ROXY THE RED-COMB REIGN CHICK

Today we visited the chicken house. I went for a ride on Roxy. She's really a sweet hen. She knows her name and likes to be picked up and petted. Grams sings her to sleep every night when she puts her to bed.

SANTA'S HOUSE AT THE NORTH POLE

I went back to the North Pole to give a report to Santa. Lots of bad things happened this week. All the little kids were very good. Santa's sad that they have to suffer because of bad people running around. Hopefully all the good people will still have a merry Christmas regardless of the world's problems.

POINSETTIAS FOR GRANDMA

Poinsettias are so cheerful for the season. I decided to sit on a shelf above them all day. Too bad they don't have a fragrance. Oh well.

We went to the flower shop to purchase a couple poinsettias. We even got one for Great-grandmother.

O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE!

We went shopping for poinsettias at the Christmas store. Oh what fun! I played hide and seek. The store clerks didn't think it was funny. We bought our flowers and left really quick.

RUDOLPH TAKES ELFIS FOR A SPIN

Elfis returned to the North Pole and visited Santa's reindeer. He hopped on Rudolph's back and they romped through the winter wonderland. Rudolph got some great practice for Christmas Eve. He didn't get off the ground, tho. He needs to lose some weight. (Like the rest of us.)

OVER THE HILLS TO GRANDMOTHERS HOUSE WE GO

We went down to see Great-grandma in Olympia. She's 91 years old. Wow! that's pretty old. She loved holding me. She's getting pretty frail and forgetful.

ADVENTURES OF ELFIS

Every adventure begins with a great cup of coffee. Elfis (Elvis) loves the red cup. When his energy level is at max capacity, we will celebrate the Christmas season in style. Check last months activities. (November) Start at the bottom of the page.

ELFIS AT NORTH POLE

Here I am back at Santa's house at the North Pole. Well....maybe not quite the North Pole or Santa's. Dad does make a pretty good Santa although. He always makes it fun during the Christmas season.

FIND ELFIS

Let's play the game 'Find Elfis'. We went shopping on Black Friday. I'll never do that again. I got shoved and stepped on several times. Plus, I couldn't understand a word they were saying. People were just crazy; buying all kinds of junk. I'm heading back to the North Pole to recuperate.

TURKEY FARM

We went out to the turkey farm to get one for Thanksgiving. It wasn't as easy as we thought. The whole flock chased us off the premises. It was really scary. We thought it would be best if we just went to the supermarket and got a frozen one.

MAISIE, THE SHEEPHERDING DOG

Today Maisie came to visit. She's a very smart Australian Shepherd. It's her second birthday today. She's very sweet but I have to talk her out of thinking I'm a play toy. She likes to herd Blackie the rooster.

SASQUATCH SUMMIT

Elfis attended the Sasquatch Summit and heard all kinds of Bigfoot stories. He also had his own personal encounter. When someone cranked up a chainsaw, they escaped by the skin of their teeth and headed up into the mountains. 

AT THE BEACH

Nov 20 we drove down to Ocean Shores and played on the beach. A flock of seagulls began to get aggressive so we had to leave. It was a beautiful day and the surf was down.

ADVENTURES OF ELFIS

Last night it snowed so Elfis (Elvis elf) decided to commence his seasonal adventures. He usually doesn't appear until after Thanksgiving. It was a freak snow. Temperatures in the valley hovered around forty degrees. On the plateau and foothills it was about 33 degrees. The oddest thing was on the east side of the mountains it was forty. Usually it's colder over there. Hopefully the snow stays in the mountains. Skiers love it up there. Drivers don't like it down here. 

ELMA 45th CLASS REUNION

Successful photoshoot of my 45th class reunion. Fantastic time, everyone enjoyed getting together.

CUTTHROAT DRAWING, HONORABLE MENTION

My Yellowstone Cutthroat took Honorable Mention at Washington State Fair.

POWELLSWOOD STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

I volunteered at Powellswood Storytelling festival and met the best national storyteller, Donald Davis. Also met an international storyteller, Margaret McDonald. The beautiful gardens was the perfect setting for storytelling.

