guaba baby pics

Oct. 1996 with a sibling.

I have nervous energy since tomorrow I leave for the field for 4 days, but Guaba's really lethargic and I can't do anything about it.  So I scanned his & Yoda's baby photos.  My housemate will keep him fed while I'm gone.  But next weekend might be the big decision.

Jan. 1997 when I adopted him.

With Grendel my iguana.

3 mon. old Yoda Oct. 1998.

First meeting.

Figuring out Yoda is ok to play with.

Guaba getting old

Guaba is getting old and has been sick since October.  He's really skinny, and has something growing in his sinus that we were keeping under control with antibiotic shots.  But the past week it's grown and is making his eye swell shut.  He still acts normal, just slower.  Just wanted to update everyone about little Guaba.

Grafting trees, goats and pigs.

This super cracks me up. I'm going to Haiti, and some of the activities I can help with include "ministries in agriculture--church gardens, grafting trees, goats and pigs. " HAHAHA I'm so excited. I'll be there in May, stay over night in Miami to fly into Port au Prince early enough to catch the private plane for a 1/2 hr. ride to Pignon in the central plateau. There are a ton of youtube videos on Pignon - seems to be a mecca of medical and missionary help. I'll work with 2 missionaries and help with some database stuff, teaching computers (from scratch, in French), and apparently grafting various livestock. I'll post an update from there if I can!

Much ado about Hector and Frances

As we start planning for our upcoming move, many details need attention. One major issue is what to do with our cats. Initially, I assumed that we would shell out the $1,000 to move them with us. It would be expensive, but they're my babies! But in thinking it over, I think the move could be very stressful for them. Hector in particular. He takes several weeks to recover from a trip to the vet. So, I am dealing with the prospect of leaving them with someone else. Sniff!

It really breaks my heart to even think about it, and I will only be able to do it if I can find them a good home. I know that many of you are cat fanciers, and thought that you might know someone who would provide a good home for them (even if somewhere other than Lawrence). It could be a temporary thing (i.e., until I finish my postdoc and move back) or permanent (with visitation rights!) if their new caretakers preferred that. They are both about 9 years old and right now are indoor/outdoor cats, but could be indoor only if necessary. Any leads are appreciated. Any emotional support will also help.

Year of the Rat

Thanks to Gmail's RSS feed - I found this link.

I knew the SS would be interested and thought everyone else might enjoy it too.

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/02/exsqueeze-me-i.html

dog, cat, bird, fish, hottub sitting

Plus they have a computer! So I thought I could relaxingly post a blog while I sip my morning coffee with a parrot on my shoulder, like those yuppies out there (minus the bird), rather than sneaking it in at work, I mean my lunch break. I broke through to the technological side and got a ... drum roll... cell phone! But I'm doing the pay $15 every 3 months plan, which equals just enough minutes for when I'm out and about and trying to meet up with someone, or if my car goes into the ditch. Does the phone have to be ON for them to track it? So if I'm ever trying to catch up with any of you in a busy airport in Australia, I'll make sure you have my number. PS - the Kenya trip was cancelled - the violence keeps escalating.

Sally's outreach

I've been taking Sally to visit a couple homes for the developmentally challenged community. We go on Tuesday nights. There's a couple people that I didn't think cared either way about Sally, but Tuesday night we had one guy laughing his head off when I feed her treats right next to him. I ran into the home coach yesterday and she said the guy was asking about Sally! He talks nonstop, but it's all incoherent. I haven't heard him say anything that made sense, but I guess he does a bit. Also, the home coach said she was impressed that the blind woman there even reached out to touch Sally (she then ignores us both). So that's a big motivator that we're actually making a difference in their lives. Good luck with the giant blanket Lisa! Sounds like a great blanket to wrap up in!

Colorado and Santa Fe

Here's some pics from my trip last week with my summer housemate. The car broke down 24 mi. east of Limon on Sat. - we got towed by George from Alaska and his toy poodle Betsy. Then a 'friend' in Denver drove the 87 miles to take us and the camping gear to the Denver airport to rent a Jeep! The 'friend' is really a friend of my best friend - I had met him once at her wedding 11 years ago. Stayed in his posh apt. in downtown Denver, and invited him to horseback ride with us Monday. But his car broke down, so after setting up camp in Rocky Mt Natl Park Sunday night, we drove the 80 miles back to Denver to pick him up & he camped with us. Then Mon. after the ride it poured so we drove him home, got showers, and he gave us rumba lessons. Then set up camp late Mon. night - heard someone outside the tent during the night - elk! Tues. park, Wed. drive to Santa Fe and stop at Sand Dunes, Friday 17 hour day back to Limon to get my car, to airport to return rental, then on to Lawrence. Never did hike in the mountains - a jaunt up to 12,005 ft. from 11,700 ruined us for the day!

Charismatic Macrofauna

Please visit Sparkling Squirrel in the next few days as I intend to be posting essays and photos from the summer adventures. In the meantime, a few reminder that verts can be attractive.

carex and other unknowns

Hi - I have my very own carex (or some kind of sedge) in my yard and wanted to add its picture to the collection (how'd I get my toe in at that angle?) plus a picture of something both Jennifer and I have that we independently decided to let grow to see what it is. Here is my backyard, from the roof. I wood chipped the back half. I love the woodsy feel. And here's Sally since she's so cute.

Otters holding hands

'nough said. Check it out and make sure to watch to the end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno