In November or so, we kind of ‘packed up’ the screened in back porch for the winter. Over time, the detritus piled up, covering all. Lately a thick layer of pollen was added. I decided that, since the sun was shining and it was almost summer-like today (even though a cold front is coming through tonight) it was the right day to unearth the porch.
It’s great to eat out there, free from bugs and enjoying our view. I love to pretend that all that we can see is ours, enjoying watching the seasons change.
Unearthing the porch was quite a job. My husband had swept at it, calling it done. Hahahahaahaha. He means well, but there is no way in the world I would even THINK about trying to eat out there with all that dirt!
I spent much of the day on the various steps – getting everything off the porch, sweeping twice, mopping twice, cleaning everything and bringing it back, setting up the table and chairs. Now it is habitable.
Filed under Housekeeping - Maintenance, I'm a slob
I told you that I scrubbed Sweet Molly in the kitchen sink yesterday. She is now clean, but punishing me for the indignities yesterday.
I have ALWAYS admired talented folks who can groom animals. Molly is basically sheared like a sheep. I particularly like that they clean the inside of her ears so nicely, and they can groom her legs and feet. I admire these good folks even more now.
I managed to use the Furminator on her again first thing this morning. Molly seems to be shedding a full ‘dog’s worth’ of hair every day! I worked on her as long as she would allow (collecting a truly impressive amount of long white hair in the trash can) and then used the scissors to clip the hair out of her eyes some. She has her new expensive flea and tick collar on now.
Until the world gets back to normal, I’ll try to use the Furminator on her every morning, and will endeavor to keep her as clean as possible. Surely there is an end to this…
Filed under Family
“Walkin’ the dog,
Just walkin’ the dog
If you don’t know how to do it,
I’ll show you how to walk the dog.” ~ Rufus Thomas
NOW substitute ‘washin’ for ‘walkin’ and you can sing along with what I’ve been doing for the past couple of hours.
At the Lewis house, we enjoy two-dogs-in-one: Fuzzy Molly that you see above and Sleek Molly, below, after she has been to the groomer.
Molly is truly at her FUZZIEST right now. Add to that the fact that she is NOT a sweet ‘lady’ dog, but a ragamuffin who LOVES to stick her nose in the dirt; bring all manner of stinky things out of the woods and into the front yard; dig up moles, voles, and other oles; and you have an idea of how very dirty she gets. Usually about the middle to the end of March, she starts her once-every-six-weeks or so trips to the groomer. We get her hair cut short all over so that we can save her from the ticks and/or fleas who manage to get on regardless of collars, sprays, and medicines made to help with that. There is also a time of the year that she runs through the grass, coming back to the house COVERED in tiny awful burs from her nose to the tip of her tail. With her hair short, I can use a comb to remove most of them without causing her much grief.
Another adaptation to the virus outbreak is that we can’t take her to the groomers. We’ve had off and on yucky rain for at least a couple of weeks now, and she comes in, dirtier and dirtier, with her hair starting to mat, no matter how many times I brush her.
This morning I spent about 45 minutes with the Furminator tool we got that you use like a brush.
Furminator
It removes a lot of the excess hair without teeing off the dog too badly. I filled up half a trash can (!) with the hair I removed, stopping when her patience ran out.
Then I took her plus three dog towels into the kitchen and lifted her into the kitchen sink. She is quite docile when she’s thoroughly wet, so I scrubbed her as well as I was able with no-tears dog shampoo and spent a LONG time getting her rinsed. She has supe- thick, combination cocker spaniel and schnauzer type hair, so I rinsed her for a good twenty minutes.
It took all three towels to get her to quit dripping enough that I could take her to the back bathroom and use my hair dryer on her for as long as I could before she protested.
She is now lying on the carpet at my feet as I type. She is still coming over and rubbing herself all over my jeans, trying to dry her face more. When she dries a lot more, I will brush her again and we will add a new flea collar we got for her. (We already put one on Amber, our 95 pound yellow lab.) They are supposed to last up to six months, protecting them from fleas and ticks. We found them when we Googled, “best flea and tick collars.” They had good reviews on Amazon. The brand name is Rolf Club and the collar is called 3D. Fingers crossed the collars are worth the price.
My shirt is wet and has white dog hair all over it, even though I tried to use a sticky roller to clean up some. I did get the kitchen sink cleaned up and the towels are in the washer. I hope I don’t smell like I’ve been, “washin’ the dog” …
Filed under Challenges, Changes, Family
Saverio Scoleri
Gary Wing – Commissioned Pet Portraits
Niki Firmin Pet Portraits – Sandi, Milo, Bayli, and Boss
Bethany Kerr Fine Art
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Arts – via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Arts – via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Arts – via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Arts – via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Filed under metal art
If you’re like me, the pandemic is causing a roller coaster of feelings, a bit of fear, lots of care and caution, and a sincere hope that this new virus strain won’t take many more lives before the experts get a handle on it and we can put this awful scare behind us. I am finding that escaping to my art room, getting paint all over me, helps me cope. I’m trying to get up there for a few minutes each day. I’ve painted an old, stained tee shirt to give it new life. I’ve painted some wooden earrings I look forward to wearing. I have an idea for a painting rattling around now that I hope to start this afternoon.
