Calendars

One month left on these and I am looking forward to getting new ones for the forth-coming year. Many places give out calendars. I especially like the one my Auto Parts man gives out, it is small enuff to attach to my PC or any other teeny place I seem to need one.

~~ One of the calendars I have are of shoes [Andy Warhol’s Taming of the Shoe], another fairies [with really kewl art work and quotes from the masters] and the third large one is totally funky one.

~~

Art Deco by Erté.

This Russian artist was born Romain de Tirtoff and liked to call himself Erté after the French pronunciation of his initials. He was one of the foremost fashion and stage designers of the early 20th century. Destined for a military career, Erté surprised a number of people by creating his first successful costume design and the age of five. In 1912, at the age of 19, his father finally allowed him to move to Paris to fulfill his dream of becoming a fashion illustrator. What do your Calendars say about you? ~~~~~~~ I used to find Susan Branch Calendars I really liked them but for the last three or four years they are not to be had in these parts. ~~ But AH HA look what I have found…SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~ Today Laundry, begin addressing Christmas cards,plant 8 bulbs then ponder tonight’s dinner. Go out and try to get the outside Christmas lights a little closer to the house, so I can pop in and out at my discretion and do a little decorating.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember tomorrow is the BackYard Brawl!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GOoooooooooooooooooooooooo Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Start or at least THINK about the next knitting project…

:0

As promised ~

Remember several days ago I mentioned Doug, Holly and Gus? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here is the low down. Here it is getting ready for the next Holiday that is now less than a month away. First and foremost is deciding what kind of a tree we shall get. For more then twenty-five years we have chosen rooted trees. While one of our considerations is Growing Christmas trees provides a habitat for wildlife.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Did you know Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other types of trees such as cherry and hawthorns were used as Christmas trees in the past.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OK I bet you have figured most of this out already… Gus is giving you Raised eyebrows…?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The history of the Christmas tree! It's generally believed that the first real Christian Christmas tree dates back to 8th century Germany. Boniface, an English missionary, introduced a decorated fir tree in homage to the Christ Child.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Balled-and-bur lapped or container-grown Christmas trees can be planted out as landscape trees after Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This year we chose Douglas!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Douglas Fir – Pseudotsuga menziesii – good fragrance; holds blue to dark green; 1” to 1 ½” needles; needles have one of the best aromas among Christmas trees when crushed. Named after David Douglas who studied the tree in the 1800’s; good conical shape; can live for a thousand years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pseudotsuga menziesii is one of the world's most important and valuable timber trees plus a favorite Christmas tree. It is a major component of the forests of western North America and has been successfully introduced in the last 100 years into many regions of the temperate forest zone. Horticulturists recommend doug fir as a "great" tree to plant as an ornamental in the northern U.S. states. Because of a uniform pyramidal shape when young, it is also a preferred Christmas tree. Douglas-fir is not a true fir and has been a taxonomic nightmare for those trying to settle on a genus name. After changing names on numerous occasions the present scientific name Pseudotsuga menziesii now uniquely belongs to Douglas-fir. The unusual cone is also unique with, forked, snake-tongue-like bracts extending from each scale. The tree is one of the dominant trees in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and up the slopes to medium altitudes. It has the largest latitudinal range of any commercial conifer native to western North America.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Douglas fir are liked for their dense bushy shape and fine soft green needles. They have a distinctive pine-like scent, and that fragrance seems to last through the entire Christmas season.

