It's That Time of Year Again

Several times a year we must allow nature to take its course.
Living in the country has a few drawbacks but on the whole, I love it and would hate to live in a city with all the hustle bustle.

This morning I had to make a quick run to the post office to mail a package of books and CD's to a friend who is unable to be out of bed due to an injury. I felt happy and light hearted as I headed out and saw all the daffodils in full bloom. I also noticed all my longed for tulips which had been making great headway were no longer visible. On second glance I saw that they had been eaten to the very bottom by our friends, the deer. Beautiful animals but deadly to plant life.

Anyway, as I was about to say, we have a large farm between our house and the road to the post office. Unfortunately the nice farmer had been spreading his fields which encompasses both sides of the country road. Trying to dodge around all the droppings and tracks full of good old cow manure, I managed to get it under the car and some flew onto the sides. I tried to remember to get out of the car very carefully when I arrived at my destination. Alas, for the senior mind.

I hopped out of the car (when I say hopped, you can envision an elderly grey headed lady trying to manipulate her way out of a small car without too much embarrassment because of the knees and girth). When standing, I reached over the driver's seat to grab hold of the package and completely forgot about the farmer's gift along the side of the car. Natch it got on my jeans. If I was capable of putting smell0vision in this diatribe, believe me I would so you could share that glorious scent of what makes the crops grow. Thank goodness I had no other errands to make and could make a speedy getaway home.

The gal in the post office asked me if I lived on a farm. I just looked at her straight in the eye and asked in return, "Why, do I look as if I just got off the honey wagon? Or was it my new perfume perhaps?" I had none on. I admitted it was just pure manure on my pants leg. We both burst out laughing and I paid for the postage and left. Then I remembered the bank and quickly drove into the ATM drive through. Man those things really are a blessing aren't they?

Now here I am at home, safe and sound. Before I can relax though, I have a little chore to do. Hose off the car as best I can so that we don't carry that little gift anywhere else. I mean, when you get out of that car, the smell really hits you right between the eyes. You can only hold your breath for so long. Believe me, I've tried and failed. Oh, to have bigger lungs!

As for our little deer critters, I have found a site that gives me fourteen pages of plants, trees and shrubs that the deer rarely touch. Notice it says RARELY. If they are eating my pine trees I think anything is fair game for them. I'll let you know after I go shopping for these special deer resistant flowers. So far I do know they don't like daffodils because mine haven't been touched. Now I call that a blessing!

The Visitor

Tonight as my hubby was going out the back door to the garage, I noticed he opened the sliding glass door a bit and then quickly closed it as quietly as possible. I looked at him inquiringly and he pointed his finger at something just below where he had been standing. Of course I got up from the computer to see what he was in a dither about. There he was, in all his black and white glory, gustily eating out of the feral cat's dish.

Just last night I had told my hubby not to put any more food out at night or we would attract unwanted visitors. Now we have had problems before and it almost always involved hubby. He would look very carefully before opening the patio door,and would shine his huge flashlight all over the back yard before venturing out. However, over the long snowy winter, he seemed to have forgotten his little pal Phewy, or as he calls him, The Phantom. Phewy always shows up and seems to be heading in the same direction as hubby or so it appears. I have never run into him but then, I'm not afraid of skunks and they must know it.

Our cat on the other hand, has lost a few battles in her zeal to show off her territorial rights to her property. On three occasions I had the pleasure of standing out in the dark in my shorties while struggling to hold Sweet Miss in a five gallon bucket filled with water, peroxide, Dawn Dish Detergent and baking soda while washing her with a small towel or two to remove the stench. With her eyes streaming and my nose running and eyes afire, I did the best I could seeing as how I was nearly blinded by the strong odor and fighting to hold onto a squirming cat. Although I have to admit, she was pretty cooperative for a cat in water. After double dipping, it seemed to be enough for the both of us! I brought her in the house and we both jumped in the shower together. She had no choice, I wasn't about to let her go nor she of me.

Hubby was a big help through all of this. He adjusted the shower so I wouldn't scald us and he was big enough to bring a large towel to gather the wet and dripping cat when we were finished, while I was on my own. After she proved to be our sweet little angel again, she was granted a seat beside Dad on the recliner. Me, I was chopped liver as far as she was concerned. She didn't want any part of me. She left me to clean up my scratches by myself!

This tale hasn't ended yet. We still have the summer to get through and Phewy has a mate. Much bigger and bolder I will say for the record. I smirk now but how quickly that smirk can be erased if Sweetums gets touchy about territorial rights again.

Have a great day.

My Hubby, My Hero

Yesterday was a high pain day for both hubby and I. He has chronic back pain and his hips are about done for. We had gone to the chiropractor to have work done to alleviate the worst of the pain. (No such thing...)

Anyway, we were on our way home driving on a back country road and right before a large farm, in the middle of the road, stood a woman looking distressed and evidently in need of help. We stopped and asked if we could assist her. She tearfully explained that a three-legged dog was in the farmer's field lying down. and she couldn't get him to stand up and come to her. He was wore out and much too tired to make it back on his feet without help.

