Surprise!

This just happens to land on a Camera Critter Saturday. Oh how the fickle Fates love to play with us mortals. I am grinning ear to ear as I say this. The surprise came in a very tiny package that we have nick named Cindy. Let me go back to the beginning.

This morning I had to take my oldest child to the local Wynn Dixie to bag groceries as part of the SGA (Student Government Association) for his school. I figured while we were waiting for his shift to be over, my youngest son and I could go window shopping in the plaza. We ended up inside the Dollar General in line to check out when the lady in front of us started asking if anyone could take in this little ball of fluff. This is the story of what happened.

While the lady was in the parking lot, a car pulled up and parked. As soon as it stopped, out popped Cindy. No one, including the driver, knew where she came from. At this point a bunch of people started to try and catch her but she quickly hid under a car. One man in particular wanted to bring her home but he had to leave before they could coax her out of hiding. He asked that whoever caught her brought her to the pharmacy that is in the plaza.

Well for obvious health reasons they can not keep animals in a pharmacy where they are preparing medications. Left with no options, the lady who caught her held on to Cindy while she finished her shopping at the Dollar General, which is where I met and chatted with her in line.

By now, you should all know that I can never say no to an animal in distress. I took little Cindy back down to the pharmacy. The women at the front desk tried calling the man who wanted to take her home but they were unable to reach him. After discussing solutions, we decided I would take her home. I gave them all my phone numbers and my email address so when they contacted the man, he can come and get her.

I got Cindy at home now, settled into one of the kennels with some food and water. She has calmed down quite a bit and has a very curious nature. If I don't hear from the man by this evening, I am going to go pick up some flea dip and kitten food as I only have adult cats. Hopefully the man comes to claim her. I'm afraid if he doesn't I will become too attached to find her a home. Please say a little prayer to the Fates that they behave themselves this time around.

Without further ado, meet Cindy.



For more Camera Critters, please visit: http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/.



~Jessica~

30 Day Music Challenge - Group 1

Here are my choices for the last five days. For more information on the challenge, see this post: The Game.

Day 1 – What Is Your Favourite Song Right Now?

Far East Movement -Girls on the Dance Floor because it is just that much fun to dance to. Video rated Mature for alcohol references and sexual undertones. Use discretion when viewing around kids.



Day 2 – What Song That Was No 1 When You Were Born?

Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive. Explanation... Bee Gees ruled the entirety of the year I was born. Can you guess the year? If you can, great! If not, I will never tell. Well, maybe I will someday. Or you could just check my Facebook page.



Day 3 – What Song Has The Highest Play Count On Your iTunes (Or Other Music Player)?

ABBA - Voulez Vous. Well, I don't use iTunes or a music player that keeps track of play time so I had to guess. Probably a song from ABBA, since I have a back up copy of the Gold album in my truck as well as on both PC's. I don't know that this song is the highest play count, but it is one of my favorites so it is pretty high up there.



Day 4 – What Song Do You Play When You’re Feeling Happy?

Rabbit! - Magic. Anything by Rabbit! really but this is one of my favorites and it has a cute video. I can never be anything but happy listening to them. If you think you haven't heard of them, you might be wrong. They are very much an independent band but they also have done many jingles for advertisements. Most recently you can hear them in the Crayola Glow Chalk advertisement. I highly suggest you check Rabbit! out.



Day 5 – What Song Do You Play When You’re Feeling Sad?

Linkin Park - Shadow of the Day. This song always makes me reflective and it was a big part of my grieving. It makes me miss my brother but it also reminds me that he is just at another beginning. For those of you who are newer readers, my little brother was killed in action while serving in the US Army in Afghanistan. More is posted here: In Memory. Video rated Mature for violent situations. Use discretion when viewing around kids.



I will see you all in five days with more videos.

~Jessica~

30 Day Music Challenge - The Game

I recently started playing along with a music challenge over on www.Facebook.com. This particular challenge starts whenever you want to join in and lasts for 30 days as the title of this post suggests. I do not blog every day but I thought you might enjoy getting to know me via song so I made a compromise. Every 5 days, I am going to go ahead and post all the videos from the last 5 days. Are you following me so far? If you would like to play along, you can do so over on Facebook at 30 Day Music Challenge or right on your blog. If you are playing just from your blog, here is the list we will be covering:

Each day post that days question, a link from Youtube and a brief description/explanation for your choice.

