Transportation Collection

Welcome to my transportation collection of toy vehicles. I started with cars

...then I added a pick up truck

...then police cars

...it seemed logical to make an SUV pulling a trailer ...

then an old fashioned steam locomotive

...and last night I created an airplane

More vehicles are on the way. I need to make a boat...and the carriages and a caboose for the train...

there are so many more transportation items to make and so little time...

Tobey the Bison

My friend Sunni asked me to make her a bison. I looked at every picture I could find of crocheted bisons and could not find a pattern. 

Then I looked at pictures of real bison. Based on both, this is my bison, named Tobey

.There is nothing easy in making this critter--The mane, legs (front legs are a different shape from back legs), bump, even the color of the horns were difficult to figure out. Some bisons have black horns, some have yellowish horns, and some have brown horns. I chose to make them light as a brown or black horns faded into the background. All in all, I think Tobey came out well

And the other side...

Tobey will be with me for awhile...but he will go to Yellowstone in September along with Sunni.

We will compare my crocheted bison with the real thing.

Barbie Pink

My latest teddy bear is "Barbie Pink"

Hybrid Humor

In April, we became the owners of a 2023 Ford F-150 Limited hybrid 4x4 truck. We named him Ted*, and he's a honey with more bells and whistles and brains than we can believe. We are familiar with pickup trucks, as we've had several since 1983. Each one has been a bit "smarter" than the last. The current 2023 has a set of lights on the dashboard that tells us how many miles we can drive before the tank is empty. It's a good deal since this is a hybrid truck and we might run out of fuel (which we've been told is a bad thing). 

On Sunday we drove to Jackson Hole, about 50 miles from our home. The dashboard indicated that we had 490 miles til empty, hence we had more than enough fuel for the drive. I drove the 100 miles to and from Jackson and when I returned to our driveway, the dashboard indicated that we had 500 miles til empty. How is that the case? I have NO idea. But I drove 100 miles and I actually had more "fuel" than when I started. I'm guessing the batteries were charged on the drive giving us the extra miles? I don't really know. I find it part of what I'm calling hybrid humor.

*P.S. We name our vehicles, the last two diesel pickup trucks were named Vin Diesel I and II, aka Vinnie for short.

It Happens in the Quakies

I'm fortunate to own a little piece of a larger quaking aspen forest. The locals call the trees "quakies." At 6350 feet above sea level the trees are tall and lush and in their element. In the wintertime, when there's several feet of snow on the ground, the forest is pure white and the quakies are quiet.  In the summertime the quakies sing at the slightest breeze, sounding like a bubbling creek in the far distance. The sound of the quaking trees is as magical as is the rest of the forest. 

In the summertime, the green canopy shades the understory. The understory is filled with wild grasses and flowers. On a good day I see everything from orange Indian Paintbrush to yellow arnica, pink wild rose to purple harebells, spotted orchids to black coneflowers, lavender-blue flax and bachelor buttons, to blue lupines and so many more many more. The understory also hides the birds and deer that find protection in the forest.

In my patch of quakies we have several mule deer families that have hung around for years.  One summer we had twin fawns that were my friends all summer...about a week before we left for the winter, one of the twins was hit by a car and her right back leg was broken. I saw her hobble along with her twin the rest of the time I was in residence and I was sure she would not make it thru the winter. I was wrong...the next summer, she was there with a remodeled and crooked right back leg. The broken leg had healed, leaving her with a limp and strange gait, but she was alive.This summer, five years later, I spotted a limping doe with a crooked right back leg, with a fawn. She's a fighter!

There are many stories in the forest. Summer 2023 started with a sad note. Spring was hard and many of the fawns and yearlings did not survive. The Department of Game and Fish said there was a 90% kill-off of fawns and yearlings. After hearing that, I was not hopeful of seeing many fawns this year, let alone yearlings from the previous year. There were no fawns in May or June and I was sure Game and Fish was right...then in early July a mama deer shows up in the backyard with her twins. We had twin fawns gracing our backyard. Since then, I've been observing the twins daily. They are growing fast, yet they still have their spots. They hop and jump and play and then rest for hours on the soft bark beside my screened-in deck. I can see them but they can't see me...and if I'm quiet on the deck, I can watch their antics.

