tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84079311402771075562011-08-01T06:24:59.973-07:00Sunflower RanchSunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.comBlogger3151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-42991445404416132462010-09-01T17:26:00.000-07:002010-09-01T17:29:44.645-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: Deadline "R" thru "Z"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Writer's Challenge Deadline!</span><br /></div><br />The deadline for the Writer's Challenge 2010 words "R" through "Z" is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">November 15, 2010. </span>Please submit your work to the weeks you wish to enter by adding it as a comment in the appropriate week's comment section.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 in the comment section for that week. All links for the November 8 deadline are listed below.<br /><blockquote><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-r.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">R words: <span style="font-style: italic;">rave, ripe, rust</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-s.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">S words: <span style="font-style: italic;">seek, sigh, stop </span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-t.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T words: <span style="font-style: italic;">tear, tire, trip</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-u.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">U words: <span style="font-style: italic;">under, up, urn</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-v.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">V words: <span style="font-style: italic;">vale, vein, vow</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-w.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">W words: <span style="font-style: italic;">want, well, writ</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-x.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">X words: <span style="font-style: italic;">Xanthus, xenophobe, x-ray</span></span></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/08/writers-challenge-2010-y.html" target="blank">Y words: <span style="font-style: italic;">yarn, yet, you</span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/08/writers-challenge-2010-z.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Z words: <span style="font-style: italic;">zap, zip, zoom</span></span></a><br /></blockquote><br />Remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">*A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*</span><br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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. Once the deadline has been passed, it will be closed to entries, no exceptions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">To recap -- the deadline for "R" through "Z" is November 15, 2010</span>. Enter as many weeks as you wish. But primarily, have some fun with these!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4299144540441613246?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-11680944847837217322010-08-27T15:33:00.000-07:002010-08-27T15:58:52.803-07:00Massive Thunderstorm Over Helsinki<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/helsinki-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/helsinki-2.jpg" alt="lightning strike over Helsinki" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">lightning strike over Helsinki</span><br /></div><br />The photo above is an example of lightning from the massive thunderstorm that rolled over Helsinki and surrounding towns earlier this month. YouTube has many videos of this incredible storm and I've found these from different perspectives to show you. I love these storms [as long as everyone is safe] and unfortunately [or not, depending on your perspective] here in my small corner of the world we rarely have these. So far this summer, we haven't even had a rumble of thunder, much less anything so dramatic! Yes, many places around the USA routinely suffer from thunderstorms which curtail outdoor activities, cause power outages, flash floods, property damage, automobile accidents and even death. The power of these storms can overwhelm the infrastructure and cause irreparable grief to many families.<br /><br />That notwithstanding, watch these videos and you will witness the power and the majesty of nature in all its force. This monster is awesome! The first video is just a hint of what is to come.<br /><br />From the beach, a "Jaws" moment:<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="264"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s3d7ZYl7z2w?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s3d7ZYl7z2w?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="264"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><br />With an industrial area in the distance:<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="264"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vdhNO6kxhpM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vdhNO6kxhpM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="264"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><br />From a residential area:<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="343"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8wdxSZhc-nU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8wdxSZhc-nU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="343"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><br />From a sidewalk cafe in town:<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="264"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tghr60Nr_dg?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tghr60Nr_dg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="264"></embed></object></center><br /><br />And if you enjoy these, do check out all the additional videos of this event. It's one of the most well documented storms I've seen in a long time.<br /><br />In the information below I've included an interesting page of Helsinki street fashions, which has absolutely nothing to do with the storm, but is a lot of fun and shows a wide variety of creative clothing choices. Combined with the storm, these fashions are inspiring! And perhaps you'll gain some insight as to the character of the people of Helsinki. [I think I'd like them a lot!!!] Have fun!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki" target="blank">Helsinki, Finland</a>, <a href="http://www.visithelsinki.fi/In_English/Visitor.iw3" target="blank">visit Helsinki</a>, <a href="http://www.hel-looks.com/about.html" target="blank">fashion in Helsinki "Hel Looks"</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm" target="blank">thunderstorm facts</a>, <a href="http://www.fema.gov/hazard/thunderstorm/index.shtm" target="blank">more thunderstorm info</a>.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/helsinki-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/helsinki-1.jpg" alt="lightning strike over Helsinki" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1168094484783721732?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-11408637748722110572010-08-25T11:32:00.000-07:002010-08-25T11:36:15.834-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: Deadline "I" thru "Q"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Writer's Challenge Deadline!</span><br /></div><br />The deadline for the Writer's Challenge 2010 words "I" through "Q" is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">November 8, 2010. </span>Please submit your work to the weeks you wish to enter by adding it as a comment in the appropriate week's comment section.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 in the comment section for that week. All links for the November 8 deadline are listed below.<br /><blockquote><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/writers-challenge-2010-i.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I words: <span style="font-style: italic;">ice, idol, infect</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/writers-challenge-2010-j.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">J words: <span style="font-style: italic;">jab, jeer, joy</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/writers-challenge-2010-k.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">K words: <span style="font-style: italic;">key, kind, knot</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/writers-challenge-2010-l.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">L words: <span style="font-style: italic;">lash, line, lore</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/writers-challenge-2010-m.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">M words: <span style="font-style: italic;">mask, miss, muse</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/writers-challenge-2010-n.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">N words: <span style="font-style: italic;">near, nip, now</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/writers-challenge-2010-o.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">O words: <span style="font-style: italic;">only, open, over</span></span></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-p.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">P words: <span style="font-style: italic;">pair, pin, pure</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-q.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q words: <span style="font-style: italic;">quake, quest, quiver</span></span></a><br /></blockquote><br />Remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">*A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*</span><br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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. Once the deadline has been passed, it will be closed to entries, no exceptions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">To recap -- the deadline for "I" through "Q" is November 8, 2010</span>. Enter as many weeks as you wish. But primarily, have some fun with these!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1140863774872211057?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-38219482184983890682010-08-24T09:45:00.000-07:002010-08-24T09:47:41.984-07:00The Spider and The Fly<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/spiderweb-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/spiderweb-1-med.jpg" alt="spiderweb on the porch" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/spiderweb-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >The Spider and the Fly</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">by</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">Mary Howitt</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, " Dear friend what can I do,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And now dear little children, who may this story read,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spider_and_the_Fly_%28poem%29" target="blank">Wiki article on poem</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Howitt" target="blank">Mary Howitt bio</a>, <a href="http://www.love-poems.me.uk/biography_howitt_mary.htm" target="blank">another bio</a>, <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=PZ1YAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="blank">Mary Howitt: an autobiography, Volume 1</a>, <a href="http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poet/171.html" target="blank">Howitt poetry online</a>.</span><br /><br /><center><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=cayusepress&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0689852894&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3821948218498389068?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-75812167713059538192010-08-23T14:05:00.001-07:002010-08-23T14:39:26.518-07:00Stop Bullying Now<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-girls-1a-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-girls-1a-med.jpg" alt="two girls bully another girl" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">two girls bully another girl</span><br /></div><br />The problem of bullying is as old as schools and kids themselves. It's not new behavior in the course of human culture -- but today, it is more widespread and more noticed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-boys-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-boys-1-med.jpg" alt="a boy assaults a smaller boy" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">a boy assaults a smaller boy</span><br /></div><br />I have to say everyone in my family was extremely lucky not to have been annoyed or hurt by bullies while going through school. So, I have no firsthand knowledge of the pain of bullying. However, that being said, I have witnessed friends while in school and later children of friends who were victims of bullying and it's not an experience for the faint of heart. It can devastate all the children in a family and hurt family relationships. Academic excellence and achievement can suffer and by extension, the future livelihood and happiness of the bullied victim.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-girls-2-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-girls-2-med.jpg" alt="a bullying victim pleads with you for help" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">a victim pleads with you for help</span><br /></div><br />I have found some excellent resources for you to study. If parents, grandparents, guardians, and activity leaders [scouts, sports, after school clubs] as well as teachers know the signs of bullying, it will stop the scourge of bullying. Many school districts provide seminars for teachers to identify bullying and make proactive changes in their classrooms. Over 40 states in the US have laws regarding bullying. If those laws were enforced, there definitely would be fewer bullying incidents and the perpetrators would be stopped. A bully's behavior can be modified through education, understanding and appropriate punishment.<br /><br />Sadly, the problem has escalated to such an extent that many parents are at their wit's end. They try everything to find a good, safe and effective learning environment for their child from changing classrooms or schools or home schooling or even moving to a different school district or state. Bullying can pressure a family to the breaking point.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-boys-2-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bully-boys-2-med.jpg" alt="a boy in despair" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">a boy in despair</span><br /></div><br />Don't let your young loved one suffer one more day at the hands of a bully. Take a proactive approach and put a stop to it now. Stop the systematic bullying rampant in schools today. Get involved in your PTA and rid your school of bullying. Check out the links below for more information and good luck. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">A child is counting on you!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.kenrigby.net/" target="blank">Dr. Ken Rigby's bullying info</a>, <a href="http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/" target="blank">Stop Bullying Now</a>, <a href="http://www.parentsconnect.com/articles/preventing_bullying.jhtml" target="blank">Preventing Bullying in Your Child's Life</a>, <a href="http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/e12011405.pdf" target="blank">Cops Guide to Bullying in Schools [pdf]</a>, <a href="http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/" target="blank">US Gov advice for kids & parents</a>, <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/bullying/make-strong-anti-bullying-prog.html" target="blank">anti-bullying programs</a>, <a href="http://www.kidpower.org/resources/articles/prevent-bullying.html" target="blank">anti-bullying skills kids can use immediately</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7581216771305953819?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-3647329323635528652010-08-22T14:52:00.001-07:002010-08-22T15:13:27.351-07:00Meteors over Mt. Rainier<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/meteor-mtr-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/meteor-mtr-med.jpg" alt="meteors over Mt. Rainier" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/meteor-mtr-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />Here are two awesome time-lapse videos of the recent Perseid meteor shower over Mt. Rainier. The flashes in the second video are probably automobile headlights -- but they could be dry lightning strikes. [It has been noted that Mt. Rainier has its own weather patterns, different from the surrounding area.] There are campfires or possibly forest fires burning on the mountain, too, which you can also see. Enlarge the videos for best viewing. Enjoy!<br /><br />Here is the first video:<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="264"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v92h3hZ6jic?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v92h3hZ6jic?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="264"></embed></object></center><br /><br />And here's the second video:<br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="264"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nJimFSjVAE8?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nJimFSjVAE8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="264"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids" target="blank">Wiki Perseid article</a>, <a href="http://www.worldcorrespondents.com/perseid-meteor-shower-in-august-2010-can-be-seen-in-the-sky-until-august-24/888785" target="blank">updated 2010 Perseid info</a>, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/mora" target="blank">Mt. Rainier National Park</a>, <a href="http://www.visitrainier.com/" target="blank">visit Mt. Rainier</a>, <a href="http://www.mount.rainier.national-park.com/" target="blank">more Mt. Rainier info</a>, <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="blank">Washington state tourism</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting! </span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-364732932363552865?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-2753390057569119462010-08-20T16:29:00.001-07:002010-08-20T16:35:34.108-07:00Made in the USA -- Not Scotland<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/barakaside-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/barakaside-med.jpg" alt="political cartoon" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/barakaside-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />For an explanation of where this cartoon originated, <a href="http://www.tobytoons.com/td/cartoon/20090609/hydrogen-barackside.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">click here</span></a>. To see more this cartoonist's work <a href="http://www.tobytoons.com/td/" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">check out his website</span></a> or <a href="http://www.redstate.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">visit RedState.com</span></a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-275339005756911946?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-49727217220090888652010-08-18T09:31:00.000-07:002010-08-18T09:47:03.802-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: Deadline "A" thru "H"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Writer's Challenge Deadline!</span><br /></div><br />The deadline for the Writer's Challenge 2010 words "A" through "H" is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">November 1, 2010. </span>Please submit your work to the weeks you wish to enter by adding it as a comment in the appropriate week's comment section.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 in the comment section for that week. All links for the November 1 deadline are listed below.<br /><blockquote><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/02/writers-challenge-2010.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A words: <span style="font-style: italic;">area, acid, azure</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/02/writers-challenge-2010-b.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">B words: <span style="font-style: italic;">bird, boy, buzz</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/03/writers-challenge-2010-c.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">C words: <span style="font-style: italic;">cool, carp, cloak</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/03/writers-challenge-2010-d.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">D words: <span style="font-style: italic;">date, dirt, drift</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/03/writers-challenge-2010-e.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">E words: <span style="font-style: italic;">easy, echo, end</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/03/writers-challenge-2010-f.