Where does the time go?

OK...OK...OK....I, too, must own up to my having "fallen off the Blogger wagon" lately. Mea culpa.

So, where are we now? May was just crazy wet here -- something like rain 16 out of 18 days for a while, so gardening and yard work had to wait until things dried out a bit. By then, everything was 4 feet tall...both plants AND weeds. And, the powdery mildew -- Oh, the humanity! My poor garden phlox have taken it hard, and I don't think there's enough spray in the world to save them. The veggie garden was just too wet to plow (hmmm..."Can't dance, and it's too wet to plow" ?) or plant until just the past couple of weeks -- although I did get 8 different varieties of tomatoes in the ground before the flood. I've added yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and both slicing and pickling cucumbers just in the past few days, as well as planted beans and cantaloupe from seed.

I splurged and bought several really nice pots for around the house, mostly due to the influence of my friend Jennifer, who is maniacal about the 20 or so big pots she does (along with border beds filled with both annuals and perennials) in her backyard -- which is essentially a beautifully landscaped swimming pool & hot tub. It's gorgeous, and I've given in to her evil influence...a little.

And, of course, there's the mowing. I pay a guy to mow and trim and blow around the house, but I mow and trim all the rest of the ranch. Fortunately, my neighbor Clay lets me use his big John Deere ZTR riding mower. I'm most proud of myself for being able to start the gas powered trimmer all by myself, AND handle changing the line as need be. Mastering the chainsaw is next.

Been shuffling furniture from Gran & Pap's to my place, and things I don't want anymore TO their house for future sale. Hoping to 'redecorate' the living/dining rooms this year (new paint color, furniture and rugs) as time and money and energy allows. What's there is a huge reminder of the past....that needs to go away. Think along the lines of a spicy-terra cotta-amber-pumpkin-fall-chocolate-Morocco-luxe vibe. I think. At the same time, there's some concern about how to tie that color palette to the existing chartreuse-orange-white-brushed nickel thing already established in the kitchen (Jennifer is a former interior decorator...and these things tend to 'concern' her much more than they do me!).

And, the Pack. They're all good. We've started using a different flea med that is supposed to also repel mosquitoes and ticks, which is a good thing. They cornered a big bull snake in their enclosure the other day -- I was digging grass out of the butterfly garden, when they all started barking in a tone that let me know something was afoot. I knew they had 'found' something, as they were all three side by side, having cornered whatever it was in the SE corner of the pen, up against the barn. Sure enough -- big ol' snake. I kept trying to coax them away, or at least stop barking at it, but I guess they thought they were protecting me. The barking continued for the better part of an hour -- well, Honey gave up first, then Gator at some point, but Freckles was NOT going to let it go. So, my final ploy was to bring out the big bones, and it was finally quiet again. The cats are fine, too...except Thelma Rae has brought 3 or 4 skinks and a couple of birds INTO the house this spring. Have found 2 carcasses...so far....

So, it's been nearly a year since Pap went to that big trout stream in the sky. I decided to mark the occasion by ordering a Stuart pecan tree to plant (that tree at the house is a Stuart). It arrived this past weekend, is about 6 feet tall in the pot (isn't it cool that you can order a tree and UPS will deliver it???) and seems very healthy. Gator and I will plant it Sunday.

Miss ya, Dad.

So, let's all have a great summer, remember to wear your sunscreen, laugh hard and often, get dirt under your fingernails, and love the ones you're with!

M

Howl Therapy

Alright ! I know....I KNOW....it's been ages since I've posted anything. Sorry -- time just gets away, compounded by the fact that I can only post things from my work computer (hey, don't turn me in!!!) since my computer at home is powered by two very tired gerbils. But, here I am again.