OK, so what about Holly? Aka Ilex opaca, the leaves are typical of our image of a Christmas holly -- thick and dark green, with spiny edges. The berries are red and produced on female plants in the fall. They last through much of the winter, attracting birds. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Well there she was just hanging out at the Garden Center looking like she needed a good home. So we got a wee one to plant with or close to Douglas after Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Birds like blue jays, cedar waxwings, robins, mockingbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, and wild turkey, eat the berries of American holly as do mammals such as raccoon and deer. These berries are also an important food source in the winter for songbirds. In return, the birds carry holly seeds from the berries to new areas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For sure my Sweetie and I like that. In past years I have transplanted three Holly’s from the woods and they have thrived. Just seemed the thing to do this year getting another one. An article by H. E. Grelen: Commented about the Pilgrims and how this tree ~ “…reminded them of the English holly (Ilex aquifolium), a symbol of Christmas for centuries in England and Europe (13,26).”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A carol like the Holly and the Ivy to have survived over the years especially during the stern protestant period of the 17th century. The Holly and the Ivy have always been taken indoors during the winter the hope being that the occupants would survive difficult conditions just like the hardy Holly and the Ivy. The colours of the Holly and Ivy, green and red are traditionally associated with Christmas. The author and composer of the Holly and the Ivy remain unknown.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Holly and the Ivy : Lyrics and Music

~~~~~~~~~~~

Play Music !

OK now for GUS! On our way home with the trees in the pickup we stopped next door to deliver some mail that was mistakenly left in our mailbox. My Sweetie drove though our field and left me to attend to Douglas and Holly. ~~~~~~~~~ I sat there watching this man jaunt toward our neighbors, and noticed a new dog there. Ummmmmmmm guesss they have another dog. Before long my Sweetie is lopping toward the truck assisted by the HUGE dog that appears to maybe be a Blue Tic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Picture Link!

~~~~~~~~~~

It is said that the color of the modern Bluetick Coonhound is a clue that the breed is a descendent of the French stag hound called the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. It is also believed that other ancestors of the breed include the English foxhound, curs, and several breeds of other French hounds. The mix was crossed again with American hounds which created a dog that offered more endurance and good cold-trailing abilities. Originally, the Bluetick Coonhound was classified as an English Coonhound, but the Bluetick breeders diverted from English breeders in the mid 1940s.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bottom line I was thinking GADS ZOOKS, etc. Gus, as was the name on his dog tag took my Sweetie for a Semi run to one of our spare kennels. I sat and beamed knowing what a kind and loving person I share my life with. So we have another dog, if the owner cannot be located…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As luck would have it, through my Sweeties attention to homeless animals…we located the owner. Fact it was a neighbor that we affectionately call His Ed ~Ness. YES Gus was a pet rescue for Ed and his wife, they had only had the dog less than a month and this was the third time GUS wandered off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The departing words when Ed came to get Gus were: “he already ate Ed.”. Ed chuckled, “well that just saved mw 5 pounds of food right there.” Of course thanks and great to see you and Merry Christmas to all of your family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ok now go Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PS Tuna is slowly coming out of shock…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

George is Happy Gus found his family!

I finished it!

“laughing gas”

Yup I just cast off the last stitch. I breathed a sigh of relief… Next step is to take the ends of the yarn and slip them back into the project. Last step will be to block it prior to sending.

****************

I will tie the loose ends in on Saturday… ;) because I have worked on this, my first baby blanket during all of the WVU football games. Seems fitting and proper I finish it on the day our regular season is over.

************** Not that doing so will insure we win, just a good story my Niece might one day tell her daughter.

********************* Picture of that once it is blocked. One of the most important skills for knitters to learn is blocking knitting. Blocking refers to the process that makes knitted objects square and even. Blocking knitting is vital to making sweaters fit right and to making blocks for a project all the same size. As they say the Finishing TOUCHES.

***************** HA HA another Football term BLOCKING. Snickering.

********************************************* I figure Game time is the perfect time for the project to RELAX, as for sure I will be on pins and needles. Sat, Dec 1st, 2007, ESPN, 7:45 PM Home game against Pittsburgh. The 100th Backyard Brawl!

************************************** Then there is the story about Douglas and Holly as well as meeting GUS.

*********************

Today the dentist, while always difficult for me to endure, today the nitrous got a tad out of hand…

*********************** Nitrous oxide (also called dinitrogen oxide or dinitrogen monoxide) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula N2O. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant, slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects. It is commonly known as "laughing gas" due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it, a property that has led to its non-medical use as an inhalant drug. It is also used in motor racing to increase the power output of engines. ********************* Well my motor was racing MANY RPM’S

********************

Got a good snort of the stuff and thought I heard my answering machine go off. WOW what a trip. Not only that but before we all knew something was amiss, I swear I could smell Sushi

****************** It gets better, I think. I had to pop into a shop for another item, and while I was there the owner and his son and I discussed the placement of the Christmas tree in his shop. During the 2 hour lovely chatty visit the son said. Now remember this is a young man that recently returned from Iraq, and I have seen him grow up.

