It's Saturday morning, and I'm in bed, asleep. My under the bed monster Julie Bug, is on my pillow, and decides it's time to get up. Stage is set, here is what happens:
Pat pat with a paw on my shoulder.
Me: Hmm..what's up, bug (Julie's nickname)
Bug: It's time to get up
Me: I don't have to get up yet, Julie. It's only 6:30am.
Julie: Yes you do, Mom, you always get up this early.
Pat pat with paw
Me: what?
Julie: It's time to get up, you're going to be late.
Me: not on Saturdays, Bug. I get to sleep in some. I don't have to be at the zoo until 10am. I can sleep until 8 today.
Pat pat with paw on shoulder
Me: Let me sleep, I don't have to get up yet!
Julie: You need to get up! Quit ignoring me, and get out of bed for goodness sakes!
Me: Ouch! Why did you bite my head?
Julie: You weren't listening to me. I'm not letting you oversleep.
Me: Have you ever heard of the POUND Julie?
Julie: Sorry mom, night.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A View of a Zoo
Saturday was our zoo's Native American Festival. Ds and I signed up to work wherever they needed us, and spent the day manning a booth with biofacts and live animals. This tends to be the most popular booth at events such as these.
We were near the main arena where they held the entertainment-Native American dancers, musicians, etc. A tent blocked most of our view, but we got to see some of the action. The costumes were so rich, and elaborate. Some jingled and jangled as the wearers walked around. The headdresses of feathers were something to behold. I really wish I had gotten pictures, but was too busy working at the time to think about it.
There were several vendors set up under white tents, selling Native American jewelry, bows and arrows for the kids, arrowheads, and annoying little water whistles. They sounded like birds, and every single kid at the festival had one. LOL Thank goodness none of the whistles made their way to my house.
Our booth had a lot of biofacts-animal parts-for people to see. We had several bird wings, skulls of some native predators, an otter pelt, and turtle shells and skulls. People were most impressed by "Pete". He's our Reticulated Python skin, that was harvested after the snake died about 20 years ago. He used to live at Chehaw on exhibit, and was 21 feet long.
We had tree frogs, an opposum, corn snake, and a box turtle in the live category. We noticed a trend in the visitors at the event. If we were just hanging around the booth with no animals, we'd have no visitors. If we pulled out an animal, (especially the snake) we'd have a steady stream of people.
Ds and I had our box turtle U-Haul out for a while, talking about his hinge, that allows him to close up shop if things get frightening. He has gorgeous coloration, so that helps his draw as well. Unfortunately, U-Haul is a busy little guy, so we opted to put him back after he had visited some.
A while later, a visitor comes up, and informs us that our turtle is making a break for it! U-Haul had gotten out of his carrier, and was hauling shell to parts unknown. Praise God for the visitors that noticed him. After that, we placed water bottles on top of his carrier, and checked him frequently.
You meet all types of people at events such as these, especially when there are thousands of visitors coming your way. Children are usually my favorite. They are innocent, curious, and usually love the live animals. I love how their faces light up when they see someone with a critter.
The adults though-well I have to love them too. Like I said, you meet all types. Most are polite and curious, and at least listen to what you have to say. Some are familiar with the animals you are talking about, and share their stories with you. I enjoy that. Some people however...
One young lady came up to our booth, and loudly declared, "Oh my gosh, you murdered all of these animals!" Yes, we're a zoo, and we randomly murder animals for their parts to display to our visitors.
I calmly informed her that we're a zoo, and we love animals. All of the biofacts we are displaying came from animals that died of natural causes. In fact, I told her, the bobcat skull is a bone clone. It was handmade, and isn't even real. She then tells me she loves animals, especially turtles, and was going to go off (make an even bigger scene) if we had harmed the turtles whose shells were were displaying. Sigh.
At this point I was really done with her altogether. It had been a long day, I was tired and hungry, and just didn't care anymore. I kept my composure with her though. When she informed me that she picks up turtles in the road, and throws them in the back of her truck to relocate, I told her she is probably signing their death sentence. It's perfectly fine to move them on across the road, but you don't want to relocate if you can help it. They know where all the shelters, ponds, blackberries, etc are in their territories. If you move them, they are completely lost.
