31 Days of Spook – The Curse of the Sorry Rocks

Welcome my friends to 31 Days of Spook.  Today’s Curse of the Sorry Rocks is submitted by my Auntie Sharon from Gentlestitches.  Are you ready to be spooked – remember as always, my hoof is there for you.  Happy shivering.

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The area around Uluru in outback Australia had an unusual rainfall before we arrived last week. This resulted in a desert land with scatterings of plant life to be transformed into a carpet of wildflowers. Did I take some cuttings home to add to my own carefully crafted Australian wildflower garden?

I DID NOT!

Let my explain briefly………………

The area of and around Uluru is considered sacred. The Anangu people are the legal custodians. Visitors are welcomed but expected to act in a respectful way.

Visitors are allowed to take photographs and that is all. It is a 5000 dollar fine if caught with any sands or rocks but even so that alone doesn’t always deter people.  What does deter people is

THE CURSE OF THE SORRY ROCKS.

Every year, rocks, sand and vegetation, often very small, are returned to the Katatjuka National Park head quarters with letters of apology. It seem either the people’s guilt or the curse, led to misfortune and misery of some kind and they want to atone.

 

So we took photos and made friends with camels. All of whom were “rescue camels” and very well looked after.  (my camels name was Lasseter because he was found wandering around the Lasseter highway)  When you are a visitor you should respect your host, particularly if there is a well documented curse if you don’t.

 

 

 

 

Bashful Is OFF!

Oh friends – guess what?  This is the magical box and guess what is in the magical box?  Yep, nods head.  You are right.  Bashful was sent off at the end of last week.  To where?  Of course, my piggy mouth is shut.  I know where of course but I’ve been promised to keep my lips shut until Bashful gets to his destination.

So where in the world is Bashful?  Could he be south?  Could he be north?  Could he be east?  What about west?  Where could that little rock to next?  And what adventures will be awaiting him?  Will he meet any more rocks?  What will he bringing with him?

Who is out there waiting for his arrival?  We shall see soon my friends – stay tuned!

 

Bashful in Nature

  Never fear my friends – have you been wondering about Bashful and his antics of late?  Well, I’m glad to report that he has been settling down here at the Hotel Thompson for a much needed rest these past couple of weeks.  He advised that he had jet lag something wicked from his last trip so rest for the weary huh?

But never fear.  He is still going strong and he and the other pet rocks have been putting their heads together to come up with a contest for very soon – so be on the lookout for that okay.  It should be a real hoot.

AND the rock clan has something BIG they are also working on for the end of May – doesn’t that pique your interest?  They never slow down – what can I say.  Just like Bashful taking time out to explore and have fun with some of his friends in this picture.  Can you spot him?

 

Journey to Israel – Part III

Welcome my friends with our Journey to Israel series.  If you have missed the previous two editions please see them at Part I and Part II.  This is a wonderful trip that my Aunt took around the Christmas holidays.  She was willing to share her adventure with everyone here in blogville.  Today she will focus on some sights that she was able to check out.  Here you go – hope you enjoy 🙂

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Isn’t this just beautiful!?

You think of Israel and it really doesn’t come to mind the beauty of palm trees.  I thought of flat lands, mountain areas, a lot of churches and history.  But we so much more there.  The weather was perfect for our adventures.  It almost felt like spring/fall – coolness in the air and not hot at all.  We visited at a perfect time because in the summer months temperatures can exceed 109 degrees – way to hot for adventures.

This beautiful picture of palm trees was taken near Masada which is in the southern district of Israel.  

On this date, we went through the Masada National Park.  There was a small fee to access and explore the park – which I highly recommend you visit.  There are actually two paths that you can take for your explorations –

• The Snake Trail leaves from the eastern (Dead Sea) side at the Masada Museum and gains 980 feet in elevation. It is thought that hiking this path is considered part of the “Masada experience”.
• The Roman Ramp trail is also very steep, but has less elevation gain, and is accessed from the western side of the mountain by car.

 Here is another picture to the left of some of the paths at Masada.  Can you see the beauty – the mountains, the sky and all of the old rocks?

It’s not an easy path to walk and plan on taking lots of breaks to enjoy the scenery.  And just to let you know – the path that we walked was equivalent to walking 91 flights of stairs – so says the Apple Health App.  Can you believe that?!

Also – have fresh batteries in your camera.  You don’t want to miss anything and you definitely want to be able to look at these awesome pictures after your return home from your adventure.

I leave you this week with another picture from the Snake Trail path and of course a food pic – no blog would be complete without some type of food porn.  I hope you enjoyed today.  Join me next week for another edition of Journey to Israel.

 

 

 

Old Rock Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

“Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world!”

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January 7th is Old Rock Day.  Yeah, I shook my head at first because I was like what does that exactly mean?  Then I did some research and went aahh okay then.  Old Rock Day can mean several different things according to who you are.

Say you are a woman and you have a lot of ‘rocks’… as in jewelry.  Today can mean to get out something old and wear it today – show that rock off to the world.  I bet he’s been lonely in that jewelry box of yours – chitter chatter!

Today can also just mean what it says – Old Rock Day.  How about all of these pet rocks we have here at the Hotel Thompson?  They are by all definitions old due to their nature even though they are new here – does that make sense?  Perhaps they need to celebrate today and have a rock party.  That would be a blast wouldn’t it?

