tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66742904001382357552024-03-05T02:45:23.891-08:00Mighty HarePouncing over Puget Sound daily.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-72093585717424648852009-05-13T06:46:00.000-07:002009-06-28T21:49:53.030-07:00No explanation necessarySimply put:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8jjoEagMRQZiIwyhjWtDBgeYkUjXYUdKN84hzL0HLC_OYtYp-MDlK9Ra2pxOw9jRLtqi5wM80sQBxnEYerhl8O-NfTiJM2h2tmKfYkDQTZeEbJONeQE88nCh77D-rd37h2vFIzfhum0/s1600-h/thumbnail.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 70px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8jjoEagMRQZiIwyhjWtDBgeYkUjXYUdKN84hzL0HLC_OYtYp-MDlK9Ra2pxOw9jRLtqi5wM80sQBxnEYerhl8O-NfTiJM2h2tmKfYkDQTZeEbJONeQE88nCh77D-rd37h2vFIzfhum0/s200/thumbnail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335304800448502882" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-8929048500828166742008-08-25T09:17:00.001-07:002008-08-25T09:22:55.964-07:00Kitsap County Fair -- August 24. 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiww2a3efpCkuhO-Am-fogAKGsctVHjy9AJiVdhUysmcFlORNDkYVDrNFZoq1Eke20G0nPvjioyrLsx4zjIAXwNcYp-vPkvP_96JeOyBnLi6jHo4l8Wx6gGA1q-mF-ZxA9XRl57EPCGkE/s1600-h/pony4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiww2a3efpCkuhO-Am-fogAKGsctVHjy9AJiVdhUysmcFlORNDkYVDrNFZoq1Eke20G0nPvjioyrLsx4zjIAXwNcYp-vPkvP_96JeOyBnLi6jHo4l8Wx6gGA1q-mF-ZxA9XRl57EPCGkE/s320/pony4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238491405610241394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XjOxwn34_81usLSCqztO6Jf3NdF0XPOo0fxOMjEqlARl361-HNWV331su4Kj2lIQndxF9wNPIYk87HfCdSdHulG-INmHEGO8tWOKRWTglVNurq9gUC5z4hh50nKea9OObs9UBhzazFc/s1600-h/piglets.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XjOxwn34_81usLSCqztO6Jf3NdF0XPOo0fxOMjEqlARl361-HNWV331su4Kj2lIQndxF9wNPIYk87HfCdSdHulG-INmHEGO8tWOKRWTglVNurq9gUC5z4hh50nKea9OObs9UBhzazFc/s320/piglets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238491406883896354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKXFhmaK9zJV6f_txC9Ki3jPsmSXMCMZKNwwp2Dsz8VBkE8KY2I61cGGtVF3odM__vsc51VPKKDx4FcEcwMmDtHwQdgUrcGuLOYhjpWowDKWg99rYM6E-Rg3aKshkBNYArxm9vd-VfA4/s1600-h/llama1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKXFhmaK9zJV6f_txC9Ki3jPsmSXMCMZKNwwp2Dsz8VBkE8KY2I61cGGtVF3odM__vsc51VPKKDx4FcEcwMmDtHwQdgUrcGuLOYhjpWowDKWg99rYM6E-Rg3aKshkBNYArxm9vd-VfA4/s320/llama1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238491422344709426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUXg0k_Coyn7F63JRt2hB6udB36SDnCTh31r4t1qRvJrlWsvXrFGG0U4-i4ywixCIVa5AFWlpy1A4X8WTTQZHeVSSpoyHbw7P_AAJIKIm-qwIUJKAvYhI0XEPCcUukwjGTwVr5iH7G7U/s1600-h/pony3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUXg0k_Coyn7F63JRt2hB6udB36SDnCTh31r4t1qRvJrlWsvXrFGG0U4-i4ywixCIVa5AFWlpy1A4X8WTTQZHeVSSpoyHbw7P_AAJIKIm-qwIUJKAvYhI0XEPCcUukwjGTwVr5iH7G7U/s320/pony3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238490977856078946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIYkQuSBFzSDvGlXlbS97aoUzMqKGLePEy5Ek4e_NevCtdcOCBNoW17EHZTtrTbERPJvAlrnk68jXKCaR9eIP2monI1HVDRyQn_J8jz5JeXvsm40A0D_oftbXJ1oRs6ovnIgHYsuoI88/s1600-h/sheep1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIYkQuSBFzSDvGlXlbS97aoUzMqKGLePEy5Ek4e_NevCtdcOCBNoW17EHZTtrTbERPJvAlrnk68jXKCaR9eIP2monI1HVDRyQn_J8jz5JeXvsm40A0D_oftbXJ1oRs6ovnIgHYsuoI88/s320/sheep1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238490989037333906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8eqDzUE1EuejEkBPf_NmDbrr2gAJS2sDcJUA13XNg-yRyUmRerDvjirtz-P950DpQyWHmAucD1S5-LfCoK7rkpZeHqF7YFHOI5a4LAkA-thA42c9J48pQluPmChnkYvcnFgxUHMdbGQ/s1600-h/pony2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8eqDzUE1EuejEkBPf_NmDbrr2gAJS2sDcJUA13XNg-yRyUmRerDvjirtz-P950DpQyWHmAucD1S5-LfCoK7rkpZeHqF7YFHOI5a4LAkA-thA42c9J48pQluPmChnkYvcnFgxUHMdbGQ/s320/pony2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238490995622512642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLbOaPEm7coR_Vprj4duKVwQ4hQBBEHywiyrKWVCUrFFtNrJTsaQqQ2hPGj942Csmc8nuD2Yq_k10WajT1oY-sXOa00ZOAqVJHvTaE_N4fwWbFneDBK-L6w_qN1uRtI5lsArD0Dm0ljA/s1600-h/pigletatrest.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLbOaPEm7coR_Vprj4duKVwQ4hQBBEHywiyrKWVCUrFFtNrJTsaQqQ2hPGj942Csmc8nuD2Yq_k10WajT1oY-sXOa00ZOAqVJHvTaE_N4fwWbFneDBK-L6w_qN1uRtI5lsArD0Dm0ljA/s320/pigletatrest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238491010766692514" /></a><br /><br />Some highlights from our day at the County Fair. You can easily tell which offering was Madeline's favorite.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-57693268571730763392008-08-18T17:12:00.001-07:002008-08-21T12:32:21.295-07:00Lake Quinault Lodge: August 16, 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvtwe6EUA7BSQi23lqg-5V0H4O1rxgFel_Ej8k_FYfp9x6FjhB4JVyD7NDUveDGBcgvb8foVNBvFSjzyXl5OgfA1QdCGpjo2i_59lulJ_EAmwGsI64_0MuqNubpRn0eFdmvyuDADtD0E/s1600-h/LakeQuin2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvtwe6EUA7BSQi23lqg-5V0H4O1rxgFel_Ej8k_FYfp9x6FjhB4JVyD7NDUveDGBcgvb8foVNBvFSjzyXl5OgfA1QdCGpjo2i_59lulJ_EAmwGsI64_0MuqNubpRn0eFdmvyuDADtD0E/s400/LakeQuin2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236018700761829410" /></a><br />Madeline playing horseshoes with her father, uncle and grandpa on the share of Lake Quinault which is set in the far western portion of Washington state (west of Puget Sound on the Olympic Peninsula).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6DlZV-TJOC1DEBijdSIS45n4ZWQuViMd-h87T7h9OI8EkMujZxhC4Cami98oXc54ZDrlQcq3oaO12SsWLZLgCRD_YBs6abPJ0vjJEQhExhrhpQ8fVvzrIphdmt84qPmCjeQBxsMmpTU/s1600-h/LakeQuin.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6DlZV-TJOC1DEBijdSIS45n4ZWQuViMd-h87T7h9OI8EkMujZxhC4Cami98oXc54ZDrlQcq3oaO12SsWLZLgCRD_YBs6abPJ0vjJEQhExhrhpQ8fVvzrIphdmt84qPmCjeQBxsMmpTU/s400/LakeQuin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236018461008443890" /></a><br /><br />She also paddled a canoe (they had tiny paddles!), swam in the lake and sat around the campfire to roast marshies and listen to the native American storyteller.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjJ3DKCbf95wBkv4D9eliGRukycZagWKdqZwV78zlW-YPbsTADGckrfJHlxqOPGyRExjUeBH7DQuI2Y50za-zfDPwUuCe5O_QnmKHgBvzzxMBS73hCJ4fEARx41nHGFU1sScnSiddrM8/s1600-h/lakequinaultlodge3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjJ3DKCbf95wBkv4D9eliGRukycZagWKdqZwV78zlW-YPbsTADGckrfJHlxqOPGyRExjUeBH7DQuI2Y50za-zfDPwUuCe5O_QnmKHgBvzzxMBS73hCJ4fEARx41nHGFU1sScnSiddrM8/s400/lakequinaultlodge3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236018254321496594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxdOb9sB-kkV-omnvN00TSrCwqE5seyu1STT4C9NM_8WZ7M8WFN44yji2gOJ7zb88F6dGv7fRGtcDjk-G0dazKTfhyOJvcIbarhdnfpaIbumnM3bppWlVpBw8ldba3ZpaPZds7xODE5o/s1600-h/storyteller.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxdOb9sB-kkV-omnvN00TSrCwqE5seyu1STT4C9NM_8WZ7M8WFN44yji2gOJ7zb88F6dGv7fRGtcDjk-G0dazKTfhyOJvcIbarhdnfpaIbumnM3bppWlVpBw8ldba3ZpaPZds7xODE5o/s400/storyteller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236021004085920994" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQbqfQDU4MPXhg-Wn3me47Zbbpw_TxglJy7_btrzzr8gNu5VIeCdlL60kuN3y2xweOhvSwJTvN92hXD1UIdlTW-4C8e_BufnT1TrQbuDknPnPj35H79ZkxGCa3P3ezNRARD05qkSEO-o/s1600-h/bestlakeswimmingmaddie.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQbqfQDU4MPXhg-Wn3me47Zbbpw_TxglJy7_btrzzr8gNu5VIeCdlL60kuN3y2xweOhvSwJTvN92hXD1UIdlTW-4C8e_BufnT1TrQbuDknPnPj35H79ZkxGCa3P3ezNRARD05qkSEO-o/s320/bestlakeswimmingmaddie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237055463071245650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m1-hMiuZ8GLtOIy0Yec-j2R-W7Ek6_I5OYq8Pb4VcCYhx4xuPILG8jdOAFULVKEvermK0NBxfFIjhef9mrbBd49RyW9ctC4MNZw3J6-6UMvu9EzdEX1YjXiGzaj3JeJCg_DmpdW4hIE/s1600-h/cousinsathelodge.