Sometime later, a young boy came by, maybe 9 or 10, and was asking me about the biofacts. As docents, we try to get our visitors thinking, instead of just throwing the names of things out there. So instead of saying, "That's a possum skull", we might say, "It's a nocturnal animal that likes to get into your trash can."
I had been doing that with this young man, and he had guessed one of the wings correctly. Here is the conversation that ensued:
Boy: I must have gotten it right because of my high IQ. Take a guess at how high my IQ is.
Me: It's been a long day, and I am done with guessing. Just tell me.
Boy: It's 119, and that's really good for someone my age.
Just a little self-absorbed there. Just a guess, but he is probably an only child.
I did talk to two gentlemen out of the many many visitors that really stuck with me. The first was an older man, and we started talking about the wings and feathers on display. We talked for a long time about everything, and the conversation flowed so easily. I could have listened to him all day. His father was a farmer, and would plow his fields with mules. The stories this man has to tell...
The second man was an Aztec dancer at the event. We were admiring the 21 foot python skin, and started talking about animals ending up as roadkill. He said that he picks up snakes (especially the venomous ones) after they are hit, and takes them home. He skins them, and throws them on an anthill. Then, after they are cleaned, he uses the bones for medicine. Hey, who am I to judge? At least the animal isn't going to waste. I hope he remembers the adage I taught my kids: A gun is never empty, and a snake is never dead. Yeah, a dead snake can still bite and inject venom into you for a while after death. To be safe, I'd wait two hours before handling. A lot of people don't know this.
It was a good day overall. We rolled and unrolled Pete countless times, chased the box turtle everywhere, talked and talked and talked some more. At the end of the day, I couldn't even speak right. It happens when I get overtired. It was really interesting, and the Native American culture is not something I am exposed to everyday, so it was really neat. We spent 8 hours there, and saw probably well over a thousand people.
God Bless,
Chela
We were near the main arena where they held the entertainment-Native American dancers, musicians, etc. A tent blocked most of our view, but we got to see some of the action. The costumes were so rich, and elaborate. Some jingled and jangled as the wearers walked around. The headdresses of feathers were something to behold. I really wish I had gotten pictures, but was too busy working at the time to think about it.
There were several vendors set up under white tents, selling Native American jewelry, bows and arrows for the kids, arrowheads, and annoying little water whistles. They sounded like birds, and every single kid at the festival had one. LOL Thank goodness none of the whistles made their way to my house.
Our booth had a lot of biofacts-animal parts-for people to see. We had several bird wings, skulls of some native predators, an otter pelt, and turtle shells and skulls. People were most impressed by "Pete". He's our Reticulated Python skin, that was harvested after the snake died about 20 years ago. He used to live at Chehaw on exhibit, and was 21 feet long.
We had tree frogs, an opposum, corn snake, and a box turtle in the live category. We noticed a trend in the visitors at the event. If we were just hanging around the booth with no animals, we'd have no visitors. If we pulled out an animal, (especially the snake) we'd have a steady stream of people.
Ds and I had our box turtle U-Haul out for a while, talking about his hinge, that allows him to close up shop if things get frightening. He has gorgeous coloration, so that helps his draw as well. Unfortunately, U-Haul is a busy little guy, so we opted to put him back after he had visited some.
A while later, a visitor comes up, and informs us that our turtle is making a break for it! U-Haul had gotten out of his carrier, and was hauling shell to parts unknown. Praise God for the visitors that noticed him. After that, we placed water bottles on top of his carrier, and checked him frequently.
You meet all types of people at events such as these, especially when there are thousands of visitors coming your way. Children are usually my favorite. They are innocent, curious, and usually love the live animals. I love how their faces light up when they see someone with a critter.
The adults though-well I have to love them too. Like I said, you meet all types. Most are polite and curious, and at least listen to what you have to say. Some are familiar with the animals you are talking about, and share their stories with you. I enjoy that. Some people however...
One young lady came up to our booth, and loudly declared, "Oh my gosh, you murdered all of these animals!" Yes, we're a zoo, and we randomly murder animals for their parts to display to our visitors.
