Home About Us Archive var domainroot="mainenaturediary.com" function Gsitesearch(curobj){ curobj.q.value="site:"+domainroot+" "+curobj.qfront.value } Links: MND Bookstore MaineNatureDiary MaineNaturePoetry The Daily Puppy Uncle Jay Explains Family Media: Family Archive Web Media: The Bark Side Web ArchiveTumblr (3.0; @kdoggy)http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/> Zippy<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio3_500.jpg"/><br/> Ivy - Look at those muscles!<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio5_500.jpg"/><br/> Zippy & Ivy giving chase!<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio6_500.jpg"/><br/> Kasha generally stays in the lead!<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio7_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio8_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4qgjtZQht1qz4cvio9_500.jpg"/><br/> Kasha is caught! Tag...You're It!<br/><br/> <p><strong>November 1, 1997-Kasha, Zippy, and Ivy</strong>: Historic photos of Kasha and her two greyhound friends. Kasha was initially a little worried by the size of Zippy & Ivy, but ultimately, she really loved being chased. <em>(Click on any photo for a closer view.)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/23925848072http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/23925848072Mon, 28 May 2012 08:40:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4n6f7m9dC1qz4cvio1_r1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Greyhound Meet and Greet:</strong> We went to a greyhound “meet and greet” at the Pet Quarters store in Brunswick. There, we met about 12 greyhounds who came for the visitation. We were the only non-greyhound owners there. What an experience we had, and it was the fastest two hours we have ever spent. I was overwhelmed at the beauty of these dogs and their similar personalities to that of our dearly departed Kdoggy. Whoo….kinda emotional…</p> <p>Greyhounds are the most non-aggressive dogs I’ve ever met. Because they are raised to be with other greyhounds, there is no growling, baring of teeth, etc. They just quietly milled around each other. We got to pet and hug every one of them. It was funny to hear several people say that “adopting a greyhound is like eating Pringle potato chips, you can’t stop at just one.” Indeed, most of the dog owners had at least two greyhounds.</p> <p>Our favorite two dogs were Blue and Bettina, owned by a woman who also lives in our town. She brought her mother’s dog, Crandall, to the meet and greet as well. Crandall is a brindle greyhound, while Blue is a gorgeous white greyhound with grey ears. Bettina is a sweet, petite, black greyhound. Blue and Bettina are pictured here.</p> <p>All of the dogs we met were adopted from the <strong><a href="http://www.greyhoundplacement.com/">Maine Greyhound Placement Service</a></strong>, in Augusta, Maine. It is nice to know that there are rescue adoption agencies, like the one in Augusta, that take in the retired hounds and care for them until suitable forever homes are found. Check out <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=ME42"><strong>Petfinder</strong></a> for the current greyhounds available for adoption.  (Photo courtesy of <em><a href="http://yesiknowmydogslookfunny.blogspot.com/">yesIknowmydogslookfunny.blogspot.com</a></em>)</p> <p>We also have neighbors who adopted two greyhounds from Augusta. Their dog’s names are Trouble and Sugaree. Wow, they sure are sweet dogs. We literally run outdoors each time our neighbors walk by so that we can get some lovin’ from these beautiful pups! Someday we’ll have to photograph them.</p> <p>Drew and I would love to visit the Maine Greyhound Placement Service, but we’re not sure that we are ready to adopt another dog just yet. We do know that If we go up there for a visit, there is a very high probability that we’d come home with a greyhound. We’ve also got some major house renovations that must get done, and all that hammering, sawing, etc. would upset a greyhound. Until then, dream…<em>(Note to sister Jane: You would fall in love with a greyhound in a heartbeat as they are so incredibly gentle and affectionate.:-)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/23808243989http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/23808243989Sat, 26 May 2012 14:09:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4bo98MyV61qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4bo98MyV61qz4cvio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4bo98MyV61qz4cvio3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>Happy 22nd Anniversary to us:</strong> Here we are 22 years ago, enjoying life to the fullest in Colorado. These photos were taken within the first year of our marriage, and we have continued to love each other and the great outdoors to the best of our abilities. Yes, we have slowed down a bit, our bones are more creaky, and our muscles get a bit sore, but that doesn’t stop us from trying to get outside each and every day to celebrate the many gifts of Mother Nature! <em>(Click on any photo for a larger view.)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/23410446716http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/23410446716Sun, 20 May 2012 09:03:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3km9uauif1qz4cvio1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Photographer Carla:</strong> Neighbor Carla really got into photographing flowers today. She got to use a tripod with her camera for the first time, and really enjoyed it! Hmmm…me thinks that Neighbor Ernie will know what to get her for her birthday! Hint…hint…hint…<em>(Click on photo for a larger view)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/22474914770http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/22474914770Sat, 05 May 2012 18:25:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio2_500.jpg"/><br/> Much of the lake has filled in<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio3_500.jpg"/><br/> Drew, April 18, 2012<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio4_500.jpg"/><br/> Laurie, April 18, 2012<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio10_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Wedding Day at McKethan, May 20, 1990<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio6_500.jpg"/><br/> Massive Live Oaks line the walking path<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio5_500.jpg"/><br/> Spanish Moss adorns the branches<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v3kuB5Lb1qz4cvio7_500.jpg"/><br/> Pond Cypress<br/><br/> <p><strong>Florida Trip and a Walk Down Memory Lane:</strong> We spent our spring break in Florida, and decided to visit the park where we got married almost 22 years ago. WOW! It really hasn’t changed that much, although we sure have! <em>(Click on a photo to enter the slide show for a larger view and commentary.)