The other day the twins were laying in a patch of vinca nibbling a few leaves and minding their own business when their mama walks into the yard. From almost asleep to wide awake in mere seconds, the twins jumped up and ran to their mama. The forest was quiet and suddenly I heard a sound I had never heard before and I could not figure out what it was. I quietly moved from my chair to a better vantage point and there was Bambi 1 suckling with great gusto, slurping up delicious milk from mama. Soon he got his fill, and Bambi 2 starts suckling as loud as could be, until he too got his fill ...at which time mama gave him a soft short "kick" indicating she was done, and it was time for the fawns to go away. The twins reluctantly left and mama walked into the forest, where I could not see her anymore. The twins went back to resting on the vinca.

That's the thing, between the dense canopy and the understory, the animals are hidden by the forest within five feet of entering it. Mama was done...her babies were fed and safe...and she could take a rest away from her demanding twins. All is good in the forest. 

There are many stories in the forest, all I have to do is wait for them to unfold.

Common Abbreviations

Do you text? Do you receive texts with abbreviations and you have no idea what they mean? Kim Komando posted the following today. It might help you out.

1. SMH: Shaking my head
2. POV: Point of view
3. TBH: To be honest
4. ASL: Age, sex, location (or "as hell" with the younger crowd)
5. BBL: Brazilian butt lift or be back later
6. HMU: Hit me up
7. NSFW: Not safe for work
8. LMAO: Laughing my @ss off
9. OFC: Of course
10. TTYL: Talk to you later

Choo-Choo

Big Boy, #4014, is a real steam engine...

...and this is my version of an old-fashioned steam engine complete with cowcatcher

I'll make some rail cars and a caboose soon.

County Fair

It's "Fair Week" in the Rockies and "my" kids are at the fair showing their animals. This year they are showing pigs, steers and 1 lamb. 

So far, they've done well with 2 grand champion critters and a few firsts and seconds.

 

My 60 pound girl and her 1500 pound steer...and she managed him well.

The "Grand Champion" Steer in Local Born and Bred Class

Her last year to compete in 4H with her steer "Last Chance" 

The 4H kids work hard during the spring and summer getting their animals ready for fair. On "show day" their animals get a spa treatment. Yesterday I was privy to some of the behind-the-scenes grooming of the steers. The steers are huge, weighing between 1100 and 1500 pounds, and the kids are washing and combing their fur, shining their hooves, and making them look gorgeous.

Why I Don't Paint Many Rocks

Rock painting is a lot of fun...but you have to have basic talent...

What you see is what you get. I should stick to crocheting.

After the Rain

The last 3 days have been rainy. We've not had a huge deluge...just wet ground and an occasional "female rain" that lasts about 10 minutes. 

While the skies are gray, it's not cold, but it is cooler than usual. The plants seem to be enjoying the rain, as their leaves are perky and green.

 

Indian Paintbrush

Aster

Aspen

BTW, the asters started to bloom on July 20. IF the "old wife's tale" is correct, fall will come in 8 weeks or September 14...I'll let you know.

103

Today, I'm remembering the 103rd birthday of my Auntie Ruthie. Sadly, she passed away in January. She was loved by her family and friends and we all miss her. 

We hope you had a happy birthday in heaven.

Happy Birthday To You!

Nonpartisan

This cute little girl is a nonpartisan elephant. How can a critter this loud belong to a political party anyway.

No matter, she's nonpartisan. She was named last night. So please meet  Ms. Spectacular. 

I think she's pretty cute.

Five Fawns

This summer we have not seen many fawns. The winter was hard and we were told the little ones did not  survive. For the past month we've had a set of twin fawns gracing our backyard...but today we had 5. The most fawns I've ever seen in the backyard...and we've lived here over 20 years.

This trio are in the backyard often. Mama watches while the babies play or sleep. 

Another mama, one I've not seen before, showed up with her set of twins, causing some disturbance in the "deer-ly force."

Then this lone fawn showed up and he tried to nurse on our mama...and she was not going to let that happen. 