I calmly informed her that we're a zoo, and we love animals. All of the biofacts we are displaying came from animals that died of natural causes. In fact, I told her, the bobcat skull is a bone clone. It was handmade, and isn't even real. She then tells me she loves animals, especially turtles, and was going to go off (make an even bigger scene) if we had harmed the turtles whose shells were were displaying. Sigh.
At this point I was really done with her altogether. It had been a long day, I was tired and hungry, and just didn't care anymore. I kept my composure with her though. When she informed me that she picks up turtles in the road, and throws them in the back of her truck to relocate, I told her she is probably signing their death sentence. It's perfectly fine to move them on across the road, but you don't want to relocate if you can help it. They know where all the shelters, ponds, blackberries, etc are in their territories. If you move them, they are completely lost.
Sometime later, a young boy came by, maybe 9 or 10, and was asking me about the biofacts. As docents, we try to get our visitors thinking, instead of just throwing the names of things out there. So instead of saying, "That's a possum skull", we might say, "It's a nocturnal animal that likes to get into your trash can."
I had been doing that with this young man, and he had guessed one of the wings correctly. Here is the conversation that ensued:
Boy: I must have gotten it right because of my high IQ. Take a guess at how high my IQ is.
Me: It's been a long day, and I am done with guessing. Just tell me.
Boy: It's 119, and that's really good for someone my age.
Just a little self-absorbed there. Just a guess, but he is probably an only child.
I did talk to two gentlemen out of the many many visitors that really stuck with me. The first was an older man, and we started talking about the wings and feathers on display. We talked for a long time about everything, and the conversation flowed so easily. I could have listened to him all day. His father was a farmer, and would plow his fields with mules. The stories this man has to tell...
The second man was an Aztec dancer at the event. We were admiring the 21 foot python skin, and started talking about animals ending up as roadkill. He said that he picks up snakes (especially the venomous ones) after they are hit, and takes them home. He skins them, and throws them on an anthill. Then, after they are cleaned, he uses the bones for medicine. Hey, who am I to judge? At least the animal isn't going to waste. I hope he remembers the adage I taught my kids: A gun is never empty, and a snake is never dead. Yeah, a dead snake can still bite and inject venom into you for a while after death. To be safe, I'd wait two hours before handling. A lot of people don't know this.
It was a good day overall. We rolled and unrolled Pete countless times, chased the box turtle everywhere, talked and talked and talked some more. At the end of the day, I couldn't even speak right. It happens when I get overtired. It was really interesting, and the Native American culture is not something I am exposed to everyday, so it was really neat. We spent 8 hours there, and saw probably well over a thousand people.
God Bless,
Chela
Friday, April 6, 2012
Good Friday
This is a post by my daughter:
Today marks the day my Savior died for you and me. It was on this day the people He was dying to save continued to beat him and taunt him even while he was on the way to the cross and while he was on it. 3 nails were drove into his hands and feet on a cross . . . He suffered the death of a criminal even though he was perfect. Jesus knew this was the last moments of his beautiful sacrifice and that he would dine again shortly with his Father in Heaven. This is the price our loving Savior paid for us to join them in heaven. ♥ #GoodFriday
Today marks the day my Savior died for you and me. It was on this day the people He was dying to save continued to beat him and taunt him even while he was on the way to the cross and while he was on it. 3 nails were drove into his hands and feet on a cross . . . He suffered the death of a criminal even though he was perfect. Jesus knew this was the last moments of his beautiful sacrifice and that he would dine again shortly with his Father in Heaven. This is the price our loving Savior paid for us to join them in heaven. ♥ #GoodFriday
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Sickness of Sin
A friend of mine was recently very ill. She tried to avoid going to the dr, but eventually had to concede and be seen. The dr determined she was sick enough to need antibiotics and other medicines to recover. She told me,
"I have to come to terms with the fact that I am unable to beat whatever infection it is on my own. Basically, I have to admit that I need help."
