Gives whole new meaning to Texas Hold-em. 

Coloring Page -- Genius At Work 

An Oldie But A Goodie -- don't anyone kill me please :-) 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

July 17, 2005 we are expecting Terri and kiddos. We hope to get to see everyone we can while they are here. If you can take time to come here during their visit, that would be great for photo moments. Of course, we will have to stop at Tandy's to make their growth marks on the door and we'll go see mother.

This date is tentative but probably pretty close. We are very excited and can't wait to see them.

Oh My Gosh!

We RSVP'd for the Chicago party and now I realize Ma and Pa Kettle, the Kansas Chicken Pickers don't have a clue what to wear to this shindig. Suggestions please! Elenore, you want to go to Joplin next week?

AS ADVERTISED

You have heard and SEEN ON TV the Grip n' Flip, the Scoop-N-Strain, and the bonus 6-in-1 Utensil......well, I own them. Chelle, Kit, Mike and Hope gave me these GREAT items for my birthday. The Grip n' Flip takes a little practice, but once you master it's use, it is perfect for cooking and turning free-range chicken eggs! The Scoop-N-Strain does just what it advertises, and yes, I actually was able to pick up a dime from the counter-top with the 6-in-1 Utensil. If you have seen these advertised, you know about the red-headed lady who hocks it. Well, as you know, I can also look like this lady when I cook:-)

I keep forgetting to tell Chelle how wonderful it is and to say THANK YOU GUYS!!!!

Hello Tom

Today we will turn the eleven newest babies (The Araucanan's known as Six Noble Davies, One Parton, One Lily, One Chicken Little, One Dolly, One Bonus) into the pen with the ladies and the teenagers. This is worrying me but I must get the baby chicks off my front porch. Elenore, Chelle and Mike can describe the fragrance to you. It knocks you down on first whiff.

There may be a problem with one of the teenagers (an Australorp known as Twyla). The one shows a possibility of being a rooster. OH NO! There is no way Boss Hog will allow another rooster in the pack so I may be looking for a new home for the one very soon and changing it to an Australorp known as TOM.

Bowls or Plates

Let's say it is just a normal day and you have had three meals and snacks. What dishes did you wash most during the day -- plates or bowls?

Here's The Deal

Okay, this is my new diet plan. It is my intention not to injest any food standing up. All food will first be put on a plate to include chips and/or grapes, etc, then I will take a seat to savor the treat. I have suddenly become aware of how much food I eat on the run. I will grab something and eat it, then turn and grab some more just because I'm still on my feet and can easily return to the scene of the calorie crime. I'll let you know how this goes.

BOSS MIKE

The rooster has really got it in for Mike. Old Boss Hog tries to attack Mike when we go near the pen. Ron suggested Mike take a bucket of water along and when The Boss charged him, Mike should throw the water on the rooster. That was done yesterday. Mike took aim and drenced the charging fowl fellow. Now the rooster avoids the boy and we've changed Mike's name to "Boss Mike".

Another Mike Masterpiece -- The Hall 2005 

Mike's Kansas Haircut 

HOME ALONE

I decided to top off my birthday by letting the chickens free-range again. They have been locked up because of the strawberry crop and because the "teenagers" (the Twylas and Junes) might not know what to do about free-ranging. Their gate was opened at 7:30 p.m. and the big girls and Boss Hog headed out in delight. They were eager to wander again. The teenagers took a while to realize the older chickens were gone. Did they run outside too? Nope, they took advantage of having the house and pen yard all to themselves. They ate everything in sight and as it got closer to bedtime, they were like Goldilocks in the Bear's house. They clustered in every roosting spot inside the house as if to say, "We can sit here and you won't know! Of course as soon as the hens returned the teenagers were pecked and pecked until they wound up where the ladies wanted them. It was a fun end to a perfect day watching my chicken family.

See Hope at Two -- Soon she will be Three. 

The Party's over -- It was All-Day-Grand!!! 

Happy Birthday To Me

My birthday celebration will be giving thanks for each of YOU. My birthday is only good because my loved ones are THE BEST. I shall spend this day counting my blessings of family and friends, starting with my precious mommy who gave all 10 lbs and 14 oz of me birth 59 years ago.

HELLO JUNE

Our friend, Wayne "Snuffy" and his dog Binky left this morning for a continued fishing trip to Kentucky. Ron and Wayne had a nice two week visit but I believe both of them were ready for separation. It is so good for me to get things back to normal, even though Wayne is always a very nice guest.

Ron had the workers all lined up to get to work on the house this morning, and wouldn't you know, it is pouring down rain. Maybe it will stop before everyone is scheduled to arrive.

With annual conference going on we know Print and Elaine are busy and looking forward to retirement next year. I wonder if David is thinking about retirement soon? I know none of us will be able to survive without our dentist! David was even kind enough to fix a broken tooth for Wayne while he was here.

Tomorrow I will be 59 years old. My good friend from OCU, Mary called me last night and we talked just like we were still 19 years old. She will be 60 next month. It is nice to talk to old friends on the phone and pretend they, as well as I, look as we remember from our youth.

Of course I can't think about my birthday and annual conference without thinking about Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary. June always had a big start for us.

Just Who Is Kilroy

I told Jessi her striker friend looked like Kilroy and Jessi did not know who Kilory was. This is in case you need to know. (Jessi told me how to create web links in my blog entries, so if you click on the blue word "this" it will take you to the link.)

Look at Jessi -- see Jessi and Kilroy strike! 

MEMORIAL DAY

Gen. Richard Myers, Chm Joint Chiefs of Staff, reminded us that we celebrate ten National holidays a year and that Memorial Day is the holiday that honors those who sacrificed to make the other nine possible.