July and August, 2009
|
MUSE INDEX Dropdown menus LINKS Previous issues What's New Who's Who Birthdays and Anniversaries Muse readers' own websites Muse History July-August Photo Gallery Nancy's Quilts |
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE: A TRIP TO GEORGIA (Becky Murdock) Click ARIZONA FAUNA (Margery Aukstikalnis) Click MY NEW KITTEN (Mer Murdock) Click ENJOYED THE MUSE (Barb DiStefano) Click RELAY FOR LIFE (Missi Sargent) Click FAMILY TIES (Daniel Leskinen) Click A DEER IN MY YARD (Sue Schlicke Ziats) Click IT'S A BOY!(Caroline Murdock) Click HOWLETT REUNION(Bob Murdock) Click Part 2 MILAN ADVENTURE (Colleen McKay) Click JEAN OGAWA VISITS FROM JAPAN (Nancy and Bob Murdock) Click BACK IN MAINE (Derek Revilock-Frost) Click GOOD FOOD (Gene Murdock) Click WEEKEND IN THE DESERT (Robert F. Murdock) Click IN RESPONSE TO A SNEEZE (Valerie Davidson) Click SAVING THE LIBRARIES (Charlie Frost) Click LIBRARY FUNDING (Tom Howlett) Click |
at La Grande Jatte" Gallery photo Quilt index |
a graceful lady |
Margery Aukstikalnis In the past seven days we have been fortunate to see, within 20 feet of the house, an array of birds and animals, many of which are first time sightings for us. First a large turkey vulture sat about half an hour on our well, ugly of face, but oh so graceful of flight when he finally left. Our cat, Emily, alerted us to the pair of white-tail deer when she jumped up on the kitchen sink to watch them just 10 feet outside the window. There have been at least 10 cottontail and four jack rabbits. Today Jack noticed a diamond back rattle snake curled up between the trash barrels after he finished emptying them. The snake was apparently quite content, as he offered no rattle of warning. Besides the usual dozens of mockingbirds, hawks, ravens, sparrows, swallows and miscellaneous flycatchers, we saw a hummingbird who wouldn't stay still long enough for us to identity (there are many kinds here, unlike New England where we only see the ruby throated), several black throated sparrows, sharply marked, and a western wood peewee who likes to admire himself in the side-view mirror of my car. But the real treats were a Strickland's Woodpecker, the only brown -backed one in the area, a phainopepla who looks like a jet black cardinal but sings like a mockingbird, and my favorite a blue grosbeak. As these are mostly western birds, I find myself with nose in book trying to identify each new sighting. I am grateful for vision and hearing enough to be able to identify and enjoy them all. And I am grateful to Aunt Helen, Mom and Dad who taught us and encouraged our birdwatching almost as soon as we could walk. We hope to head back to New England soon, but sure are glad we were here this past week to enjoy Arizona's treasures! [Message from July 3, 2009] - I just returned from grocery shopping, and trading my jeans and shirt for shorts and tank top, I remembered Mom , upon returning from shopping, trading her dress, shoes and good nylons for an old skirt, jersey, sneakers, and nylons with runs or patches in them for home and garden wear. Yes, she wore nylons in the garden!! What a graceful, beautiful woman she was. |
|
Mer Murdock Sean's friends were not allowed to have a kitty in their apartment, so Sean asked if I would like her. Their name for her was Cinderella, but I don't know what I'm going to call her yet. She's supposed to be about two years old, but I don't even think she's one. Weighs almost nothing, and acts like a total kitten. She does hate Charlie right now, but he never bothers her at all, and I think she'll come around soon. She's potty trained, and fixed, and has a chip. Also, she came with two bags of Charlie's favorite kitty food! She always wants to be near me, and is sleeping on the kitty tree two feet away from me as I type this. [Ed. note - Mer later named the kitten "Chloe." - - RDM] |
|
Barb DiStefano Hi y'all! I just avidly read the Murdock Muse... What a disappointment!! The disappointment came when it ended!!! Seriously, it was so much fun to read - Nancy, your article on the Sneeze was particularly hilarious! I wanted to ask your friend Charlie Frost if he had read the book I mentioned to you called "Dewey" which was a true story about a library cat. Gene had read and enjoyed it. Also I think Mer would enjoy it, as she is certainly a cat person, and painted quite an enjoyable picture of her cat reacting to Mer's rearranging a room! I felt excitement with Natalie, laughed at Margery's language problem, empathized with Claudia, and on and on, just a kaleidoscope of emotions throughout the Muse. It was truly wonderful. And I love your featured quilt! So thanks, for a great issue! |
|
Missi Sargent Hi all, June 15 - Well this weekend was the Relay for Life held at MWCC! It turned out to be a beautiful weekend. For the third year, I created a CD as a fundraiser and was fortunate enough to be invited to sing at the event. Me and my roadies (Richie and Jamie...LOL) set out on Saturday morning and I sang at 11 am. The boys were such good helpers and recorded it for me. I really enjoyed singing and was so very pleased with my total this year. I raised about $700 for the cause! I’ve posted the performance on YouTube. Click here for part 1. Click here for part 2. Thanks for watching. Missi |
|
Daniel Leskinen This link is by my cousin Donna's daughter-in-law. Donna is my Dad's Niece. Click here for the Cubbedge Patch blogs. Dan'l |
|
Sue Schlicke Ziats Uh oh, I hope this poor little deer wasn't coming for my roses ... He was only here for a minute, until Lady started barking and scared it away! [Click here to see the deer in Sue's beautiful yard.] |
|
Caroline Murdock Hi, it's Caroline. I’m horrible at trying to send pics so I hope they got to you. One is of lil Robbie. I thought I'd include it because it is super cute. Cody James Murdock was born May 26th at 12:15 am. 7lbs 12ozs, 19ins long. Let me know if you get the pics. Love, Caroline [Ed. note - Pics came through fine. Good job! We will use Lil Robbie another time. He's a cutie pie, all right. - - RDM] |
|
Bob Murdock The Howlett Family Reunion will be hosted again by John and Cathy, this year on Saturday, July 11 - avoiding 4th of July traffic. We found two announcements: a Facebook entry from Sarah and an Email from Polly. [Facebook entry by Sarah Bergeron, June 16:] Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009 Time: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Location: John & Cathy's home On behalf of my parents John & Cathy Howlett, you are invited! Please come celebrate! This year's theme is "Christmas in July"! [Email from Polly, June 6:] Hey Everyone, Are you ready for a day of fun, food, and catching up on the news of the past year? This year I'm organizing a Chinese Auction, Penny Sale or raffle, whatever you want to call it. This will be mostly pre-owned items of which I have many and if anyone else wants to contribute it will be gratefully acepted. Kevin, I also have Jarts if you want to organize some games. Those games could be in the front yard and maybe we can have kid games down in the backyard so nobody gets hurt. This may keep things moving while the food cooks. Make sure you all RSVP to John and Cathy so they know how many ribs to buy. [John and Cathy, cathyjohnhow@tds.net ] I hope to see all of you on July 11th. Love to you all, Polly |
| Top / Muse Home / What's New / Who's Who |