I think I'm 'on' to something....I'm going to call it 'Howl Therapy'. Maybe it's been done, but I just discovered it this past Friday evening. Being that it was Friday, and it had been a loooooong week, I rewarded myself with a nice fresh 6-pack of Corona, since it goes so well with tequila -- but let's not get too much into the details. Let's just say that I was 'relaxing' after a long week, and the weather was very nice for February, and I had gotten home with enough daylight left that allowed me to spend some time with The Pack. We had played, and romped, and loved and eaten and the sun had pretty much gone down but there was some light left. The trio had settled down to chew on various things, and I was just hanging out with them, sitting on the edge of the deck. Just then, a pack of coyotes in the distance began howling and yapping. Gator was the first to respond, standing up, stretching out long, starting low and then slowly raising his head as he let out a loooooong "Howwwwwwwwwwwwl" that sounded just like the one Snoopy gave us in "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." I egged him on as the two girls began to get in to the act as well -- each with their own voice, responding to the primal call of the wild. I was giddy ! I joined in, experimenting with various tones and playing off their melodies, until they all devolved into a chorus of short barks and yips that signal the end of the session. I layed back on the deck and just laughed and laughed, a catharsis of all the week's crap just let loose, until they all circled 'round licking and pawing me in one mass of 'packdom.' We were one.

Something interesting and fun and maybe even helpful is on the horizon in our efforts to 'deal' with the Irminator and her continuing decline -- I've volunteered for a 4 month study about 'care givers' of people with dementia. The focus of the study is to provide a new software via a home computer, high-speed interenet access, and a camera, which enables the caregiver to access more support than they may have available otherwise. (I know that sounds a bit vague, but it's the best I can do as far as a description until I actually get the computer and program and proceed). Various aspects that will be available include email access to a geriatric psychologist, evaluations, possible video link to mom (and maybe other siblings?), and other 'help' as yet undefined. I'm pretty excited about adding another tool to my arsenal against "let's not let Irma's crazy make US crazy..."

Other things on the horizon....going to a yoga and meditation retreat in a couple of weeks with one of my good (and silly!) friends, Sharlyn. For a taste of what it's about, go to: http://www.personaltransformation.com/meditation-retreat.html (Groovy, eh?)

Thought for the day: To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. (Henri Bergson)

Love ya!

Back at it...

Gaaah ! Out all last week with something close to pneumonia, which was just added insult to injury since I was stuck at home for most of that time, waiting for the sleet to melt. The bad weather not only had most everyone shut down for 2 or 3 days, but it also had The Pack living indoors with the Pack Leader from Monday to Thursday -- all went well, very little loss incurred, and the newly fenced back yard was a Godsend for their potty breaks !

Although I came in to work for a few hours last Friday, it didn't prepare me for being back full time today -- my dragon is draggin' ! And, my beloved Darryl Anne (a.k.a. super yellow wonder kitty) is on her last leg....and I arrive home every day holding my breath to see if she's still 'with us.' Been holding my breath for about 5 days now.

On a lighter topic, I'm going with friends to the OU - Tennessee basketball game tonight ! Although I 'bleed Orange' (Go Pokes!) I'll be pullin' for the gals in crimson...even though it would also be very cool to have been at Pat Summitt's 1000th career win...

AND, there's the whole Irminator drama -- she's going in to a 'skilled unit' at a nursing home today for several weeks of physical therapy and rehab, hoping to regain better use of her legs. We're all hoping for the best, but preparing for the possibilty that she may become a resident as well. As I was driving over yesterday, it was all I could do to keep things straight: "Let's see...it's put the cat to sleep and mom in the nursing home.....or is it put mom to sleep and the cat in the nursing home?" I think it would be important to keep this straight.

Later, Gators...
MO

Still here

Hey Blog Followers ! Sorry I've been 'off blog' this week -- been up to my tailbone in traveling exhibit deinstallation (jargon for packing up a big ass show). Should finish up today, as the big rigs will be here next Monday and Tuesday to pick it all up.

I guess in anticipation of having to work on my feet all this week, my lower back tried to seize up last weekend -- yeah, the 3-day holiday weekend -- keeping couch-ridden for most of Sunday and Monday. I did get to watch a lot of basketball....and daytime TV.....(pleugh!).

