Joey's notes
Even with all the work on the new house, I am still visited daily by the beauty of nature. I try to balance my focus and attentions, and never neglect the beauty that crawls, scrambles, flies, flutters, and hops around my feet. I continue to appreciate the blessings of my wonderful family and the new home that we will move into soon. I must also remember that some kids have it rough, and my work at PWI is an important mission, that must be done to the best of my abilities.
Monday (7-11-05), At work I found a female Giant Stag, Lucanus elaphus, when I arrived and checked the big light. Later in the day we uncovered a Smooth Earth Snake on campus. Later (after work), same as usual. We work on the new house. Scrape, putty, sand, paint.
Tuesday (7-12-05), Another female L. elaphus under the big light at work. Another evening of work on the new house. Scrape, putty, sand, paint.
Wednesday (7-13-05), I had to do a project off campus with some students, and after we finished we took some time to visit some outdoor locations. At the pond we saw GREAT Dragonflies: Green Darners, Comet Darners, Whitetail Skimmers, Slaty Skimmers, Golden-Wing Skimmers, Widow Skimmers, Spangled Skimmers, Blue Dashers, Eastern Pondhawks, Eastern Amberwings, Carolina Saddlebags, and more! There were also good numbers of Wood Ducks and Tiger Beetles. I think the students enjoyed it and I know I did! At one spot we collected some small toads as feeder items for our baby Checkered Garter Snakes. When offered food, we again noticed one "lingual luring"! Caudal luring is well known and documented, but what makes more sense, attracting food to your tail or to your mouth? Why else should Garter Snakes have such brightly colored (red and black) tongues? Makes perfect sense to me. After work, again, we work on the new house. Scrape, putty, sand, paint. I worked some on the kitchen cabinet doors.
Thursday (7-14-05), Work on the new house. Scrape, putty, sand, paint. A floor guy came and did some carpet and linoleum work in the kitchen/den area. Looked real good.
Friday (7-15-05), Found a female Dorcus parallelus (tiny Antelope Stag Beetle) when I arrived at work. After work, I work on the new house. Hung some cabinet doors and picked up the mess we continually make as we work.
Saturday (7-16-05), Holmes Photography worked a local wedding. It was very hot, and I sweated heavily in my suit!
Sunday (7-17-05), This is a special day. It was on July 17, 1983 that Mrs. Holmes and I married. It was her birthday, so that made it extra special. We were wed at the alter where my parents spoke their vows, with the very same pastor that they had officiate at their wedding in 1956. July 17 is indeed a special day. So, to my dear wife, Happy Birthday! and Happy Anniversary! I Love You VERY much! We spent the afternoon.......you guessed it, scrape, putty, sand, and painting!
Joey Holmes
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