Writer's Challenge 2010: "T"

Take the Challenge!

The Writer's Challenge 2010 features three pre-chosen themes each week. Your entry will be considered for re-publication online in the first Sunflower Ranch Anthology.

You are challenged to write up to 200 words on one of the three theme words we offer each week. You may write on all three subjects -- but not in the same piece. Please only submit one piece per theme word. Make each poem, short story, essay, or mini-drama a separate reply below in the comment section and remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. *A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*

Each week you will have a new group of three words to choose from. At the end of the year, I would like to choose the "best of the best" and publish them in an online anthology at the Sunflower Ranch website.

You are encouraged to write each week. All the challenges will remain online here at the blog and you can add a new poem at any time. Use the search feature on the right to find the series by putting Writer's Challenge 2010 in the search box. Feel free to add your work to any challenge throughout the year. After we reach the last challenge, you will have about a month to add your final submissions. If your work is chosen for the anthology, you will be contacted through your blog at that time. If you don't have a blog, include your Twitter name or email address so we can reach you. For email, use this format: youremailname at serviceprovider dot com. [That should keep the autobots from sending you spam.]

If you have any questions or need any clarification of the challenges, please put them in the comment section below and I will do my best to explain it. Remember, no deadlines, write as many pieces as you wish, and oh, primarily, have some fun with these! Click here for last week's Challenge.

Here are your words for this week: tear, tire, trip

Thank you and good luck!

The Beautiful and the Damned

Zelda Fitzgerald

When her husband's novel, The Beautiful and the Damned, was published, Zelda Fitzgerald was asked if the heroine was modeled after her. "It seems to me," she replied, "that on one page I recognize a portion of an old diary of mine which disappeared shortly after my marriage, and also scraps of letters which sound to me vaguely familiar. In fact, Mr. Fitzgerald -- I believe that is how he spells his name -- seems to believe that plagiarism begins at home."

~James Charlton & Lisbeth Mark, The Writer's Home Companion, 1987.

For more information: Zelda Fitzgerald biography, another bio, F. Scott Fitzgerald's biography, Zelda retrospective, novel analysis, Project Gutenberg copy of The Beautiful and the Damned, new film project The Beautiful and the Damned.

Thank you for visiting!

American Hero: Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee

True patriotism sometimes requires of men to act exactly contrary, at one period, to that which it does at another, and the motive which impels them -- the desire to do right -- is precisely the same.

~Letter to General Beauregard, October 3, 1865

Robert E. Lee was a career army officer and the most successful general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. He eventually commanded all Confederate armies as general-in-chief. After the war, as president of a distinguished academic institution, he helped to bind up the nation's wounds with steadfast and principled integrity.

In the intervening 150 years, he has taken his place as a true American patriot, honored and respected by all Americans. Read about his life and discover what has made this man so revered, not only in the "Old South" and to Confederate sympathizers, but to Americans from every corner of this great land.

For more information: biography, Civil War, analysis of Lee at Gettysburg, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington & Lee University, boyhood home virtual tour, Arlington House, from some of his letters, a few of his famous quotations.

Thank you for visiting!

Best Friends Forever?

Kitten rides Tortoise

I couldn't resist this sweet little video of the kitten riding the tortoise. I know nothing about who made it or what the animals are named or what kind of relationship they have other than this little exhibition. My first thought was that the very young kitten misses its mother and warmed up to this tortoise as a substitute of sorts. The tortoise doesn't seem to mind. Maybe it enjoys the companionship of this lively little creature and somehow senses its need. Perhaps they will be best friends forever... Well, that's my heartwarming story for today! LOL Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting!

Conservative vs Liberal

distressed American flag

Conservative vs Liberal

If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he works hard to better his situation.
A liberal demands others take care of him.

If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it's not Christianity or Judiasm, of course!)

If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

Admittedly, these examples of conservative versus liberal principles illustrate complex ideas probably too simply. As you can see, these mini-examples show that conservatives value self-reliance with a live & let live attitude. The liberals desire dependence and indicate a willingness to control others for their own good. To simplify further, these principles can be described as individualism versus collectivism.

But of course there are many degrees of freedom and control here -- all the way from the Libertarians [maximum personal freedom, minimal government control] to the Communists [no personal freedoms, total government control] and everything in between.

