Thank a Vet

It is such an amazing thing to drive up my street and see this sight. Something inside me wells up when I realize the sacrifice so many have made to make and keep this country free. So that when we walk into the church of our choice, go to the library or post office, we don't have to worry that a bomb will go off when we walk in. We are safe in this country.

General George Patton said "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died, rather we should thank God that such men lived."

The Garden

One early spring morning I walked into my backyard took a look at it and wanted to vomit. There were so many weeds. The border of the garden was falling apart. The planters looked terrible. Last year, the garden was not a priority and I really let the whole thing go. I just couldn't think that I wanted to even plant a garden this year. But then I started thinking...what about that gazpacho, the marinara, salsa...

So I thought.... well, I should probably plant a couple of tomato and pepper plants. Onions were coming back voluntary, and heavens sakes, there was the oregano and garlic (that I can't kill for the life of me) and the chives... okay. . . okay. . . just a few...

Off to my favorite garden center. Before I knew it I had 10 Amish tomato paste romas, 8 Moscow tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, anaheim peppers, and my personal favorite, salsa peppers. Heavens to Betsy, there were even tomatillos, basil, zuchini, and lemon cucumber plants in my cart. God help me, I had carrot, mesculine and swiss chard seeds, and a stray bag of walla walla onion sets.

And here you go....


And the garlic and basil that just won't die....



So I was sitting out on the porch thinking - - wow - I really did a great job... I cleaned off the patio, cleaned off all the chairs got everything spiffy. Then those pots started calling me. What was I supposed to do?

Off to the garden center again....

And this:



And this:

That is it! I am totally done... now I can enjoy porch life again. Now if I can only get all that dirt out from under my fingernails....

Easter Shoes

So, it was Easter in Bountiful. I decided this year I wasn't going to buy any candy for the Easter baskets - - but then it was those darn Reese's eggs that got me... and of course the boys needed gummy worms... But for Maycie, I didn't want the candy thing. So I stocked up on PacPac (Maycie's word for Dora the Explorer) and Finding Nemo fruit snacks, raisins, a play purse, her very first pet ( a goldfish named Nemo), and her new little "Bawbi" (Barbie) dress up shoes. At first she wasn's so sure about those shoes ~ but as soon as we got those on her - she was clicking around all over the house in them. Who cares if they don't fit? They totally have bling on them and they click when you walk don't ya know....

All in all we are hopeful that Nemo survives and that Maycie has plenty of days of play in her Easter shoes!

The Pups

Last week I took Maggie and Scooter, the pups, in for a dental cleaning. I was so taken back when the vet told me that they were reaching their life expectancy. Huh? It was then that I realized they are both 9 years old. Wow, not so much the pups anymore. Mindie, my childhood pet dachshund was 13 years old when she passed into puppy heaven. I can’t bear the thought of losing my little Magdalena. And as much as I complain about Scooter, I would miss him too. Throughout the years I have always tried to get someone to take Scooter. Whether it was Mike when we divorced, or whether I have tried to cajole my nephews into taking him (I secretly know that Sammy would take him in a heartbeat), or telling Jake that when he moves out he must take Scooter. It will be a horrible, horrible day in my life when those pups join Mindie.

Maggie and Scooter in their younger years sporting hats that Ashley had made for them.

Maggie today, sporting a little bit of gray.

We have always teased that we should get a little bit of a touch up color for her. Good grief, a girl needs a good colorist doesn’t she?

Muah!

March vs. January

Is it really March 29? It really feels like January 29! My little weather center here in the kitchen that tells me the ambient temperature inside and out. It indicates that it is a toasty 70° inside and whhhaaat??? 31° outside. Huh? Yesterday it was 70° and sunny. This morning at 2:00 a.m. I was awakened by a howling fierce wind. “It” was coming. Round about 9:00 a.m. all was quiet and then it came, five inches in less than an hour. My poor little gnome didn’t know what to do with himself. His little built in solar lamp was completely snuffed out. What does one do to entice Spring to her realm??

I thought about the garden the other day... now I am glad it was just a thought.

Good thing that Jake got out yesterday and fertilized the lawn when it was 70° outside!!!

Come on Spring....

Quail in the Garden

So this afternoon I was standing in the kitchen staring mindlessly in the backyard. My attention was drawn to the fence where a quail couple was taking a Sunday afternoon stroll. They were so beautiful. The male kept watch as the female pecked around the backyard looking for anything that resembled food. They will begin to nest soon. Last year I had this nest in the front yard! I have a pot that looks like it is overturned that sits out in the front planter. Mr. and Mrs. Quail decided that it was the right place to nest. I learned a lot about quail that year. I learned that once the babies are hatched they never return to the nest. They also are able to run the minute that they are born. I can't wait until Spring!

When Did it Happen?

I remember a little boy who loved Barney. I know he would die if he knew I was blogging about this - but he really did have a Barney the Dinosaur t-shirt. He loved to ride his bike and throw rocks in the creek. And yes, he ambushed kids walking to school. He rode on the fire truck with his daddy in the Peach Days parade.

One day he started skateboarding and hanging out with his friends. He turned into a great baseball player. He was mowing the lawn and shoveling the snow. The next thing I knew he was driving and working.

Turn around once and he is walking. Turn around twice he graduates from Jr. High. Turn around a third time and he is a handsome man going off to a Valentine's Day dance.

My precious baby boy - - - when did you grow up to be this handsome TALL guy???