Nikita Veprikov via Maria D’Angelo
Newsner.com
Sand-Re-Scape.com via Yolanda Vanveen
Category Archives: Seasons
I Love the LOOK of Winter 2
Heavenly Recipes
I don’t really like cold weather, but I do love making snowmen and playing in the snow. I remember one year when my husband-to-be and I were dating (a hundred years or so ago) we built snow people in my parent’s front yard. A man and a woman. Quite traditional. THEN he really wanted to add anatomically correct – even exaggerated – parts to each one. He was very disappointed when I told him we would NOT do that!
Alex Howitt
One of my favorite things is to look on the net to find snow people I haven’t seen before and share them. I’m so happy to live on the same planet as people who not only think outside the box, but burn the box! There is so much humor and creativity out there.
Alex Howitt
Filed under Seasons, snow people
I Love the LOOK of Winter
Aurelia Pinzari
I love the look of winter. The cold, the snow, the gorgeous scenery covered in white. The reality of it, trying to get down my 650+ foot driveway and NOT end up in the field across the road from the bottom of the driveway, and making my way in hilly, curvy roads into town and back again, forces me to enjoy winter vicariously.
“First Snow” – Nino Chakvetadze via Penny Yaffe Krakow
I haved loved Nino Chakvetadze’s paintings for years. She puts so much heart into her work.
Javad Soleimanpour via Ferit Temur via Penny Yaffe Krakow
simply stunning.
Filed under paintings I love, Seasons
Daffodils, Veggies and Fish – Oh, My!
Listal
Yesterday was a productive day for us.
Greenwood Collision called us in the morning, saying that the part we needed for the Vette had FINALLY arrived (it was ordered in November) – so we took both vehicles there to leave the Vette to be fixed (after my husband insisted we stop at the car wash to give it a bath before we left it with them.)
We then drove to Fort Smith to leave our tax stuff with our CPA, Mike Schluterman, at Lawrence, Schluterman & Schwartz LTD. They will call us when the returns are ready to sign and send. I LOVE it when we can dump the stuff on Mike and we can be sure all will be handled competently.
On the way back we stopped for groceries, gas, and a couple of other things. I fixed lunch when we got home. We got a text from our friends, saying they wouldn’t be able to bowl last night, so I decided that, since it was a GORGEOUS day, I wanted to go back to town and buy spinach and head lettuce plants.
I spent a happy couple of hours getting the weeds out and then planting the spinach and head lettuce. I spread things out more this time (though my hat stays off to Mel Bartholomew of Square Foot Gardening. In MY garden, things tend to grow too closely together, cutting off oxygen and resulting in spoilage. So this year, I’m planting one plant in each square and will see what happens. (I went out this morning to take pictures. When I was out walking Molly earlier, there was just a very quiet sprinkle from the sky. When I went out to take the pictures, it was a steady rain, so I was glad I took my umbrella.)
To the early spring garden, I will add sweet onion sets. Then I’ll watch those until it’s time to plant tomatoes and yellow squash, and whatever my husband would like me to try.
On the way back from taking pics of the garden, I got a couple of pictures of my daffodils, stubbornly blooming even though it will probably freeze twice this week. I can and will cover the plants in the garden, but I can’t cover the yard, so I hope they can ‘weather-the-weather.’
The last thing I did yesterday was clean the aquarium. The fish seem happy and healthy, although they don’t say much.
Running the TWO filters has lengthened the amount of time before I need to change the water again. The new, stick-shaped aerator we’re using now makes ME happier, and the change to the glass beads instead of gravel is much nicer.
So there you have my yesterday. Today is an inside day. All will depend on when the rain stops, or if this is an all day thing.
I hope that YOU are staying warm and dry and happy.
It’s 29 Degrees F and…
This was taken at the same time I took the photos of my daffodils blooming, even though it wasn’t the middle of February.
I took this photo this morning. It’s 29 degrees out there and look at this!
I was out walking Molly when I saw this, and I have to tell you, my heart simply filled with joy and hope. Cheesy, maybe, but absolutely true.
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” – Robin Williams
Filed under quality of life, Seasons
Poor Stupid Daffodils!
