Jasmine Marie

Relaxing in the Sunshine

Isn't she a Pretty Girl ?

In a house with three brothers

She rules

Hissing and Growling

Napping in between of course

Back Yard Beauty Two

I was in the back yard and caught a few new pictures of my frogs.

The first two are of Mom. The last one, I am assuming, is the baby.

Aren't you glad that I'm sharing with you?

Nice Spring Day

It was a really nice Spring day.

Cold in the morning but got warmer.

Warm for me is in the 60's.

I was able to be in the back yard with my dogs.

Today no matter what I said, they had me at bark. I tell them that I won't sit out with them unless the sun is out or it's over 40. Out I went. They like me to be out there with them.

I talk to them and they play. My younger dog explores her jungle. And, I mean a jungle. Weeds and ferns. Trees and more trees. I counted one time and I think there are at least six types.

My oldest dog sits in her office better known as the top of the hot tub.

She looks out at the lower part of the jungle.

Barking when needed at a neighbor dog.

Sirens are so much fun.

If you are a dog that is.

I, being a dull human, don't enjoy the high pitch as much as my Labrador.

I watch the birds, butterflies .. when they are in season,

which hasn't arrived quite yet,

trees and leaves moving in the wind and clouds in the sky.

I guess I am part dog.

I did manage to venture out to the front yard.

The weeds are out there too.

I did get the barrels by the street cleared but my old shoulder told me that was enough.

I wish it wasn't old cause I do enjoy working in the yard.

My hope is that it will stop this silly achiness soon.

It's a real pain.

The weekend is supposed to be nice.

I'll take that instead of rain anytime.

Lilacs In My Back Yard

The Lilac bush is my back yard has two possibilities.

Maybe it's because I've started this blog.

Maybe it's just cause Nature wants me to actually have Lilacs that bloom.

Either way, I was so excited that I got the camera and walked out

to my disastrous back yard which is filled

with weeds and stickers...black berry pokee things.

Two Lilacs with a tree and weeds.

Rhody and Golden Retriever and old swing set.

I also took pics of my two Rhody's ... cause I was out there

and I was in the mood to shoot the lovely blooms.

My Favorite Song

I heard my favorite song on the car radio this morning. Not from the middle or end but from the first word. I absolutely love that song. It was the Summer between 7th and 8th grade, when I looked in a Reader's Digest. I found these words written. I thought it was a poem. Later when I heard it on the radio, I knew that it was 'My Song'. It has been now for almost 40 years. I thought I'd put it here for you to enjoy !!!

Your Song

by Elton John

It's a little bit funny this feeling inside

I'm not one of those who can easily hide

I don't have much money but boy if I did

I'd buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no

Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show

I know it's not much but it's the best I can do

My gift is my song and this one's for you

And you can tell everybody this is your song

It may be quite simple but now that it's done

I hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss

Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross

But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song

It's for people like you that keep it turned on

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do

You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue

Anyway the thing is what I really mean

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTa8U0Wa0q8

Lessons in Driving Continued

As you all know, I'm being the dutiful parent and teaching my son to drive. He's actually doing better. Really he is.

We were driving home. He goes the back way on the small streets. Learning to turn corners and signal and drive the speed limit. That kind of beginner stuff. When we get to the main road, we have to cross four lanes to get into our housing development.

A direct across the street thing. Waiting can take five minutes or ten depending on traffic.

Yesterday, we almost got in a major car crash.

The traffic was finally clear. Across the street, in our development, there was one truck that was turning right. So, no problem for us. We waited for the last car that was in traffic to go past our development. Instead of going past our entrance, that car went into our development. No signal but that's ok.

I told my son it was good to go across.

As he is crossing, the car turning into our development decides to back up and talk to the truck. Normally not that bad a thing except they now have left no room to get into the development. At this point we are across three of the four lanes, and stuck in the middle of traffic.

My son screams and I tell him keep going. He gets where we are almost off the road with the back end of our car still in traffic.

The truck and the car don't move. They are talking to each other. Couldn't bother to be watching traffic or anything.

My son doesn't know where the horn is or forgets so, I reach over and honk. Still no movement. I honk again. The man in the truck just looks at me like there was something wrong with me. I shook my hand at him at that point.

I honk again. Finally the car in front of us moves. I tell my son to follow. Ends up they live one block away from us. They pulled up to their house and I got out of my car.