Take the shortest political quiz to see where you fall on the political spectrum. Check the recent Gallup poll for the latest statistical breakdown of self-identified party affiliation.

For more information about conservatives: America's Founding Fathers, Republican Party, Heritage Foundation, free US Constitution, US constitution online, Libertarian Party.

For more information about liberals: Democrat Party, Democratic Socialists of America, Communist Party USA.

Please leave a comment below with your own examples of conservative vs liberal. Click on the email link below to share this post, too.

Thank you for visiting!

A Bunny Parked for the Summer?

click to enlarge

I snapped this photo at a friend's house when their wild bunny stretched out on the grass. It rested there for quite a while, just looking around, minding its own business. Everyone talked to it but it didn't run away. The kids made sure no one got too close, though, just in case a little movement would spook it and cause it to bolt into the bushes or the woods nearby.

They report that this rabbit has approached them and come within a few feet -- but it still shies away a bit when directly approached. If the bunny's overtures of "friendship" continue, I think the children will soon be able to pet it. Their parents will would only allow them to pet it very carefully and in a non-threatening manner.

Does this mean we are experiencing a bunny problem out here in rural Pierce County? Only time will tell, I suppose. Personally, I have only seen one bunny in my yard at a time. Others around the area have seen up to three bunnies. I did see a very small bunny by itself running across the road once while out driving home from the grocery store. Rabbits will do what they are best known for and there may be a dozen bunnies we don't see for every one we do see.

I will reserve judgment until I see an adult bunny in the yard with a group of baby bunnies. I'm still hoping -- I'll let you know what happens this summer.

For more information: Eastern Cottontail, living with wildlife, another bunny story, and another recent bunny story.

Thanks for visiting!

Gardening with Irises

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I noticed this year that the popular irises found in so many local gardens bloomed a little later than usual and that the blooms faded a bit quicker than average. I suspect it has something to do with our late spring and colder than normal temperatures and above average rainfall. The usual variety bloomed, with purple being the color of choice. That being said, blue and salmon were also popular.

Irises are by no means an exclusive plant to the Pacific Northwest. They are an ancient flower, rich in folklore and meaning from around the world. If you wish to grow irises in your garden, it's an easy task and you'll be rewarded with a brilliant and showy display year after year. You don't even have to dig up and replant the rhizomes every year. I've included two reliable sources for ordering your own irises and several links for further reading.

I hope you'll be enjoying these living rainbows in your own garden next year.

For more information: iris description, gardening with irises, symbolism of flowers, discovery garden, award-winning iris growers, Salem, Oregon, iris farmer, Vacaville, California, San Francisco Bay Area.

Happy gardening!

Writer's Challenge 2010: "S"

Take the Challenge!

The Writer's Challenge 2010 features three pre-chosen themes each week. Your entry will be considered for re-publication online in the first Sunflower Ranch Anthology.

You are challenged to write up to 200 words on one of the three theme words we offer each week. You may write on all three subjects -- but not in the same piece. Please only submit one piece per theme word. Make each poem, short story, essay, or mini-drama a separate reply below in the comment section and remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. *A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*

Each week you will have a new group of three words to choose from. At the end of the year, I would like to choose the "best of the best" and publish them in an online anthology at the Sunflower Ranch website.

You are encouraged to write each week. All the challenges will remain online here at the blog and you can add a new poem at any time. Use the search feature on the right to find the series by putting Writer's Challenge 2010 in the search box. Feel free to add your work to any challenge throughout the year. After we reach the last challenge, you will have about a month to add your final submissions. If your work is chosen for the anthology, you will be contacted through your blog at that time. If you don't have a blog, include your Twitter name or email address so we can reach you. For email, use this format: youremailname at serviceprovider dot com. [That should keep the autobots from sending you spam.]

If you have any questions or need any clarification of the challenges, please put them in the comment section below and I will do my best to explain it. Remember, no deadlines, write as many pieces as you wish, and oh, primarily, have some fun with these! Click here for last week's Challenge.

Here are your words for this week: seek, sigh, stop

Thank you and good luck!

Of Snapdragons and Summer

click to enlarge

Earth laughs in flowers.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Earth laughs long and lustily through these colorful snapdragons, with their cheeky round little heads just begging you to "snap" them! There isn't a flower that brings more smiles to young and old alike. My friend Kathleen discovered this volunteer snapdragon in one of her patio pots and let it grow.