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">F words: <span style="font-style: italic;">fall, fire, forge</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/03/writers-challenge-2010-g.html" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">G words: <span style="font-style: italic;">goal, good, grip</span></span></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/writers-challenge-2010-h.html" target="blank"><span>H words</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">heat, help, hold</span></a><br /></blockquote><br />Remember to keep all your work to 200 words or less. <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">*A note about language appropriateness: no vulgarities, obscenities, or anything offensive, please. Your work should be for general audiences.*</span><br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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. Once the deadline has been passed, it will be closed to entries, no exceptions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">To recap -- the deadline for "A" through "H" is November 1, 2010</span>. Enter as many weeks as you wish. But primarily, have some fun with these!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4972721722009088865?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-33197478486069336262010-08-17T12:34:00.000-07:002010-08-17T13:03:27.159-07:00Container Garden Serenity<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/petuniawalk-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/petuniawalk-med.jpg" alt="petunia pots" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/petuniawalk-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">click to enlarge</span></a></div><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">It is a good idea to be alone in a garden at dawn or dark so that all its shy presence may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought.<br />~James Douglas<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Down Shoe Lane</span></blockquote><br /><br />A deliciously sweet and spicy scent floods this patio at twilight. There is a soft and gentle breeze that barely ruffles the leaves. It's restful here, a place to sip a cool drink, listen to the birds, and let the events of the day fade into memory. This is why we garden -- to have a moment to enjoy and revel quietly in nature.<br /><br />Any deck, patio, porch, lawn, or backyard corner will do. All you need is some containers of fragrant flowers, a bit of shade, a cool drink and a half an hour to lean back in a favorite garden chair. It's the best way to relax and refresh after a strenuous or stressful day before your evening activities.<br /><br />It's not too late in the season to try it. Many garden stores have their pre-potted spring and summer plants on clearance now. Pick up a few, follow the recommended care guides and you'll have an instant retreat to enjoy for the rest of the season.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petunia" target="blank">petunia</a>, <a href="http://gardening.about.com/od/plantprofiles/a/Petunias.htm" target="blank">more petunia</a>, <a href="http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/dg1120.html" target="blank">and more petunia info</a>, <a href="http://www.types-of-flowers.org/" target="blank">types of flowers</a>, <a href="http://www.types-of-flowers.org/blog/" target="blank">flower guide</a>, <a href="http://www.types-of-flowers.org/spring-flowers.html" target="blank">spring flowers</a>, <a href="http://www.types-of-flowers.org/summer-flowers.html" target="blank">summer flowers</a>, <a href="http://www.types-of-flowers.org/autumn-flowers.html" target="blank">autumn flowers</a>, <a href="http://www.gardenguides.com/685-guide-container-gardening.html" target="blank">container gardening</a>, <a href="http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/guides/E-545_vegetable_gardening_containers.pdf" target="blank">container vegetable gardening pdf file to download [may be slow even with broadband -- please be patient!]</a>.</span><br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_d060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fd060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fd060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_d060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_d060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fd060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3319747848606933626?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-65130924401041372172010-08-16T11:44:00.001-07:002010-08-16T12:06:55.421-07:00Positive Thinking for Success<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/prosperity-3-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/prosperity-3-med.jpg" alt="key to success" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/prosperity-3-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />If you're discouraged or stagnating in your job or job search, don't despair. You will be successful -- but you know it's going to take hard work and faith in yourself to succeed. You may have heard of <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The Secret</span>. It's a newer version of proven positive thinking techniques that will get you into the proper frame of mind for success. Another book, published originally in 1926, is called <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">It Works</span> and it lives up to its name.<br /><br />Whether you use a more modern interpretation of these timeless, universal principles, or one of the older, more established versions, positive thinking, goal setting, and a commitment to your success will bring that success to you.<br /><br />The author of <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">It Works</span> wrote it anonymously, leaving his initials as RHJ. He was a highly successful businessman and wanted to pass on his principles to anyone who would like to have them. He goes into some detail about The Plan that he followed to his complete success. Here are the basics: <blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Three Positive Rules of Accomplishment</span><br /></div><br />1. Read the list of what you want three times each day: morning, noon and night.<br /><br />2. Think of what you want as often as possible.<br /><br />3. Do not talk to anyone about your plan except to the Great Power within you which will unfold to your Objective Mind the method of accomplishment.</blockquote><br />RHJ does not go into any religious metaphysics. Instead, he puts your success squarely on your own shoulders. I recommend this book -- it's as simple as can be and it's even appropriate for youngsters.<br /><br />I have included links below for many free ebook classics for growing your success, links to articles, goal setting tips, and a variety of books on prosperity to keep you motivated. My favorite writer is Catherine Ponder, but she comes from a New Thought-Practical Christian point of view you may not find useful. I have included a few contemporary books on the destruction of American prosperity -- but don't let that stop you from trying to achieve success. Keep working and good luck!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity" target="blank">prosperity</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Thought" target="blank">New Thought</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Success" target="blank">success</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goal_setting" target="blank">goal setting</a>, <a href="http://www.cignabehavioral.com/web/basicsite/consumer/educationAndResourceCenter/articleLibrary/working_person11.pdf" target="blank">goal setting worksheet pdf to print</a>, <a href="http://www.thesecretvisionbook.com/free_ebooks_library.php" target="blank">page of free prosperity ebooks to download</a>, <a href="http://www.whitedovebooks.co.uk/bookstore-index.htm" target="blank">more free prosperity ebooks to download.</a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_f996d95c-4145-4cc0-b193-ec766a0680fa" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Ff996d95c-4145-4cc0-b193-ec766a0680fa&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Ff996d95c-4145-4cc0-b193-ec766a0680fa&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_f996d95c-4145-4cc0-b193-ec766a0680fa" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_f996d95c-4145-4cc0-b193-ec766a0680fa" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Ff996d95c-4145-4cc0-b193-ec766a0680fa&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank you for visiting!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-6513092440104137217?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-46710898848574509582010-08-15T10:59:00.001-07:002010-08-15T11:21:46.256-07:00Pres. Lincoln Sells Car Insurance<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/lincoln-ad-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/lincoln-ad-1.jpg" alt="President and Mrs. Lincoln at home" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">President and Mrs. Lincoln at home</span><br /></div><br />I have no interest [monetary or otherwise] in selling car insurance for Geico -- but I have to share this with you. I think it's brilliant! In 31 seconds, we experience the illustration of our common belief in the personality and demeanor of "Honest" Abe, our 16th president. The filmmakers did a fantastic job of recreating a scene of the President and Mrs. Lincoln in a casual moment alone. Of course moving pictures had not been invented yet -- it would be approximately 30 years later that some resemblance of film as we know it today would be successfully invented. And sound was not perfected and distributed before the mid-1920s when film with a synchronized record initiated the sound era. [Full sound-on-film technology came later in the decade. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Jazz Singer</span> [1927] has been given credit for the first sound film widely distributed.]<br /><br />All that being said, this 31 second film is a masterpiece! The film looks like a partially deteriorated [un-restored] early sound film. Two lines of dialogue says it all. Simply put, it's a delight.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cdy3orO6tQA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cdy3orO6tQA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object><br /><br />Mary Todd Lincoln is fascinating! What character actress wouldn't love to play that unfortunate woman, a life stalked by tragedy through war, her husband's assassination, her own brush with an assassin, bouts of mental instability, and the early death of three of her four children? Here she sums up her frustration with life simply by flouncing out of the room. [It's actually very funny.]<br /><br />Her husband comes across as a thoughtful fellow, reluctant to hurt his loving wife by telling her the truth. But he can't help himself, delivers the devastating blow as sweetly as possible, and predictably, she stomps off, angry as can be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/marylincoln" target="blank">Mary Todd Lincoln bio</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Todd_Lincoln" target="blank">additional Mary Todd Lincoln bio</a>, <a href="http://www.biography.com/articles/Abraham-Lincoln-9382540" target="blank">Abraham Lincoln bio</a>, <a href="http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ki-Lo/Lincoln-Abraham.html" target="blank">additional Lincoln biographical information</a>, <a href="http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blmotionpictures.htm" target="blank">motion picture invention</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_film" target="blank">history of film</a>, <a href="http://www.filmsound.org/film-sound-history/" target="blank">history of movie sound</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_fa46430f-a833-4358-9bf8-9a0fe15630c7" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Ffa46430f-a833-4358-9bf8-9a0fe15630c7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Ffa46430f-a833-4358-9bf8-9a0fe15630c7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_fa46430f-a833-4358-9bf8-9a0fe15630c7" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_fa46430f-a833-4358-9bf8-9a0fe15630c7" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Ffa46430f-a833-4358-9bf8-9a0fe15630c7&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting.</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4671089884857450958?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-75235480162093134442010-08-12T06:50:00.000-07:002010-08-12T06:52:35.347-07:00Dr. Seuss Updated<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/drseuss-2-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 462px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/drseuss-2-med.jpg" alt="updated Dr. Seuss character" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">updated Dr. Seuss character<br />with green eggs & ham</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >A new, updated, Dr. Seuss book:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I do not like this Uncle Sam,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I do not like his health care scam.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I do not like these dirty crooks,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">or how they lie and cook the books.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">I do not like when Congress steals,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">I do not like their secret deals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">I do not like this speaker, Nan,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">I do not like this 'YES WE CAN.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I do not like this spending spree,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">I'm smart, I know that nothing's free.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">I do not like your smug replies,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">when I complain about your lies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I do not like this kind of hope.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I do not like it, nope, nope, nope!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_5deb7d87-b044-4e45-ae83-caaafcf145f5" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2F5deb7d87-b044-4e45-ae83-caaafcf145f5&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2F5deb7d87-b044-4e45-ae83-caaafcf145f5&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_5deb7d87-b044-4e45-ae83-caaafcf145f5" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_5deb7d87-b044-4e45-ae83-caaafcf145f5" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2F5deb7d87-b044-4e45-ae83-caaafcf145f5&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7523548016209313444?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-36392178849841713782010-08-11T09:42:00.000-07:002010-08-11T09:44:05.102-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "Z"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/08/writers-challenge-2010-y.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: zap, zip, zoom<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3639217884984171378?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-71457328197230635322010-08-10T15:58:00.000-07:002010-08-10T16:47:50.035-07:00Time is a River<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/astoria-colrvr-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 271px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/astoria-colrvr-med.jpg" alt="The Columbia River" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">The Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon</span><br /><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/astoria-colrvr-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51);">It is only in appearance that time is a river. It is rather a vast landscape and it is the eye of the beholder that moves.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">~Thornton Wilder</span></blockquote>My niece sent me this photo of the Columbia River with the Astoria Bridge in the background. The Columbia has a timeless quality to it, as all great rivers do. The Thornton Wilder comment above seemed to describe her photo perfectly, with the movement of the river frozen in the moment it was snapped, and stretched out as the vast landscape of possibilities between the viewer and the far bank of the river.<br /><br />And finding the Wilder comment reminded me of all the wonderful experiences I had while performing, producing or directing his work for the stage. He is truly an icon of the American theatre. From my earliest beginning acting classes [where we used scenes from <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Our Town</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Crucible</span>,] to one of my first directorial efforts with <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Skin of Our Teeth</span>, I have enjoyed interpreting his work and entertaining a wide variety of people. It was great fun!<br /><br />However, it's been many years since I have acted in or directed one of his dramas and I had forgotten an awful lot of details about his life and his body of work. I found some great links to explore and I'm sharing them here with you. He was an interesting man, and knowing more about him will make reading his novels or seeing his plays a deeper and more meaningful experience.<br /><br />As to the photo of the Columbia River, I've included some excellent links with information about the recreational area of the river, known as the Columbia River Gorge. I've also included links for the biggest city at the mouth of the river, Astoria, Oregon. I hope you'll have the opportunity to explore the entire length of the river. It's one of my favorite areas of the Pacific Northwest -- full of history, activities, and enough scenery to take your breath away.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornton_Wilder" target="blank">Thornton Wilder biography</a>, <a href="http://www.todayinliterature.com/biography/thornton.wilder.asp" target="blank">more biographical notes</a>, <a href="http://www.tcnj.edu/%7Ewilder/" target="blank">The Thornton Wilder Society</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Town" target="blank">Our Town background & synopsis</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skin_of_Our_Teeth" target="blank">The Skin of Our Teeth background & synopsis</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_River" target="blank">Columbia River</a>, <a href="http://www.crgva.org/index.htm" target="blank">Columbia River Gorge tourism</a>, <a href="http://www.bestgorge.com/" target="blank">maps of the Gorge area</a>, <a href="http://www.go-oregon.net/Astoria/" target="blank">Astoria, OR</a>, <a href="http://www.oldoregon.com/visitor-info/entry/astoria-megler-bridge/" target="blank">Astoria Bridge</a>.</span><br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_abfd16ad-e98c-4a3b-88ec-25625c190ee7" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fabfd16ad-e98c-4a3b-88ec-25625c190ee7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fabfd16ad-e98c-4a3b-88ec-25625c190ee7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_abfd16ad-e98c-4a3b-88ec-25625c190ee7" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_abfd16ad-e98c-4a3b-88ec-25625c190ee7" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fabfd16ad-e98c-4a3b-88ec-25625c190ee7&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7145732819723063532?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-84152259323160223772010-08-09T17:18:00.000-07:002010-08-09T17:34:42.956-07:002010 Perseid Meteor Shower<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/meteors-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/meteors-med.jpg" alt="shooting stars" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">from last year's meteor shower</span><br /></div><br />The annual Perseid meteor shower has arrived! They are visible across Europe and North America for a few days, with the most intense displays on August 12 and 13, after midnight and into the wee hours, with the best times a few hours before dawn.<br /><br />At the old Sunflower Ranch, hubby and I used to sit on our deck and face the northeast and enjoy the show, even with the ambient city lights glowing all around us. Though these meteors supposedly come from the northeast, we also saw them flaming out over our heads from the south. I'm no astronomer, so I have no scientific explanation for it. All I know is, the display on a clear moonless night is breathtaking -- and you don't have to be in the desert to enjoy it.<br /><br />Once you have arranged your schedule to have an hour or two under the stars in an area with as little ambient light as possible, look to your comfort and dress appropriately for the overnight conditions. Here, that means a jacket to ward off the dampness and of course insect repellent to enjoy a "bug-free" night out with the shooting stars -- and the mosquitoes.