She starting walking towards her front yard and she saw me. I was walking towards her and she looked away. I yelled ... and yell is not what it was ... I screamed at her ... stop ... she looked at me ... " yes, you stop right there". And, I yelled and yelled and screamed at her ... "how dare you do that, you could have caused a car accident, you could have killed us. You ought to be ashamed of yourself " ...

She said she was and turned and went in the house. I'm sure she just said that but at least I got to tell her off. I got back in my car and continued to teach my son how to drive.

What the hell is wrong with people ?

I don't know anyone in my development. I live down the long driveway in the woods. I used to know some when my kids were young but as they grew up and people moved, I don't know anyone except the four next to me. A polite wave kind of thing.

I am so glad I don't know the others because if this is what they are like ... man, I'd rather not know them.

Are they related to the cake lady from last week ... hey, maybe it was cake ladies Mom ... that's where she got it !

Side Note ~ I thought about it later and wondered if I was wrong to yell at the lady. Decided no it wasn't ... she lives near me and almost caused an accident due to her not watching other cars. I hope I don't see her again but if I do I'll know she knows that I know ...

One of my friends told me many years ago ... people are only thinking of themselves. I think that is true. The two people in the car and truck were only thinking of themselves and I was thinking of myself and my son.

Lessons in driving ... damn .... I didn't think it would be this hard.

Garbage & Life

(I got this from a Dear Friend and thought I would share it !!!)

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi river just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital! ' This is when my taxi driver taught me and what I now call,

The Law of the Garbage Truck

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don 't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don 't take their garbage and spread it to other people at home or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Ignore the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a garbage-free day!

Yellow Beauty

Today I had some new feathery friends arrive.

There were four or five of them.

Gorgeous yellow with black and white.

I took a few photos through my window.

I went all over the house looking for my bird book.

Finally, I asked my daughter if she'd seen it.

It was on her book shelf. Why ?

I'll never know but the mystery is solved.

My visitor today is the Evening Grosbeak.

Ashton Rosevelt

My cat, Ashton,

is about the cutest grey striped and spotted cat

I've ever seen.

I found him at the local hay supply store.

I bet some of you don't have those in your neck of the woods.

Well, I do.

It isn't as big as a grange but it has those kind of items.

I drive by the store a lot.

I've only gone in there to look around twice.

Both times I've come out with a kitten.

I no longer am allowed to even look at the store.

That's ok cause I don't have a horse

and I seem to be able to find cats without going there.

Ashton was only five weeks old .. my vet thinks.

I asked if the kitten was a girl and was told,"YES".

He or at the time, she, looked just like my cat Teddy Bear.

(Teddy had disappeared before we moved to this house.)

Ashton was by himself playing with a string.

The white cat and kittens with him were not his purr family.

So, instead of a new cat carrier which I'd gone in to see if they had,

I got a new grey kitten.

When I took him home,

my son asked if the kitten was orange and could she be his.

I told him no it wasn't an orange cat but he sure could help me with the kitten.

At the time, I had a very old calico who took up a lot of my time.

She was twenty one and had dementia.

In a cat that means she meowed for me all the time.

We went to the vet right away for a check up.

My son and I had come up with the name, Rose.

After my Mother.

Her full name would be Savannah Rose.

The Savannah part due to the stripes and spots and

the Rose because my Mother had past away recently.

First thing the vet told us was that our Rose was a he.

When they left the room to get something,

we quickly came up with a boy name.

Ashton Rosevelt it was.

Ashton cause he's ash grey in color and

Rosevelt cause what else can you do with Rose and

my son likes history and came up with that one.

Ashton has been a character the whole time.

At first he didn't know how to talk.

That's a must in my house.

So I talked to him all the time.

With my old cat mewing a lot, Ashton caught on.

He actually loved my old cat and I mean LOVED her.

She was not happy about that and mewed more.

My son and Ashton have always been together.

He still, at the age of sixteen, asks where his cat is

when he comes home from school.

He carries him around like a baby.

(The boy carries the cat not the other way around.)

Ashton has a fondness for the catnip mousie.

Any toy actually.

He can still be found playing in the hallway.

Usually, he announces his intentions though.

A talkative one he has become.

Ashton my

"oh my what am I doing taking home this kitten when I already have four cats"

has been an absolute joy

and is the Purrfect Grey Striped and Spotted Gentlemen.

