When does a parent quit tracking the age of their children by months?? I sure don't know, but it's hard to believe how much she has grown.
In honor of Tuki, I have copied a story my friend had sent me. What touched me the most was this is a trans-species adoption story. There was a need and a tortoise, supposedly an animal with a less advanced nervous system, thereby less ability to problem solve, learn, have compassion and kindness, just stepped up to meet the need of a baby hippo. No thinking, no thoughts of can it handle being a hippo in a tortoise world, nothing. I learn alot from watching my natural world around me and I can't help but think that we humans sure make things complicated sometimes. We way over think, analyze, and talk about things,and when I say we, I am most definitely talking about me too. Adoption, caring for another who is in need is obviously VERY natural.
NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the
tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong
bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal
facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said
The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about
300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki
River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore
when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on
December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.
"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a
male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to
be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu,
who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP.
"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized.
It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother
Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond.
They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added.
"The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.
If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive,
as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.
"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and
by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their
mothers for four years," he explained.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away."
This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter
much when we need the comfort of another.
We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of God,
"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Tuki Turns 20 Months
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Goldfinch in the Thistle Stalk
Rough day today, Tuks is sick with a cold and she had a sleepless night, so that means I had a sleepless night. Besides a doctor run, we stayed home all day. 
Goldfinch joyfully eating on my thistle in the backyard. Watching this finch feed so vigorously made my day. It gave me reassurance that yes, my ideas may be crazy, but sometimes they sure bring joy to others.
Her facial expression says it all!!
Tuks with her doggy buds, visiting in their outdoor pen.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Sprinkles....
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Luckiest Person in the World
Too cool for her own good..............
Tonight while Tuki and I were swinging together and I was humming "Green sleeves",or also known as the "Elsa, the Lion" song, and she had her head nestled into my chest, I couldn't help but think that I am the luckiest person in the world. Earlier this spring I was trying so desperately in attempting to keep up with the weeds in my perennial beds, but then when I returned home from our vacation, I realized that I did not want my time consumed with weeding, and having to constantly tell Tuki, "not now" for playing because I was working. So I gave up again, for the second year in a row on the weeds, and I am totally OK with it. I may even mow the gardens over in a year or two if I feel like it is too much pressure.
I have wanted to be a mother for so long, and now I am, and I want to create long lasting memories in which she will say "my mom and I did....." with fondness. Sometime next year Panda will be home, and then Tuki will need to learn to share me, so I also want this year to be our quality time year. Just her and me doing as many things together as we can. Not only have I become use to the slower pace of a 20 month old, but I actually enjoy it. She will remember our time together, but I doubt that the gardens will mean much to her.
I was asked by a fellow blogger if I think Tuki will like an older sister. That is a great question because as we have been jet setting about town, we have run into many kids of all ages, and I have noticed that she tends to migrate towards older girls, so over time I have become more convinced that yes, she will enjoy an older sister, but no doubt will struggle with the sharing after she realizes that "this kid" is here to stay....
as a side note, I will concentrate only on vegetable gardening for a few years, until the kids are to the age where they don't/won't want so much time with me, but until then bye bye gardens.........except gourds of course
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Today....
at a lake located 40 minutes east of us.
I am not much of a swimmer, but I have decided that I will not let my lack of enthusiasm for it influence Tuki. Therefore, since I had bought a bunch of swimmeret diapers, I have committed to using all before the summer is out..Remember I am frugal. Anyway there are six more diapers left, not counting the 3 we need for the rest of her swim lessons.
My favorite photo..she is so lost in her thoughts
Playing in the sand. She is not sure if she likes how it sticks to her. I have discovered she does not like things that cling to her skin.
Notice the guy in the background? I happen to know he is single, and he was at the lake with his nephews, and he knew me and came up and said, "you're .... aren't you? I remember seeing you around school." But, before he came and talked to me, I had already noticed him, not because I knew him but I couldn't help but notice his BODY.... I know naughty of me. The picture of Tuks is good too. Oh, by the way, I found out later that he was in the picture...yeah..really!!
What's in the pail??
She doesn't go anywhere without her duckie..........
My Travels
