Sketching Soothes my Soul and Saves my Sanity

Today's Sketch from George Stubbs' Whistlejacket

I've been getting back into sketching during my convalescence. Today I copied George Stubbs' painting, Whistlejacket. Sketching and painting takes me to a place where I am not aware of myself, the present, past or future. It connects me to a power that is much greater than I am. Without this outlet, I probably would have been much less content than I have been during this ordeal.

 "If you get into the habit of sketching, you'll never be bored." ~ Me

George Stubbs' Whistlejacket

ROM Cam Walker

After reading this blog post by one of my favorite bloggers, I ordered my cam walking boot online.   Read the comments for this post if you are in the market (or may be) for a boot yourself.

 Yesterday I got my cast cut off (again).

I got new x-rays and was fitted into my new stylish black boot. About 10pm last night, it started hurting. When I took it off, I could see it had partially cut off my circulation, so I am wearing it very loose today. I see the physical therapist tomorrow and will request more information on fitting the boot properly.

Spring has sprung here at the Sandarosa. Jerry took this photo of a momma turkey and her brood from the kitchen window.

And one of Chuckie the Woodchuck under the bird feeders, yesterday.

(Does Chuckie have nipples or am I seeing things?)

And Fuzzy Tail, congratulations, looks like you are expecting twins!

There's never a dull moment around here at the Sandarosa Animal Sanctuary!

The Feral Cat Saga continues, but I'll leave that story for next time.

Have a great evening everyone!

Never a Dull Moment

Someone dumped off some feral cats over the past couple of weeks out here. I really wish people would be more responsible! Just because we have a farm, doesn't mean we need or want more mouths to feed! Now the cats are mating on our deck and we have got to do something about it right away! I called our local Spay and Neuter Clinic and they accept ferals for neuters tomorrow, so I phoned Jerry and told him he has to set the Have-A-Heart Traps when he gets home from work.

I hope we catch something other than a skunk, opossum or a raccoon tonight.

Wish us luck!

On another note, I have ben very concerned about our three big resident wild tom turkeys. I awoke about 6am to a single gunshot very close to the house about a week ago. Until this afternoon, I had not seen the really big boys here together. To say the least, I am very relieved to see all three of them this afternoon.

Please excuse these poor quality photos, taken with my little point and shoot, from far away, through the window.

More Warm Weather and Longer Daylight Hours

As the days grow longer, more daylight is a major sign of Spring! While sleeping last night, we essentially skipped over the 2:00 am hour!  Shifting from 1:59 am to 3 am, our satellite powered clock changed to Daylight Saving Time completely unbeknown to us. I didn't even realize it had happened until I began working at my computer!  So if you haven't done so yet, be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour today. YAY !

The Magic of Spring -SOLD

My Daffodils are starting to bloom!

The wild turkeys are constantly on parade here now. The males have become somewhat of a nuisance. There is a lot of fighting and jockeying for position going on. The most annoying behavior however, is the frequent pecking at the chrome on our vehicles and at their reflections in our basement windows.

The toms are prime examples of raging testosterone and all the females seem quite impressed.

 

Our Friends and Ancestors

"Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time."
~ Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, a caving society
 

"Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it."  ~ Henry David Thoreau

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect."  ~ Chief Seattle, 1855

"I realized that Eastern thought had somewhat more compassion for all living things.  Man was a form of life that in another reincarnation might possibly be a horsefly or a bird of paradise or a deer.  So a man of such a faith, looking at animals, might be looking at old friends or ancestors.  In the East the wilderness has no evil connotation; it is thought of as an expression of the unity and harmony of the universe."  ~ William O. Douglas, Go East, Young Man, 1974

Princess And The Ten Toms

Princess, my studio cat, was restless and very vocal this morning. I couldn't figure out what it was she could want.

With me being laid up with a strained back over the last week and a half and rain off and on the past couple of days, she hasn't gotten to go on her usual frequent "walk-about" the property. So I got my jacket on  and we headed out. Once out, she acted hesitant, like it wasn't what she wanted after all. Sometimes, like all of us I guess, she doesn't know what she wants.

I noticed a group of male turkeys were out in the field. We have a flock of 25-30 off and on around here. The young bachelors are sticking together now as the hens are off nesting.

Princess followed me out and the turkeys quickly took note of her.

It didn't take long before the dominant males were over to check her out.

She was really enjoying all the attention.

She kept watching me, perhaps in case she needed protection. Or was she looking for approval?  Showing me how brave she is, here deliberately posing for this group shot.

Her body language was that of superiority, confidence and being in control.

The encounter really perked her up.  I watched as she played mind games with them. Varying her posture and eye contact, she was checking out what kind of a response she'd get.

After ten to fifteen minutes of turkeys, she got restless and bored. By diverting her (intense) gaze and shifting her posture, the ten toms started to move on.

The leaders came back a few times to make sure it was over, and it was. By this time, something else really had gotten her attention. She was done with them.

Does Thanksgiving Dinner Make You Sleepy?

Is it the Tryptophan in the turkey that makes you tired?
This question came up at our Thanksgiving Dinner table yesterday and maybe it did at yours too.


According to this online article By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., Tryptophan & Carbohydrate Chemistry, it's not necessarily the tryptophan in the turkey that makes you sleepy after the Thanksgiving feast. Other factors such as over eating, alcohol intake and a high ratio of fats and carbohydrates are probably the major contributors. This overload requires the digestive system to work harder which increases the blood flow to to stomach, thus decreasing flow to the brain. Turkey actually contains only a small amount more of the chemical Tryptophan, than a lot of other foods. For example, Dr. Helmenstine states that turkey contains 0.333 g of tryptophan per 100 grams of edible portion, while chicken contains 0.292 g of tryptophan per 100 grams of edible portion. So, I guess that answers your question, Chuck!


Many Thanks to Sally and Chuck for a wonderful day yesterday at the New Jersey shore!

Easy To Make Turkey

This is a photo of a little turkey decoration made by my now 16 year old Nephew, Cody Yates, when he was about six. I always make it a point to show it to him when he visits. It sure has held up well, considering it has been on display in my kitchen for all these years. Makes you wonder what they put in them things! Anyway, you may want to save some corn next Halloween and try it with your kids!

Party Animals!

It was seventy degrees here today in the Northeast. The animals were loving it. Here's a picture of a party in progress!

Wild Turkeys In My Yard

I am and always have been an animal lover. I have a connection with nature which has found a vehicle for expression through my art. I really got serious about studying animal symbolism after discovering Ted Andrews' book, Animal Speak.

I found the book in 1994, one year after it was published and through it, I began to better understand the impressions that I had always gotten from nature. This understanding led me to write my first introductory guide book; An Awakening To The Presence Of Animal Spirits.

The wild turkeys have been in my yard all day. There are several groups; four large males, three females and eight females. Four represents steady progress, three represents self expression and eight is symbolic of new beginnings. The main symbolism of this bird is shared blessings, and they always remind me to be thankful for them all!