It always amazes me that men are just not modest creatures. Yesterday, I was issuing new uniforms to deploying soldiers as part of their deployment process. We tell them all they must come in PT uniform (shorts & t-shirt) so they can try on the uniforms to ensure a proper fit. Inevitably, some show up in uniform and we have to tell them to go change and come back. Well, yesterday I had a Colonel who didn't want to go change into his shorts and t-shirt, his schedule was too tight and he didn't have time. Most times, officers of his rank really get snarky about it, but he was very happy-go-lucky and decided that if we wanted to ensure he had a proper fit, then by golly he was going to accommodate us! He proceeds to strip right on down to his skivvies and t-shirt! At first I thought I was seeing things, surely he wasn't parading around in his underwear when I was present?! So, I asked the guys why the Colonel didn't have his t-shirt tucked into his shorts, as is required by regulation. They said "Maryanne...look at what he's wearing!" That's when I realized he was in his underwear! I thought it best I leave the room at that point but he was between me and the door. Being the very cool person I am, I casually and nonchalantly started to walk towards the door, head down so as not to make eye contact. About that time, one of the other officers he was with decides to let loose a cat call whistle and I look up to find myself about 3 ft away from the Colonel. I avert my eyes down and realize he's not wearing socks and shoes...he really stripped down! He stops me "Hey, Maryanne, did you hear that? I think someone whistled at me! They can't do that and get away with it, can they?" I just looked him square in the eye and said "Sir, all I heard were a bunch of birds singing. But, if they were whistling, I'm sure they were only admiring your beautiful bare feet, which, by the way, is in violation of the health code." He just laughed, gave me a wink, and proceeded through the line. Nope, men have no shame sometimes. Maryanne

Wow Lesli, a Live oak, I love them. I'm trying to grow a Live oak here in Pa. It is the Quartz mountain Live oak, the hardiest Live oak, probably in the world. It did good last winter, which was a mild one. Your's is likely a Texas Live oak, but, if you are in Eastern Texas you could grow the plain Live oak that is usually grown in the more humid (rainier) parts of Texas. And is usually found in the moister southern states. Either way that is a beautiful tree, and good sized, well, you did say it's 500+ years old. I hope mine can handle my winters good enough to get some size to it before I croak.

I love the layers of shadows! Shadows on the bfly and the bfly throwing shadows.

I got home and found out that my new pink hibiscus (bought on clearance) is flowering. I only moved it into full sun a day or two ago, I'd left it in morning sun for about a week after I potted it up. (it's visible in my first picture about 1/3 of the way over from the left, to the right of the red rake)