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/21547695138http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/21547695138Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:41:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio4_500.jpg"/><br/> Sandhill Crane<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/> Common Cooter turtle<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio2_500.jpg"/><br/> Common Cooter turtle<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio3_500.jpg"/><br/> Mug shot<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio7_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Great Egret<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio8_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Great Blue Heron<br/><br/> <img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio9_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Wooly Bear Caterpillar<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2v5wvyJFu1qz4cvio10_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Wooly Bear Caterpillar<br/><br/> <p><strong>Wildlife at Lake McKethan, Florida:</strong> We saw sandhill cranes, a huge common cooter turtle, a great egret, a great blue heron, and two different color variations of wooly bear caterpillars. What an awesome day we had. <em>(Click on any photo to enter the slide show for a larger view.)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/21550823323http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/21550823323Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:31:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2vxnvnDim1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2vxnvnDim1qz4cvio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2vxnvnDim1qz4cvio3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>Mystery Tropical Flowering Plant:</strong> This plant was very prolific along a roadside in Brooksville, Florida. We don’t know if it is a native or was planted by someone. It was taking over the area that we found it in. On first glance, we thought someone had splashed red paint onto it! Gorgeous! (<em>Click on a photo to enter the slide show for a larger view.)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/21570746914http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/21570746914Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:31:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1bf5u15vA1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>One Year Anniversary of Kasha’s Death:</strong> Wow, we cannot believe it has been an entire year since Kasha died. We’ve shed lots of tears throughout the year, often at the oddest times when we’d do some activity that reminded us of her. We miss her very much. She was such a special dog and an important member of our family. This photo was taken in March, 2005 when Kasha was almost 9 years old. She sure could kick up her heels! We loved taking her to the beach. Her nose would get all twitchy when we approached Phippsburg and she’d practically be climbing over the front seat upon arrival at Popham Beach. Fun times… (<em>Click on photo for a larger view.)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/19764172971http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/19764172971Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:05:00 -0400<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6ntDYjS0Y3w?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Volkswagon Star Wars “The Bark Side” Video:</strong> Absolutely hilarious! Volkswagon does great dog commercials. Turn up the volume on your computer so you don’t miss a single bark! Check out the dogs..they are dressed up as Princess Leia, Chewbacca, an ewok, a Star Wars Walker, and Darth Vader. <em>(It is best to watch full screen…)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/17171331197http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/17171331197Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:58:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwq97bTutP1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwq97bTutP1qz4cvio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwq97bTutP1qz4cvio5_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>New Garage: </strong>We have spent years saving money for a garage, and we finally got it built. Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous? We are sooo happy to have it. Now, we need to save up for garage doors…one thing at a time! We had a soft-sided garage without doors for 10 years, and figure another year won’t hurt;-) Nighttime illumination is provided by two battery-powered motion sensitive floodlights. You can also see the wood shed we had built onto the back of the garage. That will be so handy, and we figure we can fit 2 to 3 cords of wood in it, if we stack it tall. It will be so convenient being near the back door.  I was so busy planting bulbs in autumn, that I ran out of energy to deal with the cinquefois, hibiscus, dwarf spirea, and peony that needed to be transplanted so the wood could be stacked after the garage was built. We’ll just have to wait until spring to dig them up after the ground thaws!</p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/14738960072http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/14738960072Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:33:00 -0500<object width="400" height="400" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=8AcsmTdo1aM7cW&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="quality" value="best" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="400" height="400" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=8AcsmTdo1aM7cW&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"></embed></object><br/><br/><div class="caption"> <p><strong>Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! </strong>We spent the day creating a Shutterfly book of our life with Kasha. I alternated between tears, cheers, and laughter as I looked at all the photos and videos through the years. Drew created the artwork for the front and back covers on his iPad, and we also sprinkled more of his creations throughout the book. Enjoy! <em>(Note: You won’t be able to see the slide show if you don’t have <a href="http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/">Adobe Flash Player</a> installed on your computer.)