I love the fact that “when the world is too much with me”, I can mentally and emotionally escape for a bit –
It may be looking at a gorgeous photo like this, where I can imagine being there, walking beside the lanterns on the stepping stones in the beautiful green, wooded area.
It may be diving into another world provided by one of my favorite authors or the joy of finding one who is brand new to me, replacing my worries with the situation of other interesting people dealing with issues totally different than mine.
It may be doing one of my hobbies – like I escape to my art room. I can visualize what I’d like to create, or even just take some time to straighten up the materials I have..
It may be wandering around outside in the fresh air, tending my plants, planting new things, seeing how things have grown, enjoying new displays of scents and colors.
It may be listening to music, enjoying someone’s breathtaking talent, reacting viscerally to the lyrics, the story, the emotion, the sound –
I feel very lucky that I have so many “places I can go” when I need to get away for a while!
I love this. I laughed out loud when I saw it. I’ve been – and am STILL – worried that Amber will react to Jet’s hiss or spit or swipe and it’ll all be over. The biggest area of contention will remain food. Amber is quite serious about her food, OR getting bites of the good stuff from my husband. I have reminded him several times now that they NEED to be separate during times they – or we – are eating. That includes keeping Jet’s bathroom door closed all the time to keep Amber out of there.
They passed each other in the office this morning when my husband came downstairs. Jet’s back went up and she got very still and big-eyed. Amber was her usual boisterous self, leaping around to greet my husband, not watching where she steps, her tail hitting furniture and whatever else is in the path – the typical bull in a china shop. I tried to act like nothing was happening – though I was holding my breath. Jet managed to pass Amber and go into the living room. Amber followed, but not to confront Jet. Things are definitely getting better.
I am also reminding my husband to watch where he is walking. Jet will try to make each of us fall on our heads, or hurt ourselves trying NOT to step on, or fall on – her. We both need to pay attention, and make SURE she is not in the area when we are going out the garage door or coming back in. For two old folks who kind of drift through things at times, this is a big ASK.
I’m trying to teach myself to pay attention when I go to the kitchen and Jet is right with me. It turns out that she is trying to lead me to her bathroom, where food, water, and kitty litter box await. I did pay attention this morning, and followed her to the door, opened it for her, and watched as she hesitantly walked in. When she was in, I quietly shut the door. I set an alarm to remember to let her out again. We HAVE to keep the door shut so Amber doesn’t eat her food – or the used kitty litter – to be graphic….
Lil Joe Comer, Joe S. Comer Trucking, 479-806-3069 and his dad, Joe Comer, Sr. came at 7:30 yesterday morning and performed a miracle – transforming our horribly rutted, extremely bumpy, skid-y driveway into a civilized, smooth, easy to drive up and down driveway! This is the first time in several years that it is in good shape.
Joe, Sr. does the shaping, scraping, and smoothing and Joe Jr. hauls in the materials added, in this case, a road grade of chat which has at least two sizes of gravel, allowing it to adhere better.
They worked competently and quickly, finishing the whole job before lunch. Joe Jr. brought an invoice after lunch. We talked about the fact that greenery from the trees on both sides of the driveway is encroaching. Joe said there is a guy who works with him when needed who can remove this for us.
I texted Joe Jr. this morning, telling him that we drove down and up the driveway yesterday to get the mail and that my husband had said, “Great job!” as we went up and down smoothly for the first time in about 2 years. Joe said that the branch man was trying to get to our place today to look things over and give us an estimate.
This photo is taken at the bottom of the driveway looking up. If we can afford to hire the branch man, we might actually look civilized! I haven’t walked around at the bottom of the driveway yet, so I won’t know how ‘skid-y’ it is until we’re dealing with our trash can again.
I’m thrilled. It even rained yesterday afternoon, and things still look good. :0)
Today is driveway day!!!!!! I got the notice yesterday that the Senior driveway guy will be here any time now to start work on repairing our driveway. I hope that they can get the job finished today, in that the rain is supposed to start overnight and continue all day tomorrow. We have had a badly rutted, extremely bumpy driveway for a LONG time now, trying to find first, the finances; and second, the people, to repair it.
I just watched in amazement as Joe Comer, Sr. BACKED the dozer up to the top of the driveway and then started back down. Better HIM than ME. :0) I think the plan is that Joe Sr. will get the driveway reshaped and then Joe Jr. will bring loads of the good kind of chat that the road people use, that has two sizes of gravel for better adhesion, and then Joe Sr. will spread that. SO EXCITING! IT’S HAPPENING!!!
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Amber
We had Amber’s bed in the dining area, getting her farther away from where Jet, our new cat, sleepS in the back bathroom. Two nights ago Amber got into the pantry and got into a bag of dog food…. This morning my husband had to deal with the aftermath. I have the dog bed cover in the dryer now.
Amber and Jet are definitely reaching detente – though it’s still fragile. As long as Jet is nowhere close while Amber (or we) are eating, and as long as Jet doesn’t freak out and scratch Amber, we seem to be okay. I’m getting lots of practice holding my breath, but things are still going amazingly well for an older cat and an older dog trying to co-exist.
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Jantec Neon Products
Yesterday I scooted down the road before my haircut to check out a new sign saying, “Meat Market.” No one was there and it obviously wasn’t open to the public yet, but Michael, my wonderful hairdresser, said a partnership Is going in, with one guy doing a smoked meat market and another guy opening a BBQ restaurant next door. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Britannica
I was a real sloth yesterday. I had been up twice during the night before admonishing Amber, who was barking, to be quiet. Then I was up to pee, because I’m old, slathering myself with arthritis pain cream to make the pain go away enough to rest.
As a result, I almost fell asleep while I was getting my hair cut! I warned Michael that I was trying to nod off, and asked him to not take it personally. He laughed. I got my errands done after that, made us lunch, and then took a good nap in my recliner. I got up, spent some time on my computer, and then I was back in the chair taking another nap. I did this a THIRD time in the evening. When we went to bed, I worried that I might have trouble sleeping, but dropped right off and slept most of the night.
I didn’t get anything accomplished yesterday. I’m trying to switch to ‘work-in-the-yard’ mode or ‘cleaning mode’ in the house today, since we won’t be able to leave the house until the driveway is done. So far, I’ve only changed the wash to the dryer and gotten another cup of coffee.
In about half an hour, I’ll be leaving to get my hair cut. While I’m out, I’ll run several errands. When I get home, I’ll check for mail and see if the good trash people have emptied our can yet. If so, I’ll drag it up to where it lives before I drive up.
If I ‘hold-my-mouth-right,’ tomorrow MAY be the day we get our driveway repaired. So far it looks like Mother Nature is calm for today and tomorrow. We’re supposed to get rain much of the day Friday, so the guys may decide it’s better to do it next week, when it’s supposed to be dryer. I’m just happy that we are on the list to get the work done.
Yesterday I got out and watered our tomato plants and sprayed them with EIGHT for bugs. So far, I’m only seeing grasshoppers, but the worms are always hard to see and do their damage before you can blink an eye, so I’m trying to stay ahead of them.
I’m also planning to do a bit of weed whacking and spraying with KILLZALL to treat the non-mowable areas in the yard, as well as edges today.
I lost pound #28 this morning, so I’m feeling good about my efforts lately. May this continue!
Jet and Amber are still managing detente. Jet hisses when Amber gets too exuberant and I hold my breath, but so far, things are workable. My husband is still cooperating on trying to make sure Jet stays in the house until she really understands where ‘home’ is.
I don’t know for sure if these attributions show the artists who created these, or the people who found them and displayed them on Pinterest without artist attribution. I think they are wonderful.
It’s quite dark outside right now, looking as if the skies will open up any time. Amazingly, I’ll need to get out and water if this bypasses us to make sure my tomatoes are getting enough water. My husband is making some repairs to our irrigation system, so we’re dependent on the rain right now. I’ve encouraged him to take his time, not working himself into a frazzle over it.
Our driveway people called yesterday, saying they are AIMING to do our driveway repair Thursday! Fingers crossed that Mother Nature cooperates at least a little bit, allowing them to do the 2 jobs they have ahead of ours.
Our trash people took a much-deserved day off yesterday, delaying regular trash pick up by one day. My husband got antsy about it. He decided that my information was wrong, even though the paperwork I have SHOWS they were off yesterday and that our pick up day this week would be Wednesday (rather than the usual Tuesday). So we gathered it up and drove it down. I dragged the can down, so now it’s waiting for them whenever they come.
Amber and Jet seem to have finally reached a point where they can walk carefully around each other – a HUGE improvement from the initial big hostility both displayed when first introduced. NOW the big push is to make sure they are NOT together when ANYONE is eating. Amber, our 95 pound yellow lab, has NO sense of humor or grace when the subject of food is raised.
