The Hobbit

We went to see The Hobbit yesterday. I have some vacation days I have to take or lose, so naturally, not being a workaholic, I'm enjoying a few days of not providing customer service! "The Hobbit" was my first foray into the world of Fantasy/Sci-Fi. I was in 7th grade and my Social Studies teacher was a big fan who was excited about the Rankin/Bass cartoon TV broadcast and encouraged us to watch it. I did, then read the book. I followed that with "The Lord of the Rings", and immediately, upon finishing, re-read it. (I was only 13, after-all, and some of it didn't make sense to me until I read it the second time!) I've been excited about seeing this film and very curious to see Martin Freeman as Bilbo. I love him as Arther Dent and John Watson, but this is such a different character. He didn't disappoint! When you love a book as much as I have loved these books it makes one a bit nervous to see what someone else's vision is going to be. I think one thing I  passionately hoped would be included in the movie was the opening line of the book--"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." Not only was it included, but Jackson included the first whole paragraph. I was ecstatic! The movie is almost 3 hours long. And there are two more episodes to go--that's alot of material for what is essentially a kids book! I knew, just from seeing "The Lord of the Rings" that Jackson would pad it out with back-ground info--stuff not from this particular book, but from the indexes and The Silmarillion. Some is inferred--stuff Tolkien mentioned but never actually wrote about. I had read so much about  how the 3D version was "like riding a roller coaster" but decided to pay the extra and see it in 3D. I'm so glad we did. Maybe, if we had seen it in a bigger theater with more advanced equipment we would have experienced the vertigo that had been mentioned  but we didn't experience any of that. The background shots were breath-taking. I will say the only thing I might criticize is what I found to be an overuse of CGed goblins. I think Jackson's use of costumed actors in the LOTR movies was better. I find the use of too much CG distracting. I hate to have to wait a year to see the next chapter, but at the same time I've missed having Harry Potter to look forward to in mid-winter. Now, at least for the next two years, I have a movie to look forward to again!

Morning Coffee

I fully expected young Jinx to be in the middle of things as we opened gifts Christmas morning, but he sat behind us, eyes wide, and just watched. On the other hand, Fat Cat, our resident old man, sat right in the middle of things and didn't budge. We traditionally open half the presents, have breakfast and come back and finish. He stayed the whole time. I think he's just very glad the daughter is home!

Go AVON!

I sell Avon. I have for over 20 years. I like the products, I like the Company. I found this article today and I like the Company even more! In addition, they do no animal testing, they contribute money to several worthy causes--Breast Cancer Crusade and Speak Out Against Domestic Violence are two examples. They support Go Green initiatives.  It makes me feel good to know we share the same values. 

"For the second year in a row, Avon Products, Inc. has been named one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).  CEI is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees." For the rest of the article, go to the Company's Avon Blog.

Morning Coffee

This is what I got up to. I don't like cats on the cabinets, but since they rule the house, I don't often get my way. They are, indeed, so not scared of me that I had time to walk into the other room and get the camera and they didn't move. I swear, they waited! Why, may you ask, aren't they scared of me? Because my husband spoils them more than I scare them. sigh

Morning Coffee

Jinx, our perpetual kitten, is having the time of his life! Even though this is his 4th Christmas with us, he seems much more interested in what we are doing this year. While we were putting up decorations, he was right there. While we were wrapping gifts, he was right in the middle of things, "helping". Every bag has to be explored. Every box has to be sat in. Christmas morning is going to be fun. It's like having a young child in the house again!

Grumpy Morning Coffee

I haven't spent much time at the computer the last couple of weeks because I'm trying to get caught up on life stuff (cleaning, baking, decorating, a couple of vendor shows, etc.). But I'm taking a moment to say I'm still here, just not here!

My husband was showing me Grumpy Cat pictures last week. I guess I hadn't noticed him, but now I see him everywhere! (what can I say... I'm easily amused!)

Morning Coffee

We're getting lots of help with the Christmas decorating! Of course, the "help" has been sitting on the highest boxes, and batting ornaments around. I bought an Air Wick motion-sensor air freshener and put under the tree in the hopes that the "spritz" will chase Jinx away. Boy, does it smell strongly of pine in here!

Two Favorites!

Who Knew?

The big topic at work on Friday was Hostess. The Father from the local Catholic Church bought our entire supply of Suzy Qs, which was 8 boxes total--we have a fairly small Hostess display. This is where I wish I was a bit quicker on the draw--I could have bought them all and sold them on Ebay!  I watched several auctions end yesterday afternoon. One single box of Twinkies went for over $25.00. I could have made a killing!

