“Turtle Highway” On The Ozark Prairie
There’s a rural highway on the Ozark Prairie (in Missouri, just a little northeast of the Lake of the Ozarks) that I will always think of as “Turtle Highway”. I have a love for all animals, but think the common box turtles are really remarkable creatures. And, this one highway seems to often have one or two in just the few miles that it spans. It encompasses only about 10 miles, at best, and winds through lots of farmland mixed with deciduous woods like one will typically find in Missouri.
Anyhow, I do have a story to tell about this “Turtle Highway” , one that will stick with me for a long time. It’s a true story, although it may sound like a tall tale, lol! : )
I was traveling on “Turtle Highway” this spring, about a month ago, and came upon a turtle in the highway. But, lo and behold, there was a pretty large moving van size truck approaching from the opposite direction. Of course, I wanted to miss that little guy (or gal) and knew that it would be very tricky to do with that large truck coming. As luck would have it, I didn’t crunch the little bugger! Instead, my car tire must have grazed it’s hard shell “just right” that it SHOT it across the highway. Anyhow, I realized that that had happened and also knew that little box turtle might be laying at the side of the road – UPSIDE DOWN.
So, I decided that the most humane thing I could do was to turn around and go back the very short distance to check him (or her) out. I mean, there could be a turtle family waiting somewhere, even? And, how would it be to be left upside down only to be eventually smashed, for sure?
Just as I had thought, that turtle WAS on it’s back at the side of the road. legs and head tucked inside its protective shell and no way to see if it was dead or alive. I placed it a good distance along the shoulder, far from the road, and left – feeling that I had done all that I could to help the little turtle.
I went home and didn’t think much more about it…
…until the next morning when I traveled down “Turtle Highway” on my way to the city. When I rounded the bend in the road where I had the turtle encounter – what did I see? Can you guess? A turtle in the road, walking like turtles often do …a happy walk, sort of jaunting about,…perhaps, just happy to be alive? It was so bizarre – was that the SAME turtle? It was almost like it was there to say, “I’m doing just fine, thank you”. Okay, so this is believable, right? It’s a true story and not over, yet…
…that night I was returning from the city, going down the same stretch of road on “Turtle Highway” and can you guess what I saw? Would you believe it? This is true – I saw a TURTLE in the SAME PLACE. walking about in the road. That turtle…I mean, could it be the SAME TURTLE?…that turtle just looked happy to be alive, so happy for spring and walking about on the warm pavement like we’ve all seen before. But, was it a little bit more exhilarant? I guess I will never know the answer to that question, only to remember how strange it was.
So, the ending of the story?… I imagine it’s a happy ending since I haven’t seen a smashed turtle anywhere on “Turtle Highway”. And, I really do think that turtle may have been the “one and the same turtle” each time!? – very happy for a second chance at life.
Photo Credit: David DeHetre
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
AFTERTHOUGHT: To any out there that may read this, it is important to remember that SAFETY is #1. Never swerve to miss a turtle and endanger your life or another human life. This turtle was not in the roadway when I turned it over. I would also like to add that I often run alongside a rural highway with my dog and exercise many safety precautions, even though I may never even see a single car the whole time out there. BE SAFE WHEN BICYCLING OR RUNNING/WALKING ALONGSIDE ANY ROADWAY!!
Life On The Ozark Prairie ~ A Pictorial Journey #2
Hi and welcome back!! It’s been a real experience living out on the Ozark Prairie…not a bit like living in the city, LOL. The landscape and scenery are very beautiful and there’s quite a bit of wildlife about. The birds are very abundant in the “tree oases” and we have visitors of coyotes, deer, doves, raccoons, opossums, & turkeys. We have even seen an occasional bobcat ~ plus, we have prairie chickens, also!
But, what is wild and untamed can be beautiful all the same. Here are some photos of this haunting beauty of the Ozark Prairie…
Taken on a misty summer morning…
Misty Ozark Prairie Morning
A spectacular field of prairie wildflowers!…
Ozark Prairie Flora
This summer sunset was so gorgeous, I had to stop to get shoot this picture…
Summer Sunset on the Ozark Prairie
A vibrant October sunset…
October Prairie Sunset
A wintry mist on the Ozark Prairie…
-
Winter Mist
Ice prairie, for sure!!…
Ice Prairie
A beautiful horse!
Horse On A Winter Day
Taken during our last bad snowstorm…
Ozark Prairie Snow Storm
Some spring daffodils…
First Spring Flowers
We have some long, straight roads out here, lol!…
Prairie Walk
A wild turkey came to visit the yard…
Wild Turkey in the Yard
Our resident feral barn cat….
Barn Cat
The sky never seemed bluer than on this day…
Blue Sky Prairie Morning
A gorgeous Peace rose…
Peace Rose
Well, that’s all for now…but, nice to share these photos of the magnificent Ozark Prairie.
