25 - 30 degrees

That's what being projected as the low tomorrow tonight (with wind chill). This is TEXAS. Better yet, this is SOUTHEAST TEXAS along the GULF COAST! BRRRRRRR!

Of course, the good news is that this will, maybe, hopefully, kill off all the mosquitos that just hatched during our run of almost 80 degree weather this last week. Amazing, isn't it? We were in the upper 70's/lower 80's today and tomorrow night it will be in the low 30's overnight. In fact, the low tonight is the same as the high tomorrow. I am soooo glad that I am not working tomorrow! I will be hanging out in the house - reading, knitting and watching tv. :) (I had considered going to the tree lighting ceremony tomorrow night but I'm seriously reconsidering that now! I will, however, be watching the Holiday Parade Saturday night, no matter the temp!)

Ever feel like you're being watched?

What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for (in no particular order):

my family and friends - who are always there for me
my animals - Jack, Tori, Tom, Zoey, Boomer and Scooby - who are also always there for me
a job that I love
wonderful coworkers
rescue groups and sanctuaries - for people and animals (both domestics and exotics)
the internet - which allows me to keep in contact with family and friends who are far away - and which also gives me access to sooo much information - some of which I really don't need to
know!
restaurants who serve Thanksgiving dinner - so that I don't have to cook it!
our soldiers, both overseas and in the states, who are helping us all stay free

and so many more....

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Fossa and Friends

What is Hansel watching?


Could it be this animal, a favorite Fossa food?


No....It's Aya, our Snow leopard!



I think Hansel may have set his sights a little high! I'm pretty certain Aya could take him. :) It doesn't hurt to dream though, does it Hansel?

FYI - all of these pictures were taken by my mom while she was visiting me!

SP9

I just wanted to show off what I got from my SP 9 Pal! I received a box of goodies on Tuesday night - and boy did I need it!! I had had a rough day at work (had to deal with several rude guests) and really needed the pick me up that this provided!

Yes, that would Hemp yarn and a skein of Cascade bulky leisure in a beautiful colorway! I am now on the lookout for a pattern to use these yarns on! If anyone has any ideas, leave me a comment and tell me!

The box also contained some Lindt Chocolate Mousse (which is almost gone...talk about good!), a little notebook and a sachet of potpourri. Wonderful!

Thank you soooo much SP9 Pal!

What's a Lion to do?

You may remember that we got a new lion at the zoo I work at. His name is Jonathan and you can read his story in the archives of my blog (October, I think). Well, last Friday we put him and the girls together on exhibit. They have now been together all day for four days. So far, the routine is to go outside, Lindi has a spat with Jonathan (she's initiated all of them so far) and then everyone go their separate ways and hang out for the rest of the day until their separated again in the afternoon. The girls stay awake most of the time keeping an eye out for him. Jonathan, on the other hand, goes and does this:



I don't think he's too concerned about the girls. It almost like every morning he goes outside, walks up to the girls, asks if they like him yet, they say no, he says "okay" and goes and takes a nap for the rest of the day.

As far as introductions go, this is wonderful! We are very pleased with how well they are getting along and that their have been no injuries. Hopefully this trend will continue. It helps that Jonathan is a very laid back, relaxed lion. He just wants the girls to like him. Someday, Jonathan, I hope they will. Just keep trying. :)

My latest projects

So....I'm sure y'all have been wondering what I've been knitting lately...Well, I'll tell ya! :)

First - I ended up knitting several washcloths. These are such easy projects and only take a few hours to complete. They're perfect if you just want to knit something simple that will be completed quickly. It's nice sometimes to see progress. I'm sure I'll end up knitting some more in the near future. These will make great Christmas gifts.

Second - I started knitting a scarf. This is for my SP9 pal. I decided to make it out of wool (she lives in a colder part of the country where scarves actually need to keep you warm!). I found some Lion wool on sale and decided that would be perfect. I ended up double stranding it - one strand a variegated color and one strand a solid. I really like how it's turning out. ;) It's probably a good thing I live where scarves aren't really necessary (though, with a low tonight of 35 degrees, I'm starting to wonder...)



Third - I kool-aid dyed some yarn. Let me tell ya, checkers at the grocery will give you weird looks when all you buy is a bunch a kool aid and a newspaper. :) The center balls are actually a maroon/dark red color. The artificial light isn't doing it justice. I'll try and get some pictures outside in the next few days.



So...that's what I've been knitting lately. ;)

It's official!

The baby elephant has a name!

By popular vote, our new baby elephant's name is Mac. Here's a couple of pictures of him that my mom took while she was down here.





He's pretty cute isn't he?

One more swap

I just thought I'd mention another swap I've joined (I know, I know, not another one!). This one is titles "Winter Wonderland Swap" and is a dishcloth swap. Any dishcloth pattern is fine. Anyways, sign ups end this Sunday - November 19. If anyone is interested head on over there and sign up! It should be lots of fun and you don't have to have your swap box sent out until January!

