Open Thread – The Twins Return!
I love being the bearer of good news! Mudflatters will remember that two summers ago, we had a very blessed event here at Mudflats Central. Our blog mascot, Brian found himself a lady love, and two bouncing baby mooselets were born right at the end of my garden in early May. Needless to say, the garden did not get the attention it deserved that year, since I didn’t want to disturb the new happy family, or get an unwanted hoof to the solar plexus for venturing too close.
I had many inquiries after the two little ones grew stronger, and eventually took off for parts unknown with Mom. You never really do know what happens to the little guys. I told you all I’d let you know if they appeared again, but I wasn’t going to hold my breath that they would. The odds can be against them. Between battling the elements during their first winter, finding enough food, and predation by bears and wolves, the odds for survival of twins to adulthood can be less than what we would hope for our two little ones.
~The twins and mom at three days old
But, there are times also when nature is kind, and it looks like it might have been this time around. I was out in the yard with my camera today, photographing some amazing ice crystals (which I’ll post tomorrow) and I heard a noise. A moose! It didn’t seem much bothered by my presence, and stood staring as I clicked away. But then it took a couple steps toward me. Usually not a good sign.
~Being followed…
I got up and started walking toward the house. I checked over my shoulder. I was being followed. I got in the house and closed the sliding glass doors, and there it stood still and silent, just looking.
The snow back in the garden crunched, and then I saw number two! She came sauntering over and stood shoulder to shoulder with the first, giant glassy eyes rimmed with long soft eyelashes, gazing at me through the glass. I had thought it was a mother and a calf, but then I realized – twins! And not only that, but the twins were just the right age to be the twins that were born right at the end of the garden where these two had just come from.
They stood for a long time, and let me take pictures. Then as they turned to go, one of them started snuffling the fishing float that was lying out in the yard, just like our twins had done. Then the other one began playing with the swing set, nosing one of the swings back and forth and having a high old time.
Then the two sisters frolicked a bit, and trotted off down the hill, side by side.
Now, there’s no proof positive that these are the same moose, but the age is right, and this is the land of their birth, and they have shown a previous penchant for yard toys. So, I say welcome back to our happy, healthy twins! That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
They’re adorable. And I’m stickin’ to your story too! Thank you :c)
They came to bring a message from your beloved Mama that she is doing fine, she is doing great. It’s a full moon, I can think what I want. Love, Bretta
What a beautiful story and the photos are precious. It touched my heart, I believe, I believe.
The twins are so beautiful. Lovely to see them again.
What are their names?
I remember you would not name them when babies because you feared they would not survive.
Are they old enough now to have earned naming? Too bad their not boys so Castor and Pollux is out.
Barbie and Midge?
Buffy and Willow?
Wilma and Betty?
Lucy and Ethel?
Just a tip ‘o the hat for two amazing Open Thread photo essays – svelte twin moose charmers, and hoarfrost crystals!
I felt uplifted just reading and looking at these.
Delightful! Thank you for so much!
Not to rain on your parade, but those calves are yearlings, not two year-olds. According to ADF&G, “The maternal bond is generally maintained until calves are 12 months old at which time the mother aggressively chases her offspring from the immediate area just before she gives birth.” But, this is actually a good thing- this means that there have been two sets of twins in your area in the last two years, rather than one. Cool. And please, don’t feed them no matter how sorely you’re tempted, but keep the photos coming.
Maybe a true hero to the people will show up from nowhere with a pencil and paper and define Quittypants out of existence.Maybe it will be self-inflicted,you know- I think not,therefore I am not.
Wonderful! Around here someone would probably try to feed them. We have areas of the city that are over run with deer due to such people and landscape they like to chow down on.
AKM, Sorry, I’ve not had the chance to read all the other comments yet. I’m sitting here in Southern California, with tears running down my cheeks – this is a **glorious** story, with the most beautiful photos. What a happy, happy day for you – and after what you’ve just gone through. Thank you for sharing this spectacular event with us!
The Guardians take on Palin’s Hannity interview:
“In the interview, Palin – who is a paid Fox analyst – repeatedly said she was not attempting to defend herself. “This isn’t about me,” she said, “My defence wasn’t self-defence, it was defending those who were falsely accused.”