Another thing that helps is taking walks around my yard, seeing new buds ready to burst into glorious life. The buds are a reliable promise that things will get back to normal in time, and there is hope for the future for people and our countries.
I’m noticing that several of the yard critters my husband and I have made are needing to be spruced up. This sweet shovel bird will get my attention soon. Then I hope to move around the yard, giving our metal yard critters some love – and paint!
One of my favorite roses is Rio Samba. I love it because the buds you see here will soon start to open up. They start as bright yellow, then develop a coral edge on the petals, then finally turn almost all coral before needing to be pruned. At one time we’ll have all three stages of blossoms on the plant. This is one of three rose bushes we have.
How can you feel down when you see the promise of a blooming wisteria?
My veggie garden plants are smiling, too, with the promise of a continuing nice harvest. I have harvested twice so far in this young season, giving us lots of head lettuce and spinach leaves for our salads. The plants are loving the cooler gray days with lots of rain. The sun is actually shining this morning for the first time in a couple of weeks, so I’ll get out there, take some pics, and share them with you later today.
I hope that you can look around and find the promise of better times to come, too. If not, I’m delighted to share the promise I found with you.
Stay safe.
“We Aren’t Like Everyone Else” – Alina Ciuciu
“The Sad Child” – Carsten Dahl
Oksana Kravchenko via Elena-Livia-Diaconescu-LinkedIn
“Reflections of Whitby” – Graham Colthorpe
Rita Kirkman – “Thumper”
Stephen McGuinness
Willy Hamacher- Paysage Cotier – via Dr. Cyril Thiaudiere, PhD
Filed under paintings I love
When I was taking Molly out for her first morning outing this morning, this sight greeted us. If you look closely, you can see it is now growing WAY UP in the tree on the far side of the actual plant in the brick planter.
A little closer view now where you can see the glorious color.
There were big, fat bumble bees enjoying it this morning. (I don’t mind them because they need a reason to sting you, unlike the red wasps who hate everyone, but tend to dive bomb me whenever I’m not paying close enough attention. There is a lovely fragrance, too. Not overpowering, just NICE.
This blooms every year regardless of surrounding circumstance, reliably. Sometimes it is not quite so lush and fragrant, but it reminds us that nice weather is on the way, and the hope that things will get better soon!
Filed under anticipation, Arkansas, Attitude, color, Delightful Surprises, Gardening, hope
Bright Side
YESTERDAY I –
TODAY I –
am being a SLUG. I have done very little. I did almost nothing in comparison. I got a keto chili in the crock pot this morning and fixed lunch. I fell asleep in my chair. (I had the heat pad under my back in the recliner and the throw over me the perfect ‘sandwich’ of comfort.)
I am just now writing some blog posts. I feel like a slug, but I guess I needed a day of rest. It’s funny. I feel just fine while I’m working. Then it all catches up to me and I’m reminded that I’m no spring chicken anymore.
So – slug fest for me today. Maybe I’ll have more energy tomorrow….
Filed under aging, Attitude, Challenges, Changes, Housekeeping - Maintenance
Few things make me as happy as harvesting from our garden. Yesterday I did it quickly, though, because it was 40 degrees, gray and rainy.
Right now my head lettuce and spinach are very happy. I hope it continues so that we have a good harvest.
My fish don’t say much. They don’t do tricks, or make people say, “Awwww!” They are pretty, though, and they are very appreciative when I feed them twice a day. They get in the corner together, blowing bubbles at me and wiggling their sweet little bodies in anticipation.
I wish that gold fish weren’t quite so industrious about making it necessary for me to clean the aquarium. I have now added an ammonia filter to each of the filters in the tank, hoping that that will add to the time between cleanings.
I have to do it – changing out everything in the tank, rinsing the stones, changing the greenery and the decorations, filters, etc. before putting the fish back in – once week, but it was almost a day later this time. Maybe I can stretch it to 9 days… I do like the water clean and sparkling, though, and though nothing is said, I think the fish enjoy it, too.
Filed under Family, Housekeeping - Maintenance
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Art, via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Art, via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Art, via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Sue Beatrice, All Natural Art, via Pinar Noorata, MyModernMet
Filed under metal art
I had fun making these. Some are made with metallic paint to simulate silver or copper. Others are layered or hung together in a new way.
The ones in the right corner of this picture don’t photograph well at all. They are painted textured white, and are really sparkly. I made them for me, but I’m thinking I may list some of them on Etsy and make more for myself. I really enjoy the challenge of changing things up and trying new techniques and designs.
Filed under fun in my art room
Back to Nature
In these days of worry over COVID 19, my perspective continues to change.
My priorities have changed, and continue to change. Things that used to bother me don’t even register now.
It’s raining again, so I’m thankful we have a warm, dry home.
I’m reaching out to friends and family to make sure they are safe, catch up with what is going on, and share the love.
One of the priorities for the day was finding something I can wear over my face in the few times we go out in public.
