Mississippi Kite

We have Mississippi kites nesting in our big tree on the end of the driveway. At first we noticed them circling around the house. One of them landed in our yard and was scouting around. After a few weeks we noticed them carrying branches etc. to the tree. The nest is about 30ft from the ground at the top of the tree but well hidden from all sides. It is very hard to see but you can hear them. When they get noisy I go out with my camera and take a few photos.

Here is some info from the internet.

Mississippi kites generally begin nesting soon after their arrival in spring. They form pair bonds before arriving at nest sites and display little territorial behavior.
In late May or early June, kites lay 2 white to pale bluish white eggs . Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. They usually lay only 1 clutch per year, which hatches after an incubation period of about 30 to 32 days. The young are able to fly and leave the nest 30 to 34 days after hatching.

Then and Now

It was mothers day and Beth and I wanted to duplicate a portrait of ourselves that we had done in our college years by a friend in my photography class. It was framed then displayed in every house we've lived in since then. We had been looking at recreating this photo for about 10 years now so it was overdue. We made a date of it and had a lot of fun together. As a matter of fact, because these photos now sit on our fireplace mantle, I could say it will be one of the top 20 memorable moments in our relationship.

The original photo was in black and white and shot on film. Today of course we have the luxury of digital so we were able to review every shot. After reviewing we would then get ourselves back into position and try again. Each time snuggling and laughing as we tried to keep the same expression we had back in the day.

So now, after 25 years, we have a duplicate of the photo we looked at for just as long. Only we were in our twenties back then.... and now,... well we ARE twenty five years older. :-)

February 8th the day after Superbowl XLIV.

A letter I wrote to my family.

I didn't want to fall asleep last night. It was all a blur. The New Orleans Saints won the superbowl. I watched it on TV with my wife and two of our children. We were at a fellow church member's house who hosted the party for her teenage daughter and the church youth group. It was rather loud and I made sure that my voice was heard when the touchdowns and field goals were made. My emotions ran the gamut and I was so happy for New Orleans and the Saints football team.
No one there could really understand what joy and emotions were going through me at the time. That is, no one but those that lived in or near New Orleans. This morning I woke up a joyous and happy man. We all know its not really the football team but the unity that the communities felt as we all cheered on the team. New Orleans and the gulf coast needed hope. They needed something or someone to lead them into a new and better place in their hearts. A place of victory not despair.

There was one emotion that I held back until this morning driving alone to work. ...I cried.... I told myself I wouldn't do it but I did. "It's nothing but a dumb football game" I told myself, but now that I was away from everyone, I could cry my tears of joy. Do you know what I'm talking about? The sights, the sounds, I guarantee will live in our minds forever. We did wait 43 years for this. We actually prayed for this. (Shaking my head).

Well, I got on facebook this morning and I thought you would enjoy some of the quotes. I would like to read more quotes from other people, so find some and send them to the rest of the family.

Facebook quotes on emotions people felt after the game:

Two quotes I will remember for the rest of my life. "God is Great" and "It was destiny". Drew Brees quarterback of the New Orleans saints after winning superbowl XLIV. (me)

I can't go to sleep! I just can't believe it. I witnessed the Saints winning the Superbowl.

The heavens wept last night with the Saints winning so we have surprise snow here in Memphis--6 inches and everything is closed!

I had this crazy dream last night that the Saints won the Super Bowl and the ironic thing was that they beat a son of Archie Manning. Funny huh?

Such a great time to be living in New Orleans!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't be suprised if ash wednesday gets postponed til after the NFL draft

"Happy All Saints Day" in February!!!

HOLY %#@!!!!!!!!! we kick butt!!!! WHO DAT????????

Thank God for answering my prayers!!! You do care about the little things..even a football game!!

Have a great day! It is a shame I have to work today. I need the week off. :-)

Tommy

From our back door in the morning

From our back door we can view the sunrise this time of year.  What a peaceful view while reading God's word.

Winter Pets

As the winter goes on our pets are not quite used to it. We let them in at night when the temps

dip below freezing. They are a hoot. I had to take some photos of animals being let in from the cold for an article. I told one of the editors I can create a shot that I know will work. :-) So I knew Precious our cat would want to go out for the night and wouldn't come back till the next morning. She always comes to the door looking very desperate. Sure enough, the next morning comes and like clockwork she shows up crying by the door. I wouldn't let her in until I got the shot. My wife thought I was very cruel. It made the news.... a 3/4 page photo was used for the article.

Read the article here.

More pics

On Frozen Pond

Our pond filled to the maximum due to all the rain we received and then it got really cold for a long time. (For Mississippi that is) It was around 20 degrees for about a week. We had to let the animals in during the night. The pond started to freeze on the edges and then toward the middle. After about two weeks of below freezing weather our pond was frozen over. The center was about an inch thick or more. We could throw things like sticks and they wouldn't break through. Maggie, was interested in trying to drink from her watering hole but couldn't so she ventured out on the ice. She didn't go too far when she tried biting the ice. That didn't work so she gave up. More pics

Blue Moon

Blue Moon

We had a blue moon this month. Last day of the calendar year 2009. Next blue moon for the last day of the year will be 2028.

A Blue Moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. Usually months have only one full moon, but occasionally a second one sneaks in. Full moons are separated by 29 days, while most months are 30 or 31 days long; so it is possible to fit two full moons in a single month. A blue moon occurs about once in 2.5 years on average.

A blue moon can occur in January and the following March if there is no full moon at all in February, as is the case in the years 1999, 2018, and 2037.

Note that because the full moon occurs at different times (and therefore potentially on different calendar days and in different calendar months) in different time zones, the occurrence of blue moons is time zone (and daylight saving time) dependent.

For dates on blue moons for this century click on this link: http://www.jgiesen.de/moon/BlueMoon/index.html