*************** YUP SUCKER on my forehead…

**************************** Just Say N2O HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

****************************************

It seems Josh cannot keep his year old cat in his apartment, because the landlord wants to up his rent significantly a year…damage prediction…

************************* Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tomorrow afternoon, we will open our home to a spayed female that I believe is a longhaired light brown named TUNA. Neat name we shall keep it.

************************** As for Doug, Holly and GUS will tell about that tomorrow.

66- 21

West Virginia, third in the BCS standings, must get losses by LSU and Kansas to vault into the national title picture. We must beat Pittsburgh at home next week to even get mentioned.

Reflections on a fine Turkey Celebration

I was thinking, and still am about Thanksgiving. First I pondered about Tryptophan sets off a chemical chain reaction that calms you down and makes you sleepy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then the forked furcula bone is popularly called the wishbone or Merrythought-the latter being the much older term-named after the custom, which has incorporated it since at least the 17th century. The custom is first described by John Aubrey in 1686, although the word 'Merrythought' appears in earlier 17th-century contexts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That just got me to Turkey is short for "turkey-cock" or "turkey-hen," originally the name for the African guinea fowl, and eventually for the Western hemisphere fowl with which the earlier bird was confused. This large gallinaceous bird was found domesticated in Mexico at the discovery of that country in 1518, and was soon introduced into Europe. Two sub-species or species of this were found wild - including the Northern wild turkey, a native of the eastern half of the continent, from Canada and the Missouri region to Texas. The wild original of the domestic fowl of North America was described in print in 1613 by the Pilgrims. When Europeans arrived in America, they noticed similarities between the guinea fowl and the American bird and called the latter turkey. Drintling refers to turkeys' clucking noises and the wishbone of a turkey used to be called the merrythought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THEN: I looked this up and found: An old custom in many families is to make a wish on the wishbone. The turkey breastbone is cleaned and two people get a chance to make a wish by snapping the dried bone with each one pulling on an end. The person with the larger end of the bone gets the wish — and that’s how we got the phrase, a “lucky break.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In all customs having to do with wishbones, it is taboo to put a finger on the head of the bone to give you a better grip. The person thus applying unfair leverage invalidates any wish he or she would make. In some areas, the wish automatically transfers to the other person.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Another tradition in some places says that the person who gets the shortest piece will be the first to marry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then this TOPPED it all when I started thinking about Football. The wishbone formation, also known simply as the ’bone, is an offensive formation in American football. The style of attack to which it gives rise is known as the wishbone offense.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ While the record books commonly refer to Emory Bellard developing the invention of the wishbone formation in 1968 as offensive coordinator at Texas, the wishbone's roots can be traced back to the1950s.

But first … Arkansas Upends No. 1 LSU, 50-48, in Three Ots. One whale of a game… But why watch it? By knocking off LSU, which was in first place in the BCS standings, Arkansas boosted the national championship hopes of the Mountaineers and Buckeyes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I ran across this piece of interesting information. Golden Boot trophy ~~ Fascinating read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The tradition began shortly after Arkansas joined the Southeastern Conference. The Razorbacks were facing different teams -- and both the school and its fans needed to adjust. That effort led to the creation of the Golden Boot, a 24-karat trophy shaped like a map of Arkansas and Louisiana. The Razorbacks will play LSU for it again Friday -- 10 years after it was introduced to this century-old series.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The states share a border -- made the series a good fit for an annual trophy. Also, while other SEC West schools such as Alabama and Auburn and Mississippi and Mississippi State have their in-state rivalries, LSU has always been a bit separate. There is more at: Golden Boot Trophy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I bet someone is thinking that this is a lead up to~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ tomorrow Nov. 24 The Big East title will be decided in Morgantown when U Conn visits West Virginia. The winner will secure a BCS bowl bid, while West Virginia still has a shot at the BCS title game. Last year, the Mountaineers hammered the Huskies 37-11. Gooooooooooooooooooo Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PS I am no Football expert… I might however be an aficionado [Etymology:

