El Toro

We had an interesting morning all due to the bull pictured above...My Mother in law (MIL) called this morning at 8am and asked if we would come over to their ranch and help catch their bull. It seems their bull was fighting with the neighbors bull and got over in the neighbors pasture. I told her we'd be right over and off we went.

I asked Michael to stay with Grandma at the house but he wouldn't...grrr....

We got over to where my Father in law (FIL) was and tried to push the bull back over to the hole in the fence...I stood at a gate-way to the neighbors cattle pens with Michael to keep the neighbors cows out of the pasture and to keep the bull from coming back into the pens....Fred and FIL pushed the bull from pasture to pasture then the bull came back into the pasture Michael and I were in...So I picked up a large tree limb, told Michael to stay on the fence and stood my ground about 20 ft from the gate....Well here comes the bull right down the fence row headed for me...I thought with all my hollering, jumping up and down and arm waving he'd turn and go away from us, NOT!! That blasted bull kept coming, there was a certain point that I realized I was in trouble and that bull didn't see me as a threat, ugh!! He kept coming, charging straight for me...and mind you this ain't no little bull....At the last minute I turned sideways the bull threw his head my way and kept going missing me by inches...That is when I turned and Michael was standing right in the middle of the gate-way....I had no time to react...talk about having a coronary....That bull was running right for Michael....2,500 + lbs of beef on the hoof...Michael glanced at me and gave me that "HELP" look and I just gasped, no time to do anything....Michael let out a little squeel and ran to the right to the fence...that bull swiped his head at him but kept going, missing Michael by inches....I think at that moment I said thank you GOD!!

We were all scared and upset but so truly glad that bull didn't trample us...Fred and FIL were further out in the pasture screaming and running....I scooped Michael up and told him next time I tell you to stay on the fence you do it...he didn't answer as he knew he'd messed up and was still a bit shaken up as we all were....I told Fred and FIL enough!! I am taking Michael and we are going back to the 4 wheel mule...I'll stand at the gate-way between the properties and wait for them to push the bull back over on to the property but I am not chasing him anymore!!

So we were back at the property gate, Michael sitting in the 4 wheel mule, me standing back out of the way ready to shut the gate when the bull comes through...I hear my FIL yell...and here comes the bull with the neighbors donkey right on his rear....I was shocked....that donkey was chasing and biting that bull...They ran through the gate-way and out into the pasture....bull and donkey fighting...that bull was head butting the donkey, the donkey was rearing up and kicking the bull...stomping all over his head...then they were head to head...it was unreal...that donkey was totally ticked off and wouldn't stop and the bull wasn't giving in either...

My FIL came running, I grabbed Michael...and off my FIL went on the 4 wheel mule to break the fight up...he actually had to hit the donkey with the 4 wheel mule to get him off the bull...then we ended up chasing the donkey for a bit before being able to get him back through the gate-way....WOW what a morning and very scary!! I've decided from now on (until Michael is older) he will be staying with Grandma at the house when there is cow or bull chasing to do...I don't care how much he screams and carries on...that was just to close for comfort...

I do have to say that I believe God was watching out for my son and I am soo thankful...

My FIL also said that Michael has brains and common sense...as most kids would have stood there and cried but Michael knew he had to do something to get out of harms way and he did it, RAN and RAN FAST!!!

Fred and I were discussing what happened tonight. We were very thankful that no one was hurt but realized that maybe now Michael will understand WHY when we tell him to stay away from the cattle here at the house property. He is really bad about running out into the pasture when the cattle are up here at the house and not showing the least little bit of fear. But we think after his close call today he'll be a little more careful.

bad a$$ texas rabbit

We saw this video today and were just stunned...snakes eat rabbits but not this rabbit!!

Texas Independence Day

Texas Independence Day
So, how are you going to celebrate Texas Independence Day? That’s March 2, this Sunday, so you better get on the stick. If you’re stumped as to where you might go pay homage to the Texians’ fight for freedom, allow me to point out the abundance of destinations where history was made along the march to Santa Anna’s defeat at San Jacinto. At Gonzales, east of San Antonio, you’ll see a monument in front of the town’s Memorial Museum to the first patriots to die for the cause, as the revolution’s first skirmish happened here – thus its nickname, “the Lexington of Texas.” On Friday, there’s an Independence Day Celebration with a breakfast at the Old Jail, followed by a historical presentation, wreath-laying ceremony, and walking tour of historic downtown.
Near Brenham, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park will celebrate the state’s 172nd birthday on Saturday and Sunday with costumed re-enactors, craft demonstrations of the period, military encampments, and music, all on the site where the early Texans signed their declaration of independence in 1836. The museum at the park is a wonderful history lesson. Read more HERE. In Nacogdoches, visit Oak Grove Cemetery, where four of those signers – including my great-great-great-great-great grandfather, William Clark, Jr. – are buried. Of course, you can find plenty of ways to reacquaint yourself with the events of 1836 in San Antonio, starting with a visit to the Alamo. On March 6, there’s a pre-dawn commemorative ceremony that honors those who died on both sides of the fight, and dramatic presentations are scheduled during Remember the Alamo Weekend, March 8-9. Read more HERE.
At Goliad, you can visit Presidio La Bahia, a fort built to protect the nearby mission, and the place where Col. James Fannin and his army were held prisoner after surrendering to Santa Anna on Palm Sunday in 1836. A short walk away, see the monument marking the grave where these men were buried after the general ordered their massacre. An excellent small museum at the presidio is worth exploring. A historic re-enactment of the events of that fateful time is schedule for the weekend of March 29-30. Read more HERE.

