Mamma Cat attacks a vulture!

Happy Halloween... thought you'd like to see our cool cat in major attack mode! For the full story check out Rich's Blog at http://richt.blogspot.com/ (Caution... the picture is pretty gross).

Scroll down... if you dare!

The leaves are gone... for the moment!

I finished the back yard leaf removal project this morning... it will only last a few hours, but it is so satisfying! To remove leaves from this part of the yard takes a "light" touch with the leaf blower, because the chipped bark will blow away if you just go for it!

The piles of leaves and pine needles... waiting for a tarp so we can burn on a dreary burn day this winter! We have three huge garbage cans stuffed full with pine needles we will use to start our campfires. I should ask Gay to teach me how to make the pine needle baskets...

More needles and leaves on the "other side" of the back yard...

A view down the back driveway behind our house... just out of sight is the spot we would like to build a smaller house someday.

Red sky at morn...

Good morning... I glanced outside today and went running (in my style of running) for my camera! If you look closely at the top picture of the backyard sunrise, you'll see the blue by the mountain ridge blending into the pink above... it was SO beautiful. The bottom shot is from the front yard looking east. I must get the leaves finished, because clearly the rain is coming!

Richard and the gutters...

For several years, Laura has done the gutters each year as a gift for Jeff for his birthday. Since she is currently in Indiana, the leaves were definitely piling up... Rich to the rescue! Thank you so much, little brother! I appreciate all you did this weekend! I am also so happy that you, Chris, and Mom came for a visit... what a wonderful time! I may have LOST the picture of Richard on the roof with the leaf blower... AAGGHH. Thanks again!

Rich, Chris, & Mom come for a visit...

Mom and Chris while we take a break from playing hearts....

Kirsten and I posing at The Wonder Ranch...

I really like this picture (taken by Richard).

Richard doing what he does with such style...

It is great to have these guys here... we had a very busy day stacking firewood, preparing the old Aristocrat Travel Trailer for travel, making signs for three trucks, visiting Kirsten at The Wonder Ranch, and eating dinner at The Broiler Steakhouse. The weather was also stunning today... all in all a very, very nice fall day.

Laura was here, too!

I took this picture of Laura at 4:30 a.m. just after giving her a haircut... it was FABULOUS to see her!

Uncle Ralph comes for a visit...

Uncle Ralph came out from Illinois for the Tribute Weekend (and a few days extra). It was great to see him, and very special that he was able to be here...

Mom and her big brother (Uncle Ralph)... don't they look fabulous?

Whenever I see beautiful flowers I think of my "GREEN-THUMBED" Uncle Ralph, who has always had an amazing garden...

Greg, Janet, Eli, Michelle, and Crystal...

More pictures will be posted soon... but these are two of my favorites...

Greg... not noticing the camera at all!

Crystal, Michelle, Janet, and Eli!

Eclectic Birdhouses...

My friend's husband makes these interesting birdhouses... and they make me happy... of course, if you know me, you know I am very easily entertained.

Mindy Sue is 22!

Happy Birthday Mindy!

We met Mindy, her boyfriend Chuck, Julie, and Noah for dinner to celebrate Mindy's 22nd birthday! FUN!

The Cat & Dog find... a potato bug!

First the cat found something of interest in the pile of wood...

Then the dog rushed in and took over the hunt...

The cat watched intently...

And the dog finally found a potato bug which he ate... quickly!