Home 4 Sale

Finally. I agree with Nate...about moving. Nate has been on board, this decision, for over three years now. But, I could not leave my home. Until one day I walked into my home and realized I was ready to move. I don't know what changed, but it did. So we put a sign up, cleaned our home (for us a three week project), and invited a photographer to come over. For those that have been over this is what our home looks like clean!
Our Home. Check out the sign! The day the realtor put it up the wind was really bad. The next day and it snowed. Thats right folks! Six more weeks of winter.








The living room is my favorite room. I have spent many mornings sitting in here reading books and drinking tea or coffee.








Birds eye view! When I showed Casi the house pictures this was the first one that came up. She said "Thats our house!". She didn't recognize it. Note the vacuum lines.








The kitchen! We changed the colors with new paint, new tile, and new counter tops (finally!).







The dining room. Note the 1 Liter graduated cylinder on the wine cabinet. Opps! I forgot to pack it before the pictures were taken.













Here is the main bathroom. Some may not recognize it. It was only about six months ago that we decided we were not moving. Instead we would fix the areas we did not like. We put this plan into action with the main bathroom in the home. Then after two months, $7K,a bad image of Home Depots customer service department, and two tired people later we were finished. This is also why we hired out when we tiled the kitchen. I included a close up view because it looks so good!










The Master bedroom. Pretty boring really. We we never got any pictures up. Its probably no surprise that I love the paint in this room.


Tanners room. I had to totally repaint his bedroom and we didn't put his pictures back up afterwards. So its a bit dull. I just hated to put holes in a perfect wall. I also boxed up 80% of his toys. With the remaining 20% of his toys we play House Nazi. "Ahhh! Don't touch your toys! Your rooms all clean. Why don't you go watch TV?" Poor little guy, but look how clean his room is!

This is our multipurpose room. The computer that needs a desk, the exercise equipment that rarely gets used, and the piles of boxes we use as a file cabinet, the sewing machine that I can kinda work, and the plant that occasionally gets water (usually after the leaves start dropping). As you can see this room took a bit of cleaning to get it to just two of those items.


This is Cassidy's room. Probably the largest bed room in the house. Its very important to her that her room in our next home keeps this description.








Cassidy's bathroom. We also did the tile work in this room a few years ago.








And our yard. I don't think this picture does it justice and I still hate the idea of leaving it. *Sigh*









OK there it is. Now all we have to do is keep it clean till someone buys it and find a home that Nate and I can both agree on. Haha!

OMG! (part 1 of possibly 3)

Gurp. Its whats for breakfast.

The other day I reviewed the terms people search that leads them to my site. I get quite a few people who find this page and this page. But the one that surprised me the most was someone who searched "gurp". The name I chose for my blog. This word (I thought) was my word. Ive owned it for 15 years. No one else knew about it. Its meaning was me. I was gurp (or so I thought). How could someone search something that only existed in my mind. So I did what any person would do. I googled it.

The definition of Gurp on the online slang dictionary defines it as: To nearly throw up. Origin from the sound or the feeling of gurping. They also have this beautifully written example sentence: "My gurp tastes like the cheeseburger I just ate". Thats good to know. I too have had that happen and was not able to describe it so perfectly.

But the Urban dictionary uses it in relation to "gurp sauce" which means "A very ugly woman thats high on methamphetamines". Here is its example sentence: "That gurp sauce neighbor stacy was looking through my yard at 3 in the morning last night again..." God! I hate it when that happens. Gezzz Gurp sauce woman, mind your own business and keep your over the fence look'in to daylight hours.

On a side note: Gurp also means Georgetown University Retirement Plan (GURP).

So back to the reason this person searched for "gurp". He/she was looking for these lyrics from "Come Gurp With Me" by Z-Man. Yeah! Ewwwww! It seemed rather obvious that I needed to changed my blog name back to "Managed Chaos". So Gurp. Is NOT for breakfast any longer nor does it define me. At least I don't think I am an ugly meth user or worse, something you burp up after a heavy meal. But this post is not all sad. A new vocabulary word was discovered. Go ahead. Give it a run. I did.

"Dude! Dont touch that! I just gurped it."

"Ewww! I just smelled my gurp."

I don't know why but Mr T just entered my head "I pity the fool that gurped that! Sucka!"

