Conjoined Dogs

Our wonderful conjoined dogs joined at the butts for 13 years will soon undergo surgery to seperate them. Louise is pleased as she possesses all the brains and Thelma has all the butts!

Pollen!!!

The Southeastern United States has been blanketed in pollen during the past week, and allergy sufferers are enduring one of the worst allergy seasons in years. In Atlanta, the pollen count reached 5,937 particles per cubic meter of air on Thursday. Records kept by the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic show that's the second-highest level it has recorded. In the Southeast, a pollen count of 120 is considered extremely high.

This is a picture of our BBQ cover, the green stuff is pollen!!!

Flowering Japanese Plum

Here's a picture taken yesterday of our Japanese Plum also in full bloom.

Heart Attack Azalea

In December of 1999 while in the hospital with my heart attack Beth brought me a 6" Azalea plant to brighten up my CCU room. I have nurtured that Azalea through the years and it has become a beautiful addition to our front gardens.
Here it is in full bloom yesterday.

Varina-Enon Bridge

While driving between Richmond, VA and Philadelphia, PA I crossed the beautiful Varina-Enon Bridge. As you can see it was a warm sunny day perfect for a road trip.

The Varina-Enon bridge links Chesterfield County with Henrico County (southeast of Richmond), spanning 4680 feet (1427 m.) in length and the towers rise 300 feet (91 m.) above the river making it the highest bridge in the Richmond area. If you visit any of the suburbs east of Richmond and want to avoid the interstate traffic through downtown, getting of I-95 at exit 61 (Route 10 East- East Hundred Road), getting on I-295 north (towards Washingtongton, DC) will take you across this bridge.

USS Becuna

Moored next to the USS Olympia is the WW-2 Balao Class Submarine USS Becuna which is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

An example of the standard fleet-type Balao class submarine of World War II, Becuna was commissioned in May, 1944 and conducted five wartime patrols with the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Becuna sank the 7500 ton freighter Nichiyoku Maru, two small coastal freighters, assisted USS Hawkbill with the sinking of the oiler Tokuwa Maru, and damaged another oiler. The submarine also served as a lifeguard for downed pilots and narrowly missed an attack on the battleship Yamato.
Converted from her basic fleet boat configuration to a streamlined fast underwater submarine known as a GUPPY (Greater Underwater Propulsion Project) type 1A in 1951, Becuna served during the Korean War and Vietnam conflict in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Berthed at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, the boat now serves as an educational resource and tourist attraction with the cruiser Olympia.

USS Olympia

Look what I found on this weeks visit to Philly!!! It's the USS Olympia.

The oldest steel-hulled American warship afloat, Olympia served as Commodore George Dewey's flagship during the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898. In that engagement, Spanish naval forces in the Philippines were handed a smashing defeat, securing the Philippines for the United States and embarking the nation on an expanded role as a major force in not only the Pacific, but also world affairs. The cruiser was born out of a program of ships for the "New Navy" of the 1880s and 1890s designed to correct the deficiencies of a weakened and neglected naval force. This program was directly responsible for the rise of the steel shipbuilding industry of the United States. Olympia is the last remaining ship built during that program and the sole surviving naval combatant of the Spanish-American War.
For more visit: http://www.phillyseaport.org/ships_olympia.shtml

Bunker Hill Monument

Located across the water way from the store is the Bunker Hill Monument. Traffic was horrible but 45 minutes later I was standing in front of the monument. I didn't climb the stairs to the top, lol!!!

The 221-foot granite obelisk honors the memory of the colonists who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. The rebels lost the battle, but nearly half the British troops were killed or wounded, a loss that contributed to the redcoats' decision to abandon Boston 9 months later. The Marquis de Lafayette, the celebrated hero of the American and French revolutions, helped lay the monument's cornerstone in 1825. He is buried in Paris under soil taken from the hill. A punishing flight of 294 stairs leads to the top of the monument. There's no elevator, and although the views of the harbor and the northern portion of the Big Dig are good, the windows are quite small. The ranger-staffed lodge at the base of the monument holds dioramas and exhibits.

Freedom Trail

While visiting stores in Boston this week I happened on the Freedom Trail.

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites, every one an authentic American treasure. Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1958, when the wrecking ball threatened, the Freedom Trail today is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.

Napping Friends

Sharing a recliner Louise and Janie nap away the afternoon!!!

Lola's New House

After two days and a lot of wood working by Chris and I our bunny Lola has a new house.

Lola's new house features wheels so it can be taken outside, a seperate sleeping hutch, a stairway to a second floor hutch, central heat and air, electric lights and feeding station. She is one happy bunny.

Chris and I will make some last minute modification next weekend to add a feeding door and some hanging toys.

Saturn

Here's Saturn as seen through Chris's telescope last night!

Lunar Eclipse

Last night we gathered at Chris's house to view the Lunar Eclipse. Here's a picture taken through his telescope.

Cold Wintery Sun Set In The Northeast.

I took this picture Tuesday evening while driving to the hotel. It was a cold evening and I could wait to get to the hotel, throw on my PJ's and turn up the heat, lol!!!

Boston University Men's Crew Club House

I took this picture yesterday while driving to Boston's Logan Airport for my flight home of Boston University Men's Crew Club House.

Boston University men's crew recruits from high school and junior rowing programs all over the world. The program has had rowers/scullers from all 50 states, Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.
A perennial nationally ranked power, BU races against the best competition anywhere. In the Fall, the Terriers compete in the Head of the Charles, the Head of the Connecticut, the Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill, the Yale Invitational and the Foot of the Charles. In the Spring, BU races in the EARC (Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges) against the finest crews in the United States, which culminates at the EARC Sprints ("Eastern Sprints"), the IRA Regatta and the Royal Henley Regatta. Many of the athletes go on to compete internationally.

For more visit: http://www.bu.edu/athletics/crew/men

Strangle A Dog Day!!!

Evidently Sunday bath day as turned into Sunday strangle a dog day!!! I was able to stop Beth in time and Janie has recovered from her near death experience, lol!!!!