tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29742100794016923442024-03-13T07:03:18.661-07:00The Spadefoot ToadGardening, Landscape Design, Wildlife Love, and Fun in the Arizona DesertKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-57272922602977786142011-08-03T11:13:00.001-07:002011-08-03T11:13:21.990-07:00Moving and Changing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5axCp31tF41UloJ7yOfluRg0HbExG1ZE_wVybmlW4U_vKjMJfTmx8coz5y3WYzaF2XhptY4amnLVVdGmLDcgPfbu-uTERsPofFUHE9VQOBNJSRZO3jvsgj1OIxWs_fduDpu4XRAS05de/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-03+at+10.39.15+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5axCp31tF41UloJ7yOfluRg0HbExG1ZE_wVybmlW4U_vKjMJfTmx8coz5y3WYzaF2XhptY4amnLVVdGmLDcgPfbu-uTERsPofFUHE9VQOBNJSRZO3jvsgj1OIxWs_fduDpu4XRAS05de/s400/Screen+shot+2011-08-03+at+10.39.15+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636685998218249554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px; " /></a>Hi Everyone. It's been such a long time and I want to let you all know that I am so thankful you've stuck around. For the past half year, I have been focusing very hard on getting my new business, <a href="http://www.blossomaz.com/">Blossom Design Studio, llc.</a> up and running. Because I am focusing my efforts there, I am no longer going to be posting to this blog.<br /><br />But don't worry! I've got a new blog and it's even better. This time, I will be focusing on landscape design, gardening, plants, graphic design, and other fun design inspiration. I'll be posting more regularly and will be having guest bloggers, interviews, giveaways, and more.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqQwtnmf4q6ygnrQk71oB5xgxv7jKHUyu6aHT-eMNP3K0WgKs3yRqhhqGlIaPr1AYzLV_GUEuXz0EBK_Jegd67GcXcUbtYTSRYpPMW1Cmx3g920gM6cgPvI5YZ76YVCkZAciszzQBtNwz/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-03+at+10.41.18+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqQwtnmf4q6ygnrQk71oB5xgxv7jKHUyu6aHT-eMNP3K0WgKs3yRqhhqGlIaPr1AYzLV_GUEuXz0EBK_Jegd67GcXcUbtYTSRYpPMW1Cmx3g920gM6cgPvI5YZ76YVCkZAciszzQBtNwz/s400/Screen+shot+2011-08-03+at+10.41.18+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636686408960654658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px; " /></a><br /><div>Please come join me over at <a href="http://www.blossomaz.com/blog">The Blossom Blog</a>. My latest post is about <a href="http://www.blossomaz.com/thinking-planters-ordinary/">DIY Planters that are anything but Ordinary</a>. Hope you come say hi!</div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-78005453642619470192011-03-11T06:28:00.000-08:002011-03-11T06:36:24.659-08:00Up and Coming...Sierra Vista Landscape Designer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRNIdVM1RBImCTN5TGWxcGSzaL5Rj_wcGkQFxxJJNTDWoA6t-8teCTwMF-SA8y_oBRsIt_NiIQnmd3MY0e2ZlF48t8DPgK3GDjJ692MK6g7fosYi5OfJznqUSFd7ptW820-ulesxm4JM/s1600/LA+Ad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRNIdVM1RBImCTN5TGWxcGSzaL5Rj_wcGkQFxxJJNTDWoA6t-8teCTwMF-SA8y_oBRsIt_NiIQnmd3MY0e2ZlF48t8DPgK3GDjJ692MK6g7fosYi5OfJznqUSFd7ptW820-ulesxm4JM/s400/LA+Ad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582829193390293586" /></a>I'm in the process of developing my landscape design and graphic design business. Right now I'm working on my business plan and trying to come up with a business name. Who knew finding the right name could be so hard! I might post back here with some possible names in the hopes that some of you can offer your opinion. <div><br /></div><div>I have a few projects I'm currently working on, like a winery in Sonoita and a high-end residence in Tucson. They are both a great deal of fun and a wonderful learning experience. I can honestly say, I love my job! I'll have to come back with updates and snippets of the design when I get further along. In the future, I'm hoping to get some more clients in my area that would like a well designed, functional yard and have a desire to use native and edible plants or attract wildlife. </div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-55108389714176294942011-03-05T11:46:00.001-08:002011-03-05T11:49:42.714-08:00Cochise Stronghold -One of my most favorite places on earth! Oh how I love thee....<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRe2A9qFdKCryw-vZ3QCS6FxD4qwEsGUjETxT_eCHS9P1c5kar4zs5eQFtzXrJ858bRUM9g1UahBOimMoKwxaIZqgH14IvnltVsqYY4XH9V48K7Nz54yH8HwwvFzOMINM95ZYD6elp44/s1600/IMG_7613_ed2+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRe2A9qFdKCryw-vZ3QCS6FxD4qwEsGUjETxT_eCHS9P1c5kar4zs5eQFtzXrJ858bRUM9g1UahBOimMoKwxaIZqgH14IvnltVsqYY4XH9V48K7Nz54yH8HwwvFzOMINM95ZYD6elp44/s400/IMG_7613_ed2+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580684889559246386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT-ULMmq7QHYdGOC03GloDDiChGhsPmGzfstQa5jN0EGyOSHA0FpaZHjAPT8UDwm7lXhb7oxLcD6FQLtTheleS-zr7Qj2_tu8ry2YqwwFDmleWqySW3uDiEHkDq5gO0qv-LDklBHo_bg/s1600/IMG_7617_ed2+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT-ULMmq7QHYdGOC03GloDDiChGhsPmGzfstQa5jN0EGyOSHA0FpaZHjAPT8UDwm7lXhb7oxLcD6FQLtTheleS-zr7Qj2_tu8ry2YqwwFDmleWqySW3uDiEHkDq5gO0qv-LDklBHo_bg/s400/IMG_7617_ed2+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580684882715024578" /></a>It is astounding to me that Arizona has so many incredible landscapes all in one state. If I didn't know better, I could have mistaken the Stronghold for Africa. Wait, I think I see a giraffe!