The Blog of a Father, Husband, Student, Sailor, Thinker, Skeptic

Wrong House, Bird Brain…

A few minutes after I arrived home this afternoon, there was a commotion on my back patio. While the dog that lives here will bark at anything, this time it sounded as if someone was actually back there. I also heard what sounded like stomping around on the deck, and decided to investigate. I found the dog running around like a lunatic, but with a good reason. There is a small bird that has trapped itself onto my screened-in patio. We typically leave a screen door open to the patio so that the dog has access to both the backyard and shelter as necessary. This unlucky bird found itself trapped with a beagle chasing him back and forth around the porch. After dragging the dog inside, I then set to guide the bird out of the patio. Of course by now, the cat has arrived on scene and has taken up the chase in order to capture the bird. After a few unsuccessful tries, I manage to get the bird out the side door and return him to freedom. Heading back inside, I again dragged the dog back outside to a bird-free patio.

That bird got lucky. Had I not been home at the time, the dynamic duo of the dog and the cat would have worn down the stamina of the bird to the point of exhaustion, and then set upon it, like two scavengers in the wild. It is no secret that our cat is a serial killer. Anything she can get her claws into will meet its ultimate fate. From my assumption, once she disables the creature, she shares the spoils with the dog. I’ve been fortunate to find any manner of remains of creatures, whether they be feathered or furry, in the area surrounding the house. Once we originally discovered that the cat had been thinning out the population of birds in the area, the cat received a collar with a bell on it. Unfortunately, she’s figured out how to work around that and return to her life of killing. I guess that’s the reason that the damn cat literally sleeps all day, since her hunting must take a lot of energy.

Relevancy is Important

In anticipation of the 4-day weekend in order to celebrate Memorial Day and the start of Summer, there was a mandatory safety standdown at my command this morning. As usual procedure dictates, everything stops and everyone gathers to learn about safety for the umpteenth time in their careers. Expecting a fun-filled morning learning about DUIsContinue Reading

School Days

Last year, I ventured into the world of college education. With my retirement from the Navy fast approaching, I needed to get into gear and get a degree prior to starting the next stage in my life: Navy Veteran. Fortunately, I have a job that is very accommodating in achieving a degree. I got started with SouthernContinue Reading

More Barefoot Shoes

Last Thursday, I was planning a hike with my daughter. With less than 12 hours before we were to leave, I realized that I did not have any shoes to wear. While I have usually worn my Vibram FiveFingers, going up and down mountains in them do a number on my feet. It’s not soContinue Reading

If I’m not the last person on earth to realize this…

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The Best Time of the Year

It’s no secret that Halloween is my favorite time of year, and this year is no different. Well, it might be a little different, because it is the middle of October and there’s nothing more than the usual stock decorations that we keep for this time of year. About 4 weeks ago I was atContinue Reading

Catching Up

With the onset of the holiday weekend, I have Friday and Monday off, so I decided there was no time like the present to get the maintenance on my car completed. Ever since I started going to classes on the weekend, every other weekend is a complete wash, and I wanted to get the requiredContinue Reading

This Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

It’s been nearly three months since I last added a post. In that time I’ve started going to college, and have been busier than a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest. If it isn’t for school or the family I have very limited time for it. I’ve had to cut out most of theContinue Reading

Checking Out of Foursquare

When Foursquare came out a few years ago, I was intrigued. I could take credit for things that I was already doing, and somehow gains points over those I was friends with doing the same things? I love a good game, particularly one that allows me to compete with others. Sort of a Massively MultiplayerContinue Reading

Ooh That Smell

This morning my alarm went off at the normal time, 5AM, and as I reached for my phone to turn it off, an acrid scent filled my nostrils. It wasn’t the smoke from a house fire, but rather the repugnant scent of fresh skunk spray. I think I might have preferred to have my houseContinue Reading