Rhubarb

I saw some at the store.
Thought of my Mom. I grew up with it growing in the garden.
We would pick it. Clean it. Cut it. Cook it.
She would make pie or cobbler.
Adding just the right amount of sugar to make it delic.
None of this adding strawberries stuff.
A bit of vanilla ice cream or cool whip on top.
I remember how good it was especially when it soaked into the crust.
I saw an article about rhubarb and thought … could I grow it. Where?
Big yellow dog would probably dig it up.
Maybe I’ll buy some and try to make Mom’s pie.
Only Mom didn’t write the recipe down. It was one that she just knew.
Maybe my sister knows it. I’ll have to call her.

Here’s some info I found …

”Rhubarb is a perennial plant that has bright red stems and big green leaves. Rhubarb is quite ornamental looking and can be planted in a perennial border; however, in most cases it’s planted off to the side of the garden. While the stems are edible the leaves are extremely poisonous. They can however be thrown into the compost pile as they decompose fairly quickly. Rhubarb is grown from divisions or crowns, and rarely if ever, by seed. It is one of those plants that thrives in cold weather. In fact, it needs temperatures to drop below 40 degrees F in order to break dormancy and grows best when summer temperatures don’t exceed 75 degrees F. It’s a staple in many New England home gardens, but the biggest commercial growers are found in Washington, Oregon, and Michigan. What makes harvesting rhubarb a little tricky is that whereas most vegetables and fruits are obvious, it’s the stems that are harvested and eaten. First, the stalks should only be harvested once the plant is three years old. Harvest stalks that are sturdy and not slender, in the range of 1/2 inch wide or less. Younger stalks, harvested soon after the leaves unfurl, are more flavorful than older ones. Depending on your location, the stalks are ready for harvesting in May and June. Rhubarb is very bitter and is not eaten raw, but boiled in water with lots of sugar to make a sauce, which is eaten alone (with heavy cream!) or used in rhubarb pie and other desserts.”

Life's Little Rhubarb Cookbook: 101 Rhubarb Recipes Joy Of Rhubarb: The Versatile Summer Delight Great Rhubarb Recipes: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-123

Info. From ~ http://mygardenguide.com/

Back to my Youth

On my way back from taking my son to school I had a moment.
Not that kind of moment. A 'wow I used to be young' one.

On the radio came the song, Roxanne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3kG-7I_Y6k

I was back ... just that quick ... to my youth.

Here I was, a 50ish old lady ... rocking out ... in my car ... in the spitty rain ... while those other youths ... listened to what ever it is they listen to now. Just kidding ... I actually like some of the new tunes.

Man, it was great being young and having those memories of when 'it' came out. All of you older youths ... think back to when you heard that song ... that Summer ... that year ...

Now, I have to figure out what happened since then ... cause, I'm old now.

Oh, well through the wrinkles, I'm still that 19 year old girl listening to rock and roll. At least my old age hasn't taken away those memories ... not yet.

Damn life is good isn't it !!!

Guard Dogs & Rainy Day Visitors

We just had our excitement for the day.

No one ever comes down my driveway. No one.

I was busy looking around the net and there they were.

Two young men in black. I waited. No doorbell. I heard them say, "I know she saw us".

I have my blinds up so I can see birds. After they rang, I ventured over to the door. I wasn't getting up from my old arse without them working for it. I have my busy net exploring life .. after all.

I did have to wait for my second big barking dog to arrive though. She was upstairs napping on my daughter's bed. Takes a while for her to actually get up and down the stairs and get ready to bark at someone. I opened my door just enough so they could see and hear my girls.

One of them mentioned something about 'guard dogs'. I said, "what can I help you with ?"

He said, "we're the missionaries".

Like, he's said that so many times he has it down to a statement of fact. He knows that everyone knows what that means. I did but I checked their name tags to make sure. I simply wouldn't be walking around with a name tag trying to sell my views. Maybe that's why I'm not in a 'view' at the moment. Just me. Maybe ... obviously, some people rather enjoy it. Walking around going door to door on rainy days. It's just not my cup of tea. Must be in the rules and I'm sure a few read that part and skedaddled out the door. Door seems to be a theme here.

I told him I was a 'vacationing' viewer so we probably wouldn't have much to talk about. That's all it took. They started to turn and walk off my porch. I told them to "have a nice day in the rain".

That was the best 'view' visitors, I have ever had come to my door.

I don't mind views. I grew up with a view, been on a long vacation from it for a while ... thus, the term mentioned above. I don't mind a bit of this or that in conversation but basically I like to not be bothered at my door.

