{New Post] The Orples Get Stuck

Posted on November 21, 2014 by orples

The orples stopped by to say hello to Ute in her blog Ute Smile. Ute has such a ‘happy’ blog, and if you’ve not been there you might to stop by and say hello. Pay no attention to her lazy cat, unless you think you can help Oscar find reprieve. I am hoping Olivia will have already gotten Oscar out of his jam by the time the rest of us get there.

It appears Ute’s smart cat is only pretending to be asleep, hoping for a belly scratch.

While Olivia tries to wake the kitty up, lets head on out and see what the rest of our neighbors are up to as we visit the neighborhood. 🙂

We missed you, Simba

Posted on November 17, 2014 by orples

Ever since Olivia and Oscar saw Sophia’s dog, they haven’t left me alone. So we’ve circled back to Africa just so the orples can visit her cute little companion. It looks like Simba likes to have his ears scratched.

Have you ever seen a spoiled dog? Well now you have, I’m sure.

It seems the orples always leave us hanging in the end to entertain ourselves. We may as well visit the neighborhood and see who else is up to what, while we wait for these two to play with Simba.

[New post] Photography 101: Mystery

Posted on November 14, 2014 by orples

I don’t know who comes up with these challenges, but the orples and I came across a mystery just the other day. Madhu is always shooting off really, really interesting subjects during her travels in her blog, theurgetowander. Being the sweetheart that she is, Madhu invited the orples and me to come play in her domain. We came across this sleeping leopard. It’s a mystery to me as how that poor cat can sleep with those noisy orples chattering away.

How does that leopard sleep with all of that chatter going on?

I think Olivia is more mystified by the size of the huge feline. And Oscar is wondering if Olivia is brave enough to wake the leopard up. I certainly hope not. I don’t think Olivia would stand a chance if he’s not a happy camper when he opens his eyes. If you want to see what other adventures the Orples and I have been up to, come with us to visit the neighbors. Today’s post will be the first subject you come to, so just toggle down to see our previous postings, from the newest to the oldest in this category. Enjoy your travels. 😉

[New Post] The Orple’s New Friend

Posted on November 8, 2014 by orples

Today, Olivia and Oscar found out about Sonel’s monkeys. They were a bit tiffed with me for not having introduced them to Mr. Monkey earlier, but they do realize that all things come with good time. I need to ask Sonel if this little Monkey has a name so I can extend formal introductions. But for now, it’s Mr. Monkey and the orples, playing together, in Africa on Sonel’s blog (link below). She has some fun little critter’s to play with, So I’m sure we will be visiting her often. In the meantime, tick, tock. Gotta Run. It ain’t easy being an orple-keeper, you know. 🙂

Hanging around at Sonel’s place, playing with her monkeys.

Okay, Sonel, I neglected to copy the link from which I pulled this particular photo on your blog. If you would like to direct me back to the source, I’ll share THAT link. For now, THIS link is directing others to enjoy your monkeys via another post from your blog. I get side-tracked trying to keep up with Olivia and Oscar. You would have to be an orple-keeper to understand the frustrations, I imagine. But we try.:)

[New Post] Daily Post , Oh, The Irony

Posted on November 4, 2014 by orples

Oh, the Irony is today’s challenge, so I figure, now that I’ve thought about the challenge for awhile, I will touch on two subjects, both gifts revolving around ‘The Magi‘. First there is the book: ‘The Gift of the Magi‘, by O’Henry. The story is about as ironic as you can get. It is the story of a young couple in love. Neither of these young lovers have any money, so they each sell something to give the other a gift for Christmas; he sells his watch to buy his beloved a comb, and she sells her hair to buy him a gold watch chain. The other Magi, my sister’s gift to me, in 1990, has it’s own sense of Irony. When my sister originally bought ‘my Magi’, he was a rescue horse, and I have no doubt he’d have died early had he not been saved. The horse was literally starving to death. As it turned out, I’m not so sure that it wasn’t Magi that rescued me. He certainly was a rock for me through some trying years. I don’t have Magi anymore, but he will always own a piece of my heart. He was named after The Magi that followed the star when Jesus was born. Appropriate, since, indeed, Magi was a godsend—to us both.

Magi. the day my sister bought him. He had worms, so she left him in his pasture for the 1st week and carried him oats, hay, and fresh water everyday to avoid contaminating her own fields.

Magi—only about seven years old shown here— the day my sister bought him. He had worms, so she left him in his pasture for the first week and carried him oats, hay, and fresh water everyday to avoid contaminating her own fields. That cute kid in the forefront is my little niece, all grown up now.