“But in the course of the half-hour interview, she did not name Giffords or any of her fellow victims.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/18/sarah-palin-defends-blood-libel
A great comment on $arah’s ‘interview’ with Sean. I was wondering if there was a mudpeep who posted over on HP as “Madbunny”… beth.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Madbunny/sarah-palin-crosshairs-us_n_810118_74295317.html
What a beautiful set of twins!! My moose encounter occurred while hiking in Maine. I was next to a large pond, and a lovely lady moose ambled over. I was shocked by her height — she was taller than some houses I’ve seen. Health and peace.
Thank you for these wonderful pics. It’s wonderful those 2 moosies found their way home to your backyard. It’s a safe haven for them.
I have been following your blog along w/ all the comments for several years and absolutely love the pics, the comments, and everything you and all the feedback peeps have to say. Rock on!
This is NOT parody. They are serious. Seriously???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhMepzqJvIw
Ew, that was disgusting. I couldn’t listen to the end of it – almost, but not quite. And, yeah, I think they are serious. THAT is the best example of what’s so scary about that female.
They look like they have bulked up well and have healthy looking dense coats, so hopefully they will do well this winter.
The twins are adorable. What a nice vision to see on your return to AK. Thanks for sharing. I thought we named them Bonnie and Brett, something like that. I’m pretty sure about the girl name, not so much about the boy. Now that we know they are both girls, guess we need to come up with another female appellation. Perhaps Belinda?
Or just add an “e” to Brett and it can be a girl’s name.
Is there a Harry Chapin type,rugged,Alaskan troubadour that can tell the tale of twin mooses that grow up to promote peace and harmony on MLK day,and quite possibly bring the downfall of Quittypants and her ambitions and possibly be given the Nobel Prize for Peace ,all in three minutes or less? How about a screenplay?
Gosh, mike, you don’t ask for much, do you?
Hey, as long as we’re shooting for the moon, can we make him handsome, single and over 40? 🙂
Can I meet him?
Hey, I’m handsome, single, and over 40. Way over 40.
sweet.
if you were wondering if anything would change in Arizona after the shootings there here is your answer:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41120343/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
____________________________________________________________
Arizona Republicans remain adamant that the shooting will not dissuade them from pushing their pro-gun agenda
There’s also a story saying Giffords could lose her seat due to her potential incapacity.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/giffords-lose-seat-arizona-rules/
An Arizona lawyer has pointed out that the law that Brewer refers to relates to state officials, it cannot over ride federal regs and there are not provisions in federal statutes that allow removal of a Rep or Senator of not doing the work.
So pretty much the only things that can remove a sitting Federal Congress man during their term are death, impeachment.
I’ll stick my thoughts on MLK day here. Peace on earth. Please
Nobody even stands in the same category of greatness in the US during the first half of the last century as FDR.
Nobody even stands in the same category of greatness in the US during the second half of the last century as MLK.
No Presidents are as beloved or as respected around the world as FDR and JFK, and this drives the Republicans to levels of hatred that may destroy this country.
They are so jealous that they do not rate the love or respect that these great men had and still have that they are willing to tear this country to shreds to undo all the good these great leaders did.
But that is a fools errand because they will never be able to erase the history of these men’s work. All of these men are renowned around the world and their history will live everywhere else even if the NaziCons burn every book that records their acts and reeducate every American for generations –
They cannot kill the dreams.
OK, I hope this isn’t true
http://mediainsidergossip.wordpress.com/
Hahaha…the GOP will finish the job if this is true.
oh dear…..well all i can say for now is “bring it Sarah, bring it on.
So she’s the reincarnation of Esther, and, also, the Queen of bad timing?
LOL. i think she is the reincarnation of Vlad the Impaler. just my opinion.
Well, she sure doesn’t want to announce AFTER Gabby Giffords gets a chance to comment on her assassination attempt. Gabby seems to be doing really well!
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2011/01/doctors_giffords_doing_well_after_weekend_surgerie.php?ref=fpa
I sure hope the Republicans know enough about her to exercise some control over “her highness”, or else it will be a really wicked two years…get some earplugs!
I wouldn’t hire this woman to babysit for me. Fer fecks sake…she is being considered as presidential material! I will never cease to be amazed.
Check out Lawrence Odonnell on that ‘interview’. Fineman and Frum could only shake their heads. Frum says ‘She really needs to stop talking’.
