T is for Tiny Tiger.

Husband had taken me on a trip to the coast, and I saw the sign that said Animal Park.

Husband knew that was trouble... He stopped anyway.

We came into an area filled with all sorts of critters, tame enough to pet, (and feed, if you wanted to get some grain pellets).  I wandered around, petting deer, a sheep, and a few other critters, trying to avoid stepping on ducks and chickens, (or in, uh, other things left by same), when I saw the sign...

BABY TIGER

I had to go over and check that out, IMMEDIATELY.  I walked up, and the nice lady gave me a cub, probably about 10-15 pounds, and I was in love.  It was looking confused, but I was baby talking to it, and walking around, until the lady politely coughed, tapping me on the shoulder.

"Uh, ma'am?  We have other folks wanting to hold the tiger..."

I really liked holding the baby, and I saw a bit of a gleam in her eye, as she said I could hold another baby, if I wanted.  The tiger was taken back to the photo area, where a line had formed, while I was handed a cute little ball of fluff, sort of a whitish poof with a little black nose.  It hooked onto my shirt with fairly long claws, and promptly dropped off to sleep.  The lady said I could walk around as long as I wanted with that one...

I was fine with the little guy, but noticed he had a pronounced musky smell.  I knew it wasn't a cat, but couldn't quite figure out what it was.  Husband asked, and then looked sort of panicked.

"Soo, what is it?"

He kept about 5 feet from me when he answered. "An albino SKUNK."

I shrugged. "Hey, it's happy. I'm not too worried."

Other people had heard what I was holding, and boy, I had NO problem walking around the place after that...  It was a bit creative getting Baby Stinker off me at the end, not because of it 'spraying', but remember the claws?  They hook well, and the baby didn't WANT to let go!  The lady ended up un-hooking each claw, to get it loose!

Yes, I think that perhaps I should ask before I glom onto a baby critter...

But it was cute... :)

T is for...

Tea.

As far as beverages go, I sip a lot of different things.  I like milk, sodas, lemonade, cocoa, water...  But my favorite is tea.  I did drink coffee when I was in college.  I even had the occasional batch of chocolate covered espresso beans, but never really could get to where I liked the flavor.  It was a means to stay awake during study, not really an enjoyment.  Some people like to drink it...  I like the SMELL of coffee, but really don't care for the flavor.

But, tea.  I love tea.  Love it especially when it is dark, so dark that it is even mistaken FOR coffee.  A dear friend of mine termed this "English Workingman's tea".  I chuckled, when she continued, "when you stir it, and the spoon dissolves, then it's ready."

Well, I don't really think mine is QUITE that strong, but it is a bit more stout than most I have seen...

I normally drink water, and tea at the ren faire I perform at.  We had a wake for another dear friend that had passed away, and most know that I don't drink at faire.  Some had assumed I didn't drink, period.  So we all walked up to the pub, and I took two beers.  I was with my Dad, and a few friends, and they all said, "You only need one for the toast."  I replied, I realize that...

And set one beer by my Dad, and I took the other.  We had the toast, and when all was said, I took a long sip.  You could have heard a pin drop at my table.

"YOU DRANK THAT!"

"Yes..."

"But you don't drink!"

"No.  I don't drink often."

Gotta keep 'em guessing somehow!

Tank, turdless...

Sorry for the less than charming title, I couldn't think of a T word for bath, Rudee's too big for the tub.

But first, the tank!

I have big (about 3 by 4 or so foot.  Possibly larger), tanks, that were access for manholes in a former life.  2 are doing duty right now as tree nurseries.  The third one. Well, uh.  It looked kinda sad. 

So I spent a couple hours digging down to the base of the tank, and getting all the dirt out.  The goal is to refill it with loam, compost and sand, and plant carrots.  This is in the Plant Jail Fenced Garden Area, so with any small amount of luck, I will get carrots this year.  I have read on it, I have checked with the local extension agency, and so with minor fear and trepidation   a head full of information, I will be putting good soil in, and getting good carrots out!  (Maybe this year, Dad!)

So, this is what I ended up with.  (Ta Da!)

I figure I will leave it open to the ground, maybe I can get some earthworms to wander up and say hi!

As for the turd?  That is what our dog has smelled like for some time now.  He gets away from me, and then rolls himself silly in (mostly) llama poop.  It is not exactly my favorite odor, and he just can't understand why I am not pleased when he comes back smelling of poo, even to the point of having beans stuck to his fur...

(YUCKGROSSGOAWAYDONOTTOUCHMEYUCK!!!!!)

 So, today, with it being very warm, and sunshiny, the dog was going to get a bath. 

He so adores them, can you tell?

(The leash?  It's tied to the bumper of the truck, so he can't move.)

Houston, we have liftoff!

At LAST, they stopped abusing me! 

I think I drank MOST of the water...

The other T for today was Thank You, went to a breakfast for the volunteers at the Sheriff's Office.  It was nice.  I was sort of chuckling, one of my bosses keeps saying I am an "Undercover Rocker", because I show up looking as professional as possible, but listen to rock music (I keep it down...) during my shift.  Well, I wore my Petty shirt today, and she cracked up, "no, you are most definitely not undercover today!" 

Mom and I were sitting by a group of deputies, and one or two folks I didn't recognize, one looking like he might work as a bouncer or some such.  That one gave me the laser eye after the "undercover" comment.  Didn't get the chance to talk on it with him.  Then at the end of the breakfast, the sheriff introduced all the deputies, and this was a deputy who was being promoted.  The comment was that he had to shave, because he... (wait for it), wasn't going to be working undercover narcotics any more! 

I let him know about the rocker comment afterwards, and he started laughing.  With your boss, he said, it could have meant ANYTHING!  Then he made a big show of looking around, she didn't hear me, did she?  She might whack me one!  (Yeah, sure you are terrified...) 

So, that was fun.

So, I hope all of you had a good day, and...

Ta ta!