Spanish, from past participle of aficionar to inspire affection, from afición affection, from Latin affection-, affectio — more at affection

Date: 1802 : a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity : devotee ]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am still learning but last night when I scoped out this game I began wondering? Perchance a Devotee ~~ YIKES…

The Dance of the Leaves

I did have time to post, Faith and Begorrah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ So quietly it begins.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is quiet at 6 am; the smells have already wafted throughout the house. So quiet that, I can hear the gentle dripping of the broth as it rises from within the turkey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

George is fed and enjoying the 65-degree temperatures, as best he should because they are due to drop radically today down to 30 and chances of rain/snow. The wind is at 14 mph and the leaves once again fill the yard where I have cleared the leaves into the flowerbeds. The winds are to gust to 30 mph throughout the day as the temperature level out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The new kittens are sitting in my Nook window following the leaves as they saunter down in elegance. They smell the air as it rushes through an open window above the sink. Then there are the smells that are emanating from within the cavernous range. Finally it is time; I call for my Sweetie to get the BIRD out of the range. 24.78 pounds plus the broth and dressing is hoisted to the top of the stove so the BIRD can rest before I carve.

The kids are still sleeping, no TV, no radio is on just quiet so far. Soon a cake to bake, the ice cream is finished and the OFFICIAL TASTE TESTERS declared it a good batch. My Sweetie will soon make the homemade choc sauce to top the ice cream. The rains begins to lightly season the leaves that have been swirling about the yard as if doing a ballroom dance as the tree limbs bend to the rhythm of the wind. Not dancing with the stars but Dancing with the leaves…I continue to muse. AH, The Sun King comes to mind. Louis XIV, [Le Roi Soleil] Louis brought about a wealth of art, architecture, theatre, music, opera, fashion, as well as a stream of displays and masques. So outside is natures Versailles. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The greatest innovator of all, who died in 1715 after 72 years of ruling France and who set ballet firmly on the path it was to follow in the years to come.

But for now the Turkey rests, the kittens wonder and I watch the leaves dreamily fall to the ground, while my Sweetie makes the Homemade “Secret” Chocolate Sauce. My Le Roi Sweetie;) and my Nook of Mirrors. I shall knit for a bit and ponder what to fix for Christmas dinner.

The family gathering is slated for 5 pm

Be back next week

Happy Thanksgiving

Soon Thursdays Gathering

I like Thanksgiving because it is just about family… no pressure on gifts… just being with family and friends. It can’t get much better than that in my opinion. *** Here it is Tuesday already. The day begins with allowing the bread to rise before I transform it in to a favorite food of our children. Pepperoni Rolls. Today’s weather is to be in the high 60’s so the bread will quickly rise. We will be making these little gems to be eaten just out of the oven and more to send back with the children.

**********

What better thing can there be but having fresh baked bread from the oven? The smells that permeate the home is fabulous. *** The term "pepperoni roll" is also used in some parts of the U.S. to refer to a stromboli made with pepperoni.

************* The great thing about the Pepperoni Roll is that they DO NOT have to be refrigerated and can be enjoyed anywhere you go! They are great for camping, school lunches for the kids, a day at the beach, traveling, or tailgating to name a few.

************

The pepperoni roll is a snack popular in West Virginia and some nearby regions of the Appalachian Mountains. Ubiquitous in West Virginia (particularly in convenience stores), but traditionally little known elsewhere, it is arguably the food most closely associated with the state (a competitor for this distinction is the ramp). Fairmont, West Virginia, claims the title of ‘Pepperoni Roll Capital of the World.'