Any idea where I can find it to watch online?
I checked the msnbc website and that’s not one of the listed video clips. I only have rock bottom service on my cable and don’t get msnbc so I depend on the ‘inter-tubes’ to catch up on what I missed.
Beautiful pictures. I love that they came to welcome you home and remind you that life is a cycle. Their curiosity is amazing and delightful to see.
Democracy Now spent an hour today on Two of Rev. MLK’s speeches. First was given a year before his assassination; the second the day before he was killed.
Watch, listen or read here:
http://www.DemocracyNow.org
The mooselets are precious. They remind me of those old Doublemint Twins commercials!
OH! That’s why I’m still stuck in moderation. I got my email wrong, LOL.
Really neat! We see twins as babies, but not older. It is fun to see them together a year later. Thanks
http://dalesdesigns.net/rock-on.htm This guy sings old rock songs with a change in the words, please listen. I’m sitting at working, laughing.
That was great – thanks for the link.
What a HOOT!
Thank you…for the photos, the links…the comments…it helps us be better people, more caring.
It has been sooooo long since I turned on Fox News, I can’t remember what channel it’s on.
I will be watching Pierce Morgan tonight. Have seen him being interviewed by Anderson Cooper and an others. Unlike Hannity—-Pierce has a brain!
Dear Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King,
thank you for all you have done. your people continue to rise still. all 300,000,000 of us continue to cross those many rivers. we will make it. rest now and be at peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3ExIuVbZ1I&ob=av2nm
Thank you for that link. Dr. King will always be remembered for the good that he worked for. Because of his efforts, civil rights in America became a reality and equality, while not absolutely attained, will continue to make great strides in his memory.
So beautifully stated.
And such beautiful girls. Thanks for a moosey morning. 🙂
I thought Glen Beck brought about civil rights for the masses?I think I remember him rambling on about this last year sometime.
There is a film that plays frequently on PBS called “The Road to Brown” about a civil rights attorney named Houston and all that he did to advance equality within the justice system. It is a wonderful story, I recommend it.
I can hardly believe this…from the sounds of things, the Palin/Hannity pity party is designed to help Sarah get through these difficult times. Maybe all the victim’s families should let her know how much they love her in her time of suffering. I’m sure the 30% of people in support of her message have already done so. Luckily, the majority of people polled did not approve of her video message. Poor Sarah.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sarah-palin-address-controversial-tucson-video-time-interview/story?id=12633763
Why does Hannity call her a “public official” ? What office does she hold? Victim-in-chief?
If she insists on holding another pity party, this could seriously backfire on her. The usual Fox viewers will believe anything, but the public at large won’t forgive her.
If she goes the other route and talks about the real victims of this tragedy, I hope she has taken better acting lessons. Her insincerity and lack of empathy in the last video was astonishing. I believe that was what turned most people off her last week. I must confess to not having heard the phrase “blood libel” before, so that aspect of the video escaped me initially. What did stick out a mile however, were her Presidential aspirations (flag and fireplace), her lack of attention to the victims and her failure to apologise for her heated rhetoric.
I’ll have to wait until the morning googles to see which direction she chose.
On the show with Hannity she explained blood libel – at least her version of it. But it still doesn’t make sense that she applied it to herself. No way has she suffered in such a manner that would make that appropriate. And I’m still not convinced that she knew what it was when she gave that first speech. I think she heard someone else use it, had a vague idea that it meant being falsely accused (but out of the historical context), and let it fall out of her mouth.
I will admit, I didn’t know what it meant. But when she said it, I did what most people do. I looked it up. Took all of 5 minutes to see what a horrific thing she was applying to her own position. If she actually knew what the reference was, then she should have chosen a different phrase. And if not, she should have apologized rather than trying to show how right she was in using it.
Total FAIL!!! I was expecting a well scripted shiny interview. She was a rambling mess. Word Salad du Jour. Again.
I hadn’t listened to her in months and watched a very short portion of her 8 minute opera diva audition (me, me, me, ME, me, me, meeeee.) Her accent has changed. Gone is the Fargo accent–except for things like “rill.” She should have paid more attention to the lighting–it showed off her jowls so much, she should have just taken an eyebrow pencil and traced the creases down each side of her face from nose to chin. And what was with the jaw clenching! Is she trying to crack a molar?
