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Borrego Springs, CA

Monday, April 2, 2012

Beer batter, barking, and a book

I guess that’s three B’s, but I’m not participating in that A – Z blogging challenge.  It just turned out that way today.  Went to get out my one can of beer that the Good Luck Ducks gave me in December.  It was a few minutes before I remembered that I used it up a couple of weeks ago boiling some shrimp in it for an egg and shrimp salad.  So, I improvised.  I made beer batter for my shrimp today using part of a small can of Squirt instead.  I guess the bubbles were good enough as the shrimp turned out so good that I ate both servings.  You just can’t beat Gulf shrimp for taste.

Yesterday afternoon, Emma started really carrying on outside.  It wasn’t her normal ‘Get out of here, squirrel!’ bark. 

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She just kept up a steady frenzied barking, so I had to go out to see what was up.  Turned out to be a 4-5’ long snake right next to my outside carpet.

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Later I remembered hearing this particular bark from her about two years ago when a rattlesnake entered our front yard at Balcones Canyonlands NWR.  I just need to be a little quicker in deciphering what she’s trying to tell me.

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I immediately brought Emma inside, and grabbed my camera, of course.  After getting a few shots, I hurried across the way to let John and Diana know about the snake.  The snake was also quite happy that I put Emma inside, and immediately began to slither away.  John was able to get the above shot of it for me.

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All three of us were transfixed as we watched it climb into the highest branches of this young oak tree.  Afterwards, Diana looked on the internet, and believes this is a rat snake.  What a cool nature moment.  However, I’ll pay more attention to overhanging branches in the future.  Who me?

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                                                      My heroine, and ever vigilant companion!

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Last week I finished reading this book.  It is written by Linda Myers (Thoughts from a bag lady in waiting), a fellow blogger that I follow.  It is the true story of her husband Art’s journey through life after one fateful day of combat in Viet Nam.  The first chapter really grabbed my interest.  Viet Nam was such an important part of my generation’s time.  So many things were happening in the 60’s.  I had two brothers that served, and have always been drawn to accounts of men and women that were over there.  I could have read this book straight through.  It certainly was a journey of healing.

With Linda’s permission, I’m offering to pass this book on to someone who would like to read it.  Just let me know.  Linda and Arthur are using all royalties from the sale of this book to provide copies to Veteran’s Centers throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Art says, “I hope that talking about this journey of healing – and how it has changed me – will help other veterans and their families.  The idea of helping even one other veteran stop the nightmares and gain some peace made my story worth sharing.”

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

34 comments:

  1. If Angela see a snake like that when we get going we will be moving right away.

    I need to check out the book and read it.

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  2. What an incredible shot of the snake climbing the tree! I hope you smothered Emma with treats!

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  3. During the Vietnam era, I wore one of those POW/MIA bracelets. His MIA date of November 4 was my Mom's birthday. Over the decades and throughout so many moves and life changes, I held on to that bracelet, tucked away safely, but never knowing why I kept it. In June 2005, I went to DC as a delegate to LiveSTRONG Day on Capitol Hill. Taking the bracelet with me, I left it at Terry Alford's spot on The Wall. Knew then why I kept it, to take it "home." During my time as a VA Hospital medical transcriptionist, I became acutely aware of the physical and psychological horrors our men and women who served were subjected to as part of that campaign. I am sure it is an interesting and moving read. Yay Emma for alerting you to Mr. Snake! She's so beautiful in the photo and amazingly still . . . :)

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  4. Very glad I wasn't the one who found that snake!

    Thank you, Judy, for your words about our book. As you know, it's available online through authorhouse.com as well as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Hardback, softback, and ebook. We're taking a road trip later this month and will be stopping by seven Vet Centers in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia to leave a book.

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    1. It is wonderful to have Vietnam vets remembered.

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    2. It was healing for my husband as we wrote the book.

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  5. Snakes make me want a barf bag...There is no way to explain Vietnam to our kids or grandkids...Thanks for the book info..

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  6. I am not crazy about any snake...rat, rattle, whatever. But you did get some super shots! ~wheresweaver

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  7. Amazing pictures of the snake. Glad it was a friendly snake. Hope lots of people buy the book.

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  8. I really want to read that book! Sounds interesting and educational. Maybe a good book to read to John as his condition begins to improve.

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  9. Did you know that snakes that have round eyes are not poisonous and the snakes with slitty eyes are?

    Just in case you encounter another one!

    Great photos!

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  10. Geeeeeee thanks! You know how I just loved that! AND knowing now that the d@#+ things could be in the trees above me.....

