wordsfromanneli

Thoughts, ideas, photos, and stories.

Category Archives: Animals


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Another Kind of Bag

Last week I went to a class to learn how to make a cosmetics bag (which could be used for anything at all, not only cosmetics).  I had some dog print material that a friend gave me and I thought it would look nice on a bag. The pattern had three sizes and I decided to make the middle size for a start.

I learned how to use a zipper that you make as long as you want by cutting it off a long, long zipper. Then you put the zipper pull on it and sew tabs on the ends of the zipper. This was my first time trying to make a custom-sized zipper, and it’s a bit rough, but still okay enough for me to try again on another bag sometime.

Inside the bag is a lining which I decided to make of the same dog print material. It has two mesh pockets on one side.

On the other side, an extra piece of material was sewn in to make a zippered pocket. This pocket zipper was a pre-determined length, ready made, so it was relatively easy to install.

If I can figure out how to fasten a long over-the-shoulder handle and make the bag the next bigger size, I know someone who would love to use it as a dog training bag. It has a place to put the dog whistle, dog treats, a leash and collar, a bottle of water, and maybe a sandwich or a granola bar. He just has to be sure not to get the treats mixed up. I’m sure Emma wouldn’t mind it, but the Captain might not be so fussy about mistakenly eating a dog treat.


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Looking for Love

Two years ago almost to the day, a red-shafted flicker landed on our chimney to take advantage of the reverberations of the drumming on metal. It saves his vocal chords when calling for his girl.

Turn up the sound on the video, and watch for these cute little actions:

Mr. Flicker talks to Mrs. Flicker just before she arrives, doing a little dance on top of the chimney, tail feathers spread out as if he’s trying to be a peacock displaying his fan.

Mr. Flicker has the red cheek slash while Mrs. Flicker does not.

She arrives and looks around as if she’s trying to find a way up to the top. He chatters to encourage her, she flies down onto the other side of the roof, and then comes back for a second look. She stretches her neck to look around the other side of the chimney as if she’s looking for the elevator.

 

 

If you want to have another look at the video clips I put on here two years ago, including a love poem for birds, please click on the link.  https://wordsfromanneli.com/2024/03/22/calling-all-girls/

 


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Darth Vader of the Sea

Underwater placemats? Next time you have a fish dinner, wouldn’t it be interesting to use placemats with an underwater theme? The fish in the placemats could remind the fish on your plate of the many dangers in the sea.

Darth Vader of the Sea.

“I tell my friends those hooks can pierce,”

Says Dark Invader of the Sea.

“It’s only ‘cuz I look so fierce,

They simply cannot capture me.”

 

My friends stay close and mill around,

They feel much safer swimming near,

I wave my fins without a sound,

And, grinning, tell them not to fear.

 

 


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Spring Snow

There’s no denying snow looks fine,

It makes the scenery divine,

 But what effect on bird and beast?

I’m sure they like the snow the least.

 

They migrate down the mountainside

To lower levels and abide,

They beg the sun to melt the cold,

Because they’re tired of being bold.

 

In summertime the hillsides warm

And sunny bees will hum and swarm,

The berries waft about their taste,

So very few will go to waste.

 

The easy life of leisure times

Is special to the warmer climes,

And when the frosts of winter leave,

The living hill enjoys reprieve.


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Like it or not

Tired of this winter! Do you feel it too?

No time for resting with nothing to do.

Searching for food to keep warm every day,

When will the sun come out so we can play?

 

No leaves are out yet,  no blossoms appear,

I liken the weather to winter, I fear,

It looks like these lichens are tired of it, too,

I’m simply not likin’ it, how about you?


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Baja Dogs

We are the guardians of the roof,

And though it’s hot up here,

Our job is to say, “Woof-woof-woof,”

And strike all hearts with fear.

As chow I’m toughest of them all,

I make intruders stop,

I only hope that I don’t fall,

That would be quite a drop.

With me there is no serious threat,

I pace the roof above,

And what you see is what you get,

A dog in need of love.

I’m not a guard dog as you see,

I’d be one if I could,

The roof dogs all make fun of me,

Because I’m made of wood.

My name is Andy and I sleep,

I never am awake,

A battery makes me breathe so deep,

Because, you see, I’m fake.

 

*** Andy was a stuffed toy dog, just like a teddy bear. He had a battery inside him that made him look like he was breathing by making his chest go up and down. He had me totally fooled and the woman who owned him had him on her shop counter, loving every minute of my reaction as I asked if I could pet him. I was really surprised when she told me he was completely “not real.”


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Ratty Graffiti

Good morning world, it’s time to wake,

And see what’s been donated,

I don’t expect to get a cake,

But scraps are ‘preciated.

 

Oh goodness me! A note I see,

It says, “Go check the middle.”

But ratty got there before me,

I know, I smell his piddle.

 

And also I can tell his script,

His writing is atrocious,

His spelling’s bad, his letters flipped,

I know ‘cuz I’m  precocious.

 

But oh-h-h-h how awful are his words,

They’re crude and so disgusting.

And what of all the little birds,

Who surely will discuss them?

 

That dirty rat messed up my den,

And now I’ll have to paint it,

I hope he won’t do that again,

It’s really mean, now ain’t it?

 

No need to have a heart attack,

I’ll get a drink of water.

I’ll hang on with my toes in back,

I hope they hold, they oughter.

 

That’s better, and within my means,

This cone is good, don’t doubt it,

Or like in gangster movie scenes,

I’ll just fuggedaboudid.


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Bugs for Lunch

Please watch this clip and see the ways,

I work so hard to try,

To feed myself in hungry days,

To make sure I don’t die.

 

The maple bark was way too clean,

It came apart with ease,

But nought was there for me to glean,

No breakfast bite to please.

 

I flitted to a nearby fir,

You see the different bark,

Its bumpy, roughness won’t deter,

My beak will find the mark.

Oh dear! I must take much more care,

To eat bugs ere they fly,

Right in my armpit, he did dare

To bite me. “Now you’ll die!”

Elusive little bug, you are, 

But mind my bendy neck,

I’ll find you, and you won’t get far,

I’ll eat you with one peck.


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The Eagle-eyed Weatherman

My eagle eye inspects the sky

To ferret out the chill,

And now I’m left to wonder why

The snow came down at will.

 

I know it’s colder in the heights,

And all the air was wet,

So pondering that, I knew by rights,

That snow was what we’d get.

I’ve fluffed my feathers up a tad

To keep the warmth inside,

I’ll check the depth of snow we’ve had,

And take a chilly glide.

I hope you’re hibernating, all

You creatures of the hills,

You must have known this snow could fall,

It’s testing all our wills.

 

But worry not, the rain will pour,

And wash the ice away,

Then soothing days will evermore,

Bring sunshine every day.