Our weather has been really strange this winter. We’ll have a cold snap, then spring-like weather, then cold again – then a pretty snow, then thunderstorms. It’s no wonder my daffodils are confused.
“Friendship is a shiny thing, a steady beam of light
A lantern on a lonely street, a song far in the night
A smile, a touch of a loving hand, a quiet moment on a hill
And, oh, what a happy little child bringing home a daffodil” (Unknown)
“A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” ~ William Wordsworth
“For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.” – William Wordsworth
“A house with daffodils in it is a house lit up,
whether or no the sun be shining outside.” ~ A.A. Milne
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
Reminder of Spring
On the eve of possible rain/sleet/snow here, I thought I would share a nice reminder of spring –
Beautiful Objects Around Us via Martha Kirkendall-Ghearing
Beautiful World
Beautiful World
Soul Alchemy
Filed under Seasons
Freezing
PxHere
First real taste of winter here overnight and this morning. I had to be really careful taking one of our dogs out this morning. The lip and steps of the front porch, plus the concrete pad down below were pretty icy. I had to be really careful not to fall on my head. It’s 33 degrees F. now, and we’re to have a high of 37. The precipitation has changed from freezing rain/sleet to just really cold rain now, so hopefully the ice will melt. I’m a bit worried about the re-freeze tonight, but will wait and see.
Center of the American Experiment
Happily, we have all we need and don’t have to get out, except for taking dogs out.
I hope that YOUR weather is either good, or you can get somewhere warm and dry OUT of it.
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
Enjoying the Fall for a Bit Longer
Floristic Planet
Color on the Metolius River-Extreme Oregon via Yolanda Vanveen
Slice of Life
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
Gorgeous Winter Paintings
Y W Kim – “A Valley That Opens Dawn”
Alina Ciuciu – “King of the River”
Fiore Cagnetti – “Winter Wizard”
Filed under paintings I love, Seasons
3rd Session the Charm?
design-dautore.com-Autumn Vibes-Sarah Patrick via Yolanda Vanveen
I’m about to go outside for the 3rd session of the day of trying to get flower planters cleaned out before our weather goes to pot tomorrow. I have finished finished 7 brick planters today. I have three more, plus 2 pots in the front yard. If I can finish ths, I’ll be happy with my efforts today.
My husband got me a nice roll-around, sit-down thingie that saves my back, so I think I have one more session in me before I’ll run out of both time and energy. 
This is the closest I could find to show you my wonderful gardening seat. Mine is red and has a small basket on one end, plus a rope and handle that allow you to pull it like the proverbial ‘little red wagon.” The seat turns, so it gives flexibility in how it is used. I love it.
While I was pruning and clearing out one of the planters, the wind picked up and all of a sudden it was raining leaves. The SOUND the leaves made was wonderful! I don’t think I’ve ever been in quite that position before, but it was a very special thing. My sweet elderly Molly (she is almost 15) was enjoying the sunshine and stayed right with me, keeping me company.
I just had lunch (it’s almost 4pm) and am finishing a cup of coffee. I’ll go see how much more I can clear before the day is gone.
Hope you’re enjoying your day, too!
Thoughts on a Sunday 11-10-2019
Beautiful World via George Dumaine
We just got home from grocery shopping and putting everything away. I’m now relaxing at my computer with a cup of coffee. Ahhhh!
First, I wanted to thank those of you who wrote encouraging messages about the way “Blasing Bright” looks, the booth that my friend Carla and I are sharing now at Rags & Roses in Greenwood, Arkansas. I think we managed to put things where they show up well, people can get to them to look more closely, and you’ve told me that it looks inviting. So THANK YOU. The shop is closed now until Tuesday, but I feel GOOD that I have some of my stuff ‘out there’ for people to see and possibly buy. If you’re in the area, the address is 100 North Main St. The hours Tuesday through Friday, are 11:00 – 6:00. Hours Saturday are 10:00 to 4:00. This is the first time I’ve enjoyed a local venue, and I’m hopeful that Carla and I can share this booth for a long time.
