Sunday, April 24, 2011

A Day in the Country...

This morning I'm stiff and sore all over, because yesterday Debbie and I worked in the yard for the first time this season.  We got a lot more done than we thought we would – with burn permit in hand, we burned six brush piles that had accumulated around the yard.  The tractor started right up after being idle for the winter.  Once I filled it's gas tank, the chain saw started on the first pull, and I used it to cut up and burn one pile of branches.  Then finding ourselves with time and some leftover energy, we even sawed a few low, drooping branches from our pines.  We cut those up and burned them as well.  Then we were completely out of anything resembling energy!

Just moments after I doused the fire's embers and put away our tools, Frankie T. and Miss Daisy (her beautiful old dog) showed up for a visit.  We all had a very pleasant visit – Debbie had never met Miss Daisy before, and Miss Daisy had never met our dogs before.  Soon Miss Daisy was stretched out on our carpet, looking very content and happy, the center of the room's attention.  Mo'i watched over her.  Bootie and Maka Lea came over to check out the new dog.  Race ignored her and wanted us to throw his toy.  Debbie handed out treats to Miss Daisy that she eagerly accepted.  Miki was all over Frankie, wiggling with field spaniel joy.  Lea stayed away from Miss Daisy at first, but eventually (and very cautiously) came over to say hello.  The action never stopped, especially while Frankie was trying to drink a cup of coffee and eat (without help!) a piece of chocolate cake.  We were all sad to see Frankie and Miss Daisy head home, but we're hoping they'll wander out this way again some day soon... 

Happy Easter!

My mom sends these Easter greetings:

NGC 6543: the Cat's Eye Nebula...

From APOD, of course:

Don Knuth: All Questions Answered...

If you're a geek, Knuth needs no introduction. If you're not a geek, this will not be of interest.