Based on spots they are all about the same age and I'm wondering where they have been before today? 

Five fawns and two mamas -- a wonderful sight to see.

Two Handy Charts

My friend in Guam sent me these charts from BaBaMail (a paywall website). The first one deals with laundry icons. Have you ever looked at a label sewn in a garment that is covered with icons but no print? Have you tried to decipher the icons? The chart below tells you what the various icons mean.

The second chart deals with the myriad of alert or warning lights on the dashboard in your car. I know what some of the alert lights mean, but the other day a new to me light appeared. After finding the icon in the owner's manual, I discovered that the windshield washer fluid was low. We put in a gallon of fluid and the light went out. Take a look at the 64 alert or warning lights on your dashboard. This chart should come in handy if you drive a car or pickup truck.

Toys

Everyone will want a kitty planter

...or how about an SUV?

They are not electric.

Twins

This year we have not seen many fawns. The winter was harsh and we were told none survived. But...a few did. One of the mama deer that hangs out in our little piece of forest has finally shown us her twin fawns. They are cute!

,

On Sunday we caught them lounging (or is it guarding) our front porch. There was no way I was going in the front door.

Yesterday they were cavorting in the backyard. The other DrC was watching them thru the screened porch playing among the trees. Viewing the critters from the screened porch is lovely, but getting a picture of the critters thru the screens is next to impossible...so I ran to the side porch that is not screened and snapped this picture before the disappeared into the forest. You can see how quickly these little guys can disappear into the dense greenery, spots and all...as soon as they head into the forest they are gone from sight within yards.

Goodbye Jeanne

Today my good friend, Jeanne, passed away. When we met about 40 years ago, we "just hit it off."  From then on, we would see each other all the time; have lunch together at least once a week, go shopping, go to Delta Kappa Pi conventions, or talk on the phone. We had a special connection. Last week, I flew to CA to see her and say goodbye. It was a sad trip, and yet it filled me with peace. She would not suffer much longer and that was a good thing. Today her suffering ended and she's in a better place. 

Goodbye Jeanne. 

You made the world a better place and I will miss you

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Fifty-three years ago I taught at Jackson School in Rescue, CA. It was small school district with 2 schools and 14 teachers. I taught in the "new" school which had been finished the year before. The hexagon shaped building was divided into five teaching areas or open classrooms, with a large library in the center. The sixth space actually had walls, and was the teachers' room/supply closet/general purpose room with coffee pot and microwave oven.  I team taught with Paul, Gary, Marion, and Delores. We shared an aide, Buzz. We taught over 100 children in the open space area. It was a challenging and eventful two years.

Last week I went to my old school and discovered there were now seven buildings, an amphitheater and several portables. Jackson School now had over 600 students, and the district had expanded to 6 elementary schools and 2 middle schools. What did not change was the beautiful setting. Yet, all was not heaven. The grassy areas around the school are as patchy as they were in 1970. One morning I was greeted with a rattle snake in the little patch of grass outside my door. Another night, I was working late and a bat flew in the building. Teaching in the country had a few downsides.

I learned all this information from a mom and dad muralist team who were painting the facade of two of the newer buildings. They were surprised that the school was that old.  You can see the amphitheater, not exactly Roman-style, where kids can enjoy an outdoor assembly. 

Trips down memory lane are fun, but you can never go back. Just as the school changed and grew, so did I. That's the way it's supposed to be.

Illusive Bambi

Last night I saw Mama Deer peeking around the corner of the house. I started to talk to her asking if she had her baby with her. She looked at me and I could see a tiny shadow behind her. Ever so slowly, a fawn appeared and quickly went away. I ran to the north window inside our home and that's when I saw this"

Mama has twins! Sorry for the poor picture, but mama and her babies were scampering away into the forest. 

We have twins out there. This is a summer treat.

Tiny. Houses

I've been working on tiny houses for the past few weeks. I've made about 25. I spent one day last week decorating them. 

Now I need to arrange them on "streets" of felt. As it stands now, each street will have about 3 or 4 houses

. 

They have been fun to make but it's time to move on to another project.