That's the one thing I realized when I bought my first home. You try to be nice at first. I even asked one set of 'view' visitors to come on in and help me wash the floor ... they weren't getting the hint that I was busy. My guard dog at the time was barking to help me. And, no they didn't come inside to help me clean. I wouldn't have let it get that far but for a moment I did think ... if they want to sell me on their view ... well, they're going to have to help clean this house. Just for a moment ... like two minutes or ten seconds ... that's what I thought. I was a young mother with a messy house and a book that was waiting for me and a list a mile long and I was trying to be nice. It's just that they were the wrong kind. I like the kind that make me laugh and bring dessert with them. The kind that plays with the baby while I talk about life while scrubbing the floor.

Oh a fact here ... I generally pick my guard dog by the bark. Woof Woof and I'm sold. That and the brown eyes.

I'm all for everyone believing in whatever they wish. I just don't want it at my doorstep. Not unless you're a friend or relative and even then, I'll probably bypass that topic.

Oh, by the way, I'm having tea on this rainy day, with my two guard dogs, who are snoozing now. They're getting older and this barking thing gets them tired.

I had a few more things to do today. If they'd pressed, I would have asked them to help comb the big dogs.

Are your dogs rested up? They might just be ringing your door bell next.

I had to write about it ... cause well they were such pleasant visitors and that doesn't happen too often.

I have to get back to my net exploring and my tea now ... all this excitement has got me tired too !!!

New Birds

There have been a few new birds in my yard.

New to me at least.

Yellow seems to be a new color. I've seen two different one's. I think they may be the same bird. I looked the color up and I have it narrowed down to the .. American Goldfinch. Which just happens to be the bird for the state of Washington. Where's it been til now, I don't know ?

Here's some info on my new Yellow visitor ...

"The American Goldfinch is the state bird of Washington. It is common throughout the lowlands of Washington, often coming to bird feeders. The male in breeding plumage is bright yellow with a black forehead, wings, and tail. He has one white wing-bar on each wing and white on his tail. Outside of the breeding season, the male is drab brown with hints of yellow and white wing-bars. In both breeding and non-breeding plumage, he has white undertail coverts contrasting with the yellow undertail coverts of the Lesser Goldfinch. The female in breeding plumage is yellowish-gray-brown on top and varies in color from bright yellow to dull yellow underneath. She has two light wing-bars on each wing and a light-colored bill. Her tail is black with white outer tips. Outside of the breeding season, she is gray above and below, and has less distinct wing-bars and a darker bill." http://birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=463

The other feathered friend is red and I looks a lot like a Male House Finch.

"The House Finch is a recent introduction from western into eastern North America (and Hawaii), but it has received a warmer reception than other arrivals like the European Starling and House Sparrow. That’s partly due to the cheerful red head and breast of males, and to the bird’s long, twittering song, which can now be heard in most of the neighborhoods of the continent. If you haven’t seen one recently, chances are you can find one at the next bird feeder you come across." http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/lifehistory

Bird Tv has been Purrfect lately ...

Drive To School

Young man drove to school this morning.

We looked both ways and after a long while, I finally said, "ok it's good to go".

I meant after the van that was driving by ... went past us.
He starts going while it was in front of us

I yelled, "not now "...

So, we get across the street.

He says, "I know what's wrong".

"I don't have my glasses on."

He stops ... yes, he stops in the road to put them on.

I had suggested he pull into the next street.

Ok, we're off again.

We stop and I say, "We can go after that truck".

He starts to roll forward ... another, "oh I didn't see it".

I'm telling him to slow down ... 25 mph area near a school

We spot a police officer on a motorcycle with a speed gun

He decides to wave at him

I'm telling him ... "no, don't wave." "Why not ? "

I then have explain about how you don't give

them a reason to pull you over ... "don't do that again"

"Now, slow down and turn but stay in your lane "

We are almost there

and they have a thing in the center of the turn lane

so he has to go either in front of it or after

I tell him, "in front"

we almost went in the ditch on that one

We get to the school parking lot and I tell him

"just park here"

he pulls way up and jerks it to a stop

Why do I have to teach him to drive ? Anyone out there want to volunteer ?

And, I'd been wondering why my shoulder has been hurting ... whip lash maybe ...

Saturday Night Date !!!

I actually went out on a sort of date on a Saturday night. I know. Shock of shock. Pick yourself off the floor kind of stuff.

What lead up to this you may ask ? Well, it was a sunny day. That alone would have been the best thing that‘s happened in a long while. We've had rain for like a year now. Ok, maybe just a week but it was so nice to have a warm afternoon.