Bach With an 80's Flair!

I absolutely love Felicia Day, and I think Tom Lenk is hilarious  I was "introduced" to both actors through "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and have followed their careers ever since. I miss the early MTV style videos, they were so awesome, and horrible, and delightful, and imaginative, and ridiculous all at the same time. (Actually, I just miss the early MTV! Where have all of the videos gone?)

Morning Coffee

For Sydney. She'll know why!

Now I'm Hungry For Spam

I am sooo ready for this election to be over. But at least Joss can throw some humor into it!

In Memory

 We lost our Lucky Cat this morning. She was 16 years old and she was a bit of a pain in the butt most of the time. Lucky was a fairly wild thing and wouldn't let other people get near her, but we were hers and if she was in the house she wanted to be on someone's lap. If we were sitting on the deck she would come and want attention. When my son was 4 years-old he and I  found her up town stuck behind a flower barrel. She was a tiny little thing, altho the vet thought she was almost 3 months old. I think she was a barn cat that came in on a grain truck. She was having a rough week this last week, I guess I didn't realize how bad. I figured I would call the vet tomorrow if she wasn't improving. But I went in to check on her a couple of times this morning, and a little after 8 o'clock I noticed she was gone. It's been a sad morning for us, but I'm glad she isn't suffering anymore. And I'm glad she was inside where it was warm and dry.

Button, Button

My Grandparents lived and raised their family during the Great Depression. Grandma was a bit of a hoarder, which I feel was a direct result of those hard years. She also sewed all of her own clothes and we knew for Christmas she would give all of us kids something she had made. Stuffed animals several times, crocheted scarves and hats, capes and vests. One year she made Barbie Doll clothes for all of us younger girls. She had lots and lots of buttons. My Mom sewed, also, and had several containers full of buttons. I used to pour them out on the floor and sort them by color and size. I guess I have carried the tradition on. I have a large glass vase that I throw my spare buttons in and it's full. I honestly don't know where they have all come from.

Morning Coffee: Henri 2, Paw de Deux

I took two years of High School French, so all I can say is "thank goodness for subtitles!"

(this really wasn't meant to be a cat blog, but there are cats every where I turn! Since I live with four myself, I get the humor, tremendously)

Morning Coffee

I'm wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

Opus Rocks!

I don't know what year this particular panel came out, but I was a big fan of Bloom County when I was in college. The comic started in 1980 and by the animation I am guessing this panel is from the early years. I guess it just goes to show that things don't really change in our political arena!

Predicting The Future

I was taking a little drive through the country yesterday afternoon when I came upon a persimmon tree. I stopped and picked up a few because I haven't had a persimmon in several years.  My folks have a tree on their property but the deer and raccoon usually get to them before we can.  Mom used to make persimmon pudding. Oh, so good! But very labor intensive. Lore has it that one can predict the weather by splitting the seeds and finding a fork, spoon or knife inside. Last year they had "forks" which means mild winter--and we had the mildest winter I've ever seen. This year everyone seems to be finding "spoons". That means snow. The ones I picked up are following suit. I guess I better get some snow boots since mine wore out several years ago!

Crazy Mixed Up

I noticed as I drove through the country to my Mom's house on Saturday that there appeared to be Spring flowers growing here and there.  Then walking to work yesterday I came across Violets! This crazy weather this summer has the plants all mixed up. I don't think I've ever seen Violets in October! The flowers have been spectacular the last few weeks--it's as if they are trying to make up for the extreme heat and lack of rain from the Summer!

Morning Coffee

Okay, not my cat. But cat pirate? Who couldn't love it!

The Life of a Cashier

This is probably a daily thing. We only have two registers at our store (it's a very small store) and customers will walk up to the register I'm not standing at, lay their stuff down, stare at me for 10 seconds and then ask "which register are you on?". If you ever notice that glazed look in your Cashier's eyes just know it's stuff like this that does that to us!

Morning Coffee

Roscoe's first October in 2008. He was quite the helper while I was putting up the Halloween decorations!

It's Funny Because It's True!

It really was me at that exact moment.

Kayla Dances and Danny Sings!