Independence Day #247

Happy Birthday to our Nation...the United States of America!

....and here's my humble homage...a 4th of July tiny village house.

Dear deer

As I sit on the back porch I enjoy the forest and the deer. 

This year we have no fawns.

 The winter was hard and the little ones did not survive...including some yearlings...

even more reason to enjoy the deer that are here.

Summer

It's the first day of summer and the sun is shining. That's very special...as we've had a lot of rain in the high country and not much sun. Let the sun shine some more.

This fellow looks mighty happy in the sunshine.

...And then...

The news is still horrible, so I'm crocheting away. The menagerie changes as I make a critter and give a critter away. Last week the "zoo" looked like this...

This week I've changed mode completely, and I'm crocheting tiny houses for several Christmas Villages...

I have several "orders" for these little houses...so there will be somewhere between 40-50 by the time I'm done. They are fun to make and I can get creative with them as there are no rules. The biggest challenge will be making the village church because it has to have a steeple. I've not tried to crochet a steeple. Watch this space. If you would like a little Christmas Village, let me know and I'll make one for you too.

Here is one finished tiny house...

Each tiny house is less than 4 inches tall. All will have windows and doors. I'm trying to make them all a little different with just the right amount of whimsy. They will be perfect under a Christmas tree or on a table. 

Night Action

We finished watching "Night Agent" on Netflix tonight. We saw it twice as we wanted to figure out the plot lines better and determine who "went bad," why and when. The 10 episodes are fast paced and leave you wanting for more. This is the perfect binge series. The cast does a good job portraying the President, Vice President, FBI and Secret Service agents, as well as various White House personnel. By the mid-point of the series, you have no idea to trust. By the end, you know who to trust but the path it took to get there was convoluted. The ten 48 minute episodes are great. The vocabulary is offensive; the cast is diverse; the President is a surprise, the action is palpable. I think it's one of the best programs we've seen on television this season. There is good news--the series has been renewed for a second season. We will definitely watch it.

More "Critters"

Two additions arrived at the menagerie. Some red flowers in a minty green pot

Please don't ask me the type of flower as I don't know. They are "red flowers." Whatever they are, they are cheerful as well as colorful.

A little piggy showed up as I was talking to my friend in TN. I do not like being idle.

Meet Kevin

For several years, my friends have been telling me I need to make a giraffe. I listened to them, but I did not make a giraffe. THEN, I was given a crochet book for my birthday and included in that book was a pattern for a giraffe. It was the start...but not the finish. By the time I finished Kevin, the Giraffe, I used part of that pattern and my own expertise on how to create a critter (after all, I've made a fair few critters).

 

Meet Kevin. He's about 7 inches tall, and he's a spotted giraffe, which does not exist in the wild.

 


If you are wondering why he is called Kevin, I need to refer you to a book in the "number series" written by Janet Evanovich. In that book, the main character, Stephanie Plum and her sidekick, Lula are charged with finding a wayward giraffe in Trenton, NJ. My Kevin, is just named after the giraffe...all other similarities are just coincidences. 

Yellow Fields

White Day did not happen this year, but the yellow fields are happening right now. Every year, during the early spring (and we are experiencing early spring right now) the country roads and fields are covered with yellow flowers. It's quite pretty.

Of course, if you look at the flowers carefully you will discover they are dandelions. Lots and lots of dandelions...aka WEEDS. In a few days the yellow flowers will change to fuzzy white puffballs and the same fields will look like a snowfall has happened. My mother would go nuts if she saw all those dandelions in her yard. 

All is not lost though. Look carefully at the pretty yellow flower (forget that it is a weed) and it looks a bit like a mum. I checked it out...and the dandelion is a distant relative  to the mum. One is a weed, the other is a beautiful flower. Thus, think of our fields as filled with tiny beautiful yellow mums and the picture is perfect.

Cow and Car

I did finish the cow, but it's not quite ready for "prime time." I do like the car.

 

If you read a previous post, I said my cow would not have horns...but this little cow needed horns. 

The cow still needs an udder and in time, she will get it. I don't think I'll be making a lot of cows in the near future.