Things I overheard

When Nate goes out of town my mom steps in and handles the morning schedule. Makes sure the kids (well mostly Tanner) are dressed, feed, packs lunches, and drives them to school. A while ago, Casi told me this story.

She said that Grandma had finished getting Tanner dressed and then sat him down to breakfast. When she left the room, Tanner leaned over to Casi and whispered "Casi, help my hair"

Things I overheard: A superhero's story

Tanner and I are driving in the car when Tanner starts intensely flinging his hands at the radio.

Tanner grumbles: "Why is it not working?"

Me: "Why is what, not working?"

Tanner: "In Daddy's truck I can change the volume by doing this." Tanner flings his right arm at the radio and wingles his fingers
"I can change the music too!"

Me: "Well, why don't you try it again?"

Tanner snaps his right arm into place and wringles his fingers. The radio station changes.

Tanner excitedly states: "It works in your car too!" He then immediately flings his other arm forward and I hit the button on my steering wheel for volume. I am excited he didn't notice my trick.

The car is rather intense as Tanner continues tossing out one arm after the other at the radio. Arms whipping forward into place. Fingers wriggling with glee. His attention focused on his task. But I have a problem. I do not know what arm or finger wiggle does what action. So I change the radio stations and volume randomly; right arm, volume up, right fingers wriggle, station down, left arm, volume down, left fingers wriggle, volume up.

Finally he relaxes and lets out a sigh. He sits back in his seat. His eyes focused straight ahead and both arms lay silently at his side. He is deep in thought. After some time, he turns his head towards me and states with unease.

Tanner: "I don't know how to control my powers"

This one is on me!

I live in Utah. The location of the first Kentucky Fried Chicken. Somehow this makes us famous or perhaps special. Well at least, I guess my Mom thinks so. Since for as long as I can remember to today, she will point it out and say “Did you know that is the first Kentuky Fried Chicken...ever?!”. She has never failed to point this fact out.

I often wonder what this piece of trivia holds for her. My mother grew up in Utah. Perhaps, watching the opening of the first KFC and seeing it turn into what it has become placed Utah on the map for her. Or maybe it is just a piece of trivia she knows and she likes to share it. Either way, this statement has become an unofficial tradition for me and even today as I drive by I will state “Did you know that is the first Kentuky Fried Chicken...ever?!” No one usually gets the joke.

A few days ago, I took Cassidy to work with me to help move my office. She would load a cart with stuff from the old office and then bringing it to the new office where I would unload it and "put things away". After 8 years of working at Echelon, I have a lot of crap. Once we were done moving, we went to find a chair. This quickly turned into a game of pushing each other in rolly chairs; the one sitting tossing their hands in the air and exclaiming “Wheee!” excitedly. We never did find a chair.

We then drove home, along the way we passed the blue church building on the west side of Foothill Drive and I turned to her and said "Thats the church that Erin got married in!". Casi replied with rich sarcasm that only a teenager could produce "I know, Mom!"

Bad poetry: A Valentine Poem

I used to wish I could stick my head in a bag,
Thinking I looked like an old hag.
My natural curls went every which way
And I used to think my hair felt like hay.

On most days my hair was a big flop
Reminding me of a very very dirty mop
Then I found you through Tami’s blog (Thanks Tami!)
But I could not afford you. You are a money hog (go with it)

Every day was pure hell
I wanted to send every hair product to jail
I tried so many. My cupboards where full
of discarded products that did not do what they told (try to get through it)

They made promises they could not keep
My hair proved them deceivers, liars and creeps
But then one day I gave up the fight
I went to Albertson’s and bought you that night.

The next day, it was love at first use
My hair was soft since it took less abuse
My curls (almost) did not drive me crazy
and I could go back to being lazy

Oh, PureOlogy how I love thee
You gave shape to my curls and made my hair less frizzy!

I would like to dedicate this poem to Insomnia, who gave me the time and mindset to create such a wonderful work of crap

Valentine Dance: Casi

Casi's first dance

Kitchen remodel

We just replaced the laminate flooring in our kitchen! This is a picture of Tanner eating breakfast on a section of finished tile. We did not have a table.I just love how he is eating with his gloves on. It was snowing and he was excited to wear them to school.