Snapdragons, originally grown in the Mediterranean, come in a wide variety of brilliant colors. [Just Google snapdragon images for a stunning array of cool snapdragon images.] And for some cool facts, check out the links below.

For more information: wiki Summer, types of flowers, wiki snapdragons, how to grow snapdragons, snapdragons for kids, additional snapdragon relatives, and a great biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Thanks for visiting!

A Golden Summer Solstice

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I ran across this neat old linen postcard and it reminded me of one summer weekend when we packed up the camper and went fishing at Trout Lake, near Mt. Adams. Our group consisted of our family in our truck and camper and our neighbors Marie and Orville in their rig. They towed a small fishing boat behind their truck/camper combo. Dad's fishing buddy Gilbert drove his station wagon and met us there later the first night.

My little sister got a mosquito bite on her eyelid and it was swollen shut for the entire weekend. But that wasn't the only thing that we experienced that weekend.

We had fun, studying the vegetation and any wildlife we could spot. We always brought our toys with us, but usually ended up spending most of our time out in the woods, searching for Native American artifacts and beautiful rocks and the perfect pine cones -- whatever we saw that we thought would be a portable but inconsequential remembrance of our visit.

One beautiful evening we went exploring and walked along the edge of the lake, not far from our camp. We spotted a raft along the edge of the water and scrambled out to it. There were a couple of long poles on it and we eagerly pushed off from the shore. The fact that we didn't know how to swim didn't stop us! The lake was still and serene, the sun began to set, and a whole chorus of birds around us began to sing. We were in heaven! We didn't pole out too far into the lake and the raft was heavy enough it didn't float too far away -- but we weren't tethered to the shore and could have gone out to the middle of the lake easily.

Of course, we didn't realize Mom was frantic back at camp.

When our long twilight had almost completely disappeared and darkness was about to envelop our idyllic rafting expedition, we decided to return to the shore. It wasn't easy. I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but I think with some effort, we reversed the process and pulled rather than pushed our way toward shore. There may have been oars on board. I just can't remember. My sister has completely blanked out most of the details of that episode, too.

At any rate, once we could more easily touch the bottom with our long poles, we stood at the back of the raft and once again pushed it slowly toward the shore.

A little later, when we waltzed into camp, the stars had emerged and began to glitter above the treetops. Soon we saw all the vehicles in our camp lit up with our battery operated lanterns. Even the headlights on the trucks pierced the darkness in wide bright cones of light. We met Mom on the little pathway and in her quiet way she said, "We almost had to call the sheriff to find you." I knew she was really upset, but she never wanted to alarm us and never raised her voice in fear or anger. She was relieved to see us again and nothing more was said.

We returned to camp and finally everyone went to bed.

Despite the mosquito bite and the raft incident, we loved our little trip to the Mt. Adams recreational area. Since then, I've learned that Mt. Adams has always been a mystical place that the local tribes have revered for generations and a sort of "magnet" for UFO activity.

To the east of the Cascade ridge, Mt. Adams dominates the western skyline. My favorite small town in this area of south central Washington state is Goldendale, where there is an observatory and a replica of Stonehenge.


Nearby is the famous Maryhill Museum of Art, and a few miles to the east is the town of Bickleton, "Bluebird Capital of the World." Check out the links below for more details about this interesting area of Washington state.

For more info: wiki Summer, Goldendale, WA, wiki Mt. Adams, Trout Lake, wiki Maryhill, Maryhill Museum of Art, Stonehenge, Maryhill, WA, Bickleton, UFOs at Mt. Adams.

Have a wonderful summer!

Music of the Sun

click to enlarge

I discovered this extremely cool video at the Telegraph.co.uk website and thought you might enjoy it. It's a most unusual way to celebrate the Summer Solstice. You can easily enlarge the frame to fill your screen. Be sure to check out the article and the other links below for all the scientific details.




For more information: Telegraph.co.uk article, Wiki Sun overview, multiwavelength astronomy.

Happy Solstice!

