Monday, June 30, 2014

BUFFALO WALLOW

A buffalo wallow is a natural depression in the prairie that holds rain water. The wallows serve as temporary watering holes and they are a spot favored by the buffalo to "wallow in" to cool off  and drink from on hot days.

This late 1800 map shows the extent and size of the land where the buffalo once roamed.  The American Indians lived on Plains of North America and the buffalo were their entire source of existence, as they used every single part of the animal in their day to day life....not wasting one smidgen.

Also in the late 1800's a couple of young buffalo hunter brothers from England made their way to Ft. Zulu Stockade, about 15 miles from where I live. The Cator Brothers lived and died in the area as they hunted buffalo alongside the Plains Indians.


Ft. Adobe Walls

a map of the fort

hunting the buffalo

Later, as the military began to relocate the Indians into areas where they could contain and maintain them, they began to slaughter the buffalo.  An estimated 31,000,000 buffalo were killed between the years of 1868 and 1881
 with only 500 buffalo left by the year of 1885.

I hope this makes you sad...but be sad no longer because 
THE BUFFALO ARE BACK!!
oh yes they are!

on our trip to Mount Rushmore we traveled through 
where nearly 600,000 acres contain a diversity of plants and animals and are one of the most extensive, productive ecosystems in the United States....and especially dedicated to
the buffalo

what an  amazing and emotional sight to behold

it would cause this chief

and his entourage

to do the happy dance!

to read more about Adobe Walls click the link below

If you love history and natural beauty...I would so encourage you to visit this area
and here we actually have a small buffalo herd close by and though not much is there to see at the Adobe Walls site, it's an amazing vacation!  Let me know...and you can be our guest at 822!

**the above  photos were given to me by my mother (the actual b&w hang in our office) and they were given to her by a man in Minnesota who came to the 1974 Anniversary of the Battle of Adobe Walls where he took the photos.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

SECRET OF LIFE


  • Be comfortable with who you are.....
  • Be comfortable in your own skin.....
  • Accept yourself the way you are.....

Year 56
this is what occurred to me
yes...I believe we need to be ok with who and what we are
but
perhaps
the real secret to life
is to 
be
ok
with who we aren't


Thursday, June 12, 2014

HONEY MOON


Friday the 13th and a full moon. That won't happen again until 2049




Ah, Friday the 13th. Whether you fear it or it’s just your favorite slasher flick, it’s coming right around the bend later this week. And while it’s pretty much a non-event as far as astronomy is concerned, there’s bound to be some woo in the works, because the June Full Moon — dubbed the “Honey Moon” — falls on the same date.

READ MORE HERE



Monday, June 9, 2014

MOUNT RUSHMORE

 
My friend Laura posted a very fun post that you might enjoy
 
and well....I have been a little absent myself these days
  • end of school activities
  • nice sunny days calling one outside
  • V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N.
 
 
 
I know I know...the geographical reality is staggering..it was to me too
but here's the deal
  • V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N.
  • Betty, B and me...and all other grand kids yet to be that can go to the potty alone
  • America...exploring the good old USA--in the car
 
This year the destination was
 
  • Oklahoma
  • Kansas
  • Nebraska
  • South Dakota
  • Wyoming
  • Colorado
  • New Mexico
Beginning and ending of course with the great state of TEXAS!  We have photos of this cute little thing in front of SEVEN state signs.  I know we are all state proud and WE SHOULD BE.  I was amazed at the beauty and although we brought books to read...we could never look down long enough to read them...we wanted to SEE!  It gives me chills to think about how incredibly lucky we are for the freedom to get in the car and drive.

I have my own to-do list and it includes getting back in touch with all of you 


 
 I've missed you!