Mash Up

Lots of things to talk about today. 

First... I have to say thank you for all the lovely comments about 

our anniversary... we appreciate them. 

No, we have not been married a long time, we were 

both married before years ago, Keith had four children and I had two. 

All are grown or gone. 

We are blessed with 11 grandkids, from 6 months to almost 25 years. 

The dogs and I have walked early in the morning all week... we may wait a little later tomorrow, as it makes for a long day for them.  Lilly is begging even as I type this to go again. 

I have something to show you today before I show you any animal pictures. 

Our house is now about 16 years old, it was built in 2000.  We are the third owners. 

It's time for updates, but, like everyone else... we have to accumulate the where-with-all to do so. 

Here is one thing that needs to be updated: 

That is in the master bathroom, it is a whirlpool tub that was all the rage in 2000. 

Keith used it twice when we moved here, and he is now unable to immerse himself 

ever again, because of his dialysis device.  I will not get in it except to clean... it is deep and dangerous to step over the side.  There is a shower in this bathroom. 

I want you to notice something. 

Am  I dreaming?  It appears the tub slants down, or maybe the jets are made to be 

in an ascending order. 

I put water in it, because I have read that the whirlpool needs to be used once in a while, to keep 

mold and mildew from growing in the jets.  UGH. 

They look icky to me. 

I turned them on... they appear to still work fine, but, as I said... I don't like to even step into it to clean... much less take a bath in it.  It takes a LOT of water. 

My dream is to have this taken out, put a big shower in its place (there is a shower and tub in the second bathroom upstairs) and put a deep linen closet where the shower now stands.  Not showing you the shower... it has a glass door that cannot be kept clean.  That's the next project... taking that door down!   I have watched a couple of demonstrations of it... and it's doable. 

Enough of this. 

My gosh, the dogs are so spoiled, they are both begging me now. 

The park is almost seven miles from here, and I am not up to a second walk today. 

We did go early today, when it was only 50 out.  The wind was blowing hard, and I had a light jacket on... it was COLD. 

We were the only ones there. 

Look what we saw on the way. 

I was actually on the phone with Keith when I saw him.  I was on gravel, and was able to stop... I yelled into the phone that I had to STOP TALKING and hung up.  

It was just the perfect time. 

He was a little undecided about whether he should display again... he was showing off for the hen you can just see behind him. 

After a minute, he decided I was not a threat, and went on booming. 

He was a very mature tom. 

Lest you think I have magical photography skills... 

They were in the exact same spot an hour later when we went home. 

Same camera.  No idea.  No idea. 

Maybe I was just in a hurry. 

Be thankful we have these wonderful birds. 

This was very near the park . 

I hated to interrupt him. 

Same (busy) street, I saw a crane coming overhead.  I had to get stopped safely and quickly, and get the camera up. 

He was already over us by the time I jumped out of the car.  

I'm keeping my eye out for them. 

We went a little different way home, and by these horses. 

Horse friends, if there is a spot on the rump, is it still a Medicine Hat? 

I never see these horses ridden, and as you see, they rarely are groomed. 

We saw yesterday's group wayyyy out in the middle of a field. 

That was about as good as it got for them.