A Hail of a Day

hail sprinkled on the ground

My niece sent me the photo above from a few days ago. An unexpected cold front swept in from the north and dumped waves of hail and heavy rain on most of western Washington. She had to hastily abandon her landscaping and run for the door to escape being hit with those small sharp pellets. She said this pea-sized hail fell for ten minutes. We had several of these lengthy bouts with hail that day. The hail showers were punctuated by the rumble of thunder and followed by soaking downpours that lasted between twenty minutes and an hour. The sun didn't pop out but the heavy cloud cover would lift briefly between squalls -- then darken and hit us again with another wave.

As you can see in the picture, the peat starter pots have no seedlings. It's the third time they've been planted and everyone is hoping they will germinate and grow and survive the transplanting.

Now, I know if you live in the Midwest or "back" East as we westerners say, you probably find this fixation with such mundane weather laughable. Believe me, we are grateful our hail doesn't cause multimillion dollar damage as it does elsewhere in the country.

Just last month Hubby's nephew in Nebraska suffered hail damage to his mini-van. It was totaled when a brief hail shower swept over the parking lot while he was at work. It took baseball sized hail just a few minutes to destroy his car and about 200 hundred others in the lot.

Our friends on the road trip left Oklahoma City the day before the tornado [and it's associated hail and severe thunder storm] killed many people. The damage to personal property, homes, crops, and livestock is well into the millions.

But in our quiet way, we suffer the disappointment of hail ruining delicate plants and the surprise of our hilly terrain suddenly slick with a layer of ice. It's scary to be caught behind the wheel when a hail squall rolls over. We're all hoping for warmer days soon, with no threat of rain or hail or temperatures 20 degrees below normal.

For more information: Wiki hail, hail storms, comprehensive Midwestern hail storm listings, costly hail storms, hail safety tips.

Thanks for visiting!

Writer's Challenge 2010: "R"

Take the Challenge!

The Writer's Challenge 2010 features three pre-chosen themes each week. Your entry will be considered for re-publication online in the first Sunflower Ranch Anthology.

You are challenged to write up to 200 words on one of the three theme words we offer each week. You may write on all three subjects -- but not in the same piece. Please only submit one piece per theme word. Make each poem, short story, essay, or mini-drama a separate reply below in the comment section and remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. *A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*

Each week you will have a new group of three words to choose from. At the end of the year, I would like to choose the "best of the best" and publish them in an online anthology at the Sunflower Ranch website.

You are encouraged to write each week. All the challenges will remain online here at the blog and you can add a new poem at any time. Use the search feature on the right to find the series by putting Writer's Challenge 2010 in the search box. Feel free to add your work to any challenge throughout the year. After we reach the last challenge, you will have about a month to add your final submissions. If your work is chosen for the anthology, you will be contacted through your blog at that time. If you don't have a blog, include your Twitter name or email address so we can reach you. For email, use this format: youremailname at serviceprovider dot com. [That should keep the autobots from sending you spam.]

If you have any questions or need any clarification of the challenges, please put them in the comment section below and I will do my best to explain it. Remember, no deadlines, write as many pieces as you wish, and oh, primarily, have some fun with these! Click here for last week's Challenge.

Here are your words for this week: rave, ripe, rust

Thank you and good luck!

Lowering Your Cancer Risk

vegetables for good health

It's probably something you've heard day in and day out for years. But it's so important, it bears repeating. A good diet, rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vegetables is your first line of defense against developing cancer. A diet composed of these natural ingredients can assist you in reducing your risk of cancer. If you've fallen off the vegetable wagon, here's a handy reminder. Try to add something new from this list every week and keep it in your permanent diet. [I know I'm going to take a closer look at fruit juices and green teas.]

Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and turnips stimulate the immune system and help protect against colon, stomach and respiratory cancers.

Food rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice and other citrus fruits may help prevent mouth, esophageal, lung, stomach and colon cancers.

Tomatoes, especially in processed food products, like ketchup and tomato sauce, contain another powerful antioxidant called lycopene, which may help lower your risk of developing cancer.

Real teas, such as green, white and oolong are rich in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants, which help protect the body against diseases by counteracting the harmful effects of cell damage from free radicals.

Here's something I have done over the years. Instead of snacking on chips -- well, I should say, "pigging out" on chips -- I make up a veggie plate with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, cucumbers and celery -- all fresh and crunchy. Have a small cup of dressing for dipping and you're good to go. It's an easy and quick way to get your daily servings and help keep yourself healthy. We often munch on these as an appetizer an hour before dinner or as a healthy snack while watching TV in the afternoon.