We did a few things around the house. Mainly me telling my hubby what he needed to clean up. He’s a messy person and that’s being nice. I had made a list of a few things I wanted him to do or as I put it he could move to the boat and still have to clean up his stuff. He likes his boat but doesn’t want to live there so we got going on the list.

We had a box in the garage that was from when we moved in to this house some 14 odd years ago. Yes, fourteen years of ’we need to get to that, I think it might be in that box, you know the one in the corner with everything on it.’

I told him that today was the day. With the garage door open, and the sun shining in, we went through it. It was mainly old clothes in sacks. We moved here when my kids were five and two. There were a few items from those ages. Lots of cute little people shoes. The first boy shoes and the slip on flowery girl shoes. A cute pink swimsuit, a Halloween costume .. snow white .. one blue shoe that I remember last wearing when my son was two. Things like that.

We bagged the clothes and tied the shoes together and off to the local Boys and Girls Club bin we went. I love how you can donate … or what I call … getting rid of my junk .. by only going to your grocery store parking lot. Saves me having to converse with the guys at the Goodwill. They’re nice and all but quite a drive to not get a cup of coffee with the deal.

Anyway, back to the going out on a date. After we were done with that and the other things on the list, he says that he needs to buy a new sport coat for his business trip. I’m like ok. And, he adds, 'we could go out to eat before we look for a coat.' I tried to not jump up and down with girlish excitement. (Being in my 50's ... it isn't good for this arthritic bod to be doing that.) A date .. a real date. I haven’t done that in what twenty years. Youe'r right it’s probably been only five but still … what to wear …

I got on one of my new shirts that I bought for my Vegas trip. I knew I’d wear it again sometime. I even put on earrings and my wedding ring. I never wear those. Off I went to the local shopping mall. They just remodeled it and they have all sorts of new places to dine.

He decided that we should go for Italian. We park by the store where he thought he wanted to look. We walk in the mall and look around. No food. No info directory to be seen. We walk and walk and walk. Finally, we find a directory and the place he wanted to eat was outside the mall and across the parking lot. So, out I go, cause I’m determined to dine on this date. The wait is about 20 minutes which I thought wasn’t bad considering that there seemed to be a lot of people sitting outside in the sun. Which you have to remember we just aren’t used to. We were melting out there. It was an 80 degree day and we’d just come from a 40 wet week.

Food … I knew you would want to know. Delic. I got the cheese and spinach lasagna. The sauce was yummy. The bread sticks were so good. I had two. The glass of wine was asking for more but I knew we had to walk back across the parking lot into the mall and back to where the sport coats lived. So, one glass of wine it was.

We had a fun time. It’s funny how when you are actually dating .. you talk. We were tired from the day so we didn’t talk too much but it still was fun. To be out and about on a Saturday night. Wow .. it was like how the other half lives. I used to go out. Really I did. I was young once. I used to do a lot before I got married and had kids and a house and a yard and boxes in my garage to clean.

I’m home now. I even have my windows open to let in the cool air. The frogs or crickets are doing their evening song. My old dog is panting like crazy and going in and out and in and out. Same old stuff. You wouldn’t know that I had left my wooded domain and ventured out into the real world. No one would know. Except me.

I think I’ll do this again.Go out on a date with my cute hubby. Only I’m not going to wait ten years this time.

( This was written on Saturday night … it’s now Sunday morning. My daughter came home from college early this morning. Two am. I’ll write about that next week.)

Lilac ~ Update

A possibility of Fragrance

I never thought this day could arrive.

The deer totally ate this lilac bush.

It regrew and now I have hope.

(I played around with photo shop ... budding photographer that I am)

Purrfect Together

My two boys !!!

Riley Andrew is now two years old. He is the baby.

Al, is his oldest brother. He is a Big Boy. We think he is about nine.

Al has taken his baby brother under his care. Always being the gentle giant.

I found them napping together. I've watched a tiny orange kitten with his big brother.

Now, that kitten is a tall young man sitting with his soft big brother.

I always say that my cats are spoiled for all of those that aren't.

I'm wrong.

I'm the one that is spoiled !!!

Bleeding Heart

This is the Bleeding Heart in my front yard.

I had three of them but our Winter

had so much snow this year

that only this one survived.

Blue and White

For a moment,

the skies cleared up enough

for me to go outside.

This

is what

my sky

looked like.

