One Guinea Pig in the Hand is Worth Two in the...?

Guinea Pigs are entertaining animals who speak with funny squeaks and whistles. I used to have several and when I came home from work, would be greeted with a chorus of  "Wheek!Wheek! Wheek!" all demanding food of course. They are a favored food source in the Andes.  Peruvian restaturants are getting popular in the USA - I wonder if they serve guinea pig? I'd try it if it was on a menu.   The babies are born with teeth, fur and their eyes fully open, they can eat adult food almost immediately.  There is nothing cuter! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Guinea_baby_1.jpg
This little fellow was very mellow!

Famous People - Admit it - You Wish You Could be this Man

Louis XIV

...[his] vanity was without limit or restraint." -- St. Simon

"Dieu a donc oublié tout ce que j'ai fait pour lui?"

Has God forgotten all I have done for him? - Louis XIV

Horse o' The Week - Dutch Harness Horse

The Dutch have a tradition of exceptional harness horses.  Traditionally, they were versatile horses, strong enough for farm work and elegant enough to take the family on outings or to compete.  Since WWII and the decline of farm horses, they are now bred for sport.  The breed was refined with an infusion of Hackney and American Saddlebred.  Breed standards are very strict and the population is small.  Like so many European Warmblood breeds, breeding stock goes through very strict testing in order to be registered. This ensures very high quality and exceptional health.
In the USA, they are crossed with Arabians to create a larger "Park" horse than the Saddlebred or Tennesse Walker.
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal described the economic woes of the Amish.  The Amish benefitted during the recent contruction and housing boom. They used the extra income to purchase some luxuries, including fancy carriages (with LED lighting!) and Dutch Harness Horses.  It was the Cadillac Escalade of the Amish world.

(click to enlarge)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_harness_horse

Igor and the Cotton Tail

This rabbit's feet didn't bring it any good luck this morning! Igor is a very good hunter. If only he would spend more time hunting rats in the hay barn...

Here is Igor in a more relaxed moment...such a sweetie

Bunschen, pet bunny

Bünschen lived in a pen, which was totally enclosed so other animals could not get at him. He had a large white bunny buddy named Bünzel who was very camera shy.

"Baby" Hen - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

5 weeks ago, a fluffy little black chick with a fuzzy yellow behind, today, a leetle chicken. Her name is Tooty. She has a hatch mate named Tweedy.

August 20, 2009

July 14 2009

Fourth Poem of the Week

A Sonnet of the Moon

Look how the pale queen of the silent night

Doth cause the ocean to attend upon her,

And he, as long as she is in his sight,

With her full tide is ready her to honor:

But when the silver wagon of the moon

Is mounted up so high he cannot follow,

The sea calls home his crystal waves to wone,

And with low ebb doth manifest his sorrow.

So you, that are the sovereign of my heart,

Have all my joys attending on your will:

My joys low-ebbing when you do depart,

When you return, their tide my heart doth fill.

So as you come and as you do depart,

Joys ebb and flow within my tender heart.

- Charles Best