For more information: National Foundation for Cancer Research, antioxidants, anti-cancer diet, cancer prevention, foods & cancer, what to eat or avoid, foods for cancer prevention.

Thanks for visiting today!

Flag Day 2010

Happy Flag Day, America!

For more information: all about Flag Day, history of Flag Day, Wiki US Flag, flag rules & regulations, US & state flag quiz, Betsy Ross bio, Betsy Ross House.

Amelia's Big Adventure

Amelia & her Doctor

Always so dire, filled with accidents, fires, crime, and thuggish politicians, the news can be pretty depressing. I found this heartwarming story while surfing last night. I don't spend a lot of time reading everything -- but this one caught my attention and it's definitely a keeper. I wanted to share it with you.

Briefly, it involves a cat who jumped off the back of a moving truck, dashed across traffic, and leapt over the side of a bridge. But before you say, "oh, too bad, poor thing" -- the good news is that she was rescued and survived with just a few injuries. She's pictured above with A. Russell Moore, one of the doctors who helped save her life. For the full story of brave little Amelia and her big [and scary] adventure, grab your hankies and read the story from KOMO TV news at this link: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/96212079.html.

Amelia's big adventure happened in the town of Kelso, near the Mt. St. Helen's recreational area, and about 130 miles south of Seattle, Washington. Check out the links below for some cool info.

For more information: KOMO news Seattle, Kelso, WA, Allen Street Bridge, Mt. St. Helens, Amelia Earhart.

Thanks for visiting today!

Yard Bunny

click to enlarge

The bunny pictured above showed up one rainy day last week and spent most of the afternoon grazing on my unmowed lawn [too wet to mow.] I decided to take its picture -- and then it hopped off to the woods and didn't reappear for a few days. I'm wondering, where are the babies? I did a little research and if this bunny is indeed a mother bunny, she keeps her babies hidden in their nest for about 2 weeks before they venture out.

Just yesterday about a mile from here I saw a very young bunny on the run -- it was identical to this one in markings but about one third its size. Just adorable! I am hoping if any babies appear here, I can snap them all together, hopping around the yard. If I do, you can be sure I'll share with you.

It sort of feels like a bunny day today, mostly cloudy, not too warm, a gentle breeze -- the grass sweetly scented -- hope bunny drops by for a nibble. [Since I don't have a vegetable plot in this poor and rocky soil, I don't mind a bunny's visit. However, if we had a garden replete with lettuce, carrots, and beans, I'd be careful to see the wire mesh was in good working order to keep this little fellow out of the garden!]

For more information: Eastern Cottontail rabbit, living with wildlife, another bunny story.

Have a great evening. Hop to it!

A Very Lazy Girl...

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I'm a very lazy, stay-at-home kind of girl.
~Jerry Hall

Here's Misty stretched out on my niece's bed. She just woke up from a nap and is deciding if she wants to roll over for a bit longer, or stretch her long leggy body and amble out to the kitchen for her afternoon snack. Then again, once she's downstairs, she might decide she wants to go out into the garden and finish her snooze in the sunshine. Sounds like a good idea to me!

For more information: Jerry Hall, Wiki crochet definition, crochet patterns, Crochet Guild of America, another Misty story, and even another Misty story.

Have your own lazy day...

Writer's Challenge 2010: "Q"

Take the Challenge!

The Writer's Challenge 2010 features three pre-chosen themes each week. Your entry will be considered for re-publication online in the first Sunflower Ranch Anthology.

You are challenged to write up to 200 words on one of the three theme words we offer each week. You may write on all three subjects -- but not in the same piece. Please only submit one piece per theme word. Make each poem, short story, essay, or mini-drama a separate reply below in the comment section and remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. *A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*

Each week you will have a new group of three words to choose from. At the end of the year, I would like to choose the "best of the best" and publish them in an online anthology at the Sunflower Ranch website.

You are encouraged to write each week. All the challenges will remain online here at the blog and you can add a new poem at any time. Use the search feature on the right to find the series by putting Writer's Challenge 2010 in the search box. Feel free to add your work to any challenge throughout the year. After we reach the last challenge, you will have about a month to add your final submissions. If your work is chosen for the anthology, you will be contacted through your blog at that time. If you don't have a blog, include your Twitter name or email address so we can reach you. For email, use this format: youremailname at serviceprovider dot com. [That should keep the autobots from sending you spam.]

