Category: Jim’s Daily
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November 11, 2014 – I say “Honor” to our Veterans – Three items prompted me to blog to you this morning: 1. A text from my Daughter and Granddaughter about yesterday’s blog, 2. Jenna’s Bush’s interview with her Father and Grandfather (The Bush Presidential Dynasty), 3. The story of the poor deer that got it’ head caught in the candy bucket.
We are not an ex-presidential dynasty (George H and George W) but I like us better. We are: (Jim E and Jim K) You know, our self happiness, attitude, desire to serve, respect, and appreciation for life is no less then the Bush dynasty. – Jim retired from his office job and enjoys what I think is 24/7 in his new endeavor in emergency medical service field. We are not on TV this morning but maybe if he wrote a book about me ……………. Smart dog. After Heather and and Caro read yesterday’s blog they sent me a 5 page text explaining their family’s animal relationship with 2 dogs and 1 cat. “Kitty is wild but she gets a lot of behavior from dogs and they are in cahoots. Kitty jumps on counter and send food down to dogs. I do not think they are adults – I am the only one in this house with a sense of reality (My Daughter wrote that – Not me). Anyway bottom line is: cat thinks she is a dog, the dogs think they are human, the Kids think they are adults, and I constantly try to think like an animal so that I do not have to row the canoe” Like the presidential dynasty family – this family has fun together! This Drummond Island deer got caught sticking it’s nose into a plastic tub – She jumped back, took the lid with her – around her neck – wore it for a couple of weeks – nursed to fawns all the while (Secretly they told me how proud they were of Mom’s new neckless that Dad purchased for her) – Some how she removed it – I think after her and Dad had a disagreement??? Anyway we were considering a net to capture her and remove the lid, but not needed. Just what do you think she was thinking for those weeks? She showed no outward signs, that we humans could read, that anything was wrong. Grandma and I have been bless with the arrival of this guy 9 times (mine, her’s, their’s, plus 4 spouses) – We are proud of each individual and enjoy them all. That is our family dynasty. -
November 10, 2014 – Cows are curious, that is for sure – I took this photo from Temple Grandin’s web page – Temple is a famed animal behaviorist and author. I have studied two of her writings: first the book “Animals in Translation – Using the mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior” and second, an article a Time’s current special issue “The Animal Mind” In that issue, Temple used an excerpt from her book “Animals make us Human.” Sometimes I will take fun photos just to prove it is really we who try to make animals human. These photos make me smile -’cause I love animals.
I captured this photo from Temple’s web page because it showed the cow’s doin’ exactly as I described to you yesterday – How they would come and gather as i fixed a pasture gate! 
At a craft show which Grandma participated in on Saturday, a lady was selling dolls that were flexible material and were the spitting images of a real baby – folks purchased them – For grand daughters – I hope – But it was the Grandma’s that carried them around as if they were real humans! They are lot less trouble then a baby or a pet. So all that prompted me to show you a few ways we make our pets into human babies – I call them smart dog photos! These dogs figured-out the HUMAN’S life is better then the DOG’S life. 
So say them -” I figured out how to be human – Just look cute and helpless – See , they don’t make us walk, they carry us, and they take us to people gatherings where folks make sweet “barks” to us, and they give us treats to eat. We can even socialize while the HUMANS do their own thing. Ain’t this fun” 
I love to go camping now thatI am almost HUMAN – Well even more then HUMAN – don’t see me doing the peddling. 
This behavior alone could take years to fully understand. 
Dog’s growl or wine or volly of barks is a form of dog communication – but mostly a dog communicates with it’s body – it’s eyes, it’s tail – the signature play pose with head and front feet low and hindquarters up in the air. WHATCH THE NEXT ANIMAL YOU SEE – IS IT COMMUNICATING WITHOUT WORDS? If it is a kitty, remember they have been domesticated a lot less time then the dog – their communications and attitude toward you is much more “wild” then a dog’s.. Bye -
November 9, 2014 – When I wanted to move cows into a pen, onto the trailer, or through the working chute, I was good at it because I learned to anticipate their next move. But, I learned at a young age I could not seat myself on a milk stool in the middle of the field in hopes that the cow will back up to me and the stool. “What I have ever sighed for has been to retreat to a Swiss farm, and live entirely surrounded by cows.” Charles Dickens
I found these 2 guys in a swamp area next to the miles of nature trails I ride on my bike most every day. Fact about cows: Cattle get excited when they solve problems. When faced with a challenge of finding out how to open a door to reach food, their heartbeat goes up, their brainwaves show excitement, and some even jump with joy into the air. 