It's finished now and we still dont have a table or chairs in there. Just a winder dairy crate on the floor with a pillow on it. Casi and I usually (jokingly) fight over the only seat in the room.

Here are the finished images (I wish I had a picture of the crate)



Is it strange that I get distracted in this image by the trees outside and the fact that Tanners pants are too short?


Here is my favorite image of my Uncle who did the work. Watching someone else mop my floor gave me so much joy! Is that wrong?


I know its stupid but I keep thinking of that credit card commercial.....

Miscellaneous Expenses: $100
Tile: $500
Labor $950

Paying someone else do the work... PRICELESS!

Tag: Twenty-5 random things

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.

1. I am 40 years old!
2. When it comes to my age, I like to round up to the nearest 5
3. I am taking 3 prescription drugs. Drug A is for chronic illness A, Drug B is for the side effects of having illness A, and Drug C is for the side effects of taking Drug B. Drug D will be from the side effects of turning 40.
4. I wash my hair every 2-4 days.
5. This means I wear 2-6 days of bed head per week. This is fine since, bad hair goes well with the stereotypical appearance of a scientist. Yet another thing Einstein contributed to science. As a matter of fact I think that there is a resemblance between his hair and mind.


















6. I habitually leave drawers and cabinets open. I used to complain to my family about this until I was told it was me.
7. I habitually close open drawers and cabinets, so I don't irritate myself.
8. I still leave drawers and cabinets open.
9. I started collecting magazine advertisements that I think are "bad". They decorate they back wall of my office.
10. I check my blog for comments multiple times a day. I sometimes wonder if the excitement of seeing a new comment will ever get old. (Thanks! to those who comment. Luv you!)
11. I love nuts!
12. Turtles
13. and occasionally my Kids
14. I love my kids
15. The books sitting on my nightstand are: Things I overheard while talking to myself by Alan Alda; Queen Bees & wannabes, by Rosalind Wiseman; Pilgrim at tinker creek, Anne Dillard; An American Childhood, by Annie Dillard; The writing life by Annie Dillard; Aldo Leopolds Southwest; by brown Carmony, An exileration of wings, by Jen Hill; The serpents Paradise, by Edward Abby; and the Dance of the Dissident Daughter, by Sue Mon Kid.
16. I am reading all of them.
17. Some of the books, have not been opened in 5 years.
18. My nightstand also contains: an unknown number of mismatched screws, the cap to a hose, a bag of green bean seeds (unopened), two barrettes, 3 rocks, and a bra.
19. I can pee really fast.
20. but I have never validated this in a race.
21. I am not religious
22. but I am spiritual
23. Sometimes I am neither but I am never both
24. I wish I was done with this
25. And now I am!

If they would like too play, I would enjoy reading a similar post from Casi, Mom Branch, and Tami. Tag! Your it!

Backyard birdcount!

Time to make plans for the Great Backyard Bird Count! It is held next week from February 13-16. The instructions are posted below. Its easy, and its science for birds! Three of my favorite things!

1. Visit GBBC's website for easy to follow instructions, tips for identifying birds species, and to download a checklist for your area.
2. Count the birds wherever you choose to count. Write down the highest number of individuals you see at one time to avoid counting any bird twice.
3. After at least 15 minutes of watching in one place, report your results. You can always spend more time observing if you prefer.
4. You can repeat your count at the same place on each day of the Great Backyard Bird Count, or visit other locations and submit separate tallies for those as well.

A sit with ones self

I had a dream last night. A naked dream. I have been having them quite often. Usually, in the dream, I am overwhelmed with the urge to cover myself up. I spend the entire dream trying to find clothes or hide from those I  did not want to see. Last nights dream, however, was different. I was not bothered by my situation at all.  I did not care about being naked and instead spent the entire dream trying to convince those around me that my  nakedness is OK. Their pestering bothered me. I was irritated at them for making such a big deal out of nothing. 

I went to work the morning of the dream.  I used my key card and entered the lab, the dream working the back corners of my mind; slowly analysing. Trying to make sense of it. I set my bag down  and left. I walked out the door without a second glance. My key card sitting on my desk. I am the first to come to work. The next person will  arrive sometimes hours later. I was  locked out. 

The next thought that entered my mind was what I would do with the time I was given. I had No phone,  No car keys, and  No computer.  It felt odd. Uncomfortable.  I laughed,at myself, when I realized how comforting my electronics are to me. Then laughed again at the thought that the naked dream was predicting my future. 

