Cougars Caught on Game Trail

One of my classmate's son, Bobby, sent me this article recently that he saw in The Seattle Times of a rare photo showing eight cougars caught on a game trail on December 23.  One cougar is seen snarling as they congregate on a rock cliff near Moses Coulee in Central Washington.

As the article goes...they don't exactly hunt in packs, don't travel in herds and aren't typically thought of as communal beings.

The image of the mountain lion as a stealthy, solitary beast is woven into the fabric of the American West.

And yet there they were on a game trail in Eastern Washington - eight creatures famous for being loners, all huddled together as if attending some big-cat block party.

To read more about this fascinating phenomenon, Click here!  

Allie Cat Bathing

I snapped these few pictures at the back door while Allie Cat was sunbathing and taking a bath the other day.  She was unaware that I was taking her picture or she would have jumped up.  We have been enjoying Spring-like weather here in the deep south in the past-dead of Winter.  Forecast shows that we will go back down to the thirties and I guess it will be a roller coaster ride until Spring officially gets here.  All flowers and fruit trees are in bloom, so I guess Spring is unofficially here to stay. This is a good thing!

Best Hairdos for 2010!

Love the people who treat your right; Pray for the ones who don't.

PUPPY KISSES GIVEN HERE!

The Nothing Box

This is approximately 5 minutes long but is well worth taking the time to watch.  It is so funny and so true!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Spring Is Here??

Took a few pictures before the severe storms hits Mississippi after 4:00 today. Looks like North Mississippi will get the brunt of the storms with high winds.  I would imagine tornado warnings will be issued throughout the State.  It's already 80 degrees here in Vicksburg.  Is this Winter or what?

Our Japanese Magnolia bush in the front yard coming into bloom and fruit trees across the street budding out.

Next door neighbors to the left with Japanese Magnolia tree in full bloom in their backyard...

...with a yard of birds in my next door neighbors to the right.

Mrs. Hughes

If you need a good laugh today...watch this!  

My Photo Published

Marian Love Phillips shot this self-portrait as she stood in the shadows of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis statues at the Kentucky Monument in the Vicksburg National Military Park.  

This past Sunday in The Vicksburg Post one of my pictures was once again published.  I had taken it on a beautiful Sunday, February 6, 2011, while Bob and I went for a drive through our historical park. The Vicksburg Post will accept for publication photos submitted by readers.  The photo should be current and of interest to the public, either because of their subject matter or their oddity, or the photographic skill shown. These are the criteria that will be used in determining which photos will be published.  Submitted photos should be accompanied by complete caption info and include a phone number for the photographer, which will not be published.  Photos may be submitted electronically or by mail.  Photos are published at the top of the Classifieds Ads which normally have four to five pictures sent in by readers and say - Give Us Your Best Shot.  It really makes you feel good to know that your photo was good enough to be published in your hometown paper.

Happy 69th Birthday Bob!

Today is my husband, Bob's birthday and he is 69 years old.  Thought I would put up a photo of him taken at Boys Town, Omaha, Nebraska, back in the early sixties.  He was in the Class of 1961 and will be celebrating his 50th Class reunion in July. Wishing Bob a very Happy Birthday and many more to come.

My Ultimate Archer Prize

Yesterday, I received my 12 arrows from Kevin Lakey of Ultimate Archer.  Ultimate Archer has a Facebook page and also a website.  They tell their secrets on how to shoot tighter groups, techniques on how to get the best performance, shooting exercises, hunting tactics and some product reviews on the newest products on the market.  You can go to their website and enter your email address for a chance to win a new product which will be Axcel bowsite.  They also deliver videos directly to its members.  Check out their Facebook page and become a member so you can get helpful tips on how to better your archery experience.  I'm looking forward to using my new Axis carbon arrows and once again my thanks to Ultimate Archer for a chance to experience one of their new products.  Below is a video of Kevin drawing my name for the arrows.

