… this summer although there have been a few new images I’m fond of. I can’t believe I was making three or more a week for ages and now I’m lucky to get one in every couple of weeks. Here are a few challenges I haven’t shared.

I met four of my high school buddies for lunch today. One I had not seen since we walked across the stage at graduation 33 years ago! We all talked fast and furiously for a couple of hours and probably could still be talking well into this night if not for other commitments. It was fun and we’ve vowed to do it again and again!

My lunch dates today and I were in high school when Mark Spitz won his seven gold medals and I remember then what a feat that was. As most people said during that magical time, I agreed it was a feat that would never be broken. You know… it is nice to be wrong for a change. Did you see Michael Phelps win his record setting eighth gold medal? He is a joy to watch and his story is one that is worth reading if you know nothing at all about him. Dreams really do come true, you just have to dare to dream them!

Hey people! I’m still around, just not saying much here or anywhere for that matter and please ignore the title of this post, it has nothing to do with the content. We’ve had a rough couple of weeks with animals; a couple of sad things and then some fun things too.

Our favorite cow, yes the one you are not supposed to have, died due to complications from mastitis. Her calf is alive so that is a plus.

The fun thing involves nine puppies! Oh yes, my friends and family…. we’ve taken on yet another dog and this one had 10 puppies with 9 surviving. Long story short, with no ordinances here in our tiny town, dogs run loose including some of ours.

This mama dog lives up on the corner and has not been properly cared for in quite some time. She just had a litter of pups late last year and now this one. She eats here because of the already mentioned not being taken care of and introduced her last litter to our never ending supply of food. Those pups were eager to come eat, but they had never been touched, so therefore, no way to try to find homes for them when you couldn’t catch them to tame them down. Several ended up being run over by cars and the others disappeared.

We concluded when we realized she was pregnant again, we would take matters in our own hands and lock her in one of our pens where we could at least try to salvage the pups and find homes for them. Ed told her owner who in turn said, “I’m working two jobs and have no time for her and if we wanted to give her away to feel free.” Why on Earth wouldn’t you try to do something BEFORE she had all these puppies? There’s much more to this story and it involves more adult dogs that are now dead and charges that should have been filed for neglect, but I’ll just leave it be for now.

Sandy, the mama dog, was already thin and how she managed to have healthy pups we’ll never know. But, with a couple of weeks of all she can eat, she is beginning to look better and feel better with the attention given her too. I was always a bit leery of her cause she wasn’t very friendly, but after the time spent locked up and learning to trust us, it appears all she needed was a little TLC.

Now, what I need from you is to please send good thoughts our way for new owners and good homes for these sweet puppies! I’ll be happy to reserve one for you today!

We’ve been busy moving hay the last couple of days and let me tell you, it will wear a body down! The sameness of the trips to and from the hayfield to the hay pens, the getting in and out of the trucks and tractors, the holding your breath hoping the tires stay up on the hay buggies/trailers while traveling the rock roads with the heavy loads, oh and I did I mention the Texas sun? Oh yes, I think I did!

Here, check out the fun, won’t you?

Well, this one went tubing and had a blast!

Mercy, the 6th of July and I’m just now posting! Time flies when you are having fun, don’tcha know?

A few friends, my brother, me and Ed headed out to an area lake to spend the day. We had a wonderful time as the lake wasn’t as crowded as we thought it would be. The campgrounds, cabins and cottages were all taken, but the day use picnic areas were plentiful. We had a great picnic, lots of laughs, beautiful sights and a fierce looking storm blowing in to scare us off the lake. Ed has pictures too, some here and some on his site.

Last sunset… at least for now!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program of sunsets to share my surprise shot. I had no idea whatsoever I was taking a picture of a frog while trying to get a decent photo of the waterlily. The bloom in the bright daylight was just so-so, but the tiny frog made the whole thing worth sharing.

Another day of fun on the water and this time, Becky and I went swimming off the boat more than once. Now that my friends and family, is what being on the lake is all about as far as I’m concerned. Oh yes, fish were caught, snacks and meals were served, but gliding through that cool water was pure pleasure. Then to come home to find the tiny frog hiding in my camera’s captures was a great bonus and a perfect way to end this day was to share it with you!

Here’s an orange version of God’s handiwork… and a little Paint Shop Pro magic!

And a personal note… thanks to my Aunt Mary for being a faithful reader and commenter! She’s much better at commenting and blogging than I have been in the last couple of months.

There is nothing more beautiful than a sunset reflecting in water. I took many photos over the last week and all have been with my point and shoot Canon or Ed’s point and shoot Nikon. I do love my Minolta DSLR as you know, but the pocket cams have been great for the boating trips. If either one of them accidentally gets knocked overboard, it won’t be such a big deal. The Minolta going diving would break my heart!