Quotes For Business and Career Success in 2014
New Year’s Eve 2014 fireworks
Photo Credit: bogenfreund
We finally made it to 2014! And, with the ringing in the new year, what could be more appropriate than some inspirational quotes for business and career success? And, just to make it more interesting…some cool new year’s photos…
Napoleon Hill
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_business.html#xbIsi3LeOm1O500E.99
Napoleon Hill
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_business.html#xbIsi3LeOm1O500E.99
Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. ~ John Wooden
If you don’t make things happen then things will happen to you. ~ Robert Collier
Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition – in having put forth the best within you. ~ Henry J. Kaiser
Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. ~Winston Churchill
People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves, they have the first secret of success. ~ Norman Vincent Peale
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. ~ Thomas A Edison
Napoleon Hill
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_business.html#xbIsi3LeOm1O500E.99
Photo Credit: Rareclass
Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it. ~ William Durant
You’ve got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It’s called perseverance. ~ Lee Iacocca
Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were. ~ David Rockefeller
It is never too late to be what you might have been. ~ George Eliot
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. ~ Helen Keller
Early New Year’s Eve – Melbourne Australia
Photo Credit: Precious Bytes
Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. ~ George Bernard Shaw
And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. ~ Paulo Coelho
It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop. ~ Confucius
The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. ~ Bruce Lee
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! ~ Audrey Hepburn
If you don’t value your time, neither will others. Stop giving away your time and talents. Value what you know and start charging for it. ~ Kim Garst
Happy New Year from Istanbul
Photo Credit: G.OZCAN
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. ~ Mark Twain
Success is the sum of small efforts – repeated day in and day out. ~ Robert Collier
We can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within. ~ Earl Nightingale
Don’t let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning. ~ Robert Kiyosaki
The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. ~ Vidal Sassoon
Capital isn’t scarce; vision is. ~ Sam Walton
Goodbye 2013
Photo Credit: Koshyk
If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours. ~ Ray Kroc
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. ~ Swami Vivekananda
To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart. ~ Thomas Watson, Sr.
Persistence. Perfection. Patience. Power. Prioritize your passion. It keeps you sane. Criss Jami
This defines entrepreneur and entrepreneurship – the entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. Peter F. Drucker
Opportunists seek for a chance.
Entrepreneurs make new chances. ~ Toba Beta
Wishin’ 2014…
Photo Credit: Vanhookc
Wishin’ the best business and career success to ALL in 2014!! : )
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- Whatever the mi… (aubreyeicher.wordpress.com)
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How To Diaper A Baby – A Guide For New Fathers
With Father’s Day here, what would be more appropriate for all new father’s than these helpful instructions on how to diaper a baby:
Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher’s mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again.
Jimmy Piersal, on how to diaper a baby, 1968
Photo Credit: Thetajon
Elephant Photo Credit: SCA
Vintage Modern Dancer Pics (1973)
I have a love for dancing, especially with my past background of “guild-level” dance performance. My dance teacher, Gladys Joseph, came from Hollywood and was an excellent teacher! I performed with some of the KC Chiefs cheerleaders and others…it was lots of fun.
Here are some dance pics I recently came across ~ some vintage dance pics that I want to share with all vintage and/or dance fans out there. Check these out, they are great!!……..
Photos from “Modern Dance” by Aileen Lockhart & Esther Pease, 1973
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- Disco Thunder Drives Dancers as Naharin Pumps Up Theater – Bloomberg (bloomberg.com)
- Orchesis Dancer Find Time For Passion (mallorystgeorge.wordpress.com)
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White House Steinway
Photo Credit: Mr. T of DC
Piano commissioned by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 for the East Room of the White House. It was made by Steinway & Sons of NYC, and decorated with patriotic motifs and the seals of the first 13 states. The painting America Receiving the Nine Muses by Thomas Wilmer Dewing (1851-1938) is inside the lid. The piano is in the collection of the National Museum of American History, but is displayed with the art of the Gilded Age in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
This piano is gorgeous! N’est-ce pas?
Source: Flickr.com
9 Things You Can Do To Make Your Skin More Elastic (& Youthful!)
Starting good skin habits at an early age
What can we do to prolong our youthful appearance? Many will think about avoiding wrinkles, but so many products are out on the market that can battle these, women today do not have to worry about these until much, much later in life. But, what can help with elasticity is a bigger problem and not many products will have the same success as our anti-wrinkle ones.
What is the definition of elasticity?
According to the University of Maryland’s website, skin elasticity is better defined as skin turgor. And, skin turgor is, “the skin’s ability to change shape and return to normal (elasticity).”
Following are NINE practical and inexpensive ways to promote better skin turgor:
- Avoid the sun and/or use a good sunscreen. Sun damage is well-known to wreak havoc upon the best of skin. All sun worshippers that do not take heed pay the price with lax, leathery skin before their time ~ not to mention the risk of many dangerous skin cancers. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers the following:
- Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays).
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or greater.
- Water resistance.
- Read more about the CURRENT 2018 recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Drink plenty of water. Water is what nourishes our cells…it is present in EVERY cell in our bodies. But, many people do not drink enough of this elixir! And, without proper hydration, skin will appear dull and listless ~ lacking the turgor that gives us our youthful appearance. What is the proper amount of water to drink per day? This is a controversial subject, but the American Dietetics Association recommends 9 cups for women and 12.5 cups for men.