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m1-hMiuZ8GLtOIy0Yec-j2R-W7Ek6_I5OYq8Pb4VcCYhx4xuPILG8jdOAFULVKEvermK0NBxfFIjhef9mrbBd49RyW9ctC4MNZw3J6-6UMvu9EzdEX1YjXiGzaj3JeJCg_DmpdW4hIE/s320/cousinsathelodge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237055470281014546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBkypMuuXfzkIbj5b-GiEhAftVwSzBCisn7zAPAOmmMjPga3NvLy2D6bOLtGVXehVut34_nyjIFj_3O6wD4LIEglBO0InFT9WR8340iWc9w5Uw_PRI2fmbn8n-HLngTjuwKC1OLLPGX8/s1600-h/maddiendaddiecanoe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBkypMuuXfzkIbj5b-GiEhAftVwSzBCisn7zAPAOmmMjPga3NvLy2D6bOLtGVXehVut34_nyjIFj_3O6wD4LIEglBO0InFT9WR8340iWc9w5Uw_PRI2fmbn8n-HLngTjuwKC1OLLPGX8/s320/maddiendaddiecanoe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237055470822717522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd4RvuvfmCvAaK0IeuyTQ84U4ro73gCu8rPn7BiJk6RAJXyEqJI4IJv_xipcoDlctiJVES6NSw-GFXckGEgtU1OJRYziyxS9lq9PJVwe38yiY5PMa-m-WMfu_v23OsfbzmygAh-bQODA/s1600-h/maddiereadytocanoe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd4RvuvfmCvAaK0IeuyTQ84U4ro73gCu8rPn7BiJk6RAJXyEqJI4IJv_xipcoDlctiJVES6NSw-GFXckGEgtU1OJRYziyxS9lq9PJVwe38yiY5PMa-m-WMfu_v23OsfbzmygAh-bQODA/s320/maddiereadytocanoe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237055478544555746" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF1CBHM4FceHB1S1nJjxO0nP-j1ic_cdxnzDLf6lINQLHQUT9XrHybTPrUvR6Bpmh5iDALQUEO5RZ5J3eZoSe6PYD-QW5st5UZzKYvR3pvg0l_4ArH6Bw9pzn0y_mTuVl92eahIoBVAk/s1600-h/lodge_boats_on_beach.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF1CBHM4FceHB1S1nJjxO0nP-j1ic_cdxnzDLf6lINQLHQUT9XrHybTPrUvR6Bpmh5iDALQUEO5RZ5J3eZoSe6PYD-QW5st5UZzKYvR3pvg0l_4ArH6Bw9pzn0y_mTuVl92eahIoBVAk/s400/lodge_boats_on_beach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236018141457981394" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWI99VdQ8WUPW8XQteMR0h6Fwbom97OphweqQBfMzPQcYxHgaXPOav76_xfeRXnk2ODpAiD0aWYeXkIoAuTkd5CymMrYFr0cvkf0Tk_xTPcP6PwieB0WWnBZ1WS_enoFCjHdlmv5pvLo/s1600-h/emmaandmaddieawesome1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWI99VdQ8WUPW8XQteMR0h6Fwbom97OphweqQBfMzPQcYxHgaXPOav76_xfeRXnk2ODpAiD0aWYeXkIoAuTkd5CymMrYFr0cvkf0Tk_xTPcP6PwieB0WWnBZ1WS_enoFCjHdlmv5pvLo/s320/emmaandmaddieawesome1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237054515216568786" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2da8YyN-8lxeYwmjKaHywclNE8GWjwaX0S8K2t2i8qnVIvB9LzTzsBojNEcyPlzzs3vV9su9f-sPRNGdHaVUGHxnhhwO1wkp1VcvetF0CYRY7NEh7N8xJkvoCLAu9tSDQftADMTYMt4M/s1600-h/emmaandmaddieawesome2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2da8YyN-8lxeYwmjKaHywclNE8GWjwaX0S8K2t2i8qnVIvB9LzTzsBojNEcyPlzzs3vV9su9f-sPRNGdHaVUGHxnhhwO1wkp1VcvetF0CYRY7NEh7N8xJkvoCLAu9tSDQftADMTYMt4M/s320/emmaandmaddieawesome2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237054519795898082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijXVEOEpJanPB7C-823-QRn-v7fL0DQcyL_B29XMSnyv1bVD__stwZxSAHwPsJGLFJvrbEj1-4XilF4c25JMEmSOKWIjuV2OfJnteLYFQ45zwpebQ0QFKJ2aGFfYM6aGPA6IIT5WlidQ/s1600-h/emmaandmaddieawesome3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijXVEOEpJanPB7C-823-QRn-v7fL0DQcyL_B29XMSnyv1bVD__stwZxSAHwPsJGLFJvrbEj1-4XilF4c25JMEmSOKWIjuV2OfJnteLYFQ45zwpebQ0QFKJ2aGFfYM6aGPA6IIT5WlidQ/s320/emmaandmaddieawesome3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237054518309022210" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-30679034834695274532008-08-16T12:43:00.001-07:002008-08-16T12:44:36.258-07:00New Preschool Photo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxLsCbZlDGt4pdNO2rjFOlkfOQzLMEsMJHV16dtRFaUoNZ6wjdgxQl1t0M1XT4TS_cCi5npzOO2jjEs6q_duPhTxdWOv_rZ8E8PA3TdOhp1fmHNPWdS0xY-uG19rYpAR-raZTlTWyQsA/s1600-h/rebecca+omali_0001-cropped.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxLsCbZlDGt4pdNO2rjFOlkfOQzLMEsMJHV16dtRFaUoNZ6wjdgxQl1t0M1XT4TS_cCi5npzOO2jjEs6q_duPhTxdWOv_rZ8E8PA3TdOhp1fmHNPWdS0xY-uG19rYpAR-raZTlTWyQsA/s400/rebecca+omali_0001-cropped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235203676519233970" /></a><br /><br /><br />Classes start soon -- she is very excited!!Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-11247381702951582292008-08-02T21:19:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:56.196-08:00Farm Kitchen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SJUzMWGEB6I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/RJLJivf4qv4/s1600-h/IMG_0156.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SJUzMWGEB6I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/RJLJivf4qv4/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230142829443155874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SJUzMnaWssI/AAAAAAAAAZY/CSy24hJhRK0/s1600-h/IMG_0152.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SJUzMnaWssI/AAAAAAAAAZY/CSy24hJhRK0/s320/IMG_0152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230142834091668162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSiHU4HmpEF3GjWWh4Wwor91KO7pabe6nsbAJb3LCUAA3qGjIjQfzccrcICK4m4NB3OeBezOoLH06Z4C2vn8kcVx0iqnDUAiRkai9Ltx7q1awCDelNXlWLhg1giY1qSvvmRea722iVWc/s1600-h/IMG_0144.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSiHU4HmpEF3GjWWh4Wwor91KO7pabe6nsbAJb3LCUAA3qGjIjQfzccrcICK4m4NB3OeBezOoLH06Z4C2vn8kcVx0iqnDUAiRkai9Ltx7q1awCDelNXlWLhg1giY1qSvvmRea722iVWc/s320/IMG_0144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230142842510875986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-7ffS8gzQnxFzQxs0sL7GGjxN_GKdm8lAvqt7x7M8jy0PdMhOAiTvMahziPCbXLrmoS7QSksB-7fjmm0OyiWg0kMByB4dmY1KAuD9EbgHG0FMOOCSlF5gqmlsZkDvKOFVIKgMh1AfiY/s1600-h/IMG_0149.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-7ffS8gzQnxFzQxs0sL7GGjxN_GKdm8lAvqt7x7M8jy0PdMhOAiTvMahziPCbXLrmoS7QSksB-7fjmm0OyiWg0kMByB4dmY1KAuD9EbgHG0FMOOCSlF5gqmlsZkDvKOFVIKgMh1AfiY/s320/IMG_0149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230142847201284194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnB9QB2OWvW5kbXm8LaLXWvTGuiYta4BqE3v8wu2jDmNHShPzu9nglZgqN_HNjhiO5cA9U_LFRAHh-FkrlLIpomMLHfK7OtrG4CynJfn4YtrWt2AtF5HwsBU0G3ZKlNFjs1b4stG6mWJg/s1600-h/IMG_0165.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnB9QB2OWvW5kbXm8LaLXWvTGuiYta4BqE3v8wu2jDmNHShPzu9nglZgqN_HNjhiO5cA9U_LFRAHh-FkrlLIpomMLHfK7OtrG4CynJfn4YtrWt2AtF5HwsBU0G3ZKlNFjs1b4stG6mWJg/s320/IMG_0165.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230145337610884514" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrX9iYKJI6Wdd_nMNNO4ZRxOsVeipe-FGOL4J_91KXZIJuj26T44ZH09lkYa7WdWxLCCGoC4a-bLCtkZIBg7TsBi-CPIKCH5ymeGaIC-APQz-wkR9nZGzMR15ARgiqm-HXysxiZbMfMA/s1600-h/IMG_0155.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrX9iYKJI6Wdd_nMNNO4ZRxOsVeipe-FGOL4J_91KXZIJuj26T44ZH09lkYa7WdWxLCCGoC4a-bLCtkZIBg7TsBi-CPIKCH5ymeGaIC-APQz-wkR9nZGzMR15ARgiqm-HXysxiZbMfMA/s320/IMG_0155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230143315590520466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-Zrvn_-4aymIU_FMxo5HMCo0bNR5xzkhY6H-Z5M6Ps2-T9y5jzXMykAxBelO6RkhtUdus71Oj5r5b0pGuI89AH4A4_FBPCJRR6Lf819_Iv8NxGEBgNsWhoz8x05JrlYNdoUBNSaPA98/s1600-h/IMG_0141.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-Zrvn_-4aymIU_FMxo5HMCo0bNR5xzkhY6H-Z5M6Ps2-T9y5jzXMykAxBelO6RkhtUdus71Oj5r5b0pGuI89AH4A4_FBPCJRR6Lf819_Iv8NxGEBgNsWhoz8x05JrlYNdoUBNSaPA98/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230143321087488658" /></a>The first Saturday of every month, a lovely farm outside Poulsbo transforms itself into a delightful brunch spot. Full of flower rows, herb gardens and unduly charming animals, the farm is so elegant in its beauty that the owners usually support themselves adequately by leasing the place out for weddings and such -- so these once-a-month events are quite a treat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX5LpAacO2VpQEEV42MVRg9YH1nOzbyhcI0MTSgitN9JvJYpXhggqNNSpkn8VwRuJPS7pj0RpMit-ZFqxvS0SeSJ1l8dQFk7Eg89MXIrg4xNuq8y_HmyGAp9bGeLIHUly16sqJ1OxfkQ/s1600-h/IMG_0162.