I admit a little self indulgence here. This is scenes and pictures I put together from my niece's wedding. It's done with a little Flip camera so it's shaky.  My brother and his family live 5 States away and I get nostalgic for the days when he was in a band and it seemed like we were always surrounded by music in one form or another. I used to dance all of the time. Since my husband doesn't dance, I don't anymore, either. I miss it. So, instead of taping the wedding like most normal people would do, I taped the dancing and the singing.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman...

I sell Avon.  It's my "second" job, although I've done it alot longer than I've worked at the grocery store.  I started it in College as a way to make some extra drinking spending money.  I quit when I got married to get free sell Tupperware. It didn't dawn on me that I could do both at the same time. I missed Avon because I really do like and use the products and I had all of the Tupperware I wanted, so I went back to Avon.  To be honest, at the time it was just so I could get a discount on the items I used. But I stuck with it and actually had a pretty good business going. Then BAM, the economy collapsed and so did my sales. I was ready to cut back anyway, a little burn-out, I suppose. Now that I'm interested it building it back up the Company decided to re-district. I got put into a group that is called "Trendsetters". It's the Company's way of predicting how sales will be and order for the warehouses accordingly.  See, we sell ahead of everyone else and I'm selling Christmas already. No one is interested in Christmas yet. But I'm playing Christmas music (even as I type this) in order to get myself in the state of mind to sell Holiday items.  Not sure it's working!

Glad to Be Home

My niece got married Saturday-- in Wyoming. That's about a 15 hour drive from here.  I don't like to fly so my folks drove and my son and I rode along.  I should say, my Stepfather drove and the rest of us rode along.  He is, or was, a truck driver.  I would be glad to take my turn at the wheel, but he doesn't offer.  Have you ever ridden with a truck driver? No matter how small the vehicle, he always drives like he is in a semi! We don't make many pit-stops, and no matter how late it is getting, we don't stop for the night until we get to specific places. There is no flexibility. The folks have a 4X4, or in other words, a monster truck!  Very roomy, but not terribly comfortable. Now that we are home, my back is killing me! My daughter and her partner flew in to to meet us.  The closest airport is Denver, which is about an hour and a half from my brother's, resulting in more time on the road. It was a nice wedding, and I wouldn't have missed my niece getting married for anything, so I'm not complaining. Her new husband seems like a nice guy who is good with her 7 year old son. I liked his family (you can tell alot about a person from his family) and he has a charming 3 year old son.(I don't say that often about children!)  Ready-made family! We stayed in Base guest lodging--my brother is retired Air Force and he and his wife both have Civilian Military jobs. It was nice--a small 3 bedroom apartment.  Plenty of beds for everyone and our own kitchen and bathroom.  No sleeping on an air-mattress in my brother's "man cave"! Plus, much cheaper than staying in a motel.  I highly recommend it!  

"Romney & Bain" ("Fire & Rain" Parody) - Jimmy Fallon

Get your lighter out and prepare to sway!

Morning Coffee

We had another of our strangely nonseasonal Spring storms again Friday and we lost another branch off our Bradford Pear.  I think Roscoe thinks he is hiding!

Morning Coffee

Gentleman Jinx is a people cat. He always has to be close. So close it sometimes makes work difficult. But we wouldn't have him any other way!

Isaac Arrived!

Isaac hit us pretty hard yesterday. We seem to have hit an end to months and months of sweltering temps and no precipitation. For the last half dozen years or so we have had monsoon-like Springs with dry, hot Summers.  This year Mother Nature is doing her best to keep us guessing! My guage showed we had about 5" of rain in an approximate 24 hours period.  I was supposed to go to my Mom's yesterday for our annual Hog Roast. Several of the roads to her in the boondocks house dips down through the bottoms.  Quite simply, they flood. And she acted surprised when I said I wasn't coming.

Just a Thought

I hadn't checked/emptied my e-mail junk file this week. I had a whopping 767 junk messages. I'll bet 99 out of 100 where for penis enlargement. I think I've gotten on the wrong mailing list somewhere!

A Treat for Tar and Abby..

...if they ever visit Illinois! I have a Sunflower "bush" growing in my garden.  I grow them for the Cardinals and other birds but I'm always willing to share with visitors!

Just a Passing Thought

We went to the St. Louis Zoo Sunday.  It was a beautiful day and I wanted to see the new Sea Lion Arena before the shows end Labor Day weekend.  I can't believe I'm the only one that thought a shark was an inappropriate decoration since they are Sea Lions' #1 predator.  Maybe they do that just to remind the Sea Lions how lucky they are to be in a shark-free environment!

SORRY, SORRY

I think I would have loved these guys back when I was a teenager!