<br /><br />Finally, choose your lounger, chair, or camp bed and settle in for a comfortable night to enjoy the falling stars!<br /><br />We've had great "star parties" with friends and food and music -- but it's not a nice thing to disturb the neighbors during the week -- it's bad enough if the party gets loud on the weekend at 3:30am -- but wow, it's a lot of fun! I hope you can try it tonight!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteoroid" target="blank">Wiki definition</a>, <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/70713/2010-perseid-meteor-shower/" target="blank">Perseid meteor shower 2010</a>, <a href="http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/How_To_See_The_Best_Meteor_Showers_Of_The_Year_999.html" target="blank">best viewing tips</a>, <a href="http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide" target="blank">guide to viewing</a>, <a href="http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/" target="blank">more information</a>, <a href="http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/05aug_perseids/" target="blank">planets align for meteor shower</a>.</span><br /><br /><center><iframe name="apciframe" id="apciframe" style="width: 379px; height: 303px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://affiliates.allposters.com/PosterStore/536273_PosterStore.htm" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">&amp;amp;lt;A class="APCAnchor" HREF="http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?AID=1205665281&amp;amp;amp;PSTID=4&amp;amp;amp;LTID=16&amp;amp;amp;lang=1"&amp;amp;gt;Buy Posters at AllPosters.com &amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;gt;</iframe></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8415225932316022377?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-87986057489689010382010-08-08T16:08:00.000-07:002010-08-08T17:23:46.637-07:00Blue Angels Over Seattle<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/blueangels-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 250px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/blueangels-1-med.jpg" alt="US Navy Blue Angels" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/blueangels-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />This past week has been Seattle's Seafair celebration. The entire week is filled with parades, boat races, an air show over Lake Washington, raucous Seafair Pirates running amok passing out goodies and carting off unsuspecting young ladies [all in good fun, nothing abusive or vulgar] and lots of other wholesome family activities, including a triathlon, fun run and milk carton derby. Our weather sometimes cooperates and the events take place under deep blue and cloudless skies.<br /><br />This year, however, the events were damped down a bit with bursts of heavy rain on Saturday and persistent low clouds on Sunday, the final day of the hydroplane races and air show on Lake Washington.<br /><br />But our spirits were not dampened in the least. The highlight and by far the most popular event of the entire week is the Sunday air show featuring the US Navy's Blue Angels. While hydroplane racing takes place all day, the breaks between boat racing heats are filled with the famous Blue Angels and other outstanding aerial performers. This is when we really pay attention.<br /><br />I have included a link to a video of Saturday's Blue Angel performance. I hope you love their precision flying. It just takes my breath away!<br /><br />When we have been at the lake visiting friends or picnicking a hush would fall over the crowd in anticipation of the Angels. As they thundered overhead the crowd would erupt in cheers, whistles, and screams of a hundred thousand people all letting loose at the top of their voices, showing their appreciation. Something about those magnificent jets prompted us all to add our own noise to the roar of their engines! The low altitude show, performed in heavy overcast, cloudy, or light rainy conditions means the jets are closer to the ground for the entire show -- and it has the effect of making the spectators one with the machines and the pilots. It's always especially exciting to see the reactions of children seeing the jets up close and personal for the first time -- they are transfixed and excited and always begging for more.<br /><br />What more could you ask for in family entertainment? Generally these performances are safe, as the so-called risky maneuvers are over the water and normal air traffic lanes leading to Boeing Field and Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Both major airports are shut to commercial and general aviation while all rehearsals and performances are taking place. The fields are only open to the Blue Angels and other pilots in the airshow.<br /><br />We lived on a hill south of the lake and were near one of the turn around points for the Blue Angels and what a sight it was to see them skim the rooftops! At that home [the old Sunflower Ranch] we'd stake out a shady spot under the apple tree and watch the entire show from the comfort of our own back yard.<br /><br />Out here in rural Pierce County, miles from the air show, we had many squadrons of older, propeller driven aircraft fly in formation the last few days. We think they had either just finished their portion of the airshow and were preparing to land at one of our tiny airstrips, or they had just taken off and were preparing to approach the lake and dazzle the crowds. At any rate, it was fun seeing more than one group of small gaily colored single-engine planes fly by in tight formation buzzing along over the treetops.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.kirotv.com/video/24551105/index.html" target="blank">video link of Blue Angels</a>, <a href="http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/index.htm" target="blank">Blue Angels official website</a>, <a href="http://www.seafair.com/" target="blank">Seattle Seafair celebration</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Seattle" target="blank">history of Seattle</a>, <a href="http://www.helloseattle.com/Attractions.cfm?gclid=CPGqg4_4qqMCFR9UgwodCwRW3w" target="blank">Seattle tourism</a>, <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="blank">Washington state tourism.</a></span><br /><br /><center><iframe name="apciframe" id="apciframe" style="width: 379px; height: 303px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://affiliates.allposters.com/PosterStore/536263_PosterStore.htm" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">&amp;amp;lt;A class="APCAnchor" HREF="http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?AID=1205665281&amp;amp;amp;PSTID=4&amp;amp;amp;LTID=16&amp;amp;amp;lang=1"&amp;amp;gt;Buy Posters at AllPosters.com &amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;gt;</iframe></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8798605748968901038?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-86950893337944515652010-08-05T00:06:00.000-07:002010-08-05T00:13:37.991-07:00Dragonfly Drama<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-3-b-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 283px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-3-b-med.jpg" alt="dragonfly in birdbath" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >dragonfly in birdbath</span><br /></div><br />A dear friend sent these photographs and the story of an incident in his garden. This dragonfly was in distress and possibly dead. I'll let him tell the story from here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-2-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-2-med.jpg" alt="dragonfly in birdbath" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-2-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />"I was in the kitchen this morning fixing my Dear Wife's lunch when she came in and said there was a dragonfly in the birdbath. I went out and looked and sure enough, it looked expired, resting its head on a floating leaf like a pillow. A little later, as I was walking the dog, I wondered why I didn't take some pictures of the poor little thing.<br /><br />"When we got home I grabbed the camera and dashed out there and lo and behold! -- there it was fluttering around, still in the water, but happily, not dead. While I snapped the pictures, my Dear Wife fetched me the large plastic spatula and I lifted it out of the water to a nice perch in the quince tree nearby."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-4-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-4-med.jpg" alt="dragonfly on quince" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-4-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />"It began to flex its wings back and forth, presumably to dry them. When I came out later it was gone. I looked on the ground and didn't see it, so I'll wish it flew off and didn't fall victim to a passing robin or starling.<br /><br />"Maybe it was just hungover. There was a party up the street the night before and perhaps it ate too many mosquitoes that had bitten the heavy drinkers. <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">(Oh, man! I woke up face down in a birdbath this morning and have NO idea how I got there!)</span>"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-5-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-5-med.jpg" alt="dragonfly on leaf" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dragonfly-5-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />He added that his "next camera will have a really nice macro lens," so he can take better closeups.<br /><br />It was a happy ending just the same. I love these kind of stories, and I'm so glad he rescued it! When I see a dragonfly buzzing around my lawn and garden, I will always think of the one who almost didn't make it -- but did, thanks to the kindness of humans who love them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonfly" target="blank">Wiki description of dragonflies</a>, <a href="http://www.dragonfly-site.com/meaning-symbolize.html" target="blank">dragonfly symbolism</a>, <a href="http://www.water2garden.org/dragonfly-water-garden/" target="blank">how to make a dragonfly garden</a>, <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_robin/id" target="blank">American Robin</a>, <a href="http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/eurostarling.shtml" target="blank">European Starling</a>, <a href="http://www.birdbaths.com/" target="blank">birdbaths</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quince" target="blank">quince</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><center><iframe name="apciframe" id="apciframe" style="width: 379px; height: 303px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://affiliates.allposters.com/PosterStore/536067_PosterStore.htm" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;A class="APCAnchor" HREF="http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?AID=1205665281&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;PSTID=4&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;LTID=16&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lang=1"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Buy Posters at AllPosters.com &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</iframe></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8695089333794451565?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-11757056604486280382010-08-04T00:31:00.000-07:002010-08-04T00:32:35.277-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "Y"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-x.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: yarn, yet, you<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1175705660448628038?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-47005543242546156542010-08-03T14:26:00.001-07:002010-08-03T14:59:04.999-07:00In The Foothills<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/field-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/field-med.jpg" alt="farm in Pierce County" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/field-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/field2-med.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 182px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/field2-med.jpg" alt="sign" border="0" /></a>This sweet farm is snuggled in the foothills of Pierce County. Last week when we were out on a drive, we left the damp and overcast skies of our home in the forest and headed to higher elevations. We weren't disappointed, as the sun was out and not too hot, but abuzz with a gentle breeze, some butterflies and a lot of songbirds. We liked the looks of this place, but didn't linger, due to the sign posted at the gate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/deer-2010-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/deer-2010-med.jpg" alt="deer" border="0" /></a><br />On our drive into the twisting back roads dotted with many small farms and ranches, we also encountered a magnificent but nervous black-tailed deer. It leapt across the road from our left and then once in the tall grass on our right immediately turned around and leapt back! Thank goodness we were alone on the road and I had stopped the car. After the second leap, we waited a few moments and cautiously crept forward. There is a reason the speed limit in the backcountry roads is low. Though we were on a pot-hole free road [paved and striped no less], the limit was only 35 mph with the blind curves posted at 10 mph. They don't even bother to post the deer crossing warning sign -- you can figure those would have to be posted every 50 feet!<br /><br />We scouted alpine lakes for fishing and found so many beautiful spots, we hope to return in the next few weeks as our short summer winds down. I've included links below to historical features, areas of interest, and fishing in Pierce County.<br /><br />I hope you have fun exploring this unique area of Washington state -- I know we will!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-tailed_Deer" target="blank">black-tailed deer</a>, <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="blank">Washington state tourism</a>, <a href="http://www.visitrainier.com/" target="blank">visit Mt. Rainier</a>, <a href="http://www.traveltacoma.com/region/" target="blank">visit Pierce County, WA</a>, <a href="http://www.piercecounty.com/" target="blank">Pierce County</a>, <a href="http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8001" target="blank">history of Pierce County</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Pierce_County,_Washington" target="blank">National Register of Historic Places listings in Pierce County</a>, <a href="http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/" target="blank">WA fishing license</a>, <a href="http://www.takemefishing.org//fishing/fishopedia/species-explorer/details/overview/fish/silver-trout" target="blank">silver trout</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4700554324254615654?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-64842159157090376942010-08-02T18:58:00.001-07:002010-08-02T21:54:14.722-07:00Wildfires of the West<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/sunset-2-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 453px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/sunset-2-med.jpg" alt="eerie sunset over Puget Sound" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/sunset-2-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />Last night's sunset over Puget Sound had an eerie look to it. The hazy overcast, the deep orange sun, and the scent of smoke in the air convinced all but the most skeptical there were forest fires burning nearby.<br /><br />According to the local television news, the fires affecting Western Washington originated in British Columbia, Canada. See the links below for more information.<br /><br />Here is a video of a recent wildfire in the Lake Chelan [Washington state] area. You can see what a wildfire looks like at a distance from the freeway, and also see closeups of firefighting via helicopter. [If traveling in BC or Washington, please check the websites for the most up-to-date information about the location and intensity of current fires.]<br /><br /><center><object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v8VTGCccDKQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v8VTGCccDKQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Here is a time-lapse video of the sunset from Seattle.<br /><br /><center><object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TGUxLU_K6kI&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TGUxLU_K6kI&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.komonews.com/weather/blog/99726934.html" target="blank">KOMO news story</a>, <a href="http://www.komonews.com/weather/blog/99780544.html" target="blank">updated photo gallery</a>, <a href="http://www.bcwildfire.ca/Situation/" target="blank">British Columbia wildfires</a>, <a href="http://www.inciweb.org/state/49/" target="blank">Washington state wildfires</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildfire" target="blank">Wiki wildfire description</a>, <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/" target="blank">British Columbia tourism</a>, <a href="http://www.lakechelan.com/" target="blank">Lake Chelan tourism</a>, <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="blank">Washington state tourism</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Thank you so much for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-6484215915709037694?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-41884296012770540942010-07-29T22:07:00.001-07:002010-07-29T22:36:32.926-07:00Having a Happy Birthday!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/balloons2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 392px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/balloons2.jpg" alt="birthday balloons" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">birthday balloon bouquet</span><br /></div><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" >Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">~Jean Paul Richter</span><br /></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4188429601277054094?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-53143587416235508402010-07-28T00:15:00.000-07:002010-07-28T00:16:43.942-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "X"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-w.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: Xanthus, xenophobe, x-ray [these are among the toughest words in the series!]<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5314358741623550840?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-19293378679898589122010-07-27T11:23:00.001-07:002010-07-27T11:32:56.949-07:00A Painter of Flowers<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/strawflowers-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/strawflowers-1-med.jpg" alt="flowers" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/strawflowers-1-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">~Claude Monet</span></span></blockquote>I would dearly love to see what M. Monet would make of these flowers! I snapped the picture a few days ago, while the temperature hovered in the low 80s. After weeks of low humidity and clear skies -- our usual summer pattern, but not the best condition for growing green -- it was a lovely surprise to see anything coming up, much less such a lovely variety of wildflowers. How many can you count?<br /><br />I'm calling this grouping "strawflowers" only because they seem as brittle and fragile as dried flowers, not because they are of the strawflower variety.<br /><br />They only recently bloomed, however, and when they are watered, take the welcoming moisture in their stride and reach for the sky with renewed vigor. Their brilliant petals defy their washed out stems and leaves and even from a distance pop with color so welcoming, they make my heart glad. I love them!<br /><br />My friend, in whose garden these flowers reside, said he was so happy to see them finally grow and bloom, after our dreadfully cold and wet Spring and recent blistering weather.<br /><br />There is nothing sweeter than a patch of colorful flowers brightening up the landscape in unexpected places. I hope you have such a patch nearby and have the opportunity to enjoy it everyday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.intermonet.com/" target="blank">Monet biography and works</a>, <a href="http://www.wildflowerinformation.org/" target="blank">wildflowers</a>, <a href="http://www.driedflowersdirect.com/dried-flowers/strawflower.htm" target="blank">strawflowers</a>.</span><br /><br /><center><iframe name="apciframe" id="apciframe" style="width: 379px; height: 303px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://affiliates.allposters.com/PosterStore/535593_PosterStore.htm" frameborder="0" scrolling="no">&amp;amp;lt;A class="APCAnchor" HREF="http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?AID=1205665281&amp;amp;amp;PSTID=4&amp;amp;amp;LTID=16&amp;amp;amp;lang=1"&amp;amp;gt;Buy Posters at AllPosters.com &amp;amp;lt;/A&amp;amp;gt;</iframe></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1929337867989858912?