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX5LpAacO2VpQEEV42MVRg9YH1nOzbyhcI0MTSgitN9JvJYpXhggqNNSpkn8VwRuJPS7pj0RpMit-ZFqxvS0SeSJ1l8dQFk7Eg89MXIrg4xNuq8y_HmyGAp9bGeLIHUly16sqJ1OxfkQ/s320/IMG_0162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230143324252752450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0AOZubp3FUfWUYcXzzX9gBnZvQsMiBot_7NaLeCrxnJFe7KreHZAk3ekMpFojvf8Jo6iyKy5pz29OTHQFuOfT1mQopNy70D2A748_zOYI8jh32rFhFlByYEtzJDK9ms-UaJw1UYf9FA/s1600-h/IMG_0164.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0AOZubp3FUfWUYcXzzX9gBnZvQsMiBot_7NaLeCrxnJFe7KreHZAk3ekMpFojvf8Jo6iyKy5pz29OTHQFuOfT1mQopNy70D2A748_zOYI8jh32rFhFlByYEtzJDK9ms-UaJw1UYf9FA/s320/IMG_0164.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230143323642452802" /></a> We went this morning. The event itself is called <a href="http://www.farmkitchen.com">Farm Kitchen</a>. I've never seen or heard it advertised -- we just found it by word of mouth. And yes, the food was also awesome -- fresh, creative and hardy. Here are a few photos of the morning. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguhw-QzB1BppRgGbawp8w-muXGhCzuFLzEoDjB2FyeUHjzUidK3qk2xRS8pqJiO-1CSUnrB-NIPPiT06hPNDB9sIdnT2zoaRLxKggtlhm-t-Wuc-0jhtJopp88njxZF3orr_g0bobaVQ/s1600-h/IMG_0168.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguhw-QzB1BppRgGbawp8w-muXGhCzuFLzEoDjB2FyeUHjzUidK3qk2xRS8pqJiO-1CSUnrB-NIPPiT06hPNDB9sIdnT2zoaRLxKggtlhm-t-Wuc-0jhtJopp88njxZF3orr_g0bobaVQ/s320/IMG_0168.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230144284260060850" /></a>After that, mostly errands and other uneventful nonsense; but Madeline did talk us into taking her bowling for the first time. She had a blast. Needless to say, she is sleeping peacefully as I type.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DDq35V_5XjvOhTRxrd5BQaCbQpqePedN9cRn3I5Yuc9gXgAPWn5uXyODNPehiaeIr12CytUbsW_47BYEcU7M8zVjcATvfhNYy443s9g18a3LT3Krn4mqh_z8pE_wqBn_XskG7v6QKMM/s1600-h/IMG_0171.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DDq35V_5XjvOhTRxrd5BQaCbQpqePedN9cRn3I5Yuc9gXgAPWn5uXyODNPehiaeIr12CytUbsW_47BYEcU7M8zVjcATvfhNYy443s9g18a3LT3Krn4mqh_z8pE_wqBn_XskG7v6QKMM/s320/IMG_0171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230144293988639138" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-29454097462093610972008-07-15T05:35:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:56.624-08:00Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY4B3UOXR-l-AKeGrVTcvdIZktqPVW5irFb2irzPEObvTMSEb-a6Vdh6ZBW-shhyphenhyphens-cXC7qVxSGi2ZmtMWdwyS2eijRNHXqrTUQ1o8Lt5m_pNAlUiFNh2rHWcECDjFWtCiOdSSuU4ArU/s1600-h/entrance.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY4B3UOXR-l-AKeGrVTcvdIZktqPVW5irFb2irzPEObvTMSEb-a6Vdh6ZBW-shhyphenhyphens-cXC7qVxSGi2ZmtMWdwyS2eijRNHXqrTUQ1o8Lt5m_pNAlUiFNh2rHWcECDjFWtCiOdSSuU4ArU/s200/entrance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223675512769131682" /></a> Like vodka and watermelon, kids and waterparks are a perfect summer time match. Unfortunately, from a kid's perspective, where and how the best waterparks get built is somewhat unfair. For instance, if you already live in a balmy, sunny locale such southern California or central Texas, then waterpark proprietors will flock to your town -- eager to build facities that they can operate profitably from March through November. If you live, however, in a snowy, gray or rainy locale (where kids have the most pent-up desire for warm and splashy fun), then your options have been traditionally more limited.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofR2tgc3LwFyYfZjYN1jfqCDQfemeLXz251g7g0Y1vCrwiYrCIw47i91LSVT4CiSYTkjhNsAsjOvJDNJim5tCFeJ8qMiXvwchoYc8bQBFmDpP3ZPuIlyy5WzIvO1h5HX445x9TKb4rdk/s1600-h/lobby.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofR2tgc3LwFyYfZjYN1jfqCDQfemeLXz251g7g0Y1vCrwiYrCIw47i91LSVT4CiSYTkjhNsAsjOvJDNJim5tCFeJ8qMiXvwchoYc8bQBFmDpP3ZPuIlyy5WzIvO1h5HX445x9TKb4rdk/s200/lobby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223675518220732594" /></a><br /><br />But that is starting to change. The clever proprietors of the <a href="http://www.greatwolflodge.com/">Great Wolf Lodge </a>chain of resorts have developed a year-round indoor water park surrounded by a lodge that sports additional kid-friendly entertainment options around the clock, throughout the year. I thought the concept seemed ingenious, so we took our pool-adoring three-year-old Madeline to check it out.<br /><br />We arrived mid-afternoon, about two-hours before check-in. The lodge has a decent arrangement for permitting guests to use the waterpark for several hours before check-in. Assuming that you are prepared for this with a day bag holding your swimsuits and a change of clothes, it's a terrific option. We splashed in the toddler spray basin from about 2 until nearly 5pm. When we were done, we were able to go straight up to our room, clean up and get ready for dinner. Check-in was easy. Each guest receives a wristband which serves as your room key, water park admission and room charge throughout your stay. This is very efficient way to avoid the hassle of needing to look after a key while you are running about playing in the pool.<br /><br />The water park itself was a good mix of options for toddlers, kids and teens -- so no one in the family gets bored. There are also abundant life guards at every station and they enforce all safety rules fairly stubbornly, so that was reassuring. The toddler section had zero-entry and many living-room-sized areas where the water never got deeper than one or two feet. Sounds dull at first, but the toddlers seem to relish the ability to splash about in such a large space without need of a life jacket or any really swimming skills. There are even two swell kiddie slides in the toddler area that land in only a foot of water. So even a two-year-old could could climb up and ride down with out worry of getting water up the nose upon landing. Much of the rest of the toddler pool featured a variety of colorful toys to climb on and tools that one to can use to soak unsuspecting siblings and parents. Nearly all of these seemed to be a great hit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1HkdtP5V40d9qA2AvbdCuPHKi3gQPZUi74knD8wh4piCrCrb5BxND2AuRh92ASL6L7SlZASPAGaYNjji_xGpOiIpe-cXusUuptjNFhFQrXj6KkVXJUI9QS5DYLF-AUbu3-X0nkEFyNM/s1600-h/waterpark.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1HkdtP5V40d9qA2AvbdCuPHKi3gQPZUi74knD8wh4piCrCrb5BxND2AuRh92ASL6L7SlZASPAGaYNjji_xGpOiIpe-cXusUuptjNFhFQrXj6KkVXJUI9QS5DYLF-AUbu3-X0nkEFyNM/s320/waterpark.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223676621508379074" /></a><br /><br />After our pool time, we went to dinner and then checked out the "Cub Club" -- a section of the resort where critters age 2 to 10 can go to enjoy a preschool type atmosphere -- they can play with toys, pets, games and puzzles. The Club also sports lots of opportunities for arts and crafts projects supervised by the Club staff. Across from the Club is a fairly standard video arcade, which really needs no further explanation. <br /><br />One fairly unique feature of the lodge is that it is littered with colorful magic storybook stations that light up and speak when a child (or bored teen or childlike adult) waves a "magic wand" in its general direction. These are part of the lodge's <a href="http://www.greatwolf.com/Locations/Poconos/amenities/magiquest.aspx">Magicquest </a>game. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zpDHaIA-hQ-F3eDyD9cHVPoL8fkLir4rVjH2pv7t2FGI6Tckmal3SGjn1uLo59KbKUXoGh3nSEfG8vPLu9d7YY2voAK5VsVi-l0b_U3O6-rhxBw3wBdaZCEEXRn3voUnlbmv1hp5GnI/s1600-h/magicbook.