I am planning to spend much of the day out in the yard – or at least as long as my back holds out – cleaning out flower planters. We’ve had several freezes and things are looking pretty sad now. Today has been named, “The last good fall day” for awhile by the weather people, with a cold front coming tomorrow, along with rain, possible wintry mix, and MUCH colder temperatures, so today is the day to do all I can to have our yard look like someone cares.
On cleanup after the ‘gathering-and-processing-for-the-booth’ I need to work in our office and my art room. These are on the back burner, though, as far as priorities, due to the coming weather. I can work on both of THEM when the weather deteriorates.
With all the activity around here, I have ignored my exercising and my poor old body is complaining LOUDLY. I’m going to see how the yard work goes, and then at LEAST get in my yoga practice this afternoon.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Filed under exercise, Gardening, Mother Nature, Seasons
Thoughts on a Friday 11-8-2019
“October Flights” – Stesha and Lilya – Andy Seliverstoff
Summer is finally over here in Arkansas. I was beginning to wonder for a while if it would be perpetual! It’s crisp and brisk, with a definite nip in the air this morning – at 37 degrees F. The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful fall day.
Today will be a happy day for me.
We will leave for Lunch Bunch soon – an every Friday brunch/lunch with good friends we’ve been enjoying for over 17 years now. The core bunch, Linda, Kay and I, has been expended to include my husband, and Kay’s recently, with others joining us from time to time, such as sons, daughters, grandchildren, and other good friends. It’s a time to catch up, share what has happened – or is going to happen, our hopes, dreams, failures, happy and sad things – knowing we support each other. A very special group that means the world to me.
When we return from Lunch Bunch, I’ll pack the truck again with things I’ll display in my good friend, Carla’s, booth in a local shop. We went together yesterday to look at things, bouncing ideas off each other, grabbing some supplies from a couple of places and finally sharing some tea and good conversation. I will pick her up this afternoon and we’ll go add my stuff to what is now OUR shop! She has already paid the rental fee for November, so I’ll pay for December. I’ll share pics of the shop and some other details with you later.
When I come home again from adding to our shop, I’ll do my elliptical trainer and yoga for the day, chores around the house, etc., and catch up with my husband and our pets, enjoying a quiet evening together.
Happy day! I hope that YOU enjoy one, too!
Filed under exercise, Family, Friendship, opportunities, Seasons, Thoughts on a ________
Thoughts on a Sunday 11-3-2019
Aussie Life-kookaburras
“Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
That’s not a monkey, that’s me. Ha. Ha.”
I love this photo. I’m not sure I’ve ever actually SEEN a kookaburra, much less a glorious whole ROW of them. I always think of the song we sang as children. (I’ve taken some liberties with the words in the lyrics above. WE sang it the way I’ve printed it, which skips two verses and moves the very last line to the first verse.)
I’m happy to report that my husband is doing fine now after his stroke in July. The sudden anger outbursts – apparently a common side effect of strokes – are MUCH fewer now. Though he glosses over the details of how to handle the fact he’s on blood thinners, I’M learning to pay closer attention and make sure things turn out the way they should. He has a dental appointment tomorrow. To give you an example of how he is ‘back,’ he took the Vette to the car wash this morning to clean it up so he can drive it to the dentist’s appointment tomorrow. (He and the dentist talk motorcycles, cars, guns, and such each time he goes.)
I’m also happy to tell you I broke new ground on my scales this morning! The scales actually SMIRKED at me, as we got into fresh, new, lower territory as I grinned back. I HOPE this continues, as I still have a lot of lard I’d like to shed. Though it is much harder to lose the lard the older you get, I’m proving to myself that it IS possible.
A man contacted me yesterday, discussing buying 5 of my new Unicorn Spit plaques. He’s talking to friends today and is supposed to get back to me tomorrow. He understands that these are one of a kind and that I cannot do exactly the same thing twice. Fingers – and all other appendages – are crossed. I’m working on flat wooden Christmas ornaments again today, seeing how they will turn out with this same wonderful paint.
The weather is beautiful, with a high in the low 60’s today! Gorgeous fall weather. I’ll try to get outside this afternoon and get a good amount of clean up of our planters done.