But What's Normal?

We finally got some rain and some relief from the heat this week. It was too late for most of my garden, tho.  This morning I tilled up about half of it and replanted green beans. Fingers crossed. I have a yard full of trees, bushes and flowers. I'm worried that I might have lost my burning bush, but the mimosa tree has done well. Usually I have hummingbirds flitting around it, but I hadn't seen many this year.  I was so delighted to go out one evening last week and see four of them buzzing and fighting.  This one stopped to take a break. Maybe things are about to get back to normal!

St. Louis Zoo, January 2012

I was looking through some old video this morning and found this that I hadn't edited.  We went to the Zoo back in January.  It was so mild we didn't need heavy coats. We went on that day with the sole purpose to see the Penguin Walk, which they do on select Sundays, weather permitting. It was actually almost too warm! Screwy, screwy weather this year!

Written By a Kid

I've just discovered "Written By a Kid".  I think it's brilliant!  What imaginations kids have.

Because They Don't Teach It In School

If "TP"ing isn't done in your part of the world, then let me take a second to explain.  You pick a subject (normally a friend, an enemy or a teacher), buy toilet paper and in the dark of night sneak up and start flinging.  It takes a bit of practice to get it to unroll on the fly, but it's a talent worth developing. Normally one doesn't see such Fall decorations until very late September or early October. It's generally considered a Halloween "trick".  But someone got a jump on the season and hit our neighbors last weekend.  The best thing about it?  They dropped two rolls of quality brand toilet paper in my yard. I'm not too proud to say I'm now using said toilet paper. I truly believe parents should have "the talk" with their children about using the cheapest toilet paper if they choose to TP. After all, they only teach TP abstinence in school. (I suppose teachers don't want to have to clean up the resulting mess.)  My guess is, they didn't buy it. I'll just about bet some Mom went to get a fresh roll of paper out of the cabinet the next morning and found she was paperless!

In Otherwords, I've Been Busy

I think we need a new greeting. Everyone says "hi, how are you?".  They really don't want to know so we answer "fine, good.  How are you?".  Sometimes I'm having a bad day and I tell them. People are going to start avoiding me! I probably shouldn't find humor in making people uncomfortable but for some perverse reason, I do! Maybe because the people I do this to are the people that are so good at looking down on other people. They make comments about people on foodstamps (I applied this week, still waiting to hear if we qualify) or "homos" (they don't know about the people in my life) or "Obamacare" (I have major insurance issues). Hmm, somehow this post was going to be about the fact that my cousin and my brother and their families were home last weekend and it was great seeing them and also the fact that my daughter (finally!) got a summer job.  I am so easily distracted! Oh, and it rained! It's amazing how rain can affect one's mood. Most of the corn crop in our area is probably past the point of no return, but it may not be too late for the beans. When you live in an agriculturally dependent community, talking about the weather becomes more than chit-chat to fill empty space. Oh, whoops, got distracted again. I feel like the dog in Up when he sees the squirrel--my mind is all over the place lately. I've spent my extra Saturdays at the Farmer's Market trying to make a few extra dollars on some of my extra garden fodder and also unload some Homecoming memorabilia. And now my husband won't quit talking about Walking Dead so I guess I'll end here.  I can't think and type when he's talking!

Grrr, Arrgg

   
What can I say--I'm a Whedon fan!

Happy 4th of July!

I've go the day off and so does my husband! But seeing how it's Wednesday we really don't have much planned.  Maybe a dip in the pool (or two) and drink a beer (or two).  Anyway, I hope everyone has a pleasant day!

I'm Such a Socialist!

Duck Days of Summer

I was sitting outside last Saturday morning with my niece having a yard sale when out of the corner of my eye I see a little bird.  Nothing unusual about that, there are birds everywhere.  But then I heard the cheeping and realized it was a duckling.  Then there was a second one! Hilarity soon ensued as the two of us chased the little things down and caught them.  Nobody ever told me ducklings are so fast!  We discovered that the neighbor boys were trying to catch one running around behind the house.  (We never caught that one)  They told us one of the cats had killed two before they knew they were there.  We never saw an adult duck so who knows were they came from.  I wish I had a good ending, but they died before we could get them set up with a pen. Since it was Saturday, I couldn't get ahold of the vet to see what she suggested and the feed shop didn't open until Monday.  We lost the first one Sunday morning, but the other seemed to be doing well.  Monday I bought chick feed and it was eating and drinking.  Plus, I had set up a little place for him in the yard so he could be in the grass, but I put him back in the cat carrier and brought him in for the night and he died early Tuesday morning.  I know wild things are hard to keep alive in captivity, especially if you have no clue what to do, but it made us all a little sad.