A look at some Palin fans as they sign “Sarah Palin’s Battle Hymn”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhMepzqJvIw
And no, this is in all seriousness…it is not some strange comedy routine.
That was awful. But the comments were entertaining…..”More Cowbell!”…”Live, from New York….Wait, this was serious???”
Meant to be “sing” since, unfortunately, we can hear them.
Sad, deluded people…..why is his hat on..? My dad never did get over that one ’til he died…it just the mannerly thing to do…regardless of income..poor, and rich alike- remove their hats indoors… deep breaths…! She’s a looker…….(my husband likes to use that phrase..I must remember to forego that extra ice cream tonight- or I’ll look just like her- I quit showing my arms years ago)
oops. I didn’t see this before I posted it as well.
That was unwatchable. Didn’t make it 3 seconds. I’m not kidding.
the twins. i’m soooooo excited about the twins.
question: didn’t we name them?
we need to find names for them Fawnskin. you go first. i cannot for the life of me get the fog out of head today.
We did, but I think we thought they were a girl and a boy at the time. 🙂
Tag Team Matchup: Tonight’s Monday Night Ratings Fight. FOX v CNN. Hannity V Piers Morgan. Sarah v Oprah. 8pm Central. Check your local listings. Be There!!!!
Piers Morgan was on The View this morning. He seems like he can do a rockin’ interview sure would like to see him beat Hannity in the overnights on his first show in Larry King’s old spot. Rachel will understand if we give her “the evening off.”
Yesssssssss!
The twins are so adorable, there’s very little in this life cuter than a “tween” moose.
We have a Momma that delivers somewhere near our home each year; usually twins. Mom brings them around regularly during the fall and winter to munch on our garden leftovers, and prune the clematis that covers the side of our house.
I’m pretty certain this is same “family” that shows up in photos on Bill Hess’s blog, from time to time, as I’ve spotted them en route from our neighborhood towards his. I’m glad, because he’s a much better photographer that I am and is able to do them photographic justice!
I can honestly say that I worry about the health and safety of this moose family. Case in point, I was driving home one night on a street very near ours and cars were stopping and lo and behold there were “my moose” casually crossing the road in near darkness! I was very thankful that they made it, but I often worry about them traveling from one place to another as they have been spotted in areas that required multiple road crossings!
Stay safe, all you little suburban moosies of Alaska!
This is an interesting tidbit, coming just before the house brings in a vote to repeal health care reform:
http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/01/06/more-small-businesses-offering-health-care-to-employees-thanks-to-obamacare/
From the Forbes article: “If you’re all about beating up on President Obama, you can conveniently forget this bit of data as if it never really happened. However, if your interest is to make health care available to more Americans, this should be a happy day for you – no matter what your ideological beliefs.”
Almost 60 degrees and sunny in the forest today, and no school (thank you, Brother Martin) so I’ve been on the swing by the pond, writing, reading, and soaking up some vitamin D, watching the birds and critters…
The new flock of chickens has the run of the ‘back forty” during the day, so they’ve been exploring and scratching and cackling all around. The smallest hen laid her first egg this weekend (a smallish egg with a greenish shell) and she was So Proud of herself. She’s a mean little bird who will peck you just as soon as look at you. The rooster is a big, handsome fellow, and quite tame. Three buff hens are also pretty tame, but the little white hen is still very shy.
Also seen in the forest this morning: a large hawk, blue jays, cardinals, mockingbirds, and some wrens. I heard some woodpeckers, but couldn’t spot them. Four goldfish still swim the pond, none the worse for wear after life under ice last week. Haven’t seen the great blue heron or evil raccoons lurking about, so that’s good for the fishies.
I’m heading back out to the sunshine, and leave you with a favorite from my collection of quotations:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
~MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, pp. 62–63 (1967).
wishing you plenty of love and light,
thatcrowwoman
Sounds beautiful there. It is currently snowing in Juneau and has finally started to warm up from our single digits last week. It is beautiful here as well and I will be heading out this afternoon with the camera in another one of my feeble attempts to capture nature’s beauty. I’m a good photographer but nature beauty is just so astounding.