If you have any questions or need any clarification of the challenges, please put them in the comment section below and I will do my best to explain it. Remember, no deadlines, write as many pieces as you wish, and oh, primarily, have some fun with these! Click here for last week's Challenge.

Here are your words for this week: quake, quest, quiver

Thank you and good luck!

Have a Dickens of a Day

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Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.
~Charles Dickens

It's easy to while away the hours in a garden with a good book and "have thoughts." What a better way than with some thoughtful and extremely entertaining stories by Charles Dickens? You don't need a hard or paperback copy, a Kindle or an iPad -- just your computer and the links below. The mega Dickens site has all his novels online to enjoy.

For easiest arrangement and portability, you'll need a laptop or a netbook to connect to the 'Net. But just think while you're outside enjoying the sunshine and garden, you'll be accompanied by one of the greatest authors of the 19th Century -- or really, of any time. And if you're supposed to be working online you can still look productive and switch between your favorite Dickens novel and those pesky emails you've got piled up -- or even make notes for your own novel. LOL Try it and take a mid-week mini-break.

For more information: Forget-me-nots, tips for gardening with Forget-me-nots, Charles Dickens Wiki bio, excellent Charles Dickens mega site [bio, all books online, more], alternate Dickens online book source.

Thanks & have a wonderful day!

10 Signs of Caregiver Stress

before the storm

Caregiving is one of the toughest jobs you'll ever have. Many are called to perform these duties -- but few people want to do them. No one wants to see a loved one slip away physically and/or mentally. Certainly the loved one does not want to be put into the situation. I know, I've been there as a caregiver. And it's not easy. But what can happen to the caregiver is like the storm on the horizon -- a tremendous potential for danger and long-lasting effects.

I wish I'd had this list when we started caring for my Dad. He's been gone now for almost two years, but the feelings can linger long after the whole episode is finished. This list and the links below are very helpful in understanding just how tough caregiving can be. [You'll find these in nearly every top ten caregiver stress list, though they may be in different order.]

Ten Signs of Caregiver Stress

1. Denial -- about the disease and it's effects on the person who's been diagnosed. "I know Mom's going to get better."

2. Anger -- at the person with Alzheimer's or any other disease that no effective treatments or cures currently exist and that people don't understand what's going on. "If he asks me that question one more time, I'll scream!"

3. Social Withdrawal -- from friends and activities that once brought pleasure. "I don't care about getting together with the neighbors anymore."

4. Anxiety -- about facing another day and what the future holds. "What happens when he needs more care than I can provide?"

5. Depression -- begins to affect the ability to cope. "I don't care anymore."

6. Exhaustion -- makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. "I'm too tired for this."

7. Sleeplessness -- caused by a never-ending list of concerns. "What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?"

8. Irritability -- leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. "Leave me alone!"

9. Lack of Concentration -- makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. "I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment."

10. Health Problems -- begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically. "I can't remember the last time I felt good."

Pass this on to a caregiver you know!

And best of everything to all the caregivers and their loved ones during this extremely stressful time.

For more information: complete overview, Alzheimer's Association, Care@Home, Family Doctor online, Psychological therapy.

Thank you for visiting today!

Sign of the Times

Before I get carried away with political cynicism, as evidenced by the graphic above, I thought I'd better read the Arizona state law enforcing the US federal border security policy. For your reference, I have included links to allow you to do the same.

I hope reading this bill helps you to understand and clarify your own position on this extremely controversial law. Feel free to share with others. I think it's the duty of every citizen to know what's in the bill. Thanks for taking the time today.

For more information: Arizona border security, House Bill 2162, Senate Bill 1070, final version.

Thanks for visiting!

Rare Funnel Cloud in Washington State

click to enlarge

This funnel cloud appeared Friday afternoon near Monroe, Washington, thirty miles northeast of Seattle and about 75 miles north of Sunflower Ranch. We didn't see it here, of course, but it did make the news. Several people posted videos to YouTube. By all accounts, it was very exciting to see such a sight. Thankfully, there has not been any damage reported.