Day 1 – What Is Your Favourite Song Right Now?
Day 2 – What Song That Was No 1 When You Were Born?
Day 3 – What Song Has The Highest Play Count On Your iTunes (Or Other Music Player)? Day 4 – What Song Do You Play When You’re Feeling Happy?
Day 5 – What Song Do You Play When You’re Feeling Sad?
Day 6 – What Song Do You Play When You’re Angry?
Day 7 – What Song Do You Play When You're Chilling Out?
Day 8 – What Was The Last Song You Listened To?
Day 9 – What Is The Earliest Song You Can Remember From Your Childhood?
Day 10 – For You What Song Defines The 70’s?
Day 11 – For You What Song Defines The 80’s?
Day 12 – For You What Song Defines The 90’s?
Day 13 – For You What Song Defines The 00’s?
Day 14 – What Song Was Your First 7”/12”/Cass/CD/mp3 purchase?
Day 15 – What Song Do You Hate The Most?
Day 16 – Post A Song From Your Favourite Artist/Band Day
17 – Post A Song That You Want The World To Hear Day
18 – What Song Makes You Want To Sing Out Loud? Day
19 – What Song Makes You Want To Dance? Day
20 – What Song Makes You Want To Rock Out?
Day 21 – What Song Is Your Biggest Guilty Pleasure?
Day 22 – What Song Gets Stuck In Your Head The Most?
Day 23 – What Song Reminds You Of A Person?
Day 24 – What Song Reminds You Of A Place?
Day 25 – What Song Reminds You Of A Happy Moment In Your Life?
Day 26 – What Song Reminds You Of A Sad Moment In Your Life?
Day 27 – What Song Would You Like Played At Your Wedding/Union?
Day 28 – What Song Would You Like Played At Your Funeral?
Day 29 – What Song Would You Consider To Be The “Soundtrack Of Your Life”?
Day 30 – Looking Back On Your Answers, What Is Your All Time Favourite Song?

I would love to have you post a comment if you are playing along, but don't forget to include a link to your blog if you do. I am providing an image for you to link back to me if you are playing along. Please save it on your own computer and include in your posts for the 30 Day Music Challenge with a link to http://www.themagicalmudane.com. Most of all, have fun with this.



~Jessica~

Blogger Issues

Just wanted to let you know that Blogger is having some issues. They are working on it but in the meantime I am going to not post any photos. As it is, some comments have disappeared from the last couple posts. Blogger is working on restoring them. So if I don't respond, it is because I haven't seen your comment yet. For more information, you can read this post: http://buzz.blogger.com/2011/05/blogger-is-back.html.

Jessica

I Spy...

With my little eye...

EASTER EGGS! Ah yes, the Easter Bunny was good to us this year. Lots of goodies in the basket and lots of pretty eggs hiding in the yard. Whether you celebrate Easter as a secular or sacred holiday, it is a joyous time. It marks the rebirth of the plants and animals on the Earth as we turn away from the cold winter darkness into the light, merry spring. Even though it is terribly late, I hope you all had a beautiful Vernal Equinox, Blessed Easter and a Spirited May Day.

Clever bunny hid these eggs well.













Oh be careful of the palm fronds! They can be poky.



Hey! That's not a tomato!



All the pretty eggs, safely collected.



Baskets full of goodies.



~Jessica~

Wordless Wednesday - Moose in Disguise

I fibbed. This was supposed to be Wordless but I wanted to dedicate this post to my dear friend and fellow blogger, Kathy, over at Lake Superior Spirit.

Can you see the moose?



For more Wordless photos, please visit: http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/.



~Jessica~

Julie & Jessica

Last night I watched Julie & Julia. I'll admit it, I watched the movie before I read the book. And I have never read her blog, original or the newer one, which is now defunct. But watching the movie gave me some perspective on blogging. In the movie, she seems content to blog because she wants to but as the story moves on she discovers she has readers, she becomes almost obsessive. Instead of thinking about her quest for self betterment , she frets about what her readers expect and what their reactions will be. It results in several meltdowns when things don't go as she plans them. How often have we, as less known, bloggers fretted about the same things? I love my readers and fellow bloggers but the world will keep turning if I do not post the perfect blog and they are less than satisfied. So today, I am going to honor my own sense of self. Here for your viewing enjoyment, or not so much enjoyment, are my favorite less than perfect photographs. The are in order of when they were taken and tell no story. Only that I goofed the photo. After all, that is the theme of this, my, blog. Mundane photography gone magical, even if it is by trial and error.















































~Jessica~

Macro Monday - Oh Barnacles!