I managed to straighten up and spend a little 'pack time' outside on Monday. I was bundled up, wearing my fleece lined jeans, Carhartt barn jacket and a baseball hat. Just as I was about to go back inside, I had bent over (no small feat) and my hat fell off. I knew immediately that this was now about to be a dog toy, but couldn't move fast enough to take the two steps it would have required to retrieve the hat....before Freckles snagged it and ran off. Great. Now I'm gimping along after her, telling her "Bring it! Bring it!" and "Freckles, come!" as if she could even hear me, or if she did hear me, she utterly ignored it. Fortunately she did tire of her little escapade after about a minute, and dropped the hat. Was my ordeal over? Nooooooooooooooooooo!! GATOR, being the imp that he is, snatched it up and began running in a BIG circle, as fast as he possibly could (I mean, I'd never seen him run so fast!), growling and taunting the other dogs and myself as if to say "Ha-Haaaaa....it's MINE!" I tried the same tactic of coaxing him to "Bring it" which he does when we play ball, but to no avail. All I could do was stand in the middle of his racetrack and watch him go round...and round....and round....growling in triumphal glory in his victory. Well, I did actually get quite a good chuckle out of it...

When he did finally tire, and dropped the hat in favor of a long drink of water, I retrieved the cap which was by now wet, slobbery, muddy and dusty. Nice. Thanks.

Freckles' second obedience class last night went much better than the first one, with her anxiety level noticeably lower. She only growled at other dogs a couple of times, and took treats from several humans. We even practiced walking by other big dogs! But, as soon as we got back to the house, and I released her into the pen, she immediately put the smack down on poor little innocent Gator who was standing nearby....bi-atch !

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
M

Three Dog Night

No, I'm not talking about the band...although they're still pretty good. Last night was so cold that I brought the pack in for the night. We've done this on occasion in the past as well, but they're still not 'fully trained' to be left alone to their own devices. As such, in order to keep an eye on things, I sleep on the living room couch, and they sleep on doggie beds in the floor. Well, Freckles has tried to sleep with me on the couch on more than one occasion, but I think she's finally gotten the picture that that's just not how it's going to work.

Last night they were really good, well behaved, settled down quickly and stayed so for most of the night. I had to get up twice, but they 'held' it all night! This was a first, and a very welcomed milestone, since it's the pits to get up in the middle of the night, get dressed, and go out into the freezing cold to take them out one at a time to do their business. But none of that last night ! Yay! The did get up each time I did, and the girls took a few minutes to settle back in afterward, but not long. And, they got a little antsy when Darryl Ann started meowing loudly and scratching at the bedroom door at 4:00 a.m...

One very cool thing that was happening was the static electricity that was coming off the acrylic pile on two of the beds -- you know, that 'fake sheepskin' stuff. With the lights out I could actually see a mini electrical storm going on all across the pillow whenever the dog moved around. (No...I hadn't been drinking!). It was very odd, and entertaining, and wasn't enough to create a 'spark' like you normally get when you touch the doorknob so the dogs didn't seem to mind. Hmmm....I wonder what that felt like?

Had my first massage with 'hot rocks' yesterday....ooooooooooooh! If you haven't tried it, DO SO. It was luscious.

Well, here's to the weekend! Enjoy!

Don't Lick the Flag Pole...

Brrrrh! It's that crazy time of year (well, when isn't it crazy...?) for winter weather here -- 70 degrees one day, 35 the next, back up to 55 the next day, then wind chills near ZERO. That's what we had here this morning. I worry about the pack being outside, and make sure they have fluffy fresh hay in their bed and that both heat lamps are working, that their water isn't frozen solid, and they use common sense and stay in the shed out of the weather. But, no....as I went out to give them their 'morning pig' all three were romping around as if it were bathing suit weather ! Snot is freezing to my face as it drips from my nose, I can't feel my fingers, and any minute I'm going to start coughing up bits of frozen lung, but the dogs are just happy to be here. Oh to be that enthusiastic about life every day...!