Isn't this a lot like our relationship with Jesus? We flounder along in our illness (sin) and try everything to find forgiveness, and fill the empty void inside that has us so unhappy. But until we admit we need help, and turn to the dr (Jesus, the Great Physician and Healer) we will not get any better. We are unable to purge ourselves of sin and darkness. We have to turn to the Savior Jesus Christ.
In Romans 6:23, Scripture tells us the wages of sin is death. Yet God had mercy on us, and sent his Son to die in our place, to give us forgiveness, and eternal life with Him in Heaven. John 3:16. All you have to do is turn your life over to Jesus, and ask to be healed from your infection of sin. There are no insurance co-pays, no waiting room, no missing work, just a prayer to the Father, and your heart is healed. He even sent a Book to guide you along on your journey. What a Father He is!
Jesus wants us to live in the light, to be happy, and free from sin. He wants our eternity to be spent with Him in Heaven. He has buckets of blessings ready to bestow on you, if only you believe in Him. Peace, forgiveness, eternal life, and a Father always ready to sit down and listen to the concerns of your heart. He loves to hear how your day went, your concerns, and your worries. Don't forget the praise; Jesus loves to hear how much you love Him, and that you think the new spring flowers are beautiful.
Ask Jesus into your heart today. It's a simple prayer; admit you are a sinner in need of healing, choose to believe in Jesus with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Mt 22:37-38 He will come to live in your heart, and you can know a peace that surpasses all understanding, and a love beyond all comprehending. A love that died on a wooden Cross, and rose again in three days to break the power of death and give us all eternal life. Thank You Jesus
Chela
"I have to come to terms with the fact that I am unable to beat whatever infection it is on my own. Basically, I have to admit that I need help."
Isn't this a lot like our relationship with Jesus? We flounder along in our illness (sin) and try everything to find forgiveness, and fill the empty void inside that has us so unhappy. But until we admit we need help, and turn to the dr (Jesus, the Great Physician and Healer) we will not get any better. We are unable to purge ourselves of sin and darkness. We have to turn to the Savior Jesus Christ.
In Romans 6:23, Scripture tells us the wages of sin is death. Yet God had mercy on us, and sent his Son to die in our place, to give us forgiveness, and eternal life with Him in Heaven. John 3:16. All you have to do is turn your life over to Jesus, and ask to be healed from your infection of sin. There are no insurance co-pays, no waiting room, no missing work, just a prayer to the Father, and your heart is healed. He even sent a Book to guide you along on your journey. What a Father He is!
Jesus wants us to live in the light, to be happy, and free from sin. He wants our eternity to be spent with Him in Heaven. He has buckets of blessings ready to bestow on you, if only you believe in Him. Peace, forgiveness, eternal life, and a Father always ready to sit down and listen to the concerns of your heart. He loves to hear how your day went, your concerns, and your worries. Don't forget the praise; Jesus loves to hear how much you love Him, and that you think the new spring flowers are beautiful.
Ask Jesus into your heart today. It's a simple prayer; admit you are a sinner in need of healing, choose to believe in Jesus with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Mt 22:37-38 He will come to live in your heart, and you can know a peace that surpasses all understanding, and a love beyond all comprehending. A love that died on a wooden Cross, and rose again in three days to break the power of death and give us all eternal life. Thank You Jesus
Chela
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Dance is...
Watching your dancer perfect her dance moves day after day in the kitchen, restaurants, church and hardware stores.Long hours of practice for your dancer preparing for competition.
So much make-up!
hotel reservations, and how far is it from the convention center?
managing the jigsaw puzzle of suitcases, dance bags, coolers, blankets, pillows and kids in the car.
Mom, I need a spray tan!
No sleep!
glittery, smiling faces anxious to perform on stage
hours and hours in hard plastic chairs
Too much Adele
Your eyes well up with tears watching your dancer perform, and she is dancing for Jesus
Waiting for results, although in your heart, your dancer is always number one
Quit thanking everyone and just get to the results already!
Tears run down your face as you hear your dancer took first
Congrats and pictures
After sitting through 500 something dances, you could surely choreograph the next competiton routine
Getting home with a tired dancer at midnight, and still getting up at 6am for school
Arriving home sick and exhausted, then still staying up to brainstorm this, because writing is my passion!
