My first real life alligator at Bank's Lake

Wouldn't you know it? The first time I see a real life alligator, I don't have my camera with me.

Yesterday, I met a very nice young couple at the Bank's Lake National Wildlife Refuge, where Gizzy and I visit often.


















He was fishing from this pier and ended up catching a baby alligator (about 1 1/2 feet long.)



Thankfully, the young lady took a couple of photos that I received in an e-mail from her today (5/18/09) so here they are:







I got to touch my first gator ever (he felt like a cool tire) and I got my photo taken, but have to wait to receive it from them.

They were preparing to move into their new home togehter on six acres of land, located in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. She has horses and he drives a Harley. What a life!!! They invited me to look them up if I ever make it out that way. I do believe that I will stop by and say hello the next time I take another extended road trip up north since I love the mountains and enjoy exploring placed I've never seen. (I've never been to Tennessee.) We exchanged cards so that she can send me the photo and to keep in touch. Turns out she has an Etsy shop too. Here it is, if you want to look:

Cre8tive Creations


Gizzy barked at the little gator that was making those throaty baby grunting sounds. Good thing momma gator wasn't nearby or else ... (I've heard some stories!)

The little fella got the hook removed from his mouth and then released back in the water. He'll probably never, ever will bite another earthworm with a hook on it.

Today, Gizzy and I went again to Bank's Lake and even though it was not very sunny, I still managed to get a few scenic shots. This is a Water Lilly. They grow abundantly in the lake right now.
















I took a couple of pictures of us




















From the deck, we can watch people fish and the boats pull in and out of the dock. It is a nice breezy day, just the way we like it. Not too hot and just right for being outside.


















This little green lizard was sitting on the fence of the deck looking down into the water... watch out little fella!























Just another look around - I still can't get over those cypress trees growing right out of the water like that...

















Gizzy slowly waddling towards the car. He really loves being outside, but I believe he's always relieved to get away from this lake because he senses the alligators in there and he's never quite comfortable when we're walking on the deck, close to the water. (Did you know that dog is one of the alligator's favorite foods?)


















This is the Outpost that my friend runs. I visit her periodically and we chat while sitting outside on the bench (no dogs allowed inside) while I usually knit or crochet. Gizzy loves to watch the people as they dock their fishing boats in and out of the water, or walk up to the Outpost to purchase their crickets and worms.

No More Homeless Animals Day Celebration!

On Saturday, April 11th, 2009 was our town's 3rd Annual "No More Homeless Animals Day" that we celebrated at Roquemore Park with live music, a bake sale, pony rides, reading of poetry and the handing out of various awards, one of which was given to Chestnut Village, the apartment complex where I live, for helping to raise funds to get our stray and feral cat population spayed and neutered. Here's the certificate:
















After a few initial threatening rain clouds, it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day and everyone had a fine time. It was a small crowd (about 30 people, not counting the musicians) but we're hoping the event will continue to grow with every coming year.



Here is the awards ceremony in recognition of folks in the community (public and private) who have helped in an effort to control animal population in our city.



















I enjoyed the music, especially the song about "Homeless Jimmy who lives on the street" (even though it made me cry) and I'll never forget the "My little Artichoke heart" song that still dances in my head.



















We had some poetry readings (this one is about the Rainbow Bridge)

















I also read my own poem that I wrote about the disappearing honeybees called "Falling"

I am a Western Honey Bee,
I work both day and night,
collecting honey from a tree
and plants to save my hive.

Sometimes my fellow worker bees
get lost, I don't know why.
When I return to my colony
they are nowhere in sight.

What is this thing called CCD?
What is a bee to do,
but keep on working busily
making honey for me and you.

I heard it in the willow wind,
it whispers to us all:
"we've been around for millions of years,
don't let the last bee fall!"

We had a bake sale and I brought my crocheted and knitted items that I was offering for donations. I raised about $35 and all together, we made over $150 during those four hours in the park on Saturday. My neighbor's daughter brought her two horses to provide "pony" rides for a donation and even some adults got in on the fun:





ABOVE is a little movie clip on how to get on a horse once you had a hip replacement (I had two of them)

















I really enjoyed this event, especially because now we can have our homeless cats spayed and neutered. We're implementing the TNR program and have already established a couple of feeding stations - away from the apartments - so that we can set our traps next month when the mobile Vet comes to our town.

I also won a prize for getting the answer correct for this question: "How many marine animals lose their lives every year due to plastic?" (the answer is: 30,000)

I won this cute little kitty air freshener - a toy dipped in soy wax with cinnamon scent. Not only does it look adorable sitting there, but it also makes my apartment smell very nice. When the scent starts to fade away, all you need to do is to blow some hot air from a hair dryer on it to reactivate the scent.


















All in all it was a very successful fundraiser and I'm glad to have been a part of it. I believe everyone had a very nice time. I hope that next year, this "No More Homeless Animals" Day Celebration will draw an even bigger crowd!

















Some came just to eat...


















and to look good!