<br /><br /><br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-48413212906768082982010-10-01T08:40:00.000-07:002010-10-01T08:44:07.419-07:00Loving That Wildlife!I've been writing bi-monthly articles for The New Southwest's Living with Urban Wildlife Series. Here's one from a few months ago. I'm waiting for my scanner to arrive so that I can upload my latest on what else but, THE SPADEFOOT TOAD!<br /><br /><h3></h3><h3>Living With Urban Wildlife</h3> <h4>By Kimberly Creagan</h4> <h5>Tucson Green Times – July 2010</h5> <p>It’s that time of the year again when the hot summer weather starts to make us all act a little batty. Well, we aren’t the only ones! Tiny winged mammals in the form of, you guessed it, bats, are quite active this time of year. And lucky for us, there are many of these little guys right in town.</p> <p>Before you go asking yourself, “Did she really just say lucky?” let me explain.</p> <p>Those bats have gotten a bat rap. They aren’t the blood thirsty disease carriers that folklore so often leads us to believe. The risk of contracting rabies from a bat is actually quite rare; you are more likely to be struck by lightning. In actuality, these little furry guys are amazing creatures that do a lot for us and the Sonoran Desert we call home!</p> <p>Bats are very important to our desert ecosystem because many are vigorous pollinators (the main source of pollination for the Saguaro cacti) and also help to disperse seeds. Those that aren’t busy pollinating are working hard to keep our insect pests under control. You can thank these furry fellows for reducing the number of mosquitoes (the true blood-suckers) that bite you this summer. The insectivore bats also help to reduce the population of insects that damage crops.</p> <p>Impressively, bats have been occupying this Earth in nearly the same form for about 50 million years and occupy every continent except for Antarctica. One in four mammals on our planet is a bat. Bats are unique in the mammal world because they are the only to have developed true flight.</p> <p>Sadly, bats are also one of the most</p> <p>threatened land mammals in North America, with roughly half of the 45 species listed as threatened or endangered. Habitat loss and pesticide use are among the main threats to these important animals.</p> <p>Also, public misconception about the danger of these animals often means removal of bats from areas where they have set up residence. Because they live in large groups and most bat mothers give birth to only one pup per year –one act of vandalism can destroy thousands of bats.</p> <p>If you have a hummingbird feeder you may have already been fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the two nectar feeding bat species that reside in Tucson. The Lesser Long-nosed bat and the Mexican Long-tongued bat both have long tongues perfect for sipping nectar from tight places. Typically, these species live in mines and caves, but will journey out at night to find food. When they aren’t drinking from Saguaros and Agaves, they may be draining your hummingbird feeder in a feasting frenzy. Typically, you will see them in the late summer and early fall.</p> <p>Luckily in Tucson we still have many opportunities for viewing bats and summer</p> <p>is one of the best times</p> <p>to see them here.</p> <p>The Mexican Free-tailed bats, which live in colonies of great numbers, are migratory and live in Tucson spring through fall. One large colony lives under the Campbell Ave. bridge at the Rillito River. You can watch thousands of bats take flight around sunset every night as they chase their insect dinner off into the sky. It’s a pretty incredible sight!</p> <p>Of course, with any wildlife, it’s important to keep your distance for the health of the animal and yourself. If you see a bat crawling on the ground or acting strange, do not touch it as it could be a sign that it is sick. Watch them from a distance, listen to their unique squeaks of echolocation, and be amazed by their incredible ability to maneuver in the dark as they take ownership of the night skies.</p><blockquote></blockquote>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-27827294653169450902010-07-13T14:00:00.001-07:002010-07-13T14:11:49.013-07:00From New Orleans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4770399232_4eaf6f1815.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4770399232_4eaf6f1815.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I fell in love with New Orleans!<br /><br />Reminiscent of France.<br />Beneights, Muffalatas, French Onion Soup...oh and Daiquiris!<br />Balconies with wrought-iron railings and hanging flowers, humid air, green.<br />Pastel colors, peeling paint, brick, shutters, wonderful textures!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4742006637_3f898d410b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4742006637_3f898d410b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4770401912_4511c8afb3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4770401912_4511c8afb3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4770403354_b5af7a4473.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4770403354_b5af7a4473.