Thank You

 I want to thank everyone who attended Kim's Celebration of Life event yesterday.  I know Kim is smiling right now.  I was so focused on the event that I did not take one, not even one, picture.  That is atypical for me.  I have a lot of moments replaying in my head.  It was a very busy day.  I know someone took some pictures, but I have not seen them yet.  So here is a nice relaxing Sunday picture instead...

 

The Birbz

 Porch Doves are a pretty common thing on the Prairie.  You might have some on your patio, and not even know.  Well, last year we took notice of the Doves that were nesting in a basket on our back patio.  We knew they were there, and had been there a long time.  But this year was different, and we had to interact with them.  Kim was very excited about the hatchlings, and it was a magical experience for her.

 But then the construction happened.  We replaced the roof, and some siding, and then painted the patio area.  So, we couldn't let the little Dove family be disturbed by the chaos of construction.  So we came up with a plan to relocate the basket to a safe location.  At this time there were a couple Dovelings in the nest, and the two adult Doves that were managing the nest.  I successfully moved the nest with the Dovelings, but then the adult Doves would not go into the nest in the new location.  One was the greenhouse, and the other was the Oak Tree.

OK, Well that's no good.  So, we had to find some compromise so the adult Doves would go into the nest, and feed the Dovelings.  The compromise was literally in between these locations I had chosen.  In the top photo you can see the basket on the table.  Then Kim used an umbrella to shade the basket.  It was far enough away from the construction that Kim was happy, but also in a location that was acceptable to the adult Doves, and they would come into the basket.  Kim was very happy about her solution.

Eventually the construction was over, and we put the Basket/Nest back on the patio, and the Dovelings lived happily ever after...  Well, I guess, because as soon as they learned to fly they flew away...  But, they are back now that it is almost spring, and nesting time again...

Here is the video of The Birbz...

Redbud Memorial Garden

 We have a little garden in our back yard that Kim has designated as our Memorial Garden.  This is supposed to be the place in our yard which is a memorial for our pets that have passed the Rainbow Bridge. 

 

In 2023 Kim decided to populate the garden with little statues that would represent our Pets.  So we had a couple of Black Dogs that have been around our house for a long time.  She started by cleaning, and re-finishing the two Black Dogs as Dusty, and Lucky.  But we were at an impasse when it came to Lizzie, and Rocky.  So, we searched for a couple lawn statues that were similar to Lizzie, and Rocky.

 We did find some statues that were similar enough to represent Lizze and Rocky.  So, now we have some of our Pets in the Redbud Memorial Garden.  There was another Statue that she re-finished and painted that year, and that is the Porch Pup.  You have seen him...

 

 Then Porch Pup also has his own garden.  See this, Kim even takes care of the Dog Statues.

 

Red

Kim's address book in her iPhone has Terri as Terri RED...

Kim's friend Terri writes...

"The one thing that cracked me up is, Kim nicknamed me "Red" because I had red hair when she met me in 2009. But by 2012, I went blonde. However, just last year she asked me to send a picture since I just had my haircut. She texted back, "When did you go blonde?!"  Kimmie, Kimmie...I've been blonde for years!"

 

Portraits and Time Travel

 Pictures are a portal to days long past.  No they don't actually take you there.  But in your mind you can stretch back to feel the past.  People are very image conscious, and photographs can unlock long forgotten areas of your mind.  Those long ago memories are still in there, in the back of your brain closet, buried under all the more recent experiences.

 This portrait of Kim was created in 1987, when Kim was 30.  This was 10 years before I met her.  So, anyway I was looking for another set of pictures, and found this, along with another couple nice portraits.  This one was done by a photographer.  Its a nice picture, well cropped, then pasted to a matte black poster board, then signed, and dated.  It is simply titled "Kim".

 So, this morning I have been Time Traveling back to the 1980's.  No, I did not use a 'time' machine.  All you need is your mind to go anywhere you want.  It seems that Kim was doing better than I was at this point.  She had portraits...

 This last portrait was one of the Glamor Shots, and I am still looking for that set.  This one is 16x20, and in a frame with glass and everything.  This, I guess, was the Glamor Shot people's idea because the look is atypical for Kim.  I like it, even though it doesn't quite look like Kim to me...

Portrait Picture

 This picture may be a candidate for the Portrait Picture.  I considered using this one as the Avatar for the blog but I like the re-touched photo better for that role.  This picture is a possibility for the Memorial Portrait.  It is a professional picture, but I do not know the back story...

 

Ack Nacks

 Kim's corner shelf has some of those Ack Nacks you will find all over the house.  Normal things anyone one would have like a picture of her Goof Bucket...