Too Close for Comfort

Nkorho Bush Lodge
I keep an eye on the live cam at the Nkorho Bush Lodge in Africa (www.africam.com/wildlife/nkorho_pan_webcam).  Normally, one can see the animals visiting the oasis from a distance.
As I write this, I'm looking at five adult giraffe, two or three baby giraffe and a handful of zebra.

A normal view from the oasis.

Tonight, an elephant decided to turn the tables and took a close look at the camera.







Perhaps he/she thought we'd be in focus if it got closer.

Why Moms Have Gray Hair

My son went to the Bahamas for a fishing trip.  From all reports, and pictures, it would appear that it was a fun, successful trip.
He sent along 18 pictures, many of them beautiful views of the local color.
One, in particular, of Eric diving for conch.

The pictures truly told the story of the trip.
Doesn't Eric look happy with that conch in his hand.  It became part of their dinner later in the day.

Then, the kicker.
In the same water where Eric went diving for the conch, he takes and sends this picture.

He tagged it as 'shark'!
My son is diving in the same water where sharks are circling. 
This is why Moms never know what is going on until after it is over.

Family Quirks

In the past few weeks I have lost three relatives.  The most recent, my cousin, Bev.  Bev started me on my ten year journey into our fraternal grandmother's family tree.  It is a fascinating and often frustrating exercise.  Bev, for whatever reason, went to the old cemetery in Elba.  She found the graves of our first ancestors to settle in Genesee County in 1811.She arrived on my doorstep one morning with her notes, left them with me and enjoyed watching me struggle with putting the pieces together for years.
I'd call her with updates when I would find an interesting tidbit. 
Bev lost her husband a year ago.  She has a wonderful family who will need our prayers as they gather the strength to deal with her sudden passing.
I'll miss her.
Another cousin, Pauline, also passed.  Pauline was 104.  She never married, lived in the same house her entire life, and loved cats.  Pauline's mother was my maternal grandfather's sister. 
Which brings us to my cousin, Minnie.  Minnie's father and my maternal great grandfather were brothers.  Their house was across from my cousin Pauline's.
....and therein lies the story of a family quirk (one of many).
My sister and I were on the phone early this morning.  I mentioned that Minnie had passed. 
She wasn't sure who that cousin was, so I automatically said, "you know, from across the street."
My sister chuckled.  My aunt had explained it the same way.
That brought back a memory of my mother saying the same thing about the family "across the street".
Now, my sister is much younger than I.  Saying 'across the street' had no real reference for her. 
"Across what street?".
My great grandfather and his brother purchased houses across from each other.  Since thier last names were the same, and their children's names were almost identical to my great grandparents' children, it was common to explain who you were talking about by their location.
In our case, and most likely in their's too, when talking about a Tony, James, Mary, Vincent, Minnie, etc., if you weren't talking about your own, you qualified it by saying, "you know, the one across the street.".
So, today, my sister got a little lesson in family folklore and another family quirk.

4th of July

We are having a picnic later today.   A pot luck picnic, where all the neighbors will bring their prize winning salads, baked beans, and desserts.  A true slice of Americana.   The Summer Diner and The Snack Shop are providing the hot dogs, condiments, paper goods and beverages. 
My contribution will be baked beans.  They are in the slow cooker as I write this.  I'm not sure if they would win any prizes at a county fair, but I did taste them and they are good.  My father always put a few hot peppers in his baked beans.  They gave the dish a little heat, not a lot, but a lot of flavor.  I did the same.
My uncle played in a marching band, so did my grandfather and three of my boys (my daughter was in color guard).  Last night, I found one one of my favorite marches, National Eblem.
As you listen to the march, imagine our Batavia Concert Band coming down Main St.  They always started this march just before they had to make the turn onto Harvester Avenue and the cemetery for the Memorial Day parade.  About a quarter of the way into it, they would start their turn.  We always watched the parade from that corner.  Soon, the entire band would complete the turn and start down Harvester.  The music still loud enough to hear, but somewhat muffled since they had their backs to us now.
They would end the National Eblem March just as they got to the memorial where the morning ceremonies would take place.
The National Eblem March, to me, is one of the most patriotic pieces of music I know.
Wishing you all a safe and happy 4th.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U40OIESDwlU&feature=player_detailpage