********

A popular legend holds that the pepperoni roll was invented in the 1920s by Giuseppe Argiro, owner of the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont. Some historians have disputed this claim. However, it seems highly likely that the dish originated among the coal miners of north-central West Virginia in the first half of the twentieth century. The pepperoni roll bears a resemblance to the pasty and sausage roll, which originated in the mining communities of Great Britain, as well as to the Italian calzone. All these foods allow a miner on a break from a tiring and dirty job to eat a full meal with a minimum of fuss. Pepperoni and other Italian foods became popular in north-central West Virginia in the early 20th century, when the booming mines and railroads attracted many immigrants from Italy.

************

Recipies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not “NESSIE”, but for sure an interesting view of a fallen tree!

ORANGE…BLAZING

~ Feathers in the wood ~

~ faces in the wood ~ On with the walk SLOWLY Pollux and I saunter into the woods. AH the feather…just the beginning… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It is Sunday when we walked, Sundays here are SUPPOSED to be free of hunters, therefore safe for casual walks in the woods. BEWARE, though, our county is closed to Sunday hunting. So when we hear shots…does this mean someone is only sighting their gun in? Lets hope so. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hunters should check with the respective County Clerk's Office concerning Sunday Hunting. Hunters must have written permission of the landowner. Hunting is prohibited on any Sunday preceding the Monday opening of a big game season (Deer, Bear, Turkey or Boar). Opening day of Gun season for bucks… wear that BLAZE orange. Blaze Orange Required All firearms deer hunters and persons assisting them must wear blaze orange. In addition, all deer hunters (archery and firearms) must wear hunter orange during any open firearm season. A minimum of 100 square inches on the front and 100 square inches on the back must be visible. A blaze orange hat must also be worn.

Precautions: The deer are white-tailed deer. Avoid wearing white Wear something blaze orange. Also if you have a dog, tie something brightly colored around their neck. Orange. Blaze orange requirements are in effect during gun deer hunting seasons. This includes: the regular gun season Nov.

Some times in a walk

Thoughts

Random

Lichens Fungi FUN GUY

Leaf it to me ;)

More tomorrow!

After the chores

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The weekend ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The veggie garden blanketed for the winter. A slow walk with Pollux, Pollux said to me, and I heard it for sure, “ Leave those LEAVES…it’s time to relax, besides I need to talk to you.”

If you Squint REALLY hard…there is a wee face in that seed pod, looks like a CAT face to me

Castor chose to “assist” my Sweetie while he was making new nesting boxes for the chickens.

Pollux is also the first star visible from earth which is known to have an extrasolar planet in orbit.

~~~~~~~~~ Behind the names of my cats. The Greek/Roman Mythology of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(β Gem / β Geminorum / Beta Geminorum) is one of the brightest stars in the constellation Gemini and one of the brightest in the nighttime sky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tomorrow the walk begins...

A pre Game meal

This is what I fixed for dinner tonight Before the BIG game. Now the Men have started a wood fire, George is happy and all the kittens have adjusted to everything EXCEPT……………. How rowdy we get during WVU Football games…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trout With Herbs en Papillote

~~~~~~~~~~~

The fish retains all its moisture and flavor when cooked in parchment paper. 4 small trout, 8- 10 oz. each

4 Tablespoons (1/2 cup),

melted butter

4 sprigs fresh thyme

4 sprigs fresh parsley

4 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 Tablespoons finely chopped shallots

2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Salt and pepper

Lemon wedges and some of the fresh herbs for garnish4 pieces of parchment paper, about 12" x 12"

~~~

This is the basic Recipe