Our weather has been strange this Spring, with heavy rains and cooler than normal temperatures. We even "enjoyed" the remnants of a cyclone from India that traveled east across the wide Pacific Ocean to drop several extra inches of rain on us just hours before the funnel cloud appeared. If this event was connected to the cyclone, it was a fitting exclamation point to yet another wet and soggy day.

Here is a video shot from Duvall, about ten miles south of Monroe.



And here is another video, shot from within the town of Monroe.



For more information: KOMO TV news account, Wiki tornado description, Monroe, WA, Duvall, WA, YouTube.

Thanks for visiting!

Jessie's Blue Delphiniums

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An month or more ago my friend Jessie planted an assortment of small annuals and perennials in her raised flower beds. Everything thrived, filled out and flowered. A riot of rainbow colors, textures, and scents, each one developing along its own genetic schedule. She transplanted several delphiniums for height and they grew quickly -- shooting up two feet over the others. Then they filled out and bloomed this startling shade of blue -- simply amazing!

Now, as other flowers are maturing, these graceful blue spikes serve as anchors to the entire colorful collection. The delphiniums are also developing additional spikes to add to the backdrop. Jessie has snipped some stalks to use in flower arrangements but instead of leaving a huge gap between stalks, the plant starts a new stalk. She should have these lovely blue flowers all summer long for use in bouquets and arrangements for every occasion.

For more information: Wiki definition with lists of species, how to grow delphinium, Martha Stewart decorating with delphinium, lovely collection of art prints of delphinium.

Thanks & happy gardening!

Nesting Black-capped Chickadees

Black-capped chickadee

This is our third Spring at Sunflower Ranch and we've had tree swallows nesting over the front door, juncos under the back porch and robins in the trees nearby but we've never had a pair of chickadees nest on the front porch. Until this spring.

These cheeky little birds have built a nest in the birdhouse on the West end of the front porch. Can you spot the bird on the railing? Do you see the cedar house above it?

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The parents are quite busy and even with our recent and prolonged bouts of heavy rain, they've made continuous trips out to the trees for insects and back to the their house to feed the hatchlings. The babies make quite a racket in the nest at feeding time, but once a parent leaves to find more food, they quiet down quickly. I think in the next week or ten days we will watch them take their first flights.

At the old Sunflower Ranch our chickadee house was set on a branch of a tall and brushy French lilac hedge. We loved watching the parents coaxing the chicks to fly. And teaching them the songs. The youngster's voices had a fuzzy edge -- it took them some practice to sound confident and clear.

I've included some links for more information. The Bird Jam songs are on a continuous loop and fun to just play in the background.

For more information: chickadee overview from Wiki, Cornell Bird Lab, Washington State chickadee study, Bird Jam songs & calls.

Have a chickadee-dee-dee day!

Writer's Challenge 2010: "P"

Take the Challenge!

The Writer's Challenge 2010 features three pre-chosen themes each week. Your entry will be considered for re-publication online in the first Sunflower Ranch Anthology.

You are challenged to write up to 200 words on one of the three theme words we offer each week. You may write on all three subjects -- but not in the same piece. Please only submit one piece per theme word. Make each poem, short story, essay, or mini-drama a separate reply below in the comment section and remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. *A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*

Each week you will have a new group of three words to choose from. At the end of the year, I would like to choose the "best of the best" and publish them in an online anthology at the Sunflower Ranch website.

You are encouraged to write each week. All the challenges will remain online here at the blog and you can add a new poem at any time. Use the search feature on the right to find the series by putting Writer's Challenge 2010 in the search box. Feel free to add your work to any challenge throughout the year. After we reach the last challenge, you will have about a month to add your final submissions. If your work is chosen for the anthology, you will be contacted through your blog at that time. If you don't have a blog, include your Twitter name or email address so we can reach you. For email, use this format: youremailname at serviceprovider dot com. [That should keep the autobots from sending you spam.]

If you have any questions or need any clarification of the challenges, please put them in the comment section below and I will do my best to explain it. Remember, no deadlines, write as many pieces as you wish, and oh, primarily, have some fun with these! Click here for last week's Challenge.

Here are your words for this week: pair, pin, pure

Thank you and good luck!

Happy Birthday Hubby

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You hit the ground running and haven't stopped yet!

Wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays!

Now, let's party!