A Praying Mantis Tale

 If you have nothing better to do. Here is a "scary" story. Yesterday we were sitting outside and I happened to look at the hummingbird feeder and there was a praying mantis sitting right next to where the hummingbirds were feeding. A praying mantis can easily kill a hummingbird, they eat them alive! So I knocked him/her off of there and he flew/jumped right back up on the table that is under the feeder. Bill grabbed the fly swatter and managed to throw him in the fire pit. There was no fire, just ash. We thought we had seen the last of him, but no! Soon an ash covered claw came up over the edge and then his head popped up and began looking around like a periscope...creepy, like something out of a horror movie. Plus he was all ash-covered. Then he climbed out, down the bricks and into the grass. He was heading back towards the hummingbird feeder! Bill grabbed the swatter again and got the mantis on there and took him about 200 feet away and flung him over the railroad track, the whole time he was trying to climb up Bill's arm! I used to like praying mantises, but now they just creep me out! They also kill bees. Keep an eye on your feeders and even your flowers, they like to hide there too.

Lunar Eclipse

 These aren't the best eclipse photos, as I don't have a tripod, but it was a perfectly beautiful eclipse tonight. We sat outside and enjoyed the whole thing...these photos are out of sequence, but you get the idea.

 

R.I.P. Dolly Parton

 R.I.P. Dolly Parton.....how sad this amazing lady gone from this earth...

 

It was a good day at Country Creek Treasures

So....I was "working" at Country Creek Treasures yesterday and a young couple came in, who are evidently my biggest fans..they had been to our shop many times before, purchased a lot of items from my booth in the past, but I was never there. Anyway, Sally introduced them to me and they went on and on how they loved my booth and all the things I make, especially the steampunk items and they were so glad to meet me. The young man says" I wasn't expecting a sweet little lady (i know he was thinking"old", but was too kind to say it)making all of these great steampunk things." I said "You were probably expecting someone with blue hair and a nose ring right, maybe a little more goth? He said"well, yes!" We had a good chuckle at that. Steampunk is such an obscure genre, but it seems to be interesting to a lot of people. Anyway, these sweet people just made my day! Oh, they also bought something from me too! That's why I volunteer at our store, I've met so many interesting people and made some wonderful friends!

An evening with my past co-workers

 

Had such a great time with my World Color Press ladies last night! I so appreciate these monthly meet-ups. You ladies are still sooo funny! Good times!

Monarch Caterpiller

 I saw my first monarch butterfly caterpillar on my swamp milkweed today! I used to have these plants for years and watched lots of monarchs emerge from their chrysalis through the years. It is a beautiful experience. Anyway, the plants died out and I didn't replant them until this year! Milkweed is the only food these caterpillars live on, it makes me happy I can help them out.

 

Lunch with my Red Hat sisters today

Had lunch with my Red Hat sisters today. It was a good time as always. One of our sisters, Anetta Brazel is very ill. Sending prayers to you, Anetta.. We missed the ladies who could not be with us today! Berle and I tried to take a selfie but we had this photo bomber and we started laughing, so this is the best we could do!

 

 What a beautiful sunset after the rain...

 

RANDOM THOUGTS

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS: So I was just watching the official video of Bruce Springstein's Dancin' in the dark, you know when he was hot and could still sing. Bless him, his voice is not what it used to be. Anyway, you know, that's how Courtney Cox got her start as an actress, dancing for 15 seconds with Springstein at the end of his song.. Of course, it was all planned, but still, 15 seconds led to years of fame. This will always be a great song, I think I will go dance in the kitchen and sing along while I'm making the meatballs! told you this was random..

Halloween potion bottles and some decorative ones too

 I've been busy this past week making decorative bottles and Halloween potion bottles, my favorite thing to make.  I actually sell them all year.  However I only have 3 left in my booth, so I am not done yet.

 

Throw Back Thursday

 It's TBT, friends! Bill's 38th Birthday, 1996, camping somewhere near Red Cliff, Colorado. Some nice ladies who were out taking a walk took this picture for us. My how time flies!

 

Time with the Haltermans

 I want to thank my brother-in-law, Steve Halterman and sister-in-law, Glenna Halterman for taking us out to lunch yesterday for Bill and brother, Brad's birthdays. It was a nice time, glad we took some time to have a nice visit. Love yous.

The naked ladies are here

 The "naked lady" lilies are beautiful after the rain this morning.

 

Happy Birthday, Bill

 If you see this guy out and about today, please wish him a Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday, honey. Love you so much for  and hope you have the best Birthday ever!