Usually, a trip to the beach yields a good helping of empty barnacle shells. The owners having vacated them for the great sea in the sky. Sometimes, however, you chance upon a barnacle apartment building full of tenants who inadvertently wash ashore.

I am sure this was one of the non native Acorn Barnacles but I am unsure as to whether it is a Purple or the more invasive Titan. Either way I am not one to kill animals, no matter how great or small, so I set them back adrift in the Gulf after their photo shoot.





For more macros, please visit: http://lisaschaos.com/.



~Jessica~

Let's Go Fly A Kite

My sister and her family lives in an area that was effected by the tornadoes last week (they are all fine) so rather than sitting at home with no power, they came down to visit for the week. My boys love when they get to visit with their cousins. Here they are attempting to fly the kites my sister bought. They did get them up but for only a little bit at a time. There wasn't a steady enough breeze. Regardless, they had fun trying. Here are the lyrics to the kite song from Mary Poppins to narrate.

Let's Go Fly A Kite

With tuppence for paper and strings,
you can have your own set of wings.
With your feet on the ground,
you're a bird in flight!
With your fist holding tight,
to the string of your kite!



Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!



When you send it flying up there,
all at once your lighter than air!
You can dance on the breeze,
over 'ouses and trees!
With your fist 'olding tight,
to the string your kite!



Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height
Let's go fly a kite
And send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!



~Jessica~

Babies!

If you are wondering, "Gee, I wonder where Miss Jessica disappeared for a whole month?" Wonder no more. We have been exceptionally busy brooding our new Southern flock of chickens. We just kicked the littlest ones out of the house and into the coop.

Now if you follow me on Facebook, you probably know this already and are more than likely tired of seeing all the super cuteness that is baby chicks. If you don't follow me on Facebook, then get settled down for the most adorable balls of fluff ever! I have 22 introductions to make so please allow for load time of the super cuteness.


Mirage, Black Andalusian. Birthdate: 03/22/11


Aurora, Blue Maran. Birthdate: 03/22/11


Snowy (Snow White), Splash Maran. Birthdate: 03/12/11


Rusty, Gold Lace Wyandotte. Birthdate: 02/13/11


Fiona, Gold Lace Wyandotte. Birthdate: 02/13/11


Dusty (back) and Belle (front), Gold Lace Wyandottes. Birthdate: 02/13/11


Kate, Gold Lace Wyandotte. Birthdate: 02/13/11

The following photos were taken near Easter so I used a basket as a prop. However, we did not get these chicks for Easter. It is very important that you know what you are getting into before bringing home any baby animal, whether it is chicks and bunnies or cats and dogs. Do not purchase chicks as an Easter gift if you know nothing about their care. That being said, enjoy the next set of photos.


Snickers, Black Sex-Link. Birthdate: 03/31/11


Ori (left) & Nougat (right), Buff Orpingtons. Birthdate: 03/31/11


Tootsie, Black Sex-Link. Birthdate: 03/31/11


Kit Kat, Black Sex-Link. Birthdate: 03/31/11



Reese, Welsummer. Birthdate: 04/14/11


Daisy, Cuckoo Maran. Birthdate: 04/14/11


Zelda, Cuckoo Maran. Birthdate: 04/14/11


Tiana, Ameraucana. Birthdate: 04/20/11


Jasmine, Ameraucana. Birthdate: 04/20/11


Majora, Ameraucana. Birthdate: 04/20/11


Cadbury, Delaware. Birthdate: 04/20/11


Dove, Delaware. Birthdate: 04/20/11

In sad news, we lost Cocoa today and Dove is acting very lethargic. We suspect a bacterial issue and had to scrub the coop real good. Persephone died the morning after we got her. We suspect she had some sort of disease before she even arrived at the feed store. I never got to take a photo of Persephone, but here is Cocoa's baby picture.


Cocoa, Welsummer. Birthdate: 04/14/11 Died: 05/07/11

Persephone, Buff Orpington. Birthdate: 03/31/11 Died: 04/03/11

For more Camera Critters, please visit: http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/.



~Jessica~