Thursday, August 28, 2008

High Expectations

Photo by SnaggleTooth Aug 28 2008

I was so depressed today, when watering the deck plants, to discover the squirrel had torn off the bud of the sunflower. After reaching a height of about four feet, it was about to open any day. It was the only survivor of about twenty seeds planted. After waiting for that one blossom the past three months, I was really looking forward to seeing the largest bud I've had in years open. I wanted to take Sunflowers's photo.
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The bare-topped stem shares a flower pot with apparently un-tasteful n less pretty companions which were left unharmed. The remnants of the delicate petals were a couple feet away on the railing.
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Usually I throw unused, stale bread n sandwich remnants out the window for the squirrels on the other side of the house. When I sleep later, once in a blue moon on my day off, the little buggers go nuts out there without my offering. Today was a sleep until 4pm day. That's the thanks I get... Grrrh...
I just wasted a perfectly good clove of garlic cut-up out on the deck, (which I'd rather cook), hoping to slow down the pesky critters.
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At the market today I walked past some sunflowers marked $6.99 each. But I don't want those ones. I want the one I grew myself! This is what it feels like to be a farmer n lose the crops... To want to shoot the fox for taking your best egg-laying hen...
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I've been so tired lately. In two weeks, I've had two truck break-downs, an infected tooth-ache, n this week after finishing the anti-biotics, n finally feeling a bit better- BOOM!
A tall person at work left some heavy, metal things in a place they shouldn't have been. I happened to be walking by when the items fell off their perch n hit me.
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That was two days ago. Now I have a slight head-ache. I've been eating generic tylenol like candy. (I refused to go get some better drugs- I'm not alert enough as it is- n I want to be!). I look like some one slammed me up-side the head. I could get away with pretending to be a battered abuse victim, n they'd believe me...
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I really needed my rest today on Day Off. (No I didn't take off work, can't afford it). I also needed the sunflower I grew to brighten my day, (Rats*)!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Sun

Photo by SnaggleTooth 2008
A couple weeks ago I was out trying to get a decent thunderhead shot from what I could see from the deck. We'd been getting the storms almost every day, the cloud banks being fueled by the sun n humidity.
That particular day, the towering puffs seen on the north of the skyview were sounding rolling thunder bursts at intervals. At the village though, the sun shone brightly, burning away the cloud-edges from my location.
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The folks north of here that day got some severe storms with rain, hail, winds, n power outages. All remained calm here. New England weather is known for it's quickly changing temperment.
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This image is what happened when I used a contrast filter on this under-exposed photo in my paint program. I've been checking out Jerry's (now linked on the sidebar) altered pics recently n so want to add my own recent, other-worldly, altered photo. I really like it's graphic n spiritual qualities.
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Have I mentioned (a mill-times) that I'm a sci-fi fan? I'm reading yet another Star Wars novel, (from the continueing epic after the films chronologically), by Micheal Reeves, Jedi Twilight: Coruscant nights I. I've read several others in the series, all by different writers. This stuff is fun in it's mind-bending effects in your imagination. I must say I'm impressed with Reeve's use of vocabulary so far. (ie: "decrepitude,... vermicular routes, ... bivouacking,... concupisent wonders." ).
To see the sight pictured above from the Blackpit Slums several thousand meters below the respectable living levels on that planet, is a wild tale to tell the grandkiddies they'll never believe...
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I really enjoy being in the sunshine. I don't even have a tan yet this season. It was a pretty day, but I slept thru most of it. Thanks to bouncy ball playing 4-square on the road right outside my house, I didn't sleep too well, either...
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The Weather woman said the heat would be back this week again, for the Labor Day tourist fling-finale.
I've been trying to talk the boss-man into getting me some time off in the near future, but so far he's been trying to push it into October. I'd really like some free time in the warmth this year. I'd like awake time to sit in the sun a couple of hours n get thru my little novel. The summer of 2005 is the last time I got to do that.
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I'm jealous of all you folks who seem to have the whole summer to be at leisure... I've been too tired n sore lately, n guess I have to wait even longer to sit n read all afternoon. for now I settle for ten minutes once or twice a week.
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Here comes the last week of the official summer season on the Cape, already!
(There goes the Sun-)

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Colors

Photo by SnaggleTooth Aug 16 2008
The colors reflecting off of Bcove opposite the sunset this evening were so nifty, I just had to run down the hill to snap it. Sights like this just make my day. Getting a pic or two that almost convey the feel of the actual scene isin't easy.
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I'm feeling a bit better n probably eating too much to make up for all my recent starvation. I found it's difficult to perform my physical job duties without eating solid foods. Mushy food just doesn't stick to the gut very long, n I get faint when the fuel runs out. It was a very long work week without my regular food.
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It's the State Sales Tax-free Week-end on purchases, so I went to get my paper goods n allergy pills. Then I bumped into an insanely cheap toaster oven I had to buy. Then I saw one dollar pizzas to cook in the little oven. What a score! Then when I got back home, the food couldn't all fit into the freezer, so I had to finish off the ice cream to make space.

