Tuesday, November 28, 2006

"Rogue Sea Lions"


Today on cnn.com: "In the most frightening of the recent episodes, a rogue sea lion bit 14 swimmers this month and chased 10 more out of the water at San Francisco's Aquatic Park, a sheltered lagoon near the bay. At least one victim suffered puncture wounds.
Some scientists speculate that the animals' aggressive behavior is being caused by eating fish contaminated by toxic algae, or by a shortage of food off the coast. But wildlife experts say even healthy sea lions are best left alone.
In Southern California in June, a sea lion charged several people on Manhattan Beach and bit a man before waddling into the water and swimming away. In Berkeley, a woman was hospitalized last spring after a sea lion took a chunk out of her leg.
Last year, a group of sea lions took over a Newport Beach marina and caused a vintage 50-foot yacht to capsize when they boarded it. And a lifeguard in Santa Barbara was bitten three times while swimming off El Capitan State Beach.
In Alaska, a huge sea lion jumped onto a fisherman's boat in 2004, knocked him overboard and pulled him underwater; he escaped without serious injury."

Ironically I just got back from rowing where I was pestering a huge sea lion lounging on a buoy! I would row closer and closer and he would sit up and sniff at me, indolently swaying towards the side as if planning his escape route if I got too close. Then with the agility of an Olympic diver, but with the figure of a sumo wrestler, he slipped into the water with nary a splash. I did that two or three times during my assigned fifteen kilometers, then came home and read that article. Guess I'll keep a little more distance : ).

Your Most Devoted, Sarah

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Works

-close-up of "dreaming", oil pastel on paper
-"Isla de Paz", "Red House", oil pastels on paper
-"Sun-Fried Daisy", color photo
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Friday, November 24, 2006

Water Water Everywhere...

To My Most Amiable Readers,
Greetings!!! Your time of penance is over; I am once more at the helm of a fully hooked-up computer! Let the writings begin!
Our church family here celebrated Christ's redeeming work with three baptisms this Sunday past. This little girl is Victoria, daughter of Voni (the one Chilean who likes country music) and Gigi (my children's Chilean grandma). She's an amazing eight year old; each day like clock-work she reads the Word and keeps a journal of all that God is teaching her through His Word. She's also into animals and drawing and being tickle-tortured by Dustin.
Next we come to Mike and Marcella, the soon to be married parents of a little boy named Alan. Mike plays for the Puerto Montt soccer team; and he and Marcella are new Christians. They were both baptized as well, and eagerly await their upcoming church wedding on December 8 (they were married in a civil union a few weeks ago, as only Catholics are allowed to do both weddings at once). Mike is a vibrant, passionate person with a deep love and appreciation for Jesus' work in his life. Marcella is a flamboyant, wonderful lady that makes a spiffy lemon pie and is really good at tug-of-war.

Posted by Picasa And then there's me, the kids, the dog (Sheba), and a much-beloved swimming pool. I'm really glad that none of my underwear were hanging on that section of the line (that would have been embarassing), but if you look close there's Sophia's blue ones! Ha ha ha, she's going to rail at me someday for that.
Your Most Devoted,
Sarah

Thursday, November 16, 2006

A Rapidfire Update


Okay I have about two minutes to sum up these past few weeks.....we were on vacation, we explored the nooks and crannies of southern chile with Mom and Dad (pictured left)....highlights...Dad bought an ancient cannonball, Dad taught us fly-fishing, and lots of other stuff I don't have time to type...yep, also we went to Valdivia for a rowing competition and the pic on the bottom is us driving there....so sorry so short, but hey at least it's something, your harried devoted Sarah
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