Chimians

I think this Ohio girl has a really unusual perspective. I love her creature creations, the sculptures, softies, and illustrations are colorful, fun and definitely unique. Check them out at The Morninglori Vine.

I Am Conflicted or R. Lynx in the Henhouse

I love nature! I love animals! I just don't like to see nature taking off with one of MY animals in it's mouth. We recently got our first egg and way earlier than anticipated. A perfect blush-brown pullet egg. It was adorable it made the cutest sliced boiled egg on a salad that you've ever seen. Woo hoo, project egg-stravaganza coming in early and on target. That is till Rufus arrived, Rufus Lynx, or Bob Cat as he is sometimes called. He has been quietly breakfasting and sometimes brunching on my hens. Just one or two at first when no one was around to see his felonious ways. But now he is offending in straight up broad daylight right in front of my lying eyes. He came over the fence grabbed a startled Spitzhauben girl, looked over his shoulder, winked and took off. Now the conflict sets in, I say I don't believe in capital punishment, guess we'll have to see how that one plays out. But for now the theme of the day is reinforce, reinforce, reinforce then electrify. This probably won't turn out well, I HATE electric fences, I get 'bit' more often than I think I deserve, but guess I'll try it before resorting to... well, you know.

Summer of Kiwi

Continuing on with my summer of all things New Zealand. I really like the singer, recording artist and actor, Prince Tui Teka's beautiful rendition of the song E Ipo. It was written by Maori composer, Ngoi Pewhairangi as a tribute from Prince Tui Teka to his wife Missy. (He died of a massive heart attack while performing at nightclub in the mid-1980's. Missy passed away suddenly in February of 2008.)

E Ipo

Ki a koe te tau To you, my darling

āku mihi e. my greetings

Ahakoa haere koe ki hea no matter where you go

maku rā koe e whai atu e. I will follow close behind

Ko taku aroha my love

ka ū tonu. will remain firm

Tēna ra e hine come my beloved

huri mai rā ki ahau e turn to me as I stand here

tau nei hei, utanga a.tu, and I shall carry your love

e Ipo. with me.

Otirā, e hine, Indeed my beloved

ku-a tau-nga kē tēnei tinana, my whole self is at home,

a-ue, ki te aroha Oh yeah! With your love,

e Ipo. (E. I. Pō) my darling. (Eh! At night!)

My darling Missy

You are always on my mind

Wherever you may go

You take a part of me.

My love for you is endless

Keep me always in your heart

For you are a special part of me.

My never-ending love.

Tēna ra e hine Come my beloved,

huri mai rā ki ahau e turn to me as I stand here,

tau nei hei, and I shall carry,

utanga atu, your love with me.

e Ipo.

Otirā, e hine, Indeed my beloved
ku-a tau-nga kē tēnei tinana, my whole self is at home,
a-ue, ki te aroha Oh yeah! With your love,
e Ipo. (E. I. Pō) my darling. (Eh! At night!)

Ki te aroha e Ipo Oh your love my darling.

OMG it's hot in Oklahoma!

It's so hot! Even the poor animals are struggling to stay cool. Andy took Woogie out to play and we filled his wading pool so that he could cool off, he has been trying to stand in his water dish to get relief. I searched several stores before I could find more of his favorite toys, which are small glow in the dark dinosaurs that he takes to his pool and washes and leaves. He also got a new stuffed baby bear to wrestle with. When shopping at the thrift stores we are always on the look out for different crib toys with mirrors, bells, horns and spinning things, he likes the same things that most babies like. Can you see he is missing a toe on his right front paw? It's the result of a carpet fiber accident. I think he has the cutest little feet.

This is Fierce

I have no idea why, but I am really lovin the haka. It started with my facination of South Pacific culture. The movie Once Were Warriors which was made in New Zealand about a Maori family and featured a scene where the teenage son learned to do a traditional haka. The haka is a tribal dance done by both sexes and all ages is usually performed at important ceremonies. Warriors did a haka before engaging in battle. Those of us in the northern hemisphere may recognize it from rugby games where the teams from Tonga, Samoa and New Zealand do the traditional dance before games as a challenge to the team they are playing. It is great to see the New Zealand All Blacks throw down the gauntlet to the likes of Ireland, Scotland and South Africa, but even better when two south seas teams play each other and both do the haka. The team that begins will end their ceremony with a leap, some slaps, a grimace and of course the traditional sticking out of the tongue. Take that Samoa, you've been served!

If you search You Tube you can find women, Japanese children, Hawaii's football team and a multitude others participating in this type of throwdown. I think that next time some old lady steals my parking spot I will jump out and begin my own haka. These gingerbread guy's haka is pretty fierce too.
For more info check it out here .

The Art of Jack Howe

Here are some intriguing pieces by artist Jack Howe. I just love art that can be done without a trip to our local chain craft store. My posting has been sporadic due to another run in with an insect. This time a Brown Recluse Spider. I can't believe that I once wanted to be an entymologist. Now I am looking for Orkin in the yellowpages. Anyhow, check out more art of Jack Howe's and avoid these: