It Came From the Swamp

(First in a series.)

I was sitting on my porch minding my own business when an osprey flew towards my building from the direction of the lake. It alighted on a bare-branched tree about 50 feet away and began picking away at something. With nothing better to do, I used the digital zoom on my camera and snapped a picture:



He seemed to be tucking into a delicious fish. With every peck, the fish's tail wiggled in what I assumed was not delight. The noise from the feast carried easily to my porch, sounding like a handful of pencils being snapped in half repeatedly.

Mmm, swamp-fish. That's good eatin'!

October Surprise

I only moved in 4 months ago, but I just received noticed that the homeowners' association fees are going to increase by $75 per month.

This cannot stand. Something needs to be done.

How can one person have any influence over such an event? By submitting my name as Candidate for Board of Directors, that's how. Never having run for anything--not even Student Council--I'm sure this will become one of those "what was I thinking?" moments.

Nonetheless, I'm confident the Burkett platform of improved efficiency and small government will win over the electorate this November. And besides, I was looking for something to do with all my spare time.

Condo photos

Here are some photos I took looking out from my new condo. I'm on the edge of a swampy conservation area, which I'm none too eager to explore. After dusk all manner of critters can be heard croaking away. The big ones sound like sheep.


An anole looking to make his way inside my porch. I'm on the 3rd floor; I admire his determination:


From the TV room, you can see the nearby lake.


There's an older condo complex next door. This photo was taken on the morning of September 9th...


Zooming in a little: The bright spot is the space shuttle Atlantis launching from Cape Canaveral!


It was almost out of sight in a matter of seconds. When you see how fast it's going, it makes you realize that must be what an outgoing nuclear missile would look like. (Happy thought of the day.)


A full-frame image is here if you're geeky enough to be interested.

The smoke trail:


I don't have much to show of the interior of my condo yet, but some day I might actually paint. If anyone wants to come and volunteer, feel free. For now I have to say I'm enjoying my new home, especially because it provides a great view of local amphibians and space ships.

New Home

This is the new WeazelWords! The Z stands for "zesty."