We will also need to be very careful not to let Jet outside yet until we’re sure she knows where ‘home’ is. I told my husband I wanted to make that decision. So far, he will cooperate, though he is bad about paying attention to details, like where the cat is, or whether she is right under his feet, trying to trip him, when he goes out into the garage to replenish his drink supply, for example.
preppyemptynester.blogspot.com
I’m S-L-O-W-L-Y, gradually, making a bit of progress on losing the lard. I’m now down 27.8 pounds from my heaviest. I’m getting used to reading labels on things and trying to make substitutes so I can watch carbs and sodium, primarily.
shesaidbeauty.com-boredpanda.com
I’m routinely doing a 40-minute old lady stretching yoga session daily now. I’m adding another stretch every once in a while. If I can make myself, I’m trying to do some online 10-minute videos, such a exercises with weights for seniors. This varies all over the place, but it’s my INTENTION to do one each day…
Amber is our 7-year-old yellow lab. She is very set in her ways, but got along with our cat, Abby, until Abby died about 6 weeks ago. Now she is having to try to get used to our new cat, Jet, who is about a year and 2 months old, whom we rescued via the Fort Smith Animal Haven a little over a week ago now.
Jet
Since Jet isn’t a baby, and, in fact had a litter of kittens before she was found by the Animal Haven, she is very set in HER ways, as well, making for an interesting and quite laborious ‘introduction’ period. Jet’s area is in the bathroom off the utility room, and has all of her stuff in there, except for toys and the cat tower we got and built for her.
My wonderful friend/cousin-in-law Murray suggested we might put Amber on her leash and sit with her quietly, giving her treats and lots of love while we allow Jet to roam freely, to help them get used to each other. My husband did this yesterday afternoon, to good effect. THEN, because he’s hard-headed, he decided to let Amber off her leash after only one session of this. This occurred with no altercation, thank goodness, except for me lighting into HIM for not letting me know what was going on, plus his leaving Jet’s door open, giving Amber access to Jet’s food again.
This morning Jet was already out when I came downstairs. Amber was outside. I got Jet’s area cleaned up and finished morning chores, then put Jet in my chair in the living room and carefully let Amber in, first behind the gate, and then into the living room with Jet. All has gone well.
A few minutes ago, Amber came into the office to say, “Hi.” Jet was sprawled out on the shelves I use as a computer desk. She stood up and hissed. I petted Amber, kissed her head, and told her, “Place.” Happily, Amber went toward the living room where her bed (place) is.
We may be reaching a beginning detente. I cross my fingers as I say this, because a hiss or too-quick movement might result in bad things, but so far, things are good.
My next project is reminding my husband 1) to NOT let Jet out when he goes out of the house or lets Amber out, and 2) to keep the animals separated when their food or ours is involved.
The number of flags has increased as memorial plaques are ordered, created, and added to the park each year. The park is in the center of the square in Greenwood and is quite a sight on all patriotic days like today. The city crew places all the flags and then comes back and removes them. It is a profound reminder of all the men and women who have served our country. Since my husband served in the Marine Corps for 4 years, I wanted to have a plaque made for him. He refused, telling me that since he didn’t actually fight in combat, he shouldn’t be honored. I highly disagree, but won’t fight him on this.
A good reminder on a day when we are hopefully celebrating a day off with friends and family that we have a lot for which to be thankful.
Several weeks ago I planted three elephant ear bulbs. They were HUGE, so I planted them in three different planters. Absolutely nothing has been happening until I walked around the yard this morning and saw sprouts! I went back and got my camera so I could share.
Elephant Ear # 2Elephant Ear # 3
Our weather has been so volatile I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went out to check on my spinach and tomato plants. (The lettuce bolted due to the hot weather several weeks ago and I had to pull it out.) I only have a couple of spinach plants at this point that MAY produce leaves large enough to harvest, but the tomato plants seem to be doing well for such weird weather.
The plants are looking lush. I would like to spray them with EIGHT, which will protect them from bugs and tomato worms, but we’ve been having so much rain I’ve held off. Oddly enough, they also need a good watering.
I’m happy we have anything out there, so I’ll see if we’re still supposed to get severe weather and storms this evening and then decide whether to go back out or wait until tomorrow.
“If two or more people or groups are at loggerheads, they disagree very strongly with each other.” – Collins (This also applies to dogs and cats who are difficult to reason with. )
Even though our situation improves a bit each day, we may not live long enough for our dog, Amber, and our new cat, Jet, to reach detente. Added to this is Jet is stupid. I try very hard to have the dog gate between her and Amber, but she is now slithering under the gate to be in the same area as the dog. She will then ‘startle,’ hiss, and I’m afraid of what happens then.
So I’m on alert – on duty – all day long, unless the dog is out or the cat is in her bathroom.
Example – Just now, Amber was barking, wanting to come in. Jet was in the office with us. My husband reached down to pick her up so she would be under control while I let Amber in. She startled, biting and scratching my husband. We’re okay for the moment, but the tension is pretty thick.