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zpDHaIA-hQ-F3eDyD9cHVPoL8fkLir4rVjH2pv7t2FGI6Tckmal3SGjn1uLo59KbKUXoGh3nSEfG8vPLu9d7YY2voAK5VsVi-l0b_U3O6-rhxBw3wBdaZCEEXRn3voUnlbmv1hp5GnI/s200/magicbook.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223675523404386370" /></a> The person on the "quest" uses his or her wand to learn information and gain points from the various stations (which are animals, treasure chests, magic jewels, fairies, hidden coves and other various intriguing little items)in order to help them complete their "quest." I gather the thing is a team sport and I will say that I saw properly entertained children running all throughout the lodge playing it. If done properly, I gather you have an opportunity to slay a dragon, save a princess, etc. Most players certainly seemed to be having a great time. (Extra charge for the wands, natch).<br /><br />Finally, each night in the lobby, the staff (accompanied by teens in Disney-style Wolf and Bear costumes) read a story to tired out toddlers in their pajamas to wrap up the busy day. This was also a big hit, a great way to wind down and a fun way to meet other parents visiting with young children.<br /><br />Overall, it's a fun getaway. We are hoping to go again next year.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-75702571812686059202008-07-04T20:08:00.001-07:002008-12-08T18:09:57.128-08:00Wren UpdateSince folks have been asking -- yes! They are thriving.<br /><br />I apologize that I am not very good at photographing something so small -- but here is the best I could do:<br /><br />1 day after birth:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SG7k9hyGn3I/AAAAAAAAAQM/-sQzMUpEIkU/s1600-h/onebeak.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SG7k9hyGn3I/AAAAAAAAAQM/-sQzMUpEIkU/s400/onebeak.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219360763860655986" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SG7k9TIoP1I/AAAAAAAAAQE/stH0LqfieT8/s1600-h/wrenwfeathers1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SG7k9TIoP1I/AAAAAAAAAQE/stH0LqfieT8/s400/wrenwfeathers1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219360759928602450" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />It is amazing to see their little pinfeathers sprout up so fast and their eyes open. I realize that you can only ever see two beaks peaking up in these photos, but I assure you that there are three happy and healthy little critters in the nest -- I can see three hearts beating and sometimes see three beaks pop up - but it all happens so fast that I rarely manage to catch them all on film. Also, I rarely stick around long enough to get a good shot because my presence always upsets Mama Wren and, as a Mom myself, I try to be understanding by moving along quickly.<br /><br />Anyway: I will try to remember to provide updates on them. I'm not sure how long baby wrens stay in the nest -- they can barely all fit in there now!Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-40483143756283996862008-07-04T19:26:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:58.344-08:00Grand Ol Fourth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaiX1IkKjN9o9D2JvPzTk-ugxcOR6yi2gNh0pkpBlaq-3-g_cg9fwf6UrZGwRBmq3FlCuhi9d5bTq7-us0TLrSj0VfamCxTt8aDq665S6DrMmqmxCaqwlXjrBjjrf6LuenjgyCmFtv2E/s1600-h/wheres.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaiX1IkKjN9o9D2JvPzTk-ugxcOR6yi2gNh0pkpBlaq-3-g_cg9fwf6UrZGwRBmq3FlCuhi9d5bTq7-us0TLrSj0VfamCxTt8aDq665S6DrMmqmxCaqwlXjrBjjrf6LuenjgyCmFtv2E/s320/wheres.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219357439949065362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYa9OijL8PjZiWDZvrkaCFw0MYNUZ62_O2mYWGvG-Y1zPQLSQzCau8AktModV7KJqRisnzsO55btKPDMybhbZ3ti9LNEr6XfpczDs-MQj9xqRFTE1DzJKDQrZXD49CnTXPTxd3a7beN8/s1600-h/flag.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYa9OijL8PjZiWDZvrkaCFw0MYNUZ62_O2mYWGvG-Y1zPQLSQzCau8AktModV7KJqRisnzsO55btKPDMybhbZ3ti9LNEr6XfpczDs-MQj9xqRFTE1DzJKDQrZXD49CnTXPTxd3a7beN8/s200/flag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219356030798646818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzWneRReaYhgCFQTxyblggbnOsJUoU1iUoZc5ivcAtUpNx1wAH46jjVwloK4nljq4E1MuT1Gnd4wwlxkzC_jblsf5h1BWmRZ6B_b7q3WN_wJO6n0Adj8kKvRPm7v4C_9q6oMDZbtPfks/s1600-h/putt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzWneRReaYhgCFQTxyblggbnOsJUoU1iUoZc5ivcAtUpNx1wAH46jjVwloK4nljq4E1MuT1Gnd4wwlxkzC_jblsf5h1BWmRZ6B_b7q3WN_wJO6n0Adj8kKvRPm7v4C_9q6oMDZbtPfks/s200/putt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219356045492055266" /></a><br /><br />Bainbridge Island has a very traditional small town Fourth of July. This includes the standard elements -- pancake breakfast, antique car rally and goofy parade. The highlights for the under 5 set, though, are many -- including pony rides,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-B1Gvllm8rX8D70hWIZxhlVDDPO5vL1vdfNi25e60u25sWEwkRl2j42w3qQ6xYcD8QTzct6ygQ808qr9tavS1X4s7Te5tjVOlKimjE0HGzmanRbYmgE02MBnrW4N7cBT6OIr5C9YZMM/s1600-h/pony2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-B1Gvllm8rX8D70hWIZxhlVDDPO5vL1vdfNi25e60u25sWEwkRl2j42w3qQ6xYcD8QTzct6ygQ808qr9tavS1X4s7Te5tjVOlKimjE0HGzmanRbYmgE02MBnrW4N7cBT6OIr5C9YZMM/s320/pony2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219357426540278050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsvZnsidKbRTKbOtuKh4VNogokR4wrb3acBNC1z-9JtfTvQq-tyUfMYnbzED4ZuXSkbtUBW0n7vGhzBPHkHMQohJgGFnEkIjeoJ0sn4x9luXEo5xTX2KqNda5kLn3KGCa4taLzzh1sSk/s1600-h/pony1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsvZnsidKbRTKbOtuKh4VNogokR4wrb3acBNC1z-9JtfTvQq-tyUfMYnbzED4ZuXSkbtUBW0n7vGhzBPHkHMQohJgGFnEkIjeoJ0sn4x9luXEo5xTX2KqNda5kLn3KGCa4taLzzh1sSk/s320/pony1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219357432813604034" /></a>bouncy houses, putt putt golf, face painting and performing pigs. Here are some quick shots of our day:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SG7i7Gv40-I/AAAAAAAAAP8/RSwhOw-vt_4/s1600-h/obama.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SG7i7Gv40-I/AAAAAAAAAP8/RSwhOw-vt_4/s320/obama.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219358523220612066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7iX3SrX5TFKZ9Ezi_Wa8SCFmU_B81M3370aqcpqCwmq-rtnPBQn5NvNiqBXw4_9nmtBn7h1dKvFEfU6X5DJnjotIfbR3KpCWcEJNL8Pxi3gyssaOx_Vo5nYAOAzrV5byfYiO1AsUMxo/s1600-h/painting.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7iX3SrX5TFKZ9Ezi_Wa8SCFmU_B81M3370aqcpqCwmq-rtnPBQn5NvNiqBXw4_9nmtBn7h1dKvFEfU6X5DJnjotIfbR3KpCWcEJNL8Pxi3gyssaOx_Vo5nYAOAzrV5byfYiO1AsUMxo/s320/painting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219357441861965426" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-27460626665648990322008-07-03T10:11:00.001-07:002008-12-08T18:09:58.473-08:00When trees are the enemy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SGz7F35Zj1I/AAAAAAAAAN8/eVDKeNMqiCo/s1600-h/Tree1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SGz7F35Zj1I/AAAAAAAAAN8/eVDKeNMqiCo/s320/Tree1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218822146538180434" /></a> Like most of the Pacific Northwest, Bainbridge Island is thick with trees. Big, huge, scary evergreen trees.<br /><br />What? You're not afraid of trees? Neither was I until I moved here and was educated by my neighbors. Sure -- they look friendly -- like this I guy I photographed in our backyard yesterday. Isn't he adorable? But they're silent killers.