Mystery Solved

I found the Bird from yesterday.

It is ... I think ... a Female House Finch

'House Finches are small-bodied finches with fairly large beaks and somewhat long, flat heads. The wings are short, making the tail seem long by comparison. Many finches have distinctly notched tails, but the House Finch has a relatively shallow notch in its tail.

Adult males are rosy red around the face and upper breast, with streaky brown back, belly and tail. In flight, the red rump is conspicuous. Adult females aren’t red; they are plain grayish-brown with thick, blurry streaks and an indistinctly marked face.

House Finches are gregarious birds that collect at feeders or perch high in nearby trees. When they’re not at feeders, they feed on the ground, on weed stalks, or in trees. They move fairly slowly and sit still as they shell seeds by crushing them with rapid bites. Flight is bouncy, like many finches.

House Finches frequent city parks, backyards, urban centers, farms, and forest edges across the continent. In the western U.S., you’ll also find House Finches in their native habitats of deserts, grassland, chaparral, and open woods.'

Information found @ http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

I'm going to end up being a Bird Expert. Now off to find that book ...

Wet Monday Meowning RANT

It's a wet Monday Meowning. Supposed to rain every day this week. Won't that be fun?

I tried fixing his eyes but it just made him look more like an alien orange kitty.

Baby Riley is sitting on the printer watching bird tv. It's ok today but not like yesterday. I posted about the new birds that were visiting us. Absolutely gorgeous. I haven't seen them before. We usually get chickadees, blue jays, woodpeckers, and a bunch of other birdies that I don't know their names. I found a site where you can put in the color of the bird and you get pages of birds with pictures. That's how I found the bird yesterday. I put in orange and wa la there it was. Today's bird though I could not find. It's grey and white ... I think it's in the sparrow or wren family but it's picture did not come up. I'll have to keep looking. I still haven't found that bird book. I'll probably find it when I'm too old to remember why I was looking for it.


The cherry trees down my driveway have been hanging low and when I drive by I get pink flowers all over my car. ( I'm glad I took the photos last week cause I was right and the rain has made the petals fall.) It's like I have to bend over to get out my driveway. One time I stopped and looked out my rooftop window ... really pretty ... looking at the blossoms from that angle. I'll do that when I'm in the school parking lot, waiting for my son to grace me with his presence. I'll be looking at the clouds and sky. I think I told you how I love the sky. Everything about it fascinates me. Wind, no wind, shapes ..


I'm always in search of peace. Last week it went away from my house with a swift kick. Like someone told it to go away and never come near us again. One of those weeks. Only it's one of those weeks that's going to follow us around for years. Maybe forever. I won't go into details now, maybe later, but our world has kind of gotten shaken and stirred and thrown back. It's a feeling of 'what the hell just happened'. We are still standing and it's like it didn't happen but it did. I'm mad as hell and I wish I didn't have to take it anymore but we do.


So, you add what happened last week with all that goes on normally ... or not so normal ... around my house and well, that trying to find peace ... I don't think it exists. I might try to find it again but for now I'm just going to keep going. One day at a time. One step at a time ... and that's funny cause I had to get my cane out this weekend ... that's a different story isn't it.


Life just keeps throwing 'stuff' and that's not the word I want to use but it's only a Monday meowning and I'm having coffee not a whiskey. The last couple of years my life, which wasn't easy in the first place, has had so much 'weird, never happens to anyone, you only read about that happening to people, that couldn't happen more than once, how many things could go wrong, oh, don't ask cause more will happen, everyone feels sorry for us, more went wrong, of course you thought surviving a coma was going to be the worst thing that happened to you, what a silly that was just the beginning, wasn't that enough, I could go on and on, and let's add what happened last week' odd 'stuff' tossed at me. I think it's someone else's turn ... I try to laugh about it but that doesn't seem to be helping.


Oh and let's not forget the crazy lady at the grocery store yesterday who went ballistic cause I told the store employee that someone had spilled lots of flourish like powder on the floor. Me being the good citizen and not wanting anyone to fall, went over and tried to tell the store person about the spill but was verbally attacked by the spoiled rotten bitchy lady ... and she really isn't a lady ... who was insulted that I bothered her time with the grocery lady. She literally bit my head off for telling the grocery lady while she was discussing cakes or something. I looked at her and told her I really didn't want anyone to fall. Literally, I live in a gang area or something ... or just a bitchy lady area ... cause I walked away and thought ... what was that ... never in my 50 odd years have I been attacked at a grocery store for being a good person ... of course the grocery lady didn't say a word .. I think she was scared by the bitchy cake lady. I went home unloaded my groceries and had a well deserved beer. It was one of those situations where you'd like to go back and just shake the girl ... cause a young lady wouldn't act that way ... tell her mother, take away her precious cake, make her walk home and think about what she just did, etc ... but, you know she didn't think a thing about what happened cause she's a bitchy young girl and will always act that way. Seriously ... she didn't care that someone might fall ...


