We're All Doing Just Fine

I've been waiting a long time for this shot. Since Lina came to live with us back in May, Thomas has been out of sorts. Its more of a love-hate relationship. He loves the attention--but true to his gender--wants it on his terms. Look at how he glares at her!


I have this one doe that circles the persimmon tree about three times a day. I think it safe to say that by dinnertime, she has invited 12-14 friends. I hear that after the first frost , persimmons are really sweet.


I really am happy about having so many deer this time of year, because they are safe from hunters. I'd just as soon they stay away in the spring when I'm trying to grow plants and a garden though. I guess you just can't have it both ways, can you?

The bluejays are out in force. I'm going to have to fill the feeders this weekend.

I hate to, though. Lina is getting so much pleasure from watching them through the patio doors as they eat all of Thomas' catfood.


And I just noticed how Blue's hair makes the most perfect little heart right in the middle of his forehead. Can you see it, too?

And Winter Sets In

I awoke to a light dusting of snow and bitter cold (26 degrees). The same doe that comes several times a day, was under the persimmon tree, just waiting to see what the wind had knocked down for her pleasure. The movement in her jaw indicates she has found something.

Since we have been lax in our purchase of bird seed--I can't seem to get over the prices--they are helping themselves to the catfood. This unremorseful bandit has been caught on film!

No matter--It seems to have kept Lina amused and away from old man Thomas for a bit.

And my gargolyle-- high atop the bird feeders--seems to have captured the essence of today's snow. It was more of a nuisance than anything.

The Sky Is On Fire

Storms in the area and a cold front moving in--looks like winter is upon us.

Just When You've Given Up Hope

I went to a chiropractor yesterday and it changed my life.

No kidding. I had no idea I could feel like this. I left euphoric. I giggled as I drove home. I was downright giddy.

I've been plagued by the usual shoulder, neck and wrist pain that accompanies many years in front of a keyboard. I've even been subjected to two surgeries as a result. I have gel ice packs in the freezer and Aleeve in the medicine cabinet. I can predict the weather with my left shoulder and neck.

But all that changed yesterday... I have range of motion that I haven't had in 15 years!
And it didn't involve shots or chemicals--now how cool is that?

I'm definitely hooked and believe a visit to the chiropractor is something everyone should experience.

And guess who suggested I should go for a visit? Why-- that would be the 24-year-old city girl daughter. She's full of surprises.

My contract position ended today so I had extra time (more on that later) and did my best to capture what was going on outside:

Lina is on the inside, I realize, but she just demands attention.

I caught these deer in a display of affection...

I'm judging by their encounter ( and please forgive me, I didn't dare open the door for fear that if I did, they would wander under a hunter's scope) that they are mother and child.

Look how protective she is! I can see a bit of myself here.

Learning To Ride The Waves

Day--what is it?-- on NaBloPo Mo? I don't even know and what does it matter really?

I have slacked off posting because I run out of time--every single day! But I will share with my followers, that life is working right now. So I am reveling in that fact alone. Nothing else matters, now does it?

I m finishing school in just four short weeks ( I have 7 hours to go before graduation)--but the absolute best part is that the city-girl daughter is finishing her first semester and she has already registered for the spring semester.

I am so happy and so very, very proud of what she has accomplished.

Life is, indeed, grand.

More later.

It Pays To Listen

Sunset

It Warms My heart

The best part of the weekend for me is being able to admire the view from one of our many windows. During the week, I miss this.



My bedroom is on the southside of the house and this is my view. It gives me great pleasure to watch the sun cast shadows across the backyard in the morning.

But usually by this time in the morning, the sun gets so bright that it runs me out of the bedroom and off the computer. The glare on the screen is too much and the room starts to heat up.

Its okay, I have laundry and housecleaning to do anyway.

We Think ALike

Each year I dread the beginning of hunting season.

I've heard all the arguments and I still find it cruel.

One Vote

I 'm so proud I could be a part of her first time to vote.

I had the day off on Tuesday so the city-girl daughter and I went to the polls together. I snapped pictures with the pride of a mother sending a well-dressed daughter to the prom. I didn't want to miss a thing.

We voted at a local church.
What's that about separation of church and state again?

She was given a sample ballot to review.

A volunteer verified her identity.

And she took her place in front of the touchscreen,
in preparation of casting her vote for change.

Is There No Shame?

Not knowing if I was 40 hours or 20 this week, I prepared last weekend by doing all my homework for the coming week, catching up the laundry and most of the housecleaning. So what do I do with unexpected time off?

Trim the dog...

And settle in for a little light reading.

The Cosby book, Come On People, is wonderful. While the book's criticism may have been aimed at the irresponsibility of young black men, I don't believe the bad habits are isolated to any given race.. or gender, for that matter! I'm loving what he has to say:

We and the others in our generation weren't saints. We'll be first to admit that... But something called "parenting" had wormed its way into our heads from the time we were still in the womb, said to us If you get caught stealing it, you're going to embarrass your mother.
The voice didn't say You're going to get your butt kicked. We knew that already and expected that from experience. No, that inner voice said You're going to embarrass your mother. You're going to embarrass your family.

Today is election day and the city-girl will be home from school in about 30 minutes. She and I plan on tackling the local DMV to get her Virginia-legal.

After that, we're going to vote. This will be her first time! How lucky am I for being able to be a part of that?

And shame on you, if you don't go vote.

Timing Is Everything

I generally ask several times before JB agrees to a trim.
When I get a yes--I'm off for the scissors.

