Pool Toys

Jim's birthday was last week and I got him a couple of new dolphins for the pool. I thought that perhaps these two were smaller than "Dolphin Lungren", they would be easier to ride; but no such luck. "Zhaan" and "Phin" are as quick as their big brother to roll and throw any and ALL riders. LOL At least when push comes to shove, "Gilligan's Island" is a safe refuge. I stood up on a chair to take this "interior" photo of the island because I didn't have any good pictures, in the previous months, to use as a visual aid when I described this float. Can you see how the middle can be removed and a bunch of people could sit inside with their legs dangling into the water?

MouseOver these pool pictures for pithy comments

Fireworks, Fireworks, Fireworks

This summer has had a lot of color. Besides all the colors blooming in the yards around my house, I saw fireworks at Kings Island (for July 4th), at the Belden Village Food Fest, at the Canton Monument Park, and in downtown Canton (for the Football Hall of Fall Festivities). I took pictures at each event, and although some of the first pictures were very blurry, I've gotten better at photographing these sparkling displays of pyrotechnics. For your viewing pleasure (and amazement!), please click this link to see my Virtual Fireworks. After the Fireworks Spectacular loads up, move your pointer over the night sky to see the Fireworks!


Click here if you'd like to save a copy of this picture to use as your desktop wallpaper.

Mikie's Computer Room

Lest you think, that I am some type of a wallflower (with all the pool pictures, I don't know how you could think that anyway; but if you do think that, then...), here are some pictures of the room where I live most of the time - the computer room. As you can see, it's bright, airy, close to the frig and the bathroom (WooHoo!). I've even brought a little bit of the outside color inside by adding some flowers from my gardens.

This is a panorama view taken from the doorway of the living room (where my computer was last winter) looking into the computer room (originally, the dining room).

WebCam Mania

If you spoken with me within the last month, then I've probably already subjected you to my webcam. I've been trying out a new program and running my cam 24-7. If you'd like to "see" me or the doggies, check out my newly updated webcam page.

Current Webcam Image

Summer's High Point

Summer's high point has come, and my yard is beautiful, if I do say so myself. With some help from my friend Jim (thanks for help with the fountain and lights!) and some watering (only the flowers, I let God and nature take care of the grass and shrubs - it means less cutting and trimming for me!), the yard has been in full bloom. MouseOver the panorama picture of 1200 14th St. NE, and see the beauty of Nature and Summertime.

MouseOver from left-to-right for 6 close-ups of the flowers in full bloom

My Kitty - Sheagra

Last month, I had some pictures of cats that I know. Thanks to Jim, I have some decent shots of my own cat to post this month. Sheagra has been with me for a long time now - 15 years! - and is still hanging in there. You'd have thought that running from nearly a dozen different dogs over the years would have won her out. She does show a few signs of aging though - her coat is grayer and she enjoys having the chair beside the table to jump onto so she can get to her dinner bowl.

Sheagra has ALWAYS been an inside cat, until recently. Now that I have a tall fence around the backyard, I've caught her out prowling a few times. It was quite amazing to capture this photo (she's very skittish and normally bolts for the back door after a few minutes outside.

Another Summer Project

I think I have finally finished up the projects in my yard for this summer with one last project. Jim helped me to install lights around the fountain in the front yard and by the flowers in the back yard. At first, we weren't too happy with the lights around the fountain - they sat so low, that you could hardly see them behind the ring of rocks circling the fountain. With a few leftover cement blocks, some dirt, and some sand from Cliff and DO's sandbox, Jim and I built up the area directly behind the fountain and re-planted the lights. Now, it's finished and I can just sit back and enjoy.

MouseOver to see the lights in the back yard

MouseOver for soothing splashing sounds

Jim took this picture of me taking a picture of the fountain and the lights at night.