I called to the dog and and hubby did also. The poor little guy shakily got to his feet and slowly tried to make his way to us, but fell down again before making it to the stone wall. Hubby climbed the wall and walked over to the dog. The little fella just looked at him with those big pleading eyes so hubby bent over and lifted him up. He carried him down the muddy field to where there was a gate, and we cut it lose in order for it to open. Hubby then carried the dog to the woman's car and laid him gently in the back, petting him so he would calm down and lay quietly.

The woman thanked us, smiling broadly, and then drove him home to his owner, whom had installed a lovely dog proof fence around his yard. Smile. We made sure to follow closely behind her to encourage the other dog, his partner in crime, to also make it home safe and sound. We then came home, hubby took a shower and passed out in his recliner. So much for the back work, but the look in that little dog's eyes said it all.

Is She Coming?

Oh Spring, where art thou?
This morning it was raining buckets and then the snow came (again). My body aches so much in so many places that I'm sitting here where I can watch the sun ( my sun lamp) and play tricks on my mind and the old bones.

The birds have been to all the feeders (11 large ones) and the deer have eaten their fill of food. I know they will be back for lunch though since that seems to be their schedule. They eat more times a day than I do! I just put another pair of socks on and if I could type with gloves I would try that also. Our heat is set to 70 degrees so I have no idea why I'm so cold. I even have my blankie across my knees which makes it difficult to reach my keyboard but warmth comes first with me. If I make mistakes just ignore them. Please...

I know with all our illnesses, we expect problems but heavens, could this latest be AGE??? I even find myself making myself a cup of hot anything just to hold the cup and get my fingers warm and limber. LOL, I bet I have some company here.I keep telling myself, only another month to go, only another month to go, but it isn't working. I don't want to speed the days by any faster because at my age it's time to stop and smell the roses. Oh if only there were roses here in Connecticut in the dead of winter.However, one bright note of sunshine in my diatribe against the cold. I actually spied tiny pussy willows on a tree in the swamp yesterday.

Yes, I actually saw the silky white shine of them showing through. Now to find some that aren't in the middle of a swamp. I won't give up though, I'll keep looking until I find some that I can get to more easily. I don't think my walker goes through swamps very well. Of course I haven't tried it but on this quest I will pass.

Looking out my living room window, the snow on the ground looks so beautiful. While outside the back door, it is quickly melting and all the huge boulders and trees look as if they are getting ready for spring. Hmmm, which window lifts my sprits more? I can always buy some cheap silk daffodils to stick out in the barren ground to fool me. At least it would be something cheerful to look at. But aren't I lucky to have two such vastly different scenes to look upon just by turning my head?

Yes, I have to admit to being very lazy also today. LOL, working on taxes has taken away all my steam. Anything that takes effort now is being denied by me.

On a good note, I did ride my new exercise bike for a whole two minutes first thing this morning, and when I got off, I didn't think I had legs under me. A sure sign that this winter sitting has done me no good. Oh well, Spring is coming. Yes it is, and I'll rejoice in the small buds of newly awakened daffodils barely showing their heads of cheery and much needed yellow after such a snowy, dreary winter. I can't wait to see the tiny awakening of new leaves appearing on the trees. Allergies? But of course, but you just have to go with the flow. Even if its the nose doing the flowing.

Have a great day everyone!

Always Commotion In This House

I talked with my son in Florida this week, a day late for his birthday but due to all the commotion of this week. I forgot to call him. He got our card though and money to do something special. He chose to drive his bike to the state park and investigate all the bike and hiking trails. He intends to send me pictures but I know he can't afford to get them developed after he takes them. LOL, he'll have to learn to do one roll at a time.

He informed me that he loves living in the RV and he cleaned out the kitchen cupboards and found 5 cans of Rainforest Tea. My favorite and I forgot I had put them all in there. He made himself a cup of it last night and loved it so said it wouldn't go to waste. He didn't offer to send any back though. I'll bet that's the first time those cabinets were in order too! He also washed the floor, cleaned the bathroom and spot cleaned the carpet. I think he is going to do just fine there. He sounds like a little home maker to me. He didn't get THAT from his mom.

Yesterday I had to go for lab work. It was sooo cold out and hubby and I were both hurting bad, but it was important I get them done right away so off we went. We arrived at the hospital and were told to get our flu shots after we left there. Luckily for us the pharmacy had flu vaccine and could give us our shots within a half hour. Then we came home to the mess!!

