Whoooo, whoo-whoooooooo (posted by Ann)

I am mad at Blogger. I've typed a post three times, each time I think of something different I want to say. I sure hope this is it, I'm out of material. Otherwise you'll get a post that says "Humph" with a few pictures and no explanation.

Now on to what I really wanted to say.

The owls are back! We have a nest in the woods behind our house that hosts red-tailed hawks in the summer, and great horned owls in the winter. They breed during the winter months, when they can get more food. I shudder to think of anything living outside during the winter up here, but they do. Poor babies! Anyway, they arrive in the fall and they are very active either finding mates or selecting a nest, I'm not sure which, but they are loud. They have been around for about a week, talking back and forth to each other at intervals during the night. They wake me up, they are so loud, but I love to lay in bed and listen to them. I remember sleeping on Grandy's sleeping porch and her talking to me in the middle of the night asking if I heard the owl.

Anyway, we do have one new twist this year. Tater has discovered the owls. They hoot, and he growls. They talk back and forth, and he barks. It doesn't seem to bother the owls, so they keep on going. And so does he. At night. Repeatedly.

Yeah.

We've had lots going on up here, as is normal. Steve had another big cross-country meet last weekend, so I took this picture of the start of his race. He's in there somewhere, but I really can't pick him out. I was tempted to get in front of the crowd to take a shot of them coming at me, but then I thought about this and decided against it.

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Here he is closing in on the finish. He ran a great race, and it didn't rain - much. All good things on a Saturday morning.










I took this picture after the race, and I'm calling it "Reluctant Construction Worker". I think you get the idea. Reluctant or no, there is a window in that opening as we speak.

Don is in San Francisco this week teaching class. He's almost completely healed, which is great. He travels next week to Detroit, and I'm off to GSO for a few days. (Just a little quiz to get you ready for training!)




As far as knitting, I did buy some size 4's to fix the blue sweater, but I haven't done it yet. I've been busy on a pink sweater I started for a baby girl. Here's what the stitch looks like - I love the little bows, and the seed stitch bands are my favorite. This is part of one of the fronts, which I have since finished. I went to New York and back yesterday, and both flights were delayed, so I did 6" of the back. I love baby sweaters, the entire back is 11" so I'm more than halfway done. We sat on the runway forever.

Look at the tag - when 3rd sister gave me the purse she made me, she had a tag in it so I decided to order some for myself. Aren't they cute?



P.S. Don't you dare order yourself some, leave me at least one inspired thing to get you for Christmas.

P.P.S. Will you and Steve come for Thanksgiving? I think Mom and Dad may be here, and I've asked Laurie if she and Alex would consider it. I might be able to wrangle a condo downtown for you and Steve . . .