Shadow Shot Sunday 2 ~ Godson Shadows

Our godson was home from Stanford for a few days so we got to spend some time with him.  Patrick gave him a tour of his Power Generating Station and I got to go out to lunch with him at Bryan's  Black Mountain BBQ in Cave Creek.  I had my first pulled squash barbeque sandwich and it was yummy!  Our godson just turned 20 the day before, yet he still doesn't mind spending time with a couple old fogies. What a refreshing young man he is.  And very bright too.  I'm not biased or anything either. 

To view more Shadow Shots, or to join in the fun, just go to http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com.  (I had to come back in and delete the "HERE link" normally provided, as every time it was clicked upon it would take one to a stupid survey  ---  with no way out!!  Not sure what that was all about. )   

Anywhoooooo....Blessings to all who pass this way.
love,
Cassie

Computer Free Saturday

No computer for me today. 24 hours without contact.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  God bless you!
love,
Cassie

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ Shadow Dogs

Hootie, our Welsh Terrier, is playing with his little, squeaky ball while Miss Baby Rocket Dog, our Airedale Terrier,  lurks close by.  Baby is waiting for the right moment to steal his ball from him.  Watch out Hootie!!

To join us for Shadow Shot Sunday, or just to see what or who else is lurking in the shadows, go on over to ShadowShotSunday2.blogspot.com.  Blessings to all who pass this way, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
love,
Cassie

One of My Best Friends Was A Liberal...

A while back, we had decided that our dogs were of differing political persuasions. Hootie, the hard working conservative, figured out how to work the Yuppy Puppy Treat Machine right away. He was willing to let Baby Rocket Dog share in his hard work, but eventually got very upset a bit miffed when it was obvious she wasn't going to do any of the work herself. Baby Rocket Dog was the liberal. She just waited for Hootie to do all the work, then she swooped in to get the free meal. This entitlement attitude went on for almost 2 years. Baby just did not want to learn how to make the machine work. She had her own occupy movement going and was sitting fat and pretty. She'd lay next to the treat machine and whine and make all kinds of noises, but would not attempt to do the work. As soon as Hootie made it dispense the treats she'd bully her way in and steal them. Finally this Fall I got Baby to give working a try and she found out how satisfying it is to work for her treat. She is now a card carrying conservative. he he. This illustration is not meant to offend my liberal readers. Just sayin'!!


You see, one of my best friends was once a liberal until she saw the light.

Shadow Shot Sunday ~ #199 ~ Ecuador In January

My old, schoolmate, Mary Ann Romania (I always loved her name!) and I reconnected at our 40th H.S. reunion several years ago.  I've followed the blogs that she and her husband, Bob, have made from their vacation trips to fun and exotic places since then.  Their most recent trip was in January to Ecuador.  The photos are amazing and there were these shadow shots that Bob took that I could not resist. I had to ask him if I could snag them for SSS and he graciously agreed.  The top macro shot is of some kind of rainforest grasshopper on what appears to be a Venus Fly Trap.  The middle photo is taken from an aerial tram that takes passengers to an elevation of 13,280 feet to the summit of Cruz Loma.  The bottom photo is of Mary Ann on a bridge.  I love that one. Looks like Ecuador is a beautiful country. If you get a chance, go visit Bob & Mary's blog and tell them I sent you!
For more Shadow Shots please take a trip over to our host blog, Shadow Shot Sunday 2.  Have a great weekend.
love, Cassie
 

Shadow Shot Sunday #198 ~ Hootie

A pensive Hootie in the shadows. 

He loves our neighbor Jeanne and longs for her when she is gone!

For more Shadow Shot Sunday 2 photos, go visit  http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.com/.  Our hostess this week is Magical Mystical Teacher and to get a glimpse of her fab Shadow Shots, and usually some great haiku, just click here.

Blessings to all who pass this way.  Life is short.  Make sure to let those you love know how important they are to you.

love, Cassie 

Rest In Peace El Gato

Our daughter and son in law's Chartreaux cat, El Gato, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, 2/28/12.  He was rushed to the emergency vet and pronounced dead on arrival.  The vet said that he probably had an aneurism that ruptured, causing sudden death.  There was nothing that could be done to save him.  He was a wonderful boy and I fell in love with him from the moment I met him 9 years ago. Everyone who met him, cat folk or not, thought he was a wonderful cat.

Here is a little history about this serene fellow:   The "kids" adopted Gato early on in their marriage, after finding him starving, shaggy and frightened in the woods in Issaquah, WA.  They went around to all the local vets and also posted "Cat Found" posters around the area.  He was "de-clawed" (brutal amputation at the knuckles) when they found him so they figured he was someones indoor cat. When no one came forward to claim him, they went about getting his proper shots, etc. while nursing him back to health.  He totally became their cat.  The only thing I can say derogatory about Gato is that he was a miserable not a good traveler.  The kids only made one car trip with him to visit us in Idaho and it was a nightmare apparently.  Though he was normally very quiet he made noise and poohed and up-chucked the whole 9 hour trip. I think that was probably his one and only road trip...and maybe the only time he was naughty. About 2 years ago when Gato was at the vet it was discovered that he had a chip implanted in him.  The kids were devastated, fearing they would loose their wonderful cat, but knew the people that had owned him originally were probably missing him all those years. They prayed about what to do and decided they needed to contact the original owners. After many tears, they were prepared for the worst but hoped for the best.  The man that they talked with said that Gato was purchased for their little boy for his birthday, but when the cat ran away they got him another present. Just like that, he said, "No problem. He's your cat now."  Our daughter & SIL were so happy.  They called us to tell us the good news and we rejoiced with them.  Gato said nothing...he was a cat of few words, but we know he was happy too.

Rest in peace Gato.  You were a good boy and we will miss you.