I would like to talk about my dogs again. These days we’ve been hiking in the rain and cold. It’s been not so much fun. We took my dog Frankie to the vet to have the fat deposit on his side, to be looked at and tested again. We found out it’s going to cost a lot about over two thousand dollars. And we also found out that he’s actually eight years old not six. We decided to find out about this test and go from there. Haven’t heard anything yet. I’m concerned. But I’m trusting Yeshua through this. I love my Boo Bear, Frankie. It was fun to have him at the ocean with me. Course he did want to go out walk on the beach and chase the waves a lot. I’m thankful he still wants to play. I have been so blessed to have Frankie. Time has gone by so fast. Both Dave and I were surprised he’s two years older than we thought. So, we could have four or five or so more years with him. I tried to do my best making sure to walk him and Gracie my other dog.

        I remember Frankie laying in the sunshine in the grass. He looked so beautiful with his feathery fur flowing in the wind. I took a picture of him. He actually likes to get his picture taken. Gracie doesn’t at all. I have so many pictures of Frankie. When he was a fluff ball puppy, when he pooped all over the floors around the house. When we were house training him. I remember when Dave’s momma and brother came over to visit from Missouri. It was hilarious when Frankie would go poop well diarrhea all over the floors and it smelled so bad. They freaked out and ran to the kitchen. I was laughing so hard. They said you need to clean that up. I said it wasn’t my turn, you guys will have to wait for Dave to come in to clean it all up. I could tell you all kinds of stories of my sweet dog Frankie.

Now with Gracie, she’s a sweet and loving dog too. But I didn’t get to have much time with her when she was very young like I did with Frankie. I had gotten sick and couldn’t go on those long walks with Gracie. But after she became about two, we did more I got better, Praise God. Gracie is a long legged and short haired dog. She wants to snuggle up on our laps but she’s too big now, and very wiry. I do love her just as much. We’ve taken long walks but with Frankie. I got to have fishing trips and hikes with Frankie for three years before Gracie came along. I will have to figure out time with just Gracie and me.

My Son, Josiah is fixing a camper on our property. He’s sealing the windows and the edges of the camper. Soon it will be livable. I’m excited for him. His stepdad and him will be replacing wood paneling inside. They will be checking the wiring and the fridge and the stove. If they don’t work, then we’ll go buy them for him. I’m sure he will be pitching in too. This will be own place like a cabin. His cat Menorah I hope will like it too. Josiah and I will be going to the thrift stores and look for curtains and cushions. He will need a twin sized mattress too. If anyone has one or can help out that would be very nice. His stepdad wants to have them both build a tiny home for Josiah later. Hoping to put it on his own property someday.  He will be staying for three years until he becomes a journeyman boiler maker. I’m excited for that to happen.

An albatross aloft can be a spectacular sight. These feathered giants have the longest wingspan of any bird—up to 11 feet! An eagle has a large wingspan too but not as large. The wandering albatross is the biggest of some two dozen different species. Albatrosses use their wingspans to ride the ocean winds and sometimes to glide for hours without rest. They also float on the sea’s surface, though the position makes them vulnerable to aquatic predators. Albatrosses drink salt water, as do some other sea birds.

These long-lived birds have reached 50 years of age. They are rarely seen on land and gather only to breed; at which time they form large colonies on remote islands. Mating pairs produce a single egg and take turns caring for it. Young albatrosses may fly within three to ten months, depending on the species, but then leave the land behind for some five to ten years until they themselves reach maturity. Some species appear to mate for life.

Albatrosses feed primarily on squid or schooling fish but are familiar to mariners because they sometimes follow ships in hopes of dining on handouts or garbage. I have seen garbage off of ships on the beach in MO clips.

Some albatross species were heavily hunted for feathers that were used as down and in the manufacture of women’s hats. The Laysan albatross was important to the indigenous hunters of the northern seas. Excavations of Aleut and Eskimo settlements reveal many albatross bones and suggest that the birds were an important part of human diet in the region. Isn’t that interesting?

I saw these birds in the trees off the beach at the ocean, when I went on my trip by myself. They are awesome birds! Don’t you think? I did see a lot of seagulls eating the critters out of all kinds of shells like the sand dollars and crabs. What an amazing experience when chasing the waves with my dog.