Look at what a handsome, happy fellow he turned out to be seventeen years later. Another seven years have passed since the above photo was taken, and while I don’t have Magi anymore, he is still alive and has a good home on a big farm in Cumberland County, Virginia. He’s retired now, but very well loved by some friends of mine who were thrilled to adopt him. I think if it had not been for my fine stead in years past, I’d have lost my mind a long time ago. Another little tidbit, only my blogging audience knows, is that Polly, Beth’s horse in Book 2 of my new Bride’s trilogy, is based on Magi’s coloring, although, Polly is written to be a mare, while my guy is a gelding. I’m sure Magi would forgive me if he knew I turned him into a girl. He probably figures the Vet beat me to it anyway. I wish I’d gotten Magi while he was still at colt. He’d have been a wonderful daddy, and I have no doubt, would have sired some beautiful foals. To watch the story on you tube, just click the title story––The gift of the Magi video:

Sunday Photo Challenge . Shelter #2

Posted on April 30, 2012 by orples

My last entry in Jake’s Challenge for this week was rather humble, but this one tops that one. I’m sure the goats and sheep at Maymont Park appreciate this little Shelter, though, when the sun is beating down on a hot summer’s day.

The fence serves as the ridge beam for this quaint little shelter serving two pastures.

Or maybe a piggy house is more up your alley.

This little piggy house isn't made of brick, but I doubt there are any wolves around either, so all is good in the neighborhood.

At night, the Maymont critters are taken into the barn until the next morning, when they are put back on display for everyone to enjoy. In the meantime, they are sheltered from the weather and any predators that might be lurking about in the dark.

Of course not all of the animals are suited for the barn, so they have their own shelter. Sometimes they prefer to sleep on top of it, instead of inside it.

Silly Fox. Doesn't he know he's supposed to be sleeping in the log?

Weekly Photo Challenge . Unusual

Posted on March 21, 2012 by orples

Okay, so it’s a statue, but it’s not one you’re apt to find on your local street corner. This statue was dedicated to the thousands of children that visit/have visited Maymont Park over the years. It has been in place for at least twenty years now. My own children played on it when they were small.

Children playing on a log at Maymont Park in Richmond, Virginia.

Maymont Park . The Italian Gardens . Part 1

Posted on March 6, 2012 by orples

To date, I’ve introduced you to Maymont Park in general, then I’ve taken you for a walk through the Japanese Gardens, parts 1 & 2. In addition, I did a post focusing on the Maymont Bears. Now it is time to take a peek at the Italian Gardens.

Stairs leading from the Italian Gardens down to the Japanese gardens below

It seems only appropriate to begin with the stairs going up the hill to the gardens. The lower paths at the base of these stairs are a bit rough, but there is a bench at the bottom of this stair set to allow a little reprieve during the climb, should the need arise.

The walkways are the perfect place to run and play if you are a little critter. Thankfully, there is a wall on the outer edge to keep you from falling over the side. It is a long way down.

One of the fountains in the gardens. These are beautiful in the summertime, especially when the beds are in bloom.

A trellised walkway edges the North side of the garden and provides an arbor for vines to grow on.

Looking across the garden is a domed gazebo which is a popular wedding spot. The park earns money by renting this area and if you can afford it, Maymont is THE place to get married. You can revisit anytime you wish after you've taken your vows. In the summertime, the landscaping is awesome.

Maymont Park . The Japanese Gardens . part 2

Posted on March 5, 2012 by orples

In another post, I began the tour of these beautiful garden … see part 1. These are a few more photographs to pick up where that post left off. I will add more in a future post. For now, please feel free to browse the beauty of Maymont.

Typical garden path in the springtime.

A view by the pond

Feeding the fish

Path to the gazebo

Maymont Park . The Japanese Gardens . Part 1

Posted on February 29, 2012 by orples

I introduced you to Maymont Park in Richmond, Virginia a couple of weeks ago. My first post on the subject was kind of a general overview. Then, I did a post about the Maymont Bears. Because Maymont is so large and due to the fact that I have so many photos, I thought It might be better to share some of those shots in short blogs offering multiple postings spread out a bit to keep things interesting. This is part 1 (as the title suggests) of one portion of the park… The Japanese Gardens. Mrs. Dooley was a horticulturist and worked with well known architects of the time to achieve her goals. Many of the trees in the park today have been standing for over 100 years. Many were planted under the direction of Mrs. Dooley herself. Of course, now, those trees are huge and no doubt could tell some wonderful stories of the park, if they could talk.

Entry gate leading into the Japanese Gardens.

It only seems appropriate to enter the garden via the formal gate.

A typical path in the garden

Take a little path (not really this one,but it is close) and look to your left. There you will see the waterfalls. High on the hill above is a flat layer of rocks from which a natural spring pours water over the edge of the cliff, thus forming the falls. It is a favorite resting spot for us when we visit. It is also a great backdrop for family portraits.

The water fall in the Japanese Garden

And of course a Japanese Garden is not complete without an arched bridge to add character. So wallah, one arched bridge coming right up. If you look up, you can see the stone wall surrounding the Italian Garden high on the hill above. That will be the subject of another post on another day.

The arched bridge. One way to cross the water.

If you would rather cross the water, using the stepping stones then by all means, come along with me, or rather Jacob.

Crossing the water via stepping stones.

These few photos should give you a good feel for the Japanese Gardens. They are merely the appetizer. They is more to come.Check out part 2 by clicking here.