Queen Anne's Lace and Lilacs

One Snail, Two Snails.....

Years ago, we bought a smallish aquarium for Bethany's birthday.  It was stocked with two of those silver/gray/metallic fishes that get the water prepared for other fishes (I can't remember their official fish type).  One, by the way, is still with us. 

We've tried to keep the aquarium stocked with those little African frogs, a couple of Apple snails, and a couple of other colorful fishes (that don't live very long - I think that remaining silvery fish eats them).  Well, anyway, we usually have to replace the snails every few months.  They grow to pretty huge, and then, one day, they're dead.  A mere shell, really.

This last couple we bought - both male - well, have had a zillion babies.  At first, when Tim was so excited about it, I didn't quite reach his level of enthusiasm.  I mean, it's cool to have a couple of babies, sure!  But then I remembered we had gotten two males.  Well, miraculously, one changed to female.  And it's not just a couple of babies.  Sometimes I look over at the aquarium, and I'm afraid, if they all get out, it's going to be, "The Attack of the Snails." 

The pet store, where we purchased the snails, doesn't take the babies, of course.  I had a feeling they wouldn't.  Years ago, when the boys were on their hamster kick, we had tons of baby hamsters.  The pet store said they couldn't take the babies (although, they did, but that's beside the point). 

I guess we're kinda used to the snail babies.  Tim is no longer taking pictures every day.  He doesn't come running up, breathlessly, scaring me to death, demanding I run and look in the aquarium.  They're still there!  It's all still happening!  A shame, really, to get used to a miracle so quickly.

Cirrocumulus Undulatus

This afternoon was quite warm.  Tim and I were sitting out on the deck enjoying the nice day and relative peace and quiet.  As we were talking, and I was looking at him, I thought I noticed the sky was white above him.  The sky has been very blue lately, not a cloud in sight.  I looked up and said, "Ooh, a mackerel sky - we need pictures!"  Tim got the camera and started clicking away.

Years ago, I became interested in clouds.  When my parents were living in Cherokee, IA, I found "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Weather" at the bookstore.  We began taking rides all over the countryside to check out the clouds.  I've been watching  the skies ever since.

I was intrigued with the books' photos of mackerel skies.  I'd heard of these, but I could not remember actually seeing it myself.  These particular clouds are not very common.  I was totally thrilled to finally be seeing them!

I went in and grabbed my handy dandy book to find the exact name of the cloud pattern that was occurring over our house.   There was a short discussion as to whether  we were seeing "cirrocumulus undulatis" or  "altocumulus  undulatus."   For those that  don't know - like us - the difference is in the size.  The undulatus we were seeing were very high up and small, so we settled on the cirrocumulus version.  Now if you should happen to see these clouds taking up a large portion of the sky, instability is the issue.  You might keep a lookout for a change in the weather.

Click on the photos for a larger view. The last one was taken about an hour after the first, as we started to lose the undulatus effect.  Loved our "mackerel sky."

 
 

A Yucky Weekend

I can't say I'm sorry the weekend is over.  Let's start over and try again in a few days with that!  Actually, from Sunday afternoon on, things did improve.  KU won - even though I could have sworn they were not too concerned about that.  Maybe they're tired and want an early break, I don't know.  In any case, they made the Final Four.  The Kings also won - and that truly is a miracle these days.  I feel so sorry for Ron Artest.  Even he has admitted the season is a failure.  He's usually so positive, it must have been difficult to come to this realization.  And I'm not being sarcastic - Artest is my favorite player.

After the games, I was thrilled to see a new episode of "Cold Case."  What has it been, three or four months since the strike disrupted everything?  It was propaganda free, and Bethany will be allowed to watch it.  And, no, "propaganda" is not the reason Bethany misses out on so many shows.  I just mention it, because a major pet peeve of mine is the television writers' attempts at influencing personal/political opinions with their shows.  The "Law and Orders" are probably the worst at this.

I was watching Fox News, and I see we're back to the old "cell phones cause cancer" phase.  This is why I have almost no use for scientists.  They can't make up their minds.  Sorry, Tim.  And yes, I do appreciate that scientists are responsible for my electricity, TV, computer, etc.  And, yes, technically a scientist brings home the paycheck that enables me to do all that I do.  This doesn't change my mind.  Besides, whenever I get a cell phone, it's in my possession for mere hours before some kid has run off with it.  Currently, I'm cell phone-less.

Changing the subject (I'm done complaining, for now), I made this page for a Color Dare.  I needed pictures with purple, so I had to go back to the Easter of 2002.  Evan's not pictured, because that Easter, he was in Houston.  Tomorrow, I hope to have pictures of Bethany as she learns to drive (I can't hardly stand to type that!).  Click on the photo for a larger view.