Still unsure what to do with myself,  I went and sat in the foyer and looked out the large two story windows that make up the front entrance of the building. The windows look east, overlooking  the parking lot,  towards snow capped mountains. This morning, however, I could see neither. It was dark outside and the room I sat in, lite up; my reflection was all I could see. 

Sledding 4 Science

This year Casi gets to participate in a science fair. Yippie!

Casi however, is openly against learning science (or at least enjoying it :). Luckily, she found a fun way to participate in the fair while still demonstrating her knowledge of the scientific method; speed vs friction in the form of sledding. 

Casi, Nate and I went up Big cottonwood Canyon one Sunday morning with agenda of collecting data for her project. We stopped at the first unofficial sledding area we found. 

It was raining in the valley and from the weather report up to 9,000 ft the day before. We were all worried the rainy conditions would affect Casi's sledding experiments.  We needed powdery conditions for Casis Hypothesis states:

"I predict that as the packed down, icy quality of the snow increases, the speed of the Fantastic Flyer III will also increase.

 I believe the following is true since the surface area of the Fantastic Flyer III is less than the H20! sled. Reducing the friction will increase the speed of the sled."

 As we climbed up the canyon the rain turned to snow; covering the slops with a  foot of Utahs finest powder. The greatest snow on earth.

Nate records Casi time as she crossed the finish line.

I am a data hog. I like reviewing data. I like graphing it. I like making graphs tell a particular story. Especially when a correlation is seen. For those data hogs that might be reading this, Casi's results are shown below.

Graph 1: Snow pack vs speed

This graph has quite a bit of information. It shows what an irratic sledder I am in comparision to Casi. Indicating that Casi is a way better sledder than me. It also shows how snow pack and speed are correlated. Showing that as the number of runs increase the snow began to pack and become icy. The packed snow and ice reduced the amount of friction acting on the sleds. As the friction reduced so did the time it took the sled to go down the slope. The sleds became faster. 
This graph also shows how initially the Flyer (sled on rails) was slower than the H20! (a plastic sled) but as the slopes became more snow packed and icy the Flyer became faster than the H20!. The Flyer performs better on icy slopes. The H2O!'s speed is less affected by the type of snow. 

Graph 2: Weight vs Speed

As the weight on the sled increased the time it took to go down the slope increased. The heavier a person is the more friction acts on the sled. The sled becomes slower. This is opposite to what Casi and I thought. Another fun experiment would be to test how a longer slope would affected this. 

Update: The display board (OMG! She is so cute in this picture)

Admitting mistakes

A mistake? An error? and he admits it? What? 

"So this is a mistake -- probably not the first one I'm going to be making in this office, but what I'm absolutely committed to doing is fixing it," Obama said. 

What a bright contrast in comparison to the last eight years; where the opportunity of recognizing ones mistakes or fixing them was rarely taken. 

Tanner's (Casi's and Angie's) Fav

Meet Mimi

Mimi has been with us for about 3 years now. She was Casi's Rat. Now she is Tanners. We brought her into our home after Max died (our first Rat). She is nothing like her predecessor though. Max was bold and could be demanding; banging the lid of his cage when he wanted something. She is rather shy. 

Every night, before Tanner goes to bed, we give her a raisin and a nut. Having a sweet tooth she likes raisins most. Eager to receive her precious daily raisin, she will stretch the boundaries of her cage, crawling onto the rim of the 10 gallon glass aquarium that acts as her home and sit there eagerly. Impatiently waiting through Tanners  bed time story and the feeding of the fish that live next door. 

Things I overheard

While watching Scrubs...

Casi: "Ha ha! JD is so funny. He is such a dork and he tries so hard to be cool."

Me: "Don't we all?"

Things that make me cry

I love pork products (except pork chops-I don't like them even a little)! A friend, who shares my passion, sent me this link to "Bacon explosion" If you like sausage and bacon you should check it out. The article is filled with a wonderful array of pork product porn and porkly phrases.  I honestly teared up at photo number 7. Mmmmm! (If you don't like bacon and sausage ...shame on you.)

Here are a few of my favorite phrases...