This little guy ran behind a tree to study me. Cattle are extremely curious and inquisitive animals and will investigate everything. When I had the ranch in Texas, if I was fixing a gate that they figured out how to open, 12 cows would come running and stand in a line and watch my every move. I had to be sneaky or they would see what I did – then as soon as I left they would undo it – That last part about having to be sneaky, was only a joke! 
Now, another thing about cows – calves often have the same markings and the same tendency to be curious as Momma. But often they have Pappa’s coloration. What you think, did I find Momma? 
See, figuring out how to get to the other side where the grass is always greener! Bye for now – I need to go check that fence! -
Nov 4, 2014 – Horses have friends and fun moments – I know that – Good Morning – Do not tell me what you are doing — How ever, think about it. Sure hope you are enjoying it. If not, spend a little time thinking about how you could make this moment a little more enjoyable – Maybe you do not need to change what you are doing – just a tiny change in the way you are thinking about it may improve things!!! Andy Warhol said “They say time changes things but you actually have to change them yourself.”
I’ve been reading a book by Time Magazine “The Animal Mind” the bottom line – Having good friends is very important to the health of animals – including us human animals – So reading and reflecting of the friends and animals in my life is one thing I am doing! It is fun. 
Studying a new computer software program to manage and hopefully improve my photos is another thing I am doing today – started at 6:30am – this photo I took awhile back. My studying is fun – but gee, those smart kids that create the software now days make it tough for us old guys to learn all the stuff they build into computers! 
Here is what I did to the previous photo using Lightroom (Software) – Did I improve things? – I think I did – anyway, I sure had fun trying! 
What do you see here – I saw the Com-trails leaving the water tower in our community -The Great Outdoors (I caught this photo as I was biking) The trails made it look like it was ready to take off. This is the Space Coast of Florida u know? It really is two folks power washing the tower prior to painting! But, I had fun getting down on the ground to capture the morning sun, the flowing water vapor trails, the flowing flag, and the stone sign introducing you to the “THE GREAT OUTDOORS.” 
I had breakfast with a friend, did my bike/exercised/photoed-as-I-went (stopped at the community woodshed and helped a friend install a new door), found quotes I love to send via a blog to my friends, and I wrote this Blog – Now you know some of the fun friend things that happened here this morning. -
Nov 2, 2014 – Rejoice!!! We each got an extra hour – How did I use it? Grandma and I had a little longer morning read and breakfast. Then I “played/learned” my new computer and photo software! The featured photo has trick words behind the viking – This was Halloween week – Good time to do street photography – photo stories/interviews of people and places.
Now we can read the “Tea Tasting” – At the Mall in Orlando this guy was giving out free tea. I ask if the “Hat” had anything to do with with source of the tea – Roman?, Viking? – “No”, said he – “It has to do with my beard” Said I “Perfect” and I tasted two teas before Grandma and I went to lunch at our favorite restraurant in the Mall. 
The only thing this has to do with Halloween is I took the photo on Halloween. Just riding my bike on the nature trail with cell phone in hand. Saw it, thought it sure is pretty – wished I had friends with me so that we could see it together – Oh, with the modern technology of my cell phone I can sort of have you friends with me – If you were here, I am sure we would study it and the I would ask you – “what is it” and I bet one of you would know — “Do you?” If so, please tell me. 