Gamer Girl, Country Boy - Felicia Day & Jason Charles Miller

Usually my "fan girl" obsessions are male oriented, but I think Felicia Day is hilarious!

The Bitchy Cashier

 I hate check writers. So many people can't talk and write at the same time.  So they talk and  obliviously swing the ink pen around while more people are lining up behind them.  Write the damn check!!!  Better yet, sign your name and hand it to me.  We have a check printer--it takes about 2 seconds.  Maybe it's because of my advancing age, but I have no patience anymore.  It's like the old Visa commercials where everything comes to a stop when  someone pulls out a checkbook. Anyway, that's how my day is going.  How is your's?

Garden Update--Week 6

I had to replant some tomatoes and I've planted some okra in the last week but everything else seems to be chugging right along.  I've picked several cucumbers and a zucchini and a yellow squash, and we may be eating green beans in a week, two at most!  Last year I planted everything to close together, fulling expecting half of it not surviving (like the year before), so I've learned my lesson.  Everything is planted far enough apart that I can get in between and hoe.  Now, if I could just keep the cats out.  I don't mind them using it as a litter box so much as the simple fact they have dug up and/or rolled around on several plants.  (Hence, the replanting of tomatoes.)

Morning Coffee--the Old Man

Fat Cat is our Old Man.  He joined our family in February of 1999 and the Vet thought we was at least 3 years old at the time.  He had been living out of the bumpster at McDonalds for about three month until he got stuck in a storm drain during a winter storm we had that January--the theory is that he got loose from someone traveling through.  A friend of mine, who rescues cats, got the call and took him home.  I had mentioned once that I would like to have a "big blue cat" (because of a story my Mom used to tell) and so she thought of me.  He made himself right at home, declaring himself king from day one. Because of that, we called him Elvis for awhile, but somehow he just morphed into "Fat Cat". He's not very active these days, but he's still a big honey!

David Tennant & John Barrowman EPIC KISS - Original Source

 I can't help it--I'm such a fan girl!  I love them both!

Cheers!

The last couple of weeks have been mad crazy.  I don't know how many miles I've put on my car between my Uncle's funeral (70 miles), picking my daughter up from the airport (150 miles), going to the Avon awards luncheon (90 miles) and various other heres and theres.  Plus I've had to deal with the additional  mental strain of losing an Aunt last week (who's funeral is in Arizona--too far for me to attend) and the physical strain of taking a newly 21 year-old work colleague out on a pub crawl last weekend and then my class reunion this weekend. I think I've had more to drink in the last 10 days than I have in the last year combined!  I don't drink much anymore and after all of the money I've just spent I understand why! I'm worn out and ready for things to slow down a bit, but it has been nice seeing people, reconnecting with some I hadn't seen for a long time. After listening to some of them talk about their husbands and children I definitely realize how lucky I am! I need to remind myself of that more often.

In Memory

My Dad's Uncle died last Sunday.  I didn't know him very well, but I used to see him at the yearly family reunions. My Dad has been gone for almost 20 years--so hard to believe.  I have two Great Aunts left.  That generation is almost gone.  My Dad had one sister and she died several years ago. I can be a very outgoing, friendly person.  I don't have a hard time making conversation--most of the time. Somehow, I was always backward when we were around the extended family. I always went to the reunions, but I sat and visited with the people I knew well and never got to know the ones that I didn't see regularly.   I've always been interested in genealogy so I have made an effort the last few years to get to know more of the family.  Plus, somehow I feel like I am "representing" my Grandparents.  My brother lives away and my Aunt's three boys never come around, so I go to as many family events as possible to stand up for George and Lucy.  I put flowers on their graves.   I tell my kids about them.  I don't want them forgotten.

Morning Coffee

How to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Garden Diary--Week 3

I don't think we are having as wet a Spring as we have had the last few years.  Now, I probably just jinxed us and it'll start pouring any time.  Fingers crossed.  Actually, a little (gentle) rain would be nice.  So far my "viney" plants are doing well. I've lost a couple, but I think maybe the neighbors cat has rolled around in them.  He's such a friendly thing, but he and I have words occasionally.  My popcorn and beans have come up.  Something chewed the tops out of some of the beans.  I think birds, the husband thinks rabbits.  Regardless, I may have to replant a few.  I just put out my tomatoes and bell peppers yesterday.  I have a few tomato plants left that didn't fit.  I'll just hold on to them, see if any I planted don't make it.  Otherwise, maybe I'll put them in the flower bed or in pots. Can one really have too many tomatoes, after all?!

