EASTER ISLAND STATUES

The Stone Statues in Easter Island have bodies!  This is absolutely incredible.  Here we've been thinking for all these years that they were just heads.

They are going to be absolutely huge when they are completely excavated. 

 

It all just adds to the mystery of these amazing sculptures. 

Maybe now they can get more information about them seeing as they have writings on them.

(That was the text that came with the photos.  To me, it appeared that the buried bodies were intended to 

keep the heads in place.  I also read that the bodies have been known for some years because a 

few were just lying right out on the ground.)

Humor --

A Jewish grandma and her grandson were at the beach. He was playing in the water, she was standing on the shore, not wanting to get her feet wet, when all of a sudden, a huge wave appeared from nowhere and crashed directly onto the spot where the boy was wading.

The water receded and the boy was no longer there but was swept away.  The grandma held her hands to the sky, screamed and cried, "Lord, how could you?
Haven't I been a wonderful grandmother?
Haven't I been a wonderful mother?
Haven't I kept a kosher home?
Haven't I given to the B'nai B'rith?
Haven't I lit candles every Friday night?
Haven't I tried my very best to live a life that you would be proud of?

A voice boomed from the sky, "All right, already!" A few minutes later another huge wave appeared out of nowhere and crashed onto the beach. As the water receded, the boy was standing there. He was smiling and splashing as if nothing had happened. The voice boomed again. "I have returned your grandson.  Are you satisfied?"

She responded, "He had a hat."

GORGEOUS BIRDS, part 2

Here are some more birds, most of which I don’t know the official names.  So, as before, I have given them my own names.  Any suggestions?  One of my more knowledgable followers (hi, Alison) identified many from the first group.

Brown-topped, yellow chested loving birds

Cross-eyed hoo yoo bird

Mallard ducks (unless otherwise overruled)

Yellow crested electrical outlet bird

Ok, you know that is my little cockatiel, Pepper, who does love to sleep on top of electrical outlets.

Grey-wing freezing bird

Sumkinda parrot

Multi-colored redhead (brick color?) (Call it a 'brickhead?)

Leavemealone bird

Now this one I know -- One legged stork

Yeah, they're flamingos  (unless they are something else)

***

Okay, I asked for it.  One of my faithful followers (hello again, Alison), has done a bit of research for the first Gorgeous Bird post, and come up with the following:

Bird identities--

Third picture: cedar waxwings. Fifth picture down: red-winged blackbird. Sixth: Mandarin duck, non-native. Seventh: looks clearly a member of the Kingfisher family, but I'm not seeing orange on the face on Sibley; might be a non-native variant because everything else is clearly kingfisher about it. Last: indigo bunting.

I spent a lot of time flipping through Sibley. Bird second to last: like a bluebird, but the colors are reversed and it's got a bit of a crossbill. Not a Crossbill, no blue ones there, hmmm...

***

Fun -

A trucker came into a truck stop cafe and placed his order.  He said, “I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards.” The brand new waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went to the kitchen and said to the cook, “This guy out there just ordered three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards.
What does he think this place is, an auto parts store?” “No,” the cook said. “Three flat tires mean three pancakes, a pair of headlights is two eggs sunny side up, and running boards are two slices of crisp bacon.”

“Oh, OK!’ said the waitress. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer.

The trucker asked, “What are the beans for?” She replied, “I thought while you were waiting for the flat tires, headlights and running boards, you might as well gas up!”

LONESOME GEORGE

Recently I posted some photos of the Galapagos Islands, including some of the wild life.  Among my research for something to say, was a discussion about Lonesome George, the 100+ year old turtle, who was the last of his species.  Among the photos I had, was a pic of what looked like a very old turtle, but I didn’t know if that was Lonesome George or not.

Now one of my blog followers has sent me a link to a story about the death of Lonesome George.  There were pictures included, so I wanted to make a comparison.  Here is the photo I posted.

Here is a photo of just the head of the above picture.

And here’s the news article photo of old George.  Look the same?  You can decide for yourself.

Humor --

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses." When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."

FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS

Although I like birds, I know the names of only a few.  So in the coming posts, I will give most my own names.  If you know the official names, please let me know.  Thanks.

Attack Parrots!

Bashful pretties

Red crested yellow tails

Parakeet triplets (I know these are 'Keets)

Black Redwing

Maybe Mallards  (most likely)

Helicopter Landers

Blue chested fluffy bird

Definitely Blue Bird

Humor  --

This is a funny out of real life. Happened this morning to me. I had a call from my cardiologist’s office. Receptionist: “The doctor would like to see you.” Don: “I can send him a photograph.” Receptionist: “Nice try.”