Photo by SnaggleTooth Aug 16 2008 ..
Having finally mowed the foot-tall lawn earlier today, which had quickly swelled with our daily thunder showers, I was so hungry I don't even feel guilty about eating ice cream before pizza for dinner! Luckily, I don't own a scale to see how much I've swelled back to- (Probably all I'd lost with just that one meal)...
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I did save a few bucks on taxes today... but the color show was free too.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Reflections Sundown

Photo by SnaggleTooth Aug 14 2008
Thursday is (OBM Co.) movie night at the shell uptown, n the place was hoppin with folks all over before sundown. Back at home now during the show, I can hear the "Cars" movie soundtrack all the way over here on the backbeach out the window...
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At least the rain has cleared up for the PM at the village. The insect attack at the harbor was fierce. I decided a movie or catching the Olympic coverage at home was preferable...
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Between unexpected truck repairs n a dental emergency this week, about the only thing I can afford was the walk about I got in today. I've had to miss alot of sleep hours to accomplish needed appointments n not miss work. I wish I could afford a few days off for my raw n sore mouth to heal, n get more sleep, but now I need the bux to pay the new bills. Just the prescriptions cost me a day's wages. Prices are just nuts lately!
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The good news is I'm alive, n still have a vehicle to get to work with. The bad news is I've been barely able to eat, talk, or buy any truck fuel. Shopping is out of the question. Until the next time I catch up on things again I'll be scrounging through the loose coin change for supplies.
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The 2do List is on backlog alert once more. Sleep derivation is interferring with my ability to function well, n my mood isin't good at all. At least there's been something on to watch overnights after work to unwind with the Medal Games going on.
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For my Day Off I medaled in sleeping late n avoiding strenuous chores ...

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Brant Rock

Photo by SnaggleTooth 2008

I skipped sleeping again today to visit with some extended family members who live right down the road from this spot. This isin't a pic of the Cape. It's located to the south of Boston on the Coast of eastern MA in the Town of Marshfield.
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The weather was a bit cooler than it's been, but the water was warm for this location. The little ones had a blast, n that's what counts.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Where's the Buzz?

SnaggleTooth's Marigolds 2008
Today I saw the first black n yellow hornet in my yard this summer.
I've seen alot of the large, fuzzy Bumble Bees, but I've not seen one Honey Bee all year so far. Usually, they'd be all over the clover on the lawn, n I'd have to dodge them on the pathway into work. The Buzzy World is changing.
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All bees are not created equal. Hornets n wasps are famous for being territorial. Some species such as Yellow Jackets, which had stung me when I was young, are notorious for being territorial. Don't threaten their hive area, or you'll be in for it! Always watch for their nest holes on the ground as you walk. Hornets n Wasps are always more noticed in August here, especially when there's been dry outdoor conditions. It's been years since I've had any problem with hornets. I even caught a wasp in my home with a cup n released it outside unharmed last year.
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Bumble Bees are very curious n friendly, altho loud n intrusive. They want to check out every move you make. If you make them uncomfortable, they will do a circling dance to warn you in advance. They're easy to avoid, if you don't disturb their food collection job, that is. There's one who lives near the huge Ecclesiastical Tree in my backyard who chases me out of his zone every time I hand mow. I understand his concern, respect his right to be alive, n I listen.
Bumble Bees pollinate plants as honey Bees do even tho they don't live in hives or make honey. They seem to intimidate the hornets from taking over the same areas they frequent. I found a really frightened one in my house this spring. Mischief probably gave him a bat or two before I got there. She likes to play with bugs, but prefers beetles. I folded the Fuzzy-Buggy into a newspaper, n freed it out on the deck.
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Honey Bees are needed to pollinate plants, n produce honey, most notably clover honey, which many people consume. They're also responsible for producing many food crops of fruit n vegtables. Without them some plant species could become extinct, n some foods would be off the menu.
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I'm allergic to bee strings, but I'm not in the least afraid of Honey Bees. Unless they are directly threatened, they'll go about their food collection, n pose no threat.
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Live n let Live is my policy. I never, ever slap at a bee. They are smart n understand a theat, specializing in movement signals. I even get angry when those around me think they're doing me a favor by killing them. There's no need to destroy them simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. God created them as he did us, n they exist for a reason.
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Several months ago when I had trouble going to sleep, I ended up watching a PBS program about Honey Bees. The program highlighted a problem I didn't realize was getting to a critical point on our planet. Honey bees are dissapearing at an alarming rate. In the USA, about one-third of all Honey Bees are now gone. Even Bee-keepers for hire to pollinate crops are having trouble keeping hives going.
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The Honey Bees are suffering from a disease known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Ever wonder what would happen if bees decided not to work for the good of the hive? This is it. The worker bees are born, have no program to follow, just fly away n never return with the nectar for the honey combs. The hive falls apart. No one attends a queen or raises a new one. It's every bee for themselves, no giving directions to the good flowers, no community, no life plan. Live for two weeks, work to feed just yourself, then pass away alone.
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It's truelly frightening to contemplate of the implications of this issue. The most sophisticated insect communicator gets an Alzhiemer's mentality. The cures for human diseases from yet unknown plant sources may die out before discovery without one season's pollination. Nations full of people may starve. The entire planet will be affected. The Honey Bee could become extinct if this insect illness isin't stopped.
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The cause of the Colony Collapse Disorder is up for debate, n being feverishly researched. There's a fungus which may contribute to the condition. (parasite Nosema ceranae),
Perhaps one of the many viruses present in most bees may have something to do with it, although only affecting some of the infected, according to the labs studying the entomology question. (Quote: Dr Cox Foster "DNA samples...found... Aspergillis fungus and the parasite Leishmania. Israeli virus (IAPV) correctly predicted collapsed hives more than any other factor."), Another factor is probably a long-term affect of pesticide use. Scientists also question the limited plant species diets of the bee Keepers hives doing major crop pollinations. Those scientists interviewed thought the problem is likely a combination of these factors. Then there's genetically engineered foods, the Earth's magnetic field, radiation, cellphones, n perhaps more yet unthought of factors to isolate n disprove.
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SnaggleTooth's Canterbury Bells 2008I had personally noticed the absence of Honey Bees in my travels before watching the PBS program. But until I took the time to listen to this information, I'd never considered their absence to be a problem which would detrimentally affect me, along with everyone else. Ever since I saw that program in June, I've been wanting to write a piece to raise awareness. I'd also like to keep informed of the research conducted to find a cause n cure before the problem causes food-chain calamity n irreversible extinctions.
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I have nothing against Honey Bees. Live n let live. Work for the good of the hive.
Live long n prosper...
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-research:
Most of my info here comes from personal life experience reseach. Hive Confusion/Colony Collapse info came from the program airing on PBS. (PBS NATURE - Silence of the BEES, October 28, 2007, 8:00 P.M.) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/
-other links to puruse:

