Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

I’ve seen colder snowier winters in Texas than what is happening in Wisconsin today. Of course it has been -19F and will be near zero in a few days. Where is all the snow I was promised?
 
We're looking at 60's!!!! Unfortuantley, its grey skies and dreary... but at least its 60. It may be an interesting weather afternoon, we've got a frontal passage happening and NWS was saying there's a chance of tornadic activity ...


Don't like the wether in Indiana? Wait a minute....
 
I’m making some chili for tonight. A bunch of us are getting together and playing cards.
Watching the NHL Winter Classic. Enjoying a cocktail, a Sazerac. Probably won’t make it to midnight. Getting up early to drive to Atlanta to see our daughter in the morning. On the other I’ll probably be up at midnight once the Battle of Anderson begins & the fireworks start up.
 
Let me be the first to say it --- Happy New Year! I pray that 2025 is better than 2024! It seems many of my friends have had similar opinions of 2024...


I’m making some chili for tonight. A bunch of us are getting together and playing cards.


Not from Texas huh? Chilli is not a bean dish :) I think there have been holy wars fought over that question. Doesn't mater to me, it still look good! top with a little cheddar and some sour cream...and I think you're on to something.

Card night - whats the game? I'm more of a dominos person. My wife's family all love it -- we've gotten a little crazy buying sets. I think I'm ready to start trying to understand cribbage. From what I"m told its a 'way of life' game on submarines, and I assume surface vessels as well. Since CI has such a nautical theme...

I shoulda guessed that...mighty skinny ribcage for a deer. Bird sure field butchered that songdog.
IIRC Ben Franklin favored the wild turkey as our national bird, noting it wasn't a carrion eater...

I actually didn't think that Bald Eagles would go after carrion, but I learned something today --- its important part of their diets. Suddenly, they aren't quite as majestic. This is the ongoing year of 2024 and the "never try to meet your heroes" lesson.

I'm glad Turkeys didn't make the cut - it would be strange that if every autumn there would be a mass consumption of your national bird. Though, he did say "wild" not farm raised. That begs the questionthen about the whole question of a National drink :D Oh -- that would have been applejack. Which I want to try!!! Which is good, I really don't care for wild turkey.

A friend was telling me that Johnny Appleseed (buried in Ft. Wayne, Indiana) was actually not starting orchards. He was more interested in making certain alcoholic beverages from the apples. Apparently booze was closer to his intended product than planting apple trees. Suddenly, walking barefoot and wearing a pot on his head makes sense.
 
I shoulda guessed that...mighty skinny ribcage for a deer. Bird sure field butchered that songdog.
IIRC Ben Franklin favored the wild turkey as our national bird, noting it wasn't a carrion eater...
Everyone so far guess deer. Realizing it’s a coyote sure makes the eagle seem bigger. I’ve had the m fly above the roads with me in the mornings. Their wing span can easily be five feet.
 
Let me be the first to say it --- Happy New Year! I pray that 2025 is better than 2024! It seems many of my friends have had similar opinions of 2024...





Not from Texas huh? Chilli is not a bean dish :) I think there have been holy wars fought over that question. Doesn't mater to me, it still look good! top with a little cheddar and some sour cream...and I think you're on to something.

Card night - whats the game? I'm more of a dominos person. My wife's family all love it -- we've gotten a little crazy buying sets. I think I'm ready to start trying to understand cribbage. From what I"m told its a 'way of life' game on submarines, and I assume surface vessels as well. Since CI has such a nautical theme...



I actually didn't think that Bald Eagles would go after carrion, but I learned something today --- its important part of their diets. Suddenly, they aren't quite as majestic. This is the ongoing year of 2024 and the "never try to meet your heroes" lesson.

I'm glad Turkeys didn't make the cut - it would be strange that if every autumn there would be a mass consumption of your national bird. Though, he did say "wild" not farm raised. That begs the questionthen about the whole question of a National drink :D Oh -- that would have been applejack. Which I want to try!!! Which is good, I really don't care for wild turkey.

A friend was telling me that Johnny Appleseed (buried in Ft. Wayne, Indiana) was actually not starting orchards. He was more interested in making certain alcoholic beverages from the apples. Apparently booze was closer to his intended product than planting apple trees. Suddenly, walking barefoot and wearing a pot on his head makes sense.
Johnny AppleJack!
 