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

SINGING SASQUATCH

A humorous collection of Sasquatch short stories. Larry tags along with Bigfoot chasers and discovers the real truth. But...he doesn't tell them and adds to the mystery.

11 speeches later, the certificate.

I was just elected Toastmasters Secretary at Puyallup Valley Voices. I also received the Competent Communicator award by completing ten speeches in the CC manual. My public speaking has improved tremendously. Thank you fellow Toastmasters for assisting me on my journey.
http://1599097.toastmastersclubs.org/
https://www.toastmasters.org/My-Toastmasters/Profile

HOT OFF THE PRESS! ADRENALINE ALERT

Adrenaline Alert is a rewrite of my first book, Alphasaurus Rax. I've included a few of the old stories and added new ones.

Evil Fish has over a dozen short stories about fishing for saltwater and freshwater fish. The settings are in several places in the Pacific Northwest. This book is a must for the angler in your life.

Bear Bytes is a collection of humorous bear short stories. It is the sequel to Buzzed Bear. 

We spent the weekend at our Ocean Shore's condo. The 5 mile long peninsula is closed to hunting so there are hundreds of deer. I drove around looking for big bucks and found several. It was the "rut" and the bucks were only interested in the does. I got less than twenty feet away from them as I shot them with my Canon. Took some amazing photos. I photoshopped this buck with two different poses.

GUITAR STILL LIFE

IVY QUEEN

In Germany there is a place called the Black Forest. Some think it's a mythical place, come think it's haunted. Many hear voices in the woods. Most can hear the whispering pines and the song of the quaking aspen.

            In medieval times woodsmen and hunters would search for woodspirits before entering the Black forest. A woodspirit is an imaginary face on a tree trunk. Like faces in the clouds. If the woodspirit was frowning, the woodsmen would go back home. It would be dangerous to go into the forest. If they were smiling, they'd continue into the woods.

            This is a story that took place near the Black Forest. It's called Ivy Queen.

            The Great King Elmer the Elm died and left no successor to the throne. After the funeral, Noble Fir set out to find a new ruler for the Plant Kingdom. The decree was: he must continue asking until he found someone.

            One morning, he left the castle and began his search. The first person he came across was Rosemary. She was a proud and stately lady. She was obsessed with her looks and today she was preparing for a social event. The fragrance of her perfume drifted across the breeze.

            Her poise captivated Noble Fir. He approached her, bowed the knee and asked, "Most regal Rosemary, the Plant Kingdom is without a ruler. You are a fine woman. You would be perfect as our new queen. Won't you come back to the castle with me and rule?"

            She looked down her nose and replied, "You must be mistaken. I am already a beauty queen. I can't leave my position in the herb garden."

            Noble Fir couldn't believe his ears. Rosemary turned down the opportunity to be the Queen. He shrugged and headed down the highway. The next person he met was the Rose. Her ruby-red flowers captivated him but he knew she was obsessed with passion and romance.

            He bowed the knee and asked, "Most romantic Rose, you are so beautiful. The Plant Kingdom is without a ruler. Won't you come to the castle and be our queen?"

            She replied, "Can't you tell, I'm already the Goddess of Love. I can't leave my place in the rose garden."

            Noble Fir shrugged and went down the highway He walked past a stadium and noticed an athletic girl playing soccer. He thought to himself: It would do the Plant Kingdom well to have an energetic Queen. But everyone knew she was a pleasure seeker.

            After the game he approached her. "Most Active Myrtle, the king died and we're searching for a ruler. You have so much energy. You would be perfect to be our new queen."

            She told him, "I would love to, but I'm already a Sports Star. I just can't leave my place in the park."

            Somewhat discouraged, Noble Fir continued down the highway and met Olive. Her boughs were laden with olive berries. She was rich and spent all her time pursuing prosperity. He thought to himself. The Plant Kingdom would prosper with such a shrewd Queen.

            He approached her, bowed the knee and asked, "Most Bountiful Olive, won't you to come to the castle and rule?"

            She replied: I am honored by your request, but I'm already the wealthiest woman in the world. I can't leave my place in the orchard."

            Noble Fir stopped searching for the day and headed back to the castle. He passed by the the Black Forest and noticed an exceptionally tall tree. It was Douglas Fir and he knew he was power hungry man. Noble Fir thought the Plant Kingdom could use such a strong person for a King.