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-23148267213376403032010-07-26T09:46:00.001-07:002010-07-26T09:58:47.311-07:00Flower Garden or Public Safety Issue?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/plant-lady-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/plant-lady-med.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/plant-lady-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Seattle Fire Department on the scene</span></a><br /></div><br />The city of Seattle has asked a citizen to trim back her flowers on the city parking strip in front of her home to city approved height or risk a big fine. She has refused on the grounds her garden is an enhancement to the neighborhood and poses no safety issues.<br /><br />Read the articles and watch the video for details. [Links below.]<br /><br />What would you do if faced with this problem? How would you feel about city officials threatening you with a fine when your intention was to beautify the neighborhood for all to enjoy?<br /><br />Add a comment on any of the sites below and be sure to leave a comment here at the Ranch. I'm always interested to know how you feel about issues that, though local, are often identical to what might happen in your town as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.eastlakeave.com/2010/07/24/popular-eastlake-garden-in-trouble-with-the-city-may-have-to-be-trimmed" target="blank">local news story</a>, <a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/99197324.html" target="blank">KOMO news story</a>, <a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/99197324.html?tab=video" target="blank">KOMO video</a>.</span><br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_d060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fd060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fd060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_d060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_d060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8010%2Fd060fbad-34fb-49c0-b098-d27bc2753088&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript></center><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2314826721337640303?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-29493666660390830152010-07-21T00:06:00.000-07:002010-07-21T00:07:59.124-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "W"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-v.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: want, well, writ<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2949366666039083015?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-1535425780681106692010-07-19T14:59:00.001-07:002010-07-19T15:06:46.221-07:00Americans in the Crosshairs<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/crosshairs-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/crosshairs-med.jpg" alt="news report" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Americans in the Crosshairs</span><br /></div><br />This morning a friend sent me a link to this disturbing video and I wanted to share it with you. You can't make up this stuff -- unless you're a novelist who specializes in political thrillers. It seems to be legitimate, having run on MSNBC recently.<br /><br />It's disturbing to even imagine our own government has a hit list of citizens, targeted for elimination. Apparently, this stuff didn't go out of fashion with the Nazis and the extreme leftist totalitarian regimes of Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot and other despots and dictators. Oh, wait, is that what we've got now, only we just don't know it yet?<br /><br />Take a look for yourself.<br /><br /><center><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zz6EkyKHauc&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zz6EkyKHauc&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Very creepy, if you ask me. What do you think? I think it's important enough to share today and if you'd like others to know about it, please share, too. Remember, "Knowledge is power."<br /><br />I also learned that this video ran on the Beck show today. Try to catch his discussion of the meaning of dictatorship. There must be a reason the administration isn't really worried about the Democrats losing Congress this fall. Are we in the early throws of a crushing dictatorship? This is something every American must decide for themselves. Perhaps this video is a start in understanding what we face.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Please share this with a friend. </span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-153542578068110669?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-40238896404664218142010-07-18T10:39:00.001-07:002010-07-18T10:57:19.428-07:00Maria's Theory of Gardening<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/maria-fbox-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/maria-fbox-med.jpg" alt="Maria in the garden" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Maria in the garden</span><br /></div><br />Maria's Theory of Gardening is uncomplicated, easily illustrated by the following story.<br /><br />Last night my niece sent me this photo of her eldest cat Maria. This feisty indoor-outdoor cat enjoys the best of both worlds. Here she is lounging in a newly built garden planter box. My niece had intended to fill the box with enriched garden soil and plant some midsummer seedlings. Alas -- it was not to be with this cutie hijacking the box for a catnap.<br /><br />As darkness fell and Maria grew a little weary of just lying about, she stood up, stretched, and ambled back into the house for a snack. After a light meal of her favorite Senior dinner, she found a quiet spot on the sofa, curled up and took a snooze. The garden planter box could wait until another day...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">As you can see, Maria's Theory dictates simply, <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">put off today what you might feel like doing tomorrow, or at some fuzzy time in the future. All personal whims must be accommodated first.</span> See how easy it is?</span><br /><br />I have employed her theory for unwanted or unpleasant tasks most of my life, not just vexing garden chores, and I must say, it works! Try it today and have a bit of fun. Maria would approve.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4023889640466421814?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-64975826652137942092010-07-17T21:39:00.001-07:002010-07-17T21:44:56.330-07:00Missing You Mom<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/heaven1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/heaven1-med.jpg" alt="clouds" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/heaven1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" >If tears could build a stairway,<br />And memories a lane,<br />I'd walk right up to Heaven<br />And bring you home again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">~Author Unknown</span></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-6497582665213794209?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-39520305004548717812010-07-15T16:34:00.001-07:002010-07-15T20:39:48.637-07:00The Jewel of Thun Field<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dc-3-2c-2med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dc-3-2c-2med.jpg" alt="restored DC-3 at Thun Field" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/dc-3-2c-2big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />I snapped this photo today at the Pierce County Airport-Thun Field on a quick return trip to the field. It's amazing how different a place looks in the sunshine. When the sun comes out, it can go from dreary to spectacular in a heartbeat.<br /><br />Hubby and I had stopped for lunch a few days ago, when the skies were cloudy and threatened rain. The food was great. I had a cheeseburger and hubby had beer battered cod -- both made the old fashioned way and to perfection. Here's the view from our table, with the huge hanging basket of flowers adding a sweet touch of nature to an otherwise utilitarian scene. I can't wait to drop in on a sunny day and have lunch on the deck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/thun-view-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/thun-view-1-med.jpg" alt="view of Thun Field from Hangar Inn" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/thun-view-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />We took a quick stroll around the front of the restaurant that day and I snapped this picture of the restored DC-3. What an enchanting airplane -- oh the places it's been in its long and proud life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/thun-dc-3-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/thun-dc-3-med.jpg" alt="DC-3 on cloudy day" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/thun-dc-3-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />A cloudy day is so common here, so ho-hum, when we drove by the airport early this morning and hubby said, "The mountain's out," I said, "We're coming back on the way home for a better photo." And so we did and it's what you see at the top of the post.<br /><br />For a fantastic shot of this plane and the mountain taken by a professional photographer, check the links below. [See the dramatic difference. A telephoto lens is a million times better than a cellphone camera!!! LOL]<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/hangar-inn-puyallup-191755" target="blank">Hangar Inn</a>, <a href="http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=pf_output.cfm&file_id=8383" target="blank">history of Thun Field</a>, <a href="http://www.airnav.com/airport/KPLU" target="blank">flight info on Thun Field</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rainier" target="blank">Mt. Rainier</a>, <a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/2009/08/31/862042/dc-3-nearly-ready-to-fly-again.html" target="blank">DC-3 restoration story</a>, <a href="http://www.airplane-pictures.net/image82733.html" target="blank">stunning photo of this DC-3 on a spring day</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-3" target="blank">Wiki history of the DC-3</a>, <a href="http://www.dc3history.org/home.html" target="blank">DC-3 Dakota Society</a>, <a href="http://www.centercomp.com/dc3/" target="blank">DC-3 Aviation Museum</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3952030500454871781?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-55510789672445432342010-07-14T00:12:00.000-07:002010-07-14T00:13:53.374-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "V"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/07/writers-challenge-2010-u.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: vale, vein, vow<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5551078967244543234?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-24425313563166111092010-07-13T00:02:00.000-07:002010-07-13T11:09:30.563-07:00Hanging Basket<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/flowerbasket-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/flowerbasket-med.jpg" alt="hanging basket" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/flowerbasket-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">'Tis my faith that every flower</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Enjoys the air it breathes!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~William Wordsworth</span></blockquote>I snapped this gigantic basket of flowers at Thun Field [Pierce County Airport]. We'd stopped for lunch and to watch the small plane traffic in and out, though I must admit, I was more attracted to these brilliant baskets.<br /><br />The entrance to the restaurant was flanked by two baskets, and several more hung over the deck that faced the runways. The flowers fairly popped with color from every corner, probably made all the brighter by the high drizzly sky. The baskets were enormous -- and the blooms seemed quite vigorous, despite last week's sudden and prolonged heat wave that sent the temperatures into the 90s.<br /><br />We enjoyed a great lunch and checked out some of the small planes and the jewel of Thun Field, a newly restored DC-3 -- but more on her in another post. For today I just wanted to share this basket of flowers with you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.humeseeds.com/ef_hb.htm" target="blank">flowers for hanging baskets</a>, <a href="http://flowergardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/hanging_basket_tips" target="blank">hanging basket tips</a>, <a href="http://www.airnav.com/airport/KPLU" target="blank">flight info for Thun Field</a>, <a href="http://www.globalair.com/airport/apt.weather.aspx?aptcode=plu" target="blank">weather at airport</a>, <a href="http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather/default.aspx?station=3212&id=sa" target="blank">WA state airport weather</a>, <a href="http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/hangar-inn-puyallup-191755" target="blank">Hangar Inn</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wordsworth" target="blank">William Wordsworth bio</a>, <a href="http://www.notablebiographies.com/We-Z/Wordsworth-William.html" target="blank">more Wordsworth info</a>, <a href="http://www.bartleby.com/people/WordswthW.html" target="blank">Wordsworth works online</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting today!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2442531356316611109?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-35187286521193044862010-07-11T17:58:00.000-07:002010-07-13T00:02:41.794-07:00Ice Cream Afternoon<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/i-c-cone-2-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 520px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/i-c-cone-2-med.jpg" alt="girl & ice cream" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >a summer treat</span><br /></div><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Summer afternoon -- summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Henry James</span></blockquote>I would have to add two more words to that list --<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">ice cream!</span> What is better on a blistering summer afternoon? Well, any time, really, if you are a fan of ice cream.<br /><br />The vintage magazine above got it right -- there isn't a kid today [or even one from this era] that wouldn't have the courage to tackle a lifesize ice cream cone. True, most of us wouldn't get very far, but what an experiment. Brain freeze anyone? LOL<br /><br />When you've tackled your share of the ice cream for one day, hit the shade with a languid novel by Henry James and you'll be set for a completely lazy day. I've included some interesting links to the Master's life and works below. His stories are not easily digested in a quick read -- but they take their time and once you've read one, you'll savor it for years.<br /><br />My own "best" encounter with Henry James occurred when I was a teen, while babysitting the neighbor children. It was a typical stormy autumn night. Their mother had to run down to the hospital for the evening where their father lay very ill. I didn't expect her back until midnight or later, if at all. I tucked the kids in bed and settled down to read James' <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The Turn of the Screw</span>.<br /><br />As I read, the storm raged outside, every gust of wind rattled the doors, an eerie scraping persisted against one side of the house -- and then the lights began to flicker. Definitely a scary situation, coupled with the story I was reading. I should have discontinued my reading, which contributed to the frightful experience, and picked up something a little less "atmospheric" but it was to be an extra credit project for school and besides I couldn't put it down.<br /><br />A crack of something nearby woke up the kids, the lights flickered out, and I suddenly had three crying kids on my hands. And scared out of my wits! The storm had knocked out the phone, too. [In the days before cell phones.] We found a flashlight, I plied them with cookies and milk and got them back to bed and tried to tell their favorite stories to calm them. When the lights came back on an hour later, they were relaxed enough to fall asleep.<br /><br />I held my post, went back to reading but kept the flashlight handy. The phone never came back on and there was no way I was going to take even the tiniest nap on the couch. All I could do was return to my book and stay awake.<br /><br />Needless to say, I was hooked on James from that moment. There I was living the book I was reading!! A very upsetting/exciting experience!<br /><br />I've enjoyed James novels on film, too. Hard to believe it, but it's a tribute to the screenwriters that can take a any wordy James novel and make a decent script out of it. Entertaining, too, I might add, once you add a good production team, some fine actors, and a skilled and sensitive director. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The Innocents</span>, starring Deborah Kerr is probably the best of the lot -- so far.<br /><br />Merchant Ivory Productions have created many memorable films from Henry James novels, too.<br /><br />I've included several links below for this odd combination of ice cream, summer and Henry James. And check out his works online, too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cream" target="blank">Wiki ice cream</a>, <a href="http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/ice_cream.htm" target="blank">more history of ice cream</a>, <a href="http://www.conefactory.com/recipes/index.asp?b=104" target="blank">ice cream recipes</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com//HowTo/homemade-ice-cream/Detail.aspx" target="blank">how to make homemade ice cream [with recipes]</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer" target="blank">Wiki Summer</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_James" target="blank">Wiki Henry James bio</a>, <a href="http://www.henryjames.org.uk/" target="blank">more James information</a>, <a href="http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=James%2C%20Henry%2C%201843-1916" target="blank">Henry James works online</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Ivory_Productions" target="blank">Merchant Ivory Productions</a>.</span><br /><br /><center></center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_3cf076eb-5382-412d-8c8f-514c6a9e3778" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8003%2F3cf076eb-5382-412d-8c8f-514c6a9e3778&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8003%2F3cf076eb-5382-412d-8c8f-514c6a9e3778&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_3cf076eb-5382-412d-8c8f-514c6a9e3778" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_3cf076eb-5382-412d-8c8f-514c6a9e3778" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8003%2F3cf076eb-5382-412d-8c8f-514c6a9e3778&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Have a wonderful day!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3518728652119304486?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-84346217092005833472010-07-10T19:23:00.001-07:002010-07-10T20:11:59.075-07:00American Author: Sinclair Lewis<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/lewis-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 402px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/lewis-med.jpg" alt="Sinclair Lewis at work" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Sinclair Lewis at work</span><br /></div><br /><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"The impact of Sinclair Lewis's novel, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Main Street</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">, was far reaching. Mark Shorer called it, 'The most sensational event in American publishing history.' Two years after the book's publication, John Farrar wrote in </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Bookman</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">, describing the incremental popularity of the novel:</span><br /><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">'Lewis's friends all bought the book, then the cognoscenti, then the literati, then the literate, a paltry thousand or so. Then the sleeping beast turned over, rubbed its eyes, and woke up. Fifty thousand. It howled in ecstasy of self-torture. One hundred thousand. His publishers estimated that it has beyond doubt reached two million readers. And people are still buying and reading it for the first time.'"</span><br /><br />~from <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">The Writer's Home Companion</span><br />by James Charlton & Lisbeth Mark<br /></blockquote></blockquote><br />When I went with my parents on a quick trip from Seattle to Minnesota to visit family, we had the good fortune to stop and tour the boyhood home of one of my favorite authors, Sinclair Lewis. The house was tiny by modern McMansion standards, but it felt like a homey little place and what I remember most was that it was stuffed with interesting objects and there was the coolest playhouse-sized version of the house on the grounds. This pint-sized building was painted in the exact colors of the original and seemed to be perfect in every way. [If I could find the pictures, I'd post one here.]