Everyone so far guess deer. Realizing it’s a coyote sure makes the eagle seem bigger. I’ve had the m fly above the roads with me in the mornings. Their wing span can easily be five feet.
I love watching these big predator birds...
Once got speared in the hand rescuing a great blue heron thrashing in the surf after breaking its arm on something...wrapped him in a towel but snaked his head out and zapped me quicker than the eye can follow...lucky he didnt go for my eyes, I later learned is the norm.

They will post over gopgher holes in the spring and gobble newbie pups one after another. Who needs frogs!

Another time I hit a barn owl feeding on roadkill in center of the road on a foggy nite, he got up but clipped him with roofline...went back and covered him with a towel, took to the vet who had to put him down...sad.

I've seen hawks and owls hunt in low circles over my dogs out in the prairie - hunting gophers. Apparently its co-evolved with coyotes...

Another time...
Jeez, I need to go camping!
Taking doggo for walk now... and she's got both gundog and hound in her:
"Ok girl, where's the coyotes?!"

Now she thinks she is in charge of protecting the neighborhood from the coyotes we saw one night advancing on us like a SEAL team in tactical hunt mode...another story!
 
Johnny AppleJack!

Sounds like a hobo name. Which is another fascinating subculture...I used to enjoy hearing what "Hobo Shoestring" used to have to say, he caught the Westbound in April 2024. He'll never be replaced. If you're interested in that kind of thing, another channel -- and I don't know much about his history called "Waypoint Survival" arose in my feed. He's teaching about and crecreating the persona of a depression era hobo. Some good, some bad but all worth the effort.

I love watching these big predator birds...
Once got speared in the hand rescuing a great blue heron thrashing in the surf after breaking its arm on something...wrapped him in a towel but snaked his head out and zapped me quicker than the eye can follow...lucky he didnt go for my eyes, I later learned is the norm.

They will post over gopgher holes in the spring and gobble newbie pups one after another. Who needs frogs!

Another time I hit a barn owl feeding on roadkill in center of the road on a foggy nite, he got up but clipped him with roofline...went back and covered him with a towel, took to the vet who had to put him down...sad.

I've seen hawks and owls hunt in low circles over my dogs out in the prairie - hunting gophers. Apparently its co-evolved with coyotes...

Another time...
Jeez, I need to go camping!
Taking doggo for walk now... and she's got both gundog and hound in her:
"Ok girl, where's the coyotes?!"

Now she thinks she is in charge of protecting the neighborhood from the coyotes we saw one night advancing on us like a SEAL team in tactical hunt mode...another story!
They are amazing animals to be sure! When you look at the speed of attack/dive and visual acuity alone, it is almost unbelievable, some capable to diving in excess of 200 mph.

In the past, we hung around with a group that made attending Renaissance fairs a routine experience. One of the favorites is held near Appleton, Wisconsin, on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. The same company runs several others we've visited. These are noted by large buildings that remain all year, then for a few weeks in the summer are packed with thousands of families spending insane amount of money on costumes, food, and silliness....as one does.

These events often feature bird of prey shows, which are always popular.

Of course, one of those silly souvenirs our friends bought was a very unique and clever puppet. Inspired by a shoulder dragon. The clever mechanism allowed its head (adorned with rabbit fur for plumage) to turn left and right, as well as looking up or down using a bic pen and a cable assembly. The movement was jerky - just as a bird might snap is head around. Very clever design. (this isn't it, but a picture is worth a thousand words: https://tinyurl.com/yc7hkdcp -- look at the video)

On this particular occasion, we were sitting at the southwestern end of the stands while the presenter showcased a falcon nearby on the
northeastern side. Despite being 250 feet away, I remember the falconer remarking that something had caught the bird's attention over in our
direction. Our friend quickly realized what was happening and dropped the puppet out of sight. The falcon immediately broke its gaze and
the show went on.

From my vantage point, I could barely see the falcon itself perched on the glove of the falconer. Still, it was intently watching a 4-inch tall puppet
on someone's shoulder in the densely packed viewing stand beneath heavy shade, with the sun shining directly into the falcon's eyes. It was a remarkable display of focus, attention, and visual supremacy from such a majestic creature!

I think it was a saker falcon? Not 100% sure; that is probably from 15 years ago
 
Sounds like a hobo name. Which is another fascinating subculture...I used to enjoy hearing what "Hobo Shoestring" used to have to say, he caught the Westbound in April 2024. He'll never be replaced. If you're interested in that kind of thing, another channel -- and I don't know much about his history called "Waypoint Survival" arose in my feed. He's teaching about and crecreating the persona of a depression era hobo. Some good, some bad but all worth the effort.