***
A DC 10 had come in a little hot, and so had an exceedingly long rollout after touching down.  The tower then gave the following instructions:
“San Jose Tower to American 751, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If not, take the Guadalupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights, and return to the airport.”

FUN WITH ANIMALS, part two

They are cute, or funny, or sweet, or ... you name it.  This is the last of this group --

 I just a widdle baby.  Can't do a ting wit me hair.
(Believe it or not, that's a baby owl)

 This thing don’t look that complicated.  All I gotta do is figure out which end is which.

 Hey, Ma!  Not so rough!

All right.  Just letting you know I’m not gonna even try to play with this, uh, thing!

 Oh, this is so comfy!

Try this.  It's delicious!

 Strangest looking turtle I’ve ever seen.

Awwwright -- gets your bets down!

Shhh.  I’m playing hide and seek.

 Deer, deer, do not disturb.

Humor --

A minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I’d take it and pour it into the river.” With even greater emphasis he said, “And if I had all the wine in the world, I’d take it and pour it into the river.” And then finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said, “And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I’d take it and pour it into the river.” Sermon complete, he sat down.
The choir director stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, “For our closing song, let us sing Hymn #365, Shall We Gather at the River”.

FUN WITH ANIMALS, part 1

I got a kick out of these.  I hope you do, too.

 Oooohh, yeah, scratch right there.

 Eat all your vegetables, dear.

 Come see our new baby dolphin.

                                    Oh, my, he’s cute.  When can I play with him?

 Click now.  This is my best pose.

 I wuv bubbley baths!

Breathe deeply.

Chow line

I’m just shy.

 Meet my little baby!

Humor --

LIFE BEYOND FIFTY

You're getting old when you don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.

Middle age is when work is a lot less fun and fun is a lot more work.

Statistics show that at the age of seventy, there are five women to every man. Isn't that the darndest time for a guy to get those odds?

You know you're getting on in years when the girls at the office start confiding in you.

Middle age is when it takes longer to rest than to get tired.

QUITE A SURPRISE

The 9 o’clock hour at Avenidas is Social Hour.  Participants arrive by car or bus, and start to fill up the tables that have already been set up.  Many of the men, including me, congregate at what might be called The Old Goat’s table, and the aides offer us tea or coffee, and other light refreshments.

The other morning I found myself seated next to a very pleasant, unassuming fellow named Terry Donovan.  Terry had a number of photos and newspaper clippings spread out in front of him that he wanted to show me.  I was quite pleasantly surprised to see that many of the photos were of our solar system.  Terry said he knew I was interested in astronomy, which is why he had brought them.  The photo below particularly caught my eye, and I asked Terry if I could borrow it.  He agreed, which is why I get to share it with you.

Then I picked up one of the clippings, which started off, as best I remember, “Physicist Dr. Terry Donovan ...”  That’s as far as I got.  I looked up, a bit startled.  “You’re Dr. Donovan?”  He assured me he was!  I’m
impressed!

From the sublime to the ridiculous ...A bit of humor --

Doctors opinions on the bailout plan–

The Allergists voted to scratch it, and the Dermatologists advised Congress not to make any rash moves.

The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve, and the Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

The Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted; the Pathologists yelled, “Over my dead body,” while the Pediatricians said, “Oh grow up!”

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was crazy,

The Radiologists could see right through it, and the Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.

The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, “This puts a whole new face on the matter.”

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists felt the scheme wouldn’t hold water.

The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn’t have the heart to say no. 

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, part one

But first, a baseball season quiz.  Answer at the bottom.

This is a detective story, so pay close attention.

Three elderly ladies are excited about seeing their first baseball game.  They smuggle a bottle into the ball park.  The game is real exciting, and they are enjoying themselves immensely, mixing the Jack Daniels with soft drinks.  Soon they realize that their bottle is almost empty, and the game has lots of innings to go.

Based on the given information, what inning is it, and how many men are on base?  Honest, all the needed information is right there.  

***

I was sent these remarkable photos, but there was no accompanying description.  So I went a-Google-ing and came up with some interesting data.  As a result the text and photo may not necessarily go together.

This is an archipelago  of volcanic islands distributed around the equator in the Pacific Ocean, 

525 miles west of continental Ecuador, of which they are a part.

The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to Galapagos.

There are two seasons: December to May is warm and wet and June to December is cool and dry.

Darwin island is named after Charles Darwin.  Here fur seals, frigates, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, whales, marine turtles, and red-footed and Nazca boobies can be seen.

 The endemic Galapagos marine iguana is the only lizard to swim in the ocean
Handsome fellow, isn't he.

Quiz answer --

It s the bottom of the fifth, and the bags are loaded.

Okay, go ahead and groan.