Thank for you post, I loved it. Here is one of my favorite quotes:
Our separation of each other is an optical illusion of consciousness. – Albert Einstein
‘I’ve been on the swing by the pond, writing’ – TCW: DId you forget to use the cement slab?
Wishing you love and light too! I’ve got to learn to temper the angst I feel towards the haters. I don’t really hate them, but I certainly can’t muster any love towards them. For that I need outside help.
Thank you.. Hate cannot drive out hate…
A friend of our daughter sent her this link and said she plans to attend a performance. Thought mudpups near the theater might want to let us know how it is.
http://www.citysbest.com/washington-dc/news/2011/01/13/the-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-palin/
I can’t wait for the reviews and descriptions of some of the funnier bits.
I signed up for the newsletter……Not a good sign to be mocked so …hilariously…especially if you want to run for POTUS….especially.
Oh, I really don’t think I could sit through it. The Sound of Music is one of my favorite musicals. Some things just shouldn’t be messed with.
But OF COURSE they’re the same twins that were born in your yard! They obviously came back to pay a post-holiday visit to their Auntie Jeanne!
How can you help but love those sweet, sweet faces???
Happy Monday, AKM and mudpuppies all…may the rest of the week be as full of happy surprises as AKM’s backyard this morning!
And may we all take a lesson from Dr. King on his special day and make peace with our brothers and sisters. 🙂
Another very thoughtful column in The New Yorker which begins with a historical review of political violence in Israel then connects to the Tucson tragedy and violent rhetoric.
“These realities, and not the malevolence of liberal opportunists, were why, in the immediate aftermath of the crime, the “national conversation” focussed on the nation’s poisonous political and rhetorical climate. That conversation, which was worth having before, is not less worth having now because the connection between the crime and the climate is so murky—and it may well turn out to be more productive. If so, much of the credit will be due to Obama’s leadership. His elegy at the huge memorial meeting in Tucson last week was his finest speech as President, and the truest to his essential character.”
Read more http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2011/01/24/110124taco_talk_hertzberg#ixzz1BJhwHTYY
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2011/01/24/110124taco_talk_hertzberg
Sullivan must be feeling a bit philosophical today. He begins with a quote from Orwell then proceed with:
“What worries me about the otherwise laudatory goal of greater civility after Tucson is that we do not lose either anger or the ability to channel that anger generously for the sake of the greater good.”
And ends with:
“So I would feel terribly uncivil if I hadn’t, after furious exposure of torture, written something appealing directly to George W. Bush to make things better (no such luck); or if, after lacerating the GOP for fiscal recklessness, had not endorsed Bowles-Simpson or a similar effort at serious reform. Palin? Here, there is no conceivable way in which, in my judgment, her presence on the national stage can improve our discourse, help solve our problems or improve public life. But that does not forbid one from noting the great example she has shown in rearing a child with Down Syndrome, whatever his provenance. Or from admiring her father’s genuineness or her raw demagoguic talent. I’ve consistently tried to do this without undercutting my still-raw amazement that an advanced democratic society could even contemplate putting such a person in a position of any real power.
“Generous anger: a classically Orwellian term. Because it is a new phrase, a fresh idea, and yet instantly understandable. And necessary.”
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2011/01/generously-angry.html
OMG… my comment on your post missed this spot and went up to 27.2 Sorry ‘about that!
Yes, Mr. Sullivan is one of my journalistic heroes.
That’s happened to me before too.
Even the twins missed you! Welcome home. I’m so sorry that you had to leave for that reason. Thanks for the photos and hope that your future is bright.
These are great pictures – I especially like the last one. Very sweet, almost makes me forget to get out of their way!
Long lashes, soft muzzles and those shiny whisker around the lower lip… great capture of sunlight, AKM.
How tempting it must have been to try to open the door and try to pet them. I understand that’s not a good idea. But the picture of the two of them at the door is just priceless!
why isn’t it a good idea? what might happen? if i should ever meet a moose should i be afraid?
Alaskans?
They might bite you????
Well, I for one wouldn’t quite to know what to do if I opened the door and they decided to come into the house. I’m not sure you could stop them. But basically, I would suspect the unpredictability of a wild animal would not make it a good idea.
I found this for more info:
http://onemansalaska.com/alaska-moose-safety
I think your mom sent the twins for you to see them! She must have known how happy it would make you!