1) "To kick off the construction of this pork medley "

2) "bacon weave"

3) "Now that you’re pork is well seasoned, it’s time to add more pork."

4) "bacon layer number two"

5 "bacon goodness"

6) "You’ll reach pork Nirvana is no time flat!"

Things I overhead

Photo taken by Casi with her cell phone. 

_______________________________________________________________

Tanner: "Mom do you know where the computer charger is? The computer just downloaded on me."

________________________________________________________________

Tanner: "Mom do you know what the fastest Dinosaur is?"

Mom: "What?"

Tanner: "A Cheetahitchisaur."

Mom: "Did you just make that up?"

Tanner: "No!"

Mom: "Thats too bad its pretty funny."

Tanner: "Oh yeah, I did."

A day in the life-Casi

Photo taken with by Casi with her cell phone. She commented on the lighting... but I don't remember exactly what she said. 

Please pass the Karma

I was on my way to Grandma Angie's home for a day of shopping and grandmother hugs; Italian style. She needed a new rug and wanted a second opinion. On my way to pick her up, I stopped to get a cup of coffee. There were three cars in line at the drive up window. I joined them and waited. 

When it was finally my turn. The girl in the window handed me my order. Then with a smile on her face informed me that the cup of coffee was free. "The Lady already paid for it".

 I accepted the coffee in confusion. "Really? Thank you! What lady?

The girl pointed to the blue F150 pulling away from the coffee shop.  "Oh!? Wow! Ahh, thank you!"

I was elated and left the coffee shop on a high that lasted all day.

It cracks me up that something as small as a $3 cup of coffee had such an effect, but it did. I plan to pass it on to someone else. 

Fourty-4

Have you ever thought that all the great moments in history have already happened?

I did an interview, of my Grandma Verdie in elementary school. Learning about her life gave a presence to her time and opened the doors to the possibilities of my own. After writing my report I sat and wondered about how things will change over my life. Perhaps, due to a lack of imagination, I could not think of anything. Everything seemed as it would always be.

Time went on. I am 20. My Grandpa Dan is sick; living the last few years of his life. Nate and I would spent a few hours visiting with him one Sunday a month. I loved these visits. With only Nate and I there he would get chatty and tell us his life stories. The stories that made him into who he was. Stories about what he loved and what made him laugh. Stories about times almost forgotten. During one of these visits I wondered what I would remember; what I would want to tell my grand kids when the time came to tell my stories. Before we left Grandpa, sitting in his recliner would reach up and give me a hug. I always smelled foldgers in his hugs. I smell it right now while I write this.

Today, an African-American was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. I have heard the statement "we are witnesses to history". Its true! We are witness to this historical moment but I can not help but feel that this moment is greater than the color of this mans skin. Based on today's experience, if I was speaking to my Grand kids, I would tell them about the man who aspires to be a president of the people and how this was reflected by the hundreds of thousands of people standing in freezing temperatures to see his inauguration; clothed in cotton hats and gloves, coats and scarfs instead of furs and fancy shoes. I would tell them of how he spoke of diplomacy and respect of other nations and how he plans to bring peace. And I would tell them how he gave hope to the people of America "amidst gathering clouds and raging storms".
For we are in a difficult times. "we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, ... Our economy is badly weakened,...Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet." He warned us during his inauguration speech of these issues. There is still more to be done.

Yes, he made history by becoming the first black US president and we were all witness to that but there is further history to be made. I heard someone say the worst times in American History brings out the greatest presidents. I believe, we are having one of those times and that he has the potential to be one of those presidents. It is my hope that we will be witness to that as well.

Me and my sis

Sometimes you do something for someone else and it turns out you need it too.

Different sections of three pictures taken with my cell phone (a Nokia Crazer) during a girls night out.  

(We were trying on "ugly clothes"- we did not wear the same outfit)

Rusty Blackbird!

After working Sunday, so I could take Monday off, driving  3 hours to Fish Springs NWR and back, and weathering a blistering 40F, sunny and cloudless day (OK this part was good) I saw the Rusty Black bird. The above picture was taken by Pat. 

As expected, I received quite a few comments for going to see this bird. "Mom you go to strange places with strange people" from Cassidy to a co-worker sending me an email with only the word "freak" in it (his preferred nick name for me). My favorite comment though, was a question. “What kind of bird and why is it special?” I thought I would answer it here... 

The Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus Carolinus) is a widespread North American species that breeds in the boreal wetlands. Dring the winter months, however, it migrates to the wooded wetlands of the southeast United States. Occasionally during theses migrations a bird will get lost and appear outside of its normal range. Making it special, in that it shows up where it is not expected and allowing myself and others to see the bird without flying to Mississippi.

Currely, this birds population is in decline. "An analysis of the literature on the distribution of North America birds from the late-18th to the late-19th century shows a consistent long-term decline in the qualitative assessment of this species' abundance. More alarmingly is that both national indicators of songbird abundance, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and the CBC, show sharp declines over the past three decades (see graph).BBS data indicate a population trend that averages a decline of more than ten percent per year for the last 30 years." This decline accounts for more than 95 percent of the population that existed when the Breeding Bird Survey was initiated. Since the Rusty Blackbird is dependant on wood wetlands to survive, both in summer and wintering habitats, its decline could be an indicator of the general health of the wooded wetlands of North America and perhaps give incite to why other species, of that same habitat, are also in decline.

You can join the search for Rusty Blackbirds and learn more about it and it's decline here.

Pat and Painted Buntings

A Rusty Blackbird has been seen at Fish Springs NWR. It was first observed during Fish Springs CBC last weekend. It was seen again and photographed today. I saw a post on the Utah birds website and was immediately excited to see it was from my buddy Pat.  Pat wanted to get a group together to see the Rusty Blackbird. The idea of birding again with Pat made me think of the first time, and only time, I have birded with him...

Written 8/14/2007 in a letter to two of my best friends.

I wanted to see a Painted Bunting being seen at Fish Springs,Utah! If approved, it will be the first documented sighting of the Painted Bunting in Utah! A very exciting species but Fish Springs is a bit off the "main road". You guys know the place. Two and a half hours of driving on poorly maintained  desert dirt roads. Out in the middle of nowhere. Remember to bring extra gas and water. OK, you get the idea. But,  I have no more birding friends  in Utah (Miss you guys!). So I did what any birder would do. I planned to go alone. In my car. Without  4 wheel drive. Seems rational.  Doesn't it? 

I didn't end up going alone. I went with Pat and some  guy with a Utah name I cant remember. I met Pat on the Internet (probably the only time I will get to say I meet a guy on the Internet). Nate insisted that going alone with a man I didn't know was NOT a good idea. I said, " Hes a birder"and left it at that.  When I finally met pat and his friend I laughed. They were wonderful! Birders are a great group of people.

Pat, a talker,  spent the trip to Fish Springs telling stories.  He reminded me of my Grandpa Dan;  barrel chested, with laughing eyes, and an appreciation for a good story.  Of course, Pats stories were all clean;  my grandfather had an appreciation for the other. Pat spoke of listening to Louise L'Amour speak, caves and rock collecting, and going to Indian ruins before they were protected as National Parks, and like my Grandfather all of Pats stories were centered around Utah.  I loved hearing the history he was witness to. 

Pat drove the dirt road, to Fish Springs, like a bat would fly out of hell (I only peed my pants a little bit!). It was predawn; dark and poring raining. I was concerned that the rain would make the fine dirt of Utah's west desert into slippery goo. I wasn't wrong to be concerned. I sat next to him in the passengers seat of his white and slightly rusty Jeep Cherokee. A calm expression on my face. Absently  commenting here and there regarding his story. The whole time secretly wondering about Pats mental capacity. How coherent was he?  How were his reflexes? Did he take any major prescriptions? Did he take them this morning?  The sound of pounding rain, the water splashing against the sides of the car, mud flinging from the tires,  his cheerful chatter and my occasional response pounding in my head.  I somehow kept my composure as we flew down the dirt road. I only  squeaked a little bit when we slipped off the road into a small ditch going 70 miles an hour; somehow getting back on the road before hitting a dirt berm. 

Once at fish springs the rain stopped. We drove the where the Painted Bunting was last seen; one of the only tree'd areas in the region; the landscape mostly composed of sage brush. This area, loosely known as the picnic area, contained four cottonwood trees.

We were in the middle of a pressure change and were concerned that the Bunting had left. We desperately  searched the four trees but nothing was active. No little warblers. No finches. Nothing! Pat saw a pair of Great Horned Owls roosting in two of the four trees and I felt certain that the Bunting was now the main product in a great horned owl pellet.