And, with that ... I feel better now ... cause the world seems to be out to get me and I won't let it ... I'm that kind of old cat lady.


Oh the cats are all fine ... napping away ...


You all have a nice day now and be glad you don't shop at my grocery store ... it's dangerous.

Bird tv is fabulous today

I currently have a Black Headed Grosbeak eating my bird food.

There are two of them.

I can't take a picture but I found this.

http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=433

Back Yard Beauty

This is my new nature friend. Cute .. isn't he. Do you see his friend behind him. The bit of green. It's his smaller froggie friend. When I first saw him, his friend was sitting piggie back style on top of him. This is a very small opening inside a sprayer for a hose.



How did I discover this cute frog? Thanks for asking. My dog needed water. So, I went to the outside hose and when I turned it on water sprayed everywhere. I called my handy dandy husband over to 'Please Fix'.



He told me the connector had broken during the Winter and as he was taking it apart, I looked at our hose wheely thingy. That's the nifty tool that hangs on the house that you reel the hose into so it's not on the ground. It has a flat area where you can put extra yard things. Like old bird feeders that didn't make it to the garage and sprayers.



To my surprise, I was being looked at. I guess a few leaves had fallen over the top of the water sprayer and this made a grand baby froggie area. I ran inside to get my camera but by the time I got back, the smaller frog had gone further back inside.



Amazing what you find in a yard isn't it ?

Was I Ever Wrong

Last night, I watched the results show for American Idol. ( See my review on Wednesday )

Was I ever wrong !!

Kris stayed. So did Adam and Danny. It was Allison who went home. I'm ok with that decision. I don't think she could have won.

The entertainment last night was great. No doubt performed, Paula did one of her new songs and Chris and his band Daughtry gave us a look into his new album.

Next week it's 'home' week for the final three.

I'm not much of a reviewer but I do enjoy the music.

Thank You Noll's Nip

Noll's Nip has given me the Kreativ Blogger Award

(She gave it to me in late April and it must have been the one day I didn't read her blog. Silly Siamese again. )

I am to list the 6 things that make me happy and six blogs I want to receive this award.

What makes me Happy

1~ Anything Blue. Sky, Eyes, etc

2 ~ Sunny Days

3 ~ A cool drink on a warm day while sitting on my porch.

4~ Being by the Ocean. I have always enjoyed a day by the beach looking for shells.

5 ~ My Cats and Dogs. I think I've mentioned it before but they are my life.

6 ~ At my age, just making it through the day without too much going wrong.

Who do I want to give this award to. I'm thinking blogs that make me Happy due to their Kreativ blogging skills.

1 )Chickens in the Road at http://suzannemcminn.com/ One of the first blogs I found. I love her photos. She makes me want to bake and buy a baby lamb. I already have the two big dogs. Take a look at her farm photos.

2)Nan at http://shellsandroses.blogspot.com/ I just found this blog. She's an artist that likes cats and the Ocean. No explanation needed as to why that would make me happy.

3)Reya at http://thegoldpuppy.blogspot.com/ I like her photos and she has an older dog that reminds me of my dog.

4) Mark's Mew's at http://skeeterandlc.blogspot.com/ Siamese Cats. I'm on my 6th Siamese and this blog is like cat nip on a rainy day.

5) Cheryl at http://cottagefarmvilla.blogspot.com/ Photos, music ... Just take a look. Another new blog for me but I like it.

6) Tober at http://tobersadventures.blogspot.com/ This is a library cat. I recently finished a book about a library cat so I was thrilled to find his blog.

Those are the blogs that make me HAPPY. I will let them know what I think about them.

There are lots of blogs that I like for many reasons. Some I've given awards to just recently. I am always in search of peace and if that has a cat, dog, the Ocean or Lilacs ... just know that I'll find you and be peeking in on you through my blue eyes. Just that thought makes me Happy !!!

Rock Week

Riley is sitting near me helping with my opinions. Always near with a mew or a twitch of the tail. He helped me edit and I had to re check the spelling due to his big feet.

