name that kitten

So many kittens. Too many to name without help. There are a total of five kittens. In the picture above there are three of the kittens with the mother Dolly. They just don't seem to give their mother a moments rest. One of the kittens already has a name. Can you guess what the name is that I have selected for this one?

I know, the picture is a little blurry. But his name is Charlie because that moustache reminds me of Charlie Chaplin. Got a name for the black kitten?

This black kitten is the tamest one of all. And of course is my favorite and I think that it may be Mary's favorite also. Do you think that I should use the names of the seven dwarfs of Disney? Sneezy, Dopey, Bashful, Grumpy, etc.? Have a pleasant day. Lew

how to beat the heat

It's summer and it is hot and the kittens are trying to cool off on the cool cement. The black kitten is really relaxed and stretched out to full body length. What a life they have, they don't have to worry about paying the bills or mowing the grass. All they have to do all day is eat, sleep when it is hot, and play when it is cool. Reminds me of my own childhood in a way. I didn't work as a child, dad worked. I didn't lay down in the snow to put the chains on the car tires, my dad did that. All I did was to have fun and play. Well, actually, I did have to mow the grass. Not that bad you say? It was the old-fashioned manual push-mower kind.

The yard was cut by inches at a time. But other than that, life as a child was all fun and games, just like the kittens.

Try to stay cool wherever you may be and have a nice cool drink. Lew

butterfly or moth?

While walking outside the house I noticed a small moth perched quietly on the side of the house with her wings fanned out.

The pattern on the wings caught my eye. When I looked at it closer, I was delightfully surprised at the colorations in the wings and body.

And here I thought that only butterflies had beautiful colorations. Beauty is everywhere. All around us. All that we have to do is take the time to smell the flowers and look closely at all of natures tiny critters. Do you know how to tell when you are looking at a butterfly and when you are looking at a moth if it isn't obvious? Butterflies fly during the daytime and moths fly at night. Have an adventure right in your very own backyard. Lew

Atlas V

I am anxiously awaiting the launch of an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral this afternoon. As the space shuttle program winds down I seem to be taking more of an interest into the space activities. I watch the prelaunch preparations on television and then run outside with my camera to see the rocket go up, get some pictures, and then wait for the roar of the rocket engines to reach me. I don't go over to the coast for the launches anymore because of the horrendous crowds and the horrendous cost of gasoline. Living in Florida has its advantages besides being able to pick oranges right off from the tree.

Yes, I know, where you live you get to pick apples or peaches right off from the trees or fresh corn right from the field. Every place has its little advantage. Have a nice day and be sure to watch the Atlas V rocket launch on television wherever you may live. Lew