We sat for hours. Observing any activity we imagined.  Looking at one tree and then the next. Until we looped back and did it again. Finally one of us suggested leaving to another area of the reserve to look for a Cackling Goose. No one had a spotting scope.  It felt hopeless. It was. 

We  continued around the reserve observing any species identifiable without a spotting scope. Snowy Egrets, Mallards, unidentifiable gull species, and White Faced Ibis. It was pretty dead and we were fairly sedated due to the lack of sleep and excitement. We came around a corner of a large pond. In the pool of water by the side of the road was a Reddish Egret! The second sighting ever  seen at Fish springs. We did an emotional flip and were ecstatic! 

We still had not seen our target bird and went back to the picnic area to look again. It was noon and hot but we were still determined and made plans to stay till it cooled off. I sprawled on a picnic table underneath one of the owls and watched it watch me while I ate a cliff bar that expired a year ago. A  peanut butter cliff bar that old does NOT taste like peanut butter. It tastes like dirt. To make matters worse the texture of the cliff bar supported my taste buds.  I was hungry and ate the whole thing. 

It was past noon. We had watched every movement the four trees had to offer for two hours. The weather began to cool. A soft wind blew high  in the trees canopy. The bird activity began to pickup; Yellow Warblers, House Finches, Great tailed Grackles, a Grey Flycatcher, and the Painted Bunting returned. 

On a side note: Pat drives slower in dirt roads, during dry weather, in the light. I made it home safely. 

Things I overhead

On the way home from grocery shopping today; after I bought an embarrassingly huge box of Eggo waffles and 1/2 dozen box of donuts. I saw the black truck in front of me had purposely hung an item from its underparts to identify the sex of the truck and the low neuron count of the driver.

Me: " I don't get why people have to hang things like that on their vehicles."

Casi: "Yuck! I don't get it either.... What is it?"

Me: *silence*

Say what Mr (not so green) president?

"President Bush will create three new marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean today, according to his top aides, a move that will help preserve sprawling sea and island ecosystems and cement the one aspect of his legacy that has won praise...from environmentalist."

 see article here.

Shifting Whispering Sands

Yes, it always whispers to me of the days of long ago. When the settlers and the miners fought the crafty Navaho. How the cattle roamed the valley. Happy people worked the land. And now everything is covered by the shifting whispering sands.    Shifting Whispering Sands, as sung by Jim Reeves

I went to Mona, Utah to visit my Grandma Verdie and Grandpa Jim today (The last Christmas visit/party this year). My Grandpa was sitting in his chair by the fire. Spending the visit drifting in and out of sleep.  A coiled rope draped his left knee and a cowboy hat sat, to the right, on the chair post besides him. 

Nate asked him about the rope draped on his knee. 

Nate: "Hey what is that rope for?"

Grandpa J: "I've been out branding cattle."

Nate: "How did it go?"

Grandpa J: "Well!"

My Grandfather has altimers and now lives in the past. At times I miss the man who sang to me in greeting; as if  in conversation.  The man who played harmonica before bed. The man who could work leather into reins and bridle; a work of art. And the man who spoke of horses as friends and remembers what it meant to be a cowboy. 

All that is left is the shell of the man I know and love but while he sleeps in his chair he remembers and relives. Adrift in time. Like a microscope, he is focused on one point. One plane. While everything else stays out of focus. Drifting from present to past to present like the Shifting Whispering Sands.  If I listen, I can hear him and his stories.

Sledding in Suburbia

I wanted to clean my house today. Nate wanted to celebrate the new year with the kids. Nate won. We decided to go sledding. Grandma A cleaned out her garage and gave us a sled. A sled she loved from her childhood; the flexible flyer III.  It was time we gave it a run.

"Ok. I guess I will go." I said. 

The picture is a bit blurry but it shows the famous sledding hill  of Taylorsville; a water containment area/park. 

I helped Tanner down the first ride. Our camera was not doing well with the low light conditions combined with the super fast sledding we were doing. 

Casi and Tanner testing out the flexible flyer III. We decided this sled rocked. Definitely the fastest sled on the icy slops.

Cassidy and Meggie (our cute neighbor) resting after making it to the bottom of the hill.