            He bowed the knee and asked, "Most Mighty Douglas, will you come to the castle and be the king?"

            Douglas looked down from his lofty height, flexed his limbs and replied, "I'm already mightier than a hundred kings. I'd never leave my position in the forest."

            Discouraged, Noble Fir continued on to the castle. On the way he saw Ivy sitting beside the road. Now, everyone knew in the past she was a pirate lady and plunderer.

            Since she was the only one left, he asked, "Ivy, the Plant Kingdom needs a new ruler, you don't suppose…"

            Ivy rubbed her hands together and said, "I might consider. But if I'm your queen then everyone will do exactly as I command."

             Noble Fir reluctantly agreed and took her back to the castle.

            There was a great ceremony and Ivy was crowned Queen. Not very long after she took the throne, her tendrils began to wind around everyone in the Plant Kingdom. Her foliage covered Rosemary, but Ivy let her fragrance flow out. It wound around Rose and Myrtle, but she let their flowers bloom. It grew up Olive's trunk, but Ivy left the branches to bear olives. The tendrils also wound up Douglas Fir's trunk, but Ivy allowed his strong limbs to show. All the citizens were too obsessed with themselves to care.

            Ivy bragged and gloated about her wonderful qualities. People came from all around and admired her beautiful fragrance (Which was really Rosemary). They gazed at her beautiful flowers (Which was really Rose and Myrtle). They purchased her abundant olives (Which was really Olive). And, they were amazed at her strength (Which was really Douglas Fir).

            It wasn't long before the citizens of the Plant Kingdom woke up and realized Ivy deceived them They were in bondage. They wept and wailed.

            One day, Sir Concord, the Purple Knight from Grapeland heard their cry as he rode past on his horse named Chestnut. He stopped and asked, "Why weepest thou?"

            They replied with one accord, "Queen Ivy has deceived us. She's stolen everything we own. Please save us and become our king.

            He said, "On one condition. I will be your king and serve you but you must to promise to change your ways.

            They all promised, so he spoke to each one individually.

            "Rosemary you need to stay pure.

            "Rose, you will need to have peace.

            "Myrtle will need to be prudent.

            "Olive you will need to be patient.

            "And, Douglas you will have to put on piety."

            They all agreed with Sir Concord, the purple knight from Grapeland. He mounted his horse named Chestnut, and pulled out his magic sword fern. He charged into battle and fought the wicked Ivy Queen. The battle was fierce. Foliage flew. But, he finally won and cut her to the ground.

            The citizens of the Plant Kingdom cheered. There was a great ceremony and they crowned him King Concord.

            After he took the throne, he proclaimed liberty and equality to all—even Ivy. He pruned back all the government excess. He was productive and kept all the food banks filled with grapes. He protected the citizens under the shelter of his arbor. And he promised he'd take care of everyone in the Plant Kingdom as long as he lived and they lived happily ever after.

JENNILYN AND BRYCE FLEXER'S WEDDING

Did a photoshoot of a wedding on the shores of Couer d'alene River. What a peaceful setting. Bride and Groom were radiant. Images came out fantastic. Cheers to Jennilyn and Bryce Flexer.

Notice ring bearer's expression.

Cutest little flower girl, Tully.

I published another book this year. Title is Dirty Birds. It has 13 short stories about wild bird encounters. You can purchase it on Amazon or by sending me a check for $13 at PO Box 852 Buckley, Wa. 98321  http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Birds-Larry-Krackle/dp/1496143698/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406163608&sr=8-3&keywords=larry+krackle

Dirty Birds

Buzzed Bear

I turned 62 this year. Retired and loving it. One goal was to hike to Camp Muir on the south side of Mt. Rainier and Observation Rock on the north side. Accomplished them both. It may be the last time I make it to both as my knees are bothering me.

Stone hut at Camp Muir

 Stone huts

 Camp Muir is above snow field at far right

On top of Observation Rock

 Echo Rock

 Observation Rock

We vacationed in Tennessee, N Virginia, and Ohio, June 2015. Went to Dollywood, toured Biltmore Estate, and visited a friend in her log home filled with antique stuff. We had an amazing time.