However you spend today, celebrate Old Rock Day and share with us how you will celebrate 🙂

 

And He’s Off Again

We had a wonderful LONG weekend here with the rock clan.  We all got together and had a Bon Voyage party for Bashful.  He is now off again to parts unknown.  Where or where will that little rock of mine roll up to next?

Could it be here?  Could it be there?  In the states or across the pond?  On the other side of the world?  I’m not telling.  Nope.  I’m keeping a secret.  There’s nothing you can do to make me talk.  Nope.  Not at all.  My piggy lips are sealed.  Only two other people know.. well maybe three.  Mommy, the nice Mr. Postman guy and the host family.  And none of them are talking either.  Anyone want to take a guess?

Soon…. we shall know hopefully soon.

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And you should have seen all of the girls here crying over Bashful.  Princess Coralena, Virginia, Rockelle and Koishi.  I’m not sure which one was crying the most!

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UPDATE:  Mom always sends off Bashful at the post office closest to her worky place.  I want you to know that the staff there now truly knows that mom is certifiable and should be wearing a white jacket that buttons in the back.  They have been inquiring about the boxes that she sends off.  She told them today what was actually in the boxes.  You should have seen the looks on their faces – PRICELESS.  I mean truly PRICELESS.  The response of, “You have a what that you do what with?” and “Girl, you need a hobby.”

These were said in fun and mom just laughed it all off smiling.  Then she threw in the icing on the cake.  She told them that the rock wasn’t actually hers, it was mine… a pig.  Oh dear piggy heavens.  Daddy laughed and said he was surprised that they didn’t pick up the phone right there and then.

But it’s not weird.  My pet rock travels.  He’s good at it and has a lot of great and giving friends that like to host him and show him a good time.  Shakes piggy head.  I don’t see anything wrong with that.  Do you?  Snorts.

 

Last Day to Vote

Love is in the air here at the Hotel Thompson – that is for sure!

Today is the last day to vote for the Bachelor and Bachelorette that will go out on a date on Valentine’s day, February 14th.  The wonderful romantic ‘date night’ will be posted on Monday, February 17th.

Be sure to vote!

Vote for the Bachelor here:  https://piglove.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/lets-make-a-love-connection/

Vote for the Bachelorette here:  https://piglove.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/lets-make-a-love-connection-bachelorettes/

 

Bachelor Love Connection – Don’t Forget to Vote

Okay friends – remember to vote for the Bachelor that gets to go out on a romantic Valentines date on 02/14/2014.  Vote here https://piglove.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/lets-make-a-love-connection/

I’m going to cut the voting off on Tuesday, 02/11/2014.

Tomorrow you vote for the Bachelorette to go out with the Bachelor.  Mark your calendars!

 

“Oh Bashful!”

As you know, my pet rock Bashful has been traveling and has been visiting Misaki overseas.  He is currently on the way home and it can’t be a minute too soon.

Last night, I was awakened by some noises in my bedroom that I share with the rock clan.  Yep, I can admit that the rock clan – Princess Coralena, Virginia, Manny and Rockelle – have a little corner in my bedroom that they hang out.

At first, I didn’t know what the sound was so I layed in bed listening.  Then I heard it again, “Oh Bashful.” Then I heard lots of giggling.  WTP (What the pig) was going on?  I opened one of my eyes and looked over towards the rock clan.  It seems that Princess Coralena was having a dream about Bashful.  Oh Dear Lord.  I so do not need to hear this – snorts.

I got out of bed and stumbled over to her corner.  I gently woke her up and we talked about her dream.  It seems that Princess Coralena has really been missing Bashful.  She told that she had a dream about him and they were lost on a deserted island alone.  She painted quite the little picture for this oinker.  So much so, that I came up with this picture in my head –

I think Bashful may be in trouble when he gets home.  Now, he has two gorgeous rocks fighting for his attention.  That’s right.  I said two.  Princess Coralena was playing hard rock with him before not wanting to say she ‘liked’ him.  Then, he came home with Rockelle from Australia who was very up front with her feelings for him.  I do hope by the time Bashful gets home that he decides what is best for him with these two ladies.

What do you think he should do?  I really don’t know what to tell him as far as advice.

 

Cats Rule – Pigs Drool!

Every once in a while, us purr things at the Hotel Thompson have to put oinker Bacon in his place.  This is me (Hemi) to the right and Mouse Girl to the left.  I’m not sure how many times we are going to have to hack this pig’s blog to make him understand that Cats Rule – Pigs Drool!

I’m sure that as friends of Bacon, you would agree that we have a certain chemistry – a certain mystery to us. Right?

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And enough with all of this traveling with Bashful.  Hey, we understand he’s cute but come on.  I’m sitting in this box until mom makes a couple of air holes for me and sends me to Australia. I want to see some kangaroos too.  Why does the rock get all of the fun?

Talking rocks, another thing us purr things want to discuss.  What’s up with all of the nightly rock concerts in Bacon’s bedroom?  Princess Coralena, Virginia and Manny seem to be rocking to some classics behind the closed door a lot lately.  I’m not sure what’s going on in there with those three but they seem to be making a lot of noise and skyping A LOT lately.

hhhmm – We purr things are going to have to fix some of these problems.  Anyone behind us?  Anyone at all?