Timothy Stark Raisbeck

Scruff along with his other brothers and sisters spotted our “vacancy” sign about six to eight months ago. They looked to be only weeks old at the time. How nice that someone decided to keep the family together and drop them all off at the same time. It must have been a recent drop off as they weren’t in deplorable condition but they were definitely in need of water and food.

Louie is new with us. His foster family is taking a vacation so we have accepted the offer of taking care of him for a couple of weeks. Louie is a LabraDesian: a Labrador/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and is believed to be around 2 years of age. He was originally found wandering alone and in terrible shape. He was turned in to the LAB AND ALL BREED RESCUE AND ADOPTION NETWORK in the Houston area. Praise God for the individual who turned him in. Christy and Kendall came across Louie through the rescue website.

Here is a brief summary of what this organization is about: “Our organization was formed to aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused or abandoned animals. We provide humane care, temporary foster homes, veterinary care and treatment to rescued animals, and find suitable adoptive homes for our animals. Our volunteers are located throughout the Houston area, The Woodlands, Port Lavaca, Bay City, and throughout Brazoria County.”

Please support organizations like this. These individuals are doing God’s work here on this earth.

Taken 30 minutes ago at sunset. Rain most of the day and then a looseness about people and wildlife when the sun showed itself. This beautiful animal was fun to watch as it sat atop our Jungle Jim preening itself with little care for anything else. Such a lovely animal. The colors were mainly blues and whites. Watching for the short time I did, this bird went through a whole repertoire of actions: preening, swallowing, flapping its wings, itching and it seemed to be quite aware of me as it spent considerable time staring my way.

I had no idea the variety of fresh water life that we had in Bessie’s Creek until I experienced some of the turtles that live there. I assumed turtles populated the creek but didn’t realize the size that some of these turtles can reach. I happened to be sitting on the roadway bridge that overlooks the creek taking pictures of a squirrel sitting on a fence post when I heard noise below me. I looked down and happened to shoot a quick picture of the turtle that you see in the image. As a matter of fact there were two of the turtles but I was only able to get a picture of the one. Not knowing which variety of turtle I had seen, a little research led me to the “Chicken Turtle” which is quite common in Texas ditches, creeks, bogs, etc.

The Chicken Turtle has a beautiful reticulated shell and vertically striped rump. Its good looks along with its attentive nature are some of its endearing qualities. The name ‘chicken turtle’ unfortunately comes from the early days when these turtles were eaten in very large numbers throughout the southeastern United States. They are said to be quite good, tasting “like chicken.”

Chicken turtles are good captives. They are baskers, very shy and alert, plopping into the water at the approach of their keeper. They will soon become tame and though they will dive off into the water, they will quickly re-surface to see if any food has been offered. They do get larger than most first-time pet buyers realize however, with adult females reaching 11-12” inches within five or six years.

There wasn’t a day that went by Kodiak that I didn’t learn from you. You faced an uphill battle from the very first day you arrived yet you persevered through it all. Through all your adversity nothing seemed to change your attitude and the love you radiated toward others. Oh, how we learned from you.

You enjoyed the simple things in life. A run up a mound of dirt and back down or a quick swim in the pool to cool off. Oh, how we learned from you.

You had a genuine enthusiasm for everything that you did. I often referred to you as a gazelle because of your ability to run and leap at the same time. I’m sad to say that I have no video or images to share of your unique behavior. Oh, how we learned from you.

Many thought you were not the most attractive dog, yet those that came in contact with you quickly realized that what’s on the inside is far more important that what’s on the outside. Your warmth and character were shining examples for others to witness. Oh, how we learned from you.

You had a constant battle with skin issues but your love for life and love for others never wavered . Oh, how we learned from you.

I’ll never forget that first day you arrived. You were very scared and unsure of your surroundings. Where did you come from? Were you dropped off, abandoned in the area? Were you mistreated elsewhere, maybe at home? Did you ever have a home before the Lord brought you here? I wish I knew the answers but those answers may remain elusive.

God led you to our doorstep. Thank you Lord for sharing Kodiak with us. Oh, how we learned from him.

Indian Paintbrush making their “final stand” before the summer heat brings on their demise. Taken a week ago not far from our house. I have researched the purple flowers shown in the image but haven’t come up with anything. If you know what they are please share your knowledge.

I couldn’t let another day go by without posting this image of the rosebush in our backyard. The image doesn’t do it justice. Christy and I haven’t really done much in the way of maintenance with it over the years. A little cutting back of the branches every couple of years and re-anchoring it to the fence periodically. It was there when we moved in, planted by the former owners of the house. The roses have the deepest, richest red to their blooms. The number of blooms is so impressive, the branches seem to tire from the additional weight. The blooming rose bush tells us that the heat of summer is not far off.

Martin Luther King fought for civil rights. What set him apart from those so called leaders today? His focus was not on “himself”, it was on others. His desire was not to be on the six o’clock news like Al Sharpton, or on the clothes he wore. No, it was a genuine interest in bringing equality to all. God granted equality to all men and women regardless of origin or color. Martin Luther King believed firmly in this. We all remember Reagan’s famous words of “tear down this wall”, so too was Martin Luther Kings belief, let there be no difference or wall between any of us. In spite of the fact of whether or not Monday should or should not be designated as a holiday, the lighter load it brings to traffic for one day, the son or daughter who celebrates being out of school, the MLK street that exists in every city, let us remember in our “own way” what MLK fought for and the hope that more individuals of his integrity exists in this great country of ours.