<br /><br />Since I've matured, I've come to appreciate Lewis's work -- not only his humor and the complicated tone he took toward his characters, but the characters themselves -- caught up in the whirl of the Jazz Age and the Modern world it came to represent. This boy from the prairie ridiculed the people he wrote about, mocking them as provincial bumpkins from his progressive/elitist point of view. He sliced and diced them as surely and deftly as his father the country doctor performed emergency surgeries. But his people are so real, so full of emotion and drive -- and a million flaws -- it's easy to overlook any overwrought political commentary and just enjoy the story.<br /><br />Ironically, Lewis's life ended in loneliness and alcoholism, very much like an unhappy and unsuccessful character from one of his novels. For a good introduction to his world, take a look at some films based on his books. I think the Burt Lancaster Oscar winning performance in <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Elmer Gantry</span> would be an excellent starting point.<br /><br />If you've never read any Sinclair Lewis, take a look and give these stories a chance to tickle your funnybone, make you cry a little and probably infuriate you with his sometimes heavy handed political views. But you'll never be bored!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_Lewis" target="blank">Wiki biography</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1930/lewis-autobio.html" target="blank">Nobel Prize autobiography</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.saukherald.com/ftp/lewis/home.html" target="blank">boyhood home & museum</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.saukherald.com/ftp/lewis/center.html" target="blank">interpretive center</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.saukcentrechamber.com/sinclair.htm" target="blank">Sinclair Lewis Days</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=LewBabb.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=all" target="blank">Babbitt online</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.iblist.com/author200.htm" target="blank">bio & list of works online [online restrictions in the US]</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.exploreminnesota.com/" target="blank">Minnesota tourism</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_ff234a15-58c3-4440-857b-765036746301" width="400px" height="150px"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8003%2Fff234a15-58c3-4440-857b-765036746301&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8003%2Fff234a15-58c3-4440-857b-765036746301&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_ff234a15-58c3-4440-857b-765036746301" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_ff234a15-58c3-4440-857b-765036746301" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="400px" height="150px"></embed></object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fcayusepress%2F8003%2Fff234a15-58c3-4440-857b-765036746301&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8434621709200583347?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-5414022251269522682010-07-09T13:24:00.000-07:002010-07-09T13:39:14.301-07:00Rainier Cherries: Food of the Heavens<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/cherries-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 434px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/cherries-med.jpg" alt="Rainier cherries" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Rainier cherries</span><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">Vegetables are the food of the earth;</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">fruit seems more the food of the heavens.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">~Sepal Felicivant</span></blockquote>And the sweetest fruit you'll find in your grocery store right now might just be the Rainier cherry. I have mentioned them before as being my favorite summer fruit -- and this year is no exception. They're only available for a short time in early summer. Their rarity makes them all the more desirable.<br /><br />Locally they are priced as low as $1.98 a pound. Elsewhere around the country they are priced usually between $5 and $7 a pound. In Japan they cost about $1 apiece. But price should be no object if you love cherries and have never tried these. Buy a small bag and chill them for a short time, rinse and drain. Then dive in!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2009/07/life-is-just-bowl-of-rainier-cherries.html" target="blank">previous cherry story</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainier_cherry" target="blank">Rainier cherry at Wiki</a>, <a href="http://www.produceoasis.com/Items_folder/Fruits/Rainier.html" target="blank">more cherry notes</a>, <a href="http://www.nwcherries.com/" target="blank">Northwest Cherries</a>, <a href="http://www.nwcherries.com/?q=industry/shipperslist" target="blank">fruit shippers</a>, <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/food/28676_rainier23.shtml" target="blank">Seattle PI story</a>, <a href="http://www.ohwy.com/wa/g/grandvie.htm" target="blank">Grandview, WA</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakima,_Washington" target="blank">Yakima, WA</a>, <a href="http://www.visityakima.com/" target="blank">Yakima Valley</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakima_River" target="blank">Yakima River</a>, <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="blank">Washington tourism</a></span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting today!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-541402225126952268?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-52392046658952539312010-07-08T00:26:00.000-07:002010-07-08T00:31:45.643-07:00The Hieroglyphics of Angels<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/wildflowers-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/wildflowers-med.jpg" alt="wildflowers" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/wildflowers-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Lydia M. Child</span></blockquote><br />The beauty of this metaphysical statement led me to discover a few things about its author. What a strong character she turned out to be -- an early promoter of the abolition of slavery and women's rights, and a prolific author of fiction, poetry and non-fiction. Her rather grim visage belies a sensitive, thoughtful, and compassionate person. Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />To use the photo above for your computer wallpaper [or other, non commercial uses] click on the enlargement and save to your computer. [Please don't link directly, as it drains bandwidth. Thank you!]<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Maria_Child" target="blank">Lydia M. Child biography</a>, <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20030223083214/http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/eaf/authors/first/lmfc.html" target="blank">early American fiction</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_River_and_Through_the_Woods" target="blank">Over the River and Through the Woods</a>, <a href="http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/cookbooks/html/books/book_06.cfm" target="blank">The Frugal Housewife</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism" target="blank">abolitionism</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage_in_the_United_States" target="blank">women's suffrage in the United States</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics" target="blank">overview of metaphysics</a>, <a href="http://www.wildflowerinformation.org/" target="blank">wildflowers</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5239204665895253931?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-74189823815420689912010-07-07T00:01:00.000-07:002010-07-07T00:02:35.241-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "U"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-t.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: under, up, urn<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7418982381542068991?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-6633495679671370882010-07-06T00:08:00.000-07:002010-07-06T00:09:55.932-07:00Too Tired to Play<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/kittys3-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 168px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/kittys3-med.jpg" alt="Clifford, George & Misty" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/kittys3-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Clifford, George & Misty</span></a><br /></div><br />Well, here they are, Clifford, George, and Misty, too worn out after celebrating the 4th of July to do anything but crawl into their beds. They played hard during the day, then stayed up all night while fireworks rattled the house into the wee hours.<br /><br />Hope you had a great rest after all the partying and fireworks, too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-663349567967137088?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-35094842929408865422010-07-05T18:38:00.001-07:002010-07-05T18:47:41.171-07:00Angel of the Fireworks?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/fireworks-2010-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 363px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/fireworks-2010-1-med.jpg" alt="fireworks" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/fireworks-2010-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />I snapped this last night and thought it looked like an angel -- if a somewhat fiery angel. What do you think? Don't you think America could use an angel right about now? LOL<br /><br />Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3509484292940886542?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-87398848046893338452010-07-04T00:13:00.001-07:002010-07-04T00:30:44.254-07:00Declaration of Independence<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/4-july-1776.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 597px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/4-july-1776.jpg" alt="vintage postcard" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">the First 4th of July</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The Declaration of Independence</span><br /></div><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">IN CONGRESS</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">July 4, 1776.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.*</span><br /><br /><a href="http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html" target="blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">*For the complete text, please click here.</span></a></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/" target="blank">history & complete text</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence" target="blank">more history</a>, <a href="http://www.foundingfathers.info/" target="blank">Founders</a>, <a href="http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/index.html" target="blank">Revolutionary War & Beyond</a>, <a href="http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html" target="blank">Charters of Freedom</a>, <a href="http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/decindep2.htm" target="blank">photo of original rough draft</a>, <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/%7Etjpapers/declaration/declaration.html" target="blank">from the papers of Thomas Jefferson</a>, <a href="http://www.monticello.org/jefferson/biography.html" target="blank">Thomas Jefferson biography</a>, <a href="http://www.monticello.org/index.html" target="blank">Jefferson's famous home</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1" target="blank">download copy from Project Gutenberg</a>, <a href="https://secure.heritage.org/pocketconstitutions/" target="blank">free hardcopy</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Birthday America!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8739884804689333845?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-88483249292892701352010-07-03T15:23:00.001-07:002010-07-03T15:33:12.335-07:00Gulf Disaster Censorship<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/censorship-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/censorship-1-med.jpg" alt="Gibbs & Allen" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Gibbs & Allen</span><br /></div><br />It seems our most precious right from the Bill of Rights, our First Amendment Right to free speech is being violated in the Gulf oil disaster. Anderson Cooper of CNN filed this report and the implications are chilling. We have a right to know what's going on. Reporters must be able to continue to share everything they find with the public. There is no accounting for self-censorship or choosing to air a story or not to air a story because it supports a particular political agenda -- we all know every news organization does that -- but at least the reporters are able to see all elements of a story and choose what they bring to us. It shouldn't be the other way around where the government chooses the story. That's propaganda. The reporters then are not ncessary. Any government tool can deliver propaganda.<br /><br /><center><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uXsmLMV1CrM&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uXsmLMV1CrM&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object></center><br /><br />What is absolutely wrong is the government restricting access. That is censorship and anathema to a free society. But are we a free society? If not, when did it cease being free? If you can't pinpoint anything earlier, then this tidbit from Anderson Cooper is a good starting point. Think about it.<br /><br />As we celebrate Independence Day 2010, please think about what information you are receiving via the media. Is it truth or censored? Is it honest reporting or just government propaganda?<br /><br />The nation's Founders must be spinning in their graves.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.foundingfathers.info/" target="blank">Founding Fathers</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution" target="blank">First Amendment history & discussion</a>, <a href="https://secure.heritage.org/pocketconstitutions/" target="blank">free US Constitution</a>, <a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html" target="blank">US Constitution online</a>, <a href="http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/" target="blank">Anderson Cooper</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8848324929289270135?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-39724815158592903512010-07-03T00:19:00.000-07:002010-07-03T00:21:19.423-07:00The American's Creed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/usa-map-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 381px; height: 516px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/usa-map-1-med.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The American's Creed</span><br /></div><blockquote><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">~William Tyler Page</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">[Written 1917, accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918.]</span></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Evafccdar/darcreed.html" target="blank">history of the Creed</a>, <a href="http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_creed.html" target="blank">more historic information</a>, <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=4A9AAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA3&ots=fFmhFouADa&dq=the%20American%27s%20Creed&pg=PP9#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="blank">the American's Creed & its meaning [published 1918]</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tyler_Page" target="blank">William Tyler Page bio</a>.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />Thank you for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3972481515859290351?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-54747031796190620982010-07-02T10:29:00.001-07:002010-07-02T10:43:15.823-07:00My Country, 'Tis of Thee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/flag-girl-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 602px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/flag-girl-med.jpg" alt="patriotic sailor girl with flag" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >America, My Country, 'Tis of Thee</span><br /></div><br /> <blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">My country, 'tis of thee,<br /> Sweet land of liberty,<br /> Of thee I sing;<br /> Land where my fathers died,<br /> Land of the pilgrims' pride,<br /> From every mountainside<br /> Let freedom ring!<br /><br /><br /> My native country, thee,<br /> Land of the noble free,<br /> Thy name I love;<br /> I love thy rocks and rills,<br /> Thy woods and templed hills;<br /> My heart with rapture thrills,<br /> Like that above.<br /><br /><br /> Let music swell the breeze,<br /> And ring from all the trees<br /> Sweet freedom's song;<br /> Let mortal tongues awake;<br /> Let all that breathe partake;<br /> Let rocks their silence break,<br /> The sound prolong.<br /><br /><br /> Our fathers' God to Thee,<br /> Author of liberty,<br /> To Thee we sing.<br /> Long may our land be bright,<br /> With freedom's holy light,<br /> Protect us by Thy might,<br /> Great God our King.</blockquote><br /><br /><center><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zKZg_ZB4SkU&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zKZg_ZB4SkU&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Country,_%27Tis_of_Thee" target="blank">more lyrics & history</a>, <a href="http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/c/mctisoft.htm" target="blank">sing along midi</a>, <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=_rcR848xoJYC&lpg=PP1&ots=gnCpZsEIov&dq=my%20country%20tis%20of%20thee&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="blank">classic book</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank you for visiting!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5474703179619062098?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-29533227927204774362010-07-01T10:46:00.001-07:002010-07-01T17:28:49.257-07:00The Pledge of Allegiance<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/flag-eagle-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 445px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/flag-eagle-1.jpg" alt="vintage US flag & eagle" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">vintage flag & eagle</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Pledge of Allegiance</span></span></div><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."</blockquote><br /><center><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TZBTyTWOZCM&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TZBTyTWOZCM&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm" target="blank">history of the Pledge</a>, <a href="http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_pledge.html" target="blank">more detailed history</a>, <a href="http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfb_disp6.html" target="blank">showing respect to the flag</a>, <a href="http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/rel_liberty/publicschools/topic.aspx?topic=pledge_of_allegiance2" target="blank">pledge controversy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution" target="blank">First Amendment to the United States Constitution</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Skelton" target="blank">Red Skelton</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2953322792720477436?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-76264405744503485102010-06-30T00:03:00.000-07:002010-06-30T00:05:03.205-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "T"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-s.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: tear, tire, trip<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7626440574450348510?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-9440660647031584072010-06-29T21:41:00.001-07:002010-06-29T21:57:41.370-07:00The Beautiful and the Damned<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/zelda-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 437px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/zelda-med.jpg" alt="Zelda Fitzgerald" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Zelda Fitzgerald</span><br /></div><blockquote><blockquote>When her husband's novel, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Beautiful and the Damned</span>, 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."