<br /><br />Here's the problem. Bainbridge is a temperate rainforest. That's a nice technical way of saying that the sun don't shine for months at a time -- and in winter and spring, we are subject to some pretty serious rain storms. The rain, it seems, weaken the roots of these gentle giants and makes them subject to taking a tumble. It's all part of the natural life cycle of a forest, of course. Trees don't live forever and this is how some of the oldest eventually meet their end. So it's all fine - unless you (or your critical power lines) are underneath one of them at the time.<br /><br />Mind you: the power outages are bad enough. We lose power about once a month in the winter due to downed trees -- sometimes it's more like once a week. But we have a generator for longer outages and so it's really no terrible inconvenience. But, apparently, there are a few very unlucky souls each year who get taken out -- squished, technically -- by a Douglas Fir. That would be a rough way to go.<br /><br />My neighbor grew up here and she is terrified of falling trees. During a stormy day, I see her dashing up and down our dirt lane like a nervous rabbit at top speed, apparently trying to avert disaster. Now, I have never been quite sure what speed has to do with it. Do falling trees find it harder to hit a moving object? That I don't know. I just know that I'll be keeping my eyes on these guys from here forward.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-47215166501995216012008-06-30T16:58:00.000-07:002008-06-30T17:51:15.330-07:00Madeline EbertMadeline is now just barely old enough to summarize the plots of movies that she enjoys. This is fun for me because when she goes to the cinema with her Dad she can come home and give me a brief review over dinner that evening. She's really quite good. Her most recent:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Finding Nemo</span> -- "a fish who gets lost."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ratatouille </span>-- "a rat who can cook."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">101 Dalmations</span> -- "puppies who get lost."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wall-E</span> -- {blank stare -- blinking}<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bambi </span>-- "a classic bildungsroman that utilizes anthropomorphism in a sylvatic setting to reinforce basic themes of man's cruel indifference towards nature. Duh."<br /><br />I love this kid.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-77094280160537074432008-06-29T16:46:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:58.583-08:00Three Little Piggies in the Ladies RoomTook Madeline to see the latest Disney/Pixar flick, Wall-E. (Answer: no -- it's actually dark and depressing -- and way too political for kids. I thought it would be cute little slapstick robots spinning, blinking and beeping while spewing about clever dialouge. At the outside, I assumed that the political commentary would be kept to Marx Brothers level -- more the along the lines of "Duck Soup" or the "Mouse that Roared" -- anti-war messages wrapped up in goofiness, song and dance. Nope. Just dark brown post-apocalyptic misery. Awful. Though the opening short, "Presto" as always with Pixar, is *great*).<br /><br />Madeline, however, did like the cute robot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SGjlyTKnSRI/AAAAAAAAAM4/4zoFERj62XY/s1600-h/walle.jpg.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SGjlyTKnSRI/AAAAAAAAAM4/4zoFERj62XY/s320/walle.jpg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217672820609730834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now, back to our story.<br /><br />Afterwards, we ducked into the theater lavatory. While I was busy digging in my purse, Madeline dashed into a cubicle and locked the door.<br /><br />Me (admittedly laughing): Okay, Okay -- very funny -- let me in.<br /><br />Madeline (giggling): Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin.<br /><br />Unbelievable. Children's stories: fear them.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-91891679743757966232008-06-25T18:00:00.000-07:002008-06-30T17:41:28.402-07:00The Baby Wrens Have Hatched!!Mike just called to inform me that all three baby wrens have hatched!! Yay!!<br /><br />I asked him to take pictures, but every time we get within a few steps of the nest, mommy wren flies away -- which the babies don't like (and, accordingly to Mike, leaves them looking a bit cold). So probably no photos today; but soon!!<br /><br />Yay Spring!!!<br /><br />xoxo, RabbitRebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-1783658673670018362008-06-24T07:34:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:58.682-08:00Miss You, Part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SGKvuLSnxnI/AAAAAAAAALE/AxlBkhzGdLc/s1600-h/I_MISS_YOU.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SGKvuLSnxnI/AAAAAAAAALE/AxlBkhzGdLc/s200/I_MISS_YOU.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215924526288193138" /></a><br /><br />It's wonderful to be home again. Madeline is getting funnier every day. She tells amazing jokes and just learned a new song about killer robots from Venus. The strawberries in our garden are nearly ripe and the blueberries are getting close. It's cool, sunny, peaceful and uncrowded; but I still miss all of you back in LA. Painfully so. <br /><br />So thanks to the whole gang for a truly wonderful weekend. And just to spark some cozy memories from very long ago (well, for most of you anyway), here's the "Love You" video that I think we all first shared back on Valentine's Day 2001 (has it really been that long?) It always makes me think of you people and it always makes me smile. Anyway -- to everyone who helped to make my weekend special: Love you. See you again soon.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RNzr1xInll4&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RNzr1xInll4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-80596159006440693162008-06-14T07:04:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:59.345-08:00Spring Comes to Madeline's WoodsMaddie and I ran out into the woods this morning because we heard a woodpecker nearby and wanted to find it. He was loud -- I think he actually had a chainsaw -- and we finally spotted him at the edge of Madeline's woods. Unfortunately, he was too fast and furious to photograph, but we did catch some other highlights of the morning visit:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRfpnKAE-I/AAAAAAAAAKU/5s5YWw4yy-E/s1600-h/wrennest2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRfpnKAE-I/AAAAAAAAAKU/5s5YWw4yy-E/s400/wrennest2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211895837264712674" /></a><br /><br />First, the most perfect little wren's nest ever!! Can you believe how perfectly round it is? And this photo truly doesn't do it justice. The little eggs are perfect ovals -- cream colored with tiny brown specks. They looks like chocolate eggs in a child's Easter basket! Yesterday, there was only one tiny egg -- today: three!! <br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRdGvn96dI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/eVWnXxkYKcc/s1600-h/blackberry1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRdGvn96dI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/eVWnXxkYKcc/s200/blackberry1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211893039219206610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRdG1mIHhI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Atn3dEQbJxg/s1600-h/blackberry2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRdG1mIHhI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Atn3dEQbJxg/s200/blackberry2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211893040822099474" /></a>Once those eggs hatch, they will feast on these -- by mid-summer, these will be wild blackberries! Yum! Again, for reasons that aren't clear to me, these are considered a "pest" on the island. A giant plot by the anti-pie and cobbler lobby, I think. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRdH5eubvI/AAAAAAAAAKM/bOVnZ-gTXPg/s1600-h/tomato.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRdH5eubvI/AAAAAAAAAKM/bOVnZ-gTXPg/s200/tomato.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211893059044667122" /></a><br />After finishing in the woods, we went to check on the garden. After weeks of cool weather, it is finally taking hold! The strawberry patch (usually our biggest producer) is getting off the ground and the tomatoes are coming along as well. Yay!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRgD03RrxI/AAAAAAAAAKc/KrtAaXJygVQ/s1600-h/strawberry1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFRgD03RrxI/AAAAAAAAAKc/KrtAaXJygVQ/s400/strawberry1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211896287620869906" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-56229858985580620302008-06-13T17:38:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:59.450-08:00Lack of imagination<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFLCETZBbOI/AAAAAAAAAJk/0_vAuDoCjUs/s1600-h/cedarrapids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFLCETZBbOI/AAAAAAAAAJk/0_vAuDoCjUs/s200/cedarrapids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211441098001575138" border="0" /></a><br />Our weather is getting screwy, bordering on scary. I'm not talking about any topic of even minor controversy; I'm just stating observable facts. The Midwest has been getting floodier and floodier, with seemingly no end in sight. At the same time, these thunderstorms are spinning off tornadoes nearly every day. As the older levees around it fail, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/13flood.html?em&ex=1213502400&en=143e1dfb97e2f55f&ei=5087%0A">Cedar Rapids</a> is moving rapidly in the direction of New Orleans circa 2005. And all the responsible government officials ever manage to cough up by way of excuse for failing to adequately protect the city's homes, offices and hospital is that "no one could have <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hw95ek5Sllmi4SoQ_N4HJvwHE0ZAD918R6CO0">imagined</a>" a storm of this size. Really?<br /><br />Who are all of these designers and engineers with such an alarming lack of imagination? It would seem obvious that a levee isn't built solely to protect the city during times of normal rainfall. If doesn't even do that, then that would be obvious negligence. No, the real test of a wall built to hold back a raging river is how that sucker holds when it rains very very hard over an extended period of time. That's the whole deal. So if it can't withstand that test -- what was the point?Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-28982929489415777502008-06-11T06:38:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:09:59.705-08:00Beautiful Pest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFATGbyLR4I/AAAAAAAAAJY/qXlsyP6dlqw/s1600-h/scotchbroomapril.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFATGbyLR4I/AAAAAAAAAJY/qXlsyP6dlqw/s200/scotchbroomapril.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210685770126018434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFAS-4zvn7I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/1XizgQ6wEyg/s1600-h/broom1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SFAS-4zvn7I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/1XizgQ6wEyg/s200/broom1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210685640478269362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This golden gem is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_broom">Scotch Broom</a>. In springtime, it covers the island like a bright fluffy blanket of sunshine. I find it charming, but the locals consider it a plague. Apparently, it's a pushy non-native flower that shoves aside existing species to spread its yellow hegemony. So every year hordes of islanders spend hours pulling the stuff -- but to no avail. Every spring, the island has an even more intense saffron hue than the last.<br /><br />Which makes me wonder: why do they fight the system? It's just a flower. It's not going to steal your job or beat your children. Clearly, the broom was born to rule. I say love the yellow - don't hate! And then get on with your life. Am I missing something here?Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-59174310868935343352008-06-09T06:45:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:00.794-08:00Where in the World is Mighty Hare?Visiting the only state in the union that boasts the following: 1) giant statue of Paul Bunyan with Babe the Big Blue Ox;<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SE02gtUZ5zI/AAAAAAAAAHg/K1QFFDF-2T8/s1600-h/250px-Paul_Bunyan_and_Babe_statues_Bemidji_Minnesota_crop.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SE02gtUZ5zI/AAAAAAAAAHg/K1QFFDF-2T8/s200/250px-Paul_Bunyan_and_Babe_statues_Bemidji_Minnesota_crop.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209880279486424882" /></a> 2) World's Largest Ball of Twine assembled by one man; <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SE02hT4km_I/AAAAAAAAAHw/-wN83q_KqKM/s1600-h/MNDARtwine98.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SE02hT4km_I/AAAAAAAAAHw/-wN83q_KqKM/s200/MNDARtwine98.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209880289838668786" /></a>and 3) the beautiful Crystal Collection Reindeer Farm. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SE071KLmo2I/AAAAAAAAAH4/4hA-eYJWYeI/s1600-h/photo-header.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SE071KLmo2I/AAAAAAAAAH4/4hA-eYJWYeI/s200/photo-header.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209886128389661538" /></a><br /><br />If you guessed the great state of Minnesota, drop me a line and I'll send you a free bucket of lutefisk.<br /><br />And while on previous trips I have visited all of the charming spots listed above, this outing was set aside for the wedding of my beloved nephew, Jeff, to his high school sweetheart, Jenna -- in their very cute hometown, <a href="http://www.whitebearlake.org/">White Bear Lake</a>. (Can you think of a more perfect name for a Minnesota town?!) A fabulous time was had by all.<br /><br />Bonus note: While we were there, <a href="http://www.alfranken.com/?gclid=COShodrE55MCFRMYagodmCjbVw">Al Franken finally wrapped up his party's nomination for his U.S. Senate run in Minnesota </a>-- so he will be taking on Norm Coleman in November for the right to hold Paul Wellstone's old seat. Now THAT will be a fun race!!Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-78298222623825283892008-06-04T07:00:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:01.837-08:00Now Available in Orca-Vision!Had a dream last night that I was rowing out to Blakely Rock <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEarD1GXIfI/AAAAAAAAAGI/QnTrKGPfpsM/s1600-h/BlakelyRocks.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEarD1GXIfI/AAAAAAAAAGI/QnTrKGPfpsM/s200/BlakelyRocks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208038101382275570" /></a>-- a beautiful spot that I have rowed to a few times with friends. It's a bit of a distance from the entrance to Blakely harbor, and beyond my usual comfort zone in terms of distance from shore, but always worth the effort (when the tide is calm) because of the beautiful wildlife we spot -- primarily seals and bald eagles. <br /><br />In my dream, though, I was rowing alone and saw an Orca breaching in the distance, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEarlx2UlsI/AAAAAAAAAG4/F3MgumU7AEw/s1600-h/Orca4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEarlx2UlsI/AAAAAAAAAG4/F3MgumU7AEw/s200/Orca4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208038684625245890" /></a>past the rock. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEarcbvnOdI/AAAAAAAAAGw/oyXz-dIYX9E/s1600-h/orca1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEarcbvnOdI/AAAAAAAAAGw/oyXz-dIYX9E/s200/orca1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208038524072704466" /></a> With each breach, he got closer and closer to my kayak until he finally swam up right beside it and poked his nose up just beside me, as though he were more a curious puppy or porpoise rather than a creature that has been given the moniker "killer whale." It was so beautiful, that I reached over to pet it's nose. Sounds impossible, right? Then I found this picture!! Maybe dreams can come true. (Okay -- probably no petting involved -- but amazing how close a kayak can get!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEar4Z-9tqI/AAAAAAAAAHA/BjR6OadpMXU/s1600-h/kayak.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEar4Z-9tqI/AAAAAAAAAHA/BjR6OadpMXU/s200/kayak.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208039004636559010" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-32117371914454968242008-06-03T06:43:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:02.184-08:00Seattle Sweetness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEVICFJhmAI/AAAAAAAAAGA/WVjawLuCRvI/s1600-h/toppot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SEVICFJhmAI/AAAAAAAAAGA/WVjawLuCRvI/s200/toppot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207647744702912514" border="0" /></a><br />Friends and relatives often ask me which Seattle highlights they shouldn't miss. The Space Needle? Fun, but crowded -- and the view is definitely a let-down when it's cloudy. Pike's Place Market? Only if you like having strange men throw smelly fish at you. I find that unnerving.<br /><br />Thankfully, there are numerous less-well-advertised alternatives. The first one I want to highlight should be the first stop of any tourist's day -- Top Pot Doughnuts. (It's charming logo photographed here with bonus footage of the Seattle monorail in the background). A warm and welcoming spot -- bursting with books, music and cozy corners to snuggle in on a rainy day. But, above all, the place features the kind of doughnuts you just don't find too often in our mixed-up, high-tech, mass-produced feedbag culture -- warm, sweet and hand-forged. A truly comforting start to the day.<br /><br /><a href="http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5354141&page=%09%09%0D%0A%09%09%094">America's Best Doughnuts.</a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-41312561085836058732008-05-27T07:02:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:02.628-08:00Freeom's Just Another Word For .. .<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDyfCVJhl9I/AAAAAAAAAFo/iZ9FETJVB0I/s1600-h/135_3550_r1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205210131719100370" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDyfCVJhl9I/AAAAAAAAAFo/iZ9FETJVB0I/s200/135_3550_r1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDyfC1Jhl_I/AAAAAAAAAF4/D9-l3cHcmGI/s1600-h/135_3552_r1.jpg"></a><br /><div>. . . nothing left to blog about? Hardly. Let's try again.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>. . . Freedom's just another word for Beauty and Resilience.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And, in keeping with the key theme of this blog, I thought I would give you a regular weekly Freedom update.</div><br /><div></div><div>Here she is from over the holiday weekend. Thankfully, the sheen is coming back to her coat and it's getting harder to see her ribcage. She still moves rather slowly and you can see that her eyes are a bit dull with heavy lids -- always looking as though she just woke up from a nap. But none of that detracts from her charm. Her ears are forward and she is all cuddles and nuzzles. </div><div> </div><div>She is still my hero.</div>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-9564082413768217622008-05-27T06:41:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:03.703-08:00Tidepooling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQSVJhl7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/LOK_az1jHOs/s1600-h/135_3530_r1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQSVJhl7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/LOK_az1jHOs/s200/135_3530_r1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205123545178412978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQSVJhl8I/AAAAAAAAAFg/aGqLijSIn2k/s1600-h/135_3539.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQSVJhl8I/AAAAAAAAAFg/aGqLijSIn2k/s200/135_3539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205123545178412994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQA1Jhl3I/AAAAAAAAAE4/an42sBGwYLk/s1600-h/135_3519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQA1Jhl3I/AAAAAAAAAE4/an42sBGwYLk/s200/135_3519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205123244530702194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQBFJhl4I/AAAAAAAAAFA/l-HYXVSi5eM/s1600-h/135_3560_r1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQBFJhl4I/AAAAAAAAAFA/l-HYXVSi5eM/s200/135_3560_r1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205123248825669506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQBVJhl5I/AAAAAAAAAFI/SU8-re2ktfQ/s1600-h/135_3521.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQBVJhl5I/AAAAAAAAAFI/SU8-re2ktfQ/s200/135_3521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205123253120636818" border="0" /></a><br />A natural way to pass the time on a sunny Memorial Day. We are lucky enough to live only a short walk away from a beautiful beach that overlooks <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Passage">Rich Passage</a>. The beach sports awesome wildlife at low tide (beautiful starfish, crabs etc) and is bordered right now by beautiful new Spring flowers.<br /><br />Hope all had an equally happy holiday.<br /><br />p.s. Edited to add: Yes, I realize that the starfish only has four legs. I'm trying not to think about that right now. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQAlJhl2I/AAAAAAAAAEw/UIWPtA7r6ws/s1600-h/135_3547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQAlJhl2I/AAAAAAAAAEw/UIWPtA7r6ws/s200/135_3547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205123240235734882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQQ1Jhl6I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Gcv3tSe7rXs/s1600-h/135_3515.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDxQQ1Jhl6I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Gcv3tSe7rXs/s200/135_3515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205123519408609186" border="0" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-32384486615032231832008-05-26T06:53:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:03.828-08:00Friendship in Short Story Form<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDsLalJhl0I/AAAAAAAAAEg/ztmW4TMd6cY/s1600-h/capote404.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDsLalJhl0I/AAAAAAAAAEg/ztmW4TMd6cY/s200/capote404.