Eagles Nest

The Sutton Avian Research Center, here in Oklahoma, has some webcams positioned over  the nests of some bald eagles.

I usually watch them for a few minutes each day during this time of the year as they lay eggs and nurture their hatchlings.  A local TV station, KOTV Channel 6, has links to the live streams from the nests.

This morning, I caught a glimpse of both eagles in the nest, apparently taking turns sitting on the eggs.  I wasn’t quick enough to capture an image of the two of them, but you do get a good view of the 3-egg clutch waiting to hatch.

Catch the stream yourself at this link:  http://www.newson6.com/category/163029/sutton-eagle-camera

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I’m so glad they told me …

What’s the deal with this? Document Enclosed – ooooo!

I know it’s a trick to get me to actually open the envelope and see what “fantastic offer” is inside.

But seriously, did they think I’d wonder if something else was in the envelope, like a puppy?

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Soup

I have to ask … which soup would you choose and why?

Yesterday, I went to my cupboard to get some soup for lunch.   I found three cans of chicken soup.  One “hearty chicken pot pie style” soup, and two that are basically “chicken with wild rice” soup (slightly different, but basically the same).

Most people probably have no problem just picking the soup that  appeals to them the most.  No worries.

I really wanted the chicken pot pie style soup, but I have to admit that I paused to consider that I had TWO chicken and rice soups and I ought to have one of those instead.  Just to even up the numbers.

Do you ever have urges like this, or am I just being esteban about it? 

 

I fought the compulsion and had chicken pot pie style soup.  It was yummy.  A solid 1 napkin experience.

 

Posted in cogitate | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

previously esteban

Yup. I got distracted by a few things and haven’t posted anything here in awhile.  We all go through things like this.

So, I’m going to do what others have done and gather up some of what’s happened in the last 6 weeks, wrap a big bow around it and offer it up to you in a neat package.   People like lots of photos, so hopefully it won’t be too boring or self serving.

The Cabin

As the summer started winding down, I began a project to paint the outside of my family’s lake cabin.  As you can see from the photo, it’s not a particularly big cabin, only about 4 rooms.

It’s a great place, full of so many memories.  It’s been in our family for over 60 years and includes 14 acres of lake front.  I have memories of being in the lake even before I learned how to swim.  It’s the one place left in our family that ties us all together.

Anyway, the cabin is overdue for a new paint job.  The early 80′s mauve has long since faded and needs to be updated.  I chose a sea foam (ish) green color in a moment of nostalgia.  It was originally painted a really minty green color (ala 1950).  I couldn’t quite go there.  The new color is really not as green as the photo portrays it.

As it stands, I’m only about 50% done.  I’m hoping to recruit some help to finish it before it gets too cold.  Wanna help?

Kansas City

I made two trips to Kansas City in the last month.  The first was an overnight trip to check on preparations for the Catholic New Media Conference which I helped organize for SQPN, and the second was a full week for the CNMC itself.

What a great time!  I love the time that I get to spend with the SQPN folk and all those involved in Catholic new media.  It is such a passionate and lively group.

Take a minute and have a looks at these photos:

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Tech crew: Jeff Nielsen, Patrick Padley and Nick Padley

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Breakout Session with Matthew Warner

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More interaction with the online audience

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Maria Johnson, Sr. Anne Flanagan, and Pat Gohn

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Fr. Roderick talking to the online audience

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Workshop Presentation by Lisa Hendey

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Hanging out after CNMC Workshop Day - the never ending tub of cheese balls!

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CNMC Audience

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CNMC Audience

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Fr. Jay Finelli

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Fr. Roderick Vonhogen and Jeff Geerling

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Scot Landry (Archdiocese of Boston) and Bishop Christopher Coyne (Archdiocese of Indianapolis)

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Jeff Nielsen and Paul Camarata

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Patrick Padley and Fr. Jay Finelli

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Brandon Vogt and Scott Maentz

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Fr. Jay Finelli, Karen Camarate and Lisa Hendey

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Maria Johnson, Pat Gohn, and Lisa Hendey

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Paul Camarata & Ian Maxfield enjoying KC BBQ

Capt. Jeff and Heidi at Casa Camarata
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Kansas City Royals

There’s a lot in those pictures.  A trip to see the Kansas City Royals with my friend Dr. Paul Camarata, several photos of my new friend Ian Maxfield (an English podcaster, now living in Scotland) and his adventures at Waffle House, California Pizza Kitchen and Latte Land, and many shots of the CNMC and the good folks in attendance.

 Football Season

It’s college football season now and I have had a great time following both of my favorite schools, the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane.    I’ve been able to attend a game at each school, so here are some photos, which include my sister Stacey and my friend Jim, the one burying his face in a funnel cake.

I don’t have any photos to show it, but I was also enthralled in the baseball World Series during this lapse of blogging.  If you follow baseball, you’ll understand why.  No one will ever forget Game 6 between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers.

There’s more to catchup, but I think I’ll save those for other posts.

Adios!

 

Posted in posterity, Thoughts | Leave a comment

Gumbo and Haiti Talk

Last night, I was privileged to attend a dinner hosted by the pastor of my parish, Fr. Jack.  The event was a meeting of FIAT (Faith in Action Team), the name given to our Haiti mission group.

Fr. Glenn Meaux, pastor of the SOLT Mission in Kobonal Haiti (see my mission blog at haiti.everythingesteban.com) is making his yearly visit to our parish.

The purpose of the meeting/dinner was twofold.

First, to get the members of the mission team preparing to visit the mission in November together.  There is much work still to be done to pull off this particular trip, and it was important for them to meet Fr. Meaux.

Second, to sample the gumbo that Fr. Meaux prepared.  Being from Louisiana, he is adept at preparing gumbo and other Cajun cuisine.

It was fine fare, along with grilled asparagus, potato salad, bread pudding and pecan pie.  Coupled with a little red wine and ample talk about mixing cement, making bricks and building houses, it was a solid 3-Napkin dinner.

I’m not planning to make this November trip to Haiti, but the one scheduled for the end of February is definitely calling my name.

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