Straggler

We have a very active Garden Club--they do a wonderful job of beautifying our Uptown every year.  There are flowers everywhere.  Petunias are the most common flower they use: I assume because they are very hardy.  These little stragglers are a common sight. Last year's seeds seem to find the barest, most desolate spots to take root.  A couple of years ago we had a dozen or better Butterfly bushes take root next to the store where I work.I have no clue where those seeds came from but  I brought a start home and added it to my growing collection of flowers and plants. One of these days I'm going to run out of room!

Small Changes

I had to make a change--can you find the difference?  This is in an upstairs attic room.  I walked through the house with a stack of albums and my husband asked me what I was doing.  "Changing some pictures", I said.  He suspected what I had done and ran upstairs to confirm.  Then he came looking for me, wanting to know what I had done with the "card".  My husband was a fan of what's-his-name's and saw him in concert several times back before we were married.  The "card" had his autograph.  I do respect other people's property, so I tossed it in the album cover. The poor guy was panicking, tho.  I do believe he thought I threw it away!

Morning Coffee

This can't be comfortable, but Rosco has taken to sleeping across my file box.  There are tabs sticking up.  Acupuncture points, maybe?

Morning Coffee

Our baby boy wants so very much to be close to the old man, but Fat Cat doesn't encourage it.  Therefore,  Jinx gets as close as he can without actually touching.

Garden Diary

Day one: I'm a bit nervous about putting the garden out so early, but with the mild winter, there have been people with plants out for several weeks.  We went to Effingham this morning and we took the "scenic" route through the country.  Farmers already have some corn planted and growing.  I started some seedlings about a month ago and they were starting to crowd each other out.  So I decided to take the plunge and stick them in the ground.  Today I put out cucumbers, summer squash, honeydew, green and wax beans, plus we are trying popcorn this year. I also stuck some eggplants in the flower bed and am going to try and start some asparagus.  I tried a few years ago, but I've only got one small hill that has made it.  This time I am trying with seeds.  Fingers crossed!  I have tomato and bell pepper seedlings started, but I want them to get a little bigger before I put them into the ground.  I would never have dreamed, back when Dad made me help in the garden, that I would some day  grown up and actually enjoy it!

I Need to Live My Life This Way a Little More

Make It Count from Casey Neistat on Vimeo.

Morning Coffee

I can't understand a word, but I have a thing for drumlines!

Santorum to suspend campaign

Hallelujah!

Morning Coffee Happy Easter!

Now that the kids are grown up and I no longer do the Church thing, we don't do much for Easter. But today just happens to also be our 24th wedding anniversary, so we are going to St. Louis and spend the day at the Zoo. Picnic is packed and the weather is supposed to be pleasant. The birds are singing and the flowers are blooming. It should be a good day!

It Gets Better at Brigham Young University

Things like this give me hope. I just want to reach right through the monitor and give them all hugs--especially Mark!

Morning Coffee

Somehow we have become Cat Central. Every cat for blocks seems to congregate in our yard. My cats hiss at them once in a while, but make no real attempt to get them off their turf! I decided if they are going to hang around here, I'm going to give them names. This particular fluffy white and yellow one I call Reggie. I don't know if he actually belongs to anyone, or is just a neighborhood stray. Anyway, he got awfully comfortable on our pool cover the other day. He's lucky--we need to replace it because it's starting to rot. We don't drain the pool for the winter so if it had ripped, he could have gotten mighty wet!

Morning Coffee Ghost Story

I was looking though some old pictures and I found this. I took it last year when we were having so much snow. I thought maybe the camera lens steamed up, but it's the only picture that did this. I don't actually believe I was being haunted, but I think some people would believe it! (Actually, this house isn't haunted--but our old one was!)

I Hear a Lawn Mower!

Spring has sprung--at least a month early! All of the flowering trees are in full bloom. It's bazaar. Most years we are having a final snow storm--quite often with accumulation in the inches. But the birds are chirping, the mushrooms are popping and the slugs have started making their slime trails. I actually feel good. No headaches, no sinus pressure. I feel like I have energy and want to do something with it! It's a nice feeling.