Life is GoodPinterest“We’ll be friends until forever, just you wait and see.” ~ A.A. Milne – Winnie the Pooh – illustrations by E.H. Shepard – Cian McCarthy – @arealmofwonder on X
A. A. Milne is one of my long time favorite authors. I’ve read and re-read his Winnie the Pooh books so many times, and yet it’s never enough. I always want more. I think just as much of E. H. Shepard, the artist who did the illustrations for the series. His style is so distinctive. The drawings that others do are cute, but they will never reach the work of Shepard.
I’ve been contacting friends and family to make sure they’re all right, looking at articles on my computer trying to find out the news of the storm system we had last night. It’s ALMOST becoming routine that we’re under a WATCH and then WARNING for thunderstorms, hail, wind, and possible tornadoes. It seems this volatile weather is lasting for a longer time this spring than in the past. Once again, this evening, a cold front is coming through, with possible wind, hail, thunderstorms, and more.
I hate it that the change from winter to glorious spring comes with damage to so many good people. Some people survive (of course, the most important), but have to deal with the loss of their home, car, and even their job in some cases. Just devastating.
I’m SO thankful that we have made it through so far with only some downed branches in the yard and/or driveway. My thoughts are with the people who were not so fortunate recently, and those in harm’s way this afternoon and tonight.
This is how I feel after fighting with trying to get my ‘subscribe’ or ‘follow’ button to show on my blog website. I just checked and it SHOWS on my iPhone, so I have no clue why it doesn’t show here on my regular computer.
I will keep trying to figure it out, but I’m feeling pretty defeated right now. I’m going to go get a cold drink, stretch out in my recliner, and read a book. Maybe some solution will occur to me.
A nice person commented on one of my posts recently, telling me he wanted to subscribe, but couldn’t find a way to do it on my site. I looked and discovered my “subscribe” button had disappeared. I’ve looked in all my settings, options, etc. and can’t find anything. When I write to get help, I get lots of tutorial stuff or canned answers that aren’t helping.
I’m now trying some weird stuff in an attempt to get something working. Please bear with me if you see something odd on the next blog post you read – maybe even THIS one…
I have enough trouble with tech issues without having mysterious stuff happen to what has been set up for years now.
I’m FINALLY figuring out ways to streamline keeping the back bathroom clean without working myself to death. (The back bathroom is where our newest family member, a cat we’ve named, Jet, lives when not interacting with us. I have her food bowl, water, bed, kitty litter box and other supplies in there.)
I’ve been moving supplies out of the various places I had for things for Abby, the sweet cat of 13 years who died recently. Abby was an indoor/outdoor cat who got along fine with Amber, our big dog, and had the run of the house when she wanted, and was fed and watered in the garage, where she slept in a cat cube on top of a large stack of firewood along one wall. There is a cat door in the overhead garage door, so she could go in and out of there at will. I kept the kitty litter box in the bathroom with the door open for her to use in emergencies.
Jet is very curious and is now checking out things all over the first floor of the house. We are keeping Amber contained or outside to keep Jet as safe as possible, though Jet slides under the dog gate and goes in where Amber is several times a day. I try not to freak out when this happens. We can’t watch her 24/7 and if she’s determined to go in there, we hope she can get back out again if she needs to.
I now have moved her food container in the bathroom, plus plastic bags for kitty litter cleanup, plus cleaning supplies. The only thing not in there right now is the broom and dust pan because I’m afraid she’ll knock that over and I don’t want her to hurt herself. I was able to get things cleaned up pretty quickly this morning without a lot of running back and forth.
I’m hopeful that once we’re sure Jet and Amber are at least at detente, we can start working on showing Jet where the garage is, the ‘facilities’ we’ve set up out there, and once she knows where the house is, we’re hoping she will enjoy being outside, too, whenever she wants. One day at a time.
Another anniversary – with pretty accurate drawing of our house and the repair of their driveway needed after a series of storms.
“Celebration” of the new buffet my parents got for the dining area. The two ‘spiders’ are Hal and MaryEllen.
I played my guitar and sang for a gathering at my high school in Tulsa the year before I graduated. I earned some money while in college in a group called “Student Entertainers” at Oklahoma State University, plus a local eatery close to the college. I came home for the summer and sang at a local place in Tulsa a few times, so the sweet Thomsons gave me support with this great drawing.
Finally, Mother’s Day.
Two kind, very creative people who managed to use their art ability in the commercial marketplace while quietly doing the art they loved privately. It was a joy to know them.
creativeartworksblog 