The Secret Life of Beavers

Cutris shows the outside of a huge beaver lodge. As impressive as the outside is, it is nothing compared to the interior.





Here is a photograph that Cutris has supplied which shows the inside of the beaver lodge.

Amazing!

The Roasted Duck

My wife is on bed rest as we wait for our son's coming birth. As a result, we did not venture out to the two Thanksgiving invites that we had. We still had a good meal, as I made this duck for us.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Louisville Swamp Before Winter

I went hiking (the Mazomani Trail) at Louisville Swamp in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge today. It was 37 degrees Fahrenheit and cloudy. The snow was melting, but there was just enough to brighten up the scenery. I saw one juvenile Bald Eagle, a lot of animal tracks and a Yellow Perch trying to fight its way upstream through a tangle of branches in a culvert. Aside from the usual assortment of woodpeckers and a lot of trees cut by beavers, I didn't see too much wildlife--but the scenery there is fantastic! Here are some photos I took...








Jab's Farm Ruins












Tracks!











One of the Rock Ledges













The Swamp












The Giant Rock

Between Jobs...

I am literally "between jobs." I gave my notice (i.e. told my boss I was leaving), worked two weeks and haven't started my new job yet.

November in West Wilkie

I managed to find a few hours to go hiking today! I went into the (west end of the) Wilkie Unit in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

The temperature was in the lower thirties (Fahrenheit) but I was plenty warm if I kept moving. Along the way I found a deer skull, a Cooper's Hawk, a Belted Kingfisher and viewed the nests of the heron colony. Here are a few photos I took.







Blue Lake













Deer Skull













Heron Nests













Leaf Carpet













Beaver Dam














Bald-Faced Hornet Nest










Great Horned Owl

Cutris Reenacts Lethal Weapon

For your enjoyment, and in case you missed them, Cutris (in a dual role) will now reenact all of the Lethal Weapon movies in eight seconds. The scene is punctuated by the crazy rantings and reckless behavior of Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). Also important is the shouting of Rigg's name by Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). Now sit back and enjoy the show!

11-11-11

Today is,

11-11-11

Bus Bomb

This disaster training video is kind of cool. I know the guys who did the recording of it. The credits for the creation can be found HERE.

Some People Don't Know Dick

How would I describe Dick? He's not big or small; he's an average size Dick. Dick is smart. He knows about different parts like bolts; and nuts. Dick's nuts are galvanized. It seems that someone is always looking for Dick! Guys are always calling, looking for Dick. Women like Dick too. I work with Dick every day, but soon I will be working somewhere else—so I won’t see as much of Dick. Maybe you work with a Dick too! Do you have a friend who is a Dick? Here is a picture of my friend Dick.

Photo of Dick measuring his wood

DISCLAIMER: No Dicks's were harmed in the creation of this post.
Proper authorization was obtained prior to posting this post.
A sense of humor may be required to fully appreciate this posting.

Cutris Talks to The Tree of Life

TOL - "Yes Cutris, what is it now?"
Cutris - "I have another question. During my life as a Mongol, did I have any computer aptitude?"
TOL - "That is a ridiculous question. Computers hadn't been invented yet!"
Cutris - "I know that, but was the aptitude there anyway?"
TOL - "Yes, I must admit that it was."
Cutris - "Cool... that's what I thought..."

He Kept on Looking Ahead

He recognized the warehouse where he did his work. It had only been a few months since he had fled from the independent district. Now, he tried not to feel sad that his wife was further in the city, resting in the hospital. Their son was still likely to arrive before the scheduled date, but there was some hope now that things would be alright.

Yeah, it was a stressful time and he had bumped it up a little when he decided to step off the ship and throw his future in with another group in the company of new people. Those he had spent the last few months with were so brilliant and had become good friends. Still, it was undeniable how the climate could change in rapid succession when the head man arrived. The dark cloud would loom in above the tiny warehouse and the discomfort was unavoidable and undeniable.

Yes, it was a good time to leave, yet it was more stress on top of the stress. He was tired. The cursing in the next room was uncomfortable, but he would soon be free of it. More friends would be left behind as he climbed further upward.

The wind blew in his face as he looked at the horizon. The river flowed on past. Life continued forward. Rocks sometimes got in the way—but he kept on looking ahead.

—KJC