Finding Mjǫllnir, the Hammer of the Gods

While shopping at Goodwill, I found a wide camp bed. The cashier asked me about the cot and I mentioned Society for Creative Anachronism events. The cashier said he did Norse events and was looking for a new shield.   Somehow the topic came up about how we were building a dragonship for the WA State Fair for our Icelandic horses and I was looking for Viking arms for kids to wear for photo ops. 

The cashier said, "Wait right here. There's some treasure you need to see."   He got a manager to cover for him and ran off.  He came back a few minutes later with a double headed ax, two Viking helmets, and Mjǫllnir, Thor's hammer. When I asked his name to thank him, he said Thor. I was taken aback but I checked his name tag which did indeed say Thor. So when kids ask us where we got the hammer, we can truthfully say that Thor gave it to us.

Harvey the Hawk Finds a Taxi During Huricane Irma

Among all the stress and suffering due to the hurricane in Texas, here is a great story of neighborly behavior. Houston resident William Bruso was startled when a Coopers hawk flew into his taxi and decided to stay despite Bruso trying to shoo the bird away. Bruso drove the hawk to his house but the seemingly healthy hawk refused to leave the car. Bruso eventually picked up the hawk, nicknamed Harvey the Hurricane Hawk, and took it inside his apartment. Harvey spent the rest of the storm watching TV and eating chicken hearts with the guys who were having a beer or so.

Here's a link to a video of Harvey eating a chicken heart snack in front of the liquor cabinet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFkEfAm2Bo0

The next day, the Texas Wildlife Rehab Coalition picked up the bird for evaluation.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/harvey-the-hurricane-hawk_us_59a2cd21e4b06d67e33833a9?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

Bruso posted a series of videos of Harvey through the storm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBC9xP65ztQ

Can a Mule Look Wistful?

Can a mule look wistful? Here is Jake the mule wondering why Blessi gets to graze that one lush patch of clover and grass by the watering hose. Look at how relaxed Jake is in his new home. His lower lip extends beyond his upper lip by at least an inch.