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>New Orleans prints are available in <a href="http://createlovelaugh.etsy.com/">my shop</a>.<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-49085374379967462872010-07-13T13:55:00.000-07:002010-07-13T13:59:45.231-07:00It's that time again!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lazoo.org/animals/amphibians/couchsspadefoottoad/CouchsSpadefoot-JP.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 163px;" src="http://www.lazoo.org/animals/amphibians/couchsspadefoottoad/CouchsSpadefoot-JP.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">image via <a href="http://www.lazoo.org">lazoo.org</a></span><br /><br /></div>The monsoon season is finally here! And guess who makes an appearance when the rains start coming? The Spadefoot Toads! Let's celebrate :)Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-23905783109140927222010-03-08T19:54:00.000-08:002010-03-08T19:56:14.209-08:00Sending some love your way...but watch out, it's prickly!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/4405011529/" title="Dangerous love by kimmus122 (Create, Love, Laugh), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4405011529_205d3872f4.jpg" alt="Dangerous love" width="380" /></a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-33430888638716509692010-02-07T18:47:00.000-08:002010-02-07T18:53:42.545-08:00Arizona, I love you!Well, it has been nearly three months since I have posted here. You've probably forgotten about me and I wouldn't blame you! Life's been busy. It seems like I have more hobbies than ever, but I can't say I'm not having fun. Yesterday I had the chance to go to Cochise Stronghold with some friends. We primarily went there to climb, but I was armed with my camera too. Here are some of my favorite shots from the day. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157623375116208%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157623375116208%2F&set_id=72157623375116208&jump_to="> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157623375116208%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157623375116208%2F&set_id=72157623375116208&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-71362049183486063942009-10-08T14:23:00.000-07:002009-10-08T14:24:42.771-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://createlovelaugh.etsy.com"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTeNtv6f6RsydDRzxQu65TLeZyngJ0aJim5HAzDoyR5wqmq2YZeRdtzYIvMf6NEBMjZtZW1EyVozp9iOlbgaTM4Z8WNp4DilLZ9Xkn5V9OajIIDAV2m2jEvTaSnxazJBv5WiknYsjtYE/s400/Horse_GO.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390343045634990978" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-91704483846023299062009-09-14T19:39:00.001-07:002009-09-14T19:40:32.232-07:00Point Reyes National Seashore, CaliforniaI haven't felt like saying much in the way of words lately, but here are some pictures from the incredible day I had yesterday with my mom.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157622369177978%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157622369177978%2F&set_id=72157622369177978&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157622369177978%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fkimmus122%2Fsets%2F72157622369177978%2F&set_id=72157622369177978&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-3166511849383706822009-08-26T15:06:00.001-07:002009-08-26T15:19:41.473-07:00Hello from cold and rainy michigan!Hi folks!<br />Well, it's been a tremendously long time since I've been around. I'm traveling again and am currently in the land of many lakes, Michigan. It seems that I've become a modern day nomad for the time being. All my stuff is in storage and I'm jet-setting about the country until the end of September. Quite frankly, a large part of me wishes I was in Tucson right now, with some stability and my friends. But I'm also taking this time to enjoy my family once more before I begin working.<br />So, I'll share a few pictures from my trip so far...here's what I've been up to if you are at all interested.<br /><br />Watching the sunrise:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/3837362532/" title="Good morning sun, it's good to see you. by kimmus122, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3837362532_95de3dc3b6.jpg" alt="Good morning sun, it's good to see you." width="400" /></a><br /><br />Contemplating life in the reflections of the lake:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/3840414128/" title="Dive in by kimmus122, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3840414128_d37812c469.jpg" alt="Dive in" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Kayaking:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEVrD_7ChMH7CJWpJJmvAATelJZmAY5axqqKa4RHHzbAcaY7EXaxBoO4gJtXauHXVflqwf0wJBZQGmLt2CyqW8aLjiLuSd-2gaUEIRoZRLwZOBsMo3Yjzx1-Yur-79LKiLdMxmmcyQMQ/s1600-h/IMG_5803_s.