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

On the Rocks

Photo by SnaggleTooth summer 2008


Splashing...
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I won't make it there again this week, due to another extended work-week. We've been getting some quickly forming storms which stop as suddenly as they begin just before the sun breaks out again. The temps have cooled into the 70F range- what a relief after all the sweating heat.
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Most of the country's been heat-waving, n Colorado's set a heat-marathon record. TS Edouard is visiting the Gulf of Mexico states. The price of fuel has dropped to $3.87 per gallon. Exxon Mobile recorded record profits (from our hides). The mood is turbulant.
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The Pan-Mass Challenge for those with Pedal Partners for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute took place this week-end. Thousands of bicycles blew thru my village (including Senator John Kerry) on their way to P-Town. I slept thru most of it, then had to be really careful driving with all the bikes in the way.... The Blues-Fest was also this week, but it got rained out before the headliner performances with one of the quickie-thunderstorms.
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Work-orders have been humungous due to all the special events bringing hordes of extra visitors- I'm not in the mood for a 60 hr work-week but here I go-
I'll regret missing the Openning Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics on Friday. I'll probably miss most of the events. I wonder if the reported smog will interfere with the schedule of events there. Next Day-Off may find me passed out-for-the-count!

Friday, August 01, 2008

Wild Flowers

Photo by SnaggleTooth 2008
Hogweed n Thistle are beginning to proliferate in the available spaces. The first pic was taken tonight by the D-bridge over looking B-cove on my way to the market. The second pic on the same day last week at my fav beach where the kite-surfer was posing.
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My deck flowers are just beginning to show up after a long growing period from seeds. So far only the Marigolds are in full swing, n Canterberry bells have finally openned. I'm trying out my little Digi on them, but really want the macro shots I've seen others do. I'm not getting great shots of them yet- Waking up for some good strong daylight would really help also.
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I keep getting roped into unexpected long OT hours at work, which has effectively made me non-functional in my free time today. My arms are still bruised from OT the other night, then I topped it off with more extra hours of arm-duty the last shift. The mostly overcast , hot, muggy conditions conspired to make me so overtired I couldn't get my eyes open until after 5 pm.
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Toe dipping at the beach today wasn't in the cards, but I did stop at the bridge near home to snap off a few pics just before sundown. I noticed that one of those Hogweed flowers growing on my front lawn, which conveniently for my arms, I don't have time to mow until another day.
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Photo by SnaggleTooth 2008
I've been noticing alot of wildlife besides the partying kids on my way home from work lately on these warm overnights. Yesterday on rt 28, the main road, at 4 am I saw a coyote near Perry's. A mile further down the road, there were several cats crossing the road by the depot pond, probably ferrel. Insect life is also at a peak. I just decided to close the door due to smelling a skunk making rounds out there...
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If only I felt more lively -