~~~~~~~~~

I adjust at my whim and pleasure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Preheat oven to 350°F. Clean, wash and dry the fish. Fold parchment paper in half, making a sharp crease. With scissors, cut along the non-creased side making a half-circle, so when opened, it is a full 12" circle. Brush some of the melted butter on the parchment circle keeping 1" away from the edge. Place fish on the parchment paper and salt and pepper the insides. Place fresh herbs and chopped shallots inside each, and pour some of the melted butter over the herbs. Season the outsides with salt and pepper and the lemon juice, and pour any remaining butter over the outside of the fish. Fold the parchment round in half with the fish centered on the creased fold. Starting at the left-hand side, fold the corner over, 1" from the edge, toward you. Continue folding in succession toward the right side making pleats, forming a complete seal. Place the fish on a baking sheet and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. To serve, plate the fish still in the pouches and serve sealed. Careful when cutting the pouch open, as hot steam will be released. Serve with additional lemon wedge and herb garnish. *Aluminum foil can be used in place of parchment. Butter the foil generously, as the heat generated from the foil can make the fish stick more easily than with parchment.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Add to this:

Forbidden Rice® - Organic Organic Forbidden Rice® is the same heirloom rice that was once grown exclusively for the Emperors of China, but now certified organic. Legend tells us that Forbidden Rice enriches health and ensures longevity. Our most popular rice, now grown organically, is prized for its fragrant aroma, nutty taste, deep purple color and nutritional value. Pairs beautifully with all cuisines; use it steamed plain, in a pilaf, stir-fry, salad or pudding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Forbidden rice is a short-grained, heirloom rice that is black when raw and dark purple when cooked. One theory as to the name is that it was reserved for emperors in ancient China because of its nutritiousness and rarity. Another theory is that when the Greeks took over the Middle East, they had it banned due to the belief that it was being used by their enemies to aid them in battle. However, the most likely theory is that the name is simply a smart marketing ploy. Forbidden rice has recently appeared on the shelves of health food stores in the Western United States along with other heirloom rices such as Bhutanese Red Rice and Wild rice, particularly in California. It is popular with vegetarians and vegans because it has a favorable nutrition profile. Desire for non-genetically modified foods has also contributed to demand for this rice. The deep color of black forbidden rice suggests the presence of phytonutrients. It has a relatively high mineral content (including iron) and, like most rice, supplies several important amino acids. When cooked, forbidden rice has the smell of freshly popped popcorn and turns the water that it is boiling in a brilliant purple color. This grain is high in fiber and has a deep, nutty taste.

Tonight, tonight…

Holiday times are upon us. The turkey is in the freezer, the homemade ice cream is almost ready to fix… kids will be in…The West Virginia bucks gun season is November 19 – December 1. Deer information here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ But first we need to consider TONIGHT. 7:45 pm ET ESPN. This Saturday’s game against West Virginia is the biggest game in Cincinnati football history.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YUP its that time again… Last night the men’s Basketball season began with this.

~~~~~~~~~~ MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Alex Ruoff scored 17 points to lead four West Virginia double-figure scorers in an 81-53 season-opening victory over Arkansas-Monticello in the opening game of the Legends Classic played at the WVU Coliseum.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tonight: Two of the Big East's finest collide under the lights of Nippert Stadium this weekend, as the fifth-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers lock horns with the 21st-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats. ~~~~~~~~~~~

Cincy no slouch

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "We've got to be ready to go," coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday of No. 5-ranked West Virginia University's Big East football showdown on Saturday night at No. via The Times West Virginian

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let’s Gooooooooooooooooo Mountaineers!

It is OFFICIAL

Pictures say it all!

A TYPICAL DAY????

~~~~~~~~ ON THE golf course??? ~~~~~~~~ A quite different Cat than I posted about yesterday…

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A place about 14 miles south of where we live! A couple of weeks ago a friend of ours played golf there and took this picture. He said he even shook his golf club near it and is made an unearthly sound/ Hiss while bearing its fangs.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Roanoke, West Virginia

~~~~~~~~~~~ Ranked 23 among the nation’s top 100 resort courses by Golfweek Magazine, Stonewall Resort’s Palmer Signature Course strikes the perfect balance between difficulty and playability, science and nature. In the midst of rolling mountains, alongside beautiful Stonewall Jackson Lake, come enjoy our 18-hole golf course, designed exclusively by Arnold Palmer. With a three-tiered practice facility, pro shop and convenient clubhouse dining, we welcome you to our golfer’s paradise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Key word here ~~~~~~~~~ NATURE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bobcat (Hunting and Trapping), November 6, February 28 in West Virginia