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEVrD_7ChMH7CJWpJJmvAATelJZmAY5axqqKa4RHHzbAcaY7EXaxBoO4gJtXauHXVflqwf0wJBZQGmLt2CyqW8aLjiLuSd-2gaUEIRoZRLwZOBsMo3Yjzx1-Yur-79LKiLdMxmmcyQMQ/s400/IMG_5803_s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374399572294309266" border="0" /></a><br />Sailing:<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRke6dBJ9UOOAJPLntMIXOalI06Y8Uy0APvghTWp-BvL3iZgGCHwGGbrB2GqUbdW5ZsrcKVEGbcyaZtTSwEXPSfhN-q61sNsM-B9E2p2cTvHzTX7ApdWcrsK3Y2dUPAYKFPo1G_20cn-8/s1600-h/IMG_5879_Ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px; display: block; text-align: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRke6dBJ9UOOAJPLntMIXOalI06Y8Uy0APvghTWp-BvL3iZgGCHwGGbrB2GqUbdW5ZsrcKVEGbcyaZtTSwEXPSfhN-q61sNsM-B9E2p2cTvHzTX7ApdWcrsK3Y2dUPAYKFPo1G_20cn-8/s400/IMG_5879_Ed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374399557118057970" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />And taking photos of the frog that lives in my dad's hot tub:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/3857913868/" title="Frog on the moss by kimmus122, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3857913868_982a0d1aee.jpg" alt="Frog on the moss" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Hope you are all enjoying the remainder of the summer!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-59609414450494798612009-07-10T22:20:00.000-07:002009-07-10T22:58:48.723-07:00I'm backHi everyone. It's been so long and now this blogland seems foreign to me. The break from blogging was much needed. I miss all of you, don't get that wrong, but this past month and a half has been a period of immense change and it has thrown me for a loop. It's been a cycle of big highs and big lows and even some in between. There are many, many changes happening in my life and with them I am coping, learning, growing. I'm also slowly learning to trust in the universe...that everything will be o.k. I've had the strangest feeling lately and I can't completely describe it...like riding on a bike with a blindfold in a hilly, foreign town with no map. But, I suppose that is life!<br /><br />The trip to California (and Michigan in between) was incredibly fun and healing. It was wonderful to be around family again. A big dose of my mom and dad is exactly what I need when the going gets rough. In Califnornia (with mom) we managed to see so much I still can't even believe it. I went to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Lake Tahoe, Sausilito, and Sacramento. We drove up the 1 from Big Sur to Half Moon Bay (so insanely beautiful that I still can't get over it.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/3609127691/" title="Ocean Bridge by kimmus122, on Flickr"><img style="width: 387px; height: 259px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3609127691_7f1e493367.jpg" 259px="" alt="Ocean Bridge" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Natural Bridges State Beach near Santa Cruz</span><br /><br /></div>Often, when my mom and I have time together, she is still working or at least has her head is in work. She's very successful, dedicated, and her work requires a lot of flexibility. This time, however, things were a little slower for her which allowed her to really relax and enjoy herself...something I haven't seen her able to do in so long. I'm so glad we were able to spend that time together. I think it was important for both of us and it's a time I will cherish forever.<br /><br />Back in Michigan with my dad, we did a lot of relaxing...something that is always nice at his place. He is fortunate to live on a lake so many of our activities focus around water. My dad is a creative, fun, social person and we always have a great time together. We went sailing one night and it was the most perfect night, a subtle breeze and calm waters just before dusk. On the way back to the dock the wind gently pushed us back home. It was so relaxing that my dad fell asleep while driving our little sunfish.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/3655522827/" title="The lake at Sunset by kimmus122, on Flickr"><img style="width: 387px; height: 259px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3655522827_66c0cd7ca0.jpg" alt="The lake at Sunset" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">View from the boat on the lake at my dad's</span><br /><br />Family is a wonderful gift and I feel so fortunate to have one as great as my own. I'm not sure how much I will be on here...I'm still trying to regain my energy and enthusiasm. But when I do, I'd love to share some of my experiences with you. And if you'd like, you can take a look at my flickr stream to see some of the pictures from my trip. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-62021495346564914232009-06-03T09:25:00.000-07:002009-06-03T09:28:49.948-07:00California here I come!Hi all. Just wanted to let you know that I am leaving today for some traveling and am not sure how often I will get to post. First, I'm off to San Jose and San Francisco to visit mi mum. Then it's off to Michigan to visit mi dad. Then, back to San Fran again. All in all I think I will be gone for about a month. This is a much needed vacation and I will be sure to post some pictures when I can. Cheerio!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-23637771661197700862009-05-31T18:12:00.001-07:002009-05-31T18:18:45.225-07:00What is evil?I don't consider myself a religious person, but I do think I am spiritual. I try to be very open minded about a greater existence because I think that we have such limited comprehension of our universe and beyond. This video gave me chills; I have to say I never really thought of it that way but it makes so much sense. Good ole' Albert.