3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Nebraska

Day 53/365: Cardinal Overhead

by

Day 53: Cardinal Overhead

This was a day that I went outside to take pictures of frost on leaves and found a better subject. “Mr. Cardinal at your service, thank you very much. But,  you’ll have to be patient. I won’t pose for you. You’ll have to be quick, because I don’t stay in one place very long.”

My fingers froze as I waited behind the tree near the feeder. I tried not to move and could hear this little guy flying around me as he tried to find a secure place to land. Most of the time he was too far away for my camera to zoom in and get a really good shot. I was lucky with this one. I looked up and there he sat about fifteen feet above me in the tree. I had time for one picture before he was gone again.

Day 52/365: Angus Cow

by

Day 52: Angus Cow

If this cow could talk it would say. Yeah it’s cold, but we live in Nebraska, so what you complaining about.  These Angus cattle looked pretty comfortable in the corn stalk field as I stopped the car to take pictures. How do I know they look comfortable. They weren’t huddled together to stay warm, but were scattered on the ridge-line casually eating corn and stalks. (There are more pictures of them in my Flickr page.) They probably thought I had some range cubes  or Crystalx tubs for them as they started walking towards me.

Seeing how I’m an Animal Science major from Oklahoma State University I could probably, and should, say more about this breed. But it’s late and I’m behind on my posting. I will that Angus cattle say they are the most popular breed in the mid-west and cows are often crossed with Herefords and called “Black Baldies” (love that name) . Their meat is considered the best in the world and the Japanese especially insist on “Black” Angus  beef. They will even visit Nebraska and inspect the cattle before they are purchased to assure the black purity.

Angus branded beef is considered premium, and displays significant marbling which results in superior taste, tenderness, and juiciness to other domestic cattle. There isn’t anything better than a  Angus T-Bone steak cooked on the grill in the summer.

Day 50/365: Airport Adventure, With My Marine

by

Can you find my Marine son in this picture? It’s as if he’s playing hide and seek. Now I can see why US Marines do not wear their cammies, ACU’s, or uniforms in public. They would stand out, and the purpose of camouflage is to hide and fit in with your environment.  The official regulations  on wearing uniforms at certain times is very strict in the Marine Corps and much too long to describe here. Since Nathan is strongly apposed to wearing it, I’m sure there are good reasons.

Day 50: Find the Marine

There is quite a bit of uniform envy around, if you can call it that, on both sides of the fence, with some very heated opinions on the pro and con. If you’re interested you can read more on the Terminal Lance forum. Terminal Lance also has a pretty funny Marine comic site that both my sons love to read.

Day 50: My son the Marine

We had quite the day, arrived at the Omaha Epply Airport early at 8:00 am just to find out we were six hours too early. So I got some extra quality one-on-one time with my son that we didn’t get during his leave.

The only thing I regretted was not being able to sleep late and wash my hair in the shower this morning.   To make it up he paid for my breakfast, blueberry pancakes, went shopping, and ran some errands  in Omaha. Lunch at Arby’s, again his treat.

Yup, I had a good day.

Day 49/365: Packing, the Dog Waits..

by

Day 49: Can I have my bed back?

As my  son packed to go back to the U.S. Marine Base in Yuma AZ, the bed gradually became visible.   I can finally see the covers and it was amazing how everything fit. Only the important electronics, change of clothes, a very heavy suitcase, and backpack remained.

Brody even found enough room to curl up without Nathan catching him. It’s an “off the bed” policy when Nathan is home and Brody knows it. You can almost see the guilty, you caught me look in his face. It’s ok Brody, you can sleep with me and keep my feet warm. I may even give you a treat.

I LOVE my Ugg Boots

by

Fashionable Ugg Boots and slippers
Day 47/365: Ugg Boots

I love my Uggs!

What’s even better is I got them almost 15  years ago, before the Ugg fashion craze, brand new (no tread wear), for only $5.00, at a Goodwill store. They are original sheepskin and are the best boots I’ve ever worn. Even in the coldest Nebraska winters, my feet have never gotten cold. Sometimes they are too warm, but you won’t find me complaining.

My Uggs are  so warm I only wear them a few months of the year, that’s why they are in such good shape. Sure, they don’t stand up straight and tall anymore, but don’t they look comfy cozy on a cold January winter day?

This style of Tall Classic Uggs sell for well over $100, at that price I would be afraid to wear them. But at the bargain I got, I go out in everything!

My UGGs  have proven themselves worthy. It’s one of the reasons why I’m a thrift store addict, you never know what you will find at bargain prices.

Why pay full retail for designer clothes when you can pay a fraction of the cost?

You can pay $170 for Uggs from the upscale stores, but me I prefer to buy a whole wardrobe by thrifting for the same price that includes fashion designs such as Ann Taylor, New York  & Company, Nordstroms, Eddie Bauer, and LL Bean.