~~~~~~~~~~~

Stonewall Resort State Park is a state park along the shores of Stonewall Jackson Lake, an impoundment on the West Fork River in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The lake is a project of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The original park was completed in 1990 and consisted of a campground, marina, multi-purpose building, and park offices. Unfortunately, the revenues generated from park activities were not able to support the debt from construction activities. Senator Robert C. Byrd developed a legislation that meant the State would not have to pay the Corp the $28 million debt if improvements to the State Park exceeded $28 million.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ History behind the name Stonewall! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Could it be? Species: rufus; Genus: Felinae (Lynx) We think so! When we first moved her over thirty years ago we heard them, the sound made your spine tingle and your guts crawl into a small scary ball. We never saw them, but when we heard the sound it seemed like we just KNEW what it was. It had to be some distant link from the past that would make us KNOW what it was. We were both city kids, so how could we have innately KNOWN?

~~~~~~~~~~~

A Bobcat (Lynx rufus) or Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is larger than a domestic cat, at least twice the size, weighs about 15-35 pounds. The Bobcat is also known as the wildcat, red lynx and bay lynx in West Virginia. Bobcat has slightly distinguishing characteristics from the lynx, shorter hair tufts, multiple black bars on tail, irregular spots, shorter legs, smaller paws. Lynx on the other hand got very few spots, lighter coat with a single black bar extends around the tip of the tail and they have pointy ears and large eyes. Bobcats and Lynxes are nocturnal animals and only a few West Virginia residents ever actually see a bobcat in the wild. Bobcats and Lynxes eat small animals, rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, birds, hurt deer, and occasionally eat small domesticated animals, chickens, ducks, pigs. Etc. They live in the mountains in small caves, under overhanging rocks and hollow trees and kittens will stay with their mother for their first year and are preyed upon by coyotes, foxes and large owls.

Stop - Don't Litter! Spay and Neuter

To the Vets It seems only yesterday when I was visiting the Veterinarians office. Remembering,

Then the Quandary…

Of course one more REMEMBER!

Factoid

Socialization skills continue, and there is no doubt that these are lively, active, KITTENS who will grow up all too soon to be adult cats. They can run, pounce, and leap, and can entertain themselves and their human observers endlessly. Just as quickly they can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, (growing up is hard work), so take care not to let them tire.

Kittens will follow their mother cat's lead in socializing with humans. If she has a comfortable relationship with the humans in her life, so will her kittens. However, if kittens are not accustomed to human handling by six weeks, it will be a long, slow, process to train them later, and such a cat may never be a "lap cat."

So deciding to take Paisley was a good thing for many reasons.

In my case and thanks to Becky that rescued Paisley and coerced me into taking the MOM, it worked ever so well. Hope your daughter likes the newest pictures.

The updated news is this: Mom aka Paisley now weighs 7 pounds, she came here at 6 pounds…but then she has just been spayed. Doc grinned and said, “they be eating mighty well.” I beamed…

Willow being a female picked up ½ pound while her brother Jacopo gained one more ponds…putting Willow now at 3 # and Jacopo at 3.5 #. These two will return to the Vet after the first of the year to be, as I call it “ nipped and tucked.”

Some of the pictures are not really all that good from a photographers view, I am speaking about myself here. But the Blurry action has shown how they cavort all about.

Now that Paisley has her stitches out I can introduce the “Kids” to George. That will occur Friday. In a sense they have ‘known’ of each other existence from the smells that George has on his Dog Pillow, and the kittens use his pillow while he is out to sleep upon.

So after I returned the “kids” back home I need to run some errands for the contractor…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After that was accomplished, YA I DID, got some new toys for them… GO FIGURE, goodness everyone will think I am a softie. Well for goodness sake the Pet Store was only three doors from where I parked my car.

The “nummie” Jar [treats, that when jar is shaken they come running] ~~~~~~~Remember Pavlov?

Where did the toy go?

I have it… NO I do…

GADS I am getting dizzy

Snarffing up the treats…