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x0r6qymvopw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x0r6qymvopw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Note: I don't endorse this organization or the teaching of any specific religion in schools.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-83169543064336590922009-05-29T16:35:00.000-07:002009-05-29T16:57:31.814-07:00Break from the heat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC24Si-Jphlf8TUSoapiz-fl-XT1r6C7ODwnpH5rU1AyiUt5lHUK6zc3An64GDP4fhmr0iIJSiEJ5i81yCgJqI8D4su2rWjdUgbZTkfKVDOlaw4fKxpLbHmCODnAlIM28MrXE_Rg6K9_w/s1600-h/DSCN4182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC24Si-Jphlf8TUSoapiz-fl-XT1r6C7ODwnpH5rU1AyiUt5lHUK6zc3An64GDP4fhmr0iIJSiEJ5i81yCgJqI8D4su2rWjdUgbZTkfKVDOlaw4fKxpLbHmCODnAlIM28MrXE_Rg6K9_w/s400/DSCN4182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341396318646430226" border="0" /></a>I can't believe it! This is my 150th post. Since I forgot to celebrate my 100th post, maybe this deserves some kind of celebration? So, how about a cheers to all of you who stop by and share my life with me! You rock.<br /><br />It's been getting progressively hot here, but not as bad as it usually is this time of year. It seems that the weather patterns have shifted a little bit and we are experiencing clouds and rain in May. Very unusual but welcomed by us humans. I do wonder how a change like this will effect the rest of the desert. As I am sitting here typing, it seems as though we may get a few showers shortly. I'm not complaining...I love it!<br /><br />Yesterday was pretty hot, however, and to escape the heat some friends and I drove up to Mount Lemmon. It's pretty amazing that you can go from desert to a place like this is 45 min. Here...see what I mean.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidllSEItwIGXGM7n6RgABPJvZiygkIAEAx211a2wzWc9mGux17T30UGLRnfM0z8p5nN113j4U53ePRzlPjKzGOIi-v_7Fahvi_tjldkjUDI32e88t6RKks8UrOvZBUg-cNHP5Dh6mQrrQ/s1600-h/DSCN4174_ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidllSEItwIGXGM7n6RgABPJvZiygkIAEAx211a2wzWc9mGux17T30UGLRnfM0z8p5nN113j4U53ePRzlPjKzGOIi-v_7Fahvi_tjldkjUDI32e88t6RKks8UrOvZBUg-cNHP5Dh6mQrrQ/s400/DSCN4174_ed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341395149408601890" border="0" /></a><br />Doesn't look like a desert, does it? This amazing fern forest was such a treat for us desert dwellers. And for those of you from Tucson, this is located on the Butterfly Trail on Mount Lemmon. It's a steep hike, but well worth it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTsxCsKrq1Bf36Pm8QoXdl0BSSN0VlqaonMT_wxWvT2jWVM0BuVl2jAczIXqFHwryZ0Y9NH8NNils3sEgobRtZwYJnf-Sx_bcAbOJzZ3lPQzhC3TnRQlUKirwx21Uuy6qYnXCysqzgLw/s1600-h/DSCN4175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTsxCsKrq1Bf36Pm8QoXdl0BSSN0VlqaonMT_wxWvT2jWVM0BuVl2jAczIXqFHwryZ0Y9NH8NNils3sEgobRtZwYJnf-Sx_bcAbOJzZ3lPQzhC3TnRQlUKirwx21Uuy6qYnXCysqzgLw/s400/DSCN4175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341396312422636418" border="0" /></a>The New Mexican Locust were gorgeous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2mB_5kcgUMRDtiqVyV3YvNseEvz3oUo-_WitcAqUNN732LbdEfLdP8L3gtfUlACxTjyGPAqfDhbFGko5uxVFruIZ_KxKnRpnLrKwsWFeLO2BMZOqwx_O5rJBM_oAVdPOdyeKfuK5a3U/s1600-h/DSCN4184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2mB_5kcgUMRDtiqVyV3YvNseEvz3oUo-_WitcAqUNN732LbdEfLdP8L3gtfUlACxTjyGPAqfDhbFGko5uxVFruIZ_KxKnRpnLrKwsWFeLO2BMZOqwx_O5rJBM_oAVdPOdyeKfuK5a3U/s400/DSCN4184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341396305517673538" border="0" /></a>This waterfall is one destination on the hike...such a peaceful spot to take a break.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP0yCxkeKyhGbn8TLWd9cObMHnLVIjuZ1uNCoA-dKEgckJjMrz-H86ja1llPUSpHRmtYk0qCYQEt7-hSqvyk4e1hKiGjouTn0h7GYGkUXEv_YXuq0KOyVOVisVxKvjjs00brNkE2k_pE/s1600-h/DSCN4177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP0yCxkeKyhGbn8TLWd9cObMHnLVIjuZ1uNCoA-dKEgckJjMrz-H86ja1llPUSpHRmtYk0qCYQEt7-hSqvyk4e1hKiGjouTn0h7GYGkUXEv_YXuq0KOyVOVisVxKvjjs00brNkE2k_pE/s400/DSCN4177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341396317939234738" border="0" /></a><br />These caterpillars were all over the trail...probably why it's called Butterfly Trail. I wonder what kind they are?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAZjS_XLIRw03n2mgrNTSqbSaKFpEyTMOunvixcxzeGpnY-ICGT_pAuxHs7XL44lYak9aBJuo9x8gt5iPS8b9NisKxMoH0AbW0VT6m5doVZao4UKY6kYZdNhBq14GsiWkJdFHIjNviyY/s1600-h/DSCN4185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAZjS_XLIRw03n2mgrNTSqbSaKFpEyTMOunvixcxzeGpnY-ICGT_pAuxHs7XL44lYak9aBJuo9x8gt5iPS8b9NisKxMoH0AbW0VT6m5doVZao4UKY6kYZdNhBq14GsiWkJdFHIjNviyY/s400/DSCN4185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341397738404514434" border="0" /></a>And these tent caterpillars were on another trail higher up. I know they can be pretty destructive in some areas (they were in Michigan), but I didn't see too many of them so hopefully they won't do damage. I just think it's so cool how they make this cocoon....like a big caterpillar orgy. :P<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlWWNGZhuQcU32V35ZUkygFN3gFJK1UglBM2BEWFXz4eESdTVgT07Gw5z8MEoet8lIORbnnKImxHTE2wHNmIMpJ8F3QLL8SyRliFusuWNWjV_OxLAz3OkOIutlrUoSstqQ0oCfg1qqmU/s1600-h/DSCN4191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlWWNGZhuQcU32V35ZUkygFN3gFJK1UglBM2BEWFXz4eESdTVgT07Gw5z8MEoet8lIORbnnKImxHTE2wHNmIMpJ8F3QLL8SyRliFusuWNWjV_OxLAz3OkOIutlrUoSstqQ0oCfg1qqmU/s400/DSCN4191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341397965959637202" border="0" /></a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-16643452185018136842009-05-14T11:11:00.000-07:002009-05-14T11:15:05.284-07:00Tucson Urban Wildlife<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tucsonurbanwildlife.