Back to the mall – I was in the women’s cosmetic department. Why? you may ask – because it is always by the door to the center mall hall – so you have to walk thru it to go anywhere in the mall. Anyway this this young lady was there and I asked her if I could take her photo. then I ask “could a man like me purchase some cosmetics like she was wearing”- Said I “on you it brings out beauty – What do you think it would do for me?” You can guess what a great salesperson like her said – I loved it – Said I to her “Thanks” — Oh, but do not overlook the dress being worn by the women in the background! I did not have time to interview her – but I was interested in asking how she happened to make that dress selection. 
Guess what Grandma and I did on the way home — Now I love icecream and have been known to travel great distances here and in Europe to get a cone of what I often consider the “Staff of Life” But this time it was Grandma that suggested I quickly cross 6 lanes of Orlando Interstate to get a little Staff of Life” She remembers this types of building when she was growing up and really enjoyed going back on memory lane! We did not have any of these in the very rural farm community where I grew up – but the creative architect who designed the building knew how to tell what was sold here – No words required. 
Until next Halloween – I will store my suit from Mars in the attic and look for a cosmetic counter and a Icelandic Viking hat for Perla! -
October 24, 2014 — The topic is Puppy Love – (and Horse Love) – The extraordinary pleasure of watching ordinary dogs and horses has often made my day – Hope you find these pets bring a little smile to your day.
Head is no longer in the the school bag – BAD DOG – Better if you kept your head in the bag! 
Brown horse shows her love to black horse. 
Spotted horse shows her love to black horse. 
Smart dog – doesn’t have to walk because her biking partner loves her. 
Very smart dog – Actually they are practicing to be the perfect team at “Bike Week” in Daytona, Florida this spring. Bet we see them on TV. 
It is fun to make-up – That is real Puppy Love. Go love your pet and send me a photo! -
October 21, 2014 – The extraordinary pleasures of the ordinary natural life.
We have spoken. 
Before I left the Island – a beautiful evening sky. Before i left the Island – watching the two Icelandic’s groom or pet or touch like the touch of a hand? – Definitely saying to each other “I like you” – The bared teeth are like a curry-comb which I use to tell Perla “I like you” each day the teeth are not shown as biting tools today. If you work with horses very much, you know they can (and will) very soon be bared at the hay feeder as a message that says “Get the H… out of here, this is my hay” 
Through the mountains of North Carolina, I left the Interstate just to appreciate nature – and I really did – Love this mountain (valley) home surrounded by the many fall flowers (I mean leaves). 
When I arrived in Florida – atop a home – as seen from my back door – an American Eagle – that just caught a 20″ fish, swam (using his wings like arms) across the lake to shore – sat on the bank and ate half of it – second eagle came in for it’s share while this one watched from the roof top! 
After a few days of unpacking, helping Grandma get the house in order, I went to test the golf course – at the lake by fairway #4 I took this photo of diner in process. – For the bird that is!!! 
Then on Sunday we hopped into the convertible and went to the beach – why did we do that? – To watch the ocean make round sand pebbles, of course. The Hurricane that hit Bermuda did make the waves exciting! 
I think Heather and family really get extraordinary pleasure from Dyna each day – She just sent me this photo of Dyna seeking pleasure and diner from a school knapsack left on the floor by Charlie or Caroline. BUT, notice whose dog Dyna is when she does “Dyna-things”. – Heather said in the e-mail titled “Enjoying nature and it’s humor”: “Look what your dog is doing!” 
Now,I got it – nature is full of ordinary things to make my day extraordinary – Bye for now! -
October 8, 2014 (With noon update) – One month and 2 days before November 10: “The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the big lake they called “Gitche Gumee.” The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead when the skies of November turn gloomy. With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty, that good ship and true was a bone to be chewed when the “Gales of November” came early.” – Gordon Lightfoot
The Edmund Fitzgerald 
In our quiet little Whitney Bay just south of Lake Superior in Lake Huron – It looks like an Ocean storm. 
Wind out of the north at 20 mph. 9:00 and above freezing!!! This year in Chippawa County (The county of Drummond) storms came early – It is one of those times when everywhere you go the topic is the “WEATHER” – at the local Bear Track breakfast, at the hardware store, at the Northwood lunch bar, at the ferryboat dock, at Island Service and Towing, at the Fort Drummond Marina,….. – This year God decided that we needed very little summer and thus shifted everything by about a month – so the storms of November are starting in October. The green tomatoes are still waiting for summer – I ripened, off the vine, 4 beautiful tomatoes – that was it – the deer got at least 50 green ones – hope they did not get a sore tummy . 