<br /><br />~James Charlton & Lisbeth Mark, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Writer's Home Companion</span>, 1987.</blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelda_Fitzgerald" target="blank"> Zelda Fitzgerald biography</a>, <a href="http://www.flapperjane.com/July%20August/zelda.htm" target="blank">another bio</a>, <a href="http://people.brandeis.edu/%7Eteuber/fitzgeraldbio.html" target="blank">F. Scott Fitzgerald's biography</a>, <a href="http://obit-mag.com/articles/zelda-fitzgerald-golden-girl" target="blank">Zelda retrospective</a>, <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americannovel/timeline/fitzgerald.html" target="blank">novel analysis</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/9830" target="blank">Project Gutenberg copy of The Beautiful and the Damned</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1181615/" target="blank">new film project The Beautiful and the Damned</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-944066064703158407?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-15376206413139400202010-06-28T20:59:00.000-07:002010-06-28T23:46:46.469-07:00American Hero: Robert E. Lee<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/gen-lee-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 454px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/gen-lee-med.jpg" alt="Robert E. Lee" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Robert E. Lee</span><br /></div><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">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.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Letter to General Beauregard, October 3, 1865</span><br /></blockquote><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee" target="blank">biography</a>, <a href="http://americancivilwar.com/" target="blank">Civil War</a>, <a href="http://www.historynet.com/robert-e-lee-at-gettysburg.htm" target="blank">analysis of Lee at Gettysburg</a>, <a href="http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/index.htm" target="blank">Arlington National Cemetery</a>, <a href="http://www.wlu.edu/x6.xml" target="blank">Washington & Lee University</a>, <a href="http://www.leeboyhoodhome.com/" target="blank">boyhood home virtual tour</a>, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/arho/index.htm" target="blank">Arlington House</a>, <a href="http://www.brotherswar.com/Civil_War_Quotes_4b.htm" target="blank">from some of his letters</a>, <a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_E._Lee" target="blank">a few of his famous quotations</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank you for visiting!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1537620641313940020?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-35609652325785975112010-06-27T00:35:00.001-07:002010-06-27T00:38:54.364-07:00Best Friends Forever?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/kit-tort-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 349px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/kit-tort-med.jpg" alt="kitten and tortoise" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Kitten rides Tortoise</span><br /></div><br />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!<br /><br /><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m4v4TMqrbhE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m4v4TMqrbhE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3560965232578597511?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-1857833878015446092010-06-26T16:19:00.001-07:002010-06-26T16:42:41.646-07:00Conservative vs Liberal<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/usa-flag-old-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/usa-flag-old-1-med.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">distressed American flag</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Conservative</span> vs <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Liberal</span></span><br /></div><br />If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.<br />If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.<br /><br />If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.<br />If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.<br /><br />If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.<br />If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.<br /><br />If a conservative is down-and-out, he works hard to better his situation.<br />A liberal demands others take care of him.<br /><br />If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.<br />Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.<br /><br />If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.<br />A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it's not Christianity or Judiasm, of course!)<br /><br />If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.<br />A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Take the shortest political quiz</span></a> to see where you fall on the political spectrum. <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/141032/2010-Conservatives-Outnumber-Moderates-Liberals.aspx" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check the recent Gallup poll</span></a> for the latest statistical breakdown of self-identified party affiliation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information about conservatives: <a href="http://www.foundingfathers.info/" target="blank">America's Founding Fathers</a>, <a href="http://www.gop.com/" target="blank">Republican Party</a>, <a href="http://www.heritage.org/" target="blank">Heritage Foundation</a>, <a href="https://secure.heritage.org/pocketconstitutions/" target="blank">free US Constitution</a>, <a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html" target="blank">US constitution online</a>, <a href="http://www.lp.org/" target="blank">Libertarian Party</a></span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information about liberals: <a href="http://www.democrats.org/agenda.html" target="blank">Democrat Party</a>, <a href="http://www.dsausa.org/dsa.html" target="blank">Democratic Socialists of America</a>, <a href="http://www.cpusa.org/" target="blank">Communist Party USA</a></span>.<br /><br />Please leave a comment below with your own examples of conservative vs liberal. Click on the email link below to share this post, too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-185783387801544609?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-61650835977577339612010-06-25T00:03:00.000-07:002010-06-25T00:05:46.863-07:00A Bunny Parked for the Summer?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bunny-4-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bunny-4-med.jpg" alt="cottontail bunny" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bunny-4-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uh095.pdf" target="blank">Eastern Cottontail</a>, <a href="http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/rabbits.htm" target="blank">living with wildlife</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/uh-oh-its-bunny.html" target="blank">another bunny story</a>, and <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/yard-bunny.html" target="blank">another recent bunny story</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-6165083597757733961?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-23225271015263504692010-06-24T00:06:00.000-07:002010-06-24T00:07:36.051-07:00Gardening with Irises<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/iris-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/iris-1-med.jpg" alt="blue irises" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/iris-1-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I hope you'll be enjoying these living rainbows in your own garden next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_%28plant%29" target="blank">iris description</a>, <a href="http://myfolia.com/plants/168-iris-iris" target="blank">gardening with irises</a>, <a href="http://www.new-age.co.uk/flower-language.htm" target="blank">symbolism of flowers</a>, <a href="http://skagit.wsu.edu/mg/discovery-gardens.htm" target="blank">discovery garden</a>, <a href="http://www.oregonlink.com/iris/awards.html" target="blank">award-winning iris growers</a>, <a href="http://www.salemvisitorcenter.com/" target="blank">Salem, Oregon</a>, <a href="http://www.irisfarmer.com/index.html" target="blank">iris farmer</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacaville,_California" target="blank">Vacaville, California</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:San_Francisco_Bay_Area" target="blank">San Francisco Bay Area</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Happy gardening!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2322527101526350469?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-16373666230180635482010-06-23T00:06:00.000-07:002010-06-23T00:08:14.491-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "S"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-r.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: seek, sigh, stop <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1637366623018063548?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-47670750583452435102010-06-22T00:15:00.000-07:002010-06-22T00:26:04.650-07:00Of Snapdragons and Summer<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/snapdragons-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 533px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/snapdragons-1-med.jpg" alt="snapdragons in pot" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/snapdragons-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Earth laughs in flowers.</span><br /></span><br />~Ralph Waldo Emerson</blockquote>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer" target="blank">wiki Summer</a>, <a href="http://www.types-of-flowers.org/" target="blank">types of flowers</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antirrhinum" target="blank">wiki snapdragons</a>, <a href="http://annual-plants.suite101.com/article.cfm/snapdragon_plant_profile" target="blank">how to grow snapdragons</a>, <a href="http://urbanext.illinois.edu/firstgarden/planning/dictionary/flowers/snapdragons.html" target="blank">snapdragons for kids</a>, <a href="http://www.malag.aes.oregonstate.edu/wildflowers/families.php/id-13" target="blank">additional snapdragon relatives</a>, and <a href="http://people.brandeis.edu/%7Eteuber/emersonbio.html" target="blank">a great biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4767075058345243510?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-11280277302168586442010-06-21T11:36:00.001-07:002010-06-24T15:41:49.569-07:00A Golden Summer Solstice<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/mtadams-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/mtadams-1-med.jpg" alt="vintage postcard of Mt. Adams" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/mtadams-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Of course, we didn't realize Mom was frantic back at camp.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />We returned to camp and finally everyone went to bed.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/stonehenge-2-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/stonehenge-2-med.jpg" alt="Stonehenge replica, Washington state" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more info: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer" target="blank">wiki Summer</a>, <a href="http://www.cityofgoldendale.com/home.shtml" target="blank">Goldendale, WA</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Adams_%28Washington%29" target="blank">wiki Mt. Adams</a>, <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g58790-Trout_Lake_Washington-Vacations.html" target="blank">Trout Lake</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryhill,_Washington" target="blank">wiki Maryhill</a>, <a href="http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/" target="blank">Maryhill Museum of Art</a>, <a href="http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WA-Stonehenge.html" target="blank">Stonehenge, Maryhill, WA</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bickleton,_Washington" target="blank">Bickleton</a>, <a href="http://www.ufosnw.com/sighting_reports/2007/mtadamswa07102007/mtadams07102007.htm" target="blank">UFOs at Mt. Adams</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have a wonderful summer!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1128027730216858644?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-49262343870996544132010-06-20T00:42:00.000-07:002010-06-20T00:52:21.094-07:00Music of the Sun<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/sun-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/sun-1-med.jpg" alt="infared sun" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/sun-1-big.gif" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />I discovered this extremely cool video at the <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Telegraph.co.uk</span> 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.<br /><br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="TelegraphPlayer-7839269" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" width="400" height="225"><param name="movie" value="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/template/utils/ooyala/telegraph_player.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><param name="scale" value="noscale"><param name="salign" value="LT"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="FlashVars" value="embedCode=w2MmhoMTpCrhvlxMY_lOuNs7XBUuxiFD&autoplay=1&offSite=true&showTD=true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/template/utils/ooyala/telegraph_player.swf" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" menu="false" quality="high" play="false" name="TelegraphPlayer-7839269" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" scale="noscale" salign="LT" wmode="window" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="embedCode=w2MmhoMTpCrhvlxMY_lOuNs7XBUuxiFD&autoplay=1&offSite=true&showTD=true" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7840201/Music-of-the-sun-recorded-by-scientists.html" target="blank">Telegraph.co.uk article</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun" target="blank">Wiki Sun overview</a>, <a href="http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/multiwavelength_astronomy/multiwavelength_museum/sun.html" target="blank">multiwavelength astronomy</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Solstice!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-4926234387099654413?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-75966478594327950162010-06-17T23:32:00.000-07:002010-06-18T00:30:26.256-07:00A Hail of a Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/spring-hail-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 514px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/spring-hail-med.jpg" alt="hail on the back porch" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" >hail sprinkled on the ground</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail" target="blank">Wiki hail</a>, <a href="http://www.chaseday.com/hail.htm" target="blank">hail storms</a>, <a href="http://hail.org/" target="blank">comprehensive Midwestern hail storm listings</a>, <a href="http://www.dola.state.co.us/dem/public_information/hail.htm" target="blank">costly hail storms</a>, <a href="http://www.nd.gov/des/uploads%5Cresources%5C178%5Chailsafety.pdf" target="blank">hail safety tips</a>.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 51);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7596647859432795016?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-88343667829730707772010-06-16T00:23:00.000-07:002010-06-16T00:24:27.056-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "R"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-q.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: rave, ripe, rust<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8834366782973070777?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-22291956490771461852010-06-15T00:02:00.000-07:002010-06-15T00:04:50.543-07:00Lowering Your Cancer Risk<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/veggies-3-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/veggies-3-med.jpg" alt="healthy vegetables" border="0"></a><font style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" size="4">vegetables for good health</font><br /></div><br />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.]<br /><blockquote><font style="font-weight: bold;">Cruciferous vegetables</font> such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and turnips stimulate the immune system and help protect against colon, stomach and respiratory cancers.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Food rich in vitamin C</font>, such as orange juice and other citrus fruits may help prevent mouth, esophageal, lung, stomach and colon cancers.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Tomatoes</font>, 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.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Real teas</font>, 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.</blockquote><br />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.<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://nfcr.org/" target="blank">National Foundation for Cancer Research</a>, <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/antioxidants" target="blank">antioxidants</a>, <a href="http://helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_cancer_prevention.htm" target="blank">anti-cancer diet</a>, <a href="http://205.254.230.202/cancer_prevention.htm" target="blank">cancer prevention</a>, <a href="http://www.foodandlife.com/foodc.html" target="blank">foods & cancer, what to eat or avoid</a>, <a href="http://www.cancerproject.org/protective_foods/facts/foods_prevention.php" target="blank">foods for cancer prevention.</a></font><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><font style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);" size="4">Thanks for visiting today!</font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2229195649077146185?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-38679150584912142142010-06-14T11:12:00.001-07:002010-06-14T11:20:30.858-07:00Flag Day 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/betsy-flag-1-big.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 473px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/betsy-flag-1-big.jpg" alt="vintage postcard of patriotic child sewing flag" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Happy Flag Day, America!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.usflag.org/index.html" target="blank">all about Flag Day</a>, <a href="http://www.usflag.org/history/flagday.html" target="blank">history of Flag Day</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States" target="blank">Wiki US Flag</a>, <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html" target="blank">flag rules & regulations</a>, <a href="http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/" target="blank">US & state flag quiz</a>, <a href="http://womenshistory.about.com/od/rossbetsy/a/betsy_ross.htm" target="blank">Betsy Ross bio</a>, <a href="http://www.betsyrosshouse.org/" target="blank">Betsy Ross House</a>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3867915058491214214?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-91781758141015797382010-06-13T19:27:00.000-07:002010-06-13T19:39:29.291-07:00Amelia's Big Adventure<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/amelia-cat-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/amelia-cat-1.jpg" alt="2010 © by KOMO news. Amelia & her Doctor" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Amelia & her Doctor</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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, <span style="font-style: italic;">"oh, too bad, poor thing"</span> -- 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: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/96212079.html" target="blank">http://www.komonews.com/news/local/96212079.html</a>.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/96212079.html" target="blank">KOMO news Seattle</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelso,_Washington" target="blank">Kelso, WA</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://bridgehunter.com/wa/cowlitz/allen-street/" target="blank">Allen Street Bridge</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.mountsthelens.com/" target="blank">Mt. St. Helens</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.acepilots.com/earhart.html" target="blank">Amelia Earhart</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting today!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-9178175814101579738?