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 276px;" src="http://www.tucsonurbanwildlife.com/Final%20Page%20JPGS/index.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />My website for Tucson urban wildlife is up and running! If you would like to check it out, the web address is <a href="http://www.tucsonurbanwildlife.com/">www.tucsonurbanwildlife.com</a>. Thank you all for your kind words about finishing my thesis. That adventure is over, but I am looking forward to many more in the future.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-30303609843873338462009-05-14T11:01:00.000-07:002009-05-14T11:06:42.174-07:00Bats and more batsA few days ago I took my camera to the Campbell Avenue bridge, where the bats hang out. I wanted to see if I could get something other than a blur (i.e. my old camera) to show up. It was fun to experiment with the settings and I think I learned some things about shooting in low light. There were some other photographers there too, and I learned that a different lens would help me tremendously. Nonetheless, I snapped a few good shots. Here is one of the stream of bats flying from the bridge to get their dinner...moths, moths, moths (and maybe some mosquitoes)!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/3521959991/" title="Stream of bats by kimmus122, on Flickr"><img style="width: 381px; height: 255px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3521959991_94b5b0ab17.jpg" alt="Stream of bats" /></a><br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-72627793853275797382009-05-12T16:32:00.000-07:002009-05-12T16:43:29.747-07:00An amazing dinner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z96vGASmTRaYWFT_0HAu4KuYiZx_T9x6Y2gK16Xf5lOh1V8upFrrgcthyjYJgQeZ6T7sp7QgB3dWF7iJFEGJVu6tAU-r4Y3xnaTibf8an1OEXfvO6I_DvS0fw75YZpKGONeLNz6Nwa8/s1600-h/IMG_0230_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z96vGASmTRaYWFT_0HAu4KuYiZx_T9x6Y2gK16Xf5lOh1V8upFrrgcthyjYJgQeZ6T7sp7QgB3dWF7iJFEGJVu6tAU-r4Y3xnaTibf8an1OEXfvO6I_DvS0fw75YZpKGONeLNz6Nwa8/s400/IMG_0230_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335086924312373586" border="0" /></a>A few friends and I won an award in a student work competition at our school. The prize: a gourmet dinner from one of our professors. It's a tradition that he offers this award every year for the best digital project, ours, a website created for a presentation to the Biosphere 2. Last Friday we went to his house for dinner, and all I can say is it was AMAZING. Aside from the food being incredible and gorgeously presented, the night time temperature was a beautiful 75 degrees and the ambiance was just perfect. Here are a few pictures from the night that I took with me new camera.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91p1rjTQTBFIshmmSnmAs1Bs77PrVEp4KNDH02UpCXDVeOgyt2v-2AWk9RypwmxF4iT166q0MEVPzyeoP0XzdhxWy_xSxBko6qiXV-2rPLCCDb8I17BkwcqU_cYGiuOo1SYNKCJSA-xs/s1600-h/IMG_0224_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91p1rjTQTBFIshmmSnmAs1Bs77PrVEp4KNDH02UpCXDVeOgyt2v-2AWk9RypwmxF4iT166q0MEVPzyeoP0XzdhxWy_xSxBko6qiXV-2rPLCCDb8I17BkwcqU_cYGiuOo1SYNKCJSA-xs/s400/IMG_0224_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335086920479156738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q9NtKGjj4j0cWs-KB5_hPm0_96P4wj6auJDP6KmkZTTP3UZRdyOFrLK3xwnz-kvknQq8xoXpzcDBBPEnGEUpQUPc72lajWyzWL3t88WVuuFOvqV5wJb_dAx4WUWsYwai6kqgp_7gm9Q/s1600-h/IMG_0233_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q9NtKGjj4j0cWs-KB5_hPm0_96P4wj6auJDP6KmkZTTP3UZRdyOFrLK3xwnz-kvknQq8xoXpzcDBBPEnGEUpQUPc72lajWyzWL3t88WVuuFOvqV5wJb_dAx4WUWsYwai6kqgp_7gm9Q/s400/IMG_0233_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335086931769198626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp76ZGMdcTYNvXWQjO4uI3JtTFKFnRNzAgiLM5MxK6y-aXK3cee0h2hPEkG90Uc-qZ-lVfj5MgQll-cRqoEyfpMWT3yCecVXYzAztMZYJHXKiSPXB14B_E844aFHcyRke3NUM3Q2wjGHM/s1600-h/IMG_0232_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp76ZGMdcTYNvXWQjO4uI3JtTFKFnRNzAgiLM5MxK6y-aXK3cee0h2hPEkG90Uc-qZ-lVfj5MgQll-cRqoEyfpMWT3yCecVXYzAztMZYJHXKiSPXB14B_E844aFHcyRke3NUM3Q2wjGHM/s400/IMG_0232_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335086927035288018" border="0" /></a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-38755679220161265442009-05-10T08:29:00.000-07:002009-05-10T08:36:21.965-07:00Happy Mother's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw7cM-51S9_3i64JdquQi3ZPzvViEORkY8sC3DVBHAAQMos0Aa9bveYDrDCGyVrLJXJzWq55Y6P_EIAuxJqaGJxdpXVZGMPYE5hjLWKLqtMchv6w52nuuZeW7DbBBl8eMDi9oomNE7hM/s1600-h/HappyMothersDay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqw7cM-51S9_3i64JdquQi3ZPzvViEORkY8sC3DVBHAAQMos0Aa9bveYDrDCGyVrLJXJzWq55Y6P_EIAuxJqaGJxdpXVZGMPYE5hjLWKLqtMchv6w52nuuZeW7DbBBl8eMDi9oomNE7hM/s400/HappyMothersDay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334219551976276498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-47005454873329695802009-05-07T21:36:00.000-07:002009-05-07T21:45:42.472-07:00create :: love :: laughI may be crazy, but I have decided to start another blog as a place to share my artwork, as well as other visual work that I find inspiring. I've decided to do this for a few reasons, but mainly because I like the way art looks with a white background and I didn't want to change my style here. So, to those of you who were worried that I might not post art here anymore; don't worry...I still will. This other blog is going to be solely dedicated to art and design (including landscape architecture), instead of the menagerie you find here. I'll periodically post things I have been working on and additions to my shops. I'll also try to post works by other people when I can. <br /><br />If you'd like to visit, the addie is: <a href="http://createlovelaugh.blogspot.com">http://createlovelaugh.blogspot.com</a>.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-66907301491619191372009-05-06T12:11:00.000-07:002009-05-06T12:44:02.058-07:00A gift<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAHxrfFlqISsOwJlHOXUwRhOvARiBsf_TaAt5P8o-IxQF3mCB0cxgkaWvYEcw3FB9Kl6v5aoNzG0awVNC0eyTqbb5vA89lti2GNuNssha0vLh_qpRcYMoK0Pu3MxBjLjq-QaaVBwxYWo/s1600-h/IMG_0039_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAHxrfFlqISsOwJlHOXUwRhOvARiBsf_TaAt5P8o-IxQF3mCB0cxgkaWvYEcw3FB9Kl6v5aoNzG0awVNC0eyTqbb5vA89lti2GNuNssha0vLh_qpRcYMoK0Pu3MxBjLjq-QaaVBwxYWo/s400/IMG_0039_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332791651809988994" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday I received my graduation present from my parents. It's an EXTREMELY generous gift...a new Canon Rebel XSi. And, oh, how much fun I have been having since last night. It's a good thing I finished my thesis, or I wouldn't get anything done!<br />There are so many different functions on this camera that I haven't even begin to figure out...I've got a lot of learning to do. Thanks mom and dad. I love you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcwHdtYY7ijhRAgDZmRimvhcke1OV-iNl_6PFKUGb6Qw33uziFTIq0R9SNkLctVs9yJC0HfRMsLrlkWc2Q90M8mAgw2D4uTAEZLMs8VXqaikbR0ZErEIKMF_e4k50iugiSiWHyE-x4fg/s1600-h/IMG_0121_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcwHdtYY7ijhRAgDZmRimvhcke1OV-iNl_6PFKUGb6Qw33uziFTIq0R9SNkLctVs9yJC0HfRMsLrlkWc2Q90M8mAgw2D4uTAEZLMs8VXqaikbR0ZErEIKMF_e4k50iugiSiWHyE-x4fg/s400/IMG_0121_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332792370186776354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwnXJXIyx-8-ZrcqpNuTUEhMc7lyG7Ptn1X3XVrjVZVvti2lECNKSvANkIT8KwQGAsca3SmXbbwrRjsSgfnqACc31LCxLLI8mdJ7L2RULbLBygOu39m7QtCVqkm5FmbQQzb2zfUjz3q8/s1600-h/purpleflowers_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwnXJXIyx-8-ZrcqpNuTUEhMc7lyG7Ptn1X3XVrjVZVvti2lECNKSvANkIT8KwQGAsca3SmXbbwrRjsSgfnqACc31LCxLLI8mdJ7L2RULbLBygOu39m7QtCVqkm5FmbQQzb2zfUjz3q8/s400/purpleflowers_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332792371886037298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLIlQfwEB8m4lyks3kFRqq8VkARlnFWukR32ZlXd9CupVoZ0LtL2Qxm8pXR3bNcuEbuK0sQWJOjvF5DmvAM5Sem2yYBbpMpujBH5tX-mOaikzeJ2Pjw8no0EjFlg1GSi40iIcIOLJz8o/s1600-h/IMG_0063_w.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLIlQfwEB8m4lyks3kFRqq8VkARlnFWukR32ZlXd9CupVoZ0LtL2Qxm8pXR3bNcuEbuK0sQWJOjvF5DmvAM5Sem2yYBbpMpujBH5tX-mOaikzeJ2Pjw8no0EjFlg1GSi40iIcIOLJz8o/s400/IMG_0063_w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332792374483551682" border="0" /></a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-40144233931161298282009-05-01T13:21:00.000-07:002009-05-01T13:28:58.356-07:00I'm longing for the woods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoWz-w8QPuyRicRdvzee47amrhIh8nmChAu9R4UdX5R1HRrYXAF81afPNRzVAzIg66gmtgikKuNw-HgQjjJu09gs__5T7plkAbXw7jZilLYT_UyHmXeZKzAI1XWiZImUfbUcrCisuAV8/s1600-h/DSCN8961.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoWz-w8QPuyRicRdvzee47amrhIh8nmChAu9R4UdX5R1HRrYXAF81afPNRzVAzIg66gmtgikKuNw-HgQjjJu09gs__5T7plkAbXw7jZilLYT_UyHmXeZKzAI1XWiZImUfbUcrCisuAV8/s400/DSCN8961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330955169988278034" border="0" /></a><br />I'm longing for the woods<br />an ache so deep<br />it feels like my soul is being<br />ripped out by the open sky<br />and the only thing<br />that can hold me<br />to this earth<br />is the towering embrace of the forest trees<br />sheltering me with their sun-dappled blankets<br />and wise whispersKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-50539532620369264592009-04-29T10:12:00.000-07:002009-05-10T11:25:53.513-07:00Give a little hope today<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/unite-for-hunger-and-hope"><img src="http://www.bloggersunite.org/image/resource/badge/7cea3b2ba313e58381a69d4a7f14152c.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />According to Heifer:<br /><blockquote>• Right now, more than 500 million people are living in "absolute poverty" and more than 15 million children die of hunger every year.<br /><br />• World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the population is underfed and another third is starving.<br /><br />• Even in the United States, 46 percent of African-American children and 49 percent of Latino children are considered chronically hungry.