I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying this gorgeous Sunday – AND that you remembered to set your clocks back last night.
Filed under DIET!, Family, getting the lard off, Seasons, Thoughts on a ________
Fall is Definitely Here
T.L. – LinkedIn
After having summer yesterday, it was 36 F. this morning! (It’s 45 right now.) It’s really difficult to get my head to wrap around this. I’ll need to wear a JACKET when I get my hair cut this afternoon!
Fall is my favorite time of the year. I LOVE thinking about fires in the fireplace, warm throws to snuggle under, hot chocolate, sweaters, boots, layers of clothes, being able to work outside without worrying about heat stroke…
The glorious COLORS bring me back to life. Arkansas doesn’t do as well as someplace like Vermont, for example, doing a wonderful display, but it’s good enough. The cooler weather brings me the energy to ALMOST enjoy getting the yard ready for winter.
For today, I’ll just enjoy the IDEA of fall being here, while reading, then napping in my chair under a throw this afternoon.
Filed under Seasons
Thoughts on A Thursday 10-10-2019
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Right now it’s pretty pleasant outside. This evening we’re due for possible severe storms (wind, rain, hail, lightning, and flying hairballs) so I’m enjoying the weather while I can. Last week was summer, with the a/c on. Tomorrow, the lows are supposed to be in the 30’s!!
We just got back from Lunch Bunch – usually this is on Fridays, but one of our group is having a yard sale starting tomorrow, so went went today, instead. Everyone was good and all appendages are crossed (including my eyes) for ONLY cold and not rain, for her yard sale tomorrow and Saturday.
I’m going to go out as soon as I finish this – and my cup of coffee – to take down our tomato plants, clean up the planters, weed whack around them, etc. There are no green tomatoes, so it’s time. We’ve had a good season this year in spite of the weirdness of the weather. For the first time ever, I was able to only to eat all the head lettuce we personally wanted, but could share with our friends. We also shared tomatoes, radishes, and leaf lettuce. It was too hot to start seeds for a fall garden in my greenhouse and I didn’t find any fall veggie plants for sale, so I’m not plotting and planning what I want to do for the spring.
We may have the cold snap tomorrow, but we usually have it warm up again to fall-like weather, so we won’t stop the irrigation system. My husband is hoping he’ll only have to mow once or twice more….
So – this afternoon the plan is to get rid of the tomato plants, do my elliptical trainer, and do a session of yoga. I would also like to get up to my art room. The big dilemma is whether to play with my new crayon melter tools or my new Unicorn Spit Stain/Glass first. :0)
Fall Is Finally Arriving!
Alma Maghakyan-Imgend.com
Kudos to Mother Nature for finally arriving – fashionably late – to West Central Arkansas. It’s 53 degrees F. as I type and the sun is shining. AHHHHH!
When things finally cool down, my energy returns – long dormant in the heat and humidity – slapping a huge smile on my face as I decide what I’m going to try to do with my day.
I hope the weather where you are is to your liking, and that you have all kinds of possibilities to consider.
Filed under Seasons
A Bit Late, But…
“1st Day of Autumn” – Netherlands – photographer Sassy Chris1 via Mara Spirig – LinkedIn
Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography, Seasons
Thoughts on a Tuesday 10-1-2019
Slice of Life
Though it’s supposed to get to 90+ degrees today, fall is coming. We’re supposed to get a cold front, some rain, and highs in the 70’s THURSDAY. Can you SEE me dancing around and grinning?
Peace-Love and Smiles
I’m doing better with eating according to my keto macros – (5% carbs, 25% protein, 70% fat.) I love the cronometer.com tracking site. I’m basically doing intermittent fasting (not eating from dinner the night before until 1:00 or so the next day) then eating lunch and dinner. I lost another pound yesterday. I need to lose ONE MORE and then I’ll be at the lowest I achieved before our world fell apart and we needed to focus on my husband’s health. He is much better and things are much calmer now, so I can concentrate on things like macros – so I am TRULY thankful. I’m on DAY 14 of ‘getting-serious-about-Keto.” I’m looking forward to finally breaking into new territory on my weight loss.