Congrats DD!! We are really proud of you, keep dancing in your heart.
Chela
Sunday, February 19, 2012
a day at the zoo
It was a cold and dreary day at the zoo. Not many people wanted to be out in the chilly, rainy weather strolling through the outdoor exhibits. I was starting to regret choosing to spend the day here myself. There had only been a few people in the reptile house to talk with about the animals. It was enjoyable, telling people little known facts about them though. Such as, that frog is so poisonous that if your dog mouths it, he has only 45 minutes to reach a vet. (Sonoran desert toad). Or that frog is only poisonous in the wild, where he consumes a certain kind of ant. (Poison dart frog)
Still, the visitors were sorely lacking in number. Where we can easily have 150-200 or more visitors in an afternoon, this dreary day found only about 10. All of them bundled up in sweaters and coats, huddling under umbrellas. With plenty of time to roam, I found myself over in the barnyard, petting our new mini donkeys, William and Steve. Their hair all wet and muddy from the rain. That brought out some serious jealousy in the mini horse, who apparently found it too wet to be petted, but didn’t mind some conversation brought his way.
The Servals didn’t seem to mind the weather, and were up stalking squirrels through the fencing. One of the tortoises was busy trying to down a clump of grass he’d pulled through the fence that was bigger than his head. His buddy decided to stay under his heat lamp in the tortoise house. I think he had the right idea there. The emu kept chest bumping the fence separating him from the Servals. Does he not realize what would happen if he got in there? The Servals would invite him for supper.
Finally it was time to call it quits. What a disappointing day at the zoo; quiet, and dreary and gray. Even the meerkats were staying below ground. I headed for the office to sign out, and head home. Just before I walked out the door, my boss called me into her office. Hmm…does she need help with an upcoming event?
I walk in to find her holding the cutest baby animal I have ever seen. Sitting on her lap, wrapped up in a towel, and drinking from a bottle, was a baby beaver. DNR had found three orphan babies, and brought them to the zoo. Their eyes were open; they already had beaver teeth, and little beaver tails. They were so very soft, and fit into my hands so easily. They tried to suckle my fingers around their big teeth designed to one day fall big trees and haul them to the river to make a dam. Their fur was incredibly dense and soft, they felt like stuffed toys.
I’ve never been up close to an adult beaver, much less a baby. Instantly my mood lifted, and I knew my trip to the zoo had been worth it after all. This is something I will never forget, and when these babies grow up to their adult weight of 25-55 lbs, I’ll remember how they used to fit into my hands, and drool milk all over me.
Beavers construct dams to create large marshes that are rich in aquatic plants, birds and fish. They also build dens that are reached by several underwater entrances. They live in large family groups, and the young from the previous brood stay to help raise the new arrivals. They mate for life, and have as many as 8 kits in the spring.. They are born with their eyes open, and fully furred. Kits can swim within several hours. The adults eat aquatic plants, thistles, twigs, bark, leaves, and roots. They can live 15-21 years.
Holding and bottle feeding a baby beaver…who ever thought I’d do that in my lifetime!
Still, the visitors were sorely lacking in number. Where we can easily have 150-200 or more visitors in an afternoon, this dreary day found only about 10. All of them bundled up in sweaters and coats, huddling under umbrellas. With plenty of time to roam, I found myself over in the barnyard, petting our new mini donkeys, William and Steve. Their hair all wet and muddy from the rain. That brought out some serious jealousy in the mini horse, who apparently found it too wet to be petted, but didn’t mind some conversation brought his way.
The Servals didn’t seem to mind the weather, and were up stalking squirrels through the fencing. One of the tortoises was busy trying to down a clump of grass he’d pulled through the fence that was bigger than his head. His buddy decided to stay under his heat lamp in the tortoise house. I think he had the right idea there. The emu kept chest bumping the fence separating him from the Servals. Does he not realize what would happen if he got in there? The Servals would invite him for supper.
Finally it was time to call it quits. What a disappointing day at the zoo; quiet, and dreary and gray. Even the meerkats were staying below ground. I headed for the office to sign out, and head home. Just before I walked out the door, my boss called me into her office. Hmm…does she need help with an upcoming event?