One more thing

If anyone is interested in checking out a new blog, go here. This is the brand new blog for the adopters of RRUS. This is something that has been in the making for several months. I approached our BoD about this project several months ago after I saw this. I thought it was a wonderful idea and asked if we could do something similar. The original thought was to open it up to our fosters and our adopters but after talking about it we decided to just have it open to our adopters. On RRUS' list we get constant updates from our adopters via the former foster parents. The thought was that this would cut out the middleman, so to speak, and would allow the new parents to show off their new kid to the whole wide world. We've already got several posts on it and I can't wait to see it grow! So, everyone, check it out and leave lots of comments!

Catch up

I'll be posting some catch up posts in the next few days. I apologize for neglecting my blog for so long! (though at least it wasn't so long that I got a reminder. :))

My mom was in town for almost two weeks. She went home yesterday. It was a good visit. We didn't do anything real spectacular but spent the time relaxing and doing little things. She went to the zoo twice while she was here and took lots and lots of pictures. She took some really nice ones of the animals. I'll be posting some of them over the next week or so (or longer). My plan for the day is to get my hair cut (well, trimmed), dye some yarn, and finish buying the stuff for my SP9 pal. The package is almost ready to be mailed. It just needs a few more items to round it out. I'll be sure to post some pictures of it before I mail it. ;)

Barbaro Update

Barbaro’s cast removed today

November 6, 2006

KENNETT SQUARE, PA-- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s right hind leg cast was removed today, according to his medical team. “Barbaro was placed under general anesthesia for the cast removal,” said Dr. Dean W. Richardson, Chief of Surgery. “In addition, his foot was trimmed and a new shoe glued on. A padded bandage with plastic and fiberglass splints was placed on his lower limb for support.”

Barbaro's lower right hind leg had been in a cast since surgery at Penn’s George D. Widener Hospital following his accident at the Preakness on May 20. “He had a perfect pool recovery and immediately stood; he walked easily back to his stall,” said Dr. Richardson. “He used all of his legs quite well.”

Barbaro’s left hind foot, which had laminitis, was also fully evaluated while he was under anesthesia. “There are no signs of new problems with that foot, but the hoof needs several more months of growth before we will know how much foot structure and function will be recovered," said Dr. Richardson.

The next update will be posted on Tuesday, November 14, unless there is a significant change in Barbaro’s condition.

For more information on Barbaro, please see www.vet.upenn.edu.

Are you a Cat or a Dog?

You Are: 60% Dog, 40% Cat

You are a nice blend of cat and dog. You're playful but not too needy. And you're friendly but careful. And while you have your moody moments, you're too happy to stay upset for long.

Are You More Cat or Dog?

Christmas Gifts that help dogs in need

Since it's now November, I decided it was time to post a couple of links to gifts that help dogs in need.

1) Ridgeback Once-a-day Calendar - Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue, Inc
Tori is pictured in this calendar. Her picture in on April 21st. --Needless to say, I've already ordered mine!!

2) RRUS Rescue Store - Ridgeback Rescue of the US
There are lots and lots and lots of great items for sale here!

3) Astro's Players and Pets Calendar - Saving Animals
Everyone needs another calendar, right? This one is a 12 month calendar that features
Houston Astro's players with dogs and cats (both their own and those from the local shelter).
This one isn't for sale yet, but will be soon!

B4 Bag

Yes...It's true. I finally completed the B4 Bag. And I absolutely love it!!! It is exactly the size I wanted! What I wanted was a bag that I could use on plane trips. I wanted it big enough for a book or two, a knitting project (small) and a few other random items. This bag is perfect. And, even better, it was easy to make. What can be better?! I started this several months ago. The only reason it took me so long is that I ran out of yarn, got more (thanks to Dephal!) and then had to get kickstarted into the doing the i-cord straps again. That was all I had left when I ran out of the yarn. And it's not like they're hard to do. I just had so many other things going on that it just took me a few months to actually sit down and finish it. So, here's a (not so great) picture of my B4 Bag. (Did I mention that I absolutely love this bag?)

Ankole Cattle

So....this post is for Ginny, who ever so politely pointed out that I had not updated my blog recently.

These are Ankole Cattle (aka - Watusi cattle).


These are the latest addition to our hoofstock department. They are also very very cool cattle. What's even better is that I get to see them every day I clean the spec bear exhibit because they are located right behind bears. The ankole are very people friendly (not so friendly that we want to go in with them - note the size of those horns - but still friendly) and always wander over to greet me when I come over to bears. They also moo. Alot. Especially when I go over to give the bears their pm diet. I guess the Ankole think I should be feeding them too. :)

For even more information on Ankole cattle, go here.

And Ginny - I will try to post more. I wouldn't want you to not know what you've been up to! :)

Day of the Dead

This is the day to remember those who have gone on before us. Remember all the good times you shared with them. Today is a day to celebrate their life.

Three (religious/traditional) days for honoring the dead:

All Hallows' Eve (October 31st), All Saints Day/Day of the Dead (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd) .

Remember there is more to Halloween than Trick-or-Treating.