</em></p> <p><em>One more note: We are having a hard-covered copy printed and will have it available for family and friends to see (if you are in the neighborhood:-)<br/></em></p> </div>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/13426610178http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/13426610178Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:09:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls18stAFPG1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Neighbor Carla on Caesar Pond: </strong>As soon as I got home from school, I hopped into the kayak and toured the pond with neighbor Carla, who was chompin’ at the bit to go for a paddle. The pond was glassy smooth and the trees are changing color. <em>(Click on photo for a larger view)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/10598403511http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/10598403511Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:10:00 -0400<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/28737508?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=9dca68" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Barb’s 80th</strong>: Mom will celebrate her 80th birthday soon and we had a nice little surprise party for her last weekend. Drew created this video which contains the slides that I put together for a rolling tribute at the party. Enjoy!</p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9931553390http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9931553390Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:53:00 -0400<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27988361?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=9dca68" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>Lighter Than Air</strong>: A short video of our visit to the Great Falls Balloon Festival.</p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9230931465http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9230931465Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:44:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqa1aaCooy1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>The Wow Factor: </strong>One of the pleasures of attending the balloon festival was what I term the “Wow factor” which was present all around us. The balloons are huge. They are brilliantly colored. They billow as they are inflated. I heard kids running to parents excitedly saying, “I got it! I got the best picture!”</p> <p>In this photo, you can see the girl, in the lower right corner, exhibiting the “Wow factor” as she gazes at the really cool photo she just took. That really made my day. In this world of digital photography, more and more people are introduced to the pleasures of photographing the world around them. <em>(Click on photo for a larger view)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9204814859http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9204814859Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:58:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio1_r4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio17_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio7_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio6_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio8_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio9_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq95iox9h31qz4cvio10_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><strong>Great Falls Balloon Festival:</strong> We got up before the crack of dawn to get ready to go to Lewiston’s Simard-Payne Memorial Park to watch a multitude of hot air balloons take to the sky. This was the 19th year of the event and it is so much fun to attend. When the burners are flaring and the fans are blowing air into the balloon, the anticipation of the crowd rises. There was a collective “Hooray” when the first balloon lifted off, which was around 6:45 am.</p> <p>The balloon festival had events all day long and there was just a small crowd in the morning. The crowds build all day and there are evening balloon rides, balloon glow, etc. Since Drew and I are not crowd lovers, we tend to enjoy being present for the morning launches.</p> <p>Go to the <a href="http://www.planoballoonfest.org/pilots-balloons/anatomy-of-a-hot-air-balloon"><strong>Plano Balloon Fest</strong></a> website to see information on the anatomy of a hot air balloon and how all the parts of a hot air balloon work…really neat! I went up 30’ off the ground in a tethered balloon several years ago and was hanging onto the basket for all I was worth. I like keeping my feet firmly on the ground, thank you very much…</p> <p><em>(To view larger versions of the photos above, click on any photo in the slide show and wait for it to load. Then, click on the same photo again and you will advance to the next photo in the slide show. Click on black space to return to the main page.)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9186036797http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9186036797Sat, 20 Aug 2011 20:38:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqb9r5LxRe1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Balloons (1/11): </strong>These balloons were in different stages of being inflated. We felt dwarfed by their size. <em>(Click on photo for a larger view)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9238918801http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9238918801Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:59:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqb9soB8S71qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Balloon Closeup…(2/11): </strong><em>(Click on photo for a larger view)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9238950553http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9238950553Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:12:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqb9vc36Nm1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>All Fired Up (3/11)…</strong>The noise was terrific as the balloons were fired up in preparation for lift off. <em>(Click on photo for a larger view)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9239007289http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9239007289Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:08:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqb9o5ToLv1qz4cvio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Fly…Be Free…(4/11): </strong><em>(Click on photo for a larger view)</em></p>http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9238856302http://blog.mainenaturediary.com/post/9238856302Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:06:00 -0400