The Weekend Roundup - A

I'm going to be off the grid for about 10 days. This post was scheduled to post on Friday. I will visit yours when I'm back in WiFi land.

This week's prompts are: Starts with A, A favorite, and Apple.

Starts with A. Angus starts with A, as does Australian Shepherd. Callie isn't a full blooded shepherd, but sure looks like she's related.

Favorite. This is not my favorite picture because of its clarity. It is my favorite because San Francisco is my all time favorite vacation destination. On this particular trip I took my brand new 35mm film camera. I scanned the photo so I could post it. Welcome to Alcatraz. 

Apple. These apples grew in the backyard of my Illinois house.

Just because. I can't remember if I have posted this shot of Mr. Armadillo before or not. He isn't my favorite critter because he likes to dig up my flower bulbs and make holes in the yard. I'm not happy with him. He is kind of cute, though.

And finally. I know I have posted this picture before, but he is worth another look. He's a beautiful Leopard Appaloosa. 

Linking to The Weekend Roundup 

Saturday Critters

My photo assistant, Gus, barked his "I've found a critter" bark to get my attention. I grabbed my camera and ran outside to find one lonely deer crossing the hay field. 

He was quite a distance away, but still stopped to pose when my assistant barked again. (zoom used on both pics)

Armadillos have always interested me because they are most often seen dead-on-the-road. However, since moving to Oklahoma I see live ones on a regular basis. I did like seeing them, note the past tense, until I woke up to my newly finished butterfly bush area torn to pieces. Mr. Dilly also dug several holes in the yard, removed some bulbs I recently planted, and almost dug a redbud tree out of the ground. Not feeling kindly toward armadillos anymore.

This is the culprit. He is living under our storage shed. (photo credit goes to DC who opted for a camera rather than the gun) I'm not sure which I would choose.

On a happier note, this little cutie pictured with pups Willie and Buddy, graduated high school a few days ago. Can't believe she is all grown up and off to college in the fall. Miss my little granddaughter, but am very proud of the young lady she has become.

Linking to Saturday Critters

The Week in Review

Saturday 12/16/17

Beautiful sunrise. 

Dust from a truck travelling south. We sure could use some rain.

Sunday 12/17/17

We woke up to fog. This is the view from my kitchen window while making coffee.

When I went back for a second cup, to my surprise, this was the view from my kitchen window. I asked DC if he knew we were going to have cattle grazing around us, but he hadn't heard anything. 

Unsure whether or not these cows were escapees or supposed to be here, I sent a text to our landlord. She said the cows were trespassing and they were on their way. 

Seems there was a gate open between this property and the property to the west (where they were not supposed to be either). They asked us to watch and if they went back through the gate to close it. 

Soon they wandered through the gate and DC went to close the gate. Gate successfully closed.

Later we rode over to BE and CE's house to see their new calves. On the way I saw a Blue Heron standing hip deep in a pond we were passing. I screamed for DC to stop and I hopped out with my trusty camera to sneak back. Sadly, he flew. As I was looking for another photo op at the pond, I saw DC motioning me to come and pointing toward the south side of the road. I sneaked back and saw this armadillo. Now they are normally dead on the road, but I have seen 2 live ones running across the road in front of me. However, they ran into the tall grass before I could snap a pic to prove they were alive. So I did not let this opportunity pass. I snapped several headless pics and then started calling out, whistling, and DC even honked the truck horn. Still that silly animal kept rooting. It was as if he couldn't hear us. Finally we gave up. But at least I had proof there are actually living creatures.

When we arrived, I found Little Bob inspecting the newly installed cattle feeder. 

And then I saw the new calves. Nice looking critters! Their names were still 37 and 38. The E grand kids will eventually name them. 

This is 38 enjoying the hay. Sadly, she disappeared sometime in the night. Now only 37 is left. Hopefully, 38 will turn up in the neighboring pasture. As of today, she is still missing.

Monday 12/18/17

We drove into town for breakfast and saw Scout guarding the perimeter at the EE ranch.

Tuesday 12/19/17

Laundry day. Since we are living in our RV for the winter, I'm remembering what it's like to do dishes without a dishwasher and do laundry at the laundromat. I drive 16 miles to a pretty nice laundromat, as laundromats go. I like to go early before the rush. It was another foggy morning with some rain.

Wednesday 12/20/17

It was overcast, but in the mid 60s, so decided to take Gus for a walk down to the back pond. He liked running and stopping to sniff all the strange smells and then running again. Being a city dog, he isn't used to the freedom. Gus is loving it here.

Thursday 12/21/17

Absolutely gorgeous day. Mid 70s. Had errands to run in town. On the way back I stopped by the Double E. They were hauling hay. 

Friday 12/22/17

Poured down rain all day. Braved the weather to go grocery shopping. Must have food for our Christmas meal. We will have a guest. In the evening, we were invited to a Christmas meal with friends. Fun time.

Merry Christmas!

Linking to Saturday Critters