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-11516288788760745702010-06-11T17:11:00.000-07:002010-06-11T17:19:58.699-07:00Yard Bunny<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bunny-3-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 243px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bunny-3-med.jpg" alt="bunny" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/bunny-3-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!]<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uh095.pdf" target="blank">Eastern Cottontail rabbit</a>, <a href="http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/rabbits.htm" target="blank">living with wildlife</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/04/uh-oh-its-bunny.html" target="blank">another bunny story</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have a great evening. Hop to it!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1151628878876074570?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-5636286336142082322010-06-10T11:44:00.001-07:002010-06-10T12:01:05.302-07:00A Very Lazy Girl...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/misty-5-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 283px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/misty-5-med.jpg" alt="Misty on the crocheted" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/misty-5-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">I'm a very lazy, stay-at-home kind of girl.</span><br />~Jerry Hall</blockquote><br />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!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Hall" target="blank">Jerry Hall</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crochet" target="blank">Wiki crochet definition</a>, <a href="http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/" target="blank">crochet patterns</a>, <a href="http://www.crochet.org/" target="blank">Crochet Guild of America</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2009/07/crazy-cat-misty-throws-in-towel.html" target="blank">another Misty story</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-lunar-new-year.html" target="blank">and even another Misty story</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Have your own lazy day...</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-563628633614208232?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-14093737804295945612010-06-09T10:46:00.000-07:002010-06-09T10:47:37.576-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "Q"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/06/writers-challenge-2010-p.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: quake, quest, quiver<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1409373780429594561?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-53543002801702075302010-06-08T16:37:00.001-07:002010-06-08T16:57:28.099-07:00Have a Dickens of a Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/forgetmenots-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/forgetmenots-1-med.jpg" alt="forget-me-nots in weeds" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/forgetmenots-1-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~Charles Dickens</span></blockquote><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forget-me-not" target="blank">Forget-me-nots</a>, <a href="http://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/fmn.htm" target="blank">tips for gardening with Forget-me-nots</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens" target="blank">Charles Dickens Wiki bio</a>, <a href="http://www.dickens-literature.com/" target="blank">excellent Charles Dickens mega site [bio, all books online, more]</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/d" target="blank">alternate Dickens online book source</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks & have a wonderful day!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5354300280170207530?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-57542511764443575242010-06-07T12:26:00.001-07:002010-06-07T12:40:39.132-07:0010 Signs of Caregiver Stress<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/before-storm-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/before-storm-med.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" >before the storm</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Ten Signs of Caregiver Stress</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Denial</span> -- about the disease and it's effects on the person who's been diagnosed. <span style="font-style: italic;">"I know Mom's going to get better."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Anger</span> -- 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. <span style="font-style: italic;">"If he asks me that question one more time, I'll scream!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Social Withdrawal</span> -- from friends and activities that once brought pleasure. <span style="font-style: italic;">"I don't care about getting together with the neighbors anymore."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Anxiety</span> -- about facing another day and what the future holds. <span style="font-style: italic;">"What happens when he needs more care than I can provide?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Depression</span> -- begins to affect the ability to cope. <span style="font-style: italic;">"I don't care anymore."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Exhaustion</span> -- makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. <span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm too tired for this."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Sleeplessness</span> -- caused by a never-ending list of concerns. <span style="font-style: italic;">"What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Irritability</span> -- leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. <span style="font-style: italic;">"Leave me alone!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Lack of Concentration</span> -- makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. <span style="font-style: italic;">"I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Health Problems</span> -- begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically. <span style="font-style: italic;">"I can't remember the last time I felt good."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);">Pass this on to a caregiver you know!</span><br /><br />And best of everything to all the caregivers and their loved ones during this extremely stressful time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/caregiver-stress.cfm" target="blank">complete overview</a>, <a href="http://www.alz.org/" target="blank">Alzheimer's Association</a>, <a href="http://www.homecaringadvice.com/toolshed.html" target="blank">Care@Home</a>, <a href="http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/stress/645.html" target="blank">Family Doctor online</a>, <a href="http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/conditions/item.php?uniqueid=5645&categoryid=261" target="blank">Psychological therapy</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank you for visiting today!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5754251176444357524?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-26615057013530534612010-06-06T22:19:00.001-07:002010-06-07T00:11:20.072-07:00Sign of the Times<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/arizona-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/arizona-1-med.jpg" alt="Arizona sign" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://azgovernor.gov/AZBorderSecurity.asp" target="blank">Arizona border security</a>, <a href="http://www.azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/HB_2162Signed.pdf" target="blank">House Bill 2162</a>, <a href="http://www.azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/SB_1070_Signed.pdf" target="blank">Senate Bill 1070</a>, <a href="http://www.azleg.gov/alispdfs/council/SB1070-HB2162.PDF" target="blank">final version</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2661505701353053461?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-25333869613468665982010-06-05T23:01:00.000-07:002010-06-06T00:26:06.056-07:00Rare Funnel Cloud in Washington State<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/funnelcloud-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/funnelcloud-1-med.jpg" alt="funnel cloud" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/funnelcloud-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Here is a video shot from Duvall, about ten miles south of Monroe.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="243"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O8ecWYZhrqU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O8ecWYZhrqU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="243"></embed></object><br /><br />And here is another video, shot from within the town of Monroe.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GP-qiaONJJs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GP-qiaONJJs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/95663684.html" target="blank">KOMO TV news account</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado" target="blank">Wiki tornado description</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe,_Washington" target="blank">Monroe, WA</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duvall,_Washington" target="blank">Duvall, WA</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="blank">YouTube</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-2533386961346866598?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-55566067758398671502010-06-04T11:51:00.000-07:002010-06-04T12:04:21.773-07:00Jessie's Blue Delphiniums<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/jessies-delphiniums-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/jessies-delphiniums-med.jpg" alt="blue delphiniums" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/jessies-delphiniums-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphinium" target="blank">Wiki definition with lists of species</a>, <a href="http://www.backyardgardener.com/plants/gdelp.html" target="blank">how to grow delphinium</a>, <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/from-the-garden-delphiniums" target="blank">Martha Stewart decorating with delphinium</a>, <a href="http://www.art.com/gallery/id--b4087/delphiniums-posters.htm" target="blank">lovely collection of art prints of delphinium</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks & happy gardening!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5556606775839867150?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-9105367691883481792010-06-03T09:16:00.000-07:002010-06-03T09:34:56.211-07:00Nesting Black-capped Chickadees<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/chickadee-2a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/chickadee-2a.jpg" alt="Black-capped chickadee" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Black-capped chickadee</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/chickadee-porch-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/chickadee-porch-med.jpg" alt="porch with chickadee" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/chickadee-porch-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/chickadee-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 206px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/chickadee-1.jpg" alt="black-capped chickadee" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-capped_Chickadee" target="blank">chickadee overview from Wiki</a>, <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-capped_Chickadee/id" target="blank">Cornell Bird Lab</a>, <a href="http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/facts/black-capped_chickadee_712.html" target="blank">Washington State chickadee study</a>, <a href="http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=12" target="blank">Bird Jam songs & calls</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Have a chickadee-dee-dee day!</span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-910536769188348179?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-15812242317091941022010-06-02T00:03:00.000-07:002010-06-02T00:04:47.625-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "P"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/writers-challenge-2010-o.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: pair, pin, pure<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1581224231709194102?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-75067778254021006232010-06-01T01:09:00.001-07:002010-06-01T01:16:06.329-07:00Happy Birthday Hubby<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/birthday-1b-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 497px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/birthday-1b-med.jpg" alt="Hubby about a year old" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics-2/birthday-1b-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">click to enlarge</span></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">You hit the ground running and haven't stopped yet!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays!</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Now, let's party!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7506777825402100623?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-59232836630071127602010-05-31T18:18:00.001-07:002010-05-31T18:53:40.825-07:00A Day of Reflection<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/porch-flag-1-a-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/porch-flag-1-a-med.jpg" alt="the flag from the porch" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/porch-flag-1-a-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />The official observance of Memorial Day is a solemn occasion with wreaths laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, prayers of thanksgiving offered up, and the playing of Taps. It is a moment for our citizens to thank all of those men and women who have worn our nation's uniform. We especially honor those who gave their lives to preserve our freedom.<br /><br />It breaks my heart to know that too many of our citizens could care less. Is it really only a day to barbecue and relax with family and friends -- or do some "power" shopping? Don't get me wrong -- I love all of those activities and indulge frequently -- but I also fervently hope every American will take a few moments to remember the meaning of the holiday. Perhaps remember a loved one of their own generation or an ancestor from many years ago who gave the supreme sacrifice for this great nation. I'm thinking today about my great-great-grandfather, a soldier who died in the Civil War.<br /><br />It's been a most enjoyable weekend, and though it rained off and on most of the time -- sometimes coming down with a fierceness usually reserved for November -- we did have a bit of sunshine. We spent a few moments on the porch when the sun peeked out, chatting and watching the birds and the flag whip in the breeze.<br /><br />We talked about what the holiday meant. Hubby recalled his big brother [many years his senior] who was a bomber pilot in World War II and how he was shot down and escaped occupied France back to his airbase in England. Shot down a second time a few months later, he was not able to return to Allied lines. His back broken, he needed urgent medical care. The German surgeons saved his life. Barely recovered from his operation, he was then transferred to the infamous Stalag Luft III. Despite the incredible hardships he endured, he was one of lucky ones. He came home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.usmemorialday.org/" target="blank">Memorial Day</a>, <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history" target="blank">history of Memorial Day</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns" target="blank">Tomb of the Unknowns</a>, <a href="http://www.tombguard.org/site.html" target="blank">Society of the Honor Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier</a>, <a href="http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html" target="blank">Taps</a>, <a href="http://www.tapsbugler.com/TapsPDFandsound.html" target="blank">Taps [music]</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2009/05/civil-war-soldier.html" target="blank">A Civil War Soldier</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_Luft_III" target="blank">Stalag Luft III</a>, <a href="http://www.usafa.edu/df/dflib/SL3/SL3.cfm?catname=Dean%20of%20Faculty" target="blank">USAFA story of American prisoners at Stalag Luft III.</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you so much for visiting today!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5923283663007112760?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-77467818772401649792010-05-30T22:39:00.001-07:002010-05-30T22:54:08.315-07:00Traditional Memorial Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/flag-2med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 481px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/flag-2med.jpg" alt="US Stars & Stripes" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today has been a relaxing and enjoyable day, the middle day in a three day holiday weekend. But what are we celebrating? Plenty! The freedoms we enjoy today were paid for by the men and women who gave their lives for us. It's not too hard to understand -- freedom isn't free. Without their ultimate sacrifice, our lives might be very different today.<br /><br />Thank you brave men and women of the past!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">God's blessings on you forever!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7746781877240164979?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-53130085817102300902010-05-29T20:26:00.001-07:002010-05-29T20:55:36.820-07:00Summer's Unofficial Start<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/edhop-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/edhop-1-med.jpg" alt="Sea Watchers by Edward Hopper (1952)" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/edhop-1-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">~Ada Louise Huxtable</span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Information about the painting:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Edward Hopper (1882 - 1967)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sea Watchers, 1952</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">oil on canvas, 76.2 x 101.6 cm (30 x 40)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Artattack Management Ltd.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer" target="blank">Summer</a>, <a href="http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/hopper.html" target="blank">Edward Hopper</a>, <a href="http://www.mfa.org/hopper/index.html" target="blank"> more Hopper</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Louise_Huxtable" target="blank">Ada Louise Huxtable</a>, <a href="http://store.doverpublications.com/" target="blank">Dover Publications</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for visiting!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-5313008581710230090?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-1722580598479008012010-05-28T08:45:00.000-07:002010-05-28T09:00:37.303-07:00Road Trip to Oklahoma: Postcard #10<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-10-ted-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-10-ted-med.jpg" alt="postcard of Joshua Tree" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-10-ted-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />The last three postcards, including this one, arrived after our friends returned from their road trip. Even though they mailed all three postcards from California, the postcards took longer to arrive home than our friends! LOL<br /><br />The back of this beautiful card reads, "The Joshua Tree is not really a tree, but rather a tall yucca. They are found throughout the Mojave National Preserve. The Joshua Tree got its name from Mormon Pioneers who thought the trees resembled the Biblical character of Joshua with his arms raised toward heaven."<br /><br />Our friends wrote this below the caption, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Hi! On the way home -- the scenery still pretty -- the flowers etc. This will be the last card. So will see you Monday or Tuesday! Til then --"</span><br /><br />Here is a map of the last leg of the journey [a bit over 750 miles] from [A] Elk Creek, California to [B] Astoria, Oregon to [C] Tacoma, Washington. Check out the links below to learn more about these stops and some of the other places mentioned.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-C-ted-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-C-ted-med.jpg" alt="map5-C" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-C-ted-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />Once they hit Oregon, it began to feel like home with the rain and grey skies and cool breezes. Goodbye desert -- heat -- and sunshine! Hello damp Pacific Northwest! They stopped in beautiful Astoria to visit family and to break up the grueling drive, but otherwise wound their way up Interstate 5 without any problems. They were glad to be home and we were happy to know they arrived safely and without incident.