Snowmageddon in Charm City
February 25, 2010 Posted by: ERIN
I had a great trip spending time with the fam in Baltimore. I managed to get there right in between the two storms of the "snowpocalypse". It was cold and very snowy, but rosy cheeks and hot chocolate make for a nice change of pace (once in a while). My nieces, Louisa and Celia, are growing so fast and are so cute, and I even got to see all the family canines, not to mention my parents, sisters, and brother-in-law. It had also been years since I'd been on a sled, but the hill in Mere and Joe's new backyard did not disappoint!
Our Newest Niece
February 6, 2010 Posted by: ERIN
I'd like you to meet Miss Iris Helen. She was born on January 28th, weighing in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Iris is the first grandbaby on Tom's side, and we're all so excited she's arrived!
Change of Plans ... and COWS!
February 5, 2010 Posted by: ERIN
With 18+ inches of snow about to descend upon Baltimore, my trip has been delayed until Monday. It's a bit disappointing (especially since I'll be missing the Super Bowl party for which I was going to make a most delectable buffalo chicken dip), but I'd rather be home for a few more days than be stuck in some Orlando airport hotel. I do have to commend AirTran, though. I got an email offering to let me change my flight at no charge in order to avoid the practically guaranteed weather-related cancelations. I know it was in their own self-interest, but I felt like it was a classy move nonetheless.
On the bright side, now I get to tell you about what happened yesterday afternoon. Remember three days ago when I was describing my obsession with feral cows and lamenting that I've never caught them on camera? Well, now I can put a sock in it!
Although interestingly, lamenting really seems to work for me lately. This fall I lamented what an awful fantasy football team I had, and we all know how that turned out. And now, publicly bemoaning my lack of cow photos has worked too! Just imagine the possibilites.
Anyways, I was walking Zipper behind the field station after lunch, we came around a corner, and there they were right in front of us. I gasped, Zipper growled, the cows turned around and stared at us. When Zipper barked and made a move to chase them, they began to trot away while the largest cow let out a mooing-snorting noise and made a lunge at him. That scared the bejesus out of Zipper and he hightailed it out of there.
In total there were four adults, including one with very full udders, and a baby. The baby was already off into the bushes by the time I made it back with the camera, so I didn't get a shot of it. This brown one must be the lookout, because he never took his eyes off me.
Yes, I see your very pointy horns, and I promise to keep my distance!
She went thataway!
February 4, 2010 Posted by: ERIN
Tomorrow I leave for a two-week jaunt to Baltimore, and in spite of the projections for snow and cold, I am very, very excited. While trying to pack I've discoverd that I just don't own very many warm clothes anymore. Living in Florida for two years before being here for another two and a half has really thinned the wardrobe. I don't even have that many things with long sleeves! Maybe if I just layer everything on all at once it won't be so bad ... right?
Bovine Graveyard
February 2, 2010 Posted by: ERIN
I know I mention the feral cows a lot. But honestly, I'm a little bit obsessed with them. A couple weeks ago, one of our college groups actually spotted a few meandering down the road and even got PICTURES of them. My insane jealousy has yet to abate.
But while they have pictures of living feral cows, I have pictures of an ancient feral cow burial ground! Behold!!
Okay, okay ... maybe it's not quite ancient, but the big fella is certainly long-dead. It reminds me of the elephant graveyard from the Lion King. So much so that I keep inadvertantly calling it the elephant graveyard, which for some reason annoys Tom to no end. I think I'll keep doing it.
There are several cow trails that come into the west side of the field station property, and if you follow one of these back into the bush, you'll stumble upon this scattered patch of bones. There is no skull (it probably became a trophy for some grave robber), but pretty much everything else is there. Including this vertebra that looks like a funny little happy face.
I like to think it symbolizes the blissful, carefree life of a tropical feral cow.
Yup, I'm obsessed.