We’re not planning to go out until we need to, but we now have a group of painting masks to take with us and wear. I’m not sure my husband will use one. (He continues to be his stubborn self – crisis or no crisis.)
I am hoping I can visit my veggies this afternoon. I would like to do another harvest. If I do, I’ll take some pics to share.
I watch our animals – seeing that nothing has changed for them. They continue to live their lives, not only enjoying one day at a time, but one moment at a time. I am trying to learn from this.
My biggest wish right now is that people will soon be able to go back to work soon. I am hoping that this will devolve into a more ‘regular’ flu worry, where we can get a shot for the ‘season,’ and just be normally careful. Our country needs to get back to normal as soon as possible.
Be safe.
Filed under perspective, Thoughts on a ________
My friend Marsha sent this to me this morning. It brought back memories of car trips my family took, where there was little to keep young minds active. I always tried to get truck drivers to blow their horns for me. I was a happy child because most of them smiled and complied. We kept track of states shown on license plates. We played a kind of “I Spy” with a list of things to watch for on the road. We sang songs. We read books. Another other wonderful thing was the Burma Shave signs –
Amazon.com
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Filed under memories
“Shyness” – Paul Militaru Photography
“White Flowers” – Paul Militaru Photography
“White Tree Flowers” – Paul Militaru Photography
onquotes.net via Maria Chivu
I’m really enjoying private ‘concerts’ via YouTube lately. I just click on one of my favorite artists and then am taken back to wonderful memories and good feelings as I do the things I need to do for the day.
I find it amazing how I am suddenly 14 again, dancing on a patio with a bunch of friends from school, swaying to a favorite song while I’m overwhelmed with feelings. I hope that senior centers, nursing homes, retirement places, and other facilities are using this as a way to make people happier.
Excuse me. I’m dancing with one of the first boys I ever thought I loved right now…
Filed under music
via Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
I’m feeling very lucky that so far, we are safe from the virus, in a warm, dry home with our pets. We have food and water, a throw to take a nap under, books to read, paint to splatter, and some good hugs – even with social distancing. I just enjoyed a chat with our son who is across the world from us. He is thinking about starting a YouTube page with videos on how to meditate. He is so calm and happy. I hope he does this, so he can pass this gift he has found on to others.
One suggestion on a way we can help each other through this time of economic uncertainty – if you are in the position to do this – pay the many good people who do things for you the normal amount you would pay them, even if you’re not getting the service, to show how very much you appreciate them. If you are not in a position to pay them, consider calling them to check on them, showing them you are thinking of them.
It’s rainy today, so we’re staying inside.
Yesterday we had to go to the hardware store because we had a leak in the well house. We were able to find the replacement parts we needed and were able to fix the leak. We were going to change the tires on the truck – from our snow tires to the regular ones – but we seem to have a reprieve for the moment due to the rain. ANOTHER reason to enjoy the rain! :0)
Today I’m planning to go up to my art room (my friend, Marsha, says I should call it a ‘studio.’) to have fun painting some wooden earrings for myself.
I hope you find a fun, satisfying way to spend your day today.
Stay safe.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Lisa Bearnes Richey
I may have to actually start wearing one of these!
Filed under Funny Signs - Humor, Health Alert
Yesterday afternoon I escaped to my art room, leaving worries behind and thinking only of the joy of painting.
Since I’m a slob and regularly seem to plop something on my tee that won’t come out in the laundry, I usually have a nice ‘canvas’ on which to paint! I can cover up the stained part of the tee and enjoy wearing it for a long time. :0)
Today I’m planning to paint some wooden earrings for myself.
Filed under playing in my art room
This is a video my friend Marsha sent me about how to use soap to kill the virus and why it is important to wash for 20 seconds.
New York Post
If the link above doesn’t work for you, here is the URL –
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwHMZPgxPNHJCvxvzBrrhpXkMQX?projector=1
Filed under Health Alert
2 STAR art
For the past several days I’ve been working hard, doing lots of ‘shoulds.’
I am now caught up on bookkeeping and tax records through March. The garden is weeded and harvested. The yard looks like someone actually lives here. The aquarium water is still clean. And the list goes on, though the to-do list continues to grow.
As a reward for my efforts, I’m going to give myself permission to play in my art room today. I have some ideas that have been rattling around in my brain lately. I’m even DREAMING about some of them.
I’m going to forget about all that is going on (because I am lucky enough that I can put it aside – at least for a bit) and I will enjoy throwing some paint around.
I MAY do some work today, but the focus will be trying to get at least SOME of the paint on the project!
Happy Wednesday!
Filed under doing what you love, playing in my art room
Aaron and Lenny help us enjoy April. No fooling.
I found the Austrailian Firefighters fundraising calendar online several months ago. I loved the idea of great looking firefighters with cute dogs to celebrate each month while bringing needed funds to the firefighters. This was before they had all the awful bush fires there.
I’m happy to share the gorgeous guys with you each month. I hope that you will consider buying a calendar each year, or maybe one for yourself and others as gifts for the new year, to aid their fundraising efforts and bring yourself a mile each month. AustralianFireFightersCalendar.
May the end of April bring us through anxiety and into better times.
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