Yesterday I finished undoing the work of the gremlins who ate part of my data on my monthly tax prep and bookkeeping spreadsheets. I printed them and saved them to another spot on the computer, plus my outside backup drive, so I SHOULD be good again. A character-building exercise for sure, but I feel good that it’s up to date now.
This morning was a 3-hummingbirds- with-breakfast day. We LOVE sitting at the dining area table and watching all the birds flitting (or dive-bombing-then-hovering in the case of the hummingbirds).
Funotic.com- Where Fun Never Ends
I’m on DAY 29 of my daily yoga practice. My husband noticed yesterday that I was getting lower – or farther into – some of my poses yesterday!
Today I have the opportunity to earn TWO Gold Stars – one for the elliptical and one for yoga.
I hope that YOUR day is full of things that bring you joy.
Filed under DIET!, exercise, Seasons, Thoughts on a ________
Thoughts on a Monday – 9-30-2019
Wild About Nature
September came and went so fast my hair is blowing!
I’m excited about Thursday of this week, when fall is finally coming to Greenwood, Arkansas. We’ll have some rain and the highs for the rest of the week as far as I can see will be in the 70’s. AHHHHH! I’m more than ready.
Our son, who came home to help us through the aftermath of my husband’s stroke, will be leaving Oct. 19th. We are SO lucky to have such a generous, caring son. It’s time for him to get back to his life in Thailand now.
We will do errands, change the decoration on the mailbox, and then settle in to enjoy the day. Yoga and art room are planned. And that’s it from the exciting life of the Lewises! It’s so wonderful NOT to have drama. :0)
Enjoy the last day of September.
Filed under DIET!, exercise, Mother Nature, playing in my art room, Seasons, Thoughts on a ________
Fall MIGHT Come….
One of my favorite photographers is Paul Militaru. He has captured some beautiful images of fall, which is happening in his country, Romania, much faster than it is here in Arkansas. They give me hope for cooler weather, glorious colors, and more time outside.
“Acorns Touched by the Autumn Wing” – Paul Militaru
“Colors Characteristic of Autumn” – Paul Militaru
“Dry Leaves” – Paul Militaru
“Fall” – Paul Militaru
Thoughts on a Saturday 9-28-2019
Amazing Things – Linda Orrell
Progress Report – Lardage
- Weight Loss – 43 pounds to date.
- Measurement Reduction – 45 inches to date.
I lost a pound yesterday, but it was a RE-loss of a pound that was gone and regained. I’m working with my MACRO daily to try to get the right percentages of carbs, protein, and fat. This morning I ate an avocado and put heavy whipping cream in my coffee, resulting in over 1/3 of the fat I should have for the day. I don’t really like avocados, but I’m impressed with how good they are for you. They are high fat, which kept me away from them before. Now I’m looking at them as a relatively painless way to get a lot of the fat I need (other than my own, homegrown). I like the fact that on CarbManager.com I can ‘test’ what I plan to eat for each meal and see what happens to my numbers BEFORE I make a mistake. I can then modify my plans. Wonderful! Ultimate goal is to lose another 30 pounds or so.
Flipkart
I have a good start on my efforts to move more. I have been doing yoga stretches daily now for 26 days, and I just started my elliptical trainer 3 times a week. Since Gold stars on my desk calendar are a really good motivator for me (one for each yoga practice and one for the elliptical) I’ll be adding stars # 8 and 9 for the week today. I’m doing 35 minutes on the elliptical at a regular pace, listening to my MP3 player, basically just trying to zone out and do the time right now. Later I’ll think about doing a couple of intensive (for me) times in there. I try to make changes slowly – trying not to make this body rebel and go on strike for a couple of days in protest – hopefully culminating in more and more of my week spent in moving myself around in ways that will help my strength, balance, and flexibility.
The Guardian
It looks like fall will officially begin here in Arkansas on Thursday of next week, with highs in the 70’s, according to the weather people here. I HOPE they are right, because my energy levels rise when the temperature and humidity decrease. I’m more than ready for fall.