Actually, it's a good day in my world. I've already been to the chiropractor and been properly 'adjusted' (well...not that I'm well adjusted!), stopped by Starbucks for a mocha latte on the way out of town, and have a massage scheduled for later today. And it's pay day !!! And we start back to obedience class tonight !!! And it's a good TV night !!! Woo Hoooo! (Hmmmm....maybe that dog enthusiasm IS contagious???)

M

Time Flies

Why are weekends always too short? After having survived re-entry into work after the holiday break, I needed much more 'down time' than a weekend, which was a 'short' one to begin with. Saturday was spent with the Irminator...and that just tends to suck the life out of me to begin with. On the up side, I got a 'cut & color' ! Fortunately, Sunday was just beautiful -- a great day to enjoy some 'pack time.' And, it was the first time the dogs had been let loose in the newly fenced back yard. No escapes! Spent time with each one, just playing, soaking up the sun, and sharing the love. After a grocery run, I cooked a pretty delicious lemon-artichoke chicken dish for dinner -- I'm one week in to 'eating better' (we don't use the "D" word!), and, aside from the fried onion burger and coney from J&W Grille on Saturday, I've been very good. The only thing I've used my Sonic gift card for has been a strawberry-banana smoothie one day on the way to work last week! Sheesh -- I even used Splenda in my coffee this morning. Tonight: oven baked fish with roasted sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts. Been reading "Clean Eating" magazine... http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/minisite/ce_index.htm .

Thought for the day: There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. (Aldous Huxley)

Ciao!

Dogs Drool ?

It wasn't so very long ago that my attitude toward dogs and cats was "Cats Rule, Dogs Drool." I've always had a cat or two, my entire life, and only one vague memory of a dog we had when I was only 4 or 5 years old named Boliver Shagnasty (for the life of me, I don't know where that name came from....) who bit me.

Then just three and a half years ago, fate stepped in and provided....dogs. Honey and Freckles arrived first (with another sister, who is now living on Lake Ft. Worth), just wandered up one day, and we thought we should take care of them and find homes for them ("I'm a cat person"). A couple of weeks later, little baby Gator was found at a nearby gas station -- just barely big enough to be a handful. He liked to chew things. Time passed, I got attached, and the rest is history. I can't image life without them! Dogs DO drool....but's it's very cool, and big dogs rock!

Gator was the first to graduate from Obedience School, and the first to repeat as well. We returned a couple of times for socialization more than obedience skills -- he's not big on making new doggie friends. He's great with people, and I hope he might be a certified therapy dog some day. True to his namesake, he loves to submerge in the doggie pool on hot summer days, with just his head above water...waiting...

Freckles and I have attended one obedience class so far (last summer) and we start again on Jan. 15, with the same intended results: socialization and dimenished aggressive behavior -- she thinks she's the pack leader when I'm not around, and this is giving Gator heartburn. I don't have a 'balanced pack." (This might be due, in part, to the human pack leader herself being a little imbalanced?). I've learned much about dog psychology in the last year.

Watch for Gator's very OWN blog -- "GatorTude" -- to appear soon !

What's with that pic?

OK...I confess: this photo of me was taken in 2000. My hair isn't quite so red now, and there are a few 'lines of distinction' around my eyes now (not that you can see them behind those sunglasses), but I RARELY get a good photo of myself, and this one was the best of the bunch. AND...oh, yeah.....it was taken on the beach at Tarquinia, Italy. Yeah, I was married then, but we've all heard way too much about all that. I've been back to Italy since, and managed to overwrite some of the memories and feelings about that first trip and look forward to doing much more of the same in the future. I now have a friend whose step-mother knows someone who owns a house in Tuscany....who knows?

Ta-Daaaah !

OK...so, I was feeling a little 'left out' of this whole 'Blog World' thing, and needed a new creative outlet, so I thought 'What the heck --let's try something new' and here we are. Welcome to my world.

Check back often for new, funny or even disturbing little bits of things...