Lady Bug, Lady Bug--Your House Is On Fire

The warm sun streaming through the patio doors
has invited an invasion of LadyBugs.

Since I live in an old house, the LadyBugs don't have to work too hard
at getting inside. Inevitably, they all end up inside with me.
There's a bajillion of them--flying and buzzing around.

This one looks like it's ready to take flight!

When I was a kid, I remember seeing Lady Bugs and reciting my own version
of the nursery rhyme:

Lady Bug, Lady Bug--Your house is on fire.
Your children are inside.
Your better get home before they burn up!

I also remember the Lady Bug scurrying off in a tremendous hurry
once I had said my piece. But, now that I'm 50 instead of 5,
I realize she was trying to get away from me.

Deer Bully

Unexplained Phenomenon

Tha fat cat Thomas dressed as a bumblebee.

And Blue dressed in his convict costume.

And this short video, that proves anything can happen:

This is a car ad from great Britain. When they finished filming, the editor noticed something moving alongside the car. Locals informed them that someone had actually been killed in the exact same spot the previous year.
The ad was never made public because of the unexplained ghostly phenomenon.
Watch the front end of the car as it clears the trees and you'll see the white mist crossing in front of the car.

A Taste For Memories

It's that time of year again.

And although Halloween is Friday, don't be fooled into thinking
this copper kettle is filled with Witch's Brew.

JB is busy making plans for what will be our third year of Apple Butter.

And as expected, some who have been involved in past years
have decided not to be a part this year. Can't say I blame them--it is a lot of work!

We're slated for the last weekend before Thanksgiving
and we have a new couple to break in this year... and the city-girl daughter!

It has all the makings of wonderful memories.

Blended Families

We visited Austin Nichols and his family last evening for our Friday night get-together.

He's quite the bird, living the good life as a housepet. My little friend has the patience of a saint. It's all I can do to pull the leaves and small branches out of Blue's hair after he's had a good run outdoors.

I can't imagine what daily life would be like with a turkey perched atop your china cabinet.

But I guess we all make allowances for the animals (and people) in our life. We adjust.
We share our space. We readjust so everyone's comfortable.

We do this for the GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER.

Mr. Haji-Mo is a good example. He's the one with the little-dog complex that JB and I took in some 4 years ago, because we couldn't bear the thought of what his fate might be if we didn't.

He looks like Blue, but isn't at all like Blue, but he and Blue have learned to live with each other. Blue wasn't happy at all when Haji first came on the scene.

But then, I don't imagine Thomas was too happy when Blue came either.

So how do do think Haji feels about Lina?

I Bet You Didn't Know

I'm off today. My hours have been reduced, but I can't help but feel a bit elated to have a bit of time to myself. Well, not really to myself--there is homework. And class this evening.

But this morning, I didn't race out the door to get ahead of half a dozen school buses. Instead, I wrapped myself in a warm fleece bathrobe, got my coffee and began catching up on some reading.

• Did you know Madonna and Guy Ritchie were on the outs? I read a comment posted to this story which suggested marriage insurance! What a concept! It makes good sense to safeguard your financial well-being in the event the realtionship doesn't make it. But there's also a cash incentive of a payout when you make it to 25 years. I can't help but think this would be a wonderful wedding gift.
• No matter how bad the economy, there are still those who live to excess, and others who want to hear all about it. Turns out, this is a big market for 20-somethings. What kind of message are we sending our youth? The author of this article also indicated: "Publishers and film producers may seek to broaden the range of young-adult entertainment to reflect real world concerns, said Sara Nelson, the president of Publishers Weekly — but only to a point. “I don’t think suddenly you’re going to find books about girls who are earnest and hardworking and help their mothers take in washing.”
• And I came across this quote:

“No one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has a right to live the life they so desire if it doesn’t harm another, and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for the equality and against Proposition 8.”


Can you guess who uttered those wonderful words?


**NOTE: The bent glass, displayed in my last post, came from my favorite retailer: Target

No Need To Adjust Your Monitor

These glasses are really bent--they're made that way. And what better way to enjoy your morning juice than with the reminder that we are all just a little off?

(And that includes all the animals that run through the house at all hours like a herd of buffalo)

For More Than Half A Century Now

My city-girl daughter included a hand-written thought in my birthday card.

From what I understand, if something is "the shit" it's a good thing.

I had a good birthday, and I'm embracing the second half of my life. The first half went so damn fast that sometimes I feel as if I am running out of time. There's too many things I want to do or feel I need to do. But I know also that too much planning can prevent you from enjoying what's going on right now.

As a direct result, I've made a conscious effort to enjoy life more.

My birthday dinner was crab legs and Caesar Salad.

In honor of Blue's 9th birthday Friday, he was allowed treats
from a Canine Party Platter all this week. In this picture,
he's having a preservative-free bone after a bath.

From here on out, I'm treating everyday like a special occasion.

(Note: If you're curious about the wine, you can find it here.)

I Saw It All, My Friend

The city-girl daughter called last evening as I was walking out of class. She was checking to make sure I'd be watching the debate with her.

I've seen a few good debates in my day, and this one didn't even make it to the bottom of the meter.

I sat through the entire debate with my bowl of popcorn waiting for some substance. I never saw it, my friend.

I just wish I'd spent my time counting how many times McCain said "my friend." Every time he uttered that phrase, the city-girl daughter would look genuinely confused as she turned to me and asked "Who is his friend?"

These are scary times indeed...