Daily Dose of Flowers
Today is a quiet one for us. I’ll do my elliptical, my yoga, and plan to spend time in my art room again. Yesterday I tried my new crayon melting tool. I had fun, but am only making glorious messes at this point. I’ll enjoy playing with it again today.
Fill your day with things that bring you joy.
Thoughts on a Monday 9-23-2019
cheezeburger.com
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL!!!!! It’s raining here today (Ahhhh!) and cooler – at least for now, and I am one happy camper. :0)
Shop NZ
We had 5 hummingbirds at the feeders while we at the dining table this morning. A truly beautiful sight to start our day.
Laughtard
It’s DAY 21 for my daily yoga practice. Yesterday, after I had spent time weed whacking and then blowing the debris off the concrete areas, I was really tired and sore. As soon as I had finished a bottle of water and cooled off a bit, I did my yoga session, and it HELPED! Since I’m old and out of shape, my back stiffened up before bed, but I’m encouraged that I could FEEL it helping yesterday.
It’s DAY 6 on my getting-serious-about-keto efforts. To be honest, I’m not really sure where I am. The scales aren’t showing anything. I’ve been staying way under the 20 grams of carbs I’m allowed daily, figuring that even if I screw up on portion size or forget to add something, I should be coming out well. I’m really happy with the CarbManager.com carb tracking website. It’s easy to use and I can quickly add food, water, or exercise from my computer or my phone.
123RF.com
Fingers crossed I will see some tangible results on either my scale, with my measuring tape, or both in the near future.
Our doggies seem calm after their fight yesterday morning. I will never know what started the fight. I’m just grateful that both doggies are doing fine today.
I didn’t make it up to my art room yesterday. I will try to get up there and play today.
Sleeping Should Be Easy
Our son, who lives and works in Thailand, came home after my husband’s stroke to help us through all the testing and the aftermath of the stroke. He will probably go back to his life soon. I’m am SO grateful that he wanted to be with us during this time. He has been a rock. SUCH a generous, caring man!
I hope you enjoy the first day of fall today – doing good things for yourself, feeling good, and finding great reasons to smile.
Trying to Entice Mother Nature
In my “Thoughts on a Saturday” post this morning I showed you the scarecrow we have on our mailbox now. I finished this tee yesterday. I’m hoping that I can entice Mother Nature to stop the incredible heat and humidity we’ve had this summer and bring on the C-O-O-L-!
I remind myself that we had rain yesterday and a MUCH cooler day. This morning has been truly nice, too, with our doors open – front and back – to air the house out. I’m ready for long sleeves, sweaters, vests, boots, even a jacket, with fires in the fireplace, processing leaves for mulch, hot cocoa (I know – I’ll have to find a keto variety) soups, stews, chili, and more. One of the things I love about fall is running the attic fan at night. The air gets deliciously cool and I can snuggle down into our light comforter and sleep like a baby….
Since I declared this tee finished, I started my last stained tee today. (Do you think I might have improved in my eating habits lately that I’m not continuing to be buried in tees to paint?) The first pass is drying now. I’ll go up later and see if I can do more.
Filed under playing in my art room, Seasons
How Hot Can it Get?
This was posted by one of our local weather people on Facebook yesterday. He said today would be much the same. We are in Greenwood (left column).
On that happy note – we plan to do a lot of staying inside!
I hope YOUR weather is much more sensible. Enjoy your Monday.
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
Nice and Toasty
We made this mailbox decoration years ago. We haven’t put it up this year and have others scheduled, but this is the way I’ve been feeling lately. The heat indices are between 105 and 110+ degrees each afternoon. You walk outside and it feels as though Mother Nature is slapping you in the face and sucking the breath from your body.
Needless to say, we are thankful for good air conditioning in our house and vehicles, and thankful that we can choose when we go out to do the yard work, working in short sessions, with lots of resting and water in-between.
My husband and I are reasonably active – for folks our age – but this weather really shows up how different things were for us 50 years ago… We happily go about our days, feeling pretty good and doing a good amount of work, blissfully ignoring the passage of the years. THEN – we try to do something outside, coming in wringing wet and panting after only a short time, taking longer and longer to recover with each session, reality rearing its ugly head.