More signs of summers end – My friend Carlye and I drain the water system in my upper building – – my mini-farm buildings/garage/corral area…. 
Hope I beat the snow – planted “Fall” Grass – see their tinny heads – the deer found them – I saw 6 munching on the tender shoots last night! 
I left the last flowers in the garden for the deer – after I stored the fence for the winter – took them about 10 minutes to find the new Restaurant. Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
in the rooms of her ice-water mansion.
Old Michigan steams like a young man’s dreams;
the islands and bays are for sportsmen.
And farther below Lake Ontario
takes in what Lake Erie can send her,
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
with the Gales of November remembered.
– Gordon Lightfoot
I looked out at the gap between Lake Huron and the boating channel to the Soo Locks and Lake Superior and got this photo of a 1000 footer headed up. – probable 75 miles from where the “Fritz” went down off White Fish Point near the east end of Lake Superior with 29 souls aboard. Look up Gordon Lightfoot’s song for the whole story set to song as a memorial. (Fritz was just under 728 feet and went down Nov 10, 1975). 
I saw the freighter in the Gap while tieing up the burlap around the shrubs – the wind died down a little, (Only gusting to 35 MPH) but the temp still did not reach 40. I have on a down snow mobil coat and multi-layers under it -
Oct 3, 2014 – Last night at dinner, friends and I were talking how we each could look at the same scene and see something different – We mentioned the classic VVS “Varied View Story” about a doctor, lawyer, and preacher standing on a street corner when an automobile wreck happens in the intersection. — Well, I am sitting here looking out across the bay during an extreme and cold Northern Island storm – I see the waves, their strength, their direction, I sense the wind direction and all this impacting a boat that I, only in my mind of course, am docking – I am enjoying a daydream trance – It is my perfect storm – a movie in my mind – without the real dangers of live docking. My artist wife (Grandma) on the other hand would see shades of blue, green, and grey in the foam of the white caps, wondering how she can capture all of that beauty at the end of an artist’s paint brush. Same scene, different enjoyment.
I see Bambi eyes, yes – but what I really saw and wondered about was the antlers in velvet – How does he know to clean up those antlers – His first ones you know? do they itch, hurt, — why rub it off? I think it looks nice — That was what I saw when I took this scene with my camera. I said I must try to see him scrape the velvet off. I take my camera and go hunting. 
I failed on my hunting mission – but I did get to see the results – Wow – It looks bloody and raw – wonder if it hurts? Why rub it off? 
This is my perfect storm – I see it my way – from my vantage point inside it is beautiful!!! 
By the foundation of my barn I see a beautiful mushroom – I was told in this stage of growth it is safe to eat — SAY I, I DO NOT PICK AND EAT WILD MUSHROOM _ OR MOST OTHER WILD PLANTS! But I did see it a a thing to watch and see what happened over the next 24 hours – I could have thought about the shades of brown and cream – and how to create them on the canvas with my brush – but rather I returned 24 hours later with camera in hand to see what happened when it was not safe to eat! 
Twenty four hours later – WOW – Look at the black ooze on the side of the door frame – Just twenty four hours to get really old – It took me at least 70 years to get really old! 
In my garden I see a guy like this often – I watch and marvel at his smooth movement – searching tongue – darting eyes – and yes his tight skin – I just know it is time to get a new suit – That is what I see in this scene – Tomorrow I must hunt for his old suit – do not think I can donate it – it will not be wearable by others. But I go hunting – That is what I see when me and mister snake encounter each other – Not sure what he sees – or what you see. 
My hunt has been rewarded – right by my back door – See, my earlier view of the garden snake gave me a goal – find the old suit – and I did – the hunt was fun! I saw it my way! You saw it your way! Hope it was fun and a wonder of nature for both of us.