So, this is what we think ...

American Idol is down to four. This week the musical theme was Rock.

Ryan talked about how the stage had a mechanical malfunction. One of the AI signs broke.
Ryan wore a purple colored tie which made him look down right snazzy in his light grey suit.
Slash was the professional expert this week. He was the lead guitar player for Guns n’ Roses. Now he is in the band Velvet Revolver.

Adam Lambert sang 'Whole Lot Of Love' by led Zeppelin. Randy Loved it. Kara said he was a Rock God. Paula said he was a whole lot of purrfect. Simon said the problem was that nobody could top that now.

Allison Iraheta sang 'Cry Baby' by Janis Joplin. Randy did not love the song choice. It wasn’t great for him. Kara thought the same thing. Paula thought it was fearless. Simon thought she had confidence and vocal. Said it was a sound alike. He would not have chosen that song.

Kris and Danny sang a duet, Renegade by Styx. Randy really liked the harmonies. Kara thought that sum of the parts was better.( meaning that she didn't like when they sang individually in the song but like the harmony) Paula thought it was powerful and compelling. Simon thought Danny was better than Kris.

Kris Allen sang 'Come Together' by the Beatles. Randy loved the guitar playing and he enjoyed it. Kara said he was the soft side of rock but not a great performance. Paula thought his signature was all over the song but he needed a little more energy. Simon actually didn’t like it that much. He said it was like eating ice for lunch.

Danny Gokey sand 'Dream On' by AeroSmith. Randy said it was alright for him. Gave him an A plus for a valiant effort. Kara said he liked to see growth and risk and commended him for taking a chance. Paula said she didn’t know if it was the right song for him but she gave him an a plus plus for going for it. Simon said the last note was like watching a horror movie. A little bit over the top. Still said he would be safe.

Allison and Adam sang 'Slow Ride' by Fog Hat. They did a better duet than the other Kris and Danny. They of course are the rock and rollers. Randy said they are the two seasoned rock stars. They were the bomb baby. Kara said it was right to be pushing each other to be better. Paula said they were the perfect blend, like a marriage. Simon said they won the duet battle tonight.

My thought is that Kris will go.

I'll watch tonight to see who goes and gets to be in the Final Three.

I Did It ... Gave out my Life is Grand Awards

Life Is Grand Award

Cheri at Cats of Wildcat Woods gave me this award in April and I am now going to give this award to the Grand blogs that I have chosen. Each of you are Grand in my Eyes. Course I'm part Siamese so my eyes are a bit slanted at times.

This is how it works :

1. Give five reasons why you think life is Grand.

2. Pass the award on to five more blogs that you think are Grand.

Here are our five reasons I think life is grand:

1. My cats and dogs that give me such joy in life.

2. I wake up each meowning and I can walk and talk and feel most parts of my old body. Remember, I was in a coma and there were times when I couldn't do some those.

3. The Sky. I just love to look at it. The clouds, the sun, the planes, everything about it. I am fasinated by it and always will be.

4. Nature. I live in the woods and I am surrounded by it. Love the birds, flowers, grass, hills, even the weeds.

5. My true friends and my family ... ok, that's 5 and 6 but I slipped that in. I'll blame it on my slanted Siamese eyes.

Now, Five blogs that I would like to give this award to :

1 ) LeAnn at http://geeezblog.blogspot.com/ You started me on the blogging life and you are one of my Dear Purrball Friends. You also give me spiritual advice and our orange boys are digging a tunnel together. All Grand in my opinion.

2) Noll at http://nollsnip.blogspot.com/ I found you early in my blogging and I just love you. Maybe cause you're Siamese but there are so many other reasons.

3) Kim at http://myjourneywithms-kimberly.blogspot.com/ I have recently found her blog. I find her courage something that I am very in awe of. May I have half of what she has when my next need for it arises.

4) Siena & Chilli at http://catwithagarden.blogspot.com/ I also found you when I started blogging. You constantly amuse me. You are one of my favorite blogs. I have many but you are at the top of the Kitty Cat List.

5) Sheila @ http://critterlover-critterlover.blogspot.com/ You started blogging after LeAnn and I. You are also one of my Purrfect Friends and we have so much in common in our lives. One of them being slightly over weight Siameses.

OK, I'm done with my Grand Awards ... now, it's your turn.

I will be a Silly Snowshoe Siamese and let you all know how Grand you are to me.