I plan to tackle my to-do list today with ONE thing from the INSIDE list – vacuuming the first floor – and ONE thing from my OUTSIDE list – weed whacking. Anything more will be gravy.
I hope that the weather where YOU are is pleasant.
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
Solution?
I told you a couple of days ago I was bitten/stung – yet again – by fire ants while I was out working in the yard. Apparently, I’m at least mildly allergic, since my forearm swelled up, had welts on it, and itched and hurt for two days before finally subsiding. I’m ready for war.
I talked to my good friend, Nora, who sent me a solution that has worked for her. I’m going to try it and wanted to share it with you.
RECIPE:
1/4 cup Borax
3/4 cup sugar
Enough water to make a thicky syrup
USING:
Soak cotton ball in mixture, and put near ant nest. (Apparently, the ants are drawn to the sugar and are killed by the borax in a couple of days.)
I will definitely try this. I’ll let you know if it works for me.
Filed under Challenges, Mother Nature, Seasons
Aftermath of the Severe Weather
Photo by Fort Smith Police Department
Yesterday, when our weather radio alerted us that we were under a tornado warning and that we should take cover, an as-yet unofficial tornado hit the south side of Fort Smith, one city away from where we live in Greenwood, Arkansas. This is one of the pics showing the damage.
Reports today are saying 30 to 40 homes were damaged or destroyed, trees downed, roofs of businesses torn off, power out, etc. The good news is that no one seems to have been hurt or killed. I hope our governor can declare an emergency and release Federal funds for those who need it.
Even though my husband scoffed at the weather alert, I’m really glad we have the radio. We are under tornado ‘watches’ all summer long, so I don’t pay a lot of attention to the run of the mill alerts; but when they say a rotation has been confirmed and is heading toward Greenwood, I DO!. I’m very grateful that we haven’t found any damage.
In fact, today is a gorgeous day – sunshine and 80 degrees. My husband and I laid more bricks on our planter this morning. We should be able to finish it tomorrow. It’s been 30 years since we built the planters and our skills have deteriorated since then. We will be delighted if the planter is sturdy, holds the dirt in, and we can plant beautiful things in it, regardless of how it looks. :0)
After we rested and drank water, I went out to my garden to weed. The weeds really love Mel’s Mix, the soil alternative we use in the raised boxes, so I had a lot to do. I did finish that, though, and after resting again, mixed up a 2-gallon container of KilzAll, the wonderful weed killer that was recommended to me a couple of years ago by a good friend in Tulsa. The container is a pump-up variety, so I can murder a lot of weeds without killing myself as well. I used the whole container on the weeds UNDER my raised boxes in the garden. As soon as I have them under control I’ll get more wood chips to spread over the fabric weed barrier we put down several years ago.
After we finished laying bricks this morning, I came in and washed my hair in the kitchen sink. I came in after weeding really hot, huffing and puffing, my whole head wet. I washed my hair again, hating to walk around with dirty, yucky hair. Now I’ve come in from murdering weeds, my whole head wet again, and I look like I’ve been run over by a truck. I refuse to wash my hair more than twice a day, so my poor husband will have to put up with me the rest of the day. There are more weeds out there calling my name – so I’ll probably go out one more time and spray another container-ful before I call it a day.
I hope that Mother Nature is being kind to you today and that you’re enjoying your Sunday.
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
Flying Hair Balls!
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We are under a tornado watch the entire day, tonight, and into tomorrow morning.
It was sprinkling just slightly, with rain looking imminent this morning when we woke up, so we spent about half an hour cleaning up our ‘rebuilding-the-brick-planter’ work site, putting away tools, the partial bag of mortar, papers from the bricks we hauled, etc. We’ll wait and see what the situation is after the rains have come and gone before doing anything more.
We’re disappointed because we wanted to finish the first planter today. A challenging job, though, is even less fun when you’re trying to beat the clock, betting against Mother Nature.
I’m going to get out and try to get my garden weeded before the rain, and then we’ll batten down the hatches and hope we don’t have damage from the storm.
I hope you’re safe wherever you are today. Happy Saturday!
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
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