I wanted to add this to my blog as I am so PROUD of my adopted state!!

I wasn't lucky enough to be born here but got here as fast as I could!!

We skipped out on Storytime...

Today we decided to skip storytime at the library (which was being held at a local art museum that the boys don't really care for anyways) and we went to Aransas Wildlife Refuge near Austwell Texas...it was a bit Windy but otherwise beautiful...We saw a lot of wildlife...honestly more than I expected during mid-day....Below is a slideshow of some of the photos I took...I soo need a zoom lense...Grrrr....

Michael and Kaden were given a wildlife check off sheet to fill out of all the animals they saw...when we finished our visit we went back to the park headquarters and they showed the ladies all the wildlife they had seen and were given a pin for their great job!!

I think we all had a great time, much better than storytime at the museum!!

Alligator, Vultures, Egrets, Ducks, Turtle, Snakes, Feral Hogs, Pelicans, Armadillo, Deer tracks, Coon tracks, song birds, Whooping cranes, and fish...

I found it!!!

Here is the link for Maria's Sunshine and Daisy digi-freebie, click here.

And of course I found it as soon as I clicked off of my blog, grrr....and if I had searched in History on IE I would have found it sooner, lol...My brain is fried for the day to many blogs!! LOL...

When you Smile ~ WordArt~ and Layout

Okay now if my house doesn't get cleaned we can blame Helen, lol...She asked me the other night if my photo/graphic program did transparent backgrounds and I said yes...We were discussing Word-art for digi scrapping...and it dawned on me that I can do my own word-art...I had never tried and didn't know how easy it was...well below is my first try and I was tickled...it is sooo easy, duh me!! Now I put it in a layout so you can see how it works...it's fun! I'm going to have way too much fun with this...lol....I also got to thinking (Uh OH, she's thinking again) I could probably print this out on a transparency and use this in my paper scrapping too....just to darn sweet!!

Thanks Helen!!!!

Below is the Word-art I did..."When you smile the whole world smiles with you."

And below you can see the digi layout I used it on...

Isn't it cool....

That is my friend Dawn's kiddos when they were at Driscol's childrens hospital a few weeks ago...Dacey is such a beautiful young lady and Trey...well Trey is Trey....Mr. HAM it up!!

The other items from the layout are from Marial France and is a freebie kit called Sunshine and Daisies...and I seem to have lost the link to her sight...if you know it let me know what it is and I'll post it...If and when I find it I'll post it...sigh!!

The link for my word art "When you smile..." can be found here. Now it isn't zipped as it is a small file...so when you go to download it click save instead of open...have fun and enjoy!!

What the name Wendy means...

Wendy

You are very charming... dangerously so. You have the potential to break a lot of hearts.

You know what you want, how to get it, and that you will get it.

You have the power to rule the world. Let's hope you're a benevolent dictator!

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row.

You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace.

People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.

You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.

You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

My friend Helen had found this website that tells you what your name means...Feel free to go check out your name...click here

But I also noticed that some of the things it said about Helen and Fred it repeated it on all of the descriptions...which probably means being human we all have these characteristics!! But it's fun and doesn't hurt to try!!

Michael and Jake on walkabout

For a special treat Mom a video of your Grandson and his dog...actually 3 videos combined into one...Enjoy!!

Wendys slideshow & Misc. Photos

Some of my photos wouldn't fit on my slideshow the way I wanted them too...

Coreopsis Bloom

Normally these wildflower bloom later in March but there were a few out already. I noticed them Sunday and wanted to get a few photos of them. We had a frost last night and today they were a bit under the weather....that is why I have the backside of a bloom! They weren't feeling to perky today!

Backside of a Coreopsis Bloom after a frost.

This is a Scurfy Pea. I had two decent photos of it but took the one Macro photo...blew it up and put it on this photo. I liked the bigger photo as it showed the type of leaf and my Mother likes to see those leaves, lol....Enjoy Mom and if you click on the photo it will bring up an even larger one on your screen so you can really scrutinize it!!

Okay this was my favorite photo of the day!! Michael taking photos of ME!! LOL...and if you look at his slide show you can see the photos he was taking of me!!

Michaels point of view slideshow

Michael took some photos today and I thought I would share them in a slide show!

Enjoy!

He also made comments on his photos and I added those...

A little of this and that...

Today we did a little of this and that...worked on the property this morning, went to town and got some sand for Michaels sandbox, worked on the property again, rode Julie, watched Michael build sand castles and sat outside enjoying a beautiful South Texas Sunset!!

We burned up brush piles this morning

I rode Julie this evening

Michael played in his sandbox

South Texas Sunset, February 24 2008