“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Friday, February 19, 2016

Love Your Pets Day

February 20th is officially Love Your Pet Day!  At our house, we love our pets every day, but what the heck! They deserve another post showing off just how cute and cuddly they are.  So here are my two favorite pets... Dot and Guy!








Dot basks in the sun on a cool fall day...  One of her nick-names is "Double Stuffed", you know, for the double stuffed cookies....






Here she complains that I'm not getting her good side and is asking that common question... "Does this basket make me look fat?"

I don't have pictures of Dot outside in the winter... she isn't out long enough to get one... a quick run down the walk and then zoom, she's back in the house!








Guy Noir on the other hand, loves the snow! The snow storm we had a few weeks ago was even a bit overwhelming for him though as you see in the photo above, he's thinking maybe he should go in until I've shoveled off the walk for him! Uhhh... no buddy, you are keeping me company!!

At this point, I don't even have him tethered because he's in no hurry to go anywhere, except maybe back in the house!







This was our prettiest snow of the year!  There's nothing prettier in the winter than fresh fallen snow and some sparkling sunshine!






Here is Guy again looking a bit perplexed by the whole situation, note the ear position!





This photo was taken more on Guys perspective, I guess that does look like a lot of snow if you're only 9 inches tall....











Here he is hunkered by the door and watching the birds at the feeder.  It really wasn't too cold that day, 20 degrees or so, but the wind was starting to pick up and it was still snowing.





This looks like at least 10 inches of snow to me!!  Thank goodness it was light and fluffy!












This cardinal checked out the feeder after the squirrels and crows had their fill...




As I write this today, we are getting rain and the snow is quickly melting away.  Guy is upset that we can't go out today because of the rain and as I finish, he has draped himself over my arms again.  He is my constant companion and I do adore him.  Dot is a sweet and friendly cat but she is in love with my husband and cries pitifully when he leaves on a business trip! She tolerates me, but I know who her true love is!

I've had quite a few pets over the years (cats,dogs,birds). It amazes me that they all have such unusual and distinct personalities, just like people!

Have a lovely day my friends, and if you have a favorite pet, share a bit about it with us!

~~ Diane ~~
Sending hugs and cat kisses your way



Saturday, February 13, 2016

By Heart



 I know it By Heart!

 



Have you ever wondered why when we memorize something we say, " I know it by heart"? 
I read somewhere that the ancient Greeks believed that it was the heart, and not the brain, where thoughts were held.  Now we know that through the process of repetition, we can learn something "by heart".  Once something has been committed to our memory, we can easily call it up at a moments notice.  So it's silly isn't it, to think that our hearts have memories! 



Or maybe it's not silly at all ....

Scientists are studying genetic or DNA Cellular Memory in Organ Transplants. There is evidence that organs in the nervous system (including the heart) do store memories through combinatorial coding by nerve cells.  After numerous reports of heart recipients that took on behaviors and "feelings" emotionally and physically, of their donors, people are wondering if there is some truth to what the Greeks believed. 

Through testing on mice, scientists have found that traumatic events can alter DNA and thus be passed on to future generations. So far the experiments have only dealt with the sense of smell which seems to be a more reliable way to test their subjects, especially mice.  More studies on humans are underway.  So is there something in your hearts genetic code that could be warning you against the smell of fried jelly donuts or drawing you towards the smell of a rose?    (source)
 










I



YOU!



So.... what do you think?


 Do you think our hearts can keep memories?

 ~ Diane ~ 
Happy Valentine's Day! 

 

Monday, February 1, 2016

The Hunger Moon

Welcome February...




In February there are days,
Blue, and nearly warm,
When horses switch their tails, and ducks
Go quacking through the farm.
When all the world turns round to feel
The sun upon its back...
When winter lifts a little bit
And spring peeks through the crack!

Dorothy Aldis


  
Poem and artwork (by artist Robert J. Lee) borrowed from my personal collection of vintage books and book art.

February is sometimes referred to as the Hunger Moon due to the difficulty obtaining food at this time of year. Of course that was before supermarkets and Costcos. However, me must not forget that there are still many people that do not have enough food for their families.


Food insecure—At times during the year, these households were uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food.

  • 14.0 percent (17.4 million) of U.S. households were food insecure at some time during 2014. (source)



Another more common name used now days is the Snow Moon, for obvious reasons, the snow piles that get even higher in the month of February.

In fact we are expecting more snow this week, just a little bit, most of the heavy snow is going to blanket the states south of us. We still have yet to see a real blizzard here this winter. I'm actually a little disappointed!

Stay safe and warm wherever you are, 
and thanks again for stopping in to visit! 
If you are able to donate to your local food shelf this month, 
I'm sure they would greatly appreciate it.

~~ Diane ~~