- Do not bathe in hot water since this has a harmful effect on the skin integrity, damaging it and drying it out.
- Use a good moisturizer! Consult an aesthetician or dermatologist for the best one for your skin type.
- Partaking in regular exercise can improve skin elasticity. It is recommended to have 30 minutes of aerobic exercise to improve circulation for the skin. This gives the benefit of feeding the skin and removing any waste products more effectively. Hence, you will have a more youthful skin.
- Proteins make up the matrix of our cells and thus are very important for good collagen and elasticity. Eat these top proteins for good elasticity: almonds, peanut butter, salmon, sardines and eggs.
- One remarkable finding (from recent studies) found by dermatologists is evidence that lutein, an antioxidant found in egg yolks, spinach, and other leafy greens may improve skin elasticity by almost 20%. Lutein is also found in topical face products.
- Fish oil capsules taken on a daily basis can do much for skin elasticity. This is very important if you are on a diet or have already lost a lot of weight…fish oil is one of your best weapons to combat laxity and looseness of the skin. But, be sure to follow the dosage directions on the label (and consult a physician before taking anything) since the wrong dose may be harmful or dangerous in bleeding disorders (or other medical conditions).
- Also, it’s important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for good skin elasticity. And, of these ~ the best ones to eat are as follows:
- Red Peppers
- Oranges
- Grapefruits
- Strawberries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Mango
- Apricots
- Sweet Potato
- Avocados
So, if you have lost elasticity due to poor habits or weight loss ~ the above list should give you a guide on how you may improve your skin starting TODAY. Or, if you are needing a preventative treatment against aging…these habits can take you down the road to a much happier, youthful skin! We don’t have to give in to mother nature, there are always variables we can manipulate to fight back against what our mothers and grandmothers had to endure ~ loose, sagging skin.
Photo credit: Gloria’s Health
Life On The Ozark Prairie ~ A Pictorial Journey
Life on the Ozark prairie is filled with many surprises…this still largely untamed landscape is full of gorgeous vistas, breathtaking sunrises & sunsets, & changing seasons unlike nearly any other place. Check out some of the photos I’ve taken while living here and I think you’ll agree…
Some black Angus cattle grazing on some prairie grass in the middle of winter on a foggy, hazy day.
A gorgeous sunrise…
Some beautiful running horses on a nearby ranch…
A friendly horse that liked having his picture taken, even with my dog barking…
A magnificent vista~you can see for miles and miles out here…
All of these photos were taken in Missouri, just outside of the Ozarks mountains…this IS the Ozark prairie. A land not forgotten, just hidden away. Many people love to ride bikes on the many rural highways and the Katy Trail, which is an old rail trail that spans a large part of the state.
These are just some of the pics I’ve taken while living in this gorgeous place…more to come at a later date! Hope you enjoyed your trip here and maybe you would like to take a bike ride visit someday? : )
Further Evidence Of The Existence Of Monster Catfish At Bagnell Dam
- Photo By Luis Tamayo At Cabela’s
Awhile back, I wrote an article about evidence of the existence of monster catfish at Bagnell Dam on the Lake of the Ozarks. I’m including most of that article at the end to incorporate all of the info in one spot. But, I have since found more evidence pointing towards this and wish to discuss it…
Here is some interesting info I found from another source:
“In more recent times, I have heard and read about divers and underwater welders who have quit their jobs to pursue different kinds of work. Allegedly, this has happened near Bagnell Dam at the Lake of the Ozarks . The divers claimed to have seen catfish the size of —as some stories have it—Volkswagons. Sometimes the fish have been described as being even larger than Volkswagons. Like most fish stories, this one might seem pretty hard to believe. At first anyway. Like I’ve written before, nature can be very mysterious to us; we look out at a body of water and can only imagine what’s underneath. Is it possible that catfish can grow so large that they could or would attempt to eat a human? “There’s Some Big Fish in the Lake Ozarks” by Wes Goff
We all continue to ask…Is this true—could there be a large bunch of them lurking in the depths of this old Missouri lake? Perhaps, time will tell.
What Are Santa’s Reindeer Doing BEFORE Christmas?
What ARE Santa’s reindeer doing before Christmas, you might be wondering? You know they will be mighty busy soon, but here are some photos that might clue you in…
This one seems to be busy planning where he might like to travel to after the holidays
Photo by Mikemcsherry
These guys are just “hanging out”…guess reindeer like to do that too …
Photo by timo_w2s
Reindeer in the wild…part of Rudolph’s family, perhaps?? : ) …….
Photo by tristanf
Here are some very sleepy reindeer…
Photo by dclay
Reindeer (domesticated caribou) have funny feet, btw…
Photo by hherbzilla
Here you can see some reindeer and racers dash down Anchorage’s Fourth Avenue in the 2011 Rondy Running of the Reindeer…
Photo by ACVB PR
An “unlikely” Rudolph relative… : P
Photo by Akibufflet
♥ It’s love ♥
Photo by Robt Son
That red-nosed reindeer IS real…
Photo by trinf
And to all lovers of Christmas, young and young at heart…Merry Christmas! May the magic of the season capture your spirit.
Photo by vince42
One Sentence At A Time 