Click here to see video

Vicksburg Youth On The Hunt

Cooper Chaplain took this buck earlier this season.

Siblings Connor, above and Shelby Bottin, below, took these 8-point bucks this season on Paw Paw Island, Louisiana.  They are the children of Bobby and Amy Bottin.  Congrats to all our young hunters in the great wild outdoors!  

Vicksburg Man Catches 327 Lb. Alligator Gar - Photos - WDSU New Orleans

Vicksburg Man Catches 327 Lb. Alligator Gar - Photos - WDSU New Orleans

Twyla Luhr Heading Down River

Yesterday, we went by the overlook to see if there was a barge going up or down the river.  Sure enough, here comes, Twyla Luhr, with her big load coming through Vicksburg headed for a destination down south.  It amazes me how these barges can make a turn in the Mississippi River coming so close to the banks near Diamond Jacks Casino.   I know they have plenty of room but from an overlook or in the parking lot at the Casino they look so close. Vicksburg is located in the crook of the state on the west side and it's an awesome site to watch them come though my hometown.  As I write this post, I can hear the hum of the tugboats on the river. Below are several pictures I took and you can see for yourself what a big load she was pushing.

Diamond Jacks to the far right.

Passing by the Riverfront Park below.

Got this shot of a Sparrow on a decayed tree limb.

Zoomed in and got Twyla Luhr passing by.  Note man in front doorway and another man standing on a step stool doing a repair.  (Click on picture to get a closer look)

Heading down south towards New Orleans! 

Beautiful Outhouses

"Thunderboxes"

Chances are you've never used one, but all this month some of the prettiest outhouses in Texas are on display in downtown San Antonio. 

The "Thunderbox Road "art exhibit is going on at the Menger Hotel. 

Here are 9 of 12 full-sized  "Thunderboxes" (or outhouses) painted and decorated in true Texas style. 

Sonja Howle with the "Thunderbox Road" exhibit says, "It was created to pay tribute and showcase the talent we have in the Hill Country artists." 

In February, the exhibit will be at the San Antonio stock Show and Rodeo.

After their tour, the outhouses will be auctioned off to benefit 

medical research and the Western Art Museum in Kerrville.  

Texas Squirrel - Mission Impossible

This takes place in deepest East Texas near Lovelady.  The owner of the yard added each piece of the Rube Goldberg contraption slowly so that when the squirrel learned one section and got the nuts, they added another section.


Finally, it ended with what you see on the video!  It took place over two-weeks to get to this point.  Darn, those East Texas squirrels are something else.  Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing all of my Blogger & Facebook friends a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Vicksburg Youth On The Hunt

Vicksburg resident Derek Dolan, 14, bagged this 8-point buck in Hardeman County, Tennessee on December 18.  He made the 135-yard shot with a 30-06.  He is the son of John and Gayle Dolan of Vicksburg.

Brandon Davidson, 14, bagged his first deer this season.  The 7-pointer weighed 200 pounds.  Brandon is the son of James and Christy Davidson.  Congrats to both young hunters in our great wild outdoors!

What some people do when it snows...

My favorite!

You know you've had enough of winter when...

This is where Rex is at!

Miscellaneous Snow Pix

Snow on the Magnolia leaves in the backyard.  It's very pretty with the sun beaming through.

My footprints in the snow!

Truck bumper full of snow!

Went to the cemetery and noticed this one grave with an ornate fence around it.  The inscription reads:  

In memory of

 Dr. Thomas B. Benedict

Assistant Surgeon of C.S.A.

Died in Vicksburg Miss.

 June 1, 1863 Age 52 years

He fell at his Post.  Dying for

a land and cause that he 

loved more than life, and 

he died in faith.

Falling asleep in JESUS.

Flags blowing atop Confederate Soldiers graves!

A beautiful angel's grave site in the melting snow.

Two crows squawking in a dead tree upon leaving.