I walk in to find her holding the cutest baby animal I have ever seen. Sitting on her lap, wrapped up in a towel, and drinking from a bottle, was a baby beaver. DNR had found three orphan babies, and brought them to the zoo. Their eyes were open; they already had beaver teeth, and little beaver tails. They were so very soft, and fit into my hands so easily. They tried to suckle my fingers around their big teeth designed to one day fall big trees and haul them to the river to make a dam. Their fur was incredibly dense and soft, they felt like stuffed toys.
I’ve never been up close to an adult beaver, much less a baby. Instantly my mood lifted, and I knew my trip to the zoo had been worth it after all. This is something I will never forget, and when these babies grow up to their adult weight of 25-55 lbs, I’ll remember how they used to fit into my hands, and drool milk all over me.
Beavers construct dams to create large marshes that are rich in aquatic plants, birds and fish. They also build dens that are reached by several underwater entrances. They live in large family groups, and the young from the previous brood stay to help raise the new arrivals. They mate for life, and have as many as 8 kits in the spring.. They are born with their eyes open, and fully furred. Kits can swim within several hours. The adults eat aquatic plants, thistles, twigs, bark, leaves, and roots. They can live 15-21 years.
Holding and bottle feeding a baby beaver…who ever thought I’d do that in my lifetime!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thank You Jesus
Thank You Father for this wonderful weekend. Thank You for our hotel. It was inexpensive, and had everything we wanted and more. The heated pool was so nice to relax in after a long day. Thank You that dh was able to spend the weekend with us. This made things so much easier and less stressful for everyone.
Thank You for safe travels up to the dance competition. Driving in a big city makes me really nervous and flustered, but You kept us safe. Thank You for the waitress at the crab shack, and I add in a prayer for her son, for healing, if it could be Your will.
Thank You for the long hours of dance competition. Thank You for the talent you have given these young ladies and gentlemen. Thank You for sticking with me when I lost it after 8 hours, and carrying me through the remaining six hours of the event.
Thank You even that the light wouldn't change to get me back to the event after running out for drinks. You saw me through a round a bout way, and still got me back. I am grateful for that.
Thank You that everything ran so smoothly. Thank You for dd's talent, her courage, and her ability to perform so beautifully. Thank You for her first place award. There were so many talented young people there.
Thank You that dd's boyfriend was able to make it up for her performance. I ask also that You extend Your healing hand to his Grandma, who has been in poor health.
Thank You for ds and his friend, who were able to get both our computers up and running. Thank You for the restaurant that employed ds when he needed it. I really liked the set up. Sorry I didn't like the eggplant, but at least now I know.
Thank You for safe passage home, and that I didn't hit the car that stopped in the middle of the interstate. That was so scary, but You kept us safe.
Your hand was in this trip, and we were abundantly blessed. Thank You so much Father. I love You!!
Chela
Thank You for safe travels up to the dance competition. Driving in a big city makes me really nervous and flustered, but You kept us safe. Thank You for the waitress at the crab shack, and I add in a prayer for her son, for healing, if it could be Your will.
Thank You for the long hours of dance competition. Thank You for the talent you have given these young ladies and gentlemen. Thank You for sticking with me when I lost it after 8 hours, and carrying me through the remaining six hours of the event.
Thank You even that the light wouldn't change to get me back to the event after running out for drinks. You saw me through a round a bout way, and still got me back. I am grateful for that.
Thank You that everything ran so smoothly. Thank You for dd's talent, her courage, and her ability to perform so beautifully. Thank You for her first place award. There were so many talented young people there.
Thank You that dd's boyfriend was able to make it up for her performance. I ask also that You extend Your healing hand to his Grandma, who has been in poor health.
Thank You for ds and his friend, who were able to get both our computers up and running. Thank You for the restaurant that employed ds when he needed it. I really liked the set up. Sorry I didn't like the eggplant, but at least now I know.
Thank You for safe passage home, and that I didn't hit the car that stopped in the middle of the interstate. That was so scary, but You kept us safe.
Your hand was in this trip, and we were abundantly blessed. Thank You so much Father. I love You!!
Chela
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