<br /><br />The only little annoyance they experienced was with their GPS. Each night they would remove it from the car and take it in to the motel with them. One night it was accidentally dropped... ooops! It didn't work very well after that, in fact, it was rather screwy. It didn't resort to giving directions and commands in German again, but if they had followed the instructions, they would have gone off in the wrong direction more than once. Luckily, they didn't have to rely on the poor thing because they were familiar with the final stage of the journey and really had no need for it. Get on I-5 and keep going North -- easy!<br /><br />Thank you so much for following their progress across half the USA and back again. I enjoyed the postcards and messages so much and hope you did, too. I'm inspired to load up the car and hit the road. Maybe the next time I post a road trip here it will be my own! At any rate, if we do get away, I hope it's as smooth and enjoyable as this road trip to Oklahoma has been for our friends. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm" target="blank">Mojave National Preserve</a>, <a href="http://www.joshua.tree.national-park.com/" target="blank">Joshua Tree National Park</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_brevifolia" target="blank">Joshua Tree [plant]</a>, <a href="http://www.visitcalifornia.com/" target="blank">California</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elk_Creek,_California" target="blank">Elk Creek</a>, <a href="http://www.traveloregon.com/" target="blank">Oregon</a>, <a href="http://www.oldoregon.com/" target="blank">Astoria</a>, <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="blank">Washington</a>, <a href="http://www.traveltacoma.com/" target="blank">Tacoma</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/road-trip-to-oklahoma-postcard-9.html" target="blank">previous postcard in series</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Have fun exploring!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-172258059847900801?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-80975772517590304282010-05-27T00:13:00.000-07:002010-05-27T00:15:22.761-07:00Road Trip to Oklahoma: Postcard #9<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-9-ted-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-9-ted-med.jpg" alt="postcard of Laughlin, Nevada" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-9-ted-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />This postcard from our friends on the way home from Oklahoma has only "Laughlin, Nevada," written on the back. That leaves a lot of room for a message and our friends wrote this, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Here we on the way home [Mon?] Got out of Oklahoma City one day before the tornado. Just missed our brother's house. Warm in Yuma and here! Looks the same in California. Three stops there: Bakersfield, Fresno & Elk Creek. Car's running. We still got the coughs. Getting pretty old, but feel good. Hope you ate the radishes before they got too big & hot. Slot machines said 'Go home!' No luck. Played it cool. Homesick."</span><br /><br />Yes, we did eat the radishes -- they were delicious!! Not too hot, just right! LOL I added them to salads, but really, my favorite way to enjoy them was in cool ranch dip with other fresh vegetables cut up for dipping. We watched a lot of baseball games with our "green" snacks instead of chips and sweets. The white radishes added just the punch to our veggie tray that the broccoli, celery, and carrots lacked.<br /><br />Here is a map of their trip from [A] Yuma, AZ to [B] Laughlin, NV to [C] Bakersfield,CA. The whole trip is a little over 500 miles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-A-ted-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 212px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-A-ted-med.jpg" alt="map 5-A" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-A-ted-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />A few days lapsed between each stop as they stayed with friends and family along the way. From [A] Bakersfield to [B] Fresno and up to [C] Elk Creek, they covered an additional 400 miles and also stopped with friends for lunch or overnight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-B-ted-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 212px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-B-ted-med.jpg" alt="map 5-B" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/map5-B-ted-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">click to enlarge</span></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br />This has been such an interesting road trip! I have enjoyed following their progress along the way and have provided a few more links for you to use as a reference point in seeing the terrain and learning about the states and towns along this leg of their journey.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have fun exploring!</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://travelnevada.com/" target="blank">Nevada</a>, <a href="http://www.visitlaughlin.com/ltourism/index.jsp" target="blank">Laughlin</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojave_Desert" target="blank">Mojave Desert</a>, <a href="http://www.desertusa.com/du_mojave.html" target="blank">more Mojave Desert info</a>, <a href="http://www.visitcalifornia.com/" target="blank">California</a>, <a href="http://www.visitbakersfield.com/" target="blank">Bakersfield</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresno,_California" target="blank">Fresno</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elk_Creek,_California" target="blank">Elk Creek</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/road-trip-to-oklahoma-postcard-8.html" target="blank">previous postcard in series.</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8097577251759030428?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-30446281948700426682010-05-26T00:12:00.000-07:002010-05-26T00:14:16.295-07:00Writer's Challenge 2010: "O"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 373px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/typewriter-B.jpg" alt="vintage typewriter" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Take the Challenge!</span><br /></div><br />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.<br /><br />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.*<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.]<br /><br />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! <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/writers-challenge-2010-n.html" target="blank">Click here for last week's Challenge.</a><br /><br />Here are your words for this week: only, open, over<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thank you and good luck!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3044628194870042668?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-33686802415136201122010-05-25T20:33:00.001-07:002010-05-25T20:40:48.961-07:00George Lights The Way<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/george-3-big.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 514px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/george-3-big.jpg" alt="George posing by lamp" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >George </span><br /></div><br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />~Mary Dunbar</span></span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Dunbar" target="blank">Evelyn Mary Dunbar</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Thanks for visiting!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-3368680241513620112?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-76051383333568387502010-05-24T21:45:00.001-07:002010-05-24T21:58:04.142-07:00Road Trip to Oklahoma: Postcard #8<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-8-ted-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-8-ted-med.jpg" alt="Arizona desert in bloom" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/pcard-8-ted-jumbo.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />We received this postcard from our friends on their way home to Tacoma from their trek to Oklahoma City. On the back of the card, it reads: Desert in Bloom, Arizona: Often inappropriately described as a barren land, the desert abounds with plant life. Having adapted to the extremes of heat and aridity, desert plants paint the desert terrain with brilliant colors.<br /><br />Our friends wrote, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Hi! It's beautiful here and the trip down through New Mexico -- also -- we hadn't gone that route before. The cactus flowers -- they had a lot of rain I guess. We're leaving here tomorrow for Nevada, one night at Laughlin then to California. Still enjoying it. Take care."</span><br /><br />What a gorgeous photo of the cactus "forest" in bloom! We're still enjoying the trip right along with our friends. It's always been a dream of mine to go to Arizona and see the desert bloom. Unfortunately this year slipped away without being able to go. Hopefully next year? In the meantime, I've included several links for more information about the desert. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Very interesting!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Have fun exploring!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.newmexico.org/" target="blank">New Mexico</a>, <a href="http://www.arizonaguide.com/" target="blank">Arizona</a>, <a href="http://www.visityuma.com/" target="blank">Yuma</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert" target="blank">desert</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoran_Desert" target="blank">Sonoran Desert</a>, <a href="http://www.desertusa.com/life.html" target="blank">desert life</a>, <a href="http://www.desertusa.com/flora.html" target="blank">desert flowers</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus" target="blank">cactus flowers</a>, <a href="http://sunflowerranch.blogspot.com/2010/05/road-trip-to-oklahoma-postcard-7.html" target="blank">previous postcard in series.</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-7605138333356838750?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-88972858160625250312010-05-23T18:42:00.001-07:002010-05-23T19:02:33.398-07:00Prolific Blogger Award<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/ProlificBloggerAward-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/ProlificBloggerAward-med.jpg" alt="Prolific Blogger Award" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Fly in the Web from the <a href="http://real-france.blogspot.com/" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">French Leave</span></a> blog graciously awarded Sunflower Ranch with the Prolific Blogger Award!! Thank you so much Fly!! I was just thrilled and honored to receive it!! Fly writes in her commentary, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Sunflower Ranch is always a good stopping over point...everything from scenery to politics and a regular writers' challenge to keep you occupied."</span> </span>I am happy to note that she included this blog with several outstanding blogs that I hope you will visit and follow.<br /><br />Fly's blog is a source of wonderful stories about "living the dream" in rural France. As an ex-pat Brit, she exposes the good, the bad, and yes, the ugly about living amongst the French. She never disappoints -- and I do so enjoy settling in to read her humorous tales of dealing with the local bureaucrats, lackadaisical workmen, and the police, which come off not much better than the Keystone cops. LOL<br /><br />Check out <a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://real-france.blogspot.com/2010/05/awards-time.html" target="blank">this page at French Leave</a> and do have fun exploring that fantastic blog as well as all of those honored with the Prolific Blogger Award. You won't be disappointed!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Thanks for visiting!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-8897285816062525031?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-11791815410203466822010-05-22T23:20:00.001-07:002010-05-24T16:15:25.188-07:00Boating in Friday Harbor<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/FriHrbMarina-1-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/FriHrbMarina-1-med.jpg" alt="Friday Harbor boats" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/FriHrbMarina-1-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />The shot above was snapped by my sister on a recent trip through the San Juan Islands of Washington state. She wrote, "I took the shot from the upper deck of our ferry. It just makes me want to become an islander!!" There are several thriving marinas in Friday Harbor. Check out the links below for more information about all the marinas and vacationing in the San Juan Islands.<br /><br />Most of the boats in the photo above seem to be sailboats, though of course the vessel in the foreground is not a sailboat. Small boating is fun in any kind of craft, as long as you or your captain is skilled in handling it.<br /><br />When I was growing up, my Dad enjoyed salmon fishing in Puget Sound. He liked catching his limit off the Pt. No Point Lighthouse. We stayed in our camper parked at the Hansville Boat House. Family and friends joined us and we had jolly times. It was quite a motley crew -- we had a collection of trailers, campers, station wagons, and cabins rented from the man who ran the boat house/restaurant/motel. And big parties in the evening after all the work was done. Some of the younger kids would fall asleep even with all the laughter and loud storytelling and raucous card games that went on every night til the wee hours.<br /><br />The boats my Dad and my Uncle Howard rented were 16' open kicker boats. We had no shelter from the rain and "below decks" was just a funny saying if you had to crawl under the bow or a tarp. We never did, but it was available if we suddenly became ill or frightened.<br /><br />And sometimes we would become frightened. The freighters and steamships that used the channel left huge wakes that could swamp us if we strayed too close to the middle of the channel.<br /><br />Many times the Orca pods would swim through and that was a definite signal to head back to the boat house. In those days we didn't go whale watching! I always felt we were intruding on their habitat and heaven forbid they should take a dislike to our puny boat. We'd be upside down in the middle of Puget Sound faster than you could say HELP! We left them alone and gave them plenty of our respect -- and distance.<br /><br />In those days a few yachts anchored off Hansville and the occupants would fish off the back end of their lower decks. We seldom saw sailboats in the crowd. The sailboats usually confined themselves to the other side of Foulweather Bluff on the Hood's Canal side of the Kitsap Peninsula.<br /><br />For us kids, boating at the Point consisted of layering up in warm clothes and jumping into the boat and launching at the morning tide change, usually around daylight. Besides coffee, sandwiches, and candy bars, the men sipped from a pint of Canadian whiskey, and *ahem* used an "alternative facility" [i.e. coffee can] to relieve themselves and really didn't like having little girls around. We cramped their style but they were very careful to not use any foul language or do anything inappropriate -- perfect gentlemen! They would take us out, help us catch at least one salmon of legal size, then race us back to the float in front of one of the boat houses and drop us off with our catch [if we could carry it.] They'd come in later. Once the wind kicked up midday before the next tide change, they'd finish that session, come in, clean their catch, eat lunch, take a nap and go out again on the afternoon tide.<br /><br />It's amazing to me now that they did all that in those small fishing boats, unprotected from the elements and at the mercy of nature and other much larger vessels. It was a miracle their outboard motors never failed and they were spared any life-threatening situations. [If they did experience true danger, I have put it out of my mind. Too scary! I shall have to ask my Aunt and cousin and sister if they recall anything out of the ordinary.]<br /><br />Those days for me now are like old dreams, fleeting and faded, but not entirely forgotten.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://www.localmarina.com/washington-marinas/" target="blank">Washington marina directory</a>, <a href="http://www.localmarina.com/washington-marinas/marina.asp?city=friday-harbor" target="blank">marinas in Friday Harbor</a>, <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g60957-Friday_Harbor_San_Juan_Island_San_Juan_Islands_Washington-Vacations.html" target="blank">Friday Harbor vacation guide</a>, <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="blank">Washington State tourism</a>, <a href="http://www.visitkitsap.com/cities.asp?ID=2" target="blank">Hansville, WA</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:130%;" >Have fun exploring!</span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8407931140277107556-1179181541020346682?l=sunflowerranch.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sunflower Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11527237680371743975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8407931140277107556.post-89265225430815893402010-05-21T22:47:00.001-07:002010-05-22T09:24:26.287-07:00Fuchsia Time!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/fuchsia-2010-med.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/fuchsia-2010-med.jpg" alt="closeup of fuchsia" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd339/sunflowerranch/graphics/fuchsia-2010-big.jpg" target="blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >click to enlarge</span></a><br /></div><br />This is a closeup of one of my new fuchsias. I only bought three this year, each one different. In addition to the one above, we have a pink/red fuchsia and a pale double pink fuchsia. I chose large healthy plants with an abundance of flowers and buds and thick healthy greenery. Most of the available specimens were full and vibrant. However, a few apparently didn't make the transfer from the grower to the nursery and showed signs of severe distress. They should not have been made available to potential buyers. I didn't see any infestations, just neglect and broken or dried up runners and dead flowers. Pathetic. The three we took home were perfect.<br /><br />Last fall I originally planned to winter-over my six fuchsias from 2009 and hang them up again this year. They died in the greenhouse. Those plants faced serious stress all season long from the strange weather we endured from May through September. We had approximately 100 days last year over 75 degrees, which is not typical of our cool summers. Many days hit the century mark and it was 106 on my birthday last summer, the hottest day anyone in my family and circle of native born friends ever experienced in Western Washington. On days over 85 degrees I watered the fuchsias between four and six times a day. When it hit 90 I upped it to between five and eight times a day and when it was in the 100s I watered every hour.<br /><br />In the long run, it did no good. The plants recovered enough to hang on through the end of September, when the months of oppressive heat gave way too quickly to extremely cold nights. The poor things must have expired before they were put into the greenhouse, though we didn't know it. We trimmed them, watered them and kept them from freezing inside the building but when spring arrived last year's fuchsias never revived.<br /><br />After I recovered from that heartbreak, I vowed to only invest in three plants this year, keep them on the cooler side of the porch and if another terrible summer should hit, put them into the house during the day. Three gigantic plants would be easier to manage than six. It's a plan, but of course we will see what the next few months bring. May has been cold and rainy, unlike last year when we had a week of 80+ temperatures. Only as the passage of time unfolds will we know what to do. For now I am watering and misting twice a day, which is perfect for this cool and rainy period.<br /><br />I'll keep you posted if things take a negative turn with excessive heat and we must take them inside. I hope not, because after last year, most of us would enjoy a much more "normal" summer. LOL.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For more information: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia" target="blank">Fuchsia</a>, <a href="http://www.nwfuchsiasociety.com/" target="blank">Northwest Fuchsia Society</a>, <a href="http://www.americanfuchsiasociety.org/" target="blank">American Fuchsia Society</a>, <a href="http://www.gardenguides.com/699-fabulous-trailing-fuchsias-hung-flair.html" target="blan