</blockquote>Hunger is something I've never experienced, thankfully, and that makes it hard to sit here and say this is what we should do...I definitely don't have the answers, but it seems doing nothing is not a good solution either.<br /><br />I realize that the solutions to this problem are extremely complicated. There is an over abundance of food in this world, yet millions (maybe even billions) of people are still starving. The world has changed so much over the past century, even the past 20 years, so that now it's nearly impossible to subsistence farm. People the world over have lost their land to development and large commercial farms. They have been forced to move to cities and slums to find work because they can no longer make a living growing food.<br /><br />O.K., so this is supposed to be a post about hope, right? So, what can you do today?<br /><br />• Post about world hunger on April 29.<br /><br />• Visit Heifer International to learn more about <a href="http://www.heifer.org/site/c.slI3IdNVJuE/b.4860935/k.D480/Pass_on_the_Gift_to_help_end_World_Hunger_with_Heifer.htm?sid=157890193">Pass On The Gift</a>.<br /><br />• Make a small donation or take some other action to end world hunger.<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/unite-for-hunger-and-hope">Join this event</a> and add a badge to your blog before April 29.<br /><br />• I recently watched the <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food">Future of Food</a> again online, and while it makes the problem seem overwhelming, it's a good eye-opener. You can watch the entire video at Hulu by clicking on the link above.<br /><br />• Support community and small scale agriculture. This, I think, is one of the most important solutions. First of all, this has the direct potential to help feed people in communities that cannot always afford to buy their own food. When people learn to grow food themselves, they are learning a life skill that can help to move them away from hunger and create a community of support. Second, even if you don't grow the food yourself, by supporting a local CSA or family farm, you are giving your money back to the community, and back to families, rather than large scale agriculture and bio-tech companies that do not always have human health at the top of their list. For more information, check out Laurel's post <a href="http://www.simplespoonful.com/2009/01/06/1000000000-to-go-hungry-in-2009/#more-1348">here</a>. It's really a worthy read. Also, you also might want to read about <a href="http://www.simplespoonful.com/2009/04/10/farmer-frank-and-the-artichoke-forest/">Farmer Frank</a> - it's a happy story :)Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-45892140408833254402009-04-28T14:56:00.000-07:002009-05-06T12:49:29.172-07:00Mystery solvedThe renegade mystery plant is a Tomatillo! The little bag shaped fruit it started to form tipped me off, and sure enough, this picture looks just like my garden variety.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCybsjAQu74-Jitjr_kgXYa09hBSMqNg8rh0rr03aYBH1wB690mQNDxb5VhGrS81E7m1j6DjBxNJFAHTBFi7_99QzCbxWPW7aFteVy-GT-OrCv1-S-Kra02X8qv4oW5kNUgt5EBAlEoYE/s1600-h/tomatillo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCybsjAQu74-Jitjr_kgXYa09hBSMqNg8rh0rr03aYBH1wB690mQNDxb5VhGrS81E7m1j6DjBxNJFAHTBFi7_99QzCbxWPW7aFteVy-GT-OrCv1-S-Kra02X8qv4oW5kNUgt5EBAlEoYE/s400/tomatillo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329864905416872162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture by Kathryn found <a href="http://plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/tomatillo.jpg">here</a></span><br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2974210079401692344.post-7912134657636886572009-04-27T21:45:00.000-07:002009-04-27T21:56:10.716-07:00Kittens are cute<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpqq8lzY69sW4zmuzrIB3-fStVUcpeIW1-5qSx4RNg8tTj-h0p84S-8l59ep1NjbfiJT7Hp0CB95I6Yk9_-MvDf81ouZHXkooJqFLWCiDR3aia6qEGFOqAhTceGCnslJCyV-Whpm9Tjs/s1600-h/DSCN4124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpqq8lzY69sW4zmuzrIB3-fStVUcpeIW1-5qSx4RNg8tTj-h0p84S-8l59ep1NjbfiJT7Hp0CB95I6Yk9_-MvDf81ouZHXkooJqFLWCiDR3aia6qEGFOqAhTceGCnslJCyV-Whpm9Tjs/s400/DSCN4124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329601116790237730" border="0" /></a>I've been feeling a bit of a creative drain lately. Maybe this whole thesis thing just sucked the life out of me...while I recoup, I'll post some pictures of cute little kittens to make you smile. Who doesn't like kittens, right? I mean, I can understand if you don't like cats (me, I'm allergic) but everyone loves kittens.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5PvhuOIsQkVuzg-C6xdK5JGG4Sgzvu5XG9tdZSWNwf1Y0Rks0XLZ9PZ7Va98umaMnehDgU8UdMKKUTy3CI0xxDcXyFj1H7H9SIG4iVJsh1zArZfLbWNvzmv_vxF9FiblcUO6De-4uII/s1600-h/DSCN4102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5PvhuOIsQkVuzg-C6xdK5JGG4Sgzvu5XG9tdZSWNwf1Y0Rks0XLZ9PZ7Va98umaMnehDgU8UdMKKUTy3CI0xxDcXyFj1H7H9SIG4iVJsh1zArZfLbWNvzmv_vxF9FiblcUO6De-4uII/s400/DSCN4102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329600829361752786" border="0" /></a>These little guys showed up on N's doorstep a few weeks ago, after some stray mama (unknown at the time) cats made themselves at home in his yard. Anyone want to adopt?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03135504248135513560noreply@blogger.com5