What a lovely, lovely story. And the pictures are too cool!
I believe that we are “energy come to form” and when we shed that form, we once again become pure energy.. stardust if you will.
When I saw those pictures above, I thought along similar lines. Blessed Be, AKM, and thanks for sharing these joyful moments.
Yes, energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but it can change form. I like the idea of stardust.
YES!! i agree. i thought the same thing….a sweet embrace, a gentle kiss from a mind outside of time and distance. it is a beautiful thing to receive.
… these ideas give me peace, and that is all that matters…
Have a peaceful Martin Luther King Day, everyone!
… I began my day with a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center… no matter how small, it helps.
I you want to feel good, please join me, but do not, at least not for today, look at the list of their law suits or you may lose your gentle mindset. Love, Tolerance and Peace, Ing
Thank you….a good reminder.
Andrew Sullivan is a ‘must-read’ for all of us who think!
Priceless! They ARE our babies back to play with the swing set and say Welcome Back Mama Jeanne, we missed you. Me too!
yes but a pail of carrot and beet tops and a few turnips if just casually left by the garage wouldn’t be amiss would it AKM?
remember that time when you left some peelings in a pail when you’d made soup? it was winter and Brian was a little one and found and ate the frozen peelings; from that day on he became a member of the family and not a threat to you and yours. please AKM give the babies a snack. of course if you do you might have to move eventually because there will more Moose Devons than human Devons hanging about and wanting their pictures taken. tis problematic i admit.
AKM, we do have proof that these are our twins – YOU feel it in your bones! 😉 Notice we are all sticking to the story with you! Very uplifting pictures and story – gracias. Have a good week Mudpups!
I will not be watching Hannity tonight (I’m afraid I don’t have the stomach for it) but I listened to a little of what to expect on Fox’s website. ARGH! Poor, poor, poor Sarah. And, according to Hannity, another victim in the Tucson tragedy, poor, poor, poor Sean. I’m sure all the Fox minions hearts will bleed for these sad victims of such a senseless tragedy. Snark over.
http://nation.foxnews.com/hannity/2011/01/17/hannity-previews-palin-interview-tonight
I think you’re right, and I’m certainly not tuning into the pity party either. But can you believe how clearly Gretchen describes Sarah:
“It kind of seems like she can’t do anything right no matter what she does.”
Of course, she didn’t mean it in the way I’m taking it! Ha!
Haven’t the Fox people realized that Palin really can’t do anything right? It’s not a perception, it’s reality. Can’t they begin to see the real reason why Palin is despised by so many? Don’t they understand that Palin’s dishonesty and total lack of integrity has not been manufactured by outside forces but is the real product of the woman who they now and have always defended? They have seen her stumble in their own softball interviews and yet they support her to be their leader, the leader of their country, the leader of the free world. Palin’s hubris is her ultimate problem and the cause of her own defeat.
It is amazing. I suppose you can’t fix stupid.
If only you could….
as always, i will not watch Fox News. as far as i am concerned they have the blood of many on their hands.
as for Palin, she has the bloody death of six people on her hands. she can deny it but she owns it. we won’t even talk about the more than two hundred people who died waiting for medical help when she was governor of Alaska. no. i will not watch because i don’t want to ‘catch an attack’ and drop dead while listening to Hannah Hannity. he is another nasty little creep.
Murdoch needs to be charged with treason; his organization dismantled; his citizenship revoked and his ass jailed along with Palin….rant over. (smiles)
on the other hand. i wonder if there would be a pup who can type fast who would tell us ‘fraidy cats what’s being said. by the time i finish the first sentence the segment will be over. my sentence would unreadable and the mudpups will be mad at me.
Perhaps she will muster some tears.! Since the spotlite glow is dimming, they could even be ACTUAL tears.. (appreciate your snark!)
I saw part of it on Lawrence O’Donnell. The best was when he talked to David Frum whose first comment was that she just needs to stop talking. He went on to say that she hadn’t hit the right tone with her first speech and instead of keeping silent she keeps trying to explain it and she’s making it even worse than it was. There are some conservatives out there who really do have my respect, even though I still disagree with their political views.
What a wonderful story and photos!
WHAT!?! NO snacks? No carrots, no celery? Yes, I’m sure you’re not supposed to feed the animals, no matter how cute they are. Beautiful creatures, beautiful pictures.
