Young Owl

My dog was barking in an unusual way so when I investigated I found this little Owl. I am grateful I put the gloves on as he grabbed the gloves with beak and talons to the point I almost could not shed the gloves with him/her on it. He/she stayed with us for a few hours then flew off after I put it in the woods. Then he/she came back the next day and landed on my deck within a few feet of me and a buddy and watched TV for a few minutes. Not sure if it was the same one or a kin stopping by to say thanks.

As an FYI these are welding gloves that I use for the grill moving hot coals. Do not ever pick up a bird such as this or larger with just plane gloves. These are so thick I can hold burning wood or coals for several seconds to minutes without even knowing I have it in my hands. I have heard of birds like hawks and such ripping skin apart like it was butter. .

We often have these Owls in my yard and they have got quite used to us. Valerie took the photo.

My office and Staff Assistant

She is relaxing as normal.



Next shot of morning office.



Next shot of mid day office.



After noon office in house, not impressive.

Our Back Yard

Here are some shots of our back yard. While still under construction this is 21 years of evolution.

My two friends

Wow it has been awhile since I posted here. Looks like I need to get on the ball.


Lucy my dog who just loves my buddy Phillip.

Christmas 2009 Prelude

Merry Christmas everyone!

I have filtered through about 100 pictures today and I still have more in the camera so I have decided to break this down into smaller chunks. I think I have said this before, but just to set the records straight I write these things for myself and for those who happen to enjoy them due to our relationship either friends or family. I am not looking to become some literary novelist or anything else.

Ok, so I will be adding to this as I can for every journey starts with the first step and instead of trying to write the entire experience in one long story with a butt load of pictures I will be breaking it down into separate posts. God Bless you all and Merry Christmas.

Pat, Val, & Lucy

Pre Christmas Sit outs: Christmas 2009

Pre Christmas Sit outs: Christmas 2009

This has been one very busy Christmas season for us. First we had a few nightly sit outs during the warmer evenings in December.

You will note the gas heater we got from Albertson’s. Philip found it on sale for $99 bucks and told us about it. On the day we rode over to Texas Grump’s for me to look at the bike he has for sale and on the way back we stopped at Albertson’s to check out the heater. Sure enough I liked it so I paid for it, asked them to hold it until I came back with a cage. There was no way in heck to get that thing on the bike. In the next shots you have Hoffie, a good friend of ours, Paul and Philip, (if you been following my blog you do not need an introduction there), and my lovely wife Val.






As you might tell it is getting closer to Christmas. On this evening we have Jim, Tammy, Paul, and Val and I. Tonight Val takes the shots.






I hope you all had or if you read this today are having a wonderful Christmas.

Pat & Val

E2E 2009 Chili, Desert, and Side Disk Cook

E2E 2009 Chili, Desert, and Side Disk Cook

We had another very successful 2009 E2E cook and I want to thank everyone for coming and participating in the bringing of some very fine eats, and the companionship sharing. I thought I would share some pictures with you all.

Here is the desert line… Some folks went way out cooking up some real unique deserts. Not all of the deserts made it in the picture and some have not arrived at the time of this shot.



Here are some general shots.







Hey Paul, what you got there?



I do not even want to ask what this discussion is all about. Looks like a bit of a fish tale.



Mental note to self, cover up all white boards when Jay comes to party, you just know he wants to use them. So many white boards in one room, Jay must have just been going nuts.



This isn’t bad stuff!



Not saying all of our stories are believable but we sure know how to tell them.



Now if you down load this picture and zoom in on Mike and Ted, either what ever Jay is saying has them about to spit up their food from laughing. More like ‘what did you say?”.



Elaine, did Paul say something thought provoking?



Here is a couple of football coaches planing the attack, now Jay are you recording the discussion or trying to figure out where you at with the GPS function?



If we all just keep eating and ignore him, he will go away with that dang camera.



George asks to see the camera and walks away to take this shot. I had to replace the lens after this shot. Two moons in one shot just is too much.



Ted, I do not think Mike is buying what your selling.



If you ever need rocko and socko we know where to find them. I know Christa is just not that short.

These are our winners, Ted for the Chili and Pete for the desert. It was a very close race in both categories and everyone was a good sport. Christa’s Wolf Brand Chili even got a “we love you anyway” vote.



Here is a shot of Pete’s desert. Oh and by the way, his wife Marruby actually made it.



Again thanks to all that showed up and enjoyed. And sorry for the few who got caught up in a work emergency at the last minute but that is part of what makes this team great!

Pat