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.

I've been away too long...

I hadn't realized time had gotten away from me. It's unusual for me to forget to journal at least once a week, but things have been unusually busy here. I won't go into details because this is my non-negative place to go. Illness, tragedies, etc. will not be discussed here. This is my happy place and I hope the same for all who visit here.

Today it is pouring rain and since getting up so early, I decided to scoot back to bed for more sleep but that didn't happen. My body has it's own time table and 5 A.M. just happens to be it. Also my cat was getting anxious for me to be up. She must have changed positions on the bed at least twenty times in order to give me her message. Spoiled cat!

All flowers are planted and my back yard is a colorful array of blooms to bring me alive first thing in the morning. The birdsong is pleasantly relaxing and the hummingbirds fight among themselves for the best place on the two feeders. There seems to be one very nasty tempered villain though who fights the others off. Ah, so is life.

I have a rose bush growing like wildfire that really never did much for a number of years. My dad brought me a few cuttings for Mother's Day at least 33 years ago when we first had our home built. The roses were from my childhood home and they are the very old fashioned roses, small blossoms with many, many petals.

I see my dad out there planting those precious cuttings every time I look at them taking over the rocky landscape. Memories are such a wonderful part of life. I really don't know what I would do without my special memories of the ones I've loved and lost. How sweet to look back and remember a certain smile or kindness.

Yesterday it was the 4th of July and as usual, we didn't do anything special. I know many people are the same and we don't all have storybook lives. However, our son had a little cookout and his wife's sister and brother-in-law came. At first I wasn't going to join them for a hamburger. The stairs looked unbelievably long and the energy wasn't there. I pushed myself though and went in my Muumuu.

LOL, I'm notorious for my muumuus since visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Colorado. She lived in them and so, not to be different, she took me shopping for one. It was so funny, our single minded mission to buy me a muu muu. And we had such a great time laughing at the wildly colored offerings in the best of stores. We got some strange looks from some of the hoity toity sales ladies, but what the heck, we were bent on finding something decent looking and wouldn't break our bank. Yes, the prices were a bit steep also, but I just had to have one to feel the freedom of not having elastic around the waist for a change, and just for the sheer comfort while traveling in record heat in our RV.

At my age I definitely go for comfort, much to my son's delight when he has company over and here is mom, looking as big as a house in her bright red prize, literally covered with what else, flowers. I did mention that I loved flowers in my posts didn't I? Hmmm, since then I have discovered the Vermont Country Store Catalog which has quite a selection of none other than muumuus. Need I say more on the subject?

Muumuu aside, I have to admit it was nice to be with people and laugh until my sides ached. Nothing was particularly funny, I think they laughed mostly at me but it didn't hurt my feelings. I thought it was hilarious also but not so much that I would change into something less colorful and considered lounge wear. Well I was lounging wasn't I? To my way of thinking I was positive I was.

It has stopped raining and now it smells so good outside. The window is open beside me and I just got a whiff of fresh air. I love that smell of wet earth, and allergies aside, will be walking out soon to sit at the picnic table and just relax with a cup of tea. Why not grab one of my fancy cups and join me? I'd love your company.

Hugs

Still Planting

After three unbearably hot days in which I hid in the house with a small air conditioner in the back bedroom, fans going at high speed to rush some of the cool air into the living room, I sat and slept off and on in my recliner. It was so hard to breathe so I took the easy way out, I dozed off. When awake I read a book. Make that two books.

Today it was beautiful out and tonight the breeze is blowing through the window in the living room and feels delicious on my arms. The patio door is also open to get the cross breeze, but for how long depends on our visiting skunk. He got us good the other night and I've been spraying the house and porch down with the hose, trying to dilute the perfume a bit.

I seem to be the one who deals with the skunks. Hubby won't go near the back door for fear one will be sniffing around and plug him. I can't help it, I get so tickled when he gets upset with me. He swears that it will get through the screen. Now the raccoons, maybe. But the skunk will just leave his calling card and walk smugly away. I can't believe it, the cat just attacked the door and hubby with his trusty flashlight quickly got up and shut the door. There goes my cross breeze.

Today while sitting at the table on the patio, I was considering planting two new flats of bright pink and fushia bordered petunias, when I looked up and saw a young deer, right at the opening of the woods to our yard. He stood and watched me for minutes while I sat quietly and enjoyed every second. Deer are my favorite animals and they come often to visit us with their babies. We feed them through the rough winter months and they are like family. Such gentle creatures.

The weather forecast is for rain tomorrow and the next day and the next. Great for planting in between storms. We have a nice overhang to our house and I can place all the potted plants under it and they will be safe from drowning. At least it will be cool and I'm looking forward to that. It also keeps down the bees and I definitely can appreciate that blessing.

I bought a Crock Pot yesterday and am cooking my first meal in it tonight. I'm doing the six hour menu at a higher temperature and hope my roast of pork and veggies come out okay. I will have to stay up mighty late in order to shut it off when done. I think I had brain fog when I started it but I will learn to time things better the next time. I just thought it would be great to cook and still have a cool kitchen during the hot summer. Silly girl, I'm kind of old to be trying new things so late in the evening. I made my first mistake when I took it out of the box tonight to look at it. I'll learn.

Yum, something is beginning to smell mighty good. It's almost 11 P.M. and it still has two hours to go. Oh what have I done? I think I'd better take a quick nap and wake up in time to put it in the fridge once it has turned off and cooled. I usually wake up at 4:45 A.M. so I think I am safe. It will most likely still be hot so I won't worry. The next time I will know better and plan my time more wisely. Famous last words.

Wasn't this post about planting?