On a lighter note!

Do you ever pass by a mechanical pony or say, a shiny staircase banister and wish for a moment ... just a moment ... you were wee enough to hop on?

Look what I spotted last week at the nail salon!

What flavor looks best?

Calgon, take me away!

Tho' I've not witnessed any little ones actually having pedicures, I think they're onto something!  
Just wish I were still small enough to squeeze into that bear's lap!

Lions and Tigers and Bears ... Oh my!

G'evening!

So, when I fretted to DH this evening, 
"There's Absolutely.Nothing.Happening(!) to merit a post" -- he just grinned and invited me, "Come look!"      

He knows I'm over the moon for wild animals ... especially bears.  
And supposing everyone enjoys a little "ahhhh" moment, I couldn't wait to share this improbable story!   

~ ~ ~

They make an unlikely trio, but "Baloo" the BEAR , "Leo" the LION, and "Shere Khan" the TIGER have forged an unusually strong bond.

Considering that they would be mortal enemies if they ever were to meet in the wild, it is stunning to see their unique and genuine friendship in these intimate pictures.

Rescued 8 years ago during a police drug raid in Atlanta , Georgia - the 3 friends were only cubs at the time at barely two months old.

They had been kept as status symbol pets by the drug barons.

Delivered to the Noah's Ark Animal Rescue Centre in Locust Grove , Georgia , the decision was made to keep the youngsters together, because of their budding rapport.

"We could have separated them, but since they came as a kind of family, the Zoo decided to keep them together," said Diane Smith, assistant director of Noah's Ark.

Living with the zoo's founders for the past eight years - Shere Khan, Baloo and Leo have now moved to a purpose-built habitat where the US public can now witness first hand their touching relationships.

It is possible to see Baloo, who is a 1000lb bear, Shere Khan, a 350lb tiger and Leo, the Lion, who is also 350lbs, messing around like brothers.

They are totally oblivious to the fact that in any other circumstance they would not be friends.

Handled by Charles and Jama Hedgecoth, the zoo's owners and founders, the three friendly giants appear to have no comprehension of their animal differences.

"Baloo and Shere Khan are very close," says Diane.

That is because they rise early, and as Leo is a lion, he likes to spend most of the day sleeping.

It is wonderful and magical to see a giant American Black Bear put his arm around a Bengal and then to see the tiger nuzzle up to the bear like a domestic cat.

When Leo wakes up the three of them mess around for most of the day before they settle down to some food.

Surprisingly for three apex predators with the power to kill with a single bite or swipe of their paw, they are very relaxed around each other.

"They eat, sleep and play together," said Jama.

As they treat each other as siblings they will lie on top of each other for heat and simply for affection.

Explaining that the three 'brothers' have always seemed to share a unique bond, Charles said: 'Noah's Ark is their home and they could not possibly be separated from each other.

And how are YOU getting along with YOUR neighbors today?

What's your number?

"That's it!  I'm coming to live at YOUR house!!!"

In response to our raised voices, my GM sticks her head around the corner ...  as Ms. Human Resources chuckles self-consciously:   "Well, I'm not really sure, but I think we keep our thermostat set at 65."  

Oh yeah, it's been an incredibly uncomfortable Summer.  I don't suppose anyone feels immune ... or doesn't long for a nip of Fall.  

Did you happen to see the January(?) issue of Reader's Digest?   I was incredulous to read one expert's advice (that) the "best sleep" occurs when keeping the thermostat at 65 degrees.   (I could only conclude the good Doctor must hold a major interest in some Public Utility!)

It turns out, my co-worker's estimate was off by nearly 20 degrees.

While DH and I've (reluctantly) compromised on a #77 ... I'm always on the lookout for other ways in which to save electricity.
Since learning of kitchen fires begun by dishwashers, we no longer run that machine at bedtime ...if at all.   The clothes dryer normally begins work at 3:30AM.  

"Things could always be worse."   As a child, I used to roll my eyes at Mother's adage ... yet, it's now become my own mantra.    No question, things could always - and might very well become worse.

And I'm reminded of a sweet story by Yehudit Channen -- which hit me like the proverbial "ton of bricks."   May I share an excerpt?

Another one of our members is a Holocaust survivor named Abby, who survived the war by living in a Christian orphanage.  One morning the lady who sits next to her kept repeating, "Help me, help me.  Somebody help me."

Abby, who no longer recognizes her only son, leaned in close to the other.  "What is it dear?", she asked.  "Are you scared?  We are all in this together.  You just have to make the best of it and stay out of trouble."

Great advice, no?
We are all in this together.  Thank you for helping me make the best of it!

... and have yourselves a wonderful week!

They're baaack!

Must admit, I groaned out-loud last week when I turned a corner and spotted THIS.  (Is it just me, or do children move  S-L-O-W-E-R on purpose these days?)

It's hard to make out here (someone needs to wash her windshield) ... but do you see the lady standing alongside the bus door?   As I passed, she wasn't bothering to disguise the tears rolling down her face.   Her first child? ... the baby?  
Ya, I've a bad habit of weaving stories around perfect strangers' facial expressions.


What do you remember about YOUR first day of school?


For some strange reason, all I recall is poor, pitiful Alice B. -- shrieking, screaming and clinging to her mother for dear life.
That, and a curious aroma I can best describe as eau de raincoats-n'-chalk.
Oh!  And the smell of that white, weird paste!  

Loved these boots with the elastic and buttons!

I nod n' grin like a bobble-head when reading others' recollections ...

...We got Schaefer's glue!  Loved that neat little bottle's slated rubber cap with a slit in it for application.

...School clothes!  1 dress, 2 skirts, 1-2 blouses, NO JEANS or SLACKS, and ONE pair of Buster Brown (sensible) shoes.  Of course, by Junior High we had P.E., so we had to have tennies for that.

And my personal favorite ...
What teacher would we be assigned?


Now, our return from summer vacation normally coincided with Labor Day.   So that evening -- me with bated breath -- we'd drive to check out Class Lists posted on the school's glass doors.    


Magic.Moments for sure.


When time of year did you start school?   I'd love to hear of your own magic moments!