Thanks, AKM.
You can clearly see that the larger of the two mooses has Brian’s chiseled profile and jene sais quoi,which is extremely important for a moose’s social standing and ability to cheat at cards. If I had a dollar for every moose I’ve seen here in Iowa(the South of Minnesota),I would have one dollar and our mooses aren’t the rugged handsome type you have in Alaska. Go with pride Brian. You done good.
Ha Ha!
Handsome boys.
Chris Matthews and Andrew Sullivan ponder on Palin’s dumbness.
http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-matthews-is-sarah-palin-aware-shes-too-dumb-to-be-president-2011-1
Gotta love the headline. Sadly, Palin does not realize she is dumb and uninformed. She uses magic thinking coupled with lies to present herself as not only qualified but knowledgeable about all things. Remember how she distorted her mistaken use of “refudiate”. It was painfully obvious that she thought that was the correct word because it sounded right to her. Instead of acknowledging that she misspoke, she tried to convince others that she simply made up a new word. She has always lied her way to being someone who she is not. She has not only convinced her base that she is wonder woman, she is convinced in her own mind that she truly is. To borrow someone else’s brilliant image…in reality she is “Blunder Woman”. Her hubris is what is truly scary about her.
thanks Irishgirl. that was a good one. i am wondering about Chris Matthews’ almost complete turnaround on Palin. not very long ago he was pro-palin. along with Pat Buchanan he thought she was a viable candidate. i wonder what gives?
bill Maher tickled my funny bone with this:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/new-rules-bill-maher-teabaggers-founding-f
That was great. 🙂
They look good and healthy too!
What a nice story, it’s good to have good news.
Beeeeyooooteeeeful Moose! So glad to see they fared well and came back to say , howdy!
Moose Symbolism –
Moose represents self-esteem and is also about the magic of life and death.
Moose symbolizes expressing joy of accomplishment, not in a boasting way or to seek recognition.
This is done in a spirit of sharing joy which is contagious. It’s about learning to explore new depths of awareness within that lie within the self and environment. Moose is also associated with the maternal forces of the world, the primal feminine energies, longevity, value and integrity.
People with a Moose totem instinctively know balance:
when to use gentleness, when to use strength.
They know what to say, when to say it and to whom.
Moose people are usually wise beyond their years.
Perfect !
I was thinking the twinsies were an especially good omen, and this symbolism seems a good fit this morning.
They sure put a smile in my heart.
L’Chaim! To Life!
Thank you for the information! I’d not known this before. Seems appropriate indeed that the twins would be visiting AKM.
Gosh, they are so beautiful.
BuffaloGal…After your wonderful comment above I perused Jamie Sams’ Medicine Cards: This is her so very appropriate addition: Moose medicine people have the ability to know when to use the gentleness of Deer and when to activate the stampede of Buffalo. There you are!
that’s so perfect – i was going to suggest that this visit may have been prompted by AKM’s mother. my daughter sent me a turtle on her 23rd birthday.
Jeanne, welcome back, you were missed. I emailed you at an address I had used before but it was returned. Could you please email me?
oh my. what a magnificent welcome home embrace from your grandchildren (the four legged kind).
they are beautiful girls and of course they ‘know’ you. next to their mother your scent was all around them. they ‘know’ everyone in your family including Buf.
i think you got a kiss from the universe. ain’t it sweet?
look at those beautiful eyes..great to see them
I’ve never agreed with Karen Hughes before…but I laud her column in today’s Washington Post.
“I am a vocal Republican who feels strongly about my conservative principles. But that doesn’t mean I can’t listen to another point of view or give credit when it is due, even to a political leader with whom I largely disagree.
“Obama’s speech in Tucson was a difficult one, given the rancor in the country. His words transcended the ugliness of the moment and sought to heal. And while words cannot be blamed for violent acts, words are powerful things. Scripture counsels that we will be held accountable for every careless one. Our words can lift up or tear down, bring us together or rip us apart. Our political debates can and should be spirited. But our words should seek to convince, not to bludgeon.