Earlier in the day Hubby had been taking the toilet apart and putting new gaskets, etc. in it and after putting it back together, it was working great when we left. However, we arrived home to find our oldest son home from work early, and cleaning up where the toilet had leaked and gone down through the ceiling in the utility room. Thank God it wasn't their living room. His wife tried to call us on our cell phone but couldn't get us. Neither could our son. He had to come home from work to find the problem. When he came upstairs to call us using the house phone, he heard my cell phone ringing just fine from where I had left it on my kitchen table. LOL, I'm known for that kind of thing since cell phones are not the first thing I think of. This morning I am charging it and went to find my purse. Do you think I could find it? Now the hunt begins. Darn I hate getting older and forgetful. It could have been from the pain, once you have that, the mind doesn't work as well but that's just the way it goes.

Haven't thought of Christmas but won't have a tree. The new one we bought last year my son would like to borrow if we don't use it. LOL, we couldn't fit it in the living room. We have 3 recliners in here now plus the computer. Another recliner we bought and wasn't happy with, now resides in the den where we always put the old chair to make room for the tree. LOL. I will make a decoration of greens and pine from out back and put them in a beautiful copper pot of my mom's and I can put little red bows and small shiny red balls and berries in it and that will do for me.

Oh, yesterday all our deer friends were waiting for us. 7 at once so hubby hurried out to feed them. This is going to be a cold winter so I guess we will still feed all our critters until we get down to living on oatmeal and soups. Then it will be a toss up as to who gets fed the best.

A New Friend!

I met a new friend yesterday and immediately like her and her family. She lives in a ritzy section of town along with many very expensive houses and less friendly people. To say she got her fingers burned is a mild way of saying she was snubbed by those around her.

You see, my new friend is a born again Christian, she bakes her own bread, grinds her own oats and wheat and many other things that most of us do not do because of time or other reasons. She has seven children, does home schooling, raises pygmy goats, chickens, and gardens only vegetables and things they can can freeze, etc. She is an original back to earth girl and is as friendly as they come.

She has a little vegetable stand at the end of the driveway which somehow looks out of place. It caught our eye as we drove by the other day and we pulled up to the house and made a purchase. Yesterday I went back and bought freshly made whole wheat bread and a dozen eggs. Because they have different kinds of chickens, the eggs were different colored also. I was delighted to find two green ones in there and immediately thought of the book, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess.

We talked for awhile and I offered to do crafts with the children on a day when they had time to do something fun and creative. Fran was all for it as were the children. It will give me something to look forward to also since I am alone so much and I have so many supplies for crafts and no longer have the young grandchildren to do them with. I'm in luck, finally.

Last night we cut into Fran's bread and it was delicious. I will have to be very careful how much I consume because it is addictive. She uses Aguave for sweetener and I had never heard of it before. I have an idea that won't be the only thing I will learn from the wise and hard working Fran.

It's Sunday morning and the neighbor is cutting down trees for his firewood for the winter. It's too early for that as people are still sleeping so I've shut my windows and put on soothing music to drown his noise out and give hubby a little bit of sleep time. He was up late with our oldest grandson who just lost his best friend and is not coping too well. The wake and funeral will be Tuesday and he and his brother are to be pall bearers.

I hate to see them go though this at so young an age. You just never expect a young friend to go so quickly. I gave him some books to read that I thought might help him, but this is something we can't fix for him. He will learn to deal with it his own way and we will be here for him. That is all we can do.

I'm sitting here with ice cold fingers and feet and guess my body is telling me it's time to shower and dress. Nights and mornings are pretty cold now and it's still only August. So it's off to the shower and nice warm water to take the chill off.

It's sunny and pretty out so maybe I'll then hop in the car for a quick drive to see the country side. I intend to have a good day and wish the same for everyone who reads this.

Better Late Than Never

Gosh, it seems like forever since I've been to visit my journal. I certainly never meant to be so lax but one thing after another drew my attention away and after awhile, I just forgot about my special place of quiet and relaxation.

We have had a mighty strange summer. Cold spring, storms with torrential rains and hail. That is not common for May and June. Now it is August and we have had 4 storms, some with severe flooding and trees down. Thankfully we were only without power and even then we were lucky for we own a generator. We learned long ago after being without electricity, running water, and a stove to cook for cooking that a generator was the way to go. We met some nice people during those 9 days of doing without. Neighbors needed showers and power for hair dryers in order to get ready for work. A quick cup of coffee was also appreciated.

Today it has been just right and it feels like rain again tonight. Five nights of rain and the wonderful sound of it dancing on the roof to lull one to sleep. I could do without the hail though. Such strange weather, I can't remember another year like this one.

All my work planting my flowers and making up special planters has been for naught. Plants are rotting in the pots and when the sun comes out, then they bake. It really wasn't a year for planter gardening. However, when they were at their peak, they were absolutely beautiful. I certainly enjoyed all that lovely color and the butterflies that were drawn to it.

My eyes are very heavy this afternoon. I think it must have something to do with allergies but after the crazy weather, we have the strangest mushrooms growing everywhere. Yes, it definitely is due to allergies. I need to go take a nap I guess. On second thought, it's time to start supper and no napping in between. Maybe tomorrow I can sneak one in. I never thought I'd see the day when a nap was so appealing. Old age I guess.