2-24-2012- ties that bind. 

    you are wondering how can all these pics be tied together and yes i have the answer. i like them all and will talk about them individually as if there was some hidden meaning of why i choose them . well i  will get on with the explanation of each . above is the first and only elephant i have done to date. last time i saw him he was headed to new york state on another story i assume. it was black walnut and lovely wood as i didnt have to stain the elephant but instead let it sit around in the sun and it began to bleach out from the classic black walnut to the grey color seen here.i painted his tusks white and sealed him then got a lesson in carving elephants . somebody told me it was a good carving but it was bad luck to carve an elephant with its trunk anywhere but up in air to symbolize good luck. well i have found a lot of critics out there, and its easy to criticize , and harder to do something. guess that is why they are critics. its not perfect but the friend i had given it to i'm sure would not take anything for it. and i guess that s good with me. happy trails mr elephant. 

     the box turtle , and no i didn't carve the poor guy or run over him but instead was working on a job placing fill behind a house and come cross this guy and took his picture. then picked him up and proceeded to take him deeper into the woods hoping that he would not come back before i finished for the day . he was one of maybe  hundreds i have saved over the years. usually they are crossing the road in search of a mate . it seems to be generally in the spring time the box turtle sprouts legs and pops some viagara and heads out for a mate. it is a slow process and sometimes complicated by roadways and tall bumbling men who think they have the turtles interest at heart. i have taken them to other side of the road to have them turn around and try to get back out there. i understand cars and animals don't always mix. but i think it is in our best interest to yield to all animals whenever possible. not asking you to be roadkill yourself but have a heart for those not able to keep pace with us and our toys. 

       these guys all belong to fenders fish farm . a place over close to baltic, ohio. where you can buy fish for stocking your pond and be able to view these guys and more, as they usually have a couple of donkeys, some sheep, and other assorted animals and a thee legged dog that is so cute , and of course called tripod. tripod seem s to be only name to call a three legged dog. oh well he was one of a kind for sure. will get you the link if you need minnows or want a few fish or possibly some koi for your ornamental; pond . this is the place.http://fendersfishhatchery.com/

      

       well hopefully tripod is doing well at the fish farm . he loved to ride and it was neat to just watch him climb up in the gator and get all excited about going some place. he is special . it is really interesting place to visit in the middle of amish country. be careful driving on backroads as around every turn might be a buggy or something to see.
        im summary what binds it all is that each and every picture put a smile on my face . and sometimes that is hard to do. life can be like that . but life moves on and so do we .and hopefully around the next corner life will catch you smiling too.