Debra LaValley's Blog

Mr. & Mrs. Michael La Valley

6/6/2014 Michael & Rachel’s Wedding!

It was a great wedding, and we are so happy for Michael & Rachel! More photos to come.

Wedding Video (10 minute version)

Gray Tree Frog

It Feels Like Summer Tonight!

My folks had their AC on tonight. I have my door and windows open and am thinking about the AC but will fight the urge for a bit. I love night noises. I love listening to crickets and tree frogs. I don’t even mind listening to the cars go by on the nearby road. I find it all comforting. We have very busy week. My nephew Michael is getting married on Friday to Rachel Broughton. Joe is here from Saudi as well for the festivities. Their mom, Debbie Beaupre, is also up from West Virginia. Fun and Family! More late! Have a great evening!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today is all about our Moms! I am thankful to my mom for all she has done for us! I remember her reading Mother West Wind Why Stories to us when I was very small. I remember her years working with the Girl Scouts – such good times. Through the years – I have special memories of family camping trips, family cookouts and parties and lots of fun! She has been there for the tough times too. May all the mothers out there have a fabulous day! I love you mom!

Tom & Betty (aka Mom & Dad)

Sunset Valley Quartet (circa 1950):
Betty Ross – Red Perkins – Tom La Valley, Ralph Spencer

Mom & Dad 2003 Honolulu, HI

Mom Having a Bit of Fun

Happy Mother’s Day

Mom & Dad 8/18/13

May the 4th Be with You!

It is hard to believe that Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope premiered in 1977! Wow! That is A Long Long Time Ago! The special effects were out of this world and from then on the Star Wars movies and characters were loved by millions – including me. Star Wars has become part of our culture. It was the first movie that I saw multiple times within a short period of time. I think I saw it 6-7 times during its initial showings and have watched it many many times over the past years. I am a bigger fan of the original 3 movies (Episodes IV, V, and VI). I went to the prequels (Episodes I, II, and III) but to me – they were not as good as the original 3 episodes. Coming in December of 2015 is Episode VII! Most of the original cast will be in Episode VII. I am hoping that the movies is more in the spirit of Episodes IV, V, and VI. Either way – I will be in line to watch this movie when it comes out.

My favorite character? Yoda!

Happy Star Wars’ Day!

Casper is Back!

. . . The Return

It has been almost a month since I have written in my blog. I have been lazy 🙂 It was a very long cold winter. I really don’t mind the winter (read – no ticks) but I am glad things have started getting green again. One of the best things about the blanket of snow being gone is that Casper the Albino Squirrel is easy to spot! I have been trying to see him all winter with no luck – but my luck changed on Saturday when I noticed him frolicking with a gray squirrel. I saw him again on Sunday morning when I snapped the photo above.

Everything is starting to bubble up with life. The ice is off the ponds and lakes. The rivers and streams are roaring. The warblers have returned and are doing what they do best – singing. The peepers and bull frogs chorus can be heard most days now. Speaking of days – it doesn’t get dark until after 7:00 pm! Glorious!

Enjoy the Renewal of Spring!

Palm Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Spring is Coming or is it Winter?

According to the calendar, spring is here. It does not really look or feel like it yet though. It has been a very long winter. I do not hate the snow or the cold – but I am ready to see a wee bit of green. It has been very rainy the past few days and dreary – but tomorrow is April 1st! Hopefully – Mother Nature will not be playing any more jokes on us and spring really will come. 🙂

Spring is Almost Here!

Spring is in Sight!

I don’t mind the winter (there aren’t any ticks when there is snow cover!); however, come the end of March – I am ready to see some green. It has been a tough winter – we have had some bone-chilling weather and there is still a lot of snow on the ground. My parents’ yard will probably have snow in June! I am by no means rushing summer! I am not a fan of the heat! I would rather have the cold – but I do look forward to longer days! I love that it is light when I get out of work!

Orange A/4 visits Lilac Street!

Check out my Flickr photostream (see left column). I have been extremely fortunate the past few weeks and have had some close encounters with eagles (especially Orange A/4).

Orange A/4 Eagle

Eagles – Glorious Eagles!

2014 continues to be one of the best years that I have ever had regarding eagle sightings and photographs. I think my 2015 calendar may have to be all eagles. Tonight is the Oscars – so I am keeping this short. I wanted to share with you that I had an experience of a lifetime today! I saw the eagle pair working on the next generation of eagles. If you click on my Flickr photostream on the right of this page – you will be transported to my recent eagle photos. I hope you enjoy them.

Have a great evening everyone!

Bald Eagle (Orange A over 4) 2/1/14

Eagle Mania

I love bald eagles! They are such a majestic and impressive bird! I am lucky enough to see them fairly regularly in Penacook and Boscawen. Saturday, I was lucky enough to see this adult bald eagle on Eel Street in Boscawen. It was in the top of a tall pine tree. I think it was checking out the large group of mallards in the river (lunch!). I pulled my car over and snapped some photos using my car as a blind. It only stuck around for a couple minutes. I was lucky enough to get a good shot of its left band which read A over 4.

Orange A over 4

I sent the photo of the band to the Sr. Biologist at the NH Audubon, and he confirmed it was Orange A over 4. He also let me know the following about the eagle:

“I agree that the band in your photo from Eel Street in Penacook reads “Orange A over 4.” Bob Vallieres and I visually IDed this same bird in 8/17/2011 at Crete’s Farm in Boscawen, and I believe you reported “Orange A over something” perched at the bend in the river just below Cretes’s on 4/20/2013. When contacted in Aug 2011, the Massachusetts eagle biologists reported that this bird was 1 of 2 chicks banded on 5/21/2007 at the Hockanum Oxbow nest near the Connecticut River in Hadley, MA. This bird is nearly 7 yrs old now.

By the way, Bob Vallieres observed 2 adult eagles (likely including this one) copulating nearby, close to the Hannah Dustin P&R, on Thursday 1/30/2014. Looks like we are definitely on the way towards a local nesting attempt this spring.”

I will be watching the sky for stick carrying eagles! It is all very exciting!

A Great Christmas and now A New Year!

Ah – a New Year is here! 2013 ended with lots of fun and family. My parents’ house was filled with people, and we had special guests, Joe and Michael, with us this year. Joe works in Saudi Arabia and recently rented an apartment in Oklahoma as a “home base.” He has to leave Saudi approximately every 12 weeks for about a month to get a new Visa, etc. He went to college in Oklahoma and has friends out there. Michael lives in West Virginia and in November became engaged to Rachel Broughton! My parents had all their grandchildren (except Matt who lives it Portland, ME) and great grandchildren, stop by the house on Christmas day.

MaryBeth, Lucian, Chris

Michael & Rachel

Lucian, Chris, Jessica

Justin & Melissa

Sara, Mom, Dad

Me & My new Mittens

Mom, Dad, Joe opening their stockings

Sara, Jackie, Quincy

Jackie w/ Toby

So far, 2014 has been snowy and very cold! We have had about a foot of snow and last night was around 17 BELOW Zero! (I would still rather have the snow and cold than 90 degrees and humid!)

A heat wave is coming for tomorrow! It is going to be in the 30s!

Happy 2014 to you all! I wish you all Happiness and Good Health!

Debbie 🙂