Smudge went in for his regular checkup today. Every couple of weeks he gets blood work done to monitor his hyper-thyroid. Prior to him getting in the carrier, Roxie jumped in. I had to coax her out of it. Smudge gained 2 lbs since he was diagnosed, and she doesn't want him to gain any more. He's doing great. But now she hears a heart murmur and his heart is racing so she's concerned about high blood pressure. If his thyroid is behaving and he gets to cut back or come off of that, and his blood pressure is still high, he'll be put on that. He also needs dental cleaning done, but at those prices, that's not going to happen soon!

I love your picture, Schoolhouse! It really has a wonderful feeling to it. It attracts and yet you know it's really cold out there! I lived in Baltimore for 14 years and I was very close to Pennsylvania. I loved taking a drive up through the countryside and seeing the Amish and their horse and buggies. I guess because for me it harkens back to another, simpler time there is something that really draws me in. Thanks for bringing back that memory for me today! Mine is a picture of me with the 15lb salmon I caught on a really fun trip to Alaska.

Impressive photos today. The chateaux is incredible. Love the Czech kitchen - it looks so cozy and inviting. Alisande, I have really enjoyed your series of gull photos. They also remind me of the movie, The Birds. Beautiful sunrise photos, Moni. I especially like the cloud formations in the second one. Nicole, your homestead shots are beautiful and eerie at the same time. Wonderful butterfly shot, gyr-falcon. You did a fantastic job of capturing all of the little details like antennae, legs and markings.

Let the turkeys come up north to Canada. They would be safe for now!!! We celebrate our thanksgiving in October. We are well into setting up for christmas