    I was going to say I would enjoy reading the book, but I see that Nan has someone to read it to, so go with her. Or whom ever you choose! Talking and reunions have been the healing balm for Hubster and his buddies. Our household has lived with Vietnam since we married. Of course, he's lived with it longer. It was never spoken of much until the reunions started in 2001 and now the words flow freely.

    God bless to Linda and Arthur! And to you and Emma too of course!! But not to the snake.....

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  11. Yay, Emma! She deserves some big treats even if the snake was not poisonous. She was taking care of you the best way she could. It is creepy when they slither up in the tree and you start thinking about that as you walk through the woods.

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  12. Ohhh I know that bark... totally different than any other bark out of our collie when a 4 ft timber rattler came in our house on the lower level patio doors and was easing up our stairs--- in the dark! And the collie knew, oh yes she knew! She never saw a snake before, but her bark sure made us know something was WRONG! My heroine!

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  13. Great pictures of the snake - but creepy at the same time. Good job Emma. I would like to read the book but think I will buy it for my Kindle. Russ was fortunate to have not gone to Viet Nam but he was in the National Guard here at home. There were riots in Portland during that time and he was trained in riot response. A very stressful time in the lives of all of us who lived that era. I am still sad for the way our vets were treated when they returned home.

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  14. Rufus has a special bark for black bears, that get too close to the cottage during the night. I don't know if I could deal with snakes. You sure have a sense of adventure.

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  15. The only times I learn anything about Dave's year in Viet Nam is when he meets someone else who served there. It turns out his sister's brother-in-law served in the same location a different year so they've shared a few stories at extended family gatherings. Fortunately Dave had a "good" war; only taking enemy fire once. Of course, they hit him. :)

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  16. Wow! Good Girl, Emma! THAT's what I call a SNAKE! I have to admit, I really don't want to see any snakes. So far, so good, and I hope it stays that way.

    That's a beautiful photo of Emma - she's so shiny! (Katie's coat doesn't shine like that.)

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  17. I really do not like snakes. And for a desert dweller that can be a bad thing.

    I will tell my friends about this book. Quite a few are Vets from that war.

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  18. If there's one thing I hate more then spiders, it's SNAKES!!! Great photos though! ;-)

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  19. I know about the difference in the snakes eyes but that wouldn't keep me from having a heart attack if one dropped on me from a tree. lol I try not to get close enough to see their eyes.

    When my brothers and I were kids a neighbor had a dog that would kill snakes so we would get him to go with us when we went exploring. The dog had survived a snake bite and he hated snakes.

    Martha

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  20. good for Emma for barking at the snake!..you are lucky to have her to protect you from the reptiles!

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  21. At least with the rat snake around, you won't have to be concerned about mice.
    Snakes are amazing creatures.

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  22. Great snake pics- gotta pay attention to Emma. That sounds like a great book. My brother fought in Vietnam and it was a difficult journey for him as well.

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  23. Yes beautiful pic of Emma...has the "I'm looking out for you Mom. Dont worry Emma's on duty" They do have their different barks and intonations

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  24. I have to admit -- a snake that close to the motorhome and we'd be out of there fast. Sorry, I know they have a place in the grand scheme of things, but I don't like them ... not at all.

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  25. Four month old beer, wow I hope it wasn't skunky tasting, the life span of a can of High Life is no way near that on my fridge.The Viet Nam era for anyone who lived through it was quite a ride,my service experience was for the most part positive. I am still embarrassed when someone thanks me for my service, I will tell them flying in the Navy was the most fun a poor kid from the country in PA. could have.Still I don't tend to read much about it and considered it a chapter closed in my life, Onward and upward. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

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  26. When I first saw the pictures of the snake I was thinking "rubber boa" but I'll accept the "rat snake" as a better choice. Typically not a threat to man or woman, but still, it's good to have Emma let you know! What a good thing your writer-friends are doing. Yes, many came back safe and secure from Viet Nam, but many did not. Any help they can get is surely welcome.

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  27. Fabulous pictures of the snake. And a great one of your warning system. Way to go Emma!!!

    When you let her back out did she sniff him over to the tree to let you know where he'd gone??

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  28. I knew we should have given you two beers!

    Snakes in trees. Yucky yuck.

    And, how the heck did you get such a good picture of Emma?

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  29. Too bad you didn't have that snake around when all those meeses were taking up residence in your MH.

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  30. Sprite is actually a better choice for batter as far as we are concerned. Great pictures as usual.

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  31. Vietnam is a country of friendly and hospitable. Don't worry about this. Let's go to enjoy Vietnam

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