Shannon Ranch

Evening Sky Report and Amazing Fireworks Display

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Another beautiful sunset tonight. The colors changed dramatically over the course of half an hour.

I think I just participated in a little deceptive advertising with the headline of this story. The “amazing fireworks display” claim was a little exaggerated. We didn’t go in for purchasing any new fireworks this year. However, Carolina did have one thing left from last year. We set it off tonight and here’s how it looked. I think a parachute guy shot out and floated down out of it, but I missed that part.

However, to make up for my little deception, I will post these pictures Cim sent of some fireworks that he saw on his weekend trip with the Marrs family to a wedding in San Antonio. They are truly spectacular.

Post by Cimarron Shannon.

Surprise Visit to the Zoo

Saturday, July 5, 2014

We had to go to Abilene to meet up with my cousin and his wife and give back their daughter, Samantha, who’s been visiting Aspen for a couple of weeks. Since it was Stockton’s birthday we wanted to surprise him and Carolina with a trip to the Abilene zoo. We had to leave the house around 5:30 in order to be at the zoo by 9 a.m. when it opened. We wanted to beat the heat a little bit, and we were meeting my cousin for lunch. I think everyone had a good time. Stockton especially liked the reptile house. That was no surprise to anyone.

The craziest thing we saw today was some carp that live in the lake by the park. They have an area where you can purchase a handful of fish food to feed them. The carp were there waiting. It was very strange looking.

Now for the difficult part….decisions at the gift shop.

Aspen and Samantha were sad to part, but George and Nancy were glad to get her back.

Stockton Turns 13

Saturday, July 5, 2014-

It’s hard to believe that Stockton is really a teenager now. It seems like he should still be running around about knee level getting into all sorts of fun. But he is a lot more help to us now than he was then, although he’s always been a worker. Happy birthday to a fine young man. We love you!

Carolina and Stockton Birthday – Party No. 2

Friday, July 4, 2014-

We thought we were going to have overnight guests last night and maybe even tonight, and Nathan had planned to work cattle today until it rained yesterday, so we hadn’t planned anything for the 4th. Since we ended up with the day free, Georgia came out and we grilled hamburgers. She wanted to give Stockton his gift of money because she knew we had a surprise planned for him on Saturday and she thought he might want the money to spend. So we decided to give them all their gifts, even though they weren’t wrapped yet.

Subtle Colors Sunset

Thursday, July 3, 2014-

Soft pastels in the sky tonight with wispy high clouds.

Carolina, 11 Years Old Today

Thursday, July 3, 2014-

Happy Birthday, Carolina! I’m so glad we had you. Some people thought six kids was a few too many, but I’m so glad you came along. You’re one of the sweetest, kindest, most helpful and loving people I’ve ever known. You’re one of my best friends and I couldn’t function without your help and eagerness to be useful. We all love you so badly! (as Carolina used to say when she was little).

Carolina’s Birthday – Party No. 1

Thursday, July 3, 2014-

Carolina has been enjoying her friend, Michelle’s visit this week. We picked her up in Decatur last weekend. Michelle’s parents came to pick her up today. Carolina insisted that I make a special cake for the occasion since it was her birthday today. She helped me and so did Eve. We had quite a bit of trouble with the egg whites which didn’t seem to want to stiffen up, but overall it turned out quite yummy. Carolina’s official party is supposed to be Sunday afternoon, but I guess one can’t have too many parties, right?

Carolina and Michelle ready to sample the chocolate cake.

The icing never did fluff up, so we’re calling it a coconut “sauce”….ahum…

Here’s a photo of an interesting drawing that both girls have been creating.

The Bullfrog

Thursday, July 3, 2014-

Stockton has been keeping and feeding this female frog that he caught down at the river about a month ago. With this morning’s nice rain (1.5 inches), he agreed to let her go. He wasn’t real happy about it. Doesn’t she have an interesting pattern? He got on the internet and studied up on how to tell the sexes apart. The male has yellow on his throat and ear holes larger than his eyes.

Here’s how she looked the day he caught her. I guess they change their camo color depending on their surroundings.

Garden Update

Wednesday, July 2, 2014-

We’re starting to get some goodies out of our garden. It seems strange that things are actually growing and producing. The last few years of severe drought made gardening a real challenge and not much fun at all.

Profusion of Blooms

It seems that everything around here is in bloom. It’s amazing what a little rain can accomplish.

Goodbye Uncle Charlie

Wednesday, June 25, 2014-

My mom’s sister, Edie, married Charlie almost 67 years ago. Their anniversary is July 3, 1947. He had a great sense of humor and was a talented educator in a variety of settings, from elementary school to university. He’ll be missed by all his family. We traveled to Sherman today to attend his funeral service. It was nice to see some relatives and friends that we hadn’t seen in a while, too.

Of course, you know me, I had to snap a few sky shots during the trip. This was a strange cloud we saw on the journey to Sherman.

On the way home, we followed a gorgeous sunset.

Majestic Morning

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

We were all up early this morning getting ready to travel to my Uncle Charlie’s funeral. I had to grab the camera out of the pickup where it was packed to snap these awesome photos. Be sure to check out all 8 photos. They vary widely.