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204766345633306434" border="0" /></a><br />In the same volume loaned to me with <span style="font-style: italic;">Breakfast at Tiffany's</span> there was a short story -- <a href="http://www.geocities.com/cyber_explorer99/capotechristmas.html">"A Christmas Memory"</a>. If you have ten minutes to spare, follow the link and read it -- it's only a few pages long. I think Norman Mailer or one of those other braggarts of his generation described it as the best short story ever written -- and he may be right. That I wouldn't know. I only know that it gives a more honest and touching rendering of life, God and friendship than I could cobble together in 1,000 pages. Apparently Capote was abandoned as a child and had a rough go of life until he found literary success; but you would never know that from reading this story of a chilly holiday season when he was seven years old. There is no fear or complaining -- only wonder.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-29158123745790746412008-05-25T06:55:00.000-07:002008-07-01T06:57:22.084-07:00Miss Holiday Golightly - TravelingA friend on mine, on a rather strange whim, recently loaned me her copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">Breakfast at Tiffany's</span> swearing it's her favorite novel of all time and I must reread it (and so I just did). Fair enough top choice -- Capote is a master of the language -- but it's hard for me to imagine where this particular friend -- a suburban mum like myself -- finds much common ground with Holly Golightly. But who can say? Maybe, before she made a life of chasing her progeny around the playground, she shared a flat with a mean-spirited cat and entertained gaggles of wealthy and ratty gentlemen every evening till sun up.<br /><br />It's possible. You never can tell about someone's past.<br /><br />It's also possible that she just dreams of being everything that Holly is -- most especially -- unforgettable.<br /><br />"Anyone who has ever given you confidence -- you owe that person a great debt" -- Holly Golightly, <span style="font-style: italic;">Breakfast at Tiffany's</span>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-61417827375776361822008-05-24T17:46:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:04.924-08:00Wat Pho<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgkbVJhlqI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_BwU7_hqabs/s1600-h/watponight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgkbVJhlqI/AAAAAAAAADQ/_BwU7_hqabs/s200/watponight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203949421378770594" border="0" /></a><br />Twelve years ago this past Tuesday, I ended up in Bangkok on a whim. I had been working round the clock for months to prep for a trial that was scheduled to last ten weeks and then settled at the last minute. Unexpectedly, my calendar was clear -- and there was literally nothing for me to do in the office. So my boss suggested a vacation; but my burned out brain had no idea where to go. I'd always wanted to see Australia, so I penciled in a few weeks there right away. But I also knew that I needed to see something so beautiful and far-removed from my daily drudge that it might snap me back into contact with the outside world. So I sat down with my friend Gabriella to look at her travel photos. Gaby is one of those clever people who took a few years out of her life just to see the world. And she has the photos to prove it.<br /><br />I still remember how excited I felt when I reached the page that reflected her time at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Pho">Wat Pho</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgriFJhlvI/AAAAAAAAAD4/xSQnmT5cak4/s1600-h/watpo3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgriFJhlvI/AAAAAAAAAD4/xSQnmT5cak4/s200/watpo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203957233924282098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgryFJhlxI/AAAAAAAAAEI/be346LuVMuo/s1600-h/watpho7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgryFJhlxI/AAAAAAAAAEI/be346LuVMuo/s200/watpho7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203957508802189074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgp9FJhlsI/AAAAAAAAADg/WSS0ZOw46Hk/s1600-h/monksinprayer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgp9FJhlsI/AAAAAAAAADg/WSS0ZOw46Hk/s200/monksinprayer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203955498757494466" border="0" /></a>(also known as the <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/thailand/bangkok-wat-pho.htm">Temple of the Reclining Buddha</a>).<br />I was ready to leave immediately! At first, I don't think the pictures said anything to me beyond "exotic", but deep inside there was something more. Have you ever felt drawn to a place for reasons that you don't fully understand? I felt comforted by the images. I still do. It is one of the most beautiful temples I have ever seen. But the images also remind me of time I spent there -- reflecting -- and talking with other people from all over the world who had been drawn there for similar reasons. It was a sacred week. The temple is home to a large monastery and the company of the monks who are there to learn and reflect adds to the feeling of peace. I can remember thinking while I was there that I was finally near to overcoming my fear of death. I could see myself as small bit of stardust that would remain within the universe, in some form, forever -- seemingly separate, yet always as one with all other creatures.<br /><br />And if that's not enough to encourage you to visit there someday, here's an additional side note: the temple is also the birthplace of <a href="http://www.bangkok.com/spa-massage-thai-massage/index.html">Thai massage</a> and houses a world-famous <a href="http://bml.uoregon.edu/keitan/watpho/">Thai massage school</a>. Students from all over the world practicing this tremendously healing art. So, yes, you got that right: while reflecting on your place in the universe, you can also receive an exotic massage at a very reasonable cost. In your face, Christianity!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDg-jlJhlyI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/mVczKRymKW0/s1600-h/lineofb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDg-jlJhlyI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/mVczKRymKW0/s200/lineofb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203978150415013666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgrFlJhltI/AAAAAAAAADo/hGW5C_isCE0/s1600-h/reclining.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDgrFlJhltI/AAAAAAAAADo/hGW5C_isCE0/s200/reclining.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203956744298010322" border="0" /></a>Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674290400138235755.post-39724367524445455182008-05-19T06:58:00.000-07:002008-12-08T18:10:05.218-08:00Freedom Flourishing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDGNiYEZQHI/AAAAAAAAABU/0OOYxgwyAh0/s1600-h/freedom2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDGNiYEZQHI/AAAAAAAAABU/0OOYxgwyAh0/s200/freedom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202094666305585266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDGNX4EZQGI/AAAAAAAAABM/KHAea8xBT5E/s1600-h/freedom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MUP-kJT7K70/SDGNX4EZQGI/AAAAAAAAABM/KHAea8xBT5E/s200/freedom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202094485916958818" border="0" /></a><br />Not in George Bush's America, perhaps, but certainly in our neighbor's pasture.<br /><br />This is Freedom. Our neighbors up the road adopted this sweetheart last week and she has completely stolen my heart. I can't remember the last time I met such a kind-hearted mare. She has obviously had a rough time up to now - as you can see from the exposed ribs and sideways gait (the latter perhaps not quite so visible in a snapshot, but take my word for it); but she is making wonderful progress. Resilient. Graceful. A role model for all.Rebecca O'Malleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07588203693519667638noreply@blogger.com0