Rocks and Stockings

                                                            Rock Painting in the Garage

                                                Yes, the kitties get stockings, we're not Heathens

I can only donate so many knitted hats down here so I'm switching back to rock painting.  Rocks have to be purchased from Home Depot as opposed to snagging them off a beach. The feral cat colony has taken possession of our spare patio table for meals so I set up shop in the garage. Yes, I put out mini-Christmas stockings for them as well as Leonard the Lizard, who I have yet to see this Fall.

Jack and I share his truck down here. Today, all my plant bounty from Home Depot made a leafy mess in the back seat.  He keeps his truck immaculately clean which I think is a fireman thing. My car is in storage in Shelton, hopefully still covered with a tarp and not ravaged by rats. There is a "lot cat" that patrols the storage area so no worries. So far, we have been able to coordinate our trips to the store, appointments, The Living Desert etc. 

Tomorrow is December First and our calendar is clear until the grandkids arrive after Christmas. Saturday is my volunteer day at The Living Desert, Sunday's we save for football, the Yellowstone TV Series and hanging out in PJ's

Life is good.

 

Holiday Weekend

                                 This is a Kudu. He lives with the giraffes, ostriches and Guinea Fowl

On a Holiday weekend things can get quite busy. Rumor says the attendance was over 6,000 yesterday. Everyone wants to see the two Rhinoceros and feed the giraffes. There is nothing more disappointing than waiting eagerly in line for 20 minutes to feed a giraffe and then have the giraffes leave the platform when it's your turn. You can get a refund. They are still wild animals so they don't always show up at the feeding platform.

A guest reported to me today that some kid had thrown a golf ball into the Oryx exhibit. I'm glad I didn't see that. My response to the brat would not have been well received by upper management.

The Kraal (Petting Zoo) was peaceful this morning with the demon goat, who shall not be named, in holding for her "pedicure". We are not supposed to use words like sad, mean, stupid, bitchy, in relation to any animals, but this goat is Satan in a goat suit.

Shortest Road Trip Ever and Christmas Gift Idea

 

                                                                              

We had intended to go to Arizona today and spend the night at Gary and Suzy's. We made it on I-10 as far as Chiriaco Summit, about 40 miles from home, and traffic came to a complete stop.  This particular area is heavy with truck traffic and today it became apparent we underestimated the holiday week traffic.  At a standstill for 30 minutes and then a sign warning us of an accident and one lane ahead we turned around at the nearest exit and headed back home. Apologies to Gary and Suzy and hoping to make it over at another time!

                                            Another great gift idea to go along with Corn Man

Caturday at The Living Desert with a Golden Eagle Thrown in

 

                                                    

                                                         Jaguar Waiting for Breakfast

                                                                    One of the Bobcat Boys

                                                                Salem, My Favorite Cougar

                                                         Golden Eagle Giving me some side eye

I am fortunate to be able to see all these animals and more when I go for my walks at The Living Desert. This morning, I worked at the Giraffe platform as they were short staffed and busy. It's a fun position and I enjoy watching people, especially little kids, feed the giraffes.

Cooling Down

 Not much going on this week. It has started to cool down. At 6:30 AM during my morning walk the temperature was 56 degrees. I was the only one in a T shirt. Everyone else I passed by was dressed for Antarctica. What can I say? I have plenty of my own padding and love the cool morning air. Average daytime temps are around 80. Perfect.

Next week we will be taking a little pre Thanksgiving road trip to Arizona to visit Gary and Suzy L. Looking forward to seeing their new home and visiting with them.

Clipper and Corn Man

 

Oh God a cat post. If you don't want to read about the Feral Cat Colony scroll down to Corn Man.

This is Clipper. Clipper is the queen bee of the colony which consists of 3 others (Queso, Smudge and Javier).  Last Fall Jack and I, with the help of a neighbor, TNR'd 4 cats. TNR is trap, neuter, return. Clipper made number 5 and was already clipped when she joined the colony. They are totally wild but will approach me for food as long as I don't try to touch them. One suspicious hand movement or strange sound and they bolt. They will lounge around the patio if we keep our distance. Sadly, cat # 5, Cheeto, was hit by a car this past Summer. It is entertaining for us to watch their behavior and see the different personalities and positions they hold in the colony. 

This Corn Man toy ad popped up on my tablet and I thought it was funny. I sent a picture of it to Rowan and he asked "Where is his leg?" I think it's to hold the cob. A corn holder. Note the small print under YOU ARE NOW CORN MAN....       "It is permanent"

                                            I'm not clear on what Corn Man's super power is.

Training Day

 

A training day at the giraffe enclosure also allowed us a peek at the new male Rhino. The new exhibit is beautiful with 20 different species including some naked Mole Rats. I thought they were kind of cute actually but will spare you the fuzzy photo.

Tonight, Jack and I are meeting some Washington friends at The Classic Club. Our Canadian neighbors Carmen and Fran made it over the border as well.