“Obama did what American presidents should do in times of national trauma: He called us to our better selves. Now it’s up to the rest of us.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/14/AR2011011407060.html
Wow – I never thought I would hear Karen Hughes give credit to President Obama for anything. This is encouraging. Maybe the tragedy in Tucson has helped some of us move forward (or should I say back?) to civility and sense. I guess I have to join you in giving Hughes her due just as she did Obama. Thanks for the quote and the link.
What took her so long????? All the hatespeech and demeaning townhall screamfests and she comes out now and speaks up?? Why doesn’t she speak up on Civil rights…rather, how we can improve relations between our races? And this simple question: how many schools in Texas are observing Dr. Kings’ Day? How many states are honoring it?? How can WE honor his dream …..?
Now that’s a good op/ed. I know a number of people I will send it to, maybe will make their foul, hatefilled thinking take a different course. It is difficult for most people to NOT accept any and everything that fits into their thought patterns with critical thinking. Got an email from someone who will remain nameless that was full of comments that factcheck.org called “true, misleading or false” that slandered Michelle Obama and drooled over the Quitter. The Quitter’s response to the Tuscon tragedy showed her true colors. But do her palinbots recognize it – Noooo, because it doesn’t fit into their thought patterns and processes.
They are too cute! Reminds me of the old Doublemint Twins commercial!
I can only 2nd and 3rd and ditto to all the comments about it being a great way to start the day – seeing the twins returning and knowing that there really are some good things happening out there. So much drama and distress in the news and all over the country – too easy to get down with reading the papers and watching news. I’ve been limiting the time that I read anything Palin-related, bad for my mental health! LOL
Chilly here in SW KY and sleet starting so it’s a great day to stay put and do a little baking, so I’m heading over to the forum and looking in the ‘flats cookbooks for some new recipes to try out. Happy Monday to all and may this week be a better one for our nation than last week was.
It’s a gloomy, chilly day here, too. You’re right – it is a good day for baking. Got my bread in the machine and it smells dee-vine! Added some milled flax seed for change. Now back to work. . . .
I’m heading out to the store now to pick up supplies for a nice bread pudding. Just the thing to start off a cold winter morning!
And there’s nothing better in the winter than the smell of cinnamon baking…
Way cool! Here I sit with my first cuppa and grinning like a Cheshire cat. What a way to start the day.
After so much sadness over the past week this was just what my soul needed…thank you for sharing. Monday will be a little bit nicer ! What a stunning pair they are.
Wow, they are beautiful! I’m so happy when I see wildlife in a natural, undisturbed state. My eyes actually welled up seeing these beautiful mugs! Brian should be very proud of his girls! The one of the left of the first picture of them both looks like she’s smiling. Extremely sweet animals.
Thanks AKM, I needed this one today.
Fantastic photo!
Look at those gorgeous girls!! Love it!!
Waving to the twins. Great photos, AKM.
AKM so happy to have you home.
Love the moose. We had a moose mom and new baby in our yard last summer, they stayed about 6 days, ate my tulips then left. Around halloween they came back and got the pumpkins, I’m sure they were the same ones. Then around Christmas a little after midnight thump, thump, thump and I do mean loud, spouse went to the front door then slammed it. Yep, it was the baby standing there, mom was at the foot of the steps. Would like to think they are just checking back with us to let us know how they are.
Such a cool story to go along with AKM’s moose twins update! They were saying Merry Christmas!
Ah, thank you. I was needing that story this morning and didn’t even know it! Waiting out an ice mess here until noonish, when I can get on the road. Have a good day.
AKM, those are the best pictures and story of the year, and it’s only January. But, really, what could be better than the twins coming back for a visit. I love it! 🙂
moose in your yard makes up for a lot of cold! that is so cool.
Oh my goodness, can’t tell you how happy this story makes me feel! What a wondrous surprise to welcome you back home.
Nobody can tell a story like you can AKM.
Since it’s an open thread (not trying to change the subject) but this was an interesting YT I found a couple days ago on another blog that others probably would enjoy:
I thought this was a fascinating story, apparently from down around the Tucson area. I grew up in Arizona, the land of the Saguaros.
– – –
Saguaro Fruit Harvest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjsvGg5kAgM
in this segment of “Wonders of the West” we join the Tohono O’odham in the annual gathering of saguaro fruit to bring on the monsoon rains.
Thank you, Kath. I loved learning that.
How interesting! Thanks for the link!