They are amazing animals to be sure! When you look at the speed of attack/dive and visual acuity alone, it is almost unbelievable, some capable to diving in excess of 200 mph.

In the past, we hung around with a group that made attending Renaissance fairs a routine experience. One of the favorites is held near Appleton, Wisconsin, on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. The same company runs several others we've visited. These are noted by large buildings that remain all year, then for a few weeks in the summer are packed with thousands of families spending insane amount of money on costumes, food, and silliness....as one does.

These events often feature bird of prey shows, which are always popular.

Of course, one of those silly souvenirs our friends bought was a very unique and clever puppet. Inspired by a shoulder dragon. The clever mechanism allowed its head (adorned with rabbit fur for plumage) to turn left and right, as well as looking up or down using a bic pen and a cable assembly. The movement was jerky - just as a bird might snap is head around. Very clever design. (this isn't it, but a picture is worth a thousand words: https://tinyurl.com/yc7hkdcp -- look at the video)

On this particular occasion, we were sitting at the southwestern end of the stands while the presenter showcased a falcon nearby on the
northeastern side. Despite being 250 feet away, I remember the falconer remarking that something had caught the bird's attention over in our
direction. Our friend quickly realized what was happening and dropped the puppet out of sight. The falcon immediately broke its gaze and
the show went on.

From my vantage point, I could barely see the falcon itself perched on the glove of the falconer. Still, it was intently watching a 4-inch tall puppet
on someone's shoulder in the densely packed viewing stand beneath heavy shade, with the sun shining directly into the falcon's eyes. It was a remarkable display of focus, attention, and visual supremacy from such a majestic creature!

I think it was a saker falcon? Not 100% sure; that is probably from 15 years ago
Wow, great story! I recall falccons and eagles being featured at the Wild Animal Park, seeing them fly over the crowd...imagine that bird launching on your friends puppet...
Another true story: walking on a service road in suburban open space reserve after dark, on a good moon nite:

See a flash of movement, turn to see a Great Horned Owl take a Barn Owl off its perch in a cloud of feathers and a screech...no change in flight path as it silently glides off with dinner drooping lifeless in its talons...strongest grip in NA second only to the golden eagle.
Reminds me of a B2 form factor...
 
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Sounds like a hobo name. Which is another fascinating subculture...I used to enjoy hearing what "Hobo Shoestring" used to have to say, he caught the Westbound in April 2024. He'll never be replaced. If you're interested in that kind of thing, another channel -- and I don't know much about his history called "Waypoint Survival" arose in my feed. He's teaching about and crecreating the persona of a depression era hobo. Some good, some bad but all worth the effort.


They are amazing animals to be sure! When you look at the speed of attack/dive and visual acuity alone, it is almost unbelievable, some capable to diving in excess of 200 mph.

In the past, we hung around with a group that made attending Renaissance fairs a routine experience. One of the favorites is held near Appleton, Wisconsin, on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. The same company runs several others we've visited. These are noted by large buildings that remain all year, then for a few weeks in the summer are packed with thousands of families spending insane amount of money on costumes, food, and silliness....as one does.

These events often feature bird of prey shows, which are always popular.

Of course, one of those silly souvenirs our friends bought was a very unique and clever puppet. Inspired by a shoulder dragon. The clever mechanism allowed its head (adorned with rabbit fur for plumage) to turn left and right, as well as looking up or down using a bic pen and a cable assembly. The movement was jerky - just as a bird might snap is head around. Very clever design. (this isn't it, but a picture is worth a thousand words: https://tinyurl.com/yc7hkdcp -- look at the video)

On this particular occasion, we were sitting at the southwestern end of the stands while the presenter showcased a falcon nearby on the
northeastern side. Despite being 250 feet away, I remember the falconer remarking that something had caught the bird's attention over in our
direction. Our friend quickly realized what was happening and dropped the puppet out of sight. The falcon immediately broke its gaze and
the show went on.

From my vantage point, I could barely see the falcon itself perched on the glove of the falconer. Still, it was intently watching a 4-inch tall puppet
on someone's shoulder in the densely packed viewing stand beneath heavy shade, with the sun shining directly into the falcon's eyes. It was a remarkable display of focus, attention, and visual supremacy from such a majestic creature!

I think it was a saker falcon? Not 100% sure; that is probably from 15 years ago
I got this opportunity at an event in Asheville, NC a few years ago.
 

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