I'm not sure I like this new design

Effort, renewal of

I don't know why I thought I could successfully maintain two blogs.
My intentions are good, honest, and I have posted a picture for every day in my 365 blog!
I'll try for a good TT this week, okay? Okay.

Bits and pieces

It's all I can manage!

No writing? No problem.

In lieu of the trite apology, I have joined the ranks of Those Who Blog Without Obligation. However, I am still a member of We Who Feel Guilty Anyway.

Holy Crap, it's 2008

January 1st on the Gregorian calendar. *yawn* It's when Christmas should be put back in its boxes. In 26 years, this has never happened. We tend to sit on the couch, eat, and pretend to watch the Rose Parade and various Bowl games. A much more sensible plan. *yawn*



I don't make resolutions. But if I did, I would vow to join the circus.






I would need skills! There are classes available in both Athens and Atlanta. I'll give it some thought. I'm sure I could break bones in either place.





Good omens

Rain! We got some. We need more. What did I do with that gourd?

According to those who know: Displaying a dried gourd in one's home is a good omen in Feng Shui.








We will soon enter the Year of the Rat on the Chinese calendar--the Earth Rat, to be specific. Rats are very cool mammals and make interesting companions.

People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.





Astronomical happenings to look up to in 2008
(courtesy of earthsky.org)

February 1 - Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The planets Venus and Jupiter will appear only 0.6 degrees apart in the early morning sky.

February 7 - Annular Solar Eclipse. The path of annularity will only be visible over some parts of Antarctica. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout New Zealand and some parts of eastern Australia.

February 21 - Total Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of the Americas, Africa, and Europe.

March 20 - The Vernal Equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 05:48 UT. There will be equal amounts of day and night. This is also the first day of spring.

June 20 - The Summer Solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 23:59 UT. The Sun is at its highest point in the sky and it will be the longest day of the year. This is also the first day of summer.

July 9 - Jupiter at Opposition. The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons.

August 1 - Total Solar Eclipse. The path of totality will begin in northern Canada and move east and south through northern Greenland, Siberia, Mongolia, and central China. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout most of Greenland, Europe, And Asia.

September 22 - The Autumnal Equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere at 15:44 UT. There will be equal amounts of day and night. This is also the first day of fall.

December 1 - Conjunction of Moon, Venus, and Jupiter. The crescent moon, Venus, and Jupiter will form a 3-degree triangle in the evening sky.

December 21 - The Winter Solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere at 12:04 UT. The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky and it will be the shortest day of the year. This is also the first day of winter.

Night Noises

We were awakened early this morning by some scratchy and skittery sounds from above. Whatever it is settled down quickly when Rick thumped the wall. We've never heard it before, and it's been silent ever since. Traps (non-lethal, of course) will be set tonight, and tomorrow our mystery visitor will be sent back from whence it came. Pretty optimistic, right?

It's been raining! Hurrah! We've been in a severe drought for months and months, so the latest rainfall won't make much of a dent in the deficit, but those drops will add up. We hope they keep coming! As of this afternoon, the level of the river has risen enough to totally cover both beaches. The precipitation was accompanied by unspectacular lightning and thunder.

Last night, our long-time friend, Dana, invited us to share a weekend at his family's condo in Destin, Florida. It's a 7-hour drive, and we're hoping that Rick can get an extra day off so we'll have time to relax a bit! I haven't visited saltwater in months--it would be a real treat to shuffle along in the sand and see a good Florida sunset!