We opened the front door this morning and in darted this lizard.
It changed from black to brown to green before we finally caught it and had it hold still for a photo. Savanna wanted to keep it for a pet but we insisted it would be better off in the "wild".
Living right smack dab in the middle of of Dallas you wouldn't expect to see much wildlife traffic in the area. Sure dogs and cats are in abundance... no surprise there. However, who would of thought we would see the following in our own yard.
Last June a little blue heron walked through our front yard. Turns out the heron liked what he saw and set up "shop" just a block over on Hall. He must be one friendly bird as this year there are 3 heron families on Hall.
I don't know if the herons will enjoy last week's visitor to the yard. Two mallards stopped by the pool for a quick swim and some time in the sun. Time will tell if they stick around.
I'm not sure last week's problem falls into the wildlife category but snails were showing up by the hundreds.
While the kids love them, the snails haven't been any help for the flowers. I don't expect them to last much longer.
Last but not least is Elmo's worst nightmare. A small family of opossums make a showing in our backyard once or twice each week. Mo goes absolutely crazy a few minutes before they actually show up for Sarah and I to see.
By the time I grab the camera they are either gone or hiding in a tree. You can just barely see the one above through the leaves.
The neighbor's yellow cat got a hair cut yesterday and I tried to tell the kids a baby lion was loose next door but they weren't buying it.
Have any of you rolled up to an unlocked ATM? Assuming it happened, what would you do?
Would you just push the lock back in and go about your business? I doubt it. You gotta at least look inside, don't you? I mean how many times do you get the chance to see the inside of a working ATM without any supervision? How much cash is in one of those things? Ten Thousand? Maybe Twenty? So many questions. Let's take a look.
Yes, that's right. I pulled up to an UNLOCKED Bank of America ATM at the corner of Beltline and the Tollway yesterday afternoon. Why do these things happen to me?
So I pulled forward out of the drive up lane, got out of my Jeep and opened it up. Inside I found a big roll of paper for receipts, a box full of deposit envelops, a clipboard with service log sheet and pen, a full on working computer (hard drive, keyboard, monitor) and absolutely no cash. It was all locked in the bottom part of the machine.
The best part of the experience was the look I received from the person who used the other ATM while I had mine open. He kept trying to see what I was doing without letting me see that he was looking at me. I just kept smiling at him like I'd just won the lottery.
I can see it now... fast forward 15 years. The Greatest Moments in Grapevine Softball history.
OK, it's a stretch. Let's do a quick comparison.
Willis: Game 7 NBA Finals
Smith: Game 1 Regular Season C League
Advantage - Willis
Willis: League MVP, World Wide of Sports Athlete of the Year
Smith: First Start as team Pitcher, Lead off batter with no power
Advantage - Willis
Willis: started game in front of thrilled audience - voted greatest moment in Madison Square Garden History
Smith: fewer than 15 spectators - overheard "what happened to him?" from spectator
Advantage - Willis
Willis: Champagne Shower celebrating Knicks 1st NBA title
Smith: Beer in parking lot celebrating 5th inning run rule and 1-0 start to season
Advantage - Tie
I think a tie might be the best I do. Last night, after giving up 2 runs in the top of the first, I "turned" my ankle in an attempt to leg out an infield single. I, rather awkwardly, fell into the dirt just past first but was called safe.
While it hurt really bad, I just couldn't take myself out of the game. I just kept moving around and made it through the end of the game... Going 4 for 4 while holding the opponents scoreless for the last 5 innings. Today, I am paying for it. I called "Dr." Levings and was told to rub some dirt on it, keep it elevated and ice often. Wish me luck.
Today marks the 54th anniversary of one of my favorite sporting events.
Once thought to be impossible. It was a nice round number. 1.4 seconds faster than the world record for a full 9 years.
The historic event took place during a meet between British AAA and Oxford University at Iffley Road Track in Oxford. It was watched by about 3,000 spectators.
The best part of the story is the way the stadium announcer teased the crowd after the race. He famously made the below statement, drawing out the announcement of Roger Bannister's first sub 4 Minute Mile for as long as possible .
"Ladies and gentlemen, here is the result of event 9, the one-mile: 1st, No. 41, R.G. Bannister, Amateur Athletic Association and formerly of Exeter and Merton Colleges, Oxford, with a time which is a new meeting and track record, and which - subject to ratification - will be a new English Native, British National, All-Comers, European, British Empire, and World Record. The time was 3..."
The roar of the crowd drowned out the rest of the announcement.
It appears pool season has started early this year. I'm far from ready to go for my first swim of the season, but a few visitors to the neighborhood didn't see to mind the cold water at all.
Quack! Quack!
It isn't the Kentucky, wouldn't even be considered at Lone Star Park. It is however, as good as it gets in our back"yard". They went round and round for a good 20 minutes. When I attempted to stage a race as you'll see from the below results, it was less than successful.
Two real professionals.... allowing a passing plane to completely halt the race.
Great time at the Ballpark yesterday... In a pitchers' duel, the Rangers took their 2nd win of the 3 game series with the Royals. The 2 -1 victory was the Rangers shortest game of the year ending in just 2 hours and 10 minutes. Thus leaving me at 3:30 in the afternoon with nothing to do.
My great seats were courtesy of Hicks Sports Marketing Group.
